Joe Mantegna, Andy Garcia, Ray Romano attend 2nd Annual SAG Actors Fore Actors Golf Classic Tournament

Celebrity golfers Ray Romano, Andy Garcia, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Dennis Haysbert, Adam Baldwin, Gabriel Aubrey, Tom Welling, Kevin Nealon, Michael Pena, Joe Pesci and more joined host Joe Mantegna of “Criminal Minds” on Monday, June 13th at the “Actors Fore Actors” 2^ndAnnual Screen Actors Guild Foundation Golf Classic held at El Caballero Country Club.

The stars tee’d up to raise funds for the foundation’s Catastrophic Health Fund, which provides financial relief to actors when illness or injury threatens their ability to work as well as their access to affordable health insurance.  The star-studded event raised nearly $200k which will provide critical help to many in need.


“This event is an opportunity to both work and play in order to help our fellow actors who experience a health crisis,” said Mantegna. “It’s nice to know that if an unexpected illness should happen in our lives, we can rest assured knowing the SAG Foundation is there to lend a helping hand.”

A regular at the El Caballero course, Ray Romano came out to show his support for the worthy cause.

“I wanted to come out today because I’m a member of SAG and I feel very fortunate that I’m working, I have my health and my benefits and it’s good to help your fellow actors,” said Romano. “This business has a lot of ups and downs and a lot of people aren’t as fortunate, so any time I can help the foundation and play golf – it’s a no-brainer really!”

In addition to 18 holes of competitive play, the day’s activities included a live auction and an Awards gala with prizes and special honors hosted by “The Insider’s” Kevin Frazier.  The team fielded by John W. Carson Foundation, which included “Smallville” star Tom Welling, took top honors as first place winners with a score of 25 under par on the challenging PGA-level course.

“I’m happy to be a part of this great event to help raise funds for the Screen Actors Guild Foundation,” said Welling. “I came out because I’m an actor, I’m a member and I appreciate the great work that they do.”

The live auction, led by Mantegna and host committee member Ron Perlman, featured luxury prizes with something for everyone: an LA Dodgers Suite for 30 people or four dugout seats; a Fendi package with leather handbag and shades; a “Sons of Anarchy” set visit; a “Family Guy” memorabilia package with table read visit; and a Palm Springs get-away package with choice of villas.


About the Screen Actors Guild Foundation:
Founded in 1985, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is an educational, humanitarian and philanthropic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Governed and funded independently of SAG, the SAG FOUNDATION offers substantive services to Guild members, free of charge, in its mission to assist, educate and inspire actors toward their fullest potential in career, life and community. For more information, please visit www.sagfoundation.org or call (323) 549-6708.

Source: The FrontPage Firm
Photos credit to: Chris Jergensen & Vernon P. Courtesy of SAG Foundation & The FrontPage Firm

Tycoon Donald Trump Not Running for USA President Statement

Fox News Insider reported on Monday, May 16, 2011 that Donald Trump released statement that he is no longer interested in running for USA President for 2012.

Please read his press release statement:

For Immediate Release:
New York, New York: May 16, 2011

“After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector.

I want to personally thank the millions of Americans who have joined the various Trump grassroots movements and written me letters and e-mails encouraging me to run. My gratitude for your faith and trust in me could never be expressed properly in words. So, I make you this promise: that I will continue to voice my opinions loudly and help to shape our politician’s thoughts. My ability to bring important economic and foreign policy issues to the forefront of the national dialogue is perhaps my greatest asset and one of the most valuable services I can provide to this country. I will continue to push our President and the country’s policy makers to address the dire challenges arising from our unsustainable debt structure and increasing lack of global competitiveness. Issues, including getting tough on China and other countries that are methodically and systematically taking advantage of the United States, were seldom mentioned before I brought them to the forefront of the country’s conversation. They are now being debated vigorously. I will also continue to push for job creation, an initiative that should be this country’s top priority and something that I know a lot about. I will not shy away from expressing the opinions that so many of you share yet don’t have a medium through which to articulate.

