“Dear John” – A Global Tribute To John Lennon
Not long ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing the guys from ‘Blurred Vision’ about using music to promote peace…and this month, the band’s official video for “Dear John” – A Global Tribute To John Lennon – was released and invited Blurred Vision fans from all over the world to be involved in the video.
The band also included their friends from Hope North- a school in Uganda helping child soldiers recover from the trauma of war-to be in the video.
All proceeds from the single on iTunes is benefitting NYC based charity Whyhunger, where along with Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, and Carlos Santana, Blurred Vision are official ambassadors.
The band is currently between New York and Toronto, preparing for the release of their debut album “Organized Insanity” in July, and a US tour to follow…I will also be catching up with frontman Sepp later this month to discuss the new video.
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Lamar Odom and Khole Kardashian Charity Scam
ESPN’s ‘Outside the Lines’ ran a great segment this week about professional athletes and their foundations. Of the 155 charitable organizations founded by top professional athletes, 74 of them fell short of their promises.
No surprise here. Really. Properly highlighted for their ‘questionable’ charitable giving were NBA superstars Lamar Odom and Baron Davis.
OTL nailed it…beautifully.
My best ‘simple’ advise? Always do your research: If the foundation website looks out of date or hasn’t been updated in a while-they obviously don’t care, find another and move on.
It’s generally safe to support those who are raising money and awareness for a particular organization or cause, for example, a number of athletes support Operation Smile. Most donate their time and celebrity in efforts to help others.
Athletes who set up foundations often hire friends or family and over pay them to run it, meaning they know how to throw great parties while badly mismanaging the funds.
Yes I could list all the mighty-mighty fine charitable athletes I know of…and I have, since 2004.
And I could call out all the ‘fake’ charitable athletes I know of, but I’d rather relish in the Odom-Boom I told you so moment I’m having.
You can watch the segment here: http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9109024/top-athletes-charities-often-measure-charity-experts-say-efficient-effective-use-money
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Kelly Slater Wants GMO’s Out of Hawaii
Surf god Kelly Slater has lent his voice to Hawai’i GMO Justice Coalition in efforts to get the word out that the largest chemical companies in the world (Monsanto, Du Pont, Syngenta and Dow) now own most of the seed companies in the world.
What’s this got to do with you? Everything. Take 2.34 out of your life and listen to Slater explain it in simple terms.
Warning: Video contains graphic images of Slater speaking. Try to concentrate on his words, please.
To support the Hawai’I GMO Justice Coalition, check out their Facebook page HERE.
That’s all,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Celebrities Pose ‘In The Tub’ for Breast Cancer Research
Spartacus fans have reason to rejoice-aside from a new season, director T.J. Scott has put together a coffee table book of celeb friends posing in a bathtub-with proceeds going towards breast cancer research.
The project- currently on Kickstarter-needs a little help from us to see it to fruition. Take a look, donate, and yes, my birthday is next month and I would love it if you all donated to this project rather than buy me a gift.
From T.J. Scotts Kickstarter page:
For the past two years I have been asking my Actor, Musician, Model and Artist Friends to strip down and jump “IN THE TUB” to take their pictures and in turn many told their FRIENDS to strip jump in. Over 150 people have taken the plunge in all…So far my wife and I have financed the entire project out of our own pockets. Every participant has posed for their photo shoot for free. I now have a great publishing partner for the project ‘Design Studio Press’ and through them the book will be printed at a high quality have worldwIde distribution… This Kickstarter Project will help me finance all of the production costs… so you can have the book on your Coffee Table later this Spring…I was behind the camera so believe me I know – there are lot of intriguing images to look at… everyone threw their caution to the wind ‘A-games only’ for this project…
For a complete list of celebrities and Spartacus actors who got In The Tub, check it HERE.
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Chris Paul’s Avon Fragrance?
Avon Products, Inc. today announced that Los Angeles Clippers basketball star Chris Paul will be joining the company’s team as the face of a new men’s fragrance, Untouchable. Yeah, you read that right…according to the presser and video: ’the new scent will capture the thrill of hitting the court when the crowd is going wild, sinking the game-winning shot and bringing home victory.’
