Friday, July 30, 2010

The Search Is On ... Again

POSTED: July 29, 2010



After little more than a year at the helm of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Corie Curtis, a Falconer native, has stepped down from the post.

The center's board of directors announced the change in a news release Wednesday.

Thomas P. Benson, board president, said the center has undergone an internal restructuring and cross-training of staff, daily operations are running efficiently and the center's recent and upcoming activities are evidence of its vision to create a comedy movement in the area.

"The center has made significant progress the past year," Benson said, "and that progress includes a renewed commitment to our purpose of promoting and developing comedy."

Ms. Curtis holds a degree in advertising and communications from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. For three years until 2008, she served as the volunteer executive director of the Feed Their Dreams Children's Foundations. She has also worked as a member of the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education and, in 2004, served as the fundraising consultant for the Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association's capital campaign.

"My time at Lucy-Desi has been an unforgettable experience and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and for such capable and kind people. Professionally, my departure from this amazing career was a very difficult decision, but my heart is leading me on to an entirely new adventure," Ms. Curtis said.

Ms. Curtis' departure is the latest in a turbulent couple of years for the center since the departure of Ric Wyman in September 2008. The center was forced to close its gift shop, a building on North Main Street that is now up for sale, and consolidate operations into two other buildings on West Third Street. Hours at the Desilu Playhouse and museum were reduced and several employees were laid off as part of the board's efforts to trim expenses and keep the center afloat.

Lucie Arnaz-Luckinbill, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, said the center is still going strong and wished Ms. Curtis well in her future endeavors.

"Corie has been a godsend and the center has never been stronger,'' Ms. Arnaz-Luckinbill said. "We hate to see her go follow other dreams and even tried locking her in her office. But we were finally convinced even the best of our leaders deserve to explore the possibility of true love! My brother Desi and I wish her only the best and look forward to the new ideas and renewed energy that change always brings."

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Curtis Resigns As Lucy-Desi Executive Director




POSTED: July 28, 2010

After nearly a year at the helm of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Corie Curtis has stepped down from the post.

The center's board of directors announced the change in a news release Wednesday.

Thomas P. Benson, board president, said the center has undergone an internal restructuring and cross-training of staff, daily operations are running efficiently and the center's recent and upcoming activities are evidence of its vision to create a comedy movement in the area.

"The center has made significant progress the past year," Benson said, "and that progress includes a renewed commitment to our purpose of promoting and developing comedy."

"My time at Lucy-Desi has been an unforgettable experience and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and for such capable and kind people. Professionally, my departure from this amazing career was a very difficult decision, but my heart is leading me on to an entirely new adventure," Ms. Curtis said.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

'An Evening With Lucille Ball: Thank You For Asking' at Meadow Brook

Published: Friday, July 23, 2010
By Heidi Bitsoli, For the Daily Tribune

If you love Lucy, this one-woman show is for you.

"An Evening With Lucille Ball: 'Thank You For Asking,'" is part of the Meadow Brook Music Festival in Rochester. The July 24 show promises to bring the "Queen of Comedy" to life thanks to the efforts of actress Suzanne LaRusch and Ball's daughter.

LaRusch wrote the play with Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, and audiences will be treated to many memorable moments, including what inspired those unforgettable "I Love Lucy" sketches and a glimpse into her fiery and complex marriage to Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz. The show is in the form of lectures Ball loved to give throughout her career.

LaRusch has been doing Lucy impersonations since 1991, for theme parks, corporate parties and shows.

In 2006 she had her "light-bulb moment, (and) I came up with the present formula, which is the question and answer because she did (those)," LaRusch said. "That's how I tell her story"

LaRusch cautions audiences against expecting an evening of greatest hits.

"It's a play. We do questions and answers as if it was happening in that moment in time, but since it's a play (the voices are) recorded. You'll see me onstage saying, 'OK, how about that lady in the back ... I'm sorry, the gentleman ...,' " which are lines Ball actually said.

LaRusch counts herself a fan of Ball, but "no more than anyone else. She's a beloved icon and comedian. I've been a fan of her comedy. I'm an actress, so I'm not a Lucy fan that had to 'be' her."

