Jess Petersen March 27, 1944 to May 21, 2008 Jess was my "Personal Manager" for many years, but he was quite a bit more than that. He was sort of like a third parent. When I was a teenager, my friends used to tease me that I was the only person they knew who had, "a mother, a father and a Jess". And well, now I don't have him anymore. He led a very interesting life, (to put it mildly!), and I really had trouble getting everything he did into an obituary. To read Jess's biography click here - Alison

Alison will be at the Magic Castle presenting "Confessions Of A Prairie Bitch" for 2 nights only, January 18 & 19, 2010. This is one of the few times that the general public can simply buy a ticket and attend an event at the Castle without being invited by a member. And if you've never been to the Magic Castle, then this is a must! The show will be in the "Inner Sanctum", deep in the bowels of the Magic Castle, where few are permitted to venture alone!

Monday, January 18th and 19th, 2009 - Doors 7pm - Show 8pm
The Inner Circle at the Magic Castle, 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028
$25 for non-members, Call 323-851-3313 x434 for more information

And we suspect that the Castle may sell out, so you may want to get a ticket soon. It's a small room for only 2 nights, and it's been widely publicized already. Did I mention that she's adding some magic in honor of the venue?

After that it all gets a little confusing. See, she's here in January, and as far as we know, she's here in February. In March, it's back to France for "Confessions D'une Garce de la Prairie" for several weeks. Then it's back here in April and May.

Oh, then there's June! On June 22, 2010, be prepared for the release of "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Being Nellie Oleson And Learned To Love Being Hated". (No, that's really the title.) Alison's book is being released by Harper Collins on their new IT Books label. Is it scandalous? Is it tell-all? Is it funny? Well, WHAT DO YOU THINK? FYI, it's now available for pre-order at Amazon.com. And look for details regarding the book-signing tour, etc.

After that, let's see, there's the French Country Music Festival in July in the South of France. (I am NOT making this up!) Then there's Walnut Grove. (Still not) And then back to France in the fall, I'm sure.

I Suppose We Have To Tell Someone About This...
Alison is in Daeida again. Hmmmm....she seem to have misplaced most of her clothes - oh it's OK, it's just a tribute to her dear friend the late, great Bettie Page.

In Vegas and in need of some serious physical training?
Our friend Stan Smith has a serious karate school in Las Vegas - "An old school in a modern time"

He's doing all sorts of new stuff - OK well not new, the whole point is it's really, really ancient and traditional.

And there's no fooling around. Sensei Smith don't play. If you are looking for somewhere to train in a serious manner, this is the place for you. Clients include: Las Vegas Metro Police, National Canadian Softball Team, UNLV Rebels Softball Team, Primaris Pilot and Flight Attendant Self Defense Program.

www.karateaikido.com

"As stated in Sensei Funakoshi¹s first principle, never forget that Karate begins and ends with respect. We are an old school in a modern time. If you would like to train with us, please bring a humble attitude and a willingness to learn."

See Hollywood with Alison.
Sight-seeing? Having grown up in Hollywood no one knows the town like our girl! If you'd like to explore Hollywood, on a Private VIP tour with Alison, check out: www.EliteAdventureTours.com or call 888-328-6871

A Major Victory in Congress: The PROTECT Our Children Act Passes

We did it! It took over two years of hard work and struggle, but the PROTECT Our Children Act was signed into law on October 13, 2008. It was PROTECT's toughest fight in over five years... and our most important victory yet.

A Signing... to Celebrate a Signing
In honor of the signing of the PROTECT Our Children Act, we have another very special signing to announce! PROTECT founders Andrew Vachss and Geofrey Darrow are offering a limited-edition print to benefit PROTECT. Vachss and Darrow have done a signing of their own: a limited edition print of Darrow's cover to Vachss' graphic novel, Hard Looks.

Signed, Limited Edition Print by Andrew Vachss and Geofrey Darrow to Benefit PROTECT

Click here to order! http://www.protect.org/Vachss-Darrow-Limited-Edition.html

Two of America's great warriors for child protection, author Andrew Vachss and artist Geofrey Darrow, have teamed up to create a very special benefit for PROTECT.

No American alive has done more than Andrew Vachss to advance the cause of child protection, through his work as an author, legal pioneer and founding father of PROTECT.

