August 2012
“Up and Coming News from Nancy Cartwright
Volume 15 Issue 1
And Now, Dr. Cartwright! On June 9th Nancy Cartwright became Doctor Nancy Cartwright with the reception of an honorary degree from her alma mater, Ohio University. OU President Roderick J. McDavis confered this honor on Nancy just prior to her first of two commencement addresses that she delivered to a total of 14,000 undergraduates, family and friends. While the speech was laced with “Bart-isms,” other voices and tons of humor, the overall message was meant to inspire the graduates to live a full life of passion and commitment. Nancy celebrates receiving her honorary doctorate from Ohio University.
Nancy began her speech in the enormous Convocation Center by stating, “I stand before you a confused but very successful 10-year-old boy.” She went on to urge the students to keep these tips for success in mind. • Do what you love • Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your dreams • Hitch your wagon to a winner • Be a professional • Trust your instincts • DECIDE exactly what you want to do “No one prepared me for success… I simply “decided” what I really loved doing and made little choices all along the way that focused me in that direction,” Cartwright told the audience. Throughout her address, Cartwright encouraged graduates to follow their passions. After offering a few additional bits of “sage advice” from “friends”—Nelson and Todd Flanders (from “The Simpsons”) and Chuckie from “Rugrats” (who drew the most applause), among others—Cartwright brought the house down with her parting advice: “Eat my shorts!” Note: This article is based on a piece by Monica Chapman and Colleen Kiphart for OU Compass, University Communications and Marketing’s online news outlet.
Sleepless in San Jose With all the incredible things the Happy House chapter in San Jose —Community United—is doing, it’s a wonder they are able to get any sleep at all. After becoming the lead service provider for two youth centers in San Jose just over a year ago, Community United has built the number of at-risk kids going to these two youth centers by more than 200%. With help from Happy House Los Angeles, The City of San Jose, Santa Clara University, San Jose State University and Trader Joe’s in Mountain View, they’ve been able to provide much needed services to children who live near the Starbird and Alma Youth Centers. The grants they receive from Happy House Los Angeles and the City of San Jose Mayors Gang Prevention Task Force have allowed them to provide activities to keep kids off the streets during the summer months when they are often left home alone. This summer, the kids have already been to the San Jose Tech Museum, and to San Jose Earthquakes and San Jose Saber Cats games. For the youth who complete the Good Choices Program, Community United awards them with a trip to Great America Theme Park! There are almost 50 youth participating in the program this summer so there are plenty of chances for roller coaster rides when the program is completed.
Kids from Starbird clean up in San Jose
Alma students read Good Choices
Here are just some of the things their students are saying: “I learned if you have a dream, that you stick to it, and practice. “ I learned to make good choices - do what you want to do - and just keep trying.”
Kids attend a soccer game.
“What I got out of this program was that when you make good choices, everything in the world seems more simple to you. You can live your life to the fullest, and you can do what you want to do. Every time there is a Good Choices Program, the people who speak to us about making good choices always give me ideas, so then I can make good choices.” You can check out more success stories at the Community United website. Visit www.communityunitedsj.org to read them today.
Alma students learn to think about what they drink.
BURN OUT AT THE SMOKE YOUR TIRES™ iTUNES APP TO WIN A GREAT PRIZE! Drive the Virtual Daytona International Speedway® on the New Competition Level
The trick to winning this exciting competition is to earn the most points by performing donuts and other crazy maneuvers while Smoking Your Tires without crashing your car on the new Competition Level Track at Daytona International Speedway. The SMOKE YOUR TIRES app, is now available at iTunes for $0.99. The highest score on Game Center (log into the Game Center app on your device) wins the competition. First and second prize winners will each receive two tickets to the DAYTONA 500® 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing.”. The competition, which begins on noon EDT, July 7, 2012 and ends at 11:00 PM EST on November 18, 2012, coinciding with the last day of NASCAR’s 2012 season, is presented by SportsBlast, the company that created the app, in association with International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Motor Racing Network (MRN), a wholly owned subsidiary of ISC, is advertising the competition on its nearly 400 radio affiliates nationwide. For ongoing information on the contest, official rules and for verification of winners, go to http:// smokeyourtiresgame.com/daytona-contest-details/. Winners must be over 18 years of age, U.S. residents and cannot be employees, friends or relatives of any of the companies involved in the competition. Void where prohibited.
Nancy to Speak at The Way To Happiness Convention The convention will begin Thursday evening, September 6 at 7 pm with a reception at TWTH Foundation Int. and keeps on rolling Friday with great speakers like Audrey Carbrera (Freedom Medal Winner from Venezuela), the Mayor of Allende, Mexico, and then our very own Nancy Cartwright. Nancy will introduce friend and head of the San Jose Chapter of her non-profit Happy House – Donna Stewart. Donna will be giving attendees a rundown of her work with the San Jose Chapter of Happy House, called Community United, and all of the partnering they are doing with local schools and businesses in their area. Saturday will feature Joni Ginsberg and Caralyn Percy teaching attendees how to do a TWTH workshop, how to get paid for delivering workshops, and other invaluable information. The evening will end with a banquet, which will include awards and entertainment. On Sunday, there will be a big breakout session with panelists and a massive Q & A time. Lunch will be included all three days and dinner will be included on Friday and Saturday. The price for the convention is only $95 and includes everything except airfare and hotel. You can’t beat that deal. For more information or to register for the event, call 818-254-0600.
West Valley Boys and Girls Club Celebrates 20th The West Valley Boys and Girls Club reached a significant milestone, not just in its 20 year anniversary, but in its growth and service to the boys and girls of the West San Fernando Valley. Hosted by Gary Thomas, Chairman of the Board, and Jan Sobel, President and CEO, close to 500 packed the Warner Center Marriot to celebrate the expansion of services and to honor the donors, volunteers and staff who made it all possible. Nancy “Bart Simpson” Cartwright emceed the event and brought her special brand of humor and love of children to the assembly. “The highlight for me was when the kids spoke,” she said. “The four graduates of the program, all going on to college and all such able kids, really inspired all of us. I can’t say enough about what Jan, Gary and this team have done. It’s such an honor to be asked to help in any way I can.” The doors are open and you can visit their very informative website and find out more for yourself. It’s worth the effort! www.wvbgc.org
Nancy with West Valley Boys & Girls Club 2012 Youth of the Year, Jorden Sneed