Erick Mose and Aleksandra Duliba Winners of 28th Annual ASICS LA Marathon 2013

On Sunday, March 17, 2013 the 2013 ASICS LA Marathon was held from Los Angeles Dodger Stadium to the Sea at Santa Monica, California.

Erick Mose from Kenya wins the Men’s race. Mose won in an unofficial time of 2:09:43. The marathon record stands in 2:08:24.

Aleksandra Duliba from Belarus wins the Women’s race at the 28th ASICS Los Angeles Marathon 2013 on Sunday which it was her marathon debut, and Kenyan Erick Mose won the Men’s race with a personal best.

Duliba led 21 of 26 miles, including the final 14, and finished in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 8 seconds, breaking the Belarusian national record by 15 seconds.

The women’s and men’s winners each receive $25,000. In addition to the $25,000 first prize, Duliba won a $50,000 bonus as the first elite runner to cross the finish line, 2:09 ahead of Mose, who won in 2:09:44. The women started 18:35 ahead of the men.

Keter finished second while Nicholas Chelimo, also of Kenya, was third in 2:10:41.

28th Annual ASICS LA Marathon 2013 results:

Male Leaderboard

Pos.	Name	City, State	Bib	Sex	Age	Pace	Diff	Time
1	Erick Mose (KEN)	Toluca	11	M	26	4:57	+0:00	2:09:43.01
2	Julius Keter (KEN)	Kapsabet	14	M	24	4:59	+0:47.45	2:10:30.46
3	Nicholas Chelimo (KEN)	Ngong Hills	2	M	30	4:59	+0:59.66	2:10:42.67
4	Weldon Kirui (KEN)	Kericho	6	M	24	4:59	+1:07.46	2:10:50.47
5	Vitaly Shafar (UKR)	Kiev	15	M	31	5:05	+3:46.58	2:13:29.59
6	Philemon Baaru (KEN)	Nairobi	4	M	31	5:08	+4:55.97	2:14:38.98
7	Nick Arciniaga (USA)	Flagstaff, AZ	12	M	29	5:14	+7:21.30	2:17:04.31
8	Chris Chavez (USA)	Menlo Park, CA	16	M	26	5:19	+9:37.21	2:19:20.22
9	Benard Onsare (CAN)	Calgary, Al	1134	M	30	5:31	+15:05.47	2:24:48.48
10	Jared Abuya (USA)	Colorado Springs, CO	1159	M	36	5:32	+15:33.18	2:25:16.19

Female Leaderboard

Pos.	Name	City, State	Bib	Sex	Age	Pace	Diff	Time
1	Aleksandra Duliba (BLR)	Minsk	F10	F	27	5:34	+0:00	2:26:07.45
2	Zemzem Ahmed (ETH)	Addis Ababa	F4	F	28	5:44	+4:23.82	2:30:31.27
3	Deena Kastor (USA)	Mammoth Lakes, CA	F1	F	40	5:49	+6:30.99	2:32:38.44
4	Aberash Nesga (ETH)	Addis Ababa	F6	F	27	6:00	+11:01.77	2:37:09.22
5	Colleen De Reuck (USA)	Boulder, CO	F3	F	48	6:09	+15:16.25	2:41:23.70
6	Joanna Zeiger (USA)	Boulder, CO	F9	F	42	6:17	+18:40.58	2:44:48.03
7	Ailsa MacDonald (CAN)	St Albert, Al	2412	F	32	6:25	+22:07.86	2:48:15.31
8	Julia Budniak (USA)	Los Angeles, CA	24353	F	32	6:28	+23:22.42	2:49:29.87
9	Natalie Stein (USA)	North Hollywood, CA	1224	F	30	6:47	+31:46.49	2:57:53.94
10	Kate Freeman (USA)	Los Angeles, CA	1211	F	31	6:48	+32:22.05	2:58:29.50

About The ASICS LA Marathon:
They inspire athletes and connect communities. With thousands of volunteers,tens of thousands of participants and hundreds ofthousands of spectators,the ASICS LA Marathon is one of the largest organized road races in the country. The Stadium to the Sea course, which starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes by the Santa Monica Pier, is considered one of the most scenic in the world. The race has been
named Best Big City Race by Runner’s World and Best Marathon in the West by Competitor Magazine. For more information visit http://www.lamarathon.com

Source: Los Angeles Marathon

Photos credit to: Photo by Alireza Kia/Alireza Kia Photography and Francois Palais/Francois Palais Photography for Diversity News Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Congratulations to the winners! Our Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban Escobar aka Steven Escobar contributed to this story.

Exclusive: One on One Interview with Pageant Candidate of Queen of the Universe 2013 Ms. Golsa Sarabi

Golsa Sarabi is known as Mirage in the entertainment industry. She was born in Tehran, Iran on August 31, 1983. Her dad is a professional well known carpenter that runs their own family business with her mom in Iran. She has one sister, who is a successful business owner and lives in Iran right now.

Golsa is an actress/model/dancer, and certified Wellness Coach and Trainer. Being in the spotlight and helping others is her dream, so she took acting and modeling classes at John Casablanca in Vancouver, Canada. Educated in Iran, Canada and the USA, Golsa Sarabi has a diverse educational background behind her diploma and certifications. She has earned certifications in personal training, weight management, acting and modeling. Golsa Sarabi had participated in some fashion show runways while in Canada and then later moved back to Iran.

This one on one interview which was finalized on January 2, 2013 is a question and answer format.

Golsa Sarabi = GS and Esteban Escobar = EE

EE: In your own words who is Golsa Sarabi?

GS: Golsa Sarabi has lived in different cities around the world since she was a little girl. Changing locations, living in different societies and cultures, and starting everything over taught her so many great lessons, such as flexibility, strong personality, and dedication. She is a hard working person that when she sets her mind into something, she will definitely overcome the challenges to make it happen. She’s an energetic woman, who loves to inspire people around the world and transfer her love and energy to them. She has so many nice dreams and wishes for humanity and peace around the world, and one thing is for sure about her, that “She is here to use her talents and make a Change.”

EE: Who is Mirage?

GS: Mirage was suggested by one of my great friends, who owns a production company. It has the same meaning as my last name in Farsi, but it seems easier to say and more international for the entertainment industry. I love how it sounds, so unique!

EE: What do you fear the most?

GS: I believe life is full of challenges and different experiences that can teach us great lessons. We mostly fear of things that are unknown to us, but I believe I’m blessed by God’s power and even in the most difficult situations, his love always protects me.

EE: Please tell us about your Awards? and what they mean to you?

GS: I believe the most recent one was winning the title of Ms. Iran and being the candidate for the Queen of the Universe. I have won so many awards at school and college as the honor student, or the most intelligent student, or different gold and silver medals in sports competitions, and great recognition by my acting professors, directors, and even employers. What they all mean to me is, I always enjoy learning and I never feel fulfilled even if I win an Oscar one day, because I know there will be another experience that I never had before, I’ll keep up the hard work for the next role. So, there’s always room for growth as long as I’m alive, and I enjoy working hard for my heart’s passions.

EE: Whom have help you where you are now?

GS: My family has been always a huge support in my life, that I couldn’t have done anything without their help.

EE: What’s next for you in 2013?

GS: So many things. Actually, I always write down my next year’s goals exactly on the last day of the year, and you won’t believe it if I say that thankfully I achieve most of them by the end of the year. I will just shorten them in a few words that definitely there will be more projects and learning in acting and modeling path, fitness business, volunteer jobs, and charity events that have been already planted from 2012. I feel 2013 is the year that the seeds that I have planted from 2012 will start growing step by step.

EE: How would you like or want people to remember you when you die?

GS: A fearless top actress, that people enjoy her projects even though she’s not alive anymore. Also, the person who has made different moves for humanity, and helped so many people with a kind heart and nice smile.

EE: Whom you would like or want to thank?

GS: First, I would love to thank my family for their support. Then, all of my wonderful friends and fans, and most importantly my wonderful manager Sean Noori, and all of my amazing sponsors, especially Pars TV which I wouldn’t be able to continue my path without their strong supports. Also, I would love to appreciate the president and the whole pageant’s crew that have been giving me this wonderful opportunity to take this path with them, and all of their hard work and effort. It was absolutely a phenomena experience!! And last but not least, a special thanks to all the Iranians around the world. Love, Peace and Happiness to the whole world, “Happy 2013”

(Please click on the photos to view them regular size)

Recently Golsa Sarabi was interviewed on Diversity News Radio, where you can listen to the complete interview by visiting at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/diversitynewsradio/2012/12/22/welcome-to-diversity-news-radio-on-air-with-steven-escobar

Golsa Sarabi is currently a beauty pageant candidate representing Ms. Iran in the Queen of the Universe Pageant which will take place on January 27, 2013. In the Queen of the Universe Pageant she will be competing with 45 women from different countries. She is a certified personal trainer, and wellness coach and she helps her clients with their nutrition and exercise plans. While at school she held first and second place in swimming, basketball and volleyball competitions. She always enjoys seeing people’s transformations with their health and fitness goals. She currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visit http://www.hollywoodandme.com/637667784 andhttps://www.facebook.com/GolsaMirageFanPage

Editor’s Note: Article was first published January 3, 2013 on Examiner.com.

Lizaso Haute Couture Presented RED 12-12-12 Holiday Fashion and Awards Show Honoring L.A.’s Most Fascinating People 2012

Lizaso Haute Couture Presented RED 12-12-12 Holiday Fashion and Awards Show Honoring L.A.’s Most Fascinating People 2012.

