New report from IPCC a terrifying forecast of the years to come: "Drawn up by more than 2,500 of the world's top scientists and their governments, and agreed last week by representatives of all its national governments, the report also predicts that nearly a third of the world's species could be driven to extinction as the world warms up, and that harvests will be cut dramatically across the world."
Cruiseroad.jpg Tom Cruise's sexy beast makeover.
road.jpg Australian singer Missy Higgins comes out of the closet: "I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it's becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you're that way.''
road.jpg Four people stabbed at Greenville, South Carolina bar where Sean William Kennedy was fatally beaten in a hate crime assault last May.
road.jpg Australian attorney general urges supporters of man thought by many to be wrongfully convicted for gay man's murder to make a petition for mercy to the Governor of Victoria. The convicted man, Jamie Koeleman, has served 19 years in prison for the stabbing murder, which many claim was improperly investigated.
Dragnycroad.jpg Woman and accomplice in drag sought in New York real estate open house burglaries: "According to the police, the pair conducted a two-hour crime spree on Oct. 28 during three open houses, beginning at noon at 14 East 96th Street, where a Tiffany clock and designer handbags were stolen. An hour later, a dress, earrings, a bottle of Champagne and diamond jewelry were stolen at 4 East 82nd Street from an apartment listed at $2.195 million. The third theft occurred about 2 p.m. at 188 East 78th Street, where a fur coat, a wallet and a Coach shoulder bag were taken, according to the police. On Sunday, the police said, the same couple turned to the Upper West Side, at a duplex at 2373 Broadway that is on the market for $1.9 million."
road.jpg A photo wrap-up of the American Music Awards.
road.jpg Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken discuss their musical collaboration on live/action animation hybrid musical Enchanted.
road.jpg Arrests made in gay bashing of Top Chef contestant Josie Smith-Malave after victim's lawyer publicly criticizes police for not taking the attack seriously: "Melissa Trimarchi, 21, was arrested Saturday night on a misdemeanor assault charge, police said. She was released on an appearance ticket until a Nov. 30 court date. No working telephone number could be found for Trimarchi at the Sea Cliff address police gave, and they didn't know whether she had an attorney. Police also said Saturday that Elizabeth Borroughs, 20, had been arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of aggravated harassment. She also was released on an appearance ticket and is due in court Friday."
road.jpg Eric Winter to return to Brothers and Sisters.
Brodyroad.jpg Adrien Brody, others, take fantasy trip under the knife.
road.jpg Family and friends of U.S. soldier Ciara Durkin, who was slain in Afghanistan under mysterious circumstances, still don't know why she was killed, but they don't think it was because of her sexuality: "Those close to her do not believe that Durkin was targeted because of her sexual orientation. Durkin had talked with her friends, before she enlisted, about the Army's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, which allows gays and lesbians to serve as long as they do not disclose their sexual orientation or act upon it. She was, they recall, not particularly concerned about being found out. Durkin apparently did not reveal that she was a lesbian while in the service and, according to one soldier who knew her, her unit members were as shocked by her death as the discovery that she was a lesbian."
road.jpg Hundreds gather to watch 15 same-sex couples hold mass commitment ceremony in Adelaide, Australia.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Missy comes clean about love
POPULAR singer Missy Higgins has finally ended a whispering campaign about her love life.
Higgins has appeared on the front cover of a national lesbian magazine, telling readers that she is not straight and believes sexuality is a "fluid thing".
Cherrie magazine features Higgins under the headline, "Missy Higgins on life, music and not being straight".
Asked by Cherrie if she fitted the magazine's moniker of "not-so-straight girls", Higgins said: "Um, yeah, definitely."
"I think a lot of people fall under that broad umbrella term," Higgins added.
"I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it's becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you're that way."
Cherrie markets itself towards lesbians and is distributed in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, with 19,000 copies printed monthly.
Editor Katrina Fox, who conducted the interview, said that featuring on the magazine cover was a big step for Higgins.
"We were very pleased at Cherrie magazine that Missy felt comfortable in being our cover girl and for admitting that she comes under our broad moniker of not-so-straight girls," she said.
Speculation over Higgins' sexuality emerged after the release of her 2004 chart-topping single, Scar, which is rumoured to have been about her bisexuality, although Higgins has never commented openly on the meaning of the song.
Higgins is believed to have bought a house at Bondi for her girlfriend.
"It's hard to learn to live with the fact that people want to talk about your personal life at all, and to get into sexuality and that kind of thing," she said.
