Giuliana Rancic To Spend New Year’s Eve In Times Square With Husband

Giuliana Rancic is ready to say goodbye to the past and hello to her future. The “E! News” host, who recently underwent a double mastectomy, is set to join her husband, Bill Rancic, in New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve to usher in 2012.

“This has been a very difficult year for them. But they agreed months ago to host the Nivea ‘Kiss of a Lifetime’ contest, where America’s most deserving couple will join them in Times Square on New Year’s Eve for the year’s most spectacular kiss, and that’s exactly what they intend to do,” a friend of the couple tells me. “Of course, after Giuliana’s surgery they discussed moving forward with the event, and have decided there is nowhere they would rather be than standing strong and in love together to ring in the New Year.”

Giuliana, who will announce the Nivea contest winners on NBC’s New Year’s Eve telecast, has thanked fans for their prayers as she recovers from her surgery.

“My big surgery was exactly one week ago today (December 13),” she tweeted. “I’m recovering better than I had hoped thanks in big part to your prayers & love.”

Giuliana returned to work at E! after Christmas, receiving a warm welcome.

“Back at work today since surgery. Excited to be on set of @ENews. I’ve missed my 2nd family (co-workers and you guys!!!) #thankful,” she tweeted on Dec. 27.

The couple appeared on the “Today Show” Friday to give fans an update on Giuliana’s recovery, and Bill couldn’t have spoken more highly of his wife.

“She wanted to turn a negative into a positive. If you can save one life through this process, it’s worth it,” he said.

And even with more than 2 million Twitter followers, Giuliana won’t find a bigger fan than Bill.

“He has been by her side the entire time and won’t be leaving any time soon,” a friend tells me. “If Nivea is looking for the most deserving couple to kiss live in Times Square, they have found them. The ‘Kiss of a Lifetime’ will be between Giuliana and Bill.”

From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ To ‘New Year’s Eve,’ With DeNiro, Amber Bela Muse’s Exclusive Highlight Hollywood Interview….

Official Movie Website: www.newyearsevemovie.warnerbros.com/index.html

Beautiful actress Amber Bela Muse has caught the attention of fans and Hollywood executives in 2011. From the moment she landed on the set of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” she knew that moving to Hollywood was the best decision she ever made. She then landed a role in the exciting film “New Year’s Eve” starring some of the biggest and most famous people in the world, including DeNiro, Pfeifer and Ashton Kutcher. Born in the U.S., but raised around the globe, this American/British actress is extraordinary. She has been a professional actress since age 11 appearing in popular kid shows and TV commercials. As a teenager Bela Muse became a successful recording artist in London and headlined with musicians like Ani Difranco and Amy Winehouse.

Now Muse headlines with silver screen icons, and 2012 is set to be her most successful year ever. I met Amber through famed Hollywood publicist Misty Schwartz, who runs Extreme Public Relations. I’ve worked with Misty for years, and whenever she promotes someone as hard as she has done for Amber, I know that they must be incredible, and after seeing the actress star on “Grey’s Anatomy” and also on “Gossip Girl,” I know she’s headed for greatness. Highlight Hollywood got to speak with the talented and gorgeous actress exclusively over the Christmas holiday. Here is Amber’s first interview with us.

Q-How long have you been an actress?

A-“I started out at 8-years-old doing commercials, kid TV shows and regional theatre. I took a break during my teen years to pursue music as a singer/songwriter and then around 23 I decided to go back to college and study acting which led me to now… So Its hard to say but all together 10 years, I think!”

Q-You guest starred on ABC’s hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” How exciting was it to land a guest-starring role on the hottest show on ABC?

A-“It was very unexpected and shocking because it was my first L.A. audition! I had only been here for under a month. So I went into the audition just hoping for a call-back and then to hear, I booked it, it was crazy! I loved being at ABC studios everyday for nearly three weeks. It was the best welcome to Hollywood I could have ever dreamed of.”

Q-You also guest-starred on NBC’s “30 Rock” and “Gossip Girl.” What type of roles were they?