I look forward to supporting the candidate who is the most qualified to help us tackle our country’s most important issues and am hopeful that, when this person emerges, he or she will have the courage to take on the challenges of the Office and be the agent of change that this country so desperately needs.

Thank you and God Bless America!”

Donald J. Trump

About Donald J. Trump:

Donald John Trump, Sr. (born June 14, 1946) is an American business magnate, author, and television personality. He is the Chairman and CEO of The Trump Organization, a real-estate developer based in the United States. Trump is also the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts, which operates numerous casinos and hotels worldwide. Trump’s extravagant lifestyle and outspoken manner have made him a celebrity for years, and more recently with his NBC reality show, The Apprentice, where he serves as host and executive producer. In 2010, Trump expressed interest in becoming a candidate for President of the United States in 2012.^[6][7] On May 16, 2011, he announed he would not run.^[8]

Trump is the fourth of five children of Fred Trump, a real-estate developer based in New York City and real-estate tycoon. Donald was inspired to follow his father into real-estate development,^[9] and began working on projects for his father’s real-estate firm while still in college. Upon his graduation from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, Trump formally joined his father’s company, Elizabeth Trump & Son.^[10] He took the helm in 1971 and renamed it The Trump Organization.^[11][12]

Sources: http://foxnewsinsider.com & Wikipedia
Photo credit to: Wikipedia

Ms. Exoti-Lady World Pageant 2011 Official Contestants Name Announced

On Sunday, April 17, 2011 Maria Amor, President and CEO of Exotifit International Inc., benefiting Exotifit for Humanity announced the name of the Ms. Exoti-Lady World Pageant 2011 contestants and event hosts.

The event is around the corner, be the first one to know the contestants, hosts and sponsors.

 

Candidate Names and country representing:

Christine Ames, Ms. Exoti-lady USA

Maricris Bautista, Ms. Exoti-lady Philippines

Lucie Volotzky, Ms. Exoti-lady Canada

Marie Bogacz, Ms. Exoti-lady El Salvador

Monica Farah, Ms. Exoti-lady Hungary

Elena Berman, Ms. Exoti-lady Ukraine

Samira Chatila, Ms. Exoti-lady Iran

Sohelia Mozzafar, Ms. Exoti-lady France

Nikki Storm, Ms. Exoti-lady Washington USA

Mercy Alpert, Ms. Exoti-lady Malasia

Laura Villescaz, Ms. Exoti-Lady Mexico

Soraya Fallah, Ms. Exoti-Lady Kurdistan

The above beauty contestants will be judged on the following categories: 20% on Beauty and Style, 20% on Interview, 20% on Swimsuit and 40% on Popularity.

The event will be hosted by actress Anne Judson-Yager and Vayaconmigo host Joey Valdez. Special peformance by recording artist Justin Chase and by the Exoti-Angels and Exoti-Goddesses.

The pageant event is schedule for Friday, May 20, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am at The Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, CA located at 555 Universal Terrace Parkway in Universal City, CA 91608-1001. Per event organizers their goal is to celebrate a night of beauty, style, and cultural appreciation for women of least 35 years of age and of all nationalities.

Ticket are still available $80 for VIP with dinner and $30 for regular tickets with no dinner. Parking cost is $14 for valet and $9 for self-parking, both with the appropriate validation. For more information please RSVP with Maria Amor at maria@exotifit.com or (818) 983-3602. To purchase tickets online visit http://msexoti-ladypageant.eventbrite.com/

Major sponsors who make this event possible are: Dr. Kamran Safvati of Tarzana Cosmetic & Wellness Center, Crystal Heelz, D’ Moiselle Couture, G & B Fashion, Sumtin’ Sweet Creations, Official Photos by Cesar’s Photography, Elite Team Services, Inc., Ingrid’s Café, Earl’s World, Casablanca Pro-sound & Lighting, Fashion Rock Show as Official Hair & Make-up. The event guests speakers are: Marina Berberyan, Parris Harris, Wanda Patterson and more!

Media Partners are: Diversity News Magazine, Tehran International Weekly Magazine, ModelVanity.com, Model4.us, FilAmNation.com, Manila-US Times and more!

