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Jan 10, 2017 11:30 am
In a moving article written on behalf of PETA, Sir Roger Moore – the beloved actor, humanitarian, and animal advocate – urges Prime Minister Theresa May to introduce legislation banning wild-animal circuses.
In the piece, published in Sunday People, he writes that other countries around the world have put an end to wild-animal circuses, while “ever-so-civilised, animal-loving Britain still allows these archaic exhibitions simply because of a lack of action on the part of Downing Street. … [P]opular legislation to prohibit circuses from keeping tigers in see-through boxes called cages and carting them about the land has been dragging on for aeons, because the Prime Minister holds the key and won’t give it up”. He adds, “Wilfully allowing such cruelty is unforgivable”.
Referring to former Prime Minister David Cameron’s broken promise to prohibit the practice by January 2015, Moore continues, “No matter what else one may think of him, [he] proved himself no gentleman when he failed to act on his word to get wild animals out of circuses … despite overwhelming public approval of a ban, including support from the British Veterinary Association”.
The famed 007 actor goes on to make May an offer: “Madam Prime Minister, it’s time – past time – to do the right thing by animals and the public and finally bring in a ban on this outdated form of so-called ‘entertainment’. I will put a bottle of Dom Pérignon ’52 or Bollinger ’69 on ice for the occasion and gladly pop the cork with you”.
PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment” – notes that wild animals in circuses spend their lives confined to cages or trailers when they’re not being bullied into performing tricks. They commonly endure abuse and are denied the opportunity to engage in natural behaviour.
Moore joins Michael Sheen, Martin Freeman, and Ann Widdecombe in teaming up with PETA to raise awareness of the plight of animals in circuses.
Jan 10, 2017 10:15 am
Michael Phelps, the American swimmer and holder of 23 Olympic Gold Medals, will headline the Annual Champion Honors Luncheon benefitting the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center as the 2017 Champion Honoree.
Phelps, who holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16), will conduct a rare and unforgettable intimate conversation with a surprise celebrity conversationalist as a part of the luncheon program. The Champion Honors Luncheon will be at 11:30 am on March 3, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, CA.
“I am extremely honored to have been invited to the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children Annual Champion Honors Luncheon, and to support Barbara. I applaud the efforts of Barbara and Frank in establishing a facility and program 30 years ago for children who have suffered abuse,” said Phelps.
Event Chair and Center Trustee, Helene Galen indicated, “We are delighted Michael Phelps is coming to share some outstanding stories of life and accomplishment with us. Michael has a history of giving back to children as evidenced by his efforts with the Michael Phelps Foundation and that fits well with what the Barbara Sinatra Center does making a difference in the lives of the children it serves.”
Hal Gershowitz, Co-Chair of the Host Committee, states, “We are expecting the same kind of entertainment, energy, and surprises at this year’s event, as we enjoyed last year.”
After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation, which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles. Phelps retired following the 2012 Olympics, but in April 2014 he made a comeback. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, his fifth Olympics, he won five golds and one silver.
John Thoresen, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Center, expects luncheon tickets to go quickly. “While we have a history of attracting world class athletes and sports executives to our luncheon, this will be our first Olympian, and America’s most decorated athlete. We are very excited to have Michael serve as our headliner especially following an Olympic summer and a full schedule,” Thoresen added.
People wishing tables of 10 or individual tickets are encouraged to contact the Children’s Center at 760-773-1636 for more information.
Jan 10, 2017 09:00 am
Stevie Wonder was honored at The Art of Elysium 10th Annual Heaven Gala over the weekend.
Camilla Belle was also honored at the event, and guests included Quincy Jones, Rumer Willis, Jesse Metcalfe, Topher Grace, Kristen Bell, Ali Larter, Amber Heard, James Franco, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen.
“We as artists are given the gift of art, and to me that’s truly a gift from God,” said Stevie Wonder. “I hope that, for as long as I live, I can inspire you to love someone, and if your heart is big enough, to love everyone.”
The Art of Elysium empowers artists and communities of need to join together and emotionally triumph over their circumstances through art.
Jan 10, 2017 07:45 am
AARP The Magazine has announced the winners of the 16th Annual Movies for Grownups Awards.
In doing so, the editors continue their integral role in awards season by honoring the best films with unique appeal to movie lovers with a grownup state of mind and by recognizing the inspiring artists who make them. With Loving and Denzel Washington and Annette Bening among the top honorees, this year’s winners will be celebrated at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on February 6, 2017. Three-time Emmy award-winning film and stage actress Margo Martindale will host the evening at the historic Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles.
“AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards is one of the loveliest events of the season, one that is intimate and elegant and honors the films, filmmakers and film actors that people really respond to,” says actress Margo Martindale.
Best Picture goes to Loving, the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, whose challenge of the anti-miscegenation law in Virginia went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Annette Bening and Denzel Washington lead this year’s acting honorees and will take home Best Actress and Best Actor awards for their work in 20th Century Women and Fences, respectively.
This year’s Best Supporting Actress award will go to Viola Davis for her outstanding performance in Fences and Jeff Bridges earns the Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Hell or High Water. This year’s Best Director and Best Screenwriter awards will go to Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea. Actor, producer and Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman will receive the evening’s highest honor, the 2016 Movies for Grownups Career Achievement Award.
“AARP is delighted to celebrate the very best movies of 2016 and the outstanding work by the filmmakers and actors who make them,” says Myrna Blyth, Senior Vice President and Editorial Director for AARP Media. “These are the top movies for grownups made by tremendously talented grownups.”
The 16th Annual Movies for Grownups Award Winners are:
• Best Picture: Loving
• Best Actress: Annette Bening (20th Century Women)
• Best Actor: Denzel Washington (Fences)
• Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (Fences)
• Best Supporting Actor: Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water)
• Best Director: Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)
• Best Screenwriter: Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)
• Best Comedy/Musical: La La Land
• Breakthrough Achievement: Robert Mrazek (The Congressman)
• Best Grownup Love Story: Margo Martindale and Richard Jenkins (The Hollars)
• Best Documentary: The Beatles: Eight Days a Week
• Best Intergenerational Film: 20th Century Women
• Best Buddy Picture: Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie)
• Best Time Capsule: Jackie
• Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up: Kubo and the Two Strings
• Best Foreign Language Film: Elle (France)
Event proceeds benefit AARP Foundation, which helps struggling people 50 and older in Los Angeles and around the country transform their lives through programs, services and legal assistance. Chase Card Services, through its AARP Credit Card from Chase, is the presenting sponsor of AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards event.
With weekly news and reviews, nationwide screenings, and an annual awards event, the Movies for Grownups initiative champions movies for grownups, by grownups.
For more information about AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards, go to www.aarp.org/moviesforgrownups. The entire list of award winners will also be featured in the February/March Issue of AARP The Magazine, available in homes February 1st.
About AARP The Magazine’s Movies For Grownups Awards’ Philanthropic Goals:
The annual Movies for Grownups Awards raises funds for AARP Foundation, AARP’s affiliated charity, which helps struggling people 50-plus in Los Angeles and around the country transform their lives through programs, services and vigorous legal advocacy. The foundation works to ensure that low-income older adults have nutritious food, functional and affordable housing, steady income, and strong and sustaining social bonds.
AARP Foundation is active in Los Angeles. It is working with the Motion Picture &Television Fund (MPTF) to develop programs to reduce social isolation among older people, by keeping them connected with their friends, families and neighborhoods. AARP Foundation also is the founding sponsor of L.A. Kitchen, where California produce considered “waste” is used to make healthy meals for those in need. |