"I'm not that comfortable with talking about anything about my personal life."
Higgins, 24, explained she was by nature a shy person and that she found it easier to express her feelings through music, rather than talking about them in public.
"It's very different, writing a personal song, to talking about your personal life with a stranger," she said.
"Most songwriters or artists begin their art because they need to find a way to express themselves - because they have trouble doing it the way everyone else does, through conversation.
"Then we get put in a position where we have to try to explain ourselves - whereas that's the very reason we're in that position in the first place."
Higgins is the latest high-profile Australian singer to come out in recent years, as the music industry has become more accepting of sexual diversity.
Former Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes announced his marriage to male partner Richard Cullen on his personal website, while Anthony Callea was "outed" on Sydney radio.
When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph, Higgins and her management did not want to elaborate on the Cherrie article.
"I'd like to say if you're comfortable with who you are inside it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks," Higgins told the magazine.
"I don't think it's necessary to have to define yourself by any label.
"If you're comfortable with who you are and you know who you are on the inside, people will love you for it."
Higgins has appeared on the front cover of a national lesbian magazine, telling readers that she is not straight and believes sexuality is a "fluid thing".
Cherrie magazine features Higgins under the headline, "Missy Higgins on life, music and not being straight".
Asked by Cherrie if she fitted the magazine's moniker of "not-so-straight girls", Higgins said: "Um, yeah, definitely."
"I think a lot of people fall under that broad umbrella term," Higgins added.
"I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it's becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you're that way."
Cherrie markets itself towards lesbians and is distributed in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, with 19,000 copies printed monthly.
Editor Katrina Fox, who conducted the interview, said that featuring on the magazine cover was a big step for Higgins.
"We were very pleased at Cherrie magazine that Missy felt comfortable in being our cover girl and for admitting that she comes under our broad moniker of not-so-straight girls," she said.
Speculation over Higgins' sexuality emerged after the release of her 2004 chart-topping single, Scar, which is rumoured to have been about her bisexuality, although Higgins has never commented openly on the meaning of the song.
Higgins is believed to have bought a house at Bondi for her girlfriend.
"It's hard to learn to live with the fact that people want to talk about your personal life at all, and to get into sexuality and that kind of thing," she said.
"I'm not that comfortable with talking about anything about my personal life."
Higgins, 24, explained she was by nature a shy person and that she found it easier to express her feelings through music, rather than talking about them in public.
"It's very different, writing a personal song, to talking about your personal life with a stranger," she said.
"Most songwriters or artists begin their art because they need to find a way to express themselves - because they have trouble doing it the way everyone else does, through conversation.
"Then we get put in a position where we have to try to explain ourselves - whereas that's the very reason we're in that position in the first place."
Higgins is the latest high-profile Australian singer to come out in recent years, as the music industry has become more accepting of sexual diversity.
Former Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes announced his marriage to male partner Richard Cullen on his personal website, while Anthony Callea was "outed" on Sydney radio.
When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph, Higgins and her management did not want to elaborate on the Cherrie article.
"I'd like to say if you're comfortable with who you are inside it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks," Higgins told the magazine.
"I don't think it's necessary to have to define yourself by any label.
"If you're comfortable with who you are and you know who you are on the inside, people will love you for it."
Missy says she's 'not straight'
POPULAR singer Missy Higgins has finally ended a whispering campaign about her love life.
Higgins, 24, has appeared on the front cover of a national lesbian magazine, telling readers she is "not straight" and believes sexuality is a "fluid thing".
Cherrie magazine features Higgins under the headline: "Missy Higgins on life, music and not being straight".
Asked by Cherrie if she fitted the magazine's moniker of "not-so-straight girls", Higgins said, "Um, yeah, definitely".
"I think a lot of people fall under that broad umbrella term," she said.
"I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it's becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you're that way."
Cherrie markets itself towards lesbians and is distributed in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with 19,000 copies printed.
Editor Katrina Fox, who conducted the interview, said that featuring on the cover of the magazine was a big step for Higgins.
"We were very pleased at Cherrie magazine that Missy felt comfortable in being our cover girl and for admitting that she comes under our broad moniker of not-so-straight girls," she said.
Speculation questioning Higgins' sexuality emerged after the release of her 2004 chart topping single, Scar, which is rumoured to have been about her bisexuality.
Higgins, 24, has appeared on the front cover of a national lesbian magazine, telling readers she is "not straight" and believes sexuality is a "fluid thing".
