Look To The Stars News: Latest

Annie Lennox Sings For World AIDS Day

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day – and also the first anniversary of Annie Lennox’s SING Campaign, and the star has launched a host of new additions to the SING website to celebrate.

Among the additions are a new Timeline that plots the progress of the campaign since its launch, and an Advent calendar which will unlock a new window every day through December that features either SING video’s, SING Image’s or a special video message from Lennox. There is also a new Widget that can be downloaded for Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and other sites, as well as a special SING Campaign YouTube site. Lennox is also writing a column in today’s issue of Britain’s The Sun newspaper about her work with SING.

SING was launched to raise money for the Treatment Action Campaign through the sales of an all-star single that featured the voices of Madonna, Céline Dion, Dido, Faith Hill, Joss Stone, Pink, Melissa Etheridge, Fergie, Bonnie Raitt, KT Tunstall, Shakira, Beth Orton, Sarah McLachlan, Anastacia, the Sugababes, KD Lang, Martha Wainwright, Angélique Kidjo, Beverley Knight, Shingai Shoniwa, Gladys Knight, and Isobel Campbell.

To watch a special video celebrating the first anniversary of the SING campaign, click here.

Africa Channel Delivers Positive News From The Continent

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and have Time Warner Cable, you may want to tune into channel 176 and be among the first to watch ‘The Africa Channel’- a new cable television station dedicated to original news and entertainment programs from Africa.

Congolese-born NBA star and humanitarian Dikembe Mutombo was among the first major investors in the idea of broadcasting African programming across America. He didn’t hesitate when asked to invest by Zimbabwean-born, James Makawa, the company’s CEO.

“This was a dream…how can we bring the African culture to the eyes of the American public,” said Mutombo, “There is a lot of things happening in the continent that is not getting any news or publicity here in America…right now, half the population of the African continent is under the age of 15, what are we doing to preserve that next generation.”

Makawa, a long-time NBC correspondent, acknowledges that while most of what is reported in the mainstream media about the African continent is accurate, there is much more to the continent than HIV/AIDS, armed conflicts, hunger, and corruption. According to their video, ”Foreign journalist focus too much on negative stories from the continent, for decades Africans have sat back and watched helplessly as people who hardly understand Africa tell their stories, that may change soon. ”

The channel is currently available in Los Angeles and New York and hopes to expand into other markets. Mutombo, “I see the Africa Channel becoming global news, a global channel.”

The Africa Channel launched last week at the California African Museum in Los Angeles, where hundreds of people, along with Mutombo, ushered in and welcomed a new outlet for bringing us closer to Africa and its beautiful culture.

Jet Li Visits Earthquake Victims With Donatella Versace

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jet Li visited a school devastated by the Sichuan earthquake in China earlier this month, and he took with him a very special guest – Donatella Versace.

According to an article in Time magazine, the pair visited the village of Sanjiang, Wenchuan county, to see a school and counseling center designed to provide post-trauma and psychological relief in China’s Sichuan province funded by Versace through the One Foundation.

“When you see things on television, you don’t know if it’s true,” said Versace. “I wanted to see it with my eyes and touch it myself.”

The counseling centers and schools provide a place to live while families rebuild their homes, as well as one-on-one counseling sessions with doctors. Versace hopes to raise $1.2 million more to open two or three schools in the earthquake zone.

“I cannot begin to imagine the terrible effect something like this must have on young children,” she said. “Children want to feel safe and cared for, and so I hope that through providing expert care for them, we might be able to bring back some of that feeling of security into their lives.”

“I don’t ask for CEO’s money, I ask for their hearts,” added Li. “With hearts we can change a lot.”

Signed Eagles Guitars On Sale For Conservation

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

A limited number of Takamine acoustic guitars, hand-signed by the Eagles, are being made available for charity.