A-” only had a bit part on ‘30 Rock’ I think you can see me for all of two seconds but I got to work with Steve Buscemi, so I will never forget it! “Gossip Girl” was a big deal because it was my first guest-starring role with an arch which meant that I was a key character with a pivotal story and a last name! Not just Girl number one.”

Q-You have an extensive stage background as well. Which genre do you prefer, stage, film or TV?

A-“Honestly, I love them all! I would ideally be bouncing back and forth between all genres. I think with theatre you have more freedom to explore and develop a character… Each performance night changes with the next and you can reinvent your intention to get a different reaction from the audience or your partner. But in film and especially television (where time is serious money) you have to think fast and make choices that will stick because sometimes you only get one or two takes and once its recorded and broadcasted there is no going back.”

Q-You attended Yale University and other very prominent schools. Did your parents instill in you the need for education?

A-“Education is a very big deal for my parents but they were also firm believers that the “road of life” was real education too. Which is why I started college a bit later than the average… I had to travel first.”

Q-Wow, you got a role in the film “New Year’s Eve,” what was that like? Robert DeNiro, baby!

A-Laughing, Amber responded, “Yes, I wont lie. Seeing my name on the same credits of DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer and so many classic actors made me feel proud. It was unforgettable.”

Q-You traveled around the world growing up, what was that experience like?

A-“It made me very adaptable! I love that I can call many places home.”

Written By: Tommy Lightfoot Garrett
Photograph Courtesy: Extreme Public Relations
Follow us on Twitter @HighlightHlwd; @HighlightHwd or @LightfootinHwd

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

To Bless The King
What the wise men teach us about worshiping our Savior

By Charles F. Stanley

Have you ever thought about offering a gift to God during the Christmas season? Perhaps you give presents to loved ones, friends, and neighbors, but have you considered how you might bless the Lord Almighty? After all, Christmas is a time to worship Jesus Christ, who emptied Himself and took the form of a bond-servant on our behalf (Phil. 2:7).

We can learn a great deal from the magi who went to visit Him in Bethlehem. From our perspective, their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh may seem like unusual presents for a baby, but Jesus was no ordinary child. These gifts symbolized who He was and what He had come to do.

Although the story of the wise men recorded in Matthew 2:1-16 is very familiar, we’d all benefit from looking at it through fresh eyes. God has something special for us in this amazing account as we contemplate the meanings of the gifts and how we should respond to Christ in worship.

The Magi

The wise men were leaders from the East—probably from somewhere in Mesopotamia near the city of Babylon. They were most likely astronomers who discovered an unusual star that indicated the birth of the long-expected Jewish king. But how did these men know about the Messiah? After all, they were from far-off pagan lands. Why would they even care?

The Bible helps us unravel this mystery. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, we find a connection between the Babylonian Empire and Israel. When Daniel was in his teens, the Babylonians overpowered the nation of Judah and took him, along with many other Jews, to Babylon (Dan. 1:1-6).

He grew up there and, together with other Hebrew boys, was trained for service to the king. Because the Lord gave him the gift of interpreting dreams, he rose to places of leadership in the Babylonian and Persian empires. Throughout his life, he was honored and respected by both rulers and wise men. The magi were most likely descendants of those who learned from Daniel and other Jews about the God of Israel and the promised Messiah.

Generations later, when the sign of the Jewish King appeared in the sky, the magi recognized its significance. Today we don’t usually think of stars as a means of divine guidance. But when God made the sun, moon, and stars, He designed them not only to provide light for the earth, but also for three other purposes—“let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). So the use of a star as a sign to lead Gentile rulers to the Messiah should not surprise us.

A Contrast

The magi made the long journey to Israel after seeing the star in their homeland. Upon entering Jerusalem, they asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matt. 2:2). You can imagine that their question caused quite a stir in the city. What King? What are they talking about? These foreign visitors seemed to expect everyone to know about His birth, but the people were unaware that the Messiah had been born. Instead of being filled with wonder, both they and King Herod were troubled by this unexpected group of travelers and their strange announcement (v. 3).

