What Would JUSTIN Do?

MRS AMERICA, Andrea Preuss

Bill Halls interview with Justin Rudd.
Andrea has many people helping her.
But Justin Rudd has certainly had
a profound impact on her preparation.
His insight into the international
arena is unsurpassed. He focuses on
getting you to think differently.

In weekly conversations with Andrea and
her mom. The word "Justin" comes up
allot and always in glowing terms.

Yes, I am also a part of this team effort
but when it comes to international
pageants Justin Rudd is in a league
of his own.

I spoke to Justin on Sunday for the
first time. Not only is he
a pleasure to talk to but quite
a gentleman as well.

The motivation, preparation, and
support he has provided Andrea has
certainly raised Interview Preparation
to a new art form.

And believe it or not the above
was written by a skeptic.

COMPILED BY RALPH MILLERO

Check out the "ABOUT" page for the story

OC WEEKLY

Justin Rudd: Superman at your service
By Stacy Davies

Justin Rudd is hot. And, like, perfect. It’s kinda Stepford Wife-ish. Except that unlike the animatronic Katherine Ross, he has a real heart—a real big one.

Originally from Ozark, Alabama, Rudd is an all-American boy—class president throughout high school and his senior year in college, as well as homecoming king. He was a frat boy, doesn’t drink or smoke, has read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and devotes his life to charitable causes and public service. Oh, yeah, and he’s gay. And taken. Sorry, y’all!

Rudd organizes such admirable causes as the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup day in Long Beach, the Southern California Spelling Bee Championships, and the fund-raising Turkey Trot 5K/10K run for kids, all advertised in his weekly Just-In Times newsletter. A Democrat, he even makes room for the Log Cabin crowd without a hint of animosity. I told you he was creepy.

OC Weekly: Are you superman?

Justin Rudd: [laughs] I am far from perfect. I’ve always set high standards for myself. God’s given me a lot, and I want to give back to the community—and not just the gay community.

But you’re so good! It’s kind of weird. You even carry dental floss with you at all times.

I do. I have some right here. I’m paranoid about it—being out to eat and getting something stuck in your teeth, and no one tells you. I have floss in my car, computer desk and bathroom, too.

No fear of gingivitis then.

I also carry mouthwash with me.

But you don’t even smoke or drink! You don’t need it!

Not as much as some people!

So what kind of things do you eat that could get caught in your teeth, but of course don’t because you’re so well-prepared?

I love the Claim Jumper in Long Beach. It reminds me of home. The food is good, especially the fried chicken, and the service is fantastic. There are deer and elk heads all over, too. Which isn’t great—I hate guns, even toys for children—but it does remind me of home, unfortunately!

Do you have a sweet tooth?

I love chocolate-chip-cookie dough and can make it from scratch. Zov’s Bistro has great desserts, too—their peanut-butter-crunch dessert is the second best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth! And the dessert case is as beautiful to look at as it is to taste.

That makes me think of the recent Miss America pageant—fancy desserts in a case.

Miss Maryland was robbed! Miss Florida—I don’t know how she won. She wasn’t a good singer at all!

Florida cheating again. Coincidence?

Really! My boyfriend thinks someone should look into it.

You watch all four pageants—Miss Universe, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen-USA—that’s all you watch on TV, you say. Who’s your all-time favorite winner?

Vanessa Williams, definitely. They made her resign because of the Penthouse layout. Big deal. I thought she looked hot!

You’re one of those guys who really likes women—especially Hillary Clinton.

Yes, I do.

Should she run?

I think she’d be great. I can’t think of a better woman to first serve in that office. I totally admire her for standing by Bill Clinton during all that scandal, too.

In your public service, you include events from all walks of life—kiddie-friendly, gay, lesbian, bisexual, religious and especially the animals.

Yes. I think it’s important to recognize the importance of animals in our lives. We do a blessing of the animals on St. Francis’ birthday every October. And the events for adults are many. Lesbian and gay sprint-dating are popular, and every Monday, we host a co-ed supper club of 25 to 60 people. We’re going to Woody’s in Laguna Beach next. We like to go to restaurants that give to charities —BJ’s gives proceeds from their Pazooki chocolate-chip-cookie-pie dessert to charity. I love that.

Okay, Justin, you’re making me sick now. Please tell me one bad thing about yourself so I don’t have to put my head in an oven.

Well, I have a bad habit of saying "yes" whenever I’m asked to do things.

I hate you.

And I failed my motorcycle-driver’s test the first time out.

Thank God.

BJ’S AND CLAIM JUMPERS ARE FOUND WHEREVER THERE’S TWO OR MORE FAT PEOPLE; ZOV’S BISTRO, WOODY’S AT THE BEACH. GET SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE AT WWW.JUSTINRUDD.COM

Just Beautiful!

COVER OF A MAGAZINE

Justin Rudd, a highly publicized member of the Long Beach community, runs his own multi-program non-profit organization and, besides staying extraordinarily busy, also stays physically fit. We make an effort to catch up with Justin to figure out the secret to his success. (The man even works as a pageantry coach and his latest client, Miss California, just won first runner up in the Miss USA pageant!

PREMIERE

My boss's film, SKETCHES OF FRANK GEHRY premiered last night at the DGA. Justin Rudd and Frank Gehry discussing a new building for Long Beach?

Bulldog Beauty Contest

As seen in LA TIMES today!

WINNER "Bunny" won the "2006 Bulldog Beauty Contest" in Long Beach on Mother's Day. She is the 7 year-old rescued bulldog of Ben & Heidi Lee of Long Beach. More than 300 bulldogs competed.

SMOKERS

Despite law, lighting up persists at city beaches

Organizers of Belmont Shore's 30-Minute Beach Cleanup will never lick the litter. There's too much. But something can be done about one of the most common items they remove, cigarettes, which returned to the news this week when Torrance and Hermosa Beach outlawed beach smoking.
Long Beach, of course, has a similar ban, but the puffing persists. Justin Rudd, who organizes the volunteer beach cleanup, said the law has had little effect: "It remains a big problem on the beaches."

Now many of the butts travel to the water through the sewer system, but Rudd said the worst areas are between the sea wall along Ocean Boulevard and the sand. Nonsmokers: Gently remind those who do to stop littering.

With the Torrance and Hermosa decisions, progress is being made in the South Bay. Smoking is banned on three quarters of Los Angeles County beaches. Let's aim for 100 percent or, better yet, a statewide law.

Until smokers learn to use the trash cans, Rudd's volunteers will be needed. For those who want to help correct other people's mistakes, the next Belmont Shore beach cleanup is at 10 a.m. May 20 at 1 Granada Ave. Maybe a few smokers who want to atone will help.

TORI'S LEGACY

Tim Grobaty, Staff columnist

Tori Busch died on Sunday after an eight-year battle with cancer. She was 42. Justin Rudd, who often worked with Busch as a volunteer at the Shore's Stroll & Savor and other community events, told us, "Tori welcomed everyone to the Shore, like a mom who welcomes the neighborhood kids on weekend. She embodied the Belmont Shore Business Association's motto, There's More in the Shore' more than anyone. Her tenacity, devotion, spirit and charm were remarkable, and her contributions to our corner of the world will never be forgotten."