$5 Off Coupon for New Lucy Doll!

Lucy-Desi Fans:

A new "I Love Lucy" doll just arrived today!

And, now through this Sunday (August 24), we're offering a $5 off coupon for the doll when you order it online!

Click here for more information on the doll and don't forget to enter the special code: CANDY5 in the Coupon Code area at the online check out in order to receive your discount. Once you enter the code, be sure to click the "Apply" button!

Remember, this $5 coupon is good only through this Sunday!

The Great "I Love Lucy" Doll Sale!

Big News For Lucy Collectors!

The Great "I Love Lucy" Doll Sale starts tomorrow (Wednesday, August 20)!

Look for great savings on "Lucy" dolls by Mattel, Madame Alexander, the Franklin Mint, and more while quantities last! Sale ends next Tuesday, August 26.

For all the details, visit www.lucy-desi.com tomorrow and click on "Gift Shop." Featured dolls will be showcased on the home page of the Lucy-Desi Gift Shop website.

Lucy's Birthday Celebration Highlights

Dear Lucy-Desi Fans:

To all of you who were with us earlier this month for Lucy's Birthday Celebration...thank you for celebrating with us! We set new records during this festival as fans from 33 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada made Jamestown, New York, their destination for the August 1-3 festival weekend.

To those of you who weren't able to attend, everyone in Lucy's hometown looks forward to welcoming you here in the future!

A special slide show featuring some of the highlights of the weekend are now online! Click here!

Thanks again to everyone for their ongoing support of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center!

Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Inc.
Month-In-Review: July 2008

• The Lake Oswego (Oregon) Review features a story about a toddler “Little Ricky” from “I Love Lucy”. Click here for details.

• TV Land runs an “I Love Lucy” marathon over the July 4th holiday weekend.

• Final pieces are put in place for the opening of the newly expanded Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York, the hometown of the Queen of Comedy.

• Lucy-Desi Center staff meet with the administrator of Jamestown’s WCA Hospital to begin exploring collaboration on humor therapy.

• Photographers and videographers from the New York State Division of Tourism visit the Lucy-Desi Center to shoot photos and video.

• Concert stagings of Dance With Me, the new musical about the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, are presented in West Hollywood as part of the Festival of New American Musicals. For details click here.

• CKTB radio in St. Catherine’s, Ontario, interviews the Lucy-Desi Center’s Ric Wyman before Lucy’s Birthday Celebration 2008.

• Lucy- Desi staff host Hispanic Community Outreach symposium in Tropicana Room.

• Center staff meets with director of the Arts Council for Chautauqua County to explore future collaborations.

• Lucie Arnaz gives an extensive interview about her 1992 Emmy Award-winning documentary Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie. Click here for details.

• Center Outreach staff visits Rochester area nursing facility to learn about research program involving iPods.

• Lucy-Desi Center outlines plans to offer Komedy Kamp in summer of 2009 at the brand-new dormitories at Jamestown Community College.

• Billboard Magazine recently states, “Among the few things one can count on in life: the taste of McDonald's cheeseburgers, ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns are still funny-and Barry Manilow never wearing out his welcome at the top of the charts.”

• Center staff assists Jamestown’s Joint Neighborhood Project community outreach ice cream social.

• The Lucy-Desi Center contacts the Cassadaga Job Corps about possible collaboration.
• Lucie Arnaz returns to Broadway at Birdland, New York's well known jazz club.

• American Profile features a story about Keith Thibodeaux, who - as a child - played “Little Ricky” in “I Love Lucy”. Read the article by clicking here.

• Center Outreach staff presents a program on the “I Love Lucy” “Job Switching” episode at Camp Sundown, a camp for those with XP, who cannot tolerate light.

• Plans are announced for BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theater, beginning August 23. Details can be found here.

• The New York Daily News notes that the public’s obsession with celebrity babies dates back to the birth of Desi Arnaz, Jr.

• Desi Arnaz is featured in RerunIt.com, a new free entertainment content and e-commerce web site celebrating American pop culture and the celebrities who helped shape and define it. Learn more here.

• Plans are in the works for comedy classes for Jamestown Public Schools Advanced Learning Program students in conjunction with the Lucy-Desi Center.

"TEENSY" FROM "TENNESSEE BOUND" EPISODE OF "I LOVE LUCY" VISITS STU ON SHOKUS INTERNET RADIO THIS WEDNESDAY!

Remember when the Ricardos and the Mertzes travelled to Hollywood during the fourth season of "I Love Lucy" and zoomed through Bent Fork, TN? They were reunited with Cousin Ernie (Tennessee Ernie Ford) and became embroiled with the local sheriff and his two daughters. Well, one of those daughters will share her real-life experiences working on "I Love Lucy" when actress Marilyn Borden ("Teensy") appears live on "Stu's Show" with host Stu Shostak on Shokus Internet Radio (www.shokusradio.com) this Wednesday August 6th (Lucy's 97th birthday!) from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. PDT (7-9 p.m. EDT). Marilyn will talk about her entire career, including working with such legends as Jimmy Durante and Bob Newhart. Also on the show will be actor Wayne Stam, who played Uncle Martin's 11-year-old nephew Andromeda in a classic episode of "My Favorite Martian", another series produced for two seasons on the Desilu lot. Listeners are encouraged to call in toll-free with their questions during the broadcast.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Shokus Internet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the ENTER SITE button on the home page (www.shokusradio.com), by choosing one of the audio player links on the main.html page or via Itunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

Lucy's Birthday Celebration Starts Tomorrow!

Lucy-Desi Fans:

Final details are in place for Lucy's Birthday Celebration (August 1-3) in the Queen of Comedy's hometown, Jamestown, New York.

Weekend visitors will not only have the chance to meet Lucy's longtime personal secretary (Wanda Clark), longtime chauffeur (Frank Gorey), longtime friend (Hollywood star Ruta Lee), and longtime fan club president (Tom Watson), but fans will also be able to attend more than 30 festival events.

