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08-22-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
GENE UPSHAW DIES OF PANCREATIC CANCER: NFL Players Association president was just diagnosed on Sunday.
*Gene Upshaw, president of the National Football League Players Association, died Wednesday night of complications from pancreatic cancer, just three days after he was diagnosed, reports Sporting News. He was 63.
"Nobody knew Gene was sick," said Jeffrey Kessler, a friend and New York attorney who worked with Upshaw during numerous labor issues. "Gene never complained about anything. He just found out about the diagnosis Sunday night. I last spoke to him about a week ago. This is such a shock."
Upshaw was the longest-tenured labor leader in professional sports, having been director of the NFLPA since 1983. He was also the only player to appear in the Super Bowl in three different decades -- the 60s, the 70s and the 80s -- as a Hall of Fame offensive lineman with the Oakland Raiders.
The NFL experienced three different commissioners during Upshaw's tenure. He helped secure free agency for players, and he kept the union solidified during a strike in 1987. Also during his reign, salaries increased enormously, and the union was able to win a larger share of the league's revenue for players.
"Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "He was the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off the field. He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its players to new heights."
Upshaw was vacationing in Lake Tahoe with his family when he died, NFL Network reported. He is survived by his wife, Terri and three sons, Justin, Daniel, and Eugene Jr.
MARY J. BLIGE TO SPREAD 'LOVE' THIS FALL: Singer plans U.S. tour in support of 'Growing Pains.'
*Mary J. Blige is coming to a city near you this fall to promote her eighth studio album, "Growing Pains."
The Love Soul Tour, which features Robin Thicke and newcomer Dave Young as supporting acts, will kick off Sept. 13 in North Charleston, SC, and visit cities from coast to coast through mid-October.
The outing follows up Blige's spring excursion with Jay-Z on the "Heart of the City Tour," which also supported the December release of "Growing Pains."
As previously reported, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul has joined a dozen-plus female music stars to record "Just Stand Up," a charity single for the Stand Up to Cancer initiative to raise funds for cancer research. The song, produced by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid, will be released to radio and will be available for purchase at Apple's iTunes store beginning Sept. 2.
An all-star television premiere of the tune will take place Sept. 5 when the ABC, CBS and NBC networks simultaneously devote an hour of commercial-free programming to the cause.
Below is the itinerary for The Love Soul Tour:
September 2008
13 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Coliseum
19 - Virginia Beach , VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater 20 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion
21 - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
26 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
27 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
28 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
October 2008
2 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
8 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
10 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center
11 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
12 - Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre
14 - Chicago, IL - Arie Crown Theater
17 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
18 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
OPRAH TIRED OF BEING A COVER GIRL?: Rep denies talk of mogul growing weary of photo shoots for her magazine.
*Will there come a time when the cover of O magazine will feature someone other than Ms. O herself?
The New York Post reported Thursday that Oprah Winfrey is worn out from shooting the cover of her monthly magazine and wants to stop.
"Oprah has told the editors at O magazine she's tired of being on the cover every month. It's a pain," a source told Page Six. "It takes a lot of time and energy and she's sick of it. She's given them six months to figure out what to do without her."
However, a rep for the magazine denies talk of Oprah going through cover girl fatigue.
"Oprah Winfrey has appeared on the cover of O . . . since its launch in 2000, and she will continue to do so," said the rep. "In fact, shoots for three upcoming covers will take place in early September."
T.I., RIHANNA ADDED AS VMA PERFORMERS: Pink also joins roster for Sept 7 broadcast from Los Angeles.
*T.I. has been booked to perform at next month's MTV Video Music Awards, which will be his first appearance at a major award show since his October arrest hours before the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.
Also just added to the performance lineup are Rihanna, Pink and Paramore, reports MTV.
The VMAs are set for Sept. 7 in Los Angeles with British comedian Russell Brand as the host. Performers already announced include the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne and Kid Rock.
T.I.'s was scheduled to perform at the BET Hip-Hop Awards last October, but hours before the show started, he was arrested in a nearby parking lot and accused of trying to buy machine guns and silencers. He was sentenced earlier this year to serve about a year in prison after completing at least 1,000 hours of community service.
The rapper's appearance at the VMAs will promote his upcoming album "Paper Trail," due Sept. 30.
SONY RECHARGES WITH NEW BATTERY: Company launches new urban label with emphasis on artist development.
*Sony's BMG Label Group has announced the launch of its new urban imprint Battery Records, a label focused on reviving the practice of developing young talent.
