2010 AMEE Award Honorees

Flash!

National

December 2009

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AFTRA Foundation to Honor Legends at 2010 AMEE Awards in New York

The AFTRA Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (The AMEES). Receiving honors will be Spanish-language recording artist Juanes, broadcast journalist Robin Roberts and the past and present cast members of “Sesame Street.” Broadcast veteran Charles Osgood and music legend Sam Moore will be honored with AMEE Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades of excellence in their respective fields.

Robin Roberts – AMEE Award in Broadcasting As an anchor of ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” Roberts has reported on a diverse range of stories and issues, from anchoring presidential candidate town halls to reporting on natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Click here to read more.

The Cast of ‘Sesame Street’ – AMEE Award in Entertainment Celebrating its 40th year on the air, "Sesame Street" has taught countless children their ABCs and 123s. Airing in more than 140 nations, the show has become one of the single greatest informal educators of young children in the world with its cast of Muppets, actors and guest stars. Click here to read more.

Juanes – AMEE Award in Sound Recordings Hailed by Billboard magazine in December 2009 as the “Star of the Decade,” Colombian international superstar Juanes is the top-selling Latin rock artist in the world and the genre’s leading social activist. Juanes’ multi-platinum breakthrough album, “Un Dia Normal,” set the record for the longest Top 10 chart run in Latin music history at the time of its release and its follow-up, “Mi Sangre,” likewise notched an astounding two-year chart run, while bringing Juanes to No. 1 throughout Latin America, the U.S. and across Europe. Click here to read more.

Charles Osgood – AMEE Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcasting With his trademark bow-tie and his weekly TV signoff of “I’ll see you on the radio,” Charles Osgood has often been referred to as CBS News’ poet-in-residence. Osgood has been anchor for CBS News Sunday Morning since 1994 and also anchors and writes “The Osgood File,” his daily news commentary on the CBS Radio Network. Click here to read more

Sam Moore – AMEE Lifetime Achievement Award in Sound Recordings For years, Sam Moore was best known for his work with the historic soul duo Sam & Dave. The rapid-fire style, built on the call and response of gospel, was fashioned and pioneered by Moore and became the trademark of the duo. Songs like “Hold On I’m Coming,” “I Thank You,” “When Something is Wrong with My Baby” and the monster hit “Soul Man” catapulted Sam & Dave up both the Pop and R&B charts, selling more than 10 million records worldwide in the process. Click here to read more.

AFTRA National First Vice President and award-winning broadcast journalist, Bob Edwards, will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the 2010 AMEES. Edwards is the host of “The Bob Edwards Show” on XM Satellite Radio. Before joining XM in 2004, he hosted National Public Radio’s (NPR) “Morning Edition” for more than 24 years. Edwards was inducted in the national Radio Hall of Fame in 2004 and is a past AMEE Award recipient.

The honorees will receive their awards at the AMEES dinner gala benefit at the Plaza Hotel in New York on Feb. 22, 2010.

“The diversity and caliber of our 2010 AMEE honorees is breathtaking. The AFTRA Foundation is proud to honor these talented and dedicated AFTRA members, each of whom has made enormous contributions to the fields of entertainment and news media,” said Shelby Scott, AFTRA Foundation President and former AFTRA National President. “Together, they represent the vast spectrum of media in which AFTRA members work and the long tradition of excellence in scripted programming, sound recordings and quality news journalism that is the very hallmark of AFTRA talent.”

Past AMEE recipients include the late "60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt and his team of CBS on-air journalists including the late Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft, Dan Rather, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer, Bob Simon, Lesley Stahl and Mike Wallace. Other past honorees include Smokey Robinson, Jeanne Cooper, Vin Scully, Don LaFontaine, Cedric The Entertainer, Willard Scott, Roberta Flack, Bob Edwards, Don Hastings, Susan Flannery, Amber Tamblyn, Patti Austin, Robert Hager, Sam Donaldson, Susan Lucci and vocalist Maureen McGovern.

The AMEES were created in 2003 to honor AFTRA members for excellence in their craft and their contributions to the fields of media and entertainment. Proceeds from the 2009 AMEE Awards go to benefit the AFTRA Foundation, an independent non-profit organization separate from AFTRA that provides support to charitable and educational endeavors critical to AFTRA members, including the George Heller Memorial Scholarship which provides scholarships to AFTRA members and their dependents for academic study and the International News Safety Institute, the only global organization solely dedicated to the safety of journalists and other news professionals.

