SPOTLIGHT ON WESTSIDE NON-PROFITS

Above from left: Jack Valenti, Barry Meyer, Senator Patrick Leahy Right: Front row- Tricia Leigh Fisher, Marc Cherry, Joely Fisher; Back row- Ruta Leigh, Debbie Reynolds, Connie Stevens

Giving Back, Making a Difference Below: Artist Thom Beirdz at work; Adrienne Papp with baby tiger from By Adrienne Papp Wild Life Way Station

HE WORLD The center has become an internationally work please visit www.thombierdz.com. would have for our readers, he replied: “You HAS BECOME recognized world leader in treatment for mental To find out more about the Thalians log on to know, it really comes down to just stepping TA STRANGE illness, which by the way is our nation’s number www.thethalians.com or call 310-423-1040. out and doing the RIGHT THING.” Doing the PLACE. THE IDEALS one health problem. right thing, being an exceptional humanitarian OF COMMUNITY, The lavish gala on October 7 honored The American Jewish Committee (AJC, is what we all can learn from Barry Meyer. SUPPORT AND Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry www.ajc.org) presented Barry Meyer, Chairman Success does not have to be about aggression, COMPASSION SEEM along with Connie Stevens and daughters Joely and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment with but rather about humility and compassion. Our TO BE THE LEAST Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher. Previous honorees the Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Human opportunities to do good are our talents. OF OUR PRIORITIES. of The Thalians include Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Relations Award at a gala dinner held in his ISOLATION AND Minelli, Mary Tyler Moore, Shirley MacLaine, honor on October 19 at the Regent Beverly A FEELING OF DISCONNECTION ARE NOT Lana Turner, and Rita Hayworth. Wilshire Hotel. Keynote speaker, Senator ONLY MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR I cannot help but mention my favorite part Patrick Leahy gave a heartfelt speech putting 21ST-CENTURY DISEASES, BUT ALSO TO of the evening. A six-week-old baby tiger the light on human rights and the First THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. was brought on stage, thanks to Wildlife Way Amendment. Jack Valenti, former President THIS MONTH I ATTENDED A NUMBER OF Station, an internationally recognized exotic and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS PUT ON BY animal haven. (I was lucky enough to sneak in America presented the award. SOME OF THE OLDEST CHARITIES IN LOS a photo with the little cub backstage-talk about Tolerance, understanding, cooperation, ANGELES, AND I MET SOME AMAZING finger sucking for comfort!) Wildlife Way Station compassion, humanitarianism and charitable PEOPLE. I FELT A SENSE OF BELONGING, is famous for its charitable efforts to rescue and activities were the themes of this most COMMUNITY AND EVEN OF FAMILY IN rehabilitate wild animals and is situated on 160 unforgettable evening. The Committee was THEIR PRESENCE-AND THESE DAYS, SUCH acres in California’s Angeles National Forest. established 100 years ago and focuses on FEELINGS HAVE BECOME ALL TOO RARE. You can take an African safari, get to know the promoting pluralism; shared civic values; inhabitants, and have the time of your life! For protecting human rights and combating abuses A night to remember with The sponsorship and other information log on to and bigotry. It also plays an activist role in www.wildlifewaystation.org. social justice. “Love your country, question your Thalians and The American Extraordinary artist Thom Bierdz is a government, be a true patriot,” encouraged Jewish Committee dedicated supporter of the Thalians. Both his Senator Leahy, an outspoken defender of art and exceptional life story have appeared in human rights. “Anger, resentment, ego and Thalia, muse of comedy and poetry, and numerous national magazines and television pride is wrong. Humility, generosity, truth and symbol of medicine and service to community shows, including Entertainment Tonight, NBC compassion are the right thing to do, which is dates to mid-second century Rome. The Thalia News, and Fox News. His heartbreaking family what Barry Meyer represents,” he added. legend inspired The Thalians, an internationally story translates into his unique works of art and In addition to Barry Meyer’s significant renowned charitable organization that brings joy, remarkable book, Forgiving Troy, recounting professional success, he has made many health and renewal into the lives it touches. his journey to understanding and forgiving contributions to civic and charitable activities. Over the last 51 years the Thalians raised his brother for killing their mother and then Under his leadership, Warner Bros. has a remarkable $30 million and have been the committing suicide. Thom has triumphed over consistently ranked as the strongest, most driving force behind the Thalians Mental tragedy and uses his experiences as a platform profitable and best-positioned studio in the Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. to create art that is like no other. To view Thom’s industry. When I asked what message he

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