In contrast, the magi’s actions were unselfishly focused on exalting the newborn King of the Jews. They were men of faith who believed the sign that the Lord had given them. Throughout their journey, they’d depended upon His divine guidance as they followed the star (v. 9). When they arrived at the house where Jesus was, in awe and humility, “they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (v. 11). Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts fit for a king. Although we don’t know if they understood the ultimate significance of these offerings, each one was appropriate and prophetic for the Son of God.

The Gifts

Myrrh was a costly perfume used primarily for burials. In the ancient East, bodies of the dead were wrapped with linen cloth sprinkled with myrrh. This gift spoke prophetically of Jesus’ death and His role as our Redeemer. He didn’t come to live, but to die for sinful mankind, laying down His life so we could be saved from eternal separation from God. The prophetic symbolism was fulfilled when Nicodemus took Jesus’ body from the cross and wrapped it in linen and a hundred-pound mixture of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38-40).

Frankincense played an important role in Jewish worship in the temple. As the priests sprinkled it on the burning coals of the golden altar, fragrant smoke rose upward, symbolizing the offering of their prayers. Frankincense prophetically pointed to Jesus’ role as our great High Priest. In Latin, the word for “priest” is pontiface, which means “bridge builder,” and that is exactly what Jesus was for us. He is the only Mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God (1 Tim. 2: 5). He offered His own blood, which was totally effective in atoning for sin once for all time (Heb. 9:11-14). But Christ’s priesthood doesn’t end there; He’s still fulfilling His priestly role as He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding on our behalf (7:25).

Gold may not seem like a fitting gift for a child born into the household of a lowly carpenter. But the symbolism of this present reveals why it was appropriate. In the ancient world, gold was given to show honor and high esteem. It was a gift befitting a king, and that’s exactly what Jesus is. Throughout His ministry, He claimed to have a kingdom. In fact, When Pilate asked Him if He was the King of the Jews, Christ answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world” (John 18:37, emphasis added). He further clarified the matter by stating, “My kingdom is not of this world” (v. 36).

If you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior, you are a part of His kingdom even if you can’t see any physical manifestation of it. At the moment of salvation, you were transferred from the realm of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13-14). But one day, this spiritual kingdom will become visible when Christ returns to earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-16).

The Response

Though this story happened long ago, its lessons are always timely. The important issue today is to determine how you are reacting to Christ right now. The wise men came to worship the Messiah, humbly bowing before Him. They honored Him as Redeemer, High Priest, and King. If you’ll follow their example, you, too, can celebrate and enjoy the wonder of the Savior.

Jesus came to walk among men so that we could walk with Him forever. When you acknowledge Him as your King, Redeemer, and High Priest, you’ll discover the joys and unfathomable riches of His marvelous kingdom.

Herod in Conflict

Herod considered himself to be the king of the Jews, and from an earthly perspective, he was. He had been appointed to that position by the Roman Caesar Octavian in 37 B.C. The knowledge that there could be a competitor filled him with jealousy, and he was determined that this Jewish baby would not take his throne.

His first step was to gather the chief priests and scribes to discover where the Christ would be born (vv. 4-6). They informed him that the Scriptures foretold the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. Isn’t their calm response rather surprising? These were the religious leaders of the Jews, yet when strangers came looking for the Messiah—and Herod showed great interest—they simply gave him an academic answer.

His next inquiry was to the magi themselves (v. 7). He asked them when the star had appeared, but the passage doesn’t reveal what they told him. We can figure out a possible time frame by looking ahead to Herod’s later actions. When he realized that the magi didn’t return to him with the location of Jesus, he sent soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years of age or younger (v. 16). So the star could have first appeared as much as two years earlier. From our future vantage point, we know his only interest in finding the young Messiah was for the purpose of killing Him.

Questions for Further Study

Jesus told a parable about various responses to His coming kingdom. Read Luke 19:11-27, thinking about how you respond to Him.

