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Retro Bill and the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Announce New Partnership!

Starting in January 2010, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputies teaching the S.T.A.R. (Success Through Awareness & Resistance) program will be utilizing the newly released "Retro Bill Safety & Self-Esteem Tips" DVD during classroom visitations. Retro Bill donated copies of his new DVD to every LASD Deputy currently teaching the STAR program. Deputies will incorporate the video into their various classroom lessons as part of this new partnership.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department STAR Unit will pursue various ways to bring Retro Bill's messages of good character, positive self-esteem, being drug free and staying safe to elementary schools throughout Los Angeles County. This will be done by deputies working with schools and PTA/PTOs to schedule Retro Bill assemblies at elementary schools being served by the LASD STAR Unit. Currently, the LASD STAR Unit serves 240 schools in 38 school districts, impacting 52,000 students on a monthly basis. The STAR Unit provides drug, bullying and violence prevention education to students, parents and community members in LA County.

The partnership between the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Retro Bill will feature a LASD STAR Unit/Retro Bill web component on the LASD website. The web component of the partnership will provide a safe destination for children to visit on the internet. Content will include safety tips, advice from Retro Bill and STAR Deputies, and a Retro Bill video arcade.

Retro Bill Safety & Self-Esteem Tips
will debut in mid-2010 as public
service announcements for children
on the
American Forces Network's AFN Family.

American Forces Network, or AFN, sometimes referred to as the Armed Forces Network, is the brand name used by the United States Armed Forces American Forces Radio and Television Service for its entertainment and command internal information networks worldwide. The AFN worldwide radio and television broadcast network serves American service men and women, Department of Defense civilians and their families stationed at bases overseas, as well as on U.S. Navy ships at sea.

Retro Bill will be featured on AFN Family, an AFN general entertainment channel providing programming for children 2–17 years old. The channel more closely resembles ABC Family or Nickelodeon, with programming targeted at specific age groups during the course of the day. Programming during the day targets pre-schoolers but "ages" as older children become available to watch in the afternoon after school. By 8:00 p.m. local time, programming is targeted at older teens.

For more information about AFN, visit the official website here.
 

RETRO BILL successfully completed his first live appearance tour of Canada
October 5-9, 2009. His appearance was sponsored by DARE Caledon
and the Ontario Provincial Police in Canada. 
Over 6,000 Canadian Elementary, Middle and High School
students attended Retro Bill's presentations in Caledon, Ontario!

Retro Bill toured Timmins, Ontario, Canada May 30 - June 1, 2010,
sponsored by the Timmins Police Service and Timmins DARE.
As part of his appearances in Timmins, Retro Bill was the
Closing Ceremony Keynote Speaker at a
Teen Leadership Camp held at Camp Bickell.
He was also be the Keynote Speaker at a DARE Graduation in Timmins
and presented a special family show at the TImmins Public Library!

A Fall 2010 Ontario, Canada Tour is currently being scheduled. Stay tuned!
 

RETRO BILL gives a thumbs up for the outstanding efforts made on
behalf of Canada's children each day by DARE Officers throughout
the provinces of  Canada. Retro Bill was the opening ceremony
Keynote Speaker and a classroom instructor at the 1st Annual
DARE Canada National Training Conference held in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
 

BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS and RETRO BILL
Form Partnership to Keep Kids Safe!

BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS and RETRO BILL have launched a multi-faceted nationwide safety initiative --Keeping Kids Safe-- that will utilize RETRO BILL via broadcast, internet, and live appearances to bring informative and entertaining safety tips to families in all of the Bright House Networks affiliated markets.

Bright House Networks is a company dedicated to perfecting their customers' home entertainment experience. Bright House Networks provides Digital Phone, high-speed data (HSD), Video-on-Demand (VOD), Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) and Digital Video Recorders (DVR). The company’s Florida operations currently deliver nearly 300 channels to customers and were among the first in the country to offer High Definition Television signals (HDTV).

Bright House Networks are proud supporters and partners in children’s safety initiatives, enhanced educational programs and community-wide efforts to invest in the futures of children.

