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Spencer Christian: A Voice of Experience Now Available for Your Next Event

Spencer Christian: A Voice of Experience Now Available for Your Next Event

24 April 2024 – San Francisco, CA: Spencer Christian, the esteemed broadcaster known for his nearly five-decade tenure with ABC News, including 13 years on “Good Morning America” and more than 25 years at ABC 7 in the San Francisco Bay Area, is now available for speaking engagements. Recognized for his warmth and captivating storytelling, Spencer offers profound insights drawn from a career filled with both exceptional highs and challenging lows.

Through his acclaimed autobiography “You Bet Your Life,” Spencer Christian reveals his personal journey with gambling addiction and the powerful lessons learned from his path to recovery. He aims to inspire and impact others by sharing these experiences.

“Every challenge I’ve faced has taught me resilience and the importance of truth and integrity,” Spencer reflects. “My mission in speaking is not merely to tell my story but to encourage others to face their struggles with courage and hope.”

Attendees at Spencer’s engagements will experience an unforgettable journey through stories that explore themes of redemption, perseverance, and the transformative power of honesty. His talks are tailored to foster empathy, encourage personal growth, and inspire positive change.

Spencer Christian is a beloved figure in broadcasting, an accomplished author, and a compelling speaker whose career highlights include key roles on major American television programs and authorship of several children’s books. His autobiography provides a candid look at his personal struggles and triumphs, making him a respected voice on overcoming adversity.

In addition, his insights into the changing world of media in the age of AI and political polarization make for a compelling presentation that explores the “what was” and “what’s next” in the world of journalism and chronicles confronting racism as one of the first on-air Black reporters in the South.

Spencer’s news assignments have taken him to all 50 states and across 5 continents, and provided him the opportunity to develop close personal relationships with international icons such as President Jimmy Carter and Mohammad Ali.  He has also interviewed 6 U.S. Presidents–including behind-the-scenes interactions with Donald Trump during the years before his presidency.  Spencer’s heart-warming stories about interviews and interactions with Queen Silvia of Sweden and Gordon Getty are a “who’s who” of on-air history.

For booking information, please contact David Perry & Associates, Inc., the exclusive agent for Spencer Christian. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

About Spencer Christian:

Spencer Christian was born in Newport News, VA, in 1947, and raised in rural Charles City County, VA.  He holds a B.A. Degree in English, with a minor in Journalism, from Hampton University in Hampton, VA.  He began his broadcasting career at WWBT-TV in Richmond, Virginia as a news reporter, covering state and local politics, the public school system, and landmark cases in the Fourth US Circuit Court of Appeals. His first stint as a weatherman came in 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland, when he was hired by WBAL-TV to join the station’s Action News team. From there, Christian moved to New York City’s WABC-TV in 1977, where he served as a general assignment reporter, weatherman and sportscaster for Eyewitness Newsfrom 1977 to 1986.

In August 1986, Christian joined Good Morning America as their weather forecaster plus extensive travel throughout the United States and abroad, reporting on a wide range of topics from current events to human interest stories.

From 1992 to 1993, Christian was also seen on the BET cable network as the host of the music game show Triple Threat.

For decades, Christian had a serious gambling addiction. He describes his addiction and his recovery in his 2018 book, You Bet Your Life: How I Survived Jim Crow Racism, Hurricane Chasing, and Gambling. Christian left Good Morning America at the end of 1998 and began doing weather forecasts at KGO-TV in San Francisco, California in January 1999, a position he holds to this day.

A well known wine connoisseur, he was host of HGTV’s Spencer Christian’s Wine Cellar from 1995 to 1999 and has also hosted the PBS train series Tracks Ahead since 1997.

In 2006, he began hosting the popular afternoon show in San Francisco, The View from the Bay.OnNovember 19, 2015, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Good Morning America.