In the parable, who responds with hostility?
Who seems indifferent to the returning nobleman? Who seems to honor him?
On the basis of this story, how will our responses to Jesus determine our future in His kingdom?

Do You Know God?

The wise men may have traveled in search of Jesus, but you don’t need to go anywhere to seek Him. Revelation 3:20 reveals that He is always with us, knocking on the door of our heart, waiting to be invited in. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He became the Bridge between eternal life and us. Say yes to the Savior and receive the gift of salvation. You can use the following prayer or your own words:

Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.

We will gladly send you our free All Things Are New kit to help you take the next step in your relationship with God. Contact our Customer Care department at 800-789-1473 for more information.

Copyright 2011 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

~Happy Hanukkah~

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar.

In Hebrew, the word “hanukkah” means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.

The Hanukkah Story
In 168 B.C.E. the Jewish Temple was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers and dedicated to the worship of the god Zeus. This upset the Jewish people, but many were afraid to fight back for fear of reprisals. Then in 167 B.C.E. the Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus made the observance of Judaism an offense punishable by death. He also ordered all Jews to worship Greek gods.

Jewish resistance began in the village of Modiin, near Jerusalem. Greek soldiers forcibly gathered the Jewish villages and told them to bow down to an idol, then eat the flesh of a pig – both practices that are forbidden to Jews. A Greek officer ordered Mattathias, a High Priest, to acquiesce to their demands, but Mattathias refused. When another villager stepped forward and offered to cooperate on Mattathias’ behalf, the High Priest became outraged. He drew his sword and killed the villager, then turned on the Greek officer and killed him too. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked the remaining soldiers, killing all of them.

Mattathias and his family went into hiding in the mountains, where other Jews wishing to fight against the Greeks joined them. Eventually they succeeded in retaking their land from the Greeks. These rebels became known as the Maccabees, or Hasmoneans.

Once the Maccabees had regained control they returned to the Temple in Jerusalem. By this time it had been spiritually defiled by being used for the worship of foreign gods and also by practices such as sacrificing swine. Jewish troops were determined to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the Temple’s menorah for eight days. But to their dismay, they discovered that there was only one day’s worth of oil left in the Temple. They lit the menorah anyway and to their surprise the small amount of oil lasted the full eight days.

This is the miracle of the Hanukkah oil that is celebrated every year when Jews light a special menorah known as a hanukkiyah for eight days. One candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, two on the second, and so on, until eight candles are lit. You can learn more about the hanukkiyah in the article: What Is a Hanukkiyah?

Significance of Hanukkah

According to Jewish law, Hanukkah is one of the less important Jewish holidays. However, Hanukkah has become much more popular in modern practice because of its proximity to Christmas.

Hanukkah falls on the twenty-fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Since the Jewish calendar is lunar based, every year the first day of Hanukkah falls on a different day – usually sometime between late November and late December. Because many Jews live in predominately Christian societies, over time Hanukkah has become much more festive and Christmas-like. Jewish children receive gifts for Hanukkah – often one gift for each of the eight nights of the holiday. Many parents hope that by making Hanukkah extra special their children won’t feel left out of all the Christmas festivities going on around them.
Hanukkah Traditions

Every community has its unique Hanukkah traditions, but there are some traditions that are almost universally practiced. They are: lighting the hanukkiyah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods.

Lighting the hanukkiyah: Every year it is customary to commemorate the miracle of the Hanukkah oil by lighting candles on a hanukkiyah. The hanukkiyah is lit every night for eight nights. Learn more about the hanukkiyah in: What Is a Hanukkiyah? | How to Light the Hanukkah Menorah | Hanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings.
Spinning the dreidel: A popular Hanukkah game is spinning the dreidel, which is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Read The Hanukkah Dreidel to learn more about the dreidel, the meaning of the letters and how to play the game. Gelt, which are chocolate coins covered with tin foil, are part of this game.
Eating fried foods: Because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil, it is traditional to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the holiday. Latkes are pancakes made out of potatoes and onions, which are fried in oil and then served with applesauce. Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) are jelly-filled donuts that are fried and sometimes dusted with confectioners’ sugar before eating. Learn more about Hanukkah food traditions: Hanukkah Food Traditions | What Is a Latke?

