Here a Love, There a Love, Everywhere a Love....

From Reuters in association with My Love Hewitt Websites - August 30, 2003

STELLA McCARTNEY WEDDING SHROUDED IN SECRECY

The 31-year-old daughter (17/09/71) of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and late mother/wife Linda McCartney drew a veil of secrecy over Saturday's celebrity-packed service, attended by Madonna, Liv Tyler and Kate Moss.

Papers said she married Alasdhair Willis, also 31, in a secluded chapel at Mount Stuart, a Gothic mansion on the picturesque Island of Bute in western Scotland. But there was no official confirmation from the couple for the world's media who had camped outside the grounds all week, desperate for a glimpse of the celebrity wedding of the year.

The tabloid Mail Sunday said the bride arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, wearing a dress she designed with Tom Ford, her boss at the Gucci fashion group.

About 100 guests left to the sound of a lone bagpiper, before having a vegetarian dinner of artichoke souffle, followed by mushroom pie and wild strawberries, the News of the World said.

Teams of security guards kept dozens of reporters and camera crews out of the grounds and far away from the ceremony.

The isolated Scottish location is loaded with memories for the McCartneys. Bute is a short helicopter ride from the Mull of Kintyre, the inspiration for the Beatles' song "The Long and Winding Road," and for the Wings' hit "Mull of Kintyre."

Stella's mother Linda, who died from cancer in 1998, described Kintireas her favorite place and the family had a house there.

Stella worked with French designer Christian Lacroix on his first couture collection when she still a teen-ager, before studying fashion in London.

She became chief designer at French couture house Chloe in 1997, but left in 2001 to join the Gucci Group where she developed her own label under her name.

STELLA McCARTNEY

Also Paul and Love used the same drummer, ABE LABORIEL, JR. for their albums---Paul's DRIVING RAIN (2001) and the Paul's Live concert BACK IN THE U. S. (2002), and four tracks on Love's album, "BARENAKED" (2002).

Also Paul's "I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE" co-written with John Lennon for The Beatles in 1965 was the TV theme (recorded by The BoDeans) of Love's "Party Of Five" 1999 spin off, "TIME OF YOUR LIFE".

Story: © 2003 Reuters Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Images: Copyright Control. All Rights Reserved.

ROCK 'N ROLL SINS

by Someone

Rock stars assume they can get away with anything, including murder. And the simple fact is they can. But regardless of their status, there are still cardinal sins that can send even the most prestigious icon to the bottom of the barrel. They are:

Leather pants- Wearing skin-tight leather pants is a sure sign that an artist's career in the top 10 is numbered. No one wants to see a star's junk through the constrictive fit of leather! It is an unnecessary display that we should all be spared from. It doesn't matter how popular the person, or how long they have been around, if they make this nauseating fashion statement, the odds are they will soon be liked no more than a raging STD case. Look at Creed. For a while critics raved of their talent. Then singer, Scott Stapp decided to show the world that he liked sporting nasty black leather pants. Now Creed is listed in Blender Magazine's top 50 worst bands of all time. This is hardly a coincidence. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Obviously this being that women rock stars can certainly slip into a pair. In fact, Beyonce's leather pants are a personal mecca of mine and I hope to one day make that pilgrimage.

Style infidelity- A musician's style slowly evolves through time. It is expected. But pulling a 180 overnight is unheard of. Folk singer Jewell is a classic example of such a sin. In her new album she dropped her guitar and delivered digital hip-hop beats and cliché lyrics that was not at all similar to her previous material. The record sounded about as good as Ol' Dirty Bastard's face looks. Where does she get off betraying her loyal audience? Imagine if Lil' Kim actually put on her clothes and released a disc full of choir songs. The masses would not like it. Kim knows that and thus she continues to give us what we originally liked her for: magic sticks, sin and skin. Not even miss-reinvent-myself-Madonna would change as drastically as Jewell did. What a sell out!

High priced short albums- I refuse to buy any CD fewer than 30 minutes long that costs the same as a full length. The Beatles recorded two full length albums every single year for years and bands today think they can release a record every 20 months with only nine tracks and expect people to purchase a copy. Artists like that deserve to get their music pirated.