LaRusch sought the advice of Ball's daughter to "get the essence of Lucy."

"She had great input, so I asked her to direct," LaRusch said about the show which came together in 2006. Arnaz eventually said yes, changing and tightening the script, "adding family intimacies and secrets."

But "it's not favorite skits at all," LaRusch said. "If you want to see 'Lucy' skits, then buy a DVD. But if you want to know the stories behind those famous skits, come and see my show (and find out) what made this lady tick."

What are some of the revelations? "You have to see the show to get a couple of the big ones," LaRusch teased. She won't give answers but she'll share such questions as: "Was Desi Arnaz the love of your life?"

In the show, "you find out how she really felt."

The show offers a behind-the-skits perspective. "We do Vitameatavegamin as a flashback" because people always ask about it.

Also revealed: What Lucy was really drinking in that skit.

Another revelation is the infamous chocolate factory scene. "We tell the story behind the candy and find a clever way to work in the candy without having a conveyer belt on stage." Also, did she really eat all those chocolates? Listen and learn.

Also revealed: Ball's favorite episode, and it didn't involve grape-stomping, chocolate overload or Vitameatavegamin.

"An Evening with Lucille Ball: 'Thank You for Asking'" comes to Meadow Brook Music Festival on the Oakland University campus in Rochester Hills at 8 p.m. July 24. Tickets are $22.50 reserved pavilion and $15 general admission pavilion at Palacenet.com, The Palace Box Office and Ticketmaster locations. Special Superfan seating is available. Tickets may also be charged by phone to American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard by calling (800) 745-3000.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Lucille Ball - Ball's Daughter Reaches Deal With Auction House

From Contactmusic.com
19 July 2010
A California auction house selling LUCILLE BALL memorabilia has reached a deal to return the late acting legend's lifetime achievement awards to her daughter.

Ball's daughter with first husband Desi Arnaz, Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, was left items including love letters, a Rolls Royce and trophies from the star's acting career in her mum's will when the comedienne died in 1989.

However, the widow of Ball's second husband, Susie Morton, claimed Luckinbill failed to collect the items following Ball's passing, and planned to sell them off at Heritage Auction Galleries over the weekend (17-18Jul10).

Luckinbill threatened to take legal action over the auction of her late mother's personal items because it "insults her memory".

Auction bosses stepped in, and agreed on Saturday (17Jul10) to return the awards to Luckinbill, but the other items remained in the sale.

Luckinbill plans to display the trophies in a museum honouring her mother, reports the Associated Press.

Lucille Ball's Daughter Wins Case Against Step-Mom, Can't Stop Auction




7/17/10
Judge orders $250,000 bond to hold 'I Love Lucy' memorabilia
Kate Schwab

Lucille Ball’s daughter tried to stop her stepmother from selling family heirlooms at an auction.

In court on Friday, the judge agreed, but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert O'Brien ordered Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill to pony up a $250,000 bond to get her restraining order issued against Susie Morton, according to the Associated Press.

Luckinbill’s attorney, Ronald Palmieri, called the decision “very sad” and said his client could not afford that amount.

“We won on a legal basis, and the judge took it away from us on an economic basis," he said.

Luckinbill is the daughter of Ball and her first husband, Desi Arnaz. Morton is the surviving widow of Ball’s second husband, Gary Morton.

After Luckinbill sought to block her stepmother’s plans to sell some of the I Love Lucy star’s memorabilia through Heritage Auction Galleries, Morton countered with a lawsuit, arguing that Luckinbill lost her rights to the heirlooms after her deceased husband’s estate was settled. The items set for auction include love letters
between Ball and Arnaz, a Rolls-Royce and photographs.

Luckinbill said she wanted to donate the items to a museum exhibit.

According to the Internet Movie Database, Ball, who died in 1989, was not only a comedy star but also a film pioneer. She became the first woman to own her own television studio, which she called Desilu.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Battle brewing over Lucille Ball auction in LA


LOS ANGELES - July 16, 2010 — Heirs of the late Lucille Ball and her second husband are sparring over the planned auction of the some of the couple's prized possessions.