In addition to these customs, there are also many fun ways to celebrate Hanukkah with kids. Check out this article for more about traditional and modern ways to celebrate the holiday: Hanukkah Traditions for Kids
http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/hanukkah.htm

“A SWEET TRUNK SHOW & BENEFIT”

Actor Scott L. Schwartz Joined Happy Hats For Kids On Friday, Highlight Hollywood Exclusive

Scott L. Schwartz joined Happy Hats for Kids and helped crown every child at Shriners Hospital for Children with a whimsical Christmas Happy Hat. Some of the sponsors included: Shriners Board, Shriners Clown & Staff, Vons, and the volunteers that donate their time to make the “Happy Hats.” Actor Schwartz is widely known as the “Ultimate Bad Guy” from his acting career including, “Ocean’s 11, 12 & 13,” “Starsky & Hutch,” “Spiderman,” “Fun With Dick And Jane,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Star Trek Voyager,” among other feature films.

Most fans don’t know this “Ultimate Nice Guy” has actually been visiting children’s hospitals (CHOC, Shriners, etc…) worldwide for the past 12 years after losing his sister to lung cancer in 1998. Scott recently agreed to work directly with Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals to assist them with bringing cheer to children in hospitals and while wearing their “Happy Hats”…

Here is an exclusive look at my friend Scott, who went to a local Children’s hospital here in L.A. on Friday morning instead of having brunch with me as well as others. Scott and his beautiful wife Misty always put their charity work before pleasure. They are the toast of Tinseltown, and Scott’s the nicest guy on the planet! Hear this; he’s my brother-in-law, and if you pick on me, he’ll come visit you after the holidays! All joking aside, thanks Scott for all you do!

Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization goes to Shriners Hospital for Children Los Angeles to uplift the spirits and bring fun to the children and their families with unique whimsical Christmas Happy Hats decked out with jingle bells, gifts and entertainment. The Happy Hats bring immediate smiles to the precious faces of these suffering kids, their families and caring staff. On five holidays each year the organization gives each hospitalized child as well as their siblings a creative soft felt Holiday themed Happy Hat.

Laughter is healing and what better way than to include everyone in the festivities. Shriners Hospitals for Children are changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Their 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

For more information on Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals please visit: www.HappyHatsForKids.org

Written By: Tommy Lightfoot Garrett
Photographs are Courtesy: Extreme PR
Follow us on Twitter @HighlightHlwd; @HighlightHwd or @LightfootinHwd

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) More at IMDbPro »

In the 4th installment of the Mission Impossible series, Ethan Hunt and his team are racing against time to track down a dangerous terrorist named Hendricks, who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes and is planning a strike on the United States. An attempt by the team to stop him at the Kremlin ends in a disaster, with an explosion causing severe destruction to the Kremlin and the IMF being implicated in the bombing, forcing the President to invoke Ghost Protocol, under which the IMF is disavowed, and will be offered no help or backup in any form. Undaunted, Ethan and his team chase Hendricks to Dubai, and from there to Mumbai, but several spectacular action sequences later, they might still be too late to stop a disaster. Written by shreesha bhat

Cast
(in credits order)

Tom Cruise … Ethan Hunt

Jeremy Renner … Brandt

Simon Pegg … Benji

Paula Patton … Jane

Michael Nyqvist … Hendricks

Vladimir Mashkov … Sidorov

Samuli Edelmann … Wistrom
Ivan Shvedoff … Leonid Lisenker

Anil Kapoor … Brij Nath

Léa Seydoux … Sabine Moreau

Josh Holloway … Hanaway
Pavel Kris … Marek Stefanski

Miraj Grbic … Bogdan

Ilia Volok … The Fog
Goran Navojec … Burly Russian Prisoner
Pavel Bezdek … Prison Guard
Ladislav Beran … Control Room Guard
Jan Pavel Filipensky … Control Room Guard (as Jan Filipensky)
Jiri Kraus … Control Room Guard
Ales Putik … Control Room Guard
Tomás Valík … Control Room Guard
Pavel Cajzl … Prisoner
Randy Hall … Prisoner
Vitaly Kravchenko … Scraggy Tooth
Andrej Bestcastnyj … Kremlin Senate Building Desk Guard (as Andrey Bestchastney)
Michael Dopud … Kremlin Subcellar Hallway Guard
Martin Hub … Kremlin Gate Security Guard