San Francisco Mayor Breed Kickstarts Fundraising Efforts to Support Giant Pandas

Contact: Mayor’s Press Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org 

San Francisco Mayor Breed Kickstarts Fundraising Efforts to Support Giant Pandas

The Mayor will introduce legislation allowing the Mayor and City agencies to participate in fundraising efforts to cover costs of Giant Pandas in lieu of taxpayer funds 

23 April 2024 – San Francisco, CA:Today, Mayor London N. Breed introduced a resolution at the Board of Supervisors to allow various City departments, including the Recreation and Parks Department, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the San Francisco International Airport, to raise funds from philanthropists and private entities to support the San Francisco Zoo in hosting Giant Pandas from the People’s Republic of China. 

This legislation is a key step in the fundraising process required to welcome the Giant Pandas to the San Francisco Zoo in 2025. No specific timeline for arrival has been determined yet, as it is predicated on the construction or renovation of an enclosure at the SF Zoo. This enclosure will be funded by philanthropic funds, not taxpayer funds. Mayor Breed will lead a fundraising effort, but those efforts cannot commence with any city advocacy until this legislation is passed.  

Costs have not been determined for the enclosure yet, which is still being designed. In May the China National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) will lead a delegation to San Francisco to meet with the Mayor’s Office, San Francisco Zoo, and Zoological Society as immediate next steps. They will discuss the agreement between the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) and the Zoo, and follow-up on procedures the City must adhere to, including determining cost and needs to ensure NFGA and CWCA specifications are met and next steps. 

“Securing the agreement to welcome Giant Pandas to San Francisco was just a first step for us,” said Mayor Breed. “We have a lot of work ahead to raise the funds and build the enclosure at our Zoo that will serve as their home and thrill residents and visitors. We are hitting the ground running in our fundraising efforts and I’m confident we will have strong philanthropic support from the community that is excited to support San Francisco and our new panda friends.” 

The legislation is required because the City’s behested payments ordinance restricts the ability of City officials and staff to solicit funds from philanthropists and other private entities for charitable and governmental purposes.  The law allows for limited waivers to allow City departments to fundraise for specified projects that will serve the public interest. The resolution will provide a temporary exception for departments to fundraise for the sole purpose of bringing pandas to San Francisco using private donations that will be publicly reported.    

Mayor Breed’s resolution will assist SFZS in fundraising to cover the costs of preparing for and maintaining the pandas, including building or renovating a panda enclosure that promotes a safe and thriving environment, and developing staff capacity, without relying on taxpayer funds. The resolution allows for a temporary and limited waiver of restrictions on City departments fundraising in partnerships with private sponsors to raise adequate funding to pay for the lease of giant pandas brought to San Francisco. 

These efforts will enable the City to cost-effectively partner with the private and nonprofit sector, to build on San Francisco’s rich, cultural connections between the City and China and cultivate economic opportunities as part of San Francisco’s revitalization efforts. 

The San Francisco Zoo is owned by the City and County of San Francisco and operated by the nonprofit San Francisco Zoological Society (SFZS). SFZS relies on private donations, admission fees and a limited amount of City funding to administer the Zoo, which is home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals, representing more than 250 species. 

On April 19, during her visit to China with a delegation of San Francisco business and civic leaders, Mayor Breed and officials from the China National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) announced that the San Francisco Zoo had been selected to receive pandas as part of China’s Panda Diplomacy Program.   

As a first step, the Mayor and CWCA signed a Letter of Intent, in which they agreed the San Francisco Zoological Society and the CWCA will partner on the international conservation of giant pandas and work together to bring a pair of leased pandas to the San Francisco Zoo in 2025. Last week, experts and engineers were sent by the NFGA and CWCA to San Francisco to meet with the Zoo and consulted on the design, construction or renovation options for the proposed panda enclosures. Guidance for the Zoo included developing adequate food supply and obtaining the technical expertise and personnel capability necessary to accommodate the pandas.  