For more information about the 2010 AMEE Awards, including sponsorships and tickets to the event, please visit http://www.aftra.com/amees2010.html.

About the AFTRA Foundation
Founded by the AFTRA National Board of Directors in 1997 as a separate legal entity from the union, the AFTRA Foundation is a charitable and educational organization funded through tax-deductible voluntary contributions, grants and bequests—not AFTRA member dues—to support projects outside the scope of normal activities at AFTRA, including charitable endeavors, special conferences, studies, seminars and other events. For more information, visit http://www.aftra.com/foundation.htm.

Hot Stone Massage

Warmest Seasons Greetings

 

Please join me in welcoming Avo to my Practice. Avo brings many years of Bodywork experience abroad to his healing Hot Stone Massage.

Ancient cultures used this sacred treatment to detoxify and find harmony and balance. Today it's used in the same way to.......

- Increase vitality

- Reduce inflammation

- Balance energy flow

- Soothe mental and physical tension

- Foster a deep sense of well-being

Receiving Avo's Hot Stone Massage is like going on your very own 90 minute personal vacation. Come relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with you!

Kay Murphy of Pasadena says...."It was an AMAZING experience"!

Gift Certificates available. Give the gift of health this holiday season!

Be well, Jen

 

Jen Keitzman, LCMT 213-321-7524
Facilitating the body's innate ability to heal. 

therapeuticbodyworkx@hotmail.com 

WHEN SOMEONE STEALS YOUR KODAK MOMENT

WHEN SOMEONE STEALS YOUR KODAK MOMENT............

































Don't take life too seriously.....
No one makes it out alive anyway......
Kurt Kelly's Backstage Pass All Access®

A Different Christmas Poem

A Different Christmas Poem 

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, 
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. 
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, 
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. 
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, 
Transforming the yard to a winter delight. 

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, 
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. 
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, 
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. 
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, 
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. 

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, 
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.. 
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the 
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. 
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, 
And I crept to the door just to see who was near. 

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, 
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. 
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, 
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. 
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, 
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. 

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, 
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! 
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, 
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" 
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, 
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. 

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light 
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, 
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." 
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, 
That separates you from the darkest of times. 

No one had to ask or beg or implore me, 
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. 
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," 
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." 
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', 
And now it is my turn and so, here I am. 

I've not seen my own son in more than a while, 
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. 
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, 
The red, white, and blue... an American flag. 
I can live through the cold and the being alone, 
Away from my family, my house and my home. 

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, 
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. 
I can carry the weight of killing another, 
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. 
Who stand at the front against any and all, 
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.." 

"  So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, 
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." 
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, 
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? 
It seems all too little for all that you've done, 
For being away from your wife and your son." 

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, 
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget. 
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, 
To stand your own watch, no matter how long. 
For when we come home, either standing or dead, 
To know you remember we fought and we bled. 
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, 
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." 

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many 
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our 
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these 
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people 
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein on the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein

on the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

Dear Mr. Kelly:

Thank you for writing to me to express your support for healthcare reform. I appreciate the time you took to write to me, and I welcome this opportunity to convey my opinions on how we should reform our health care system.

I am pleased that you support healthcare reform, as do I. The key is to find a healthcare plan that provides coverage, as well as limits cost. My colleagues in the Senate and I have been working on this, but it is a difficult issue and must be carefully thought out.  On November 21, 2009, I voted in support of the motion to proceed to debate on the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." It is my hope that over the next few weeks, the Senate can find common ground to pass meaningful healthcare legislation.

Important measures in the bill that would immediately take effect include the prohibition of coverage denial based on preexisting conditions and the elimination of lifetime and unreasonable annual limits on benefits. Reducing healthcare premium costs is absolutely essential. Between 2000 and 2007, combined profits for 10 of the country's largest publically traded insurance companies rose 428 percent. I am planning to offer an amendment that would create a Medicare Insurance Rate Authority to block inappropriate health insurance increases. The Medical Insurance Rate Authority would review the justifications for premium increases that insurance companies are already required to submit under the bill. The amendment would also require states to adopt state laws on insurance rate reviews that require insurance companies to provide notification of rate increase, and to give an appropriate state authority the ability to block a premium increase that is not justified.

I am also concerned about the rapid growth of entitlement spending, which makes up 56 percent of all federal dollars spent in 2009. Health reform must also slow the growth of entitlements in order to reduce our nation's debt and budget deficit. Any Senate health reform bill must improve California's complex health care system, and please know that I am working hard with my colleagues to make health care affordable for all Americans, without adding to the federal deficit.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours, Dianne Feinstein
        United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ENewsletterSignup.Signup.

