Published Thursday, August 14, 2008
by Mike Cranston, The Associated Press
Julius Peppers broke out of his slumber and was dominant again. DeAngelo Williams made a case to start by darting through giant holes opened by the new, mammoth offensive line.
Jake Delhomme had no setbacks from his elbow surgery. Steve Smith made another spectacular catch – and kept his hands off his teammates.
The impressive showing by Carolina's first team in the Panthers' 23-20 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday's preseason opener gave reason for optimism –and wariness.
“It was just nice to have both sides of the ball operating efficiently to start the game,'' left tackle Jordan Gross said.
But the Panthers have done this before. They are 17-8 in exhibitions under coach John Fox and have won six straight preseason openers. The offense has scored on its first possession three straight years.
It didn't translate to the regular season the last two years, with the 8-8 and 7-9 records putting plenty of pressure on Fox and the Panthers to produce this year.
Still, the early signs against a makeshift Colts team missing Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders were clearly encouraging.
Peppers, who lacked energy, speed and strength last season, was all over the field and embarrassed Colts left tackle Tony Ugoh in his first start since moving to right defensive end. Peppers recorded a sack, a forced fumble and a hurry that led Jim Sorgi to throw an interception on the first two series.
Williams turned both turnovers into touchdowns runs for a 14-0 lead barely three minutes into the game.
“He's all the way back,'' linebacker Thomas Davis said of Peppers. “You can say something was wrong with him, but he hasn't missed a beat this year.''
Delhomme has looked fully recovered from ligament-replacement surgery in practice, but threw only one pass in his preseason debut, an incompletion.
Instead, the Panthers turned to Williams on both of their short drives after the turnovers. Williams carried nine times for 55 yards and two TDs.
“He ran great. He broke tackles,'' Delhomme said. “I think this year we will be able to see for certain what DeAngelo Williams can do.''
He took the early lead over rookie Jonathan Stewart in the competition for the starting job. Stewart spent the game in street clothes, another troubling sign as the first-round pick takes a long time to recover from offseason toe surgery.
“The doctors here know what they're doing,'' Stewart said. “I just put my trust in them.''
Williams and Stewart are expected to get plenty of carries behind a line that features a different player at all five positions. Their debut was impressive as the Panthers try to return to a consistent running game missing since their Super Bowl season in 2003.
“I think we made great moves in the offseason,'' center Ryan Kalil said. “Coach Fox and (GM) Marty Hurney did a great job of bringing in guys who are big. We talked about beefing up the offensive line.''
A balanced offense could bring more opportunities for the Panthers top playmaker, the volatile Smith. Just over a week after Smith broke cornerback Ken Lucas' nose in practice and was suspended for the first two regular-season games, Smith made an impressive leaping catch for a 19-yard gain before his abbreviated night ended.
Even Dwayne Jarrett, who had a difficult rookie season and was mocked by Smith late last year, had three catches for 43 yards. Twice he held onto passes from backup Matt Moore after being hit hard.
“The offensive line did a great job in protection. The quarterback went through his progressions and I was wide open,'' Jarrett said. “I just made the play. It felt great, but we're still trying to get better.''
The teamwork angle was being worked by many players after the marathon game ended late Saturday night with John Kasay's 46-yard field goal with 3:53 left in overtime.
But there's reason to be cautious in the praise. Five defensive starters missed the game, with the secondary especially hard hit with injuries in training cap. Lucas still needs to return from surgery on his nose, and the offensive must prove it can be consistent.
Last year, the Panthers went on an 81-yard touchdown drive in their first preseason game against the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. They looked awful the next week in Philadelphia, a sign of things to come. On Thursday, the Panthers visit the Eagles.
“Last year we went up to Philly and we laid an egg. We were awful,'' Delhomme said. “So we have to go back to work.''
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Obama campaign unveils second Olympics ad
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
Obama is set to release its second Olympics spot on Monday.
(CNN) — Barack Obama’s campaign unveiled its second Olympics spot Thursday, another economy-focused ad aimed at middle class voters.
The ad, Three Bedroom Ranch, will air on national cable and broadcast television in all 50 states beginning next Monday.
“A plan to build. A plan to put hard working Americans first,” says the announcer in the 30-second spot, over footage of a house being constructed. “He’ll put the middle class ahead of Corporate Interests to grow the economy. End tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Help businesses that create jobs here. Invest in education. Cut taxes for working families. And make energy independence an urgent national priority.”
