Welcome to the very first CSI: NY web site! Visit here for the latest on the second spin-off series from CSI that stars Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes, Carmine Giovinazzo, Hill Harper, Eddie Cahill and Anna Belknap. For news on CSI (Las Vegas), please visit the Latest News page. For new on the Miami show, visit the Miami page.

[ CSI News | CSI: Miami News ]

[ May 2003-May 2004 | Jun-Aug 2004 | Sep-Dec 2004 ]

Dec 29 2007 - Bakersfield.com(CA) reports New Year's parties - Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. - New Year's Eve Bash with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, along with Monty Byrom, Buddy Alan Owens and the Buckaroos, Steve Davis and Stampede, 7 p.m., $183 to $208 including dinner between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Web site www.vallitix.com or call 328-7560.

Dec 27 2007 - Chicago Daily Herald reported that North Central College jazz saxophone instructor Mitch Paliga recently became a member of the Lt. Dan Band, a cover band led by actor Gary Sinise. The band is named after the character Lt. Dan Taylor, whom Sinise portrayed in the film "Forrest Gump." Recent performances included concerts at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., the Illinois USO Ball at Chicago's Navy Pier, the Big Brother Charity Ball at the Beverly Hills Hilton and the Hollywood cast party on the set of "CSI New York." Paliga has been a faculty member of the North Central College jazz studies program for the past three years, where he teaches applied jazz saxophone, leads a student jazz combo and teaches the jazz history courses.

Dec 25 2007 – For 44 days in 2003, The Publeo Chieftain published a series of daily stories that profiled Pueblo soldiers who were serving with the U.S. military in the war against Iraq. In the third of a series, they profiled Army Maj. Sandra Chavez. … Although she wasn't in battle, Chavez still experienced the ill-effects of the war. "I saw many patrols and raids and lost some good friends," she said somberly. "I definitely had some sad moments while I was over there." But, Chavez quickly pointed out, there were many pleasant memories as well. "One of my most memorable moments was when I took (actor) Gary Sinise and (entertainer) Wayne Newton to an Iraqi school to pass out school supplies and to interact with the children." She said when they walked into the classroom, the students loudly sang Newton's signature hit, "Danke Schoen." That was followed by shouts of "Lt. Dan, Lt. Dan," the character that Sinise played in the hit movie "Forrest Gump." REST of the article is at the link above.

Dec 21 2007 - CentralState.edu reported that Hill Harper will Keynote CSU's Male Leadership Institute on January 18, 2008. For more details, plus a very complete bio, visit the link above.

Dec 18 2007 – The New York Post reported that the last new episodes of "CSI: NY" are set to air, most likely in January. Of the new three episodes, two were completed by CBS personnel in the absence of striking writers. Sam Humphrey, an executive story editor on "CSI: NY," said she and her striking colleagues have faith in the show's post-production staff. "On our show we work so closely [with the post-production staff]. They're committed to making as great a show as we are," she said. "So with all the strike stuff, we have a lot of faith in their abilities and can't wait to get back to working with them." "CSI: NY" writers were about halfway through episode #12, "Happily Never After," when the strike was called Nov. 5. The episodes are set to air "most likely" in January and were completed by the show's "non-writing producers," sources said.

Dec 13 2007 - Emilitary.org had an artaicle on John Ondrasik, the singer-songwriter who goes by the stage name Five for Fighting, who was in Washington to sing to members of Congress and to help promote his latest CD project but more importantly to give away “some 200,000 free CDs for U.S. troops, compliments of Ondrasik and some 13 superstar friends who partnered to make a “thank you” music disc for servicemembers. The contributing artists include Billy Joel, the Goo Goo Dolls, Brooks and Dunn, Melissa Ethridge and even actor Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band. The CD will be distributed in Iraq and Afghanistan and can be downloaded now at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service's Web site. Officials expect as many as 1.5 million downloads. It's a deal that record industry officials have heralded as “historic,” with such top artists basically giving away copies of their most popular songs. Ondrasik offered up Five for Fighting's “100 Years” from his platinum-selling album, “The Battle for Everything.”

Dec 10 2007 - LawnandLanscape.com presented the volunteers of Operation Support our Troops – IL with a check for $30,000 on Nov. 29. They are sponsoring a new warehouse in Lisle, Ill. for the coming year. The warehouse will be used to collect items donated to the organization. Volunteers will pack and send the boxes to American troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world. “This is a dream come true for us,” says OSOTIL president Deb Rickert. “We have been operating out of a warehouse donated to us by a Vietnam Veteran for the last four years but as we have grown we have required more space to continue to meet our goals. Grant & Power's generosity is overwhelming.” “Our support for OSOTIL has personal ties to it. Our daughter Vicki, son Michael and nephew Brian served our country in the military," say Gene and Beverly Grant. "Michael served in the Persian Gulf in the Navy. He was killed in a car accident while on leave. We know the hardship and sacrifice the young men and women make to serve our country. We are happy and very pleased to bring a little ray of sunshine and a smile to the faces of our troops by helping OSOTIL send these care packages to them.” Grant and Power first became involved with OSOTIL as a sponsor for last summer's Rockin' for the Troops event with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. The company then decided to commit 3 percent of their new business for the months of July, August and September, which resulted in the $30,000 donation.

Dec 10 2007 - TMZ reported that … The place to be in New York this weekend wasn't Butter or Marquee or Tenjune -- it was the brand new Apple store on West 14th Street. For the love of Jobs! The new Mac emporium opened Friday night, and celeb shoppers snatching up the latest iPod toys included TMZ fan Whoopi Goldberg, "Sex and the City" hunk Jason Lewis, fan-favorite Mary J. Blige, "CSI" hottie Melina Kanakaredes and Oliver Platt.

Dec 05 2007 - Buddy TV profiles Melina Kanakaredes about the 'men in Stella's life.' But after going through a string of bad love interests, including boyfriend Frankie, who tried to kill her, and stalker Drew Bedford, who attempted to get at Mac (Gary Sinise) by romancing her, the New York actress reveals that her character has had enough bad luck and is now ready for something good. “Fortunately, no more bad boyfriends! We got the bad guy last week [in "The Thing About Heroes"] but fortunately for Stella, she realized it. She knew something was wrong with him all the way through, so I'm very happy about that,” Kanakaredes said. “I think it's going to be nice, too, because they promised me the next boy is going to be a good boy,” she added. “Whether we know him or not, that's the question!” More at link above.

Dec 05 2007 - Playbill reviewed August: Osage County, and mentioned Gary Sinise in passing: “Two of Steppenwolf's founding fathers were in attendance: Gary Sinise (who had just wrapped his last episode of "CSI: NY" and gone into an enforced hiatus until the Writers Guild strike is settled) and Jeff Perry (who has a role in August, Bill Fordham, one of the daughters' philandering husbands). "When I watch this play," Sinise said, "it's just like watching my family up there. I've know some of these people for so long, and we've done so many plays together. Some of us go all the way back to college, in fact."

Nov 28 2007 - AARP press release excerpt: AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with 33 million readers, today announced the recipients of its 2008 Inspire Awards. The Inspire Awards (formerly called the Impact Awards) pay tribute to 10 extraordinary people whose contributions inspire others to action through their innovative thinking, passion and perseverance. This year’s honorees include Caroline Kennedy (Community Service Advocate), Gary Sinise (Fundraiser for Operation Iraqi Children), Gladys Knight (Champion for Diabetes Research), Barbara Morgan (Courageous Educator), Liviu Librescu (Virginia Tech Hero), Helen Thomas (Trailblazing Journalist), Cynthia Kenyon (Pioneer in Longevity Research), Ed Boyer (Founder of Air Transportation Aid), Roslyn Hill (Leader of Neighborhood Revitalization), and Pete Garcia (Affordable Housing Advocate). “The Inspire Awards showcase people who are using their passion for action to make the world a better place,” said Steven Slon, editor of AARP The Magazine. “These leaders who innovatively support and spark change within their communities are an inspiration to us all.” Honorees will receive their Inspire Awards during a private luncheon hosted by Barbara Walters at the New York Public Library on December 3, 2007. Their profiles appear in the January/February 2008 issue of AARP The Magazine, released at the end of November, and at www.aarpmagazine.org. THE 2008 INSPIRE AWARD WINNERS - Gary Sinise - Protector of Children - Gary Sinise wants your rulers. And your crayons. That’s because Sinise, 52, the poker-faced cop on TV’s CSI: New York, is the driving force behind Operation Iraqi Children, a nationwide effort to send school supplies to kids in war-torn Iraq. More than 200,000 children have received school kits—solicited by Sinise’s organization and distributed by U.S. soldiers. Says Sinise: “There are millions of average people like you and me over there just trying to make a living and send their kids to school.” Since 2004, his group has raised more than $1 million, largely through its website, www.operationiraqichildren.org. Sinise has also been to Iraq three times, performing for the troops with his rock group, the Lt. Dan Band, named for his Oscar-nominated role in Forrest Gump.

Nov 27 2007 - The Chicago Tribune profiled the episode “The Thing About Heroes,” which includes a lengthy scene at the Tower. It was “a surprise,” Sinise said in late October, when the “CSI: NY” crew spent a day filming at various downtown locations. It was the first time “CSI: NY,” which is usually shot in Los Angeles, had ever shot scenes in another city (aside from occasional location shoots in the Big Apple). “This is a story that takes [Taylor] into his history, to when he lived here when he was a young kid,” said “CSI: NY” executive producer Pam Veasey, who made the trip to Chicago along with fellow writer Zachary Reiter, Sinise and actor Eddie Cahill, who plays Detective Don Flack. But the Windy City trip made sense, in that “CSI: NY's” recurring “333 stalker” has ties to Chicago. Cryptic clues from the stalker, who's been harassing Taylor all season, led the detective to his hometown in last week's “CSI: NY.” In Wednesday's story, the detective ends up scrutinizing the historic rocks and fragments that dot the facade of Tribune Tower. Despite being a Chicagoan, Sinise, a founder of the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, said in October that he “had no idea that these things were on the building.”

Nov 26 2007 - Sun-Sentinel posted: Q. Of all the CSI series, which one has the largest following? I think Gary Sinise (of CSI: NY) is a great actor. A. Despite Gary Sinise being a stellar actor, his edition of CSI ranks third in the pecking order. As they like to say on commercials, the original is still the best. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation remains one of the highest-rated scripted programs on TV and is almost always in Nielsen's Top 5. CSI: Miami usually cracks the Top 10 and CSI:NY, while the underachiever in the family, is still a Top 20 series. As for Lost, ABC has decided to bring it back on Jan. 31, even though only eight episodes were completed prior to the writers' strike.

Nov 26 2007 - MovieWeb listed Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band as performers at the Rising Star Gala, which supports Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, who are dedicated to empowering children who face economic, emotional and social challenges through a variety of programs.

Nov 26 2007 - Earthtimes.org noted: TriWest Healthcare Alliance will spread holiday cheer to children and spouses of fallen Service members as a presenting sponsor of Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band concert at this year's Snowball Express gala. TriWest will also sponsor counselors from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) at the event. "We want to show our eternal gratitude to the families of the men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country," said TriWest President and CEO David McIntyre, Jr. "Snowball Express is an opportunity for families to remember their loved ones, celebrate their lives and share their grief with each other. It will also be a time to smile, share joy and create new memories." The Snowball Express is an all-expenses paid event in Southern California from November 30 through December 3, with the purpose of bringing together nearly 1,500 military family members who lost spouses, fathers and mothers in the Global War on Terror. On Friday, Nov. 30, TAPS counselors will conduct voluntary morning gatherings for children and spouses at the families' local hotels. Later in the evening, all of the families will attend a special dinner in their honor, including a private performance by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band at The Grove in Anaheim, Calif. On Saturday, Dec. 1, families will be taken to Oakley Corporation headquarters for entertainment and visits from celebrities, and on Sunday, Dec. 2 they will go to Disneyland. For more information on the Snowball Express, visit http://www.snowballexpress.org/. For information about Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan band, visit http://www.ltdanband.com/.