Battery's first round of budding artists spans the South: Sunny Valentine from Texas, Sir Will from Atlanta, and Nashville's Lil' Goonie, signed to Jive/Zomba. Additionally, Battery will accept established artists who are still viable in the marketplace but seek new situations that include non-traditional deal models.
Neil Levine, the former head of Capitol Music Group's urban division, is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Battery Records, reporting to recently appointed BMG COO Ivan Gavin.
Other tasks under the Battery banner include releasing material from the BMG catalogue, and overseeing the early-stage development of certain acts signed to labels such as RCA's J Records or Zomba's Jive Records.
"This will provide a broader platform and offer a greater margin of success for our evolving urban artists and new artists in general," said Tom Carrabba, Zomba Label Group's executive vice president and general manager.
DRAMA SURROUNDS CLOSING OF CAFÉ DUPRI: Jermaine's health conscious eatery shutters; workers complained of non-payment.
*Jermaine Dupri closed the doors of his health conscious eatery Café Dupri indefinitely, according to a sign on the door.
The move comes three years after its grand opening in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, and within weeks of complaints from workers that paychecks were bouncing left and right. The music mogul blames the country's ailing economy for a downturn in revenue over the years.
“The economy has changed dramatically and people just aren’t eating out as much anymore,” Dupri told AllHipHop.com. “People are cutting back everywhere and a lot of companies, including Café Dupri, are feeling the effect. For the past two months business at the Café has been down and if the business isn’t making money, I feel its a smart move to shut it down.
Bottom line: if it doesn't make money, it doesn't make sense."
Meanwhile, café workers are claiming that their paychecks have been rubbery for weeks, and rejected at local check cashing businesses. According to WSB-TV, employees arriving to work last week found a sign on the door that read "thanks for patronizing Café Dupri. We have closed indefinitely."
According to the workers, Dupri’s mother, Cecelia Mauldin, served as CEO of Café Dupri. She issued notices several times to employees stating that payroll funds were not available.
According to Allhiphop.com, a notice dated Aug. 11 instructed the workers to go to "a Sun Trust bank and cash your check. The cash flow will not be in the bank until Tuesday after 12. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Mauldin denies that the workers were stiffed out of their paychecks, and said it was a business decision to shut down Café Dupri, the Web site reports.
ACTOR JULIUS "SHO'NUFF" CARRY III DIES: The Last Dragon's Shogun of Harlem passed away Tuesday at age 56.
*Actor Julius Carry III, best known as the villain Sho'Nuff from the 1985 film "The Last Dragon," died on Aug. 19 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.
The Chicago native started his film career in 1979 with the role of Malik Jamal Truth in "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." He went on to appear in other small films, such as "Disco Godfather" and "The Man with One Red Shoe."'
But his most memorable big screen role was Sho'Nuff, a.k.a. the Shogun of Harlem, in "The Last Dragon," a character who dressed up in shogun attire, traveled with a crew of thugs and tormented protagonist Leroy Green, played by Taimak.
Carry also made guest appearances on dozens of television shows, including "The Jeffersons," "Fame," "Family Matters," "Moesha," "Spin City," "Diagnosis Murder" and "Boy Meets World."
A tribute to Carry appears on Taimak's official MySpace page. Click here to see his famous scene from "The Last Dragon":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylCvCwn9OG8&eurl=http://jspace.kansascity.com/node/443
MEDIATION ORDERED IN GAME ASSAULT CASE: Rapper accused of pulling gun on basketball coach during game in park.
*A judge has ordered rapper The Game to consider mediation in a case where he is being sued for assault by a basketball coach.
The lawsuit was filed in March by pro-amateur coach Shannon Roderick, who accused Game of assault, battery, negligence and civil rights violations stemming from an altercation at a celebrity basketball game.
Roderick’s lawyer Portasha Moore said she will follow the judge’s order to seek mediation. If Game does not respond, Roderick’s lawyer will be allowed to pursue a default judgment in the case.
According to the lawsuit, the rapper was playing for the City Hoops team Liteem-Up in a South Los Angeles location. Their opponent, the Blazers – coached by Roderick – had a substantial lead. Roderick alleges that after calling a time-out, The Game accosted him near the bench area.
“Your team is garbage,” Game is alleged to have said. “You guys are nothing but a bunch of bustas.”
Roderick says he turned toward the Game just before the rapper punched him in the face. Game then allegedly said: “I’m going to blast this fool,” and walked to his car to get a gun from his car. Roderick said he retreated to the gym and hid until the rapper left.
The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm in a school zone. He was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service and sentenced to three years probation.
MANDELA HOUSE TO BECOME LIVING MUSEUM: Former South African president signed his Cape Town home over to city.
*Former South African President Nelson Mandela is allowing his Cape Town residence, his only home outside of prison in the Western Cape, to serve as a living museum.
During a ceremony Wednesday, Mandela signed his home over to the city for the museum, reports AFP. City premier Lynne Brown said the project would see Mandela's home become "our investment for young people" and would in the future host youth leadership programs.
The Foundation also announced that Mandela's prestigious scholarship program had seen an increase in revenue due to substantial donations, including 10.5 million rand (1.3 million U.S. dollars) from South Africa's Absa Bank and 2.5 million pounds (4.6 million dollars) from the London-based Leverhume Trust.
The donations would provide a further 13 scholarships a year for young Africans.
TIMBALAND TO FINALLY RECORD WITH BRITNEY?: Collabo was supposed to take place last year.
*Timbaland is reportedly producing a song for Britney Spears' upcoming album that will be a duet with her ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake.
The collaboration was originally eyed for her last album, "Blackout," but the pop star was going through personal issues at the time and missed her scheduled recording session at Timbaland's Virginia Beach studio last August, according to the New York Post.
"She just didn't show up," spies told Page Six at the time.
Spears' forthcoming album is due for release by year's end.
LEROI MOORE WANTED TO SURPRISE DMB: Sax player reportedly left Virginia hospital against doctors to see members during LA concert.
*Gossip blogger Janet Charlton says members of the Dave Matthews Band had no idea that their saxophonist, who died Tuesday, had travelled from his Virginia hometown to Los Angeles, where they were scheduled to perform that night.
As previously reported, the group went on with their Tuesday night concert at the Staples Center just hours after learning of Moore's death from complications stemming from an ATV accident at his Virginia farm.
According to Charlton, Moore had planned to surprise the band with a visit backstage, and had left the Virginia hospital against doctors' orders.
"He really missed the band, who were like family to him," Charlton wrote. He "chartered a plane to fly to the LA show so he could see the guys. Tragically, that may have contributed to his early demise."
Moore had been hospitalized several times since the ATV accident on June. 30. Among his ailments was a collapsed lung.
KYM WHITLEY 'CRUISIN' ON TV ONE: Special follows actress looking for love aboard Tom Joyner's annual Fantastic Voyage.
*Actress and comedian Kym Whitley set sail on a singles-only escapade aboard Tom Joyner's 2008 Fantastic Voyage cruise this spring, and TV One chronicled the adventure in "Cruisin’ for Love with Kym Whitley."
The special – premiering Saturday, Aug. 30 from 10-11 p.m. ET – follows Whitley as she searches for a love connection during the cruise. After agreeing to host the Speed Dating and Singles Party events aboard the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, she decided to make the trip her personal quest for love as well.
Kym enjoys seven days of activities on the ship, while her brother and friends try to help Kym find Mr. Right. From St. Thomas to Puerto Rico to Miami, Kym searches for love; from her Speed Dating event to the Mardi Gras Party to the Singles Party and at various romantic points on shore, cameras track her every move.
Along the way, she finds other single celebrities on board who participate in some of the single-oriented events, including Omarosa, Lamman Rucker, John Henton, A.J. Jamal, Ajai Sanders and Rolonda Watts. In St. Thomas, Kym joins up with Tom Joyner and his wife Donna Richardson at a beach party and gets some courtship advice from Donna. And at the Singles Party she co-hosts, her brother turns the tables on her with a surprise contest that has hilarious results.
50 CENT DENIES STALLING FIRE PROBE: Rapper releases statement addressing reports that he was being uncooperative.
*50 Cent was quick to deny a report in the New York Post yesterday that claimed authorities in Suffolk County, NY were frustrated over his lack of cooperation regarding the suspicious fire at his Long Island home.
"50 and his attorneys met yesterday with Suffolk County authorities regarding the fire that destroyed 50's house," read a statement from the rapper's camp. "The meeting had been arranged weeks ago. 50 is eager to review the findings of the investigation, when it is concluded."
The rapper's 11-year-old son Marquise and the boy's mother, Shaniqua Tompkins, were inside of the house when the fire broke out. Tompkins accuses 50 Cent of masterminding the blaze.
The Post reported Thursday that Suffolk County authorities had been unable to meet with 50 since the fire because they were blocked by his attorneys. Investigators, however, have reportedly met twice with Tompkins, who said she was feuding with 50, her ex-boyfriend, about her living situation in the Dix Hills neighborhood mansion.
The artist, born Curtis Jackson, was in Louisiana filming a movie at the time of the fire.
OBAMA BITS: Anti-abortion group to distribute racist pamphlets at DNC; man accused of assassination threat enters plea; fashionistas to design Obama clothing.
*The Denver Post is reporting that a small anti-abortion group – Operation Rescue – will pass out pamphlets during the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week that will be intentionally racist to support their notion that abortions are more evil than racism. The pamphlet asks the question: "Which is a worse crime: slavery or murder? The correct answer:
murder. A slave can get free, but a murder victim cannot get 'undead.'" Group founder Randall Terry said he and supporters will hand out hundreds of thousands of pamphlets at the churches of evangelists and Catholics, who are targeted because they are more likely to overlook Obama's pro-choice views and vote for him in November. Unlike other DNC protesters who vowed to abide Denver and Colorado laws, Terry said his group will intentionally — though peacefully — violate law in order to get arrested either Monday or Tuesday.
*The Florida man who authorities said kept an arsenal of weaponry and military gear pleaded not guilty Wednesday to threatening to assassinate both President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The court-appointed attorney for 22-year-old Raymond Hunter Geisel entered the plea at a brief hearing before a federal magistrate judge. Geisel, who has been in custody without bail since his Aug. 2 arrest, spoke only his name and age. Each charge carries a maximum of five years in federal prison. According to the Secret Service, Geisel made the threats while attending a training class in Miami to become a bail bondsman. Others attending the 48-member class overheard the comments and contacted local police, who turned the information over to the Secret Service.
*Washington Post style writer Robin Givhan says some 20 fashion industry heavyweights will design official Obama apparel to be sold via his campaign Web site. "It is the first time, as far as Seventh Avenue long-timers can recall, that a quorum of the fashion industry has organized its financial resources and creative energy around a single presidential candidate," wrote Givhan. The mix, available online next month, ranges from T-shirts to tote bags (from high-end to inexpensive) designed by the likes of Derek Lam, Isaac Mizrahi, Tracy Reese, Charles Nolan and Diane von Furstenberg. Other names have been bandied about but not confirmed: Beyonce, Russell Simmons, Michael Bastian, Vera Wang.
ITTY BITTY BITS: J.Lo back with UTA; Smiley's America I AM in Philly; Summer Bling Pool Party in Hollywood.
*Jennifer Lopez has returned to the agency that jump-started her film career more than a decade ago. The entertainer has re-signed with UTA under the guidance of Tracey Jacobs, who was recently promoted to the company's board of directors and will lead the team of agents that will now handle Lopez as well as her film and TV production company, Nuyorican. After taking a break to give birth to twins, J.Lo hasn't appeared in a wide-release film since 2005's "Monster-in-Law" and is looking to return to showbiz -- particularly acting -- full-time.
*The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will host the national debut of Tavis Smiley's "America I AM: The African American Imprint," a four-year touring museum exhibition that will celebrate 400 years of African American contributions to this country. The exhibition will run Jan. 15 to May 3, 2009, presenting a historical continuum of pivotal moments in courage, conviction and creativity that solidifies the undeniable imprint of African Americans across the nation and around the world. Tickets will be available in the fall and are available for pre-registration as of today at http://www.AmericaIAM.org. More details about the exhibition, including a gallery walkthrough moderated by Tavis Smiley, are available at http://www.AmericaIAM.org.
*Conglomerate Enterprises and Flawless Vodka presents the "Summer Bling Pool Party," to be held Sunday (Aug. 24) from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Designer Ashley Paige will showcase her creations to an exclusive group of celebrities such as Paris and Nikki Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Fergie, Kim Kardahian, Pamela Anderson, Ashanti, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Riche, Bret Michaels and more. The event will include a diamond showcase from gotblingonline.com and the release of Flawless Vodka, the official Vodka of the VMAs. There will be a silent auction, with part of the proceeds going to Ruffhouszen, an animal rescue center.
NOOSE HUNG AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN PHILLY: Electrician fired after black co-worker reported racist act.
*A noose was found hanging in a building at the Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia [CHOP], prompting the local FBI to investigate the act as a possible hate crime, reports MyFoxPhiladelphia.com.
CHOP officials said an employee found the noose hanging in an electrical shop on Aug. 11.
The newspaper said sources claimed a white employee of the International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers [IBEW] hung the noose on a light fixture on the 13th floor of the Aberson Pediatric Research Center. After an investigation, the worker alleged to have put it there was fired.
Sources also said that the worker was asked three times to take the racially offensive noose down by an African-American co-worker. When he repeatedly refused, he was reported, investigated and fired.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening August 22, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Death Race (R for profanity and graphic violence) High-adrenaline, sci-fi thriller, set in 2020, revolving around a NASCAR champion (Jason Statham) imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit who is forced by the warden (Joan
Allen) to drive a monster car equipped with machine guns and flamethrowers through a gauntlet of bloodthirsty inmates in a grisly, nationally-televised game of kill or be killed. Cast includes Tyrese, Ian McShane and Natalie Martinez.
Hamlet 2 (R for profanity, nudity, sexual references and drug content) Over-the-top comedy, set in Tucson, about the efforts of a failed actor-turned-drama teacher (Steve Coogan) to stage a politically-incorrect sequel to Hamlet over the objection of the high school's administration. Cast includes Catherine Keener, Melonie Diaz, Elisabeth Shue, David Arquette and SNL's Amy Poehler.
The House Bunny (PG-13 for profanity, partial nudity and sex-related humor) titillating teensploitation flick about a Playboy bunny (Anna Faris) kicked out of the mansion by Hef on her 27th birthday for being too old who takes a job as a sorority housemother before proceeding to makeover some of the homeliest coeds on campus.
The Longshots (Unrated) Overcoming-the-odds sports saga chronicles the real-life tale of a pigtailed, 11 year-old tomboy (Keke Palmer) who, with the help of her uncle (Ice Cube), became the first girl in league history to play Pop Warner football. Cast includes Tasha Smith, David Banner and Earthquake.
The Rocker (PG-13for nudity, profanity, drug use and sexual references) Rainn Wilson stars in this musical comedy about a drummer booted out of a big-hair band back in the Eighties who makes the most of a second chance to indulge his rock & roll fantasies 20 years later when he joins his nephew's (Josh Gad) group to play at a high school prom. Ensemble cast includes Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Jane Krakowski, Howard Hesseman, Will Arnett, Fred Armisen and fifth Beatle Pete Best.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Dare Not Walk Alone (Unrated) Desegregation documentary revisits St. Augustine, Florida in 1964 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, a time when the city was forced to face the dehumanizing effects of racial discrimination.
I.O.U.S.A. (PG for mature themes) Devalued-dollar documentary explores America's burgeoning financial crisis and how its ever-escalating national debt is threatening to bankrupt the country.
Momma's Man (Unrated) Dysfunctional family drama about a jaded, thirty-something businessman (Matt Boren) who abandons his wife (Dana Varon) and newborn in L.A. to move back in with his parents (Ken and Flo Jacobs) in NYC where he nostalgically attempts to recreate the magic of his childhood.
Richard Serra: Thinking on Your Feet (Unrated) Art for art's sake documentary chronicles sculptor Richard Serra's creation of "The Matter of Time," a mammoth steel piece commissioned by the Guggenheim for $20 million. Includes interviews with composer Philip Glass and other colleagues.
The Sensation of Sight (R for profanity) David Strathairn stars in this mid-life crisis drama about an English teacher who tries another line of work as an encyclopedia door-to-door salesman in the wake of a personal tragedy that's left him plunged in the depths of despair. With Ann Cusack, Scott Wilson and Jane Adams.
Trouble the Water (Unrated) Hurricane Katrina documentary retraces the efforts of a young couple, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, to survive on their own in New Orleans during the absence of any relief effort in the wake of the disaster.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in making new landscapes but in having new eyes." — Marcel Proust
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Aug. 22: Guitarist Vernon Reid (Living Colour) is 50. Actress Regina Taylor ("The Unit," "I'll Fly Away") is 48. Keyboardist James DeBarge of DeBarge is 45. Rapper GZA (Wu-Tang Clan) is 42. Rapper Beenie Man is 35.
Aug. 24: Singer Marshall Thompson of The Chi-Lites is 66. Actor-comedian Dave Chappelle is 35.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
AABoomers.com is for and about the savvy African-African Baby Boomer. It focuses on specific issues facing African-American Baby Boomers today, as well as celebrates their accomplishments (www.AABoomers.com).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Aug. 22, 1791: Mathematician Benjamin Banneker, who served on the commission which surveyed the District of Columbia, issued his first annual almanac.
Aug. 23, 1861: James Stone, a light skinned fugitive slave passing for white, enlisted in the First Fight Artillery of Ohio. His racial identity would not be known until his death nearly a year later.
Aug. 24, 1950: Chicago Atty. Edith Sampson was named the first black representative (alternate delegate) in the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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