>>>>>Dennis surfaces<<<<<

Dennis
Originally uploaded by Blue4You.

from the Spokane Spokesman:

The dark-colored SUVs came to a stop and members of the SWAT team jumped out, carrying guns and dressed head to toe in camouflage.

It was almost like a scene out of "NYPD Blue."

OK that's a stretch.

The scene that played out Friday at the Avondale Golf Club in Hayden Lake was nothing like a scene out of "NYPD Blue," save that Dennis Franz, who portrayed grizzly Detective Andy Sipowicz on the television show, was there.

Franz, who recently moved to Coeur d'Alene, was the celebrity guest at a golf fundraiser for the newly formed Kootenai County Police & Fire Memorial Foundation.

The foundation raised more than $20,000 through the tournament, which will be used to help injured police and firefighters or families of those killed in the line of duty.

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"I am a tremendous supporter of law enforcement, wherever I go," Franz said. "I just feel a great debt of gratitude."

The 140 golfers included 10 local officers and firefighters. Other officers and firefighters watched Franz and his golf partners tee off following a brief ceremony.

Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Wendy Carpenter said she was a fan of the show.

"I just wish we could get away with some of the stuff they do on TV," she said. "It looks fun."

Carpenter said she was happy to see how supportive the community was of the new foundation. Previously there was no official organization providing aid to injured officers.

A shooting that left Coeur d'Alene Officer Michael Kralicek with severe injuries inspired Los Angeles Police officers, who had retired to the area, to form the foundation.

It aims to cover expenses that insurance doesn't and to provide financial help faster than the government could.

"It took a tragedy for people to realize (the need)," Carpenter said. "It's always, 'It can't happen here.' But it can."

Foundation President Mike Murphy said the foundation hopes to raise money through an annual celebrity golf tournament, much like the Los Angeles Police Foundation it's modeled after.

Franz has also helped with the LAPD fundraisers, Murphy said.

Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Lee Brainard said Franz has graciously supported community fundraisers since moving to Coeur d'Alene.

"His character on 'NYPD Blue' is pretty rough," Brainard said. "He's clearly a gentleman."

Franz had compliments for the folks he was raising money for, too.

"It's great to be a part of that great fraternity, even as a pretend cop," he said. "I've never been made to feel like less because I'm an actor playing the real deal."

He said he's building a home on lakefront property and has been looking at scripts. Mostly, he said he's "just taking it easy."

"I'm just crazy about everything here," he said. "It's great. It's wonderful to be on the lake every day."

Garcelle takes in the Emmy atmosphere

Garcelle and husband, Mike, attended the TV Guide post-Emmy party at Club Social.

Henry wraps up the weekend

Henry capped off the weekend with the post-Emmy HBO party.

Bonnie takes the stage at the TV Guide post Emmy party

The photos say it all! I believe they opened for headliner Pink at the party. Looks like someone brought their old KISS albums!

Bonnie and the Band

Band from TV
Originally uploaded by Blue4You.

As I mentioned earlier this week, Bonnie Sommerville is singing with Band From TV, a music group compiled of musicians and actors such as James Denton, Bob Guiny, Hugh Laurie, etc. Well, today they rehearsed at a Burbank studio for their big gig tonight at the TV Guide post-Emmy party. Here are some images - sorry, no sound!

Vote for Dennis....raise awareness of Prostate Cancer.

Voting has begun for the Golden Glove Awards. The National Prostate Cancer Coalition has nominated 30 for service to the cause and you can vote for your nominee at http://www.fightprostatecancer.org . Voting closes at noon on Thursday, August 31 and winners will be announced on September 12 on the website. Winners will be inducted into the Prostate Cancer Hall of Fame, receiving the honor of the cause - a Golden Glove. You may only vote once from each computer.

Let's show Dennis some love....VOTE!

http://www.fightprostatecancer.org/site/PageServer

News on Dennis !

It's not much but it's more than we've heard in quite a while...Dennis Franz is working on a documentary about a decorated Vietnam Vet, Cpl. William Perkins, jr. Perkins lost his life in Vietnam. Franz's involvement is limited to voiceover work.

More news as it becomes available.

Bonnie is looking like the toast of the Pre-Emmy party circuit!

Bonnie Somerville enjoyed herself on Saturday by taking in the pre Emmy parties around LA - the proof is seen here in the photos! That's former Alias star, Michael Vartan, that Bonnie was seen getting comfy with at theEntertainment Weekly party.

Catching up with Lourdes Benedicto

Remember her as Gina, the love of Det. James Martinez? Lourdes Benedicto has been all over TV since her Blue days came to an end. She was a regular or was re-occuring on shows like 24, ER, Dawson's Creek, Resurrection Blvd. and more. She's currently working on The Nine, a new drama series this fall. This weekend she visited the Pre-Emmy Prada gift suite and checked out the shades.

Henry's big Emmy Weekend!

Henry Simmons has kept busy taking in some of the pre-Emmy event around Tinsel Town this weekend. So far, Mr. Simmons has taken in the End of Summer Party hosted by Casting Director Robi Reed, visited the Gift Suite of Ray Ban Sunglasses and partied at the Entertainment Weekly Magazine's 4th Annual Pre Emmy Bash - and those were just his Saturday events.

