10-28-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE

BRAVO HOST WANTS FIRST LADY IN 'SHE BY SHEREE': Andy Cohen hit up Michelle Obama's hair stylist to help make it happen.
      
       *Andy Cohen, the network's Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Development and host of every Bravo reunion show, says he is pushing for Michelle Obama to wear an item from "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Sheree's clothing line.
      
       The Bravo exec, who hosts the cable channel's new late night talk show "Watch What Happens: Live!" says he's done 14 episodes of the program and has asked guests in each program, "Are you wearing She by Sheree?" He's hoping that an item from the line will make it into the First Lady's closet.
      
        “I had Michelle Obama’s hairdresser Johnny Wright on last week,” he tells People.com. “And I said, ‘What is it going to take to get the First Lady into a She by Sheree frock?’ And he said that he’s anxiously awaiting what the line presents to see. He said if Sheree creates something great, maybe it will happen. So tonight,” Cohen said. “I’m really pushing for the first lady to wear She by Sheree!’”
      
       She by Sheree debuted last month during New York Fashion Week, and to a television audience last week via the season finale of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

TSU DROPS TAVIS SMILEY'S NAME FROM BUILDING: Texas Southern says he hasn't met obligation to raise $1 million for communication school.

      *As Indiana University prepares to name an atrium after PBS host Tavis Smiley, another institution of higher learning has decided to remove his name from a building on its campus.
      
       A long-brewing dispute between the broadcaster and Texas Southern University ended Friday when the school's governing board agreed to take Smiley's name off of its communication school.
      
       According to the Houston Chronicle's Chron.com, Smiley promised in 2004 to donate $1 million and to raise another $1 million for TSU. In turn, the school created the Tavis Smiley School of Communication in his honor.
      
       As of today, Smiley has made one $50,000 donation in mid-2005 and raised $250,000 from three corporate donors. He said Friday that he had intended to fulfill his personal $1 million pledge, and that former university President Priscilla Slade offered to name the school for him before he pledged any money.
      
       “I even made a joke, how much is this decision going to cost me?” he told Chron.com. “She said, ‘This decision has already been made.'”
      
       “It doesn't feel good,” Smiley said of the board's decision. “My intentions were to help the students.”
      
       TSU President John Rudley said talks broke down last month after more than a year of negotiations, and Rudley informed Smiley the deal was off.
       
       “Because you did not fulfill your original commitment to our partnership, TSU plans to treat the partnership as being at an end,” Rudley wrote in a letter dated Sept. 28. “TSU will therefore remove your name from the School of Communication and the KTSU Radio facility to allow us to provide other major donors with the naming opportunity.”
      
       Smiley responded in an e-mail to Rudley. “I understand your letter to say that you don't want that gift,” he wrote. “I ... will continue with my benevolence where it's appreciated.”
      
       Rudley says the move to drop Smiley's name was strictly business and there are no hard feelings toward the journalist.
      
       “He had his reasons for what he wasn't doing,” he said. “But from the university's standpoint, we had to move on. …We still like Tavis Smiley a lot.”
      
 As previously reported, the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) will name the atrium of its IU Bloomington building after Smiley during a ceremony scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30. 

LARRY JOHNSON APOLOGIZES FOR GAY SLUR: Plus, Kansas City Chiefs running back not allowed to practice while team investigates.

 *Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has apologized for using a gay slur to describe a Twitter follower and members of the press on Monday, and the team has punished the athlete by keeping him off the practice field.

       Johnson wrote:
      
        First of all, I want to apologize to the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL, Commissioner Goodell, the Chiefs organization, Coach Todd Haley, his staff, and my teammates for the words I used yesterday.
       
        I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said. 
      
        I also want to apologize to all the kids who view athletes as role models. I was not a good role model yesterday and hopefully I can become a better role model. We all make mistakes, and the challenge is to learn from them. I will do my best to learn from this one as I move toward becoming a better person, teammate, and member of the Kansas City chiefs team and community.

       The Chiefs have "instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities" while they conduct an internal investigation.
      
       Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, says he hopes the whole episode will be used as an example to other players in the NFL.
      
        Barrios told TMZ:
      
        Larry Johnson's apology sends an important message that there is no excuse for using anti-gay epithets.
       
        GLAAD is continuing to call on the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs to use this unfortunate incident as a way to educate and start a dialogue with players and fans regarding the dangers of homophobia in sports."

BRAWL ERUPTS DURING AKON/T-PAIN GIG IN AUSTRALIA: Eighteen people injured, several hospitalized when rival gangs collide.
      
       *Rival gangs in Melbourne, Australia clashed during a concert featuring Akon and T-Pain on Sunday (Oct. 25), leaving 18 people injured --
11 of them hospitalized and treated for lacerations, bruises and other minor injuries.
       
       The artists were headlining a show at the HiSense Arena when gangbangers in the audience started tripping.  At one point, Akon jumped into the crowd to try and stop the violence, but to no avail.
        
       "I don't know if y'all know how hard it took me to get here," Akon said from the shoulders of a security guard. "It took me almost two years for Australia to let me back in the country and I'm not going to let them f**k up our concert tonight."
      
       Akon had been unable to get a work permit in Australia due to his prior criminal record.
      
       One man was arrested in Sunday's melee for assaulting and knocking a security guard unconsciousness.

ALICIA KEYS ALBUM PUSHED BACK TWO WEEKS: Release date is now Dec. 15.

       *Alicia Keys was supposed to drop her upcoming "The Element of Freedom" album on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.  But the singer announced Sunday that the release date has been delayed for two weeks.
      
        Following a lecture and performance of her latest single "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" for New York University students, Keys used her Twitter page to break the news.

       "Luv having the freedom to create beautiful music, so I'm pushing the album back to DEC 15th. So many more amazing songs!!!" she tweeted about the J Records release.
      
       The set's first single, "Doesn't Mean Anything," is currently No. 15 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 

JAY-Z PART OF 'DJ HERO RENEGADE EDITION': Rapper promotes product featuring his CD.

 *The New York Yankees' run toward the World Series last weekend threatened to eclipse Jay-Z's first order of business over the weekend -- to promote his participation in the new DJ Hero Renegade Edition video game.

 The package features a turntable controller as well as two CDs, one from Jay-Z and another from fellow rap star Eminem.

       Jay-Z, who has eleven albums on his resume, says the DJ Hero move was an opportunity for him to release his "best of" material.

 "I picked a song from each of my albums. I've never had a greatest hits, so it's pretty much like my greatest hits," he said.

       The Brooklyn native also said the new video game may make its players overconfident about their DJ skills in real life.
      
       "It's very challenging and fun and you get lost and you start believing that you can deejay a party," he laughed. "I think some kids may go out and try to deejay a party and really mess up really bad and realize it's not as easy as it seems."

 As previously reported, Jay-Z and fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys are set to perform their song "Empire State of Mind" to kick off tonight's Game
1 of the World Series between the Yankees and defending champs, the Philadelphia Phillies.

       He calls the opportunity a "once in a lifetime experience" and says though the jam has become an unofficial New York anthem, he's not pushing for it to be the city's theme song.
      
       "I'm not pitching it for anything, it's just a song I made for New York City," he said. "Really it's about inspiration, it's about hope — I think that's what connects with people. The song connects outside of New York. Every night I play it, there's a monster response, no matter if we're in Providence or whenever."
      
KHLAMAR GETS MATCHING TATTOOS: Khloe and Lamar ink their love on the side of their hands.

       *Now that the prenup is taken care of, newlyweds Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have professed their love for each other with an apparent unplanned trip to a Los Angeles tattoo parlor over the weekend.
      
       "I think the best tattoo experiences are the spontaneous ones, because that way you are not only left with the tattoo, but an amazing memory to go along with it!" Kardashian blogged of their matching tattoos – each featuring the other's initials on the side of their hands. "I'm definitely a believer in tattoos as long as they are thoughtful and have significant meaning, which all of mine do."
      
       The couple was having dinner when Khloe, who already has two tatts, suggested they go get inked.
      
       "I just knew I wanted a tattoo for Lamar in the web of my hand, and then once we got to the shop, we decided on getting each other's initials,"
she wrote. "I got "LO" in cursive on my right hand and he got "KO" on both hands."
      
       She added, "Tattoos are something you'll have for the rest of your life, so it's important to get one that truly means something to you."