The guitars – signed by Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, and Timothy B. Schmidt – will benefit the Walden Woods Project, a nonprofit group headquartered near Boston. The organization is leading the fight to preserve historic Walden Woods—the birthplace of the American conservation movement and the setting for Henry David Thoreau’s famous writings on the environment and social reform. The Walden Woods Project’s national and international programs for teachers and students are designed to provide the next generation with the education and motivation they will need to meet the global environmental challenges of the 21st century.

The instruments come in two different colors – natural and black – and are available through the Eagles website for US$2,500.

Oasis Donate Guitar To African Street Children

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Last week, rock and roll superstars Oasis donated their guitar for a charity auction to benefit Street Child Africa, an organization which befriends children living on city streets across the continent and gives them guidance and support to change their way of life.

All five band members, including guitarist Noel Gallagher and singer Liam Gallagher, signed the Martin six-string guitar for the charity before their recent gigs at Glasgow’s SECC.

The annual Street Child Africa ball is organized by a group of women who were thrilled with the donation. One of the ball’s organizers, Nicola Hay, admitted she was a little unsure if the infamously-temperamental Gallagher brothers would agree. “To be honest, I doubted whether they would sign the guitar,” she said. “I thought it was a long shot but we decided to give it a try. However, when Oasis were told what the charity was about they agreed to help out. It’s brilliant that they did sign it. In fact, Noel Gallagher wrote ‘God bless the kids’ on it, which I thought was quite touching.”

The band agreed to put their signatures on the guitar after receiving a request from Glasgow-based guitar distributors Westside, run by Bothwell man Philp Hay. The final bid for the highly sought after guitar was $4,000, and helped bring the total raised from this years event to approximately $40,000.

Camilla Paints For Charity

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, did more than create goodwill when she visited a cancer care center in London recently – she created artworks as well.

The wife of Prince Charles added the finishing touches to a nature collage made by patients at one of the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre’s – of which she is president – art therapy classes during a trip last week.

The unit, at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith, west London, is one of six across the country that offers a free-of-charge domestic haven for cancer patients to receive emotional and psychological support in a homely and relaxed environment.

According to the Press Association, the Duchess of Cornwall became involved with the organization after a visit to the Edinburgh unit in June this year and will now carry out a formal role as the charity’s president.

Kiwi Stars Record Charity Song

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of New Zealand’s best known international stars have recorded a new song to raise money for children in need.

Anika Moa, and Opshop have joined together for a version of Dave Dobbyn’s award winning song Beside You to raise money for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, a charity that provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger in New Zealand.

“Everyone was there with the best of intent,“ said Jason Kerrison, lead singer for Opshop. “It’s all about helping children with special needs, and knowing this helps you drive yourself and be there in the best capacity.”

The trust was established four years ago by Hinewehi Mohi, whose daughter Hineraukatauri has severe cerebral palsy, and has since gained support from stars such as Hayley Westenra and Neil Finn.

“When you see the effect that music has on kids going through the centre it’s pretty profound,” Kerrison told TVNZ.

The single will start getting airplay on New Zealand radio this week and will be available for sale from New Zealand retail giant The Warehouse and for download from December 8.

Moa and Opshop will also perform the song with Dobbyn when they take part in the annual summer Winery Tour which begins on February 6.

Carla Bruni Vows To Help Battle AIDS

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

France’s First Lady, model-turned-pop star Carla Bruni, will use her celebrity profile to rally support in the fight against the deadly AIDS virus.

The wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy will act as a goodwill ambassador for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, as well as other dangerous illnesses including tuberculosis and malaria.

The weekly l’Express magazine reported that Bruni has agreed to be a goodwill ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS.

” I was very honored that they propose it to me ”, said the 40-year-old, who presented her commitment during a press conference on Monday with Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Created in 2002 to finance prevention and access to treatments in poor countries, the fund – based in Geneva – oversees hundreds of programs in 140 countries through public-private partnerships that have raised more than 11 billion dollars.

Bruni, who married Sarkozy in February, expressed an interest in work to battle HIV following a visit to South Africa, which has one of the world’s largest AIDS caseloads.

The supermodel-turned-singer has said she hoped her status as French First Lady could be used to advance a worthy global cause and promises to focus her AIDS charity work on the plight of mothers and children who are affected by the disease. “Every day, 1,000 children are infected by the virus and 90% are it by their mother. There is a whole educational work to be led.”

For her new work, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy plans to lean on the team of her husband by taking advantage of its official movements. ” I do not know if I am a good diplomat, but I am full of energy ”, she says.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy said that she is very sensitive to the cause of the AIDS, notably because her own brother died from this disease. Her mother created a foundation in Virginio Bruni-Tedeschi’s name in 2007.

The French First Lady wishes to pursue this commitment even after her husband is no longer President.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy also explained that she has other projects in France in the field of education, and more particularly of the fight against analphabetism and illiteracy. ” I hope I can speak about it soon more exactly. From the beginning of the next year ”, she promised.

Christina Aguilera Performs At CNN Heroes Event

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop singer Christina Aguilera joined fellow Grammy Award winners Alicia Keys and John Legend at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event that aired on CNN last night.

The event honored the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008, and was taped in front of an audience of 2,500 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Liz McCartney, dedicated to helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes, was named 2008 CNN Hero of the Year, and will receive $100,000 to carry on her humanitarian work.

“In this time of economic turmoil, it is such a relief to know that there are people like these heroes, people who care more for others than they do for themselves,” said Anderson Cooper, who hosted the show.

Cameron Diaz, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski, Forest Whitaker, Meg Ryan, Terrence Howard, Lucy Liu, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale and Selena Gomez were among the stars that attended the event.

Aguilera has also spoken out about the recent Prop 8 decision and leant her support to the same-sex marriage campaign.

“They’re [gay couples] constantly pushing to be heard and given equal rights,“ she said. “I think there’s a lot of unfairness that goes along with being gay, so the more I can do to give them a voice, then I’ll do so. But I think we’d be fooling ourselves if we thought that everywhere was accepting of gay rights and marriages. I think it’s unfair there has to be some kind of standard for marriage. Marriage should be about two people celebrating their love for each other. It shouldn’t have anything to do with someone’s sexual preference.”

Josh Duhamel Bears It All For Conservation

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Transformers star Josh Duhamel traveled to the shore of the Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, earlier this week to raise awareness of the plight of polar bears.

The star joined scientists Dr. Ian Stirling and Dr. Steven Amstrup, members of the Scientific Advisory Council of Polar Bears International – a non-profit organization devoted to worldwide conservation of the polar bear through support of research and education – as part of their Thermo-STAT project.

“I’m blown away by the beauty of seeing these awesome creatures up close and personal,” said Duhamel. “I wanted to see the effects of climate change and confront the contradictory claims about polar bears first-hand. The plight of the polar bear is a symbol of what’s going on globally.”

The 36-year-old star – currently engaged to Fergie – recorded a PSA about polar bears while on his visit, and pledged to share simple steps with the world to make people aware of our global impact on the bear and their habitat.

“The bears sort of symbolize something global and if we think globally, we have to think locally and if we’re thinking locally we have to be conscious of things we can do to reduce, you know?“ he said. “They’re just amazing creatures, they’re just awesome. The more I learn, the more interesting they are.”

The Thermo-STAT project is designed to alert the world that higher temperatures are having an immediate and negative impact on polar bear conservation due to global warming.

“In Los Angeles especially, we have got to travel more efficiently,” Duhamel said. “Reducing electricity as much as possible, and eating locally-grown, organic food are easy actions to take for most of us.“

Cindy Crawford Feeds The Homeless

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Love Hewitt were among the stars who helped out at Kirk Douglas’ annual Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless on Wednesday.

“It’s a great cause,” said actor Ross McCall. “What a wonderful thing that you get to deliver a hot meal to someone who needs it.”

Between 2,500 and 3,000 people benefited from the celebrity meal, which also featured free health checks.