Cherrie magazine features Higgins under the headline: "Missy Higgins on life, music and not being straight".
Asked by Cherrie if she fitted the magazine's moniker of "not-so-straight girls", Higgins said, "Um, yeah, definitely".
"I think a lot of people fall under that broad umbrella term," she said.
"I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it's becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you're that way."
Cherrie markets itself towards lesbians and is distributed in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with 19,000 copies printed.
Editor Katrina Fox, who conducted the interview, said that featuring on the cover of the magazine was a big step for Higgins.
"We were very pleased at Cherrie magazine that Missy felt comfortable in being our cover girl and for admitting that she comes under our broad moniker of not-so-straight girls," she said.
Speculation questioning Higgins' sexuality emerged after the release of her 2004 chart topping single, Scar, which is rumoured to have been about her bisexuality.
Silverchair the big winners at 2007 ARIA Awards
Full list of the 2007 ARIA awards:
2007 ARIA hall of fame recipient - Nick Cave
Album of the Year
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Group
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Male Artist
Gotye - Mixed Blood (Samples ’n’ Seconds/Creative Vibes)
Best Female Artist
Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Single of the Year
Silverchair - Straight Lines (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Pop Release
Sarah Blasko - What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have (Dew Process/UMA)
Best Independent Release
The John Butler Trio - Grand National (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Best Urban Release
Hilltop Hoods - The Hard Road Restrung (Obese Records)
Best Comedy Release
Dave Hughes - Live (Liberation Music)
Best Country Album
Keith Urban - Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing (Capitol/EMI)
Breakthrough Artist - Single
Operator Please - Just a Song About Ping Pong (Virgin/EMI)
Breakthrough Artist – Album
Sneaky Sound System - Sneaky Sound System (Whack Records/MGM)
Best Blues and Roots Album
The John Butler Trio - Grand National (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Best Children’s Album
The Wiggles - Pop go the Wiggles (ABC Music)
Best Dance Release
Sneaky Sound System - Sneaky Sound System (Whack Records/MGM)
Highest Selling Single
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Highest Selling Album
Damien Leith - The Winner’s Journey (Sony BMG)
Best Music DVD
You Am I - Who Are They, These Rock Stars? Live at the Mint (Virgin/EMI)
Best Rock Album
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Adult Contemporary Artist
Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (Ivy League Records)
Announced at Nominations event on September 19, 2007:
Best Cover Art
Aaron Hayward & David Homer (Debaser) - Powderfinger - Dream Days at the Hotel Existence (Universal Music)
Best Video
Paul Goldman & Alice Bell - Silverchair - Straight Lines (Eleven/Virgin/EMI))
Engineer of the Year
Wayne Connolly - Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (Ivy League Records)
Producer of the Year
Wayne Connolly & Josh Pyke - Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (Ivy League Records)
Announced at ARIA Fine Arts Awards on October 15, 2007:
Best Classical Album
Richard Tognetti, Australian Chamber Orchestra - Bach Violin Concertos (ABC Classics)
Best Jazz Album
Mike Nock & Dave Liebman - Duologue (Birdland/Creative Vibes)
Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album
Choir of Hard Knocks - Choir of Hard Knocks (ABC Classics)
Best World Music Album
Zulya - 3 Nights (Unstable Ape)
2007 ARIA hall of fame recipient - Nick Cave
Album of the Year
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Group
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Male Artist
Gotye - Mixed Blood (Samples ’n’ Seconds/Creative Vibes)
Best Female Artist
Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Single of the Year
Silverchair - Straight Lines (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Pop Release
Sarah Blasko - What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have (Dew Process/UMA)
Best Independent Release
The John Butler Trio - Grand National (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Best Urban Release
Hilltop Hoods - The Hard Road Restrung (Obese Records)
Best Comedy Release
Dave Hughes - Live (Liberation Music)
Best Country Album
Keith Urban - Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing (Capitol/EMI)
Breakthrough Artist - Single
Operator Please - Just a Song About Ping Pong (Virgin/EMI)
Breakthrough Artist – Album
Sneaky Sound System - Sneaky Sound System (Whack Records/MGM)
Best Blues and Roots Album
The John Butler Trio - Grand National (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Best Children’s Album
The Wiggles - Pop go the Wiggles (ABC Music)
Best Dance Release
Sneaky Sound System - Sneaky Sound System (Whack Records/MGM)
Highest Selling Single
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Highest Selling Album