Obama’s first Olympics buy was another positive spot, focused on his “green jobs” policy proposals.
During the same period, his campaign has also released tough local radio spots attacking opponent John McCain as he visits manufacturing communities in battleground states, including an ad that said the presumptive Republican nominee and his campaign manager Rick Davis were partly responsible for the potential loss of thousands of Ohio jobs, and another that painted him as uninterested in protecting motorcycle manufacturing jobs. That ad was timed to coincide with his trip to York, Pennsylvania, site of a major Harley-Davidson plant.
Obama is set to release its second Olympics spot on Monday.
(CNN) — Barack Obama’s campaign unveiled its second Olympics spot Thursday, another economy-focused ad aimed at middle class voters.
The ad, Three Bedroom Ranch, will air on national cable and broadcast television in all 50 states beginning next Monday.
“A plan to build. A plan to put hard working Americans first,” says the announcer in the 30-second spot, over footage of a house being constructed. “He’ll put the middle class ahead of Corporate Interests to grow the economy. End tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Help businesses that create jobs here. Invest in education. Cut taxes for working families. And make energy independence an urgent national priority.”
Obama’s first Olympics buy was another positive spot, focused on his “green jobs” policy proposals.
During the same period, his campaign has also released tough local radio spots attacking opponent John McCain as he visits manufacturing communities in battleground states, including an ad that said the presumptive Republican nominee and his campaign manager Rick Davis were partly responsible for the potential loss of thousands of Ohio jobs, and another that painted him as uninterested in protecting motorcycle manufacturing jobs. That ad was timed to coincide with his trip to York, Pennsylvania, site of a major Harley-Davidson plant.
Nike Clark Kents: Bejing 2008
Pre-Olympic fever delivered a whole range of fashion. Now that the Olympics have started, will designers be influenced by what they see in Beijing? I say yes. The Olympic Opening Ceremony was sure to have inspired some outrageous new design ideas in fashion and gadgets and even toys.
First out the box are these one-off DJ Clark Kent sneakers called “Beijing 2008 And The Winner Is…” They are Nike Air Force Ones that make use of the metallic trilogy of gold, silver and bronze reflected on the Olympic podiums.
Jonas Brothers!!
NEW YORK — The sounds of thunder and early-evening traffic were easily drowned out by the squeals of hundreds of fans gathered outside the Apple Store downtown on Tuesday. They were all eagerly waiting to see a free performance by the
Jonas Brothers, whose third album (and second with Disney's Hollywood Records), A Little Bit Longer, was released the same day.
Many fans had been waiting on the sidewalk for a long time. Julie Forkell and daughters Brooke, Hannah and Abby drove in from Philadelphia and were in line since Monday. "I've never done anything like this before," said 11-year-old Hannah. "It's actually been really fun. We've been listening to our iPods, and I slept for a lot of the time. We've been just keeping each other busy." Nine-year-old Abby was a little less patient. "It seems like [time] goes by so slow, because I'm so excited!"
Mom Julie said she used the experience to bond with her children. "I really like spending time with my kids. They're really good girls, and the Jonas Brothers are just awesome. They're darlings." And, as Julie pointed out, they're very photogenic. "They make extremely wonderful wallpaper. As in, 'Let's cover up our freshly painted blue bedroom with about 10,000 magazine pictures of Nick and the gang!' "
About an hour before the performance was scheduled to start, the skies over Manhattan opened up, and a hard rain poured down on the fans for a solid 10 minutes. Twenty-two-year-old Ginno Murphy, wearing a garbage bag to keep dry, thought it was all worthwhile. "It's kind of cool to be a part of it. It's good to see people so excited about a band."
Shortly before 8 p.m., the doors to the Apple Store were opened wide and fans were allowed in, one small group at a time. More than 500 audience members took their places on the second floor of the store — a lucky few were able to score seats directly in front of the stage, and the rest had to stand, corralled by the store's employees.
When Nick, Joe and Kevin finally appeared, the place went wild. There was plenty of screaming and also a bit of crying. The brothers hit the stage along with their backup musicians, and after a brief thank-you to the fans from Joe, they launched into "That's Just the Way We Roll" from their self-titled second album. About an hour's worth of pop-rock music followed, including songs from all three JB albums.