About Exotifit for Humanity: Founded in 2011, Is a 501(c) non organization to help promote health, fitness, wellness, beauty and arts to underprivileged women, children as well the disabled. For more information visit exotifit.com


Cover photo credit to: Daniela Hubbard from PRPhotos.com

NOH8 Campaign Finally An Approved Non Profit Organization in CA

Almost after 2 years and much questioning, the NOH8 Organization founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley finally decided to legalize their organization as a non profit. Per the CA Attorney General, the organization was approved for non profit status on November 5, 2010.

Also on May 12, 2010, they filed IRS form 990 EZ and even requested an extension to file taxes for the term of 08/17/2009 to 12/31/2009 and it was due November 15, 2010 which it was granted by IRS and this documents are available by law for public inspection. Now the organization needs to file again IRS form 990 EZ for the term 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010 and so on each year.


On March 6, 2011 http://www.estergoldberg.com reported that that the NOH8 campaign posted their latest collage of over 10,000 pictures. Also she stated “I started doing the math..and theres an amazing amount cash that allegedly seems to have taken in at 40 bucks a whack…10,000 pics at $40 is about $400,000 and that doesn’t include merchandising – tshirts and donations.. do the math.”
Read the complete story at http://www.estergoldberg.com/views_from_a_broad/2011/03/noh8-has-taken-over-10000-pics-over-400000-where-is-all-this-money-going-just-asking.html?cid=6a0105349ca980970c014e5faf02b4970c

Here in the Golden State of CA the person who regulates non profit organizations is the Attorney General. Some of the rules the apply are 1. No blood relatives can be involved 2. Conflict of interest is a big issue 3. They need to report every year to IRS and provide a copy of their Income Tax to the Attorney General. 5. The IRS Income Tax must be publicized on their website and be available for the public inspection 6. Non profits who do not follow guidelines can be shut down and all their assets will be transferred to a similar organization 7. A non profit is not your business, it is a public entity.

The NOH8 Campaign IRS reports are not showing the truth. They reported $44,644 as total earnings and $37,491 as expenditures. They also said Adam Bouska works 30 hours and his boyfriend Jeff Parshley works 20 hours. These numbers do not make sense either.


Sandra Block from USA Today reports on September 25, 2001 that unscrupulous and questionable charities tend to emerge whenever a crisis occurs. She also provides the following tips to the consumer: Give to charities with an established track record and a history of sound fiscal management. Ignore e-mail solicitations for donations. Legitimate charities generally avoid using spam to raise money. Never make an on-the-spot decision to give to charity. If you receive a phone call, or someone comes to your door soliciting money, ask for information about the charity. Conduct your own research before you give. Don’t give out personal financial data over the phone to someone claiming to represent a charity. The caller may be a con artist seeking to steal your credit card number or other financial information. Don’t give cash. When you make a cash donation, write a check to the charitable organization, not the individual who is soliciting money. The check also will provide a record if you want to deduct the contribution on your tax returns. Be wary of telemarketers soliciting money for families of police or firefighters. Be wary of charitable tie-ins or companies selling flags and other products who have promised to donate part of the profits to victims’ families. Don’t buy unless the company specifically says how much it will donate. If the promotion claims to benefit a specific charity, check with that charity to see if it authorized the promotion. If you donate online using a credit card, do it through trusted web sites. Don’t ignore other worthy causes. The flood of contributions to victims’ relief funds may reduce donations to unrelated charitable groups. With the economy in a downturn, many of these organizations need your help more than ever. The American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity watchdog group, suggests making a contribution to an unrelated charity in honor of the disaster victims.
To read the complete story visit http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2001-09-25-block.htm

According to IRS regulations, any non-profit organization has to produce its returns (Form 990) in-person if asked for on the same day of the request.
Many people have been endorsing and even donating services, products and money to the NOH8 Campaign founders and staff but they were not a legitimate organization until November 5, 2010.