“The drive to win is what gets me out of bed every morning,” explains Paul. “This new scent with Avon will capture the competitive attitude that motivates me to play my best on and off the court.” Continue reading
Sloan Stephens Added to List of ‘Gun’ Tweeters
I’m really not sure what is going on with our athletic heroes…with this country on edge about guns, gun violence, gun regulations, gun control and daily headlines covering senseless shootings…why are we seeing professional athletes sending out tweets which seem to glorify guns?
As mentioned in previous posts, Roy Williams (former NFLer) and current NFL player Shawn Phillips, both sent out some not-so-nice Tweets which included gun emoticons and ‘cute’ little quips about shooting people.
And today, tennis sensation Sloan Stephens sent out this beauty to her 60,000+ twitter followers:
...bang bang 🔫— Sloane Stephens (@sloanetweets) February 6, 2013
Is it too much to expect our sports ‘heroes’ be a bit more sensitive to…this issue? Last time I checked, sensitivity training was still in play? What about a publicist?
And what about the parents who lost children in the Newtown shooting? Is it unreasonable to think maybe one of them found a bit of respite watching Stephens beat Serena Williams, then began following her on Twitter and then Bang Bang in their news feed?
Just something to think about…that’s all.
Delinda
Note As of today, Feb.7, the tweet has been removed. Sloane got class! Thank you girl~
David Beckham by Guy Ritchie
Exclusive short film directed by Guy Ritchie to celebrate the launch of the updated David Beckham Bodywear for H&M collection. Available in selected stores and online at http://www.hm.com/beckham-spring-2013 on February 6th.
...because anything David Beckham never gets old.
Thank you Guy Ritchie and H&M.
Delinda
Jeff Gordon ‘Hats Off to Hope’ You Don’t go to the Circus Again
Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced today the launch of the Hats Off to Dr. Seuss! (www.HatsOffDrSeuss.com) campaign at the famed 42nd Street branch of the New York Public Library in New York City.
Inspired by the 75th anniversary of The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins the yearlong celebration salutes the breadth of Dr. Seuss’s work…and includes a book reading by Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon who will read Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You ?, his favorite Dr. Seuss book, to 300 children wearing Dr. Seuss stovepipe hats. Stuart Claxton of Guinness World Records® will adjudicate the record attempt. Continue reading
Kelly Slater’s Urban Jungle
Join Kelly Slater weaving his way through urban chaos and remote jungle in search of perfection on Bali and its neighboring islands.
And it’s really just an ad for the Kelly Slater signature Cypher Roam board-short…thank you Quiksilver…might we recommend that the ‘signature shorts’ worn in the video be auctioned off for charity?
For info on Slaters charity work, go HERE.
That’s all.
Delinda
Another ‘Gun’ Tweet from a NFL Star
It wasn’t long after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself, that former NFL player Roy Williams sent out a Tweet which contained little bang-bang gun graphics.
And today, after another horrific shooting-not to mention the tragedy at Newtown-someone else opened fire in Phoenix.
So why, why, why is the usually ‘good’ Shaun Phillips tweeting THIS?
People take things way to serious I’m joking people. I hate losers you should all 👫🔫— Shaun Phillips (@ShaunPhillips95) January 30, 2013
Is it not irresponsible of professional athletes to joke about shooting people? Why isn’t anyone addressing this issue? What is wrong with these guys? Are they so completely out of touch with current news? Does it not occur to them that Tweets like this glorify guns and shooting?
Sorry Shaun, you’ve lost my respect…guess I’m a loser that needs to be shot?
As always,
Delinda
Soccer Stars Drogba and Eto’o Unite Against Malaria in Africa
Nearly 6.6 billion people will make the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer tournament one of the most watched public events in malaria-endemic Africa, and soccer stars are harnessing the power of Africa’s most popular sport as United Against Malaria Champions to combat the disease and educate the public.
