Celebrity Autographs And Celebrity Addresses

By Dr. Lori



Editor’s note: The autor, Dr. Lori, is seen on CBS TV’s "Trash or Treasure." She Dr. Lori holds a doctorate in art history and is a certified art and antiques appraiser and museum curator.

My New England roots and my suburban Philadelphia residency make Super Bowl XXXIX particularly difficult. Both thrilled and torn by my favorite teams matching-up, my heart remains with football fans and sports memorabilia buffs on Feb. 6.

Tiffany’s football

Two of my most favorite categories of collectibles will be on display in sunny Jacksonville - sports and jewelry. Could a girl ask for anything more? As the 78,000-seat Alltel Stadium hosts the Super Bowl, Jacksonville hosts an exhibit of artifacts from the Football Hall of Fame.

The Super Bowl history exhibit features the sterling silver (that’s 925 parts per 1,000 pure) Vince Lombardi Trophy. Crafted by Tiffany’s and named for Green Bay’s legendary coach, the Lombardi trophy stands 22 inches tall, weighs 7 pounds, and costs $25,000.

The pyramidal trophy features a sculpted football appropriate for any team’s front office. The exhibit dazzles with the NFL’s complete set of gold, gemstone, and diamond encrusted Super Bowl rings. Alongside signed photos and vintage equipment, the ring display features every Super Bowl ring from the 1967 Green Bay Packers World Championship ring to the 2004 New England Patriots (Super Bowl XXXVIII) ring.

Super Bowls of ice cream

Not the ostentatious exhibit type? Perhaps a Philadelphia-style Super Bowl party complete with a big screen TV, cartons of Turkey Hill ice cream, and official Eagles bags of Utz potato chips is more your style.

Low in price and high in availability, collectible team party food is always popular. Offered in supermarkets and on eBay, fun fan collectibles are easy to collect, but difficult to keep in original, uneaten condition.

While staying home on Super Bowl Sunday could be bad for your waistline, it is good for your wallet. The money you saved on airfare, hotels, and coveted Super Bowl XXXIX game tickets -starting at $5,000 for a 50-yard line seat-can buy some super collectibles.

Green Bays and Jets

Serious Super Bowl collectors know that the most desirable items are from Super Bowls I, II, and III. In 1967, the cheap seats at the LA Coliseum for Super Bowl I were $6. Today, that unused World Championship ticket when Green Bay took the title is worth $1,000.

After researching actual sales records for a 1968 Super Bowl II program documenting Lombardi’s last game as Green Bay’s coach, I found examples that sold from $500 to $800. Also, sports memorabilia collectors are enthusiastic Super Bowl III items that relate to star players: Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas. Unused Super Bowl III tickets sell for $1,250 because they are the first items where the words "Super Bowl" appear. History drives the collectibles market and celebrity status increases value - Super Bowl III had it all.

A numbers game

Patterns of early Super Bowl collecting teach us valuable lessons about this year’s Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots items. For vintage memorabilia collectors, save tickets, programs, and autographs. Like seasoned collectors who snatched up items from the first three Super Bowls, I advise today’s collectors who want the best Super Bowl XXXIX items to play by the numbers.

Keep collecting by numerical sequence - Super Bowls I, II, III, and superstars No. 4 and No. 5.

Collect items associated with New England kicker Adam Vinatieri, who wears No. 4. Vinatieri has been responsible for closing the door on both Patriots Super Bowl wins with a 48-yard field goal in 2002 and a 41-yarder in 2004. Of course, quarterback Tom Brady items are solid Patriots collectibles as long as you stick to Brady’s football items and forget his short-lived Montreal Expos baseball career.

Fabulous No. 5

Of course, No. 5 means only one thing in Philadelphia: Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. All McNabb collectibles, from authentic practice jerseys to signed Campbell soup cans from his Chunky Soup"!commercials, have market strength and will increase in value.

Football collectors and Philadelphians alike can’t get enough of McNabb or his Mother who appears with him in the popular ads. Look for hard-to-find and historic Eagles collectibles: unused and snowy 2004 NFC Championship game tickets, Terrell Owen’s ankle cast, press materials of the last-minute Eagles/Jeff Thomason contract, Brian Westbrook’s "West 36" t-shirts, and digital audio clips from head coach Andy Reid’s radio show.