While American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality Barbara Walters Presented “The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012″ 12-12-12 on ABC, Boy Lizaso from Lizaso Haute Couture Presented 12-12-12 an Avant Garde Holiday Fashion and Award Show Presentation Honoring L.A.’s Most Fascinating People 2012.

The Holiday Fashion and Awards show was held at Celebrity Center International at 5930 Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, CA 90028 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The price for tickets were a donation at the door to benefit L.A. Karilagan Lions Club District 4-L3, Eye Medical Mission to the Philippines and ABS CBN Foundation International Adopt-A-School.

(Note: Click on the photos to view regular size)

The event featured guest artist performance by Javier Di Francesco from Paraguay, Fashion Show, Appetizers, Red Carpet Arrivals and Awards presentation.

The awards and recognition presented were for Most Fascinating Lady in Red of the Year 2012, Most Fascinating Person of the Year 2012 and Most Fascinating Couple of the Year 2012.

Some of the people honored received a red rose and awards as Most Fascinating Lady in Red 12-12-12 and Most Fascinating Person of the Year 2012. The awards and roses were presented by Actor, Philanthropist, Producer and Fashion Designer Boy Lizaso and Philippine Consul General Maria Helen Barber De La Vega. The event was hosted by FACC-LA Noel S.V. Omega.

Among all the fans and guests were Published Book Author Lourdes Duque Baron from Scripted In Heaven and writer/reporter Fe P. Koons.

Photos credit to: Gisele Rebeiro from PartyBy5.com for Diversity News Magazine and Examiner.com

For more event videos, visit Diversity News TV on Blip TV at diversitynewstv.blip.tv

Editor’s Note: To find out who are all the honorees please watch the videos. Thank you.

This article is in part brought and sponsored by: The Baron Publishing House Corporation (Click logo to visit website).

Watch The Ferret Squad Concept Trailer 2012 HD

Great news! The concept trailer shot for The Ferret Squad in August is finally finished and available for all to see on Youtube!

Max Jones joins The Ferret Squad, a group of quirky kids who spend their summer days rescuing and fostering abandoned ferrets in California.

This is a proof of concept trailer for the feature film “The Ferret Squad”, directed by Alison Parker and written by Sally Meyer and shot by the talented DOP Brendan Uegama. We are currently looking for funding so that we can make this film.

This trailer was shot over 4 days in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Many people contributed to a campaign on IndieGoGo, but it wasn’t enough to make a feature film, so we made this trailer to prove a point. This is a movie that people want to see! If you agree, please comment, like and share with all your friends!

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFerretSquad and Twitter @TheFerretSquad plus check out our official website at www.TheFerretSquad.com

Email Director Alison Parker at directoralisonparker@gmail.com or ferretsquadmedia@gmail.com

Featuring music by Fighting for Ithaca, Anami Vice & ByStarlight from 604 Records! Original music composed and sound design by Henrik Åström! Edited by Eleanor Infante.

The Incredibe Cast:
Connor Stanhope, Chad Willett, Julia Benson, Gabrielle Rose, Blu Mankuma, Dylan Schmid, Cainan Wiebe, Conner Dwelly, Sean Michael Kyer, Clive Holloway, Emma Tremblay, Michael Roberds, Erik McNamee, Sierra Pitkin, Donnie MacNeil & Falcor the Ferret.

Thank you also to all the background performers and background ferrets Gus, Scuzzy and Dolly!

Special thanks to all of our funders on IndieGoGo who will be credited by name in the feature film end credits, plus:

N-PIC The Makers of N-BONE
Totally Ferret
604 Records (Katy, Jenna & The Bossman)
Holly Madison
Richard Bach
Ferrets Magazine
Ferret Depot
Ferret.com
Ferret Daily
UBCP
Diversity News Magazine
Diversity News Publications
Ferret World
LegalizeFerrets.org (support them! Ferrets really are illegal in California!!)
Ferrets Anonymous
Little Feet Ferret Bedding
Kristin Fisher
Dona Clashman

The cast of The Ferret Squad promo video used for our IndieGoGo campaign! (Connor Stanhope, Sophia Wik, Sierra Pitkin, Tanner Saunders, Peter Bundic & Calista Abuan)

Biz Studios & Michael Bean

The Ferret Squad Street Team!!!

Skip Films (Kim, Stefanie & Tony)

Harvey’s Pet Store in Langley, BC
The O’Keeffe Family
Jamestown

All ferret shelters around the world and those who fight to rescue animals, legalize ferrets, and change the negative perceptions that many people have about ferrets.

Plus the amazing, hard working crew!!!! And they are:

Director Alison Parker
Writer Sally Meyer
Producers Simona Atias & Gord Peters
1st AD Matthew Tingey
2nd AD Hanna Menon
3rd AD Ivy Lam
Production Designer Kim T. Searow
Set Decorator Laara Fox
On Set Dresser Roma Anthony
DOP Brendan Uegama
1st AC Nick Malcolm
2nd AC Austin Mollins
DIT Stephen Arthur Grobe
Casting Director Travis Doering
Extras Casting Chris Cheng
Story Editor Catherine Lawrence Kinslow
Scripty Jemia Fong
Costume Designer Kathi Moore
Wardrobe Assistant Danae Wilson
Crafty / Catering / First Aid Wendy Miller
Key Make Up Artist Tracy Lai
Hair / Make Up Assistant Vicky Cran
Make Up Assistant Connie Chiang
Gaffer / Key Grip Dima Kolesnyk
Lamp Op / Grip Rong Sun
Lamp Op / Grip Stu Carl
Lamp Op / Grip Tegan Musser
Lamp Op / Grip Christelle Marcadon
Best Boy Michael Yeung
Location Manager / Scout Rachael Dudley
Location Scout Costa Vassos
Assistant Location Manager Ken Poole
(Special Thanks to LM Ken Macalpine)
PA Barry Voy
PA Cody Peterson
Editor Eleanor Infante
Graphic Design Nick Mclean
Cartoon Artist / Logo Design Thomas Novotny
Storyboard Artist Robert Bennett
Sound Designer Henrik Åström
Composer Henrik Åström
Sound Mixer / Boom Op / Barton Hewett
Still Photographer / Tony Lee
EPK Emmanuelle Prompt
Head Animal Coordinator / Dana Dubé
Animal Wrangler / Cherie Smid
Assistant Animal Wrangler / Melissa Spady

Source: http://www.youtube.com/directoralisonparker

David Letterman To be Honored at “The 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” to Air on Wednesday, December 26 on CBS

Caroline Kennedy Hosts For The 10th Consecutive Year.

Performers and Presenters Include Alec Baldwin, Jeff Beck, Jack Black, Jason Bonham, Tracy Chapman, Gary Clark, Jr., Alina Cojocaru, Billy Connolly, Angel Corella, Robert De Niro, Tina Fey, Foo Fighters, Morgan Freeman, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Beth Hart, Judith Jamison, Julie Kent, Kid Rock, Jimmy Kimmel, Lenny Kravitz, Laura Osnes, Veronika Part, Tiler Peck, Grace Ann Pierce, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Romano, Liev Schreiber, Jimmie Vaughan, Naomi Watts, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson

President and Mrs. Barack Obama Attend Gala Alongside Honorees.

Eminent artists, friends and peers of this year’s seven honorees converged in Washington, D.C., last night (Dec. 2) to present entertaining and heartfelt tributes at THE 35TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, an entertainment special to be broadcast Wednesday, Dec. 26 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, with Caroline Kennedy as host for the 10th consecutive year.

The annual event recognizes recipients for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures and television.  Keeping with tradition, the roster of performers and presenters remained secret prior to the gala and a short biographical film was featured during each honoree’s tribute.

Performers and presenters included Alec Baldwin, Jeff Beck, Jack Black, Jason Bonham, Tracy Chapman, Gary Clark, Jr., Alina Cojocaru, Billy Connolly, Angel Corella, Robert De Niro, Tina Fey, Foo Fighters, Morgan Freeman, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Beth Hart, Judith Jamison, Julie Kent, Kid Rock, Jimmy Kimmel, Lenny Kravitz, Laura Osnes, Veronika Part, Tiler Peck, Grace Ann Pierce, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Romano, Liev Schreiber, Jimmie Vaughan, Naomi Watts, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson.

President and Mrs. Barack Obama were seated with the honorees in the Presidential Box of the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, after hosting the traditional White House reception for the honorees.

(Please click on the photos to view regular size)

Host Caroline Kennedy opened the festivities by quoting poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said, “Congratulate yourselves if you have done something strange and extravagant and broken the monotony of a decorous age.” Kennedy then said, “Tonight we salute Honorees who, through their artistry and daring, have banished monotony and provided extravagant pleasure and joy to audiences the world over. On the signature wall behind me are the names of those who have gone before. To this splendid company we now add our Class of 2012.”

She continued, “With primal sounds at once beautiful and dangerous, these English lads built a band that gave new dimension to rock, and earned from an admiring world a ‘Whole Lotta Love’; a tall drink of water from Indiana who aspired to be Johnny, and earned a late night throne for a guy named Dave; a Louisiana sharecropper’s son who made his way to ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and became America’s champion of the blues; a lithe beauty from St. Petersburg whose passion and elegance filled movement with meaning, giving new excitement to the words ‘Prima Ballerina’; as a ‘Graduate,’ a ‘Midnight Cowboy,’ a ‘Little Big Man,’ a ‘Rain Man’ and even as a ‘Tootsie,’ this actor redefined the movies’ idea of a leading man.  These are our 2012 Kennedy Center Honorees.”

Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and 2009 Kennedy Center Honoree Robert De Niro began the tribute to his longtime friend, multiple Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, stating, “Dustin Hoffman is a world-class, spectacular, colossal… pain in the ass. Before Dustin burst on the scene, it was pretty much okay for movie stars to show up, read their lines, and, if the director insisted, act a little. It worked. There were good movies and good performances; everyone was happy. Then Dustin came along and ‘just had to get everything right.’ He made a statement that what the actor does is important… and it was inspiring. It inspired me. It inspired me to become a pain in the ass, too. Suddenly, we all ‘just had to get everything right.’”

De Niro continued, “What Dustin did – for all of us – was to make it okay to be a character actor and a movie star. He broke the mold of the movie star as the handsome leading man. Frankly, I would have preferred to make it as a handsome leading man. Damn you, Dustin Hoffman! …Dustin is one of the best character actors, best movie stars, best leading men to ever hit the stage or screen. That’s good news for all of us, even if it depresses the hell out of him. Dustin, you make me proud to be an actor. And I’m proud to call you my friend.”

Scottish comedian, musician and actor Billy Connolly, who starred in Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, “Quartet,” continued Hoffman’s tribute. “In ‘Tootsie,’ Dustin Hoffman played a driven, meticulous actor. It is said that in looking for inspiration for that character, Dustin found it in… Dustin Hoffman. Dustin persuaded director Sidney Pollack to let him stage an improvised acting class taught by his character. In the scene, the perennially out-of-work actor conducts an acting class for other perennially out-of-work actors.”

Tony Award-winning, Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor Liev Schreiber, along with his wife, Academy Award-nominated actress Naomi Watts, then continued the tribute. Said Shreiber, “When Dustin and I first met on the set of Barry Levinson’s ‘Sphere’ nearly 15 years ago, he told me that I had a big head. He went on to qualify this remark by saying ‘It’s a good thing… if only your nose weren’t so large as well.’ Really, Dustin? …Watching Dustin, I saw what acting could be. At its best. I’d never seen anyone create characters like that before – so incredibly life-like and detailed, yet still, somehow… something more than real. I had to do that. I had to act like Dustin Hoffman. Not just me. All of us. You… and Ratso Rizzo… and all those other dirty movies you made, redefined acting for a new generation… so thank you, Dustin. I love you very much.”

Watts continued, “About 15 years ago, I got a call. I was invited to meet Dustin Hoffman for a film he was directing. I was not allowed to read the script in advance, so I felt completely unprepared to meet the master. The man I grew up watching, the giant, the real deal. I had a 30-minute slot, I was there for five hours. But that’s Dustin. For the first hour all I did was worry – what did he want? What was the movie about? Was I right for the character? Would my car get towed? Finally, I settled down and quickly realized this was a rare and extraordinary opportunity. I read some scenes – as he hovered over me with his smoky voice and laser instincts… What I learned in those few hours with Dustin was more valuable to me than a lifetime of acting classes. In a sense, it was the most important audition of my life.” The tribute then concluded with Tony-nominated singer Laura Osnes singing a special rendition of the classic song, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face.”

Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer and 1999 Kennedy Center Honoree Judith Jamison, the Artistic Director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, paid tribute to the Russian-born, Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated prima ballerina Natalia Makarova, who performed with Jamison in the American Ballet Theatre. Jamison began, “‘I responded to destiny.’ That’s what Natalia Makarova said in London just before her 30th birthday. She was touring with Russia’s fabulous Kirov Ballet. She knew she needed new choreography to fulfill her promise as a dancer, so she made the brave decision to make a new life in the West, wondering how she would survive without her home and her language. On that day, Natalia Makarova started a journey that would introduce her to America, where she would thrill audiences and enhance and enrich the American Ballet Theatre. Banners would hang from the balconies of the Metropolitan Opera House saying, ‘We Love You Natalia.’ As a colleague and a great admirer, I’m so delighted that we honor her tonight.”

Jamison continued, “Natalia is a rare story of life coming full circle. Twenty years after she made her painful decision to leave her native land, she returned to a changing Leningrad and to her beloved Kirov Theater, where she had studied and had become a star.  There, at the Kirov, she gave her farewell performance, dancing on the stage where it had all begun for her – then taking curtain calls to thunderous cheers and cascades of flowers.  Natalia, your passion and your artistry are loved around the world. On behalf of dancers everywhere, I salute you!” Jamison then introduced a beautiful dance tribute to Makarova, beginning with young dancer Grace Ann Pierce, from the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, dancing to the Chopin Prelude in A Major, Op. 28 No. 7. This was followed by New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck, performing to Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3. Then, Royal Ballet of London principal dancer Alina Cojocaru and Angel Corella, the Artistic Director and principal dancer of the Barcelona Ballet, presented a pas de deux from the ballet “Giselle.” Then, American Ballet Theatre principal dancers David Hallberg and Julie Kent continued the tribute with a moving rendition of the balcony pas de deux from the ballet, “Romeo and Juliet.” Finally, the dancing concluded with an awe-inspiring rendition of “Black Swan,” performed by American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Marcelo Gomes and Veronika Part.

Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman paid tribute to multiple Grammy Award-winning American blues guitarist and jazz singer Buddy Guy, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, stating, “I first heard the blues sitting on my grandmother’s porch in Mississippi – we called it “gut bucket music. You mastered the soul of that gutbucket music and used that as your starting point. You found a new music in it that no one had ever seen before. And without the Internet, without YouTube, without even FM radio, you went viral. You went viral, Buddy Guy. And you made a bridge from roots to rock and roll.” Freeman continued, “But there’s Buddy.  Sitting up there with the best – a pioneer, a Queen, a King and a President – the best rock and roll band, a pioneer of acting, a queen of dance, king of late night and the President of the United States.  So when you hear the blues, you don’t know if it’s white, black, yellow, purple or blue. Buddy Guy, your blues brought us together. Now that’s something to sing about.”

The tribute to Buddy Guy commenced with a performance by the Rob Mathes Band of “Every Day I Have the Blues,” which was quickly followed by a medley of “Things I Used to Do,” “I’m Ready” and “Hoochie Coochie Man,” performed by multiple Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer Jimmie Vaughan, along with American guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. Next, multiple Grammy Award winner Tracy Chapman took the stage to perform “Hound Dog,” followed by “I’d Rather Go Blind,” performed by multiple Grammy Award winner Jeff Beck and American jazz and blues singer Beth Hart. The tribute concluded with an upbeat medley of “My Time After a While” and “Sweet Home Chicago,” led by multiple Grammy Award-winning musician Bonnie Raitt.

Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and comedienne Tina Fey took the stage to talk about multiple Emmy Award winner David Letterman, remarking, “Mr. David Letterman, as I call him out of respect and fear, has unknowingly been a family friend of mine since I was 10 years old. My mom Jeanne and I spent every weekday morning of the summer of 1980 watching ‘The David Letterman Show.’ While some kids went canoeing and learned sailor knots at camp, I spent that summer drinking Pathmark instant iced tea and watching my mom laugh at Dave. I can’t tell you how happy the show made her. It was like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. There was actually a daytime show that made her laugh. Amid a sea of saccharine talk shows and idiotic soap operas was this weirdly floating gem. Was this Dave Letterman guy a brilliant, subtle, passive-aggressive parody of a talk show host? Or just a Midwestern goon who was a little bit “off?” Well, here we are, 32 years later, and time has proven… that there’s really no way of knowing.”

Fey continued, “Dave is someone you watch not just because you like him, but also because you hope that he would like you. You think to yourself, ‘Dave would like me. He’d be able to tell that I ‘get it.’ But it really is a crapshoot, because one of the most entertaining things about ‘Late Night’ and ‘The Late Show’ is that Mr. Letterman doesn’t fake-like everyone. In fact, you could argue that Mr. Letterman is at his best when he’s interviewing someone whom, maybe, he doesn’t like at all. Whether it’s calling Bill O’Reilly a bonehead, or asking Paris Hilton about eating hard-boiled eggs in jail…or just sitting back and letting Madonna be a high-status dumb-dumb. David Letterman is the professor emeritus at the ‘Here’s Some More Rope’ Institute. Weirdly or not weirdly, Mr. Letterman is the closest thing we have to a present-day Walter Cronkite. His honesty and intelligence have shepherded us through national crises. Our concern for his health has been a national worry. Our imaginary friendship with him has been going on now for 32 years. Tonight, we declare it officially: my mom was right, David Letterman is an American treasure, like the Grand Canyon, or the Chicago skyline, or the top two Kardashians.”

Next, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin said, “Watching the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ is like being on a roller coaster. It’s exhilarating. It’s also dangerous, scary, and makes you sweat… and that’s just the viewers. Imagine what it’s like for those of us who are guests of the show. Dave’s so clever, witty and powerful… how can you keep up with him? Why do we do it, then? Besides being artists with all the attendant self-loathing masochism, there’s that movie or book or TV show we’re promoting. Second, it’s David Letterman! It’s like the Kennedy Center Honors of late night TV. There’s just no one better than Dave. There’s never been anyone better. You just have to be around the guy. We know he has fun at our expense. We wanted to cook something up to turn the tables on him. Something that would get him out of his comfort zone. Something that would make him squirm… something he’d hate. So tonight we’re giving him the Kennedy Center Honor. It’s perfect. First, Dave, who can barely stand traveling from his home to the studio, will have to travel all the way from New York City to Washington, D.C. – a journey of over 200 miles in a private jet! Have him sit in a box and watch artists perform for two full hours! Put him in a big room full of people he doesn’t know. Don’t let him say anything! Make him wear a tux! With plain old black socks!” Then, Baldwin proceeded to present the hilarious list of “Top Ten Reasons That David Letterman Is Getting A Kennedy Center Honor.”

