AROUND THE WORLD IN 10 WEEKS When Palm Springs Art Museum screened the Global Lens film series last summer, most screenings almost filled the 433-seat Annenberg Theater. The 501(c)3 Global Film Initiative awards grants to independent filmmakers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, South America, and the Middle East. “These are not toe-tapping musicals,” says museum spokesman Bob Bogard. “They’re gritty and difficult to watch, but well-produced and incredibly interesting — about regions people don’t typically get to see.” This year’s series of the top 10 films (shown for free at 6 p.m. Thursdays) begins June 11. |
|
BO TIES Andrea DeFrancisco Shek was invited by WOW Creations in Beverly Hills (which provides gift bags for the Oscars, Emmys, MTV Video Music Awards, and others) to contribute to a gift basket honoring the Obama sisters’ new puppy, Bo. The La Quinta artist, who makes jewelry under the name Forbidden Fruit, creates custom pendants for dog and cat lovers. “Because I wanted Sasha and Malia to be able to choose their necklaces, I included samples of my product and a gift certificate for two custom necklaces,” DeFrancisco Shek says. |
|
HITTING MADOFF After losing his job at a hedge fund and a substantial amount of money in Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, Walker Manzke of Connecticut lost his stomach for the finance industry. He created Sleazeballs — golf balls imprinted with Madoff’s mug and “optimum spin for maximum duplicity” — so he and other Madoff victims could express their disdain and release |