11-30-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
TIGER RELEASES STATEMENT; STILL NOT TALKING TO COPS: Rumors surrounding Saturday's car accident heat up; 911 call released.
*Tiger Woods cancelled a third scheduled interview with Florida police in the wake of crashing his SUV early Friday, an incident that has generated questions about whether or not an earlier domestic dispute played a role.
According to TMZ.com, Woods' lawyer canceled the meeting the Florida Highway Patrol had wanted for 3 p.m. ET Sunday. But he has since broken his silence and released a statement on his Web site addressing the controversy.
"This situation is my fault and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again," Woods wrote in the statement, posted about an hour before troops were to meet with him at his home. A meeting was not rescheduled.
"This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way," he added.
"Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible."
Authorities are reportedly interested in viewing the wounds on Tiger's face to see if they were caused by the accident or during a domestic dispute with his wife, TMZ reported.
Addressing this part of the rumors, Tiger wrote on his Web site: "The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.
"This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be."
Two days before Tiger crashed his vehicle into a fire hydrant and a tree near his mansion in Windermere, Fla, the National Enquirer reported that the golf star had cheated on his wife Elin Nordegren with another model, New York club hostess Rachel Uchitel, while he was in Australia for a tournament.
According to TMZ, Tiger told a friend on the phone Friday that his wife had scratched his face during an argument over the Enquirer story.
According to the friend, Tiger said, "I have to run to Zales to get a 'Kobe Special.'" The person on the other end of the phone asked Tiger what a "Kobe Special" was. The reply -- "A house on a finger."
During the conversation, Tiger said his wife had "gone ghetto" on him.
In the released 911 call made after Tiger's accident, the caller, a male, can be heard telling dispatchers, "I need an ambulance immediately, I have someone down outside my house ... It's a car accident ... My neighbor, he hit the tree. I see him and he's laying down."
When the dispatcher asked if the person was unconscious, the neighbor responded, "Yes."
Listen to the call here: http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/29/tiger-woods-911-call/
OPRAH TO INTERVIEW OBAMAS FOR CHRISTMAS: ABC will air program next month as a primetime special.
*Oprah Winfrey will spend at least part of the holidays back at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. filming a primetime special that features an interview with the first couple as its centerpiece.
The network has announced that it will "Christmas at the White House:
An Oprah Primetime Special" on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 10 p.m.
The special, marking the first time Winfrey has interviewed Obama since he took office, will also go behind the scenes as staffers prepare the White House for the holiday season.
Winfrey, who had never before endorsed a presidential candidate, was a strong supporter of Obama during his presidential campaign, stumping for him in key states.
She attended Obama's victory rally in Chicago last November and the president's inauguration in January but has not been politically involved since the election and recently interviewed former Alaska governor and Obama rival Sarah Palin. Oprah visited the White House earlier this year to interview Michelle Obama for O Magazine.
She recently announced that she will end her syndicated talk show in
2011 and focus on launching her cable network, OWN.
CHRIS BROWN HEADS TO '20/20': Feminists, gay activists wonder why ABC booked him and dropped Adam Lambert from 'GMA.'
*ABC's Robin Roberts will interview Chris Brown for "20/20," a move that has caused outrage among activists who still question the network's decision to drop Adam Lambert from "Good Morning America" in the wake of his gay kiss on the "American Music Awards."
The "20/20" interview, taped last weekend and scheduled to air on Dec. 11, is being billed as an in-depth discussion about Brown's assault of ex-girlfriend and recording superstar Rihanna in February. He is on probation for the beating.
According to Fox411, TV insiders say the appearance "has outraged feminists and gay activists who wonder why a convicted girlfriend abuser is more palatable to the network than an openly gay man who broke no laws with his raunchy performance on the "'AMAs.'"
An ABC source told the column, "The network is giving a mixed message
-- that it doesn't trust someone who shocked with an unpredictable show and a gay kiss, but then it is happy to go ahead with Chris Brown, who was convicted of felony assault."