During the opening bars of "Year 3000," the band started to jump up and down in unison, and the fans did the same. The entire floor shook, and for a brief moment, this reporter thought the whole thing would come crashing down onto the first level below.
Things calmed down a bit when Nick, usually seen strapped to his guitar, sat down at a piano to sing the title track from A Little Bit Longer, about what he experienced when he was first diagnosed with diabetes. "I want you to sing this with me as loud as you can," Nick told the audience mid-song. Of course, they obliged.
The performance ended with a lively rendition of "Burnin' Up," the first single from the new album. Then the brothers left, with the audience filing out shortly after.
"It was awesome," 19-year-old Christine Soto said of the performance. Her best friend Lauren Kwong added: "It was worth the 12-hour wait!"
Fans who were unable to attend the event can download the performance on iTunes, but they'll have to hold out for a while: It won't be available until the holidays.
This report is provided by MTV News
Jonas Brothers, whose third album (and second with Disney's Hollywood Records), A Little Bit Longer, was released the same day.
Many fans had been waiting on the sidewalk for a long time. Julie Forkell and daughters Brooke, Hannah and Abby drove in from Philadelphia and were in line since Monday. "I've never done anything like this before," said 11-year-old Hannah. "It's actually been really fun. We've been listening to our iPods, and I slept for a lot of the time. We've been just keeping each other busy." Nine-year-old Abby was a little less patient. "It seems like [time] goes by so slow, because I'm so excited!"
Mom Julie said she used the experience to bond with her children. "I really like spending time with my kids. They're really good girls, and the Jonas Brothers are just awesome. They're darlings." And, as Julie pointed out, they're very photogenic. "They make extremely wonderful wallpaper. As in, 'Let's cover up our freshly painted blue bedroom with about 10,000 magazine pictures of Nick and the gang!' "
About an hour before the performance was scheduled to start, the skies over Manhattan opened up, and a hard rain poured down on the fans for a solid 10 minutes. Twenty-two-year-old Ginno Murphy, wearing a garbage bag to keep dry, thought it was all worthwhile. "It's kind of cool to be a part of it. It's good to see people so excited about a band."
Shortly before 8 p.m., the doors to the Apple Store were opened wide and fans were allowed in, one small group at a time. More than 500 audience members took their places on the second floor of the store — a lucky few were able to score seats directly in front of the stage, and the rest had to stand, corralled by the store's employees.
When Nick, Joe and Kevin finally appeared, the place went wild. There was plenty of screaming and also a bit of crying. The brothers hit the stage along with their backup musicians, and after a brief thank-you to the fans from Joe, they launched into "That's Just the Way We Roll" from their self-titled second album. About an hour's worth of pop-rock music followed, including songs from all three JB albums.
During the opening bars of "Year 3000," the band started to jump up and down in unison, and the fans did the same. The entire floor shook, and for a brief moment, this reporter thought the whole thing would come crashing down onto the first level below.
Things calmed down a bit when Nick, usually seen strapped to his guitar, sat down at a piano to sing the title track from A Little Bit Longer, about what he experienced when he was first diagnosed with diabetes. "I want you to sing this with me as loud as you can," Nick told the audience mid-song. Of course, they obliged.
The performance ended with a lively rendition of "Burnin' Up," the first single from the new album. Then the brothers left, with the audience filing out shortly after.
"It was awesome," 19-year-old Christine Soto said of the performance. Her best friend Lauren Kwong added: "It was worth the 12-hour wait!"
Fans who were unable to attend the event can download the performance on iTunes, but they'll have to hold out for a while: It won't be available until the holidays.
This report is provided by MTV News
Stars Pause For A Moment Of Silence For Bernie Mac
August 14, 2008
The stars were out in Beverly Hills August 7th through 10th for the 12th Annual American Black Film Festival.
The festival not only showcases independent film but also provides an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and actors to learn about their craft from Hollywood’s accomplished celebs. Among the distinguished guests this year were Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, and many more.
During a Q&A panel session on Saturday evening, actor Micheal Ealy (Barbershop, Miracle at St.Ana) made a request that everyone pause for a moment of silence for Bernie Mac. His fellow panelists were producer Wil Packer (Stomp the Yard, This Christmas), producer QD3 – otherwise known as Quincy Jones Jr. – and actor Nate Parker (The Great Debaters) who worked with Bernie Mac in the film Pride. Parker learned of Bernie Mac’s Death via a text message and implored the audience never to deliver such grave news via text.
