Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

I am so fortunate; my life is full of surprises. Every day something extraordinary comes my way. A few weeks ago, I received this letter, out of the blue. I didn’t know what it meant but it resonated in me. This is the story about a young child who needs our help. If you can do something, please do. Even if it’s as simple as sending the family your good wishes and prayers.

Dear Ms. Ranny Levy,

There is an amazing story about a child with a rare form of dwarfism on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This family has brought a community together with hope of inspiration and a message that anything is possible. Please take a close look at little Levi Krystosek’s story. This child is going to be the key in a medical breakthrough for those suffering Jansen’s Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia.

I met Levi Krystosek when he was four months old. Levi’s family had just lost everything in Hurricane Katrina and they were resettling into a new home. At the time, no one knew for sure what was wrong with Levi; all the doctors were stumped. This was a time of uncertainty for everyone but for the Krystosek family it was literally a new beginning, the biggest challenge of their lives.

Levi was diagnosed with Jansen’s Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia just three days shy of his first birthday. Can you imagine not knowing what is wrong with your child for an entire year and having 12 doctors say, “I just don’t know, let’s wait and see what happens.” I can’t. Jansen’s Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia is a very rare form of debilitating dwarfism. Levi is the 17th person in the world known to have this type of dwarfism. There are three different types of gene mutations that can cause Jansen’s. Levi is the fourth ever documented with his type of mutation. Unfortunately, Levi’s is the most aggressive.

You would think that so much devastation in such a short time would devastate such a family but not the Krystosek family. They are stronger and more determined than ever to fill their lives full of hope and promise and want to share their belief with the world that, “Anything is possible.” Levi’s mother, Dona Krystosek, spends most of her time toting Levi around to several different specialists around our nation to give Levi the best medical care possible and to also educate others, especially children, about differences in people. Her message is that we’re all the same but some just face different obstacles in life.

To raise awareness for Levi, Dona has introduced Levi to her community and they’ve rallied around Levi and truly believe anything is possible. Dona receives invitations to meet others inspired by her story and also photos and words of encouragement from people all over the world. She’s decided to share Levi’s story and blog his progress on-line. Please read Levi’s story and follow his progress at http://www.littlelevi.com/ or contact Dona Krystosek at (228) 697-4624. Because of Dona’s determination, family and community support, she has found her needle in a haystack. Dr. Craig Langman of Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago believes Levi is the perfect candidate for a wonder drug that could actually cure Levi’s symptoms. Dr. Langman and Levi’s family are currently awaiting FDA approval on this hopefully life changing drug therapy. Senator Thad Cochran is also helping any way he can. His staff has embraced Levi and his family and has invited them to Washington D.C. for a visit.

This is an uplifting story that gives people hope and encourages them to take a look at their own lives. Too many people feel overwhelmed by all the turmoil in the world in which we live today. Let’s spread some love, hope and joy and smile at what life truly has to offer. Please help us spread the word about Levi and the hope that he, his family, and others may have very soon with the FDA’s approval of this drug therapy. If I can be of any assistance, please fell free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,

Michele Hirata
16031 Fairway Drive
Dumfries, VA 22025

The International Central Institute for Youth and Education Television recently released a new survey from Maya Gotz about gender in children’s television worldwide. Although, strong female characters are not completely absent, far more often young and adult men are the heroes in TV programmes. This international analysis of children’s television reveals an unambiguous tendency: Of all the main characters on children’s TV only 32 % are female whereas in reality, women count for 51 % of the world’s population. It begs the question: Why do we still encounter stereotypes after 150 years of feminism?

In the world’s largest quantitative media analysis of children’s TV so far the main characters of fictional programmes in 24 countries were coded. The results show a clear under-representation and stereotyped depiction of female characters worldwide.

All reports are available on “Children’s TV Worldwide“

qubo, the TV and online entertainment service for children and families, announced today that it has inked a licensing deal with NBC Universal to bring the hugely popular animated children’s series, MAISY to qubo Channel in the U.S. this November.

Based on the award-winning books by the British author Lucy Cousins, this colorful and endearing animated series features Maisy, a lovable mouse with a nose for adventure. Joined by a colorful cast of friends, “Tallulah” the chicken, “Charlie” the crocodile, “Eddie” the elephant and “Cyril” the squirrel, Maisy is always up for trying new things and making discoveries that turn every day into something special. qubo has licensed all 26 episodes of MAISY.

qubo is a multi-platform entertainment destination for children that focuses on literacy, values and healthy lifestyles while celebrating the unlimited possibilities of a child’s imagination. Most of qubo’s shows are associated with popular children’s books, and the network’s interstitial programming continues to reinforce messages about early literacy and healthy living. qubo is broadcast in both English and Spanish and is available in all markets served by an ION Television station, as well as via Verizon’s FIOS TV, AT&T;’s U-Verse, Mediacom, RCN and Comcast. In addition to qubo Channel, qubo programming is available Wednesday- Friday afternoons on ION TV, Saturday mornings on NBC and weekend mornings in Spanish on Telemundo.

LazyTown – the Global children’s television hit that inspires kids to move, play and eat healthy – arrives on V-me, America’s fastest- growing Hispanic TV network. With statistics from the Centers for Disease Control showing that 40 percent of Latino kids ages 6-11 are overweight, LazyTown’s positive message and V-me’s national platform are coming together at just the right time.

As the exclusive U.S. home of LazyTown in Spanish, V-me airs the series M-F at 7:30 and 11:30(et) daily, Saturdays at 9:30 and 11:30(et), and Sunday afternoons at 4P(et)as part of V-me’s Family Block.

“V-me is thrilled to add LazyTown to our Kids’ lineup,” said Carmen DiRienzo, V-me President. “Families love it, it’s fun and entertaining, and it speaks to a vital need in the Latino community.”

With its super-healthy superhero Sportacus leading the way, LazyTown’s high-energy mix of live action, puppets and state-of-the-art computer animation uses music and humor to help kids focus on healthy lifestyle choices. Sportacus teams with his pink-haired friend Stephanie, encouraging LazyTown kids to get outside, play, and resist the unhealthy schemes of Robbie Rotten – his snack-loving, couch-potato arch-enemy.

LazyTown is the brainchild of world-class athlete and health advocate Magnus Scheving, who stars as Sportacus. Now seen in 118 countries, the series is credited with driving official health initiatives in Mexico, Chile, and Europe, helping reduce the rise in childhood obesity. Research from Mexico and Europe shows that LazyTown viewers are more active and more interested in healthy eating, and that parents overwhelmingly support the show’s positive message.

“LazyTown works because it’s not about telling kids what to do. It’s about motivating them with a feel-good vibe,” said Scheving. “V-me is a perfect partner for us, because they share our mission and can bring it to Latino families across the U.S.”

Already reaching more than 50% of US Hispanic TV Households, V-me is presented locally by public TV stations and carried on basic digital cable and digital broadcast in many cities, and nationally on DIRECTV Ch. 440, DISH Network Ch. 9414 and DISHLatino Ch. 846. To find specific channel information for your market, visit http://www.vmetv.com/

LazyTown is the world’s only global brand dedicated to children’s health. Created originally as a book (Go, Go LazyTown!) in 1995 by international athlete, entrepreneur, producer and director Magnus Scheving, LazyTown has been nurtured into a household name worldwide, with businesses including publishing, home entertainment, music, live theatrical shows and even a dedicated radio station. LazyTown, the Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning television series, launched in 2004, and is now available in 53 episodes and has sold to over 110 territories worldwide. The LazyTown Movement appeals to kids and parents alike and encourages healthy lifestyle choices for kids of all ages. The team is dedicated to finding exactly the right partners worldwide to sustain the brand and uphold the credibility and vision of LazyTown and its creator.

V-me entertains and informs Latino families in Spanish with primetime drama, music, sports, current affairs and Latin cinema, along with world class kids, food, lifestyle and nature. The 24-hour network, partnered with public television, is America’s largest Spanish digital channel. V-me is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc. To find out more visit VmeTV.com

Senator Barack Obama has been declared the winner of Nickelodeon’s 2008 Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote.” A record-breaking number of votes — upwards of 2.2 million — were cast in the network’s online poll. Nickelodeon has held a “Kids’ Vote” every election year since 1988, and kids have correctly predicted the winner in four out of the last five U.S. presidential campaigns.

In this election year’s Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote,” Senator Obama received 51% of the vote (1,167,087), and Senator McCain received 49% (1,129,945). The Nickelodeon Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote” is not a scientific poll. Kids were able to vote online on http://www.nick.com/kpp, via Nick’s mobile website, or in Nicktropolis, Nickelodeon’s virtual world destination, from Oct. 12-20.

“Nickelodeon has a long history of empowering kids and providing them with an opportunity to voice their opinions,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group. “The Kids Pick the President campaign has introduced them to the voting process, and hopefully will make them want to be active participants when they are old enough to vote.”

On Monday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. (ET), Linda Ellerbee, the Emmy Award-winning host of Nickelodeon’s Nick News, announced the winner of the sixth Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote” on Nickelodeon.

Said Ellerbee, “It’s important to take note of who won the ‘Kids’ Vote,’ simply because so many kids vote the way their parents will. But what really counts is this: they participated in democracy. They voted. How can this be anything but good?”

The “Kids’ Vote” is the culmination of the network’s year-long Kids Pick the President campaign, which was conceived to educate and empower kids across the country. This year’s campaign kicked off in January with the first-ever “Kids’ Primary,” which resulted in kids accurately predicting Senators Obama and McCain to win their respective party tickets. Leading up to the Kids Pick the President online vote, Nick News aired four election-themed episodes including: “Kids Primary;” “Election Issues”; Tales from the Trail”; and “Kids Pick the President”. Additionally, this year Nickelodeon hit the campaign trail with its Election Connection Team-Lily Collins, Lil’ JJ and Pick Boy-providing kids with an insider’s look at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions through blogs, interstitial programming and PSAs.

Nick.com served as the official home base of the Kids Pick the President campaign, generating more than 2.5 million page views since launch in December 2007. Kids have flocked to the site to discuss the general election as evident by its message board, which currently ranks as the second most popular on the site. A special playlist of Kids Pick the President-themed videos have also generated almost 8 million streams on TurboNick, Nickelodeon’s broadband video player. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, 9/1/2008-10/16/2008).

AEG ThemeSTAR and HIT Entertainment are launching an all new, live musical adventure: Thomas and Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town. When Thomas makes a big mistake, all the engines on the Island of Sodor must work together to prepare for the exciting event under the Big Top, and, Thomas must prove he’s a really useful engine once again. With thrilling adventures along the way, Percy, James, Gordon, and of course, Thomas, join with Sir Topham Hatt and the townspeople from the Island of Sodor, to welcome a colorful cast of circus performers in an engaging story that demonstrates the importance of friendship and cooperation.

JANUARY 2009

20 – 22 Jan
Stockton Arena
Stockton, CA

24 – 26 Jan
Lawlor Event Center
Reno, NV

28 Jan – 1 Feb
Nokia Theatre
Los Angeles, CA

For a list of all dates and locations, go here.