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02-21-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
BEYONCE BEHIND WHEEL OF NEW 'CADILLAC': Singer confirmed to play Etta James; plus joins film as executive producer.
*It's now confirmed that Beyonce Knowles will indeed play blues singer Etta James in the upcoming film "Cadillac Records," which centers on the founder of Chicago's Chess Records and its legendary roster.
The 10-time Grammy winner will also serve as an executive producer on the Sony BMG Films project, which is being directed by Darnell Martin ("Their Eyes Were Watching God").
Beyonce, a Golden Globe nominee for her role in "Dreamgirls," joins Adrien Brody as Chess Records founder Leonard Chess, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, and Columbus Short as Little Walter.
ARETHA IS PETA'S WORST DRESSED CELEBRITY: Singer singled out for her Grammy getup.
*PETA warned Aretha Franklin about her furs. Following a recent press release requesting that she ditch the dead animal skins for good, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals announced Wednesday that the Queen of Soul has topped its annual list of worst dressed celebrities.
The animal rights group said Franklin's biggest crime was wearing "yet another vulgar fur" at the Grammy Awards.
"You looked as if you were going to perform 'I Am the Walrus' by the Beatles," PETA said Wednesday of Franklin's appearance. "You might be a queen, but you don't know jack about compassion. How 'bout some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for animals?"
Other celebs making the list this year are Marilyn Manson, Eva Longoria ("in her trashy furs, she looks like the streetwalker of Wisteria Lane"), Lindsay Lohan (for her pelts), Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue (for carrying a python purse). The group said it took Britney Spears out of the running because they didn't want to kick her while she's down.
Alicia Keys, Christina Ricci and Martha Stewart are among the stars who have given up wearing fur since being singled out by PETA in previous years.
PETA's annual list is the result of a vote posted on the Web site Fur Is Dead.
MARY J. BLIGE 'JUST FINE' WITH OSCAR GIG: Singer to perform at annual viewing party thrown by Elton John.
*Mary J. Blige has announced she will perform a duet with Elton John at the rocker's annual AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party on Sunday at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
"Elton John is one of the most inspirational musicians and philanthropists in this industry for me," Blige said in a statement Tuesday.
"I respect him with all my heart, and it is truly a pleasure to be performing with him on such an important night as we look to raise awareness and vital funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS."
John and Blige previously worked together on her 1999 track "Deep Inside," which incorporates portions of John's single "Benny and the Jets." The 1973 song was Elton's first Top 40 hit on the R&B Charts.
His annual Oscar party has raised more than $15 million over the past 15 years. Blige's AIDS-awareness efforts date back to 2000, when she worked with MAC Cosmetics on its Viva Glam fundraising campaign.
Also on the guest list are Amber Valletta; Chris O'Donnell; Christina Applegate; Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi; Eric McCormack; Eva Longoria; Julia Ormond; Kevin Zegers; Larry King and Shawn Southwick; Patricia Clarkson; Petra Nemcova; Rebecca Gayheart; Sean Penn; Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne; Sharon Stone; Randy Jackson; Simon Cowell; Tim Allen; and John Waters.
STYLE NETWORK RE-UPS ON 'KIMORA': Reality show cleared for second season; program is channel's highest-rated original series ever.
*The Style Network has signed on for a second season of "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane," a reality series that follows the work and home life of fashion diva Kimora Lee Simmons.
"Kimora" is the cable channel's highest-rated original series ever, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Since its Aug. 5 premiere, the show has performed ahead of the network's primetime average by 105% among households and 150% among women 18-49 across its original episodes.
Season 2 will find Kimora taking on the expanded role of creative director at Phat Fashions, and include birthday parties, public appearances, ad campaign shoots and insider meetings at the Phat Fashions offices. It's set to premiere at 8 p.m. April 20.
Simmons has also signed on to join sister channel E! Entertainment's red-carpet team for Sunday's "Live From the Red Carpet: The 2008 Academy Awards" special, airing from 3 to 5 p.m. PST (6:00 to 8:00 EST). She'll also put in work as a co-host of E!'s "Academy Awards Fashion Police," airing the following day.
WILL.I.AM JOINS CAST OF 'WOL.VER.INE': Black Eyed Pea to make his big screen debut in X-Men spinoff.
*Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am will make his big screen debut in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," the "X-Men" spinoff starring Hugh Jackman in the title role.
Set 17 years before the "X-Men" movies, "Wolverine," traces the origins of the mutant superhero. Will.i.am, whose real name is William Adams, has been cast as Wraith, a mutant with the power to turn himself translucent.
Gavin Hood ("Tsotsi") is directing the Fox project, which began production this month in New Zealand before moving to Australia. A New Orleans shoot is also on tap. The film is due in theaters May 1, 2009.
Also joining the cast is Danny Huston as Stryker, the military general who subjected Wolverine to the experiment that laced his bones with an unbreakable metal called adamantium. (Brian Cox played the character in "X2: X-Men United.")
Taylor Kitsch, a star on NBC's "Friday Night Lights," signs on in the role of Gambit, a Cajun thief whose powers include the manipulation of kinetic energy, which allows him to use card-throwing to deadly effect.
Lynn Collins will play Kayla Silverfox, Wolverine's lover and a member of Team X, a superpowered covert ops team.
Ryan Reynolds, currently starring in "Definitely, Maybe," will appear in a cameo role as Deadpool, a wisecracking mercenary. Liev Schreiber already has been cast as Victor Creed, a mutant with bestial superpowers who also is known as Sabretooth.
