Extras and featured roles for Wedding Palace!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Needed! Extras and featured roles for a new film called "Wedding Palace," currently filming in Koreatown.

They are casting backround and talent and featured roles for this new independent film-- a romantic comedy directed by Christine Yoo, starring Brian Tee ("Crash"), Kang Haejung ("Oldboy"), comic Bobby Lee (MADtv), Steve Park (In Living Color) and everyone's favorite Korean female comic Margaret Cho.

If you are interested please contact Grace at grace@peachies.net
Come in wedding attire: bright colors only. No black or white outfits.
Wilshire Plaza Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90010
Mon, Tus and Wed of this week.

The Reader starring Kate Winslet

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The READER opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Despite the intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken.

Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life--this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. The READER is a haunting story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.

From the Weinstein Company

Brooke Shields' Christmas Wish

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Never mind the rumors! The Lipstick Jungle star Brooke Shields just wants "another order" for her show next year. "That's my big wish, once you get past all the altruistic wishes you're supposed to have."

Despite reports, Brooke Shields says her NBC drama Lipstick Jungle hasn't been scrapped. "They're not breaking down the sets," she added. "We're still working. We still have more to do so it's erroneously presented that we've been cancelled, thank God.

"Our bosses are saying, "You're not cancelled, don't worry. We're just trying to figure out how to make sense of this."

Shields 43, said fans have already sent in tubes of lipstick to Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of NBC Universal to show their support.

"It's been insane," she went on. "I think the public outcry has been crazy and it's kind of wonderful." If the show gets canned she said she'll be heartbroken. "The family atmosphere and the excitement of being all together and working--that's the perk," she said. "I think they would be remiss if they decided not to continue to next season."

How to holiday shop

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Americans' shrinking holidiay budgets" have sent stores into "a promotional panic," said Sandra Jones in the Chicago Tribune. Not waiting for Black Friday, retailers have been offering steep discounts for weeks now and even luxury retailers, "normally above the promotional game, have joined in the fray." And it seems to be working--in one survey, 45% of consumers say they plan to shop over Thanksgiving weekend, up from 36% last year.

As you immerse yourselves in the "annual frenzy of shopping madness," said Laura Coffey in the St. Petersburg Times, keep some tips in mind. "If you hate crowds, rely on the Internet." If you do go out shopping, "dress comfortably." Research the sales beforehand--some are time sensitive--and know what a good price is on a good product.

For smart holiday givers, "the challenge isn't simply to avoid spending money," said Brett Arends in The Wall Street Journal, "it's to avoid wasting it." Instead of just hitting the mall, consider giving Netflix subscriptions, airline miles, a webcam and Google Talk account, or even framed "Ford and General Motors stock...certificates"-- cheap treasures of "genuine Americana," while they last.

Nazis and the Movies

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Almost 50 years after "The Diary of Anne Frank," Holocaust dramas are finally coming of age, according to Newsweek magazine. There are five releases this holiday season and each enters new, morally complex territory. They include "Valkyrie," starring Tom Cruise as the real-life Nazi officer who tried to assassinate Hitler in 1944; "The Reader," with Kate Winslet as a (fictional) woman on trial for war crimes; and "Good," in which Viggo Mortensen plays a German professor caught up in the rise of Nazism.

We've come to expect on-screen Nazis during the holidays, given Hollywood's tendency to release it's Really Important Movies at the end of the year. And there's nothing more likely to earn an Oscar nomination than a film related to the Holocaust.

What's remarkable about this year's releases is the acknowledgment that we no longer need the neat Hollywood ending. Hitler is not killed in "Valkyrie." There is no catharsis in "Good" or "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," the story of an innocent German boy who befriends a Jew on the other sie of the concentration camp wall. There is only awareness: the attempt to grapple with the horrors of the past is all that anyone can hope to accomplish.

Caffe Roma: Where Italy meets Beverly Hills

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Caffe Roma is my favorite Beverly Hills Italian restaurant. Somehow for decades this place has managed to serve great food to attractive people without ever becoming an over-bearing scene or pretentious. It feels like a trip to Italy without the jet lag.

The Italian caffe culture permeates this sun-kissed courtyard, where well-dressed patrons sip espresso and engage in the time-honored Italian past-times of people watching and blissful lethargy.

This is the place to see a lot of old time celebrities like Mel Brooks who came over to my table and sang me "Happy Birthday," and Zsa-Zsa Gabor's hubby the German Prince who often orders the Gnocchi to go. The Gnocchi in tomato sauce is superb as are all of the pasta dishes which range from $11-18--so this restaurant is not too expensive compared to the others on Rodeo Drive.

Usually when I go on Saturdays I spot Governor Schwarzenegger eating on the patio with a group of Austrian friends. He also has dessert next door at Frittelli's Doughnuts and Coffee.

The former chef of Toscana, Piero, is now the owner of Caffe Roma and he always comes by our table to talk.
Recommendations: Spaghetti pompodoro, Gnocchi in tomato sauce and the Margherita Pizza.
MMMMMM delicioso!!!

Thanksgiving myths

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

On Thanksgiving, said Karl Jacoby in The Los Angeles Times, "we like to imagine that we are reenacting a scene that first took place in 1621." But to be historically accurate, we would eat venison and corn in late September. That's if we ate at all; "devout Pilgrims" usually gave thanks through worship and fasting. We could also commemorate the "Publique Thanksgiving" of 1676, when the Pilgrims celebrated the bloody defeat of their Indian dinner companions of 1621.

It would be "more appropriate" to nosh on "coq au vin and a nice Bordeaux" in June, said Kenneth Davis in The New York Times, when the first Europeans "seeking religious freedom" arrived--from France, 50 years before the "Mayflower Pilgrims." The French Huguenots had their own thanksgiving in Florida in June 1564. Life was good--until the Spanish massacred them in 1565.

Well the first American Thanksgiving was in 1777 in York, PA, said Ira Stoll in The Wall Street Journal. In the dark days of 1776 we had only two days of "solemn fasting and worship." But as the American troops started beating the British in 1777, the nascent Congress declared Thursday, Dec 19, "a day of Thanksgiving." It wasn't fixed on the last Thursday of November unil 1941.

