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SEAN LEVERT'S DEATH DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES: Coroner cites sarcoidosis, but family says passing could have been prevented.
*An Ohio coroner ruled Thursday that R&B singer Sean Levert died of natural causes, however, his family believes his death possibly could have been prevented had he been allowed to seek medical attention during the week he was in jail.
Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller's report indicates no foul play or trauma was involved in Levert's death, reports the Associated Press.
Miller said the artist died from complications of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs.
According to Miller, Levert suffered from a number of other aliments, including heart disease, high blood sugar and withdrawal from alprazolam, a drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks that is better known under the trade name Xanax.
Attorneys for Levert's widow say sheriff's department records they reviewed show he wasn't given his alprazolam while in jail or seen by a doctor, which might have prevented his death.
Lawyers Daryl Dennie and David Malik, who represent Levert's widow, Angela Lowe, said they reviewed documents in the coroner's office showing that Levert brought a bottle of Xanax with him to the jail.
"They inventoried it and they never gave it to him," Malik said. "He requested it during the time he was in jail."
Levert was serving a 22-month sentence at the Cuyahoga County Jail for failure to pay child support when he collapsed on March 30 while being held in restraints. He was taken to the hospital, where he died at age 39 at
11:57 p.m.
Following Levert's death, jail warden Kevin McDonough said the singer had been ill and was being monitored by guards because of his bizarre behavior. When he started pounding on his cell door, guards strapped him in a restraint chair, McDonough said. Levert's breathing became shallow and he was taken to the hospital.
"He was exhibiting classic signs of Xanax withdrawal," Dennie said, according to the AP. "A doctor would have been able to recognize these problems. Had he been able to see one in that week's time things could have been different."
Malik said the family may ask the FBI to investigate their concerns.
FBI spokesman Scott Wilson said in April that agents were willing to meet with Levert's family. Wilson said Thursday that the FBI was never contacted by the family.
EDDIE MURPHY SET FOR 'BEVERLY HILLS COP 4': Paramount aims to start production in 2009, possibly under director Brett Ratner.
*Eddie Murphy will return to the role of Detroit detective Axel Foley in Paramount's upcoming fourth installment of the "Beverly Hills Cop"
franchise.
According to Variety, Brett Ratner is currently negotiating to direct the sequel, while Murphy is confirmed for the project, which Paramount will begin shooting in 2009 for a summer 2010 release.
The fourth "Cop" film was Murphy's idea, according to Variety. He came to Paramount with plans about reviving the franchise that cemented his status as a box office powerhouse.
Released in 1984, the original "Beverly Hills Cop" grossed $316 million worldwide and spawned two sequels. Altogether, the three pictures grossed $712.9 million worldwide. The last was released in 1994.
Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original "Beverly Hills Cop"
trilogy with late partner Don Simpson, won't be actively involved in the new film.
FORENSIC EXPERT IN KELLY TRIAL SAYS SEX TAPE IS REAL: Plus, defense says it needs more time to question surprise witness.
*An FBI forensic expert testified Thursday that the male and female in a sex tape at the heart of the R. Kelly child pornography trial weren't computer-generated or altered, reports the Associated Press.
George Skaluba spent more than an hour on the stand telling jurors that the video appears to depict "real people in a real environment."
The defense maintains the R&B singer is not the man in the video and has repeatedly suggested that his likeness could have been computer-generated onto the 27-minute tape. The alleged victim, now 23, also has denied she is on the graphic video.
Kelly, 41, is charged with child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a girl who prosecutors say was as young as 13. He has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Under cross-examination, Skaluba conceded he wasn't in a position to say if the male on the tape was actually Kelly or a look-alike. Kelly's attorneys have also noted that the singer has a mole on his back and they claim the man on the tape does not.
The tape obtained by prosecutors is not the original, but a copy several times removed from the original, Skaluba said.
Earlier on Thursday, prosecutors said they needed more time to interview a potential defense witness before he can testify. The man told Kelly's attorneys he had information that could impeach the testimony of a prosecution witness.
