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BRIGHT HOUSE
NETWORKS and RETRO BILL
Form Partnership to Keep Kids Safe!
BRIGHT HOUSE
NETWORKS and RETRO BILL have
launched a multi-faceted safety initiative--Keeping Kids Safe--that
will utilize broadcast, internet, and live appearances to bring
informative and entertaining safety tips to families. The first live
appearance is scheduled for June 28, 2008.
Bright House Networks is a company dedicated to perfecting their
customers' home entertainment experience. Bright House Networks
provides Digital Phone, high-speed data (HSD), Video-on-Demand (VOD),
Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) and Digital Video Recorders (DVR).
The company’s Florida operations currently deliver nearly 300
channels to customers and were among the first in the country to
offer High Definition Television signals (HDTV).
Bright House Networks are proud supporters and partners in
children’s safety initiatives, enhanced educational programs and
community-wide efforts to invest in the futures of children.
Bright House Networks owns and operates the news operations Central
Florida News 13, News 13 Weather NOW, Central Florida on Demand, and
cfnews13.com serving the Orlando area and Bay News 9, Bay News 9 En
Español, Travel Weather Now, Tampa Bay on Demand and Baynews9.com
serving the Tampa area.
Bright House Networks serves over 2.2 million subscribers in cable
television systems located in and around Tampa Bay, Central Florida,
Indianapolis, Birmingham, Bakersfield and Detroit along with several
smaller systems in Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. Bright
House Networks is a privately held company headquartered in
Syracuse, New York. Advance/Newhouse, Bright House Network's parent
company, holds interests in Condé Nast magazines, PARADE magazine,
daily newspapers serving 26 cities, and a significant interest in
Discovery Communications, Inc.
For more information about Bright House Networks, visit their
website at
www.mybrighthouse.com.
RETRO BILL
joined his friend LEEZA GIBBONS
to raise money for the
"LEEZA GIBBONS MEMORY FOUNDATION"
at the
"Magic of Memories"
Dinner & Auction in Newport Beach, CA
It was an amazing night!
Celebrities and beauty professionals from worldwide
Paul Mitchell Salons gathered at the luxurious Fairmont Hotel in
Newport Beach, CA
for the 4th Annual "Magic of Memories" dinner and auction,
benefiting the
Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the
Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.
Nearly half a million dollars was raised for charity! RETRO
BILL did
his part by selling raffle tickets, which added thousands of dollars
to the record breaking fundraiser!
Many people paid HUNDREDS of DOLLARS just to touch RETRO BILL's
hair!
Even VIDAL SASSOON himself was
impressed by RETRO BILL's pompadour!
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RETRO BILL's
2008 Tour has begun! His
2007 Nationwide Live Appearance Tour was seen by over
1.5 MILLION SCHOOL CHILDREN in
Kindergarten thru 12th grade! On July
3rd & 4th
RETRO BILL proudly
fulfilled his duties as the OFFICIAL "Kick Off"
HOST & SPECIAL PRESENTER
at America's Independence Day Fireworks
Celebration & Ceremonies at
MOUNT
RUSHMORE in South Dakota. He has been invited back
for July 3 & 4,
2008.
This past
July, RETRO BILL was in
Nashville, Tennessee as a
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTOR &
AWARDS
LUNCHEON EMCEE at the 20th Annual International
DARE OFFICERS Training Conference.
RETRO BILL is considered by
many leading authorities to be one of the country’s
foremost experts in children’s safety & self-esteem.
Well known children's advocate, talk show host & radio personality LEEZA
GIBBONS, and CNN's LARRY KING have called RETRO BILL,
"The 21st Century Mr. Rogers!"
RETRO BILL
holds many honorable titles and affiliations,
including:
RETRO BILL continues to be a highly
sought after Television and Radio News Guest, discussing Children's
Safety & Self-esteem issues...
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Retro Bill
and retired U.S. Army Colonel,
David Hunt make an appearance
together on FOX Morning News.
Retro Bill
paying respects to the U.S. Army while
making an appearance in Nashville, TN.
Retro Bill
receives a "thumbs up" of approval for
his work
on behalf of America's youth from members of the
United States Army
California National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Unit
RETRO BILL
visits wounded U.S. troops at
Brooke Army Medical Center (San Antonio, TX)
Wounded U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan had
their spirits lifted when
Retro Bill visited Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. The
Official DARE Safety Buddy -
Retro Bill, signed photos and thanked
troops for
their service to our country. Accompanying Retro Bill were
representatives
of DARE America and the Bexar County Sheriff's Department.