This was the second year in which the festival was held in Los Angeles.
Article pulled from Look to the Stars.
The stars were out in Beverly Hills August 7th through 10th for the 12th Annual American Black Film Festival.
The festival not only showcases independent film but also provides an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and actors to learn about their craft from Hollywood’s accomplished celebs. Among the distinguished guests this year were Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, and many more.
During a Q&A panel session on Saturday evening, actor Micheal Ealy (Barbershop, Miracle at St.Ana) made a request that everyone pause for a moment of silence for Bernie Mac. His fellow panelists were producer Wil Packer (Stomp the Yard, This Christmas), producer QD3 – otherwise known as Quincy Jones Jr. – and actor Nate Parker (The Great Debaters) who worked with Bernie Mac in the film Pride. Parker learned of Bernie Mac’s Death via a text message and implored the audience never to deliver such grave news via text.
This was the second year in which the festival was held in Los Angeles.
Article pulled from Look to the Stars.
Did you make IT!?
The music and pop culture network is the exclusive U.S. outlet televising “The 46664 Concert Honoring Nelson Mandela at 90” taking place in London’s Hyde Park on Friday, June 27. The concert will also be streamed live on VH1.com that day at MandelaConcert.VH1.com. Artists already committed to perform include Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, The Sugababes, Simple Minds, Dame Shirley Bassey, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Jerry Dammers and Razorlight will take the stage to honor Nelson Mandela. Many other world-renowned artists and performers will also be performing.
Levi’s® and JCPenney® Team Up To Support The VH1 Save The Music Foundation (PAST EVENT!)
Levi’s® and JCPenney® Team Up To Support The VH1 Save The Music Foundation
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Special Performance By Gavin DeGraw To Launch The Weeklong Fundraising Initiative
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Houston, TX (July 22, 2008) – Levi’s® and JCPenney® are teaming up to raise funds and awareness for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation with a weeklong sales initiative kicking off in Houston. A special performance by Gavin DeGraw at 5 PM on Sunday, July 27th at Houston’s Willowbrook Mall Atrium outside the JCPenney store will launch the program. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in our public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of every child’s complete education. Levi’s® and JCPenney have pledged to raise $100,000 in support of The Foundation’s mission.
From Sunday, July 27th through Sunday, August 2nd, Levi’s® will donate $5 from every customer who purchases two pairs of Levi’s® jeans at participating JCPenney stores or at jcp.com to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation up to $100,000. In addition, customers will receive a $10 JCPenney gift card by mail redeemable at JCPenney locations nationwide.
Platinum recording artist and singer songwriter Gavin DeGraw is currently on tour in support of his new album GAVIN DEGRAW. Spurred on by his pop hit single "In Love With A Girl,” GAVIN DEGRAW premiered at #7 on the Billboard chart in May, marking Gavin’s first Top 10 album. The video for Gavin’s single, “In Love With A Girl,” was directed by acclaimed director Wayne Isham and features “Laguna Beach” beauty Kristin Cavallari. The video debuted with an appearance from Gavin on MTV’s “TRL” in April and is currently in large rotation on VH1. Gavin DeGraw was produced by the famed Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson who is known for his work with bands as varied as My Chemical Romance, Daughtry and Motörhead. The 12 songs on Gavin DeGraw revisit the themes of love and relationships, while taking Gavin’s matured songwriting in an exciting new direction.
“The VH1 Save The Music Foundation applauds Levi’s® and JCPenney for choosing music education as the core of their philanthropic efforts,” said Paul Cothran, Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “Restoring music education in our public schools is an important cause, and we are proud to partner with these two outstanding corporations as we work toward our goal of bringing music into the core curriculum of each and every public school in our country.”
"JCPenney has a long history of participating in programs that help to enrich the lives of children,” said Steve Lawrence, executive vice president of Men’s at JCPenney. “As the largest carrier of Levi’s in the world, we are thrilled to team up with our national partner on an issue we know speaks to the hearts and minds of our customers and Associates.”
About VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has successfully restored and sustained instrumental music programs in 1,500 public schools in more than 100 cities across the country, including Memphis, Houston, Chicago, New York, Denver, Baltimore and Milwaukee. Over the past ten years, various artists and celebrities have shown their devotion to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation by partnering with the organization as they’ve reached out to struggling school districts across the country. Celebrities including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Sting, Billy Joel, Kiefer Sutherland, John Legend, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jewel and many more have donated their time and efforts to the organization in attempts to raise awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education.