NAOMI CAMPBELL FACES FIVE CHARGES: Supermodel back in the system thanks to Heathrow incident.
*Naomi Campbell's anger problem has caused her to catch another case. The supermodel was charged Thursday with assaulting two police officers during her so-called "luggage rage" incident at London's Heathrow Airport.
The 38-year-old faces five charges — three counts of assaulting a constable, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of using threatening, abusive words or behavior to the crew of the airplane.
She was ordered to appear at a west London magistrates' court on June 20. The assault charges carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. The other charges are punishable by a fine.
In April, the runway diva threw a fit at Heathrow's Terminal 5 when one of her bags didn't make it onto her British Airways plane headed to Los Angeles. Witnesses said Campbell spat on a police office before she was forcibly removed from the plane by authorities.
She was held for eight hours at the airport police station before being released on bail.
50 CENT, DIDDY HEAD NEW MTV PROGRAMS: Curtis searches for next "street smart mogul"; Sean Combs introduces 'Making the Rock Band.'
*Sean "Diddy" Combs ventures into new territory with his "Making the Band" series and 50 Cent is looking for the next tycoon in new programming announced Thursday from MTV.
The untitled 50 Cent series will center on 16 contestants as they live together and compete in challenges that relate to street savvy and business smarts, reports Variety. Described as sort of a hip-hop "Apprentice," the eight-episode series will end each week with 50 Cent narrowing his search.
The program is a creation of Ish Entertainment, the same company behind T.I.'s previously announced MTV reality series that follows his court-ordered community service.
Diddy, meanwhile, is a go for "Making the Rock Band," a new take on his "Making the Band" series that will follow Combs as he attempts to assemble a rock band.
Other shows greenlighted include "Buzzin'," which follows Shwayze - nicknamed "the only black kid in Malibu" - as he partners with musician Cisco Adler as they attempt to make it big in the biz. (MTV calls it a real-life version of HBO's "Entourage."); "16 and Pregnant," which takes a sobering look at young girls who are expecting; Cris Abrego's "From G's to Gents" (July 15), "My Super Sweet 16" spinoff "Exiled" (August), "Paris
Hilton's: My New BFF" (September); and Justin Timberlake's "The Phone."
Additional upcoming premieres include "Legally Blonde" (June 2), season two of Randy Jackson's "America's Best Dance Crew" (June 19), season five of "Run's House" (July 16) and new seasons of "Making the Band" and "The Hills" (August).
JUDGE YELLS AT JA RULE FOR SKIPPING COURT: Rapper got a scolding Wednesday by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice.
*A Manhattan judge gave Ja Rule a stern talkin' to Wednesday after he missed a court date in April because he was on tour.
The rapper, born Jeff Atkins, was due in court on gun possession charges stemming from a traffic stop last summer. But, he failed to appear because he was busy performing at a concert in Germany. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Micki Scherer didn't care.
"There was no excuse in my view for your absence [last month]," she told the entertainer, according to the New York Daily News.
Scherer said Ja Rule must give the court five days' notice of any business trips that will take him out of the metropolitan area. Ja Rule's lawyer Stacey Richman said the German tour dates were booked by mistake.
Ja Rule, his road manager, Dennis Cherry, and his driver, Mohamed Gamal, were charged with gun possession after police stopped their car on the upper West Side and searched it because, they said, they smelled marijuana. No one was charged with possession of drugs.
ALL SIGNS POINT TO NO. 1 FOR USHER ALBUM: 'Here I Stand' on track to top Billboard 200 next week.
*First-day sales for Usher's new album "Here I Stand" indicate that the LaFace/Zomba release will secure the top spot next week on The Billboard 200.
The set was No. 1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Building chart, released Wednesday, and sales from the chart's panel of nine accounts through close of business Tuesday – the album's release date – came in at 146,000, according to Billboard.
