Update: Tommy Chong's Bunkmate Writes a Book

Jordan Belfort was Tommy Chong's bunkmate at California's Taft Correctional Facility.

Belfort was in the joint for cheating investors out of $200 million. He lived a life of sex, drugs and money.

"He signed off on a midget tossing event, took turns having sex with a female subordinate and woke up in restraints on a flight to Switzerland after groping a flight attendant, according to his memoir, ["The Wolf of Wall Street"], published by Random House Inc.'s Bantam Books".

Belfort hadn't written a book before, but Tommy encouraged him to do so.

Read Here

Update: The film rights have been sold. Leonardo DiCaprio will play Jordan Belfort. Film will be directed by Martin Scorsese.

Interview with Tommy Chong

Link Sioux Falls interviewed Tommy Chong about what he'd do if he were President, the key to a happy marriage and of course, drugs.

Tommy and Shelby will be at Nitwits Comedy Club this weekend.

Read Here

Tommy Chong Tour Dates Added

Tommy and Shelby Chong are touring all over the place. Check out the dates we've added under "Current Events."

It's a really funny show. Don't miss it.

Recap: Cheech Lecture at Indiana University

This past Tuesday, Cheech Marin gave a lecture on Chicano art at Indiana University-Purdue University.

Cheech spoke about how he became interested in Chicano art and spoke of its influence on culture. It was a lot of fun. He frequently used his Pedro voice to tell jokes and answer questions.

Read more about his lecture here.

The New York Times Announces Third Annual ‘Great Read’

The New York Times today announced the third annual New York Times Great Read to be held rain or shine on Sunday, Oct. 14. The day-long celebration will feature two distinct events: The Great Children's Read, a free celebration of reading featuring live entertainment for children and families, presented by Target and held at Columbia University; and The Great Literary Brunch, featuring several best-selling authors and held at TheTimesCenter, a new performance space and cultural center located in The New York Times Building.

A list of New York's Top 20 All-Time Favorite Children's Books was specially selected this year by children's librarians from the three public library systems of New York City: Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library and Queens Library. Celebrities from film, TV and Broadway will read from the 20 books on the list at The Great Children's Read.

Featured entertainment at the Target Children's Stage this year will include performances by They Might Be Giants, Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Playhouse Disney's "Johnny and the Sprites" and "Choo-Choo Soul," Laughing Pizza!, Peter Himmelman and T Squad. There also will be readings and signings by many favorite children's book authors and illustrators, including Academy Award-winning actress Julie Andrews Edwards and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, Cheech Marin and Michelle Knudsen. The Target Children's Stage is part of Target's national initiative, Ready. Sit. Read!, a program that fosters a love for reading at an early age. Admission to The Great Children's Read at Columbia University is free and open to the public. Columbia University is located in Manhattan at Broadway & 116th Street.

The Great Literary Brunch will feature new books by Alan Alda, Amy Bloom, Stephen L. Carter, Chris Matthews, Ann Patchett and Tom Perrotta, and will be held at TheTimesCenter at 242 West 41st Street. The brunch will be hosted by Robert Lipsyte, a New York Times contributing writer. The sold-out event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes discussions with the authors, a buffet brunch and book signings. For more information, please visit www.NYTimes.com/GreatRead. Programs and speakers may change.

Selected portions from the list of New York's Top 20 All-Time Favorite Children's Books for young readers ages 6 to 12 will be read by Miss New York USA 2007 Gloria Sophia Almonte, "Mary Poppins" actress Ashley Brown, musician and original "Blues Clues" host Steve Burns, film and stage actor Brian Dennehy, WCBS-TV meteorologist Elise Finch, NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" actress Mariska Hargitay, Fox's Judge Glenda Hatchett, NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly, NY1 morning anchor Pat Kiernan, TLC's "What Not To Wear" co-host Stacy London, ABC's "Nightline" and "Primetime" co-anchor Cynthia McFadden, PBS's "Sesame Street" actress Sonia Manzano, "Are We Done Yet?" actor Tahj Mowry, "Twitches Too" actress Tamera Mowry, New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" actress Jennifer Simard, "Guiding Light" actress Michelle Ray Smith and "The Fantasticks" creator, star and director Tom Jones, among others. The selected books are, in alphabetical order:

"Abiyoyo" by Pete Seeger, illustrated by Michael Hays
"Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo
"The Bossy Gallito" by Lucia M. Gonzales, illustrated by Lulu Delacre
"Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis
"Bunnicula" by James Howe
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
"Clementine" by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
"Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
"Frog and Toad are Friends" by Arnold Lobel
"From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg
"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss
"Harriet the Spy" by Louise Fitzhugh
"Holes" by Louis Sachar
"Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli
"Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything" by Lenore Look, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
"The Stories Julian Tells" by Ann Cameron
"The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!" by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
"Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein
"The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh" by A. A. Milne
"We're delighted to again host this fantastic celebration of reading as a way to give back to all New Yorkers," said Alyse Myers, vice president, brand programs, The New York Times. "Whether you visit the Target Children's Stage for all their exciting entertainment, listen to celebrities read from everyone's favorite children's books, or come to our new state-of-the-art TimesCenter for the literary brunch, it will be a great day to enjoy books and authors. We are also pleased to again welcome Target as the presenting sponsor of The Great Read."

