06-15-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE

LONDON, NIVEA BOTH PREGNANT BY WEEZY?" Blogs claim both are due around September, and marriage on horizon for one.

  *For the past week, the blogosphere has been buzzing about rumors that actress Lauren London and rapper Lil Wayne are expecting, as well as Lil Wayne and R&B singer Nivea.

 None of the three camps have come out to confirm or deny the reports.

 Among the blog chatter is Bossip.com's source who claims: Lauren and Wayne weren’t happy about the pregnancy initially, but they “have accepted it and chosen to raise the baby together.” Everyone’s all smiles now and very excited about the new baby. Lauren says that she’s “not worried about the pregnancy affecting her career,” and doesn’t really care about what people think. She’s stayed very positive throughout this entire time. Lauren and Lil Wayne have decided not to live together or continue with their five year “on again, off again” relationship at this time.
http://bossip.com/113583/exclusive-lauren-wayne-and-i-will-happily-raise-thi
s-baby-together/  

       TheYBF.com contributed the following: Lauren London is indeed 5 months pregnant! This time it’s not just another empty rumor. And that’s the reason we haven’t seen her out and about in the last 3 months. She actually made one appearance since February and it was at the Next Day Air premiere last week. But interestingly, all her pictures were only taken from the bust and up.
        ….our source–who’s actually a Hollywood celebrity themselves–slipped up in a recent convo with YBF and spilled the beans. As for the father of Lauren’s baby–we’re told she confirmed it’s Lil Wayne! Yes, we’re serious. Remember when we posted exclusive pics of the ex-couple back in Weezy’s hometown of New Orleans? We got further confirmation of Lauren’s pregnancy from a celeb’s manager. Apparently said manager received a movie role for his client after it was first offered to Lauren. When the manager asked why Lauren wouldn’t take the role, the manager was made aware of Lauren’s pregnancy status.
We’re told Lauren’s taking time off from her career as her current conditions aren’t “favorable” right now.
http://theybf.com/index.php/2009/05/11/ybf-exclusive-lauren-london-is-5-mont
hs-pregnant/ 

       As for Nivea, rumor has it that not only did the rap star get her pregnant, but he's also about to put a ring on her finger. The two were previously engaged, but broke things off in 2003. She went on to marry hip hop producer The Dream, with whom she had three children. They divorced last year.

       In a statement to BlackCelebKids.com, celebrity photographer FreddyO says: I would like to be the first to send my congratulations to [Nivea] and her baby daddy soon-to-be husband Wayne. The two are said to be marrying within the next few months. Hummmm I wonder about that. Wayne will also be having a child with the one and only Ms. Lauren London who is also pregnant by him . WOW…. I wonder what they said when they both found out about each other…
 
http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2009/06/09/singer-nivea-pregnant-by-lil-wayne/

      
       Reports have both Nivea and London due to deliver in September. If all is true, the babies will be Lil Wayne's third and fourth children by four different women.  Most recently, he sired a son, 6-month-old Dwayne Carter III, by a reported model. He also has a 10 year-old daughter Reginae by his ex-wife Antonia “Toya” Carter.

'RUN'S HOUSE' BACK TONIGHT WITH 1 HR SPECIAL: MTV to also sneak peek new episodes from season six on June 21.

 *MTV's new sixth season of “Run’s House” premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT with a special hour-long episode of the Simmons family's vacation in Hawaii.

 Leading up to the special, MTV will air a “Run’s House” marathon of the Rev's favorite episodes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

       Additionally, MTV will broadcast a “Run’s House” Father’s Day marathon on June 21 beginning at 5 p.m. with a look back at past favorite episodes coupled with a preview of clips from the new season.
      
       As season six unfolds, viewers will witness the serious side of Run, as the family deals with the arrest of Jojo for the possession of illegal substances. Viewers will watch as each family member confronts a number of personal challenges and deals with balancing individual goals. 
      
