LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Priscilla Presley attends the 2011 season opening game against the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 31, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)

Orchids: Orchids go Hollywood

By ARTHUR CHADWICK

Published: March 26, 2011 The one word that best describes the world of orchids is glamour. No group of plants has ever captured the imagination like this strange, exotic and beautiful flower.

When they were discovered in the late 1700s and early 1800s, orchids became sought after by European royalty.

Cattleyas were especially revered by collectors and were eventually given the title "Queen of the Orchids."

From the late 1920s through the 1950s, women wore corsages of cattleya flowers whenever they wanted a touch of glamour. President Eisenhower's wife, Mamie, was never seen in public without her corsage of two or three cattleya flowers. In the 1940s, teenage boys gave their junior or senior prom dates cattleya corsages, because the girls expected them.

Hollywood personalities such as Gregory Peck and Raymond Burr grew a treasure trove of cattleyas.

During Peck's television interviews, he often was surrounded by his large cattleya plants.

Burr's orchid collection was legendary and included a sizable commercial interest, Sea God Nurseries, with hundreds of registered cattleya hybrids and an orchid garden on the Indonesian island of Java.

One of our modern-day celebrities, Priscilla Presley, sat down recently to have her picture taken with her namesake orchid, Cattleya Priscilla Presley. It was through mutual friends that we approached her several years ago about having an orchid named in her honor.

She liked the idea and, in the months that followed, she personally selected the hybrid from photographs of seedlings that were in production. As the delicate buds started to appear in the sheaths, we would ship the special plants across the country — in the dead of winter — praying that the plants wouldn't freeze or get damaged.

All the seedlings from this celebrity cross bloom during January and February — exactly when they are desired most by hobbyists. The lavender shaded petals vary ever so slightly from plant to plant, and the darker throats offer a hint of gold veining and an unmistakable fragrance.

Presley, who also has a rose perfume that carries her name, keeps a collection of her namesake orchids in Beverly Hills, Calif., where they bloom for more than a month.

The new hybrid was unveiled for the first time to the public as a large grouping of seedlings at last month's Virginia Orchid Society show in Richmond.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2011/mar/26/TDHOME03-orchids-orchids-go-hollywood-ar-928831/

Help for Japan EQ & Tsunami victims Thank you for wanting to help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.  Many were left homeless and they are now having to contend with the most disturbing issues of illnesses from radiation poisoning. Below are a few organizations that we feel will deliver the most immediate relief to the pressing issues at hand.

http://www.lisamariepresley.com/japan_relief.html

Elvis Presley's 1961 benefit concert remembered

By Jaymes Song

Associated Press / March 24, 2011

HONOLULU--Fifty years ago, Elvis Presley helped raised money and directed much-needed attention to the stalled efforts to build the USS Arizona Memorial. The King is now being remembered for his contributions as the historic sites at Pearl Harbor enters a new era.

Pacific Historic Parks, in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., will start selling T-shirts on Friday for $24.95 to commemorate the iconic crooner's historic benefit concert at Pearl Harbor's Bloch Arena on March 25, 1961. Proceeds will support the educational programs at the USS Arizona Memorial and the new $56 million Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

The black T-shirt features an image of the original concert billboard with Presley standing in his gold lame suit and a hangtag replica of the concert ticket. The shirts will be available at the visitor center's bookstore or online at http://www.PacificHistoricParks.org through the end of the year.

"For us, recognizing this benefit concert is a way of making the public aware of the cultural history of the memorial," said Daniel Martinez, Pearl Harbor historian for the National Park Service's World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.

Congress in the late 1950s authorized the construction of the memorial to honor the crewmembers entombed when the USS Arizona was sunk during an aerial attack by the Japanese that plunged the United States into World War II. The Pacific War Memorial Commission was tasked with raising $500,000 to build the USS Arizona Memorial.

Ralph Edwards, host of the hit TV series, "This is Your Life," kicked off the public fundraising efforts on his Dec. 3, 1958 show when he featured Arizona crewmember and Medal of Honor recipient Samuel Fuqua. More than $95,000 was raised.

But contributions and attention dwindled over the next couple years, with less than half of the $500,000 raised. Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, read about the stalled efforts in the Los Angeles Examiner.

Presley, who was already scheduled to be in the islands to film "Blue Hawaii," agreed to help by performing a benefit concert. It was his last live stage performance for more than eight years.

"Both of these celebrities, one that kicked it off and one that came to its aid two years later, are important," Martinez said. "I think this is the beginning of the influence of celebrities in national campaigns of fundraising in our country. ... It wasn't just a concert. It was an event that had national attention and media coverage."

On March 25, 1961, the 26-year-old Presley took the stage to an arena packed with 4,000 frenzied, screaming fans who paid anywhere from $3 to $100 a ticket.

Presley performed 15 songs that night, including "Heartbreak Hotel," "All Shook Up," "I Got A Woman," "I Need Your Love Tonight," "Don't Be Cruel," "Are You Lonesome Tonight," and "Swing Down Sweet Chariot." He ended the show with a rousing performance of "Hound Dog, which included a slide across the stage on his knees.

The concert raised about $54,000, and public and private donations poured in following the show, which received heavy publicity across the country. Hawaii's then-freshman Sen. Daniel Inouye, who today is the most senior member of the Senate, helped secure the final $150,000 to complete the construction during the fall.

"Mr. Presley's role is significant because it brought renewed interest in finishing the memorial and undoubtedly had an influence on the citizens of the United States and our government," Martinez said.

The USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated the following year on Memorial Day -- May 30, 1962. The gleaming, white, open-air structure straddles the Arizona's sunken hull, where 1,177 lives were lost. In all, some 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers were killed in the attack on Dec. 7, 1941.

"This is one of many examples we have of Elvis' desire to use his talent to help and honor others," Jack Soden, president and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises said in a statement. "Especially considering his own military service, we're certain this one was especially significant to Elvis."

Today, the USS Arizona Memorial, a top visitor attraction in Hawaii, is managed by the National Park Service and includes the newly rebuilt Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/03/24/elvis_presleys_1961_benefit_concert_remembered/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+Boston+Globe+--+National+Newsc

Priscilla Presley Launches Jewelry Collection

Forget the blue suede shoes: Priscilla Presley is venturing into the world of jewelry. The businesswoman (and Elvis Presley’s former wife) has created a new line of baubles called, appropriately, the Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection, debuting on QVC Friday. “My hopes were that this line would add a little unconventionality and beauty to every woman’s day-to-day,” Presley tells PEOPLE of the intricate necklaces, earrings and rings, designed to emanate rock-meets-red carpet glamour. “It shouldn’t be difficult to accessorize,” she continues. “I have many friends and family who simply feel a panic when trying to put together an outfit. I want my jewelry to be the go-to jewelry. I want women to be able to throw on a pair of jeans or a little black dress but simply reach into the jewelry box without much thought … and just go! No other thoughts than [to] feel unique, beautiful and like a million dollars when they walk out that door.” Sounds like a plan to us! The collection, priced from $23 to $75, launches Friday at 1 a.m. EST on QVC. Tell us: Will you check out Presley’s new line? –Kim Peiffer

http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/03/16/priscilla-presley-launches-jewelry-collection/

'Queen of Rock 'N' Roll' Priscilla Presley Scheduled to Return to QVC to Debut New Pieces From The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection

LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary style icon, actress, businesswoman, designer, author and mother Priscilla Presley is scheduled to share The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection on QVC® Friday, March 18 at 1 AM (EDT) / Thursday, March 17 at 10 PM (PDT).



"I'm incredibly excited to return to QVC to share my new pieces and reconnect with my viewer friends. I received such a warm reception the last time that I couldn't wait to begin designing more offerings," said Presley. "One of my new favorite pieces is the Enamel & Crystal Maltese Cross Pendant. Both bold and sexy, this necklace will definitely emphasize every woman's regal yet adventurous side - and I believe every day should be a new adventure."

"Priscilla has connected with our customer and we are delighted for her return," said Lisa Morrissey, vice president of merchandising, fashion for QVC. "Her authenticity and unique style are a welcome addition to our programming."

The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. They are available at QVC.com or by calling 1.800.345.1515, while supplies last.  

This line was launched in cooperation with bsp, the Los Angeles based brand extension and business development firm.

About Brand Sense Partners, LLC

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Brand Sense Partners, LLC (bsp) is a pioneering brand management and business development firm that incubates, acquires and grows the world's leading brands.  bsp provides the foundation for growth through business reengineering and the development of partnerships, products, design and strategies that target unmet market needs. bsp's portfolio consists of brands spanning the consumer product, media, entertainment, retail and fashion industries. For more information, please visit www.bsp.com.


http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/queen-of-rock-n-roll-priscilla-presley-scheduled-to-return-to-qvc-to-debut-new-pieces-from-the-priscilla-presley-jewelry-collection-118084769.html