This visit was one of many frequent visits
Retro Bill makes to military hospitals and bases to show his
appreciation to our nation's service men and women.
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The
DARE Safety Tips starring Retro Bill
are now featured weekly on the
Trinity Broadcasting Network and
the Smile of a Child television
network.
The Trinity Broadcasting Network,
or TBN, is the largest Christian television network in the world. It
claims five million viewer households per week in the United States.
TBN is carried on over 275 television stations in the U.S. and on
thousands of other cable television systems around the world in 75
countries, where its programs are translated into eleven languages.
TBN owns 23 full-power television stations and 252 low-power rural
stations in the U.S.
Smile of a Child TV is a Christian children's channel that
offers programming 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Smile of a
Child was created by Trinity Broadcasting Network co-founder Jan
Crouch. The goal of the network is to encourage children to develop
positive social skills with a heavy concentration on morals and
values. It is carried on digital simulcast channels of TBN-owned
stations. Internationally, it is available on the Hotbird satellite
in Europe, ABS1 satellite to Asia, India and the Middle East, and
Agila 2 both C-band and Ku-Band signal in some areas of Asia and the
Philippines.
Click to view the broadcasting schedule for
DARE Safety Tips starring Retro Bill on Smile of a Child.
Touring the USA
in 2008
"The Retro Bill Safety & Self-Esteem Show"
is revolutionizing children's entertainment.
An appearance by RETRO BILL is a
high energy and
informative
program enjoyed by
students
Kindergarten through 12th grade!
...and FAMILIES too!
Check out these newspaper articles:
Portsmouth Herald, NEW HAMPSHIRE
"Retro Bill helps kids handle bullying issues"
York Weekly, MAINE
"Retro Bill brings more than laughs"
Rapid City Journal, SOUTH DAKOTA
"Retro Bill Entertains and Educates Youths"
Mt. Vernon Register, ILLINOIS
"Retro Bill Encourages DARE Graduates"
The Record, CALIFORNIA
"Retro Bill delivers his message of self-esteem"
Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MONTANA
"Retro Bill Makes Stop In Gardiner"
The Casper Tribune, WYOMING
"Retro Bill Entertains DARE Grads"
The Daily Oakland Press, MICHIGAN
"Retro Bill teaches kids old-time
values"
Marco Island Sun Times, FLORIDA
"Retro Bill visits Marco with the
D.A.R.E. program"
Saint Petersburg Times, FLORIDA
"Big hair, big lessons"
Sioux City Journal, IOWA
"Retro Bill visits Elk Point, South
Dakota"
Cincinnati Enquirer, OHIO
"This anti-drug message comes with
Silly String"
Orange Counter Register, CALIFORNIA
"Leeza Gibbons is a big fan of Retro Bill"
Northwest Indiana Times, INDIANA
"Retro Bill brings positive
message!"
Tobacco.org
"Retro Bill's message connects with kids"
to read other articles and check out the latest news on
Retro Bill is honorably commissioned
a Kentucky Colonel
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Retro Bill
stops by the national headquarters
of KidsPeace while on tour in
Pennsylvania
and donates sixty-five copies of his
award-winning "DARE
Safety Tips" DVD to
be used in KidsPeace centers across
the United States.
KidsPeace President Lorrie Henderson,
Ph.D
presents Retro Bill with a
"Friend of Kids"
award for "his outstanding work to
give America's kids peace."
Retro Bill goes
International!
Appearing in the Carribean!!
The Carribean Island of St. Maarten was the first "live" appearance for
RETRO BILL outside of the United
States. The Award-Winning "DARE Safety
Tips starring RETRO BILL" (dvd) is being shown to
children in many languages by DARE Officers throughout the World,
however this Special Appearance by RETRO BILL
at the St. Maarten DARE DAY on December
1, 2007 (at the Belair Community Center) was the first time
RETRO BILL's INTERNATIONAL FANS had the chance to see their Hero in person!
The event was a BIG SUCCESS!
RETRO BILL will soon be heading back to
St. Maarten for another appearance!
