Hallmark Channels Celebrity Good Life

The Good: Weekly Wrap-Up 10/30

Here's the Friday recap of some of the latest news that celebrities are doing in the name of charity.   

THE PLUS: The Weekly Wrap-Up 10/30

Everything you need to know to get your weekend started!

 

Naked Brothers Band's Alex Wolff is definitely rocking a Halloween costume this weekend. But you're gonna have to be a big South Park fan to guess it off the bat. 

"My friend and I are going to be two characters from South Park, my favorite show, called Terrance and Phillip," the Nickelodeon stars, who turns 12 on Nov. 1, exclaims to The Plus.

"I think a few South Park insiders will understand that reference. They're Canadian." And what about his older brother and bandmate Nat?  "I think I might be Bob Dylan. People say I look like him," Nat shares. "I got the hair." 

Californication's Madeleine Martin will also bring a fictional character to life for the day. "I just read Gone With the Wind, so I want to be Scarlett O'Hara," she tells The Plus, though she's still deciding on the dress. "I'll probably wear the big white one with a big fat hat or the famous green dress she makes out of curtains." And no, Madeline's not planning to channel Carol Burnett's famous parody of the classic movie and keep the curtain rod in the shoulder pads!

 

Dancing with the Stars Tony Dovolani swept Bachelorette cast-off Melissa Rycroft off her feet while she was literally being swept off her feet by her fiancé Tye Strickland last season on Dancing with the Stars. 

Now the DWTS professional reveals to The Plus exclusively he's getting ready to attend her wedding! "I'm definitely going," Tony exclaims. "It's going to be fun." Tony already has the perfect wedding gift in mind.  "I got married ten years ago, and I still have presents I haven't used, so I want to give them something special, like a trip." Tony would love for Melissa to try her moves again, this times on the slopes. "I actually want her to go skiing or snowboarding, but she likes it warm, so she'll probably ask for something in warm weather." After the body you score from being on the dance reality series, who wouldn't want to show it off in a bikini!

 

Rush Philanthropic Arts founder Russell Simmons reunited with kids from PS 165 in Brooklyn for the final unveiling of the Building Bounty-ful Bridges at New York City's Rush Art Gallery on Wednesday. Russell's kid brother Rev Run and accessories guru Tory Burch joined in to see the 33-foot painted mural featuring some of the nation's most famous bridges, painted by students across the nation.  The national mural was created to draw attention to the importance of art education for America’s youth.  Russell encouraged the kids to never turn down the opportunity to outwardly express themselves.

 

 

Cards For A Cause from the Bonnie Marcus Collection has partnered with four celebrities to produce holiday-themed cards this season. 

Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the charity of their choice. Cindy Crawford's card benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Molly Simms is supporting the Friends of Elfaro, which improves the lives of children in Casa Hogar Sion orphanage in Mexico; Angie Harmon's design will the support the Children's Institute, which aids children and young adults with special needs, and Marcia Cross is giving back to The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which promotes global humanitarian efforts.

 

Check back next Friday for a new Wrap-Up!

Cesar Millan: Michael Vick Deserves A Second Chance

Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan believes everyone can learn to love man's best friend, even accused dog abuser Michael Vick.

"I believe in second chances for humanity," the "How to Raise the Perfect Dog" author shares with The Plus. 

"Unfortunately, Michael chose this path of nurturing negativity," Cesar says. "I want the world to transform, and for that to happen, I have to give people a second chance."

It's the philosophy behind the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation, Cesar and his wife's new charity, which is dedicated to eradicating animal cruelty.

The organization strives to teach children anti-animal abuse. Through social and emotional development skills, kids improve their relationships with dogs and people.

"We have a lot of people that are in the same state of mind that they can abuse dogs, but all that can be stopped by education," Cesar continues.

"I think if Michael had had that education, everything would have been okay."

To learn more about Cesar and foundation, click HERE.

REESE WITHERSPOON: 9th Annual Avon Foundation For Women Gala

The stars were shining in New York last night as Avon hosted its 9th annual Avon Foundation for Women Gala honoring those who help in the battles against breast cancer and domestic violence.  The event tied into National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

The hosts were two of the biggest names in Hollywood -- Reese Witherspoon, a huge supporter of breast cancer research, and Grey's Anatomy's Patrick Dempsey, whose mother has been through several bouts of cancer. 

      

 

Some of the stars attending included: Fergie, Courtney Cox, Lauren Conrad, and Suze Orman. 

  

Last night’s gala lured more than 500 attendees and raised two million dollars for breast cancer research and domestic abuse prevention. 

Celebrity Good Life - ONEXONE - Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra

The Celebrity Good Life recently caught up with Mia Hamm, America’s best known female soccer player,  and her husband Nomar Garciaparra, a six-time Major League Baseball All-Star, in San Francisco. They were attending a fundraiser for the charity ONEXONE. We had a chance to ask the athletic ouple about how they got involved with ONEXONE,  how having children has changed their view of the world and the importance of volunteering.

The Plus EXCLUSIVE Interview with JILL SCOTT

Prince, hear this: Jill Scott wants to work with you!

Jill, who just finished shooting "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married 2," is diligently working on her fourth album and reveals she'd love to collaborate with the musical icon. 

"I just respect so many people, to single out one wouldn’t be accurate, but I’ve always loved the vibe & electricity of Prince," she tells The Plus exclusively.

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" star also just celebrated the birthday of her first child, son Jett Hamilton Roberts, who turned six months old on Oct. 20.