Damien Leith - The Winner’s Journey (Sony BMG)
Best Music DVD
You Am I - Who Are They, These Rock Stars? Live at the Mint (Virgin/EMI)
Best Rock Album
Silverchair - Young Modern (Eleven/Virgin/EMI)
Best Adult Contemporary Artist
Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (Ivy League Records)
Announced at Nominations event on September 19, 2007:
Best Cover Art
Aaron Hayward & David Homer (Debaser) - Powderfinger - Dream Days at the Hotel Existence (Universal Music)
Best Video
Paul Goldman & Alice Bell - Silverchair - Straight Lines (Eleven/Virgin/EMI))
Engineer of the Year
Wayne Connolly - Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (Ivy League Records)
Producer of the Year
Wayne Connolly & Josh Pyke - Josh Pyke - Memories & Dust (Ivy League Records)
Announced at ARIA Fine Arts Awards on October 15, 2007:
Best Classical Album
Richard Tognetti, Australian Chamber Orchestra - Bach Violin Concertos (ABC Classics)
Best Jazz Album
Mike Nock & Dave Liebman - Duologue (Birdland/Creative Vibes)
Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album
Choir of Hard Knocks - Choir of Hard Knocks (ABC Classics)
Best World Music Album
Zulya - 3 Nights (Unstable Ape)
Missy, 'chair in late ARIA bids
AUSTRALIAN artists Missy Higgins, Damien Leith and Silverchair have received last minute ARIA nominations in both singles and album categories.
This year, for the first time, nominations for Australia's highest selling single and album are based on both digital and retail sales.
The final nominations for highest selling single are: Natalie Bassingthwaighte & Shannon Noll - Don't Give Up; Missy Higgins - Steer; Damien Leith - Night of My Life; Silverchair - Straight Lines; and Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief.
The final nominations for highest selling album are: Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night; Damien Leith - The Winner's Journey; Human Nature - Dancing in the Streets; Silverchair - Young Modern; and The Twelfth Man - Boned.
Higgins's standing in Australian music was evidenced when she was immediately announced as one of the performers at the ARIAs, the most fierce backroom contest fought by the record labels each year.
Higgins delivered one of the awards' most historic moments when she won the 2005 Album Of The Year gong for her The Sound Of White debut and leapt on top of guest presenter David Hasselhoff.
"I can't believe another one is coming up; it'll be interesting to see how I do this year," she said recently.
Sneaky Sound System are up for six ARIAs - the most for any act - including best album, best group and best dance act.
"We'd like to win something, obviously,'' band member Angus McDonald said. "We want to take something home. It'd be like dressing up with nowhere to go. We can't have that.
"I want to pop some champagne. We've bought four tables. If things go pear-shaped we're going to start a riot.''
This year, for the first time, nominations for Australia's highest selling single and album are based on both digital and retail sales.
The final nominations for highest selling single are: Natalie Bassingthwaighte & Shannon Noll - Don't Give Up; Missy Higgins - Steer; Damien Leith - Night of My Life; Silverchair - Straight Lines; and Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief.
The final nominations for highest selling album are: Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night; Damien Leith - The Winner's Journey; Human Nature - Dancing in the Streets; Silverchair - Young Modern; and The Twelfth Man - Boned.
Higgins's standing in Australian music was evidenced when she was immediately announced as one of the performers at the ARIAs, the most fierce backroom contest fought by the record labels each year.
Higgins delivered one of the awards' most historic moments when she won the 2005 Album Of The Year gong for her The Sound Of White debut and leapt on top of guest presenter David Hasselhoff.
"I can't believe another one is coming up; it'll be interesting to see how I do this year," she said recently.
Sneaky Sound System are up for six ARIAs - the most for any act - including best album, best group and best dance act.
"We'd like to win something, obviously,'' band member Angus McDonald said. "We want to take something home. It'd be like dressing up with nowhere to go. We can't have that.
"I want to pop some champagne. We've bought four tables. If things go pear-shaped we're going to start a riot.''
Missy Higgins makes waves in the US
Homeward bound Missy Higgins can call her three month US sojourn a success after one of her songs was chosen to appear in a popular TV drama.
Her track Where I Stood played during a scene of teen superhero drama Smallville this week in what is hoped to be a run of inclusions on such shows.
It's a small but significant step into the American market for Higgins, who has been performing shows in stores of retail chain Borders where a "teaser" release of her second album On A Clear Night is being sold.
The full version of the album is predicted to reach four-time platinum status in Australia by January, when it will be released in the US.