STAY TUNED for more details regarding
RETRO BILL's return to
Saint Maarten!!
SPECIAL THANKS to St. Maarten DARE, Sgt. Dientje
Muller,
Sgt. Geovanni H.M. Sprott and The Westin Resort - St. Maarten |
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Jay Leno
gives RETRO BILL
a "thumbs up!"
Larry King
gives RETRO BILL
a "thumbs up!"
RETRO BILL receives a "thumbs up"
from Larry King (with wife Shawn)!
Mr. King stated enthusiastically,
"I wish I had his hair!"
Making an appearance with RETRO BILL
in Los Angeles, Jay Leno said,
"I love Retro Bill!"
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Retro Bill is honored by
Steve Edwards and Leeza Gibbons.
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"Thumbs Up!"
A red carpet arrival for Retro Bill!
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Leeza Gibbons, Retro Bill and Steve
Edwards at the Best of Los Angeles event.
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 The Best
of Los Angeles
event presented by Los Angeles
Magazine was held at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, CA. The
event showcased the "Best of LA"
with vendors from Los Angeles sampling
their finest! The event featured a silent auction that raised
money for the Alzheimer's Association and Leeza's Place,
which is dedicated to research and providing care for families and
patients afflicted by Alzheimer's Disease. One highlight from the event was when Leeza
Gibbons and Steve Edwards paid tribute on-stage to
Retro Bill.
Gibbons praised Retro Bill for his work on behalf of children worldwide.
She told the 2,000 guests in attendance that "Retro Bill is the 21st
Century Mr. Rogers," and added that he helps to keep children safe,
while boosting their self-esteem through his nationwide school assembly
programs and his Award-Winning "DARE
Safety Tips Video & DVD." Guests
clamored for a free copy of the "DARE
Safety Tips Video starring Retro Bill" as they
left the event. Retro Bill personally donated 2,000 of the videos to
attending Guests.
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Eric Thayer
/ Special to The Star
Bill Russ, who goes by the name Retro Bill in his nationwide safety
and self-esteem programs for children, makes a point with a plastic
chicken during a performance Wednesday at Junipero Serra School in Ventura. |
Retro Bill gives students a boost!
D.A.R.E. 'safety
buddy' presents entertaining lessons in Ventura
By Erinn Hutkin
To demonstrate the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet,
Retro Bill looked to his friend Mr. Potato Head.
As he stood on stage Wednesday at Ventura's
Junipero Serra School, Retro Bill -- children's advocate and motivational
speaker -- dropped Mr. Potato Head, scattering plastic potato eyes, ears
and hands across the stage.
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Eric Thayer /
Special to The Star
Retro Bill made his points about self-esteem, good choices and safety,
using props such as this Hula Hoop, a range of facial expressions and
humor, to an appreciative audience Wednesday at Junipero Serra School
in Ventura.
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"Boys and girls, you do not want this
to happen to you," he said, lifting Mr. Potato Head as a plastic arm fell
to the floor, followed by feet. "He is a mashed potato."
With a Bill and Ted-like "Whooah," Retro
Bill delivered messages kids absorbed with giggles -- be safe and make good
choices. Lying and bullying hurt, he said. Drugs and alcohol are bad. Being
an individual is cool.
Also known as Hollywood actor Bill Russ,
Retro Bill is the official "safety buddy" of D.A.R.E. America, a drug and
violence prevention program. Using $250,000 of his own money, Retro Bill
created a D.A.R.E. safety video used in 350,000 classrooms.
He travels nationwide performing safety
and self-esteem shows. He's talking with networks about his own program.
Starting this week, he will be a regular on Leeza Gibbons' national radio
show, "Leeza at Night."