“It’s just about recognizing how fortunate we all are,“ said Crawford. “It’s a way for us to just put our heads in the right state of mind for being truly thankful and it’s great to interact with the guests of the Los Angeles Mission and just be able to serve them a warm meal.”

Hewitt – who is a regular at the annual event – was also full of praise for the work of the Los Angeles Mission, where the event was staged: “What they do all year round, besides just what they do on the holidays, is really inspiring.”

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Trevor Project – the nonprofit endeavor established to promote acceptance of gay and questioning teenagers and aid in suicide prevention – is to hold an evening of irreverent comedy, performances, and awards next month.

The 11th annual Cracked Xmas – A Not So Silent Night will be presented by Anne Hathaway and will honor Sigourney Weaver with a Life Award for her support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Previous recipients include Ellen DeGeneres, Debra Messing, and Rosie O’Donnell.

“I feel grateful and humbled to be honored with the Trevor Life Award, and to be recognized as an ally to the LGBTQ community,” said Weaver. “I hope that films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ will send messages of compassion and acceptance to all people, and compel them to create safer, all-encompassing environments for our young people.”

Lifetime Networks, a leader in women’s television that produces and distributes diverse programming for its audiences, will receive The Trevor Hope Award.

“We are delighted to honor Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime Networks, since they both demonstrate the courage and conviction to break the barriers of stereotype and intolerance,” said Charles Robbins, executive director and chief executive officer of The Trevor Project. “Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime provide inspiration to young people and families who will see films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ and understand the importance of celebrating diversity and life.”

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth, and has taken over 100,000 phone calls since its inception.

The event will also feature an appearance by Salma Blair and will take place at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on December 7. Tickets and info are available at the Trevor Project website.

Gisele Bundchen Spreads Thanksgiving Goodwill

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen surprised a lucky crowd in Roxby, Massachusetts, on Wednesday when she turned up with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to serve Thanksgiving dinner to job trainees at Goodwill’s HQ.

“I feel it is more of a gift to us to be able to serve them,” Bundchen told NewsCenter 5’s Jack Harper . “I am happy to be here.”

Goodwill Industries International is the world’s largest nonprofit providers of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages. Bundchen and Brady dished out turkey and all the trimmings unannounced to over 400 job trainees.

“We were so happy to have them,” said Goodwill’s Diana Pisciotta, adding that Brady was unable to make the Patriots’ annual Thanksgiving basket giveaway earlier in the week, so he decided to join in on the fun at Goodwill. “Gisele was very gracious, smiling and talking to people. She’s been a doll.”

Meryl Streep's Doubt For Actors Fund

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Actors Fund of America is holding a special screening of the movie Doubt, and invites you to join the film’s stars Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis to raise money for their cause.

Doubt – to be released in December – is based on John Patrick Stanley’s Pulitzer Prize winning play about a priest’s relationship with a black student in the 1960’s.

The screening will take place at the Paris Theatre in New York on December 7, with a special reception afterwards. Proceeds will go towards the Actors Fund’s mission to help professionals in performing arts and entertainment who are in need or crisis.

Tickets for the screening and reception are $150, and $50 for the screening only. They are available at the Actors Fund website.

Jack Johnson, Oasis, Radiohead Appear On Charity CD

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Urban Outfitters and Filter Magazine have teamed up to create the fifth installment of the Give.Listen.Help compilation CD to raise money for the Pablove Foundation.

The Pablove Foundation is named after Pablo Castelaz, the five-year-old son of Dangerbird Records co-founder Jeff Castelaz and his wife Jo Ann Thrailkill. On May 17, 2008, Pablo was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms’ Tumor, a rare form of children’s cancer. The cancer appeared out of nowhere, with no warning signs in Pablo’s general demeanor or health. He is currently undergoing treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and is doing extremely well. Thanks to decades of research and treatment at places like CHLA, Wilms’ Tumor is over 90% curable.

A large percentage of the proceeds from the CD ($13.88 of every $14.99) will be donated to the Foundation, which directly supports the pediatric cancer community in and around CHLA.

