March 8th, 2010
It’s not easy for me to head over to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles every Monday morning to read and hand out books to the children brought into the hospital by their parents and grandparents.
You might never guess that these kids needed treatment but some who come to me to hear a story or receive a free book are suffering from serious physical and medical ailments. I look only into their eyes and see the beauty of their souls but feel within me a great sorrow that so young a person is suffering.
Yet, the smile never leaves my face or heart as we chat and get to know each other. Yesterday, in the middle of my hour at the hospital, a young boy ran up to me and yelled back to his mother, “Look mommy, The Book Man is here,” as he jumped up on my lap.
It seems that in my lifetime, some of my most treasured moments have been when I’ve volunteered my time to help others – friends, family, and total strangers.
To say we need and welcome volunteer help here at the Motion Picture & Television Fund is putting it very gently.
There are dozens of ways you can help – from helping someone with their grocery shopping to just chatting on the phone with someone who doesn’t get out as much as she used to.
Without the volunteers at Channel 22, we might not have the amount and quality, if indeed, any programming at all, on the station. Do you have television production skills? We could use your help.
Without Shelley Berman teaching our poetry classes, as a volunteer, the joy he brings to campus would be lost. Pick another arena and you could be the Shelley Berman of that venue.
I’m learning how to play the guitar and I’ll bet there are MPTF residents who would love to learn to play a musical instrument. Could you volunteer to share your talents with us?
What is your specialty? How and who can you help or teach? Just think of all the warm smiles you’d get in return. I get hugs from the kids at CHLA but that might be too much to ask from our residents.
– Joe Sutton
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February 25th, 2010
I couldn’t wait to audit the Yoga Class that Carol Takakura conducts twice a week in the Katzenberg Pavilion on the MPTF Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills.
Every day of my life, I wake up, meditate and then go through about a fifteen-minute yoga routine. I wanted to see if what I was practicing was up to date with Carol¹s class.
I sat on my little chair and observed as one man and seven or eight women went through their tenderly guided class with Carol.
Breathing, stretching, strengthening, and relaxing seemed to be the heart and soul of the hour long session.
Mats on the floor, bodies up and down, gently stretching, turning and gently touched – never without permission asked by Carol – to make sure each position was being properly practiced.
As I sat and watched, I felt like I was in the audience of a wonderful ballet or master synchronized dance class. The rhythm and motion of every member in the class seemed to move in a smooth, beautiful swan-like wave.
There were a few grunts, a few grimaces, some serious concentration, and a whole lot of effort put forth during the hour.
The ten minutes of lying silently on their backs and concentrating on quiet breathing seemed to put each and every person in the room into a wonderful trance like state; the perfect ending.
Jennifer Clymer, who runs our Channel 22, participated in the class and I asked her how she felt as she began the class, and Read the rest of this entry »
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February 19th, 2010
I have never gotten over getting nervous and anxious before an interview, any interview. When I know it’s going to be conducted before our own MPTF residents, for our Channel 22 and my Heart of Hollywood Radio/Podcast program, and that a gorgeous, talented and Academy Award nominated actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal, is our guest, the levels of nervousness are pretty intense.
There are so many things to juggle: Maggie has to be made comfortable and at home; our residents have to be kept interested and entertained; I have to do my best to get Maggie to discuss things that other interviewers haven’t gotten to and are unique for our conversation.
There was no need to worry. Maggie was great and more than professionally informative. We discovered a thing or two about her performance in Crazy Heart that even her co-star, Jeff Bridges wasn’t aware of and won’t be till he views our chat. (You can hear what she had to say at 11:00am on Saturday, February 27 on KGIL-AM radio 1260; www.1260.am)
The residents treated Maggie as what she is – a family member of our wonderful entertainment industry charity. The Q & A session at the end of our interview/conversation was as warm and friendly as a family getting together at Thanksgiving. Pictures were taken, stories exchanged and best of all, our Ruthie Tompson (pictured above) got to get the spotlight shined on her a little bit when everyone was informed of the wonderful Vanity Fair article in the current Hollywood Issue about Ruth and her gal pal Disney co-workers.
On the Freeway going home, I felt totally exhausted but happy and fulfilled. Even our lovely Connie Sawyer gave me the thumbs up after the interview and we all know what a tough and honest critic she can be.
I slept well that night.
– Joe Sutton
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February 11th, 2010
Several residents from MPTF were guests of George Lopez at the taping of his show “Lopez Tonight” which aired February 10th. It was his special Valentine’s Day show and not only did the ladies get front row seats for the show, but they each got a kiss from George. And if that wasn’t enough, guest Ashton Kutcher saw the MPTF lovelies on his way on stage and just had to stop and wish them a happy Valentine’s Day and give out a few kisses of his own.
During the show, George played a segment he had taped days earlier at MPTF where he interviewed female residents about love, romance and what they want from a man. The show ended with MPTF resident Lee Zenziplr giving a toast to George, saying that “you’re never too old or young to fall in love on Valentine’s Day.”
It was a special day for the MPTF residents who got to go to the show, and the producers really rolled out the red carpet and treated them like celebrities. And “Lopez Tonight” viewers across the country got to see some of the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of the MPTF Country House on late night television!
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