Jake Gyllenhaal talks about why growing food and why he loves London so much (something to do with sprouts)

This Friday, Jake Gyllenhaal is presenting some of the scholarships at the LA Conservation Corps ceremony in LA. This weekend, though, an event takes place which may well influence what Jake is up to for the few days after that.Obviously I am purely speculating but I don't think it's beyond the realms of all possibility that Jake may attend this weekend's nuptials of good friends Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford in the English countryside.

As is my wont, this is the perfect excuse to go off tangent and post links to a couple of audio interviews Jake did for Edible Schoolyard a year ago which relate to the conservation and food growing theme and, in the second audio clip, to Jake's love of Britain and London:

'Consciously, or unconsciously, I love that country, and particularly love London itself. I just find it to be - now the food is extraordinary to be there - and I just love the people there. Most of my friends are British strangely too and I find them to be loyal, intelligent and caring people, not unlike most people around the world, but in particular I just love that town. And I love I think most of all their idea of supporting potential. Particularly in the arts. They see somebody that they see in the spirit of growing. When they see a sprout that they think might be a nice plant, they fertilise it and they support it... it doesn't have to be a full-grown plant, amazing from the outset, it's all about supporting potential and I really respect that about that culture and them and I felt greatly supported by them in so many ways. London was the first city that really supported Donnie Darko, a movie that I did. I feel a great love for them.'

Remember this video of Mumford and Sons performing in a small room of people including Jake and Carey?



This post includes a new picture from IHJ from 5 April of Jake and Maggie in NYC. Of course, Peter may well have been the one to introduce Jake and Carey following their appearance together in An Education and then on stage in NYC in the Seagull. Thanks to BBMISwear for the link.

Jake Gyllenhaal to present at the LA Conservation Corps awards next week and set to appear on Broaday?

It's a good day when we have some news and a little bit of speculation to throw in with it. Today, a tweet/FB snippet appeared which suggests that Jake may well have plans for later in the year - in the Autumn if you read the comments further down that link:

It is official! My good friend from London is coming to direct Jake Gyllenhaal on Broadway! Mmmmmmmmm... Guess who's going to enjoy rehearsals?

You don't need me to tell you how one stone does not make a wall and nor does a wall make a palace. You also don't need me to remind you how many times over the years we've had stories that Jake was about to act or sing on or off Broadway. Sometimes we've come close - readings/singings have taken place or the theatre has even been booked. There's barely a time when Jake's in London without him saying that he'd like to reappear on the West End stage. I still can't hear the words 'Farragut' and 'North' without a palpitation or two. So, as we do so well, we must wait and see.

More certain is the news that Jake is to make a third appearance at the LA Conservation Corps awards, taking part in the presentation of almost 200 scholarships. The event takes place at the LA State Historic Park at lunchtime on 20 April. In just a week. Previous appearances by Jake were in April 2009 (see above picture) and - on crutches - in March 2008 (see below).

And finally...

Jake and other actors are frequently snapped for the mags being given parking tickets in LA. In fact, it's quite possible that many actors could paper their mansions with the things. Jake is fighting back. He was seen in LA topping up the parking meters of several cars in full view of the traffic wardens. It's not known how they will retaliate. If Jake would like to pop over and top up my car with diesel, I would be most grateful.

Thanks to IHJ for photos from previous Conservation Corps ceremonies.

My review of The Cabin in the Woods is now on MovieBrit.

I finally watched Anonymous today - my review is now on MovieBrit.

Jake helps raise $400,000 dollars for the LA Conservation Corps (16 April), and Earth Day Goodies

Yesterday lunchtime (16 April), Jake Gyllenhaal was back at the LA Historic State Park for another event by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. This time, without the crutches, Jake was a presenter at a luncheon, which not only celebrated the Corps' 23rd anniversary but also raised $400,000 to enable the Corps to continue its work of helping the young of the city by inspiring them to protect and enhance their natural environment. For instance, 'The Corps is the main source for trees in the LA area.'


The fact that this is the second Corps event in 13 months that Jake is known to have been associated with - on top of his recent efforts to promote the work of Global Green in February this year - indicates that Jake has a firm commitment to raising the profile of environmental schemes which educate and enlist the young to keep cities green and make them greener. Especially his own home city.



All of which has prompted Glamour Magazine to put a poll up today: 'Does Jake persuade you do to more for the environment?' Interestingly, the results of the poll don't seem to ever change but remain firmly on the fence...


And this is a reminder that 22 April is Earth Day! And if it's Earth Day and you're a celebrity with green credentials (and green fingers in Jake's case), that means you get lots of biodegradable loot. This is the time when every environmental business going fights for space in the 'sturdy hand-woven bag [which] is made from fibers extracted from the leaf sheath of the Abaca plant--a banana-like plant native to the Philippines--that the plant regenerates; with a hand-twisted paper handle; sustainable, biodegradable and reusable.'



So what can 'Leonardo DiCaprio, Heather Graham, Justin Timberlake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Pink, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Drew Barrymore, Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Tyra Banks, Bette Midler, Sting, Rosario Dawson, Tina Fey, Alicia Silverstone, Ricky Martin, Courteney Cox and others' expect this year? Here are some of the items: Organic raw vegan chocolates, candles, hand-woven wine bags, reusable hot water bottles (I had no idea there was a non-reusable kind...), Biodegradable Doggie Waste bag, a banana paper memo book and a belt made from the inner tubes of truck tyres.


Jake and others will also be receiving 'BōKU Super Food [which] is loaded with naturally occurring vitamins, trace minerals, anti-oxidants and probiotics. BōKU is a proprietary blend of the most powerful super foods on earth, all derived from natural plants with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The concentrated powder is doctor formulated and certified organic, kosher, and vegan.' Also, a rather intriguing organic beverage called Biotta and a bunch of additive free spices. Time to clear some cupboard space, Jake!



ETA: Many thanks to IHJ for the pics! You can find more there.