Again on January 29, 2010 http://estergoldberg.typepad.com wrote on her site asking: WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY BEING Spent or USED on the NOH8 campaign? Could someone please answer this question?? She continues supporting her position by stating, “A few years ago..one of the THE AIDS RIDE charities..dealt with a situation where so much money was made through donations and people riding for a cure..and went into executive salaries..and it hurt so many..who gave from their hearts…not realizing most of their money never went to “the cause”.
You can read her complete story at http://estergoldberg.typepad.com/views_from_a_broad/2010/01/where-is-all-the-money-being-spentor-used-for-on-the-noh8-campaign-could-someone-please-answer-this-.html?cid=6a0105349ca980970c0128773417ec970c
Dasche Bledsoe, Publisher/Editor from The Star Celeb wrote a comment on Esther’s blog stating “It says they are seeking…does that mean they don’t have yet? If not they are not allowed to be accepting donations. If so you may have to check into for confirmation, but I’m pretty sure they have to provide the information as to where the money is going whenever asked….I believe in the cause and I support it but not via shady people”.

On their website http://www.noh8campaign.com it states: “The NOH8 Campaign is an approved 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.
Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for Marriage Equality and anti-discrimination on a global level through an educational and interactive media campaign”.
Wikipedia also reports that The NOH8 Campaign is a silent protest photo project against California Proposition 8. The campaign features photographs portraying people in front of a white backdrop wearing white t-shirts, their mouths taped shut and “NOH8″ painted on their cheeks. The campaign was created on February 1, 2009 by photographer Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley.

The controversy with the NOH8 Campaign started from the begginning and that is when radio personality Allen Edwards from Pride Nation Radio wrote on November 17, 2009 the following statement “I’ve always made it clear on how I feel about the No H8 ad campaign. I think we’re spending too much time focusing on the photos rather than the cause.” You can read Allen posting by visiting his site at http://www.pridenation.com/blogs/entry/Can-I-Hate-the-No-H8-Campaign-
In response to the NOH8 Campaign Pride Nation from AEU Media Group, LLC created NO HATE NO TAPE site http://pridenation.com/notape/ with the following message “Because our community has a long way to go, the fight is not over. The solution is not to fashion photos with duct tape on our mouths. Imagine if Martin Luther King walked into a photo booth with duct tape. This website is to be proactive, productive and to make a difference”.

On 3-17-2011, To do a fair story we call the NOH8 Campaign office and we also email the following request to: info@noh8campaign.com; Adam Bouska, Jeff Parshley and  press@noh8campaign.com asking to provide to me the following: A list of the organization names, date of donations, amount and contact information that the NOH8 Campaign have made donations. On the same day we received the following email response from: info@noh8campaign.com stating “Hi Esteban; Thank you for your inquiry.  As an official 501(c)(3) organization, the NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest. Our 501(c)(3) status defines the scope of our activities, and we do not participate in political campaigns. While we have made donations to organizations that share our vision, we are not a foundation and do not fund other organizations. Again, thank you for your interest and support of the NOH8 Campaign.  We would be happy to provide any further information for your article. For expediency, please submit your requests via email. You may also find it helpful to visit our website at www.noh8campaign.com.Yours very truly, The NOH8 Campaign.”

What can we tell you if you go to an organization website they will never disclose any negative information about them, a least we gave them the opportunity to have a voice on this article.

As you may have read, there are supporters and non supporters of the organization and lots of questions that have not been answered.
As you may see on the NOH8 Campaign website they even have an online store selling merchandise. Hundreds of people have been fooled by the organization in the beginning, including big media outlets. Only recently were they legitimately approved as a non profit organization. Please see pictures on this story and documents in PDF files since we contacted them and started investigating them.1078015 – 08172009 – 12312009 NOH8 IRS Renewal, 1078016 – 990EZ for 8-09 to 12-09 NOH8 Campaign, Attorney General CONFIRMATION OF REGISTRATION

IMPORTANT EDUCATION AND KEY INFORMATION:
The California Attorney General has primary responsibility for regulating, enforcing and supervising organizations and individuals that administer and/or solicit charitable funds or assets in California. The Attorney General has the duty to protect donors to charity, charities themselves and the beneficiaries of charities. In addition, the Attorney General has broad authority under State statutes to regulate charitable organizations and trusts and to commence law enforcement investigations and legal actions to protect the public interest.

