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May 2nd 2008

Clooney Writes About Brad And Angelina For Time Magazine

Filed under: honors, magazines — michael @ 11:58 am

For Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were ranked number 21. Who penned their tribute? None other than George Clooney. His words are below,

“It is one thing to talk about the problems of the world and quite another to actually try to change things.

As a team, actors Brad Pitt, 44, and Angelina Jolie, 32, have served as our goodwill ambassadors worldwide. They brought help to Pakistan in 2005, after a catastrophic earthquake killed tens of thousands of people and left millions homeless. They have tended to the poor and sick in Africa. And they’ve raised global awareness—and contributed $1 million of their own money—for the victims of atrocities in Darfur. Brad co-founded Not on Our Watch, an organization set up to focus global attention on Darfur and other hot spots.

In the U.S., Brad and Angelina didn’t just talk about, or even just throw money at, the tragic fallout from Hurricane Katrina. They actually moved to New Orleans and have set about trying to make right what so many have made wrong. Brad established a project to finance and build 150 new homes in the Ninth Ward.

Continue on to Time to read the rest of George’s comments.

April 24th 2008

Americans Choose Oprah Winfrey To Share Their Coffee With

Filed under: campaigns, food & drink — parrish @ 2:36 pm

If you could have your morning cup of coffee with either Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Laura Bush, Bill Gates, Al Gore or Brad Pitt who would you choose?

If you picked Oprah you got it right! Well at least that’s what the majority of America said when asked by the Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of Millstone Fair Trade Coffee. In fact, out of the 746 adult coffee drinkers polled, 20 percent picked Oprah while Bill Gates came in second with 16 percent and Laura Bush third with 15 percent. Brad Pitt on the other hand only got a shabby 7 percent. Umm..I think maybe the coffee drinkers had other activities in mind for Brad.

Millstone also found that while 52 percent of people said they were aware of Fair Trade certification, only about half of those (44 percent) were able to really explain it.

How would you do on the Fair Trade test? If you think you’re missing a few genius points, visit TransFairUsa.com and bone up. And when you’re done, hit Millstone Fair Trade Coffee and reward yourself for all that hard work.

April 22nd 2008

Celebrity Moving Company Unpacks A Greener Future

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 11:32 am

While the rest of us dangle free beer and pizza in an effort to gather friends for “big moves”, the wealthy amongst us simply write a check and go to a resort & spa for a few days. Of course, we all know they’re missing out on the joys of self-moving - the backaches, stresses, and UHaul gripes — but us little people have to have some secrets too.

Anyways, proving that Hollywood’s penchant for green is infectious to all industries, a moving company called LA Northstar Moving Corp has decided to travel in a more eco-friendly direction. The company, which counts such stars as Angelina Jolie among its clients — is switching to biodiesel across its entire fleet. Additionally, they are also installing battery-powered lift gates on all trucks and green warehouses.

Of course, all the luxuries that you would expect from a moving company to the stars will stay intact — and perhaps even a few that you never even thought of. For instance, for high-level clients that need extreme security, Northstar will send out decoy trucks to fool paparazzi and confuse your enemies. Have a very specific organizational structure for your sock drawer? The company offers something called “Photo Perfect Packing” that will snap a picture of your dresser drawers and then make sure they are “perfectly” arranged the same way after the move. A great solution for the OCD amongst us.

We applaud NorthStar for converting their fleet to biodiesel and other green additions! The next time I’m awkwardly attempting to move a 300lb dresser down my steps, I’ll think fondly of them.

Interested in a green move? You don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy Northstar’s services. Check out the official website here.

April 18th 2008

Brad Pitt’s Younger Bro Is Pushing A New Fund For Students

Filed under: campaigns — michael @ 11:13 am

Doug Pitt — younger brother of the more well-known Brad Pitt — has announced a new initiative called the “Care to Learn” fund which is all about kids’ health, hunger and hygiene. The new fund is also being supported by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, a humanitarian fund supported by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. From the article,

“Says Doug, ‘The idea was to help kids that show up on a school day with an immediate need. We need to get to them quick, obviously. So we set up this fund to do just that. Last week, we had a kid need clothes and food. And within 20 minutes - from the phone call - counselors, teachers, principals, make a call to the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. And they’re on it. They now have the funds to address that urgent need.’”