ABC News has insisted that Lambert's sexual orientation did not play a role in its decision to pull him from "GMA" last week. ABC insiders said they ruled the "American Idol" star's sexed-up antics on Sunday's awards show -- which included him groping a female dancer, kissing a male musician and shoving a male dancer's face into his groin -- were inappropriate for morning TV.
'CONFLICT' BEHIND USHER'S ALBUM DELAY?: Singer's rumored girlfriend worked for his label's competitor.
*There appears to be multiple issues going on in Usher's camp.
According to the New York Daily News, the Jive Records artist is rumored to be dating, Grace Miguel, who used to work as an executive at Jive's competitor, Island Def Jam.
"Some people see it as a conflict of interest," a music insider tells the paper. "She's still under contract with Def Jam, but Grace seems to be calling the shots behind the scenes on Usher's album."
Agrees another source: "It has complicated things tremendously. Usher has her calling the shots now. Grace has been taking calls with the big bosses at Jive regarding Usher's CD, and the label doesn't like it."
In a separate issue, Usher's mother, Jonetta Patton, and Miguel "aren't exactly getting along," the paper reported. According to a source, Patton is "mad that Grace is stepping on her toes and meddling in her management affairs."
Says the insider: "Jonetta sees Grace as a rival for her son's attention — just like Tameka was — and, even worse, she thinks all of Grace's meddling could affect Usher's album."
Neither Miguel nor Usher — whose new album "Raymond v. Raymond" has been pulled from its Dec. 21 release date and shelved indefinitely — have commented on the rumors.
A rep for Usher, however, insisted that "there is no internal conflict. Usher's album was pushed back to give it the proper setup it deserves."
A rep for Jive agreed, saying: "This is a solid album that we believe in. We want [more time] to give it a proper launch."
The first single from the CD, "Papers," stalled at No. 31 on the pop charts.
JANET JACKSON SAYS GIVE OBAMA A CHANCE: Singer speaks out against haters who say president hasn't done anything yet.
*In an interview with the Times of London, Janet Jackson is defending President Barack Obama against detractors who believe he hasn't accomplished anything during his time in office so far.
“I think people are giving him really such a hard time," she said.
"Everyone wants everything to turn around immediately. It took us how many years to get to this point?
"People say, ‘His first 100 days in office, what has he done?’ You can’t do that to the man. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. It's going to take us time to get out of it.”
JAY-Z'S 'EMPIRE' CONTINUES TO RULE: Single featuring Alicia Keys remains at No. 1.
*Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" keeps its hold on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart for a second consecutive week.
The track enjoyed a 10.4 million bump in radio spins, second only to Ke$ha's 12 million listener spike for "Tik Tok," which takes the Airplay Gainer award as it rises 10-5, Billboard reported.
Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" leaped from No. 11 to the second rung of the singles chart, joining her "Paparazzi" in the top 10. Also moving into the top 10, from No. 12 to No. 7, was French DJ/Producer David Guetta, with vocal help from Akon, on "Sexy Chick."
Other notable debuts included four more tracks from the cast of the TV series "Glee" and three tracks from teen heartthrob Justin Bieber. With "Down to Earth" (No. 79), "Bigger" (No. 94) and "First Dance" featuring his mentor Usher (No. 99), Bieber has now charted with all seven songs from his debut EP, "My World." That set opened at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.
'HEAVENLY' LIGHT SHINES ON DARKCHILD: Rodney Jerkins and wife welcome a daughter.
*Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and his wife, singer/actress Joy Enriquez, are the parents of a new baby girl named Heavenly Joy Jerkins, the music producer tells People.com.
Born Nov. 17 at 9:58 a.m. at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., Heavenly weighed in at 8 lbs., and joins big brother Rodney David Jr., 18 months.
"We never find out the sex of our babies," Jerkins, 32, says. "It helps Joy push them out better because she wants to know what it is so bad!"