Emmy Award-winning comedian Jimmy Kimmel next spoke of Letterman as one of his idols. “When I turned 16, I blew out the candles on a “Late Night with David Letterman” cake; my first car had a L8NITE vanity plate; I drew pictures of Dave on the cover of all of my textbooks; I started a ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ club in high school… to me, it wasn’t just a TV show. …I don’t remember the first time I watched Dave’s show, but I do remember the feeling I got when I found it. It was as if someone was doing a show specifically for me. I had never seen anything like it. Dave was funny in a way I’d never seen anyone be funny before. I stayed up until 1:30 AM every single night to watch him. I wanted to be David Letterman. All my friends wanted to be David Letterman. Ironically, the only person who didn’t want to be David Letterman – is David Letterman. And that’s a shame because you, Dave, are the funniest, the smartest, the weirdest, the coolest, the best one ever. Not only did I learn how to do… everything from Dave – the reason I have a show of my own is because the executives at ABC saw me when I was a guest on his show.”

Multiple Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe-nominated actor and comedian Ray Romano, who got his start as a comedian and actor through the help of David Letterman, said, “Being on Letterman was like winning the World Series. If you wanna win the World Series, do you quit if you lose the first game? No. You’re down one game to zero you don’t quit, you keep going. Do you quit when you’re down 1-0 in debates? No. You keep going and you become the President of the United States,” gesturing to President Obama. He then continued, “I remember the next morning, I was in my house with my wife in Queens, and I sat there at the breakfast table and I was like, ‘That was… awesome. What do I do now?’ …I sometimes wonder where I would be if I hadn’t been on David Letterman’s show. I would still be doing stand-up, because it’s what I love. I’m sure I’d be on the road working. Every now and then I’d have to do Kimmel. It would be okay, I guess. But I know one thing; I’d still be trying to get on. I wouldn’t give up. And that’s what somebody as good as Dave does. In any profession, you need someone like Dave to make you want to be better.”

Next, Golden Globe-nominated actor Jack Black introduced the tribute to multiple Grammy Award-winning, legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, saying, “Led Zeppelin… the greatest rock and roll band of all time… yeah, I said it. Better than the Beatles. Better than the Stones… even better than Tenacious D. That’s not opinion… that’s fact. If you don’t agree with me, it’s because you never did the Zeppelin marathon. That’s when you sit your ass down and listen to all nine Zepp albums in a row… What makes them so special is the contrast of power and beauty. Heavenly melodies intermingled with hellish rifts of thunder.  The first time I heard Zepp was in high school. My body was changing and my mind was opening to new possibilities when Derek Skanky made me a mix tape of his favorite Zepp jams. They quickly became my favorite band. Throughout the years, I’ve explored all kinds of genres and styles… but it’s always come back to the Zepp.”

Black continued, “Sometimes I worry that they might’ve been the last great chapter in rock. Who will pick up the torch and lead a new generation into heavy metal Valhalla? Sadly, no living rockers possess the alchemy and black magic required for such a task… Until then, we have the blessed gift of Led Zeppelin’s box set to lift our spirits and soothe our souls. They say that Led Zeppelin sold their souls to Satan… come on guys, you know you did. There is no other way to explain your ungodly talent. I just want to say thank you… because while you suffer in the burning pit of Hell, the human race will cherish your heavenly jams till the end of time. A small price to pay. We love you. Best band ever.”

The tribute to Led Zeppelin commenced with an exciting performance of “Moby Dick” by the Rob Mathes Band. Next, multiple Grammy Award winner Lenny Kravitz performed “Whole Lotta Love,” followed by a medley of “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and “Ramble On,” sung by five-time Grammy Award nominee Kid Rock. Then, multiple Grammy Award-winning rock band Foo Fighters took the stage to perform “Black Dog” and “Rock and Roll.” Finally, Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, along with Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson from the rock band Heart, rocked the house with an amazing performance of “Stairway to Heaven” that brought the evening to its rousing conclusion.

THE 35TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS is a production of the Kennedy Center.  George Stevens, Jr. produced and co-wrote the Honors for the 35thyear. Stevens and his Honors producing partner Michael Stevens received four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy Special. The KENNEDY CENTER HONORS telecast has also been recognized with the Peabody Award for Outstanding Meritorious Service to Broadcasting and seven awards from the Writers Guild of America.  Nick Vanoff was co-creator of the Honors with George Stevens in 1978.

About David Letterman:
David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American television host and comedian.^[1] He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut ofLate Night with David Letterman on NBC. Letterman recently surpassed friend and mentorJohnny Carson for having the longest late-night hosting career in the United States of America.^[4]

Letterman is also a television and film producer. His company Worldwide Pants produces his show as well as its network follow-up The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Worldwide Pants has also produced several prime-time comedies, the most successful of which wasEverybody Loves Raymond, currently in syndication.

In 1996, David Letterman was ranked #45 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.^[5]

Photos credit to: Natalia Makarova,  Soren Solkaer Starbird; Paul Natkin; John Paul Filo,  Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Sources: Wikipedia, CBS Broadcasting, CBS Express

Author Richard Bach Donates To The Ferret Squad

On Tuesday, November 14, 2012, Canadian film director, Alison Parker, is proud to announce that Richard Bach, author of the beloved 1970 novel Jonathan Livingston Seagull, has contributed to help her make her next film, The Ferret Squad.

Mr. Bach is no stranger to stories that revolve around ferrets, as he wrote five novellas entitled The Ferret Chronicles,  in which ferrets were the key characters.  Those stories were 2002’s Air Ferrets Aloft, Rescue Ferrets At Sea and Writer Ferrets:  Chasing the Muse; 2003’s Rancher Ferrets on the Range and The Last War:  Detective Ferrets and the Case of the Golden Deed.   In 2005, the aforementioned titles were collected into one book, Curious Lives: Adventures from the Ferret Chronicles.

Mr. Bach, who has owned many ferrets, has been a long-time supporter of legalizing ferrets as pets in the state of California.  In an interview with www.smallanimalchannel.com, he said, “I’m a little distressed that California, the state in which I grew up, is the only one of the contiguous United States to declare it illegal for humans to shelter and love the domesticated ferret. With a bit of antique discrimination, the laws of California have made it impossible for me to return to live in the state where I was raised.”  Because the central theme of The Ferret Squad is the fact that it is illegal to keep a ferret as a pet in California, when looking for contributions to help make her film, Ms. Parker contacted Mr. Bach and is very pleased that he agreed to help.

The Ferret Squad is a family-friendly feature that tells the story of Max Jones, played by Jake and Jasper: A Ferret Tale star Connor Stanhope (Connor also played the role of young “Lex Luthor” on the TV series Smallville).  In the story, Max is a teenage boy who must move to California with his father, Ben (Canadian Award Winning Actor Chad Willett, The Locket, Joan of Arc); he then realizes that Digger, his pet ferret, won’t be able to come along because ferrets are illegal.  Max finds a way to sneak Digger across the border, and thinks his troubles are over. In his new home state, Max meets and joins forces with a group of quirky kids known as “The Ferret Squad” who spend their summer days rescuing and fostering illegal ferrets.  When Animal Control plans to destroy some confiscated ferrets, Max and the Ferret Squad go on a desperate mission to save the poor animals by transporting them across the border with the law and their parents in hot pursuit.

The movie also boasts an impressive cast that includes, in addition to Stanhope and Willett, Canadian Award Winning actress Julia Benson (best known as “Lt Vanessa James” on the TV Series SGU Stargate Universe), Canadian Award Winning Actor Cainan Weibe, whose acting credits include roles in The Sandlot 3 (“Ryan”), Sucker Punch (“Tommy Boy”), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (“Newborn Boy”), Falling Skies (“Marshall”), and Diary of a Wimpy Kid (“Quentin”), Eric McNamee (“Gus” on the Cartoon Network’s “Level Up”), Clive Holloway (“Maurice” on the UK TV Show “Beaver Falls”), Sean Michael Kyer (who has appeared on the TV shows “Alcatraz”, “Fringe” and “Continuum”), Dylan Schmid (“Baelfire” on the TV Series “Once Upon A Time”), Sierra Pitkin (Juno), Jake and Jasper: A Ferret Tale alumnus Blu Mankuma (“Harry Helmsley”,  2012),  Award Winning Canadian Actress Gabrielle Rose (Excited), Michael Roberds (“Uncle Fester” on the TV Series The New Addams Family), Conner Dwelly (“Young Patricia Swan” on Smallville and “Morraine” on ABC TV’s Once Upon A Time), breakout star Emma Tremblay (will be starring with Matt Damon in the upcoming film Elysium) and Falcor the Ferret (Jake and Jasper:  A Ferret Tale).

###

Joe Mantegna Named Grand Marshal of The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting The Marine Toys for Tots on Nov. 25th

 ERIK ESTRADA AND LAURA McKENZIE TO SERVE AS BROADCAST HOSTS FOR NATIONAL TELECAST ON THE HALLMARK CHANNEL

DEAN CAIN TO HOST MUSICAL PORTION OF PARADE TELECAST.

Grandstand Parade Tickets Are On Sale Now!!!

Hollywood, CA – (November 1, 2012) – Film/Television/Stage Star, Tony Award and Emmy Award -Winning and Golden Globe Award-Nominated Actor, JOE MANTEGNA (“Glengarry Glen Ross” – Broadway, “Bleacher Bums” – PBS, “Criminal Minds,” “The Rat Pack,” “The Godfather: Part III,” “The Simpsons Movie,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “The Starter Wife,” “The Last Don,” National Spokesperson for The U.S. Army Museum) will serve as Grand Marshal of The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots. The parade will be presented live by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, November 25, 2012 starting with a Pre-Parade Show Spectacular at 5:30 p.m., with the Parade commencing at 6:30 p.m.