Surviving the holidays

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Although holiday gatherings for some families may resemble a Norman Rockwell painting, said Gannett News Service writer Betsy Miner in the Star Gazette, for many they're about "dysfunction, over-sharing, under-appreciating, raised voices, dicey conversations and zinger comments." Don't take the bait: "The best way to extinguish an inflamed remark of criticism is to take the high road and ignore it." Create diversions: "Haul out family photos" or "play a fun game." And find some quiet time. "Slip off into another room by yourself for a bit or take a quick stroll."

The holidays can also be tough on the waistline said Becky Fox in Knoxville's News Sentinel. When we're "hungry we not only eat more, but we make poorer food choices," so "eat something healthy before you arrive at your holiday party destination." You don't have to "deprive yourself of those foods you love," but try to eat smaller portions. And stay active--"exercising will help to keep your appetite under control, stress levels manageable, as well as allow you to burn some extra calories."

Prince Bandar bin Sultan: an envoy like no other

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Even in a region as turbulent as the Middle East, few men have been as influential and colourful or as flawed as Prince Bandar bin Sultan. As the Saudi king's personal envoy and then for more than 20 years his nation's ambassador to Washington, the prince dealt with--by author David Ottaway's estimation--"five US presidents, ten secretaries of state, 11 national security advisers, 16 sessions of Congress an obstreperous American media and hundreds of greedy politicians."

No Arab ambassador has come close to matching Prince Bandar's influence in the American capital. At the height of his powers he was indispensable on both sides: in Mr. Ottaway's words, "at once the king's exclusive messenger and White House errand boy."

A book by William Simpson,, "The Prince," which came out in 2006 reflected Bandar's considerable talent for self-promotion. But in his new bio he has met his match. During Ottaway's 35 years at the Washington Post the reporter observed the Saudi diplomat closely and interviewed him often. When it came to royal leaks, the Post was Bandar's paper of choice. No outsider can fully penetrate the Saudi kingdom's opaque world of court intrigue and Islamic zealotry, but Mr. Ottaway does a creditable job, according to The Economist. The portrait of Bandar is that of a fighter pilot, drawn reluctantly into diplomacy, who became of of the master manipulators of that craft.

In the Reagan years, Prince Bandar secured the purchase of AWACS survelliance aircraft in the teeth of fierce Israeli opposition, he secretly supplied cash to fight cold-war causes and he bought missiles from China, hoodwinking the CIA and infuriating the State Department.

Ottaway's book is not a biography. It says little about the early years and virtually nothing about Prince Bandar's family. But there are two new books due out in a few weeks, Patrick Tyler's A World of Trouble and "Innocent Abroad" which will add more detail to the wider canvas on which Prince Bandar worked.

MILK premieres in San Francisco

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

All of San Francisco crammed into the historical Castro Theater last Tuesday night for the premiere of Gus Van Sant's MILK, a portrait of Harvey Milk, the out San Francisco politician who was murdered with Mayor Mascone in 1978.

As the crowd, many of whom knew Milk personally gathered, activists reminded everyone of the current battle Proposition 8.

"We want equal rights!" shouted one protestor outside the theater. The crowd cheered when Penn made his appearance.

"I had a great time making this film," said Penn in an interview. "Harvey was a very interesting character. I've never played anyone like him before."

"I guess the real difference between this film and my others is that we used the real characters' names here," said director Gus Van Sant of "Drugstore Cowboy" fame. "You are doing a play about real characters, but it doesn't have fictional base. You can never really get to the real place."

After moving to San Francisco, the middle-aged New Yorker Harvey Milk, became a Gay Rights activist and city politician. On his third attempt, he was elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977, making him the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the USA. The following year, both he and the city's mayor, George Moscone, were shot to death by former city supervisor Dan White, who blamed his former colleagues for denying White's attempt to rescind his resignation from the board.

Harvey Milk has been the subject of several books and the Academy Award winning docu feature, The Times of Harvey Milk (1984); but MILK (2008) is the first fictional feature to explore private aspects of the man's personal life and career.

Milk was filmed on location in San Francisco. Many of Milk's real-life surviving friends and former associates participated in the making of this film, several appearing on camera.

Polly Wanna Cracker? "Alex and Me"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson
Book Review: Alex and Me

"Alex taught me to believe that his little bird brain was conscious in some matter, that is, capable of intention," Dr. Irene Pepperberg writes in her new book "Alex and Me," about the famous grey parrot she discovered in a pet store in 1977.

When Alex the African gray parrot died in 2007, the world mourned. The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and the Boston Globe ran articles reviewing his life achievements. ABC News, CNN and National Public Radio did segments about his lifetime collaboration with the scientist Irene Pepperberg.

"Alex the African gray parrot who was smarter than the average U.S. president, has died at the tender age of 31," read an obituary in The Guardian of London. "He could count to six, identify colors, understand concepts such as bigger and smaller and had a vocabulary of 150 words. To his supporters he was proof that the phrase 'birdbrain' should be expunged from the dictionary."

As his owner and colleague, Dr. Pepperberg writes in her charming new book "Alex and Me," the parrot she bought in a Chicago pet store in 1977 would help open a new window on the capacity of birds and other animals to think and communicate.

Alex's personality, was mischievous, supremely confidant, even bossy, according to Pepperberg.
"Once Alex had learned how to label objects and request things, he relished the constrol it gave him over his environment, the ability to manipulate the people around him."

Her students joked that they were "Alex's slaves" and he was merciless with new handlers, running through his entire repertory of labels and requests: "Want corn....want nut...wanna go shoulder....wanna go gym."

He was also easily bored with repetitious trials Dr. Pepperberg and her students created for him, and he could be condescending with the other birds in the lab, correcting them with a brisk. "You're wrong," or "Say better."

Steven Seagal new reality TV star.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to Variety, Steven Seagal can now add "reality TV lead" to his resume, as A&E is in production on nonfiction show "Steven Seagal: Lawman" in New Orleans.

Seagal has been working on and off as a fully commissioned deputy with the Jefferson Parish County Sheriff's Office for nearly two decades. One of his stints found him assisting with recovery efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"Lawman" also will document his life off the beat, including his musical and philanthropic activities in the Big Easy.

The pickup occurs amid A&E's plan to resurrect another 1990s stalwart, Patrick Swayze in FBI drama "The Beast," which will debut in January.