As for the name "Heavenly Joy," the couple came up with it while Enriquez was expecting Rodney Jr.
"When we found out we were pregnant, Joy said, 'This is heavenly,'"
says the producer behind Lady Gaga and Beyoncé's "Telephone" and Janet Jackson's "Make Me." "I said, 'Hey, there's a name ... Heavenly!'"
DIDDY, JAY-Z SHARE A PRIVATE ROOM: Rap moguls test new VIP area at New York nightclub.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs, who threw a lavish bash to celebrate his 40th birthday last week, joined Jay-Z a few nights later to sample the new private couples room at New York's CV Lounge, reports the New York Post.
Owner Matthew Isaacs rents out the space for $5,000 a night, according to Page Six. The area is outfitted with padded walls and a couch, eight ounces of beluga caviar and a magnum of champagne.
"There don't seem to be specific rules on what can go on in there, but sources say Diddy and Jay-Z 'relaxed and shared a drink while listening to the music,'" Page Six reported.
LATRELL SPREWELL FACING FORECLOSURE: Former NBA star owes bank on $5.4 million mansion.
*One year after defaulting on a loan for his 70-foot yacht, former NBA star Latrell Sprewell is facing foreclosure on his $5.4 million mansion in Westchester County, New York.
Sprewell, 39, bought the 3.3-acre property in Purchase in January 2000 for $2.3 million, according to the New York Daily News. He took out a 30-year Washington Mutual Bank mortgage for $1,612,000 in 2004, and began missing payments four years later, the Journal News reported, citing court records.
Deutsche Trustee Co. Limited is listed as the plaintiff in foreclosure proceedings. The home is due to be auctioned off Jan. 7 at the Westchester County Courthouse, according to Propertyshark.com.
The home was the scene of an alleged domestic dispute in 2006 when the former player was charged with attacking his girlfriend. Prosecutors dropped the charges in 2008, the newspaper reported.
Sprewell, who last played in 2005 for Minnesota, lost his yacht, Milwaukee's Best, last year after defaulting on payments. U.S. Marshals auctioned off the $1.5 million Italian-built vessel for $856,000.
MARTIN LAWRENCE, TEMPTATIONS AT CARRY BENEFIT: Annual fundraising gala to benefit Los Angeles area foster children.
*Motown legends The Temptations, featuring Dennis Edwards are set to headline CARRY's [Coalition For At-Risk Youth] 2009 Annual fundraising gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel to benefit foster kids throughout the city of Los Angeles.
Jennifer Lewis will emcee the event, which is scheduled to honor actor/comedian Martin Lawrence.
Tickets are $285 each, and may be purchased by calling (323) 302-0412 or by visiting the CARRY Web site at www.foratriskyouth.org.
CARRY, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of foster care youth, was founded in 2005 by dermatologist Dr. Pearl Grimes. It has established a grant of $90,000 awarded to A Place Called Home, an award-winning Los Angeles after-school program for at risk children.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Snoop wants Oprah's job; 'Blacks split on 'Precious'; Uncle Sam wants Rhames.
*When Oprah Winfrey announced she will end her talk show in 2011, Snoop Dogg immediately saw an opportunity. "I'm trying to proposition the networks right now. If you're wanting to hire a nice black exciting young male who wants to turn the TV world right up - get at me," he told WENN. "I heard Oprah Winfrey is leaving and there ain't nobody do what Oprah did but ahem - hello! hello! And I can bring my wife on so we can have the women and the men on there discussing things."