The track list for the double CD is:

DISC 1

Garbage – “Witness to Your Love” (previously unreleased)
Radiohead – “House of Cards”
Of Montreal – “Jimmy” (M.I.A. cover)
Bat for Lashes – “What’s a Girl” (Plaid remix)
Oasis – “Falling Down” (Chemical Brothers remix)
Rilo Kiley – “Draggin’ Around” (previously unreleased)
Bloc Party – “Flux” (JKL remix)
The Faint – “The Geeks Were Right” (DIOYY remix)
CSS – “Rat Is Dead” (Rage)”
Decemberists “Billy Liar” (live)
Ra Ra Riot – “Can You Tell” (Little Ones remix)
Ladytron – “Ghosts” (Modwheelmood mix)
The Little Ones “I Don’t Want to Dance” (previously unreleased)
Other Lives – “Paper Cities” (previously unreleased)
Two Sheds – “You”
Jack Johnson “All At Once” (live at Bumbershoot 2008)

DISC 2

Silversun Pickups – “Table Scraps”
Eulogies – “Is There Anyone Here?”
Darker My Love – “Blue Day”
The Dears – “Crisis 1 & 2”
Sea Wolf – “The Promise”
The Curse of Company – “All the Mines”
One a.m. radio – “Old Men”
Ed Laurie – “Albert”
Eric Avery – “All Remote and No Control”
Dappled Cities – “Vision Bell”
La Rocca – “Cross the River”

The CD is available exclusively through the Urban Outfitters website.

Aid For The World Presents An Evening With Colin Powell

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

Aid for the World, the global humanitarian organization that uses everyday resources to meet the most basic needs of people worldwide, will be hosting its first annual gala benefit “Leader In Action” featuring keynote speaker General Colin Powell – who will speak on “ Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values” – and honoring His Excellency President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.

71-year-old Colin Powell was the 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005), serving under President George W. Bush. He was the first African American appointed to that position. During his miltary career, Powell also served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989), as Commader-in-Chief, U.S. Army Forces Command (1989), and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993), holding the latter position during the Gulf War.

General Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.

There will be only 1000 seats available for this unforgettable evening which will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2008 from 6.30 pm to 10 pm at the America Museum of Natural History of New York. The program also includes performances by the Grammy and CMA award winning Peasall Sisters and The Orphan Unification Drummers of Burundi. Orphaned by war, the twelve children come together – each from a different province of the nation – and create drum music as part of a unification, reconciliation and healing.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities or VIP inquiries contact: Melissa Hoffman: mhoffman@aidfortheworld.org or call 347-522-1742.

Oprah's Chef Wants You To Love Your Veggies

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Author and chef Art Smith is looking for a few good moms – those devoted to getting their kids and their communities to love eating vegetables. Chef Smith – celebrity chef for Oprah and a host of others – will host a Love Your Veggies retreat for winners of the “Search for Veggie Champions Contest.“ The goal is to help moms everywhere raise veggie-loving kids.

The campaign is an initiative that has now awarded 51 elementary schools nationwide each with $10,000 grants to help provide students with greater access to fresh vegetables and fruits during school meals. Earlier this year Love Your Veggies published a book by actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley to support their cause.

For a chance to win a spot at Chef Smith’s retreat, moms must complete a simple application at www.LoveYourVeggies.com. Ten winners will enjoy an all-expense-paid trip to Chicago from April 28 to April 29 for two days of fun and educational workshops, field trips, cooking demonstrations and tastings with some of America’s most notable food, gardening and nutrition experts. To ensure a little pampering along the way, winners will receive accommodations for three nights, a spa visit and dinner at Chef Smith’s own Table Fifty-Two restaurant. Each retreat winner will also receive $5,000 to start or improve a vegetable garden in her hometown. The winner must designate a non-profit organization to which the $5,000 prize money will be awarded and with whom the community garden will be planted or improved.

Chef Smith designed the retreat to cover topics that educate moms on how to introduce and involve kids in a healthy eating experience, including vegetable education, gardening, meal planning and shopping, and cooking. The information taught at the retreat will be made available for all parents on LoveYourVeggies.com.

“It’s not enough to simply tell a child to eat her broccoli because it’s good for her and expect her to comply,” said Chef Smith, founder of the non-profit organization Common Threads, which teaches children the importance of fresh ingredients and how to connect with their bodies, their neighbors, and their world in a healthy way. “It’s also not the best idea to attempt to hide veggies in a recipe’s ingredients, so kids don’t realize what they’re eating. Other than the obvious health benefits, vegetables can be some of the most fun and delicious foods your children will ever eat. The best thing you can do is help you kids learn about vegetables so they grow an appreciation and love for them. By making veggie eating educational and fun and involving them in the process, kids will make healthy choices.”

Christopher Reeve Foundation To Make Magic Happen

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Making Magic Happen, the 4th Annual Los Angeles Gala for the Christopher Reeve Foundation, will take place next Tuesday, December 2.

The evening will honor actress Jane Seymour with the 2008 Philanthropy Award and former Indy Racing League Driver Sam Schmidt with the 2008 Visionary Leadership Award.

Christopher Reeve – who was paralyzed when he fell off a horse in 1995 – first met Jane Seymour when they co-starred in the 1980 fantasy romance, “Somewhere in Time.” They remained friends for over 20 years until his death in 2004. After his accident, Seymour was inspired by his extraordinary strength and will to live. His inspiration caused her to reach out to mentor young people with spinal cord injury.

Sam Schmidt was left paralyzed after a racing accident in 2000, but regained control of his life thanks to the support of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, an organization dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.

Stars expected to attend the event include Marcia Cross, Jennie Garth, Kyle Maclachlan, Brandon Routh and many others.

The event will take place at the Beverly Hills Hilton, and tickets can be purchased through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation website.

Jackson Browne And Friends: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackson Browne is getting together some of his best musical friends for a benefit concert this weekend.

Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, and Joan Baez will band together to raise money for Operation USA on Saturday, November 29, to support the organization’s ongoing disaster relief efforts in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba and Haiti, with specific focus on programs addressing the urgent local needs of displaced families and health facilities stretched to breaking point.

Jackson Browne is no stranger to benefit concerts – his No Nukes concerts in 1979 with Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and a host of the era’s biggest stars were one of the earliest examples of large-scale, organized rock concerts for a cause. Last year he joined with Raitt and Graham Nash to record a version of Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s Worth to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear power.

Saturday’s show will take place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and tickets are available through Jackson Browne’s official website.

Ewan McGregor Auctions Motorcycle For UNICEF

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Scottish actor Ewan McGregor is set to auction one of his favorite motorcycles for UNICEF.

McGregor – a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 – has donated his white Moto Guzzi California Vintage cycle to the charity to raise money for projects helping children around the world. The money raised from this auction will go to their Children’s Emergency Fund, which enables the organization to launch a response for children the moment a disaster strikes. Whether it is a flood, conflict or earthquake, UNICEF provides life-saving supplies such as health kits, food and shelter to children and families in need.

“It’s the first of its kind in this color and one of my favorite bikes,“ said the 37-year-old actor. “I collected this bike from the Moto Guzzi factory in Italy and rode it back to London. I’ve loved riding it ever since and I know that you will too. As a UNICEF Ambassador, I’ve been greatly privileged to visit a number of incredibly inspiring UNICEF projects and see the impact of its work on children and their families. You have the ability to help ensure that UNICEF continues its vital work protecting children when disasters occur. On behalf of UNICEF, thank you for your support.”

Earlier this year, McGregor joined Charley Boorman in a marathon motorcycle ride in Africa. The pair visited charity projects around the continent and raised over $621,000 at a charity dinner when they returned.

To view the bike or make a bid on this once-in-a-lifetime item, visit McGregor’s eBay site.

Glenn Close And Quincy Jones Share Inspire Awards

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

AARP Magazine, the world’s largest-circulation magazine, has announced the recipients of its fifth annual Inspire Awards.

Glenn Close and Quincy Jones will be presented with awards for their humanitarian work at a special ceremony on December 8 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Close is being recognized for her work as a mental health advocate, especially her involvement with Fountain House, a nonprofit organization that she discovered while searching for help for her relatives.

“I’ve seen mental illness firsthand,” she said. “I know there are millions of people affected, and it’s not just the patient who is suffering. It’s everyone around them.”

Next year she will front a national advertising campaign intended to diminish the stigma of mental illness.

“When I first thought about doing this, I wondered if people would think that I was mentally ill,” says Close. “Then I thought, ‘What’s the alternative? Not to do it?’”

Musical icon Quincy Jones’ honor is the result of his work in the fight against global poverty. His Quincy Jones Foundation helps children around the world overcome poverty as well as assisting with programs to eradicate malaria in Africa, developing housing in post-apartheid South Africa, and establishing youth centers in conflict-ridden areas.

Other honorees this year include Richard M. Cohen (Voice for the Chronically Ill), Martin Eakes (Lending to the Poor), Katherine Freund (Transportation Activist), Peter Gallagher (Alzheimer’s Advocate), David E. Hayes-Bautista, Ph.D. (Latino-Health Researcher), Susan Love, M.D. (Cancer Crusader), Rose Nakamura (Compassionate Caregiver), and Alma Powell (Children’s Advocate).

“These leaders set a great example for all on how passion can support and spark change in creative, innovative ways. Their stories are truly inspiring,” said Nancy Graham, Vice President and Editor of AARP The Magazine.

Former honorees include Richard Gere, Gary Sinise, Robert DeNiro, and Michael J. Fox.

Profiles for all of the honorees and more information about the event can be found at www.aarpmagazine.org.

Terry Wogan To Croon For Christmas Charity Single

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Veteran British television and radio presenter Terry Wogan has teamed up with Welsh singer Aled Jones to release a Christmas single for charity.

The unlikely duo are raising funds for Children in Need with their version of the Bing Crosby and David Bowie classic ‘Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth’.

“Aled Jones sings like the canary that he is,“ joked 70-year-old Wogan. “But listeners may also detect my croaking in the background and wonder if it’s a rumbling of the stomach!”

Every copy sold will help Children in Need’s total continue to rise above the record-breaking £20,991,216 reached at the end of the epic seven hour BBC1 appeal show held earlier this month, with a minimum of £1 from the sale of each CD single benefiting the charity, as well as a minimum of 20p per download.

“It was a fantastically surreal experience recording at Abbey Road Studios with Terry Wogan and, with tremendous support from the Chris Evans Show, the song is gaining momentum daily,“ said Jones.”I don’t know if this wave of support will take us all the way to Top Of The Pops but we’re having a lot of fun helping raise money for Children in Need.”

The song goes on sale on December 8.

Help From Houston: Miley Cyrus To Perform At Christmas Charity Event

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Isra Shah

Miley Cyrus is set to perform at the annual Christmas Cheers and Charity Party hosted by Houston attorney Mark Lanier.

The event will benefit Guatemala SANA, an organization that develops programs to address issues ranging from healthcare and education to the nation’s environmental concerns. For the 7,000 to 8,000 guests lucky enough to receive an invitation, there is a request as well; attendees are asked to bring items from a “wish list” of possible things to donate, ranging from basic supplies to cash for larger materials such as blackboards and septic tanks for schools.

Lanier explained the motivation behind his mission, telling the Houston Chronicle that “We’re trying to get them clean water. We’re trying to get them good schools. And we’re trying to give them the supplies they need to get an education.”

Next month’s event will not be the first time Miley has lent her time for a good cause. The Hannah Montana star recently celebrated her sixteenth birthday with a charity bash at Disneyland to benefit the volunteering organization Youth Service America.

For more information about Guatemala SANA, visit their website.

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