Nice Article on Isaac Hayes

Coincidence is a funny thing. A friend lent me the entire series of "Stargate SG1" and I've been working my way through all 10 seasons. I'm nearing the end of season 8 and over the last couple of nights the guest star on the episodes I've watched has been none other than Isaac Hayes, playing a venerable Jaffa leader.

I didn't notice the credit so when he appeared on the screen I did a double take. Who-da-thunk! Isaac Hayes guest starring on one of my favorite Sci-Fi shows.

Anyway, I also came across this nice article about Isaac: Theme from Shaft

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

24's Marisol Nichols Expecting A Baby Girl!

Actress Marisol Nichols and her husband, director Taron Lexton, are going to have a baby girl!

I once worked with Taron on a shoot, he's one of the most pleasant directors I've ever worked with. Congrats to both of them!

Check out this nice photo and article about Marisol's baby shower on people.com: Marisol's baby shower.

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

Jason Lee is a dad again

Actor Jason Lee and model Ceren Alkac just announced the arrival of their daughter, born August 10th. The happy couple announced the event but not the little girl's name.

Jason gained the reputation for extreme child naming when, in 2003, he named his son after the opening track of the "Granddaddy" album "The Sophtware Slump". The boy is called Pilot Inspektor. Let's just hope the little girl gets a more conventional name.


Related articles:
- My Name Is Earl's Jason Lee Welcomes a Girl
- Jason Lee's Name Is Dad Again


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

Tom Cruise In Tropic Thunder- In Theaters Now!

Tom Cruise makes a cameo in the new Ben Stiller comedy Tropic Thunder, in theaters now.

Tom plays this funny over-the-top movie executive, and his performance is blowing away the critics and fans alike. Tom is all made up to the point where you may not even recognize him. I've only heard great things about his performance in the media.

John Stewart said about Tom Cruise (while interviewing Ben Stiller last night on The Daily Show) that:"I feel like converting to Scientology, that's how good he is in this movie!!"

The movie also stars Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and Nick Nolte.

Click here to see the Tropic Thunder trailer.

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

A Farewell to Isaac Hayes

Music legend and long time Scientologist, Isaac Hayes, departed his body on Sunday. As well as being a great artist, Isaac was a guy who cared about others and worked hard to help his fellow man.

As Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard said: "A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists." Isaac was an artist who not only dreamed great dreams of a better world but he also took action to make his dreams into reality.

He was the international spokesman for the World Literacy Crusade, in which he encouraged people to work and/or stay in school, and the Shepherd Foundation, a Harlem-based non-profit organization that researches alternative treatments for degenerative diseases.

Isaac devoted much of his time to charitable causes through the Isaac Hayes Foundation, which he founded in May of 1999. The Isaac Hayes Foundation (IHF) partners with other nonprofit organizations to support global causes and serve the needs of the community. It has created programs such as his Literacy Links 2000 and an 8,000 sq. ft. education center in Ghana.

He was a supporter of and donor to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, which was formed in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

In order to help as many people as possible in all parts of the world, he made the eBook of the "Way To Happiness" available for free (A Gift From Isaac Hayes).

Isaac led an amazing life. Not only was he the first African American composer to win an Oscar for Best Musical Score but he was also a King of the Ada coastal district of Ghana in western Africa. You can read more about his amazing life in the biographies listed below:

• Isaac Hayes - Official Biography


• Isaac Hayes - History Makers Biography

So I say goodbye to Isaac. I thank him for all he did to make this a better world and I wish him well and good luck in his future existence.

Singer Tricia Kelly Wins Big On Don't Forget The Lyrics!

Singer and actress Tricia Kelly appeared on Fox's hit TV show Don't Forget The Lyrics, hosted by Wayne Brady, and she won big time!

The show is based on how well you know lyrics to songs and not on singing ability. Though, Tricia is the best singer I've ever seen on the show (she rocks!!). And she was good enough in the lyrics department to take home a VERY nice chunk of change!

Tricia is a professional singer and actress and recently appeared in the hit live musical Beehive, which was nominated for an Ovation Award.

She has also opened for KC & The Sunshine Band, performed with Bill Medly of The Righteous Brothers, sang the National Anthem for the Boston Celtics, and is about to embark on her second tour performing for the troops in Iraq.

Tricia is currently starring in the musical Great Expectations, now playing in Los Angeles.

For more info on Tricia Kelly check out her websites:http://www.triciakelly.com/ or www.myspace.com/triciakellyla

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

Struck, The Film: lastest achievements

Struck, The Film team, just had some awesome achievements:

I just got an update mail from them:

• Struck won Best Comedy Short at Breckenridge Festival of Film in Colorado in June and just won Best Short at the Long Island Film Festival. It now has a total of 5 wins and has been selected to a total of 26 film festivals.

• From the 15 festivals Struck has screened at so far the team has been contacted by some 10 other festivals inviting them to participate.  They are continuing to travel to as many of the festivals as we can, meeting and networking with other filmmakers and industry professionals.

• In August, Struck is screening at LA Shorts Fest, Palm Springs International, and California Next Gen (Sacramento). As well, it will be screened on opening night at the Rhode Island International Film Festival which is usually the best screening time.  

• Three of those festivals, LA Shorts, Rhode Island and Palm Springs, are Academy Qualifying, meaning if Struck wins at those festivals it is taken under consideration for an Oscar nomination! 

• The feature length script for Struck has been completed and is in its final wrap-up stages to create a final draft. Yippee!

I had the incredible luck of catching this film during the ten days it was available at YouTube to be seen and voted complete, during Cannes Short Films Festival in late May this year.  I saw it over twenty times!  It only lasts nine minutes but they are the best crafted nine minutes I've seen in many many many years.  

The highly emotional performances (Bodhi Elfman's was by far my favorite), the aesthetics that the film's young director Taron Lexton keeps pampering us with, the magical script...  all these elements combined make a true jewel, a recipe for success, a piece of unbelievable quality of communication....  

In case you missed it, you can still see a trailer (yes, even a nine minutes short film has its own trailer) at Struck's website.  There you can also get more information (as the all-star cast of the film) and updates.

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

Chick Corea Back On Tour With Return To Forever!

Legendary musician, and Scientologist Chick Corea has reformed the band he founded in 1972, Return To Forever, and is back on the road with them after more than 25 years. Return To Forever are credited by many as being the first Jazz Fusion band, and for starting the whole genre! Fusion, as it's also called is a combo of jazz and rock, usually played by VERY skilled musicians. Every member of RTF absolutely shreds!

Along with Chick Corea, the RTF lineup includes music legends Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola and Lenny White. If you are a jazz fusion fan, then you know darn well that this lineup is a gift from heaven man! Not to be missed! They just finished touring Europe and are now back touring in the U.S..

For lots more info go to: http://www.return2forever.com/index.cfm

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