CHRIS BROWN SETS A DATE FOR NEW ALBUM: Singer tweets news ahead of 'Fan Appreciation' tour.

       *Chris Brown took to his Twitter page Monday to announce that his next album, "Graffiti," will be released ten days before Christmas.
      
       "Official album date: December 15. Graffiti. Now blog about this. Lol," Brown tweeted in all caps.
      
       The announcement comes as the Virginia native prepares for his 19-city "Fan Appreciation" tour, which begins Nov. 4 in Houston and ends Dec. 13 in Philadelphia.

       Last night, Brown was to headline New York radio station Power 105.1's (WWPR) Powerhouse concert at New Jersey's Izod Center, along with The-Dream, Trey Songz, Keri Hilson, Fabolous and others.

LEONA LEWIS' ALLEGED ATTACKER 'UNFIT' FOR COURT: Man accused of punching 'X Factor' winner has a mental health issue.

       *The man accused of assaulting singer Leona Lewis during a London book signing has been ruled not fit to attend court and has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, reports NME.com.
      
       On Oct. 14, Peter Kowalczyk was alleged to have punched the 2007 "X Factor" winner as she signed copies of her new book "Dream" at Waterstone's in Piccadilly.
      
       On Monday, the City of Westminster Magistrates court ruled that Kowalczyk was unfit to attend court. He is free on bail, but confined to a hospital and scheduled to undergo further psychiatric tests, the results of which will determine how the case is handled, reports BBC News.
      
       The case has been adjourned until November 23.

BRAYLON EDWARDS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT: Browns-turned-Jets receiver facing up to six months in jail over nightclub fracas.

       *Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault in connection with a fight outside a Cleveland nightclub, an incident that prompted his trade to the New York Jets.
      
       Cleveland city prosecutor Victor Perez filed the charge on Monday, according to ESPN.com. It carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. An arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 17 in Cleveland Municipal Court.
      
       Patrick D'Angelo, an attorney for Edwards, said his client will plead not guilty.
      
       Edwards is accused of punching promoter Edward Givens, a friend of NBA star LeBron James, following an argument Oct. 5 on the sidewalk outside View Ultralounge & Nightclub on Prospect Avenue. James called Edwards' actions "childish" and presumed the NFL player was jealous of him and his friends.
      
       Two days later, Browns coach Eric Mangini traded Edwards to the Jets for wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and two undisclosed draft choices.
      
       Edwards also faces possible punishment from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

NAOMI CAMPBELL SUED OVER PERFUME DEAL: Company says supermodel kept their part of the proceeds from a licensing agreement.

       *A cosmetics-marketing company is suing Naomi Campbell for allegedly keeping its cut of the profits earned from a fragrance-licensing agreement.
      
  Filed late Monday in New York, the lawsuit says Campbell violated a 1998 contract by leaving Moodform Mission out of a deal made within roughly the past year, reports the Associated Press.

       It says she stopped paying Moodform Mission its share of proceeds from scents it helped develop. Those include Naomi Campbell, Cat Deluxe and Seductive Elixir.
      
       Moodform is seeking unspecified damages from the supermodel, but Campbell's lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ the whole thing is "ridiculous and absurd."
      
       "The lawsuit is nothing more than a preemptive strike since Moodform knows that my client has substantial claims against Moodform and their principals for millions of dollars for breaching their fiduciary duties among other acts of misconduct," Singer said.

'LATINO IN AMERICA' LESS WATCHED: Ratings failed to match last summer's "Black in America" – both in overall viewers and 25-54 demo.

       *CNN's two-day "Latino in America" documentary series was not as big of a ratings hit as its predecessor "Black in America," which drew 2.1 and
2.6 million total viewers in its two part airing last summer, and won the all-important 25-54 demographic both nights.

       "Latino" aired Wednesday and Thursday from 9-11 p.m. The first special drew an average of 1,007,000 total viewers and 293,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, a 45% drop in total viewers from the debut episode of July's "Black in America," and a 67% drop in viewers 25-54, according to Nielsen.

       Thursday's Part II averaged 848,000 total viewers and 268,000 in 25-54. That's down 40% in total viewers from the second part of "Black in America," which averaged 1,406,000 total viewers, and down 60% in the 25-54 demo (from 569,000).