LOUIS J. HORVITZ NAMED DIRECTOR OF 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS

LOUIS J. HORVITZ NAMED DIRECTOR

OF 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS

Horvitz Joins Executive Producers Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette to Helm Music's Biggest Night^®

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 08, 2009) — Award-winning television director Louis J. Horvitz has been tapped to direct the 52nd Annual GRAMMY^® Awards, it was announced today by The Recording Academy^®. Horvitz joins executive producers Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette to helm the production of Music's Biggest Night^®, which will be held live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, and air on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The annual GRAMMY Awards telecast is produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC.

"Lou Horvitz is one of the most accomplished and prolific directors in live television event broadcasting who continually facilitates seamless and elegant work," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "We are proud to have Lou on board, and look forward to working with him as he joins Ken and John to continue to make the GRAMMY Awards the most relevant and successful music event of the year."

"Lou is a remarkable live television event director whose resume only begins to tell the story," said Ehrlich. "He has a love of music that comes through every time he steps into the director's chair, and he was the only choice to continue in the tradition of his predecessor Walter Miller, who will continue to be involved with the GRAMMY Awards in an advisory producing capacity. Both John Cossette and I have worked with Lou often over the years, and are thrilled to have him join us on Music's Biggest Night."

About Louis J. Horvitz

In addition to directing the 2009 MusiCares^® Person of the Year tribute concert honoring Neil Diamond during GRAMMY Week 2009, Horvitz has directed the annual Academy Awards telecast a record 12 times which has resulted in 10 Emmy^® nominations and five wins; the Primetime Emmy Awards 14 times; "The Kennedy Center Honors" for 16 years which has resulted in an Emmy win; and the "American Film Institute Life Achievement Award" tributes a total of 18 times. In 2009 Horvitz had the historic opportunity to direct the "Kids Inaugural: We Are The Future" concert special for President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. He recently completed his 13th year as executive producer-director of "An Evening Of Stars," the annual television special benefiting the United Negro College Fund, receiving two prestigious NAACP Image Awards for his work. Horvitz has also won a Directors Guild of America Award and has received multiple nominations as well.

In a career that has spanned more than four decades, Horvitz has also directed numerous other high-profile programs including the American Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, the MTV Video Music Awards, VH1's "The Concert For New York City" benefiting survivors of Sept. 11, the Super Bowl XXXVI Halftime Show featuring U2, Paul Simon's Concert In The Park, the Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels Tour, Live Aid, and the landmark musical variety series "Solid Gold." A native of Los Angeles, Horvitz earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

Barb Dehgan

The Recording Academy                                                                                  

310.392.3777                                                                                                    

barbd@grammy.com

The Patriot Manifesto

The Patriot Manifesto

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Patriot Manifesto.
We the People of the United States are fed up with:
• The lack of integrity of many of our leaders
• The political bickering for each party’s sake
• The pork belly spending
• The lack of common sense in our leaders
• The un-read approved bills
• The loss of fundamental principles that led our Nation
We the People of the United States demand:
• That our representatives act with honor and integrity
• That common sense be used to reduce government spending
• That small business is supported and encouraged
• That the individual have his rights respected
• That the government reduce taxes and regulation
• That our President be a leader of all the people
• That cabinet members and czars serve the interests of the people
• That our leaders and representatives be exemplary upstanding citizens
• That our leaders guide us under the principles of the founding fathers and as one Nation under God.
Tony Paez, for the People.

LinkedIn

Antonio (Tony) Paez has sent you a message.

Date: 12/12/2009

Subject: The Patriot Manifesto

SAG Awards Holiday Auction Opens December 10-18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carrie White
cwhite@sagawards.org
(310) 235-1030

Tickets to the SAG Awards®, Hawaiian Vacation Package, Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats,
Autographed Celebrity Collectibles, and Astounding Experiences will be Auctioned to the Public at www.sagawards.org/auction to Benefit the SAG Foundation

    Los Angeles, California (December 9, 2009) – The Screen Actors Guild Awards® kicks off the first of its three online auctions to benefit the SAG Foundation at www.sagawards.org/auction with a Holiday Auction on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009. Coming up in January will be the Red Carpet Bleacher Seat auction from Jan. 4-11, 2010 will offer fans the opportunity to cheer the 16th Annual SAG Awards®’ nominees and presenters as they make their way down the red carpet. The Ceremony auction that launches Jan. 21-29 will feature one-of-a kind experiences and memorabilia donated by our nominees and their films and television programs.