"I decided to work with A&E on this series because I believe it's important to show the nation all the postive work being accomplished here in New Orleans," Seagal said of the new venture.

The Critic starring Jon Lovitz on DVD.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The Critic is an animated half-hour comedy from producers Al Jean and Mike Reiss of The Simpsons. The show takes viewers into the world of acerbic New York film critic Jay Sherman (Lovitz). Pudgy, balding Jay Sherman is the host of cable channel 67's "Coming Attractions," reviewing classic and current films, which although loved by the public, fall far short of his critical standards. Jay's constant struggle to balance his contempt for popular taste with his need to be loved and his search for success is the premise for this irreverent comedy.

On January 26 1994, The Critic first made its debut on ABC. The first episode entitled "Pilot" was seen across America. This was the first appearance of the character Jay Sherman and his not so ordinary life as a TV film critic. It aired for one season on ABC with exactly 13 episodes. Shortly after the season ended, it was dropped from the network.

Besides the not so average ratings, it is a mystery as to why the show was cancelled. It was just beginning to build a fan base audience. The episodes that were shown are some of the funniest scenes ever to come from an animated show. The characters were great and the jokes got better each episode.

So why was it cancelled? According to a source, "because the chimpanzees that run TV networks. They wouldn't know a good show if it jumped out and slapped them in the face."

Comedy central now has the rights for showing repeat episodes of The Critic and does so every now and then. Thank goodness for Comedy Central! They have done an excellent job keeping The Critic alive through the repeats.

You can also see The Critic on Netflix.

Linking TV and sadness

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Here's some sobering news for couch potatoes," said Joel Hood in the Chicago Tribune online. The results of a 30-year study of television viewing habits published in the December issue of the scientific journal Social Indicators Research "suggests that unhappy people watch considerably more TV" and "are generally less socially active than happier people." But what's "still unclear" is "whether watching TV is a symptom or a cause of unhappiness."

"Another month, another study on how TV is bad for us," said Bob Sassone in TV Squad. This new study is "bogus on so many levels." First of all, how do you define "unhappy' and 'very happy?'" And "what about Internet use and video games--is that different viewing than television?" Next thing you know there will be a study showing "that people who use a microwave oven are more unhappy than people who use a stove."

"People have been socialized through the media and studies like this," said David Zurawik in the Baltimore Sun online, and they tend "to feel they have to apologize for watching TV," so it's not surprising the researchers got the responses they did. And, judging by the "tens of millions" of Americans that got involved in this year's presidential election by watching on TV, sometimes people do get something out of all the hours they spend in front of the tube.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

In this beloved classic, Charlie Brown and the gang learn the true meaning of Thanksgiving after Peppermint Patty boldly arranges for everyone to celebrate the holiday at Charlie's house. Featuring the antics of Snoopy, Woodstock, Sally and rest of the Peanut's gang, this special is the perfect holiday kick-off to the holiday season.

It originally aired on the CBS network in 1973 and won an Emmy Award the following year.
Best part--As the guests arrive, they all make their way to the backyard for a feast. Snoopy serves up the food. Each guest gets:
-two slices of buttered toast
-some pretzel sticks
-a handful of popcorn
-a few jelly beans
(no mention of a turkey). Very cute and original storyline with a great toe-tapping wistful score by Vince Guaraldi and his trio.
Thursday night 8 p.m. ABC

Luau in Beverly Hills: Modern Pacific Rim Cool

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

I sat next to Disney chief Jeffery Katzenberg at Luau tonight and the atmosphere was fun and festive like a good tiki joint should be.

Katzenberg chomped on the Firecracker Shrimp appetizer and later ate the Halibut wrapped in a banana leaf. He was there with two other friends talking business, beneath cute, bubble-eyed kitchy blow-fish hanging from the ceiling. The place was packed with well dressed patrons sipping exotic fruit cocktails.

I met Chef Mako (from Japan), of "Chinois on Main" fame. He stopped by our table to talk. We ordered the Pupu platter, that savory Tiki restaurant standard. Luau is like one big Hawaiian party, replete with ghoolish masks from New Guinea and bamboo chairs. Then there's the fruity drinks. Luau's cocktails are rum--y--yummy. I sipped a very strong drink from a coconut while others in my party tried the Pineapple concoction that was served in a halved pineapple with a straw.

Luau features a Pan-Asian menu that includes curries, spicy shrimp and a pupu platter.
Luau 369 North Bedford Drive
Beverly Hills
(310)274-0090

'BOLT': Disney's best?

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Disney's BOLT is the studio's best non-Pixar animated movie in ages," said Robert W. Butler in the Detroit Free Press online. John Travolta is the voice of Bolt, a superhero--or so he thinks--dog that winds up getting lost, shipped to New York City, and attempts to find his way back home to San Francisco. This 3-D comedy-adventure is "smart enough to keep adults on their toes and exciting enough to keep even the most antsy of kids glued to their seats."

But the movie's "messages about the importance of loyalty, love and believing in one's ability to be super are protypical," said Nick Schager in Slant online. And although the animation is "colorful" and "dexterous," and the story combines "humor and pathos," Bolt is "perfectly amiable" but "rarely brisk."

Yet somehow, the movie's cartoon chase scenes are "wittier and more exciting than anything in Quantum of Solace," said Lis Schwarzbaum in Entertainment Weekly online.

It's just too bad that Bolt steals "plot points from The Last Action Hero" and The Truman Show," said Alonso Duralde in MSNBC online. And the canine "protagonist of Bolt borrows a character arc from Buzz Lightyear--even younsters will smell a rip-off."

White House butler story to become movie

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Columbia is bringing the story of Eugene Allen, a black man who served as White House butler for 34 years, to the big screen.

Columbia has picked up Allen's life rights as well as the rights to a Washington Post article by Wil Haygood that was published November 7, three days after Barack Obama was elected president.

Allen started at the White House as a "pantry man" in 1952 when blacks weren't allowed to use public restrooms in his native Virginia. He served presidents as racial history was being made, from Brown v Board of Education to the 1963 march on Washington to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr and President John F Kennedy. Allen left the job in 1986 when Ronald Reagan was in office.