The lead sponsor of the Great Read is "Bee Movie," from Dreamworks Animation, opening nationwide Nov. 2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Hall of Science and The New-York Historical Society are the supporting sponsors of the Great Read. WCBS-TV is the media sponsor.

For updates and the latest schedules of participating authors and events, please visit www.NYTimes.com/GreatRead. Visitors can register for a free e-mail newsletter that will keep them up to date on the latest news about The Great Read.

Man Arrested for Stealing Cheech and Chong Incense Burner

On Wednesday, an Arizona man was arrested for threatening employees with a knife while trying to steal a Cheech and Chong incense burner.

Read Here
Don't steal! Buy the incense burner here.

Update: Cheech to Perform at 30th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Comedy Night

Update: For the comedy night, Cheech Marin is the host. Performing comedians: Lisa Alvarado, Kiki Melendez, Alex Reymundo, Carlos Mencia (in addition, Mario Lopez may stop by).

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced the schedule for its 30th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Events with the theme "Hispanic America: A Legacy of Honor," taking place in Washington, DC, on September 30 - October 3, 2007. Highlighted by its Annual Awards Gala, CHCI will also host its 2007 Public Policy Conference, a Presidential Candidates Forum, Reyes of Comedy show, a performance by the East L.A. Classic Theatre, and its Ready to Lead Program with 200 local high school students.

Where: Washington, DC Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001

CHCI 2007 Hispanic Heritage Month Events Agenda
Public Policy Conference
Reyes of Comedy Night
30th Annual Gala

Sunday, September 30, 2007
CHCI Welcome Reception Honoring House Congressional Committee Leaders:
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: 101 Constitution Ave, Rooftop

Monday, October 1, 2007
(all events at Washington DC Convention Center unless noted)
Opening Breakfast: "Celebration of Labor Leadership"
Honoring Linda Chavez Thompson
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Opening Plenary: "Paving the Way: Hispanic Women of Congress"
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Policy Summits 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
BANKING & FINANCE - Hon. Loretta Sanchez
CORPORATE AMERICA - Hon. Joe Baca
EDUCATION A - Hon. Ruben Hinojosa
HEALTH A - Hon. Hilda Solis
MENTAL HEALTH - Hon. Grace F. Napolitano
WORKFORCE - Hon. Ed Pastor

Opening Lunch: "Lunch with Hispanic Senators"
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

General Session: "Leading Practices: Latinos Achieving in Education"
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Arts & Culture Reception
(Transportation provided to off-site location TBD)
Featuring East L.A. Classic Theater and founding member Tony Plana
"Much Ado About Nothing - Mariachi Style" and
"Romeo & Juliet: A Zoot Suit Musical"
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Expo / Continental Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Policy Summits 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
CIVIL RIGHTS - Hon. Charles A. Gonzalez
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Hon. Albio Sires
EDUCATION B - Hon. Ruben Hinojosa
HEALTH B - Hon. Hilda Solis
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Hon. Henry Cuellar
TECHNOLOGY - Hon. Joe Baca
VETERANS - Hon. Ciro Rodriguez

Closing Plenary: "Achieving Comprehensive Immigration Reform:
Where Do We Go From Here?"
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Tribute to Veterans featuring Brigadier General Angela Salinas (invited)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Closing Lunch: "Latinos behind the Camera"
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Latina Leaders Celebration: Event Chair, Hon. Hilda Solis (CA-32)
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Including: America Ferrera of ABC's "Ugly Betty" (invited), U.S. Olympian
Lisa Fernandez (invited), and Gloria Molina, LA County
Supervisor, among eight honorees

Reyes of Comedy Night @ The Warner Theatre
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Comedy Night lineup features:
Carlos Mencia - from Comedy Central's "Mind of Mencia"
Lisa Alvarado - from NBC's "Last Comic Standing"
Cheech Marin - Legendary Latino Comic, Actor, Director
Kiki Melendez - Creator of "Hot Tamales Live"
Alex Reymundo - Original Latin King of Comedy

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Alumni Breakfast featuring 10th and 20th Alumni Reunion
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Presidential Candidates Forum
Washington, DC Convention Center
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m

30th Annual Gala
Washington, DC Convention Center
5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit http://www.chci.org.

