Floyd and Partners Integrated Brand Communications

Essay: the danger of hyperbole.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:05:00 +0000

Relate this to commentary on the Golden Compass

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2007/12/catholic_priest_1.html

Christopher Mann

Floyd and Partners Integrated Brand Communications

260.469.3090 | fax 260.469.30910 | chris@floydandpartners.com | www.floydandpartners.com

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/news/peterjacksonhobbit.html

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:05:00 +0000

Regardless of whether Jackson directs or not, the news comes as a bit of a surprise, since the relationship between Jackson and New Line Cinema soured after the mammoth success of the LOTR films. Jackson had sued New Line over the amount he was paid for The Fellowship of the Ring, the first of the LOTR's three films.

But on Tuesday, both parties announced that the litigation has been resolved. One can't help but wonder if New Line hurried to resolve those differences once it became clear that The Golden Compass, now in theaters, wasn't going to be a box office hit. The relative failure of Compass may mean that New Line will scrap potential plans for sequels to that film—there are three books in the trilogy on which it is based—which has been embroiled in controversy for the last few months.

Christopher Mann

Floyd and Partners Integrated Brand Communications

260.469.3090 | fax 260.469.30910 | chris@floydandpartners.com | www.floydandpartners.com

GC on sale...5.99

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:05:00 +0000

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/interviews/markzoradi.html

http://store.christianitytodaymoviesstore.com/goldencompass1.html

PENCE TO SUPPORT SCHIP

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:06:00 +0000

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2007

CONTACT: Matt Lloyd
(202) 226-4379 (office)

PENCE TO SUPPORT STATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

“Victory for Vulnerable Hoosier Families and Taxpayers”

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence issued the following statement today announcing his intention to support reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program:

“I am pleased to support S. 2499, the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007. This legislation represents is victory for vulnerable Hoosier families and a victory for taxpayers. This bill provides an eighteen-month extension of the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and it will ensure that the health needs of poor children in east central Indiana continue to be met in a fiscally responsible manner.

“In 1998, the Republican Congress created SCHIP. SCHIP was designed to help cover healthcare costs for those children and their families who were near the poverty level but who weren’t eligible for health insurance under Medicaid. The reauthorization of SCHIP has been the subject of much contentious debate in this Congress. I was unable to support earlier SCHIP reauthorization bills because those bills attempted to expand the program beyond the poor children it was intended to serve and, in effect, created a middle class entitlement.

“Because those of us who believed in maintaining the SCHIP program in a fiscally responsible manner stood firm, Congress was able to act in a bipartisan manner today to extend this important program for poor children and their families.”

###

*** This mailbox is unattended. Please do not respond to this email.

Even If He Loses Nomination, Huck's Drive Helps G.O.P.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:15:00 +0000

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/12/19/even_if_he_loses_nomination,_hucks_drive_helps_gop

Even If He Loses Nomination, Huck's Drive Helps G.O.P.
By Michael Medved
Wednesday, December 19, 200

Despite his current standing in the polls, Mike Huckabee remains an under-funded and chronically disorganized long-shot when it comes to actually winning the GOP Presidential nomination. While easily the most gifted TV communicator in the field, the former Arkansas governor displays some serious vulnerabilities as a candidate for the White House and his innumerable critics and rivals have attacked these weaknesses with gleeful ferocity.

Even if he fails to win a place on the national ticket, however, Huckabee’s startlingly strong campaign provides potent benefits for both his party and his country. In the two weeks remaining before the Iowa Caucuses it’s worth considering how the Man from Hope 2.0 has already strengthened the GOP.

1. HUCKABEE’S COMPETITIVE STATUS PROVES THAT MONEY ALONE CAN’T BUY A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION. In Iowa, Huckabee enjoys a substantial lead (over Mitt Romney) while national polls show him virtually tied for first place with Rudy Giuliani. He’s achieved this success – so far—despite the fact that Romney outspent him in Iowa by a ludicrous ratio of at least 20 to 1, and his national fundraising has lagged far, far behind Romney, Rudy, Thompson, McCain and even Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo. There’s simply no modern precedent for a candidate with so few financial resources making himself such a major factor in the primary process. Even those who dislike or distrust Huckabee, ought to acknowledge that his vigorous campaign helps the cause of wide-open, participatory democracy.