Nov 23 2007 - Baltimore Sun: The Hollywood trade newspaper Variety reported this week that "CSI New York" star Hill Harper, an Iowa native and a contemporary of Obama's at Harvard Law School who graduated one year after the future Illinois senator, plans to campaign for him in Iowa with Desparate Housewives star Alfre Woodard in mid-December.

Nov 21 2007 - LeLand Tribune - Gov. Mike Easley is asking North Carolinians to nominate deserving fellow citizens for “Above & Beyond Citizen Honors,” a national award to recognize extraordinary actions by regular citizens on behalf of others. The nationwide search and selection process is being coordinated by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which is made up of the 109 living Medal of Honor recipients. … The Congressional Medal of Honor Society will select 50 finalists from the nominees to represent their respective states at the Medal of Honor Day ceremony March 25, 2008. From these 50 Americans, the Society will announce three Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients. The honorary chairs of the award ceremony are former President Bill Clinton, former President George H.W. Bush and Gen. Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army (Ret.). NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will serve as host and featured guests include country music star Toby Keith, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and actors Harvey Keitel and Gary Sinise. The Above & Beyond ceremony will be taped for national broadcast on March 30, 2008 on MSNBC and internationally on the American Forces Network, where it can be seen by all armed service members and their families stationed overseas including every ship in the Navy. Applications can be submitted and more information is available at the Above & Beyond web site: www.aboveandbeyond365.com.

Nov 19 2007 - PRWeb - In a press release on "A Greek Islands Destination Cooking Class,” there's a mention of Melina… Cynthia Daddona recently had the honor and privilege of interviewing Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, Melina Kanakaredes (CSI NY) and Michael Constantine (My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding), at the 1st Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, where they talked about Greek films, culture and their favorite Greek food (clips can be seen at www.ModernDayGoddess.com).

Nov 17 2007 – In a Toronto Star article on playwright Linda Griffiths, she said this about William Petersen: 5. What TV show must you watch every week? - I have a big thing for William Petersen who plays Gil Grissom on CSI. But I only like the original set in Las Vegas, not all the clones.

Nov 16 2007 - The Winnipeg Sun profile CSI's nerdy guy, A.J. Buckley, who plays Adam Ross on CSI: NY. "I change my voice a bit, I make him this sort of socially inept guy who is afraid of everything, and that actually came out of my first couple of days on set," Buckley said. "I was so overwhelmed. "Gary Sinise is standing there. I'm having to say these big words. And at the time it was just a (part-time) role, so I was like, 'Damn, this could be my last episode.' "With all of that going on, I just kind of used that for Adam. He's nervous as hell, which is what I really was. And that kind of made the comedy. Otherwise, I was dead in the water. So why not use it?" That was two years ago. These days, Buckley's portrayal of Adam is embedded as part of the CSI: New York family. More at link above.

Nov 14 2007 - Variety: Helmer, producer and scribe Marshall Herskovitz has been tapped to receive the Silver Anniversary New Vision Award from Caucus for Television Producers, Writers and Directors on December 7th. Caucus has also nommed several other industry mainstays for separate honors, including producers Paul Attanasio, David Chase, and Jon Stewart, helmers Bruce Gowers and Michael Zinberg, writers David Mamet and Shonda Rhimes, as well as actors Glenn Close, Kyra Sedgwick and Gary Sinise.

Nov 12 2007 - The 7th Annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday held on Monday, November 12, 2007, was a tremendous success. Golden Corral restaurants served more meals and collected more contributions for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization than in previous years. Total Free "Thank You" Meals Provided - 322,031; Total Contributions for the DAV - $640,756.65 . The 7 year total of free "Thank You" meals provided to any person who has served in the United States Military is 1,834,193 meals and $2,535,095 in contributions for the Disabled American Veterans organization for their state and local chapters. The 2008 Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 17, 2008 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants. Go to GoldenCorral for a PSA with Gary Sinise.

Nov 11 2007 - PR Web … Now you have the opportunity to sleep with the signature of stars like Leonardo DiCapro, Masi Oka from Heroes, Neil Patrick Harris from How I Met Your Mother, Rex Lee from Entourage, Jim Pickins of Grey's Anatomy, and April Scott of Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning. Other stars include: Rena Sofer, Melina Kanakaredes, Blair Underwood, Deidre Hall, Kennedy, Kevin Sorbo, Zac Levi and many more. “Frownies Come Out at Night” nightshirts with the original signature of many of your favorite celebrities are available for sale from November 21 to 27 along with a photograph of that star signing your shirt. There is only one of each celebrity signature shirt, and each one will be sold in an auction format. See the full list of celebrity signature nightshirts here: http://www.Frownies.com/auction.

Nov 05 2007 – A New York Times article on CBS Mobile, a unit of the television network's interactive division charged with developing content for the new third screen. When CBS Mobile introduced the Daily Delivery, a short video for cellphones highlighting fashionable shops in Los Angeles and cool gadgets, it was a disaster. Cyriac Roeding, executive vice president of CBS Mobile … is wooing top CBS talent. He has monthly dinners with Anthony Zuiker, executive producer of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” to discuss mobile games, including the new “CSI: Miami” offering. (Mr. Zuiker, though, is a bit skeptical of the new medium, and so far views mobile games and other content as promotional. “It should drive people back to television,” he said. “I don't consume television on a cellphone, but I wouldn't want to stop anyone else either.”) REST of article at link above.

Nov 05 2007 - SMH.com reports who donates to which politician: Donors to Barack Obama: Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy), Zack Braff (Scrubs), Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: NY), Rob Morrow (Numb3rs), Isaiah Washington (Bionic Woman), Tyra Banks (America's Next Top Model), J.J. Abrams (Lost), Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) and Oprah Winfrey.

Oct 14 2007 – From Prleap: American World Pictures (AWP), a prolific high-profile force in the international marketplace, announced today the twelve titles acquired from Codeblack Entertainment, they will feature at the American Film Market 2007. AWP will be able to supply Codeblack's extensive and varied multi-genre slate to even broader international audiences. “A Good Man is Hard to Find” starring Golden Brooks (“Girlfriend's”) and Hill Harper (“CSI:NY”); “Jamie Foxx Presents America's Funniest Comics V.1-3”; “Nite Tales” starring Flavor Flav; “I Tried” starring Bone Thugs & Harmony; “Flip the Script” starring Robin Givens; “The Hit” starring Blair Underwood; “4 Life” starring Wood Harris (HBO's “The Wire”) and Elise Neal; “Confessions of a Call Girl” starring Lynn Whitfield and Clifton Powell (“Ray”); “Preaching to the Choir” starring Patti LaBelle; “Young Cesar” starring Dominic Daniel (“Disturbia”); “500 Years Later” featuring Bill Cosby and “Father of Lies” starring DMX and Vivica A. Fox.

Oct 13 2007 - The Scotman profiled the CSI: NY episode in which the online game Second Life played a pivotal part in the plot. The basic story for the CSI: NY episode was the easy part. Anthony Zuiker asked his writers to create a plot in which a young woman who looks like an avatar brought to life (as Zuiker put it: "Green hair, garish outfits, she looks kind of odd") becomes the target of a jealous competitor. The victim is the most popular character in the virtual world - "the Paris Hilton of Second Life" - and her killer sets out to assume her faux identity. But Taylor, using electronic clues, enters Second Life to chase the avatar. The hard part was finding a way to extend the experience for the many viewers who, Zuiker knew from his work on previous episodes, would be willing to follow the episode with some kind of interactivity online. More at link above. There is also another article at Information Week.

Oct 10 2007 - Blog.clickz: At the Virtual World Convention held in San Jose on October 10th, Anthony Zuiker, detailed his plans to take his real world show and plunge it into the virtual world of Second Life, all while inviting advertisers along for the ride. … He explained that characters from his CSI: New York television show will chase a murder suspect online during its October 24 episode. As part of that show, and two :30 spots that will run with it on CBS, viewers are going to be invited to log onto a specially designed section of the virtual world created by digital agency The Electric Sheep Company, which CBS took an investment stake in earlier this year. REST at link above.

AndoverTown had an article on singer-songwriter Will Dailey, an Andover native who found success in Boston, and who appeared on a CSI: NY episode with Gary Sinise. “The 30-year-old troubadour isn't picking up a scalpel or a script on “CSI:NY.” He's doing what he does best, playing guitar and singing. He'll appear in a scene with Hollywood heavy hitter Gary Sinise, star of the show who many people know as “Lt. Dan” from the movie “Forrest Gump.” Sinise plays bass guitar, and when he's not acting, fronts a group called The Lt. Dan Band. He and Dailey play a song together on the show. “It was kind of surreal,” Dailey said in a phone interview last week. “I was hanging out with Gary Sinise all day playing music. We sat in his trailer, and he learned the song in the morning. He's a great bass player.”

Oct 16 2007 - More on the “Second Life” aspect of an upcoming CSI: NY episode, "Down the Rabbit Hole," on October 24th:

• PC World posted an article on the Second Life episode of CSI: NY. While the murder which drags the team into the virtual world airs on October 24th, the crime will not be solved until an episode set to air Feb. 6. Zuiker believes the project represents the future of television. "The days of watching TV at 9 o'clock on-air live are pretty much over with," he said. "We really have to figure out a way to make sure the younger generation and the older generation embraces the new way of how to watch entertainment, and that's cross-platform. And the best experience you can possibly have right now is Second Life." MORE AT THE LINK ABOVE.
• AJC.Com discusses virtual worlds in entertainment. "Any media property or entertainment property that's got an interactive brand is going to launch itself into a (virtual) space," said Chris Sherman, executive director of Austin, Texas-based Show Initiative LLC. Sherman's company is hosting the two-day Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo here expected to draw more than 1,000 real-life attendees. For example, on Oct. 24, an episode of the CBS hit "CSI: NY" will take place not just on TV, but also amid the animated high-rises of make-believe Manhattan inside the Second Life virtual world. The episode is just the start of a far-reaching plan to integrate the CSI franchise in Second Life, said CSI creator Anthony Zuiker. MORE AT LINK ABOVE.
• Hollywood Reporter added that Chris Sherman -- founder of the Austin Game Conference in 2003 -- launched the first Virtual Worlds Conference in New York this past March. According to Sherman, "CSI" creator and co-producer Anthony Zuiker “…has a $2-billion brand among the three 'CSI' TV shows and he sees virtual worlds as a way to extend that brand and create a cross-platform opportunity," says Sherman. "I can't be more specific because Zuiker is being cryptic about how he intends to proceed." MORE AT LINK ABOVE.
• Sfgate.com added that “At the end of the episode… Fans will be directed to a special section of Second Life to continue the story, with a series of virtual murders that they can help solve. The plot thickens in February, when the story line - and the killer - return to television. It will happen just in time for the Grammys and will incorporate an as-yet unsigned rock star, who will not only play a role on "CSI" and help catch the killer, but will also perform a concert in Second Life.” … Zuiker said he became interested in virtual worlds when he read an article about Second Life in a Southwest Airlines magazine about four months ago. He and Electric Sheep teamed up, filming a seven- to 10-minute sequence for the October episode based on his script. Though the Second Life arc ends in February, CBS could extend it if it's successful. MORE AT THE LINK above (including some spoilers).
• Yahoo Tech: A woman's murder takes detective Mac Taylor (played by Gary Sinise) into the world of Second Life after he discovers her avatar is brought back to life by her killer. Apparently, she's a cyber-celebrity in the virtual world or as one CSI detective puts it, she's "the Paris Hilton of Second Life." This article has a clip from the show and a glimpse of the virtual experience as well.
• Scotsman.com: Second Life, which claims almost ten million members, defines itself as "a 3D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents". The world has its own exchanges of business and even currency. The basic story for the CSI: NY episode was the easy part. Zuiker asked his writers to create a plot in which a young woman who looks like an avatar brought to life (as Zuiker put it: "Green hair, garish outfits, she looks kind of odd") becomes the target of a jealous competitor. The victim is the most popular character in the virtual world - "the Paris Hilton of Second Life" - and her killer sets out to assume her faux identity. But Taylor, using electronic clues, enters Second Life to chase the avatar. The hard part was finding a way to extend the experience for the many viewers who, Zuiker knew from his work on previous episodes, would be willing to follow the episode with some kind of interactivity online. If all goes well, Zuiker says, the episode will contain two 30-second promotional adverts directing viewers to CBS.com, promising a "live simulation" letting them experience Second Life for themselves. "You can pick one of 12 avatars," he explains. "It will download in five to nine minutes. My own avatar will be there to greet you." The simplest level of participation will allow viewers to walk around New York buildings and visit a CSI lab, where they can play basic forensic games such as facial recognition. The second level consists of a game - Zuiker will leave clues around the murder scene. He will post and rank the 100 people who come closest to his explanation of the murder, and, he says, the winner will "get a virtual gift for his or her avatar". The final stage of game play will allow fans to become CSI agents. They will receive a field kit and tools, get a chance to interview suspects and solve the murder - The final gimmick of that episode is that it will end in a cliffhanger: the TV mystery won't be resolved until February.
• Andovertownsman.com has an article on singer-songwriter Will Dailey, whose work will be featured in this CSI: NY episode on October 17th. … The 30-year-old troubadour isn't picking up a scalpel or a script on “CSI:NY.” He's doing what he does best, playing guitar and singing. He'll appear in a scene with Hollywood heavy hitter Gary Sinise, star of the show … Sinise and Dailey play a song together on the show. “It was kind of surreal,” Dailey said in a phone interview last week. “I was hanging out with Gary Sinise all day playing music. We sat in his trailer, and he learned the song in the morning. He's a great bass player.” MORE AT LINK ABOVE
• Blog.clickz.com: More than just a plot line gag, Zuiker explained that (spoiler alert!) the villain from the upcoming episode will manage to escape investigators during the shows cliffhanger season ender, and then return when the show begins again in February. In the meantime, viewers are going to be able to hunt for the killer, CSI style, in the virtual world. In fact he'll provide new killers to start hunting every month. What interested me however, was the fact that those virtual investigators will be using a "Cisco Teleconferencing Center" to process the clues they find online. And Zuiker invited advertisers to come and talk to him about putting their products within his virtual world, joking that everybody from consumer goods firms to caffeinated drink companies can have a kiosk where investigators could gather. "Why? Cause investigators need to be caffeinated to solve crime," he joked. I did ask Zuiker how advertisers can successfully put their brands online in a virtual world, especially considering the spate of bad press such efforts have seen lately, but he said having the backing of CBS air time will bring in viewers and having engagement online will keep them there. "Some product are not happening in Second Life cause there's no interaction," Zuiker told me. "The key to do this is to feature things on air, and then in a gaming mechanism in the world so the product is in use. Not just background that no one is going to pay attention to."

Oct 10 2007 - Cnet covered the Virtual World conference, which began with The Electric Sheep Company, a leading developer of corporate projects in Second Life, announced that it has released a new viewer for the popular digital 3D social environment. The idea behind the new technology, which is called OnRez, is that it would allow Second Life residents to use the virtual world through a Web browser-like system. It would also make it easy to buy all kinds of in-world products through the OnRez shopping system, which has been around for some time. One thing that makes this announcement noteworthy is that CBS' hit show CSI will be using the new viewer to get its fans into Second Life as part of what it is calling the "CSI: NY Virtual Experience." This will be a CSI-branded Second Life mystery in which fans can pursue a fictional killer throughout the virtual world. Fans of the show will be given the OnRez viewer as their initial SL experience. The announcement was made Wednesday in conjunction with the keynote speech at the conference here by Anthony Zuiker, the creator of the CSI series. FULL ARTICLE at link above. (Thanks to Indysmile for the tip)

Oct 10 2007 - The Orlando Sentinel disclosed that the biggest draw at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (which began Monday and goes through Nov. 11)will be seeing Gary Sinise receive a "career achievement award for his work in movies like Forrest Gump and TV shows including CSI: NY. Sinise will be subjected to a moderated audience Q&A, à la Inside the Actors Studio, with the role of host James Lipton being played by ... yours truly. This is guaranteed comedy gold, provided my public humiliation is your cup of tea. (My invitation came from festival organizers, perhaps a penance for having panned too many festival selections in the past?)" READ THE FULL ARTICLE and check schedule at link above.

Oct 10 2007 - The New York Post disclosed that Entertainment Weekly said Gary Sinise's salary will double to $200,000 an episode, or $4.4 million (at 22 episodes per season through the 2010-2011 seasons). His co-star, Melina Kanakaredes, is said to be still in negotiations for a new deal

Oct 10 2007 - PRNewswire reported: The Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund will award $100,000 during its 2007-2008 scholarship program. The HTSF has awarded more than 500 scholarships totaling over one million dollars to students from across the United States. The 2008 scholarships will be awarded at the 17th annual HTSF Gala, which will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Over the past two decades the HTSF has also honored, with its Humanitarian Award, members of the Greek community who are role models for its students to emulate including Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, News Anchors Ernie Anastos, Thalia Assuras and Alexis Christoforous, Actress Marilu Henner, Actor/Singer Constantine Maroulis, CSI:NY star Melina Kanakaredes, daytime drama star John Aniston, Director Nick Cassavetes, Meteorologist Nick Gregory, Emmy winner Michael Chiklis, NBC Sportscaster Bob Costas, Emmy winning Actress Tina Fey, Jim Gianopulos -- Chairman of Fox Filmed Entertainment, CSI:Miami star Sofia Milos, Businessmen Thomas O'Brien and Nicholas Bouras, Humanitarian Tita Scandalis-Monti, The Alexander Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, Emmy nominated actress Elizabeth Perkins, Star Trek's Marina Sirtis, Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas, and others. FULL DETAILS at link above.

Oct 09 2007 - Gary Sinise has joined an elite group of TV actors. Variety reported today that Gary Sinise has locked into a contract with CSI: NY ntil 2011, and CBS Paramount has "bumped up Sinise's salary to approximately $5 million per year. That puts his per-episode fee in the low-$200,000s. Deal with Sinise comes even though CBS technically hasn't renewed "CSI: NY" beyond the current season. Given the show's strong ratings -- and the fact that CBS Par produces it -- there's little doubt the Gotham offshoot of "CSI" will be around until at least the 2008-09 season.

Oct 09 2007 - The Daily Herald has an article about James Lovell and Gary Sinise at an event honoring a groundbreaking new military hospital in North Chicago. The Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center will be the nation's first joint Veterans Affairs/Navy hospital when it opens in 2010. ... Lovell, 79, said he was flattered to be associated with the institution but wanted the focus elsewhere. "I'm overwhelmed, but in reality today, we're really honoring the servicemen who served our country -- both active and veterans," Lovell said after a ceremony in front of hundreds at the Great Lakes Naval Station. "This is really going to be a big boost for them." Sinise, who met Lovell while filming "Apollo 13," agreed. "(Veterans of the Vietnam War) deserved our gratitude, and they never got it," he said. Sinise said his and his wife's veteran relatives inspired his involvement with veterans' issues. "They do not have to do this work." The day of festivities continued after the ceremony, with the Lt. Dan Band, which includes Sinise, also playing for Great Lakes sailors. CLICK ON LINK above for photo and audio file.

Oct 09 2007 - A local business that tries to bring comfort to children whose parents are deployed overseas will be part of a national program to honor families whose loved ones have died in military service, reports Fredricksburg.com Daddy Dolls Inc. of Stafford County will work with Snowball Express, a nonprofit group that brings the families of "fallen heroes" together for a few days of fun--and the chance to be with other grieving spouses and children. Snowball Express started last year by flying almost 900 people to southern California for three days. All expenses were paid, as businesses and volunteer groups donated money and services, said Roy White, chairman of the board of directors. This year, more than 1,500 people from 500 families will attend the November gathering. The group will visit Disneyland and be entertained by actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. For more information, email: Tricia@daddydolls.com or visit daddydolls.com.

Oct 08 2007 – UK fans can take advantage of a half-price offer for DVD sets. The box sets of CSI : Miami Season 4, Episodes 4.13-4.24 and CSI : NY Season 3, Episodes 3.13-3.24 will be released on 15 October 2007. In this special offer, Momentum Pictures is also releasing the opportunity to purchase all 27 box sets from 15 October 2007 at HALF PRICE all the way until Christmas 2007. Look out for CSI at a store near you and enjoy the world's biggest TV franchise in all its glory at HALF PRICE. You can check out which episodes are on these two new offers at CSI Miami episode guide and CSI NY episode guide. Miami 4.2 runs 541 minutes and is £17.99; New York 3.2 runs 505 minutes and is £17.99

Oct 08 2007 - The Chicago Sun-Times reported that "Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band were rocking Ross Field in North Chicago Friday afternoon with songs that were on the radio during the years of the Apollo program, including Stevie Wonder's "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" and Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright." But the song that sent James Lovell dancing on the lawn was a selection from an earlier generation: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by the Andrews Sisters. ... The moment capped off a day that saw the retired Naval aviator and NASA astronaut honored with his name placed outside the developing Navy/Veterans Administration health care center on Route 137. "I'm still in shock from the honor, and deeply humbled," Lovell said from the stage just before Sinise began his concert. He joked that the recruits "were expecting Tom Hanks," but his reception indicated the crowd knew they were seeing the genuine article from Apollo 13. "We wanted a name that would make it so difficult for a bureaucracy to ever close the hospital," said U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) describing the path of designating the James A. Lovell Jr. Federal Health Care Center.

Oct 06 2007 - Gary Sinise was at the naming ceremony for the Lovell Navy/Veterans Affairs hospital in North Chicago Chicago News. It was named after Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell, a Lake Forest resident. Once finished with a $130 million expansion as the country’s only joint Navy/VA hospital, the new Lovell new center will care for over 100,000 veterans, retirees, sailors and their families.

Oct 06 2007- Check out this new interview with Melina Kanakaredes at Starrymag.com. Here's an excerpt: Q) What made you want to join the show? A) It was one of those things where I had finished filming "Providence" and had gone to New York. I had some shows in development, I was doing a Broadway show and I had just had a baby. I had a lot going on! It was offered to me by Jerry Bruckheimer's team and I wasn't sure at first. There were two others and you never know if there is room for a third. I really enjoyed meeting Anthony [Zuiker] and the whole team. It was one of those things that seemed like a perfect fit. I was willing to take the risk! READ THE REST of the article at the link above.

