Be sure to see the Newspaper coverage of Mandi Martin's MillenniuM Pinball Marathon in the "Press Coverage" section of this website.

Sunday, March 5, 2000

The weather might have been gray and dreary outside, but in Woodland Hills there were plenty of bright smiles and cheers as we kicked off Mandi Martin's Millinnium Pinball Marathon. At 9:40 am on Sunday, March 5, Mandi gave the 'ol pinball machine its first flick of many following the opening interview for the documentary and a whole lot of preparation. Despite a late night of set building, camera crews, and a leaking roof, Mandi walked up to the machine with a huge smile and a high spirit that hasn't to wavered. She enjoyed outstanding performances by the bands Soul Dogs and GC Groove Clique. One might say the premises were ROCK'IN! We anticipate the fun will continue on with more performances and many visitors. Keep checking this websites for updates on the excitement or contact us so you can experience it first hand. This really is... much ado about something!

Thursday, March 9, 2000

Mandi was tired but in good spirits as she passed the 100 hour mark!!

Friday, March 10, 2000

Mandi believes she would be the perfect spokesperson for Depend Undergarments. Her slogan is "When there just isn't time for one more break..." The photo says it all! (Mandi, They say that a picture is worth a thousand words... but in this case... it all depends...)

Saturday, March 11, 2000

GO MANDI GO!! Severin Browne dropped in after performing a local concert and did a set just for Mandi!

Sunday, March 12, 2000

Mandi's doing great! 173 hours and still going strong! Well past the time of her first world record now, she's in great spirits.

Monday, March 13, 2000

Greetings from Mandi's Pinball Marathon where the Queen of Pins is alive and well and wildly flipping her balls!! As I write this, Freebo is playing guitar with Harold Payne, lots of friends have stopped by and Mandi's smile is as big as the Texas moon!!

The LA Chapter of Just Plain Folks met at Mandi's with special guest, Brian Austin Whitney, founder of the organization. We hope to have photos of this up here soon.

Mandi's already surpassed her original record of 140 hours...we are now at hour 203 and going after her current 505 record with a lot of help from her friends. The love and compassion you all have shown her is phenomenal, and is captured in the documentary filmaker Renee De Palma is producing.

Feel free to stop by and join the party anytime...24 hours a day...Mandi is always up!! So if you can't sleep, and insomnia has you restless, come on by, or call...Mandi would love to hear from you!! And we still need crew members to help the last two weeks of the marathon. Please email Renee Bodie at BBP23@aol.com if you can help crew.

Friday, March 17, 2000

Mandi is in her 298th hour and going strong!! We just had a bagpipe player in here for St. Paddy's Day!! The aura about this marathon is so great and so positive...I know that everyone who's been here is feeling the same thing. We are privileged to be able to be a part of this....

There will be an early 55th birthday party for the Queen of PIns this Sunday, at 12:00 Noon, and you are all invited!! We are fortunate to have chicken and beef BBQ provided, so everyone should bring your appetites and a side dish or dessert to share. (Remember, no alcohol is allowed at a Guiness World Record site, so go light if bringing drinks).

I know Mandi would love to see every one of you!! Let's make this a great celebration for a great person! See you there!!

Sunday, March 19, 2000

Mandi picked up a second wind (3rd wind? 245th wind?) as friends gathered to celebrate her birthday. Happy 55th Mandi!

Monday, March 20, 2000

The band SOUL DOGS performs at Mandi's place.

Wednesday, March 22, 2000

Local television station Channel 5 (KTLA-TV) drops in and broadcasts from the Marathon location!

Thursday, March 23, 2000

The last 24 hours have been very busy for the Queen of Pins!! Hope you caught her on one of the many news programs that have been featuring her. First, we had Fox News (KTTV) with Rod interviwing her live for the 6AM news, then KTLA Chanel 5 with Bill Smith came and did a live feed at 7AM and 8AM, and then came back at 10PM. KCBS came at 10am and did a pre-recorded feature that aired at 5PM with Mike Casteellucci. The LA Times came in the afternoon, and their article is in today's paper on the front page of the Valley Section. The Daily News also came and their article is on the front page of the paper TODAY!! She just finished an interview with KNX news radio at 9AM with Jim Roope, and at 9:25AM went live on KFWB with Kathleen Sullivan and Dan Avey. WHEW!! I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted already!!

Bryant Gumbel is setting up at 3AM tonight to film the CBS Early Show for tomorrow, and ABC news is on their way over...CBS news will also be here at 10:30AM to film a spot to go out around the country to their National Affiliates!! And I just got an email from the Today Show that wants to film....this is becoming quite a story!!

And we need help!! These last few days we're getting down to the wire, and the film crew really needs a break. They've been filling in on crew whenever needed, and are now down to the wire on the documentary. They really need to concentrate these last few days on getting the footage they need to make this documentary the best that it can be. So we NEED MORE CREW!! With all the media around, it puts extra pressure on crew. We're down to the last few days, so it shouldn't be long, but if anyone can help or anyone you know can help, especially in the wee hours of the AM, it would be greatly appreciated!! Email Renee Bodie at BBP23@aol.com if you can help! You can get your friends involved, email this to anyone you can!! THANK YOU!! Good ol Sam Cooke offered to help, but the news media just couldn't buy that he was really around...Mandi kept telling them that he was "right here" though!! Think they bought it?