Whether your favorite team hails from Foxboro or the City of Brotherly Love, this year’s face-off certainly offers collectors great options for remembering Super Bowl XXXIX. See you in Jacksonville.

As seen on CBS TV’s Trash or Treasure, Dr. Lori holds a Ph.D. in art history and is a certified art and antiques appraiser and museum curator. Watch Dr. Lori on Comcast CN8 TV’s Your Morning program weekdays at 9 a.m. For information and broadcast schedule, visit www.drloriv.com or call (888) 431-1010.

CMA Announces First Round of Artists Appearing at 2005 CMA Music Festival



NASHVILLE, TN. (CMA) - Four days, 30 hours of autograph signings, 70 hours of live music, more than 200 Country Music artists and celebrities, and more than 130,000 fans add up to one major musical event - 2005 CMA Music Festival "Country Music's Biggest Party(TM)," held Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12, in Downtown Nashville, Tenn.
"CMA Music Festival has become the must attend event for any Country Music enthusiast," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. "This is a party with something for everyone. The music spans the genre and the activities appeal to all ages - from children in the Family Zone to the party-hardy club hoppers during After Hours. And the opportunities to meet and interact with the artists, a hallmark of this event for the past 34 years, continue with numerous activities for every taste and interest, from archery to cooking."

With hundreds of artists expected to participate and more than 70 hours of concerts at venues centrally located in Downtown Nashville, CMA Music Festival is a four-day, non-stop celebration of America's music for people of all ages who love great songs, great artists and a great time.

Dubbed the "crown jewel" of Country Music festivals by USA Today, CMA Music Festival builds on the reputation of Fan Fair, which was created exclusively for the fans in 1972. And 34 years later, the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their admirers remains at the heart of CMA Music Festival. Each June, the artists take time out of their busy touring schedules to play for free, meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos, to give back to the people and community that have supported them throughout the year.

"We are thrilled to continue our message of 'Country Music Without Prejudice' with our first appearance at the CMA Music Festival," said Big Kenny and John Rich of Big & Rich. "We are also excited that our first Raybaw Records artist, Cowboy Troy, will be a part of the show."

"There's no place to have a better time than at the CMA Music Festival," said LeAnn Rimes. "I get to spend personal time with my fans, who I love, plus hear some of the greatest music in the world. It's Country Music's most exciting week of the year."

"It is always a privilege to have the opportunity to perform for so many enthusiastic Country Music fans all gathered in one place," said Heidi Newfield Johnson of Trick Pony. "We know that the 2005 CMA Music Festival will be the best ever and we can't wait!"

"CMA Music Festival is such a great event to be involved with," said Phil Vassar. "We have the best fans in the world and to have them all in one place and fee the energy and excitement is pretty amazing. I'm proud to be participating again this year."

"Growing up, I always dreamed of performing in front of the fans that visited Nashville during Fan Fair," said Brad Cotter. "Last year, after winning ' Nashville Star,' I met the most amazing people from part of the country I've never even visited, and it really showed me the impact Country Music has on their lives. I feel fortunate to be a part of the renowned event, even though I'm a fan of a lot of the artists."

"The thing I love most about CMA Music Festival are all the interesting people I get to meet," said Jon Randall. "Everyone already knows what I do for a living so it's interesting for me to find out what the fans do."

Also appearing are Trace Adkins, Steve Azar, Dierks Bentley, Brad Cotter, Billy Currington, Josh Gracin, The Jenkins, Jo Dee Messina, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, Julie Roberts, Keith Urban, Jimmy Wayne, Mark Wills, Gretchen Wilson, Darryl Worley and Michelle Wright with more artists to be added.

CMA Music Festival has a lot to offer including nightly, star-packed concerts at The Coliseum with state-of-the-art production, two huge stages for continuous entertainment, the popular CMA Music Festival Photo Line and giant video screens capturing all of the excitement.

