by Alicia Hollinger

Burbank, CA (Pop CultureToday) – 6/24/13 -- Richard Matheson, a prolific science fiction writer best known for the original "I Am Legend," the novel that inspired "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "Somewhere in Time," and classic episodes of the "Twilight Zone," died suddenly Sunday at the age of 87, just days before he was to be honored at this year's Saturn Awards.

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films had planned to award Matheson the Visionary Award at this year's ceremony on Wednesday. Instead it will be presented posthumously and the 39th Annual Saturn Awards will be dedicated to his memory.

“We are heartbroken to lose a writer of towering talent, unlimited imagination and unparalleled inspiration,” said Academy President Robert Holguin.  “Richard was a genius whose visions helped bring legitimacy and critical acclaim to science fiction and fantasy. He was also a longtime supporter of the Academy, and everyone associated with The Saturn Awards feels emptier today to learn of this enormous loss.  Richard’s accomplishments will live on forever in the imaginations of everyone who read or saw his inspired and inimitable work.”

Celebrity attendees expected include:
·  J.J. Abrams (director, Star Trek: Into Darkness; producer, Revolution)
·  Amy Acker (Much Ado About Nothing, The Cabin in the Woods)
·  Julie Adams (1954’s The Creature from the Black Lagoon)
·  Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad)
·  Zoe Bell (Grindhouse: Death Proof, Django Unchained)
·  Shane Black (director, Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
·  Moon Bloodgood (Falling Skies)
·  Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cougar Town)
·  Wayne Brady (How I Met Your Mother, Let’s Make a Deal)
·  Israel Broussard (The Bling Ring)
·  Derek Connolly (writer, Safety Not Guaranteed, Jurassic Park 4)
·  Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
·  Brett Dalton (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Keith David (Cloud Atlas, The Bible, The Thing)
·  Lexa Doig (Continuum)
·  William Friedkin* (director, The Exorcist, Killer Joe)
·  Vince Gilligan* (creator, Breaking Bad)
·  Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors, Hannibal)
·  Clark Gregg (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead)
·  Doug Jones (Falling Skies, Fantastic Four)
·  Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon, Ted)
·  Eric Knudsen (Continuum)
·  Eric Kripke (writer/producer, Supernatural, Revolution)
·  Katie Leclerc (Switched at Birth)
·  Richard Matheson* (writer, The Twilight Zone, I Am Legend, Duel)
·  Lara Parker (Dark Shadows TV series)
·  Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf)
·  Lance Reddick (Saturn Awards Host, Fringe, White House Down)
·  J. August Richards (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Drew Roy (Falling Skies)
·  John Savage (The Deer Hunter, Hair)
·  Kathryn Leigh Scott (Dark Shadows TV series)
·  Quentin Tarantino (director, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds)
·  Colin Trevorrow (director, Safety Not Guaranteed, Jurassic Park 4)
·  Anna Torv (Fringe)
·  Lenny Von Dohlen (Twin Peaks, Electric Dreams)
·  Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Joss Whedon (director, Marvel’s The Avengers, Much Ado About Nothing)
·  Noah Wyle (Falling Skies)
 

by Alicia Hollinger

Hollywood, CA (Pop Culture Today) 6/18/2013 -- It was an affair to remember at the Rockstar Mansion in the Hollywood Hills for two days and nights pre-E3, as Swedish luminaries and creatives mingled with Los Angelenos and E3 related talents and execs.

The infamous Rockstar Mansion boasts an incredible view that brings to mind the Bob Seger song Hollywood Nights-- "In those Hollywood hills, all those big city nights, in those high rolling hills, above all the lights" and the Swedish Affair brought a little much-needed glamor and glitz to those who attended as a pre-E3 event.

During the day there were speeches and a casual chic feel while the night brought the pretty party people ready to imbibe and have fun.

Swedish celebrities and notables included actor Dolph Lundgren, Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, Isabel Adrian, Swedish Housewife (the Swedish version of Housewives of Beverly Hills, New Jersey, etc...), wife of Steve Angelo of Swedish House Mafia, (a Swedish electronic dance music trio,) Ewa Björling, Swedish Minister for Trade, Anna Serner, CEO Swedish Film Institute, Anna Gissler, CEO Stockholm Business Region, Gabriella Augustsson, Public Affairs and Press Counselor at Embassy of Sweden Washington DC and Jonas Hafström, Swedish ambassador, at the Embassy of Sweden Washington DC. 

