Kevin Sorbo and Movieguide Awards on Hallmark Channel February 24

If you’re like me, and since you’re reading this blog then you are, you can’t get enough Kevin Sorbo!

We’re all in luck this Friday, February 24, at 8 p.m. when the Hallmark Channel airs the 20th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry that occurred at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on February 10. The awards, known as the Christian Oscars, recognize entertainment industry professionals who positively impact the world community.

Kevin, last year’s host and Grace Award winner for “Most Inspiring Performance in Movies in 2010,” presented one of the many illustrious awards. He also received two nominations: one for the movie, “Soul Surfer,” that garnered the “Best in Show Award” for family movies, and the Grace Award for “Most Inspiring Performance in Movies in 2011,” for his role as Holt Blanchard in “Soul Surfer.”

Unfortunately, the Grace Award went to someone else. But I heard through the Kevin grapevine that he performed some of his infamous ad-libs while on stage that were, as usual, very entertaining and well worth watching.

So, catch Kevin and the Movieguide® Awards this Friday at 8!

I’ll be there, recording with my trusty VCR. What about you?!

Please see more information at the Hallmark Channel: http://www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com/SPP/Default.aspx?Code=419-33058

(Sam and Kevin Sorbo photo courtesy of WND photo/Steve Schilling/ http://mobile.wnd.com/2012/02/shocker-christian-oscars-stun-hollywood/)

Congrats to Kevin Sorbo & Soul Surfer for #1 Family Movie of the Year!

Congratulations to the producers, cast and crew of Sony Pictures’ “Soul Surfer” for winning Movieguide®’s 2011 Number One “Family Movie of the Year.”

The award, announced at the 20th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry on February 10, recognizes the most inspirational, family-oriented film of the previous year.

“Soul Surfer ” was based on Bethany Hamilton’s 2004 biography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, and was directed and co-written by Sean McNamara. Kevin Sorbo was cast as Holt Blanchard, the man credited with saving the then 13-year-old Hamilton’s life when she was attacked by a 15-foot tiger shark while surfing and almost died.

Sorbo received accolades for his “Soul Surfer” supporting role, as well as a nomination for this year’s Grace Award for “Most Inspiring Performance in Movies in 2011.”  He garnered last year’s Grace Award for his incredible portrayal of Ben Walker in the Jenkins Entertainment faith-based film, “What If… ”

Thanks for giving us a great movie, Kevin and “Soul Surfer.” We knew you would win!

Please see Chelsea Schilling’s great story for more information: http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/shocker-christian-oscars-stun-hollywood/

(Images courtesy of ©TriStar Pictures)

Kevin Sorbo will present award at Movieguide Gala, Friday, February 10

The 20th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry will occur this Friday, February 10, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Kevin Sorbo, last year’s host and Grace Award winner, will present one of the many awards given to entertainment industry professionals for positively impacting the world community.

Sorbo is once again a Grace Award nominee for “Most Inspiring Performance in Movies.” This year’s nomination is for his fine portrayal of Holt Blanchard in the faith-based film, “Soul Surfer.”

“Soul Surfer” documents competitive teen surfer Bethany Hamilton’s struggle to regain not just her life, but also her status as a world-class sportswoman following a near-fatal shark attack. Co-writer Sean McNamara, who also directed the film, uses Hamilton’s 2004 biography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, as the basis for his screenplay.

Sorbo discussed the film during a previous interview with this writer.

“It’s a wonderful story based on the life of Bethany Hamilton,” explained Sorbo. “She was 13-years-old when she was attacked by a 15-foot Tiger Shark while surfing and lost her left arm.

“It is a Triumph-Over-Tragedy story. This young girl was attacked by a shark. She lost her arm! She didn’t wallow in self-pity. She didn’t blame the world. She took this as a sign from God to spread His word. And with news of her attack spreading quickly around the world, she knew this was a gift. At 13!! She jumped back on a surfboard three weeks later and trained herself to surf with one arm. She is 21-years-old now and ranks in the top 10 surfers in the world!