CHCI Releases Agenda for 30th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Events

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced the schedule for its 30th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Events with the theme "Hispanic America: A Legacy of Honor," taking place in Washington, DC, on September 30 - October 3, 2007. Highlighted by its Annual Awards Gala, CHCI will also host its 2007 Public Policy Conference, a Presidential Candidates Forum, Reyes of Comedy show, a performance by the East L.A. Classic Theatre, and its Ready to Lead Program with 200 local high school students.

Where: Washington, DC Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001

CHCI 2007 Hispanic Heritage Month Events Agenda
Public Policy Conference
Reyes of Comedy Night
30th Annual Gala

Sunday, September 30, 2007
CHCI Welcome Reception Honoring House Congressional Committee Leaders:
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: 101 Constitution Ave, Rooftop

Monday, October 1, 2007
(all events at Washington DC Convention Center unless noted)
Opening Breakfast: "Celebration of Labor Leadership"
Honoring Linda Chavez Thompson
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Opening Plenary: "Paving the Way: Hispanic Women of Congress"
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Policy Summits 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
BANKING & FINANCE - Hon. Loretta Sanchez
CORPORATE AMERICA - Hon. Joe Baca
EDUCATION A - Hon. Ruben Hinojosa
HEALTH A - Hon. Hilda Solis
MENTAL HEALTH - Hon. Grace F. Napolitano
WORKFORCE - Hon. Ed Pastor

Opening Lunch: "Lunch with Hispanic Senators"
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

General Session: "Leading Practices: Latinos Achieving in Education"
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Arts & Culture Reception
(Transportation provided to off-site location TBD)
Featuring East L.A. Classic Theater and founding member Tony Plana
"Much Ado About Nothing - Mariachi Style" and
"Romeo & Juliet: A Zoot Suit Musical"
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Expo / Continental Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Policy Summits 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
CIVIL RIGHTS - Hon. Charles A. Gonzalez
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Hon. Albio Sires
EDUCATION B - Hon. Ruben Hinojosa
HEALTH B - Hon. Hilda Solis
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Hon. Henry Cuellar
TECHNOLOGY - Hon. Joe Baca
VETERANS - Hon. Ciro Rodriguez

Closing Plenary: "Achieving Comprehensive Immigration Reform:
Where Do We Go From Here?"
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Tribute to Veterans featuring Brigadier General Angela Salinas (invited)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Closing Lunch: "Latinos behind the Camera"
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Latina Leaders Celebration: Event Chair, Hon. Hilda Solis (CA-32)
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Including: America Ferrera of ABC's "Ugly Betty" (invited), U.S. Olympian
Lisa Fernandez (invited), and Gloria Molina, LA County
Supervisor, among eight honorees

Reyes of Comedy Night @ The Warner Theatre
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Comedy Night lineup features:
Carlos Mencia - from Comedy Central's "Mind of Mencia"
Lisa Alvarado - from NBC's "Last Comic Standing"
Cheech Marin - Legendary Latino Comic, Actor, Director
Kiki Melendez - Creator of "Hot Tamales Live"
Alex Reymundo - Original Latin King of Comedy

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Alumni Breakfast featuring 10th and 20th Alumni Reunion
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Presidential Candidates Forum
Washington, DC Convention Center
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m

30th Annual Gala
Washington, DC Convention Center
5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit http://www.chci.org.

Audio: KJZZ Radio Interviews Cheech Marin

Arizona's KJZZ radio interviewed Cheech Marin about Chicano art and his exhibition, Papel Chicano:from the Collection of Cheech Marin, which is on display at Mesa Contemporary Arts Center.

Cheech will be giving a speech tonight to kick off the exhibition.

Listen to the radio interview here.

Up In Smoke/Still Smokin is #5 Best Selling DVD In Toronto

According to Rogers Video of Toronto, the Up In Smoke/Still Smokin Double Feature was the 5th best selling DVD last week.

This re-packaged DVD set was released in August.

Remembering 9-11

I can't believe it's been 6 years since that tragic day. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Kristine. She was a close friend of mine that died in the towers.
-Weedmaster

While on the subject of 9-11, it's important to for everyone to realize what did and did not occur that day. There's a great film created by Power Hour Productions titled In Plane Sight. Some of the points-of-view are open to interpretation. However, there are items in the film that are undeniably true.

For instance, a missile hit the Pentagon, not a plane. The hole was only 16 ft in diameter before the building collapsed. There were dozens of surveillance cameras on top of the Pentagon, as well as at a gas station, that captured what happened. However, the existence of these tapes has been denied. Most shocking is that there was no plane wreckage at the Pentagon.

The creators encourage bootlegging of the film so post it, upload it, rip it. It's allowed.

ANOTHER GOOD MOVIE, LOOSE CHANGE.













Read about conspiracy.
Buy the DVD with bonus footage.

Tommy Chong to be at NORML's 36th Annual National Conference

The 2007 NORML Conference will be held on Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, CA. The 36th annual National NORML conference is proud to announce and highlight the High Times Magazine’s Stony Awards—where cannabis, cinema and culture are righteously celebrated—which will be the Saturday night NORML fundraising event at the conference this year.

HIGH TIMES Stony Awards

Even if you can’t attend the October 12-13 NORML conference, don’t miss the Stony Awards—NORML's Benefit Fundraiser Saturday Evening at the Knitting Factory. Great comedians, live musical acts and presentations of the only awards in the entertainment industry that can be used immediately backstage.

If you’re serious about cannabis and cannabis law reform, please register ASAP and attend NORML’s 36th annual national conference: Cannabis, Creativity and Commerce. With only a few weeks left to make your plans to attend NORML 2007 in Los Angeles, don’t delay as conference registrations are going fast, and our deeply discounted hotel rooms even faster.

Panels/Speakers

There will be featured speakers as well as panels led by internationally recognized cannabis law reform activists, legal/medical experts and anti-prohibitionist businesspersons, examining important topics such as:

Medical access to marijuana, despite federal opposition
How to grow one’s own medicine
Cannabis consumer safety
Cannabis activism for the young and old
Why is California (and the west coast) so pro-marijuana?
Better with Age: Marijuana use among senior citizens
Cannabis law reform legislative and initiative round up for 2007
The patient-physician-lawyer relationship regarding medical marijuana
How to establish and defend a medical marijuana dispensary
Speakers to include, but not limited to:

Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of NORML
Keith Stroup, Esq. NORML Founder
Paul Armentano, Senior Policy Analyst, NORML
Steve Dillon, Esq., Chair, NORML Board of Directors
Rick Steves, Best selling travel author/TV host (NORML Advisory Board member)
Tommy Chong, Comedian and Author (NORML Advisory Board member)
Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D, Drug Policy Alliance
David Nott, Executive Director, Reason Foundation
Dale Gieringer, Ph.D, Director CA NORML
Mikki Norris, Cannabis Consumer Campaign
Numerous attorneys from NORML’s Legal Committee as well as practicing physicians and medical researchers
A complete listing of over 40 speakers and 20 panels will be released soon @ www.norml.org.

NORML, cannabis law reform’s best and brightest, sunny Los Angeles and terrific cannabis-centric entertainment—don’t delay, register and book your room today!

Photo of Cheech Receiving Smithsonian Award

The Smithsonian Latino Center's gala and awards ceremony took place yesterday at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

The Associated Press has posted a photo of Cheech receiving the Legacy Award for Arts Advocacy.

View Here

Cheech to Play in Nelson Mandela Golf Tournament

ARABELLA COUNTRY ESTATE, WESTERN CAPE – Speaking on behalf of tournament host Gary Player at a media briefing to launch the 2007 Nelson Mandela Invitational presented by Coca-Cola, Marc Player, CEO of the Gary Player Group, announced the return of South Africa’s stars of the world’s professional golf tours to tee it up at the country’s premier charity sports event.

Back in the line-up, which features professionals from both the Champions and regular Tours, as well as celebrities and businessmen, are Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and John Bland.

Joining the confirmed list of celebrities is iconic comedian Cheech Marin, best known perhaps for the irreverent Cheech and Chong movies, but also famous for his roles in the animated classics The Lion King and Cars (as Ramone), as well as the television series (with Don Johnson) Nash Bridges.

The Nelson Mandela Invitational is now in its eighth year, and has raised some R20 million for its beneficiary charities, making it South Africa’s premier golf charity event.

Up In Smoke/Still Smokin is #9 Best Selling DVD In Toronto

According to Rogers Video of Toronto, the Up In Smoke/Still Smokin Double Feature was the 9th best selling DVD last week.

This re-packaged DVD set was released in August.

Outlaw Bobby Capps Checks in from Summer of Love

This weekend, the infamous outlaw Bobby Capps was at California's 40th annual Summer of Love Festival.

According to Capps, "people were stopping me to take pictures of me and my shirt and many said, "Alright Tommy Chong!"

Up In Smoke: High-Larious Edition Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winners of our Cheech and Chong's Up In Smoke: High-Larious Edition DVD contest. We've contacted all the winners via email and are still waiting for a few to respond with their mailing address.

Here are the winners that have come forward thus far:
Shaw of Winsted, CT.
Joseph of Chino Valley, CA.
John of Richmond, VA.
Michael of Cortaro, AZ.
Vinnie of Minneapolis, MN.
Russ of Cape Canaveral, FL.
Bobby of Foresthill, CA.
Daryl of Stittville, NY.