10th ANNUAL CANON U.S.A. RECEPTION

 

The 10th Annual Canon U.S. A. Customer Appreciation Star-Studded Reception was held Friday, January 9 at the BELLAGIO’s Grand Ballroom. Elegantly dressed guests of the evening event enjoyed fine cuisine, live and silent auctions and exciting musical entertainment by Grammy Winner Skip Martin, formerly with Kool & the Gang. 

 

This event, was sponsored by Canon U.S.A. Inc. and produced by John Arnos, Canon U.S.A. and Jaki Baskow, Baskow & Associates and benefited the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  NCMEC is a private non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides services nationwide for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered or sexually exploited children. John and Reve’ Walsh, whose son Adam was abducted and murdered, helped pass the Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 1984 which created the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  NCMEC now serves as the national clearinghouse for information on missing children and the prevention of child victimization.  Since 1998, Canon and NCMEC have collaborated to educate the public about the growing issue of child abduction. The Canon4Kids program, a partnership between Canon U.S.A. and NCMEC helps law enforcement quickly disseminate photos and information about missing children, produces PSAs with missing children photos, and educates parents about tips for taking and maintaining updated photos of their children. To date, 291 children featured in Canon4Kids PSAs have been recovered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event started with a Celebrity Red Carpet, a Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction.  Afterwards guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, and a live auction and were able to meet and mingle with approximately 50 celebrities who attended the event. Introduced by M.C. John Daley and brought onstage were: Alice Cooper (Rock Star Legend), Blair Underwood (Golden Globe Nominee, Dirty, Sexy Money, Law & Order, Sex in the City), Bailey Chase (TV Series Saving Grace) Steve Schrippa (The Sopranos), Steven Webber (TV Series Brothers and Sisters) Joel Gretsch (TV Series 4400, National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Richard Burgi (Desperate Housewives, Wings), Davy Jones (The Monkees) Kevin Sorbo ( Hercules, The Avenging Angel), Rudy Gatlin (Gatlin Brothers), Julie and Shawnie Costello (TV Series Drew Carey Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Chris Rich (TV Series Boston Legal, Reba), Robert Hays (Airplane) Willie Gault (Former NFL Star/actor), Mike Burton (Comedian)  Ed Marinaro (Former NFL Star, Hill Street Blues) Joe Regalbuto (TV Series Murphy Brown, Knots Landing)  Bryan Cranston (Emmy Winner, AMC Breaking Bad, Little Miss Sunshine, Malcolm in the Middle) Michael Storm (One Life to Life, Dynasty) Kurt Bevaqua ( Major League Baseball, Fox’s King of the Hill) Alan Thicke (TV Star), Walt Cunningham ( Astronaut, Apollo 7 Mission), Mark Rypien (Former NFL) Eddie Payton (Former NFL), Tom Hallick ( Danielle Steel’s Secrets, Days of Our Lives) and, Christopher McDonald (Dukes of Hazzard, Awake, The Perfect Storm). 

 

After dinner, Skip Martin (Kool and the Gang) and his band provided great entertainment along with music for dancing.

 

To help raise awareness of issues related to locating missing children, Canon U.S.A. also held a Celebrity Golf Tournament at TPC- Las Vegas the following day to benefit NCMEC.    

 

DIANA ROSS at PARIS for MONSTER CABLE at CES

 

The same night, I left the CANON event to go to PARIS across the street to see the legendary DIANA ROSS perform.  She came out wearing a way-out extreme costume with her trademark hair flowing and the audience loved her.  She looked great and did four gorgeous costume changes during her act.  She was the Diva personified.  She belies her age with her gorgeous figure and demeanor.  Her concert was spectacular. There were two flubs - one when she was initially announced to come onstage, there was a long pregnant pause until she entered.  The other was a possible costume flaw and she had to call her dresser onstage to fix her gorgeous gown so there would not be a wardrobe malfunction ala Janet Jackson.  Diana jokingly said this and the audience went wild.

 

 

After her show, I was invited to two post concert parties.  One was with Stevie Wonder.  What a night! 

 

ADULT VIDEO AWARDS CELEBRATION AND POST AWARDS PARTY

 

 

 

 

At the same time CES Convention was on, the Adult Video Porn Convention also convened.  I was invited to the Adult Video Awards show and it was crazy wild.  Afterwards, I was invited to a post Awards party at MIX on the 64th floor of the MANDALAY BAY.  This party was given by Porn Guru,  Ron Jeremy and I sat in his special booth. That too, was wild and crazy.  FLAVOR FLAV who had performed with Flo Rida at the awards joined our group.

 

Wow!  I am exhausted from all these events, but I keep on going, like the Energizer Bunny to give you all this info.