To date, The Foundation has provided more than $40 million in new musical instruments, affecting the lives of more than 1 million children. For more information on the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, please visit http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/.
About Levi’s®
In 1853, during the California Gold Rush, our founder, Levi Strauss, opened a wholesale dry goods business in San Francisco. Today, we are one of the world's largest brand-name apparel marketers with sales in more than 110 countries. There is no other company with a comparable global presence in the jeans and casual pants markets. Our great brands and businesses have been built by consistently providing quality products and by earning the trust of consumers, investors, employees and society as a whole through responsible business practices. This principle of responsible commercial success is embedded in our 154-year history and continues to anchor how we operate today.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers, operating 1,074 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation’s largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company’s commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as JCP on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $19.9 billion in 2006 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney’s Every Day Matters brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company’s 155,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney. SOURCE: J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Performance By Gavin DeGraw To Launch The Weeklong Fundraising Initiative
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston, TX (July 22, 2008) – Levi’s® and JCPenney® are teaming up to raise funds and awareness for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation with a weeklong sales initiative kicking off in Houston. A special performance by Gavin DeGraw at 5 PM on Sunday, July 27th at Houston’s Willowbrook Mall Atrium outside the JCPenney store will launch the program. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in our public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of every child’s complete education. Levi’s® and JCPenney have pledged to raise $100,000 in support of The Foundation’s mission.
From Sunday, July 27th through Sunday, August 2nd, Levi’s® will donate $5 from every customer who purchases two pairs of Levi’s® jeans at participating JCPenney stores or at jcp.com to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation up to $100,000. In addition, customers will receive a $10 JCPenney gift card by mail redeemable at JCPenney locations nationwide.
Platinum recording artist and singer songwriter Gavin DeGraw is currently on tour in support of his new album GAVIN DEGRAW. Spurred on by his pop hit single "In Love With A Girl,” GAVIN DEGRAW premiered at #7 on the Billboard chart in May, marking Gavin’s first Top 10 album. The video for Gavin’s single, “In Love With A Girl,” was directed by acclaimed director Wayne Isham and features “Laguna Beach” beauty Kristin Cavallari. The video debuted with an appearance from Gavin on MTV’s “TRL” in April and is currently in large rotation on VH1. Gavin DeGraw was produced by the famed Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson who is known for his work with bands as varied as My Chemical Romance, Daughtry and Motörhead. The 12 songs on Gavin DeGraw revisit the themes of love and relationships, while taking Gavin’s matured songwriting in an exciting new direction.
“The VH1 Save The Music Foundation applauds Levi’s® and JCPenney for choosing music education as the core of their philanthropic efforts,” said Paul Cothran, Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “Restoring music education in our public schools is an important cause, and we are proud to partner with these two outstanding corporations as we work toward our goal of bringing music into the core curriculum of each and every public school in our country.”
"JCPenney has a long history of participating in programs that help to enrich the lives of children,” said Steve Lawrence, executive vice president of Men’s at JCPenney. “As the largest carrier of Levi’s in the world, we are thrilled to team up with our national partner on an issue we know speaks to the hearts and minds of our customers and Associates.”
About VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has successfully restored and sustained instrumental music programs in 1,500 public schools in more than 100 cities across the country, including Memphis, Houston, Chicago, New York, Denver, Baltimore and Milwaukee. Over the past ten years, various artists and celebrities have shown their devotion to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation by partnering with the organization as they’ve reached out to struggling school districts across the country. Celebrities including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Sting, Billy Joel, Kiefer Sutherland, John Legend, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jewel and many more have donated their time and efforts to the organization in attempts to raise awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education.
To date, The Foundation has provided more than $40 million in new musical instruments, affecting the lives of more than 1 million children. For more information on the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, please visit http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/.
