Hit 72K For Cancer With The "Dear Jack" Foundation

ANDREW MCMAHON’S DEAR JACK FOUNDATION LAUNCHES THE 72K CHALLENGE

 

Celebrating 10 Years Cancer-Free DJF Founder Andrew McMahon starts initiative to raise $1 for every young adult diagnosed with cancer annually

Cancer has touched almost every one of our lives - Join musician and founder of "Dear Jack" Andrew McMahon in helping to kick cancer's ass!  

 The Dear Jack Foundation (DJF), the non-profit organization that advocates for and supports initiatives that directly benefit adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer, and founder Andrew McMahon are launching “The 72K Challenge” – a fundraising campaign designated to raise $1 for each young adult that is diagnosed with cancer every year.
 
The 72K Challenge, open until Dec. 31 on DearJackFoundation.com, aims to aid the 72,000 newly-diagnosed AYA patients in the United States ranging from the ages of 15 to 39. While many consider these to be the most formative years of a person’s life, this population suffers a well-documented deficit in research and attention from the cancer community. This shortfall has led to a 30-year stagnation in the improvement of AYA survival rates compared to all other age demographics.
  

McMahon experienced this first hand at 22, when he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia during the peak of his career as the lead singer of the alternative band Jack’s Mannequin.  This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the stem cell transplant that saved his life and since then he has dedicated himself to helping youths suffering from this illness. Currently, McMahon is using the success of his hit single, “Cecilia in the Satellite,” from his eponymous album Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness to help draw awareness to this massive effort. The song is an ode to his one and a half year old daughter Cecilia, a child he feared he wouldn’t be able to have after his diagnosis. 

 
“Ten years ago this August, I was transplanted with life-saving stem cells. When I first heard the words, ‘You have cancer,’ I never could have imagined what was to follow,” said McMahon. “The trajectory of a life is forever altered by those three loaded words. Unlike many friends I’ve met along the way, I survived to tell my story and use this new life to advocate for those who are hearing those difficult words for the first time.”
 
HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Donate on DearJackFoundation.com – every dollar counts
• Spread the word with the hashtag, #DearJack72kChallenge 
• Lend your social media presence to DJF on Thunderclap.com –a tool that lets our message be heard when you and your friends say it together. Think of it as an "online flash mob.” We can share the same message at the same time spreading it through Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.  Once we reach 500 people supporting The 72K Challenge our message will launch together! Join the 72K Challenge on Thunderclap here: http://thndr.it/1NrxX3I 
• Look for more information on-site during The Wilderness Politics Tour – Andrew’s North-American fall co-headline tour with New Politics featuring special guests The Griswolds and LOLO

For almost a decade, The Dear Jack Foundation has been tending to the AYA community, successfully raising over $700K for this group. DJF has worked hand in hand with philanthropic organizations to advocate on behalf of this underserved community.  Through the efforts of DJF, the organization has funded college scholarships, signed up over 1,400 individuals to the National Bone Barrow Registry; 23 of which have been potentially life-saving matches, funded one of the first AYA-specific medical fellowships out of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and provided AYA cancer patients and survivors with opportunities to attend adventure camps with their peers, to name a few. This year DJF will launch the first ever program wholly conceived, organized and funded by the organization - a series of one-day seminars targeting AYA cancer patients as they transition from treatment into survivorship.

The Dear Jack Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. Tax ID 45-2219082. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
  

The "Batgirl" Of My Dreams

It's Batgirl!

Yvonne Craig

May 16 1937 - August 17, 2015

As a comic book loving kid Batman was my favorite! Needless to say I loved watching reruns of the classic Batman TV series growing up.

I was hypnotized by the beautiful technicolor and the exotic world of valiant heroes and colorful villains with monikers like The Penguin, The Joker and The Riddler.

There was also a character I loved from the comic books that did not join until the third and final season, Batgirl.

Batgirl was the alter ego of Commissioner Gordon's daughter Barbara Gordon. Actress Yvonne Craig, ahem, filled out the role quite nicely.