An "I Love Lucy" trivia contest (with special appearances by "Lucy" and "Ethel" impressionists), a memorabilia auction (that includes items from the Estate of Vivian Vance), luncheon tribute to "I Love Lucy" costume designer Elois Jenssen, and a special Saturday morning stage event with Joe Ruskin (guest star on both The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy) are all part of the fun.

Each day throughout the weekend, Lucytown Tours will be offered at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm, giving visitors an opportunity to see historic places in Lucy history from the comfort of an air conditioned motor coach!

For those looking to sharpen their wit and performing abilities, Lou Ann Graham will offer special workshops on improvisational comedy on Friday and Saturday afternoons. On Sunday, she'll be the guest of honor during a tribute to her sister, Vivian Vance, who will forever be remembered as Ethel Mertz! Later, on Sunday afternoon, Lou Ann will welcome visitors aboard The Summer WInd on Lake Chautauqua for a special afternoon cruise.

On going screenings, street contests (inspired by famous "Lucy" TV moments), Lucy-Desi Collectors' Show, and a fan reunion and picnic are also planned.

Some events are free. Other events require paid admission.

And, if this isn't enough "Lucy" fun for the weekend, the doors to the newly expanded Lucy-Desi Museum will be opened for the first time to the public at 2 pm tomorrow (Friday, August 1).

If you love Lucy, it's "Destination Jamestown!" this weekend!

LEGENDARY ACTOR WILLIAM SCHALLERT VISITS SHOKUS INTERNET RADIO

One of the most prolific and best-known character actors in show business will visit "Stu's Show" host Stu Shostak for two hours of memories and reflections live this coming Wednesday, July 30 beginning at 4:00 p.m. PDT (7:00 p.m. EDT) on Shokus Internet Radio (www.shokusradio.com). Perhaps best known for playing Patty Duke's father Martin Lane on "The Patty Duke Show", Mr. Schallert has been seen in virtually every TV show since the late 50s, including "Leave It to Beaver", "The Donna Reed Show", "Bewitched", "Star Trek", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "The Lucy Show", "The New Gidget", "Perry Mason", and many, many others, as well as hundreds of feature films. In addition, his voice is one of the most-recognized in the world as a result from recording literally thousands of TV commercials and animation voiceovers.

Lucy fans may remember Mr. Schallert as the softball coach in two classic episodes of "The Lucy Show" from the first and second seasons. Listeners will be encouraged to call in toll-free with their questions and comments.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Shokus Internet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the ENTER SITE button on the home page (www.shokusradio.com), by choosing one of the audio player links on the main.html page or via Itunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

FINAL PLANS TAKING SHAPE FOR LUCY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Lucille Ball’s Hometown to Host Festival August 1-3

Jamestown, NY - A lot of planning goes into presenting more than 40 events during a three-day weekend festival - especially when you’re also opening a brand-new museum! The walls have been built and painted, the carpet installed, the multiple video screens programmed, Lucy’s Mercedes put in place, and exhibits are currently being readied, so the new Lucy-Desi Museum at 10 West Third Street in downtown Jamestown, New York, will be ready to open for Lucille Ball’s Birthday Celebration this weekend, August 1-3.

Visitors from the more than 20 states and Canada are packing and making their travel plans to enjoy the festival with its more than 40 planned events. And the weekend’s celebrity guests are looking forward to their visit to the Queen of Comedy’s hometown as well.

As Ruta Lee, Hollywood Walk of Fame actress who is the weekend’s headliner, said from her home in southern California, "I look forward to reliving my life with Lucy and sharing the love and laughter with all her friends and fans!" Advertising Advantage & Eagle Systems are sponsoring Saturday night’s 8 pm "I Remember Lucy: An Evening with Ruta Lee" in the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown. Tickets are still available for the gala reception that follows.

And what would a festival celebrating Lucille Ball be without lots of "Lucy"!

There will be two film fests on the big screen in the Civic Center, the former Palace Theatre where a young Lucy watched vaudeville with her grandfather on Saturday afternoons. Three seldom-seen episodes of The Lucy Show, the Queen of Comedy’s long-running 1960s television series, will be shown at 3:30 on Friday afternoon, August 1. At 4:30 Saturday afternoon three back-to-back episodes of Life With Lucy, her final television series, will be screened, including the last episode that was filmed but never aired.

Weather permitting, "Lucy Under the Stars" will offer free outdoor movies on the corner of Third and Pine Streets at 9:45 on Friday and Saturday nights. Popcorn and soda will be available.

For live comedy entertainment, you can’t beat The Unexpected Guests, Jamestown’s own comedy improv troupe! Jane Fischer, Gary Peters, Jr., and Tim Smeal will lead the group, offering their improvisational sketches at 9:30 pm on Friday, August 1, in the Tropicana Room above the Desilu Playhouse (the "I Love Lucy" museum) at 2 W. 3rd Street in downtown Jamestown. Opening the show will be John Schillner, a popular host at Lucy-Desi festival events. The Unexpected Guests will perform in zany "Lucy" ways, while John offers his own unique style of humor.

Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction Preview Now Online!
Live Auction on Saturday, August 2 in Lucy's Hometown!

Have you been hoping to add the hard-to-find Ethel Mertz Santa doll to your personal "Lucy" collection? Interested in a chance at bidding on a one-of-a-kind postcard featuring Vivian Vance's own writing? Or, maybe you're just curious to see some of the highlights of the upcoming memorabilia auction during Lucy's Birthday Celebration! (August 1-3)!

Over 30 items are featured as a special online auction preview. Click here for details.

(If you're unable to attend the auction but would like to place an absentee bid, you'll find details on how to do so at the link above.)

FANS TO GATHER FOR PICNIC DURING LUCY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Jamestown, NY - Since the annual company picnic for Desilu Productions employees and their families was such an important part of the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, it’s only natural when their fans gather that a picnic would be in order!

The American Legion Post 777 near Celoron, New York, the village where a young Lucille Ball lived during much of her childhood, will be the site for the Lucy-Desi Fan Reunion and Picnic during Lucy’s Birthday Celebration, August 1-3.

Wanda Clark was Lucille Ball’s personal secretary for more than 25 years. She will share rare photographs from the Lucy-Desi Center archives during the event beginning at 11:30 on Sunday morning. The Lucy-Desi Fan Reunion will be an opportunity to learn more about the Queen of Comedy from someone who played a unique role in her life. A founding board member of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Wanda is traveling from her home in Oklahoma for the gathering of fans from all across the country.

Giftware manufacturer All-U is providing over $500 in door prizes for the event sponsored by Quality Markets. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Village of Celoron’s Desi Arnaz Band Shell that was dedicated in the spring of 2007.

LUCY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION HEADLINER TAKES HER CHARITIES SERIOUSLY!
Ruta Lee Plans Visit To Jamestown August 2!

Jamestown, NY - In 1955, a group of talented young Hollywood stars wanted to change the image that actors and entertainers just partied, married and divorced. Their mission became "to achieve better mental health for our community and the world at large," and they called themselves "The Thalians," after the Goddess of Comedy, Thalia. The Thalians have raised over $30,000,000, and they support treatment of those afflicted with mental and psychological illnesses and diseases through The Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

For many years Hollywood Walk of Fame actresses Ruta Lee and Debbie Reynolds have alternated the responsibilities of President and Chairman of the Board for The Thalians, with Ms. Lee the current Chairman. This year they will be honoring Clint Eastwood as "Mr. Wonderful."

In 1974 Lucille Ball was the first "Mrs. Wonderful" that they honored!

But it's not just Ruta Lee's long-time charitable connection with The Queen of Comedy that brings her to Jamestown, New York, for Lucille Ball's Birthday Celebration, August 1-3: it's her appearances on The Lucy Show and Lucy Moves to NBC.

Lee's extensive acting credentials include numerous movies (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Witness for the Prosecution, Anything Goes) and television appearances on series including The Andy Griffith Show, The Flying Nun, Mork & Mindy, Love Boat, Vega$, Murder She Wrote, and Roseanne.

On Saturday evening, August 2, in the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown, the audience will hear Ruta Lee's memories of working with The Queen of Comedy, be able to pose questions to her, and enjoy a screening of her appearance in The Lucy Show episode, "Lucy's Substitute Secretary." The 8 pm event is sponsored by Advertising Advantage and Eagle Systems.

Immediately following "I Remember Lucy: An Evening with Ruta Lee," a limited admission gala reception will take place, giving fans an opportunity to meet Ms. Lee while enjoying live music and refreshments.

LUCYTOWN TOURS REMAIN POPULAR FESTIVAL ATTRACTION!

Jamestown, NY - Lucytown Tours date back to some of the earliest Lucille Ball festivals in her hometown, Jamestown, New York. And they’ve gotten even better with the passing years!

Departing from the original Lucy-Desi Museum on Pine Street at 10 am, 1 and 4 pm each day, Lucytown Tours will again be a major attraction during Lucy’s Birthday Celebration, August 1-3.

Jamestown native Lucy Studd serves as the tour guide, pointing out more than two dozen locations in Jamestown and neighboring Celoron that were significant in the early life of The Queen of Comedy. A historic video, made possible through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, gives passengers a look back to Lucy’s time.

A different celebrity mystery guest is a part of each trip. Passengers could find themselves traveling with Lucy’s personal secretary or her driver, the author of a “Lucy” book, or an actor from one of Lucille Ball’s television series! The tours conclude with a stop at Lake View Cemetery, where Lucille Ball is buried with her family.

All riders will receive a chocolate treat courtesy of The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, producer of the only officially licensed "I Love Lucy" chocolates, and a door prize will be awarded to one lucky traveler on each trip.

Sponsors for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration 2008 are Advertising Advantage, ATR Treehouse, Bank of America, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, Community Bank, N.A., Cummins, DFT Communications, Donut Connection, Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation, Eagles Systems, Eric Cohler Design, Falconer Printing & Design, Fenton Photography, Garden of Eden, Habiterra Architects, Hanson Sign Companies, Hope’s Windows, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress Co., Jamestown Savings Bank, Lake County Chrysler Dodge & Kia, Lakeview Computer, Ludwig Auction & Realty Co., M & T Bank, Pembroke Pines Media Group, Quality Markets, Rhoe B. Henderson Insurance Agency, Roberto’s Restaurant, Shults Auto Group, Summer Wind, WBFO and Welch’s. Prizes are provided by Aliz International, All-U, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and Vandor.

Seating for Lucytown Tours is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.

SNEAK PEEK OF EXPANDED LUCY-DESI MUSEUM OFFERED TO MEMBERS DURING LUCY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Jamestown, NY –During Lucille Ball’s Birthday Celebration, Lucy-Desi Museum members will be the first to walk through the doors of the new, expanded Museum at 10 West Third Street in downtown Jamestown, next door to the Desilu Playhouse, the “I Love Lucy” museum.

The Museum Members Only Party on Friday, August 1, 8-9:30 am, will include not only the first viewing of the new facility but also refreshments and special gift shop discounts. Non-members can join at the door for this free event sponsored by the Donut Connection.

With eight distinct galleries, six screening opportunities, and Lucille Ball’s monogrammed 1972 gold Mercedes-Benz, the new Lucy-Desi Museum is a must-see! Visitors will learn about the early lives of The First Couple of Comedy, see the piano from Lucy’s grade school in Celoron, enjoy the beautiful gowns and costumes from her wardrobe, see paintings and photographs that once hung in Lucy and Desi’s home in Beverly Hills, view movie posters from Lucy’s extensive big screen career, and much more.

The 40+ events festival weekend will also be the last opportunity to visit the original Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine Street that opened in May, 1996. Highlights of its current exhibit, “Lucy & Desi: Memories & Mementos,” include the first of four Emmy Awards Lucille Ball received, her ostrich feather-trimmed black peignoir, and original photos taken during Desi’s 1976 appearance on the first season of Saturday Night Live. After the festival, the permanent exhibits in the original Museum will be relocated into one gallery at the new location.

The new Museum will be open to the public for an admission fee at 2 pm Friday afternoon, August 1. Festival visitors can purchase a pass that will admit them to all three facilities – the original Lucy-Desi Museum, the new Lucy-Desi Museum, and the Desilu Playhouse – throughout the entire weekend. Separate admissions are available for each of the facilities, with a special festival rate for the new Museum during the festival weekend. Admission to the two Lucy-Desi Museums is free to members, and Desilu Playhouse admission is discounted for Museum members.

Lucy-Desi Update!

Lucy's Birthday Celebration: August 1-3
Salute Lucy's Oscar-winning costume designer, Elois Jenssen! Get your picture taken while seated in Lucy's 1972 Mercedes! Enroll in a comedy workshop taught by Vivian Vance's sister! Dine at the Tropicana Room! Meet Hollywood star (and Lucy Show guest star) Ruta Lee! Enjoy the antics of Jamestown's very own improv comedy troupe, The Unexpected Guests. All this and more during Lucy's Birthday Celebration, August 1-3. Click here for details!

Lucie Sings!
Lucie Arnaz celebrates her 40th year in show business with a special four-night engagement at Birdland in New York City. Tonight through July 19, Lucie and “special guests every night” will appear at Manhattan’s famous jazz club! For details, click here.

Christmas In July
Look for great discounts on select holiday ornaments and stockings now during the Lucy-Desi Center's "Christmas In July" sale online! Click here for details.

They Love Lucy!
Hollywood A-lister Johnny Depp, General Hospital's Carolyn Hennesy, music legend Chuck Berry, and My Name Is Earl star Jaime Pressly are among those who have recently proclaimed their love for our favorite redhead.

Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction: August 2!
Vivian Vance’s nieces will be offering items from the estate of their famous aunt as part of the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction on Saturday, August 2. The auction, one of more than 40 events planned for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration, will feature over 100 collector items including jewelry, books, and clothing once owned by Vivian Vance! Other items showcased in the upcoming auction include behind-the-scenes candid snapshots of Lucy and Ann Sothern, a handwritten recipe from Vivian and a Christmas card sent by Lucy and Desi in the mid 1950s. The auction will also feature original artwork saluting the First Lady of Comedy by local, regional, and nationally known artists! The artwork is already offered as an online preview. Look for select memorabilia items to be featured online soon! For complete details, click here.

“VISIONS OF LUCY” ARTISTS TO BE SHOWCASED AT LUCILLE BALL FESTIVAL AUCTION

Jamestown, NY – Since 1999, Lucille Ball’s hometown has offered an annual art exhibit featuring original one-of-a-kind artwork of the Queen of Comedy. Appropriately titled “Visions of Lucy,” this unique exhibit, currently on display at Roberto’s Restaurant at 20 West Third Street in downtown Jamestown, New York, showcases the talents of local, regional, and national artists.

Rick Carl, famed Lucy artist whose artwork appears on the cover of The "I Love Lucy" Book and fills the pages of The Official "I Love Lucy” Paper Dolls, is among the talented artists who have offered submissions to this year’s exhibit. Paintings are also being offered by Brigitte Baldwin of Corning, New York; David Ciampichini of Summit, New Jersey; Fred Griese of Buffalo; and Dave Woodman of Alamosa, Colorado. Jamestown’s John Hitchcock is offering a unique screen door, and Ciampichini also created a sculpture for this exhibit.

On Saturday, August 2, in conjunction with Lucy’s Birthday Celebration, all artwork will be incorporated into the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction. For those unable to be a part of the festival weekend (August 1-3) but who would like to participate in the auction, complete details on how to place an absentee auction bid are available at here.

In addition to the artwork, the auction will offer over 100 vintage Lucy-Desi memorabilia items, plus special one-of-a-kind collectibles, including memorabilia from the Estate of Vivian Vance.

The auction is sponsored and conducted by Ludwig Auction & Realty Co. and will be held at the Reg Lenna Civic Center, 116 E. Third Street in downtown Jamestown. The preview for ticket holders opens at 12:30 pm, with the bidding beginning at 1:37 pm.

Another opportunity for both collectors and just the curious throughout the weekend is the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Collectors’ Show. Hours for the show at 217 N. Main Street are 10 am-4 pm Friday, 9 am-5 pm Saturday, and 10 am-4 pm Sunday. Among the vintage and out-of-production offerings will be movie posters, collector plates, dolls, comic books, magazines, and more. Admission to the Collectors’ Show is free.

TROPICANA DINNERS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND FOR LUCY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Jamestown, NY - Live music, a three course meal inspired by an “I Love Lucy” episode, and performances by “Lucy” and “Ethel” in a recreation of Ricky Ricardo’s Tropicana nightclub proved to be so successful during May’s Lucy-Desi Days that organizers are offering two encore shows August 1 and 2 during Lucy’s Birthday Celebration-a weekend long festival in Lucille Ball’s hometown.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Lucy Ricardo” impressionist Diane Vincent and her sidekick “Ethel Mertz,” actress Rhonda Medina, will welcome guests to celebrate their all-time favorite television show in the beautiful Tropicana Room above the Desilu Playhouse, Jamestown’s “I Love Lucy” museum. They will reenact scenes from “I Love Lucy” episode 33, “Lucy’s Schedule,” where Ricky Ricardo puts Lucy on a schedule while serving dinner to his boss.

“Lucy” and “Ethel” will also add to the fun during Friday evening’s “I Love Lucy” Trivia Contest at 7:30 in Jamestown’s Reg Lenna Civic Center. Author and We Love Lucy Fan Club President Tom Watson will join host John Schillner to invite randomly selected audience members to step on stage and prove their Lucy-Desi knowledge. Over $500 in prizes will be provided by Vandor, a leading “I Love Lucy” giftware manufacturer.

At the festival’s opening ceremonies at Jamestown’s City Hall Plaza on Friday, “Lucy” and “Ethel” will help distribute free punch and cake as part of Lucy’s Birthday Cake Bake-Off. The comic duo will be available for professional photos at the Photo Op at the Lucy-Desi Collectors’ Show, 217 N. Main Street, from 2-3 pm Friday and Saturday and “Ethel” will pose 11 am-noon on Sunday.

Tribute To Lucille Ball's Costume Designer Planned
Mini Fashion Show with “Lucy” Part of August 1 Event
Jamestown, NY – With more than 40 events slated for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration in Lucille Ball’s hometown (Jamestown, New York) August 1-3, visitors may wonder which are a “must do.”

Here’s one not to miss: On Friday, August 1, at 1 pm, the Lucy-Desi Center will welcome author Allan Glaser to the Tropicana Room for a special afternoon luncheon event. Attendees will enjoy lunch in the beautiful recreation of Ricky Ricardo’s Tropicana nightclub followed by a special tribute to Lucy’s costume designer, Elois Jenssen.

The author of The Official “I Love Lucy” Paper Dolls, Glaser will share original costume sketches approved by Lucy herself that Elois created for some very memorable "I Love Lucy" episodes. Participants will hear stories about Lucy and Elois’s unique friendship, view a slideshow of rarely seen photos from Allan's personal collection, and listen to Lucille Ball pay tribute to Elois on a rare audio tape that was recorded weeks before Lucy passed away. And as a special treat, Universal Studios: Hollywood’s Lucy Ricardo impressionist Diane Vincent will offer a mini fashion show of some Elois-inspired costumes.

The menu for the luncheon has been inspired by the popular “L.A. At Last” episode featuring William Holden in the Brown Derby.

Immediately following the program, Allan Glaser will be available to sign copies of The Official "I Love Lucy" Paper Dolls. The book's artwork is by well-known Lucy artist Rick Carl. Some of Carl's original art is part of the "Visions of Lucy" exhibit at Roberto's Restaurant at 20 W. Third Street in downtown Jamestown. These pieces will be included in the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction on Saturday, August 2, during the festival. More information about the art auction can be found here.

Vivian Vance's Sister To Offer Workshops During Lucy's Birthday Celebration!
Jamestown, NY - Vivian Vance’s younger sister, Lou Ann Graham, will be in Jamestown, New York, for Lucille Ball’s Birthday Celebration, August 1-3, to commemorate the wonderful woman best known as Lucille Ball’s sidekick “Ethel Mertz” in “I Love Lucy”.

An accomplished performer herself, on Friday and Saturday afternoons, August 1-2, Ms. Graham will teach workshops in improvisational comedy. Admission to these two-hour sessions is limited so that each participant will have an opportunity to truly develop their skills.

Sunday morning, August 3, We Love Lucy Fan Club President Tom Watson will host “We Remember Viv: A Tribute to Vivian Vance,” and Ms. Graham will share private memories and family photos. There will be a special video of Vance’s career and some great surprises! Over $500 in door prizes will be awarded courtesy of Aliz International. The 9:30 a.m. event is sponsored by the Garden of Eden and will be in downtown Jamestown’s Reg Lenna Civic Center.

An actress and singer, Vance had a varied stage career before she defined the role of “second banana” on television. She was nominated for four Emmy Awards and was the first winner of the award in the Best Supporting Actress category. Following “I Love Lucy”, Vance was part of the cast in The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour and The Lucy Show. She later made appearances in a number of television programs, as well as playing Maxine, who dispensed Maxwell House coffee in a series of television commercials.

On Sunday afternoon Graham and “Ethel” (actress and “Ethel” impressionist Rhonda Medina) will host “Ethel’s Showboat Cruise” aboard The Summer Wind on Lake Chautauqua -- the same lake Lucy Ricardo talked about on “I Love Lucy.” Boarding for the 1:30 departure is at Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the village of Celoron, where Lucille Ball lived as a young girl.

Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Inc.
Month-In-Review: June 2008

* Hollywood Walk of Fame actress Ruta Lee is announced as the headliner for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration, August 1-3, in Jamestown, New York.

* The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center is featured in a Voice of America story about personality museums in the United States (http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2008-06-01-voa3.cfm).

* The Lucy-Desi Museum and Desilu Playhouse are included in a story about Chautauqua County in Drive: The Magazine from Subaru (http://www.drive.subaru.com/Sum08/Sum08_RoadTrips.htm).

* With sponsorship by TV Land, Lucie Arnaz moderates a Legacy of Laughter panel and receives a Laughtime Achievement Award on behalf of her parents, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, at the HUMOR Project’s 52nd international conference on “The Positive Power of Humor & Creativity.” She also offers a conference session, “Ask Lucie: Up Close and Personal with Lucie Arnaz.”

* Justin Timberlake presents TV Land’s Lucille Ball Legacy of Laughter Award to Mike Myers (http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities).

* New York City’s WNBC-TV gathers information on the Lucy-Desi Center for a story featuring three New York State museums.

* Lucie Arnaz is honorary co-chairwoman for the Westport Public Library’s 10th annual Booked for the Evening ceremony honoring Oscar Hijuelos, author of The Mambo Kings Sing Songs of Love (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/localnews/ci_9558937).

* The Lucy-Desi Center is featured in a cover story in Group Travel Leader , the national newspaper for the group travel industry (http://grouptravelleader.epubxpress.com/wps/).

* Note is made of a Lucille Ball lookalike’s being featured in Armstrong flooring ads (http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news).

* The Lucy-Desi Museum and Desilu Playhouse are included in the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Chautauqua region travel opportunities (http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer.

* Plans are announced for concert stagings in West Hollywood of Dance With Me, the musical about the lives of the Lucille Ball and Desi (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118744.html).

* Five-time Emmy Award winning costume designer Ret Turner creates fashion accessories for Lucy-Desi staff that he donates to the Center (http://www.post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/504336.html).

* London, England, reports on Salma Hayek’s being hailed for her efforts as executive producer of Ugly Betty at the Crystal Lucy Awards, established to honor women in film as a tribute to Lucille Ball (http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html .

* At least in Australia, it appears that “I Love Lucy” “will soon have digitally inserted advertising in the form of product placement” (http://www.watoday.com.au/national/1).

* The Lucy-Desi Center is featured in the North East (PA) News-Journal as a close-to-home vacation opportunity.

* Gallager Bobseine of Cattaraugus, New York, is recognized as the first recipient of the newly reestablished Lucille Ball Scholarship at Jamestown Community College.

* The Tampa Tribune notes that Jamestown’s Lucy-Desi Center is featured in the National Geographic’s map of Appalachia (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/29/).

* Lucy-Desi Center staff participates in Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Return on Investment seminar.

Lucy-Desi Fans:

We've just updated our online store!

Click here and you'll see new items coming soon including two new beach chairs, fleece blankets, dolls, t-shirts, and more!

FREE EVENTS DURING LUCY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:
August 1-3 Festival Celebrates The World’s Favorite Redhead!

Jamestown, NY – Now more than ever, with the high price of gasoline, this summer’s travelers are looking for a good value for their vacation dollar. With so many free events during Lucille Ball’s Birthday Celebration, Jamestown, New York, is a great place to be for family fun August 1-3!

Friday morning on City Hall’s Tracy Plaza, Suzuki Strings & Friends directed by Nina Karbacka offer a musical tribute to the First Couple of Comedy. At noon Mayor Sam Teresi will proclaim the official opening of the festival, with the assistance of “Lucy” (Diane Vincent) from Universal Studios: Hollywood and her sidekick, “Ethel Mertz” (Rhonda Medina)! After the announcement of the winners of Lucy’s Birthday Cake Bake-Off, “Lucy” and “Ethel” will be sure to see that everyone enjoys the free cake and punch!

The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (DJDC) will have live entertainment throughout the Taste of Jamestown on Friday in downtown Jamestown. Restaurants will be outdoors, featuring some of their signature menu items for less than $4 between 11 am and 11 pm. On Saturday and Sunday DJDC’s Downtown Arts & Crafts Festival will offer craft vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities and more!

Beginning at noon on Saturday, young Jamestown area musicians from the Infinity Performing Arts Project will salute the Queen of Comedy with outdoor performances.

Vintage foreign trading cards, movie posters, collector plates, dolls, comic books, magazines, and more will be on display and for sale at the Collectors’ Show at 217 N. Main Street. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm on Friday and Sunday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday.

There will be no charge for Lucy’s Mystery Theatre at the Reg Studio Theatre, 108 E. Third Street. Hours for these constantly changing screenings of Lucille Ball’s television appearances are Friday: Noon-7pm, Saturday: 10 am-7pm, and Sunday: 10am-6 pm.

Each afternoon will be the finalist competition for a different contest inspired by classic “I Love Lucy” episodes. Friday will feature Lucy’s Goofy Golfing Contest at 4:30 pm, Saturday will be the Candy Factory Antics Contest at 4 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm will be the finals for the Egg Stuffing Contest. Competition finals will be at Potters Terrace, on 3rd Street between Main and Potters Alley. Registration for participation is 9 am-2 pm each day at the Information Booth outside the Reg Lenna Civic Center at 116 E. 3rd Street.

Another prize-winning opportunity is the challenge to find pictures of 25 “I Love Lucy” comic books that have been hidden in downtown shops and restaurants. Entry forms for the Downtown Jamestown Loves Lucy Scavenger Hunt can be picked up at any of the three Lucy-Desi locations. Winners of prizes courtesy of the San Francisco Music Box Company will be announced in the fall.

Weather permitting, Friday and Saturday from 9:45-11 pm “Lucy Under the Stars” will be on the oversized outdoor movie screen on the corner of Third and Pine Streets. Viewers are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. Adding to the fun, popcorn and soft drinks will be available to purchase.

Lucy-Desi Fans:

Looking for hotel accommodations for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration, August 1-3, in Jamestown, New York?

Here’s some information that may be helpful:

Jamestown
America's Best Value Inn - still has some rooms
620 Fairmount Ave., W.E. Route 394
www.bestvalueinn.com
(716) 488-1904

Partridge Sheldon Mansion (Bed & Breakfast) - two rooms available
70 Prospect Street
call Kathy Foster @ (716) 354-4135

Falconer, NY (less than 10 minutes from Jamestown)
Red Roof Inn -has three rooms left as of the morning of June 30.
1980 Main Street
(716)-665-3670

Mayville, NY
30 minutes west from Jamestown) Route 394

Chautauqua Inn & Suites - still has some rooms, for 3 nights minimum
215 West Lake Road
www.chautauquasuites.com
(716) 269-STAY (7829)

Fredonia, NY
(30 minutes north from Jamestown) [@ I-90]

Days Inn/Fredonia Motel - good availability
10455 Bennett Road, I-90, Exit 59,
www.the.daysinn.com/fredonia05551
(716) 673-1351 or toll-free, (800)-DAYS-INN

Dunkirk, NY
(35 minutes north from Jamestown) [1 mile from I-90, Exit 59]

