Atlanta Inner-City School Gets $365K From Oprah

December 31, 2008

ATLANTA, Ga.

A letter from Oprah Winfrey last week seemed like the world’s best Christmas present — until teacher Ron Clark noticed an extra piece of paper flutter out of the envelope.

That’s when the Atlanta educator saw the $365,000 check for the innovative private school he opened in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods in 2007. It was, quite literally, an answer to a prayer.

Pete & Ashlee Present Bronx Mowgli Wentz

December 26, 2008

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.

Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz sure didn’t turn to the mags for money this holiday season – instead, they premiered the first photo of their first born child on their Web site on Christmas Day!

The first picture of Bronx Mowgli Wentz, being cradled by mom and kissed by dad, showed up on their Web site – FriendsOrEnemies.com – in the form of a Holiday E-card.

Angelina Jolie: Brad ‘Gives Me Strength’

December 23, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif.

Angelina Jolie has quite the busy life – it’s a beyond hectic work schedule balancing her movies, family and humanitarian efforts. The mother of six says partner Brad Pitt helps to make all of it possible.

“We are a good team,” she told German Cosmopolitan in their January issue, as reported by OK! Magazine. “I do take my time outs, but most of all I get support from Brad. That is important to me and gives me strength.”

David Spade Pitches In To Help Phoenix Police Buy Rifles

December 22, 2008

PHOENIX, Ariz.

David Spade is in the spirit of giving and pitching in to fight crime – all at the same time.

The Arizona-born comedian paid a visit to a Phoenix police station on Monday to present a check for $100,000 to help purchase rifles for local police officers, according to a press release from the Phoenix Police Department.

ROLL CALL: Paris Hilton Pinks Her Ride

December 18, 2008

By Jesse Spero

LOS ANGELES, Calif.

Plus, who is Paris saving certain dresses for? Who is the most popular celeb on MySpace? And, which Brit pop starlet says she dresses like a school teacher?

Get your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans inside!

People Magazine And EIF To Celebrate Actors’ Goodwill At SAG Awards Gala

December 16, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

People magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) will co-host the official SAG Awards Gala, held immediately following the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 25 on the back lot of the Shrine Exposition Center.

Ben Affleck To Screen Film At United Nations

December 15, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif.

Ben Affleck spent his weekend lending a hand to “Operation Gratitude,” an organization that assembles care packages to send to military service men and women deployed overseas – and Ben’s not only helping out our troops – the actor is set to screen a film he directed about refugees in the Congo at the United Nations.

Access Hollywood caught up with Ben on Saturday while he helped fill boxes and packages for the troops. The actor-turned-director shared with Access the details about his film, set to screen this week.

Will Smith: ‘We Gotta Help One Another’

December 13, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.

Will Smith is bringing the message of his new movie “Seven Pounds” to the Midwest with a promotional tour that also turned into a fundraiser.

In the film, which opens nationwide Friday, Smith portrays a suicidal man determined to change the lives of several strangers.

“If there’s a message, it’s ‘you gotta help somebody,’” he said in an interview with the Star Tribune.