- The biggest names in African football and the top political leaders in Africa’s malaria fight signed onto the campaign, and lent their time to record public messages about malaria for their African audience. These include five elite footballers and five African presidents, including football legends Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, and the first-ever female African head of state, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. TV, radio ads, and billboards were created which feature the players and presidents, targeting policy-makers and decision makers about investments in malaria programs, as well promoting calls-to-action with simple steps to prevent and treat malaria.
You might even win some Drogba signed swag for getting involved: Check out the 2-minute quiz available on the United Against Malaria Facebook page and to learn more about the campaign follow the AFCON games live at www.supersport.com/live-video. (Source: One.org)
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Celebrities Supporting 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Sports Legends Yuna Kim, Michelle Kwan, Yao Ming; World Leaders including Nobel Peace Prize-winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, H.E. Mrs. Joyce Banda, President, Republic of Malawi, Gather in Republic of Korea For 2013 World Winter Games in PyeongChang
The week-long 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which kicks off on 29 January in PyeongChang in the Republic of Korea, will welcome an array of dignitaries, sports legends, celebrities and corporate leaders to witness the inspiring power of sports to unite people with and without intellectual disabilities.
Notable names from across the world that are scheduled to attend include sports legends Bart Conner , Toby Dawson , Donna DeVarona , Dan Jansen , Michelle Kwan , Yuna Kim , Yao Ming , Dikembe Mutombo, Apolo Ohno , Sam Perkins , Karl Schranz , Trixie Schuba , Hannah Teter , Michael Tritscher and Yang Yang. Continue reading
Operation Smile Premieres Interactive Film “change foreverTM” featuring Tony Hawk to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Saving Lives
Film Allows Viewers to Send their Smile on the Journey of a Medical Mission, and Take a Pledge to Advocate for Children Born with Clefts
Norfolk, Va. – In honor of Operation Smile’s 30th anniversary celebration, share your smile with world-renowned athlete Tony Hawk. On January 10th, Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity, is premiering “change foreverTM” – a short interactive film starring Tony Hawk which can be viewed at www.wecanchangeforever.com. In the film, viewers can upload their smile through Facebook and watch as their smile travels around the world to help a child suffering from a facial deformity such as cleft lip and cleft palate. The online and social media campaign encourages individuals to join the movement by sharing their smile and the film on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. They also are asked to take a pledge to help create greater awareness for children suffering from facial deformities. The pledge advocates that every child has the right to smile.
The video is launching during National Birth Defect Awareness month. Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft. One in 10 of those children will not live beyond their first birthday. To increase awareness about this issue, Operation Smile launched its 30th Anniversary celebration with the change forever™ campaign, featuring a year-long series of events in the United States and globally. Operation Smile has set an ambitious goal to raise significant funds worldwide through the campaign to eradicate the backlog of children suffering from facial deformities, and increase global access to safe surgical care. Continue reading
Celebrities and Athletes Demand a Plan to End Gun Violence
Carmelo Anthony, Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Cameron Diaz, Courteney Cox, Will Ferrell and others Demand A Plan to end gun violence.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2012: The following is a statement by Mayor Michael Bloomberg:
“The NRA’s Washington leadership has long been out of step with its members, and never has that been so apparent as this morning. Their press conference was a shameful evasion of the crisis facing our country. Instead of offering solutions to a problem they have helped create, they offered a paranoid, dystopian vision of a more dangerous and violent America where everyone is armed and no place is safe. Leadership is about taking responsibility, especially in times of crisis. Today the NRA’s lobbyists blamed everyone but themselves for the crisis of gun violence. While they promote armed guards, they continue to oppose the most basic and common sense steps we can take to save lives – not only in schools, but in our movie theaters, malls, and streets. Enough. As a country, we must rise above special interest politics. Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns. That’s why 74 percent of NRA members support common sense restrictions like criminal background checks for anyone buying a gun. It is time for Americans who care about the Second Amendment and reasonable gun restrictions to join together to work with the President and Congress to stop the gun violence in this country. Demand a plan.”
As always,
Thanks for reading.
Delinda
Shaun White Cuts His Hair for Charity
Two-time Olympic gold medalist, snowboarder Shaun White, formerly known as the ‘Flying Tomato’, has chopped off his trademark red hair for a good cause.