NBC SCOLDS STAFFER BEHIND OBAMA/OSAMA GAFFE: Video slip-up occurs during Monday's 'Hardball.'
*Heads didn't necessarily roll at MSNBC after video of terrorist Osama bin Laden mistakenly accompanied copy about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. However, the head responsible for the mistake was slapped on the wrist.
Without naming names, NBC News announced Tuesday that it has reprimanded the employee responsible for the mixup, which took place as Matthews was previewing a story on the controversy over Obama's use of another politician's words. A picture of bin Laden briefly flashed on the screen with the headline "Words About Words."
"This mistake was inexcusable," MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said.
The Obama campaign immediately called NBC to complain, prompting Matthews to issue an on-air apology minutes later. When "Hardball" was rerun later that night, a picture of Obama replaced the picture of the terrorist leader.
Someone in the network's graphics department was responsible for the mistake, but MSNBC will not release the person's name, nor would the network explain exactly how the mistake was made. The exact nature of the employee's "reprimand" was also kept under wraps.
Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor noted the apology and said the campaign had no other comment.
HANK AARON SAYS BASEBALL WILL BOUNCE BACK: The Hammer talks about America's favorite pastime moving beyond the steroids scandal.
*Baseball's former home run king "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron says he has no opinion on whether or not Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, but he firmly believes that the sport will eventually move past the current Steroids Era.
"I think baseball is trying to clean up its act," Aaron said, sitting in the Atlanta Braves' dugout during batting practice Tuesday. "It's unfortunate for baseball, but baseball has been through some tough times. It went through the White Sox scandal and survived. It went through a lot of things and survived. It's going to survive this, too."
Aaron, in the ATL for Braves executive meetings, said he tuned in to watch Clemens testify before Congress last week and deny using human growth hormone as alleged by his former trainer. Aaron says it was good that the testimony took place before the regular season gets underway.
"I'm glad it happened, and I'm glad it happened before spring training, before the season started," Aaron said. "We can get it over and done with. You'll see. When the season starts, we'll again be drawing fans. People will come out to watch these kids play."
The former Braves slugger declined to say whether he found Clemens' testimony believable, taking the same tact he consistently followed when similar charges were leveled against Barry Bonds, the guy who broke the Hammer's home run record last season.
"Only Roger can answer to that," Aaron said. "I can't answer to that. I can't say what happened."
VH1 SHIFTS FOCUS OF 'I LOVE NEW YORK': Season three to follow her shenanigans with fiancé as she tries to pursue film career.
*You knew it was coming. VH1 is bringing back Tiffany "New York"
Pollard, but not for the same ol' love search followed in the two previous seasons of her hit reality series, "I Love New York."
Because she is still engaged to season two winner George (Tailor
Made) Weisgerber, the new show will focus on the couple's relationship and her attempts to become an actress in Los Angeles, reports the New York Daily News.
Titled "New York Loves Hollywood," producers are "currently trying to cast established industry people in Hollywood to be on the show with her," a source tells the paper's Gatecrasher column.
50 CENT MUST PAY PHOTOGRAPHER IN ASSAULT CASE: Court rules against rapper in jewelry shop beatdown.
*A judge has ordered 50 Cent to pay an undisclosed sum to a man who says he was roughed up by the rapper's security team outside of a jewelry shop in New York.
Jim Alcorn, currently the New York Post's deputy photo assignment editor, was a photographer for the newspaper when he filed the lawsuit against Fitty in 2003.
Alcorn claimed he was trying to snap photos of the rap star, who'd just bought an $18,000 watch, when he was knocked down to the ground by 50's muscle crew. Alcorn was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his neck and jaw.
"A settlement was reached and all parties are satisfied," said Alcorn's lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein, according to the New York Post. A rep for 50 said, "It's a legal issue that's been settled."
BACK-UP SINGER FOR AMY WINEHOUSE SPEAKS: Zalon Thompson gives post-Grammy update on 'Rehab' star.
*Zalon Thompson, one of the three bald-headed brothers singing backup for Amy Winehouse during her performance on the Grammys, was interviewed about the troubled singer's state of mind since she won her five Grammys.
"She's full of energy, full of life," Thompson tells People magazine. "It's a good thing."
Thompson, whose arms Winehouse fell into after winning her fifth Grammy, says the British soul singer's struggle with substance abuse is sure to make her a stronger woman.
"I think sometimes it takes you to go through certain hard things to overcome and to go on to do better things," Thompson, 26, says of Winehouse, who is now out of rehab. "She looked really good at the Grammys. She just looked very rested. It was great."
Winehouse was scheduled to perform at last night's Brit Awards in London. The annual award night for the British music industry is often nicknamed "the British Grammys."
STILL MORE DATES ADDED TO MARY J./JAY-Z TOUR: Oakland and Chicago among cities joining the itinerary.
*Fans up and down the Eastern seaboard quickly swooped tickets to the Mary J. Blige & Jay-Z: Heart Of The City Tour, with sellouts in Baltimore, Long Island, NY, East Rutherford, NJ, Boston and Washington, D.C. within hours of going on sale.
On Wednesday, organizers announced the addition of Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Oakland and Chicago to the tour schedule, which now stretches from late March through the end of April.
Tickets for the new dates go on sale beginning tomorrow, (Feb 22) and are available through www.livenation.com. Citi cardmembers will also have access to purchase presale tickets through Citi's Private Pass Program, available to all Citi cardmembers at www.privatepass.citi.com.
