The Campaign to Save Cahuenga Peak is an effort by The Trust for Public Land and its partners to protect as public open space 138 acres behind and to the left of the Hollywood Sign. We have until April 14, 2010 to raise $12.5 million, and although donations are coming in, we have a long way to go in a very short time.

Protection of Cahuenga Peak will prevent development from scarring one of Los Angeles' iconic views--the Hollywood Sign backed by the peak's sweeping natural landscape. After protection, the land would be added to Griffith Park, where it would continue to be open to hikers and joggers who have long enjoyed its sweeping vistas of downtown.

If we don't seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, development could put the land off limits and spoil a world-renowned view that has come to represent Los Angeles, the entertainment industry, and the Southern California way of life.

A downloadable campaign flyer (PDF) is available here.

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Some of the guys from ‘The Band From TV’ stopped by this morning to give us a little performance and talk about their upcoming show this weekend…

You can see the guys this Saturday at 8pm at the grand opening of the Loehmann’s at Metro Pointe Plaza in Costa Mesa.

For more details about their show and to purchase tickets go to www.loehmanns.com.

Check out our interview with them from this morning…

Interview with Rob Woodridge of Untether TV

This is a great example of life imitating art. Greg Grunberg played an idea tinkerer named Sean Blumberg on a TV show called Felicity about 10 years ago. His character came up with one idea after another after another including the condom that plays “here comes the bride” and the famed smoothaise.

Fast forward to June 2009 and Greg co-founded Yowza, a mobile coupon platform with August Trometer and Rick Yaeger who now boast over 15,000 merchants issuing discounts across the United States.

Watch as Greg walks us through the founding of Yowza, explains the reasoning behind the application and revel as he evokes the true passion and spirit of the startup.
Watch it here.

Find out more about Yowza!.

Zane Lamprey, host of the TV show "Three Sheets" and author of the brand new book "Three Sheets: Drinking Made Easy! 6 Continents, 15 Countries, 190 Drinks and 1 Mean Hangover!" hosts a bar event and book signing. Pop into WORD (126 Franklin Street) to purchase your copy of the book and then head on over to Diamond Bar to grab a drink and meet Zane. Diamond Bar is offering drink specials: $1 off draft and bottled beer from 6-8 p.m.

Well, Forrest Griffin after coming off a split decision win over Tito Ortiz last November, has started fighting with weapons! That’s right, check out this interview with Forrest on the set of his upcoming feature film ‘Locked Down‘ directed by Daniel Zirilli.

A bunch of celebrities will join 15,000 cancer charity supporters in pulling on their running shoes and joining the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Race For The Cure event at Dodger Stadium, LA, next week.

Stars such as Jessica Stroup (“90210”), Sharon Lawrence (“The Mentalist,” “NYPD Blue”), Marisa Coughlan (“Bones”), Aimee Garcia (“Trauma”), Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”), James Kyson Lee (“Heroes”), Nia Long (Big Momma’s House, “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air”), Amanda Righetti (“The Mentalist”), Cassie Scerbo (“Make It or Break It”, Bring It On: In It to Win It), Dr. Lisa Masterson (“Doctors”) will be walking the pink carpet and participating in the event on March 14.

The race will raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Los Angeles affiliate to provide both the medically underserved and uninsured populations in Los Angeles County with screening, diagnostic tests and treatments for breast cancer. This flagship fundraising event will also celebrate breast cancer survivorship and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease.

Mike Swick and Dan Hardy have never appeared to be the best of friends. Of course, Hardy beat Swick to earn a welterweight title shot in November and then Swick talked publicly about how he didn't believe Hardy had done enough to truly earn that shot.

So with that in mind, you might be surprised to hear that Swick has changed his tune about Hardy's right to face Georges St-Pierre later this month at UFC 111 and his chances of pulling off the upset in Newark, NJ.

"Hardy can definitely win. Overall, GSP has the better chances to win, of course, but Hardy is getting better and better and, honestly, I am more excited to see this GSP fight versus Hardy than pretty much anyone else you could put GSP in with," Swick recently said.