*The Los Angeles Times' Erin Aubry Kaplan has written a commentary titled "Black Viewers Divide on Film's 'Precious'-ness." She writes: "Though it has been adored in some quarters, the film has its detractors. One critic has dubbed it 'a Klansman's fantasy.' Long before it opened, "Precious:
Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" had racked up plaudits for its groundbreaking depiction of the inner life of a black, overweight, ghetto-dwelling teenage girl. But since its release, a story-outside-the-story has developed that's equally fresh and complicated:
black people's reaction to the movie and what it means. Continue reading
here:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-precious29-2009nov29,0,41921
56.story
*Ving Rhames is being stalked by Uncle Sam. According to TMZ.com, the actor owes almost half a million bucks in unpaid taxes. Documents filed in L.A. County Superior Court show Ving and his wife Deborah owe the IRS
$491,588.06 for unpaid taxes in 2007, the Web site reported.
AIDS REMAINS HIGH AMONG BLACK WOMEN: Rate of diagnosis is 22 times the rate for white women.
*On the eve of World AIDS Day, the troubling incidence of AIDS among
African- American women serves as a reminder of how far we must travel to effectively manage this disease, writes Dr. Sam Ho at BuffaloNews.com.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly half of the more than 1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS are African- American and that 40 percent of the nearly 563,000 Americans with AIDS who died in 2007 were black.
Among all women in the United States living with HIV/AIDS, 64 percent are African-American. In fact, the rate of AIDS diagnosis for African-American women nationwide is 22 times the rate for white women.
This problem is more pronounced in places like Washington, D. C., where the prevalence of HIV and AIDS among African- American women rivals that of Nigeria.
What’s most frustrating about all this is that AIDS is generally preventable through changes in behavior, increased use of safer-sex practices, testing, basic health care and other forms of prevention.
Sadly, too many people — especially African-American women and young people — are not getting the message. According to the CDC, the United States has the highest rate of teenage infection in the developed world.
Every hour, two Americans between the ages of 13 and 24 contract HIV.
We know that regularly testing those most at risk for HIV—and then providing antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients — dramatically reduces the number of people who become infected. Without treatment or education, people will continue to transmit the virus to their partners.
• Preventing HIV is not complicated. If you’re sexually active, get tested.
Don’t use IV drugs or share needles. Abstain or practice safer sex. With preventive care, you and your health care provider can fight and manage this disease and slow its spread.
• Perhaps the best advice is to get educated. Don’t be shy about discussing these issues. It’s better to talk about sensitive subjects with someone you trust than to let a lack of information threaten your life.
EUR FILM REVIEW: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Fantasy Sequel Finds Bella Torn between Vampire and Werewolf
Film Review by Kam Williams
*Despite the fact that all of the principal cast members have returned for the sequel, New Moon pales in comparison (pardon the expression) to the scintillating original which landed on this critic's Annual Top Ten List a year ago.
Since the new production retains the services of the same scriptwriter, the obvious explanation for the difference in quality is the replacement of
Catherine Hardwicke with Chris Weitz as director.
After all, most of the movies on Mr. Weitz's resume' are comedies, including such hilarious hits as Down to Earth and American Pie.
So, it makes sense that he would opt to infuse this flick with lots of lighthearted levity. But a big reason why Twilight 1 worked so well was that rather than break the tension with comic relief, Hardwicke wisely chose to let it to continue to build, thus ratcheting up the intensity in a manner that made for a bone-chilling experience.
By comparison, Twilight 2 arrives not only riddled with jokes but punctuated with distracting pop culture asides, as if desperate to sound contemporary. For instance, there's the scene where Bella (Kristen Stewart) brushes off Jacob (Taylor Lautner) with, "I'm not into that 'Cougar' thing," because she's a couple of years older than her solicitous, 16 year-old suitor. Or how about when we hear another character refer to the H1N1 virus by saying, "He probably has that flu that's going around."
Equally annoying is when the potentially shocking revelation that Jacob is a werewolf is immediately undercut by the punny quip "Guess the wolf's out of the bag." On another occasion, potentially-menacing werewolves are merely dismissed as a harmless "pack of mutts."