Bright House Networks owns and operates the news operations Central Florida News 13, News 13 Weather NOW, Central Florida on Demand, and cfnews13.com serving the Orlando area and Bay News 9, Bay News 9 En Español, Travel Weather Now, Tampa Bay on Demand and Baynews9.com serving the Tampa area.

Bright House Networks also serves over 2.2 million subscribers in cable television systems located in and around Tampa Bay, Central Florida, Indianapolis, Birmingham, Bakersfield and Detroit along with several smaller systems in Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. Bright House Networks is a privately held company headquartered in Syracuse, New York. Advance/Newhouse, Bright House Network's parent company, holds interests in Condé Nast magazines, PARADE magazine, daily newspapers serving 26 cities, and a significant interest in Discovery Communications, Inc.

For more information about Bright House Networks, visit their website at www.mybrighthouse.com.
 

RETRO BILL
joined his friend
LEEZA GIBBONS
and celebrities
Larry King,
Fran Drescher,
Vidal Sassoon,
and John Paul DeJoria
at the
"Annual Magic of Memories Dinner"

April 25, 2009 - It was an amazing night!  Celebrities and beauty professionals from worldwide Paul Mitchell Salons gathered at the luxurious Island Hotel in Newport Beach, CA for the 6th Annual "Magic of Memories Dinner" benefiting The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, The Larry King Cardiac Foundation, The Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, City of Hope, Food 4 Africa, Fran Drescher's Cancer Schmancer Movement and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Larry and Shawn King



John Paul DeJoria



Vidal Sassoon



Fran Drescher
 

 RETRO BILL is revolutionizing children's entertainment!  He has put fun into safety, self-esteem and character counts education for Kindergarten through 12th graders for the past 12 years! In fact, each year RETRO BILL is seen live by over 1 MILLION American and Canadian school children combined! 

The United States National Park Service and the Mount Rushmore Memorial Society officially appointed Retro Bill for three years in a row 2007-2009 to be the Host & Kick-off Presenter for America's Independence Day Fireworks Celebration at Mount Rushmore, SD.

In July 2010, Retro Bill will be a Keynote Speaker and Motivational Instructor at the International DARE Officers Training Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio! Retro Bill made an appearance in July 2009 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL as a Keynote Speaker & Classroom Instructor at the 2009 Annual International DARE Officers Training Conference.

Retro Bill is honored to hold the title of the official Host of National Kids Day, an event he began officially hosting on The Ellipse in front of The White House in Washington D.C. in 2003.

September 2009 saw the release of a BRAND NEW Retro Bill DVD!  Fans worldwide have eagerly anticipated the NEW  "RETRO BILL Safety & Self-Esteem Tips" DVD.  The DVD has been proven to be a huge success with children and police officers.

CNN’s LARRY KING and television/radio celebrity LEEZA GIBBONS have called
Retro Bill, "The 21st Century Mr. Rogers!  Even Talk Show Host/Comedian Jay Leno has proclaimed that he is a fan of RETRO BILL!

                            "The 21st Century Mr. Rogers!"

RETRO BILL holds many honorable titles and affiliations, including:

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!

RETRO BILL
visits wounded U.S. troops at
Brooke Army Medical Center (San Antonio, TX)


Wounded U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan had their spirits lifted when Retro Bill visited Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. The Official DARE Safety Buddy - Retro Bill, signed photos and thanked troops for their service to our country. Accompanying Retro Bill were representatives of DARE America and  the Bexar County Sheriff's Department.

This visit was one of many frequent visits Retro Bill makes to military hospitals and bases to show his appreciation to America's service men and women.
 

Retro Bill paying respects to the U.S. Army while
making an appearance in Nashville, TN.