The Love Boat Season One on DVD!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The Love Boat is an American TV series set on a cruise ship which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986. It was part of ABC's Saturday night "one-two punch" along with Fantasy Island until the latter show ended in 1984.

The sitcom was usually set aboard a cruise liner called the Pacific Princess, whose passengers and crew had romantic and silly adventures every week. The series' main attraction was in the casting of well-known actors in guest-starring roles, with many famous film stars of yesteryear making rare TV appearances. Although it was the first series to use the all-star anthology format--Love American Style used the same device a decade earlier--Love Boat perfected the genre and future shows in similar style.

The series was also distinctive as being one of the few hour-long series ever made for American television that used a laugh track. Also, each episode contained several simultaneous storylines and each one was written by a different set of writers. Each set of writers worked on one group of guest stars and their story of the week.

The original 1976 made-for-TV move on which the show was based, also titled The Love Boat was itself based on the nonfiction book The Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders, a real-life cruise director. The exec producter for the series was Aaron Spelling.

The Love Boat theme song was sung by Jack Jones (except for the last season, where a cover version by Dionne Warwich was used). The lyrics were written by Paul Williams with msic by Charles Fox.

Now a whole new generation can enjoy life on The Love Boat. CBS Home Entertainment has releasesd Season 1 of The Love Boat on DVD for the very first time. Season 2 Volume 1 will be released on January 27, 2009.

Somali pirates show bold new moves

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

In their most brazen raid yet, suspected Somali pirates operating deep in open waters have seized an oil tanker as long as an aircraft carrier, the U.S. military in the Middle East said Monday.

So audacious and unusual was the Indian Ocean attack that it caught the attention of America's top military official who expressed shock at the pirate's ability to strike so far from shore.

"Pirates typically attack within 200 miles off shore and go after much smaller prey," said one source. But in the case of the Saudi oil tanker, the assailants who are holding hostage a multinational crew of 25, appear to be "fundamentally changing the way they're doing business," he said. The Sirius Star, built in South Korea and owned by Saudi Aramco had been heading south toward the Cape of Good Hope, when it was raided on Saturday.

The pirates issued no immediate demands. The Sirius Star's crew of 25, consisting of citizens of Britain, Poland, Croatia, Saudi Arabia and the Phillippines was actually double the size of that manning some supertankers.

Military officials did not say how they believed the pirates managed to overwhelm the crew, but speculated that the assailants must have been highly organized and used numerous vessels.

Israeli crime boss killed in Tel Aviv car bombing

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to the Los Angeles Times, one of Israel's best-known mobsters, a crime family boss with a long list of enemies in the country's increasingly brazen underworld, was killed yesterday when a bomb exploded under his rental car near a busy Tel Aviv intersection.

The miday slaying of Yakaov Alperon was described by Israeli media as the boldest hit yet in a string of turf battles that have killed dozens of gangsters and at least eight bystanders in the last three years.

Israelis, who are far more accustomed to violence between them and their Palestinian neighbors were transfixed by the slaying. It dominated the airwaves and overshadowed news of ongoing rocket fire from the Humas-ruled Gaza strip. Television stations interrupted regular programming to show ALperon's bloodied body slumped out of a door of the burning car, clad in the polo shirt he had worn during an appearnce that morning in court.

Tel Aviv Police chief Ilan Franco called the killing "an extremely serious event" that "likely happened because of an internal conflict within the Tel Aviv crime world."

"The battles between these criminal gangs will continue and the families will be even more driven to avenge his death. I fear the bloody red line will be crossed forever," said former police chief Yossi Sedbon.

Crime gangs in Israel are also fighting for control of gambling clubs and illegal drugs. Despite shooting and bombings that have prompted many of his rivals to travel in armored cars with guards, Alperon had refused to do so, often telling reporters that he was not afraid. Army radio said police suspected the bomb had been placed uner the car while it was parked at the courthouse.

Stars Flock To Miami's Fontainbleau Hotel

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The stars turned out in full force November 14th, to the Grand Opening of the Fontainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach. Germany's greatest export, model Heidi Klum was on hand for ribbon-cutting duties, while Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow sipped drinks with "Keeping up with the Kardashians" star Kim Kardashian.

Also joining in on the festive shindig were Victoria's Secret beauties Allesandra Ambrosia, Molly Sims, reality star heiress Paris Hilton and George Clooney's ex Sarah Larson.

Most of the big time atheletes hung out near the lagoon shaped pool and sipped tropical drinks at the pool bar.

A Christmas Story 25th Anniversay--Celebration and Convention

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A Christmas Story House, now restored to its movie splendor, is open year round to the public for tours. Directly across the street from the house is the "A Christmas Story House Museum" which features original props, costumes and memorablia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos.

Among the props and costumes are the toys from Higbee's window, Randy's snowsuit and zeppelin, the chalkboard from Miss. Shield's classroom and the family car. Visit the gift shop for your own Major Award Leg Lamp and other great movie memorabilia.

The movie is set during a snowy Christmas season in 1940's Indiana, as a nine-year-old Ralphie longs for the ideal X-Mas gift, a 2---Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass that can tell the time. But when gruff dad and doting mom and even a stressed-out Santa quote the usual BB gun warning "You'll shoot your eye out," Ralphie mounts a full scale hint-dropping campaign that is a sly combination of innocence and calculation. A great film classic.

Information: (216) 298-4919
info@Christmasstoryhouse.com
Date: Friday and Saturday November 28-29, 2008.

Luau in Beverly Hills--A fun new Tiki restaurant

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A flotilla of cute blowfish lights greet patrons at the new stylish Luau restaurant in Beverly Hills.
There are giant Turkish laterns which cast their golden glow onto walls covered in slivers of mirrored glass. The whole effect, according to the L.A. Times is dark, romantic and fun.

From 1953-1978, Luau was the Rat Pack's spot of choice for kitschy revelry and it's been brought back and updated. There's also a thatched awning and bamboo-embossed steel and copper doors. Head into a teak-and-caesar-stoned bar area with Buddha'd up fountains on either side and a wicker-chaired dining room with Scooby-spooky masks from Papua New Guinea.

The menu is from Mako Tanaka, executive chef and partner who also owns Mako in Beverly Hills. This is no kitschy Trader Vic's knockoff either. The whole Polynesian theme and pan-Asian dishes have been reworked and include Mongolian Lamb, banana-leaf wrapped halibut and fantastic firecracker shrimp.