Usher's last album, 2004's "Confessions," debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 1.1 million sold in its first week and spent nine weeks in the penthouse. With 9.54 million sold in the U.S., Usher's "Confessions" is the 21st best-selling album of the Nielsen SoundScan era, which began in 1991.
• Billboard's panel of nine merchants who report to Nielsen SoundScan's Building Chart are: Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Circuit City, iTunes, Starbucks, Borders, Target, Anderson Merchandisers, and Handleman Co. They comprise about 80% of all U.S. album sales.
VIVICA, DIDDY, LUKE SPEND SUMMER WITH VH1: Network taps talent for new programming to debut in the coming weeks.
*Vivica A. Fox, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Luther "Luke" Campbell are among the celebs featured in new programming set to premiere this summer on VH1.
The music channel has chosen Aug 21 to unveil "Glam God with Vivica A. Fox," which searches for the next great celebrity stylist. As previously reported, contestants will be judged on their ability to create a chic masterpiece using the three key elements of fashion -- hair, make-up and wardrobe.
"I Want to Work For Diddy," premiering Aug. 4 at 9 p.m., will track 13 finalists as they compete to become the hip hop mogul's assistant. Each of the applicants will be challenged emotionally, physically and mentally to earn the coveted position.
"Luke's Parental Advisory," premiering Aug. 4 at 10:30 p.m., follows the day-to-day adventures of Luke Campbell as he navigates fatherhood with two teenage children, while running his adult business Luke Entertainment Group and planning a wedding with his straight-laced lawyer fiancee Kristin.
Other programs set to bow this summer are "I Love Money," featuring 17 popular contestants from VH1 shows "Rock of Love," "I Love New York" and "Flavor of Love" competing against each other for a chance to win $250,000. Hosted by Craig J. Jackson, the 12-episode series premieres on Sunday, July 6 at 9 p.m.
"New York Goes to Hollywood," premiering Aug. 4 at 10 p.m., will follow Tiffany "New York" Pollard as she moves to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
"The Cho Show," premiering Aug. 21, will follow comedian Margaret Cho and her eccentric entourage as she fights to be herself in an industry that in the past wanted her to be something other than herself. The series will touch upon all aspects of Margaret's "anything goes" lifestyle, from the strained and awkward moments provided by her somewhat traditional Korean parents, to the more irreverent and outrageous moments shared with her colorful cast of friends and colleagues.
VH1 Soul celebrates Black music during the month of June with new programming and specials, including "Classic Concert: James Brown," the documentary, "Listen UP! Quincy Jones," classic concert "Marvin Gaye: The Real Thing in Performance," "Prince Weekend," "Pop-up Vide Ladies of Soul," "Soul School Weekend," "SoulStage: The Roots," "Soul Story: Usher," and the archival documentary of the concert referred to as the African American answer to Woodstock, "Wattstax."
VH1 Soul will kick off the summer with its third annual Summer Of Soul campaign, a celebration of soul music between July 11 - September 1. VH1 Soul will journey to New Orleans, in collaboration with The Essence Music Festival to produce new and compelling summer programming.
RAY J KICKED OUT OF D.C. HOTEL?: TMZ says Brandy's brother was caught with weed in his room.
*Ray J was reportedly kicked out of a Washington D.C. hotel because a search of his room turned up drugs.
According to TMZ.com, Ray J had returned to his room at the Hyatt Regency after a night of partying when someone called management to complain about his behavior. Security went to the room and allegedly found marijuana and a drug called "boat." (Boat, or Love Boat, is a nickname for marijuana laced with PCP.)
"Our sources say the singer tried to bribe hotel security so he could stay but they didn't bite," TMZ reported.
Ray J reportedly got heated, prompting the police to be called and the singer's own security to eventually come to the room and escort him out. He was said to have checked into a Holiday Inn down the street for the night.
Ray J's rep tells TMZ: "The altercation did not directly affect Ray J -- it was people in his entourage. But he did the gentlemanly thing and left the hotel anyway."
ASCAP TO HONOR NEW EDITION: All six members – including Bobby – are scheduled to attend ceremony next month.
