Hollywood Remembers to Premiere Documentary

On December 4, Hollywood Remembers, an outgrowth of HIV/AIDS ministry of Hollywood Lutheran Church, will premiere "Voices From the Fray," a documentary about the earliest years of the AIDS era.

What was later called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV was first identified in 1981, marking the beginning of the reign of terror of AIDS.  Millions of people worldwide have since died from the catastrophic spread of this virus through sexual or intravenous transmission.

The feature-length documentary is the work of Dr. Joseph Cadden, producer, who is a Hollywood Remembers board member and physician at the Rand Schrader Clinic of USC.  Tom O'Connell, also a board member, interviewed a dozen individuals, including medical professionals, patients, community activists and clergy, for the documentary.  Andrew Johnston, who is Hollywood Lutheran's videographer and head of video outreach for our congregation, is the Film Editor for the documentary.

In observance of World AIDS Day (Decenber 1) Hollywood Remembers is bringing three large panels of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt to Hollywood Lutheran.  They will be displayed in the Sanctuary, covering the entire north wall for one week.  On Sunday evening, December 4, Hollywood Remembers will hold its annual observance in the Sanctuary, featuring well-known actor and activist Michael Kearns and others, as part of the documentary premiere.  The public is invited to this free event.

Hollywood Remembers Rethinking Mission in 2011

After the conclusion of the amazing cabaret-style show for World AIDS Day last December, produced by well-known artist and entertainer Jill Gabrielle, Hollywood Remembers is re-evaluating its mission and direction for the coming year.

Two members of the Board of Directors stepped down in January--Paulette Hunnewell and Rick Eisenlord. At its February 5 meeting, Interim President Dr. Joseph Cadden turned over the gavel to Pastor Dan Hooper.  The Board then spent considerable time discussing possible revision to its mission statement to reflect greater emphasis on education and public policy advocacy.

Hollywood Remembers, Inc. is Tax-Exempt, Premiers a New Musical in November

We have received the official IRS "determination letter" for Hollywood Remembers, Inc., an independent non-profit corporation for HIV/AIDS education, service and the annual observance of World AIDS Day in Hollywood.  Contributions to Hollywood Remembers are now tax-deductible.

As an added benefit to donors and contributors of this worthy work, the IRS back-dated the effective date of exemption to August 11, 2008 -- the date we applied for exemption.  So any contributions made in the last months of 2008 are tax deductible.  If your gifts were substantial, you may wish to consider filing an amendment of your 2008 tax return to claim such exempt contributions.  Contact any member of the Board of Directors if you need assistance.

Planning is underway for the November 29 premier of "Red Ribbon", a new musical by Joe Lawrence, directed by Jerry Craig.  The musical tells the story of six lives in the unfolding events of 1990-1992 before the "AIDS Ribbon" became known.   The free musical event is a benefit concert in support of the HIV/AIDS work of Women Alive.

In conjunction with the Hollywood Remembers "Red Ribbon" production, a week-long exhibit of art by and about people with HIV/AIDS is being planned for the Courtyard Studio & Arts Gallery, co-sponsored by the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the Art Institute of California-Hollywood, and others.  Large panels of the national AIDS Memorial Quilt will also be on exhibit throughout the week.

For further HIV/AIDS news and the planning for the World AIDS Hollywood observance this coming December, check the web sites:  www.HollywoodRemembers.org and www.WorldAIDSHollywood.org.

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