The SAG Foundation is currently celebrating its 25th year. The annual online SAG Awards Auctions help make possible the Foundation's nationwide children's literacy programs now reaching 100,000 children per week through BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and Storyline Online, the Foundation’s Actors Center and Foundation programs providing emergency relief to members in economic distress, emergency funds for members with catastrophic illnesses, video and audio preservation of the creative legacy of SAG members and scholarships for performers and their children. (For details, visit www.sagfoundation.org and www.bookpals.net.)

The Holiday Auction opens Thursday, Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. PT at www.sagawards.org/auction or www.clothesoffourback.com/sagawards. The auction will stay open for eight days and close at 5 p.m, PT on Friday, Dec 18, 2009. The List of items in the Holiday Auction is organized below by Vacation Packages, Experiences and Autographed Memorabilia and Collectibles.

Experiences:
•    SAG Awards VIP Package with two tickets to the SAG Awards Ceremony & Gala, two coach tickets on United Airlines, a three-night stay at the   
          Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey and a SAG Awards Backstage Tour during rehearsals
•    Meet and greet with Betty White at SAG Awards rehearsals
•    Backstage Tour during SAG Awards rehearsals for four people
•    Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats (two seats)
•    Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats (four seats)
•    “The Jay Leno Show” audience seats for two
•    “Chelsea Lately” two VIP tickets at a live taping
•    Lunch with TV Guide Magazine Editor in Chief, Debra Birnbaum and Executive Editor, Craig Tomashoff
•    TV Guide Network's Red Carpet Ready Makeover
•    Joe Cipriano offers a two-hour personal one-on-one voice-over experience and a signed copy of his book Secrets of Voice Over Success
•    Party Planning consultation  with Awards Event Supervisor Andrea Wyn Schall and a free downloadable version of her book Budget Bash
•    Hollyscoop makeover and interview on the red carpet