The Elixir: Journey OnThird Installment in The Elias Chronicles Book Series Available April 24

Media Contact: 

E.G. Kardos / egkardos@gmail.com

The Elixir: Journey On
Third Installment in The Elias Chronicles Book Series Available
April 24

23 April 2024 — Richmond, VA: Prepare for the gripping conclusion of The Elias Chronicles as Elias confronts shadowy and evil forces, but what he learns about himself is worth the journey.Pen It Publications proudly presents The Elixir: Journey On, Book III of The Elias Chronicles series by E.G. Kardos.

In this book, the main protagonist, sixteen-year-old Elias, embarks on a perilous journey through the enigmatic Isle of Eahta, facing off against formidable dark forces. Guided by his trusted ally, Zoltan, a formidable sorcerer, Elias must safeguard the coveted Elixir of Life from those who seek to harness its power for malevolent purposes. Yet, amidst the chaos, Elias discovers truths about himself that will redefine his very existence.

The Elixir: Journey On is a tale of courage, friendship, and self-discovery, woven with captivating characters, enchanting creatures, and potent magic. E.G. Kardos invites readers into a world of adventure and introspection, where the true essence of heroism is revealed.

“This epic fantasy embarks on a classic hero’s journey, captivating both young readers and those young at heart,” commented Kardos, reflecting on the universal themes interwoven within the narrative. “It delves into the essence of human experience, exploring the timeless values that define us as individuals.”

 E. G. Kardos is a literary and fantasy fiction writer who is a longtime employee of Virginia Commonwealth University and a graduate of James Madison University and Benedictine College Preparatory. He draws inspiration from a lifelong passion for storytelling and artistic expression. With five published works to his name, Kardos, a native of Richmond, Virginia, continues to inspire readers with his exploration of spirituality, friendship, and the beauty of the universe.

 The Elixir: Journey On (ISBN: 978-1-63984-520-0 paperback | 978-1-63984-521-7 e-book) is available in paperback and e-book formats through Pen It Publications (www.penitpublications.com). The paperback edition spans 194 pages and retails for $14.99 and the e-book for $5.99. It is available through major online booksellers worldwide and by visiting his author site at www.edwardgkardos.com.

The Elias Chronicles, is a three-book series which includes: 1) The Amulet: Journey to Sirok (Book I), where Elias uncovers his hidden powers, embracing his true identity. 2) The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok (Book II), where Elias puts to use his newfound abilities to effect change beyond himself. 3) The Elixir: Journey On (Book III), where Elias faces his ultimate test, transcending his greatest expectations. 

200 Days Since October 7

200 Days Since October 7

Media contact: David Perry / news@davidperry.com

The 200th day event will begin Tuesday, April 23, at 9:30pm Israel (11:30am Pacific) in front of Sha’ul Gate, HaKirya (Tel Aviv) after the conclusion of the “Sorry for Asking” event at the Hostages Square.

Web Links:

https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net

https://www.hostagesforumny.com

In this event, 133 family members of hostages and close friends will sit on the ground with their hands bound and mouths sealed, conveying one message: Even if the screaming stops, the hostages will not return.

“Being Richard Greene” for Two Performances: May 18 & 19 at Revolution Stage

Media Contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Lynne Jassem In
The Palm Spring Premiere
of Her Internationally Acclaimed
One-Person-Show 

“Being Richard Greene” 
for Two Performances:
 May 18 & 19 at Revolution Stage

www.revolutionstagecompany.com

www.beingrichardgreene.com/gallery

Is it a boy…or a girl?