Ivo Novák … Russian Agent
Anastasiya Novikova … Russian Hospital Nurse
Marek Dobes … Russian News Anchor
Claudia Vaseková … Claudia Vasekova

Brian Caspe … British News Anchor
Petra Lustigova … Anna Lisenker

April Stewart … Swedish Translator
Gina Hirsch … IMF Operator
Ghaleb El Saadi … Dock Worker (as Ghalib Al Saady)
Andreas Wisniewski … The Fog’s Contact
Michael Rys … Russian Sub Captain
Dmitry Chepovetsky … Russian Sub Ensign

Dawn Chubai … San Francisco News Anchor

Nicola Anderson … Julia’s Friend
Keith Dallas … Julia’s Friend (as Keith Blackman Dallas)

Tammy Hui … Julia’s Friend

David Stuart … Julia’s Friend

Sabrina Morris … Julia’s Friend
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Michelle Monaghan … Julia (uncredited)

Ving Rhames … Luther Stickell (uncredited)

Tom Wilkinson … IMF Secretary (uncredited)

Scott L. Schwartz joined Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals on their annual visit to Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/16/11

Friday December 16, 2011 (Los Angeles, CA) Scott L. Schwartz joined Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals and helped crown every child at Shriners Hospital for Children with a whimsical Christmas Happy Hat. Some of the sponsors included: Shriners Board, Shriners Clown & Staff, Vons, and the volunteers that donate their time to make the “Happy Hats”.

Scott L. Schwartz is widely known as the “Ultimate Bad Guy” from his acting career including: Ocean’s 11, 12 & 13, Starsky & Hutch, Spiderman, Fun With Dick And Jane, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Star Trek Voyager, among other feature films. Most fans don’t know this “Ultimate Nice Guy” has actually been visiting children’s hospitals (CHOC, Shriners, etc…) worldwide for the past 12 years after losing his sister to lung cancer in 1998. Scott recently agreed to work directly with Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals to assist them with bringing cheer to children in hospitals and while wearing their “Happy Hats”…

Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization goes to Shriners Hospital for Children Los Angeles to uplift the spirits and bring fun to the children and their families with unique whimsical Christmas Happy Hats decked out with jingle bells, gifts and entertainment. The Happy Hats bring immediate smiles to the precious faces of these suffering kids, their families and caring staff. On five holidays each year the organization gives each hospitalized child as well as their siblings a creative soft felt Holiday themed Happy Hat. Laughter is healing and what better way than to include everyone in the festivities. Shriners Hospitals for Children are changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Their 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

For more information on Happy Hats for Kids in Hospitals please visit: www.HappyHatsForKids.org

Press/Media Links:
(Click on logo for link)

For Press/Media/Booking/Sponsorships:
Extreme PR
Direct (323) 570-1328
Email: mistyepr@gmail.com

Links:
www.scottlschwartzchildrensfoundation.wordpress.com
www.UltimateBadGuy.wordpress.com
www.imdb.com/name/nm0777435/

NEWT 2012

Newt Gingrich is the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in forty years.

Under Newt’s leadership, Congress passed the first balanced budget in a generation, leading to the repayment of over $400 billion in debt. Congress also cut taxes for the first time in sixteen years and reformed welfare, leading to over sixty percent of welfare recipients either getting a job or going to school. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities, an action later lauded by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

The Washington Times has called Newt Gingrich “the indispensable leader” and Time magazine, in naming him Man of the Year for 1995, said, “Leaders make things possible. Exceptional leaders make them inevitable. Newt Gingrich belongs in the category of the exceptional.”