*The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor New Edition at its 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 23 in Los Angeles, CA.
The six members of New Edition will be presented with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, which is given to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. The invitation-only gala will also honor ASCAP's top songwriters and publishers of 2007.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary as a group, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe and Johnny Gill established much of the groundwork for the style of music known as new jack swing. In the early 1980s, New Edition sold more units in the United States than any other teen singing group and their success led to the creation of late-80s and 90s boy bands, such as New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync.
They have released seven studio albums -- "Candy Girl," "New Edition," "All For Love," "Under the Blue Moon," "Heart Break," "Home Again" and "One Love" -- that spawned several hits, including "Candy Girl," "Popcorn Love," "Cool It Now," "Mr. Telephone Man," "Count Me Out," "A Little Bit of Love (Is All It Takes)," "Earth Angel," "Can You Stand the Rain," "If It Isn't Love," "You're Not My Kind of Girl," "Crucial" and "Hit Me Off." Individually, they have enjoyed successful solo careers and side group projects.
Commenting on the Golden Note Award honorees, ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman said: "Over the last 25 years, New Edition has experienced success on multiple levels to become true legends. The group has firmly left their mark on today's music, and ASCAP is very proud to honor them."
The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriter/performers.
COSBY'S TV SWEATERS IN CHARITY AUCTION: Proceeds to benefit Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation.
*Three of the sweaters worn regularly by Bill Cosby's character, Dr.
Heathcliff Huxtable on NBC's "The Cosby Show," are headed to the auction block for a charity set up in memory of the actor's late son, organizers said on Thursday.
According to Reuters, the sweaters will be auctioned via eBay's Giving Works charity listing arm from June 2-12. Opening bids will start at $5,000 per item on www.eBay.com/cosby.
Proceeds will benefit the education charity Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation, which was established in 1997 by the Cosby family to continue the legacy of Cosby's son Ennis after his murder in Los Angeles.
"My mother and father were going through a storage closet, and I happened to be there and pounced on these sweaters," explained daughter Evin Cosby, who is a board member of Hello Friend. "I told them that the price of what some of these sweaters might sell for could make a big difference in the lives of thousands of children."
SANAA LATHAN NARARTES SKIN COLOR DOCUMENTARY: Film is part of promo campaign for Vaseline's Cocoa Butter.
*"Vaseline Skin Stories," a documentary narrated by actress Sanaa Lathan and featuring regular folks answering the question "what does your skin mean to you?" is scheduled to premiere at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 4.
The 20-minute short – set against local, social and cultural backdrops – features personal narratives from across the world, including the United States, South America, the United Kingdom and Africa. The stories touch on the similarities and differences between people's skin as it relates to their lives.
Vaseline Cocoa Butter is giving people a chance to attend the global premiere by asking them to visit http://www.skinvoice.com to enter our sweepstakes and add to the Vaseline tapestry of skin stories by sharing how they honor their skin.
Winners will also be able to attend the Essence Music Festival, which features performances by some of the best names in music including Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole and Jill Scott.
The deadline to enter is June 4. No purchase necessary. Must be a legal U.S. resident age 18 or older. See http://www.skinvoice.com for rules.
ESSENCE EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR SCHEDULE: Tyler Perry, Bill Cosby, Juanita Bynum among lineup during Essence Fest series.
*New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Tyler Perry, Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr.
Alvin Poussaint were among the participants announced Wednesday for the 2008 Essence Empowerment Seminar Series, to be held during the 2008 Essence Music Festival July 4, 5 and 6 in New Orleans.
Soledad O’Brien, Dr. Juanita Bynum and Regina Belle are also tapped to appear.
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be the official daytime destination for critical socio-political dialogue, inspiration and motivation at the free and open-to-the-public seminar series.
