Happy New Year!

It’s weird thinking about 2010. I already know that there won’t be any chance that I will get to surprise all of you with a new date, time and venue that Bea would be appearing at. Though I haven’t had the fortune of doing that in a while, she always managed to surprise us and every year I never gave up hope. That being said, we now have many years of her materials to sift through. Therefore, I declare, 2010 is the year to review the legacy of Bea Arthur.

I can’t think of a better way to start reviewing her life other then reading the words from a lucky guy that got to spend the last 6 years of his life with Bea. Not just for an occasional event here and there, but as her everyday personal assistant and eventual close friend. Click here, to read some of Dan Watt’s personal stories and what exciting project he has been working on (which he kicked off with Bea, herself!).

On another note, this web site turns 10 years old next month! I never would have imagined all that would have come out of this web site back then, but am so thankful for all the fans that I have met and special opportunities that I have received from it.

As always, keep your fingers crossed in hopes of some new media releases this year. ie. Maude Season 2 – 6 and Bea Arthur on Broadway on DVD or 3-D Blu-ray

Until next time!
Kev!
{ Kevin Buckstiegel }

I’m sure most of you have already seen this, but wanted to post it just in case you had not. I’m a little behind as I am recovering from a cold so forgive me

This is a clip from an upcoming series by Merv Griffin, Lunching With A Legend, with Bea’s assistant Dan Watt via Insider. Hopefully, the full posting of the episode will appear on YouTube and/or at lunchingwithalegend.com eventually. Keep an eye out for it!!

On Monday, September 14th, fans and fellow celebrities gathered one more time to remember Bea Arthur. I wasn’t able to attend, however, have gathered up some links from news stories of the event. Also, heard from fellow fans who wanted to share their experiences.

Here is part of an email that I received from a fan, Rudy, who was able to attend and goes on to say ::

For me, as an Angela diehard particularly, the most moving moment was when, toward the end, she set up the playing of the clip of Bea on “Malcolm In the Middle,” which she described as a marvelous example of Bea’s magical touch she could bring to even a scene that was only four minutes long. Angela was the essence of restraint and professionalism all throughout the show until this moment – when she uttered the name of the show (“Malcolm In the Middle”) her voice suddenly buckled out. It made me start crying all over again. It was obvious that Angela meant to express her love for Bea by being the best damn host she could be. I’m absorbing old school professionalism like this while I can, because before long it will be a fossil.

I’m very sorry that you did not get to come, but I’d trade the experience for what you had anytime – seeing Bea.

Here are some news links for your enjoyment of the event ::

theatreaficionado.com

playbill.com

people.com

nypress.com

yahoo.com

villagevoice.com

nypost.com

cbsnews.com

gettyimages.com

Finally, if you can get the change to visit The Ali Forney Center website to learn more about Bea’s dedication and possibly donate to the cause. aliforneycenter.org

Until next time!
Kev!

Directed by Mark Waldrop, “Celebrating Bea Arthur” will feature remembrances and performances from the late actress’s family and friends, including Adrienne Barbeau (“Maude” co-star), Zoe Caldwell, Billy Goldenberg (Arthur’s longtime accompanist), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof lyricist), Charlie Hauck (“Maude” head writer), Norman Lear (“Maude” producer), Clinton Leupp, Anne Meara, Rosie O’Donnell, Chita Rivera, Daryl Roth (Bea Arthur on Broadway producer), Jerry Stiller and Rue McClanahan (“The Golden Girls”).

Read more at broadwayworld.com and at broadway.com.

PS. Just announced was the 5th season of SNL where Bea appeared on! Release date for December 1! Read more here!

New York, NY….The Ali Forney Center (AFC), the nation’s largest organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth, will formally announce it’s plan to name a residence for LGBT youth in honor of Bea Arthur at her memorial service on September 14th at the Majestic Theater in New York City. The Ali Forney Center is working with a group of Bea’s close friends and colleagues to plan the memorial service…

Read more here ::
miamiherald.typepad.com

More relating articles ::
www.advocate.com
blogout.justout.com

The following is a repost from BroadwayWorld.com today ::

“The date for Bea Arthur’s memorial has finally been set. The show will take place at the Majestic Theater in New York on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 1pm. The afternoon will be hosted by Bea’s Bosom Buddy, Angela Lansbury who will be joined by Bea’s close friends, both professional and personal, as well as family.

The program will be a celebration of Bea’s life and career. All are invited and admission is free. Further information on the event is expected to follow shortly.”

Read more here!

I just received an email from Jessica who reminded me a few things. She and most of us have May 13th etched in our memories as a exciting day, Bea’s birthday. Many fans took the time to write Bea on her birthday and enjoyed doing so. Today many fans are somewhat lost in what to do with themselves. Some are feeling the same emotion as in losing their own grandmother and yes, it is ok. Jessica also linked two videos off of YouTube that I would like to share with you too. One I had seen, one I had not. They are both quite special. Especially if you got the chance to see her one woman show… memories come flooding back! Hopefully these videos will give you something to do today that will bring a smile!

Happy birthday Bea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmKl-LoALvg – embedding was disabled on this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p80qkGZn4V4

Let’s (us Bea fans) help em’ out! ::

On be half of the Art Attack Foundation we are deeply saddened by the lost of one of Broadway and Television’s greatest, Bea Arthur.

Bea’s career encompassed all area’s of the performing arts which is why she was the perfect fit to be our Chairperson.  We are having this auction to raise funds for our performing arts scholarships.  Many items were donated by Miss Arthur herself and her friends.  Our scholarships are given to those those with exceptional talent and drive in the performing arts.  Bea, you were an inspiration to many and you will be truly missed.

http://www.artattackfoundation.org

With Love,

Art Attack Foundation
Board Members

This was the news I was hoping for after this long, sad weekend.

New York Times
Broadway to Dim Its Lights for Bea Arthur!

The marquees of Broadway theaters will be dimmed for one minute on Tuesday at 8:00pm in honor of Bea Arthur, who died on Saturday. She was 86.

Hope you are all holding up well! Thanks again for all the emails and messages. I am a little back logged but will try to get to them as soon as I can.

Kev!

You would think that I would be prepared for this day, because I certainly did. No. My jaw just dropped when a friend messaged me saying so sorry to hear about Bea. I said “WHAT?, where did you hear this”, being stuff like this is thrown at me all the time. But, as I have always said, I won’t believe it until I see it on CNN. Well, it was on MSNBC’s web site, so if that isn’t a confirmation enough, I don’t know what is. However, as I write this, I am now seeing it as breaking news on CNN. I am in shock, as I, nor anyway in the public knew that she had cancer. I’m sure more will be released in the future about these details.

In the meantime, let me just say that my thoughts and prayers to go her family and friends that had the private knowledge of Bea’s cancer and decline, in which I’m sure they have been secretly concerned about all this time.

I’m going to post this up right now, but will be updating it when more information is present. At of this moment, it is only breaking news that she passed away this morning from cancer. No further information is available as of this original posting. So stay tuned, as always.

She really appreciated her fans, you. So, don’t forget that! Don’t be sad today, instead break out your Golden Girls and Maude DVDs and remember why we loved that dry-wit sense of humor that got us through our own personal hard times in life. That is what friends are for, thank you Bea.

This site is understandably getting hit hard today, so it’s going up and down a lot. Feel free to follow my twitter as I will be posting on there as well. www.twitter.com/vectorlyme

Kev!

Beatrice Arthur – May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009

CNN.com
MSNBC.com
Foxnews.com
EOnline.com
Associated Press
TMZ.com
Huffingtonpost.com
joemygod.blogspot.com
popeater.com

:: Additional tidbits and points of interest from news sources ::

• “Maude,” “Golden Girls” star was at home with family in Los Angeles
• No funeral services are currently planned, family asked that donations be made to either the Art Attack Foundation or PETA in lieu of flowers.

A note I just received from Bea’s assistant/spokesperson ::

On be half of the Art Attack Foundation we are deeply saddened by the lost of one of Broadway and Television’s greatest, Bea Arthur.

Ms. Arthur broke onto the American theatre scene in 1954 when she performed in a production of Three-Penny Opera. Miss Arthur followed her stage debut with another successful off-Broadway musical, The Shoestring Revue. In 1964 it was the role of Yenter, the matchmaker, in Fiddler on the Roof, which made her truly famous. A year later she won her greatest Broadway acclaim in Mame. Starring opposite Angela Lansbury, her portrayal of Vera Charles, a savagely witty and serpent-tongued woman earned her a Tony Award in 1966.

Famed producer Norman Lear took note of Miss Arthur in The Shoestring Review, and convinced her to do a guest role as Edith Bunker’s cousin, Maude, on All in the Family. Her character was so intriguing that she got her own show in 1972. Bea won an Emmy for best actress in a comedy series for her work on Maude. Next, Arthur joined the cast of The Golden Girls, for which she also won an Emmy. The show ran seven years.

Bea’s career encompassed all area’s of the performing arts which is why she was the perfect fit to be our Chairperson. As a way to say “thank you” for Miss Arthur’s support through the years, the Art Attack Foundation has decided to create a special scholarship in her name that will be given to those with exceptional talent and drive in the performing arts. Bea, you were an inspiration to many and you will be truly missed.

With Love,

Dan Watt
Founder/Executive Director
Art Attack Foundation