       MediaBistro's Kevin Allocca reported that the bigger story appeared to be the controversy surrounding the "Latino in America" series. Latino critics have accused CNN of hypocrisy for reaching out to Latinos with the special, yet keeping anchor Lou Dobbs, a fierce critic of immigration.

CHARGES FILED IN KILLLING OF UCONN PLAYER: Also, hundreds attend funeral held for cornerback.

       *Murder charges were filed Tuesday in the fatal attack of 20-year-old University of Connecticut football player Jasper "Jazz" Howard, who was stabbed to death outside of a school-sanctioned dance.
      
        John William Lomax III, 21, of Bloomfield, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with murder, police said. His bond was set at $2 million.
      
       Police also charged Hakim Muhammad, 20, of Bloomfield, with conspiracy to commit assault and Jamal Todd, 21, of Hartford with pulling a fire alarm that emptied the dance early Oct. 18, triggering the fight.
      
       While police would not discuss evidence or a motive during a news conference Tuesday, Lomax's attorney says his client -- who is not a UConn student and lives 30 miles from campus -- was just trying to break up the fight.

       "He was just partying," said his attorney, Deron Freeman. "Often people from out of town go to the UConn campus to party."
      
       Meanwhile, the entire UConn team attended Howard's funeral Monday along with hundreds of mourners at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Miami. The players arrived in white buses, many staying stone-faced throughout the day, reports the Associated Press. They shuffled quietly inside, each picking up a single white rose with a blue ribbon along the way.
      
       Howard was eulogized by Huskies coach Randy Edsall as "the ultimate son, he was the ultimate brother. He was the ultimate teammate. He was the ultimate friend. They didn't come any better than Jazz."

       It was Edsall who called Howard's mother to tell her of her first-born's death and the coach identified Howard's body.
      
       "I can't describe (my feelings) right now, but I'm going to make it," Howard's mother, JoAngila, said at the cemetery. "I'm hurting, but I'm going to make it."

       A fourth man, Johnny Hood, 21, of Hartford, was arrested last week and faces charges of breach of peace and interfering with police but also is not charged in the killing.

CHALI 2NA TO PROMOTE SOLO ALBUM WITH TOUR: Cali rapper joins Gift of Gab, Mr. Lif and Lyrics Born for 'Deadliest Catch' trek.

       *Chali 2na of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli will join Gift of Gab from Blackalicious and special guest Mr. Lif, along with host and MC Lyrics Born for the "Deadliest Catch Tour," which kicks off Nov. 6 in San Jose, CA.
      
       Earlier this year, Chali 2na -- born Charlie Stewart -- released his first official solo album, "Fish Out of Water." He recorded four studio albums with Jurassic 5, including the group's self-titled 1993 debut, and was also a founding member of Ozomatli, appearing on the band's 1998 debut.
      
       "I want to free people's asses and let their minds follow," the rapper said of his solo debut in his online bio. "To not be preachy, but to make them aware of what I'm about. I want to enlighten, but I ain't trying to be a bumper sticker either."
      
       Below are tour dates for "The Deadliest Catch"

November 2009

6 - San Jose, CA - The Voodoo Lounge
7 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
10 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie theater
11 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
12 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Tavern
13 - Park City, CO - Harry O's
14 - Bozeman, MT - Gallatin County Fairgrounds
15 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theatre
17 - Vancouver, British Columbia - The Biltmore Cabaret
18 - Bellingham, WA - The Nightlight
19 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
20 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
21 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
23 - Sacramento, CA - Harlow's

"NOTORIOUS" DIRECTOR LINES UP NEXT GIG: George Tillman to tackle film based on Craigslist's 'missed connections' section. 

       *George Tillman, director of the Biggie biopic "Notorious," has signed on to helm a film adaptation of Julia Wertz's novel "I Saw You" for State Street Pictures, Variety reports.
      
       The book is about the missed connections section of Craigslist.com, where people can post notices expressing romantic interest in strangers they have seen in a public place, but were unable to approach. 
      
        The movie version will be a romantic comedy focusing on turning around a missed opportunity to begin a life-changing relationship.
      
       State Street will get a script and put together a package for distributors. Bob Teitel will produce.

COMIC CLAIMS HE SNORTED COKE IN FRONT OF OBAMA: 'Arrested Development's' David Cross says he did it on a dare. 

