Have A Heart

Hello EVERYONE!

I wanted to share this article from "The Nicks Fix," the official Stevie Nicks website. It is very "exciting" to me.

Many people have asked how I came to "meet" Stevie Nicks so many, many times. Again, five "one on one's," and so many handshakes and hugs, I can't even remember them all, but who's counting, right? The answer, for the most part, is below. I will also tell you that my name is now on a plaque in this new education building in Phoenix... (I am traveling there later this summer JUST to see it!)

I would also like to say "THANKS" to one of my best friends, David, who made it possible for me to meet Stevie the very first time...

Like I have said before, it really does take a village and YOU can make a difference.

Here's the article -

On Sunday afternoon a small invitation-only group of bighearted people joined Stevie Nicks at the Arizona Heart Foundation for the dedication of its new research building at Thomas Road and 20th Street. (Sketchy neighborhood near "Kev's" old house.)

It's been a nine-year, grass-roots effort - literally - starting when a small group of visionaries gathered on the lawn of Ted Diethrich's Paradise Valley home to plant the first fundraising seeds for the building's $4 million campaign.

The heart surgeon's backyard was filled with the beats of rock and roll - and Nicks herself performed.

The rock goddess, who rose to fame in Fleetwood Mac, pumped more money into the foundation's coffers with annual Phoenix performances, including three at the then-America West Arena and one at the Dodge Theatre for which the premier seats fetched $1,000 per ticket.

But Sunday's private dedication for the Arizona Heart Foundation's Cardiovascular Research and Education Building was bittersweet.

"This was my dad's dream," Nicks said of her father, Jess, who died two years ago of heart disease. Jess' heart gave out a few days after Nicks' Dodge Theatre concert benefiting the foundation in August 2005. ("Kev" was at this very concert and spoke with Mr. Nicks just one week before he passed away. "Kev" also sent flowers to the funeral...)

Nicks' mother, Barbara, who was by her side at Sunday's party, also has heart disease, and the Arizona Heart Institute has been an important part of the Nickses' lives.

Jess was a hard-driving businessman and native Arizonan credited with bringing the then-Greyhound Corp. to Arizona and building the Valley's then-entertainment venue Compton Terrace. His multifaceted career was abruptly halted when heart disease caused him to retire from the business world. It didn't, however, stop him from launching a campaign to eradicate heart disease

Along with the late Phoenix philanthropist Thelma Kieckhefer and hundreds of Valley supporters, Jess was a guiding force to raise funds for the research building and expand the frontiers of cardiovascular research.

"This is the house that Jess and Stevie built," noted Gerry Kroloff, the foundation's executive administrator, also a Paradise Valley resident.

The 30,000-square-foot building houses a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art lab. It's the only freestanding cardiovascular research lab and education center of its kind in the state.

Paul and Ellen Gerding of Paradise Valley led Sunday's private dedication catered by Paradise Valley resident Vincent Guerithault. The restaurateur/chef also catered and attended that first small concert in Diethrich's backyard nine years ago.

"I know my father's here," Nicks said. "He'd be saying 'Stevie, this is so great.' "

Jess was an executive for several corporations throughout his career, including Lucky Lager Beer.

"So, Jess, this one is for you," said Kroloff ("Kev" knows Gerry Kroloff too... Even has a picture with her!) of the platform to push the envelope for the future of cardiovascular medicine.

As we have reported previously, Stevie Nicks is on tour this summer with Chris Isaak. "Kev" will be attending both shows in Atlanta and one show in Chicago.

I hope you all get a chance to see Stevie perform when she comes to your town.

Have a GR-EAT Saturday.

XOXO -

"Kev"