The fund is exclusively setup for the moment to address the needs of Springfield Public Schools only — but we imagine if it takes off there, that more districts will one day participate. For more information, please visit the Care to Learn Fund website. Check out a video of Doug Pitt unveiling the new initiative below:

March 27th 2008

Photos Of Angelina Jolie’s Twins Could Mean Millions For Charity

Filed under: babies and bumps — michael @ 1:04 pm

Back in 1989, photos of Lisa Marie Presley’s baby brought in $100,000 from buyer Star magazine. These days, that’ll get you a picture of a baby’s ear lobe, much less the full package. Most recently, People shelled out an incredible $6 million to Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony for the first photos of new twins, Max and Emme. Now, word on the street is that Angelina Jolie’s expectant fraternal twins may be worth as much as $10 million to industry players.

While people often gasp at these numbers, it’s important to remember that in the case of the Jolie-Pitts, it’s charity organizations that often come out the big winners. Back in 2006, after the birth of her first biological daughter, Shiloh, Jolie had this to say,

“While we celebrate the joy of the birth of our daughter, we recognize that two million babies born every year in the developing world die on the first day of their lives. These children can be saved, but only if governments around the world make it a priority.”

According to reports, that cash went both to UNICEF and the couple’s Jolie-Pitt Charity Foundation.

So, if magazines are willing to dish out the dough — in Jolie’s case, we say bring it. Seems like a win/win — even if the idea itself sounds ridiculous.

via cele|bitchy

March 26th 2008

Brad Pitt And Obama Cousins? Angelina Jolie And Hillary Related Too?

Filed under: green and famous — parrish @ 10:46 am

The similarities are remarkable!

Researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society have discovered that actor and humanitarian Brad Pitt is actually related to Barack Obama. CREEPY! According to the society, Pitt and Obama are ninth cousins, linked by a man named Edwin Hickman who died in 1769 in Virginia.Then just when it couldn’t get stranger…it did! It was further revealed that Pitt’s long-term partner Angelina Jolie is also ninth cousins to another famous Democratic candidate… Hillary Clinton. What the Mr. and Mrs. Smith is going on? Jolie is connected to Clinton through Jean Cusson, who died in Quebec, Canada, in 1718.

The study also found Obama is related to British World War II Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US Vice President Dick Cheney, while Clinton has links to Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette.

Now I don’t know a lot about genetics, but isn’t this strange to anyone else? The only famous person I’m related to is some guy who made the local paper in the 1800’s after getting hit by a train. Maybe that’s why I’M not running for president or saving New Orleans. Oh well.

thanks: femalefirst.co.uk

March 24th 2008

Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt Gave Away $8 Million In 2006

Filed under: campaigns — michael @ 9:52 am

Recently released tax filings show that power-couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt combined to give away more than $8 million in 2006. The charitable donations went to such organizations as Global Green USA, Doctors Without Borders, Global Aids Alliance, and the Daniel Perl Foundation. We expect that figure to rise for 2007 — as Pitt has already contribute $5 million to the Make It Right Foundation, in addition to other groups. Here’s the breakdown from Fox News:

“According to the first federal filing for the Jolie Pitt Foundation, the couple put over $8 million into their tax-free instrument. Pitt put in $4,402,317. Jolie donated $4,123,613. Their first years’ donations totaled a whopping 2,367,935. The biggest amounts were $1 million apiece to Doctors Without Borders (International Division) and to Global AIDS Alliance. The smaller grants went to Namibia Red Cross Action Program ($137,935), which is nice, since the couple caused chaos there when camped out during the birth of baby Shiloh; $100,000 to the Daniel Pearl Foundation (the couple made the movie “A Mighty Heart” about Pearl — this was a sop to his widow, Marianne, whom Jolie played); another $100,000 to Global Green USA and to the Epidermolysis Bulloma Medical Research Foundation; $5,000 each to two orphanages visited by Jolie; and $20,000 to an art park in Los Angeles.”

The expenses for the foundation totaled an amazing first-year total of $27,000 — something that will probably increase as more staff are added to handle the distribution of funds. Still, kind of makes you understand why Prince Harry is a bit upset over his foundation’s year one tabs.

via What Would Tyler Durden Do?

March 17th 2008

Razzi Snap: Rob Lowe Listens To The Governator Talk Climate Change

Filed under: buildings and construction, campaigns, cars-houses — michael @ 1:22 pm

Robe Lowe was one of the celebrities in attendance Friday — amidst 300 corporate executives from Wal-Mart, GE, Dow Chemical and others — to hear CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger deliver a message on climate change and the U.S. governments inept approach to dealing with it. Said Arnold, “The federal government is asleep at the wheel and they don’t get it. Those that don’t believe in the (global warming) threat, they still think the earth is flat. Unless you put a serious cap on emissions, we’ll never get there. It signals we’re serious about it. That’s when companies go and make changes.” While we agree with Arnold on the above, we also think he should put a cap in his own emissions if people are going to seriously follow his lead. [via Enviromedia]

Yesterday, a peace vigil was headed by actor/activist Sean Penn and “Peace Mom” Cindy Sheehan in San Francisco. The event was organized to mark the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War (which actually happens this Wednesday) and remember those American and Iraqis killed in the conflict. Penn has long been a critic of the the war and the Bush administration. For more information on upcoming protests, please visit the official site.

Prince Harry is upset that a charity he started in memory of his mother, the late Princess Diana, has been distributing only a fraction of the funds it receives to those in need. The organization, called Sentebale, was created to help orphans in southern Africa impacted by the AIDS virus. To date, only only £84,000 of the £1.15 million raised has gone to the kids. Those involved cite start-up costs, but high payments — including £100,000 to an unidentified individual — has the Prince crying foul. [via Telegraph]

The game over where the Pitt-Jolies are planning on settling down has once again focused on France. Apparently, the couple have now put a $20 million offer in on an 850-year-old home built by monks. Previously, Angelina had fallen in love with the property, but withdrew an offer after Pitt was denied permission to turn the lavish 5-acre gardens into a racetrack for his motorcycles. Now, such obstacles have been removed, and they are moving forward with purchasing the place. A garden for a racetrack? Hmmm…[via Sunday Mirror]

Photo: Actor Rob Lowe and CEO Kevin Tuerff of Green Canary Sustainability Consulting

March 17th 2008

The Green Picture: Angelina Jolie Wants To Make It Right, Too

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 11:25 am

[Photo removed at request of author. To see the original, please click here]

Yesterday’s event with Brad Pitt and Bill Clinton wasn’t just a guy-only affair. Angelina Jolie was there to lend a hand as well — in addition to posing with Pitt and some students. The good times were all a part of the official groundbreaking for Pitt’s Make It Right foundation. More pics over at JustJared.

Photo credit: Charlie Varley/Sipa Press

March 15th 2008

Brad And Angelina Drop In On A Natural Foods Conference

Filed under: food & drink — michael @ 12:20 pm

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made an unexpected visit yesterday afternoon to the Nutracon Natural Food Conference in Anaheim, Calif. According to PopSugar, no kids were in sight — but the duo was roving the arena and checking out the participating companies.

Here’s the DL on the event according to the official NutraConference website:

“Healthy products start with healthy and natural ingredients. If you’re involved in R&D (research and development), product management, purchasing or strategic leadership in the health and nutrition industry, you need to experience the power of SupplyExpo. Nowhere else will you find innovation in action—from cutting-edge ingredients and technologies to finished products all in one place at one time.”

Judging from some of the agenda topics — there’s one called Science, Sustainability, International Organic Outlook — we’re thinking the Pitt-Jolies are very interested in leading a healthy lifestyle when it comes to food. With a growing family, it’s no wonder they’re shopping around to learn about the very latest in natural nutrition. But who knew they were conference buffs?

[UPDATE] Conference buffs, indeed. Some are now saying that the above are impersonators — check out the amusing thread on the topic over at JustJared.