Yes, it's true I had a childhood girl crush on Batgirl!

She was tough, rocked a skin tight suit and knew how to kick ass! In fact Yvonne did her own stunts, which makes her portrayal of Batgirl all the more hot!

Recently Yvonne passed away due to complications from breast cancer. Although you have done many other roles you will always be the "Batgirl of my Dreams."

R.I.P. Dear Lady.

Yvonne on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0186051/?ref_=nv_sr_3

Have A Holly, Dolly Christmas...!

Dolly's Coat Of One Color

'DOLLY PARTON'S COAT OF MANY COLORS' TO AIR THURSDAY, DEC. 10 (9-11 P.M.) 

NBC's Holiday Film Based on Iconic Country Singer's Remarkable Upbringing in Rural Tennessee 

Well it is almost September meaning Christmas is just around the corner and what a great gift to look forward too!

 

NBC has announced that its upcoming holiday film “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” will air Thursday, Dec. 10 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT. “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” is based on the inspiring true story of living legend Dolly Parton’s remarkable upbringing. This once-in-a-lifetime movie special takes place inside the tight-knit Parton family as they struggle to overcome devastating tragedy and discover the healing power of love, faith, and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped make Parton who she is today. The film is set in the Tennessee Great Smokey Mountains in 1955. It is neither a biopic nor musical about Dolly’s whole life and performing career, but rather a family-oriented faith-based story about the incidents in her and her family’s life around the time she was 9 years old. Three cast members were recently added to the production, which begins this week in Atlanta. Jennifer Nettles will play Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Parton. Nettles is one of the most popular singer-songwriters in music today. As the lead singer of the duo Sugarland, Nettles has sold more than 22 million albums, achieved eight #1 singles and has won numerous awards, including trophies from the Grammys, AMAs, ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards. In addition, Nettles debuted her first solo album in 2014 which went to #1 on the country charts. Adding theater actress to her already impressive resume, Nettles made her Broadway debut in February as Roxy Hart in the Tony Award-winning musical “Chicago.” Gerald McRaney, one of the most respected actors of his generation, will play Grandpa Jake Owens. His career includes roles in several critically acclaimed television dramas — “Deadwood,” “Southland” and “House of Cards” — and he currently co-stars on the Western series “Longmire.” He will also co-star on the upcoming TNT series “Agent X.” McRaney was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the cast for both “Deadwood” and “House of Cards.” Ricky Schroder will portray Dolly’s father, Lee Parton. Schroder has had a lengthy career dating back to when the actor was 9 years old and won a Golden Globe for his role in the heartfelt boxing film “The Champ.” He was SAG nominated both individually and as a member of the cast of the Emmy Award-winning police drama “NYPD Blue” and had a co-starring role in the Emmy-winning drama “24.” As previously announced, Alyvia Alyn Lind will portray 9-year-old Dolly Parton. Alyvia most recently had a role in the Lifetime movie spoof “A Deadly Adoption,” with Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig. She has also appeared in “Masters of Sex” and “Transparent.” “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” is written by Pamela K. Long. She executive produces with Sam Haskell and Dolly Parton. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Entertainment and DP Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.   # # #   For more information on Dolly Parton please visit: www.dollypartonentertainment.com Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton

I'm Going To Disneyland!

Lupita Nyong'o
"First trip to #Disneyland!!! #myfirstears. Mummy, this is for you! #d23expo @disneystudios," 

Oscar winner for 12 Years A Slave Lupita Nyong'o had quite the weekend. Like a virgin she went to Disneyland for the very first time.

Flashing a big smile for the camera Lupita proves the Magic Kingdom is the happiest place on earth.

She was also the unofficial Queen of the D23 Expo promoting her upcoming projects from the House of Mouse: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Jungle Book and The Queen of Katwe.

Wow! No wonder she took a ride on Space Mountain!

Go Lupita at: https://instagram.com/lupitanyongo/

Try A Little "Tenderness"

Tenderness of the Wolves

I like my serial killers rare...