Below is the full schedule:
Friday, July 4: Theme: Tyler Perry & Friends
Host: Jonathan Slocumb
• Opening Remarks: by Angela Burt-Murray, Essence editor-in-chief • Essence Music Festival Welcome: Michelle Ebanks, Essence president • City Of New Orleans Welcome: New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin • Celebrate with the Multi-talented Tyler Perry and Friends • New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin Presents Key to the City to Tyler Perry • Conversation with Tyler Perry (moderated by Extra's Tanika Ray) • Relationships: Authors Michelle McKinney Hammond and Big Boom • World Premiere of “The Family That Preys” Trailer • Honoring Local Heroes • House Of Payne Episode Premiere • House Of Payne Walk-On Role Contest • Leading Ladies Talk About The Representation of Black Women In The Media: Featuring actresses Keisha Knight Pulliam, Lynn Whitfield, Cassie Davis and Tasha Smith (moderated by EXTRA’s Tanika Ray) • Conversation with “House Of Payne” stars
Saturday, July 5: Theme: Reclaiming The Dream
Host: Roland Martin
• Opening Remarks: Essence magazine and CNN contributor Roland Martin • Louisiana State Welcome: Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu • Education: Addressing Failing Schools and the Achievement Gap Keynote
Address: Dr. Bill Cosby & Dr. Alvin Poussaint • Taking Back Our Community and Classrooms Keynote Address: Tom Joyner • Finding Solutions: Congresswoman Maxine Waters and others (moderated by CNN Correspondent Soledad O’Brien) • AIDS: The War on Women: Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph presenting “Sometimes I Cry” • State Of The Black Family Finding Solutions: Ed Gordon, Rose Rock and others • Keynote Address: Bishop T.D. Jakes, “The Power of Us”
• Election 2008: My Message To Black America
Sunday, July 6: Theme: An Afternoon of Praise, Worship and Inspiration
Host: Mikki Taylor, ESSENCE Beauty and Cover Director • Welcoming Remarks from Mikki Taylor • Words Of Inspiration: Co-Pastors Debra Morton and Bishop Paul S. Morton • The Testimony You Have Been Waiting To Hear: Dr. Juanita Bynum • Performances by: Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir and Karar Liturgical Dancers, Regina Belle, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing
FLO BALLARD'S SIS WANTS TO EXHUME SINGER'S BODY?: Tabloid says Maxine hopes to prove Supremes star was murdered.
*The Globe tabloid has a story claiming the sister of late Supremes star Florence Ballard wants to dig up the singer's body to prove she was in fact murdered, and not the victim of a coronary artery thrombosis as an autopsy concluded.
Maxine has never accepted that official cause of death, which happened more than 30 years ago, according to the Globe. Ballard's 65-year-old sibling believes she was murdered because she knew too much about some of the music industry's biggest players and was plotting an expose' about Motown when she died.
She tells the Globe: "[Florence] didn't have a history of heart disease. There was this brown cereal-type substance (in her system) that was never identified. I believe she was killed because someone wanted to silence her... Florence had big plans for the future. I believe she was killed."
The Globe points to an old interview the late soul star gave to the Detroit Free Press just before her death, when she admitted she feared for her life after suing Motown founder Berry Gordy for what she claimed was missing millions in royalty money.
She revealed, "I began to get scared. I don't know why, I just had a fear."
LIL WAYNE SURVIVES 'IDOL' ONSLAUGHT: But rapper gets sued for sampling without permission.
*Despite the release of 14 "American Idol" singles this week, Lil Wayne still managed to hold onto Billboard Hot 100's No. 1 spot for a third week with his single "Lollipop."
"Idol" winner David Cook unleashed 11 tracks from the show, while runner up David Archuleta released three. Cook has the top debut this week at No. 3 with "The Time of My Life," which sold 236,000 downloads.
Leona Lewis remains No. 2 with "Bleeding Love," while Rihanna's "Take a Bow" slides 3-4 and Jordin Sparks' "No Air" featuring Chris Brown holds at No. 5. Usher's "Love in This Club" featuring Young Jeezy drops 4-6, Ray J & Yung Berg's "Sexy Can I" falls 6-7, Madonna's "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake is down 7-8, Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketful of Sunshine" slips 8-9 and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" explodes 41-10 and is the top digital gainer after selling 139,000 downloads.