Oct 04 2007 - The New York TImes had a nice big article on the upcoming October 24th CSI: NY episode which is tied into the game Second Life. You'll find a neat shot of Gary Sinise. Taylor, played by Gary Sinise, finds himself entering the computer-based virtual world known as Second Life, walking (and sometimes flying) around three-dimensional, animated Manhattan landmarks, recreated by a technique called machinima, and pursuing not a suspect but an avatar.....CBS executives, aware of their need to attract a younger generation of viewers interested in interacting with television rather than just watching it, hatched the notion of a story line that involves Second Life, the virtual world in which members create fantasy characters for themselves — known as avatars — and engage in simulated adventures in a highly stylized animated environment populated by other enthusiasts.... At CBS Anthony Zuiker is the house savant of cool. The creator of the “CSI” franchises, which have generated billions of dollars for CBS, Mr. Zuiker is in day-to-day charge of “CSI: NY,” but his portfolio is much broader. As Quincy Smith, the president of CBS Interactive put it, “Anthony is a free ion.” Mr. Zuiker accepts that designation with relish. “My job is to bring as many people to television as possible, but also to do things that are promotable and young,” he said. “That’s where my bones are.” READ THE FULL story at the link above, and if you can grab a hard copy of the newspaper, it has a photo of Zuiker with Sinise and actor AJ Buckley. Watch a one minute video clip from that episode at the link above.

Oct 03 2007 – CSI: NY has one of the best new promotional shots for the new season. The New York Daily News details that CBS chose the Charles C. Ebbets 1932 'Lunch on a Skyscraper' photograph because we wanted to cement our cast members as timeless icons in this generation," said Anthony E. Zuiker. "If you look closely, there is a story within the story with all of the actors." And, according to Zuiker, while there are no real clues in the shot, there are some hints. "The Devil, in this image, is in the details," he said. "For example, Stella [Melina Kanakaredes] is holding an iPhone while Mac [Gary Sinise] opts to lower his New York Times. Indeed, a sign of the times in terms of technology. Paper versus wireless. Danny [Carmine Giovinazzo] and Lindsay [Anna Belknap] are sharing a sandwich, but if you look closely, her toes grabbing the cuff of his jeans signifies their love for each other. In fact, the two make a perfect heart. I'll leave the rest of the cast to your imagination."

Oct 03 2007 - Will Dailey's first single, "Rise," will debut on the October 17th CSI: NY, two weeks after the release of his album Back Flipping Forward on October 2. Dailey, who won the 2006 Boston Music Award for Best Male Singer-Songwriter, will also be featured in a commercial following his episode on CSI: NY, which will “back announce” his performance and inform the viewers that the song and the album are available for purchase. Dailey earned positive feedback after his performance in Los Angeles in July and was invited to perform early August on CSI: NY in a scene with lead star Gary Sinise. “I did three songs, starting with 'Rise,' just me, solo acoustic,” Dailey, who was spotted by CSI creator and executive producer Anthony Zuiker, said. “I was a little shocked when he pulled me aside and said he'd like to put me in the show. It was a little hard to believe and pretty surreal.” Source: BuddyTV.

Oct 03 2007 - Timesonline.com posted the following letter: "I did not watch the Emmys but saw excerpts on the news. With a very few exceptions, this event is a gathering of narcissistic egomaniacs. They are so talented but somehow lack command of the English language so they resort to profanity to express themselves. Another trait is to bash to the United States and its free enterprise system that enables them to become millionaires. That's biting the hand that feeds them. However, I will not end on a negative note. Gary Sinise, Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump" and now on "CSI New York," is an exception. For the past four years, he has quietly gone to visit and entertain our troops overseas and fund an elementary school in Iraq so they can have books and other supplies. His actions may not be politically correct in Hollywood, but I say blessings on Gary Sinise and all our troops. Carmel McCreary Baden"

Oct 03 2007 – The NavyCompass reported on the 2nd annual Michael Reagan charity golf tournament at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course Sept. 17. More than 130 golfers, including wounded warriors from Naval Medical Center San Diego, participated in the event. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Michael and Colleen Scholarship Fund for Sailors serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, the San Diego Navy League and the San Diego Armed Services YMCA. "This tournament is about coming out to have fun for a good cause. We are here to raise scholarship money for Sailors who wish to pursue higher education, and I can't think of a better way to honor my father and the service members who serve aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in a better way," said Michael Reagan, national radio show and son of former president Ronald Reagan. Among the golfers was actor Gary Sinise ("Forrest Gump" and "Apollo 13"). "I personally know Michael Reagan, and he asked me if I'd consider playing in the tournament. I said absolutely, it's for a good cause and the scholarship foundation is great and I'm honored to help support Sailors," said Sinise. Reagan, Sinise and several other players teamed up with wounded warriors, and the warriors appreciated the tournament. "This is a lot of fun. I never thought I'd be playing golf with the former president's son. This is much appreciated," said Lance Cpl. Robert Norman of Camp Pendleton. The golf tournament was preceded a legacy dinner on Sept. 16 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band performed live, much to the delight of attendees.

Oct 03 2007 – Melina Kanakaredes was mentioned as appearing in television ads for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Full details of the advertising campaign can be found at Boston.com.

Oct 03 2007 – Carmine Giovinazzo offered his support to Save Ellis Island, said BuddyTV. "My grandfather spoke Italian," Carmine Giovinazzo said as he shared his story through the "We Are Ellis Island" website.  "He came over from Naples.  The boat that he took left Naples [in] 1923.  He arrived here in May, just two years after my grandfather from Oslo, Norway arrived here in May of 1921."  Giovinazzo's grandmother also entered the United States through Ellis Island when she was only seven years old. Born and raised in Staten Island, Carmine Giovanizzo, who plays Detective Danny Messer on CSI: NY, is very proud of his roots, saying that being a second-generation American is “pretty amazing.”  He also said that visiting Ellis Island for the first time was a “really emotional” experience, adding that their family's history is very important to his mother.  He also walked through Ellis Island's old buildings, which are now in poor condition, and said that he could “really feel the spirit of it.” READ THE FULL article at the link above.

Oct 03 2007 – At Buddy TV, Gary Sinise talked about his love of music, and how he uses it to help charities and bring attention to honoring America's soldiers. Sinise and his band plays about 30 to 40 gigs a year, often touring around the country and performing for military men and women. Of course, being on a show like CSI: NY, where he plays Mac Taylor, helps draw in the crowd. “It's amazing how big CSI is.  I just did a USO tour with the band over in Germany and Belgium, and one of the bases we played at over there was the NATO headquarters in Belgium.  There are 26 different nations represented there, with military and their families from all these different countries - and that was the wildest show we played on the tour.  It was completely packed and they just screamed form the beginning to the end.  I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that a lot of these folks had seen me in CSI: NY and CSI is big over there and that's why they showed up,” he told Jerry Fink of the Las Vegas Sun. READ THE FULL article at the link above.

Oct 03 2007 - Essence Editorial Director Susan L. Taylor to tens of thousands during the Essence Music Festival in the Crescent City in July, according to FinalCall.com. She was speaking of the still deplorable condition the city of New Orleans and the apathy of the United States government recovery efforts. “It's a shame that the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have been abandoned and are suffering without the most basic necessary supports while our tax dollars are directed toward war.” She has called for the Day of Presence: A National Focus on Recovery of New Orleans and Gulf Coast for Aug. 29 during the 2nd Anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. … According to Ms. Taylor, Tom Joyner will be broadcasting live from New Orleans on August 29th and stars such as Tyler Perry, Kimberly Elise, Regina King, Victoria Rowell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Blair Underwood, CSI's Hill Harper and others have expressed support. You can READ THE FULL article at the link above.

Oct 02 2007 - Carmine Giovinazzo fans should check out the October 8th issue of MEN'S FITNESS magazine.

Oct 02 2007 - CarolinaNews reports that “919 Marketing Company, a top ten Triangle area marketing consulting and public relations firm, announced today the addition of another nonprofit organization to their already prestigious client list. Operation American Spirit (www.operationamericanspirit.org), founded earlier this year by Emmy-nominated actor Jack Scalia, of “Dallas” and “All My Children” fame, provides support to severely wounded veterans and their families from Iraq and Afghanistan. 919 Marketing Company will spearhead strategic public relations efforts for the Calabasas, California-based organization. …. Many other celebrities, athletes and politicians are lending their support to the cause including Jessica Biel, Gary Sinise, Bruce Willis, Jack Kemp, Kurt Russell, Mike Vogel, Karri Turner, Lee Ermey, Jon Voight, Tim Allen, Rick Dees, Mary Hart, Mariel Hemingway, James Cromwell, Mary Bono, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, and Olympic gold medalist Quincy Watts. You can read the full article at the link above.

Oct 02 2007 - < ahref="http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/664801/">TradingMarkets reports that American Airlines has signed on as the "Official Airline of Snowball Express" (www.snowballexpress.org) and will donate the majority of air travel required to bring nearly 1,500 U.S. military family members who lost spouses, fathers and mothers in the global conflict against terror to and from this year's commemorative event, November 29 - December 2, in Southern California, according to Snowball Express Foundation president Roy White, a former Air Force Lt. Colonel and a pilot with Southwest Airlines. … Families will attend a dinner and concert in their honor on November 30 at The Grove in Anaheim starring Gary Sinise (of Forrest Gump, CSI: NY) and the Lt. Dan Band, a rock group he co-founded. Sinise and TriWest Healthcare Alliance have underwritten the cost of the evening.

Oct 02 2007 – Gary Sinise was cited in an article in AdWeek on the new VP of marketing at A&E TV. Mike Mohamad said to this question: What's your favorite idea you've developed with clients since you started in this capacity? Answer: The History Channel has a [documentary] called Into the Fire, which debuted last year. We partnered with the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. [whose social mission is to support firemen for safer communities. The film was intended to raise awareness for the funding challenges the fire service faces]. An Academy Award-winning director, Bill Couturie, approached me with this project that had to do with fire. It was really interesting—examining the history of putting out fires. The music was great, too, with artists like Bruce Springsteen. Gary Sinise wanted to get involved because of his interest in helping firefighters. I took the project to programming. They liked it. They kept working with the director and decided to take on the project. And at that point, there was a whole sales platform in place. How we would work with the Fireman's Fund to integrate their name, previews—all of that came together.

Oct 02 2007 - Check out CNN for a recipe by Melina. Click on photo and scroll until you reach Melina Kanakaredes' photo.

Oct 02 2007 – The SunTimes reported: COOK COUNTY Clerk David Orr is busy putting together a unique exhibit of celebs and folks from all walks of life who have one major thing in common: They were all born in Cook County. The exhibit is scheduled to be unveiled Sept. 6 in the County Building lobby on North Clark. Some of the notables to be featured include Hillary Clinton, Jim Belushi, Common, Billy Corgan, Dennis Farina, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Hudson, Gary Sinise, Raquel Welch, Robin Williams, Jenny McCarthy, Mike Royko, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Betty Ford, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Marlee Matlin, Bernie Mac, Harold Washington and this reporter.

Aug 23 2007 - The Canada Free Press reported that “Hollywood stars Gary Sinise, Robert Davi, Morgan Fairchild, Tom Arnold, Ed Ames, Pat Boone and many other Hollywood notables who work in the film and television industry as actors, writers, producers and industry crafts people met for an informative lunch conference given by the American Cinema Foundation to learn more on the issue of anti-Semitism in the world and how America and Jews are being portrayed in the Islamic world's film and television media. … More at the link above.

Aug 23 2007 - Gary Sinise was one of several actors seen in Chasing October , a docu-comedy that follows one fan's crusade to take the Chicago Cubs to the World Series "by any means necessary." Blogcritics reviews the DVD . Chasing October works because it is not a slickly produced piece. It is rough around the edges. It shows that other people in Matt's life see him as being irresponsible, as being a bit of a nut case. His parents are clearly worried about him and his girlfriend leaves him after questioning him as to who ranks higher, her or the Cubs. Also included on the DVD are outtakes and deleted scenes, the theatrical trailer, filmmaker interview and commentary as well as information on Derek Lee's Project 3000 in which a portion of all proceeds from this video go. You can purchase Chasing October from Emerging Pictures for $24.95.