In addition to the nightly concerts, you'll find daily, non-stop music at the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages with an eclectic lineup of artists performing on dual stages, including Country hit-makers, rising stars, legends, stellar bluegrass performers and surprise guests. Artists will perform from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Thursday through Saturday, June 9-11, and 10:30 AM to 6 PM Sunday, June 12.

"We have attended twice - in 2001 and 2002 - and came with two of our children. It is what you want it to be. Music can be heard all day long [Downtown] and at the stadium at night. Walking through Nashville, seeing the sights and watching your children take it all in and appreciate the music makes the trip worthwhile," said Terry Maske of Oak Forest, Ill.

But, CMA Music Festival isn't just about seeing artists in concert. The event offers numerous opportunities for fans to interact and see their favorite stars in unique settings, whether it's getting an autograph in the Wrangler Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) at the Nashville Convention Center; asking questions during the CMA Celebrity Close Up series; or standing clear as the artists fire arrows at targets during the "Fourth Annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament."

Back for a second year in 2005, the Sports Zone will be held on the grounds at The Coliseum. Free of charge and open to all sports and Country Music enthusiasts from 3:00-7:00 PM, Thursday and Friday, June 9-10, and 2:00- 7:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12.

The Sports Zone is also the hot spot for free concerts prior to the nightly Coliseum shows. The Sports Zone offers fans the opportunity to participate in sports activities plus see some of their favorite artists and professional athletes go head-to-head in friendly competitions.

A strong relationship exists between sports personalities and Country artists, and it is a proven winner with fans, too. In 2004, the Sports Zone featured appearances by top BASS anglers, NASCAR drivers, professional wrestlers, hockey and football stars.
Personal interaction remains a cornerstone of CMA Music Festival and theExhibit Hall at the Nashville Convention Center, proudly carrying the Fan Fair name and sponsored by Wrangler, is the epicenter of the fan/artist bonding experience. Country legends, newcomers and other celebrities meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos. For many fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to make a personal connection with someone they admire. For others, it is an opportunity to establish an early bond with a new artist on their way to stardom.

"The autograph sessions at the Exhibit Hall were unbelievable. Who would have thought that so many of the artists would actually make themselves available to sign so many autographs and pose for pictures? It truly is all about the artists and their fans," said Elizabeth Mauck of New Port Richey, Fla.

Added to Wrangler Fan Fair in 2004 and returning in 2005 is the Acoustic Corner, a totally acoustic performance area, which offers new artists another place to showcase their talent. For a deeper look into the lives of some of our musical heroes and their road to stardom, there is the CMA Celebrity Close Up, with two question-and-answer sessions Thursday, June 9, and Friday, June 10, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, hosted by media personality Lorianne Crook at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

CMA Celebrity Close Up gives fans an opportunity to submit questions for celebrity panels moderated by Crook. In 2004, participants included Trace Adkins, Kix Brooks, LeAnn Rimes, "JAG" actress Karri Turner, Darryl Worley, Mark Wills and more. The lineup for 2005 will be announced soon. A separate ticket is required. Call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) for advance, reserved-seating tickets at $10 ($15 at the door).

CMA Celebrity Close Up "was an absolutely wonderful time," said Terry Parrish of Taneytown, Md. "The ticket prices were great and affordable for all. It is so nice to see a different side of the artist. A very relaxed setting, joking, laughing and telling stories you would not normally get to hear during a concert. I would definitely recommend this type of show to others. It was GREAT."

Obviously, Country artists aren't the only ones making appearances at CMA Music Festival. The event has a long history of attracting artists and celebrities outside of the format such as Bryan Adams, the Beach Boys, Paul McCartney and actors Danny Glover, Maureen McCormick, Verne Troyer and more.
In 2004, the list of multi-faceted collaborations continued with Poison's Bret Michaels joining Chris Cagle for a performance and Uncle Kracker performing with Rachel Procter during The Coliseum shows.

