THE WAY ACTOR KEVIN COSTNER explained it, his long-time best friend Tim Hoctor, a Ventura realtor, "has these big ideas and it always begins with me."
"I really think we should do something for Ventura," was how Hoctor framed it to his friend. The famous actor, who grew up here and admits his heart never quite left, agreed. So Costner and Hoctor got together with city officials, local business folks - including entrepreneur Mark Hartley - and made it happen.
The result? A July 26 benefit party at 2 p.m. at Hartley's new restaurant The Watermark followed by a splashy red carpet premiere at Ventura's Downtown Century 10 for Costner's new Disney flick "Swing Vote," capped off by a street party at 8:15 p.m. headlined by Costner's band Modern West.
"It's Ventura. It's my community. ... I thought let's have a street party and make it all-American fun," he said.
The Academy Award-winning actor reminisced fondly about his childhood in Ventura at a press conference today held to officially announce the event. "Ventura was very big in my life," he explained. The star of "Bull Durham," "Dances With Wolves," and "Field of Dreams," spent many days fishing off the Ventura pier as a boy.
He lived in a house near Foothill and Wells in East Ventura and attended Saticoy Elementary, Cabrillo Middle School and Buena High, where he played basketball and befriended legendary Buena coach Joe Vaughn. "This was an idyllic life here in Ventura," he said. His family moved away when he was a sophomore. "It broke my heart when I left," he said.
He's made many visits back since making it big and has been occasionally spotted in the stands at Buena basketball games. Costner has a home up the road in Summerland and not too far from where his wife grew up near Santa Ynez. "We are old dogs. We go back to what we know. We'll probably do the majority of our living here in this area."
The tickets for the premiere and party at The Watermark - at $500 apiece - are already sold out, but the evening street party is free and open to the public. The Downtown Ventura Organization is currently working on parking alternatives for the thousands who are expected to show up.
Kevin Coster, huh? Never cared for the guy that much. Too full of himself.
Many students at Cabrillo believe Kevin used the name Mariner in Waterworld to honor his old middle school. (That made the movie worth watching again with a 'tweener's perspective.)
I understand from Lance Orozco's report that this event will be a fundraiser for VUSD & other local organizations -- anyone have more detailed info on that?
Did he give you a hug also or just Staci?
Well, from what I could gather the event itself will be really expensive to put on. I am hopeful they will have enough sponsors, etc. in addition to the party proceeds to distribute among the many charities they have designated for it -- VUSD, Interface Children Family Services, Santa Paula Police/Fire, & Santa Paula Family Resource Center.
Costner did not come off as full of himself at all, Mongo. He seemed just really warm and genuine. Not a drop of pretentiousness. It's nice of him to do this and he really does seem to care about his former hometown.
I swear, Mongo, I think if I just put up the word "Black" on the site, you'd come along and post "White." What a contrary human you are.
Mongo wishes he could be Kevin Costner. Then maybe women would like him.
Not true, Marie. I'm just not that into glorifying celebrities. They get enough adulation already. They're just people like you and I.
I liked it much better when you did that piece on the lady that helped the homeless people. Now there's somebody deserving of praise.
You have a point. But I respect celebrities who use their fame to pay back their community and raise money for charity.
And yes, I loved my story on Sherry, too. She is very special to me and she knows it! Because she let me tell her story, (and the Star picked it up for the print edition), Turning Point is giving her a big award. I am so thrilled for her.
I wish I could attend. Too far away....sigh.....
I also wish he would come to Oklahoma and bring his great band Modern West with him. Honest, they are really good! Do a search on You Tube and see for yourself.
I read in his Bio that his family (not sure if it was his Dad or his Mom) was originaly from Oklahoma. Anyone know more details on this?
"COME TO OKLAHOMA, KC! Let us show off BrickTown to you and the River Walk!!"
Oh boy-had the honor of meeting him too. Kevin is kind, sincere, personable, funny and of course sexy. Once you meet him, you cant not like him.