CHRIS & RIHANNA 'REQUESTED TO SIT TOGETHER': Source says former couple wanted to make a statement at NBA's Game 4.

 *Two days after Rihanna was subpoenaed to testify at the upcoming assault case of her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, the two were under the same roof in Orlando at Thursday's Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

 "They requested to sit together" a source tells People.com. But by the time tipoff took place, the former lovers had decided to sit in separate sections. During half time, each retreated to separate private lounges, according to eyewitnesses.

 The couple, whose relationship has been on-again-off-again since Brown allegedly attacked Rihanna in February, were last known to be together in April in Los Angeles.

REV. WRIGHT ANGERS JEWISH GROUPS: Former pastor catches heat for 'them Jews' remark regarding Obama's handlers.

       *The Rev. Jeremiah Wright apologized and said he "misspoke" and meant "Zionists" when he said earlier this week that "them Jews" were keeping him from talking to President Obama.

       Wright, who was Obama's pastor in Chicago, had told the Daily Press of Newport News, Va. he hadn't spoken to Obama since he became president: "Them Jews aren't going to let him talk to me. I told my baby daughter, that he'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck, or in eight years when he's out of office."
      
       Wright issued a statement Thursday that he was “disturbed and deeply saddened” that his comments were stirring discussion.
      
       “I apologize for the way I framed my comments. I misspoke and I sincerely meant no harm or ill-will to the American Jewish community or the Obama administration,” Wright said. “I have great respect for the Jewish faith and the foundational (and central) part of our Judeo-Christian tradition.”
      
       But Lonnie Nasatir of the Anti-Defamation League's Chicago office said Wright was expressing "classic anti-Semitism."
      
       The ADL issued this statement: "Reverend Wright’s comments claiming that 'them Jews' are preventing him from communicating with President Obama are inflammatory and false. The notions of Jewish control of the White House in Reverend Wright’s statement express classic anti-Semitism in its most vile form. In a short succinct sentence, Reverend Wright manages to both label some of the president’s closest advisers solely by their religious beliefs and give them powers superior to the president himself."
      
       Wright, according to Sirius Radio, called into Mark Thompson’s daily show on the network to explain his comments to the Daily Press. Wright called in from the Hampton Ministers' Conference, an annual gathering of African-American ministers in Virginia. Read a transcript of Wright's Sirius radio interview here:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1619011,w-jeremiah-wright-obama-jews-zionist-061109.article 

R. KELLY IN THE MOTHERLAND: Singer due in Johannesburg this week for Fashion Awards gig; will kick off international string of concert dates.

 *R. Kelly is scheduled to perform for the first time in Africa this week as part of his involvement with the ARISE African Fashion Awards, which will take place June 20 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

       His concert will serve as a close out to Africa Fashion Week, as well as the launch of a  multi-city tour that will roll through South Africa, Nigeria, and London.
      
       "I'm very excited about my first visit to Africa, I've dreamed about this for a long time and it’s finally here,” Kelly said in a statement. “It will be one of the highlights of not only my career but my life. I can’t wait to perform in front of my fans in Africa – who have been some of the best in the world."
      
       The ARISE Africa Fashion Awards commences from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 20 at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Center.
 
Listed below are R. Kelly’s confirmed Africa tour dates:
 
Saturday, June 27th at the Superbowl in Sun City Monday, June 29th at the Grand West Casino in Cape Town Friday, July 3rd at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja, Nigeria Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th in Lagos, Nigeria Wednesday, July 8th at Wembley Arena in London, UK

MORGAN FREEMAN DENIES LAWSUIT ALLEGATIONS: Actor's lawyer files four-page response to Demaris Meyer's car wreck claims.

       *Morgan Freeman is firing back against the woman who was in the passenger seat the night he crashed his car in Mississippi, saying she was partly to blame for the near-fatal accident.
      
       The woman, Demaris Meyer, is suing the 71-year-old actor in U.S. District Court in Oxford, Miss., claiming he was negligent when the car he was driving ran off the side of a road in the Mississippi Delta and flipped several times.
      
