Michael Phelps Motivates Middle School

Earlier this month, one of our most decorated Olympic swimmers, Michael Phelps, rewarded the students and staff at Wiley Middle School in Leander Texas for holding a unique and successful book fair…as the first place winners in the Spring 2009 National Middle School Contest, they won a visit from Michael Phelps and a $2,000 shopping spree for books.

According to the website, Wiley rightly deserved first place…the creativity and thought put into this book fair is impressive:

Books came alive at Mrs. Magorium’s Reading Emporium, also known as the spring 2009 Book Fair. The Crew helped transform the media center into a reading emporium, filled with colorful lanterns and parachutes hanging from the ceiling, as well as gigantic stuffed animals, roller coaster toys, and oversized candy displays. To promote the Book Fair, students created door decorations based on their class’s favorite book, and made tri-fold display boards about books. A classroom competition was held for One for Books®, which led to more than $1,500 collected for the program. Other contests to generate student excitement included “Sock It to Reading” and “Hats Off to Reading” days, where students dressed in crazy socks and hats. To attract families, an exciting Family Event was held, complete with a model air plane show from Texas High Fliers, a performance by the student band, movies, and food. Wiley also hosted their first-ever grand slam breakfast for grandparents during the Book Fair. In addition to hosting a fun Teacher Sneak Peek of the Book Fair, Wiley held three faculty stunts to motivate even more students to visit the Book Fair. The wacky stunts included a teacher eating a worm, a teacher shaving his head, and the principal riding a motorcycle once students reached their Book Fair goal. To top off the Fair, had visits from author Phil Bildner and the director of Monsters vs. Aliens Conrad Vernon. All of these activities and events made Wiley Middle School’s Book Fair come alive with imagination and creativity!

And THAT my friends, is how you attract a star athlete to your school.

About Scholastic: Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, has a corporate mission supported through all of its divisions of helping children around the world to read and learn. Recognizing that literacy is the cornerstone of a child’s intellectual, personal and cultural growth, for over 87 years, Scholastic has created quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children and are designed to help enlarge their understanding of the world around them.

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

Michael Phelps & Speedo Visit Boys and Girls Club

“It was great to spend time talking with all the kids and being able to present them with a donation from Speedo and my foundation.” Michael Phelps

Last month, Olympic gold stud, Michael Phelps, along with Speedo, visited the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx for a special event…

Last year, Phelps coughed up $1M of his own money to start a foundation…its goal is to work with charitable programs to promote water safety and encourage youth swimming. “I feel it’s only appropriate that I continue the momentum that Speedo helped to create by committing my bonus to the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which I hope will help me inspire others to achieve their dreams, and give back to the sport that has given me so much,” said Phelps at the time. Since then, a Foundation website has not yet been established, BUT, as evidenced by the above video, he hasn’t reneged on his word to keep giving back to others while inspiring us all to become more charitable. Good work Michael…and of course thanks to Speedo for supporting the cause.

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

Michael Phelps & A Very Special Olympian

I bet Andy Miyares is still smiling…Andy has accomplished more than most of us- he is a world record holder Special Olympian swimmer in both the International Paralympic Competition and at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championship…and while in Baltimore preparing for the Special Olympic Summer Games, the 25 year-old dreams of more than ‘just’ swimming and establishing world records…his dream, to swim with Michael Phelps. And a few days ago, that dream came true. “I felt very excited about swimming here with Michael Phelps, and very proud of myself,” Andy said.

Phelps, along with Katie Huff, swam with Andy at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center where Phelps spends his time training. But after reading Andy’s bio, I think the real story shouldn’t be that Andy Miyares met his hero, it should be more along the lines of Miyares is equally, if not more so, amazing than Michael Phelps when it comes to the accomplishments.

