People – Actress Pitches Bracelet to Aid, Empower Women
Reese Witherspoon was at the U.N. this week as part of an effort to raise money for a fund to end violence against women worldwide.
The Academy Award-winning actress from Nashville was promoting a $3 bracelet with an infinity symbol signifying opportunities for women. She is the paid “global ambassador” and global face for Avon Products, Inc. The Avon Foundation pledged to match the first $500,000 in sales of the “Women’s Empowerment Bracelet.”
Witherspoon said the money would go to a trust fund managed by the U.N. Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM, to provide more education and job training for women and to push for new laws that benefit their standing in some countries. Since its inception 11 years ago, the U.N. fund has granted nearly $18 million to 250 initiatives around the globe.
Witherspoon won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the Memphis-filmed movie “Walk the Line.”
Keillor home for sale
Humorist Garrison Keillor put his historic St. Paul, Minn., home up for sale, a few weeks after a dispute with his neighbor over her building plans ended up in court.
The host of public radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion” is asking $1.65 million for the seven-bedroom, five-bath home, according to its listing on realtor.com.
In January, Keillor and his wife sued next-door neighbor Lori Anderson to stop her from building a two-story garage-and-studio addition to her house. Keillor’s lawsuit said the project would “obstruct the access of light and air” to his property. The lawsuit was settled through mediation .
Real estate agent Mary Hardy told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the dispute isn’t why Keillor is selling the house. She said he’s made an offer for a nearby house with 4,000 square feet more space and a larger lot overlooking a bluff.
That house’s taxable value was listed at just under $1.6 million.
Phish being honored
Four years after they disbanded, Phish is getting a lifetime achievement awards from the Jammys – but don’t get your hopes up about a reunion.
The annual awards show honors the best in improvisational music. It’s not clear whether all the band members – Trey Anastasio , Jon Fishman , Mike Gordon and Page McConnell – will show up to the May 7 event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. “A couple” of the Phish members had expressed interest in being part of the show, said Peter Shapiro , the show’s executive producer and co-founder.
Phish received numerous Jammys before parting ways in 2004. The Vermont-based jam band had developed a Grateful Dead -like following during their 21-year run .
– From Our Press Services
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Today’s birthdays
TV personality Ed McMahon , 85; singer Mary Wilson , 64; singer- guitarist David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, 62; actor-director Rob Reiner , 61; actor Tom Arnold , 49; actor and comedian D.L. Hughley , 44; actress Connie Britton , 40; actress Moira Kelly , 40; rapper Beanie Sigel , 34 .
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Originally published by From Our Press Services .
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