Fritz Haarmann, aka the Butcher of Hanover and the Vampire of Hanover, was a German serial killer responsible for the murders of two dozen boys and young men during the so-called 'years of crisis' between the wars. His case would partly inspire Fritz Lang's M, and its central character portrayed by Peter Lorre, as well as this forgotten gem from 1973. 

Tenderness of the Wolves treats the viewer to a few weeks in the company of a killer. Baby-faced and shaven-headed, in a manner that recalls both M and F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu, Haarmann is a fascinating, repulsive figure. Using his status as a police informant to procure his victims, he dismembers their bodies after death and sells the flesh to restaurants, dumping the remainder out of sight. This isn't an easy film to watch, but it certainly gets under the skin... 

Produced by Rainer Werner Fassbinder (who also supplies a shifty cameo), Tenderness of the Wolves provided two of his regular actors with a means of expanding their careers. Ulli Lommel - later responsible for the infamous video nasty The Boogeyman - made his directorial debut, while Kurt Raab wrote the screenplay as well as delivering an astonishing performance as Haarmann.

Special Features:
-New high definition digital transfer prepared by the Rainer Werner Fassbinder Foundation
-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
-Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM Audio
-New translated English subtitles
-The Tender Wolf - a brand-new in-depth interview with director Ulli Lommel
-Brand-new interview with director of photography Jürgen Jürges
-Newly-filmed appreciation by film historian and expert on European horror cinema Stephen Thrower
-Theatrical trailer
-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by the Twins of Evil
-Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Tony Rayns

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 20th

Pre-order at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RMW6b7 

Ladies Who Lunch

Let's Do Lunch
Lady Gaga & Jane Fonda

I love coming across photos of two stars who paths you would never imagine crossing enjoying a moment together.

This week the prize for my favorite goes to the legendary Jane Fonda and the amazing Lady Gaga.

Both were on hand to give out money at the annual Hollywood Foreign Press Association Grants Banquet held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Fonda & Gaga reportedly stole the show, and it is fitting that these two bigger than life personalities should engage in conversation and a photo op together.

Fonda is back in full force with her hit show Grace and Frankie with Lily Tomlin on Netflix and Gaga in the upcoming season of AHS, American Horror Story: Hotel.

Would love to have been a fly on the wall for the sound bites exchanged between these two!

Follow Fonda at; http://www.janefonda.com/

Go Gaga at: http://www.ladygaga.com/

The End Of It All: John Tejada

It's The End of it All with John Tejada, Not!
Photo: Juan Mendez

The End of it All? Hardly it is only the beginning....

The End of It All, released in 2006 on Palette Recordings, is one of the most iconic John Tejada songs ever produced. It is instantly recognizable and has been played by top DJs of different genres the world over. Selling thousands of copies on vinyl, it hit #2 on the Beatport Overall Chart as well as garnering a lengthy stay on its Classics Chart. It’s been imitated, covered (unauthorized), and until now, only one official version was ever released. There have been multiple unreleased versions over the past 9 years, including a version Tejada performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with a 100-piece male chorus ( GMCLA) in the summer of 2010. 

The new 2015 mix originated as part of Tejada’s 2015 live hardware set that he has been touring around the globe. “Reactivation” and “Sheven” are two additional new works featured on the B side, which also originated from his 2015 live performances. They showcase Tejada’s strong sense for the dance floor. “Reactivation” is the result of a Casio CZ-101 and Roland TR-909 locking into a strong bassline-driven groove. “Sheven,” named for its use of a Roland SH-7, features a sickly sounding riff with punchy 909 drums.

This new release of The End of It All will continue to ensure the track's legacy as one of John Tejada's most valued classics. 

The new mix is out, now!

Hook-up with John at:

•  paletterecordings.com

•  johntejada.bandcamp.com (lots of exclusive material both new & old)

•  facebook.com/johntejadaofficial

• @johntejada

•  instagram.com/johntejadaofficial