Comfort Inn - good availability
3925 Vineyard Dr.
www.choicehotels.com
(716) 672-4450

Findley Lake, NY
(35 minutes west from Jamestown) I-86, Exit 4 or Routes 430 & 426

Holiday Inn Express - good availability
3025 Route 426
www.hiexpress.com/findleylakeny
(716) 769-7900 or toll-free, (800)-HOLIDAY

Peek 'n Peak - good availability
1405 Olde Rd.
www.pknpk.com
(716) 355-4141

Westfield, NY
(40 minutes west from Jamestown) I-90, Exit 60; Route 394 & Route 20

William Seward Inn (bed & breakfast) - two rooms available
6645 S. Portage Rd.
www.williamsewardinn.com
(716) 326-4151

Warren, PA
(30 minutes south from Jamestown) Route 62

Holiday Inn of Warren - good availability
210 Ludlow
(814) 726-3000 or (800) 446-6814
Email: holinwrn@penn.com

Also, keep in mind that as travelers’ plans change, hotels do get cancellations which free up rooms. Don’t hesitate to check back with the major Jamestown hotels about their availability as it gets closer to the festival. Click here for more details on Jamestown area accommodations.

We're looking forward to welcoming you to Lucy's hometown!

LUCILLE BALL’S MERCEDES ON EXHIBIT DURING LUCY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Jamestown, NY – This August 1-3 won’t be the first time Lucille Ball’s long-time chauffeur, Frank Gorey, has been in Jamestown, New York, for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration. But it will be the first time he sees her 1972 gold Mercedes-Benz on display in the new and expanded Lucy-Desi Museum!

The automobile, with Lucy’s monogram on the door, was given to the Lucy-Desi Museum several years ago by her son-in-law, actor Laurence Luckinbill. The development of the new Museum space will enable the vehicle to be on permanent exhibit to the public.

During the Saturday morning, August 2, Lucy Legend Event fund raiser, participants will have a professional photograph taken of themselves in the Mercedes with the man who drove the car, Frank Gorey. Following the photo shoot, there will be a continental breakfast, a special screening, and conversation with Frank. Admission is limited.

While not all of the expanded Museum’s eight galleries will be complete, the festival weekend will be the first time the public gets a sneak peek at this new tribute to The First Couple of Comedy. Located at 10 West Third Street, it is next door to the Desilu Playhouse, Jamestown’s “I Love Lucy” museum.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the original Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine Street that opened in May, 1996. Highlights of its current exhibit, “Lucy & Desi: Memories & Mementos,” include the first of four Emmy Awards Lucille Ball received, her ostrich feather-trimmed black peignoir, and original photos taken during Desi’s 1976 appearance on the first season of Saturday Night Live.

After the 40+ events festival weekend, the permanent exhibits in the original Museum will be relocated into one gallery of the new space.

Since 1999, Lucille Ball's hometown has offered an annual art exhibit featuring original one-of-a-kind artwork of the Queen of Comedy.

Appropriately titled "Visions of Lucy," this unique exhibit showcases the talents of local, regional, and national artists!

Rick Carl, famed Lucy artist whose artwork appears on the cover of The "I Love Lucy" Book and fills the pages of The Official "I Love Lucy" Paper Dolls, is among the talented folks who have offered submissions to this year's exhibit.

In On Saturday, August 2, in conjunction with Lucy's Birthday Celebration, all artwork will be incorporated into the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction (preview: 12:45 pm, auction: 1:37 pm).

For art connoisseurs and Lucy fans alike, we're offering a special art preview online.

If you're unable to be a part of the festival weekend (August 1-3) but would like to participate in the auction, you'll find complete details on how you can place an absentee auction bid online.

For complete details and an online preview, click here.

Mattel To Release Santa Ricky Doll!
In 2006, Mattel released a limited edition Lucy Ricardo doll dressed as Santa (and inspired by the seldom-seen 1956 Christmas episode). The doll was a quick sell out.

Last year, Mattel followed up with a very limited edition Santa Ethel doll--so limited that the doll now sells on the secondary market for over $500!

And now, for 2008, Mattel will be releasing the third edition yet another doll inspired by the holiday themed episode. This year, it's Ricky Ricardo as the jolly old elf, himself! The doll will only be available for a limited time. Guarantee you'll be one of the first to receive the doll when it is released later this year by pre-ordering today at: http://lucille-ball-desi-arnaz-center.stores.yahoo.net/matteldolls.html.

"Lucy Ricardo" To Offer Mini Fashion Show During Lucy's Birthday Celebration

With more than 40 events slated for "Lucy's Birthday Celebration" in Lucille Ball's hometown (Jamestown, New York) August 1-3, fans may wonder which are a "must do".

Here's one you won't want to miss: On Friday, August 1, at 1 pm, the Lucy-Desi Center will welcome author Allan Glaser to the Tropicana Room for a special afternoon luncheon event. Attendees will enjoy lunch at Ricky Ricardo's Tropicana to be followed by a special tribute to Lucy's costume designer, Elois Jenssen, by her close friend, Allan Glaser. You'll see costume sketches Elois created for some very memorable "I Love Lucy" episodes. You'll hear Lucille Ball pay tribute to Elois on a rare audio tape that was recorded weeks before Lucy passed away, and you'll enjoy a mini fashion show of some Elois-inspired costumes modeled by "Lucy" (aka Hollywood actress and "Lucy" impressionist Diane Vincent).

Don't miss this special luncheon event! Immediately following the program, Allan Glaser will be available to sign copies of his book, The Official "I Love Lucy" Paper Dolls. With artwork by well-known Lucy artist (and long-time Lucy-Desi Center supporter) Rick Carl, Allan pays tribute to the fashions of "I Love Lucy" and tells the story of Elois Jenssen and her significant contributions to our favorite sitcom.