BTW, I noticed Henry is sporting a tatoo on his right arm. Anyone out there know what it says? It looks like it's in sanskrit

Henry was all over the place this weekend. Want more pix? Just let me know!

Sharon hits the Pre-Emmy gift suites

Gift suites are popular Hollywood events. They take place in conjunction with awards ceremonies and other big events. The Emmy Awards bring out days of gift suites all over the city. Sharon Lawrence took in a couple on Friday, finding time to change clothes between locations. She's seen here being interviewed by E! as well as checking out the jewelry at a second event.

Hollywood is awash in pre-Emmy parties....

...and one of them was last night - another celebrity poker tournament, this time in honor of someone's nomination for an Emmy. His name wasn't familiar but the turnout was stellar. Here's Sharon Lawrence getting in on the action.

Did you know ....

...that Bonnie Somerville is in a band called "Band From TV?" I think most Blue fans knew she sang. She performed on the feature film soundtrack Garden State. She's been in some musical tv productions. Now comes word she sings lead with "Band From TV." The band also features Hugh Laurie from House, James Denton from Desperate Housewives and Greg Grunberg formerly of Alias. Band From TV will be performing at TV Guide's post-Emmy party at Club Social in Hollywood.

Jimmy in the Park

Jimmy Smits, with son Joaquin, took in Shakespeare in the Park last night in New York's Central Park.
They saw the opening night of Mother Courage and her Children which stars, among a large cast, Meryl Streep.

Henry takes in a weekend premiere

Henry Simmons showed up for the Los Angeles premiere of the film, Idlewild. He's seen here with actor Dondre Whitfield and his wife, Salli. Dondre was one of Charlotte Ross's co-stars on Jake In Progress.

Smits and company on the red carpet

Jimmy Smits, longtime girlfriend Wanda deJesus and Smits' son, Joaquin are pictured arriving at Friday nights Imagen Awards in Los Angeles. Joaquin looks like a chip off the old (and very handsome) block!

they were Stuck in LA so they went to the party

InStyle Magazine held it's annual Stuck in LA Summer Soiree last night and Blue turned out In Style!

Sharon and Tom take in opening night

Sharon Lawrence and husband Tom Apostle are seen here taking in the benefit opening night performance of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. The night benefited The Creative Coalition.

Henry surfaces at LA mansion

Henry Simmons, sporting a new look, showed up Saturday evening at a private party in the Los Angeles hills for the Adopt-A-School initiative. The party was hosted by actress Jamie Pressly.

Bonnie's party continues in Vegas

STUFF magazine's weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas continues. Gift suites, fashion shows, poker tourneys and more. Bonnie Somerville is seen here arriving at Body English, a Hard Rock nightclub, for more of the weekend party.

Bonnie shows her hand in Vegas

Bonnie Sommerville took part in STUFF Magazine's Poker Tournament last night in Las Vegas. The event continues through the weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel.

There's a blip on the Charlotte Ross radar screen!

We've been bemoaning our lack of Charlotte Ross sightings now for....well, let's just say a long time. Now, finally, there's news as to what Charlotte is doing these long, hot summer days in Southern California. She is currently filming an independent feature entitled LIVE! A mockumentary following an ambitious TV network executive trying to produce a controversial reality show where contestants play Russian Roulette. Seen through the lens of a documentary film crew. Katy, the president of programming for a TV network attempts to produce a highly-controversial reality TV show in which contestants competing for 5 million dollars play Russian Roulette with loaded guns live on the air. The film stars Eva (2 Fast 2 Furious) Mendes, David (Numbers) Krumholtz, Andre (Homicide) Braugher and Katie (just cast as Lucy Ewing in the film version of Dallas) Cassidy. At this time, all is know is Charlotte's character is named Jennifer.

Rick Schroder surfaces in Malibu

Rick and his wife are seen here arriving at the Bow Wow Ciao Benefit For "Much Love" Animal Rescue yesterday. The event was hosted at the Malibu home of John Paul Dejoria, CEO of Paul Mitchell hair care products.

More news about Sharon!

from the Los Angeles Daily News:

Sharon Lawrence makes her debut as the new love of Capt. Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) on tomorrow night's (8/4) installment of "Monk" -- with the door wide open for return visits by her character, a high-powered real estate agent she describes as "very controlling." Lawrence starts work at month's end on Kevin Williamson's forthcoming "Hidden Palms" mystery-soap-serial set in Palm Springs, Calif., for the CW. "When I started doing 'Monk,' I didn't know 'Hidden Palms' was going to be picked up," she explains. "The number of episodes and the amount of freedom I am allowed with the CW show is something we arranged going in. The two shows will communicate with each other," says the one-time "NYPD Blue" actress. "That's one of the things I like about doing an ensemble show -- the flexibility it allows. And as a viewer, I like watching ensemble shows -- if the range of characters is properly balanced and the writers are able to serve the storylines and make them satisfying."

Find out the BUZZ about Sharon's new project

Sharon Lawrence is working on an interactive television project called Buzz. To find out more, view the clip at this link: http://www.itvt.com/AFI06-Cynergy-SharonLawrence.html
The audio is only so-so but the clip is interesting.