The revised itinerary is listed below. Additional dates will be announced in the coming weeks. (*New dates announced Wednesday.)
DATE CITY VENUE
March 22 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
March 26 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
March 27 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial
Coliseum
March 28 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
March 30 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
April 2 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
April 3 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
April 5 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
April 6 Washington, DC Verizon Center
*April 8 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena
*April 9 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
*April 10 Houston, TX Toyota Center
*April 12 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
April 16 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
* April 20 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
*April 26 Chicago, IL United Center
J. HOLIDAY AND TREY SONGS TEAM FOR TOUR: Young crooners to travel through 21 cities across the U.S.
*Beltway buddies J. Holiday and Trey Songz will embark on a co-headlining tour that will hit 21 cities across the U.S. this spring.
The jaunt kicks off Feb. 23 in Chicago and includes stops in Philly, Miami, Atlanta and Los Angeles before ending on March 23 in San Francisco. (See itinerary below.)
Holiday, a Washington D.C. native, is promoting his gold Music Line/Capitol album "Back of My Lac," while the Virginia-based Songz will support his Song Book/Atlantic effort "Trey Day."
J. HOLIDAY ON TOUR WITH TREY SONGZ
Feb.25 Chicago, IL House of Blues
Feb.26 St. Louis, MO Pagent
Feb.28 Philadelphia, PA TLA
Feb.29 Baltimore, MD Rams Head
(two shows)Washington, DC H20
March 2 New York, NY Nokia Theatre
March 4 Philadelphia, PA TLA
March 6 Richmond, VA The National
March 7 Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum
March 8 Miami, FL Bank United Center
March 9 Orlando, FL House of Blues
March 12 Myrtle Beach, NC House of Blues
March 13 Atlanta, GA Dreamz
March 14 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
March 15 Memphis, TN Cannon Center
March 17 Dallas, TX House of Blues
March 19 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
March 20 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
March 21 Los Angeles, CA House Of Blues
March 22 San Diego, CA Viejas Casino
March 23 San Francisco, CA Mezzaine
TVT TO CONTINUE ON DESPITE CHAPTER 11: Home to Lil Jon and Ying Yang Twins plans complete reorganization.
*In the wake of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing Tuesday, TVT Records says it will continue to prepare for and schedule upcoming releases from artists on its roster, according to AllHipHop.com.
New albums from crunk king Lil Jon, the Ying Yang Twins and Yo Gotti are among the TVT projects due for release later this year. Teedra Moses, Keke Wyatt, Lumidee, and Pitbull are also signed to the label.
"I believe that we will emerge from this reorganization a stronger entity," said TVT founder and President Steve Gottlieb. "Our history of innovative marketing, creative branding and artist discovery are as much in demand today as ever before. The downturn in the music business has affected all of us, independents and majors alike. We all seek to adapt to a new business model."
In addition to filing for Chapter 11, TVT has also reduced its staff and closed its international offices to cut costs. The label also plans on selling its distribution platform and may possibly partner with digital content companies and other entertainment entities to continue operations.
EMINEM TO WRITE MEMOIR: Book to include photographs, artwork and journal entries.
*Eminem has reportedly inked a deal with Orion Publishing Group to write his memoir, to be titled "The Way I Am."
Due in stores Oct. 16, the book will feature never-before-seen photographs, hand-drawn art, sketches for lyrics and notes form journals, reports Allhiphop.com.
The Detroit-based rapper will write the introduction and provide a present-day narrative for the book, which presents a side of the artist that conflicts with public perception, according to Orion senior commissioning editor, Ian Preece.
"Because of where he is from, people think they know where he is at, what kind of person he really is," said Preece. "This book cuts through all that and gets to the source."
ANDRE 3000 LAUNCHES CLOTHING LINE: Preppy brand includes pink sweatshirts, fedora hats and waistcoats.
*Andre 3000 of OutKast is the latest artist to invade the fashion world with his own line of clothing.
The collection, named Benjamin Bixby, was designed and funded solely by Andre and features 70 items of prep style clothing, including fedora hats, assorted waistcoats and pink sweatshirts.
Describing his style as "rebel gentleman," the rapper told New York magazine: "There has to be something inventive about it. But not so inventive that it's a turnoff. So that some of the greats, like Beau Brummell or the Duke of Windsor, would nod and say, 'Well done'."
Born Andre Benjamin, the artist is currently on the big screen opposite Will Ferrell in the comedy "Semi-Pro."
ITTY BITTY BITS: Bobby's drug case; will.i.am's HopeActChange.com; Flav beat contest; BET in UK; Three 6 Mafia CD; Smirnoff taps hip hop.
*Bobby Brown was in a Brockton, Mass. court yesterday dealing with his arrest last year on drug charges. According to TMZ.com, it could be a few days before a decision is made on whether to charge the aspiring country singer with cocaine possession. Brown was arrested last year when police were called to a hotel for a report of a disturbance. Sources say troopers found drugs at the time and Brown asked the trooper if he would "use discretion" and not charge him.
*Inspired by the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, producer/rapper will.i.am has launched the Web site www.HopeActChange.com, an extension of his personal blog www.DIPDIVE.com created with Michael Jurkovac and Jesse Dylan, the filmmakers with whom will.i.am partnered with to produce the "Yes We Can Song" music video. On HopeActChange.com, users can view new clips by celebrities and others in support of a positive change, upload their own thoughts, insert themselves into the collective "Yes We Can Song" music video, and search for more information on all of the
2008 presidential election's current candidates.