Of all the celebrities who donate their time to the event, the stars of NBC Daytime dramas "Days of our Lives" and "Passions" are among the most popular. And they are back in 2005 for the fifth consecutive year to participate in a variety of CMA Music Festival activities, from signing autographs at Wrangler Fan Fair, to introducing concert performers and hosting the fifth annual "NBC Daytime After Hours Party," with skits and musical performances at the Wildhorse Saloon, Saturday, June 11 at 11:00 PM (separate ticket required). For information and tickets, call the Wildhorse Saloon (615) 902-8200 or http://www.wildhorsesaloon.com

The NBC Daytime event is just one of the many, late-night activities as part of CMA Music Festival After Hours - because the party doesn't stop after closing fireworks at The Coliseum. A wide assortment of clubs and bars in Downtown Nashville keep the party rolling until the wee hours with exclusive specials and entertainment for Festivalgoers.

If you're looking for the perfect place to take the entire family, CMA Music Festival offers the Bush's Baked Beans Family Zone, with special appearances by famous baked beans spokesduo Jay Bush and his dog Duke and free activities for all ages (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily). It's the place for children and adults to kic k back and have fun with games, hands-on educational exhibits, storytelling with Country artists and more. In fact, CMA Music Festival is very family friendly with discounts for fans 14 and younger, and as always, children 3 and younger are admitted free - making it an attractive family vacation value.
"The family zone was fun, and my husband just fell in love with Duke (The Bush Family dog). In fact, one day we followed him around so my husband could meet him. Little things like this really make a trip fun," said Barbara Metcalfe of New Hampshire.

New in 2005 will be the Crisco Country Favorites Corner, with celebrity chefs and recipe tips. And renamed the Fun Zone in 2005, the area of Broadway between First and Second Avenues in Downtown Nashville will once again bustle with activities for fans of all ages. The Fun Zone features "Lawry's Live," a TV-styled grilling show, plus other Lawry's activities including product sampling.
The Fun Zone is free and open to the public daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Four-day ticket packages are on sale now. Packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum.
Ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Greased Lightning Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Wrangler Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall); Sports Zone; Bush's Baked Beans Family Zone; Fun Zone; CMA Music Festival After Hours(TM); free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; and more.

LEVEL - Full Price - 14 and younger
Gold Circle - SOLD OUT - N/A
Floor (Field) - $145 - $100
Lower Level - $125 - $86
Club Level - $125 - $86

Paris Hilton Cleared of Shoplifting Charge


Posted on February 03, 2005



Hotel heiress Paris Hilton will not be formally charged for shoplifting her very own sex tape according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney.

Hilton was charged with trying to steal the video from a West Hollywood Swing News store last December.

A security video tape at the store caught Hilton tearing up a poster advertising her "One Night on Paris" sex tape. Hilton was also seen stealing a copy of the DVD, but the Los Angeles DA was said the available evidence would not be sufficient to get a guilty verdict.

Hilton's infamous sex tape debuted back in 2003, just before the launch her "Simple Life" reality series on Fox.

Sharpie Joins Forces with Football Great Howie Long to Launch the
2005 Sharpie Retractable 'Autographs For Education' Program

OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Is your autograph worth
$1 million? Today, Sharpie brings the autograph experience to life,
announcing a nationwide search for one million autographs in exchange for $1
million in school supplies and funds. The campaign, called Sharpie
Retractable "Autographs For Education," enlists celebrities and professional
athletes to inspire everyone to put their mark on education -- benefiting
students, teachers, schools and community-based education organizations across
the country.
Sharpie, the popular brand of permanent markers widely known as the
autograph pen of choice, is teaming up with NFL Hall of Famer and Emmy Award-
Winning Broadcaster Howie Long for a super-sized program launch in
Jacksonville, Fla. Long will kick off the "Autographs For Education" program
prior to football's biggest game with a public appeal for signatures, as well
as being the first to put his "official" autograph on Sharpie's quest for one
million. Additionally, he will spread the word about how schools can vie for
$25,000 worth of school supplies and how individuals can contend for $150,000
in college scholarships.
"I'm a father, so I know how children, teachers and parents need to have
the right tools to make the most of their education," Long said. "Many
schools lack even the most basic school supplies and parents are struggling to
save for their children's future. Today I'm asking everyone for their help
-- with a simple click of a Sharpie marker and a signature, we'll score a
million in no time."
Throughout the year, professional athletes and celebrities will rally
together with Sharpie to host special assemblies across the country. The
10-city tour will feature one-on-one interactions between students, teachers,
parents and their heroes, giving them a chance to meet the personalities up
close, as well as providing signatures on custom-designed, oversized autograph
walls in exchange for school supplies and funds, thanks to Sharpie.
"The Sharpie Retractable 'Autographs For Education' program is the most
comprehensive community effort in the brand's more than 40-year history," said
Rory Leyden, president of Sharpie. "Although we have executed this program on
a local level since 2003, we've broadened its reach this year in terms of the
dollar amount donated and the addition of college scholarships. We're certain
we'll reach the million mark for autographs because of partners like Howie
Long, as well as mainstream support for the most popular permanent marker."

Pro Athletes and Kids Show "Signature Moves" at the Sharpie Retractable
Clinic
Prior to football's biggest day of the year, several current professional
football players will contribute to the Autographs for Education campaign in
Jacksonville by leading the Sharpie Retractable "Signature Moves" Clinic for
kids. Athletes include Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward, Green Bay wide
receiver Donald Driver and Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez. The players
will have some fun with students from Jacksonville's Duval Community School
District, demonstrating signature end-zone celebrations like "The T.O.,"
Lambeau Field's famous "leap" and the "End-Zone Dunk."
The clinic will be held at Jacksonville's Museum of Science and History
today, to add momentum to the signature collection efforts and benefit the
students. The athletes will ask each participating student for his or her
autograph on an oversized autograph wall. In exchange, Sharpie will make a
donation to Jacksonville's participating schools.
"After this kickoff, we'll visit hundreds of cities across America,"
Leyden said. "We're fortunate to have a number of high-profile personalities
who will visit schools in a select number of these cities. Their goal will be
to motivate the students, faculty and parents, ask for autographs and, most
importantly, deliver thousands of dollars worth of school supplies and funds."

Sharpie Leaves its Signature on Schools and the Community -- Autographs in
Action
Sharpie Retractable's commitment to Autographs for Education includes
resources for teachers and fun for students online. From school supplies and
scholarships to lesson plans and a virtual autograph wall, more information
can be found on the Sharpie Web site, http://www.sharpie.com .
In the community, Sharpie's Autographs for Education tour will criss-cross
the country in a fleet of Sharpie-branded all-terrain vehicles throughout
2005, stopping at local festivals and special events. The vehicles feature
interactive games, product sampling opportunities, and official entry forms
for the signature collection effort. Complete sweepstakes rules and entry
methods can be found at retailers nationwide and at http://www.sharpie.com .
Inspired after a Sharpie marker was featured in a high-profile and
somewhat controversial touchdown celebration in 2002, Sharpie's Autographs for
Education program has been bringing motivation, funds and school supplies to
students, teachers and parents for two years. Since its inception, Sharpie
Autographs for Education athletes have included Philadelphia's Terrell Owens,
Pittsburgh's Hines Ward, Green Bay's Donald Driver, Seattle's Grant Wistrom,
Denver's Rod Smith, Tampa Bay's Brad Johnson, and Cleveland's Andre Davis,
among others.

About Sharpie Retractable
With a retractable writing tip and no caps to lose, Sharpie markers are
now easier and more convenient to use. Sharpie Retractable is available in
eight colors: black, red, blue, green, orange, berry, lime and turquoise. The
suggested retail price for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-packs are $4.89, $7.33, $9.78,
and $19.56, respectively. Available at office supply stores and other
retailers nationwide, Sharpie Retractable joins other significant writing
innovations that target a wide range of enthusiasts from the hobbyist to the
do-it-yourselfer.

About Sanford(R), Makers of Sharpie(R)
For more than 40 years, Sharpie is the popular brand of permanent markers
long-associated with the autograph experience. Sanford, maker of Sharpie, is
a division of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL), a worldwide leader in the
manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments, art products and office
organization, including such well known brands as Paper Mate(R), Sharpie(R),
Parker(R), Waterman(R), EXPO(R), Foohy(R), uni-ball(R), and Rolodex(R), among
others. Sanford makes more than 6,000 products, ranging from markers, pens and
pencils to professional art products, fine writing instruments and office
organization products. Visit http://www.sharpie.com or
http://www.sanfordcorp.com for more information.