22 April 2024, Palm Springs, CA: It’s a boy! It’s a girl! No, it’s BEING RICHARD GREENE, a laugh-‘til-you cry intimate exploration of one “person’s” intimate journey of gender identity. That person is the incomparable Lynne Jassem. Directed by Wendy Hammers, this impactful autobiographical story follows Lynne as she/he discovers how she/he fits in with the world. Along the way, every strange situation she encounters bringing her closer to her truth, and all with the jumping off point of a not-very-socially-exploratory time: 1949. The acclaimed solo act has its Palm Springs Premiere at Revolution Stage (611 N. Palm Canyon Drive) for two performances only:  Saturday, May 18 at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 19 at 2pm.  Tickets are available online at or by phone at (760) 318-4115.

“I have been a gender-bending-into-twisting performer, dancer, mime, stand-up comic, and story teller….for mmm…50 years, ok, MORE,” laughs Lynne Jassem, 77 years young,  known to several generations of audience from San Francisco to Soho, the Edinburgh Festival and beyond.  “Trying to pigeonhole me does a dis-service to pigeons, and well, holes of all shapes and sizes.”

A highly entertaining exploration of gender, from post war America through to the present day, BEING RICHARD GREENE story is an exhilarating mix of tap dance, mime, multi-media and love offering a perspective from yesteryear when gender was rigid and cemented at birth.  Audiences will witness an ancient theme, still highly relevant today. BEING RICHARD GREENE unfolds through an exciting mix of tap dance, spoken mime, characterizations, multi-media and love.  Laughter mixed with tears is the usual reaction as audience members watch the decades roll by.  Innovative green screen installations allow “multiple Lynnes” to interact during the show.   Perhaps Broadway World described it best:

“Feeling like a boy who looks like a girl was never thought about in 1949 or heaven forbid actually spoken of. In 1949 a three-year-old girl living in Queens NY begins to discover the transgender feelings inside herself. A woman dressed like a man ignites the turmoil that is about to begin.”

“My hope is that BEING RICHARD GREENE is not only entertaining, but educational,” says Jassem.  “It’s chocked full of information and empathy that benefits all ages struggling with a personal gender journey.”

The deliciously irreverent Jassem has performed and taught acting and improv in Europe and throughout the Western United States. Along the way, her varied career has earned her plaudits from audience and critics alike. Her story is unique, funny, touching, heart-warming and sometimes tough. Her use of tap dancing and pantomime to weave her story are impeccable, and her use of multi-media clever and delightful. Jassem, a true polymath of performance art with roots in New York City, started her career at the tender age of 10 on the Perry Como TV Show. Her diverse career spans mime, tap dancing, and comedic and dramatic monologues, highlighted by performances with legends like Gregory Hines and Tommy Tune and appearances at prestigious venues like The White House and Lincoln Center. BEING RICHARD GREENE, not only showcases her multidisciplinary talents, but also explores themes of identity and acceptance, resonating with today’s dialogues on gender fluidity.

From early TV appearances to international tours with the Claude Kipnis Mime Theatre, and forming the Manhattan Mime Theatre and Stepfire Tap Theatre Company, Jassem has dazzled audiences worldwide. A recipient of the Best of Fringe award in San Francisco and acclaimed as Best Story Teller in San Diego, Jassem continues to challenge and charm audiences with her unique blend of storytelling and performance art.

And the answer to the question? Isit a boy or a girl?

“Well,” Jassem answers with a coquettish smile worthy of any gender. “I’m just Lynne. If you want more than that, come and see the show.”

Critical Acclaim for Lynne Jassem’s BEING RICHARD GREENE:

“A wonderful storyteller with indomitable style and wonderful comedic charm. A powerhouse of energy, with absolutely hilarious anecdotes, never shying away from the truth… Brava!” — Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHo Arts News, 2023

“An imaginative, beautifully performed one-person show that explores the challenge of learning to love and accept ourselves just as we are.” Eli Hans, Producer SMA Solo Fest

“With only a slight body move, she shape-shifts from character to character, changing the mood, the intention, and brings the audience right along with her.” –– Crandall Rogers, APAP Conference Co-Chair

​”Lynne is brilliantly talented!” — Barbara Brownell, Broadway actress, singer and dancer.