       Freeman's attorney, Jack H. Hayes Jr., responded to the lawsuit Friday in a four-page court document denying almost all the allegations or saying Freeman doesn't know enough about them to form an opinion, reports the Associated Press.
      
       The film star admitted driving the car, and that it left the road and "sustained significant damages." The filing said he "would show (Meyer) is comparatively negligent," though it did not describe what that means.
      
       Both Meyer and Freeman were seriously injured in the August crash, which happened on a two-lane highway about five miles west of Freeman's home in Charleston.
      
       Meyer, who lives in Memphis, Tenn., sued Freeman in February for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, permanent disability and property damage. The lawsuit alleged Freeman was drinking that night, though it stops short of saying he was intoxicated. No charges were filed.

JASMINA HAS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT SURGERY: Six-year-old whose cause was promoted by Rihanna underwent procedure last week.

 *People.com is reporting that Jasmina Anema, the 6-year-old leukemia patient whose search for a bone marrow donor was aided by Rihanna, received a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant on Thursday (June 11).

 "It's done!" Jasmina's mother, Thea Anema, shouted moments after the transplant – a transfusion of healthy stem cells into her tiny body – at New York City's Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center.

       With Jasmina still sleeping, Thea told People from her hospital room, "I'm overwhelmed with so many emotions right now! For months, I've been so scared and anxious and full of uncertainty. And now it's finally happened. It's an overwhelming relief. I am incredibly grateful to the donor who gave Jasmina a second chance at life."
      
       Rihanna, who rallied thousands of people to register as potential donors in February on People.com, says she is thrilled and touched that Jasmina finally found a match.
      
       "I love this little girl and I am so happy that Jasmina received her transplant today. Miracles do happen. I hope more people sign up as bone marrow donors with DKMS so we can save more lives like hers. Jasmina remains in my prayers for a fast recovery," Rihanna told the magazine after hearing the transplant news Thursday night.

MICHELLE OBAMA BACK WITH THE QUEEN: The two meet again – this time away from cameras – for a private guided tour.

 *After her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II made headlines over inappropriate royal hugging, Michelle Obama returned to Buckingham Palace last week so that her daughters, Sasha and Malia, could view the historic residence.

       The queen granted Mrs. Obama and her girls permission for a guided tour of the palace, according to Huffington Post.
      
       They were shown around the queen's official residence and its gardens and the queen herself greeted them afterward, according to a royal source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.
      
       In April, during a visit to Britain with her husband, Michelle Obama made a warm impression on the queen - so much so that the monarch ignored protocol and briefly wrapped her arm around Mrs. Obama in a rare public show of affection. The first lady kindly returned the gesture.
      
FALCONS OFFICIALLY RELEASE VICK: Team says it's best for both parties 'to move on, to turn the chapter.'

 *Michael Vick, currently suspended from the NFL and on house arrest in Virginia for his role in a dog fighting enterprise, is now officially out of a job.

       The quarterback was released Friday from the Atlanta Falcons and is now free to sign with any team in the National Football League, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
      
        “It’s a situation that we have been thinking about for quite some time,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We did our due diligence. We’ve been searching around the league and were looking for some interest as far as a trade.
      
       “In the very end, we came to a conclusion that it was time. It was best for both us and Michael Vick to move on, to turn the chapter.”
      
       The Falcons said several teams were interested in trading for Vick. “But in the very end, without mentioning the teams, they just felt like it was not the right time to do it for them,” Dimitroff said. “We just decided to move forward.”
      
       Dimitroff gave Vick the bad news via a personal telephone call. “He was accepting of it, as you could imagine,” Dimitroff said. “He was expecting it, I’m sure. He was upbeat.
      
       “We respect him as an individual and as an athlete in this profession. It was the right thing to do. I’m happy that we had a conversation today.”
      
       Vick, meanwhile, remains suspended and would have to be reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

AL SHARPTON'S GROUP SUED BY PEABODY HOTEL: Venue says National Action Network owes more than $88K in unpaid fees.