"I am super excited about the fight; I can't wait to see what happens as a MMA fan. Dan can definitely win this if he takes his chances with his strikes.

Time seems to have healed Swick's wounds, because he now believes Hardy deserves a shot at the 170-pound champion after all.

"Dan Hardy definitely deserves his title shot in Newark. I said in a few interviews he didn't but - I want to clear the air - when I said that I was still upset I'd got beat by him at UFC 105. I made that mistake of talking when I was feeling emotional, when I was feeling down and was disappointed in my performance. But it wasn't my true opinion; at least not one I'd actually thought about," he said.

"I'm a little embarrassed I said that, and want to say publicly Hardy deserves his shot and has a good chance of winning. He's a top fighter. I said on my Twitter I hope Dan does well and good luck to him, that he deserves shot. But obviously no-one picked up on that while the other stuff I said before was everywhere.

"Has Hardy had a fast route to the title? Yes, but he's taken chances and accepted tough fights when offered to him. It's true: if I had won that fight no-one would be saying I didn't earn it. And do I wish I'd have gotten a faster route to a number one contender fight? Of course. You wouldn't be hearing me complain, or any other welterweight complain, about getting a quicker route to a number one contender fight. He stepped up to fight me and won.

Following Swick's loss to Paulo Thiago at UFC 109, the American Kickboxing Academy member went to Thailand to work on sharpening his skills. He was rumored to be facing Matt Serra at the yet to be announced Ultimate Fight Night 22 event next month, but an elbow injury will keep him out of action indefinitely.

"I realize now I need to change up my own style. I have had the same style all my UFC career and smart fighters like Hardy and Thiago, at this elite level, can predict what I was doing if they did their homework," he said.

"Against Hardy I rushed in, like he knew I would, and he nailed me on the tip of the jaw with a left hook. Then I did same with Thiago and he choked me out while I was stunned.

"And against Thiago, I was at my best physically but now I know I made the same mistake. When you see me next, there will be some changes to my style and opponents won't be able to predict me.

With UFC 111 less than three weeks away, Swick just wants to clear the air between himself and Hardy, and it's interesting to note that he doesn't think a Hardy era as welterweight champion would be all that bad. In fact, he would welcome the change.

"Behind all the talk, I know Dan's a very good guy. We didn't have problem before or after our own fight, so there's no need to talk all this stuff now. I wish him the best. It would be very exciting for the division to have him as champion. Obviously I'd love a rematch for myself but anytime a division is shaken up its great for the sport."

January's inaugural Tasty Awards, created by local online/on-demand food network TasteTV to honor the best food and style programming on television and the Web, will have its broadcast debut. Award recipients, decided by the public as well as by a panel of "tastemakers" (this blogger included), include Anthony Bourdain, Tyler Florence, and Check, Please! Bay Area.

Set those recording devices for the show, hosted by Three Sheets' Zane Lamprey, this Sat., March 13, at 10 p.m. on KOFY TV 20 (cable 13). The full two-hour show (KOFY's airing an edited one-hour version) will be viewable starting next week on Hulu.

Chandler's three-day Ostrich Festival is, as you might glean from the name, about all things ostrich - ostrich races, ostrich feathers, carved ostrich eggs and . . . yes, ostrich burgers

"The first time I had one I was halfway through when someone told me it was an ostrich burger," said Mark Lovell, president of Universal Fairs, a Memphis-based company producing the festival this year. "It tastes about the same (as a regular hamburger), only the meat's not as greasy."

But there's far more to the festival, which starts Friday and runs through Sunday at Tumbleweed Park, than ostriches - there are carnival rides and freak shows, pig races and diving dogs, jousting matches and boxing bouts, and musical entertainment that runs the gamut from country singers to a one-man band.

RIDES There are nearly four-dozen rides, Lovell said, ranging from giant roller coasters to the gut-churning Spin-Out.