Substance free- Straight-edge musicians give rock stars a bad name. Assuming that you thought they were cool in the first place, would you still think highly of Linkin Park if you knew that their backstage is smoke free, alcohol free and guest free-family members only? I don't think so. That is because rock stars must follow the rock star mission statement: sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. But not all performers are subject to ridicule for committing this rock'n'roll sin.

No one expects sweetheart Celine Dion or Jennifer Love Hewitt to have such vices. But you would be surprised. How do you think they stay so skinny?

Other rock star sins include: high priced concert tickets, self made pyrotechnics that turn disastrous i.e. the Great White Rhode Island nightclub fire and lip sinking, but we forgive Britney.

Story: © 2003 Colorado State Collegian. All Rights Reserved.

HEARTBREAKERS' REUNION---a Little one....

From The Hollywood Reporter - August 25, 2003

VILLAINOUS TURN FOR BANCROFT IN 'DELGO'

by Josh Spector with Jim Mix

Anne Bancroft ("The Graduate" to name many and Mrs. Mel Brooks) has signed on for a villainous turn in the CG-animated Fathom Studios feature "Delgo." Bancroft joins a star-studded voice cast that includes such names as Jennifer Love Hewitt (who worked with Bancroft in MGM's 2001 smash hit "HEARTBREAKERS"), Val Kilmer, Michael Clarke Duncan and Chris Kattan.  

The actress will voice the character of Sedessa, an eccentric leader who is as ambitious as she is charming. "Delgo," the first theatrical production from Atlanta-based Fathom Studios, is set in a divided land where a troubled youth and some unlikely friends must save the world from itself.  The film is seeking distribution.

For Bancroft, a five-time Oscar nominee and winner for her role in 1962's "The Miracle Worker," "Delgo" marks a return to working in the animated feature realm. She lent her voice to the 1998 animated DreamWorks feature "Antz." Bancroft is repped by ICM.

Story: © 2003 VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

FILMS (Regarding THE MEDALLION)
August 21, 2003

Another film on the prowl is The Medallion, with Jackie Chan. Fresh off mega-hit The Tuxedo, this flick is sure to be great. I hope that it features punching and kicking and a scene where Chan speaks difficult-to-comprehend English. Listen up, Chan, without Owen Wilson’s nose you’ve got nothing! Nothing, I say!  

Only one letter.....  

From Letters to the Editor of The California Aggie - August 24, 2003

CRITICIZING ARTSWEEK

Re: Arts Week, Aug. 21:

I have to wonder why this section isn’t given a byline. Such personal and witty comments deserve to have a name. Like the foolish insert about Jackie Chan: “fresh off the mega-hit The Tuxedo” Excuse me? If anything, this movie was a mega-bomb and certainly not recent by any measurement. Were you asleep when Shanghai Knights came out? Guess so. And what’s this crack about Mr. Chan’s English? Maybe it was Jennifer Love Hewitt’s screeching that confused you. Let’s start previewing any future “cut-and-paste” writing, OK?

BRIAN DOAN
UC Davis, class of 1992

Stories: © 2003 The California Aggie. All rights reserved.

THE SHAMEFUL, SHABBY TREATMENT OF U.S. SOLDIERS

by Randolph T. Holhut - American Reporter Correspondent

DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Just about every politician loves to wave the flag and say they support the troops. But the things we've seen so far in Iraq suggest otherwise.

A recent story in The Salt Lake Tribune detailed what happened to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment of the Marine Corps Reserve when they were sent into battle.

The Utah-based 2/23rd, one of the top Marine Reserve units, thought they would be riding into Iraq in armored vehicles. Instead, they rode in trucks with sandbags as their only armor. They had to share night vision goggles and body armor because there wasn't enough for everyone. They had no spare parts to repair weapons, radios or vehicles. Their automatic chemical detection alarm was a pigeon named Speckled Jim. They had 75 grenades for 200 Marines when they needed at least six times that. They didn't have enough ammunition pouches, but then again, they were also short on the ammo that would have filled the pouches.

By the end of the first week of combat, they were down to one MRE (meals, ready to eat) ration a day and were reduced to begging food from passing Army convoys.

The day before the fall of Baghdad, one of the 2/23's companies found itself in a firefight against Iraqi forces. The Marines had no armored vehicles or heavy weapons. Without air support or artillery and armed with only their M-16s, the Marines fought off hundreds of Iraqis until they ran out of ammo and were forced to withdraw. Twelve Marines were wounded in that battle, some seriously.

