Bart Wants You to be Happy

Last night Nancy Cartwright gave a very moving presentation at the Alex Theater in Glendale on the subject of The Way to Happiness a common sense moral code written by L. Ron Hubbard.

The Way to Happiness has always been one of my favorites but now it's even better, with the production and release of 21 short public service announcements -- one for each of the precepts in the book.

This booklet is non-religious, so any group can use it and help raise the moral standards and happiness of their fellows. It's been used in schools all over the US and in other countries, and kids have participated in essay contests where they work out for themselves how to live more moral lives. It's used in jails and prisons to help inmates reevaluate their lives and decide, on their own, to reform. It's been used with drug lords in Columbia, with gangs on the streets of LA and streets of Lagos, Nigeria. And everywhere it is used it meets with incredible success because it contains so much truth.

Last night's event was a treat, but it is just the start. Nancy Cartwright announced that her group, called Happy House plans to distribute a million Way to Happiness booklets in San Fernando Valley to combat crime, improve relationships and help the people of the Valley live better, more decent and happier lives.

I've frequently heard David Miscavige talk about the importance of The Way To Happiness as a means to help people on a broad scale, and I agree it's a terrific means of reaching out. Anyone can do it.

After all, don't you want other people to be happy too?

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Jason Dohring Shares a Secret

Jason Dohring, a native of Glendale and a television actor, plans to attend the Way To Happiness Foundation’s premiere Monday of the “21 Ways to Happiness” public service announcements at the Alex Theatre.

Each video condenses one of 21 core principles outlined in author and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s 1981 book, “The Way to Happiness.” The video of the house-cleaning boy depicts the principle: “Honor and Help Your Parents.”

The 21 precepts these illustrate appeal to Glendale resident and television actor Jason Dohring, who said he grew up with “The Way to Happiness” in his family library.

“The principles are not preachy at all, which is key,” he said. “I don’t think anybody likes being told that they must be moral.”>>


A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Julliette Lewis Taking her Licks and Giving them Out

I love Julliette. She is a natural born killer.

Watching her take BBC's John Sweeney apart was one of the highlights of the whole escapade, for me.

She's doing great with her band, The Licks, and here's an article
on how she's doing.

Juliette Lewis does just fine as a leading lady, thank you very much. ('Natural Born Killers,' anyone?) But the actress-turned-flamboyant punk frontwoman isn't too shabby when it comes to supporting roles, with which Lewis says she and her band the Licks are more than battle-tested.

"We've been together four years and we've played some of the toughest opener slots," Lewis tells Spinner. "We've opened for Turbonegro. One of the ways to earn your stripes is to open for that band 'cause their audience is very territorial. They're very much like a 'We'll beat you up after school' kind of audience -- which I love. Those shows were really exciting and we won that crowd over.">>

Wishing her the best of luck!

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Giovanni Ribisi playing Einstein!

This just in: Giovanni Ribisi gets to play Albert Einstein in a yet-to-be-titled project expected for release in 2009. Meanwhile he is busy, busy, busy: with two movies out already this year, an appearance in the hit TV series "My Name Is Earl" and four movies in production or pre-production!

As an aside, I really enjoyed his performance in the 2004 hit, "Flight of the Phoenix". I thought he played a great nerdy, odd, kookie sort of guy who eventually saves everyone's butt.

Carina Ricco - Viaje Personal

Carina Ricco has a new album and is touring to promote it. "Viaje Personal" is Carina’s third album. It was produced by well-known Spanish engineer and producer Rafa Sardina (a ten-time Grammy Award winner), and it’s co-produced by Argentinean musician Cheche Alara, who has thrived in both the Hispanic and English markets.

Many talented artists converged to create this project, most notably David Campbell (Beck, Alanis Morissette, Train, Rolling Stones, et. al) who arranged and conducted string. Campbell is a 33-time Grammy winner and two-time Oscar winner. On keyboards, you will find Patrick Warren, of Fiona Apple fame.

You can find out the latest venues and more at her My Space site: Carina Ricco

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard