2009: THE YEAR IN REVIEW!

Seasons Greetings
(Della Robbia Wreath from The Boys Republic)

Annual Steve McQueen Festival in March

Barbara Leigh with Steve on Set of Junior Bonner

Author Marshall Terrill

Barbara McQueen

Gordon Bethune

"A Tribute to Joni Mitchell"
Wendy Matthews, Katie Noonan, Rachel Gaudry.
Louise Perryman, Kristin Bernardi, Tania Bowra
and Virna Sanzone

Artist Connie Douglas

Author and former Beatles Manager Ken Mansfield

Brian and Janelle Jones

Brian with Natalie Rose Jones

Rich Mackney

Tom Jones

Trevor Tredaway

Inevitably, it seems only natural on the last day of 2009 to take a look back at this past year here on the BLOG Page with gratitude for so many memorable experiences. With your kind permission I'd like to share some of the highlights with you.

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Our feature "The Interview" brought forward a memorable visit with maverick airline CEO Gordon Bethune. I got a kick out of our visit in Continental Airline's downtown Houston offices at his mix of folksy examples of common sense peppered with bit of salty language. Later, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with a beautiful lady I first saw on the Big Screen in the movie Junior Bonner, actress and model Barbara Leigh. I was a kid when my best buddy and I were smitten with her in that film, and she laughed heartily at my story of the crush we had on her that summer! Who could have imagined I would be visiting with her--such a beautiful lady with a sweet personality. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Barbara. Marshall Terrill is a great friend of mine who will forever be associated with writing what is considered the seminal biography on actor Steve McQueen, "Portrait of an American Rebel". Through Marshall, many wonderful friendships were created and it was a pleasure to interview Marshall about his new book release on Steve appearing in 2010. Jeb Rosebrook, the screenwriter of Junior Bonner shared many memories of working on the set of the film with Steve and a memorable cast including Ida Lupino and Robert Preston. In March, Steve's widow and a dear friend to all of us, the lovely Barbara McQueen brought her photo exhibition from her years with Steve featured in her book "Steve McQueen: The Last Mile" to Chandler, Arizona. At the event, Barbara and Jeb spoke to the audience and answered questions from many admirers. Our Annual Steve McQueen Film Festival attracted nearly 7,000 hits during its run and I am grateful to my Special Guests who contributed so much to the Festival experience on my Blog.

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Artist Connie Douglas shared her art and Shnnoogle book series for children on "The Interview", and former Beatles manager Ken Mansfield also visited me with his new book release, "Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road". Ken was present on the rooftop of the Apple Building in London for what became The Beatles final performance captured in the film, Let It Be. Incredible!

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September was "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" and it was a busy month. I managed to write a heartfelt tribute to the late Gunner Gillespie, who will always remain in our hearts. Fifteen months in the planning stages, I was very honored to interview Brian and Janelle Jones, parents of the late Natalie Rose Jones. Natalie and Gunner died of a cancerous brain tumor called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gloma). The Jone's touched each of us by reaching out to parents worldwide and sharing from their experience with Natalie from their hearts, while helping the rest of us to understand this disease. Today, thanks to Brian and Janelle, more people are familiar with DIPG. There are 250 children diagnosed annually worldwide.

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In October, Rich Mackney graciously accepted my invitation to appear as my Special Guest on "The Interview". One year ago, Rich was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease". A great friend, Rich's remarkable courage led him to share a message of Hope with all of us in addition to addressing current and future treatments underway to cure ALS. Stay in touch with Rich on his website listed on my Blogroll!

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Several fun features included a video performance of singer Tom Jones in Las Vegas with his arrangement of Hoobastank's hit song "The Reason", while seven talented and lovely women in Australia created and sang a Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert in Oz. We featured two tongue-in-cheek blog series': "10 Blogs of April Past" and "A Reality Check".

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The year ended warmly with news of beloved Actress and Model Ali MacGraw who chaired the Christmas Season Campaign of Della Robbia Holiday Wreaths created by students at The Boy's Republic in Chino Hills, California where actor Steve McQueen spent an important period of his youth as a student. Throughout the year, we also followed the journey of 4 year-old Trevor Tredaway's battle with brain cancer. My ongoing efforts to create a fundraising concert witnessed three efforts with a team of wonderful and caring volunteers. We were all challenged by the recession. Nevertheless, Trevor's journey is one that has also brought forward amazing examples of selfless love and generosity from many strangers who are now Trevor's new friends. The New Year will be terrific!

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Happy New Year to All of You!

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