Countless cynical citizens say they won’t take part in politics because it’s all dominated by corporate interests and big money contributors. Huckabee, however, manages to compete for the prize despite a total absence of major corporate support and pathetically limited funding. If nothing else, his serious race to the White House ought to destroy the myth that a “little guy” can’t compete with “the big boys” when it comes to a national campaign.

2. THE HUCK-A-SURGE GIVES THE LIE TO THE CLAIM THAT THE GOP IS CONTROLLED BY OUT-OF-TOUCH ELITES. The image of a political operation dominated “Country Club Republicans” has done incalculable damage to the party. You’d have to be deaf not to hear the complaints about “the party of Wall Street” taking the place of the “Party of Main Street.” In that context, Huckabee is undoubtedly Main Street and the Wall Street Journal hates his guts. The current President is the third generation in his family from Skull and Bones at Yale; if Hillary won the White House (God forbid!) it would mean that five of our last seven presidents (Ford, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, and Clinton II) boasted Yale degrees. The Huck-meister on the other hand is the first male in his family’s history ever to graduate from high school -- an unimaginable tribute to the American dream. He didn’t do his undergraduate work at an Ivy League school, but at Ouachita Baptist University.

Among elite commentators and prominent conservative opinion leaders, Huckabee has won no supporters and only one defender (the radio host writing this commentary). For answering those who claim that planet earth groans under the control of some secret cabal of Bilderbergers, Illuminati, the CFR, Trilateralists or neo-cons, it’s useful to point to the current situation where a complete outsider with no globalist ties manages to shake up the Republican power structure (Yes, he’s outspokenly opposed to the Law of the Sea Treaty). While providing new excitement, energy and unpredictability to the Republican race, the affable Arkansan has pulled ahead of any and all of the Establishment’s favored candidates – showing that this establishment is vastly less omnipotent and fearful than previously assumed.

3. HUCK’S CAMPAIGN DEMONSTRATES THAT THE SO-CALLED “CHRISTIAN RIGHT” IS MORE COMPLEX AND DIVERSE THAN COMMONLY ASSUMED. The silliest and most misguided commentary about Huckabee suggests that his appeal arises solely out of his background as a Baptist pastor. In a typical column, Peggy Noonan writes in the Wall Street Journal: “The Republican race looks – at the moment – to be determined primarily by one thing, the question of religious faith… Mike Huckabee is in the lead due, it appears, to voter approval of the depth and sincerity of his religious beliefs as lived out in his ministry as an ordained Southern Baptist.” This is nonsense, of course. Evangelical voters may play a disproportionate role in giving Huckabee the lead in Iowa and South Carolina, but they can’t readily explain his similar polling advantages in Michigan, Delaware or Florida. The truth is that the polls indicating Huckabee tied with Rudy for the national lead indicate that his support is evenly divided between those who describe themselves as Evangelical Christians and those who identify with some other religious tradition or no faith at all. Not all Huck’s supporters are Evangelical, and not all Evangelicals support Huckabee.

In fact, very few prominent Christian Conservatives have endorsed the Arkansas Traveler – Romney in particular has drawn back from more famous Evangelicals than has Huckabee, while many others support Thompson, McCain or even Guiliani – just ask Pat Robertson. In other words, contrary to the Washington Post’s infamous (and long ago) description of Christian conservatives as “poor, uneducated and easily led,” the Evangelical community is decidedly split in this campaign. In addition to its other revelations, the Huckabee campaign shows that conservative Christians represent no dangerous or monolithic cult, but a diverse, complex and politically maturing community. If nothing else, the Huckabee campaign has provided a means for some disillusioned members of that community to rally behind a Republican candidate who offered a genial alternative when all his rivals seemed unacceptable for one reason or another.

Huckabee’s critics should acknowledge these contributions even while they continue their fierce assault on the candidate’s statements and record. For several reasons, it’s a bad idea at this stage to try to knee-cap or smear or discredit the former Arkansas governor, finding (or manufacturing) an endless stream of bitter charges meant to cripple him permanently.

Most obviously, serious political players ought to recognize the real possibility that Mike Huckabee will be on a national ticket at some point – if not as a Presidential nominee, then as a Vice Presidential candidate, and if not in 2008 then in some future election (Huckabee is only 51 – the only one of the GOP “Big Five” below the age of 60.) Even if his current campaign falters or collapses, he’s run such a remarkable race that he’s certain to remain a factor in national politics for many years to come. Republicans gain nothing by trying to discredit an individual who has earned, like it or not, his status as one of the party’s prominent leaders.