They have Hawaiian Pupu platters and Kalua pulled pork spring rolls and meatballs that are fancied up with Kobe beef and glazed with pineapple. Family style mains include a whole sea bass roasted in a wood-burning oven, a wok fired live Maine lobster in a punchy Thai sauce and Peking duck with a crackling crisp skin.

The cocktails are spectacular. Along with those mai tais, consulting drinks guru Jeff Berry whips up tiki-esque cocktails such as the Luau coconut, a mix of fresh coconut water and coconut milk pineapple and lime juice and rum. It is served in a young coconut shell while the Bahia is sipped from a pineapple.

Drool over the boozy 50's era drink menu.

Luau
Location: 369 N. Bedford Drive
Beverly Hills
(310)274-0090
6-11p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

Quantum of Solace Blasts the Box Office

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Quantum of Solace," a tale of the secret agent's quest to avenge the death of the woman he loved, blasted out $70.4 million in ticket sales this weekend, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was the biggest opening for a Bond film ever and surpassed the high expectations set for the film.

Though Bond was clearly the irresistible force at ticket booths, it was a great all-around weekend for Hollywood as two very different comedies, the animated "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," and raunchy "Role Models" slipped little from the previous week.

For all releases, the three-day sum is expected to total almost $143 million, according to box-office tracker Media by Numbers. That's up 54% from the same weekend last year and on page with last week.

"People are finding solace at the movies literally and figuratively," said Paul Dergarabedian of Media by Numbers. "We are in store for a very nice run here at the box office."

Rounding out the top 12 in order were "High School Musical," "Changeling," "Zack and Miri Makes Porno," "Soul Men," "Secret Life of Bees," "Saw 5," "The Haunting of Mary Hartley," "Eagle Eye," and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua."

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into a library book slot at Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostibitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love.

For the next 19 years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.
As his fame grew from town to town then state to state and finally, amazingly worldwide (Japan TV!), Dewey became more than just a friend: he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly bak from the greatest crisis in its long history.

Author Vicki Myron worked a the Spencer Public Library for 25 years. She currently lives in Spencer, Iowa.
264 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group USA

Barney Miller Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Barney Miller was a comedy TV series set in a New York City police station in Greenwich Village that ran from 1975 to 1982 on ABC.

Captain Miller tries to remain sane while leading the 12th precinct's detectives: crochety, nearing-retirement Jewish-American Phillip K. Fish, a naive but good-hearted Polish-American Stanley "Wojo" Wojchiehowiz, ambitious arrogant African American Ronald Nathan Harris, philosophical wisecracking Japanese American Nick Yemena and Puerto Rican chano Amanguale.

The series sprang from an unsold TV pilot, "The Life and Times of Captain Barney Miller" that aired on August 22, 1974. My favorite part....the distinctive opening notes of the theme song's bass line are played over a shot of the New York skyline with a garbage barge being towed in the foreground followed by shots of the characters.

Almost all of the action and dialog took place on a single set, much like a stage play. Characters came and went but they were virtually never shown outside or in other buildings. Friends, foes and felons alike dropped by on a daily bases.

Did you know???
-Both Steve Landesberg and Ron Carey guest starred as felons before joining the regular cast?
-The episodes were originally taped before a live audience. This element of the show was eliminated in later episodes.
-The producers were approached during the run of the series about doing a feature film based on the show using the regular cast members, but the film was never made.

Rob Lowe Escapes Wildfire

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The wildfire raging near Santa Barbara California has sent thousands of people fleeing their homes, among them "Brothers and Sisters" star Rob Lowe.

"It was just like Armageddon" the actor tells KABC TV. "My son and I were watching the football game," the father of sons Edward 15, and John 13, said in an interview. "And my wife who was out running errands called and said 'Get out. The mountain's on fire.' And I thought at first she was kidding. There was no indication that anything was wrong, that anything was up."

"I put the kids in the car--turned out of the driveway and the entire mountain was on fire with flames shooting 200 feet in the air. There was literally no warning. It came out of nowhere."

Lowe's home wasn't damaged, nor was Oprah Winfrey's, according to reports.

Rourke to be honored at Santa Barbara Film Festival

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Mickey Rourke will be honored during the Santa Barbara Film Festival Jan 30 at the Arlington theater. Past recipients include Tommy Lee Jones, Forrest Whitaker and Kevin Bacon. Helmer Darron Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" starring Rourke is due in theaters on December 17.

Randy "Ram" Robinson (Rourke) is a professional wrestler from the 1980s who is forced to retire after a heart attak threatens to kill him the next time he wrestles. He takes a job at a deli, attempts to form a relationship with an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei), and does his best to reconcile with his estranged daughter (Even R. Wood).

Scenes were shot at New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia and Afa Anoai a former professional wrestler, was hired to train Rourke for his role.

Michael Moore's take on the economy

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"As the American economy goes to hell in a hand basket," said Variety online, "gadfly" director Michael Moore has decided to set his sites on "the villians of Wall Street and corporate America." The man "who went after General Motors in his breakthrough film Roger and Me seems like just the right person to take on "the gordon 'greed is good'Gekkos of the world"--this documentary "couldn't be more timely."

"But will Americans take heed or listen?" said The Playlist online. Moore's "well-crafted Health Care documentary, Sicko," asked U.S. audiences, 'Is this fair?' 'Will you stand for this?'" They answered "with a resounding shrug and said,'Pass me the clicker and the Cheetos.'" And Moore "better hope" that the "economy doesn't realign itself' before his film comes out, "or he may be too late to ahem, capitalize."

Well, Moore is "feverishly shooting," said Steven Zeitchik in The Hollywood Reporter online and this movie might come out by spring. But will "Moore's incredulousness and occasional pessimism about the state of US policy," which served him well during the Bush years, "play in the current hopeful climate brought on President Barack Obama"? Then again, Moore sees this film as a "bookend to Roger and Me," which featured plenty of commentary on the U.S. economy so maybe it will play well.

Angelina Jolie to take time off.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

With six children at home, Angelina Jolie says her days as an actress are numbered.