Also attending were representatives from big gaming studios Avalanche, DICE, and Ubisoft Massive.  And a LOT of L.A. party people...

"With this two-day event we want to deepen the love affair between creative Sweden and Los Angeles with smart people getting together, sharing knowledge and thoughts," says a representative of the Swedish Affair.  All in all a fun party atmosphere "made by creative Sweden to share and learn with like-minded in fashion, games, film and TV, and cool media tech and innovative new media and creative business. Transmedia crowd, creative industries people, techies, movers and shakers, nerds and celebrities will all be present while celebrating creativity and innovation, sharing experiences and building new relations. May it be a business affair, a creative partnership affair or a real love affair!"

The party began and then ended in the shuttle picked up at the Andaz Hotel on the Sunset Strip, which became a sort of party bus on its own during the trip going up and down those "high rolling" streets in those Hollywood Hills...

2013 LAWineFest Offers Celeb Chef Demos, Tasting Classes, VIP Access and LA’s Hottest Food Trucks

The Southland’s signature celebration of wine, beer, spirits and food takes place June 8-9, benefitting homegrown charity Food Forward

LOS ANGELES, CA; (June 7, 2013) -- In addition to showcasing award-winning wines from 13 countries, pouring craft brews and mixing up artisan cocktails, the 8th Annual LAWineFest will serve up interactive cooking demos, wine tasting seminars, Twitter-ific food trucks and early-entrance VIP tickets for those looking for an exclusive fest experience.

LAWineFest Seminars

Saturday, June 8 - 2:45pm: Discovering Spain’s Rioja; $15  |  3:45pm: Artisinal Cheese & Wine Pairing Adventures with Barrie Lynn, The Cheese Impresario; $35 (a sell-out every year)  |  4:45pm: Walking in Their Shoes: a panel discussion with California winemakers and winery owners, $15.

Sunday, June 9 - 1pm: Wine & Cheese - A Good Combo? Hosted by Terry & Wally August of Fancifull Fine Food & Baskets, $35  |  2pm: Discovering Spain’s Rioja, $15  |  3pm: Artisanal Cheese & Wine Pairing Adventures, $35 (a sell-out every year)

Celebrity Chefs Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose and Chang Sivilay of the Mandarin Hotel West Hollywood and Asia de Cuba will be presenting interactive cooking demos on the Wolf Range, one of the event’s premiere sponsors.

Stella Artois Beer Garden will offer several brew varieties on tap for all guests to enjoy.

Food Trucks & Restaurants include Lobsta Truck, Heirloom, Tainamite, Green Truck, Slammin’ Sliders, Hot’s Kitchen, The Surfer Taco, Sweet Arleen’s Cupcake & Bread Puddings. Plates start at $2; not included in event ticket price.

VIP Tickets are available on Saturday, June 8 only; $30 upgrade includes early admission at 1pm, access to the VIP Garden featuring exclusive tastings and VIP gift bag. Guests can purchase VIP tickets here: http://lawinefest2013.eventbrite.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAWineFest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LAWineFest
Website: www.lawinefest.com 

Saturday, June 8, 2-6 p.m. and Sunday, June 9, 12-5 p.m.
Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave. LA, CA 90038

TICKETS:

$85/single; $150/couple; $20 designated driver

Visit www.LAWineFest.com for early-bird pricing and to purchase tickets

PARKING:

Street parking (metered on Saturday) and paid parking available at Paramount Studios lots on Bronson and Van Ness.

About LAWineFest

Founded in 2005 by wine personality Dr. Joel M. Fisher, LAWineFest is L.A.’s largest and longest-running wine-tasting event, with the goal of making wine fun and accessible for Angelenos while supporting a local charitable organization each year.

About Food Forward

Food Forward’s mission is to bring together volunteers and neighbors to share in the harvesting and recovery of locally grown produce from private homes, public spaces and farmers markets, 100% of which is then distributed at no cost to agencies serving our community's most vulnerable.