Among the items on the auction block are love letters between Ball and Gary Morton, a Rolls Royce and some of the actress' awards. Morton was the comedienne's second husband.

The items were consigned to Heritage Auction Galleries by Susie Morton, who married Gary Morton after Ball's death in 1989.

Ball's daughter from her first marriage with co-star Desi Arnaz wants some of the items returned. An attorney for Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill says she will go to court Friday to try to block the sale if the items are not returned.

Susie Morton asked a judge Monday to determine that she has the right to offer the items for auction.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Lucille Ball’s Daughter To Headline Celebration


Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill To Attend Lucy-Desi Days
By Kristen Johnson
The Post Journal


Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, will return to Jamestown next month to perform during the Lucy-Desi Days celebration.

''It's always nice to come back to Jamestown, especially in the spring when the dogwoods and the lilacs are in bloom,'' she said. ''I'm very excited to come back (this) month.''

Mrs. Luckinbill will perform an hour-long show at the Reg Lenna Civic Center on Saturday, May 23 at 8 p.m. as part of a fundraising event aimed at helping the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center overcome some of the financial challenges it has faced due to the rough economy. All tickets will be $25 and may be ordered by calling 484-0800 ext. 203. The performance will be followed by a separate fundraising gala reception for those who would like to meet Mrs. Luckinbill in person. Cost is $100 per ticket.

Libby Nord, the center's creative director, called Mrs. Luckinbill an ''accomplished performer with a wry sense of humor and a talent for putting the right emotion into every song she sings.''

''As we celebrate the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the presence of their daughter makes the weekend even more special,'' Nord said.

Mrs. Luckinbill has performed during the Lucy-Desi Days celebration in years past. She said recently she is ''really looking forward'' to performing in Jamestown again.

''I love singing - it's such a charge to sing with the big band,'' she said. ''Last time I performed, we did a Latin show as a tribute to my father. But this time, it's not a tribute to anyone - it's just great music and some songs I've fallen in love with. I'm so happy to come back and sing to help the center out.''

Mrs. Luckinbill said she fully supports the center's new board of directors as they work to overcome what board chairman Mike LaTone has called a ''fragile financial time.''

''They've got some great people on the board right now and I think they're really going in great directions,'' she said. ''As far as Desi and I are concerned, things are the same as they ever were. We've got very high hopes for the center and the direction its going in.''

Other special guests at the festival will include Keith Thibodeaux, who played Little Ricky; Dan Cahn, film editor for the "I Love Lucy" show; Wanda Clark, Lucille Ball's personal secretary; and Tom Watson, founder and president of the "I Love Lucy" fan club.

The festival will run from May 22 to May 24. Among other things, it will include a two-hour video enhanced bus tour of Lucille Ball's hometown, screenings of rarely seen episodes from her final television series, outdoor screenings of ''I Love Lucy'' episodes, a fan reunion cruise aboard Summer Wind on Chautauqua Lake and a screening of a 1978 interview with Lucille Ball.

For more information about the festival, call 484-0800. A full schedule of events is available online at www.lucy-desi.com.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Well, It's been quite some time since the last time I wrote anything in here. Mainly because I forgot the password (what do ya expect since June, 05?) and couldn't sign in without that link to a Google Account. Everything these days seems to be linked to a Google Account?? What's THAT all about?

I guess I'm now tied up with the latest craze called "FaceBook". Everybody seems to be on FaceBook. It's a great way to catch up with all the old friends and people you knew way back when and can now catch up with. I met this kid way back in 1986 while I was on tour with a bus & truck tour of GYPSY. He was one of the local kids placed in our show in the Uncle Jocko segment in the beginning. Well a few years later, he came to visit me in NY. Well, to make a long story short, I just found him on Facebook and we'll catch up. Of course, he's all grown up now.

MARKETING AND PROMOTING YOURSELF:
GETTING THE VISIBILITY YOU DESERVE!