"Whoooah," he repeatedly said in surfer-boy
disbelief.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
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 Retro
Bill: Outrageously normal
Dave Mosier/Van
Wert independent
12/3/2004
VAN WERT, OH - For a guy who has such a serious message, Retro Bill is having
w-a-a-a-y too much fun presenting
it. A cross between a 1950s-era Elvis and Mr. Rogers, Retro Bill presents
his mega-decibel message about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the
need for respect and self-esteem while sporting an outrageous pompadour
and flame-streaked jacket and shirt. It's the kind of presentation that
gets young kids' attention, but it's certainly no act. "What you see, is
what you get," says actor-writer-director Bill Russ, Retro Bill's alter
ego. "I totally believe in what I say to kids and I take what I do very
seriously." A military brat, Russ said his father was a drill sergeant who
demonstrated what "tough love" means to his children. He noted that his
parents instilled in him some very traditional values, including duty, honor
and love of country, God and family. "And my teachers taught me everything
I do," he added. Using a Hula Hoop, Mr. Potato Head, Silly String, safety
cones, a boxing glove and other props, Retro Bill's presentation, developed
over a seven-year period, is designed to get students' attention. After
he's got students listening, he slips in the serious stuff -- his anti-drug,
anti-alcohol, anti-smoking, anti-violence message, coupled with how kids
can develop a positive self-esteem. He uses the Hula Hoop to demonstrate
that "what goes around, comes around" -- an anti-violence message. He uses
the safety cones to show that "the shortest distance is a straight line"
and talks about how bad decisions cause people to lose direction. He uses
Mr. Potato Head to demonstrate why it's important to wear a helmet while
riding a bicycle and to buckle up in a car. Basically, Russ's live presentations
include the same kind of information that's on an award-winning video, "DARE
Safety Tips Video starring Retro Bill," that he produced using $250,000
of his own money and donated to the national DARE organization. Where did
the money come from? "I started out in dog suits in front of car dealerships
in 100-degree weather and worked up to directing music videos and commercials
for Seiko and other companies," Russ said, adding that he saved most of
what he made during those years. "I also maxed out my credit cards and had
my electric ity
turned off," he told adults at the Marsh Foundation. The video and his live
presentations, which he makes all over the country 300 days a year, are
obviously something he loves to do. "I tell people to find their passion
in life and then live it," Russ said. "That's what I'm doing." He's also
working on a television show idea with Leeza Gibbons. In talking one-on-one
with Russ, it's almost surprising, when considering his outrageous Retro
Bill costume and presentation, to realize just how down-to-earth he really
is. He has a very conservative philosophy of life, and doesn't hesitate
to tell you that he "walks the talk" when it comes to being alcohol-, drug-
and smoke-free. He also tones down his message when talking to parents,
teachers and law enforcement officers, like he did last night at the Marsh
Foundation auditorium. To adults, he stressed the importance of setting
a good example to children. "You must exhibit the same behavior when you're
not working as you do on the job," Retro Bill noted. He also provided adults
with his version of the "Who, What, When, Where and Why" scenario that journalists
use to "get the facts" for articles. His version is this:
Who -- Is my greatest hero? What -- Have I done to make a positive difference
in someone's life? When -- Is the last time I knew I made a positive difference
in someone's life? Where - Will be the place and moment I use something
I learned here? Why -- Are you what you are?
Most importantly, Retro Bill, told adults in concluding his talk at the
Marsh, is not to give up on children. "They are our future." And maybe Retro
Bill is theirs.
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By TITUS GEE
Valley Press Staff Writer
Photo: Jennifer X. Hernandez
The speakers shook, the room rumbled and the children came to their
feet. The Retro Bill Safety and Self-esteem Show was in full stride Thursday
on the stage of the multi-purpose room at Irving Branch Elementary School
at Edwards Air Force Base, the audience of fourth and fifth-graders rapt
with the entertainer’s antics.
For roughly 45 minutes, Retro Bill, played by Bill Russ of Beverly
Hills, took the children on a roller-coaster ride of silly humor and quiet
intensity. With the energy evoked by the flames that emblazoned his black
clothing (even the shoes), he gamboled through a rapid- fire succession
of ear-straining oral sound effects, slapstick comedy, and serious topics.
“Do your homework or you will NOT GET SMART!” he said. “Am I right?”
His body language demanded a response and the children did not disappoint.
“Yeah!” they yelled, but Retro Bill was already moving on, searching for
his next gag among the props that littered his table. No child talked, giggled
or squirmed except in response to the man on stage.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE
STORY...
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 Alaska's
National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Unit
Brings Retro Bill to Alaska
Photo by: Jim Lavrakas
"Retro Bill" - Bill Russ of Hollywood,
CA - began his all-grades assembly, left, at Taku Elementary with a sight
gag regarding bullying Wednesday morning. The nationally known children's
safety and self-esteem performer is making a one-week tour in Alaska, taking
his show to seventeen schools and two Boys & Girls Clubs of America programs
in the Anchorage and Mat-Su school districts.