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Newt’s experiences as the son of a career soldier convinced him at an early age to dedicate his life to his country and to the protection of freedom. Realizing the importance of understanding the past in order to protect the future, he immersed himself in the study of history, receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Emory University and Master’s and Doctorate in Modern European History from Tulane University. Before his election to Congress in 1978, Newt taught History and Environmental Studies at West Georgia College for eight years. He represented Georgia in Congress for twenty years, including four years as Speaker of the House.

Newt served on the Defense Policy Board under President George W. Bush, which provided strategic counsel to the Pentagon and Secretary of Defense on how to better address threats facing the United States. He is also the longest-serving teacher of the Joint War Fighting course for Major Generals at Air University and taught officers from all five services as an honorary Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Professor at the National Defense University. In 1999, Gingrich was appointed to the United States Commission on National Security/21st Century, the Hart/Rudman Commission to examine our national security challenges as far out as 2025. The Commission’s report is the most profound rethinking of defense strategy since 1947.

Newt is widely recognized for his commitment to a better system of health for all Americans. His leadership helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness. His contributions have been so great that the American Diabetes Association awarded him their highest non-medical award and the March of Dimes named him their 1995 Citizen of the Year.

In 2003, Newt founded the Center for Health Transformation to develop free market healthcare reforms to foster a 21st Century System of health and healthcare that is centered on the individual, prevention focused, knowledge intense and innovation rich. Newt also served as the Co-Chairman of the National Commission for Quality Long-term Care and the independent congressional Alzheimer’s Disease Study Group.

Newt and his wife, Callista, host and produce award-winning documentary films, including A City Upon a Hill, Nine Days that Changed the World, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, and Rediscovering God in America. Together, Newt and Callista also author photo books and record audio books.

Newt is the author of twenty-three books, including thirteen New York Times bestsellers.

The Gingriches reside in McLean, Virginia. Their family includes two daughters and two grandchildren.

Official website: http://www.newt.org/

‘The (M) Word’s’ Rachelle Carson Begley In The Hills, Highlight Hollywood Exclusive

This week in The Hills I share this column with Editor-at-Large Bobby Head, who had to cover news in the Hills this week, after I spent the weekend on the set of “The ‘M” Word” opposite my “Living With Ed” leading lady Rachelle Carson-Begley, “Queen of the Lot” leading lady Tanna Frederick and we all had an incredible few days filming at a Brentwood TV station where some of “The ‘M’ Word’s” scenes were shot. But this film is one of the most exciting and entertaining films I’ve ever been a part of. I can hardly wait for Henry Jaglom fans to see his newest incarnation of humor and if you wonder what “M” stands for; it’s menopause. There are more stories, but Bobby will have to tell you those.

I had a 10:30 a.m. call-time on Saturday to get on the set, that is a TV Station directly across from the L.A. Fox affiliate. I was settling in, had wardrobe, makeup done and was turning around and saw the beautiful blonde spectacular star and actress, and my dearest friend Rachelle Carson-Begley walk on the Jaglom set. “Hi Rachelle,” I screamed, and we ran to each other and hugged. We chatted for a few minute, caught up, which we always love to do, and within an hour, everyone was ready for their close-up with Henry Jaglom.

Our cast is filled with some of the most exciting people in TV and film today. My friend of 31 years, Mary Crosby, known as the woman who shot J.R. Ewing in 1980 on the hit CBS primetime soap “Dallas” is in the cast, my friend Gregory Harrison, who people remember from “Trapper John, M.D.” and “Falcon Crest,” but I was stunned that Henry cast Rachelle and me again in this latest creation. Rachelle like me has done a Jaglom film before, and we love the genius that is Henry Jaglom.

