The Flip Side

George Clooney

Not only does he talk the talk, he walks the walk…

ROME (AP) — George Clooney’s humanitarian organization has donated $500,000 to a U.N. food aid agency to help it continue flights in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region, the agency said Thursday.

The Rome-based World Food Program said that the money came from Not On Our Watch, founded by Clooney and other stars — including Brad Pitt and Matt Damon — to press concerns about Darfur. The group has raised more than $9.3 million for the region.

Earlier this week, the World Food Program warned that lack of funds this year would force a halt to the flights ferrying urgently needed supplies in the region at the end of March.

“This is a critical time for the program. Without immediate additional funding, humanitarian aid in the region will be crippled,” Clooney was quoted as saying in a U.N. statement.

Over the past year, the World Food Program has been feeding between 2 and 3.2 million people in Darfur. The number of people in need could double with the May-October rainy season, the agency said.

“This contribution will make a difference to the millions of vulnerable women and children trapped there, and we hope it will inspire other donations,” WFP’s Executive Director Josette Sheeran said.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

I love to see good friends have a little fun with each other.  I read on Hollyscoop.com today that Ben said this about Matt being chosen as “People’s” sexiest man: 
 

“I’ve known Matt for 27 years and being sexiest is the only thing he’s ever truly cared about… For a guy like Matt, four foot eleven inches, 295 pounds, it’s a heck of an achievement.

He adds, “When he (Matt) went to the nightclubs, that two-tone shirt was the first thing to come off. Then he would get on the floor and just break you off some topless man dance.”

He’s most recognized for his work with “Genesis” and Peter Gabriel.  There’s something so pensive in Mr. Gallo’s work.  Even when his subjects are smiling, there seems to be something thoughtful behind the smile.  I love that quality in his photos. 

His website is not finished yet but when it is, it will be found here.

Here are some samples of his work:

Robert Deniro

Don’t get me wrong, he does a lot of female celeb portraits, but the majority of them were too huge for this blog.  Sorry guys.  Do take the time to look them up, because he really does great work.

Don Cheadle

“Not On Our Watch” is a book written by Don Cheadle and human rights activist John Prendergast about the crisis in Darfur .  I say crisis because there is so much going wrong in Darfur right now that you have to encompass everything from violence, disease, shelter issues, traumatized children, rape, and a host of resulting secondary problems.  I find the efforts of Mr. Cheadle and Mr. Prendergast admirable and have to include Don’s “Oceans” co-stars in his efforts to aid Darfur (George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Jerry Weintraub).  I would go into the many films Don’s been in and is currently working on, but frankly I don’t think he needs that at all.  What he does need (and deserves for all of the wonderful work he’s done for us) is to do what you can for the people of Darfur .  This kind of thing should not happen in our modern and integrated world.   And let me tell you people, this is no small thing.  These people are being obliterated.  Time to step up to the plate and do what’s right.

For more information on the crisis and what you can do to help go to:  http://www.savedarfur.org/content?splash=yes