He also traveled with United States Senator Ted Stevens
and other dignitaries to Fort Greely as part of the Alaska National Guard's
"Operation Santa Claus." Retro Bill was a Keynote Speaker at Fort Greely,
addressing the base personnel and their children. This is Retro Bill's second
trip to Alaska. Last year his tour included twenty-three Bush villages and
towns. It was sponsored by DARE Alaska and the Alaska State Troopers. Retro
Bill's message includes talk on bullying, teasing, internet predators, loneliness
and the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
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With
the United States Army
Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot & Crew
that flew me on my tour of Alaska
Click to enlarge
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Retro
Bill on tour at the "Top of the
World!"
Barrow, Alaska - America's
Northernmost City
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Retro Bill arrives at Fort Greely,
Alaska
for "Operation Santa Claus!"
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Retro Bill and Leeza Gibbons team up to
revolutionize children's entertainment!
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Leeza goes
“Retro!”
By Michael
Starr
“Extra’s”
Leeza Gibbons
is wearing many hats, successfully, these days.
Not only
does she have her “Hollywood Confidential” radio gig, and her
“Alzheimer’s Memory Foundation,” Gibbons also executive-produces
E!’s “Michael Essany Show” – and now she’s got a new show in the
hopper.
Gibbons is shopping
a kid’s program, “The Retro Bill Show,” which stars Bill Russ
as "Retro Bill," a 50's styled hepcat, who entertains, educates,
informs and inspires children of all ages. (He came highly recommended
by Kate Capshaw, Larry King, and Jay Leno, among
others).
Gibbons
and Russ have entered into a development deal between her TV production
company and Bill Russ Productions, Inc. Together, they will shop
"The Retro Bill Show" to various networks.
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"Thumbs Up!"
from
Retro Bill and
Leeza Gibbons!
Click Here
to read
a statement from
Leeza!
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SERVING
Los Angeles County, San Fernando Valley, Conejo
Valley, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, Glendale,
Burbank
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Photos: David Crane/Staff Photographer
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 Retro
Bill brought his one of a kind "Safety & Self-esteem Show "Friday to
the Kindergarten through Sixth-graders at Bouquet Canyon School in Saugus.
Working in concert with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's
Drug Abuse Resistance
Education STAR Unit, and the California National Guard the children's
character urged kids to keep safe, and stay drug and alcohol free.
The character Retro Bill is the brainchild of Hollywood actor, writer,
director Bill Russ, who has taken his show to schools across the country.
His "teaching tools" include props, humor, sound effects and retro costumes.
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Serving Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch,
Valencia, Castaic and Agua Dulce
Saturday, October 02, 2004
D.A.R.E.
TO BE RETRO
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"Retro Bill," who is being referred to as the "21st Century Mr.
Rogers," delighted students of Bouquet Canyon School on Friday
as he teamed up his cool 1950's era wardrobe with safety and self-esteem
tips, combined with an anti-drug and alcohol message. Retro
Bill, whose real name is Bill Russ, puts on a lively and interactive
show with props, sound effects and humor to deliver his messages of
keeping safe while staying away from drugs. Russ produced, directed
and stars in an Award-Winning safety video that he made and donated
to the nation's D.A.R.E. program.
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Photo By Gary Chopper/The Signal |
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May/June 2004
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Coast to Coast
in the USA!
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SAFETY
- Retro Bill Comes to Knoxville
Created by director, writer, producer and actor Bill Russ, RETRO
BILL is the official DARE Safety Buddy and host of National Kids
Day. Through lively performances, props, sound effects and humor,
he gives youngsters powerful, age-specific messages of safety, self-esteem
and character.
AAA East Tennessee, East Tennessee Childrens' Hospital, Rural Metro
and the Cochran Family McDonald's Restaurant sponsored RETRO BILL's
visit February 27th & 28th. He spoke to children at three schools
(Karns High School, Cedar Bluff Middle School, Farragut Primary
School), signed autographs at two restaurants (McDonald's and Brewsters
Old Fashioned Ice Cream), Blockbuster Video and appeared on two
radio programs during his visit. RETRO BILL will return in May as
the Keynote Speaker for the Knox County Sheriff's Department county-wide
DARE graduation, where 3,500 Fifth Graders will attend his performance
at the Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee. |
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Tuesday, June 10,
2003
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Serving San Luis
Obispo
County, California
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Using some of his trademarks… A "Hula-Hoop" and an Abraham Lincoln
cardboard cutout, “Retro Bill” Russ’ performance in San Luis Obispo
County capped a 17-week program of drug abuse resistance and anti-violence
education in seven local schools.