About Levi’s®
In 1853, during the California Gold Rush, our founder, Levi Strauss, opened a wholesale dry goods business in San Francisco. Today, we are one of the world's largest brand-name apparel marketers with sales in more than 110 countries. There is no other company with a comparable global presence in the jeans and casual pants markets. Our great brands and businesses have been built by consistently providing quality products and by earning the trust of consumers, investors, employees and society as a whole through responsible business practices. This principle of responsible commercial success is embedded in our 154-year history and continues to anchor how we operate today.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers, operating 1,074 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation’s largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company’s commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as JCP on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $19.9 billion in 2006 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney’s Every Day Matters brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company’s 155,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney. SOURCE: J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
15TH ANNUAL LITTLE MISS AFRICAN AMERICAN PAGEANT!!! An the winner is...
WINNER CROWNED AT 15TH ANNUAL LITTLE MISS AFRICAN AMERICAN PAGEANT
RAP ICON LL COOL J SURPRISES LITTLE MISSES WITH APPEARANCE
Los Angeles, CA - The 15th Annual Little Miss African American Pageant, held Sunday, August 10 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles, was quite a star studded affair. A host of celebrities turned out to support contestants aged 6 to 12 as they demonstrated wonderful feats of accomplishment, emphasizing brains over beauty. "Grey's Anatomy's" Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, Jr., Dawnn Lewis, Lisa Raye Misick, Howard Hewett, Roz Ryan, Claudia Jordan, Chris Spencer and Antwone Fisher were just a few of celebrities on hand to participate in the festivities.
The surprise appearance of rap legend, LL Cool J was a treat, however, that the young ladies and stunned audience will remember for a long time! LL Cool J took the stage to speak to the young ladies personally, acknowledging their talent and motivating them to be the best they could be in their future endeavors.
Nine year old, Little Miss Mishal Thrower from Sacramento, CA was crowned the winner of the 15th Annual Little Miss African American Scholarship pageant event winning a trip to Disneyland in Florida with her family!
RAP ICON LL COOL J SURPRISES LITTLE MISSES WITH APPEARANCE
Los Angeles, CA - The 15th Annual Little Miss African American Pageant, held Sunday, August 10 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles, was quite a star studded affair. A host of celebrities turned out to support contestants aged 6 to 12 as they demonstrated wonderful feats of accomplishment, emphasizing brains over beauty. "Grey's Anatomy's" Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, Jr., Dawnn Lewis, Lisa Raye Misick, Howard Hewett, Roz Ryan, Claudia Jordan, Chris Spencer and Antwone Fisher were just a few of celebrities on hand to participate in the festivities.
The surprise appearance of rap legend, LL Cool J was a treat, however, that the young ladies and stunned audience will remember for a long time! LL Cool J took the stage to speak to the young ladies personally, acknowledging their talent and motivating them to be the best they could be in their future endeavors.
Nine year old, Little Miss Mishal Thrower from Sacramento, CA was crowned the winner of the 15th Annual Little Miss African American Scholarship pageant event winning a trip to Disneyland in Florida with her family!
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Hosted Rick Ross Charities Party at B.E.D. (UPDATED)
The Benefit Supports Parents and Students Prepare for School
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Hosted Rick Ross Charities Party at B.E.D.
The Benefit Supports the Distribution of Free Backpacks for Students and
Complimentary Health Screenings for Families
Miami Beach, Fl. - BOMBAY SAPPHIRE spotlights Rick Ross, Slip N Slide Records recording artist, for his support of the communities in need. Through its sponsorship of the benefit party, which took place on Wednesday, Aug. 6, more families will be able to receive free health screenings and more children will receive backpacks and school supplies to kick off the school year. Rick Ross Charities was able to serve over 2,000 children and families as a result of this year's efforts. That night, Rick Ross gave an impromptu, 45-minute performance (after jumping up onto the highest bed) of mostly all of his songs, which the fans loved him for. The crowd joined in and sang along in the background. Of course, he came with celebrity friends, including Webbie, Mass Pike Myles (of Ross' own label Mayback Music), Torch and recording artist Brisco of Poe Boy Entertainment. Even White Boy from VH1's " I Love New York 2," was in the house. Visit http://files.noisemarketing.com/bombay to see photos.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE rewarded Ross' hard work and quenched his thirst and those of the fans with a VIP cocktail hour presentation featuring specialty drinks, such as the " Miami Breeze" and the " Sapphire Collins." But more importantly, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE supported positivity and Rick Ross' community service efforts and was honored to highlight his accomplishments by sponsoring the good ol' fashioned, fundraising, fun jam with MCs on the mike. Awareness and support of this nature, from hip-hop and rap fans, is greatly needed.