Retro Bill receives a "thumbs up" of approval for his work
on behalf of America's youth from members of the United States Army
California National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Unit

       

Check out these newspaper articles:


Leavenworth Times, KANSAS
"Retro Bill visits Leavenworth schools"


SeacoastOnline, MAINE
"Retro Bill's style is "old school"
but his message is "new school"


The Fort Stockton Pioneer, TEXAS
"Retro Bill returns for DARE graduation"

Caledon Enterprise, ONTARIO CANADA
"Retro Bill makes Canadian debut in Caledon"

The Lebanon Reporter, INDIANA
"Retro Bill shares life lessons"


The Wake Weekly, NORTH CAROLINA
"Wake Forest goes Retro"


Evansville Courier & Press, INDIANA
"DARE speaker entertains 1,600 local fifth-graders"


The Gowanda Observer, NEW YORK
"Retro Bill uses 'cool factor' to drive home his message"

Portsmouth Herald, NEW HAMPSHIRE
"Retro Bill helps kids handle bullying issues"

Rapid City Journal, SOUTH DAKOTA
"Retro Bill Entertains and Educates Youths"


Mt. Vernon Register, ILLINOIS
"Retro Bill Encourages DARE Graduates"


Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MONTANA
"Retro Bill Makes Stop In Gardiner"


The Casper Tribune, WYOMING
"Retro Bill Entertains DARE Grads"


The Daily Oakland Press, MICHIGAN
"Retro Bill teaches kids old-time values"


Marco Island Sun Times, FLORIDA
"Retro Bill visits Marco with the D.A.R.E. program"


Saint Petersburg Times, FLORIDA
"Big hair, big lessons"


Sioux City Journal, IOWA
"Retro Bill visits Elk Point, South Dakota"


Simi Valley Acorn
"‘Retro Bill’ uses humor for serious message"


Cincinnati Enquirer, OHIO
"This anti-drug message comes with Silly String"


Orange Counter Register, CALIFORNIA
"Leeza Gibbons is a big fan of Retro Bill"


Northwest Indiana Times, INDIANA
"Retro Bill brings positive message!"


Tobacco.org
"Retro Bill's message connects with kids"
 

to read other newspaper articles on

Retro Bill can be seen every Saturday morning
on the Smile of a Child television network and
daily on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

The Trinity Broadcasting Network, or TBN, is the largest Christian television network in the world. It claims five million viewer households per week in the United States. TBN is carried on over 275 television stations in the U.S. and on thousands of other cable television systems around the world in 75 countries, where its programs are translated into eleven languages. TBN owns 23 full-power television stations and 252 low-power rural stations in the U.S.

Smile of a Child TV is a Christian children's channel that offers programming 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Smile of a Child was created by Trinity Broadcasting Network co-founder Jan Crouch. The goal of the network is to encourage children to develop positive social skills with a heavy concentration on morals and values. It is carried on digital simulcast channels of TBN-owned stations. Internationally, it is available on the Hotbird satellite in Europe, ABS1 satellite to Asia, India and the Middle East, and Agila 2 both C-band and Ku-Band signal in some areas of Asia and the Philippines.

Click the TVs to view the broadcasting schedule for Retro Bill!

The United States National Park Service and the
Mount Rushmore Memorial Society officially
appointed Retro Bill for three years in a row
to be the Host & Kick-off Presenter for
America's Independence Day Fireworks Celebration
at Mount Rushmore, SD.

Click to view letter of from
Superintendent of Mount Rushmore!

The City of Leavenworth, KS proclaims
"Official Retro Bill Week 2010"

Click to view proclamation!

Retro Bill is officially declared
an Honorary Hoosier
by the Governor of Indiana

Click to view declaration!

Click to view proclamation!

Retro Bill is honorably commissioned
a Kentucky Colonel

Click to view certificate of commission!

  KidsPeace Celebrity Spokesperson
Retro Bill pays a visit to
KidsPeace Headquarters

Retro Bill stopped by the national headquarters of KidsPeace while on tour in Pennsylvania and donated sixty-five copies of his award-winning "DARE Safety Tips" DVD to be watched by 10,000 children in KidsPeace  centers each year across the United States.

KidsPeace President Lorrie Henderson, Ph.D
presents Retro Bill with a "Friend of Kids"
award for "his outstanding work to
give America's kids peace."
 

 


Retro Bill
Appears in the Caribbean!!

