The Inter-American Development Bank recently launched the Yo Amo America (I Love America) Campaign, and advocacy initiative featuring artists as agents of change in strategic areas of development. Celebrity supporters include Ricky Martin and Shakira who are advocating policies and investments in the areas of birth registration, early childhood development and access to financial services. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among policymakers about the importance of developing policies and making investments in these priority areas, as well as to promote specific services and provide information among low-income groups. Around 360 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean—70 percent of the population—live on incomes of less than $300 a month, without access to the benefits of progress.

and visit yoamoamerica.com for more info and ways to support.

Vanilla Ice was arrested for domestic violence claims at his Palm Beach County, Florida home yesterday evening. The rapper turned reality TV star, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was booked by Palm Beach County police after his wife Laura Van Winkle called the authorities on him, saying he had punched and kicked her - she later changed her story, saying he had only pushed her.

Police reports indicate the couple were at the tail end of a 2 day argument, apparently over Laura’s purchase of a children’s bedroom set, when police were called in. Vanilla Ice had been previously arrested on a domestic battery charge in Broward County, Florida in 2004.

Read the rest of this entry »

Alicia Keys and Keep a Child Alive’s new documentary Alicia in Africa : Journey to the Motherland is now available for free! You can download the entire film in one sitting or in chapters depending on the time you have available. I’ve posted the film at the end of this post as well, so be sure to give it a quick look, it’s really beautiful.

Alicia in Africa, directed by South African filmmaker Earle Sebastian, shows us an Africa rarely seen. Travelling through Africa’s beautiful landscapes we meet inspiring children, families and communities in South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. The documentary is a breathtaking journey of a generation that refuses to give up.

Read the rest of this entry »

For anyone who didn’t catch American Idol Gives Back last night, here is a PSA from Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly, Hotel Rwanda director Terry George and award-winning cinematographer Ellen Kuras donated their time to film this for charity: water.

Donate $20 to charity: water and give 1 person safe drinking water for 20 YEARS

“Death and the River”, a multimedia exhibit of video and photographs, tells the haunting yet life affirming story of unknown victims of Colombia’s drug wars. Visual Artist Juan Manuel Echavarria documents a tomb (left) in Puerto Berrio, Colombia where unidentified cadavers found in the nearby Magdalena River are laid to rest. Each compartment of the tomb is marked “N.N.”, or Ningun Nombre - No Name. The victims can then be “escogido“, or chosen, by someone in the community who agrees to take care of their grave. The caretaker will decorate the gravesite, pray for the departed’s soul, sometimes even give the victim a name.

Read the rest of this entry »

Idol Gives Back is happening tonight (as fellow TakePart blogger Giulia pointed out!). One thing I am excited about is that the first preview for Alicia Keys and Keep a Child Alive’s new short film Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland will air:

“Everyone who visits Africa is changed by the experience, but not everyone can afford to go to Africa,” Alicia explained. “Come with me on my journey and learn as I learn. Let’s start a virus to stop a virus– send the film to everyone you know. Let’s change this nightmare into our generation’s greatest success story.” [KCA]

Read the rest of this entry »

Idol Gives Back is on tomorrow night and celebs coming our more than ever. this annual event is causing an online stir, here are just some of the many mentions of Idols efforts:

Read the rest of this entry »

Since the death of Charlton Heston on Saturday, I am happy to report that many film critics and bloggers have written great pieces about “the actor” - hoping to remind folks of the amazing film work of Heston in light of the fact that many now only know him for his conservative viewpoints.

Here are some of the better pieces:

The Man Who Touched Evil and Saved the World (by Manohla Dargis)

Remembering Charlton Heston, Actor and Activist (Fresh Air, NPR Interview)

Charlton Heston 1924-2008 (by Dave Kehr)

Charlton Heston (by Glenn Kenny)

Read the rest of this entry »

Is there a such thing as true happiness? And if so, how do we achieve it? Scientists have started to address this question with systematic, controlled research so Oprah’s O Magazine asked the leading experts on what happy people have in common—and why it’s worth trying to become one of them and read this great article at http://www2.oprah.com/

Before you know it your smiley-face emoticons may have genuine truth to them

When Brad Pitt was taping his segment for American Idol’s second annual Idol Gives Back special, he was caught off guard when he microphone didn’t work, leaving the actor without a voice:

The crowd jumped to their feet for the hunky superstar, whose efforts to help rebuild housing for families who lost everything in 2005’s Hurricane Katrina were recognized by show. (The broadcast will air Wednesday, April 9.)

After nearly 30 seconds of cheers, the 44-year-old Pitt — who was slated to introduce a film clip about former Idol contestant Chris Daughtry’s visit to Uganda — tried to say “thank you,” but his microphone wasn’t working. [People]

to learn more about Daughtry’s charity work and how can make an impact.