"I don't plan to keep acting very long" she tells the BBC. "I'm ready to do a few things now and fade away and get ready to be a grandma one day."

Jolie,33, currently starring in The Changling, says she plans to "work for a few months" in February then take a year off.

"I won't go back to work for another year," she says. "I have a lot of children. I have a big responsbility to make sure that they're growing right and that they have got us there for them."

"Dewey" the life of famous Iowa cat becomes a movie.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Meryl Streep is purring over "Dewey" a fact-based film about a stray cat's impact on the town of Spencer, Iowa. The project has landed at New Line Cinema. Streep is attached to star in the adaptation of the Vicki Myron book "Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World."

Streep intends to play the author who works at the library and observed the impact that the kitten had on the townsfolk once it became a library mascot after wandering in through an after-hour book return slot on a cold night.

Saudi Arabia pushes tolerance

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The United Nations started a two-day "interfaith dialogue" on religious tolerance Wednesday said Blake Housnhell in Foreign Policy online. The host: "Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy where religious freedom does not exist." Come on that's like "John McEnroe holding a seminar on good sportsmanship."

It's actually a "bold, courageous and potentially far-reaching" step by Saudi King Abdullah said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the "criticism of his initiative from some corners of the Islamic world" should mollify his skeptics in the West. The king is siding with the "modern narrative" of Islam that values engaging with the non-Muslim world and that should be encouraged.

It's significant that he can't hold the meeting in his own repressive kingdom," said Donald Argue and Leonard Leo in The Christian Science Monitor, "where the message of respect for freedom of religion and belief is most needed." But his goal isn't spreading tolerance anyway--it's enlisting support for " global law to punish blasphemy."

Give King Abdullah a break said Lebanon's The Daily Star in an editorial. He's taken huge strides at least for Saudi Arabia, since assuming the throne in 2005. His legitimacy rests largely on the intolerant Wahhabi school of Islam and for him to push religious tolerance at all is a BIG DEAL!

And hey, the conference "broke new ground" when King Abdullah and other Arab leaders stayed seated while Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke said Betsey Pisik in The Washington Times. It helps that "they liked what he said," but you take historic shows of tolerance where you can get them.

The Obamas and the First Dog

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Now that Barack Obama has won the presidency," said Joe Blundo in Ohio's Columbus Dispatch, "all eyes turn to one of the toughest decisions: the selection of a dog." Obama promised his daughters a puppy if he was elected--"expect the kids to hold him accountable." Everyone else is opining on what type of dog they should take to the White House.

Obama laid out one criterion already. At his first post-election press conference he said that daughter Malia is allergic to dogs so the First Dog has to be "hypoallergenic." Sadly, "there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog," said AP medical reporter Lindsey Tanner in Yahoo! News. And truly allergic kids should avoid the animals. "How about a fish instead?"

No, presidents have dogs, and the pooches are "not immune from presidential politicis," said Michael Schaffer in Slate. Obama dodged one part of "this puppy political battle" when he said they'd like to adopt a "a mutt 'like me,'"but he now faces a whole host of other charged choices--education (training), health insurance and they the type of food, among others.

So he should skip the dog altogether said Lauren Falcone in the Boston Herald online. Like buxom interns, "political pooches are nothin'but trouble." President Bush's terrier Barney recently "chomped down on a Reuters reporter", Clinton's dog Buddy piddled on the carpet "that pitbull with lipstick didn't do much for McCain."

P.S. Owners of a Peruvian Hairless Dog have offered it to Obama, since Obama's daughter Malia is allergic to most breeds.

Picking schools for the Obama girls

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Barack Obama, the first black president, "now has a chance to shatter another White House convention," said Robert Bobb and Mary Lord in USA Today. He can be the first president since Jimmy Carter to send his children to public schools. "Even a scouting visit by the first family to some of our city's outstanding public and public-charter schools would validate education-reform efforts here and across the nation."

Don't get your hopes up, said Clarence Page in the Chicago Tribune. The Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, attended private school in Chicago and "Michelle Obama offered a clue to what her family's choice will be" when she visisted Georgetown Day School this week. But the world will be watching to see whether the new president feels private school is best for his kids, even though he opposes "tax-supported voucher programs to less-fortunate parents" who would like to make the same choice.

Let's hope the Obamas are spared the kind of "flak" the Clintons faced, said Rocky Mountain News in an editorial, when they decided to send Chelsea to the "pricey" Sidwell Friends School. Like the Clintons, the Obamas should pick the school they feel is the most "academically challenging" and the best for the kids--that's "the only reason that really counts."

Large rather than jumbo popcorn

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to The Hollywood Reporter, it seems American moviegoers might be going with the large, rather than the jumbo, when it comes to popcorn and soda.

Two operators of film theaters on Monday reported weaker U.S. revenue as dwindling concession spending added to smaller admissions figures in the 3rd quarter despite record-breaking results from Warner Bros. "The Dark Knight."

Both Carmike Cinemas and Cinema holdings made refrence to the tough economic environment, which could cut into consumer's willingness to spend on popcorn and movie tickets despite the conventional wisdom that moviegoing is a recession-proof activity.

Why Spielberg and Smith might remake 'Oldboy'

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"We think we might have found Bad Lieutenant's successor for Unholiest Hollywood remake," said Defamer. Apparently, Steven Spielberg and Will Smith "may partner to adapt the ultra-violent Korean revenge flick Oldboy," which was originally directed by Park Chan-wook. What are they thinking? Everyone knows that "Americans don't do incest subplots and ambiguous endings."

Oldboy is great the way it is, said Elisabeth Rappe in MTV online, and "no American remake can really do it justice." Especially not one helmed by Spielberg and Smith who are "talented individuals but ultimately make movies for the widest audience appeal."

"Someone in Hollywood was bound to remake this film sooner or later," said Gary Susman in Entertainment Weekly online, so it might as well be Spielberg and Smith. "Not only are these two at the top of their fame creatively, but they've also proven that they can sell pretty much anything to mainstream audiences, no matter how grim."

An Oldboy remake could clean up at the box office said Larson Hill in The deadbolt online. "Martin Scorsese drew inspiration from the amazing Asian trilogy Infernal Affairs to make The Departed," and look how well that did. And for anyone who's never seen the original Oldboy, a remake should be an especially "easy sell."