Watch this video of White as he cuts it all off for Locks of Love, the public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Why is Roy Williams Tweeting Gun Graphics?
A few days after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself, NFL player Roy Williams sent out a tweet while hunting.
The tweet sent on December 9 reads “Great day to be Hunting” and is embellished with several tiny guns and the words “bang-bang”. A short time later he sends another tweet that reads “Great Way to Start your morning” with the same gun graphics.
After the horrific events in Connecticut yesterday, I did a double take on Williams’ ‘bang-bang’ tweets. The thread was disturbing and peaked with one fan asking Williams’ if he was going to “especially” shoot the “Oregon Ducks”, his response, “yes, the Ducks, lol”. Shortly thereafter he tweets, “I hunt everything.”
With renewed talks about gun control, we felt it important to ask and plead with our professional athletes and celebrities to stop glorifying guns, especially on the heels of an NFL murder/suicide and especially after yesterday’s events.
There is nothing funny about it. Nothing. Zero. Sorry Roy Williams, as a public figure you have a social responsibility. Enjoy your duck hunting but leave the bang-bang gun graphics out…it only takes one unbalanced fan to misinterpret and take action.
That’s all.
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
NFL Sack Leader Aldon Smith To Donate to Boys & Girls Clubs
NFL Sack Leader Aldon Smith To Donate $5,099 For Each Sack During His Attempt To Break The All-Time NFL Single-Season Sack Record
As he works his way toward breaking the NFL single-season sack record, San Francisco linebacker Aldon Smith has announced that he will donate $5,099.00 for each of his sacks during the regular season. Smith is currently credited with 19.5 sacks on the season and he is looking to beat the all-time single-season record of 22.5 sacks set by Michael Strahan in 2001. The total monies raised will be split between Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco (Willy Mays Clubhouse at Hunters Point) and Boys & Girls Clubs of The Peninsula (East Palo Alto Clubhouse).
Aldon Smith stated, “I am excited to be able to give back to my community. Now, in addition to playing to win games, I am playing to raise much needed money for a great organization that makes a huge difference in the lives of millions of young people.” Continue reading
Oscar Pistorius Runs Like the Wind
Today, Oscar Pistorius ran like the wind in Qater to promote those with disabilities via the Doho Goals platform, which brings together leaders to solve the world’s problems using sport.
Pistorius, who as we all know, was the first double amputee to run at the Olympics, challenged an Arabian stud named Maserati to a foot race, and as predicted, ran the like the wind and left Maserati in his dust. Continue reading
Pau Gasol Honored by Children’s Hospital L.A.
If you follow the Lakers or live in the LA area, you probably already know that NBA player Pau Gasol spends most of his free time playing with sick kids at Children’s Hospital LA. Coming from a family of healers, its really not a surprise and has actually swayed my opinion of him to the better.
And recently, Pau Gasol was given the 2012 Courage to Care Award from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles… Featuring: Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, Mike Brown, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, Dr. David Skaggs, Rich Cordova.
Children’s Hospital LA Honors Pau Gasol from Jankovic Productions on Vimeo.
Video courtesy of Jankovic Productions, a Los Angeles-based video production company specializing in corporate videos, marketing videos, instructional videos, web commercials, non-profit promotional videos, tribute videos, banquet/gala videos, and fundraiser videos.
Source: LooktotheStars.org
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda
Duncan-Parker Photo Bad PR for Spurs
Days after NBA Commissioner David Stern fined the San Antonio Spurs $250K for ‘sitting their players’, a photo on Reddit.com is making the rounds…and not in a good way.
The image-allegedly taken around Halloween this year- shows Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, both in costume, pointing toy guns at the head of a man dressed as NBA referee Joey Crawford, with a noose hanging overhead.
How this escaped becoming media-fodder is beyond us, but according to most threads on reddit, fans are not happy about it.
We’re still stuck on the noose. The words ‘NBA player’ and ‘noose’ should never be heard together, let alone be immortalized in a photo. And the irony? Yesterday was the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
As always,
Thanks for reading,
Delinda