The Carribean Island of St. Maarten was  the first "live" appearance for RETRO BILL outside of the United States.  The Award-Winning "DARE Safety Tips starring RETRO BILL" (dvd) is being shown to children in many languages by DARE Officers throughout the World, however this Special Appearance by RETRO BILL at the St. Maarten DARE DAY on December 1, 2007 (at the Belair Community Center) was the first time RETRO BILL's INTERNATIONAL FANS had the chance to see their Hero in person!  The event was a BIG SUCCESS!

       SPECIAL THANKS to St. Maarten DARE, Sgt. Dientje Muller,
Sgt. Geovanni H.M. Sprott and The Westin Resort - St. Maarten
 

Elementary students laugh as “Retro Bill” presents serious life lessons in a humorous way at Rancho Pico Elementary school. (Photo: Dan Watson)

Oct. 21, 2009
Students get life lessons
D.A.R.E. safety buddy Retro Bill teaches
youth how to make proper decisions

By Jessica Selva
Signal Staff Writer
 
High-demand motivational speaker “Retro Bill” sported an Elvis hairdo and a flame-print shirt and sneakers Tuesday as he used props to teach Pico Canyon Elementary School students in Santa Clarita, CA how to live safe and healthy lifestyles.

“You have to stay on the positive channel,” the radio and television personality Bill Russ said as he pulled out a remote control and then an oversized calculator.

He next added his trademark “Oh yeah!” which drew giggles from his child audience.

The speaker, who talks to about a million American students a year, visited about 2,100 students at Pico Canyon and Stevenson Ranch elementary schools Tuesday in honor of “Red Ribbon Week,” a national campaign against drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence.

Russ is the official Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., Safety Buddy and has hosted several national safety campaigns and events, according to his Web site.

The speaker used comical faces, voices and child impressions to touch on the dangers of drug abuse and bullying.

In one demonstration, Russ lugged around a large, red suitcase with white polka dots to demonstrate the baggage students carry when they don’t inform adults about problems. He next compared that to what happens when children do speak up as he pulled up the suitcase’s handle bars and effortlessly rolled it across the auditorium stage.

“The biggest problems still come with a handle on wheels,” he said.

Bill Russ, as “Retro Bill,” uses orange cones to represent choices that make up a life path while he gives a presentation to students at Pico Canyon Elementary School on Tuesday. (Photo: Dan Watson)

He mentioned celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Heath Ledger, who died because of drug addiction, then playfully acted out ways students can say no to drugs or respond to teasing.

“He was very funny,” said third-grader Alex Merrill. “(I learned) to walk away when one person is doing something bad and you’re not supposed to do it.”

Principal Laura Banda said Retro Bill, who has visited the school once before, also helped students understand the importance of telling adults about problems.

“Particularly for the primary (students), sometimes students think they’re tattling,” Banda said. “He gave the difference between a small problem and a big problem and being an informer. That really helps.”

Russ, who has been a full-time motivational speaker for nearly 11 years, later said events from his own youth inspired him to speak out against drug abuse and bullying.

He said a bully tried to drown him as a child, causing him to drop out of his Boy Scouts troop. And when he was a teenager, two of his friends were killed in a head-on collision by another student who was driving under the influence, he said.

Russ said he started speaking to students because he wanted to give them a hip role model to look up to.

“Kids need heroes,” Russ said. “They need to have somebody that’s got cool hair, cool clothes and upbeat energy, but drives home a really wholesome message.”

December 11, 2008

Retro Bill wows 'em at DARE graduation!

Fort Stockton, TX - With a hair style and attire reminiscent of a time before their parents were even born, Retro Bill entertained and inspired the crowd of fifth-graders from Fort Stockton Intermediate School at the Williams Special Events Center. The keynote speaker at the DARE graduation quizzed the students about their dreams and what they wanted to do in life.

"Nurse." Policeman." "Football player."

"Hold your dreams in your heart," Retro Bill said. "Nobody can stop you, except for drugs, gangs, or yourself by giving up."

Retro Bill's purpose was to reinforce the standard message of DARE: for children to stay drug-free, to say no to alcohol and tobacco, and to say yes to their own self-worth. His motivational style, often punctuated with voiced sound effects, was anything but standard. Part motivational speaker, comedian and teacher, Retro Bill had his audience's attention for his message.