Erik Estrada (“World’s Funniest Moments,” “CHiPS”) and Laura McKenzie (“World’s Funniest Moments,” “Laura McKenzie’s Traveler”) will serve as Broadcast Hosts of the parade and Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”) will serve as Host of the music portion of the nationally televised special of the parade airing on the Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 10, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time/Pacific Standard Time) and 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) and on the Hallmark Movie Channel on Friday, December 21, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time/Pacific Standard Time) and 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). The parade is then scheduled to air in syndication across the country and internationally via the American Forces Network, reaching 177 military bases and embassies globally. For exact air dates and times, please check local television listings. Elizabeth Stanton (“Elizabeth Stanton’s Great Big World”) and Rob Pinkston (“Punk’d,” “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”) will serve as Parade Roving Reporters.

Presenting Sponsors of The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots include The City of Los Angeles, the Hallmark Channel and Associated Television International, which is executive producing the live parade and the telecast of it. Hollywood’s Santa Parade, LLC serves as a producer of the live parade. Community Sponsors include: Author Services, Metro, Twin America and Sister Cities.


Joe Mantegna said: “I am honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots. It means a great deal to me to part of this fine American tradition that has brought wonderful holiday cheer to millions over its 80-year history. In my family Christmas is one of most joyous times of the year. Let’s celebrate together in the streets of Hollywood on November 25th. See you then!”

Jim Romanovich and David Martin, Executive Producers for Associated Television International and Hollywood Christmas Television Parade, LLC, will oversee the live and televised national broadcasts of The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade. Romanovich said: “We’re delighted to have the multi-faceted consummate film and television star, Joe Mantegna, serve as our Grand Marshal. We’re also proud to welcome back the Marine Toys for Tots as part of this year’s celebration. The exceptional work they do in bringing the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children is a cause that has been embraced by communities throughout the nation.”

Bill Lomas, producer of the live parade and president of Hollywood’s Santa Parade, LLC, said: “This year’s parade will be a visual and aural feast for parade attendees. The parade will feature the best bands in United States, along with live performers, celebrities, equestrians, balloons, floats, specialty characters and novelties and the man of the hour, Santa Claus.”

“Angelenos have always had a tremendous sense of community. The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a festive event that truly embodies the holiday spirit and giving back,” said Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. “It is a fun way to bring the community together every year and I am pleased to share in the Hollywood holiday magic.”

View Diversity News team photos of last year 2011 Hollywood  Hollywood Christmas Parade coverage.

“The Hollywood Christmas Parade is one of L.A.’s favorite holiday traditions and a great way for us to showcase this dynamic neighborhood. I encourage everyone to bring their family to this free, fun event,” said Councilmember Eric Garcetti (Thirteenth District), who represents Hollywood Boulevard where the parade will take place.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge (Fourth District) added: “This is the greatest parade in the city. Nowhere else can you see so many families and so many smiles. Come for the fun and leave on the Red Line!”

Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel) said: “Hallmark Channel’s COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS is all about celebrating timeless traditions. One of the greatest holiday traditions is giving to others. That’s why Hallmark Channel is proud to be the official cable television partner for Marine Toys for Tots, an organization dedicated to bringing children Christmas joy for more than 60 years. We are grateful to have our networks, Toys for Tots and the Parade come together to help kids, and we are proud to have The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots on our air.”

Lieutenant General Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation said: “Toys for Tots truly appreciates being selected as the charity partner of The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade. We believe our presence in the parade will offer a reminder to families across the nation to think of those less fortunate this holiday season. By donating a new unwrapped toy or by making a cash contribution to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, we will be able to bring smiles to children on Christmas morning who otherwise might be forgotten.”

A Pre-Parade Show Spectacular, commencing at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 25th, will take place on the Red Carpet Grandstand area of the parade featuring the talents of “American Idol” finalist, singer Kimberley Locke; magician Joel Ward of Masters of Illusion; performers from Cirque de Soleil’s “IRIS;” the performance artists, Jabowakeez; singer Ashlee Keating; performers from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the gay and lesbian choir, West Coast Singers.

The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots will feature over 100 celebrities from film, television and stage; 20 Award-Winning Bands (including 12 from the state of California and 8 from out of state – Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee, and the United States Marine Corps Color Guard; 9 Colorful Equestrians; 6 Ornate Floats; 7 Spectacular Live Performers; 15 Festive Balloons and 27 Popular Characters/Novelties.

The parade will travel on a U-shaped 3.2 mile route throughout Hollywood, CA starting at Orange Street and Hollywood Boulevard, traveling East onto Hollywood Boulevard turning South onto Vine Street, and then traveling West onto Sunset Boulevard back to Orange Street. 5,000 plus people will participate in this year’s parade. 10,000 square feet of Red Carpet will blanket Hollywood Boulevard in front of the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (the official starting point for the parade) on a lavishly holiday adorned “live set” where Associated Television International will tape the parade for national televised broadcasts on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel to be aired during the holiday season.

Watch Diversity News TV coverage of the 2011 Hollywood Christmas Parade

Grandstand tickets for The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now on sale!!! Parade attendees can view the event in style and comfort. Reserved Grandstand Seating for The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now available for purchase within Associated Television International’s “live set” area located on Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Street and Highland Avenue.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, including Ticketmaster.com (search for Hollywood Christmas Parade), select Walmart locations, select Simon Mall locations, Curacao locations or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. Here is a direct link for buying tickets online: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900495F637E1D4D?artistid=1796731&majorcatid=10003&minorcatid=54. All seats are reserved at the time the order is placed. There are no refunds or exchanges. Group Discounts are available. All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

For Information Only about the parade, please the 24/7 Parade Hotline toll fee at 1-866-PARADE1 (866-727-2331).

Free Curbside Seating will be available along the entire parade route, starting East of the Grandstand Seating area on Hollywood Boulevard. One of the easiest ways to get to the parade is to take Metro. There are two stations located on the parade route, one at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and another at Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. For further information or to plan the best route, use the Metro Trip Planner at www.metro.net.

There are numerous Parking Lots in close proximity to the parade route, including Grant Parking lots located throughout Hollywood, as well as at the Hollywood & Highland Shopping Complex accessible from Highland Avenue, near Hollywood Boulevard. Most lots are paid parking. Please contact individual parking lots for pricing.

For updates and further information about The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, please call 1-866-PARADE1
(1-866-727-2331) and visit www.facebook.com/xmasparade.

The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots Participants Will Include:
20 Bands (including 12 from the state of California; 8 from out of state – Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee, and the United States Marine Corps Color Guard: Banning High School Mighty Marching Pilots (Wilmington, CA); Beckman High School Band (Tustin, CA); Bellflower High School (Bellflower, CA); Cherry Creek High School Band (Greenwood Village, CO); Columbus North High School (Columbus, IN); Dana Middle School Band (Pico Rivera, CA); Fountain Valley High School Band (Fountain Valley, AZ); Guatemala Marching Band (Republic of Guatemala in Central America); Golden Valley High School (Merced, CA); Indiana Area Senior High School Band (Indiana, PA); James F. Byrnes High School Band (Duncan, S.C.); Long Beach Junior Concert Band (Long Beach, CA); Loso High School Band (Rancho Cucamungo, CA); McQueen High School (Reno, NV); Monache High School Band (Porterville, CA); Norwalk High School Band (Norwalk, CA); Penn High School Band (Misgawaka, IN); Santa Ana High School Band (Orange County, CA); Science Hills High School (Johnson City, TN); Villa Park High School Band (Villa Park, CA) and United States Marine Corps Band (San Diego, CA).

9 Equestrians: Broken Horn Ropers; C-Star Pleasure Riders; Charros De La Puente; Mario’s Andalusians; Painted Ladies Drill Team; Rancho La Laguna; San Diego Farms; Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society and The War Horse Foundation.
6 Floats: Knott’s Berry Farms (Charlie Brown Characters); LA City Tours; Santa Claus; Sparks Ole Skool Dance Crew with Sparks The Dog; United States Mini Jets with a Three Star General and Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

15 Balloons: Astronaut; Cowboy; Two Ginger Bread Kids; The Grinch; Horton The Elephant; Oscar The Grouch; Black Flag; Pirate; Treasure Chest; Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer; Santa Elmo; Santa Kermit The Frog; Toy Soldier and Lorax.

27 Characters/Novelties: Archibald Mouse; Cool Cat; Hoops & Yo Yo (Hallmark Channel); Loara High School Cheerleaders (Anaheim, CA); Mountain Fife and Drums; San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Cheetah and Lizard); Sparks Ole Skool Dance Crew with Sparks The Dog; and Nate Truman’s Star Car Central (Vintage Hollywood Cars): “A-Team;” “Adam 12” Mark; “Back To The Future;” “Batman” Batmobile 1966; “Batman” Batmobile 1992; “Blues Brother” Cop Car; “Bullitt” Mustang; Bumblee Transformations; General Lee; “Herbie;” “James Bond” DB5; “Jurassic Park” Jeep; “Jurassic Park” SUV; “Knight Rider” Kitt; “Knight Rider” Kitt (Shelby Mustang); “Magnum P.I.;” “Pee Wee Herman” Bike; “Shaguar;” “Smokey and the Bandit;” “Starsky and Hutch” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Van.

Over 100 Celebrity participants in the parade will soon be announced.