Staci, I really believe you. And although he has received a lot of bad press in the past over various movies, I admire the hell out of him. He has done what his heart told him to do and chosen many projects because they spoke to him on a certain level. Some he has felt so strongly about that he even financed them with is own money.
Did you guy's know that he has lost millions of dollars in the past trying to make this planet "greener", trying to help our environment and help the country conserve our precious energy and other recourses?
When is Jill Dominique going to sign on and say that he's "hot"? Peace out from me. This is turning into a chick blog.
And your point is????? LOL!
I missed seeing the hug, Staci, but your dad said you got one. Oh well.
Mongo, if you hate this chick stuff you can go back to the entry below and write about AK-47s some more.
Of course it's turning into a chick blog-we're talking KC here. These blogs are kinda fun too. Pamela, You are right on about him-I hope he does come to Oklahoma!!
I have a better photo of him than the one up there, ladies. You will like it. I can email to you if you left your correct email address on the comments form.
(I think we've completely nauseated Mongo by now...)
Mongo - You are probably fat and very jealous with nothing better to do than criticize someone who is handsome, has wealth and uses it to help his fellow human beings. Perhaps if you put your energy into doing something to help this community, other than write acid blogs, the "ladies" out here might have a pinpoint of respect for you. This is an excellent blog, covering issues of interest to this community and you, Mr. Mongo, are delighting in trying to sabotage it. Your ego must know no bounds.
Sorry to disappoint you, Linda, but I'm not fat, my wife still finds me quite attractive and I do plenty of good things for the community. In fact, myself and my family have donated numerous volunteer hours to a variety of worthwhile causes including the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, American Cancer Society, St. Vincent De Paul Society, to name just a few. We have also donated significant dollars to the previously mentioned organizations, as well as others.
I wasn't trying to sabotage the blog. I was simply making a point that celebrities get too much credit and attention in our society. That's my opinion and I'm just as entitled to it as you are to fawn over movie stars.
No way you get out much to exercise or donate to charity. You sit on this blog and others like a vulture. You're addicted. Get a frickin' life.
I just hope that the city and downtown merchants do a better job of traffic control for Kevin's movie than they did with the chick flick that showed last night (Friday). Seems there was some confusion as to where all these 'donors' would park and regular people wanted to park downtown to spend money.
According to "The Star", the event created a big traffic nightmare.
Personally I think it is hilarious when the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.....
Are you starting up with me again, Skipster? Don't make me put you in your place again, moron. I'd be happy to do it though, if you wish. Your choice...
Blown way out of proportion, John Doe. They had blocked off space for limo drop off and then the spaces which were clearly marked "No Parking" were taken anyway. It was something like an 11-minute wait while one car was towed. Big deal. Not worth a Star story. No way.
The chicks on the blog have already put you in your place Mongrel, which is the log you crawled out from under.
You're pretty darn good at hit-and-runs, Skippy, coward that you are. With a name like that, I'm not surprised you're standing behind all the skirts on this thread and using them to fight your battles for you.
What a disgrace!
Where do we park?
I have been told on occasion I look a little like Costner, but I don't see it at all you be the judge.
Kevin is my favorite actor of all time though.
I will be there for sure.
WELCOME HOME KEVIN! Thank you for throwing us a party and I cannot wait to see you there!
And to the haters ~ Just don't come party! Stay home and we will have a blast!
KEVIN COSTNER IS THROWING US A PARTY!
TOTALLY COOL! THANK YOU KEVIN. WE ARE PROUD YOU ARE A VENTURAN AND WE CAN CALL YOU ONE OF OUR OWN. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU! WELCOME HOME!
KEVIN COSTNER IS THROWING US A PARTY!
TOTALLY COOL! THANK YOU KEVIN. WE ARE PROUD YOU ARE A VENTURAN AND WE CAN CALL YOU ONE OF OUR OWN. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU! WELCOME HOME!
Gag.
Are you asking for a gag Mongo Flamo? We'd be happy to gag you.
Stoo swooning and get a life!
Stop swooning and get a life!
I'm going to be there and can't wait!!
Yeah, I bet you will, with bells on, you swooner.