Vacation Packages:
•    Tahitian escape at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa for 5 nights in a water bungalow
•    Hawaiian Vacation at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Winner receives for four nights for two in an Ocean View Room.
•    Champagne Taittinger offers a private tour and tasting through the cellars located in Reims, France.
•    Dry Creek Vineyard Dream Tasting, Tour and lunch in Napa Valley
Autographed Memorabilia & Collectibles:
•    Michael Jackson’s "This Is It" CD autographed by Kenny Ortega
•    Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Gabourey Sidibe & Lee Daniels autographed “Thank You Mr. Falker” book
•    Brad Pitt and other cast members autographed an  “Inglorious Basterds” poster
•    “Sherlock Holmes” poster autographed by Robert Downey Jr.
•    “The Blind Side” poster signed by Sandra Bullock
•    “Brothers” poster signed by Natalie Portman and Ryan Kavanaugh
•    “The Lovely Bones” poster signed by:  Peter Jackson, Stanley Tucci, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Walhberg, Susan Sarandon, Rose McIver and Michael
         Imperioli.
•    “Up in the Air” poster signed by George Clooney, Jason Reitman, Anna Kendrick and Melanie Lynski
•    “The Boys Are Back” poster autographed by Clive Owen
•    “An Education” mounted poster signed by Peter Sarsgaard and Carey Mulligan
•    “A Serious Man” mounted poster signed by Michael Stuhlbarg
•    “The Closer” photo autographed by Kyra Sedgwick
•    “Dark Blue” photo autographed by Dylan McDermott, Omari Hardwick, Logan Marshall-Green and Nicki Aycox
•    "30 Rock" Calendar and Season 2 DVD Signed by Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Dot Com and casting director, Jennifer McNamara
•    “Glee” script and photo signed by Chris Colfer, Lea Michele, Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale
•    “Glee” photo signed by Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale
•    “House” photo signed by Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer, Jennifer Morrison, Peter Jacobson, Lisa Edelstein, Robert Sean Leonard, Olivia
         Wilde
•    “House” script signed by Hugh Laurie, Jesse Spencer, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Peter Jacobson, Olivia Wilde
•    The Private Lives of Pippa Lee poster signed by Blake Lively and director Rebecca Miller
•    ”Amelia” promotional  picture book
•    "Proof" mounted poster signed by Gwyneth Paltrow
•    "One Hour Photo" mounted poster signed by Robin Williams
•    "Rachel Getting Married" mounted poster by Rosemarie DeWitt
•    "Michael Clayton" poster signed by Tilda Swinton
•    "Stephanie Daley" poster signed by Tilda Swinton, Timothy Hutton, Amber Tamblyn
•    "Kinsey" poster signed by Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Peter Sarsgaard, John Lithgow, Lynn Redgrave
•    "Elegy" poster signed by Dennis Hopper
•    "Easy Rider" poster signed Dennis Hopper
•    “Max Payne” poster signed by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Beau Bridges as well as a bottle of Conjure Cognac
         donated by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, signed by Chris and fellow cast members Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis
•    “The Fast and the Furious” jacket that was worn by Rick Yune
•    “The Damned United” poster signed by Michael Sheen
•    “Whatever Works” mounted poster signed by Patricia Clarkson
•    “Big Fan” poster signed by Patton Oswalt
•    “Leverage” mounted poster signed by Timothy Hutton
•    “World's Greatest Dad” poster signed by Robin Williams, Bobcat Goldthwait
•    Print signed by “American Primitive" cast and filmmakers including Tate Donovan, Anne Ramsay, Danielle Savre, Susan Anspach, producer Suzan
         Crowley, writer/director Gwen Wynne
•    "The Greatest American Hero" poster signed by William Katt, Michael Pare, Connie Sellecca, Robert Culp, creator Stephen J Cannell, stuntman
         Dennis "Danger" Madalone, John Tesh
•    "Towelhead" mounted poster signed by Peter MacDissi, Summer Bishil, writer/director Alan Ball
•    "I Can't Think Straight" poster signed by Sheetal Sheth
•    "The Dukes" poster signed by Robert Davi
•    "Canvas" poster signed by Joe Pantoliano, Devon Gearhart, writer/director Joseph Greco
•    “DARE” mounted poster signed by Emmy Rossum and Zach Gilford
•    "About A Boy" press booklet singed by Hugh Grant
•    "It's a Wonderful Life" book (small) signed by Karolyn Grimes (ZuZu), Carol Coombs (Janie), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy), Argentina Brunetti (Mrs.
         Martini)
•    "The Nightmare Before Christmas" book signed by Tim Burton
•    “District 9” poster autographed by Sharlto Copley
•    "Looking for Palladin" poster
•    “Poltergeist” DVD signed by JoBeth Williams
•    “Major League: Back to the Minors” posters autographed by Scott Bakula
•    "Johnny Angel" record autographed by Shelley Faberes
•    "Spin Out" "Girl Happy" and "Clambake" artwork signed by Shelley Faberes
•    12th Annual SAG Award Show Poster signed by Rena Owen, Shirley MacLaine, Robert Patrick, Ian McShane, Rachel Weisz, Heath Ledger, Michelle
         Williams, Danny Huston
•    SAG Awards® tote bag signed by Christian Slater
•    SAG Awards tote bag signed by Alyson Hannigan
•    SAG Awards logo’ed collectibles including a black backpack, 11th tote bag and 12th-16th hats in various colors
•    Variety Gift Basket including one-year digital subscription and logo’ed collectibles
•    “Extra” set visit and gift basket
•    Columbia men’s red snowboarding jacket size large, Columbia women’s red snowboarding jacket size medium, Columbia women’s pink
         snowboarding jacket size small featured in a People magazine holiday gift guide

Fans who love to see their favorite stars on the SAG Awards red carpet will have the chance from Jan. 4-11 to win tickets in the Red Carpet Bleacher Auction.  Up for bid are 15 sets of two seats and 15 sets of four seats. Winners will be able to take pictures

The third and final auction, the Ceremony Auction that revolves around the nominated actors and ensembles, will start Jan. 21 and close on Jan. 29, 2010. In previous years the auction has included autographed scripts and posters, wardrobe and props and set visits to studios. This auction will also offer great items and experiences from the hot, up-to-the minute entertainment news outlets, including “E! News,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra.” Also up for bid will be SAG Awards memorabilia including tote bags, hats and this year’s production team gift. Additional auction items will be announced throughout January.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards auction to benefit the SAG Foundation is managed by Clothes Off Our Back at www.clothesoffourback.com/sagawards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” will be produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards®, LLC. Jeff Margolis is the executive producer and director. Kathy Connell is the producer. JoBeth Williams, Daryl Anderson, Scott Bakula, Shelley Fabares and Paul Napier are producers for SAG. Gloria Fujita O’Brien and Mick McCullough are supervising producers. Benn Fleishman is executive in charge of production.  More information is available online at www.sagawards.org.

Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 120,000 actors who work in film and digital theatrical motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats.  The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. More information is available online at www.sag.org.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's top-rated comedy network.  It serves as home to such original comedy series as "My Boys," Tyler Perry's “House of Payne" and “Meet the Browns,” as well as the upcoming “Neighbors from Hell”; late-night series like “Lopez Tonight,” starring George Lopez, and “The Very Funny Show,” hosted by Tim Meadows; hot contemporary comedies like "The Office," "My Name is Earl," "Family Guy” and "Seinfeld"; specials like "Funniest Commercials of the Year"; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago and Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Network Television (TNT), one of cable's top-rated networks, is television's destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama "The Closer," starring Kyra Sedgwick; "Men of a Certain Age," starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula; "Saving Grace," starring Holly Hunter; "Leverage," starring Timothy Hutton; "HawthoRNe," with Jada Pinkett Smith; and "Dark Blue" starring Dylan McDermott, as well as the newly acquired "Southland."  TNT also presents such powerful dramas, such as "Bones," "CSI: NY" and "Numb3rs"; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the "Screen Actors Guild Awards(r)"; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Ask President Trumka About the Jobs Crisis

	Join the Conversation: The AFL-CIO Is Open for Questions. What questions do you have for AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka about the jobs crisis? He’ll answer the top-ranked questions in a live webcast next Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST. Ask your questions today.

Dear Kurt,

Two weeks ago, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka laid out our five-point plan for job creation. Since then, President Obama has given a major national speech on the jobs crisis, and now Congress appears ready to act quickly.
No one disputes that the jobs crisis in our country is massive, with more than 15 million people out of work and millions more underemployed. But solving the crisis and putting America back to work is more complicated.
Now you can take your questions directly to AFL-CIO President Trumka. Submit your questions online and vote on the questions you would most like answered. Next Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. EST, Trumka will answer the top-ranked questions in a live webcast, “Open for Questions About the Jobs Crisis.”
Join the conversation: Ask President Trumka your questions about the jobs crisis.
Ask about the scope of America’s jobs crisis, how we got into this mess or about the AFL-CIO’s plan to get us out of it. We hope you enjoy this opportunity to take your questions right to Richard Trumka.
To participate in our online conversation, “Open for Questions About the Jobs Crisis,” go to: http://www.aflcio.org/open.
To learn more about the AFL-CIO’s five-point jobs plan, go to: http://www.aflcio.org/createjobs.
In solidarity,
Marc Laitin
AFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator
P.S. Put this on your calendar now: President Trumka will answer top-rated questions about the jobs crisis in a live online video webcast on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. EST.

Help Deliver Anti-Escalation Petition to Congress

Help Deliver Anti-Escalation Petition to Congress 

Signatures Needed Before 12/13!

Dear Kurt Kelly:

My name is Emily Taylor, and I am the Political Associate here at Brave New Foundation with Robert Greenwald and Veterans for Rethinking Afghanistan.  Thank you for your previous efforts to bring the progressive, anti-escalation voices of Los Angeles, CA to President Obama’s attention.  Unfortunately, we need your help again.  While we struggle with an economic downturn at home, the President’s decision to send more than 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan will cost more than $100 billion per year.  America cannot afford a war that does not make us safer, and Congress has the power to stop the escalation. 

We will carry the message of Disaster Relief, Inc. and your community in Los Angeles, CA to Washington D.C.   We are delivering this petition on the floor of the House early next week, so we need to gather signatures by Sunday, December 13^th.

Just a few minutes of a meeting can make a difference.  Every signature counts.   

Members can:

Sign the petition online at www.rethinkafghanistan.com,

Gather physical signatures using the attached PDF file

Post the petition on facebook http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://rethinkafghanistan.com/#petition

Tweet the petition to their friends:  “30k+ troops to #Afghanistan to cost $100 bil+/year. Sign petition against war that doesn't make us safer rethinkafghanistan.com”

Listen to the voices of the Veterans at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1-TJGGzvwA

Thank you for the time and consideration of your organization.

In solidarity,

Emily Taylor

BraVe New Foundation

10510 Culver Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

emtaylor@bravenewfoundation.org

(310) 204 - 0448 x 231

 

Screening of "Were the World Mine"

SAG Foundation and SAG LGBT Committee Present a Screening of
"Were the World Mine" Wednesday, December 9
AND
iActor® Hands-On Training for Tuesday, December 8 is Postponed

Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, the iActor hands-on training event scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2009 has been postponed. We apologize for the inconvenience and are currently looking to reschedule this event in the near future. If you have any questions please call us at (323) 549-6447.

---

SAG Foundation and SAG LGBT Committee Present a Screening of "Were the World Mine" Wednesday, December 9

Were the World Mine is directed by Tom Gustafson and written by Cory Krueckeberg & Tom Gustafson. A Q&A will follow the screening. Armed with a magical love-potion and empowered by dazzling musical fantasies, a struggling teen turns his narrow-minded town gay and captures the rugby jock of his dreams, making them walk a heartbreaking mile in his musical shoes.

Were the World Mine has played numerous prestigious film festivals around the world to sold-out audiences and has garnered 23 awards, including the Audience Award at the Florida Film Festival, the Heineken Red Star Grand Jury Award at Outfest L.A. and Best Music at the Nashville Film Festival.

When: 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, December 9
(check-in 6:30 p.m.)

Where: Screen Actors Guild
James Cagney Board Room
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90036
(Parking Validation Available)

RSVP REQUIRED by logging into www.sagfoundation.org or calling (323) 549-6482.

Note: For SAG members and a guest.  

52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEES

NEWS RELEASE

BEYONCÉ LEADS GRAMMY^® NOMINATIONS WITH 10;
TAYLOR SWIFT EARNS EIGHT; BLACK EYED PEAS, MAXWELL AND KANYE WEST EACH GARNER SIX; AND DAVID GUETTA, JAY-Z AND LADY GAGA EACH EARN FIVE

BEYONCÉ, BLACK EYED PEAS, LADY GAGA, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
AND TAYLOR SWIFT VIE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT
52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS JAN. 31, 2010, LIVE ON CBS

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 2, 2009) — Nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY^® Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy^® and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest over the past year in

music, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the second year, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations

Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night^®." The one-hour special — broadcast live on CBS from Club NOKIA at L.A LIVE — featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as

performances by the Black Eyed Peas, DJ/producer David Guetta, Maxwell, Nick Jonas & The Administration, Sugarland, and host LL COOL J. Presenters included Linkin Park, George Lopez, Katy

Perry, Smokey Robinson, Ringo Starr, T-Pain, and Dwight Yoakam. The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Jan. 31, 2010, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be

broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook:

www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys. For a complete nominations list, please visit www.grammy.com.   

Beyoncé tops the nominations with 10, Taylor Swift garners eight, and the Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell, and Kanye West each earn six nods. Guetta, Jay-Z and Lady Gaga receive five each; and Colbie Caillat, Michael Giacchino, Kings Of Leon, John Newton, RedOne, Bruce Springsteen, T-Pain, and Keith Urban each have four nominations.

"The nominations this year truly reflect the talented community of music makers who represent some of the highest levels of excellence in their respective fields," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Once again, the GRAMMY Awards process has yielded a well-rounded and diverse group of impressive nominees across multiple genres. Coupled with the second year of our primetime nominations special, which featured stellar performances by past GRAMMY winners and nominees, the road to Music's Biggest Night and the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards in January is off to an exciting start."

Following is a sampling of nominations in 109 categories from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields:

GENERAL FIELD

Album Of The Year:

I Am…Sasha Fierce — Beyoncé

The E.N.D. — The Black Eyed Peas

The Fame — Lady Gaga

Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King — Dave Matthews Band

Fearless — Taylor Swift

Record Of The Year:

"Halo" — Beyoncé

"I Gotta Feeling" — The Black Eyed Peas

"Use Somebody" — Kings Of Leon

"Poker Face" — Lady Gaga

"You Belong With Me" — Taylor Swift

Best New Artist:

Zac Brown Band

Keri Hilson

MGMT

Silversun Pickups

The Ting Tings

Song Of The Year:
"Poker Face" — Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
"Pretty Wings" — Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" — Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart,

songwriters (Beyoncé)

"Use Somebody" — Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters

(Kings Of Leon)

"You Belong With Me" — Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

POP FIELD
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
"I Gotta Feeling" — The Black Eyed Peas 
"We Weren't Born To Follow" — Bon Jovi 
"Never Say Never" — The Fray 
"Sara Smile" — Daryl Hall & John Oates
"Kids" — MGMT 

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals:
"Sea Of Heartbreak" — Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen 
"Love Sex Magic" — Ciara & Justin Timberlake
"Lucky" — Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat 
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" — Willie Nelson & Norah Jones 
"Breathe" — Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat 

Best Pop Vocal Album:
The E.N.D. — The Black Eyed Peas
Breakthrough — Colbie Caillat
All I Ever Wanted  — Kelly Clarkson
The Fray — The Fray
Funhouse — P!nk

DANCE FIELD
Best Dance Recording:
"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed Peas
"When Love Takes Over" — David Guetta & Kelly Rowland
"Poker Face" — Lady Gaga
"Celebration" —Madonna
"Womanizer" — Britney Spears

ROCK FIELD
Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance:
"Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" — Bob Dylan
"Change In The Weather" — John Fogerty
"Dreamer" — Prince
"Working On A Dream" — Bruce Springsteen
"Fork In The Road" — Neil Young

Best Rock Song:
"The Fixer" — Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready & Eddie Vedder, songwriters (Pearl Jam)
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" — Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge & Larry Mullen Jr., songwriters

(U2)

"21 Guns" — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt & Tré Cool, songwriters (Green Day)
"Use Somebody" — Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters

(Kings Of Leon)

"Working On A Dream" — Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)

Best Rock Album:
Black Ice — AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden — Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown — Green Day
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King — Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon — U2

ALTERNATIVE FIELD
Best Alternative Music Album
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today — David Byrne & Brian Eno
The Open Door — Death Cab For Cutie
Sounds Of The Universe — Depeche Mode
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix — Phoenix
It's Blitz! — Yeah Yeah Yeahs

R&B FIELD
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
"Blame It" — Jamie Foxx & T-Pain 
"Chocolate High" — Indie.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
"Ifuleave" — Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
"Higher Ground" — Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
"Love Has Finally Come At Last" — Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby

Best R&B Album:
The Point Of It All — Anthony Hamilton
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics — India.Arie
Turn Me Loose — Ledisi
Blacksummers' Night — Maxwell
Uncle Charlie — Charlie Wilson

RAP FIELD
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"Ego" — Beyoncé & Kanye West 
"Knock You Down" — Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
"Run This Town" — Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
"I'm On A Boat" — The Lonely Island & T-Pain
"Dead & Gone" — T.I. & Justin Timberlake

Best Rap Song:
"Best I Ever Had" — Aubrey Drake Graham, D. Hamilton & M. Samuels, songwriters (Drake)
"Day 'N' Nite" — S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters (Kid Cudi)
"Dead And Gone" — C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters (T.I. & Justin Timberlake)
"D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)" — Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer,

Paul Leka, Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky, songwriters) (Jay-Z)

"Run This Town" — Shawn Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios

Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)

Best Rap Album:
Universal Mind Control — Common
Relapse — Eminem
R.O.O.T.S. — Flo Rida
The Ecstatic — Mos Def
The Renaissance — Q-Tip

COUNTRY FIELD
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals:
"Cowgirls Don't Cry" — Brooks & Dunn
"Chicken Fried" — Zac Brown Band        
"I Run To You" — Lady Antebellum
"Here Comes Goodbye" — Rascal Flatts
"It Happens" — Sugarland

Best Country Song:
"All I Ask For Anymore" — Casey Beathard & Tim James, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
"High Cost Of Living" — Jamey Johnson & James Slater, songwriters (Jamey Johnson)
"I Run To You" — Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelly & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum)
"People Are Crazy" — Bobby Braddock & Troy Jones, songwriters (Billy Currington)
"White Horse" — Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Best Country Album:
The Foundation — Zac Brown Band
Twang — George Strait
Fearless — Taylor Swift
Defying Gravity — Keith Urban
Call Me Crazy — Lee Ann Womack

AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD  (**NEW FIELD**)
Best Americana Album:
Together Through Life — Bob Dylan
Electric Dirt — Levon Helm
Willie And The Wheel — Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel
Wilco (The Album) — Wilco
Little Honey — Lucinda Williams

Best Contemporary Folk Album:
Middle Cyclone — Neko Case
Our Bright Future — Tracy Chapman
Live — Shawn Colvin
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane — Elvis Costello
Townes — Steve Earle

This year's Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to: T Bone Burnett, Ethan Johns, Larry Klein, Greg Kurstin, and Brendan O'Brien.

GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 16 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 8, 2010, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Louis J. Horvitz is director.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Barb Dehgan/Lourdes Lopez                                         Maureen O'Connor

The Recording Academy                                               Rogers and Cowan

310.392.3777                                                                 310.854.8116

MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: A complete list of nominees is available at www.grammy.com. For information detailing how to apply for press credentials to cover the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, please click on the "Press" link located on the GRAMMY.com home page (http://www.grammy.com/press/credentials.aspx) and follow the directions posted. No credential applications will be accepted in any form other than that outlined on the Web site. The deadline to apply is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at 5 p.m. (PT). NO EXCEPTIONS.