Lil Wayne may be enjoying his "Lollipop" atop Billboard, but things aren't as sweet for him on the legal front. TMZ is reporting that a singer named Karma Ann Swanepoel has sued the rapper for sampling her folk-sounding song "Once" in his track "I Feel Like Dying."
In the lawsuit filed in Louisiana, Swanepoel says Wayne's label has been trying to make a deal to use her song, but neither party had agreed.
VENUS ADVANCES, BLAKE BOUNCED AT FRENCH OPEN: Williams sister survives to third round; Blake is highest seed to exit so far.
*Venus Williams reached the third round at the French Open on Thursday. The eighth-seeded player used a six-game run to beat 241st-ranked qualifier Selima Sfar of Tunisia 6-2, 6-4.
"I played well and I just tried to improve literally on every point I'm playing out there, just to play better every point, play better every match," Williams said. "Just naturally I feel like I get better every round, usually."
Meanwhile, James Blake, a seventh seed, lost to 19-year-old Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. He was the highest seed to exit the tournament at Roland Garros so far.
"I wasn't going for the shots the way I normally do," Blake explained afterward.
The 28-year-old, who had reached the last 32 in 2006, had enjoyed a solid claycourt season coming into the French Open having finished runner-up in Houston and the last eight in Rome.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Kanye's mama's money; MiJac's Blanket; Kobe's Web site woes; Diddy, Cassie & Ryan; Denzel's champagne bottle.
*Kanye West is now officially in control of his late mother Donda's money, reports TMZ.com. The rapper was granted a petition in LA court Thursday morning that makes him a co-executor of her estate along with his financial advisor, Shawn Gee. Donda died in November of heart complications following cosmetic surgery. She left behind less than $250,000 and did not have a will.
*London's The Sun newspaper has a photo of Michael Jackson's three kids without their usual veils to hide their identities. While photos of his two eldest Prince and Paris have leaked in the past, this is supposedly the first time ever that 6-year-old Blanket, a.k.a. Michael II, has been photographed unmasked. The picture was reportedly taken at a shop in Las Vegas. View the photo here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1220569.ece
*Web site TheDirty.com is standing its ground against threats of legal action from Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant over a posting that claims he had an affair with Laker Girl, Vanessa Curry. In response to a letter from Bryant's lawyer demanding that the post be removed, Dirty fired back, claiming their story is true, reports TMZ.com. Dirty's lawyer said he would win any court battle "because Mr. Bryant has previously publicly admitted to similar acts of infidelity ... it seems unlikely that any jury would find 'actual malice.'"
*The New York Daily News' Rush & Malloy are quoting a "source" who claims Diddy is dating his Bad Boy artist Cassie and is now trying to push her mentor/ex-boyfriend Ryan Leslie out of the picture. "Now that Diddy has his eye on her, Diddy is telling her she doesn't need Ryan anymore," the source is quoted as saying. Diddy's rep denies any friction: "Ryan is still executive-producing Cassie's album for Bad Boy. They're all working together."
*The New York Post's Page Six spotted Denzel Washington struggling to open a bottle of champagne at Rivington 151. "The server couldn't open it, so Denzel tried," said the witness. "He couldn't open it either, but when he handed it back, the cork popped right in the server's face."
EVENT CALENDAR: Cornel West in Sacramento; Common and the White Sox in Chicago; Nelly in Las Vegas.
*Motivational Speaker and Community Activist Dr. Cornel West and BMWMB members Clifton West and Mike Dailey will host the First Annual Community Listening Party Reunion in Sacramento, CA on May 31 to celebrate their community and share commentary from their CD project, "Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations." The free event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sacramento High School. For more information, contact Underground Books at (916)737-3333.