Aug 23 2007 - CTV divulges this little tidbit from the 1994 film Forrest Gump: The necklace worn by Lt. Dan in this flick is a rosary with a Saint Christopher medal, inscribed "Protect Us In Combat". In real life, the piece was actually worn in Vietnam by Gary Sinise's brother-in-law, Jack Treese, in 1967-68.

Aug 20 2007 - Carmine Giovinazzo turns 34 on August 24th.

Aug 20 2007 - According to The Philadlephia.com site, CSI is going virtual. "Starting with http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20070806_Ellen_Gray___CSI_creator_takes_show_into_virtual_world.html, the online community that this fall will be part of a crossover with CSI: NY in which star Gary Sinise's character will download an avatar and chase a killer into the virtual-world community. "It's going to be the biggest cross-platform stunt in TV history," bragged Anthony Zuiker at a recent CBS party in Los Angeles. Ideas for cross-platform stunting usually originate with marketing guys, not writers, but that's a line the relentlessly energetic Zuiker's never appeared to notice. CBS, Zuiker said, " took a stake in Electric Sheep," a company that designs software for Second Life (www.secondlife.com), a virtual community whose "residents" number more than 8.5 million. "And then they called and said, 'Hey, we just bought some of this company and what do you think?' and I'm like, 'What I think is, I want to have 16 million people go to first life ["CSI: NY"] and to Second Life, that's what I think. That'd really be a lot of fun,' " said Zuiker, who's been working on the project about three months. "I belong to Second Life. I play every day," he said. Right now, Electric Sheep's working with "CSI: NY" "to build a virtual lab, to give people the experience of playing in the lab and doing face reconstructions . . . and also there's a Zuiker Blog, where you can go in and see a dead body and then give your opinion about what happened to the body, and then I'll rank, 1 through 10, the Top 10 people," he said. The episode is planned to be the fifth this coming season. *** Meanwhile, Yahoo Biz reports that Anthony Zuiker will deliver the opening keynote at the Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo on October 10, 2007, at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California. "Anthony is a forward thinker in the entertainment industry and we are delighted to have him share his vision of virtual worlds and entertainment," said Christopher Sherman, Virtual Worlds Conference Executive Director. "With the advent of virtual worlds, television franchises can now engage fans directly, immersing them into their brands, producing an exciting extension to the creative process." Mr. Zuiker is joined by more than 60 media and technology leaders who will be discussing the latest virtual worlds strategies and best practices. Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo follows the highly successful Virtual Worlds Spring Conference that took place in New York in March 2007.

Aug 15 2007 - At Monsters & Critics, it's revealed that musician Will Dailey's first single, 'Rise,' will appear on a special episode of CSI: NY on October 17th. As an added bonus, a commercial immediately following this episode will “back announce” Dailey's performance and inform the audience that the song and album are available for purchase. Last week (8/8), Dailey filmed a performance of the song on CSI: NY in a scene with the show's star Gary Sinise, which will air two weeks after the album hits stores. Dailey was invited to perform on the massively popular CBS-TV show after a Los Angeles showcase performance last month. “I did three songs, starting with 'Rise,' just me, solo acoustic,” says Dailey, where he was spotted by CSI creator and executive producer Anthony Zuiker. “I was a little shocked when he pulled me aside and said he'd like to put me in the show,” adds Dailey. “It was a little hard to believe and pretty surreal.”

Aug 15 2007 - TV Guide reports that Ex-Dawson's Creeker Kerr Smith and Shark's Bess Wohl are joining the cast as recurring players this season. Smith, last seen in Fox's short-lived Justice, will play Drew Becker, an expert in forged documents and a love interest for Stella (Melina Kanakaredes). "Well, he pretends to be an expert in forged documents," clarifies executive producer Pam Veasey. "He has a mysterious background that we are slowly developing. He's a love interest who has an ulterior motive." Meanwhile, Wohl, who, in addition to a two-episode stint on Shark has guest-starred on Cold Case and Ghost Whisperer, will play a new lab tech and a good friend of Adam's (A.J. Buckley). TV Guide also said in an August 1st report... Question: You said you had "some good news for Danny/Lindsay-shippers." Spill, please! Ausiello: Wow, I can't get anything past you guys. According to CSI: NY exec producer Pam Veasey, they will start off the season very much an item. "They are together and their relationship is happy and interesting," she tells me. "And, at some point, which we haven't decided yet, there will be a bump in the road — like any relationship." Veasey adds that unlike a certain high-profile romance on another CSI show, Danny and Lindsay won't be going out of their way to keep their romance a secret from their coworkers. "We're not going to make a big deal about whether people know or don't know," she says. "They played that very well on CSI [with Sara and Grissom]. It's more about seeing that they have this mutual respect. They'll have moments that they share, things that the audience shares with them, but mostly they'll continue to do their jobs and enjoy working together. And then, ultimately, we'll find a little skip in there somewhere."

Aug 15 2007 – BuddyTV reports 'CSI: NY' Writer Spills Season Four Details. CSI: NY left viewers with many questions surrounding the explosive third season finale "Snow Day", particularly those most affected by the events, including Mac Taylor, Danny Messer and Adam Ross (A.J. Buckley). The highly anticipated continuation premieres on Wednesday, September 26, but for fanatics who just can't wait until the crime drama series returns this fall, read on to find what's in store for season four. “We're going to follow up. I think we're going to be a little more focused on the continuity with that kind of stuff now,” CSI: NY writer Peter Lenkov confirmed about the characters' fate from the season three finale. … “We wanted to do something different. I think we wanted to do something big and noisy and get everyone involved and have space for everybody. What happened was that [co-writer] Pam [Veasey] and I were sitting around and just talking about something we'd love to write but that we don't get to write on CSI and we ended up finding a way to fuse that love of action, adventure, pacing and timing and real big stakes, and were able to weave that in to a CSI framework,” Lenkov said. “I think because of the response and the actors and everybody, we're adding some ticking clocks to episodes. New York is a fast-paced town so I think a lot of our stories could work with some action-adventure elements in them, and I think that's what we're going to do in some episodes. You'll see that--there's definitely some in the first few episodes. There's high stakes and ticking clocks and a lot of run and jump stuff that I think is satisfying to people.” Other info: Episode five is basically a forensic investigation into Second Life, an online social network, a metaverse where you go on, you create an avatar and cruise different worlds. As for episode six, it is going to be a horror plot involving a zombie story and a murder that takes place in Amityville

Aug 16 2007 - Writer Tom Kane said on his Bay Ridge Beat column: You know when you meet a famous person — one you admire from afar because you have never actually met them — you hope the person isn't a jerk and doesn't shatter your conception of them? Well, I have first-hand knowledge that Mr. Gary Sinise is not only not a jerk, but could very well be one of the nicest people I have ever met. Thanks to my boss, Dozier Hasty, I was given the assignment of driving some of my cohorts over to meet with Gary Sinise last Friday. It was set up by my favorite PR man in the world, Jack Malone, who met us at the gates of Fort Hamilton Army Base and escorted us in. Sinise, as you know, played Lt. Dan Taylor in the movie Forrest Gump, and today is a staunch supporter of our troops. His band, the Lt. Dan Band, plays USO shows and fundraisers, and last Saturday night, they played at Brooklyn College to raise money to complete “The Wall of Remembrance” at KeySpan Park. The wall is a memorial to the first responders who perished at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He told Brooklyn Eagle reporter Sarah Tobol that acting was his job, and playing gigs like this was his passion. In 1974, Sinise founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Initially performing in a church basement, the company grew and gained stature in the Chicago area and is now housed in their own, eight million-dollar theater. When told of my involvement with BrooklynONE Theater (we are currently located at a church ourselves), and that our foundation was based on his Steppenwolf project, he said “that's great, keep it going.” Oh I will, Gary, that eight million-dollar theater would fit perfectly where Tiffany's diner used to be. Hey, a guy can dream, can't he? Now, Saturday night was a trip. After a “photo op” at Keyspan Park with Brooklyn Eagle mascot Eddie the Eagle (a.k.a Matt Rizzuto), we went directly to the concert at BC. Joined by many of the city's Finest and Bravest, including P.O. Michael Ward, and other special guests, such as my colleague Larry Morrish, Peggy O'Neills, owner John Imbrialle and his wife Phyllis, Q104's DJ Ken Dashow (the evenings MC) and former NY Giants coach Jim Fassell, the show was a huge hit. By the time Sinise's Lt. Dan Band began to play in the nearly packed house, his first few tune selections had the entire crowd on their feet, some even dancing. Towards the end of the evening, Sinise thanked everyone for their support, to which a young woman bellowed back, “We love you Gary!!” Sinise answered, “I love you guys, too, that's why I'm here.” A three-minute standing ovation followed that remark … I do believe that says it all.

Aug 07 2007 - PR Newswire reports -- Golf enthusiasts, investors and charity attendees from around the world are being invited to a charity golf event in San Diego. The "Reagan Golf Classic & Legacy Dinner" is being presented by Michael Reagan and Mercedes-Benz of San Diego. Event benefits the Michael and Colleen Reagan Scholarship Fund for sailors serving aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, and is scheduled to take place September 10, 2007 at the Coronado Golf Course, Coronado, California. Sponsors for the upcoming charity event in San Diego, California have been announced today, including Mercedes Benz, Del Mar Fairgrounds and Thoroughbred Club, Las Vegas Sands Corp (Venetian Resorts), TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Sullivan International Group and Zurich Gold Exchange, Pte. Ltd. The "Reagan Legacy" dinner is scheduled September 9, 2007, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. The event is sponsored by nationally acclaimed radio talk show host Michael Reagan and all charity proceeds are being donated to the Reagan scholarship fund. Actor Gary Sinise and his musical group will perform live. All golf tournament participants will have an opportunity to play golf with a Navy participant during the golf outing, and later, visit the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan for an exclusive private tour. Winners at the charity golf event will receive an all expense paid trip to compete in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz National Championship in Maui, Hawaii. There will be a second "fun flight" for those who do not have an official USGA index handicap -- these players will be "Going for the Gold". Zurich Gold Exchange is providing "a significant amount of .999% pure gold bullion" to the charity event for the "Going for the Gold" competition.

Aug 07 2007 – Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band played at the Whitman Theater at Brooklyn College recently as part of a fund-raiser for a memorial wall at Brooklyn's Keyspan Park, which will honor the police and fire workers killed on 9/11, reported the New York Daily News. Sinise has donated some of his own money to the fund, and the goal is to raise $100,000 from the concert. He said he learned of the wall a year and a half ago, through a firefighter friend. "I try to do shows that can help various charities, or support the troops," Sinise says. The Carnesie Digest added that 'Sinise and his band played a mixture of popular Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin hits to a sold-out crowd who at points couldn't help getting up from their chairs and dancing. The show, which also came with a pre-concert comedy hour, was hosted by Ken Dashow of Q104.3 FM radio, a native of Sheepshead Bay. While the Lt. Dan Band routinely plays upwards of 40 USO shows for the troops each year in between tapings of his hit show, Sinise took a special trip to Brooklyn when he heard about the push to expand the beautiful 9/11 memorial at KeySpan Park in Coney Island. He was so impressed with the wall and its significance that he personally donated $25,000 for its expansion and agreed to headline the fundraiser. “It's a beautiful memorial. It's well on its way,” Sinise told the Daily News last week. “We've expanded that idea, and we want to make it something that covers more ground. For the families of those fallen heroes, it's going to be very, very meaningful.” Donations for the wall's expansion can be made out to the “E.F. Wall of Remembrance Foundation” and sent to 2067 58th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204

Aug 05 2007 – The Canada Free Press reported that “Hollywood stars Gary Sinise, Robert Davi, Morgan Fairchild, Tom Arnold, Ed Ames, Pat Boone and many other Hollywood notables who work in the film and television industry as actors, writers, producers and industry crafts people met for an informative lunch conference given by the American Cinema Foundation to learn more on the issue of anti-Semitism in the world and how America and Jews are being portrayed in the Islamic world's film and television media. … Actor Gary Sinise began the evening by announcing this was the third meeting of the ACF regarding issues related to homeland security, terrorism and anti-Semitism, the group having earlier twice-hosted terrorism expert Steve Emerson of the Investigative Project. That event drew such a large crowd of the membership that two luncheons had to be scheduled for the same day to accommodate everyone.” More at the link above.