Andy has an astonishing 325 Gold medals, 160 Silver medals and numerous other medals and ribbons received at the local, state, regional and national levels of competition, across a variety of sports. When asked about how Special Olympics has affected his life, Andy says “I love Special Olympics, it is my life. It has taught me that with hard work, dedication and the will to win, I could do anything I wanted to do and be whoever I wanted to be. It showed me that I might have Down Syndrome, but that isn’t the only thing I have. I have the ability to succeed and I did just that. I have a job, I read, I write, I sing, I dance, I have a girlfriend. I’m just like you.” (Photo credits: Steve Ruark)

Gotta correct you there Andy, you are not ‘just like us,’ you are about 100 times better than most…you are an inspiration and a hero and I think Michael Phelps should consider himself lucky to have joined you in the pool.

And while we’re on the topic of Michael Phelps, obviously I heard the rumors of a possible romance between he and Miss Whoever-Runner-Up Carrie Prejean…I actually couldn’t care less who Phelps is dating but not sure it bodes well for Phelps to be chillen with someone who is against ‘same sex marriages’ and on a crusade to preserve ‘traditional marriage.’ In my humble opinion, same sex marriages are far more equal than ‘traditional marriages’ between a Man and his ‘wife’. Traditional marriage is based on the belief that a woman becomes a man’s property once married. Hello, ever heard of a dowry? (In this case, both of Prejean’s dowries were paid for by the Miss Whatever peeps)…anyway, word is that Phelps won’t be acquiring Prejean as his property anytime soon and racy photos of her dowries are now popping up all over the Internet…

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

Michael Phelps Trains With the Navy SEALS

Michael Phelps recently wrapped up a trip to my hood-actually, a few miles south of San Diego in Chula Vista. Because hidden in Chula Vista we have a heavenly hotbed called the Olympic training complex. Last time I went there to watch the Men’s US Soccer team practice, I was not only amazed at how beautiful the grounds are, but by the lack of fans in attendance. Being well aware that Sir Phelps was just a few miles from me, I did the unspeakable- I opted not to hunt him down. Since he was holding a press conference on Saturday, I knew it would be a madhouse. Instead of fighting the crowd (paparazzi), I hit up a ‘source’ that was there a few days prior and he did an amazing job for me.

According to my source, no one had anything bad to say about Phelps. Some of the other athlete’s there- who were training in various sports- said Phelps was pretty quite and stuck to himself. Sometimes eating alone in the cafeteria-and some weren’t comfortable approaching him when he was eating. Not that he gave off a bad-vibe or anything, they just felt he needed his space. Had I been there? This would be an entirely different post.

In any case, we have something better than spies and press conferences to keep us up to date with Our Golden Boy. It’s called the Internet, or more specifically, Facebook. Granted, there are a lot of athlebrities and celebrities who use the Book. Some of them are run by an assistant- others are run by the actual person. Being ethical, I will always ask someone before I write a post or use any images from their pages. It’s a matter of respect and personal boundaries. Sure, I’ve read things on there that made me salivate at the thought of writing about it- but-I won’t cross that line…unless it’s a Fan Page-then game on. Fan pages give you up to date info, photos, personal messages from the athlete/celeb and lets you know where they’ll be for charity events or personal appearances.

Very happy to say that Michael Phelps has a great fan page on Facebook. His latest entry explains the photos in this post: “Hey everyone…I’m back in Baltimore after two weeks out on the west coast for a training camp w/ the national team. Gotta get ready for Nationals and Worlds this summer. It’s been a painful process getting back into training shape, but it feels good to be back in the water. Our camp was hard at the Olympic training complex in Chula Vista. It was nice to be back outside swimming in the sun and adding some color. But it was definitely no day at the beach. We actually spent one of the days training w/ the Navy SEALs…yes, THOSE Navy SEALs!!! I’d like to say that I did pretty good (all things considered of course) but clearly nothing close to the level of the SEALs. I must admit, it was one of the coolest experiences in my life. Not just going through some of the training that they do, but also to have the chance to sit and talk w/ them. After all, they (and all the men and women of the military) are fighting for our freedom and to me, they are the ultimate gold medallists!!!” (All photos courtesy of Navy SEALs)

The thought occurred to me that maybe Phelps was made to train with the SEALs as a sort of punishment for his oh-so-scandalous activity…but most likely, the stud assumed the letter I sent him came from the SEALs because it said: ‘Let’s see what you got tough guy.’ And by the looks of things, they gave him a way easier work out than I would have.

