There are people who do great things, and always receive tremendous notoriety at every turn. Then there are people like Barry Manilow whose humanitarian efforts sometimes make the news - hey why shouldn’t it, he’s not only a gifted musician, but an extraordinarily generous guy - but other times his “giving” goes quietly unnoticed unless you’re paying attention!
I haven’t purchased a hard copy of the Desert Sun since I left the paper. It was my way of vindication. Of course my seventy-five cents daily would have a huge impact, not! But it made me feel better.
Yesterday I was working a marketing “gig”. I’m one of those annoying people who greet you with a sample at the door. Please don’t judge, I’ve got to make ends meet and to that end, grab any opportunity I can. I happened to grab a paper to read during a break. I’m so happy fate made me do it.
At the bottom of a full page ad for Jensen’s, one of the best markets in the Coachella Valley, there’s a photo of Barry Manilow, I might have gasped just a little:) the title says “CLASSIC, ELEGANT, CRISP” ! Though the words define musician, performer, Barry perfectly, they were actually talking about his Pinot Grigio wine. It happens to be my favorite and not just because it’s Manilow, it is really, really good!
I read the fine print and it states during the month of November when you purchase a bottle, you’ll be entered to win tickets to one of Barry’s upcoming shows in 2011/2012 as well as an autographed copy of his latest, original cd “15 Minutes”. The prize will be awarded weekly from November 3 to the 27th.
What really stuck me is “Proceeds benefit the Manilow Music Project to purchase musical instruments for Coachella Valley schools”!
Does a win-win get any better than this? Not only do you have a great bottle of wine, priced in a range to fit just about everyone’s budget, you’ve got a chance to win tickets to the best show you’ll ever see, bar none and the best concept album you’ll ever hear, and you’ll be helping kids enrolled in public school music programs keep the music playing! All of this right in your own backyard!
For those who don’t know, Barry launched the Manilow Music Project right here in the valley at Palm Springs High School in September 2008! The kids, under the direction of brilliant, Brian Ingelson, make amazing music happen on those instruments. Since then Barry and the project have been helping schools all over the country, most recently in tornado ravaged Joplin, MO, with a donation of $300,000 in instruments.
The timing couldn’t be better. This wine will go perfectly with your Thanksgiving dinner, it makes a great hostess gift if you’re one of the lucky ones not cooking, just eating. It’s also a great way to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Any wine drinker will love this one.
So head on over to Jensen’s in Palm Springs and/or Palm Desert, grab a bottle or several, join Barry in helping a worthy cause for our kids and you never know you could be one of the lucky winners!
For more information about how you can help the Manilow Music Project visit their site http://www.manilowmusicproject.org/