Geofrey Darrow, conceptual designer for the Matrix movies and renowned illustrator, played a historic role in building and supporting PROTECT in our first, struggling days and continues to do so today.

Hard Looks, a graphic novel published in 2002, brought a collection of Vachss' short stories about child abuse and "life at ground zero" to a new audience of Americans. If you're a fan of Vachss, Darrow or PROTECT, don't miss this rare opportunity.  

ALISON APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES

Alison takes on the U.K.!
Alison visited the U.K. in Decebmer as part of PRAIRIE DAY at the Hove Library in Hove, East Sussex,England. A grand time was had by all and we have lots of photos provided by Alison's guide Barnaby Marriott to prove it. Click here to see the page of Alison and Barnaby touring London and Brighton.

Alison makes a spectacle of herself at 2008 TV Land Awards - and we would expect nothing less!

"In case you were wondering what the hell this is - yes, it's from the taping of the 2008 TV Land Awards.  First is me on the red carpet looking properly regal - then it's me in the faaabulous opening number where I am hoisted aloft in a Broadway Peter Pan style flight harness.  (When I came in for a landing, I came in so low over one table, I almost kicked the drinks out of party goers hands!) My publicist Harlan tells me he's sending these to Mr. Blackwell as "before" and "after" pictures.  "Before" and "after" what exactly he didn't say....one shudders to think."
- Alison

The showstopper featured host Vanessa Williams warbling the Peter Pan tune "I'm Flying" while classic TV stars Barry Williams, Bernie Kopell, Gary Coleman, Jerry Mathers, Jimmie "J.J." Walker, Dawn Wells, Alison Arngrim, Ron Palillo and William Katt flew above the crowd dressed as their iconic tube selves.

---

Summer 2008 far and wide

July 26th - Alison was in Minneapolis, Minnesota to catch her best friend and former TV nemesis, Melissa Gilbert in the first preview of "Little House on the Prairie - The Musical", at the Guthrie Theater.

August 9th - Alison appeared at the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Day" celebration at Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford, New York.

August 13th - performed her one woman show, "Confessions of A Prairie Bitch" at The Cutting Room in New York City.

ALISON QUOTED IN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT COMPUTER SERVICING BILL REVIEW BY CALIFORNIA SENATE

Alison's recent public appearances on behalf of her ongoing political activities got her featured in an article in the Stocton Record. The article about the California Senate review of the computer servicing bill that would require computer technicians who find child pornography on computers they're servicing to report it to law enforcement faces a key hearing today. California law has required photo shop developers to report child pornography for decades. State Senator Galgiani's measure adds computer techs to the statute. Alison is quoted as follows:

"When was the last time you or anyone you know got film developed?" said actress and activist Alison Arngrim, who spoke at a news conference Galgiani held Monday. "Our lives are now lived online and on the Internet. Our laws must reflect that."

Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota already require computer techs to report illegal photos or movies.

DRAG VERSION OF NELLY OLESON PLAY OPENS IN ARGENTINA
"Nelly Olson" has been adapted as a play in Argentina. Click here for more info and for a priceless photo of actor Carlos Da Silva in drag as Nelly.

ALISON (& NELLLIE) MAKE THE BOSTON GLOBE'S
TOP 10 MEANIES OF LIFE LIST

Boston's leading newpaper recently compiled a list of the Meanies of Life and Alison (as Nellie) made the list of top 10 TV meanies - Click here to read more and see one of the all time great Nellie photos.

ALISON APPEAR AT BOSTON COURT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER DAY OF FREE PERFORMANCES MARCH 15TH

Boston Court Performing Arts Center hosted ArtTalk, a series of free performances on Saturday, March 15, as part of Pasadena's biannual event of free arts entertainment sponsored by the city Cultural Affairs Department, the Pasadena Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Pasadena Culture Net. Alison Arngrim shared some of her international hit one-woman show, "Confessions from the Prairie," reflecting on her time as Nellie Olsen on Little House on the Prairie.

She's did what??

Well, yes, after her sold-out show for the Vancouver Gay Men's Chorus Legacy Gala, she dropped by the Corrections USA convention in Vegas to help America's correctional peace officers, (that's "prison guards" to you and I), let off some steam and then she spent last weekend partying it up with her old buddies, the Los Angles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

And just to make sure there is no possible human demographic she may have missed, it was then off to San Diego for the "San Diego Armada Rugby Football Club". As some of you know, she's been to San Diego before. They liked it so much, that now the boys of San Diego's "Armada" rugby team have brought her back for a benefit. But the Armada isn't just in it for themselves. They're also raising money for Alison's own "Armada" PROTECT.org (The National Association To Protect Children).