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

Michael Phelps Among Honorees at Celebrity Fight Night

This years Celebrity Fight Night once again knocked out the competition with another one of their amazing fundraisers for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center. Billed as one of the nations largest fundraising efforts, Celebrity Fight Night has raised more than $52 million for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center in Phoenix and other charities.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to attend. This year, I watched on the sidelines as guests enjoyed a delicious evening filled with the likes of Michael Phelps, Kurt Warner, Jon Bon Jovi, Reba McEntire, Bo Derek, Jordin Sparks, Forest Whitaker and many others.

Of course, the legend himself, Muhammad Ali was the guest of honor at Celebrity Fight Night XV, held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday.

The annual event has raised $52 million for various charities throughout its 15-year run, with the primary beneficiary being the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. This year’s event was hosted by the queen of sweet Reba McEntire and, featured musical performances by Jon Bon Jovi, Charise and Ray Firestone.

And as they do every year, CFN honors hotties in the sports, entertainment and business communities who ‘best represent the qualities associated with the Champ and his fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease,’ This year’s honorees…actor Forest Whitaker, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and Olympic swimming god Michael Phelps.

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

Phelps’ Bong Load Benefits San Francisco Food Bank

“So, though Kellogg’s and their star spokesman hit a patch of rough water, San Francisco’s hungry just got thrown a life preserver,” Food Bank spokeswoman Gayle Keck said.

The San Francisco Food Bank recently-and mysteriously -received nine pallets of Kellogg’s cereal…Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes to be precise. And yes, they were the remaining Michael Phelps ‘cover’ boxes that have been terrorizing families from grocery store shelves and warehouses.

The 8-time Olympic Gold Medallist lost the opportunity to renew his contract after the Keebler Elves spotted the oh-so-controversial photo of Phelps mid-bong load. So, Kellogg’s said no to renewing his deal but said yes to the Food Bank-we think. The boxes bearing Phelps, totaling two tons of cereal, were dropped off at the SF Food Bank without explanation. Kellogg’s has not admitted they were the donors, bit come on, we’re not that stoned that we can’t figure that the sudden appearance of 3,800 pounds of flakes indicates that someone was trying to get rid of ‘unwanted stock.’

San Francisco Food Bank executive director Paul Ash: “It’s a very tough item to get,” Ash said of cereal. “In the last six or eight years, it’s become very hard to get ahold of.”

And just like that, Michael Phelps-via his beautiful bong load- has forced Kellogg’s to feed a ton of hungry folks in San Francisco. Don’t it make ya just wanna jump-up jump-up and jump down…

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

Michael Phelps, His Bong and the Hypocrisy of Kellogg

Seeing as today is Bob Marley’s birthday, I though it would be fitting to give ya my two cents on Michael Phelps, his bong and the ridiculous reaction to his toke because thanks to Michael Phelps, the entire world now knows what a bong is. Yes, Phelps was at a party where some bozo snapped a photo of him taking a hit from a bong. Yes, bongs are used to smoke weed.  No, it’s not the monster-piece of drug paraphernalia rampantly portrayed in the media. It’s a pipe. That’s all. Its not going to turn you into a drug addict and it certainly doesn’t’ mean Phelps has a drug problem.  More importantly, it doesn’t mean that he’s a bad guy. (I do suspect if he were photographed smoking a joint there wouldn’t be so many starry-eyed fans gasping at the thought of their Golden Boy getting high.)

But alas, Phelps does smoke weed just as several of our Presidents have, most of our ballers do, and just about any artist with a gold record does. We’ve come a long way since Reefer Madness and I believe Phelps can usher in a little bit of understanding when it comes to the herb-if only the hypocrites would open their minds. First of all- respect for several of Phelps’ sponsors: SPEEDO, OMEGA and PURE SPORT have all said they support Phelps. Aside from the fact the he’s made gazillions of dollars for them-they get “it.” It being – it’s no big deal.