"It's a cool ride, man," Lovell said. "It's a sling-you-around-in-all-directions kind of ride."

There also is a good selection of what Lovell called "the really cute little kiddie rides," such as the Wacky Worm Roller Coaster, the Chopper Hopper (where kids can ride a "Harley") and a Rock 'N' Tug Boat, that swings back and forth as it gently spins.

SHOWS Dock Dogs compete for distance and catching ability as they taking flying leaps off a dock into a pool.

The "Wild About Monkeys" show is more fun than . . . well, you know.

Dan Mink, the Rhinestone Roper, will demonstrate rope and other tricks, while archer Ross Hartzell will perform trick shots, including shooting an apple off his wife's head.

Those looking for a different sort of entertainment will find it at the Freakshow Deluxe, which features sword swallowing, dancing on glass and other "bizarre stuff," Lovell said.

"But," he said, "it's not as bad as it sounds."

The Fearless Flores Thrill Show features, among other feats, a daredevil atop the "Wheel of Destiny" and two motorcyclists riding in the "Globe of Death."

MUSIC Among the featured performers are country star Chris Young, who performs at 8 p.m. Friday; hard-rocking pianist Jason D. Williams (frequently compared to Jerry Lee Lewis ) at 4 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday; 4 one-man band Phillip Roebuck at 3 p.m. Sunday; and renowned norteño group Los Cadetes de Linares, at 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

All the shows and musical performances are included in the price of admission.

FOOD, etc. Three-dozen food vendors will sell items that range from festival foods - corn dogs, fry bread, deep-fried Twinkies and so on - to more unusual items, such as ostrich jerky, emu eggs and Alaskan halibut.

"That's one of my favorites," Lovell said. "It's actually good for you."

Other attractions include the Kids Zone, where children can ride a miniature zip line and search for semi-precious stones, and what Lovell called a "really awesome petting zoo," featuring zebras and kangaroos.

Actor David Henrie, who grew up in Phoenix and starred as Justin Russo on the Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place," will be on hand from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday for a meet-and-greet with fans.

"(The festival) is good, clean, safe, family friendly entertainment," Lovell said. "Some people come for the rides, some for all the free shows, some for all the food, some for the music and some for all the other people. It's a great place to people-watch."

"The show really represents Chandler," said Susan Baker, of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

For a time, she said, Chandler was considered the ostrich capital of the world. Although those days are gone, the festival still celebrates that heritage.

"It's nice to hold onto a festival like this, where families can come out and experience a lovely little weekend. We're very proud of it in Chandler, that we're able to hold onto a piece of our history."

by Ramona Zacharias

Niagara's Fallsview Casino Holds Two Charity Shows This Weekend

This past weekend saw Bob Guiney (former star of The Bachelor), Greg Grunberg (Heroes), James Denton (Desperate Housewives), Hugh Laurie (House), Jesse Spencer (House), Adrian Pasdar (Heroes), and Scott Grimes (ER, American Dad), collectively known as Band From TV, performing two packed shows at Fallsview Casino’s Avalon Ballroom in support of numerous charities.

And were they ever good.

A Great Show

Obviously these guys are known from their respective television shows. So it’s understandable that one wouldn’t quite know what to expect going into a Band From TV concert. After all, James Denton’s a sexy plumber, right?

Is he ever. But James Denton also happens to be a great guitarist and vocalist. And along with the other very talented band members, he threw everyone for a bit of a loop on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Partway through the show, even Bob Guiney nonchalantly pulled up a stool, looked over the crowd and said, “OK, by show of hands, how many of you thought we were going to suck?”

Read more at Suite101.com.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Murad, Inc. has announced the addition of Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball teammates Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor to its roster of celebrity testimonials. Walsh and May-Treanor are featured in Murad’s new Environmental Shield infomercial – hosted by Melrose Place alum Josie Bissett – which launched last month. The Environmental Shield line offers a comprehensive skincare regimen scientifically proven to help restore, renew and protect skin against sun damage and other environmental aggressors.