"It all looks really positive at the moment, the response to the songs and the performances has been amazing," Higgins told AAP from Los Angeles this week.
While she is reluctant to call it networking, Higgins said she had made contacts during her stay that have proven valuable.
"It's just amazing how many people, contacts I guess, that you can find when you base yourself in LA for a little while," she says.
"Just friends of friends who decide they like your work and all of a sudden they've put it on a show."
In addition to the Smallville appearance, Higgins said another song would soon be confirmed to appear on another major program.
Australians bands such as Youth Group know the power of TV in America when it comes to recording artists.
After plugging away in relative obscurity, the band's critical acclaim didn't match its success until producers of The OC asked them to record a new version of Alphaville's 1984 hit Forever Young. The new version saw Youth Group's profile skyrocket.
"The way music's being promoted now is constantly changing," Higgins says.
"It's not as simple as putting out an album and hoping people buy it.
"When I started out - it was just four years ago really - the internet was only a minor part of the business. Now when I go to the label's office there's this huge department and (internet marketing) is all they do."
Despite building up momentum in the US, whose radio networks are notoriously difficult for Australian acts to crack, Higgins returns home to a busy schedule next week.
In addition to a run of tour dates and festival performances, she will perform at the ARIA Awards, at which she is nominated for two gongs including best female artist.
She admits there is some nervous excitement about her return to the ARIAs fold for the first time since 2005, when her debut album The Sound of White won five awards, including album of the year.
"They're always fun, but it's going to be interesting to see what it's like going there with a second album under my belt. It's never going to be like it was again," she says.
In addition to the prospect of sleeping in her own bed, Higgins says she couldn't be more excited about her upcoming performances in Australia.
After the ARIAs, Higgins will embark on a tour in support of On A Clear Night's third single, Peachy, which has just hit radio and will be released to stores on November 10.
Her performance at Legs 11, a concert in support of breast cancer research next Friday at Sydney's The Domain, will be her first ever live show with the backing of an orchestra.
When she performs at the same venue for Homebake on December 8, it will not only be to a sold out crowd, but as part of a line-up which pays tribute to the women of rock featuring The Divinyls.
And when she hits the road for the tour, starting November 17 in Cairns, she will take in some regional areas she has grown to love, especially during the writing of her latest album, which she did mostly while based in Broome, Western Australia.
"I have a real affinity with country towns, I love the idea of places where people look each other in the eye and it's normal to say hi to whoever you walk past," she says.
"As for performing in towns like that, they're just so much fun, maybe they're grateful you're there because they don't get too many acts touring through, but either way, I love it."
Her track Where I Stood played during a scene of teen superhero drama Smallville this week in what is hoped to be a run of inclusions on such shows.
It's a small but significant step into the American market for Higgins, who has been performing shows in stores of retail chain Borders where a "teaser" release of her second album On A Clear Night is being sold.
The full version of the album is predicted to reach four-time platinum status in Australia by January, when it will be released in the US.
"It all looks really positive at the moment, the response to the songs and the performances has been amazing," Higgins told AAP from Los Angeles this week.
While she is reluctant to call it networking, Higgins said she had made contacts during her stay that have proven valuable.
"It's just amazing how many people, contacts I guess, that you can find when you base yourself in LA for a little while," she says.
"Just friends of friends who decide they like your work and all of a sudden they've put it on a show."
In addition to the Smallville appearance, Higgins said another song would soon be confirmed to appear on another major program.
Australians bands such as Youth Group know the power of TV in America when it comes to recording artists.
After plugging away in relative obscurity, the band's critical acclaim didn't match its success until producers of The OC asked them to record a new version of Alphaville's 1984 hit Forever Young. The new version saw Youth Group's profile skyrocket.
"The way music's being promoted now is constantly changing," Higgins says.
"It's not as simple as putting out an album and hoping people buy it.
"When I started out - it was just four years ago really - the internet was only a minor part of the business. Now when I go to the label's office there's this huge department and (internet marketing) is all they do."
Despite building up momentum in the US, whose radio networks are notoriously difficult for Australian acts to crack, Higgins returns home to a busy schedule next week.
In addition to a run of tour dates and festival performances, she will perform at the ARIA Awards, at which she is nominated for two gongs including best female artist.
She admits there is some nervous excitement about her return to the ARIAs fold for the first time since 2005, when her debut album The Sound of White won five awards, including album of the year.