Alison returns to the Great White North!!
On February 16, 2008 Alison performed in Vancouver, B.C. at the Fairmont Hotel, for the "2008 Legacy Gala" of the "Vancouver Men's Chorus".

Alison Starts off 2008 With a Blast:
Alison Makes Mr. Blackwell's Worst Dressed List - At Last!!

Official statement from Alison

Well about time!! I have been trying to get on this list for years!

Mr. Blackwell (and his wonderful husband Mr. Spencer), are dear friends of mine. I admit to shamelessly lobbying poor Mr. Blackwell to put me on his "Worst Dressed list" - every time we are scheduled to be at the same event, I do my worst.

I've tried everything: feather boas, bustiers, platform shoes, bad hair extensions, plunging necklines, low rise jeans, ugly hand bags, - you name it! And every time, he just laughs and says, "Yes, but you mean it as a joke! Therefore, it's a fabulous fashion statement!"

Finally it seems that a particularly ghastly "western ensemble" I wore to a Little House fan event in Tombstone, Arizona, has finally pushed him beyond all tolerance. (It was for a "hootenanny", where ridiculous cartoon western get ups were encouraged. I have always avoided hootenannies for this very reason!)

I am so honored to be included among such a list of incredibly famous women performers. I take this listing as an enormous compliment to the longevity of my career.

And I solemnly swear never to wear that horrid outfit again!!

Thank you,
Alison Arngrim

Alison on YouTube
You can now see a few brief clips from Alison's one-woman show "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by clicking here.

Once a Canadian...
Alison just forwarded this cool MP3 audio file (click here to listen) with this note:

"Here is my CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) interview with Sally Blake. Actually, it is an interview of Sally Blake about me and my show in Paris, with sound bites from her interviewing me in Paris and clips from my French show. (Tres bizarre, non?) But it's pretty darn funny and quite the advertisement for who I am and what I do."
- Alison

Alison the Toast of Europe
The Monaco Revue did an online article and interveiw with Alison on her recent trip to that sunny coast - CLICK HERE TO READ.

Alison Takes on the Prairie
Alison retuned to Nellie's roots for a performance of "Confessions of A Prairie Bitch" on Oct. 6 at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science" in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

Most of us probably saw Alison and her fellow cast members from Little House on the Sunday Today Show so here's a couple behind the scenes shots from the taping.

Alison been busy the last couple months as you can see from this list of appearances:

Alison featured on the Huffington Post article- CLICK here for more...

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - FRESNO: (Really. Fresno.)
As part of Child Abuse Awareness Week, Alison Arngrim peformed at the "Comedy, Tri-Tip, And More!" in Fresno, CA. The event was sponsored by Breaking The Silence, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of child abuse realities.

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - MICHIGAN: (Detroit area)
Alison performed at Justice for Children's 3rd annual black tie fundraiser "Spring Serenade" sponsored by Justice for Children who presented the 2007 "Friend Of A Child" award to Mark Lunsford, (father of Jessica Lunsford) for his continuing fight to change laws to better protect all our children.

Alison performed in Seattle, WA in a benefit show for Bailey-Boushay House, which is a residential and day-care facility for people living with AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.

Alison performed in Portland, OR in a benefit for the Cascade AIDS Project with special guest, Portland's own Veronica Heath. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Saturday, May 5, 2007 - SEATTLE: (Again)
Alison was guest caller at the 3rd annual Black Tie Bingo event to benefit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

Saturday, May 26, 2007 - ORANGE COUNTY: (Shreeeeik! No, really, it's cool. They have strawberries.)
Alison was in the parade at the 49th annual Strawberry Festival in Garden Grove, CA. This is the second largest city festival in the Western United States.

-- And then to Europe, again:

Friday, June 1 & 2, 2007 - PARIS: (Paris again? Mais bien sur!! Encore une fois!)
Alison will be performing her one-woman show, "Confessions d'une Garce de La Prairie" at Theatre Dejazet, in Paris. (Yes, the one in France!) The show is running Friday and Saturday night. (www.dejazet.com ) Now, if you're planning to be in Europe in early June, this is one show not to be missed!