Apr 30, 11am-2pm -
AXA ADVISORS, 1633 Broadway, between 50th and 51st St., 3rd Floor

Get more than your 15 minutes of fame. In this workshop, Richard Skipper and Glen Charlow will hone in on the areas specific to YOUR needs. They will tailor make the workshop and create a game plan that will create the highest visibility for you! What are you waiting for? GET TRAFFIC to your site and get your name out there! SPECIAL RECESSION OFFER: ONLY $100.00. YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS PRICE! RESERVE TODAY! Or call 845-365-0720 for info on setting up additional classes or private coaching.

On board with Richard is me, GLEN CHARLOW, I bring over 15 years in the business to the participants of this class. I will discuss the concept of image; how to use the internet effectively and how your website "sells" you even before you pick up the phone. To read more on me please visit: www.gcdtp.com.

Reservations are a MUST. Limited to 15 people. PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP! Email me at glen@gcdtp.com

That's it for now. Glad to be back here blogging... I guess. I'll start back with the Lucy happenings just like on my Lucy pages. Be sure to visit http://www.LucilleBall.net

Monday, June 13, 2005

What Could They Be Staring At?

They're watching the trees and the butterflys and the bugs flying and the grasshoppers hopping into the pool when they should be in the grass. They're watching the ants crawling up the side of the house next door and the postman walking down the street delivering mail. And they're watching the kids playing basketball on the playground across the street and all the other kitties playing in the back yard. They're watching the trees shake in the wind and the birds flying about. They're smelling the cool, fresh breeze coming off the lake in the distance. They're watching the boats pull up to the dock. If they're not watching these things, what else could they be staring at?

Friday, April 01, 2005

The Saga of the Soggy Situation

Terrential downpours in the North East caused much damage to my humble abode. It's pretty wet! I'm down for a few days drying out!
See you next week.
V.G.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Sweet Sue

Ev'ry star above Knows the one I love Sweet Sue just you
And the moon up high Knows the reason why Sweet Sue It's you
No one else it seems Ever shares my dreams
And without you, dear, I don't know what I'd do,
In this heart of mine You live all the time Sweet Sue, just you.

Monday, March 28, 2005

You're Right... I don't believe it!

...and the driver was comming awful close. So I turned to give him a dirty look, and no one was driving. So I looked back at our car and it was GONE!!! Well, it passed me at the bottom of the hill and I didn't know what to do so I stopped. And the pontiac kept on goin up the hill and it didn't quite make it to the top... It didn't...? ...Not much it didn't!!! Fact, it started rolling backwards and CRASHED!! right into me.

Sunday, March 27, 2005

'You' Stay Here And Tell That Story?

Look if Fred comes back, you tell him that the man came for the Cadilac and that Ricky has the Pontiac downtown. If the man comes for the Cadilac, you tell him that Fred has it out for one last farewell spin. If Ricky comes home, you tell him the man came for the Cadilac and Fred took the Pontiac downtown to have it washed. Okay?

Friday, March 25, 2005

The Nasty Parrot

A few years ago I received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of this bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. I tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, and anything I could think of to set a good example. Nothing worked. Finally, I got fed up and yelled at the parrot. And, the bird yelled back. I shook the parrot, and the bird got angrier and ruder. Finally, in a moment of desperation, I put the bird in the refrigerator freezer. For a few minutes, I heard the bird squawk and kick and scream ... then suddenly there was quiet. Not a peep for over a minute. Fearing that I'd hurt the bird, I quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto my outstretched arm and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I am truly sorry, and I will do everything to correct my poor behavior." I was astonished at the bird's change of attitude. As I was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the chicken did?"

By The Waters Of The Minnetonka

You know, on the night of the full moon, the high Priest goes to a jungle clearing, and sings a song of love. And then follows the cortship dance in which the bride-groom tries to impress his bride to be with his fercness and stregnth. So now, lets pretend that this is a jungle clearing, there is a full moon, and the high Priest is singing his song.