PARADE ROAD CLOSURES:
Saturday, November 24, 2012 (Day Before The Parade):
- 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning Hollywood Boulevard from Orange Street to Highland Avenue
- Orange Street from Hollywood Boulevard South to the alley North of Hawthorne Street
- Re-opening Monday, November 26, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 25, 2012 (Parade Day):
- Hollywood Boulevard from LaBrea Avenue to Orange Street 6:00 a.m.
Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.
- Hawthorne Avenue, DeLongpre Avenue, Fountain Avenue from LaBrea Avenue to Highland Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
- El Cerrito Place from Hollywood Boulevard to Franklin Avenue at 1:00 p.m.
Re-opening at 8:00 p.m.
- Sycamore Street, Orange Street from Franklin Avenue to Fountain Avenue at
1:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 25, 2012 (Parade Day)
- Sunset Boulevard from LaBrea Avenue to Highland Avenue at 1:00 p.m.
Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.
- East side of LaBrea Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Sunset Boulevard at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening at 7:00 p.m.
- Highland Avenue from Franklin Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
- Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Gower Street at 4:00 p.m.
Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
- Vine Street from Franklin Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard at 4:00 p.m.
Re-opening 9:00 p.m.
- Sunset Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Gower Street at 4:00 p.m.
Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
- Sunset Boulevard from Highland Avenue to LaBrea Avenue at 3:00 p.m.
Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.

Freeway Closures: Hollywood Freeway, Highway 101
- Northbound and Southbound off ramps from Cahuenga Boulevard and Highland Avenue will be closed at 3:00 p.m. Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.

No Parking Posting:
- On Thursday, November 22, 2012 posting will begin on those streets that will be designated NO PARKING for Saturday, November 24, 2012, Sunday, November 25, 2012 through Monday morning, November 26, 2012.

About The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program:
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 65th year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy or book during the holiday season. Their gifts offer these children hope, recognition, and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the books, games, and sports equipment that we provide as gifts make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational development of these children. In 2011, Marines distributed 15.6 million toys to more than 7.2 million children who might not have otherwise experienced the magic of the Christmas holiday season. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public as well as support from corporate sponsors. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Become a fan of Marine Toys for Tots on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/toysfriends and donate online to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at www.toysfortots.org/donate/default.asp.

About Associated Television International:
Associated Television International (ATI) is an Emmy Award-winning company that has been successfully producing and distributing television series, specials and feature films for over three decades. ATI’s programs have aired on all U.S. broadcast networks, major cable channels and with television partners all over the world. Current series in production include: “Elizabeth Stanton’s Great Big World,” “World’s Funniest Moments,” and the Emmy Award-nominated “Laura McKenzie’s Traveler.” ATI is also producing Marie Osmond’s new daily talk program “Marie,” on Hallmark Channel. Recent television specials include “Inside Story: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance” for the A&E Television Networks. ATI has also been Emmy Award-nominated for its socially conscious programming and won for “America’s Invisible Children: The Homeless Education in America” and “On the Edge: The Poverty Crisis in Africa.” For more information, please visit www.associatedtelevision.com.

About Hallmark Channel:
Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a
24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of nearly 87 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation’s leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and specials, as well as some of television’s most beloved sitcoms and series, including “The Golden Girls,” “Frasier,” “Little House on the Prairie,” and “The Waltons.” The channel is also home to a diverse range of lifestyle programming, including the newly-launched “Home & Family,” a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot and “Marie,” a one-hour talk show hosted by iconic entertainer, Marie Osmond. Hallmark Channel’s sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies, and special events. For more information, please visit www.hallmarkchannel.com. Become a fan of Hallmark Channel on www.facebook.com/hallmarkchannel. Follow us @HallmarkChannel on www.twitter.com/#!/hallmarkchannel. Check in on www.getglue.com/hallmarkchannel.

Source: The Hollywood Christmas Parade
Photo credit to: The Hollywood Christmas Parade

All major professional sports leagues to ‘go purple’ for Spirit Day with GLAAD in a historic show of support for LGBT youth on October 19

MLB, MLS Cares, NBA, WNBA, NFL, NASCAR Diversity, NHL, USA Track & Field, WWE join millions to speak out against bullying
Ricky Martin, Country music icon Reba McEntire, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley, Country Music Television (CMT), CNBC, MTV, VH1, Logo, BET, NBCUniversal, Paris Hilton, ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ Sign, New York Stock Exchange, Hosts of Good Morning America, The Talk, Days of Our Lives cast, Dianna Agron, Chaz Bono, Fran Drescher, Joel McHale, Sir Ian McKellen, Maria Menounos, Bernadette Peters and more pledge to wear purple in stand against bullying.

NEW YORK, NY, October 18, 2012 - In an unprecedented show of support, GLAAD today announced that the six most prominent American major sports leagues – The National Basketball Association (NBA) / Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Football League (NFL), the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS) and NASCAR’s diversity program – will all ‘go purple’ for Spirit Day on Friday, October 19, in a stand against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. The six leagues will send messages on Spirit Day to bullied LGBT youth via Twitter and Facebook. The leagues join athletes like Shaquille O’Neal and Terrell Owens who have already pledged to ‘go purple,’ and sports organizations, including the GLAAD Amplifier Award-winning “You Can Play” project, GLAAD partner Athlete Ally, GO! Athletes, and UK Rugby champion Ben Cohen’s StandUp Foundation. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), like the NBA, will be taking part in Spirit Day for the second consecutive year. USA Track & Field will also participate by providing support through social media.

For a full list of participants, an anti-bullying resource kit for students and parents as well as Spirit Day digital apps visit glaad.org/spiritday and follow #SpiritDay

“From sports leagues to faith institutions to national monuments, schools and celebrities, millions of Americans will unite this week in an extraordinary show of support for LGBT youth and in a stand against bullying,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “At a time when 8 out of 10 LGBT youth report being harassed at school, it’s now more important than ever that we let every young person know that it’s okay to be who you are.”

Country music icon Reba McEntire and Country Music Television (CMT) will join MTV, VH1, Logo and BET, as well as Latin music icon Ricky Martin, pop sensation Fun., 80s pop icon Cyndi Lauper, Grammy Award-winning R&B recording artist Brandy Norwood, teen music star Aaron Carter, country music star Chely Wright, Broadway legend Bernadette Peters and EGOT Rita Moreno in ‘going purple’ for Spirit Day on October 19. More than one hundred celebrity participants are listed below or here: www.glaad.org/spiritday/entertainment

Viacom’s brands will be participating on-air, online, through social media and employee engagement efforts. MTV, VH1, Logo, TV Land and TeenNick will turn on-air logos purple on Spirit Day; MTV, VH1 and Logo will turn online logos purple as well and support through social media, VH1.com, LogoTV.com and NewNowNext.com, which will be posting feature stories and never-before-seen “It Gets Better” clips. MTV will turn its 44 ? high-definition screen in Times Square purple for the day. The cast of TeenNick’s ‘Degrassi’ and ‘Victorious’ star Avan Jogia will be wearing purple and Viacom, BET, CMT and Paramount Pictures will also support the day through social media. MTV stars, including ‘Jersey Shore’ cast members DJ Pauly D, Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley, Sammi Giancola and Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi will also participate.

Comcast and NBCUniversal will participate including NBC owned stations, Telemundo network and owned stations. Hosts of “Access Hollywood,” CNBC, “Chelsea Lately,” and E! News, among others, will wear purple.

The Sundance Channel will also participate by turning its on-air and web logos purple for Spirit Day on October 19. Additionally, the network will go purple on its social media pages and share photos of Sundance staff in their Spirit Day purple.

The ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign’ will be turned purple and several hotels on the Las Vegas strip will light their marquees purple with an anti-bullying message, GLAAD previously announced with R&R Partners Foundation. In addition, the Duke Energy Tower in Charlotte, NC will join the New York Stock Exchange, Thomson Reuters’ Times Square screen, the LAX Pylon Lights and JFK traffic tower in lighting up purple for Spirit Day on October 19.

Hosts of ‘Good Morning America’ will wear purple on the October 19 show. ‘Watch What Happens Live’ host Andy Cohen will also wear purple for Spirit Day on the October 18 program. Hosts of “Access Hollywood,” CNBC, “Chelsea Lately,” “E! News,” “Extra,” “The Talk,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and “The Wendy Williams Show” will also wear purple on the air for Spirit Day. Host of ‘Extra,’ Maria Menounos, will join previously announced celebrity participants including Dianna Agron, Perez Hilton, Avan Jogia, Shay Mitchell, Shaquille O’Neal, George Takei and Wendy Williams as a Spirit Day Ambassador.

American Apparel, the vertically integrated clothing manufacturer based in downtown Los Angeles, launched a Spirit Day store featuring the company’s purple clothing items. Spirit Day supporters will receive a special 10% discount on the purple items by using the promo code ‘SPIRIT’ at check out. American Apparel will also donate 10% of all ‘purple proceeds’ to GLAAD.

Each year GLAAD coordinates hundreds of national and local organizations, schools, celebrities, media, sports leagues, corporations, parishes, faith groups and landmarks. GLAAD is also working with gay teen Katy Butler who is calling for President Obama and Governor Romney to wear purple on Friday. Her Change.org petition has garnered thousands of signatures: glaad.org/purple2012. Earlier this year, Katy launched a Change.org petition to call on the MPAA to change the rating of the documentary BULLY.