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“Retro Bill” entertains DARE graduates!
By Angela
Manese-Lee
Dressed to impress in flame-printed Chuck Taylor Converse high-top
sneakers, neon green shirt and hair-sprayed pompadour, “Retro Bill”
Russ brought a message of safety and perseverance to 85 DARE program
graduates at Los Osos Middle School on Friday.
Russ is the writer, director, producer and director of an Award-Winning
DARE Safety Tips Video starring Retro Bill that is currently being
seen by 26 million children in 350,000 schools across the country.
His performance capped a 17-week program of drug abuse resistance
education for students in seven local schools. Los Osos Middle
School was just one of the many schools “Retro Bill” visited as
he passed through San Luis Obispo County this past week...
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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May 31, 2003
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Great Falls, Montana
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Students gleefully
participate in Retro Bill's program.
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Retro
Bill is a Hit in Great Falls!
Retro Bill is D.A.R.E.'s
National safety buddy. He has been here in Great Falls since May
29 and has presented his Safety and Self-esteem Show for over 2,700
2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students. He also was the featured speaker
at a D.A.R.E. Graduation held at West Elementary, and paid a special
visit to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. Students from
fifteen schools in the Great Falls area clamored for a personally
autographed Retro Bill 8x10 photo. The always up-beat Retro Bill
(at his own expense) signed one for every child!
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Retro Bill performed for over 2,700 excited fans brought to West
Elementary from fifteen local schools! |
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Grand Rapids, Michigan
April 29, 2003
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"Thumbs up for healthy living!"
Elementary school students in
Grand Rapids, Michigan
show their approval for Retro Bill.
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‘Retro Bill’ tells students
to be cool!
The Hollywood actor
promotes D.A.R.E. with
unusual props.
By Melissa Kruse
The
Grand Rapids Press
An orange safety cone reminds him when it’s
time for a haircut, but that’s nothing compared to the meaning “Retro
Bill” can extract from a Hula Hoop and a blender.
The performer associated with Drug Alcohol Resistance Education
programs visited Highlands Middle School and Grandville Christian
School Monday, delivering his anti-drug message the only way Retro
Bill can: with a faux leopard skin jacket and a gravity-defying
pompadour...
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Using
a Hula Hoop,
Retro Bill teaches children
“what goes around comes around.”
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Retro Bill takes the town by
storm!
by SUSIE FAIR
Jim Carrey, step aside. There’s a new
dude on the scene that’s changing the lives of children everywhere
and he’s about to give you a run for your money.
Part comedian, part actor, Retro Bill
made an appearance in Rockford, Michigan last week to promote safety
and self-esteem at Valley View and Crestwood Elementary schools.
As for money, he laid out $250,000 of his own money to produce an
Award-Winning, anti-drug and safety video which he donated to the
nation’s D.A.R.E. program. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
A blast from the past right out of
the 1950’s, Retro Bill’s live performances are as inspirational
as they are energetic, with a few antics tossed in to keep the crowd
on their toes...
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Serving the Fox Valley
since 1846
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October 20, 2002
Aurora, Illinois
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West High graduate:
Producer of safety
video has had success
in several arenas
_______________________
By Tiffany Sanders
SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS
When “Retro Bill” brings his award-winning Safety Show to
Fox Chase Elementary School in Oswego on Thursday, it will be a
triumphant and colorful homecoming for Retro Bill’s creator and
alter-ego- writer/director/producer Bill Russ.
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“Retro Bill”
returns to Fox Valley
for Red Ribbon Week
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It is a fitting return, since Russ cites
growing up in the heartland as the key to his outlook on life and
his success.
Russ is a 1981 graduate of West Aurora
High School and made his filmmaking debut as a student at Waubonsee
Community College and Chicago’s Columbia College. The decade
that followed would be the envy of anyone with creative tendencies...CLICK
HERE TO CONTINUE
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Friday, April 26,
2002
RETRO BILL'S
MESSAGE CONNECTS WITH KIDS!