“I played Holt Blanchard, best friend to Tom Hamilton, Bethany’s father played by Dennis Quaid. Holt was in the water with Bethany when the attack took place and saved her life. Doctors said another two minutes later and she would have been dead. She had lost 60% of her blood at that point.”

“Soul Surfer” is nominated for two top awards: the “#1 Family Movie of the Year” and the $100,000 “Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie of 2011.”

The annual event recognizes studio executives, producers, directors, actors and writers that reflect MOVIEGUIDE®’s “Best of the Year” movies. It entails several prizes, including the Grace Award for Inspiring Acting, the Faith & Freedom Awards for movies and television programs that positively impact the world community, the John Templeton Foundation supported Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays, and Epiphany Prizes for film and television.

Way to go, Kevin!  And good luck, “Soul Surfer!” You’re all winners to us!!

Please see more information here:

http://www.movieguide.org/articles/main/superman-hercules-a-hallelujah.html

http://www.movieguideawards.com/awards.html

 (Grace Award photos by Henri Raynaud; “Soul Surfer” photo courtesy of ©TriStar Pictures)

Kevin Sorbo invites you to Have a Heart for Kids! Wednesday, February 8!

Actor Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” “Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda”) will host Have a Heart for Kids! at the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) on Wednesday, February 8, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The fun-filled fundraiser will benefit Los Angeles-based A World Fit For Kids! (WFIT), a nonprofit organization that promotes mentoring and healthy behaviors programming and training for inner-city kids and families.

The exciting event will feature live piano music, wine from the Have a Heart for Kids! wine sponsor, Regusci Winery, and more! LAAC, renowned for its fine cuisine, will prepare and present savory hors d’oeuvres and a beautiful buffet. The club will also offer tours of its fabulous facility.

“It’s a mixer and a ‘friend-raiser,’” explained Normandie Nigh, WFIT’s CEO. “We wanted to have it at a ‘healthy’ venue rather than a nightclub or some other location. LAAC is a beautiful place. We’ll be in their recently remodeled ballroom with a great pianist who will be playing a variety of music.”

Additionally, Sorbo will speak at 7:30 p.m., accompanied by a video about WFIT. He will also emcee a raffle with prizes like a one night stay in one of LAAC’s beautiful rooms with breakfast for two, and select silent auction items.

Sorbo has been WFIT’s spokesperson and a member of its Board of Directors since 1997 and originally served as its Board Chairperson. He has also been instrumental in raising national awareness of afterschool programming and combating childhood obesity.

“I’ve been involved with A World Fit for Kids! for 15 years now, and all I can say is I love what it’s doing; it’s a good program,” Sorbo said. “We won the gold medal award from former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007 for having the most outstanding organization in the state of California for positively impacting the health and well-being of kids. We’re proving that we can improve their education and fight obesity and get them ready for the real world. We’re going nationwide with it now.

“I’ve been to Washington. I’ve talked to D.C. congress people. I said, ‘What is it that I’m doing that you guys can’t do with a stroke of a pen?’”

All five of WFIT’s directors and some of the WFIT team will be available throughout Have a Heart for Kids! to answer questions about the organization and its excellent programs. And, of course, Hercules himself, Kevin Sorbo will gladly discuss his foundation.

“Kids are our future,” continued Sorbo. “We work with over 12,000 kids in L.A. County, which has a 54% drop-out rate. We have a 98% graduation rate with the teens in our training program. We’ve got a great model that deals with physical activity, fighting childhood obesity, improving grades, mentoring, self-esteem and positive reinforcement.”

“Come, hang out with Kevin in a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere during Have a Heart for Kids!” added Nigh. “Learn about his work with WFIT, meet new people, eat good food and drink good wine. Have a great time while contributing to a great cause!”