At the same time, Huckabee’s competitors should attempt to keep any attacks focused and fair. In that context, Governor Romney just sent out an especially nasty mailer comparing Huckabee to one of his predecessors as Arkansas governor, Bill Clinton—a particularly low blow for Republicans. In this context, Romney’s propaganda slams Huckabee for supporting “amnesty for illegal aliens” --- without acknowledging that the former Arkansas Governor now supports an immigration plan even more unyieldingly hard-line than Romney’s (you can read all about it on Huckabee’s website). Governor Romney insists on his own right to change his mind on big issues (including abortion, gun control, gay rights, and even immigration—where as recently as 2006 he publicly supported a “path to legalization” that he now derides as “amnesty.”) If Romney wants people to focus on his current positions, not his past statements, then is it fair to deny the same consideration to Huckabee?

Finally, party leaders should try to avoid the impression of “ganging up” on Huck because they will need the voters he’s been able to mobilize. There’s no doubt that Huckabee has inspired and energized many citizens who hadn’t been excited by any other candidate. Republicans will seek those voters in November, not just in the Presidential race but in a horde of Congressional and statewide contests.

It won’t help to insult those Huckabee loyalists by describing them as religious fanatics, or anti-Mormon bigots, or ignorant rubes, nor does it make sense to treat their candidate as some sort of embarrassment or a pariah. Huckabee served ten-and-a-half years as a successful and popular governor (including his experience as lieutenant governor, he boasts three times the service in public office as Romney, and considerably more time as an elected official than Thompson, Hillary, Edwards or Giuliani). While arguing about the best candidate, and the right approach to the issues, all major contenders deserve respect and appreciation their achievement in deploying viable campaigns and engaging the public in the most wide-open, unpredictable presidential race in memory.

Michael Medved, nationally syndicated talk radio host, is author of 10 non-fiction books, including The Shadow Presidents and Right Turns.

Justice Fellowship: House Passes Second Chance Act, 11/15/07

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:05:00 +0000

House Passes Second Chance Act, 347-62

11/15/2007

The Second Chance Act passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly Tuesday evening by a vote of 347-62. It now moves to the Senate where we hope for quick action.

The bill authorizes a total of $165 million, of which $55 million will go to state and local governments to refocus their prisons on reentry, with other grants going for drug treatment, mentoring, mental health and family treatment programs.

Of particular importance is the $15 million appropriated for faith-based and community mentoring programs. The mentoring grants in the Second Chance Act will allow churches and community groups to recruit, train and match mentors with returning inmates. Studies of Prison Fellowship programs show that mentoring relationships are pivotal for prisoners trying to make a successful transition from prison to the community.

Description of Key Provisions

Demonstration Grants. Provides grants to states and local governments that may be used to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Allowable uses of funds include employment services, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims services and methods to improve release and revocation decisions using risk assessment tools.

Children and Families. Resources provided in the bill could be used for a variety of family strengthening programs such as maintaining family relationships when a parent is incarcerated, identifying barriers to collaborating with child welfare agencies in providing services, collecting information regarding dependent children of incarcerated persons, and developing programs that support parent-child relationships.

Mentoring Grants. Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that may be used for mentoring of adult offenders or providing transitional services for re-integration into the community.

Offender Reentry Substance Abuse Treatment. Provides grants to improve the availability of drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails and juvenile facilities.

Family drug treatment programs. Authorizes grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes to develop and implement family-based treatment programs for incarcerated parents who have minor children.

Federal Reentry Initiative. Provides guidance to the BOP for enhanced reentry planning procedures. Specific information on health, employment, personal finance, release requirements and community resources shall be provided to each inmate released.

With strong support from leaders of both parties, this bill stands as a shining example of bi-partisan cooperation. In the midst of often rancorous debate on other issues, the sponsors of this bill worked through significant philosophical differences to forge a bill that every Democrat and two-thirds of the Republicans could support. They deserve high praise for their persistence.

As I have often said, support for this bill carries no political advantage. There are no torch lit parades in legislators' districts demanding more help for prisoners trying to change their lives. Those who supported it did so merely because it was in the public interest. It would mean a lot to them if you thanked them for their support. You can check the vote tally to see how your legislator voted, and then email them through our Legislative Action Center. Or, a hand written note would even be a more personal way to express your gratitude.