"Your DARE lessons, when you use them, will help you keep drugs and violence away," he said.

He cautioned the fifth-graders to keep their distance from drugs and those who use them, but he also urged them forward into their futures, to choose the correct path to chase and capture their dreams.

"Drugs are a dead end," Retro Bill said. "Nothing good comes from that. You tell 'em, 'I'm going to stay in school and stay off drugs.' ... If someone tries to get you to take drugs, you tell 'em, 'I don't go there.'"

In his first trip to Fort Stockton, Retro Bill also helped hand out graduation certificates to the students in ten DARE classes. Students participate in the DARE classes for about three months, according to Maribel Perkins, the Fort Stockton Police Department DARE officer. They must go through lessons in a workbook and produce an essay prior to graduation from the program. Retro Bill, Perkins and several other law enforcement officials congratulated each of the graduates when they reached the stage.

Giving a final lesson to the graduates, Retro Bill brought out one of the several props he used during his performance: a Hula Hoop, to illustrate a lesson he learned from his grandmother.

"Your effort will help you keep on going in life," he said as he moved his hand around the inside of the Hula Hoop. "Treat others the way you want to be treated yourself... remember... What goes around comes around."

Retro Bill brings more than laughs

YORK, ME -- When Retro Bill entered Village Elementary School Thursday afternoon, one might have thought Elvis had entered the building -- and not just because of his four-inch pompadour and slick style... but because of the cheers from the students and the excitement from the building.

"The hair is real," Retro Bill said, jiggling his head from side to side. "It's not a wig, not a piece."

The students reacted as if a superstar was visiting their school with gleaming smiles, waves and, of course, Retro Bill's "signature thumbs up."

Retro Bill, the official D.A.R.E. Safety Buddy, caught the attention of the students with goofy antics that included funny faces, loud noises, silly string and rubber chickens.

Retro Bill taught lessons of drug awareness and anti-bullying. The program was made possible by efforts of York's D.A.R.E coordinator; York Police Officer Scott Cogger and the school's parent group.

But the hair (which requires a full hour of careful hair-spraying, Retro said) and the sound effects and props that had students rolling on the gymnasium floor with laughter were just props; Retro Bill uses his humorous personality to grab the kids' attention and drive home his message of how to deal with strangers, bullying and conflict resolution.

His message was simple: treat yourself and others with respect and stay away from things that will keep you from your dreams.

"The kids know I am for real," said Retro Bill, whose real name is Bill Russ. "If you don't have real empathy and passion, they will see right through you. But my message is real and serious." Russ is on the road 300 days a year performing as Retro Bill for children. He also has a series of videos that are shown in schools throughout the country. His visit to York came during a three-week school tour through Maine and was sponsored by School Resource Officer Scott Cogger and the Village Elementary parent group.

Second grader Lily Reed said she couldn't wait to see Retro Bill at school on Thursday. When Retro Bill asked her why that was, she said, "Because you're cool!"

While Russ was making a good living as a writer, producer and director in Hollywood, Calif., he said, "I wanted my life to mean something." He decided to dedicate his life to making a positive difference. The best way for him to make that difference was by getting into the hearts and minds of youth, he said. Now he spends his days spreading the D.A.R.E. message, one he thinks is second to none.

Scarborough Police Department Officer and State D.A.R.E. Coordinator Joe Giacomantonio escorted Retro Bill on his tour through Maine. " Retro Bill covers a wide variety of issues for children, with a flare and flavor that we don't have as D.A.R.E. officers," Giacomantonio commented. "He certainly makes an impression," Giacomantonio said. "There's a lot of craziness, but a good message in there too."

Russ said students validate his crazy performance by walking away smiling and laughing. Though the important messages came across in an unusual way, they were certainly absorbed by students at Village Elementary School on Thursday!