*Common is joining forces with his hometown Chicago White Sox baseball team to raise awareness for his non-profit organization, The Common Ground Foundation, which empowers youth in underserved communities and provides various life skills. On August 12, the organization will host the Common Ground Foundation Day with the Chicago White Sox, when the team takes the field against the Royals. A portion of every Aug 12 ticket purchased on behalf of the organization will be donated to The Common Ground Foundation. For more information click here: http://www.commongroundfoundation.org/Bookclub%
*Rapper Nelly is hosting a weekend-long event June 6th - 8th at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas to preview his forthcoming studio album, "Brass Knuckles." Planned events include a VIP dinner, an evening of bowling inside Red Rock Lanes VIP bowling suite with radio contest winners, a press conference, an intimate live concert performance by Nelly inside Rocks Lounge, and an exclusive party at Cherry nightclub. For more information, visit www.redrocklasvegas.com
BARACK OBAMA IN 'EXCELLENT HEALTH': But presidential candidate is again trying to quit smoking.
*Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was in excellent health at the time of his last checkup 16 months ago, his doctor said Thursday, but he has a family history of cancer and a heightened risk due to his smoking habit - which he is again trying to break, reports the AP.
Obama's campaign released a one-page letter from his longtime physician, Chicago internist Dr. David L. Scheiner, summarizing 21 years of medical records, during which the senator suffered only minor problems such as upper respiratory infections.
But hanging over that positive assessment: Obama is a smoker who has quit but relapsed several times. Obama, 46, announced in February that he was quitting again with the aid of Nicorette gum. His doctor said only that Obama is using Nicorette "with success."
Scheiner noted that Obama's mother died of ovarian cancer and his maternal grandfather died of prostate cancer.
Black men are at increased risk of prostate cancer overall, enough that doctors often begin prostate screening, called a PSA exam, in the 40s — even though, according to Dr. Otis Brawley of the American Cancer Society, PSA screening hasn't actually been proven to save lives. Still, Obama's PSA last year registered a very low 0.6, meaning no sign of abnormalities.
• Obama exercised regularly, often jogging three miles and had "no
excess body fat." His actual weight wasn't disclosed.
• Excellent blood pressure, at 90 over 60. Optimal blood pressure is
considered to be below 120 over 80.
• Very healthy cholesterol, with a total cholesterol of 173 (desirable
is under 200); the so-called bad or LDL kind 96 (less than 100 is optimal); and the so-called good or HDL kind at 68 (desirable is over 60).
• No signs of problems on standard blood tests or a heart EKG.
Without worrisome symptoms today and if he's stopped smoking, "it would be very hard for medical science to predict he's going to have any disease even over the next 30 years," much less the next eight, Brawley said.
EUR DVD REVIEW: What Would Jesus Buy?
Super-Size Jesus
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*This tongue-in-cheek documentary questions the degree to which America has commercialized Christmas.
The film features Reverend Billy Talen, a colorful character who travels across the country accompanied by the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir, confronting frantic shoppers in malls right at the height of the holiday season.
Declaring Mickey Mouse the anti-Christ, this flamboyant man of the cloth mounts a soap box to inform anybody who’ll listen that “The Disney Company still presides over sweatshops all around the world.”
He conducts impromptu man on the street interviews, asking folks to have a conscience about their purchases.
Unfortunately, his passionate pleas fall mostly on deaf ears and do little to discourage the determined consumers he encounters, despite his dire warning of the coming Shopocalypse. Instead, he’s mostly treated as a nuisance by mall security and local police who routinely either arrest him or escort him off the premises.
Nonetheless, the movie does drive home a powerful point, namely, that Christmas has lost most of its religious significance and come to revolve around gift-giving. Pointing out that most Christians spend more time worshipping retail items in malls than Jesus in church, he challenges believers to find something more meaningful to do than shopping.
He’s supported in this endeavor by several experts, including Harvard Professor Dr. Alvin Poussaint who laments how since birth we’ve been “conditioned to associate material goods with the symbol of love.” Ditto Reverend Andrew Young who makes a cameo appearance in which he reminds us of Christ’s teaching to “Feed the hungry, clothe the naked and heal the sick.”
But the real star of this show is the irrepressible Reverend Billy who is as hilarious as he is thought-provoking, and thus apt to keep you in stitches as you contemplate spiritual alternatives to material satisfaction. Merry Capitalism!
Excellent (4 stars)
PG for mature themes and mild epithets.
Running time: 91 minutes
Studi Arts Alliance America
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, printable lyrics to the choir’s unique Christmas carols, and an 8-minute public access show featuring Reverend Billy and the choir.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening May 30, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Foot-Fist Way (R for profanity and sexuality) Martial arts comedy about a macho Tae Kwon Do instructor (Danny R. McBride) who sets out on a sojourn in search of his undefeated karate idol (Ben Best) after being left by his wife (Mary Jane Bostic) for her new boss.
Sex and the City (R for profanity, sexuality and graphic nudity) Screen adaptation of the popular HBO series picks up four years after the show ended, with all the leading ladies (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis ) as well as four objects of their affection (David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Chris Noth and Jason Lewis) reprising their original roles in a candid romp updating their relationships. Supporting cast includes Candace Bergen, Jennifer Hudson and comedian Mario Cantone.
The Strangers (R for violence, terror and profanity) Hair-raising horror flick about a young couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) whose vacation retreat to a remote country cottage turns into a bloody battle for survival after a home invasion by three sadistic, masked strangers. With Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks and Laura Margolis.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Bigger, Stronger, Faster (PG-13 for mature themes, profanity, violent images, drug references and sexual content) America’s steroid addiction is the subject of this eye-opening expose’ in which director Chris Bell examines the country’s love affair with performance enhancing drugs by zeroing in on the toll they have taken on his own two brothers.
Mukshin (Unrated) Malaysian puppy love drama about a 12 year-old, new kid in town (Mohd Syafie Naswip) who befriends and then develops a crush on a headstrong, 10 year-old tomboy (Sharifah Aryana) from a bohemian family. (In Malay, Mandarin and English)
Savage Grace (Unrated) Bittersweet bio-pic chronicles the tragic life of Barbara Daly (Julianne Moore), a woman who overcame her humble roots by marrying Bakelite plastics heir Brooks Bakeland (Stephen Dillane) only to descend down an ill-fated path marked by incest, suicide and murder after entering an Oedipal relationship with her troubled son (Eddie Redmayne). (In English, French and Spanish with subtitles)
Stuck (R for nudity, sexuality, profanity, drug use, graphic violence and disturbing images) Fact-based, suspense thriller about a drunk driver (Mena Suvari) who hits a homeless man (Stephen Rea) and drives home with him impaled in her windshield where she waits for him to die slowly rather than call an ambulance or report the accident to the police.
The Tiger’s Tale (Unrated) Psychological thriller, set in Dublin, about a successful real estate developer (Brendan Gleeson) being stalked by the penniless and homeless identical twin he was separated from at birth, a murderous creep who now covets both his brother’s money and wife (Sinead Cusack).
The Unknown Woman (Unrated) Psychological drama about a mysterious Russian nanny (Kseniya Rappoport) for a rich Italian family who remains haunted by the violence and prostitution which marked her past life in the Ukraine. (In Italian with subtitles)
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it." — Jim Rohn
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
May 30: Actor Ralph Carter ("Good Times") is 47. Singer Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley (and Goodie Mob) is 34. Rapper Remy Ma is 28.
May 31: Rapper Kid Frost is 44. Rapper DMC of Run-DMC is 44.
June 1: Actor Morgan Freeman is 71.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Conversations with B and Rob is a real and funny online radio show that isn't afraid of controversy. www.blogtalkradio.com/conversations
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
May 30, 1965: Vivian Malone becomes the first black student to graduate from the University of Alabama.
May 31, 1881: Booker T. Washington was recommended by General Armstrong to head the newly planned Tuskegee Institute.
June 1, 1843: Sojourner Truth left New York and began her career as an antislavery activist. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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