'Madagascar' Roars with $63.5 Million Debut Weekend.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Families herded into movie theaters for another trek with stranded zoo animals as the animated sequel "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" led the weekend with a $63.5 million debut, according to studio estimates.

"It just shows people seem happy to escape to the movies and have a good laugh," said Anne globe, head of marketing for Dreamworks Animation. While parents with children were the bulk of the audience, Madagascar also drew teens and adults on their own, who made up half the audience on Friday. The weekend's other new wide release "Soul Men," opened weakly with only $5.6 million.

Madagascar reunites voice stars Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and Sasha Baron Cohen as the animal gang crash lands in an African nature preserve.

Cloris Leachman's Revenge

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Cloris Leachman may have gotten bounced from Dancing with the Stars--but her career is rebounding to new heights after her gutsy appearance on the hit ABC show. And she's sticking it to famed director Mel Brooks, who snubbed her last year.

While casting the stage version of his classic 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein, Brooks claimed the then 81-year-old Leachman was too old to reprise her screen role as hilarious Frau Blucher. He even said he was terrified she'd die on stage. But now after her crowd-pleasing performance on "Dancing" Brooks reportedly wants to make a deal to have her star in his musical.

"Mel's comments were like a dagger through the heart and she vowed she would show him she could still cut the muster.," says a source. Leachman, now 82, was the oldest star to ever compete on the show and she soon became a fan favorite.

She's also set to appear with Brad Pitt in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards which is currently filming in Germany, and she' s set to be the Grand Marshal in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day.

"Dancing" has put Cloris back in the Hollywood spotlight and she's being inundated with offers," says a friend. Still no word if she'll appear in Brooke's musical, but I'll keep you posted.

New Yorkers Trying to Save Historic Tin Pan Alley

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A group of New Yorkers is fighting to save Tin Pan Alley, the half-dozen row houses where iconic American songs were born.

The four-story 19th-century buildings on Manhattan's West 28th Street were home to publishers of some of the catchiest American tunes and lyrics--from "God Bless America" and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," to "Give My Regards to Broadway."

The music of Irving Berlin, Scott Joplin, Fats Waller and George M. Cohan and other greats was born on Tin Pan Alley.

The buildings were put up for sale earlier this fall for $44 million, with plans to replace them with a high-rise. The construction plan fell through amid the turmoil in the economy, but the possibility of losing the historic block hastened efforts to push for landmark status for Tin Pan Alley.

"The fear of these buildings being sold for development crystallized their importance and the need to preserve them," said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council.

"I'm not opposed to development in New York, but we have to balance development with history--and this is definitely American cultural history," said Tim Schreier.

Presidential Perks for Sasha and Malia Obama

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The perks of being the President's daughters? For Sasha 7, and Malia 10, life at The White House is sure to be wonderful, according to People Magazine.

Besides the all-weather tennis court on the South lawn and the grand piano on the second floor--they will have their very own pastry shop, swimming pool, bowling alley and a movie theater--complete with a popcorn cart.

The White House also comes with a staff of ushers and pastry chefs to ensure birthday parties will never be the same. They plan slumber parties and scavenger hunts that no supermom can hope to rival. What's not to like?

Michelle's rules--make your bed, clear the table, set your own alarm clock perhaps.

"Michelle's rules reign," retired White House Usher Gary Walter says. Then there's that puppy dad promised. If the girls don't feel like cleaning up after it, the ushers will make sure it gets walked.

Recasting 'The Three Stooges'

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"I'm sure fans of 'The Three Stooges' have long wished for a full-length movie starring the legendary comedy trio," said Elisabeth Rappe in MTV online. But do they want to see one badly "enough to accept three new Stooges" in the place of Larry, Moe and Curly? MGM's betting on it and it's just given the Farrelly brothers the green light to direct.

"Leaving aside the fact that it'll probably end up starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Jimmy Fallon," said Stuart Heritage in Heckler Spray, "it's hard to understand why the Farrelly brothers are even making a new movie based on 'The Three Stooges' in the first place." Nobody can replace the original Stooges--"this film's going to be awful."

Actually, this is the Farrelly brothers' "dream project," said Roger Moore in the Orlando Sentinel online, and it seems "like a smart move." They "may have lost their edge with the R-rated stuff. But their Stooges movie is going to be a present-day kid-friendly slapstick farce with a PG rating"--don't be surprised if they "still have physical shtick they can make funny."

Barney Bites TV Reporter.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Not everyone in the White House is taking the news of Barack Obama's victory with aplomb. Reuters TV White House reporter Jon Decker reports that President Bush's black dog Barney, bit him this morning.

"He bit my right index finger as I reached down to pet him," Decker sighed. The bite broke the skin and the wound was bleeding enough to prompt White House phyisician Dr. Richard Tubb to treat Decker with antibiotics. He will also be getting a tetanus shot.

President Bush, speaking to staff, called portions of the White House, "Barney's playground."

Rahm Emanuel's father worked for the Israeli underground Iregun

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Rahm Emanuel is at 37, one of the most powerful people at the White House. He's now the new "chief of staff" as they call it "inside the beltway." He is also the middle brother of two similar tank commanders: Ariel Emmanuel, 36, a relentless Hollywood TV agent and Ezekiel Emanuel, 39, an oncologist who is a nationally known medical ethicist at Harvard and a leading opponent of assisted suicide.

Of the three brothers, Rahm is the most famous, Ari is the richest and Zeke, over time, will probably be the most important, according to The New York Times. Rahm, naturally, gets the most press attention. Last term he managed the President's campaigns to pass the crime bill and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Then there's Benjamin M. Emanuel, Rahm's father, and a Chicago pediatrician who passed secret codes for Menachem Begin's Israeli underground, Iregun. Iregun was a militant Zionist group that attacked Palestinians and the British throughout Palestine. They also killed 90 people in a Hotel bombing in 1946.

Woody Allan's "The Front"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"The Front" is both a comic delight and perhaps the most graceful act of show business revenge in cinema history. Written by, directed by and starring various talents blacklisted during the McCarthy era witch-hunts of the 1950s entertainment industry, the film stars Woody Allan as Howard a cashier and bookie approached by blacklisted television writer Alfred (Michael Murphy) to act as a "front," ie: the alleged author of Alfred's works.

