Post by eaz35173 on Jan 31, 2013 7:04:16 GMT -5
www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Pierce+Brosnan+Michael+Keaton+among+stars+shine/7895284/story.html
Pierce Brosnan, Michael Keaton among the stars to shine for Waterkeeper fundraiser at Banff, Sunshine
By Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald January 30, 2013
There will be some new faces, some old faces and one notable absentee this year as green-leaning celebs head for the hills of Banff and Sunshine in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Waterkeeper Alliance fundraiser.
Former James Bond and Remington Steele star Pierce Brosnan has signed up. Beetlejuice, Mr. Mom and one-time caped crusader Michael Keaton is also among the newbies scheduled for the festivities, which kick off Thursday at the Fairmont Banff Springs and culminate with a gala on Saturday evening.
Star of both of Tim Burton’s Batman films, Keaton was recently in Toronto filming the RoboCop reboot.
“He’s been supportive of Waterkeeper, he’s never been to Alberta though,” says Mark Mattson, Canadian spokesman for the Waterkeeper Alliance.
“He’s been working in Canada on a new movie and really wanted to come up here.”
He will join a slew of celebs, including returnees Susan Sarandon, Edward James Olmos, Alicia Silverstone, Mimi Rogers, Fran Drescher, Marcia Gay Harden and, of course, a healthy representation of the Kennedy clan, including host Robert Jr.
Actor Alec Baldwin, who has co-hosted the event for years with Kennedy, will not be making an appearance this year, Mattson says.
“He’s involved with the Super Bowl or he would be here and he will be here in the future,” Mattson says.
This is the 11th year for the Waterkeeper Alliance Fundraiser. Celebs gather on Thursday night, take part in “sporting” events such as skiing, toboganning and snowshoeing Friday and Saturday at Sunshine and then gather at a gala and auction on Saturday evening. Country singer Lyle Lovett is scheduled to perform at the gala, which is the only event over the three days which is open to the public. Tickets are $500.
Traci Bingham, Dylan Bruno, Timothy Busfield, Tim Daly, Minnie Driver, Matthew Gubler, Robin Leach, Camryn Manheim, Cheech Marin and Alan Thicke are also scheduled to attend. “It is a big family of people who I consider more than just celebrities,” Mattson says. “They are intricately involved in the movement and are passionate about what we are trying to do.”
Over the years, these wintry events have raised more than $10-million for the Waterkeeper Alliance, a global environmental movement that unites 200 Waterkeeper organizations around the world that protect the world’s waterways.
Alberta’s water is covered under the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, Mattson said.
That group oversees the Waterkeeper Swim Guide and Drink Guide, which are both free smartphone apps, that keeps the public up-to-date on swimming and drinking water conditions.
While Alberta’s reputation may seem less-than-green thanks to its ties to the oil and gas industry, Mattson says the environmental movement is strong at the grassroots level.
“You really get a sense in Alberta that there’s a lot of care and connection to your waters,” says Mattson. “The Bow River, the Elbow — these rivers run right through urban centres and for all intents and purposes they seem well-protected and much cleaner than I’d find in Toronto or Hamilton or even Montreal.”
Still, Mattson says environmentalists see a war on public processes and environmental law in Canada. Some of the blame, invariably, floats back to Alberta.
“We’re losing and seeing many of them gutted in the last two omnibus bills,” Mattson says. “ I don’t see myself as an enemy and I don’t think consulting with our organization or seeking our input on important environmental decisions is red tape or unnecessary. I see it part of building a strong economy. I’m really upset that we are losing a lot of our federal environmental laws. That’s not Alberta’s fault. But many people in Canada associate it with coming from the prime minister and he is from here.”
The Banff Springs Sports Invitational Gala Dinner takes place at Fairmont Banff Springs. Call 1-403-762-1710.
evolmers@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Pierce Brosnan, Michael Keaton among the stars to shine for Waterkeeper fundraiser at Banff, Sunshine
By Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald January 30, 2013
There will be some new faces, some old faces and one notable absentee this year as green-leaning celebs head for the hills of Banff and Sunshine in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Waterkeeper Alliance fundraiser.
Former James Bond and Remington Steele star Pierce Brosnan has signed up. Beetlejuice, Mr. Mom and one-time caped crusader Michael Keaton is also among the newbies scheduled for the festivities, which kick off Thursday at the Fairmont Banff Springs and culminate with a gala on Saturday evening.
Star of both of Tim Burton’s Batman films, Keaton was recently in Toronto filming the RoboCop reboot.
“He’s been supportive of Waterkeeper, he’s never been to Alberta though,” says Mark Mattson, Canadian spokesman for the Waterkeeper Alliance.
“He’s been working in Canada on a new movie and really wanted to come up here.”
He will join a slew of celebs, including returnees Susan Sarandon, Edward James Olmos, Alicia Silverstone, Mimi Rogers, Fran Drescher, Marcia Gay Harden and, of course, a healthy representation of the Kennedy clan, including host Robert Jr.
Actor Alec Baldwin, who has co-hosted the event for years with Kennedy, will not be making an appearance this year, Mattson says.
“He’s involved with the Super Bowl or he would be here and he will be here in the future,” Mattson says.
This is the 11th year for the Waterkeeper Alliance Fundraiser. Celebs gather on Thursday night, take part in “sporting” events such as skiing, toboganning and snowshoeing Friday and Saturday at Sunshine and then gather at a gala and auction on Saturday evening. Country singer Lyle Lovett is scheduled to perform at the gala, which is the only event over the three days which is open to the public. Tickets are $500.
Traci Bingham, Dylan Bruno, Timothy Busfield, Tim Daly, Minnie Driver, Matthew Gubler, Robin Leach, Camryn Manheim, Cheech Marin and Alan Thicke are also scheduled to attend. “It is a big family of people who I consider more than just celebrities,” Mattson says. “They are intricately involved in the movement and are passionate about what we are trying to do.”
Over the years, these wintry events have raised more than $10-million for the Waterkeeper Alliance, a global environmental movement that unites 200 Waterkeeper organizations around the world that protect the world’s waterways.
Alberta’s water is covered under the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, Mattson said.
That group oversees the Waterkeeper Swim Guide and Drink Guide, which are both free smartphone apps, that keeps the public up-to-date on swimming and drinking water conditions.
While Alberta’s reputation may seem less-than-green thanks to its ties to the oil and gas industry, Mattson says the environmental movement is strong at the grassroots level.
“You really get a sense in Alberta that there’s a lot of care and connection to your waters,” says Mattson. “The Bow River, the Elbow — these rivers run right through urban centres and for all intents and purposes they seem well-protected and much cleaner than I’d find in Toronto or Hamilton or even Montreal.”
Still, Mattson says environmentalists see a war on public processes and environmental law in Canada. Some of the blame, invariably, floats back to Alberta.
“We’re losing and seeing many of them gutted in the last two omnibus bills,” Mattson says. “ I don’t see myself as an enemy and I don’t think consulting with our organization or seeking our input on important environmental decisions is red tape or unnecessary. I see it part of building a strong economy. I’m really upset that we are losing a lot of our federal environmental laws. That’s not Alberta’s fault. But many people in Canada associate it with coming from the prime minister and he is from here.”
The Banff Springs Sports Invitational Gala Dinner takes place at Fairmont Banff Springs. Call 1-403-762-1710.
evolmers@calgaryherald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