But what came out of Henry’s great direction was a shockingly exciting and very poignant scene in “The ‘M’ Word” from the blonde beauty Rachelle. I always knew she was a superb actress, hell, I loved working with her on the set of her own show “Living With Ed,” but Henry pressed us for hours in a very emotional scene, which out of the almost 35 women and 5 men, Rachelle came out of it on top. Beating even me! Yes, I have to admit it. I was astonished by her emotional revelation during the scene, and not only will Rainbow Film fans and Jaglom lovers enjoy this scene led by Rachelle, but there will also be Oscar and Golden Globe talk next season for this mesmerizing and powerful performance.

But it wasn’t all tears and drama. There is a lot of comedy in the film too. Rachelle’s character and my character both work tighter at a TV station where Gregory Harrison’s Mack Riley does something that causes a lot of trauma to others. It’s a brilliantly written script, and due to Riley’s behavior, our characters are pushed to the edge. One of us ends up being fired, and both of us end up in handcuffs! Yes, Rachelle’s and my character join in a (movement) that will have lasting repercussions and absolutely hilarious results to many other characters involved.

All led by Moxie Landon (played by Award-winning superstar Tanna Frederick). Lets just say her move in response to the situation Riley has put the TV station in comes out of nowhere, but takes a shocking number of twists and turns that only Billy Wilder and the great Henry Jaglom could come up with. Now that Wilder’s gone, we are all lucky to have Jaglom to take his place. This is in my humble but educated opinion to be Jaglom’s best film ever. And he has many greats! It’s really the best performance I’ve ever seen in Rachelle, and the film won’t disappoint or bore anyone. That I promise!

On a side note, just as I was about to throw out an empty water bottle, Rachelle grabs it out of my hand, sticks it in her purse to take home and recycle. So I see my dear friend Ed has finally rubbed off on Rachelle. Poor Rachelle, but good for the environment. In the scene that leaves Rachelle’s character and my own in legal turmoil, her character decided to call someone for help, who is very famous, and I called someone even more famous! Lets hope they both can get our on screen alter egos out of trouble! For “Living With Ed” fans, Ed and Rachelle are building their “green” dream house presently, but not leaving the region! Now, here’s our Editor-at-Large, Bobby!

This week in the Hills, Beverly Hills resident Tommy Garrett and Studio City beauty Rachelle Carson-Begley are not the only big stories in the Hills this week! The Hollywood Christmas Parade, including “B&B” superstars Jack Wagner, Heather Tom and Jacob Young, will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 12 from 6 – 8 p.m. and on the Hallmark Movie Channel on Friday, December 16 from 6 – 8 p.m. Check local listings for the CW airdates and times in your city.

Also, “B&B” veteran John McCook will be narrating “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with the Orange County’s Pacific Symphony on December 15, 16 and 17. The performances will be held at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa beginning at 8 p.m. each evening. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.pacificsymphony.org/main.taf?p=9,5,6,6&productionID=7997&PerfID=8006.

Ashton Kutcher has moved in with some male friends after wife Demi Moore filed for divorce. But on the good news front for Kutcher, CBS’s “Two And a Half” has risen again in the ratings, proving that CBS made the right decision to replace Sherman Oaks resident Charlie Sheen with handsome Ashton Kutcher. Here’s hoping the ratings surge is not temporary, since Ashton deserves the success!

Also, Tommy knows the scoop! And he tells Highlight Hollywood readers not to miss the upcoming conclusion to the ‘Who Killed Diane Jenkins’ mystery on CBS’s “The Young and the Restless.” Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott are led by Bel Air based producer and head writer Maria Arena Bell, who Tommy says belongs on camera, just as much as she does behind the scenes. She’s not only talented but beautiful as well.

And my scoop for the week, pick up the latest CBS Soaps In Depth magazine, which has exclusive details of Adrianne Frantz’s beautiful wedding to actor Scott Bailey. We hope to see you again next week – in the Hills!

Written By: Tommy Lightfoot Garrett, with reporting By: Bobby Head
Photograph Courtesy: Andrea Ross-Greene (Rachelle Carson-Begley and Tommy Lightfoot Garrett on set in Brentwood, Tommy’s wearing Hugo Boss, Beverly Hills and Harry Winston Jewelry)
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