STOCKTON - SAN JOAQUIN - CALAVERAS COUNTY

January 14, 2006

Golden West Elementary School students laugh at Retro Bill as he delivers his powerful anti-drug message Friday. His wacky antics and appearance are used to empower and encourage students to be their best by building their confidence through safety and self-esteem tips delivered in an energetic and entertaining way. (Photo: Craig Sanders)

Retro Bill delivers his message of self-esteem

MANTECA, CA - With the help of a rubber chicken, Mr. Potato Head and a Hula-Hoop, Retro Bill brought his message of self-esteem, safety and responsibility to an assembly at Golden West Elementary School on Friday.

He said the props - along with sound effects and impressions - help students listen to what he's saying.

Like getting across something important he learned from his grandma. "It was as simple and basic as a Hula-Hoop - What comes around goes around," said Retro Bill, also known as Bill Russ.

"If you stay in school, and get good grades, ... good things will come your way in your life," he said. "No matter what, never give up!"

Russ has performed at all of the Manteca Unified schools throughout the school year. Caroline Thibodeau, district health services coordinator enthusiastically said, "He makes a great impression on these kids!"

Eric Thayer / Special to The Star Bill Russ, who goes by the name Retro Bill in his nationwide safety and self-esteem programs for children, makes a point with a plastic chicken during a performance Wednesday at Junipero Serra School in Ventura.

Retro Bill gives students a boost!
D.A.R.E. 'safety buddy' presents entertaining lessons in Ventura
By Erinn Hutkin

To demonstrate the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet, Retro Bill looked to his friend Mr. Potato Head.

Retro Bill: Outrageously normal
Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
12/3/2004
VAN WERT, OH - For a guy who has such a serious message, Retro Bill is having w-a-a-a-y too much fun presenting it. A cross between a 1950s-era Elvis and Mr. Rogers, Retro Bill presents his mega-decibel message about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the need for respect and self-esteem while sporting an outrageous pompadour and flame-streaked jacket and shirt. It's the kind of presentation that gets young kids' attention, but it's certainly no act. "What you see, is what you get," says actor-writer-director Bill Russ, Retro Bill's alter ego. "I totally believe in what I say to kids and I take what I do very seriously." A military brat, Russ said his father was a drill sergeant who demonstrated what "tough love" means to his children. He noted that his parents instilled in him some very traditional values, including duty, honor and love of country, God and family. "And my teachers taught me everything I do," he added. Using a Hula Hoop, Mr. Potato Head, Silly String, safety cones, a boxing glove and other props, Retro Bill's presentation, developed over a seven-year period, is designed to get students' attention. After he's got students listening, he slips in the serious stuff -- his anti-drug, anti-alcohol, anti-smoking, anti-violence message, coupled with how kids can develop a positive self-esteem. He uses the Hula Hoop to demonstrate that "what goes around, comes around" -- an anti-violence message. He uses the safety cones to show that "the shortest distance is a straight line" and talks about how bad decisions cause people to lose direction. He uses Mr. Potato Head to demonstrate why it's important to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle and to buckle up in a car. Basically, Russ's live presentations include the same kind of information that's on an award-winning video, "DARE Safety Tips Video starring Retro Bill," that he produced using $250,000 of his own money and donated to the national DARE organization. Where did the money come from? "I started out in dog suits in front of car dealerships in 100-degree weather and worked up to directing music videos and commercials for Seiko and other companies," Russ said, adding that he saved most of what he made during those years. "I also maxed out my credit cards and had my electricity turned off," he told adults at the Marsh Foundation. The video and his live presentations, which he makes all over the country 300 days a year, are obviously something he loves to do. "I tell people to find their passion in life and then live it," Russ said. "That's what I'm doing." He's also working on a television show idea with Leeza Gibbons. In talking one-on-one with Russ, it's almost surprising, when considering his outrageous Retro Bill costume and presentation, to realize just how down-to-earth he really is. He has a very conservative philosophy of life, and doesn't hesitate to tell you that he "walks the talk" when it comes to being alcohol-, drug- and smoke-free. He also tones down his message when talking to parents, teachers and law enforcement officers, like he did last night at the Marsh Foundation auditorium. To adults, he stressed the importance of setting a good example to children. "You must exhibit the same behavior when you're not working as you do on the job," Retro Bill noted. He also provided adults with his version of the "Who, What, When, Where and Why" scenario that journalists use to "get the facts" for articles. His version is this:

Who -- Is my greatest hero? What -- Have I done to make a positive difference in someone's life? When -- Is the last time I knew I made a positive difference in someone's life? Where - Will be the place and moment I use something I learned here? Why -- Are you what you are?