       *During a stand-up gig in DC last week, former "Arrested Development" star David Cross reportedly claimed that he snorted cocaine while seated "super close" to President Barack Obama.
      
       The actor said it happened on May 9th at the Washington Hilton Hotel while attending the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner with his actress girlfriend Amber Tamblyn.
      
       "I got to go because my girlfriend is a fancy Hollywood actress and she got an invitation, so we went," Cross told the audience at Warner Theatre last Wednesday (Oct. 21).
      
       The comic said he has an ongoing competition with a friend in which the two try to outdo each other in "dares and outrageousness." 
      
       Here's the back story, according to Comedy Central's Insider blog:
      
        Gavin McInnes, a friend of Cross's and founder of Street Carnage, says that he snorted a bit of cocaine while visiting the now defunct DEA museum five years ago with Cross. The act was a daring piece of irony, and after getting away with it, McInnes said to Cross, "Top that."
       
       The opportunity presented itself at the WHCD, while Cross was seated near former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, former Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and "the editor-in-chief of the USA Today," Cross said Wednesday.
       
       "I've got photo evidence of all this... I'm there and the president is right here, and (I took the drug) with all these people at the table.
Maybe 40 feet from the President of the United States," he told the crowd.
       
       Cross said he texted his friend to say, "No way you can ever top that."

FOXX, LATIFAH, ARSENIO KICK OFF 'GEORGE LOPEZ': New TBS talk show unveils guest list for first few weeks.

       *George Lopez's talk show "Lopez Tonight" premieres Monday, Nov. 9 at 11 p.m. on TBS with NBA great Kobe Bryant, Ellen DeGeneres and Eva Longoria-Parker of "Desperate Housewives" among the guests for the first week. 
      
       Additional scheduled guests for the first few weeks include Sandra Bullock, Ray Romano, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba, Charlie Sheen, Queen Latifah, Marc Anthony, Ted Danson, Andy Garcia, Larry David, Taylor Lautner, Oscar de la Hoya, Kelly Osbourne, Floyd Mayweather, Eva Mendes, Arsenio Hall and Kathy Griffin, among many others.
      
       Additional guests will be announced in the weeks ahead.
      
       "Lopez Tonight" will air on TBS Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m. (ET/PT). The show comes to TBS from 2.2 Productions, paraMedia Inc. and Telepictures Productions.

MIJAC, BLIGE, NAOMI CAMPBELL HONORED: Thurgood Marshall College Fund recognizes entertainers at annual dinner in NYC.

       *Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Naomi Campbell were honored Monday at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund's (TMCF) 22nd Anniversary Dinner in New York.
      
       Marlon Jackson accepted the Avant-Garde Award on behalf of his late brother, while Blige received the Breaking Barriers accolade for her music achievements and philanthropy.
      
       Supermodel Campbell was given the Fashion Icon Award and Oprah Winfrey's stylist Andre Walker also picked up a prize for his work.
      
       The Thurgood Marshall College Fund provides scholarships and support to struggling students at historically black colleges and universities.

COSBY GETS HIS MARK TWAIN PRIZE: Rock, Seinfeld, Gregory, Michelle Obama and 'Cosby Show' co-stars in attendance.

       *A tribute to Bill Cosby at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday began, as one might expect, with a joke from the honoree himself.
      
       When the lights dimmed to begin the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony, a voice in the quiet darkness cried out, "Hellooo?"
to audience laughter. It was Cosby.
      
       What followed was a heartwarming tribute from fellow comedians Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as two of his co-stars from "The Cosby Show," Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. They hailed Cosby's work breaking down racial barriers and stereotypes and replayed his famous standup routines.
      
       Cosby quipped that usually when a man sees his life flash before his eyes, it's for a bad reason. "But this is all right," he said.
      
       First lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden's wife, were among those in Washington watching clips from Cosby's long career — from his classic standup routine of Noah's chat with God about building an ark to dealing with the stresses of raising a family as a TV dad, reports the Associated Press.
      
       Comedian Dick Gregory looked up at his good friend in the balcony and said: "A billion years from now, you will be respected for what you were able to do. You painted words with your mouth, and they will always exist, and they will always last."
      