*VH1 has launched an online music competition that seeks beats for a new single from Flavor Flav. Through "VH1's The Track with Flavor Flav," music producers can upload their original audio tracks for consideration. One producer will be given the chance to record and co-produce Flav's next single later this spring. To enter, submit original audio beats (no vocals) at www.FlavorOfLoveWorld.com through Thursday, March 13. Three finalists will be chosen by Flav. Fans will then vote online to determine the winner, which will be announced on April 1.
*BET is now in the United Kingdom, the network announced yesterday. Soon, British television viewers will get to watch "106 & Park," "American Gangster," "Hell Date," "BET Honors," "College Hill" and "Meet the Faith." BET will be offered free-to-air on the digital satellite platform beginning on Thursday (Feb. 28). Available via the Sky Guide, BET will be accessible to more than 8.8 million digital satellite homes. "We're thrilled to be able to bring high quality, black cultural content to communities around the world and deliver on our commitment to expand the BET brand internationally," said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks.
*Columbia has finally set a release date for Three 6 Mafia's next album, "Last 2 Walk." After numerous date changes, the project will be due in stores on June 24. The latest track from the project to make the rounds is "I'd Rather" featuring DJ Unk. An earlier single, "Doe Boy Fresh" featuring Chamillionaire, peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 last spring. "Last 2 Walk" was at one time expected to feature guest turns by Lyfe Jennings, Paul Wall, 8Ball & MJG, Akon, the Game, Lil' Jon and Lil Wayne but an updated track list has yet to be announced.
*Tracks from Common ("The Light"), A Tribe Called Quest ("Midnight") and Boogie Down Productions ("Criminal Minded") are being used in a new ad campaign for Smirnoff Vodka that pairs the acts with an A-list producer. Common teamed with Just Blaze, Q-Tip worked with Cool & Dre and KRS-One joined DJ Premier for the new versions, which are now available for free download via www.SmirnoffSignatureMixSeries.com.
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: A Matter of Honor
*My wife and I were privileged to be in attendance at “A Celebration of Freedom Gala” honoring recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military honor.
Established in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln, the MOH is awarded to service men who exhibit extraordinary gallantry, valor and selflessness under extraordinary circumstances.
My wife and I were honored to be at a table with one such hero, Kenneth Stumpf, who earned his medal in Vietnam on April 25th 1967.
While on a search and destroy mission in the Quang Ngai Province, Stumpf and his six man squad came under heavy machine gun fire. Three of Stumpf’s men were wounded and cut off from the rest of their squad in a thick patch of bamboo and undergrowth. While the other men laid down a covering fire, Specialist Stumpf stumbled forward to the undergrowth and putting the most severely wounded soldier on his back carried him to safety. Under heavy enemy fire and at risk of his own life, Stumpf returned two more times and rescued his wounded squad members.
His story doesn’t end there. After American artillery blew away the thick vegetation that had obscured their view, Stumpf and another GI charged forward to attack the enemy positions. They came under intense fire. The other GI fell, shot through the chest. Stumpf continued forward killing enemy soldiers as he went. He destroyed all three enemy bunkers. For his selflessness and heroism on that day, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson on September 19, 1968.
We were in awe of the heroes that surrounded us. We fought back tears all evening as we listened to the stories of bravery and self- sacrifice; stories of men, many who in spite of oppression and discrimination, fought valiantly and risked their lives for their fellow man in defense of a nation that heretofore offered them little more than a promise; stories of pride and tradition; of husbands and brothers that ventured forth and gave the last full measure. It was an evening of inspiration and celebration.
It was also quite a contrast to the sentiments recently expressed by the Berkley, California city council, which my wife and I discussed during our ride home. The City of Berkley passed a resolution urging Marine Corp recruiters to leave their city while at the same time encouraging residents to impede the work of the recruiters. (After the fit rightfully hit the shan the city council reversed itself and instead just sent a letter to the marines condemning the war in Iraq.) Too bad the members of that council were not present Saturday night. They would have understood that the cost of our freedom is borne by men like Kenneth Stumpf, that the peace we enjoy is secured by the very men and women they would make persona non grata.
I wonder what they would say to men like Stumpf who have seen the horror of war up close, have risked life and limb in the defense of their fellow soldiers AND in service to their countrymen, which includes the Berkley protestors – men that still believe in and love their country. What would they say?
I think if I were Stumpf or any one of the other 43 heroes in attendance last weekend, I would offer the Berkley city council the words of Coriolanus in William Shakespeare’s play of the same title: “…Let every feeble rumor shake your hearts! Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes fan you into despair! Have the courage then to banish your defenders, till at length your ignorance…deliver you as most abated captives to some nation that won you without blows!”
None of us loves war especially those that are called to fight in them. But thank God for warriors! Thank God for men and women whose heroism and valor rise to the extraordinary circumstances in which they find themselves – men like Kenneth Stumpf. They are the good guys, the true protectors of our liberty.
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
GLENN'S STRATEGIES FOR WELL-BEING: Honey and its Benefits
*Though it is technically not much different than table sugar, there seems to be healing properties hidden in Honey.
Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. Copper, iodine, and zinc also exist in it in small quantities. Several kinds of hormones are also present in it. Approximately one half of the human diet is derived directly or indirectly from crops pollinated by bees.