And if you happen to be in France this summer, try to catch Alison's film that is currently showing there, Jean-Pierre Mocky's "Le Deal" with Alison as "Edith". (Yes, it's funny. Yes, it IS in French, with NO subtitles, but those who speak no French at all, who have seen it, still thought it was hysterical!)

Dearly Departed Tours Presents: The Nellie Oleson Tour with Alison Arngrim Hey folks here is your chance to meet and spend time with Alison on a private tour of Hollywood and the environs. She grew up in Hollywood and has many stories to share from living at the Chateau Marmont during the swinging sixties, the Hollywood Hills, to the celebrity haunts of Hollywood. As she also does in her internationally acclaimed one woman show "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" she will provide the most dishy and personal insights into celebs of yesterday and today. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!!

The first-ever PROTECT National Leadership Award is given to actress and activist Alison Arngrim of California. Ms. Arngrim has been a tireless firebrand for PROTECT since our beginnings in late 2002. She has become the face and voice of PROTECT for millions through her appearances on national news and interview shows. Whether flying into Kansas to campaign with grassroots volunteers or driving the back roads of central California in the driving rain, Ms. Arngrim has broken every stereotype there is about Hollywood celebrities. She has testified before lawmakers, marched the halls of Congress and provided regular analysis of complex legislation. In one of her greatest contributions, Ms. Arngrim surrendered her own, deeply-held privacy to speak publicly about her childhood sexual abuse. Her leadership has redefined what it means to "speak out." Ms. Arngrim was not a "celebrity in need of a cause." She had no book or movie to promote. She stood up because it had to be done, and her courage and commitment are a true model for all.

In 2006, Alison Arngrim, still known as Little House on the Prairie's "Nellie Oleson" to millions, took on one of the most powerful politicians in New York, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Hearing that Silver, said to rule the New York Assembly like a king, had killed PROTECT's Circle of Trust legislation and shut down all opposition, Arngrim left Los Angeles and flew back to the place of her birth, Queens, New York. There, in a political gunfight worthy of any high plains drama, she challenged Silver in the New York and national media, forcing the public to take a long, hard look at one of the most child-oppressive laws ever written. Her leadership was instrumental in winning legal rights that will protect child incest victims in New York for generations to come.

Along with Alison PROTECT also honored Kim Talman for Distinguished Acts of Child Protection

Alison's award from PROTECT - If you can't read it - here's what is says:

"For your tireless battling on behalf of childrenŠ
and the life-changing victories which have resulted.
Your strength and spirit now watch over generations of children yet to come.

"Children know the truth.
Love is not an emotion.
Love is behavior"

This award presented by The National Association to Protect Children December 2006

Read the words in this frame and then go to www.vachss.com, and it won't take you long to figure out who wrote the text for this.

Go to www.protect.org and read "Andrew Vachss on the New York Victory" and "What the Passage of the Circle of Trust Bill Means to Children in America"

..and you can read about the things that caused my friends at PROTECT to insist on giving me this. (Yes, insist. I actually tried to talk them out of it. You ever try to talk somebody at PROTECT out of something? Good luck.)

If you think that this is cool that I got this, do me a favor -- don't congratulate me. Just go to www.protect.org And join me. - Alison

Alison was recently interviewed for a program called "TV Land Myths and Legends", and she appeares in the program on January 10th and February 14th.

Alison's husband Bob's band Catahoula is crawled out of the studio just in time to help celebrate the birthdays of Pamela Clay and Alison Arngrim for a celebratory set at Molly Malone's in Hollywood.

Alison appeared in "The 12th Annual Hollywood Performance Marathon" on January 20th with Alison and Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds) as Guest Hostesses and over 60 acts, including: John Fleck, Phranc, Ann Randolph, Jim Turner, Two-Headed Dog, Kate Flannery, Dread daze, The Cupcakes, Glen Mcdougal and his bugle, also tap dancing, sketch comedy, puppet operas, performance art and short films, poetry, jazz and burlesque, and yes, heavy-metal fire juggling. Sounds like one of the old Ed Sullivan Shows!

Alison appeared in a new show: Flirting With Morty written by Paula Mitchell Manning October 15th - November 7th, 2006