“Misty and I have very high standards. We don’t waste time on things that don’t work. And Murad’s Environmental Shield line works!”

“Kerri and Misty are ideal candidates for the Environmental Shield regimen,” said Howard Murad, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA and founder of Murad, Inc. “Not only do they experience countless hours in the sun practicing and competing, they also suffer everyday exposure to pollution and other environmental factors that can lead to environmental aging. We look forward to working with them as they help us spread the word about sun damage from UVB and UVA rays on the skin’s surface and at the cellular level.”

The infomercial explains how to reverse Environmental Aging and regain a youthful appearance. The program highlights the E-Shield Day Regimen and its primary benefits, which include:

- Faded sun spots and age spots

- Boosted radiance and evened-out rough, blotchy skin tone

- Stimulated collagen and exfoliation for visibly fewer wrinkles

- Triple protection against age-accelerating environmental aggressors

“Kerri and I absolutely love our jobs. But, at the same time, we’re dealing with sand, wind, heat and sometimes cold conditions,” said May-Treanor. “Murad’s Environmental Shield formulas work to combat the damage that has already been done to our skin while preventing new damage from forming.”

“Misty and I have very high standards. We don’t waste time on things that don’t work. And Murad’s Environmental Shield line works!” said Walsh. “Using Murad products has made my skin younger, fresher and, most importantly, healthier.”

Murad, Inc. was founded in 1989 by Howard Murad. M.D., one of the world’s foremost authorities on skin health and a pioneer of the clinical skincare movement. All of Murad’s 89 consumer products and 45 professional products are based in The Science of Cellular Water, Dr. Murad’s unified theory of health and aging. Murad is sold in 46 countries and is the #1 selling clinical skincare brand at many locations, including Sephora and Ulta.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Nevada's secretary of state are teaming for a different kind of fight: The 2010 census.

Wednesday afternoon at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in downtown Las Vegas, Secretary of State Ross Miller announced a partnership between Nevada and the UFC to promote awareness for the upcoming census.

"UFC is Nevada's sports franchise," Miller said. "And they are the best partner you could have when trying to accomplish something as significant as this."

During the press conference, Miller unveiled the state's advertising campaign, which heavily targets the 18- to 30-year-old demographic, one that has shown to be less likely to fill out the forms.

"It's hard to overstate the important of the census to Nevada," Miller said.

According to Miller, completing the 2010 census means about $917 of federal funding per person each year, which translates to almost $10,000 a person over the 10-year time period.

"This isn't something people should ignore," he continued. "Nor is it about the federal government trying to see where people live. This is about Nevada getting their share of the pie."

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin was in attendance and is featured in one of the state's television spots promoting the campaign.

"Obviously anything in Nevada is UFC territory," Griffin said. "We take it that way and the more funding for Nevada, the more for the UFC."

The campaign will utilize three different television commercials — one including Griffin and UFC President Dana White — as well as advertising outdoors.

The 2010 census forms will be mailed out around March 17.

This marks the second time UFC has collaborated with the state to promote a political cause, dating back to the 2008 presidential election, when both parties urged citizens to vote.

"Anytime we've needed them, they have come through for us," Miller said. "They are such a persuasive brand for our demographic."

He said Nevada is the only western state to allocate a portion of its state budget for a campaign like this.

"It's a competition amongst states," Miller said. "If Nevadans don't fill out the forms, other states will."

Sandra Hopkins of McFarland, Wisc., joined by husband, Kevin, and children, Will, age 16, and Tess, age 13, pose with Jake T. Austin and David Henrie of Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place in Los Angeles after winning the "Discover the Magic" sweepstakes featured on packages of Sara Lee Soft & Smooth(TM) Breads, Buns and Mini Bagels. The Hopkins family attended a taping of Wizards of Waverly Place, got a behind-the-scenes tour of the set, and had lunch at the Waverly Place Sub Station. (Photo: Business Wire)

For the third year in a row, FIGHT! Magazine will be an exhibitor at the Arnold Fitness Expo. Stop by booths 437,439, 536, 538 (directly across from the UFC booth) where we’ll be hanging out with fighters, fans, and industry insiders!