Doctors have been using honey in healing for centuries. There are three ingredients in honey that make it ideal as a healing compound. Many types of honey are found to be high in hydrogen peroxide, which you probably use at home to disinfect scrapes and cuts. In addition to this disinfecting power, the high sugar content in honey is great for absorbing moisture inside wounds. This makes it difficult for bacteria to survive. The ingredient is propolis, a substance found in the nectar of some honey, which can actually kill bacteria.
Amid growing concern over drug-resistant superbugs and nonhealing wounds that endanger diabetes patients, nature's original antibiotic - honey - is making a comeback. More than 4,000 years after Egyptians began applying honey to wounds, Derma Sciences Inc., a New Jersey company that makes medicated and other advanced wound care products, began selling the first honey-based dressing this fall after it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Called Medihoney, it is made from a highly absorbent seaweed-based material, saturated with manuka honey, a particularly potent type that experts say kills germs and speeds healing. Also called Leptospermum honey, manuka honey comes from hives of bees that collect nectar from manuka and jelly bushes in Australia and New Zealand.
Some U.S. hospitals and wound care clinics are already using Medihoney dressings to treat patients with stubborn, infected wounds from injuries or surgical incisions and nonhealing pressure ulcers on diabetics' feet, which too often lead to amputations.
Not only has it been found to stop infection outside your body, but certain types of honey have been found to stop infections inside your body as well. A study conducted at the Honey Research Unit discovered that a certain type of honey, indigenous to New Zealand, has been found to kill the bacteria that form ulcers in the stomach. Ulcer sufferers were given 4 tablespoons of honey a day and 100% of those involved in the experiment found relief from their ulcer symptoms. In many traditions and cultures, children suffering from diarrhea have been given a sugar solution to help rehydrate and replace essential minerals. Researchers in South Africa have discovered that honey can be more beneficial than sugar in these instances, because the bacteria-killing compounds in the honey can actually kill the bacteria found in the intestine that can be causing the diarrhea. On the opposite side of the problem, honey can also be used as a cure for constipation. The fructose in honey causes it to move to the large intestine undigested, which begins a fermentation process. This process allows fluid to be drawn into the bowel, which acts as a laxative.
If you have allergies, honey can be beneficial. If you eat honey that is local to your area, it may help prevent your seasonal allergies. Bees use the pollen from local plants and eventually it ends up in your honey.
Honey may also be good for your skin. It has the ability to attract water. It is also safe for sensitive skin. You can use it as a moisturizing mask for your skin as well as your hair. To use it as a conditioner, mix the honey with olive oil. Be sure to wash your hair thoroughly before you go outside.
Honey contains sugar. Thus when you eat too much sugar, you tend to increase weight not just because of the calories, but due to lack of vitamins and minerals. On the contrary, honey being a good source of nutrients, helps you in reducing weight.
When shopping for honey, however, there are two things you must be aware of. Always buy raw honey. Once honey has gone through the high heat processing procedure, it loses a great deal of its healing power.
Although it is sweet tasting, honey should never be given to infants less than a year of age because it may cause a rare type of food poisoning (infant botulism). Honey may contain the spores of a bacteria germ that can cause infant botulism. These spores can also be found in soil, water, and even household dust. Honey should never be added to food, water, or formula that you are going to give to an infant. Even the honey in some processed foods or just dipping a baby's pacifier in honey can cause this problem.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one.
Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible!
Glenn Ellis, author of Which Doctor?, is a health columnist and radio commentator who lectures, and is an active media contributor nationally and internationally on health related topics
For more good health information, visit: www.glennellis.com
MEDICAL NOTES WITH DR. RANI WHITFIELD - Volume 2, Issue 2: “The Hidden Killer - African American Women and Heart Disease”
*I need to speak to the women for a minute. I love and admire African American sisters to death, as I am the product of one of the strongest and most beautiful AA women in this world. Without my mother there would be no Hip Hop Doc. She is the living example of what I think women should mature to be and thank goodness she is healthy at the young age of 73. Black History Month is a perfect time to recognize and support the ladies as they continue to carry the torch and make positive strides in all facets of life. But sisters, there is a serious problem! To be quite honest, this is a state of emergency for all women. Something is lurking in the bellows waiting to steal you away from the husbands, children, employers, friends, and families that love, need and cherish you and its name…Heart Disease! Heart disease is not only the number one killer of all Americans no matter what race, creed, or nationality, but also the number one killer of women. AA women are disproportionately affected by heart disease, which is more prevalent among them in the US than other ethnic or racial groups. The face of heart disease has changed from men to that of men and women and something must be done to stop this dreaded disease.
Heart disease is the number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart. This article will focus on coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease (CAD), which are the most common type of heart disease and the number one cause of heart attacks. Individuals with CAD have hardened and narrow arteries, which are the pipes that supply blood to the muscles of the heart. In order for the heart to beat efficiently, it must receive nutrients and oxygen via blood. The average adult heart beats 100,000 times a day. If the blood vessels are blocked or narrowed, the heart must work harder to get blood to itself. Overtime, this increased strain on the heart can lead to a heart attack, where some of the muscles of the heart actually die, or heart failure, where the heart beats less efficiently and blood is not pumped to other areas of the body. Both a massive heart attack and heart failure can severely debilitate and/or kill a woman, however, the key is knowing what causes these disorders and how to prevent them.