Moon Deer, How near Your soul divine
Sun Deer, No fear In heart of mine.
Skies blue O'er you, Look down in love;
Waves bright Give light As on they move
Hear thou My vow To live,
to die, Moon Deer, Thee near Beneath this sky.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

By The Shores of Gitche Gumee

By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water.
There the wrinkled old Nokomis
Nursed the little Hiawatha,
Rocked him in his linden cradle,
Bedded soft in moss and rushes,
Safely bound with reindeer sinews;
Stilled his fretful wail by saying,
"Hush! the Naked Bear will hear thee!"
Lulled him into slumber, singing,
"Ewa-yea! my little owlet!
Who is this, that lights the wigwam?
With his great eyes lights the wigwam?
Ewa-yea! my little owlet!"

This Time... Mom Writes A Letter...

Dear Lucy,
How are you and how is Xavier? I got the pictures and I'm releived to see that he looks just like you. The real reason I'm writing is because I went to my club meeting yesterday. You remembner Flo Pauline Lopez? The club recording secretary? Well, it seems that Flo Pauline's old college room mate, Ella Scott Porter has a cousin who maried a man named Ford and went to live in a little town in Tennessee. Well, it seems this cousin has a boy named Ernest. She has an older boy named George and a younger boy named Roger. Ernest is her middle boy. Well to make a long story short, Ernest is on his way to NY and I told Flo Pauline to tell Ella to tell her cousin to tell Ernest that you'd be glad to entertain him. Of course I don't know Ernest personally, but any friend of Flo Pauline's room mates cousin is a friend of mine.
Love Mother

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

A Suit To Top All Suits...

A bereaved woman goes into a funeral home to make arrangements for her husband's funeral. She tells the director that she wants her husband to be buried in a dark blue suit. He asks, "Wouldn't it just be easier to bury him in the black suit that he's wearing?"

"No," she insists. "My husband wanted it to be a blue suit." She then gives him a blank check to buy one. When she comes back for the wake, she sees her husband in the coffin and he is wearing a beautiful blue suit. She tells the director, " Thank You, that is absolutely perfect! I love it! How much did it cost?"

He says, "Actually, it didn't cost anything. The funniest thing happened. As soon as you left, another man was brought in, this one wearing a dark blue suit. I noticed that they were about the same size, and asked the other widow if she would mind if her husband were buried in a black suit. She said that was fine with her. So, I switched the heads.

Monday, March 21, 2005

What's a pretext? ...duhhh... Idunno!

Well, its when you want someone to do something but you don't want them to know that you want them to do that particular something so you make up something else, then they think they're just doing that something else but in reality they're doing the something that you want them to do but don't want them to know that you want them to do it.

Or... you can check this out: Click Here!
My linking to the above site does not benefit me in any way, shape or form what-so-ever. I just googled "pretext" for the hell of it, and that's what I came up with.

Sunday, March 20, 2005

She's Just Being a Mother ... isms!

Do the dishes. Take off your shoes. Eat your vegetables. Leave your brother alone. Say please. Say thank you. Just wait till your father comes home. Mind your manners. Mind your mother. Tuck in your shirt. Because I am your mother. Don't sass me, mister. Don't chew with your mouth open. Shape up. Wipe that smile off your face. Where do you think you are going? Don't pick at it. I love you. You're driving me crazy. There is no such thing as the bogeyman. What are you doing in there? Get your finger out of your nose. The kitchen is closed. You can look but don't touch. Scrub the toilet. Pick up your room. Dinner is ready. Don't lie to me. Don't play rough. Don't be naughty. Feed the dog. I am not your maid. Listen to me. Smoking is bad for you. Don't tease the cat. Don't you dare. This hurts me more than it hurts you. I'll give you something to cry about. Ask your father. Be nice. You are full of the devil. You deserve a spanking. Get out of there this instant! Drink your milk. You'll poke your eye out. You have to go to church. Go to sleep. Stop it. You're just like your father. I don't care who started it. I don't care if everybody is doing it. I'm going to wash your mouth out with soap. You look just like your father. Put away your toys. Shape up or ship out. You're giving me a headache. Change your underwear. Don't make me come in there. Don't hurt yourself. Grow up.