Russell Simmons' 12th Annual Art For Life East Hampton Benefit (PHOTOS)

By GlobalGrind Staff

Russell Simmons and Danny Simmons, founders of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, will celebrate their 12th annual Art For Life East Hampton benefit gala on Saturday, July 30 at Russell’s East Hampton estate.

The star-studded fundraising event will honor recording artist Mary J. Blige, President of JP Morgan Chase Foundation Kimberly B. Davis, world-renowned nutritionist and author Oz Garcia and actor/filmmaker Edward Norton for their career achievements and philanthropic works. This year’s annual gala will be hosted by Soledad O’Brien and Star Jones, with special performances by the Grammy award winning artist Jennifer Hudson.

Russell has always held a firm belief that art saves lives and Rush Philanthropic’s primary annual fundraising effort helps support many projects throughout the year dedicated to reaching out to New York City youth through the arts. The Art For Life East Hampton benefit receives a great amount of support from the entertainment and art communities.

For the fourth consecutive year, Rush Philanthropic will team up with online auction experts Charity Buzz to auction Works on Paper from some of the art world’s most celebrated names.

Gwyneth Paltrow, La La Vasquez, Uma Thurman, Maxwell, Denise Vasi, Jessica White and Anna Wintour are just some of the stars attending this year’s fundraiser.

Read more: http://globalgrind.com/entertainment/russell-simmons-12th-annual-art-life-east-hampton-benefit-photos#ixzz1RNv4mUb0

Sag Harbor, Summer 2009

To Plank or Not to Plank?

My husband and I missed a get-together last weekend that my friend hosted at her home. Curious about what took place at the event, she emailed me photos from the party. I skimmed through the pictures and came across party- goers planking. My immediate reaction was laughter. I could barely keep my composure looking at her photos. I couldn't believe that grown folks were participating in a trendy viral game.

If you haven't heard about this new craze called "planking," then I'll enlighten you on this subject. The planking game was created by Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon, who called it the “lying down game.” They later changed the name to“planking” and since then it has created an internet buzz across the globe.



This bizarre internet sensational craze is just that. People plank (lay down flat) on public random items and/or structures and post their planking photos online. Even celebrities - such as Rosario Dawson, who planked on Jimmy Kimmel's desk are doing it. Usher's two sons joined in the planking sensation and their TwitPic hit the web.

My immediate reaction to the idea of planking was funny, but then my mother instinct kicked in and I thought crazy. What if planking goes wrong? What if someone gets hurt trying to plank on an object that isn't plankable? After doing a little more research I discovered that a 20-year-old Aussie man planked on a hotel balcony and fell seven stories to his death. I can imagine that planking and alcohol wouldn't be a good mix. I can also imagine that we may see more deaths or severe injuries.

Therefore, you won't find me planking on anything but my bed. Maybe I'm just a worrywart being overly cautious. What do you think about this new planking craze? To plank of not to plank? Have you planked?














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Tweet "Justice for Little People" : Casey Anthony "Not Guilty" Verdict

Today at work I became teary-eyed and emotional as I learned about the Casey Anthony "not guilty" verdict. I immediately went into a state of disbelief and became sad all over again about the senseless death of Caylee Marie Anthony (August 9, 2005 – c. June 16, 2008). 

For the last three years millions of Americans have been fixated on the Casey Anthony trial and glued to the television anticipating whether or not she would be found "guilty" or "not guilty" for the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie.

Justice for Little People: Casey Anthony Verdict

Today the jury panel of seven women and five men acquitted Casey Anthony of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated manslaughter of a child. (Sentencing for misdemeanor charges of giving false information is set for Thursday.)

Did Casey Anthony get a slap on the wrist for covering up the murder of her child? Or was there not enough evidence to convict Casey Anthony of murdering her little girl?

Celebrities React on Twitter to the Casey Anthony "Not Guilty" Verdict

hollyrpeete (Holly Robinson Peete): "I am numb...but like I said on @thetalk_cbs the wheels of justice have turned... #restwithangelscayleemarie #diedinvain #caseyanthonyverdict"

Joy Behar: "I am shocked by the #caseyanthonyverdict. Though I can’t say this is the first time Florida screwed up on an important vote. #HLN"

Piers Morgan: "Not guilty of murder...but still guilty of being a shockingly bad mother. #CaseyAnthony"

Star Jones: "I believe in the jury system and accept (the) verdict, but I can’t take smiles from Casey Anthony right now. She may be not guilty but her baby is dead!"

Kim Kardashian: "What!!!???!!! Casey Anthony found not guilty! I am speechless!"

Whether Casey Anthony is truly innocent or guilty there seems to be no justice for little people. Every child deserves a happy and safe childhood. The fact is that there is a child who lost her life either by the hands of her mother or by someone else.

How did you react to the verdict?