       Of all his accomplishments as a comedian, actor, author and television producer, Cosby said he is most proud of the "Cosby Show." Rashad, who played Claire Huxtable on the series, flew from London, where she is in rehearsal for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," to be part of the show at Cosby's request. On stage, she recalled the chemistry she and Cosby shared as TV parents.
      
       "We could complete each other's sentences," she said.
      
       Warner, who played Theo on the show, said he has been in touch with his TV dad ever since. Now, he said he is far enough removed to watch himself in reruns and said the show is a testament to Cosby's genius.
      
       "He always said in 20 years he wanted the show to still be relevant, and here we are," Warner said.
      
       The tribute will air Nov. 4 nationwide on PBS. Cosby insisted the performances be free of profanity and the show reflect his emphasis on education.
      
       "The show is very, very important to me," Cosby said in an interview. "It makes me aware that as a monologist and a writer and a performer, I've done some wonderful work."

EVENT CALENDAR: Smokey at SXSW; Film & TV Music Conference; Whilly Bermudez fundraiser; Townsend's "The Ultimate Pitch Master Class."

 *Smokey Robinson will deliver the keynote speech of the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, which is scheduled to take place on March 17-21, reports NME. The event includes performances all across the city, as well as lectures and seminars related to music. Lou Reed was the keynote speaker last year, as bands including Metallica, Jane's Addiction, Kanye West and Black Lips played live.The 2010 line-up has yet to be announced.

       *The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard announced that Mary J. Blige and "Glee’s" Lea Michele will take part in the 2009 Film & TV Music Conference on Oct 29 and 30 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles (9876 Wilshire Blvd.). Now in its eighth year, the conference examines the increasingly important role of music in film and television, and provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among the industry’s most influential executive and creative talents including award-winning composers and directors, key studio, network, record label and publishing professionals, VIPs from the advertising, gaming and commercial fields as well as the best music supervisors in the business. The full event schedule can be found at:
http:///www.billboardevents.com 
 
       *Film Life, Inc. announces it will present producer/director Robert Townsend's "The Ultimate Pitch Master Class" lecture series. The first installment will be held in New York on Nov. 21 at TheTimesCenter stage (232 West 41 St.) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The session is designed to teach those seeking careers in film and television how to pitch their ideas to networks and studios. Townsend shares his technique from concept to development, through the various stages of rewrites and pitching to studios as well as providing advice on how to close the deal with clarity, precision and confidence. Tickets are available at www.ticketweb.com - prices are $75 (if purchased before Nov. 7) and $125 (starting Nov. 8). For additional information e-mail info@thefilmlife.com or call 646-375-2144 ext. 1.

BOMB THREAT: Church members forced outside during Sunday service.

      *Members of a Detroit  church were forced to hold service outside Sunday after they received a bomb threat. About 200 worshippers at St. Paul AME Church huddled together in the church parking lot after an anonymous caller claimed three bombs were inside the church, according to the Detroit News.

      Three canine units found nothing, and the church re-opened Monday. St. Paul, on Hunt near Chene, is the home church of City Council candidate Andre Spivey. He is one of 18 candidates running for a council seat in the Nov. 3 election.

      "We've seen a lot of trickery in Detroit over the years, but this goes beyond trickery," Spivey told the Detroit News, adding that "It's pulling people's lives on the line and in danger. So I would hope it's not political."

JUMPING THE GUN: Letter of complaint leads to police investigation.

      *A woman who complained about a gay pride march became the subject of a hate crime investigation. According to the London Telegraph, Pauline Howe, a 67-year-old grandmother, was questioned by police after council officials decided that her complaint about a gay pride march amounted to a "hate incident".

      Now Christian supporters of Howe have condemned the police action as "alarming" and warned that freedom of expression was under threat. According to the reports, Howe wrote to the Norwich council complaining about its decision to allow the march in the city centre last July, at which she claimed she was verbally abused. In the letter Howe referred to homosexuals as "sodomites" and blamed "their perverted sexual practice" for sexually transmitting diseases as well as the "downfall of every Empire". How argued that she is not homophobic, but was expressing her deeply held religious beliefs.