"They're always fun, but it's going to be interesting to see what it's like going there with a second album under my belt. It's never going to be like it was again," she says.
In addition to the prospect of sleeping in her own bed, Higgins says she couldn't be more excited about her upcoming performances in Australia.
After the ARIAs, Higgins will embark on a tour in support of On A Clear Night's third single, Peachy, which has just hit radio and will be released to stores on November 10.
Her performance at Legs 11, a concert in support of breast cancer research next Friday at Sydney's The Domain, will be her first ever live show with the backing of an orchestra.
When she performs at the same venue for Homebake on December 8, it will not only be to a sold out crowd, but as part of a line-up which pays tribute to the women of rock featuring The Divinyls.
And when she hits the road for the tour, starting November 17 in Cairns, she will take in some regional areas she has grown to love, especially during the writing of her latest album, which she did mostly while based in Broome, Western Australia.
"I have a real affinity with country towns, I love the idea of places where people look each other in the eye and it's normal to say hi to whoever you walk past," she says.
"As for performing in towns like that, they're just so much fun, maybe they're grateful you're there because they don't get too many acts touring through, but either way, I love it."
Montessori rewarded for its green practices
Students and parents at Mountain View Montessori in south Reno received a special treat on Sunday when Warner Brothers recording artist Missy Higgins performed a private concert to thank the school for its "green" efforts.
"It ended up being just one of the most beautiful nights," said Charis Derbyshire, development director for Mountain View Montessori. "She was excited about what we are doing, and she loved the kids. She was so warm and sweet."
Higgins, an internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter, is best known in her native Australia, where she has twice had the No. 1 album and has received seven ARIA Awards -- Australia's version of the Grammy.
She participated in the Live Earth concert earlier this summer and has been doing small concerts across the U.S.
Higgins is an advocate of "green" living. During her U.S. tour, she and her crew have been traveling in Toyota Prius vehicles.
Her stop at Mountain View Montessori included a tour of the school to see its environmental practices.
The school was awarded a GreenPower Grant from the Desert Research Institute, Sierra Pacific Power Co. and the state of Nevada for its interest in and commitment to renewable energy development and education.
The school also encourages its students to use reusable containers when bringing lunch and snacks to school.
Higgins and a film crew from Warner Brothers shot footage of her visit to the school for use in a documentary about her that is being produced to support the Live Earth CD/DVD release on Nov. 20.
"She did a whole tour of the school with the videographers," Derbyshire said. "They had a boom with the big microphone on it. It was really neat."
Higgins then played a number of songs, including her latest release, "Steer," for the 200 parents and students who attended the event.
Families brought homemade meals for Higgins and her crew.
"They were really appreciative," said Derbyshire, whose daughter, Chani, and son, Derby, attend the school. "It was just a good fit for everybody. I think it was kind of fun for everybody, too. This is a great honor for a Reno school to be recognized like this. It was neat to see Missy be so excited about the things we're doing."
"It ended up being just one of the most beautiful nights," said Charis Derbyshire, development director for Mountain View Montessori. "She was excited about what we are doing, and she loved the kids. She was so warm and sweet."
Higgins, an internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter, is best known in her native Australia, where she has twice had the No. 1 album and has received seven ARIA Awards -- Australia's version of the Grammy.
She participated in the Live Earth concert earlier this summer and has been doing small concerts across the U.S.
Higgins is an advocate of "green" living. During her U.S. tour, she and her crew have been traveling in Toyota Prius vehicles.
Her stop at Mountain View Montessori included a tour of the school to see its environmental practices.
The school was awarded a GreenPower Grant from the Desert Research Institute, Sierra Pacific Power Co. and the state of Nevada for its interest in and commitment to renewable energy development and education.
The school also encourages its students to use reusable containers when bringing lunch and snacks to school.
Higgins and a film crew from Warner Brothers shot footage of her visit to the school for use in a documentary about her that is being produced to support the Live Earth CD/DVD release on Nov. 20.
"She did a whole tour of the school with the videographers," Derbyshire said. "They had a boom with the big microphone on it. It was really neat."
Higgins then played a number of songs, including her latest release, "Steer," for the 200 parents and students who attended the event.
Families brought homemade meals for Higgins and her crew.
"They were really appreciative," said Derbyshire, whose daughter, Chani, and son, Derby, attend the school. "It was just a good fit for everybody. I think it was kind of fun for everybody, too. This is a great honor for a Reno school to be recognized like this. It was neat to see Missy be so excited about the things we're doing."
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