OWNERSHIP:
A nonprofit organization, in a sense, is “owned” by the public. No private person can claim ownership or control of the organization. The assets of a nonprofit organization are irrevocably dedicated to charitable, educational, literary, scientific, or religious purposes. That means the nonprofit’s cash, equipment, and other property cannot be given to anyone or used for anyone’s private benefit without fair market compensation to the organization. Moreover, a nonprofit’s property is permanently to be used for exempt purposes. When and if the organization decides to dissolve, any assets remaining after the debts and liabilities are paid must go to another nonprofit organization—not to members of the former organization or other private individuals.

Some Basic Steps For Incorporation Of A Public Benefit Corporation:
Choose a corporate name, Draft and file articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State, File federal application for employer identification number (EIN) with the IRS, File a statement by domestic nonprofit corporation, Register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trust & File application for exemption from federal income taxes with the IRS and state income taxes with the California Franchise Tax Board.

What Is 501(c)(3) Status?
A section 501(c)(3) organization must be “organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary or educational purposes.” To qualify, an organization must satisfy an organizational test and an operational test. The organizational test is met if the articles of incorporation include language limiting the purposes of the organization to one or more of the exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) and do not empower the organization to engage in any substantial activities which do not further one or more exempt purposes. In addition,the organizational documents (or applicable state law) must require the organization to expressly dedicate its assets to exempt purposes in the event of a dissolution.

Fundraising campaign in California?
Prior to soliciting any charitable donations, a commercial fundraiser must register with the Registry of Charitable Trusts on a form provided by the Attorney General, pay a fee of $350, and obtain a $25,000 bond. The commercial fundraiser must renew that registration and bond annually and pay a fee of $350. A commercial fundraiser must also file an annual financial report with the Attorney General accounting for funds collected during the preceding year.Registration or licensing may also be required in various California cities and counties. There are more than 200 cities and counties that require charity fundraisers to comply with local licensing and disclosure requirements.

Solicitations Law: BUSINESS LICENSE COMMISSION
(Los Angeles County Code, Volume 3, Title 7, Chapter 7-24 requires that this Notice of Intention to be filed at least 30 days prior to beginning your solicitation or advertisement for your fund-raising activity. No advertisement or solicitation may begin until this office has issued an Information Card.

Solicitations Information Card:
An Information Card is issued by the Los Angeles Police Commission Charitable Services Section, Commission Investigation Division upon review of the Notice of Intention[PDF] to solicit charitable contributions by a requesting charitable organization. The Information Card provides important information to the donor so they may make an educated decision whether to support that organization.

For more information visit:
IRS (Federal tax exemption and reporting compliance)
http://www.irs.gov/

California Franchise Tax Board (California tax exemption)
http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

California Secretary of State (Filing articles of incorporation, Annual Statement of Officers)
http://www.ss.ca.gov/

California Employment Development Department (California payroll taxes)
http://www.edd.ca.gov

California Attorney General’s Charitable Trusts website:
http://www.ag.ca.gov/charities/

Philanthropic Research, Inc. (Guidestar) - http://www.guidestar.org

Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov

Photos: Facebook, Ester Goldberg, PN Radio

Editor’s Note: Story was proofread by Linda Krongold, our New York, NY Special Correspondent For Diversity News. For more information you can contact her at andmeljar@aol.com. This article is nothing personal against founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley.  We want to wish The NOH8 Campaign good luck, but keep in mind the we are looking after you. These article tt is just to educate and inform our readers and consumers that before they believe in or give money to unscrupulous and questionable charities to please question them. Ask before you give, check facts, contact government entities and make sure the most of the money goes toward the cause not to the pockets of the founders, directors or their blood relatives. We hope other non profit founders or organizers follow the NOH8 Campaign footsteps to legalized their status too.