Randy Couture, Urijah Faber, Forrest Griffin, Brian Bowles, and Mike Thomas Brown will be signing autographs and FIGHT! will be giving shirts to everyone who stops by and signs up for a one-year subscription. Everyone who stops by the booth will receive one (1) raffle ticket for a drawing on Sat. afternoon when two (2) tickets to WEC 47 will be given away.

FIGHT! will also be throwing the hottest party of the weekend on Friday night at CONTACT. Doors open at 10 p.m. on Fri., March 5, and everyone who gets there before midnight will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing for two (2) sets of two (2) tickets to WEC 47. Immediately following the raffle, FIGHT! will host a ring girl competition, so interested ladies, be ready to strut your stuff! The winner will receive $500, airfare for two and hotel accomodations in Greenville, SC for Greenville Kage Fighting II.

Band From TV is on the cover of this month's "Uncharted Sounds," the online magazine and social networking site covering music, fashion, and film. Read the cover story here, or click here to peak inside the entire magazine.

RACE, the critically acclaimed new play, written and directed by David Mamet, starring James Spader, David Alan Grier, Kerry Washington and Richard Thomas, will play its 100th performance on Wednesday, March 3rd at 8:00.

RACE is Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet's (Glengarry GLen Ross, The Untouchables, Speed-the-Plow) most explosive four-letter word yet and proves that nothing is as simple as black-and white. Three-time Emmy® Award winner James Spader ("Boston Legal"), David Alan Grier ("In Living Color"), Kerry Washington (Ray) and Emmy® Award winner Richard Thomas (Democracy) star in this incendiary story about the perceptions and realities that color our world - and the subtle shades between being a victim and being victimized.

RACE is currently the longest-running play of this Broadway season.

Tickets for RACE may be purchased by visiting www.Telecharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200.

Here's what critics have said about RACE:

"SCALPEL-EDGED INTELLIGENCE! An examination of cultural conscience and paranoia and a topical detective story, RACE raises issues, particularly on the ethnic varieties of shame and the universal nature of guilt, that should offer ample nutrition for many a post-theater dinner conversation."
- Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"A HIGH-VOLTAGE MELODRAMA! RACE is unafraid to raise painful questions while dispensing prickly ideas and provocative dialogue amid steady suspense. Author/director David Mamet adroitly mixes comic darts with tragic arrows, and the play is full of wry jokes, epigrammatic jolts, and acrid, even cheeky provocations."
- John Simon, Bloomberg News

"FASCINATING AND DRAMATICALLY CHARGED! David Mamet's provocative hot-topic new play is anything but simple. The questions it poses and answers its characters supply add up to an intriguing study of perception. ."
- Michael Kuchwara, AP

"BITINGLY FUNNY AND BRISKLY ENTERTAINING! James Spader offers a pitch perfect combination of wit, weariness and cool brutality.."
- Elysa Gardner, USA Today

"TASTY DIALOGUE, SPIKY CONFRONTATIONS, AND MORE THAN OCCASIONALLY BITING OBSERVATIONS! Race riffs artfully on the subtleties of discrimination and guilt, resentment and shame, and its ambiguities appear designed to stir audiences into testy debates." - David Rooney, Variety

RACE made its world premiere at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (located at 243 West 47th St.). The show began performances on Monday, November 16, 2009 and officially opened on Sunday, December 6, 2009.

RACE features design by Santo Loquasto (set), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and Tom Broecker (costumes).

RACE is produced by: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Jam Theatricals, JK Productions, Peggy Hill & Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz, Scott M. Delman, Terry Allen Kramer/James L. Nederlander, Swinsky Deitch, Bat-Barry Productions, Ronald Frankel, James Fuld Jr., Kathleen K. Johnson, Terry Schnuck, The Weinstein Company, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Stewart Mercer and Marc Frankel.

For more information on RACE, visit http://www.raceonbroadway.com/