Additionally, celebrities including Chad Allen, Juliette Angelo, Louis Van Amstel, Bryan Batt, Kristin Bauer van Straten,  Chaz Bono, Brandy, Bailey Buntain, Keenan Cahill, Kristin Cavallari, ‘Quan T. Chanteur, Crystal Chappell, Preston Charles, Christian Chavez, Derek Chavez, Margaret Cho, Mario Cimarro, Andy Cohen, Ron Corning, Andres Cuervo, Bianca and Chiara D’Ambrosio, the cast of Days of Our Lives, the cast of Degrassi, Heather Doerksen, Fran Drescher, Elvis Duran, Carmen Electra, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Craig Ferguson, Ray Ford, Fun., Stephen Fry, Rose Garcia, Teresa Giudice, Tony Goldwyn, Greer Grammer, Renee Graziano,  Kathy Griffin, Melanie Griffith, Damien Haas,  Randy Harrison, Paris Hilton, Perez Hilton, Lisa Hochstein, Cheyenne Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Peter Marc Jacobson, Avan Jogia, Kaya Jones, Tamala Jones, Jarod Joseph, Keahu Kahuaui, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Jennifer Knapp, C.J. Koegel, Kara Laricks, Laura Leon, Bubba Lewis, Judith Light, Mario Lopez, Katie Lowes, Jessica Lu, Lilia Luciano, Desi Lydic, Sean Maher, Marlee Matlin, Edith Marquez, Katlin Mastandrea, Lucia Mendez, Dean McDermott, Reba McEntire, Joel McHale, Sir Ian McKellan, Maria Menounous, Paula Meronek, Windell Middlebrooks, Andy Mientus, Justin Mikita, Cesar Milan, Dannii Minogue,  Alicia Minshew, D.W. Moffett, Rita Moreno, Sarah Mitchell,  Shay Mitchell, Sonja Morgan, Jessica Morris, Mary Murphy, Brandon Nelson, Matt Nordgren, Tyler Oakley, Shaquille O’Neal, JD Ordonez, Terrell Owens, AJ Pagan, Ian Patrick, Marysol Patton, Zack Pearlman, Bernadette Peters, Melissa Peterman, Pauly D, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Joey Pollari, Marisa del Portillo, Stephanie Pratt, Cierra Ramirez, Emilie de Ravin, Jasmine Reynaud, Jillian Rose Reed, Shonda Rhimes, Ashley Rickards, Brent Ridge, RoBA, Chef Jason Roberts, Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Sara Rue, Thomas Sadoski, SallyAnn Salsano, Erin Sanders, Helenna Santos-Levy, Kenny Santucci, Robb Schreiber, Diego Schoening, Benji Schwimmer, Ryan Serhant, William Shatner, Lindsey Shaw, Christina Sicoli, Gail Simmons, Freddie Smith, Evan Starkman, KaDee Strickland, George Takei, Molly Tarlov, Lea Thompson, Shannon Tweed-Simmons, Kirsten Vangsness, Vanessa Villela, Michelle Visage, Bruce Vilanch, Kathy Wakile, Stephen Wallem, Kerry Washington, Trey Weatherholtz, Jill and Nikki Weiss-Goldstein, Wendy Williams, Henry Winkler, Marissa Winokur and Kyra Zagorsky will also participate by going purple on October 19.  For a full list please visit: www.glaad.org/spiritday/entertainment

Celebrity participants and Spirit Day Ambassadors are also encouraging fans and supporters to donate to GLAAD, GLSEN and The Trevor Project by texting ‘PURPLE’ to 80888 to make a $5 contribution. AT&T is the exclusive underwriter of the Spirit Day Text Purple campaign.

In addition to the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Treasure Island, The Tropicana Las Vegas and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will also turn their resort marquees purple along the Las Vegas Strip 11 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. and then again 10 p.m. 10:15 p.m. The Fremont Street Experience will also go purple for Spirit Day at 10 p.m. and again at 11 p.m., lighting its famed Viva Vision canopy, which consists of more than 12 million LED lights and spans four city blocks. Organized by The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center), a meet-up for teens and young adults will take place that evening at the Fremont Street Experience. Marquee Nightclub, located in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, will host a Spirit Day after-party with special celebrity host NHL star Sean Avery.

Other Las Vegas-area participants include Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA); Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN); Golden Rainbow; Hilton Garden Inn; Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce; Las Vegas Pride; Nevada State Senator David Parks; QVegas; and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

GLAAD and Toyota Financial Services last week announced the release of the “Go Purple for #SpiritDay powered by Toyota Financial Services” apps for iPhone and Android. The app provides users with anti-bullying resources, calls to action, and a tool that can turn photos purple and share to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The free app is now available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. To download, visit: glaad.org/spiritday/app

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the nation’s second largest school district with more than 640,000 students in over 900 schools, will participate by sharing information about Spirit Day with students on its website and through its social media channels.

Corporations including AMC Entertainment, American Airlines, American Apparel, AT&T, atelier-lb, Caesars Foundation, Carat, Citi, Comcast, CreagerCole Communications, Delta Air Lines, Draftfcb, Digitas, Ernst & Young LLP, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard Company, Hyatt, Johnnye’s East Texas Soul, LBNY, Leo Burnett Business, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Marquee Las Vegas, MediaVest, MetLife, MSL New York, Mobli, NBCUniversal, Nielsen, Omnicom Group, PepsiCo, Publicis Groupe, Publicis Kaplan Thaler, PwC, Saatchi & Saatchi, Seventeen Magazine, Southern California Edison, StumbleUpon, Thomson Reuters, Toyota Financial Services, tumblr, Viacom, Warner Bros., Wells Fargo, Yahoo! and Zenith Optimedia will also participate in Spirit Day. Participating companies will distribute information to employees about wearing purple and/or turn their logo purple on October 19.

Local and national groups and organizations including All Out; The Alliance for GLBTQ Youth; American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Athlete Ally; Bienestar; bklyn boihood; Broadway Impact; The Brown Boi Project; Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization; the BULLY Project; Campus Pride; CenterLink; Circle of Voices; Courage Campaign; Empire State Pride Agenda; Equality California; Equality Florida; Equality Illinois; Equality Maryland; Equality Matters; Equality Michigan; the Equality Network; Equality North Carolina; Equality Ohio; Equality Texas; Equality Utah; Fair Wisconsin; FALGBT; Familia es Familia; Fierce; Forty to None Project; Forum for Equality; Freedom to Marry; FriendFactor; Forum for Equality; Garden State Equality; Georgia Equality; Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY); Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD); the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN); Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD); Give a Damn Campaign; GMHC; GSA Network; Hetrick-Martin Institute; Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC); Human Rights Campaign (HRC); Immigration Equality; Indiana Equality; It Gets Better Project; Latino Equality Alliance; Latino GLBT History; LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent; Log Cabin Republicans; the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); Mass Equality; Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC); MOVILH; National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC); the National Bullying Prevention Center by PACER; the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR); National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE); National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP); the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC); One Colorado; One Iowa; OutFront Minnesota; Out & Equal; OutServe; Palm Beach County Human Rights Council; Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); Point Foundation; promo; Progress Florida; Reaching Out MBA; Safe Schools of South Florida; SAGE; Save Dade; Sean’s Last Wish;  Service Members Legal Defense Network (SLDN); Straight But Not Narrow; Sun Serve; Sylvia Rivera Law Project; The Task Force; Tennessee Equality Project; Transgender Law Center; Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF); Trans People of Color Coalition (TPCC);Tennessee Equality Project; Trans Ohio; Trans People of Color Coalition; Trans Youth Support Network (TYSN); The Trevor Project; True Colors Fund; Truth Wins Out; The Village Family Services; We Are Family; WikiQueer; and Youth Empowered to Act (YETA) will all participate by wearing purple on October 19, turning their social media channels purple, and encouraging members to participate.

Additional media partners include 495 Productions, The Advocate, AutoStraddle.com, Boy Culture, Diversity News Magazine, Edge Media Network, Frontiers in L.A. Magazine, Gay.com, Gay.net, Here TV, HIV Plus Magazine, HollyScoop.com, HollywoodLife.com, HuffPost Gay Voices, Hulu, Instinct Magazine, JoeMyGod.com, MicahJesse.com, Mombian.com, Next Magazine, OUT, OUT Traveler, Queerty.com, RumorFix.com, Seventeen, The Seattle Lesbian, SheWired.com, Think Progress and The Washington Blade.

This year, more than 50 faith organizations, congregations and synagogues are going purple for Spirit Day. Notable faith leaders like Bishop Gene Robinson, Christian music artist Jennifer Knapp, and YouTube theologian, Matthew Vines have all encouraged their followers to go purple for Spirit Day. Faith-based organizations include the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, Metropolitan Community Churches, Believe Out Loud, Sojourners, Muslims for Progressive Values, Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Dignity USA, Fortunate Families, the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Holy Angels Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Los Angeles Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Catholics, Catholic Association for Lesbian and Gay Ministry, Catholic Association of Students for Equality, New Ways Ministry, Keshet, the Institute for Judaism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality, Star of Davida, Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, Beth Chayim Chadashim, He’bro, The Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard, Eden Theological Seminary Common Grounds, Auburn Seminary, Affirmation United Methodists, Reconciling Ministries Network, Druid Hills United Methodist Church, Travis Park United Methodist Church, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, Pacific School of Religion, Coalition of Welcoming Congregations in the Bay Area, Covenant Network of Presbyterians, More Light Presbyterians, Presbyterian Welcome, Religious Institute: Faithful Voices on Sexuality and Religion, Human Rights Campaign Religion & Faith Program, ReconcilingWorks, St. James Lutheran Church, Journey Fellowship, BJUnity, Canyonwalker Connections, Groundswell, Inside, Owldolatrous, The Evangelical Network, The Marin Foundation, The Naming Project, and LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent. Congregations and faith organizations are encouraged to visit the faith page of the Spirit Day web site (www.glaad.org/spiritday/faith) to participate in Spirit Day.

