Tony Bennett's 80th birthday raises funds for children
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

NIGHT OF STARS-Tony Bennett shares his 80th birthday with fellow entertainers but it is the children of The Painted Turtle who bring tears to the audience. The evening of entertainment at the Kodak Theatre featured Bennett's pals George Clooney, Paul Newman, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder along with many others.

The starstudded benefit concert that celebrated musical legend Tony Bennett's 80th birthday will help brighten the lives of countless children who endure chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

Some of Hollywood's biggest names joined Bennett at the Nov. 9 concert at the Kodak Theatre. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will support the Hole in the Wall Camps, including the Painted Turtle camp in Lake Hughes near Valencia.

Actors George Clooney, Paul Newman, Billy Crystal, Bruce Willis and Darryl Hannah cohosted the event with Bennett, and even the world's most famous playboy, Hugh Hefner, paid tribute.

Musical giants Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Marc Anthony, Kelly Clarkson and Madeleine Peyroux performed a collection of Bennett's favorite classics.

While celebrities and musical talent may have enthralled the audience, Tony Bennett was the headliner of the evening, and he performed songs that spanned his career.

Music producer Lou Adler of Malibu produced the event along with Kevin Duncan.

The Painted Turtle is a member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, founded by Newman.

Page Adler founded Painted Turtle in 2002, and by 2004 the camp was up and running, serving children with health conditions ranging from arthritis, severe asthma and diabetes, to hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, immune disorders and severe burns.

Children attend the camp free of charge.

The Painted Turtle is designed as a village on 173 lush acres in Lake Hughes. According to a spokesperson, the camp is designed to resemble an "organic farm."

The facility is open throughout the year and includes a top medical facility topped by a roof shaped as a turtle shell.

The interior depicts a tropical island paradise.

Medical facilities aside, the real lure of the Painted Turtle is its wide range of programs designed for children to enjoy despite their medical challenges.

There's a 22-acre lake and a boathouse, and a program that allows children to catch fish and let them go with a "kiss and release" technique. The heated, wheelchair accessible Shamushaped pool offers such fun and games as water basketball and "dive-in" movies.

The "Adventure Rope Course" is also a favorite activity that focuses on team building and problem solving.

The equestrian center teaches animal care, riding and roping.

The camp even treats children to the wonders of the universe through discovery programs on animal and plant life and astronomy.

For more information on the Painted Turtle camp, visit www.thepaintedturtle.org or call (310) 451-1353 to find out about volunteer or donation opportunities.