Read on for how motherhood is treating the singer, actress and visionary, how Jill's dropping her post-baby weight, and when we can expect that next album of hers to drop!

DD: What the most amazing thing Jett most recently did? 
JS: Just being born was amazing for me. He’s been like a light in my life that keeps on surprising me.

DD: What surprising lessons have you learned since becoming a mom? 
JS: It's more realization of how much love you can have for another human being, since becoming a mom I just feel and think more with my heart.

DD: How are you dealing with the post-baby weight experience?
JS: I’ve been fiercely working on losing weight, just to slim down to where I was before I started filming. I've been eating healthy and exercising. A lot of times after birth women can get so inundated with caring for your child, which is understandable, but you forget about yourself. So I’ve just worked hard to handle both ends.

DD: What do you do when you want to clear your head and relax? 
JS: I like to play music, get a massage, burn some candles and just clear my head alone.

DD: What type of themes will you explore on your next album? 
JS: Honestly, I'm not sure just yet. I haven’t recorded it yet, but I’m writing very feverishly. There’s been a lot going on in my life since the last one: a baby, a television series, movies and my Ashley Stewart fashion line, there’s been a lot to make me see and realize where I want to go next. So I’m just letting it come out and see where it goes.

DD: When will the album be out?
JS: Early 2010.

DD: Your TV hit series, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency was shot in Botswana. What's your best memory of the country? 
JS: There’s so many! The people in Botswana are so precious. Their faces, smiles and overall demeanor are so glowing, that’s what I take away so much from filming in Botswana. It was a little hectic moving around because when they really love someone, they really love someone! It’s allowed me to think about how I interact with people wherever I go.

DD: You just finished shooting Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married 2. Is Sheila still with Troy? 
JS: You’ll have to watch the movie for that secret now. It will definitely be amazing!

DD: Do you think you would like to get married again someday?
JS: As far as marriage, I’m a hopeless romantic, so of course!

Breast Cancer: The Path of Wellness & Healing

A truly amazing resource for women dealing with the disease along with their family members, caregivers and friends, the DVD is a groundbreaking one stop resource with both survivors and the world’s top experts discussing every aspect of the disease—diagnosis, chemo, holistic healing, medical terminology, support groups, diet, intimacy, prayer/meditation, etc…

Celebrity participants include: Christina Applegate, Melissa Etheridge, Olivia Newton John, Rosanna Arquette, Jaclyn Smith, and Gabrielle Union. 

Purchase the DVD HERE.

HALLMARK CHANNEL'S 'COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN'

HALLOWEEN ON ICE  (Friday, October 30 at 8/7c)  Halloween is coming early this year with a twist (and a triple axel), making for an unforgettable event! This thrilling spectacle, combining Halloween haunts with some of the world’s most accomplished and decorated skaters, features musical legend Chip Davis with his band, Mannheim Steamroller, and performances from skaters such as Olympic medalists Nancy Kerrigan (pictured), Todd Eldredge and Elvis Stojko; eight-time British Champion Steven Cousins; three-time Israeli National Champion Tamar Katz and more. The event is one of several Disson Skating specials that will air throughout the year on Hallmark Channel. A special, one-night-only event, “Halloween on Ice” airs on Hallmark Channel Friday, October 30 (8/7c).

THE GOOD WITCH and THE GOOD WITCH’S GARDEN  (Saturday, October 31 at 7/6c and 9/8c)  It’s no trick: Hallmark Channel’s ‘Countdown to Halloween’ concludes with the treat of a Halloween double feature of Catherine Bell in “The Good Witch” and “The Good Witch’s Garden,” Saturday, October 31 (7pm/6c and 9pm/8c). Bell stars in the films – two of the network’s highest-rated ever – as the mysterious Cassie Nightingale, an alluring woman whose eccentric and charming ways have an entire town under her spell. “Good Witch” fans can’t get enough of these highly rated Original Movies, and will be thrilled to hear that a third installment is on the horizon!

MADONNA: Raising Malawi Academy for Girls

Madonna headed to the Republic of Malawi in southeast Africa this week to break ground on the future site of the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls. 

“Our vision for the school is to empower girls to become Malawi's future leaders," she said on her Web site. "Our goal is to teach them to challenge themselves, serve their local communities and develop their country. We created this vision in partnership with the local Malawian Ministry of Education, and other educational experts from Malawi, Sub-Sharan African and elsewhere around the world.”

Madonna’s charity Raising Malawi is the driving force behind the 15-million dollar school. Madonna has an emotional connection to the country -- in 2006 she Madonna adopted a boy while on tour in Malawi. 

Raising Malawi help supports the people of Malawi by providing food, clothing, shelter and supplies.

“It’s an honor for me to be able to help as many of these girls as I can achieve their dreams," she said in a statement.

Lindsay Lohan Keeps the Status QUO!

There's been a lot of negative news about Lindsay Lohan in the press lately. That's why The Plus was so glad to see the actress on her best behavior as she attended the opening of New York City's newest nightclub Quo on Friday night. 

The actress, last seen in the TV movie "Labor Pains," arrived at the club around midnight with two friends, and happily posed for pics on the nightclub's red carpet. Inside, Lindsay stuck to water, Coca-Cola and Red Bull as she watched a dance show by tattooed performance artist Raven O.

"She gave a nice tip to the waitress," an insider tells The Plus. Lindsay, keep up the good work!