All of the above notwithstanding, Twilight 2 remains a review-proof adventure certain to keep its intended demographic enthralled for a couple of hours, specifically, those teens weaned on Stephenie Meyer's popular quartet of otherworldly romance novels. This installment revolves around a love triangle in which Bella, a human, finds herself torn between Edward (Robert Pattinson), a vampire, and Jacob, the aforementioned werewolf.
Who am I to quibble with a patently-preposterous, escapist fantasy which never takes itself seriously, yet somehow still resonates perfectly with the overly-sentimental, puppy love inclinations of passionate, prepubescent
females?
Good (2 stars)
Rated PG-13 for violence and some action.
Running time: 130 minutes
Studi Summit Entertainment
To see a trailer for Twilight: New Moon, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tQk8pKnnVY
FOUR HUNDRED YEAR OLD APOLOGY: Protestant church owns up to wrongs done to Native Americans.
*Members of one of America's oldest Protestant churches in New York offered a public apology Friday for massacring and displacing Native Americans 400 years ago. According to the AP Wire, the apology came from leaders of the Collegiate Church of Manhattan at a Native American Heritage Day ceremony.
"We consumed your resources, dehumanized your people and disregarded your culture, along with your dreams, hopes and great love for this land," the Rev. Robert Chase told descendants from both sides. "With pain, we the Collegiate Church, remember our part in these events."
In New York City, the Collegiate churches are composed of four congregations including the landmark Marble Collegiate Church on Fifth Avenue led by the late Rev. Norman Vincent Peale. The Collegiate Church was considered the "conscience" of the new colony, whose merchants quickly developed commerce with the world in fur and grains — till then the turf of the natives.
The ceremony was held in front of the Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan, where Dutch colonizers had built their fort near an Lenape tribe Indian trail now called Broadway, just steps away from Wall Street.
The Indians dispersed across the country, eventually ending up on government-formed reservations. On Friday, some came from as far away as Oklahoma.
As a way to make amends the church plans to sponsor educational activities and exhibits to teach children history — including the Indian reverence for preserving the purity of the land taken over by the Dutch colonists.
BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY: A pastor’s anti-violence campaign trail.
*A minister in Maryland is taking his message of peace from the pulpit to the juke joint. Anthony C. Muse, who also is a state Senator representing Prince George’s County, said when it comes to his personal anti-violence message he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the word out.
"When things are broken you have to do something different," Muse told the Washington Post, noting the nearly 90 homicides in the county this year.
Muse, the pastor of Ark of Safety Christian Center in Forestville, has teamed with an area night club owner, the manager of a well-known funk band and other clergy to put an end to violence in his district.
Muse (D-Prince George's) said he will encourage club patrons to peacefully work through problems in a campaign he started with Legends Night Club in Temple Hills, the manager of the Backyard band and other clergy.
Club owner Kevin Schwapp said his patrons might not want to attend church, but he said they want to makes night clubs safer. In 2007, county officials closed some clubs in response to violent incidents.
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION: God absent from speech.
*President Barack Obama’s traditional Thanksgiving Day proclamation this year was anything but traditional. Historians say Obama is the first president who did not directly acknowledge the existence of God.
According to Life Site News: President Obama's brief proclamation of Thanksgiving Day only makes indirect mention of God by quoting George Washington, stating: "Today, we recall President George Washington, who proclaimed our first national day of public thanksgiving to be observed 'by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.'"
Obama goes on to call Thanksgiving Day "a unique national tradition we all share" that unites people as "thankful for our common blessings."
Earlier this year Obama made history on Inaguration Day by explicitly referencing "non-believers" in his speech, which, according to USA Today, was the first time in history that a President had done so. Obama has also said on more than one occasion that the United States is "not a Christian nation."
MICROSOFT PULLS THE PLUG: ‘Family Guy’ content not so family oriented.
*A parent watchdog group wants Microsoft to stop running ads on some animated shows with offensive content. According to One News Now, the
Parents Television Council (PTC) praised the software giant for pulling ads on a Fox network special featuring Seth MacFarlane, who created Family Guy and other programs the PTC says has offensive content.