D.A.R.E. celebrity reaches
hometown audience in a Aurora
By Hal Dardick
Wearing his trademark
neon-green dress shirt and a faux cow skin blazer, Retro Bill was
perfectly coifed in a 4-inch pompadour Thursday, when he returned
to his hometown of Aurora to teach children some lessons of life...
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Tribune photos by John Kringas
Bill Russ Jr., who portrays Retro
Bill for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, speaks
to pupils Thursday in Aurora.
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Elgin, Illinois
April 24, 2002
'Retro Bill' teaches lasting safety
lessons to Gifford students
By Anne Marie Apollo
STAFF WRITER
ELGIN - If
anyone can look wholesome while wearing a leopard-print jacket over
a lime-green shirt,
it's "Retro Bill" Russ. With the wardrobe of a Las Vegas lounge singer,
but a clean-cut message about safety, and the importance of individuality,
Russ is the national star of Drug Abuse Resistance Education videos...
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Saturday, April 13, 2002
He moves kids
forward by taking them back
Retro Bill
is out of the Elvis era and in Port St. Lucie to lead a march for D.A.R.E.
By Teresa Lane
PORT ST. LUCIE - Every
morning before announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance, thousands
of St. Lucie County school children watch Retro Bill twist and shout
in his faux leopard coat and jet-black pompadour, spewing safety tips
at a frenetic pace kids eat like candy...
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Retro Bill
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Learn Safety
With Retro Bill
-Vanesa Mateu
With after-school sports, video games, homework
assignments, and cartoons all competing for your child's attention,
how do you find a way to teach your child how to be aware and safe
in his everyday surroundings? Big hair, a leopard print shirt, and
the zany antics of Retro Bill should do the trick...
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Serving Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch,
Valencia, Castaic and Agua Dulce
Sunday, December 02, 2001
Retro Bill is a Blast From the Past
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Valencia resident brings safety message
to children nationwide
By Margie Anne Clark
Staff Features Writer
The fourth-, fifth-
and sixth-grade students of Valencia Valley Elementary School took
a blast from the past as Retro Bill, aka Bill Russ, the star of the
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program’s latest safety
video, paid a visit to the school. The recently released video
is part of a national campaign to keep kids safe while staying free
of alcohol and drugs...
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Photos By Renah Agha/The Signal
In videos and in school assemblies
Bill Russ (Retro Bill) encourages children to avoid unsafe situations
and alcohol and drugs. Russ is a Valencia resident.
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SERVING
Los Angeles County, San Fernando Valley, Conejo
Valley, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, Glendale,
Burbank
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Retro Bill DAREs to be
different
By Kathleen Sweeney
Staff Writer
SANTA
CLARITA - It was the age of innocence - cruising the strip in souped-up
hot rods, wearing poodle skirts and slicked-back black and jamming to "Hound
Dog."
It was
the 1950s and the portrayal of this era in the movie "American Graffiti"
that caught Bill Russ' attention...
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The Signal
Serving Los Angeles County
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December 21, 2001
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‘Retro Bill’ Rewards Students
Retro Bill rewards Canyon Students with Magic Mountain
passes
MARGIE ANNE CLARK
/In The Zone
Remember when you were
a kid and your mom and dad told you that “Good Guys Win” or “If you
study hard and stay out of trouble you’ll be rewarded.”
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"Retro Bill" gives a thumbs up, alongside Juvenal
Camacho (center left), Salvador Rodriguez, and Canyon Principal Vicki
Engbrecht, as students receive their free Magic Mountain passes as part
of the “Retro Bill Rewards Program.”
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RETRO
BILL is a registered
trademark of
Bill Russ Productions, Inc.
All rights reserved.
DARE is a registered trademark of DARE America.
All rights reserved.
National KidsDay is a registered trademark
of KidsPeace. Copyright Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All rights
reserved.
Lego is a registered trademark
of The Lego Group. All rights
reserved.
ScanUSA is a trademark of ScanUSA, Inc.
All rights reserved.
The Cat in the Hat is a trademark of
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, 1957, 2005.
All rights reserved.
FIRST is copyright 2004
FIRST.
All rights reserved.
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