Aug 02 2007 – Is CSI: NY a historical show? The Toronto Star reports that Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has decided no, removing the popular crime drama from Canada's History Channel. Alliance Atlantis has until September 1st to remove the show. In its defence, Alliance Atlantis said the back story of CSI: NY included a lead character whose wife died in 9/11 and the program makes continuing references to Ground Zero and terrorist threats.

Aug 02 2007 – The Telegraph.co.uk has excerpts fromf reelance essayist Lee Siegel ( former TV critic for The New Republic) Notes on Television … Yet Siegel is genuinely affectionate about television, and his descriptions of actors demonstrate this warmth. Gary Sinise, the star of CSI: New York, has a face in which "thought seems to be slowly simmering over an emotional fire, but it never comes to a boil". But he is not content simply to tell us about the shows; too often Siegel is tempted into sweeping claims that don't bear much weight.

Jul 29 2007 – In a New York Times article on actress Laila Robins, she talks of playing Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. It “was one of the peak experiences of my life. ... I was a little intimidated at first. I didn't know their way of working or what it would entail emotionally. Gary Sinise [who played Stanley] and I were both so exhausted. The show was three-and-a-half hours long, and we'd do two a day sometimes. He'd come in and give me bath salts in my dressing room and say: “Here. Who did you see today? I saw my chiropractor, my voice doctor and my masseuse.” We'd compare battle wounds through the whole thing.

Jul 28 2007 - LA Calendar Live profiled Frank Galati, who has directed “After the Quake" at La Jolla Playhouse. … At 63, he has inhabited so many roles, so many times, in so many genres -- actor, director and adapter; plays, musicals and operas -- while holding down a professorship at Northwestern University for nearly 40 years, that rolling his complete credits, including a turn as Ebenezer Scrooge, would be like listing St. Nick's flight itinerary on Dec. 24. … "He seems to have five productions going at once, major ones, always juggling, always busy, always thrilled to be doing them all," says Gary Sinise, who in 1986 tapped Galati as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, even though he knew he'd have to share him with the friendly-rival Goodman Theatre, where Galati is an associate artist with a dozen directing credits. "I've asked him several times how he does it, and he says he doesn't know." 'After the Quake' - Where: La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla - When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays - Ends: Aug. 26 - Price: $28 to $60 - Contact: (858) 550-1010

Jul 23 2007 - The Orlando Sentinel reported: "CSI: NY": Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) is being harassed, and he doesn't know who's responsible.

Jul 14 2007 - BuddyTV features a brief interview on Carmine Giovinazzo, in which the actor said of the romantic tension between Danny and Lindsay: "I think it's good," Carmine Giovinazzo said of his character's involvement with Lindsay. "I'm glad it got where it got and that we had a real, definite thing that happened between us. It was a little more there but not quite there [before], so it was good [that something happened]. It's fun to do." More at the link above.

Jul 11 2007 - The JewishPress notes that Brooklyn Jewish resident Sol Moglen, created the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance to honor those Brooklyn residents who died on 9/11. ... Moglen estimates the new expansions will [to the wall] cost $250,000. Actor Gary Sinise - who has donated $50,000 for the cause - and his band will be performing a concert at Brooklyn College on August 11 to raise funds for the project. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and KeySpan Park's sales office.

Jul 11 2007 - At a press release on cloth diapers making a comeback, said: " And it's not just suburban moms who are turning to cloth diapers. Tinseltown is taking on the trend too. Anna Belknap, star of CBS's CSI-NY, is a known Fuzzi Bunz fan, as are country music star, Brad Paisley, and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams. Madonna was recently spotted changing baby David's cloth diaper and Dave Matthews and Maggie Gyllenhaal have been widely reported as a cloth diaper users as well."

Jul 11 2007 - The magazine In Touch Weekly ran a fabulous at 40 poll, in which James Bond girl Halle Berry took the top spot; it also rated Salma Hayek, Pamela Anderson and Melina Kanakaredes ahead of Kidman.

Jul 06 2007 - NavyCompass.com posted some photos of Gary Sinise as he visited the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) via the USO on June 25th. Click on link for pictures.

Jun 20 2007 – From Cindy Adams' column in the New York Post from the recent Tony Awards… Leaving her, I bumped into "CSI:NY" 's Melina Kanakaredes, who said: "Would you believe five years ago I worked on 'Curtains'? It workshopped for years, but my role turned into three others." Yeah, yeah, but to the important things. How's she stay so skinny. "Skinny? Listen, my husband's a chef. He cooks only for me now, and our two kids because I won't let him open another restaurant again - but I'm not skinny. I'm Greek. I eat."

Jun 20 2007 – Melina Kanaredes showed up in a sequined costume at a Hollywood Hills bash recently. Hollywood Life reported that “Melina came in a plunging V-neck silver mini dress that she borrowed from an undisclosed designer's fall 2007 collection. She admitted to taping her boobs to make sure everything stayed in place. Regardless of being a mom of two, she looked hot! She brought her love of 20 years, hubby Peter Constantinides. They excitedly talked about their favorite place in the world, Greece, as they shared birthday cake. “

Jun 01 2007 – In an article on "This Week in Baseball" at MLB.com, there's a quick CSI: NY mention… Front Row Fan of the Week by Chevrolet brings you "CSI: New York" actor Carmine Giovinazzo. The actor talks about the New York Mets and New York Yankees -- two teams he went to watch in their respective stadiums, and yes, he's on the fence about them both. When Giovinazzo was younger, he had visions of being a baseball player, but an injury turned him to acting, Potocki said.

Jun 01 2007 – Melina Kanakaredes will be one of several celebrity presenters (along with three CSI cast) at the 61st annual Tony Awards ceremony broadcast live on CBS in a three-hour-long telecast on June 10th.

May 21 2007 – Mothers and celebrity fans everywhere will flip their lids for these star-studded sippy cups! The Tinseltown Toddlers Charity Auction and Talented Toddlers Contest are being held in conjunction with the launch of the Playtex(R) Create My Own(TM) Cup, the only spill-proof cup that children can design themselves. The Tinseltown Toddlers Online Charity Auction (http://www.ebay.com/playtex) will feature one-of-a- kind Playtex(R) Create My Own(TM) Cups designed and signed by celebrities and their toddlers. Available for bidding will be cups designed by campaign spokesperson Doug Savant of Desperate Housewives and daughter Lucy, Melina Kanakaredes of CSI New York and daughter Karina, Elizabeth Mitchell of Lost and son CJ, and many more. The auction takes place May 21-31, 2007 and all proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

May 22 2007 - Anna Belknap turned 35.

May 17 2007 – Hill Harper was interviewed at FreePress in which he was asked five questions in regards to his book of advice and inspiration, "Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny" (Gotham Books; $20 hardcover, $12 paperback). Q: What inspired you to write "Letters to a Young Brother"? A: Because of my educational background, I get invited to speak at schools -- elementary, middle schools, high schools. A lot of young men come up to me, look over their shoulders and say, "Can I ask you a question?" The deeper you dig, you find that so many are being raised by single mothers. You'd think there'd be some older men who could help them navigate this journey from childhood to manhood. I look at my book as mentorship on paper. We're raising a generation of young men ... where you're seeing underachievement and declining achievement among young men.

May 15 2007 - Carmine Giovinazzo is one of several celebrities mentioned in a Press release about Phillips – Van Heusen Corporation Campaign for Save Ellis Island's Restoration Project. The campaign sponsored by PVH will seek to generate awareness of and financial support for Save Ellis Island's effort among the estimated over one hundred million Americans who can trace their heritage in the U.S. through relatives who arrived at Ellis Island. Save Ellis Island is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a partner of the National Park Service, the steward for America's special places, including its 390 national parks of which the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island is one of the most widely recognized. The campaign will feature famous and everyday Americans recounting their families' stories of inspiration and hope. Notable figures committed to the project include former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, Chairman of Save Ellis Island, who stated, “Ellis Island is an intrinsic element of the uniquely American immigrant spirit and preserving this landmark for future generations is something that we all need to rally around.” Mr. Bradley added, “Supporting this campaign and raising the awareness and funds necessary will save the thread that binds so many Americans who can trace their family lineage through Ellis Island.” The campaign's first multi-media production – photographed by Richard Phibbs and directed by Ben Orisich – was shot on Ellis Island through simultaneous recording of print, film and video sessions. Actors Christian Slater, Richard Belzer, Carmine Giovinazzo, Federico Castelluccio, John Ventimiglia, Vincent Curatola, Steve Schirripa and Tony award winner John Lloyd Young joined over thirty Americans from across the country to form the inaugural cast of the campaign. Additional participants and productions are expected to be announced in the future. A comprehensive multi-media agenda is planned for launch later this year including magazines, newspapers, television, radio, in-flight video and cinema screens nationwide. More at link above.

May 09 2007 - According to NBC5, Gary Sinise 'helped announce a huge shipment of care packages by "Operation Support Our Troops" and also presented a check at a news conference on Thursday that he earned by endorsing a watch company that will go to the troops. The "Lt. Dan Band" will perform July 21 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. The "Lt. Dan Band" has had several gigs all over the world that have helped raise money. Ticket sales for those shows have also proven to be huge moneymakers for soldiers' causes, Martinez reported. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn bought a ticket for the July show at the news conference. Also, CBSChicago reported that on May 3rd, Gary Sinise presented a $25,000 donation to injured local veterans.

May 09 2007 - PRInside reports that aActress/designer Christina Fulton will host an all-star pre-Mother's Day charity evening on May 9th at SUGAR on La Brea. The event will debut her summer IT'ZA FULCAGE, LLC fashion collection, including her Single Mom line, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Single Mom Foundation, Hats Off For Cancer and Haven Hills. Expected to attend are such stars as Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, Maureen McCormick, Jai Rodriguez, Marlee Matlin, Melina Kanakaredes, Nikki Ziering, Smalls, Archie Kao, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Shar. Portions of the proceeds from the "Save America's Single Moms" event will benefit three separate charities: The Single Mom Foundation, a charity which Fulton established in helping to provide funding and opportunities "to make special dreams come true for single mothers across America," she said. Fulton's new bumper sticker reads, "Save America's Single Moms & We'll Save Our Children;" Hats Off For Cancer, a grassroots movement helping to provide hats for children who have lost their hair as a result of cancer, for which Fulton developed a special hat just for the organization; and Haven Hills, one of the most respected abused women's shelters in Southern California and which for many years has helped ensure the safety of women and families fleeing abusive relationships. The invitation only affair runs from 7-11 PM on Wednesday, May 9th at SUGAR on La Brea, an upscale boutique catering to celebrities, located at 633 N. La Brea in Los Angeles.

May 09 2007 - From The National Ledger: Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan band has headed for Europe, where they'll play "at six or seven military bases 'til the 16th. Then I'll go on to Iraq on my own until the 24th, then come back and work on the Memorial Day show," he says, referring to PBS's "National Memorial Day Concert 2007," which he'll cohost with Joe Mantegna May 27 in Washington, D.C. The trek marks the "CSI: New York" star's 24th USO tour. "In the past three or four years, I've kind of dedicated May to the USO. After that, I'm on vacation," he says.