Risk factors for heart disease that we cannot change include age, gender, race, family history, and previous history of heart attack or other forms of heart disease. As we get older, the risk of heart disease increases. This is not to say that younger people don’t have heart attacks, but the chance does increase with increasing age. Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women and they have heart attacks earlier in life. But as stated earlier, the face of heart disease is changing and CAD is the leading cause of death in American women. AA’s are disproportionately represented when it comes to heart disease and therefore must take active measures to protect themselves. One way to do this is by knowing their family history. If your first-degree relatives (mother, father, sister, or brother) have heart disease, this increases your chances of having the same problems. The discussion at the dinner table and family reunion when we are healthy and happy should include “the talk” about the state of the family’s health. AA’s as a result of mistrust in the medical community, being under-insured or un-insured, or lack of access to care are often diagnosed later in the stage of disease and hence have poorer outcomes. Finally, if you have had a heart attack in the past, your risk is significantly increased. Taking medications as prescribed, eating properly, exercising, and seeing your doctor on a regular basis can reduce your chance of having a second heart attack.
By stopping smoking, the single most preventable cause of death in the United States, controlling your cholesterol, taking your blood pressure and diabetes medications, exercising, and losing and maintaining a healthy weight, AA women can live happy, healthier, and long lives. The American Heart Association and the Go Red for Women campaign is raising our awareness about this disease and provides tools to protect us from heart disease. Log on to www.goredforwomen.org to learn more about heart disease, do your own heart disease risk assessment, get great recipes, and come with an action plan to protect you and your loved ones. Sisters, we love you. Don’t let heart disease take you away from us.
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Copyright, 2008 Hip Hop Healthy Coalition
KEV'S VIEW (cartoon commentary) BLACK HISTORY MONTH
*Ever since I was a teenager in high school, I have been somewhat confused about the concept of Black History Month.
Throughout my elementary, junior high and high school years, American history was presented with a conspicuous lack of color. Even when the calendar pages turned to February, and the photos of Martin went up in the school hallways, it always seemed a gratuitous attempt of acknowledgement that did very little to mitigate the other eleven months of African American absence.
The vital statistics of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are almost meaningless unless you show the younger generations that his ability to lead and inspire social and political change could not have happened without the benefit of his education and intellect.
Richard McCulloch
VERONICA'S VIEW: Birds of a Feather Don’t’ Have to Get Fat Together
Veronica Hendrix
*For the first time in my life, I am waging my own battle with the bulge.
But I’ve got to tell you, these days it feels more like a full on war. I am fighting valiantly, refusing to be a causality of the obese brigade. In fact I’m fighting by working out, by spinning four days week at the gym and doing strength training with a few of the guys at there who love helping damsels in distress. It’s tough. And I can honestly say it is a struggle to motivate myself to roll out of my comfy bed to get to the gym at 5:30 a.m. each morning.
My age, heredity, and love of lavish dinning, are all working against me, at least that’s what all the research says. That’s why I have to fight so valiantly against the love handles that don’t love me back. Just when I thought I had uncovered every possible cause of the “middle aged spread mystery” from metabolism to menopause, a wrench was thrown in my soup by the Harvard School of Medicine.
Their latest report, released in the England Journal of Medicine, says that “obesity is contagious - not like a virus is contagious, but in a social sense.”
The report says that your network of friends can literally make you fat. That’s right; birds of a feather can get fat together.
Over 12,000 people took part in this study. It found that if your friends became obese, your chances of becoming obese increase a whopping – not Whopper – 57%. And if your siblings are obese you are 40% more likely to be obese. But if your spouse is obese, your risk of becoming obese drops to 37% – now that’s really interesting.
So what does this mean?
While our diet, sedentary lifestyle, age, and genetics contribute to the epidemic of obesity we see all around us, we need to recognize that obesity can and does spread through our social networks, from person to person, pound by pound. Essentially, we are heavily influenced – no pun intended – by our network of friends in ways that can subtly influence us to change our attitude about “what constitutes an acceptable body size,” according to the study.
One of the researchers of the study said we are more likely to think that it’s OK to be heavier when we look around and see that our friends and family members have put on excess pounds, especially when our weight gain isn’t commensurate with theirs.
It’s a fascinating study, one that was the topic of a lighthearted discussion among my buddies at the gym. One of my workout colleagues said, “I heard about that study, and I’ve found that sometimes you have to get new friends when you are on a mission to drop the excess pounds.”
That’s pretty drastic, but he’s dropped some major pounds and is looking fit.
I recently tried an experiment while dining with my network of friends, all of whom love fine dining and fine wine as I do.
When I ordered my cocktail, I ordered a single, red wine spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of lime. They all raised an eyebrow because they know how much I enjoy a generously poured glass (or two) of wine with hints of currant, plum, and mocha. One of my friends thought it sounded refreshing and ordered one too.
Next, when I ordered my entrée, I asked the waiter to package half of my meal in a take home container and plate the other half. Of course this elicited the anticipated question, “why?” I told them that the portion size was enough for two servings and I wanted to have one for later. Surprisingly, a few of my friends followed my lead.
So what does this mean?
It means that the inverse is true. We can influence our social network in positive ways and that influence can be just as contagious too. In other words, birds of a feather don’t have to get fat together. Now that’s one for the researchers to study. (If you have comments about Veronica’s View, email them to vsview@yahoo.com.)
Veronica Hendrix is a syndicated journalist and columnist whose work has covered the span of the human continuum - from clinical trials of male contraceptives, to the gang violence. She is the producer of the highly acclaimed half hour talk show called "LA Woman," which airs on L.A. City View Channel 35, and is a Los Angeles Emmy nominated producer. Veronica's career as a journalist has included being a reporter for USA Today and a producer for a radio talk show in Los Angeles, which focused on issues impacting the African American Family. Veronica is a proud native of Southern California where she lives with her two sons.
JASMYNE CANNICK: New Film on the Downlow Finds Audience at Urban Film Festival.
*As the 16th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) comes to its conclusion, I thought I'd take a few moments to offer further commentary on Hollywood's Black Gay Conundrum.
This year, like in years past, PAFF offered a diverse selection of quality films from and about the African Diaspora to enthusiastic audiences at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theaters in Los Angeles, otherwise known as the Black theater. From documentaries to narratives, there was no shortage of independent Black cinema to go around.
One of this year's most popular films was Bill Duke's "Cover," a film about the downlow---surprise surprise. "Cover" was so popular that one encore wouldn't accommodate the hundreds of people that showed up to see it, so a third screening was added.
Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Razaaq Adoti, Vivica A. Fox, Richard Gant, Mya, Louis Gossett, Jr., Leon, Paula Jai Parker, Roger Guenveur Smith, Patti LaBelle and Obba Babatunde, "Cover" tells the story of Ryan Chambers (Leon) who is murdered on New Year's Eve, the prime suspect is Valerie Maas (Aunjanue Ellis), a church-going homemaker whose life unravels when she discovers that her husband (Razaaq Adoti) of 15 years has been leading a double life.
Her strength of character and faith keeps the family alive as a deadly disease threatens to destroy all that they have known.
"Cover" screened three times in the heart of what is left of Black Los Angeles, in front of hundreds. In fact, the festival could have sold out another screening had they added one.
And yes, this is the same AMC Magic Johnson Theater that I argued "Dirty Laundry" should have opened up in last year instead of West Hollywood simply because of its gay content.
"Dirty Laundry" starred Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J. Vaughn, Joey Costello, with a cameo appearance from Dr. Bobby Jones and followed the life of an African-American gay magazine writer with a near perfect life after turning his back on his southern roots by escaping to New York City--until an 11-year-old boy changes everything for him and his partner.
Like with "Dirty Laundry," "Cover" shares a stellar cast, a stellar Black cast.
"Cover" is set to open in limited theatrical release this week on February 22. Limited as in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Newark, and Baltimore. Limited as in this Black movie will have the benefit of opening up in traditional Black neighborhoods, a luxury that "Dirty Laundry" was never afforded which might have---no make that directly resulted in its being pulled from theaters about a week into its very limited engagement.
Film festivals, in particular Black film festivals, give prospective distributors as well as the filmmakers a direct link to their audience. If it does well at a festival, it's likely to do well in a limited or national release. Many films, including those that went on to win Academy Awards, got their start at film festivals, and the buzz went from there. That's why film festivals continue to play a critical role for independent cinema.
One stark difference between "Cover" and "Dirty Laundry" is the way in which its gay albeit downlow or bisexual characters are portrayed.
"Dirty Laundry" is a film that features a Black openly gay character that's not on drugs, a prostitute, on the downlow, a hair dresser, choir director, or sashaying all over the screen. You know, those stereotypical representations of the gay community that seem to envelope most roles that call for Black gay characters. Which is not to say that I'm hating on those types of brothas, but just like all lesbians aren't Cleo (Queen Latifah in "Set It Off"), all gay men aren't fabulous finger snapping hair dressers. Add to that, "Dirty Laundry" is rated PG-13. There's no sex or violence in the film.
"Cover" on the other hand deals directly with Black America's infatuation with all things on the downlow. Since J.L. King and Oprah opened up the subject nationally for mainstream America, there has been a never-ending stream of books and films on the downlow. Why? Because it's a popular, yet taboo subject for Blacks.
However, "Cover" tells the typical and, for me, tired story of the brotha who did the sista wrong. We've been there and seen that before. It doesn't necessarily portray gay men, bisexual men, or men on the downlow in the most positive light, not that you need too to discuss the downlow. But the plot that always includes the sista done wrong is a bit overplayed and does nothing to address the reason why the downlow exists in the first place. Instead, it continues to point the finger of blame while using an all-star cast to keep its audience enthralled.
Like filmmaker Tyler Perry, the filmmakers behind "Cover" have already begun signing up HIV/AIDS organizations and Black churches nationwide to go out and support the film on its opening weekend. Because this film speaks more to the good Christian sista done wrong, it's finding strong support amongst the Black Christian community. However, I am not sure how much "Cover" is really going to do to continue the conversation on why the downlow exists in the first place. I am more concerned with further ostracizing Black gay and bisexual men. In fact, one might argue that this film given its gaining popularity might set back the advancements that Black gay groups have been making within Black America on this very subject. However, only time will tell on that one.
What I do know for sure is that Black films thrive when they are made available to Black audiences, which means screening in urban theaters. It doesn't hurt if that subject matter happens to be about the downlow and is cloaked in a script that allows good Black Christian folks to flock to their local theater without fear of being labeled as gay.
I guess the proof will be in the numbers for "Cover." After looking at the film's major success in Los Angeles during the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, this despite a less than complimentary review in Los Angeles' mainstream alternative newspaper the L.A. Weekly. With strong grassroots support from the Black church community, HIV/AIDS groups, and good old word of mouth, the filmmakers might just see decent enough numbers to keep them in theaters for more than a week. The flipside? If that happens, you can bet that the subject of how to spot a man on the downlow, or my favorite, ten things to look for in your man to tell if he's gay will find new life in Black America via nail salons, beauty shops, pulpits, and on urban radio stations nationwide. Been there done that. What we need to be discussing is how our phobias created the downlow and continues to force people into living lies as opposed to pointing the finger of blame which does nothing in the long run to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in our communities or to bring us closer together as a people.
