Virginia celebrates her 49th birthday today, and we at her official website would like to wish her a very Happy Birthday!! Please stop by and leave your birthday wishes by commenting in the fanbook!!

Once again, Virginia is giving up her birthday (September 11th) to charity: water and she is asking your donation as her birthday gift from all you. This year her campaign goal is $15,000 so please join and make your donation here! 100% of your donation directly funds clean water projects in developing nations.

In Virginia’s words:

Dear Friends! Last year was the best birthday because of the well all your donations helped to build. It was better than a present wrapped in pretty paper, better than a box of candy or a picture frame and any other ‘stuff’ I don’t need in my beautiful home. The only thing I really truly need is for my son to be happy, healthy and well cared for…ok so, that means I do need a job! But the point is, what if my child could not have a simple glass of clean water? What if my son had no way to take a shower or brush his teeth? Just the simple act of washing his hands could mean he might get sick, and in some places in our world, not only does lack of water mean illness, it means death. We don’t have that danger here. We are fortunate.
So I am giving up my birthday and asking you to give JUST WHAT YOU CAN to help build a well. Simple right? Let’s do it! 100% of the money raised goes to building the well! A village gets clean water and we all get to be a part of something that changes lives.
Thank you.

Poet Sylvia Plath’s only novel (which she wrote under a pen name) is a tragic descent into depression that stands as a parallel to the author’s own life. It would be an excruciating subject matter to explore. In fact, Plath committed suicide just after the first print run.

However, Julia Stiles is staring that psychological pressure down by signing on to produce and star in The Bell Jar.

By starring, she’ll take on the role of Esther Greenwood, and she’ll be joined by Virginia Madsen who will play Dr. Nolan – the female therapist Greenwood sees after unsuccessful sessions with a male psychiatrist. Nicole Kassell (who directed The Woodsman and is directing a movie where Whoopi Goldberg plays God) will be directing.