 *The Peabody hotel in Memphis has filed a lawsuit in Shelby County Circuit Court against Al Sharpton’s National Action Network seeking payment of almost $70,300, plus more than $17,000 in attorney’s fees and other costs.

       Filed Tuesday, the suit stems from an April 2008 visit by Sharpton and NAN, which held its 2008 national convention in the city coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, reports the Memphis Daily News.
      
       “The plaintiff furnished and sold services, room rentals, materials and merchandise to the defendant at its specific instance and request and ... (the) amount remains past due and unpaid after demand for payment has been made and payment has been refused,” according to the complaint.
      
       The hotel does not spell out if the outstanding debt is a final tab that was never paid, the remaining portion of a bill or some other amount in dispute.

KOKO TAYLOR CELEBRATED IN CHICAGO:  Funeral mourners end service by singing her signature song 'Wang Dang Doodle.'

       *A music-filled funeral for blues legend Koko Taylor was held Friday at Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on Chicago's South Side.
       
       The hundreds of mourners in attendance – described by the Associated Press as "blues fans and musicians, young and old, black and white," got to their feet during the service and sang her signature song "Wang Dang Doodle."
      
       "We just wanted one more act, but God chose to pull her off the stage," said Rev. Jackson. "The curtain has been called."

       Those who couldn't make the ceremony, including B.B. King, Mavis Staples and Lonnie Brooks, sent letters.
      
       "She was an inspiration to everyone whose life she touched," King said in his letter.
      
       The service followed an official musical tribute to the soul star held Thursday and attended by Mayor Richard Daley, blues legend Buddy Guy, and fellow musicians Delores Scott and Vance Kelly.
      
       Taylor grew up in Tennessee and moved to Chicago at age 18 with her soon-to-be-husband, the late Robert "Pops" Taylor, in search of work. He later was her manager. Taylor's daughter, Joyce "Cookie" Threatt, remembered her mother as a best friend.

       "My mother has a new manager now," Threatt told the crowd. "There's a new song she has to sing."
      
       While Taylor didn't have widespread mainstream success, her career spanned more than five decades and she was beloved by blues aficionados. Her work included the best-selling song "Wang Dang Doodle" and tunes such as "What Kind of Man is This" and "I Got What It Takes." She earned seven Grammy nominations and won in 1984.
      
       Taylor last performed on May 7 in Memphis, Tenn., at the Blues Music Awards. She died June 3 at age 80 shortly after having surgery because of gastrointestinal bleeding.

KENYAN CHOIR TO RELEASE FIRST CD: Group that repped Kenya at Obama's inauguration introduces 'Spirit of Africa.'

 *The Kenyan Boys Choir, who first gained worldwide attention at President Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration, will release their first album "Spirit of Africa" on June 29 via Decca/Universal.

 Their signing to the label took place during a layover at London's Heathrow Airport. As the story goes, the group was on their way home to Nairobi from the inauguration when they were approached by Decca's A&R manager Tom Lewis, who had seen CNN's coverage of the choir's performance and found out they would have to change flights in the UK.

 According to the AP, Lewis grabbed a lawyer and headed straight to Heathrow where he signed the act right in the terminal.

       Fast-forward six months, and the 25-member choir's debut effort, Lewis believes, can be one of the feel-good albums of 2009.
      
       "African music is the basis of everything from the blues to dance, influencing everyone from Damon Albarn to the Chemical Brothers and Vampire Weekend," Lewis said. "We have huge hopes for them, and we're thrilled they decided to sign with us."
      
       The album contains traditional music from several African countries plus versions of Paul Simon's "Homeless" and the Christmas carol "Oh Holy Night."
      
       The choir will tour internationally to promote the album, with touring periods fitted around its members' school terms.

BLACK EYED PEAS PLOT HUGE SUMMER TOUR: Fergie says of the outing, 'we're trying to up our game.'

