WHAT DO DESMOND TUTU AND TONY HAWK HAVE IN COMMON?

The new season of Iconoclasts has just been announced. In case you’re not hip to the show on the Sundance channel…each thirty-minute episode features two “leading innovators” from different fields who come together to discuss their passion and creativity. Season four of the show looks to be the most interesting season yet with such parings as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson-when either of these two men open their mouths its worth listening and its worth setting the DVR. Skateboarder Tony Hawk had a discussion with filmmaker/actor Jon Favreau…how about a conversation between political humorist Bill Maher and music industry executive Clive Davis? Hell yeah. And hello- tennis champion Venus Williams chillen with and musician/producer Wyclef Jean? Obviously, you’ll most likely learn something if ya tune in…other parings for season four include fashion designer Stella McCartney and artist Edward Ruscha; and actress Cameron Diaz and architect Cameron Sinclair.

PHELPS LANDS THREE COVERS AND ARMSTRONG WASTES WATER

Would love to see an episode between Michael Phelps and Lance Armstrong. Michael Phelps has earned his place in history and is set to grace the covers of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and the August 25 edition of Sports Illustrated. For his fifth stint as an SI cover boy, Phelps will appear with his eight-gold medals hanging from that multi-million-dollar body. So I’m wondering what kind of conversation Phelps would have with Lance Armstrong about water. Mainly water usage. According to the NY Times, Armstrong, aka Sir Lance-A-Lot-of-Water, is one of the “biggest individual users of water” in Austin, Texas. The water-cops claim that Lance’s water usage for July was 330,000 gallons of water. His lush Spanish-colonial home has an acre of gardens and a swimming pool that cause Armstrong’s water usage to be “38 times what the average household in the city uses in the summer.” Armstrong has been informed that Texas is going through a dry spell and officials are asking people to cut back on watering their lawns…Armstrong said, “I’m a little shocked. There’s no justification for that much water. I need to fix this.”

STEVE NASH: THE GENTLEMAN

Maybe Steve Nash can appeal to Lance Armstrong? Nash recently made an appeal to the government of Ontario, via messages on YouTube and Facebook, urging them to help fund the only treatment available to those who suffer from Hunter syndrome, a rare progressive genetic enzyme deficiency disorder. “The earlier patients receive the treatment, the better chance they have of stopping the progression of Hunter syndrome,” Nash said. “A close childhood friend, Simon Ibell, has seen his health improve significantly since being on enzyme replacement therapy. I hope all Canadians will join me in asking their politicians to fund enzyme replacement therapy for Hunter syndrome in Ontario and across Canada.” Nash’s buddy was diagnosed with Hunter syndrome before there was a treatment for the disorder. After participating in enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) as part of a clinical trial, his pain and suffering have drastically declined. “Even at my age, the treatment has had such a positive impact on my life - improved breathing, decreased organ size, improved joint flexibility,” Simon said. “Daily tasks are so much easier.” Thank you Steve Nash for once again stepping up to the plate for those who need it. And thanks to the Gentlemen’s’ Fund. This year, The Gentlemen’s Fund initiative has partnered with five outstanding charities and five celebrity ambassadors-including Steve Nash- to support five cornerstones essential to men: Opportunity, Health, Education, Environment, Mentorship and Delinda. Established in 2007 to commemorate GQ’s 50th anniversary, The Gentlemen’s Fund hopes to encourage individuals to become agents of change by contributing to charities that champion these causes.

QB’S USING NIKE GOGGLES

In efforts to improve the concentration of Quarterbacks, Nike has come up with a great idea that they’ve already strapped onto the faces of the Vikings QB’s at training camp…dudes are wearing special goggles provided by Nike that have lights inside that flash at different speeds to force them to concentrate and stay focused (no, they are not the ones pictured above)(Houston Chron)

RACISM IN LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES?

Speaking of goggles, I found YET ANOTHER article which reiterates my feelings about racism in a certain little country named Spain. Actually, and oddly enough, it takes aim at ‘Latin American’ countries, which I thought was interesting after mentioning the ‘racist’ group of Brazilians I encountered at a Halloween party a few years ago…so, for those of you still thinking that I made it all up or have a skewed perception of racism…read the latest in the Telegraph.

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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo
delinda@athlebrities.com