R&B singer Beyonce Knowles donated her entire $4 million salary from her new film to support a number of drug treatment centers across America. This generous gift was made to Phoenix House which runs 98 residential and outpatient rehab programs in nine states. Beyonce was inspired after she spent two weeks with hardcore junkies to research her latest role for the movie Cadillac Records. In the film, she plays a blues and soul legend Etta James, whose early career was blighted by heroin addiction. Beyonce was so moved by the work of Phoenix House staff – who treat 5,000 addicts a day in the US.
Archive for January, 2009
04
Jan
09
Beyonce has a generous soul
Timing is everything, as Israeli ground troops invade Gaza. Today, the National Society of Film Critics has chosen “Waltz with Bashir” as the best picture of 2008. The film is an intense animated documentary about Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. It follows Israeli director Ari Folman’s efforts to recover his own lost memories about the massacre during the war.
The group also named Sean Penn as best actor for his performance in the biopic ‘Milk’ and Sally Hawkins as best actress for her role in the comedy ‘Happy-Go-Lucky.” Forty-nine of the society’s 63 members voted in a meeting in New York.
Zest Restaurant is located in Kitsilano on the corner of West 16th and MacDonald. Hidden away in mini mall, not really in the prime location. It’s worth the effort to make a trip to this Japanese restaurant. The atmosphere is modern chic, clean, and pleasant. The service is good, though, most waiters don’t speak proper English, so it can be hard get a suggestion if you are new to the restaurant. Food is pricey at Zest, rolls start at $9 for about 8 pieces. So, my suggestion is don’t get the California roll (even though, the waiter suggested it’s a popular roll). Why? It doesn’t taste any better than the ones you get at a cheaper restaurant. I do recommend the spicy tuna roll, actually, it’s worth visiting the restaurant again. The roll is covered with dried onions and drizzled with a special spicy sauce on top….yummy. I got my spicy tuna roll last (after a miso soup, goma and California roll), and I was already full, but could not leave the dish unfinished. 3.5/5
