Sideshow: Marcia Gay Harden paints Philly in Maxwell House community project
Marcia Gay Harden took up a paintbrush Tuesday morning to help refurbish the Community Education Center in Powelton Village. The Mystic River star joined about 40 volunteers as they put the finishing touches on an extensive makeover of the arts center funded by a corporate-sponsored benefit program, "Drops of Good: The Maxwell House Community Project."
Marcia Gay Harden
took up a paintbrush Tuesday morning to help refurbish the Community Education Center in Powelton Village.
The Mystic River star joined about 40 volunteers as they put the finishing touches on an extensive makeover of the arts center funded by a corporate-sponsored benefit program, "Drops of Good: The Maxwell House Community Project."
"The idea of giving back to the community through support of the arts has always been important for me," Harden said.
"I've been involved with them since Adam and Eve walked the Garden of Eden," she added, laughing.
Harden, 52, said she was drawn to the charitable program because of its philosophy that "to revitalize a community, we need to revitalize its community centers."
The actress said she was impressed by the music, theater, photography. and dance programs offered by the center.
"I got my start [in theater] also at a community center in Alexandria, Va.," Harden said. "It was a tiny, tiny place, but I got the opportunity it afforded."
Harden said the private sector needed to redouble its efforts to support arts education.
"You can't have the opportunity if there's no funding."
Another TV-scarred couple
Ladies' man
Jon Gosselin
is reportedly elated that his ex-wife,
Kate Gosselin
, has lost her reality show. (TLC canceled
Kate Plus 8
on Monday.)
Cynics might say Jon is joyous because he was kicked off the show.
They'd be wrong: His motives are entirely saintly.
"Jon is extremely relieved his children will finally be off television," an Anonymous Source tells E! News. Jon was afraid TV would damage his kids' psyches.
Beyoncé: No longer a girl . . .
Beyoncé
turns 30 on Sept. 4 and she's ready, oh boy is she ready, to put childish things behind her.
"When you're young - 18 or 19 - you have the energy and drive," she tells In Style. "That's the time to work as hard as you can. Now, I'm a woman, and because I gave it my all, I can focus on my marriage." Jay-Z's prettier half says she's thinking about having kids.
. . . Jay-Z? Totally a boy
RadarOnline says Jay-Z, 41, celebrated his new album with
Kanye West
at a Miami hotspot Sunday night by dropping $250,000 on bubbly alone. The tip? $50,000.
Michele Bachmann effigy
Show your respect for U.S. Rep.
Michele Marie Bachmann
(R., Minn.) with a plastic effigy! Herobuilders has released a doll of the 2012 GOP presidential hopeful. You get to choose her outfit and to accessorize her with various necklaces, earrings, and even a BlackBerry.
Celebs interviewing celebs
Oprah
is still in the interviewing biz: The queen of daytime talk will interview designer
Ralph Lauren
at a swank benefit gala at the Lincoln Center on Oct. 24.
Big O disciple Dr. Phil will have a sit-down with Cindy and George Anthony on his show on Sept. 12. The couple will discuss the derision and hatred aimed at them and their daughter Casey, who recently was acquitted of murdering her little daughter, Caylee, in Florida.
Selena Gomez in Philly!
Wizards of Waverly Place
alum
Selena Gomez
will conduct a "public meet and greet" with her fans from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Center City Kmart, Ninth and Market Streets. Gomez, 19, who may or may not have broken up with alleged paramour
Justin Bieber
, 17, is launching her Kmart fashion line Dream Out Loud.