At 30, Jasmyne A. Cannick is a critic and commentator based in Los Angeles who writes about the worlds of pop culture, race, class, sexuality, and politics as it relates to the African-American community. She can be reached at jasmynecannick.com or myspace.com/jasmynecannick.
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: NAACP Image Awards; Paste magazine; Une' debut.
By Eunice Moseley
39th NAACP Image Awards bring Hollywood’s who’s who together
*My coverage of the 39th NAACP Image Awards started a couple days before the awards show at a luncheon hosted by Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell-Martin to announce the nominees and sponsors. So many celebrities of color were on hand to support the NAACP, as well as the nominations.
The show, hosted by comedian/actor DL Hughley, was aired live on Fox, Valentine’s day, Thursday February 14th, with a melting pot of celebrities in the audience and walking the red carpet. This year the NAACP Image Awards theme was, “stand up and be counted,” and they did just that, they “counted” by honoring those nominated and those who won.
Stevie Wonder was honored with the Hall of Fame Award, Ruby Dee with the Chairman’s Award, and Aretha Franklin the Vanguard Award. Nominees who came out to shine at both events were Tia Mowry (The Game), Corbin Bleu (Walt Disney Records); Michael Jordan (The Wire); Anthony Anderson (K-Ville); Wendy Davis (Army Wives); Hill Harper (CSI:NY); James Pickens, Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy); Golden Brooks (Girlfriends); Eva Pigford (American Idol) who was with her boyfriend Lance Gross (Tyler Perry’s House of Payne); Loretta Devine (This Christmas); director Kevin Hooks (Lincoln Heights), and writer/director Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry/Codeblack).
“I auditioned and came back for a screen test,” Christel Khalil of “Young and the Restless” said about the process that lead to her appearing on the legendary daytime series. “I've been there for six years…since I was 14… Kristoff St. John, who plays my father, was great to work with. I love being on the show.”
Lance Gross who won “Most Out-Standing Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” said just the nomination was an exciting and unique experience for him. When asked about “his road” to appearing on the Tyler Perry television show, Gross said, “I went to acting class in Los Angeles and Tyler Perry came into my class one day and said he liked my work. We should keep in touch…”
Other winners that were on-hand for the awards show included Denzel Whittaker (The Great Debaters) for “Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture;” Janet Jackson (Why Did I Get Married) for “Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture;” Herbie Hancock for “Outstanding Jazz Artist;” Kirk Franklin, who performed, for “Outstanding Gospel Artist;” Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) for “Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series;” Kyle Massey (Cory in the House) for “Performance in a Youth/Children Program;” Ali LeRoi for “Outstanding Writing on a Comedy Series;” Victoria Rowell for “Outstanding Debut Author,” and America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) for “Actress in a Comedy Series.”
I found out that many are now off doing new projects. Victoria Rowell said she is working on a new book, “Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva;” Corbin Bleu is about to start taping for High School Musical 3; writer/director Ali LeRoi, said now that the strike is over, he hopes to get started on another season of “Everybody Hates Chris;” Michael Jordan (The Wire) is finishing up a series titled, “Assistant,” on the N Network, it’s a comedy series, and Loretta Devine is gearing up to promote, “Dirty Laundry,” a DVD release on Codeblack Entertainment.
For the complete 39th Annual NAACP Image Award winning list log onto www.naacpimageawards.net.
New national music magazine, Paste, says reading should be fun
“The signs of life in music, film and culture is our slogan,” Editor-in-Chief Josh Jackson said about Paste Magazine. “You’ll find things we can celebrate. You won’t find half naked women on our covers.”
Paste, which has a national distribution of 180,000 – compared to 10,000 six years ago, was started by three guys, Jackson, president Tim Regan-Porter and publisher Nick Purdy.
“The CD Sampler (offered in each issue) was the president’s idea,” Josh recalls. “At first we were like, ‘well yea, maybe once a year,’ but he said, ‘no each issue.”
The Paste Magazine offers a CD full of music they feel should be listened to by the reader. You can find their sample in retail stores, where visitors can listen to it right there in the store.
In the March issue, Paste, has a cover story on Michael Jackson. It’s a mental journal through the life and creative legendary moves and projects of the superstar. It’s layer over layer of many creative, informative and funny opinionated pieces that basically honor the “King of Pop.”
“Michael Jackson has incredible music,” Josh stated as their motivation for the project. “I couldn’t wait to see what the illustrator would come up with for the readers.”
In the six years Paste Magazine has been out there getting the news to its readers of a wide range of genres of music, Josh admits that there has been roller coaster rides of ups and downs in the business, but the past year, “there has been a jump in advertising.”
I think the jump is because Paste Magazine caters to many and not only that, they don’t limit themselves to just print. With the never heard of CD samplers, community events and interactive web site, Paste, will be in the national music magazine game for a long time.
Detroit native moves to Hollywood and gets the record deal of a lifetime
Une’ (Burrell Bailey), R&B/Soul singer/songwriter from Detroit, listened to his heart and moved to Hollywood. The result is a recently released debut self-titled album on UNET Music/Native/Fontana/Universal Records.
UNET Music Entertainment is co-owned by Ernest Thomas (What’s Happening Now/Everybody Hates Chris).
“My cousin Ernest had a group originally name Une’...they broke up,” Une’ informs me. “We we
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