Marines are used to doing the impossible with next to nothing. But when this nation is spending more than $400 billion a year on its military, the tale of the 2/23rd is shocking. No matter where your feelings lie regarding the current situation in Iraq, you have to ask this question - how can we send our men and women into a hostile situation without the resources to do the job?

The Bush administration, which so eagerly sent our soldiers off to battle in Iraq but did next to nothing to prepare for what happened afterwards - should be ashamed of what is happening to our troops.

Go to the websites of Soldiers for the Truth (sftt.com) or retired Army Col. David Hackworth (hackworth.com) and read the e-mails, letters and faxes from the troops in the field in Iraq. The picture of the war you get from these letters is a lot different than what we're getting from the news media.

More than five months since the fall of Baghdad, many U.S. troops in Iraq are still subsisting on MREs and are limited to two 1.5 liter bottles of lukewarm, highly chlorinated water a day. They are living in dirt and filth unimaginable to the average American. Why? One reason, according to David Wood of the Newhouse News Service, is that much of the logistical support for the troops has been farmed out to private contractors, and many of them failed to show up in Iraq.

Wood reported that Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR), the construction subsidiary of Haliburton, was hired by the Pentagon last fall to draw up a plan for supporting U.S. forces in Iraq. KBR, and other contractors, started assembling inside Kuwait and were ready to go once the shooting started - until their insurance premiums went up 300 percent and their civilian employees started having second thoughts. While soldiers have to be in a war zone, civilians tend to exercise their free will and stay away.

As a result, American soldiers are needlessly living in squalid conditions in Iraq. But in a way, you could say they're the lucky ones, compared to the soldiers in Ward 57 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

The Washington Post's two-part series, "The Soldiers of Ward 57," ran on July 20 and 21.

Hundreds of wounded soldiers have passed through Walter Reed in the last five months. The busiest place is Ward 57, the hospital's orthopedics wing. That's where the men who have lost their limbs in Iraq are being treated. It has been filled to capacity since April.

The soldiers there have been treated well and have gotten visits from all sorts of celebrities from Michael Jordan and Hulk Hogan to Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Love Hewitt. But one group of people have been conspicuously absent from Ward 57 - President Bush and the members of his administration. Not one of them have shown up to see the human cost of their misguided war.

The Bush administration and its GOP allies in Congress were gung ho to send men like Pfc. Garth Stewart (who had his left leg blown off by a booby trap), First Lt. John Fernandez (who became a double amputee after a mortar attack) and Pfc. Danny Roberts (who lost a foot to a land mine) off to war. But President Bush and the architects of this war don't seem to have the time to visit them now that they are back.

How much does the Bush administration and the GOP members of Congress really support are troops? Since the war began, they stopped a proposed increase in the death benefit paid to families of soldiers who die on active duty from $6,000 to $12,000. They are trying to roll back a recent increase in hazardous duty pay - it was raised from $150 to $250 a month at the start of the war - and have refused to consider tax relief for the soldiers' families back home. They have cut spending for medical treatment of veterans. And, as we've seen in Iraq, too little of the estimated $4 billion a month that we are spending to occupy and rebuild that country is being spent on the soldiers stuck with the dirty work.

Realistically, we can't expect a total and immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. What we should expect is better treatment of our soldiers while they are there and more help for their families back home. The fact that neither seems to be happening is a disgrace.

Randolph T. Holhut has been a journalist in New England for more than 20 years. He edited "The George Seldes Reader" (Barricade Books).

Story: © 2003 Joe Shea - The American Reporter. All Rights Reserved.

From The Hollywood Reporter - August 22, 2003

LOOKING AHEAD WITH HIGH HOPES TO SUMMER OF '04

by Martin A. Grove

Summer scenario: With this summer fading away without having rewritten boxoffice history, it's time to start considering Hollywood's scenario for next summer.

Here's one of them.....

Fox's "Garfield," opening June 18 (subject to change), is a live action family comedy with CGI animation. Directed by Peter Hewitt, its cast includes Breckin Meyer, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Stephen Tobolowsky. Also featured are the voices of Bill Murray, Nick Cannon and Debra Messing. Garfield the Cat is, of course, a brand name among family audiences.

The film's story revolves around Garfield's owner acquiring Odie, a sweet but dumb dog, who's kidnapped by a nasty dog trainer. Garfield feels responsible and swings into action to rescue Odie. Family comedies are one of the staples of summer moviegoing and Fox could do very well with "Garfield."  

Story: © 2003 VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

From St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - August 20, 2003

RUNWAY FOR LIFE

The movie Chicago^® may have gotten the Oscar, but St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was the star on August 19. Some of Hollywood’s biggest names celebrated the DVD release of the Academy Award-winning film for the benefit of the hospital founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas at the second annual Runway for Life Celebrity Fashion Show.

The event was created last year by Terre Thomas, daughter of the St. Jude founder, and fashion designer Robert Ellis. Thomas and Ellis were joined this year by Marlo and Tony Thomas and Phil Donahue. Fund-raising totals from the event are expected to exceed well over $1 million.

Celebrity models and guests in attendance included Jennifer Aniston, Tyson Beckford, Cindy Crawford, Carrie Fisher, Calista Flockhart, Deidre Hall, Natasha Henstridge, Rachel Hunter, Allison Janney, Jane Kaczmarek, Carre Otis, Debbie Reynolds, John Ritter, Ray Romano, Ryan Seacrest, Cybill Shepherd, Gabrielle Union Amber Valletta and

Jennifer Love Hewitt.

During the evening, businessman Carlos Peralta and his wife Mariana, from Mexico, were so moved by the St. Jude story that they gave $1 million to the hospital.

Before the show, attendees were treated to a silent and live auction featuring high-end, one-of-a-kind items including five-star trips to Paris, Greece and New York, including limo service, first-class air and accommodations and diamond jewelry.

“Once again the L.A. crowd and Hollywood celebrities came out for St. Jude,” said Terre Thomas. “Every year they have increased their support and I know that the children of the world are grateful for the friends they have in Los Angeles.”

Story: © 2003 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All Rights Reserved.
Image: © 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
"Chicago": The Movie version is a registered trademark of Buena Vista Home Video - a Walt Disney Company. All Rights Reserved.

KELLY ROWLAND

Don't tell Freddy and Jason she's a cry baby.
by Kenya Yarbrough

Kelly Rowland, one-third of the hot R&B trio Destiny’s Child, has a kickin’ career. She was the first to make her solo move last October with her debut disc “Simply Deep,” with groupmate Beyonce Knowles following suit. Now, the two have switched order as Rowland makes her big screen debut second (Knowles starred in “Goldmember,” with Mike Myers earlier this summer).

Rowland, who just finished filming her 2nd movie, "The Seat Filler," is coming out kicking and screaming on the big screen in “Freddy vs. Jason,” which was #1 at the box office this past weekend.

“I just auditioned for it. I had to scream,” she said of scoring the part. “I gave it my all and I got the part. My scream is terrible. I couldn’t do an ear-piercing Jennifer Love Hewitt scream, but…” Well, being a part of a platinum-selling couldn’t have hurt.

Story: © 2003 EuroWeb.com. All Rights Reserved.

If The Breakers sounds or does not sound familiar to you, go and watch "Heartbreakers".  It will....

From The Boca Raton News - August 17, 2003  

BACKYARD INDULGENCE

by Kelli Kennedy @ kkennedy@bocanews.com  

THE BREAKERS

At the legendary Breakers in Palm Beach, you’re just part of the family, says spa director, Maria Gainer.

Brainchild of railroad tycoon Henry Flagler, The Breakers has catered to the socialites like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Astors since it’s inception in 1896. Now in its second century, heirs to the original owner have successfully maintained and revitalized the luxurious resort, in keeping with the Flagler tradition.

The timeless atmosphere reflects the elegant comforts and personalization of a grand residence which has been energized with a youthful and family-minded philosophy, said Richard Hayduk, vice president and resident manager of The Breakers.

“We want to enhance the overall resort experience for guests of all ages and to make their stay as memorable as possible,” said Hayduk. “This commitment is evident in virtually every area of the hotel, and fosters great loyalty among our clientele- including the little ones.”