Perhaps the biggest hypocrisy comes from “cereal and snack maker KELLOGG.”  The company has reportedly said it will not renew a sponsorship contract with Phelps on the grounds his behavior is “not consistent with the image of Kellogg“.  Let me rephrase that- the makers of POP TARTS and FROSTED FLAKES don’t feel that smoking weed and their products mesh well. I’ll give yall a million bucks if you can find a box of Pop Tarts not located within arms reach of a bong. And what about the KEEBLER elves? Are you telling me they weren’t conceived by someone who was high? Pa-leeze. And do I even have to mention that the amount of sugar in most Kellogg’s products are far more deadly than smoking weed?

I also wonder if Kellogg’s had any issues with the fact the Olympics were held in a county which supplies weapons to rebels who are hacking off the arms and legs of children, raping women and burning villages. Yet I don’t see Kellogg’s supporting any of the athletes from Team Darfur? In fact-its looks as if Kellogg’s will soon be opening a manufacturing plant there? If they actually cared about something more than making money, they’d be sending those Keebler Elves to Africa instead of indirectly funding a war.

I’m also a bit miffed about the gratuitous ‘three month suspension from competition’ dolled out by USA Swimming. The sport’s (US) governing body said no “anti-doping rule” had been violated but they wanted to send “a strong message” to Phelps because he had disappointed so many people. HUH? Disappoint how? He still has 8 Gold Medals? You still enjoyed watching him swim, didn’t you? If the photo came out before the Olympics and he still won 8-what would the reaction be? Would you have ignored race number 7? Doubt it…When I young and got too starry eyed about someone- my mother was always quick to remind me: ‘They wake up in the morning with bad breath just like the rest of us.’ While her words were quick to kill many a fantasy-it always kept me in check. Michael Phelps has a god given talent in the pool. He is loved, adored and worshipped for these talents. And he also wakes up with bad breath just like the rest of us. He also gets smelly and showers just like the rest of us. And yes, he just happens to be one of the world’s greatest athletes who was dumb enough to get photographed while getting high…Phelps ridiculous ban from who-knows-what will end in time for him to get wet at the US Championships on 7 July-which act as a trial for the World Championships in Rome two weeks later. Hopefully, Phelps will behave himself and NOT get photographed drinking a glass of Chianti while there.

Let me remind everyone too, that Phelps laid down the $1M post-Olympic Speedo bonus to start his own foundation. “Thanks to a lot of hard work, some good fortune, the inspiration I drew from so many supporters around the world, and incredible teammates, I was able to achieve that dream by winning eight Gold Medals in Beijing,” said Phelps. “Now, my goals reach beyond the pool, to helping others realize their dreams, and continuing to grow the sport I love so much. I feel it’s only appropriate that I continue the momentum that Speedo helped to create, by committing my bonus to the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which I hope will help me inspire others to achieve their dreams, and give back to the sport that has given me so much.”

And that, my friends, you can put in your pipe and smoke.

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

Michael Phelps Smokes Weed

Michael Phelps is heating up the newswire with some wonderful news…he smokes weed. Yeah, stop the press right? Our Olympic poster-child got caught smoking out of a oh-god-NO- bong! (I pegged him for a joint kinda guy) Someone at the party snapped a photo, Phelps admitted it was him and then apologized: “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

His favorite artist is Lil Wayne and your surprised he enjoys the herb? Regardless of what side of the bong you smoke from, smoking weed is a victimless crime…more people are killed by drunk drivers every year than by stoned drivers. But you don’t need a lecture. The only person losing out here is Phelps. He’ll lose some sponsors and some fans, but come on people, he’s as close to godly in the water as one can get, he’s physically close to perfection, he’s a nice guy, STILL has 8 Olympic gold’s and he’s still the same babe you LOVED yesterday when he was making you money. The only bad judgment by Phelps was smoking around people with cameras…

Who knows, maybe he’ll pick up a new sponsor? I mean, Michael Phelps just could be the answer NORML has been looking for.

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