May 01 2007 - The Lt. Dan Band, headed by actor Gary Sinise, is scheduled to perform at various military communities in Germany and Belgium during May, reports Estripes.com. The schedule:

May 8 — Hohenfels, Germany, post gym, 7 p.m.
May 9 — Ansbach, Germany, Katterbach Army Air Field Hangar 2, 7 p.m.
May 11 — Stuttgart, Germany, post exchange parking lot, 7 p.m.
May 12 — SHAPE Headquarters, Belgium, fest tent, 8 p.m.
May 14 — Ramstein, Germany, Hangar 3, 7 p.m.
May 15 — Spangdahlem, Germany, fitness center, 7 p.m

May 01 2007 - CSI: NY executive producer Pam Veasey talks to CTV about Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes) and her confrontation the possibility that she may have contracted HIV/AIDS. Veasey said that 'like anything else they approach on their show, the arc is all about the mystery, as much as it is about education.' Stella's AIDS arc began in "Heart of Glass," when Stella picked up a broken piece of glass covered in blood, and it snapped in half - creating a gash in her arm. Like many storylines, the idea originally came from the experience of real investigators. "We know some cops and some real CSI guys, and a few are consultants from the forensic office in L.A., and they told us a story about how they think about coming into contact with contaminated blood," said Veasey. "We decided we would incorporate the story through that, based on their experiences on our show." In later episodes, Stella revealed what happened to her boss Mac, and in another, revealed that she had come to terms with the possibility she had contracted the disease. "To have her live with not knowing, because that's the story that's not really told. It's usually that people have it, or they don't," said Veasey. Read the full story at the link above.

Apr 26 2007 - From PRInsider: Gary Sinise, star of the hit CBS series "CSI: New York," and the Lt. Dan Band will perform for service members on a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to Germany and Belgium May 6-16. This marks the 24th USO tour for the actor, director and producer, who recently performed for service members and their families at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Apr 26 2007 - In an article on Pepperdine College in California, here's a CSI relevant quote: "Garry Shandling, Gary Sinise and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have dotted the stands at Pepperdine men's basketball games. Adam Sandler, Martin Landau, David Duchovny and Rob Schneider have supported the women's basketball program. Sean Astin is a fan of the baseball program. And Dean Cain, Gabrielle Reece, Courtney Love, Kimberly Stewart and David Spade are among the other celebrities who have been spotted at campus sporting events."

Apr 25 2007 - PressZoom posted: PressZoom) - WASHINGTON, April 18, 2007 – The Military Officers Association of America recognized actor Gary Sinise, the DuPont company and six other people for their support of the military, during the association’s 10th annual awards ceremony here last night. ... Actor Gary Sinise received MOAA’s Distinguished Service Award for his years of support to servicemembers. “( Sinise ) has a pretty good history of working with the ( United Services Organization ) and supporting the troops,” Harris said. “For example, he’s made 22 trips overseas with his ( Lt. Dan Band ).” ... Sinise deflected the accolades as he accepted the award. “I kind of have a hard time with this kind of thing because I just feel that it’s my duty as an American, and as somebody who can do something, ( that I ) should do something,” Sinise said. He added that his commitment to military personnel stems from a desire to ensure no servicemember ever endures the treatment Vietnam veterans received. “We all remember what it was like for our Vietnam vets to come home from war,” he said. “I do everything I can to get out there and make sure that our vets coming home today never, ever in the future have to face that again.” Full press release at the link above.

Apr 24 2007 - CTV profiles Joey Lawrence's guest apperance on CSI: NY on April 25th. Here's an excerpt from the article: CTV.ca: What was it like working with Gary Sinise? Lawrence: I'm such a fan and he's such a nice guy too. He's just very professional, very calm. He made me feel very welcome. I was only coming in for a few episodes and when you come into a show, you have to fit into that groove very quickly. I was worried it might be awkward, but nobody gave me any attitude at all. He was a consummate gentleman. More at link above.

Apr 24 2007 - Myketli Williamson will re-unite with Forrest Gump co-star Gary Sinise on the May 2nd episode. He'll play a cutthroat NYPD bigwig investigating Mac after a serial killer dies in Mac's custody.

Apr 24 2007 - CSI: NY and CBS's Cold Case crossover on May 2nd in an episode in which CC's Danny Pino visits CSI: NY when Scott ginds a bloody jacket covered with DNA belonging to Stella. During the investigation, Stella's true identity will be revealed.

Apr 20 2007 – CSI NY is featured on page 20 of the April 23rd TV Guide. It's a behind the scenes shot of Joey Lawrence, who will guest star in the upcoming episode on the 25th. He plays a murderer whose conviction is overturned when Mac puts away the arresting officer as a dirty cop.

Apr 18 2007 – Melina Kanakaredes turns 40 on April 23rd.

Apr 18 2007 - Gary Sinise, who was talented enough to play both Harry Truman and George Wallace convincingly, has for many years been the prototype of the person who believes that supporting American troops requires more than simply waving the flag or plastering a bumper sticker on your SUV, said the KansasCity.Com site. Sinise's latest campaign is to bring severely wounded American veterans out of the shadows and into the forefront of the nation's consciousness to help ensure that they get the care and the level of honor and respect that they deserve. He is the national spokesman for a project called the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which will be the nation's first public tribute to the legions of men and women who are living with, and often still suffering from, wounds that they sustained while fighting in the nation's wars. “We need to remember,” Sinise said, “that of the 26 million veterans living today, more than 3 million are permanently disabled from injuries suffered in our nation's defense.” The disabled veterans memorial will cost $65 million, all to be raised from private sources, and will be built on a 2-acre site in the heart of the nation's capital, across from the U.S. Botanic Garden. The memorial grew out of conversations that began more than a decade ago between the philanthropist Lois B. Pope and officials at Disabled American Veterans, an indispensable advocacy group that is headquartered in Washington. READ more at the link above.

Apr 18 2007 – Marketwire reports that The inaugural Celebrity Invitational Golf Classic and awards banquet benefiting The Salvation Army in Southern California will be held on Thursday, May 31 at Trump National Golf Club in Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif. Celebrity players are expected to include Magic Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, Penny Marshall, Marcus Allen, Kenny Rogers, Robert Wagner, Bob Saget, Peter Gallagher, Keith Carradine, Gary Sinise, Eric Dickerson, Kevin Sorbo, Reggie Jackson, Kevin Nealon, Richard Karn, Elton Brand, Sam Cassell, Michael Strahan, Dwyane Wade and Joe Mantegna. The Golf Classic will help The Salvation Army fulfill its commitment to meet the growing needs of families, youth, men, women and children throughout Southern California, offering a "hand-up" instead of a "hand-out" to all who turn to the organization at a critical moment in their lives, often as a last resort. 2007 marks the 120th anniversary of The Salvation Army in Los Angeles. Foursomes are available for $10,000 each, with every foursome assigned a fifth celebrity player. Tournament participants will arrive and register at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start promptly at 11 a.m. The tournament format is "Two Man Modified Best Ball" of fivesomes with full handicap, which will allow everyone to play a full round of golf. As players conclude their rounds, refreshments will be served in the clubhouse. There will be dinner and entertainment, and the presentation of awards immediately following the tournament. Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan will be honored for his undying dedication to serving the people and improving the lives of everyone within his influence. For information on sponsorship opportunities or how to purchase a foursome, please call Mike White, The Salvation Army, (213) 553-3273.

Apr 18 2007 – From a press release at the Chicago Tribune: Wednesday, May 16 CSI: NY -- Following the largest drug seizure in New York history, Mac (Gary Sinise) and the CSIs must save the lab and face one of their toughest challenges yet when, in an elaborate heist, a drug lord and his crew descend upon the lab's vault in hopes of retrieving their merchandise.

Apr 18 2007 – Although Vanessa Ferlito left CSI, she's not out of the press. Check out TV Guide for an interview with the versatile actress, who stars in the Quentin Tarantino flick, Grindhouse. A snippet: TVGuide.com: When you left CSI:NY, part of the reason was to move back to New York City. How did that work out for you? Good decision? Ferlito: You can't really have regrets with this stuff. You've got to take your chances. I had a taste for movies before this show — I had just wrapped one before I started the show — so it was hard to make that transformation and be on a procedural show like that. They were all great to me — [CSI creator] Anthony Zuiker is a doll, a gem, and I love him dearly.

April 4 2007 - The New York Daily News profiles CSI: NY in today's issue in an article on location shoots. CSI NY was in town to film scenes from several episodes, that "made for a breakneck production schedule that took them from Times Square to City Hall, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Central Park West and the boardwalk at Coney Island. The series shoots in NYC because, says writer and executive producer Pam Veasey, "The super-duper dog walker, the guy with 15 dogs on leashes, that doesn't happen in L.A. That happens in New York. The steam coming out of the buildings, the way the signs look, what people wear and how they move around, you start looking at the details." And "People's faces aren't traditionally California beautiful. There's a history in faces in New York. You can pinpoint ethnicity in New York City." ... Scenes shot here will be edited into the season's remaining installments. Next week, the show returns with original episodes, later featuring guest turns from Joey Lawrence (April 25) and John McEnroe (May 9). Both play suspected killers. Click on link for full article.

April 2 2007 – CSI with guns blazing is the title of an NST article in which Anthony Zuiker was interviewed. The CSI creator said "We wanted to go deeper with the character of Mac Taylor's (played by Gary Sinise) interest and a nemesis. When Claire (Forlani, who plays Peyton) first got to the set, she said: "I'm ready. I'll do whatever you need me to do. She was very excited. She allows Mac to be warmer and more intimate, and that became a hit with our viewers instantaneously. The key was to put that character in a position where she was working alongside Mac. We wanted her to be in the thick of things, where she would solve crimes with Mac as opposed to some girlfriend out of the workplace. We wanted the love interest part, but we also wanted there to be conflict in work situations so we could bring it to a deeper level." On Danny and Lindsay: "There is something in her past that makes her gravitate towards Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo). The way Anna (Lindsay Monroe) alludes to her past is very compelling. Her portrayal is jaw-dropping. What happened in her past led her to join CSI. You will understand that at the end of the season." On Melina's storyline last season: "As writers, we look forward to Emmy-type episodes for the actor. Last year, we wrote a very big vehicle where Stella's (Melina Kanakaredes) boyfriend hides in her house and attempts to shoot her. We brought that emotional baggage into Season Three, and there is one episode where there is a woman who was involved in a similar situation and she's traumatized." Read the rest of the fascinating Q&A at the link above.

April 2 2007 – Melina Kanakredes is mentioned in the Ohio.com site on Temo's chocolate and their Easter tradition in Akron. The full article is online and here's the Melina mention: "The Temo siblings not only grew up in the candy business, but their kids did, too. That includes homegrown Akron celebrity Melina Kanakaredes, a Hollywood actress and daughter of Connie and Harry.... The Temos' art for making candy goes back three generations to Lazarus Temo in Turkey and Greece. He was an ethnic Albanian who passed the trade along to his son Christ, who brought candy and pastry making to Youngstown in the 1920s and '30s. The late Christ and his Greek wife, Areti, were the parents of current Temo's proprietors Larry and Jim Temo, as well as sister Connie Kanakaredes, all of the Akron area. More at the link above.

April 2 2007 – Melina Kanakaredes is featured in the movie Saint Maybe, which is available in VHS but not DVD. A review said: "Worth it. When a ne'er-do-well finds himself the cause of his brother's death, he seeks a reason for his life. He stumbles upon a church gathering and quickly turns his life around, living for others. This affecting Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of a family dealing with the loss of a loved one is a wonderful film suitable for the Christmas holidays. There are so many powerful messages and life lessons, none of which overpowers the entertaining drama. What a delight to find a film where scripture is quoted, the Christian lifestyle is not mocked, prayers are spoken and the gospel message is put into practice."

April 2 2007 – The Sidney Herald spoke about Operation Iraqi. Crestwood Inn tenant Jean Krause read the magazine article that described actor Gary Sinise's experiences while entertaining in Iraq. Krause said that Sinise said there were three to four children per desk and each shared just the final inches of a pencil. "I felt like it was a good thing to do," Krause said. She started to distribute fliers among other Crestwood Inn tenants to start the campaign.More at the link above. To find out more about the program, see www.operationiraqichildren.org.

April 2 2007 – Variety posted GI festival salutes Sinise. The inaugural GI Film Festival, a three-day festival celebrating film and the military, will kick off Memorial Day weekend and honor thesp Gary Sinise. Held at the Ronald Reagan Intl. Trade Center in Washington, D.C, May 26-28, event will feature shorts, docs and features. Kudofest also hosts panel discussions featuring soldiers, journalists, authors and filmmakers who will discuss the relationship between Hollywood and the military… As part of the new festival, various attendees will screen favorites. Screenwriter Ron Maxwell will screen "Verna: USO Girl"; helmer John Dahl shows "The Great Raid"; Sinise unspools "Forrest Gump"; director John Millius screens "Red Dawn"; and Pat Boone screens a self-made docu about the National Guard. Full article at link above. 

April 2 2007 – Gary Sinise was mentioned in an article at the Palm Beach Post about a money feud between Paul D. Pope, son of Lantana tabloid king Generoso Pope Jr and his mother, Lois B. Pope, Generoso's millionaire widow and philanthropist. Paul has stuffed a lawsuit just filed against his mother with claims ranging from the amusing to the scandalous. The amusing: Paul's lawsuit says Mom reneged on promises to make him financially secure by giving him a Bentley Azure convertible, a home worth up to $5'million and a lifetime income of $1'million a year. The scandalous: One of Lois Pope's charities, the Disabled Veterans LIFE Memorial Foundation, would spend over several years a whopping $52 million on salaries, fees and advertising to raise $56 million, Paul Pope claims in documents filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court this month. The foundation is collecting money for a memorial devoted to disabled vets. … Lois Pope called "absolutely false" charges her foundation is being mismanaged. "Sure, it cost money to start up, but we're a fledgling organization. We're honorable people." The high-profile foundation has actor Gary Sinise as its spokesman.

Mar 24 2007 - Hellenicnews reports that Melina Kanakaredes is one of several presenters at 6th Anniversary Gala (of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund). It will take place at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on Saturday, May 19, 2007. Please see attached press release. For further information, to receive an invitation or to purchase tickets, visit our Website at www.htsf.org or call 212-986-6881 or 333-7456.

Mar 24 2007 - Gary Sinise's humantarian work is profiled at OC Regsiter in an article entitled "Actor's support to troops and military families has been faithful and tireless." ... The celebrities and actors who join forces with the USO are true role models, unlike the ones who swing from nightclub to rehab and back again. They're the ones who use their fame to bring joy to others. Gary Sinise is one such celebrity. Best known for his Oscar nominated portrayal of Lt. Dan in 1994's hit movie “Forrest Gump,” Sinise has combined his acting and musical talent to both support our troops' and reach out to the children of Iraq. ... When Sinise isn't on the set of “CSI: N.Y.” or performing for the troops overseas with the Lt. Dan Band, he's entertaining military families. Last weekend, Sinise's band visited the base where I live, and I felt a USO morale boost firsthand. I was able to tell my kids that “famous people from Hollywood” wanted to entertain us for free because they think military families are special. My husband and I boogied to the sounds of a Hollywood powerhouse who, refreshingly enough, supports both the war and the troops. I imagine the experience must be exhilarating for a soldier serving in a combat zone. Later that evening, when the band played Lee Greenwood's, “God Bless the USA” for an encore, the audience of men, women and children swayed together as a collective unit, singing along with a celebrity who truly understands the words. After the concert, Sinise visited and signed autographs for over two hours. “Why do you do it?” I asked him. “We love to,” Sinise said, with characteristic intensity. “Military families deserve it; thank you.” Read the full article at the link above.

Mar 17 2007 - Conservative Voice reported: The Military Officers Association of America announced it will present its highest award to an actor and a corporation for their strong support of military servicemembers. Gary Sinise and the DuPont Company, with headquarters in Wilmington, Del., will receive the MOAA Distinguished Service Award for 2007. MOAA looks for indicators of strong support for military employees when considering organizations for this award, retired Air Force Col. Steve Strobridge, MOAA's director of government relations, said. The criteria are a little different for an individual to receive the MOAA Distinguished Service Award. "Selfless service, achievement of results and reflections of credit on the military community" are key the elements, Strobridge said. "DuPont and Sinise clearly demonstrated a great deal of caring and personal involvement involving the military," he said. Sinise stars in CBS's "CSI: NY." As one of the founders of the "Lt. Dan Band," named after his "Forrest Gump" character, the actor has toured the world playing concerts for military personnel and their families. The awards will be presented in a ceremony on Capitol Hill on April 17.

Mar 17 2007 – The fifth annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit raised six figures for various charities recently. Many celebrities attended, included Melina Kanakaredes. …”You didn't need big bucks or designer duds to enjoy a casual Sunday afternoon event that closed Melrose Avenue. Ashley Scott tried on Converse shoes, Greg Kinnear ate pizza and Melina Kanakaredes, Angie Harmon, Jason Earles and Miranda Cosgrove read to dozens of kids. "I love reading to these little monkeys and haven't yet missed one of these fundraisers," said Kanakaredes, as Freddy Rodriguez and Justin Chambers walked by. "Stuart House does incredible work and it's a thrill to help raise all this money." More at SBsun.com.

Mar 17 2007 – At the BroadwayWorld column entitled “ActorQuest-A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Bway 11,” actress Kristin Huffman spoke about when she once worked with Melina Kanakaredes. : “I also competed in pageants with Melina Kanakaredes, the star of the show "Providence".  She has that great Greek hair and used to tell all the pageant girls that the way to pronounce her name was to rhyme it with "Can of Wheaties". Seems to be a bit of a theme, that "itis" at the end of their names.  One of my favorite childhood friends had that same ending to her name, Rebecca Maroukitis.

Mar 17 2007 – Gary Sinise turned 52.

March 11 2007 – In a Variety article on political ties to Hollywood, Gary Sinise was mentioned in passing: Giuliani, meanwhile, attracted a crowd of more than 150 people at a fund-raiser at the home of former Ambassador Rockwell Schnabel and his wife, Marna. It was not an industry-centric fund-raiser on par with Obama's star-studded Beverly Hilton event two weeks ago, but it did draw such names as Gary Sinise, attorney Bruce Ramer, Bernie Brillstein, Dyan Cannon and writer-director Lionel Chetwynd. More at the link above.

March 11 2007 – PR-Inside reports that Forrest Gump is set to return to the big screen. Tom Hanks is considering reprising his Oscar-winning role, while “ co-star GARY SINISE has reportedly shown interest in reprising his character, LIEUTENANT DAN. According to website CinemaBlend.com, celebrated screenwriter ERIC ROTH's 2001 Gump sequel screenplay is being tweaked by producers STEVE TISCH and WENDY FINERMAN, after they settled an ongoing rights battle with Gump creator, novelist WINSTON GROOM. Roth's sequel script is reportedly based on Groom's Forrest Gump follow-up, GUMP & CO.”

March 11 2007 – The Virtue Foundation and Avon Products, Inc. Announce The Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow in Commemoration of International Women's Day With Special Guest Speaker Jennifer Hudson Summit at United Nations Will Give Voice to Critical Women's Issues Worldwide, according to PRNewswire. The Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow will represent a gathering of some of the most influential and accomplished leaders in the arena of women's empowerment around the world, as well as celebrities including Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) and Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: New York), who will share inspiring personal stories. The program will address three major areas of interest affecting women today: healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. More are PRNewswire on International Woman's Day as well, which includes Melina Kanakaredes

Mar 05 2007 - Lt. Dan Band news:

• PR Newswire: The band performed a concert for Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 3. This is the 22nd USO tour for Sinise, who recently performed for service members and their families at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Last year, Sinise completed a series of seven stateside USO tours with the band. He also made a solo USO tour to Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and the USS Ronald Reagan. KGMB9 news quoted Gary from a press conference ... "It's a way to play a little bass and have some fun and to keep my band going," Sinise said at a press conference on the Kaneohe base. "You're gonna hear Hendrix and you're gonna hear Beyonce today," Sinise said of his play list. "It's kind of sort of an eclectic group of tunes." Sinise is a strong supporter of the military. "After September 11th, I, like a lot of people, felt a lot of different types of emotions because of that event. Prior to that, I'd been involved for many, many years in Vietnam veterans groups."
• Estripes.com: The Lt. Dan Band is scheduled to play six concerts in May in Germany and Belgium, as well as visit troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The May tour includes performances in Germany at Spangdahlem (May 8), Hohenfels (May 9), Ansbach (May 10), Stuttgart (May 11) and Ramstein (May 14), as well as a May 12 show in Mons, Belgium. The venues for the concerts have not been finalized, according to George DeGrella, a spokesman with Armed Forces Entertainment, which is producing the shows along with USO.

Feb 27 2007 - At BusinessWire you can read the following press release: "The new March issue of Guideposts magazine features a cover story by actor Gary Sinise, known to millions of Americans for his starring role on CSI: NY, and now he’s becoming known to more and more children in Iraq as the man with the school supplies. On a 2003 USO visit to an Iraqi school in Balad, Gary witnessed children in class sharing a single pencil and was struck by the extreme need that exists there. Operation Iraqi Children (OIC), the outreach program begun by Gary and Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand, was started to help alleviate those severe shortages of basic supplies. From his own kids’ school to the generosity of thousands of other Americans, Gary tells Guideposts about being overwhelmed by the caring and support that’s enabled OIC to send over 300,000 school-supply kits to Iraq and Afghanistan. Guideposts March issue is on sale at major retailers, food & drug chains, bookstores, newsstands, and other magazine outlets nationwide at a cover price of $2.99. Guideposts’ stories reflect today’s culture, where the desire for a sense of hope and interest in spiritual well-being has never been more important. Recognized for over 60 years as “America’s Source for Inspiration,” Guideposts contains articles, from everyday people and celebrities alike, covering topics such as: relationships, health issues, family, self-help, heroism, survival, and rescue. Regular departments and on-going series focus on subjects like: Making Marriage Work, Health Breakthroughs, Caregivers, Communities in Action, Positive People, and Pets & Healing." If you go to the link above, there is a photo of the magazine cover as well. UPDATE: You can find the article at Guideposts.

Feb 26 2007 - IGN reports an as yet confirmed rumor that Gary Sinise "is in talks for the role of Dr. McCoy, the ornery and politically incorrect ship's physician aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise" for the new Star Trek XI movie.

Feb 23 2007 - CSI NY was featured a bit in the February 25th TV Guide (US) version. You'll find a half page photo of Criss Angel from his CSI: NY appearance in "Sleight out of Hand," which airs on February 28th, followed by another slim half-page ad for that episode.

Feb 22 2007 - TV Week interviewed Anthony Zuiker at its inaugural "CSI: New York" Backlot Talk podcast. "CSI" franchise creator Anthony Zuiker discusses the challenges of using the show to raise awareness of HIV while telling a compelling story. For the full interview with Mr. Zuiker, where he reveals a big twist is in-store for Stella, visit TV W