Tickets for Have a Heart for Kids! cost $75.00 per person ($45.00 of which is tax deductible). All proceeds benefit WFIT. And remember: parking in the LAAC building is only $4.50 with validation!

Call (213) 387-7712 or email info@worldfitforkids.org to register for Have a Heart for Kids!

Join the fun at LAAC, 431 West Seventh Street in downtown L.A. See the LAAC website for directions and more information: http://www.laac.com/

See the WFIT website at http://www.worldfitforkids.org/ for more information about Have a Heart for Kids! as well as their programs and how to donate.

Visit Regusci Winery’s website at http://www.regusciwinery.com/ for more information about the official wine sponsor of Have a Heart for Kids!

Kevin Sorbo’s no male Diva at all!

Here’s another fantastic story about Kevin’s appearance at the 12^th Costa del Sol International Science Fiction Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, last September 19-24, 2011. This is from talented artist Montserrat from Spain who painted a scene from Kevin’s “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” in which Hercules marries Serena, the Golden Hind (played by Sam Jenkins) as art imitated life prior to Kevin’s and Sam’s true nuptials. Gracias, Montserrat!

Kevin in Spain:

To be honest, I was not sure about going to Estepona to meet Kevin Sorbo, but, by the way my friends Teresa and Sandra talked (to) me about (it), I agreed to go to the Convention, and will be always grateful to them for that!

I was used to hearing about Cons like “Star Trek,” and something so different as meeting a celebrity really was making me curious.

The ladies had asked me to make Kevin a painting as his birthday gift, and that drove me nervous for I was afraid they could not like it and worst… Kevin could not like it!

The trip was so fun like I had not in years: being at so beautiful places, enjoying great food, and, most of all, enjoying the company of Teresa and Sandra and new friends as Almudena (and) Mariola.

My experience by meeting Kevin was “calm, easy”… like we met since ever, he’d feel so close to us all; he’s no “male Diva” at all!

He’d be so lovely at lunch (being with him gave me a huge appetite… I ate all the food on my plate… LOL!).

We’ve made the most of the only few hours of Kevin in Spain, and we all were so happy Kevin’s got his deserved award given to him by my country!

Like the Borg of “Star Trek” used to say, “Resisting is futile!”

And no one can resist Kevin’s blue eyes!

(Photos and vid by Teresa)

Did Kevin Sorbo see his shadow this February?

Wow! I’m almost on time with these! Many thanks for your patience while I catch up, everyone. And many thanks to our talented Kevin calendar artists Loli, Sanne and Mara! Great job as always, my friends!!!!

I guess I should explain my headline. Here in America we sort of celebrate February 2 as Groundhog Day. That is, when a certain groundhog called Punxsutawney Phil, a Pennsylvania rodent that lives just northeast of our lovely city of Pittsburgh, PA, pops out of his burrow in Gobbler’s Knob (seriously!) to predict the upcoming weather. If he sees his shadow, we can expect six more months of winter. If not, we get an early spring. Wahoo…

Honest! See the Wikipedia page here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil

Share the Love! for Valentine’s Day and Kevin Sorbo’s WFIT fundraiser!

Don’t miss out! Valentine’s Special… Share the Love!
Register two people by this Friday, February 3, and pay only $60 per ticket!

The Los Angeles Athletic Club
431 West Seventh Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

$75 at the door
To register call 213-387-7712 or email info@worldfitforkids.org.

Not in LA that day? We’ll miss you, but even if you can’t make it to the special event you can still make a difference in the life of a child by purchasing a “virtual ticket” or by making a donation to WFIT. All support is greatly appreciated.

The best way to donate is by check made payable to “A World Fit For Kids!” Please mail to 678 S. La Fayette Park Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90057.

Donate by phone: 213-387-7712.

Donate online: Click on the WFIT homepage under “Donate” http://www.worldfitforkids.org/ and enter your amount. You will be directed to a safe and secure GooglePay account from there.

What is a child’s life worth? Will you please help?