Having recently completed a $145 million revitalization and expansion program, the Italian Renaissance by the sea offers an idyllic backdrop that architecturally projects the splendor of romance. Cathedral ceilings, arched doorways, marbled floors and breathtaking terraces inspired by Italian architecture, reveal why the resort has been a cherished landmark in Palm Beach County for so many years.

Stretched along miles of private beach, the resort offers a bevy of water activities, an 18-hole championship golf course, 10 tennis courts and an extensive program of family and children’s activities.

Five hundred and sixty rooms with ocean views offer guests some of the finest tastes of luxurious accommodations with elegant décor, plus a staff dedicated to attending to guests’ every whim.

Celebrities like Bryant Gumbel, Matt Lauer, Elizabeth Hurley and Zsa Zsa Gabor have all frequented the resort.

The Flagler Club offers guests an enhanced level of exclusivity with 28 residential style rooms.

“Guests come back year after year to stay with us. They are like our family and we are proprietors of their experience,” said Bernard Nicole, chief concierge at the Flagler Club. Nicole has even been known to send birthday and Mother’s Day cards to repeat guests, or special mementos to those celebrating special occasions.

But it’s the family-friendly atmosphere that has many of the guests returning, says director of food and beverage, Nick Velardo, because a wonderful time eating out does not necessarily mean finding a babysitter.

“Many of us on the management team have young children so we’re always looking to improve the resort with that in mind,” said Velardo, who says the new family entertainment center keeps both parents and kids happy.

With more than 20 arcade games, X-Box and child friendly computer games, a children’s mini movie theatre and a toddler’s playroom surrounded by glass windows (allowing patrons of the adjacent restaurant to view their children inside), the hotel invested millions of dollars into keeping the little ones happy.

“Where else can parents enjoy a first class authentic Italian meal with a complete wine list, while their children are playing happily nearby,” said Velardo, a father of two. “It’s been a resounding success. People just love it.”

And when it comes to giving parents a break from the kids, The Breakers encourages guests to make use of the oceanfront Mediterranean-style spa, recently awarded one of the top five hotel-spas in the United States.

THE SPA

A haven for pampering and rejuvenation, The Breakers’ facility is the only freestanding spa outside of Paris offering the exclusive Guerlain Institut de Beaute facial, which utilizes Guerlain’s highly effective Issima skincare products and facial techniques.

The signature treatment includes a 19-minute facial massage filled with precise movements to exercise every muscle on the face and neck, says aesthetician Grace Pilecki. The massage also hits pressure points on the face to help drain the lymphatic system.

“It’s like gymnastics for the face. I have clients come from New York just to get their facials here,” said Pilecki, who says the facials aren’t just pampering but help keep the skin young and taut.

Anti-aging and collagen facials are also popular among guests looking to firm and hydrate weary skin. All of the facials also include a make-up application from an on-site Guerlain beautician.

The spa menu also offers six different body wraps designed to eliminate toxins and nourish the skin. Among them, the sveltesse remains a favorite among clients, said Gainer, who noted the treatment reduces excesses water weight and the appearance of cellulite.

“It’s one of the most popular body treatments,” said Gainer, who added that celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Susan Lucci have enjoyed treatments at the Breaker’s Spa.

“When you come to the spa you really are enjoying the whole experience, from the oceanfront Jacuzzi to the fitness classes to the treatments. In terms of decadence, it’s really all encompassing.”
And for those looking for a little extra luxury, Gainer recommended a treatment that applies to all of the body’s senses, like a chocolate and spring bouquet scrub for pure beauty bliss or a coffee body scrub offered during the fall.

A full range of massages are also offered at the spa, as well as a little step up from your traditional manicure and pedicure, she said.

Rejuvenating hand treatments include gentle exfoliation, hand massage in addition to your manicure, plus an aromatherapy de-stressing indulgence which incorporates essential oils designed to eliminate toxins and fluid retention.

“It’s all about making every client feel special,” said Gainer, emphasizing that the idyllic setting and attentive staff adds to the luxurious treatments. “We want all of our clients to feel like they were just relieved of all stresses.”

The Breakers Spa is currently running a summer special which offers your choice of one 50-minute massage or facial, or regular manicure plus specialty pedicure, for $89 Monday through Friday and $109 on weekends. Call 653-6656 to book an appointment.

Story: © 2003 The Boca Raton News. All Rights Reserved.