In 2010, teenager Brittany McMillan called on her friends to wear purple as a way to memorialize those who lost their lives to bullying. With GLAAD’s help, Spirit Day has since garnered widespread support from celebrities, TV news and entertainment programs, corporations, organizations, schools, local communities, and even national landmarks. Spirit Day coincides with GLSEN’s Ally Week, as well as National Bullying Prevention Month.

“Showing support for your friends, family and teachers can make all the difference in the world to young LGBT people, whether they are going through a tough time or not,” said 17-year-old McMillan. “This year, Spirit Day is going to be bigger and better than ever, and I’m so thrilled to be going purple alongside some of my favorite celebrities, as well as millions of others in a united stand against bullying.” For more information visit glaad.org/spiritday

About GLAAD: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine, Diversity News Publications and Steven Escobar are proud to be media partners with GLAAD for Spirit Day! (wear purple on Friday, October 19th) http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/media

28th Annual AIDS Walk LA 2012 raises $2,912,209 for AIDS Project LA and 29 other L.A. County AIDS Organizations

On a hot and sunny day and on October 14, 2012 over 30,000 participates came out to raise funds for APLA (AIDS Project Los Angeles). The first fundraiser walk was in 1985, and every year thousands of people collect donations to support APLA and 29 other L.A. County AIDS Organizations. All the efforts paid off this year, AIDS Walk LA raised for APLA $2,912,209 to fight HIV/AIDS. The event was held at the West Hollywood Park located 647 N San Vicente Blvd in West Hollywood, CA 90069 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

“The 30,000 participants who took to the streets today can take pride in the incredible $2,912,209 raised to fight AIDS and lift up the lives those affected by HIV,” said Craig R. Miller, Founder and Producer of the event.  “Thanks to the thousands of dedicated people who walk and fundraise each year, we have made tremendous progress and we are facing a better day in the fight against AIDS,” Miller says. “But we have to remain strong in our response. We have to remain vigilant. And most of all we have to remain visible.”

APLA (AIDS Project Los Angeles) provides care and HIV prevention services throughout Los Angeles. APLA extends to all areas in Los Angeles and has nine food pantries, two dental clinics, and mobile dental van and much more.  Also, prevention education programs are an important part of communities they serve.  They also provide bilingual direct care to those in need.  For more information you can search on their website for details http://apla.org

“As we mark the 31^styear of the epidemic in the United States, AIDS Walk Los Angeles remains a critical – and, in fact, the single largest – source of private support for those who rely on APLA’s services,” said Craig E. Thompson, Executive Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles. “With their incredible fundraising, AIDS Walk Los Angeles participants are changing lives, powering prevention efforts, and supporting advocacy work to defend the civil rights of all who live with this still-deadly disease.”

After participates register, they are asked to fundraise to collect donations from family, co-workers and friends.  They set a goal, and get recognized for as much they collect.  When you collect certain amount of funds, you can receive great prices such as an AIDS Walk t-shirt, cap, ear buds or even a hoodie sweatshirt.  When a participant raises $1,000, he/she will receive the entire bundle of gifts. Dedicate supporter such as Cynthia Park, Tom Whitman, and Actress, Pauley Perrette had collected more than $23,000 in contributions. They deserve a hand and appreciation for working so hard in collecting for a great cause.

Schedule of events were organized to make this AIDS Walk possible.  Before the walk, Aerobic warm up got the walkers pumped up to begin their day.  Opening Ceremony followed which celebrities and AIDS walk activists address the crowd to give them encouragement and appreciation for them coming out to support this great organization.

The elected officials and special guests in attendance included:United States Representatives Howard Berman, Adam Schiff, and Maxine Waters; California State Senators Curren D. Price and Rod Wright; California State Assemblymembers Betsy Butler,Isadore Hall,and Ricardo Lara; Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz, Paul Krekorian, Jan Perry, and Dennis P. Zine; Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich; Los Angeles City AIDS Coordinator Ricky Rosales; Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy; and West Hollywood City Councilmembers John J. Duran, John Heilman, John D’Amico and West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore Abbe Land.

Awesome celebrities such as Christa B. Allen (“Revenge”), Leslie Bibb (“GCB,” “Popular”), Sophia Bush (“Partners”), Drew Carey (“The Price is Right” Host), Barrett Foa (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), Daisy Fuentes (Television Host), Christopher Gorham (“Covert Affairs,” “Popular”), Dot Marie Jones (“Glee”), Pauley Perrette (“NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service”), Andrew Rannells (”The New Normal,” “Girls”), Jai Rodriguez (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”), Michael Urie (“Partners”), BeBe Wood (“The New Normal”), the cast of MTV’s “Awkward” including Jillian Rose Reed, Nikki Deloach, Jessica Lu, Molly Tarlov, Bryce Johnson, Tamara Mello, Carly Pope, and Norm Lewis (“Scandal”) joined forces to make this event interesting. (Please click on the photos to view regular size).

APLA emphasis without the support it would not be possible to provide services needed.  After the speeches and saying thank you to all who contributed the walkers set out at 10:00 a.m. Thousands walked holding signs with their company name or group name on it. School children bundle in groups to support. Dad, moms and their children walked hand in hand. Supporters who lost a love one to AIDS, or knows someone who has AIDS started their walk for encouragement.

Advertising is very important to educate and notify people about AIDS Walk LA.  For many years, AIDS Walk Los Angeles purchased paid advertisement on Big Blue Bus (operated by the City of Santa Monica).  This year Big Blue Bus refuses to promote charity advertisements.  AIDS Walk LA feels this is unfair, and hurts their promotion in getting the word out about the walk.  LA Mayor, Antonio R. Villaraigosa announced he will put advertisements on Los Angeles buses next year.

Providing best wishes to APLA, corporate sponsors contribute with love. This year’s Presenting Sponsor was AHF Pharmacy.  The Grand Sponsors included ABC7, The David Geffen Foundation, Paramount Pictures, Paul Hastings, Time Warner Cable, and Toyota.  Principal Sponsors included Albertsons, Delta Air Lines, Macy’s, Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Vons/Pavilions. Every penny counts, so APLA thanks all supporters and contributors.

A special thank you goes out to AIDS Walk LA management and staff for gathering thousands of people to Los Angeles to announce the importance of this organization, and why they work so hard to help those infected with AIDS. Awareness to all, that anyone can be infected with AIDS, but there is hope. Every year contributions make it possible to educate and provided services. It doesn’t stop here you can always donate by going to http://aidswalk.net/losangeles.  You can make a difference.

About AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA):  AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), one of the largest nonprofit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education, and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation.  With nearly 30 years of service, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national, and global reach.  For more information, visit apla.org.

About AIDS Walk Los Angeles:  Since 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised more than $75 million for HIV programs and services throughout Los Angeles County, and has grown into one of the largest AIDS fundraising events in the country.  In 2011 alone, 30,000 participants, many of whom were members of 1,600 corporate and community teams, raised $3 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles and 24 other L.A. County AIDS service organizations.  For more information, visit aidswalk.net.

About MZA Events: AIDS Walk Los Angeles was founded in 1985 by Craig R. Miller and his organization of activists, MZA Events.  Miller is the AIDS Walk originator and has produced hundreds of public service campaigns and fundraising events, generating more than $368 million for major AIDS organizations throughout the country.  For more information, please visit mzaevents.com.

Sources: AIDS Project Los Angeles, AIDS Walk Los Angeles, MZA Events

Photos credit to: Donna F. Aceto for MZA Events/AIDS Walk Los Angeles and Stella Gomez, Disco Stella’s Pics for Diversity News Magazine. 

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications, is an Official Media Partner for the second year in a row for the 28th Annual AIDS Walk LA 2012.

AIDS Walk Los Angeles 2012 Event Guide and Day-of-Event Information

Check out the AIDS Walk Los Angeles Event Guide

Or go go: http://issuu.com/aidswalkla/docs/laguide

Day-of-Event Information (Click on pictures to view regular size).

Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012

Time: 

8:30 a.m. Sign-In
9:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony Begins
10 a.m. AIDS Walk Los Angeles  Begins

Location: AIDS Walk Los Angeles will start and end in West Hollywood. Enter at Melrose Avenue and San Vicente Avenue.
647 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Length: 10 kilometers/6.2 miles

Venue Map

Route Map

Parking:

Free parking is limited, carpool with friends and arrive early!

Special thanks to the following locations for generously donating their parking structures:

The Beverly Connection: 100 N La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048
Enter from La Cienega Boulevard.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers: 8631 & 8635 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90048
Enter off 3rd Street from Gracie Allen Way or George Burns Road.There will be a shuttle service available every 30 minutes before and after the event.

Street parking is also available surrounding the AIDS Walk Los Angeles venue. Please note that all parking restrictions will be enforced.

The Beverly Center (8500 Beverly Blvd) is available for AIDS Walk Los Angeles participants from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enter on either La Cienega, Beverly Blvd or San Vicente Blvd.Participants must show their Certificates of Completion to waive the parking fee. Certificates are distributed as walkers cross the finish line on San Vicente between Melrose and Santa Monica.

For $15, park at the Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Ave, just east of San Vicente Blvd.
Enter on Melrose Ave, approach driving Westbound on Melrose from La Cienega Blvd.
Please note that this parking structure is only accessible before 8 a.m. Cars parked at the Pacific Design Center will not be able to exit until after 12 p.m. Wheelchair accessible parking will be at the Pacific Design Center.

Street Closures

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications, is an Official Media Partner for the second year in a row for the 28th Annual AIDS Walk LA 2012.

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