During the most recent annual meeting of Microsoft shareholders, PTC called on the company to discontinue advertising on all Seth MacFarlane programming.
"When you buy ad time on a particular program, you're buying time on that program because you want to reach a specific demographic that that program is targeted to," Melissa Henson told One News Now. "So you are, in fact, in part buying into the values communicated on that show," added the PTC spokeswoman. "So it is right that we hold you responsible for the content of that program because it does reflect your corporate values."
GOSSETT, JR. BACK ON SET: Veteran actor stars in 2010 movie.
*Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. is lending his talent and good name to a faith-based movie about love and forgiveness. "The Grace Card" is under production in Memphis, TN., and Gossett leads of a cast of newcomers that could get a boost from his star power.
Gossett plays George Wright, a civil rights pioneer and long-time activist minister who provides wisdom and advice to his grandson Sam, who’s chosen to follow in George’s ministry footsteps. The problem is, Sam Wright’s church is too small and budget-challenged. Sam’s a full-time cop on the tough streets of inner city Memphis, preaching on Sunday.
For veteran screenwriter Howie Klausner, landing Gossett to star in the movie has made top news in Memphis. Klausner said "People want to see big name actors, quality production values and good stories," adding that "despite conventional Hollywood ‘wisdom’, the gospel and grace is just as real and relevant as a movie theme as it was 2000 years ago."
Writer David Evans brought his original story to Klausner so the two of them could bring it to the big screen. Evans said he wants the story to motivate Christians in his community to tackle the city’s race problems and work toward healing. The film has already made an impact on the town.
"One of our most important scenes takes place in a predominantly black Memphis church," says Evans. "Without giving the plot away, actors, crew and hundreds of extras from both black and white congregations were hugging each other and crying because of the subject matter."
Evans’ church usually puts on an ambitious Easter program but opted to support the film instead this year. Church members help with everything from carpentry to catering on the set. Evans chose to balance the crew with many local and Hollywood-based professionals. Veterans from hit films such as "Walk the Line," "The Rainmaker," "Fireproof," "Scream 2," and "Bedtime Stories," are on set.
"It’s a unique combination of volunteer and professional crew," Memphis Deputy Film Commissioner Sharon Fox O’Guin told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "I’ve rarely seen such passion and dedication to a project."
The film will complete production later this month and in theaters Spring 2010.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Today’s ‘Live Better With Willie Jolley’ Tip: Fly Like a Bumblebee
No fear. No doubt. This is it, look out! Success is an amazing adventure. It is the process of having a dream and then pursuing that dream whole-heartedly. It is getting to the point where you believe it is impossible to fail.
I had the opportunity to meet Mary Kay Ash, the founder and president of Mary Kay Cosmetics. Mary Kay Ash is a remarkable woman who had a dream that others called impossible. She refused to listen to the naysayers, and went on to build a business that is now one of the largest cosmetic companies in the world. The symbol for her company is a bumblebee and it represents the ability to do the impossible.
Why? Because scientists and animal experts have emphatically stated that it is impossible for the bumblebee to fly because it has small wings and a big body. But the bumblebee doesn’t know that it is impossible for it to fly, so it flies anyway!
The only one that ultimately keeps you from being great is YOU, and your limiting beliefs. Stop saying, “I can’t”, and start saying, ‘‘it’s impossible for me to fail,’’ and you, too, will do unbelievable things!
Visit my website at www.williejolley.com free motivation and make every minute count!
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 30: Actor Robert Guillaume is 82. Guitarist Shuggie Otis is 56.
Rapper Jalil of Whodini is 46.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Black and Missing but not Forgotten was founded in July 2007 in effort to raise more awareness of missing black women, children and men (www.blackandmissing.org).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 30, 1889: S.R. Scratton patents curtain rod. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