For tickets to this special luncheon event, click here.

Lucy-Desi Visa® Card!
Do You Have Your Own Lucy-Desi Credit Card? Don’t miss the fun and conversations you’ll start when you use your Bank of America® Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center Visa® card. This card is the ONLY card featuring the First Couple of Comedy and a portion of every purchase you make will be returned to the Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Center, Inc., at no additional cost to you! For more information on the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center Visa credit card, visit www.lucy-desi.com. See you this summer!

For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this card, please click on the link above and refer to the disclosures accompanying the online application. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A.

© 2008 Bank of America Corporation

With record high gas prices, the best getaway you could plan this summer may be closer than you think!

The chart below offers estimated time and mileage to Jamestown, New York.

Why not plan a visit to Lucy's hometown and enjoy all the things that Chautauqua County has to offer!

And...schedule your visit August 1-3 and take part in Lucy's Birthday Celebration with more than 40 events!

From	Time	Mileage
Albany, NY	6 hrs	357
Akron, OH	3 hrs	168
Boston, MA	8 ½ hrs	523
Buffalo, NY	1 ½ hrs	75
Cleveland, OH	2 ½ hrs	145
Columbus, OH	4 ½ hrs	282
Corning, NY	2 ½ hrs	145
Frederick, MD	5 ½ hrs	286
Erie, PA	3/4 hr	49
Harrisburg, PA	5 hrs	236
Lancaster, PA	5 ½ hrs	274
Montreal, QC	8 hrs	461
New York, NY	6 ½ hrs	394
Niagara Falls, NY	2 hrs	95
Ottawa, ON	7 hrs	404
Philadelphia, PA	6 ½ hrs	402
Pittsburgh, PA	3 hrs	171
Rochester, NY	2 ½ hrs	140
Scranton, PA	4 ½ hrs	278
Syracuse, NY	4 hrs	216
Toledo, OH	4 hrs	262
Toronto, ON	3 hrs	173
Washington, DC	6 ½ hrs	332

Lucy-Desi Fans:

The Franklin Mint continues to offer an amazing collection of high-end "I Love Lucy" dolls and costumes for those that love Lucy! Dolls that feature Lucy as a ballerina...costumes that allow you to transform her into the grape stomping peasant or candy factory worker...and a cleverly-designed storage trunk to keep your Franklin Mint Lucy collection all in one place!

And now, for the next seven days, the Lucy-Desi Center is offering many items from this collection at significant savings!

With these special temporary markdowns now through next Tuesday (June 24), now is the time to add that special costume to your growing Franklin Mint collection. Or, maybe you've been waiting for a sale like this to get started!

And, when you order from www.lucy-desi.com, your order is not only shipped directly from Lucy's hometown but it also supports the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center!

For more information, click here.

We want you to be with us as we celebrate the birthday of our favorite redhead! Come to Jamestown this summer and have a ball!

Top 10 Reasons To Make Lucy's Hometown Your Destination August 1-3...

...Fellow fans from throughout the country will be competing in fun candy factory, exciting egg stuffing, and goofy golfing ("Mashee!") contests inspired by famous episodes--and you can be a part of it!

...You can plan a picnic with Lucille Ball's longtime secretary, Wanda Clark, where we'll share a collection of rarely seen photos from the Lucy-Desi Center's archives!

...You'll meet a special author who'll be offering a personal tribute to an Oscar winning woman who contributed greatly to Lucy's style!

...You can take part in an event honoring a classic character actor who appeared on both The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy! And, he'll be in Jamestown to meet fans!

...If you don't delay, you'll be able to dine with "Lucy" and "Ethel" as they present two special Tropicana Dinner Party encore performances. (The dinner shows were a sell-out at our May festival and by popular demand, we'll be offering two dinner shows on Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2--while tickets last!)

...You'll be able to get your picture taken with a very special guy and a very special thing in a very special new place! (Watch your email for more information about this soon!)

...Wow!!! You can enroll in a two-hour workshop on improvisational comedy taught by Vivian Vance's sister, Lou Ann Graham!

...You can prove yourself a true Lucy fan as you compete with other fans during a special "I Love Lucy" Trivia Contest co-hosted by Lucy historian and author, Tom Watson!

...You'll be in the presence of a Hollywood actress who not only appeared on Lucy's TV series, but also Dragnet, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, The Flying Nun, Hogan's Heroes, Mork & Mindy, Three's Company, ChiPs, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Charles In Charge, Murder, She Wrote, and Roseanne.

...We're celebrating the birthday of the Queen of Comedy with more than 30 events!

Big News!

As members of the Lucy-Desi Center listserv, you're among the first to hear big news about a new "I Love Lucy" collector doll in development!

Mattel will be producing a limited edition "I Love Lucy" Ricky Ricardo doll for release later this year!

This limited edition will feature Ricky dressed as Santa from the memorable "I Love Lucy" Christmas Special which aired on Christmas Eve in 1956.

For more information, visit: http://lucille-ball-desi-arnaz-center.stores.yahoo.net/matteldolls.html.

Lucy-Desi Fans:

Our sincere thanks to everyone (from 24 states, 2 Canadian provinces, and Tasmania!) who turned out to celebrate the legacy of the First Couple of Comedy this past weekend in Jamestown, New York.

Visit www.lucy-desi.com to see weekend highlights that will be showcased in slide-show form.

Watch too, for details on Lucy's Birthday Celebration (August 1-3). Complete details will be posted in June.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Lucy-Desi Center, the entire staff, and the countless Lucy-Desi Center volunteers, thank you for your continuing support and...we hope to see you in Jamestown (again) soon!

Lucy-Desi Fans:

If you missed last week's National Public Radio tribute to Desi Arnaz and "Ricky Ricardo, you can access it now at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90535612&sc=emaf

If you'd like to receive these Lucy-Desi News updates
directly to your email address, click here.