 *The Black Eyed Peas are due to begin rehearsing for a major headlining tour at the end of the summer that will reportedly blow their other stage shows out of the water.

       We're "trying to up our game," group member Fergie tells Billboard, adding that her bandmates will start gearing up for the trek after a run of festival appearances in North America and Europe.
      
       "It's going to be the biggest tour, production-wise, that we've ever done. We're actually planning for that now, which we've never done before -- actually plan for a tour," said Fergie. "It's usually just learn the songs by performing at festivals, and that's our show. But now we're stepping it up. We had some visuals before, but now we are going to have a lot more, and we're really excited about that."
      
       Fergie says the Peas will "utilize a lot of the technology that's out there" but adds that it's "too early" to get into specifics. "We're just now getting together what we're going to do for the festivals and are kind of just making an outline and putting in what we would like to happen (for the tour). So I can't really talk about it yet."
      
       The Peas' itinerary for the next three months includes stops at the Virgin Festival in Montreal, the Glastonbury Festival in England, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Outland Lands Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco, among others, before heading to Japan in September. The group also opens five U2 shows in October.

       BEP's new album, "The E.N.D.," has spawned a megahit in its lead single, "Boom Boom Pow," which has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 consecutive weeks.

'FELA!' MUSICAL HEADED TO BROADWAY: Producers confirm fall opening for tuner at the Eugene O'Neill Theater.

 *It's official - the Off Broadway musical "Fela!" about the life of Afrobeat musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is coming to Broadway following its extended run at 37 Arts last summer.

       Producers confirm that the production will open this fall at the Eugene O'Neill Theater.
      
       Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Steve Hendel, the plot follows not only Fela's musical career -- in which he combined jazz, funk and African traditions to become a pioneer in world music -- but also his personal life and work as an activist opposing the corrupt military government of post-colonial Nigeria.
      
       Jones also serves as the play's director and choreographer, while its pool of investors is reportedly likely to include big-name contemporary musicians such as Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Jay Z.
      
       This spring, "Fela!" won a Lucille Lortel award for musical and an Obie for actor Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the role of Kuti and returns to play the part on Broadway.
      
       "Fela!" begins previews Oct. 19 ahead of a Nov. 23 opening.

KANYE WEST GA-GA OVER GAGA: Rapper admires touring partner's sense of fashion and style.

 *Kanye West says he's looking forward to his road work with avant-garde pop sensation Lady Gaga. The two are set to go on tour this fall as co-headliners.

 “She’s talented and so incredible that she’s not an opening act. We’re doing it together, with no opening act,” West told the ladies of "The View" last week.

 Explaining his crush on Gaga further, he told the New York Daily News, “I’m into her style. It’s hot right now. I mean, I’m a guy — so obviously I’m into her. With two creative minds like ours, it will be incredible.”

 West recently interpolated Gaga’s “Poker Face” hit into the Kid Cudi track “I Make Her Say." Kanye has even gone as far as saying Gaga is this generation’s Madonna.

VANESSA WILLIAMS PLUGS 'DRESS FOR SUCCESS': Actress to launch organization's new campaign on June 30.

       *Vanessa Williams is spearheading the "Botox Cosmetic: Express Success" charitable education campaign to benefit Dress for Success, a group that provides professional attire and career support to disadvantaged women.

       "As a working woman and actress, I know how important it is to 'look the part' in any professional setting," Williams writes in a personal message on the company's Web site. "It's no secret that I receive Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) treatments, which is a quick procedure that reduces the two frown lines in between my brows that look like an '11' and give me a tired or stressed appearance.

       "Whether it is donating a suit to Dress for Success at one of the local events we are hosting around the country, or exploring this Web site to learn more, I ask you to get involved and help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged women."
      
       The actress, currently starring on ABC's "Ugly Betty," will officially launch the campaign on June 30.  You can pledge your support now at www.ExpressSuccessCampaign.com – and also enter to win a trip for two to New York City to have lunch with Williams.

TRAVIS MCCOY SUPPORTING HIV PREVENTION: Gym Class Heroes frontman travels to three countries as MTV ambassador.

       *Singer/rapper Travis McCoy, lead vocalist and songwriter of Gym Class Heroes, is currently traveling in South Africa, the Philippines and India to raise awareness of youth driven HIV and AIDS prevention initiatives.
      
       The journey includes visits to a number of grassroots HIV prevention projects in the three countries – all of whom are the 2009 recipients of the Staying Alive Foundation Awards.
      
       Calling his work "a cause that is very close to me," McCoy said in a statement, "Having lost loved ones and seeing the toll it takes on people affected including the people that love and care for them, it's important we do whatever can within our power to fight this deadly and rapidly spreading epidemic."
      
       The artist, also MTV's Staying Alive Special Ambassador, will be writing a new single inspired by his travels and those he meets along the way for release on December 1st, World AIDS Day.
      
       Fans will be given the opportunity to submit lyrics to McCoy's track and compete to have their creative ideas used for the track artwork. McCoy will also post daily updates of his trip on Twitter.
      
       McCoy has also set up a dedicated Web site for the trip www.theunbeatentrack.com, where fans can share his experiences as he moves from one country to another. They will be able to hear first hand the facts and stories direct from the young people he meets on his journey including from those running the grass-roots HIV and AIDS prevention projects in their respective countries.
      
       "I strongly feel the best cure we have at this point is increasing education and building awareness," said McCoy. "It's how we use this information in the choices we make that will determine whether or not our generation will help make a change or ultimately make things worse. I believe that 'each one should teach one,' and if my influence on my peers and young ones that look up to me can help decide what music to listen to or what clothes to wear, I hope and pray it will help them to decide to be safe and take their life seriously."

RUCKER STREET BALL TOURNEY UNDERWAY: Chris Brown, Angie Martinez, Cam'Ron, Ron Artest among celebrity teams this year.
       
 *The world famous Rucker street ball tournament, a.k.a. the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic (EBC), is set to tip off its 2009 run today in Harlem, New York.

 Since its inception in 1980, the tournament has seen the participation of such hoop stars as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Pee Wee Kirkland, Earl “The Goat” Manigault, Vince Carter, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Rafer Alston, Carmelo Anthony, and Nate Archibald.

 This year, all eyes will be on 19-year old Brandon Jennings, who is expected to be a viable NBA Draft pick on June 25, reports Allhiphop.com. The athlete opted to play overseas in the Italian Lega A while waiting to reach the eligible draft age (19).

       The 29th annual tournament will feature a host of celebrity teams all vying for a year’s worth of bragging rights and highlight reels. Confirmed participants include Ron Artest (Tru Warriors), Maino (Hustle Hard), Angie Martinez (Angie Martinez All-Stars), Chris Brown (Chris Brown All-Stars), Jadakiss (Team 914), Cam’Ron (Team Cam’Ron), and Ron Brownz (Ether Boy Records).
      
       Additionally, New York’s MSG (Madison Square Garden) Network will host the four day tournament to 10 million homes nationwide. A total of thirteen episodes will air from July 2-Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. (EST) every Thursday.

AUTHOR GIL ROBERTSON BACK WITH CHILDREN'S BOOK: Feb. 2010 release offers biographical sketches of 24 black political leaders.

       *Best-selling author Gil Robertson has signed with Just Us Books – billed as the premiere publisher of black-interest books for children – to release his debut children’s title, "21st Century African American Political Leaders."
      
       Slated for a February 2010 release, the book series will provide children ages 9 – 14 with inspirational biographical sketches on the lives of 24 contemporary African American political leaders.

       From Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to Newark, New Jersey Mayor Corey Booker, the series will spotlight the history of each politician as they make strides in the social and governmental fabric of America. "21st Century African American Political Leaders" will cover the early lives and professional accomplishments of these leaders who represent the new vanguard in American politics. The book will also include historical-fact sidebars and a bibliography as an educational supplement. 

       "I think that '21st Century African Americans in Politics' will fill a void in modern day children books by introducing young people to political leaders, who like President Obama, are making new strides in American politics,” says Carolyn L. Garnes, a member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and former Chair of the Coretta Scott Book Award Committee. “There is simply not enough information on the accomplishments and achievement of African Americans in politics, so this project will be a very valuable resource to students and adults.” 
      
       "21st Century African Americans in Politics" will retail in paperback and will be available for purchase at the Just Us Books online bookstore at www.justusbooks.com, and via retailers nationwide. 
      
       For more information on Gil Robertson, visit www.robertsontreatment.com and www.gilspeaks.net. 

URBAN BEAUTY COLLECTIVE RETOOLS WEB SITE: New features include 'Style Squad,' photo gallery and more.

       *The Urban Beauty Collective (UBC), the nation’s largest African-American retail promotional network with more than 12,000 beauty and barbershops in 20 cities, celebrates its 6th year anniversary with the redesign of www.urbanbeautycollective.com.  
      
       The new and improved digital entity has relaunched as a social network dedicated to urban style professionals and the people they inspire.
      
       New features include “Style Squad,” a daily dose of expert opinion from top celebrity artists, including Ursula Stephen, the much-lauded hair stylist for pop icon Rihanna and wardrobe stylist Wouri Vice, best known for his groundbreaking looks for Alicia Keys. 
      
       UrbanBeautyCollective.com also features curated galleries bursting with real-life photos from style professionals of color nationwide.  To date, more than 1,200 images have been uploaded by local hair stylists, barbers, wardrobe stylists, manicurists, estheticians and fitness trainers from around the country.
      
       The new look of UrbanBeautyCollective.com is punctuated by custom illustrations by Los-Angeles based graphic designer and fashionista Katharina Pretl, while Global Soul Media is on board to facilitate the social network’s digital advertising opportunities for forward-thinking marketers.
      
       Urban Beauty Collective’s online community is enhanced by its robust offline membership of 12,000 black hair care businesses in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, Miami, San Francisco/Oakland, Memphis, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery and New Orleans.

ITTY BITTY BITS: LaLa auctioning Range Rover; Denzel auctioning Sony VAIO; Maxwell on Jet cover; Rashida Jones dating Obama speechwriter?

 *LaLa Vazquez is putting her 2006 hot Pink Range Rover on the auction block, reports TMZ.com. The VH1 personality and fiancé of NBA star Carmelo Anthony is planning to donate a portion of the proceeds to charity. Bidding on eBay started at $25,000.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Land-Rover-Range-Rover-Sport_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2em352Q2el1262QQhashZitem2ea5c0c945QQitemZ200349370693QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks 

       *A Sony VAIO Notebook PC signed by Denzel Washington and used by his character in the new movie "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" is also up for auction. Sony Corporation of America, in partnership with charity auction site Charityfolks.com, is putting the item up for bid through June 25 at www.CharityFolks.com/pelham123. The winner will also receive a pair of tickets to any upcoming Sony Pictures Entertainment movie. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America,
      
       *In the latest issue of Jet magazine, R&B crooner Maxwell says he knows leaving the music scene for eight years was a gamble, but he had no choice. His absence had some folks talking – saying, “Whatever happened to Maxwell? Is he OK? Is he sick? Is he on drugs? Where is he?” The artist, who’s anticipating the July 7 release of his new CD "BLACKsummers’night,"
wasn’t aware of the rumors surrounding his hiatus. “I don’t really put power into that. It’s just what people do and there’s no way I can control that. I can’t stand up at every moment and say ‘this true and this is not.’ There aren’t that many hours in the day to do that.” The June 15 issue featuring Maxwell is on newsstands now.

       *People.com is reporting that Rashida Jones, 33, of NBC's "Parks & Recreation" is dating Jon Favreau, the 28-year-old speechwriter for President Obama. "It's not serious," a source reveals, but they are an item. Their hookup comes following her split from former "The Office" co-star John Krasinski.
      
CHUCK E. CHEESE ACCUSED OF RACISM: Three African American families file civil rights suit against kiddie restaurant in Indianapolis.

       *Three African-American families have filed a civil rights lawsuit against children's restaurant Chuck E. Cheese and a former Indianapolis store manager of mistreating them because they are black, reports Businessweek.com.
      
       The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court alleges Ken McGill, who was a manager at two different stores, refused to serve them, treated them rudely or forced them to leave while allowing white families to stay.
      
       The suit claims Irving, Texas-based CEC Entertainment Inc., which runs the chain, failed to investigate McGill's behavior as the families requested.
      
       The suit seeks damages of at least $500,000.

EUR FILM REVIEW: The Taking of Pelham 123
Denzel and Travolta Co-Star in Remake of Classic Hostage Drama
by Kam Williams
 
      *John Godey’s best-selling novel, The Taking of Pelham 123, revolves around a quartet of armed crooks who hijack a New York City subway train and threaten to start killing passengers one-by-one if their ransom demands are not met in an hour. Beyond that basic outline however, each director who takes on the project seems inclined to alter the terrifying tale of suspense however he sees fit.

      Back in 1974, the first screen adaptation starred the late Walter Matthau as Police Lieutenant Zachary Garber. When Garber cracked the case, the gang’s ringleader, Bernard “Blue” Ryder, promptly committed suicide. The 1998, made-for-TV version had a different ending, and the hero had a another name and was demoted to detective. Plus, Blue and his cohorts were now seeking $5 instead of $1 million in return for the release of their prisoners. 

      By 2009, the protagonist has his original surname again, but he’s now black and is no longer a cop at all. Instead, Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is a disgraced subway dispatcher with a checkered past who could use a serious shot at redemption. His mission is to match wits with Ryder (John Travolta), a diabolical misanthrope who wants $10 million and hates Italians but who conveniently takes a liking to Garber and won’t deal with anyone else. To prove that he’ll have no part of the official police negotiator (John Turturro), he blows away the train’s engineer (Gary Basaraba) at the sign of the slightest hesitation to put his pal Walter back on the phone.  

      As for the support teams on the respective scorecards, Ryder’s partners in crime include Messrs. Green (Luis Guzman), Brown (Robert Vataj) and Grey (Vicytor Gojcaj). In the other corner, the Good Guys are led by the outgoing Mayor (James Gandolfini) and the Police Commissioner (Frank Wood).  Where the villain in the book was crafty and calculating, Travolta has reinterpreted the role as an unpredictable maniac likely to go off at any moment.
 
      That scary intensity matches the tone being set by director Tony Scott (Déjà Vu) who seems far more inclined to cattle-prod his audience via a pounding soundtrack and dizzying cinematic tricks rather than to weave a credible cat-and-mouse caper. Overall, this makes for a frenetic experience more akin to watching a music video or playing a computer game than to attempting to unravel a cerebral psychological thriller.

      Nonetheless, Washington and Travolta are both still at the top of their games, and prove to be worthy adversaries. So, the roller coaster ride they take you on is as riveting as it is ridiculous upon closer inspection. A high-octane, attention-deficit adventure you’ll forget by the time you’ve walked up the aisle!                   
               
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated R for violence, ethnic slurs and pervasive profanity. 
Running time: 106 minutes
Studi Columbia Pictures
 
To see a trailer for The Taking of Pelham 123, visit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkQJQchgFgc

EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE

 "Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?' It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that there is an answer." — Leo F. Buscaglia
 
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS  

  June 15: Rapper-actor Ice Cube is 40.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
 
       Orijin Magazine is designed to connect all African descendants, sharing each other's culture and history through entertainment: music, fashion, lifestyle, sports, etc. www.orijin-ent.com 

       Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.     

BLACK HISTORY
  
   June 15, 1864: Congress passed bill equalizing pay, arms, equipment and medical services of black troops. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)