      Mike Judge, a spokesman for the Institute of Free Speech, told the London Telegraph "Whether people agree or disagree with Howe's views, everyone who cares about freedom should be alarmed at the police action. For democracy to survive people must be free to express their beliefs - yes, even unpopular beliefs - to government bodies without fear of a knock at the door from the police. It's not a crime to be a Christian, but it increasingly feels like it."

      No further action was taken by police. The council said their actions, although possibly over zealous, were to prevent any possible criminal actions.
 
DEATH OF A COMMUNITY: Closing business could mean more than loss of jobs.

      *While some experts have predicted the turnaround of the struggling economy members of a community in Virginia's Tidewater area have said they must look to a high power for answers to their woes. A planned shutdown of an area paper mill this coming spring will force thousands of residents to lose their jobs and some say they don't know what else to do but pray.

      "We'll have to pray a lot," lifetime Franklin resident Gaynelle Riddick told a local television station, adding that "We're going to have to work very hard...we're going to have to support each other. We're going to have to rely on hope. I think hope is the big word."
 
      The outlook is so bad in that area of Virginia Senator Mark Warner met with city leaders to discuss economic relief.
 
      "I sure as heck hope to be there, fighting side by side to make sure that we get the workers all the assistance we can, and most importantly, that we replace these jobs," Senator Warner said.
 
      This Thursday night the entire Franklin church community will meet at Barrett's Landing Park to pray as one, and find the strength to move on once the mill closes forever.
 
MURDER OF A PRIEST: Longtime janitor charged in the crime.

      *A janitor has been charged with murder last weekend in the slaying of a priest whose body was found in the rectory of his northern New Jersey church. According to the AP Wire, Jose Feliciano, 64, stabbed and cut Rev. Ed Hinds 32 times after the pair argued. Hinds' body was found after he failed to show up for Mass.

      Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said investigators found the priest's cell phone, bloody clothing and a bloody towel at Feliciano's Easton, Pa., home. Hinds also had defensive wounds on his hands and face, Bianchi said, adding that Feliciano was one of two people who said they found the body, and drew the suspicion of investigators when he made a halfhearted attempt at CPR on Hinds.

      The slaying rocked the New York City bedroom community of about 10,000 residents, where Hinds was familiar face and much-beloved presence. It was the first violent death in Chatham since a 1990 manslaughter case. 

BILLBOARD BUSTERS: Gospel favorites see success at the top of the charts.

      *Still, from BeBe and CeCe Winans celebrates its second week atop the Billboard Charts. The album is also at the top of Billboards Hip/Hop R&B Charts and #25 on the Top 200 Albums chart. Close To You, from the Winans celebrates it sixth week atop the charts.

      In other chart news Fred Hammond's latest CD, Love Unstoppable is at #2 and #67 on the Billboards top 200 chart. Also, Souled Out from Hezekiah Walker and LFC moves to the #5 spot.

      Brian Courtney Wilson's Just Love jumps to #9 and the compilation album Gospel Best: Men/Women/Choir leaps seventeen spots to #14.

EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE

Today’s ‘Live Better With Willie Jolley’ Tip: Motivation vs. Inspiration

Learn the difference between motivation and inspiration and use it for your personal success. Motivation deals with our minds. Its job is to get us to take action; to get up and do something. Inspiration deals with our hearts; the inner person. The mind may say that what we plan to do is illogical, impossible or cannot be done. But the heart does not care. It ignores the mind and the logic of the issue and goes after what it ‘‘feels’’ it must do.

We often hear of people who were inspired to achieve impossible feats. There are athletes who dedicate a game to a fallen friend or family member and do things that they never thought they could do. We’ve all heard stories of accident or disaster victims who exhibit superhuman strength to rescue others. Learn how to tap into the thoughts of your heart as well as your mind and you will be amazed at what you are able to achieve!

Visit my website at www.williejolley.com free motivation and make every minute count!

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS  

  Oct. 28: Actress-singer Telma Hopkins (Tony Orlando and Dawn) is 61. Singer Ben Harper is 40. Singer Justin Guarini ("American Idol") is 31.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
 
      This is said to be the largest and most interactive Alicia Keys fansite in the "whole world!" It features the latest news updates and thousands of Keys' photos, etc. Check it out here: www.alicia-keys.net. 

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

BLACK HISTORY
    
  Oct. 28, 1981: Edward M. McIntrye elected first black mayor of Augusta, Georgia. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)