Friday, March 24, 2000

If you haven't seen the Queen of Pins on the news recently, or heard her in radio interviews, you just haven't had the telly or radio on... or you've been hanging out with ol Sam Cooke... she's been on every major network and some of the smaller ones... Don't miss her Sunday Morning on the Today Show.

Ok, so we're coming down the wire... the ending celebration is going to be amazing!! We have ABC coming to follow her all the way to Coffee Junction at 6:00AM, and two other stations have asked to have helicopters follow her. The Oxygen network is doing an interview after it is over, and channel 9 and 11 will be there at the ending as well.

Anyone who wants to join in the ending, please come at 5AM to join a procession of cars to Coffee Junction.

Thanks to everyone who has lent your help and support for this marathon... we couldn't have done it without you!! Crew members, we are especially appreciative to you... we will have an ending on the flatbed truck with all the crew invited up on it to end Mandi's last hour. We are going to rock to "It Takes a Lot of Balls".

Saturday, March 25, 2000

Ok, ok, so I was half asleep when I wrote the last email... Sam Cooke was right with me... The fantastic ending is set for 6AM starting at Mandi's house and going to Coffee Junction (at 19221 Ventura Blvd.) by about 7AM. We will party there until the great climax at 1:40PM when she makes her 555 hours, 55 minutes and 55 seconds!!

Soul Dogs will perform, as well as Severin Browne, Robin Bolden, Kate E. Oyler, Chad Watson, Larry Dean, Harold Payne, Chris Cardenas, and a special performance by Mandi during one of her hard earned breaktimes. We're still working on Al Jarreau... we'll have to have Sam Cooke call him... and for those of you who keep emailing me that you don't know who Sam Cooke is... we'll enlighten you Tuesday!!

The charities that Mandi is endorsing (Americas Breast Cancer Ride, Havenhill, Gildas Club and MusiCares) will be represented at the ending gala,and a letter commending Mandi from the Honorable Sheila Kuehl's office will be read.

Also, THE CD'S ARE IN!! Anyone wanting to order Mandi's new CD Single "All The Love In Your Eyes"/"It Takes A Lot of Balls", the cost is only $5 per CD. Make checks payable to "Jerry D. Fox Memorial Fund" and send them to: Jerry D. Fox Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1008, Woodland Hills, CA 91365. CD's will also be available at Coffee Junction on Tuesday.

Mandi will actually be passing her previous record of 505 hours at 11:40AM tomorrow (Sunday) for a new world record. And don't forget to watch the TODAY show, as she will be on Sunday AM!

Thanks for all your help and support...we love you ALL!!

Sunday, March 26, 2000

Hello friends, How can we ever thank you for all your love and support these last three weeks!! Those of you who have come and helped crew, and those of you who were sending your love, good energy, and prayers... we truly could not have done it without you... and ol' Sam Cooke!!

ALERT, ALERT!! We want everyone at Coffee Junction on final Tuesday (March 28 for those of you who've been asleep... unlike us!!) instead of at Mandi's house. There is going to be a lot of press following her there, and waiting there for her arrival, and we want a roaring welcome when Mandi arrives on the truck. Plan to be there between 6:00AM and 6:30AM. After that we will party at Coffee Junction until the final countdown to 1:40PM (YEAH!!)

We love you ALL!! See you Tuesday!! And remember...IT TAKES A LOT OF BALLS!!

And don't forget: THE CD'S ARE IN!! Anyone wanting to order Mandi's new CD Single "All The Love In Your Eyes"/"It Takes A Lot of Balls", the cost is only $5 per CD. Make checks payable to "Jerry D. Fox Memorial Fund" and send them to: Jerry D. Fox Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1008, Woodland Hills, CA 91365. CD's will also be available at Coffee Junction on Tuesday.

Tuesday, March 28, 2000

WOW!!! Can't believe it's all over. MANDI DID IT!!!! She's simply amazing. 555 Hours, 55 minutes and 55 seconds. The caravan to Coffee Junction went great... in spite of one minor breakdown. The music in the parking lot in front of Coffee Junction was super. Thanks to Soul Dogs, Severin Browne and the others who performed. Special thanks to all of Mandi's sponsors. Be sure to visit the "Charities" section of this Web site and donate to these great organizations.

Press coverage of the final hours of Mandi Martin's MillenniuM Pinball Marathon was simply amazing. Every national network and all the local stations turned out. But the special thanks goes to all of those friends who participated in helping Mandi during the past three weeks. She couldn't have done it without you! THANK YOU!!!

This Web site will continue to expand in the next few weeks. If you have photos you wish to share, please email them to russ@jrp-graphics.com and I'll be sure to get them up. More information about the documentary of this whole thing will follow soon, as well as sound bytes of Mandi's songs and lots more!

To all those who helped Mandi accomplish her goal, and you know who you are, THANK YOU!!