Most importantly, Retro Bill, told adults in concluding his talk at the Marsh, is not to give up on children. "They are our future." And maybe Retro Bill is theirs.

          By TITUS GEE
          Valley Press Staff Writer
          Photo: Jennifer X. Hernandez

The speakers shook, the room rumbled and the children came to their feet. The Retro Bill Safety and Self-esteem Show was in full stride Thursday on the stage of the multi-purpose room at Irving Branch Elementary School at Edwards Air Force Base, the audience of fourth and fifth-graders rapt with the entertainer’s antics.

For roughly 45 minutes, Retro Bill, played by Bill Russ of Beverly Hills, took the children on a roller-coaster ride of silly humor and quiet intensity. With the energy evoked by the flames that emblazoned his black clothing (even the shoes), he gamboled through a rapid- fire succession of ear-straining oral sound effects, slapstick comedy, and serious topics.

“Do your homework or you will NOT GET SMART!” he said. “Am I right?” His body language demanded a response and the children did not disappoint. “Yeah!” they yelled, but Retro Bill was already moving on, searching for his next gag among the props that littered his table. No child talked, giggled or squirmed except in response to the man on stage. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE STORY...

Alaska's National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Unit
Brings Retro Bill to Alaska
Photo by: Jim Lavrakas

"Retro Bill" - Bill Russ of Hollywood, CA - began his all-grades assembly, left, at Taku Elementary with a sight gag regarding bullying Wednesday morning. The nationally known children's safety and self-esteem performer is making a one-week tour in Alaska, taking his show to seventeen schools and two Boys & Girls Clubs of America programs in the Anchorage and Mat-Su school districts. He also traveled with United States Senator Ted Stevens and other dignitaries to Fort Greely as part of the Alaska National Guard's "Operation Santa Claus." Retro Bill was a Keynote Speaker at Fort Greely, addressing the base personnel and their children. This is Retro Bill's second trip to Alaska. Last year his tour included twenty-three Bush villages and towns. It was sponsored by DARE Alaska and the Alaska State Troopers. Retro Bill's message includes talk on bullying, teasing, internet predators, loneliness and the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Serving Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Valencia, Castaic and Agua Dulce

Saturday, October 02, 2004

D.A.R.E. TO BE RETRO

"Retro Bill," who is being referred to as the "21st Century Mr. Rogers,"  delighted students of Bouquet Canyon School on Friday as he teamed up his cool 1950's era wardrobe with safety and self-esteem tips, combined with an anti-drug and alcohol message.  Retro Bill, whose real name is Bill Russ, puts on a lively and interactive show with props, sound effects and humor to deliver his messages of keeping safe while staying away from drugs.  Russ produced, directed and stars in an Award-Winning safety video that he made and donated to the nation's D.A.R.E. program.

Photo By Gary Chopper/The Signal

Serving Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Valencia, Castaic and Agua Dulce

Sunday, December 02, 2001

Retro Bill is a Blast From the Past

Valencia resident brings safety message to children nationwide     By Margie Anne Clark Staff Features Writer The fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students of Valencia Valley Elementary School took a blast from the past as Retro Bill, aka Bill Russ, the star of the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program’s latest safety video, paid a visit to the school.  The recently released video is part of a national campaign to keep kids safe while staying free of alcohol and drugs... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Photos By Renah Agha/The Signal In videos and in school assemblies Bill Russ (Retro Bill) encourages children to avoid unsafe situations and alcohol and drugs. Russ is a Valencia resident.

Retro Bill DAREs to be different

By Kathleen Sweeney
Staff Writer

    SANTA CLARITA - It was the age of innocence - cruising the strip in souped-up hot rods, wearing poodle skirts and slicked-back black and jamming to "Hound Dog."

    It was the 1950s and the portrayal of this era in the movie "American Graffiti" that caught Bill Russ' attention... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE