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08-29-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
O.J. PUNCHED OUT BY ARNELLE: Simpsons get into a physical altercation over dad's girlfriend.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that O.J. Simpson was knocked to the ground Sunday by his daughter Arnelle in a tussle over his 32-year-old girlfriend, Christie Prody.
"Arnelle had a fight with Christie over Christie's behavior," a source told the newspaper. "That's what started the whole thing. Christie has some problems with drinking, and Arnelle got mad. O.J. said 'Don't talk to her like that,' and Arnelle pushed him."
According to the source said Arnelle, 39, called 911 in a fit of guilt after she toppled her 61-year-old dad, giving him a minor head injury.
The National Enquirer quoted a source saying O.J. was "cut on the back of his head, blood was coming out the side of his mouth and his lip was cut."
The Enquirer said Arnelle was also upset with O.J. for giving money to Prody, while his high school sweetheart - Arnelle's mom, Marguerite Whitley - has to work at WalMart to make ends meet.
Additionally, Arnelle lashed out at OJ for "ditching" Whitley to marry Nicole Brown Simpson, the Enquirer reported. O.J. was acquitted of Nicole's murder in 1995. Two years later, a civil jury found him "responsible" for the killing.
The police report says the altercation ended when Arnelle agreed to leave O.J.'s house "in order to let things calm down."
KANYE REMEMBERS MOM DURING DNC: Rapper wishes Donda could've been there to witness Obama make history.
*As America's first black presidential nominee was celebrated at the Democratic National Convention this week, the thoughts of many African Americans turned toward deceased loved ones who did not live to witness it happen.
"It's an incredible time to be around. I wish my momma could have seen this day," said Kanye West to the Associated Press early Thursday before his performance at Bono's ONE campaign party.
West, whose set included "Touch the Sky," "Home" and "Stronger," was also joined on stage by Jamie Foxx to sing "Gold Digger," which the Oscar winner preceded with a shout out to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
"We make history, man," Foxx told the crowd. "With Obama, we make history. If you ready for Obama, make some noise. Yo man, let's do this for Obama."
West was backed by a band clad in black outfits that were described by the Associated Press as Mad Max-meets-DNC riot police. The Chicago-born artist also sang two new songs he said he'd written in the past several days – both more focused on relationships and heartbreak than politics.
The ONE party also drew such celebs as Forest Whitaker and Ashley Judd, who arrived with Foxx waving an American flag, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle.
SUGE KNIGHT POSTS BAIL IN ASSAULT/DRUG CASE: Mogul accused of beating and pulling knife on his girlfriend.
*Marion "Suge" Knight posted bail and was back on the street Wednesday night after being arrested and jailed for allegedly beating his girlfriend and brandishing a knife near the Las Vegas Strip, reports the AP.
According to a court spokeswoman, the 43-year-old founder of bankrupt Death Row Records posted $19,000 bail and was released with a promise to appear Sept. 26 in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Suge was arrested at about 6:40 a.m. after officers arrived at the scene of a minor traffic accident and found him hitting a woman in a parking lot off a busy thoroughfare.
"This is a very large man," said Las Vegas police Lt. Chris Carroll, estimating his weight at more than twice the woman's. "He was on top of her, actually in the act of violently beating her when the officers arrived, with the knife in his hand."
Knight dropped the folding knife when cops arrived and was taken into custody without incident, Carroll said.
The woman was not stabbed but she was treated at a hospital for injuries that Carroll said were not life-threatening. Police did not release the woman's name or age, but said she identified herself as Knight's girlfriend of three years.
View aerial footage of Suge's arrest here: http://www.tmz.com/tmz_main_video?titleid=1758300884
TOXICOLOGY TEST ORDERED FOR DR. DRE'S SON: Autopsy alone could not determine cause of death.
*A toxicology test has been ordered for the son of producer Dr. Dre after an autopsy failed to reveal the cause of his death.
"We don't know yet why he died," Capt. Ed Winter told People Wednesday of Andre Young Jr. "There were no signs of trauma or foul play.
We'll be doing toxicology and other tests, which will take up to six weeks."
A toxicology test is "mainly to determine whether alcohol or drugs played a part in a person's death," Capt. Winter said.
Young, 20, was found unresponsive in his bed around 10 a.m. Saturday in his Woodland Hills, Calif., home by his mother, Jenita Porter. Paramedics declared Young dead shortly thereafter.
"Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son," the rapper's publicist Lori Earl said in a statement Tuesday. "Please respect his family's grief and privacy at this time."
GOODING JR. TOPLINES BEN CARSON BIOPIC: Actor to play famous neurologist in TNT original movie.
*Cuba Gooding Jr. has been cast as the lead in "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story," a TNT original movie based on a memoir by the real-life neurologist, reports Reuters.
Due in the first quarter of 2009, the film will trace Carson's journey from frustrated inner-city kid to director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. It will air under TNT's Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation banner.
Thomas Carter, who directed the feature film "Coach Carter," will direct "Gifted Hands" from a script by John Pielmeier.
Carson's memoir begins with his childhood in a rough neighborhood of Detroit and his difficulties after his father "abandoned the family."
Encouraged by his mother, Carson wrote, he pushed himself to succeed in school even when faced with prejudice and negative peer pressure. His accomplishments led him to be named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which President Bush bestowed on Carson at a ceremony in June.
BILLBOARD SAYS 'WHATEVER' TO T.I.: Rapper's latest single sets multiple records in move to No. 1.
*Not only has T.I. set a record for the biggest jump to No. 1 on Billboard's singles chart, but he also scores his first unassisted Hot 100 topper of his career.
"Whatever You Like," the current single from his upcoming album "Paper Trail," soars from No. 71 to No. 1 in its third week on the list. It's the rapper's first No. 1 as a lead artist (he was featured on Justin Timberlake's 2006 chart-topper "My Love"), and his opening-week digital sum is the best by a rap track since Nielsen SoundScan began compiling download data in 2003.
T.I.'s new Grand Hustle/Atlantic album, "Paper Trail," will be released September 30.
The Atlanta artist pled guilty to federal weapons charges in conjunction with an October 2007 arrest in Atlanta. He will serve a year in jail after completing 1,000 hours of community service.
OPRAH, LEEZZY AMONG FORBES' 'POWERFUL WOMEN': Annual list announced Thursday.
*Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and talk show maven Oprah Winfrey made Forbes magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women, ranking No. 7 and No. 35, respectively.
"Shoring up her legacy before the Bush administration leaves office, Rice continues to try for peace in the Middle East; the U.S. is cautiously engaging North Korea and trying to contain Iran," notes Forbes of Rice's past year. "But her efforts are coming to naught around the world: In Pakistan, U.S. support for anti-al-Qaida ally Pervez Musharraf, who resigned, may have jeopardized ties with his successor; Russia is growing more autocratic; and her State Department has come under fire for its lax oversight of contractor Blackwater. Successes: ties with Japan, China and India have solidified."
Of Winfrey, the magazine states: "Self-made billionaire from rural Mississippi now has nation's No. 1 talk show, with 48 million viewers a week. Will debut the Oprah Winfrey Network with Discovery Communications next year; has a three-year, $55 million deal with XM Satellite Radio. Helped create "Dr. Phil" and "The Rachael Ray Show." Major philanthropist in U.S. and abroad; built $40 million girls' school in South Africa."
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi came in right under Winfrey at No. 34, and for the third consecutive year, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled the list.
A string of news women clog spots 61-65. "Today" co-anchor Meredith Viera is No. 61; "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric is No. 62; ABC News correspondent Barbara Walters is No. 63 and "Good Morning America" anchor Diane Sawyer is No. 65.
View the entire 100 Most Powerful Women list here:
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/53/celebrities08_Oprah-Winfrey_O0ZT.html
WILL DOWNING JOINS JERRY LEWIS TELETHON: Labor Day event to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Association.
*Songwriter and singer Will Downing has announced he will perform on the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
In 2006, the singer learned he has the debilitating disease polymyositis, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks muscle fibers. For almost a year, Downing was bedridden and nearly unable to move.
In April, Downing, 45, announced that with the aid of immunosuppressant drugs of the type tested in MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) clinical trials, he was recovering and returning to his performing career.
MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said Downing is living proof that MDA’s fight against muscle-wasting diseases is paying off.
“I’m so pleased that Will’s magnificent voice has returned to its vibrancy and Telethon audiences will be treated to his extraordinary talent,” Lewis said.
Downing acknowledges that breakthroughs in medical research helped him beat a disease that initially dealt him almost unbearable pain. “My family’s support, faith in God and doctors who knew how to fight my illness brought me back from some very tough times,” he said. “Performing at the Telethon is the least I can do to show my appreciation.”
Originating from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, the MDA Telethon will begin at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Aug. 31, and run for 21½ hours. Downing will appear live via remote from New York.
NAOMI CAMPBELL 'SETTLES' IN BRAZIL: Boyfriend buys her multi-million dollar home as gift.
*Naomi Campbell's Russian billionaire boyfriend reportedly shelled out $18.5 million to buy her a penthouse apartment in Brazil.
The New York Post is reporting that the supermodel once told her man, Vladimir Doronin, how much she loved Brazil and "wanted to settle down there." Next thing she knew, he hooked her up with a pad in Jardins, the Upper East Side of Sao Paolo.
Glamurama.com says the place was a "gift" to the supermodel and the couple will use it as their home in Brazil.
Meanwhile, Page Six also claims that Campbell is looking to repair her brutish image by trying to get photographed at various charitable events. She's also launching a clothing line through 284, the new label from Daslu.
"It's for strong women. I hope everybody will like it," she told a local Brazilian paper.
OTHER SHOE DROPS FOR DAMON DASH: Stride Rite reacquires rights to Pro-Keds brand from cash-strapped mogul.
*The Boston Herald is reporting that Stride Rite Corp has reacquired Pro-Keds shoe brand from rap mogul Damon Dash, who had purchased the licensing rights four years ago for an undisclosed amount.
News comes one week after New York newspapers reported he may lose two of his properties to foreclosure.
A rep for Lexington-based Stride Rite insisted Dash’s money problems had nothing to do with the rebranding.
“It was just a matter of timing,” Stride Rite spokeswoman Debra Fernandes told the newspaper. “We just wanted a new direction.”
Stride Rite – owned by Collective Brands Inc. of Topeka, Kan. – plans to kick off the new Pro-Keds line in November. Classic styles such as the Royal and Court King will be updated with new materials and colors. It also will launch limited-edition lines in a few months.
MARY J. BLIGE ADDS MORE TOUR DATES: 'Love Soul' expanded through Oct. 22 with new shows in Hawaii, Cali and more.
*More cities and second shows have been added to Mary J. Blige's "Love Soul Tour" with Robin Thicke and newcomer Dave Young, who is signed to Blige's Matriarch Records label.
The trek, which kicks off Sept. 13 in North Charleston, SC, now stretches through Oct. 22 with a performance in Honolulu, HI. Also, a second night was added at New York City's Radio City Music Hall and dates in Los Angeles and Omaha, NE, have also been confirmed.
An updated itinerary is listed below.
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
26 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
27 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
28 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
October 2008
2, 3 - 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
15 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center Omaha
17 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
18 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
19 - Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre
22 - Honolulu, HI - Blaisdell Arena
'KIND OF BLUE' ANNIVERSARY BOX SET IN SEPT: Release marks seminal album's 50th birthday.
*"Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition," commemorating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' groundbreaking album, will be released Sept. 30th by Columbia/Legacy.
The contents of the box include: two CDs (running time over two hours); a newly-produced black-and-white documentary DVD (55 minutes); a full-size 60-page book of critical essays, annotations and photography; and an envelope chockfull of memorabilia.
The box also includes the 12-inch LP package pressed on 180-gram blue vinyl and an enormous 22x33 fold-out poster of Miles.
Released in 1959, "Kind of Blue" is RIAA triple-platinum status in the U.S. and is No. 12 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time."
SOLANGE ALBUM PRE-LOADED IN NEW ZVUE: Plus, singer to perform Sunday in Wall-Mart parking lot in Houston.
*ZVUE has launched its latest ZVUE Artist Series Media Player pre-loaded with R&B singer Solange’s new album “SoL-AngeL and the Hadley St.
Dreams.”
The specialty-branded player is available exclusively in 500 Wal-Mart stores nationwide with a price tag of $49.88.
The pre-loaded Media player comes with the single "I Decided," and two versions of the music video. Special exclusive materials are also preloaded, including two bonus music tracks, extra video footage and photos.
The Solange branded Media player comes with high-quality ZVUE Sound Headphones, USB cable, 2.4” screen, Photo Viewer, Text Reader, FM Tuner and 2 GB of built-in memory.
Solange will perform songs from the album on Sunday at a Wal-Mart parking lot in her Houston hometown. The concert at Wal-Mart store #2718 (9555 South Post Oak Rd.) begins at 6 p.m.
NEW MAVIS STAPLES ALBUM DUE ELECTION DAY: Singer puts her take on freedom songs.
*Mavis Staples has chosen Election Day (Nov. 4) to release her new album of freedom/protest songs, "Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout."
The street date ties into the connections she has with the current presidential race, having attended the same Chicago church as Democratic nominee Barack Obama. She has called the senator "in a way, so much like Dr. King" -- and she would know, for Mavis and her family worked side by side with Dr. King fighting for civil rights.
Congressman John Lewis, who figured prominently in Monday night's moving tribute to Sen. Ted Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention, wrote the liner notes to Mavis' last record "We'll Never Turn Back."
The first single from "Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout" is "We Shall Not Be Moved." The album's tracklisting is as follows:
1. For What It's Worth
2. Eyes on the Prize
3. Down in Mississippi
4. Wade in the Water
5. Waiting For My Child
6. This Little Light
7. Why Am I Treated So Bad
8. Freedom Highway
9. We Shall Not Be Moved
10. Circle Intro (encore)
11. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (encore) 12. On My Way (encore) 13. I'll Take You There (encore)
OBAMA BITS: Fashion Week fundraiser; 'Obama Goes to Africa' documentary; new McCain ad congratulates Obama.
*Vogue diva Anna Wintour and actress Sarah Jessica parker are hosting a fundraising fashion show for Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama during Fashion Week in New York City. The Sept. 9 event at the Charles Nolan Studio will feature designs from Beyoncé and Tina Knowles for House of Dereon, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Juicy Couture, Narciso Rodriguez and Proenza Schouler, among others.
*Canadian television network ichannel launches its eighth season on Sept. 22 with "Senator Obama Goes to Africa," a documentary that follows the presidential candidate in 2006 as he retraces his ancestral roots by touring South Africa, a Darfur refugee camp in Chad, Robben Island the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, and his father's former home Kisumu, Kenya. "You watch a man who could become one of the most powerful leaders in the world, as he travels through countries where the poverty and repression are palpable, " explains Director of Programming Rosemary Fusca, "We wanted something extremely powerful and exceptionally relevant to kick off a season that promises to be ichannel's most expansive, eclectic and adventurous to date."
*Republican presidential candidate John McCain aired a one-night-only ad congratulating his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, for his historic nomination on the 45th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. However, McCain's move was quickly criticized by pundits for attempting to draw attention away from Obama's highly-anticipated nomination acceptance speech, as the ad aired before, during and after the coverage on national cable television. View the ad
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4KIvRTg6KQ
ITTY BITTY BITS: DNC ratings; Diddy's gas gripes; BET's Katrina special/'One Mic Stand'.
*African-Americans continue to watch the Democratic National Convention in higher proportions than the rest of the population, with 12.7% of blacks tuning in compared with 9.0% for the U.S. population as a whole, according to Nielsen estimates. Tuesday's event, marked by Hillary Clinton's speech in the 10 p.m. hour, averaged 26 million total viewers, nearly 4 million more than the 22.3 million who watched Monday's gathering. NBC, again, prevailed overall with an average of 5.98 million viewers after 10 p.m., while CNN followed with 4.8 million. ABC placed a close third (4.76 million). CBS (3.82 million) was fourth, followed by Fox News (3.48 million) and MSNBC (2.57 million).
*Sean "Diddy" Combs has had to cut back on his private jet use due to rising gas prices. The mogul has had to make sacrifices recently and stoop to *gasp* commercial flights. He says in his latest video blog: "I've been flying back and forth to Los Angeles pursuing my acting career. If I fly back and forth twice a month, that's like $250,000 round trip. [Bleep] that! I'm back on American Airlines now. .. and I'm in coach!" View clip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yh1NHRP3NA&feature=related
*Tonight at 11, BET's "The Truth with Jeff Johnson" features its host taking a hard look at the failures and successes in the reconstruction of areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina with Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, Houston rap legend Bun B, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and former mayor Marc Morial. Johnson also sits down with Danny Glover and filmmaker Kimberly River Roberts to discuss their roles in the newly-released Katrina documentary, "Trouble the Waters."
*On Tuesday (Sept. 2) at 10 p.m., BET introduces "Comic View: One Mic Stand," hosted by comedian/actor Kevin Hart. The series, according to the network, "offers an eclectic mix of fresh and veteran comedians from across the country to spew out uninhibited, in-your-face comedy that will leave you craving for more."
ANONYMOUS DONOR GIVES SPELMAN $17 MIL: Money will be used for international initiatives.
*Spelman College in Atlanta has announced that an anonymous donor has generously given a $17 million gift to establish the Gordon-Zeto Endowed Fund for International Initiatives.
Named after Nora A. Gordon, (Class of 1888), the first Spelmanite to teach in the Congo, and Flora E. Zeto, (Class of 1915), among the first Congolese to study and graduate from Spelman, the gift will be used to infuse the curriculum, campus environment, and extracurricular offerings with an international component.
"In the context of an increasingly global economy and a world made smaller by technology, it is more important than ever that students, faculty and staff are prepared for active engagement with the international community," said Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., president of Spelman College. "This generous gift will help expand our global emphasis, ensuring that we remain competitive in a 'flat world.' "
Since 2002, the number of Spelman students participating in study abroad programs, has doubled. However, unlike study abroad, there has been no real growth in the international student population at Spelman. Therefore, a scholarship will be established to bring students from Africa to study and graduate from the College.
Other initiatives to be funded by the Gordon-Zeto Endowment include:
• Gordon-Zeto Dean for International Initiatives to provide senior leadership and oversight of Spelman's international program offerings.
• Nora Gordon Scholars program to support study abroad opportunities for Pell grant eligible students, with first priority given to those interested in studying in Africa.
• Gordon-Zeto Fund for Faculty/Student International Travel to support short-term study abroad opportunities for students and faculty.
The fund will also be used to strengthen existing programs. The endowment will help support a faculty position in the "Africans in the Diaspora and the World" first-year seminar program. The gift will provide travel funds for Spelman's Model United Nations team and support for the International Relations program. Allocations will also be made to the Office of Student Activities to support new and existing initiatives with an international focus, and the division of Enrollment Management will receive support for international recruiting efforts.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening August 29, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Babylon A.D. (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, action sequences and intense violence) Sci-fi thriller about a mercenary (Vin Diesel) escorting a young woman (Melanie Thierry) from Russia to Canada unaware that her body is host to an organism from which a cult plans to produce a genetically-engineered Messiah. Cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Charlotte Rampling and Gerard Depardieu.
College (R for pervasive sexuality and crude humor, nudity, profanity, and drug and alcohol abuse) End-of-innocence comedy revolving around three high school seniors (Drake Bell, Kevin Covais and Andrew Caldwell) who enjoy a wild weekend at a raucous fraternity house during their visit to a prospective college.
Disaster Movie (PG-13 for profanity, drug references, slapstick violence, crude humor and sex content) Disaster flicks gets the same treatment already accorded the horror (Scary Movie), teen (Date Movie) blockbuster (Epic
Movie) and historical (Meet the Spartans) genres in this zany spoof about a bunch of twenty-somethings who encounter a series of calamities over the course of one very eventful night. Ensemble cast includes Kim Kardashian,
Carmen Electra and Tony Cox.
Traitor (PG-13 for brief profanity, mature themes, and intense violence) International political potboiler about a former U.S. Special Operations Officer (Don Cheadle) who finds himself subjected to close scrutiny by both FBI (Guy Pearce and Neal McDonough) and CIA (Jeff Daniels) Agents after being implicated in a series of terrorist attacks.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild (Unrated) Jonah Blechman is the only lead actor to reprise his role in this freaky follow-up to the raunchy gay-themed teensplurt ostensibly-inspired by American Pie. The sequel is set over Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where the plan is to participate in "buttlove" and "wet package" contests. Principal cast includes Jake Mosser, Aaron Michael Davies and Jimmy Clabots, and features the flamboyant Lady
Bunny and RuPaul in support roles.
I Served the King of England (R for nudity and sexuality) Flasback comedy about a social-climbing Czech busboy (Ivan Barnev) who inherits the millions his Nazi wife (Juia Jentsch) had stolen from Jews during WWII only to end up impoverished again and in prison when his fortune is confiscated by the Communists.
Maria Bethania (Unrated) Musical bio-pic chronicles the career of Brazil's legendary Maria Bethania via a combination of concert footage and interviews with fans, family, friends and the sultry samba singer herself. (In Portuguese with subtitles)
My Mexican Shiva (Unrated) Cross-cultural comedy about the skeletons that come flying out of the closet of a dysfunctional family over the course of the week during which it gathers to mourn the passing of its patriarch (Sergio Kleiner). (In Hebrew, Spanish and Yiddish with subtitles)
Sukiyaki Western Django (R for graphic violence, including a brutal rape) Japanese, spaghetti-style Western, set during the Genpei Wars near the end of the 12th Century, revolving around a lone gunslinger (Hideaki Ito) who rides into town just in time to tame two rival gangs locked in a bloody a turf war. With a couple of quickie cameos by Quentin Tarantino.
Year of the Fish (Unrated) Animated update of Cinderella revolving around a young Asian immigrant (An Nguyen) who, upon her arrival in New York City, is forced by an evil madam (Tsai Chin) to work in a seedy Chinatown massage parlor.
Youssou N'Dour: Return to Goree (Unrated) Roots documentary retraces the route of the slave trade while simultaneously chronicling numerous recording, rap and jam sessions conducted by Youssou N'Dour as the peripatetic, Senegalese singer/percussionist and his jazz band (which includes Idris Muhammad and Pyeng Threadgill) travel from New Orleans back to Africa for a seaside concert in Dakar before a castle's infamous door of no return. With commentary by Amiri Baraka. (In French and English with subtitles)
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." — William Faulkner
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Aug. 29: Singer Michael Jackson is 50. Bassist-singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello is 39. Singer Carl Martin of Shai is 38.
Aug. 30: Actress Michael Michele ("ER", "Homicide: Life On The Street") is 42.
Aug. 31: Keyboardist Larry Waddell of Mint Condition is 45. Actor Chris Tucker ("Rush Hour") is 36. Actress Sara Ramirez ("Grey's Anatomy") is 33. Singer Tamara of Trina and Tamara is 31.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
On February 9, TV stations will broadcast in digital only. Find out if your TV is ready via a quiz at www.dtvtransition.org
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Aug. 29, 1957: Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first federal civil rights legislation since 1875. The bill established a civil rights commission and a civil rights division in the Justice Department. It also gave the Justice Department authority to seek injunctions against voting rights infractions.
Aug. 30, 1881: W.S. Campbell patents the improved, self-setting animal trap (Patent No. 246,369).
Aug. 31, 1979: Donald McHenry was named to succeed Andrew Young as UN ambassador. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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