The scam proves hugely successful. Soon Howard is fronting for several other banned writers taking a cut from every sale to the networks and basking in praise and romantic attentions for his prolific talent. It all unravels when congressional investigators dig into Howard's past for Communist ties and squeeze him to name others with supposed links to the Red Menace. The Front is a charming, tragic, heroic and briskly intelligent, featuring a heartbreaking performance by Zero Mostel and directed by Martin Ritt.

By far one of Woody Allan's greatest films.
1976
95 minutes

Woody Harrelson narrates GRASS the movie

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Narrated by actor and pot activist Woody Harrelson, this slick and snappy documentary chronicles the history of marijuana use and prohibition from the early 1900s through modern day. Biased toward legalization in tone, the clever if subjective film reveals the absurdity of government anit-grass tactics. Comic Tommy Chong also lends his voice to this informative and amusing illustration of how one substance among many has created such a clamor.

"Yes I think pot should be legal," says Harrelson in an interview. "It seems logical that in a free country you should be able to do whatever you want to do as long as it's not hurting anyone else. If you're banning something because it's harmful, then freaking outlaw McDonalds!"

The film looks at the last 100 years of marijuana use, culture and legislation, compiled from 400 hours of archival footage.
1 hour and 20 minutes
2000

Chevy Chase: I wanted Carter to win

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Chevy Chase didn't look like Gerald Ford and didn't sound like Gerald Ford. But in the mid-1970s when "Saturday Night Live," first went on the air, Chase then a writer and cast member of the show--made his impression of the president, rife with pratfalls and slapstick, the talk of the country. He also made the president a butt of jokes, which was intentional, Chase told CNN today.

"Ford was a sweet man, a terrific man--we became good friends after, but...he just tripped over things a lot," he said. "It's not that I can imitate him so much that I can do a lot of physical comedy and I just made it, I just went after him. And...obviously my leanings were Democratic and I wanted Jimmy Carter in and I wanted Ford out and I figured look, we're reaching millions of people every weekend, why not do it."

CNN- Some people say Ford was an accidental president and you made him accident prone.
Chase-Actually he was accident prone and he was a sweet man and we became good friends later and he was a good athlete in college too...but he just tripped over things a lot...You know, after a while, you just start writing the jokes and start doing it.
CNN- Some say Chevy Chase cost Ford the presidency.
Chase-When you have that kind of venue and power where you can reach so many millions of people and you've become a show that people watch, you can affect a lot of people and humor does it beautifully, because humor is perspective and has a way of making judgment calls."

Chiune Sugihara risked everything to save Jewish lives

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

When Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Polish Jewry was trapped between two beasts, the Nazis to the West and the Communists to the East. There was nowhere to turn. As darkness set upon the European continent the sun began to dawn in a far away land, where no one ever would have expected--Japan, the land of the rising sun.

Polish and Lithuanian Jews sought to escape across the barren Soviet wasteland to the Far East. Underneath the Nazis' very nose, thousands of Jews took refuge in Japan, amongst the Nazis' own allies. How did they make it through the iron curtain to safety? As many as 10,000 Jews owe their lives to the actions of Chiune Sugihara and his wife,Yukiko, who defied everything but their own morals to save lives.

Between 6000-10,000 Jews were rescued by his heroic efforts, second only in numbers to the Jews saved by Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg. In 1968 Sugihara was discovered by one of his beneficiaries, a diplomat to the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo. He was granted the honor of Righteous among the Nations by the State of Israel in 1985. He passed away one year later and only when a large delegation of Jews from around the world appeared at his funeral, did his story become known to the Japanese people.

When asked about his motivations, Sugihara replied by quoting an old samurai saying, "Even a hunter cannot kill a bird which flies to him for refuge. "I may have to disobey my government but if I don't I would be disobeying God," he said. "There is nothing wrong in saving many people's lives....The spirit of humanity, philanthropy and neighborly friendship...with this spirit, I ventured to do what I did, confronting this most difficult situation."

Chiune Sugihara's widow Yukiko, passed away last month at 94. In her book "Visas for Life," Yukiko describes her own feelings as she watched the crowds of Jews waiting outside the Japanese consulate in Lithuania. "We saw a little child standing behind his mother hiding himself in her coat and a girl with an expression of hunger and terror which made her look like an adult and some others crouching in fatigue." Yukiko became determined to help them.

Yukiko stood firmly behind her husband and was the driving force to keep him going despite all odds. Today, over half a century and two generations later, there are over 40,000 people who owe their lives to Chiune and Yukiko Sugihara.

Arabian Nights in Las Vegas!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

This event is for all the folks interested in seeing BIG TIME Arab singers in Las Vegas. Paris Las Vegas proudly presents Arabian Nights Extravaganza with Nawal El Zoughbi and Neshan. Tickets start at $60 and include belly dancing and traditional Lebanese fair like shish-kabob and hummus. I've been to one of these events before and let me tell you....these people know how to paaaaarty! So lets go as a caravan through the desert of Las Vegas.

Paris Hotel: 1-877-374-7469.
Date: November 15, 2008 at 8p.m.

Russia communits say Ukraine Bond girl a traitor

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

First it was Indiana Jones. Now it's James Bond's latest lady friend. The Communist Party says Olga Kurylenko, the Ukranian-born model who plays a Bolivian agent in the latest Bond film,"Quantum of Solace," has betrayed her roots.

"In the name of all communists we appeal to you prodigal daughter of poor Ukraine and deserter of Slavic world," the party said in an open letter dated Oct. 21 and posted on their Web site Friday.

The Soviet Union "gave you free education, free medical care but nobody knew you would commit an act of intellectual and moral betrayal that you would become a movie kept girl of Bond, who in his movies kills hundreds of Soviet people and citizens of other socialist countries: Cubans, Vietnamese, North Koreans, Chinese and Nicaraguans," the party said.

Sergei Malenkovich head of the party's regional organization told the AP that the latest Bond movie is "an insult for Russians." "In this movie they wanted to show that a Ukranian girl sleeps with an American. It's a part of information and psychological war," he said.

Recently the party took great umbrage at "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which features an evil KGB agent played by Cate Blanchett saying the film undermined ideology and distorted history.