While you are at our Legislative Action Center, it would be good to write your Senators and tell them how crucial it is to pass the Second Chance Act quickly. Most important, keep up the prayers. They availeth much.

In His service,

Pat Nolan

Vice President, Prison Fellowship

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Exclusive interview with Bella executive producer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:40:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indiana Right to Life

Exclusive interview with Bella executive producer

Evansville, Indiana - November 15, 2007 Indiana Right to Life is pleased to announce that it will air an exclusive interview with Bella executive producer Sean Wolfington on its weekly "Protecting Life: Real Talk, Real Issues" webcast this Saturday. The interview will coincide with the debut of the powerful pro-life movie in theaters across Indiana this coming weekend. NOTE: Bella was the $100,000 top prize winner in the 2007 Heartland Film Festival held in Indianapolis.

To listen to the Bella interview beginning Saturday, visit the Protecting Life webcast site.

Cities in which Bella will debut now include: Bloomington, Avon, Indianapolis, Carmel, Muncie, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and New Albany. Check your local theater listings for details.

Indiana Right to Life

Mike Fichter

Executive Director

email: mikefichter@protectinglife.com

phone: 888-240-8166

Stem-Cell Researchers Clone Monkey Embryo

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:34:00 +0000

by Joe Palca

Listen Now [3 min 26 sec]

All Things Considered, November 14, 2007 · Scientists have announced another first in cloning: They have cloned a primate embryo. The researchers in Oregon say they used those cloned monkey embryos to derive embryonic stem cells.

A few years ago, South Korean scientists said they had done the same thing with human cells, but that turned out to be a fraud. The journal that published this new work took the unusual step of having an independent laboratory verify the results.

Researchers hope to one day use such a process in humans to create customized stem-cell therapies for individual patients.

National Council for Adoption is promoting Bella movie

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:19:00 +0000

From: National Council For Adoption [mailto:ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 2:59 PM
To: news@floydandpartners.com
Subject: NCFA is forwarding you a special message from the producers of Bella

Bella did so well the distributor is doubling the theaters, but this weekend is do or die -- and we need your help.

If we do well – we will get a wide release during the busiest season of the year – Thanksgiving!

If not, we will be cancelled from theaters before the holiday.

The good news is that Bella is the #1 Top Rated Movie in the US according to Yahoo, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes & New York Times Readers Poll and the only thing we need is your help promoting it.

Also, this week two individuals contacted us who were both scheduled for abortions this week. After watching Bella, because of God’s grace and the beautiful message of Bella, both are now choosing life.

Please help us have a strong weekend, so Bella can touch and transform as many lives as possible this holiday.

Corby Pons

Metanoia Films

Vice President Coalitions

Email: Corby@MetanoiaFilms.com

Phone: 202-302-6662

If you are interested in helping Bella here is what you can do:

Send this email to your entire data base

Adopt a theater by buying all the tickets for a particular Showtime. (cost of $1500-$3000) To do this visit: www.HelpBella.com

Adopt a market by buying 5k-10k tickets for a market. To do this call Jason at 202-375-9805

Volunteer to promote Bella in your market. bellachampion@gmail.com

5. Promote Bella through every means possible, online and offline. To do this read below and get tools at www.BellaFaith.com

Here is the O’Reilly interview on Fox: http://www.foxnews.com/video2/player06.html?110907/110907_oreilly_prolife&OReilly_Factor&Pro-Life%20Agenda%3F&acc&O%26%2339%3BReilly%20Factor&-1&Shows&276.342&&&new

Eduardo Verastegui’s story: www.BellaFaithNews.com

National List of Theaters for Bella: http://bellathemovie.com/theater/

Passion of the Christ. The Passion showed how

Christ died for us and Bella shows how we

should live for others”

–Steve McEveety

Executive Producer of Braveheart

and a producer of The Passion of Christ

www.BellaTheMovie.com

www.BellaFaithNews.com

Here are some great videos you can watch…

-To view the lead actor’s testimony, interviews & the Passion video visit: www.BellaFaithNews.com

-To view Bella’s trailer visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9AkTrbxgk

-To view the Passionate Speech that Tony Bennett gave praising Bella visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0

PPS: HERE ARE WEBSITES TO HELP YOU PROMOTE BELLA

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-To adopt a theatre you can visit: www.HelpBella.com
-To view news visit: www.BellaFaithNews.com
-To view videos you can visit: www.BellaFaithVideos.com
-To view and forward Bella emails with trailers and testimonials visit: www.BellaFaithEmails.com
-To download promotional resources visit: www.BellaChristianResources.com
-To view our photo album check out www.BellaMoviePhotos.com
-To buy tickets you can visit our website: www.BellaTheMovie.com - the new trailer is there also

REVIEWS & QUOTES

ABC NEWS
A romantic drama….Mexican director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's Bella tells the story of two people whose lives converge and turn upside down on a single day in New York. It has won the People's Choice Award, which is often an indicator of future Academy Award nominations.

RUETERS:
TORONTO (Reuters) - "Bella," a romantic drama by Mexican director Alejandro Monteverde, was the surprise winner of the top award at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday….. The prize is often an indicator of future Academy Award nominations, with past recipients including best picture winners "American Beauty" and "Chariots of Fire."Last year's winner, "Tsotsi," won an Oscar for best foreign-language film. "I really hope that this is not a dream and that I don't wake up at film school," a visibly surprised Monteverde said at an awards ceremony. "This festival is my first festival, it's my first film. It’s my first everything."

NEW YORK TIMES WEBSITE:
A man whose life is about to be changed forever discovers that sometimes it takes losing it all to finally appreciate the things that truly matter in director Alejandro Monteverde's emotional tale of self discovery. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide Click link below to view actual article
You can get NY Times article by going to this link: http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=348546

FOX NEWS
I am very pleased that the Toronto Film Festival chose "Bella" to win their top audience award over the weekend…. It's incredibly charming, with terrific performances by Tammy Blanchard and Mexican star Eduardo Verástegui and Manny Perez. It's directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde. It's too easy to say this is the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" of this season, because "Bella" is far more complex and sophisticated while losing none of the humor. Whoever decides to release "Bella" will have a nice little hit on their hands. The freshness and lack of affectation in "Bella" must have appealed to audiences who had to endure a number of big-name films that seemed contrived, stale or calculated. You can get read the article by going to this link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214255,00.html

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: “Bella” Wins
TORONTO -- A trio of Mexicans triumphed at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday when their U.S. independent drama "Bella" captured the People's Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences…. "These Mexican guys go to America and beat the American independents at their game -- it's impressive," Toronto festival co-director Noah Cowan said after an awards luncheon. You can get Hollywood Reporter logo and authors name for the article by going to this link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003123305

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: The Story Behind “Bella”
Winning in Toronto can be the first step on the road to Oscar and Golden Globes success. "Bella" could wind up following in the footsteps of such past Toronto winners as: "American Beauty," which won five Oscars in 2000, including best picture and director, and three Globes, including best picture and director; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which won four Oscars in 2001, including best foreign language film, was a best picture Oscar nominee and won two Globes, including best director for Ang Lee. Read the article at this link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003221195

VARIETY
"This movie depicts the culture but also transcends it," said Pilar O'Leary, exec director of the Smithsonian Institute's Latino Center. "It has universal appeal."Which is why the Latino Center is presenting Verastegui and helmer Alejandro Monteverde with its award for emerging talent. Pic doesn't see release until August, but because of the increasing buzz, the Mexican Embassy wanted to sponsor a private screening as part of its Cinco de Mayo bash. -William Triplett, Variety.com To read entire article visit this link: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964437.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=bella

AFI (American Film Institute) Movie Review - Dallas
Life is really, really hard; thank god it's so beautiful - it's one of those rare films that catches you by the emotional short hairs and refuses to let go. By the time the final reel plays, you're going to be weeping tears of commingled sadness and joy - unless you happen to have blocked tear ducts. (And, if you do, you might consider a viewing of this movie as a possible cure.) Bella is really not so much a love story (in the sense of two people falling head over heels) as it is a story about love and how it can heal psychic wounds and enrich our lives. -John P. Meyer, AFI Dallas. To read article visit this link: http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/mar/28/afi-dallas-movie-review-ibellai/

InCONTENTION.com
"Bella" marks the debut feature of Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, a truly humble man in awe of the fact that he's actually made it here. It's better to know as little as possible about this film before going into it but let me tell you that it feels both sincere and loving. It's great to see a film that legitimately moves the viewer without being drowned in sap. And it does this in just 90 minutes. If it comes your way, see it. You won't regret it. You can read the article by going to this link: http://www.incontention.com/toronto/2006/09/beautiful_indeed.html

CNN - Ana Maria Montero
“Powerful and moving... a true inspiration.”

NBC, MIAMI
"Bella is a romantic drama full of heart, soul and beautiful messages. It's a film that will stay with you forever! Powerful, passionate and unpredictable, Bella is a rare gem, a true surprise. A movie that can transform your life and keep you thinking. Bella is a cinematic jewel. One of the best films I've seen in a long time".Watch out for its extraordinary cast, especially Mexican leading man Eduardo Verastegui, truly the “Brad Pitt of Latin America”. -- Maria Salas, NBC-Miami

The last film with Bella’s momentum was the Passion of the Christ.”

–Steve McEveety

Executive Producer of Braveheart

and a producer of The Passion of Christ

A Summary of the article written by the Smithsonian is below:

BELLA Filmmakers win Toronto Film Festival and are honored by the Smithsonian, White House & Mexican Embassy

Little film has big heart and big hopes forthe Oscar

Bella Wins the Most Influential Film Festival in the World
· Bella is one of 300 films to get into the Toronto International Film Festival, amongst over 5,000 films that have applied.
· Bella took top prize at Toronto International Film Festival by winning the “The People’s Choice” Award.
· Previous winners have gone on to win Oscars for Best Picture including films like: Chariots of Fire, American Beauty, Life is Beautiful, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hotel Rwanda.
· Bella has been the official selection of the following Film Festivals: LA Latin Film Festival,Miami, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Dallas, Austin SXSW, and Mexican Film Festival.

Bella Honored by Smithsonian, White House & Mexican Embassy
· Bella honored by Smithsonian Latino Center at private screening hosted by Jeb and Columba Bush at the Gusman Center in Miami. The Smithsonian Latino Center is giving Bella filmmakers the “Legacy Award” at their annual Gala in September for being amongst the most influential Latino role models of their time.
· Bella’s director, Alejandro Monteverde, has received the “American By Choice” Award at a private reception at the White House for his contributions to Latino arts and culture
· The Mexican Ambassador selected Bella for a special film presentation at the Embassy’s Cultural Institute before their Cinco De Mayo event for Hispanic leaders.

Bella Has Oscar Hopes
· There is speculation that Bella might do what another heart-warming film did 25-years-ago. Chariots of Fire, the little-known independent British film, also by a first-time director and featuring unknown actors, surprised everyone by winning Toronto and then winning an Oscar for best picture over the $35million star-studded Reds. Perhaps history will repeat itself.
· In light of the fact that Mexican film makers broke a record this year, garnering 17 Oscar nominations for films like Babel (Alejandro González Iñárritu) , Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro) and Children of Men (Alfonso Cuarón), many people hope Bella’s Mexican filmmakers will follow in the footsteps of last year’s Mexican Oscar winners.

Bella Brings Together Record Breaking Artists For A Cause That Matters
· After falling in love with the film, record-breaking Grammy Award winning Latino musician artist Alejandro Sanz donates two songs to the Bella soundtrack.
· Lead singer of Switchfoot donates two songs to contribute to Bella’s mission, to make movies that matter.
· Bella’s soundtrack has a waiting list of fans wanting to buy it months before release.

Bella filmmakers travel the world to build support from leaders who share their mission
· Bella’s filmmaker’s mission is to make movies that matter. They want to make films that make a positive impact on the world.
· They have set their careers aside to promote their mission and to build support for the August release of Bella
· Bella’s grass roots marketing efforts have resulted in hundreds of theaters being pre-purchased for exclusive screenings the week before the film’s weekend release.
· Thousands of supporters volunteered to promote Bella leading up to its August release.
· A documentary has been capturing how Bella’s first-timer filmmakers turned a dream into an award-winning film in less than a year with out the financing and support of Hollywood.

Links to other articles:

http://www.bellathemovie.com/news/

You can contact NCFA by mail, phone, fax, and e-mail:

National Council For Adoption

225 N. Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314

703-299-6633 (Phone)

703-299-6004 (fax)

ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org

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click here

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City to hold business startup forum

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:51:00 +0000

Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly--The city of Fort Wayne will again provide tools to help individuals start their own small or home-based business at the Self-Employment and Start-Up Business forum at Thursday.

According to a statement from the city, small businesses comprise more than 99.7 percent of all employers, and Indiana income from those businesses totals more than $10 billion a year.

The forum is the result of a collaboration between Women's Enterprise, SCORE, the federal Small Business Administration and National City Bank. The forum will instruct businesses on how to develop business and financial plans, comply with code, zoning and health requirements and marketing a product or service.

The forum will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday in the Omni Room at the City-County Building. For more resources, visit the city's "Starting a Business Guide" on its Web site, www.cityoffortwayne.org. (web link for this article).

Welcome Todd Starnes to the Blogosphere

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:47:00 +0000

From: Kim Collins, World Magazine Journalism Institute
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 4:09 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Todd Starnes new blog

Dear Grads:

Todd Starnes, anchor at Fox News Radio, is a good friend of WJI, so we wanted to let you know about his new blog!

Kim

-----Original Message-----

From: Starnes, Todd [mailto:Starnes@FOXNEWS.COM]

Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 11:05 PM

To: Robert Case

Subject: RE: greetings

Bob,

Hope all is well. I was wondering if you might help me promote my new blog

at Fox? Here's a link to the site. Thanks, Todd

http://www.foxnews.com/health/marathontodd/index.html

Coach Dungy Invites You To Mentor A Prisoner

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:42:00 +0000

The Indiana Family Institute is pleased to partner with the Indiana Department of Corrections to help recruit Hoosier volunteers to work with offenders (prisoners) preparing to return home after having paid their debt to society. A range of prison ministry or volunteer opportunities are available, and you can learn more on our website, www.hoosierfamily.org.

It is also an honor for us that Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, who received the Institute's Friend of the Family award, along with his wife, Lauren, in March, is serving as the spokesman for the campaign via a public service ad and a "webmerical" he made for IFI. Again, both are viewable on our website. (more)

Did Love Win Out?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:36:00 +0000

For those of you who have not been following along at home, Bil Browning is a gay activist and the founder of www.bilerico.com. I am the Director of Operations and Public Policy at the Indiana Family Institute. A couple of months ago I invited Bil to the Love Won Out conference, which subsequently led to him inviting me to a screening of "Inlaws and Outlaws." (more).

Award-winning "Bella" opens Fort Wayne theaters Fri 11/16/07

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:22:00 +0000

The movie "Bella," winner of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and eight other awards, will open Friday, November 16th, at theaters in Fort Wayne (see below for locations). Bella is captivating audiences nationwide with its beautiful production and powerful pro-life message.

Without giving away the whole storyline, the movie is about "a man whose life is about to be changed forever who discovers that sometimes it takes losing it all to finally appreciate the things that truly matter".

It is rare that the film industry produces such a high quality production that embraces the values found in “Bella.” In order to show support for such productions, Allen County Right to Life is encouraging pro- life supporters across Indiana to make plans to attend a showing of Bella this week end and encourage family members and friends to do the same.

An interview with Executive Producer, Sean Wolfington, will be aired on “iChooselife Radio Magazine” this Saturday morning at 10:00 am on WFCV 1090 AM. More information about Bella can be found on their website at www.bellathemovie.org

Regal Coldwater Crossing Stadium 14

211 W Washington Center Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
(260) 483-0225

Carmike 20

3930 East Dupont Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 373-0868

IRTL-PAC presidential endorsement not yet determined

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:11:00 +0000

Evansville, Indiana - November 14, 2007 In the wake of yesterday's announced endorsement of presidential candidate Fred Thompson by the National Right to Life Political Action Committee, the Indiana Right to Life Political Action Committee is clarifying that its presidential endorsement has not yet been issued. "We are on our own timeline and will make our presidential endorsement when we feel the timing is right," notes Mike Fichter, chairman of the IRTL-PAC. While acknowledging that Thompson's candidacy will be included in its endorsement discussions, Indiana Right to Life remains deeply troubled over Thompson's recent comments on NBC's "Meet the Press" stating that he does not support the plank in the Republican Party Platform advocating a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution.
Indiana Right to Life PAC

Mike Fichter

Chairman

email: mikefichter@protectinglife.com

phone: 888-240-8166