About Rick Ross Charities, Inc.
Rick Ross Charities, Inc. is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3), founded by Rick Ross in 2006. Rick Ross Charities' mission is to strengthen the lives of today's at-risk youth from all backgrounds and create diversity by providing solid resources through education advocacy, mentoring programs and financial resources to deserving students. Rick Ross is committed to having Rick Ross Charities, Inc. serve as a catalyst to inspire positive change by creating and supporting programs that uplift the well being of todays youth. Rick Ross Charities provides community support through various programs and projects such as the annual " Rick Ross Be Out Day", Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, holiday gift giveaways, a college scholarship fund financial seminars and a host of others.
About B.E.D.
B.E.D. has attracted South Beach's creme de la creme as well as leading celebrities from Paris Hilton, Simon Rex, Shaquille O'Neal, Jamie Foxx, Wilmer Valderrama, Lennox Lewis, John Mayer, Scott Storch, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Will Smith, Larry Johnson, Timbaland, Johnny Knoxvillle and Gwen Stephanie. The new and improved B.E.D. is proud to show off its enhanced look and boasts all that South Beach has been craving in the social and gastronomic scene. For more information, please call 305.532.9070 or visit www.bedmiami.com
About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is the best selling super premium gin in the United States. The combination of its ten unique botanicals, vapour infusion process, and authentic British heritage secure BOMBAY SAPPHIRE as a leader among gins, as well as a symbol of style and sophistication. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE strongly supports inspired adult individuals who create passionate work in design, film, and other artistic areas. For more information, please visit www.BombaySapphire.com
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Hosted Rick Ross Charities Party at B.E.D.
The Benefit Supports the Distribution of Free Backpacks for Students and
Complimentary Health Screenings for Families
Miami Beach, Fl. - BOMBAY SAPPHIRE spotlights Rick Ross, Slip N Slide Records recording artist, for his support of the communities in need. Through its sponsorship of the benefit party, which took place on Wednesday, Aug. 6, more families will be able to receive free health screenings and more children will receive backpacks and school supplies to kick off the school year. Rick Ross Charities was able to serve over 2,000 children and families as a result of this year's efforts. That night, Rick Ross gave an impromptu, 45-minute performance (after jumping up onto the highest bed) of mostly all of his songs, which the fans loved him for. The crowd joined in and sang along in the background. Of course, he came with celebrity friends, including Webbie, Mass Pike Myles (of Ross' own label Mayback Music), Torch and recording artist Brisco of Poe Boy Entertainment. Even White Boy from VH1's " I Love New York 2," was in the house. Visit http://files.noisemarketing.com/bombay to see photos.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE rewarded Ross' hard work and quenched his thirst and those of the fans with a VIP cocktail hour presentation featuring specialty drinks, such as the " Miami Breeze" and the " Sapphire Collins." But more importantly, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE supported positivity and Rick Ross' community service efforts and was honored to highlight his accomplishments by sponsoring the good ol' fashioned, fundraising, fun jam with MCs on the mike. Awareness and support of this nature, from hip-hop and rap fans, is greatly needed.
About Rick Ross Charities, Inc.
Rick Ross Charities, Inc. is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3), founded by Rick Ross in 2006. Rick Ross Charities' mission is to strengthen the lives of today's at-risk youth from all backgrounds and create diversity by providing solid resources through education advocacy, mentoring programs and financial resources to deserving students. Rick Ross is committed to having Rick Ross Charities, Inc. serve as a catalyst to inspire positive change by creating and supporting programs that uplift the well being of todays youth. Rick Ross Charities provides community support through various programs and projects such as the annual " Rick Ross Be Out Day", Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, holiday gift giveaways, a college scholarship fund financial seminars and a host of others.
About B.E.D.
B.E.D. has attracted South Beach's creme de la creme as well as leading celebrities from Paris Hilton, Simon Rex, Shaquille O'Neal, Jamie Foxx, Wilmer Valderrama, Lennox Lewis, John Mayer, Scott Storch, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Will Smith, Larry Johnson, Timbaland, Johnny Knoxvillle and Gwen Stephanie. The new and improved B.E.D. is proud to show off its enhanced look and boasts all that South Beach has been craving in the social and gastronomic scene. For more information, please call 305.532.9070 or visit www.bedmiami.com
About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is the best selling super premium gin in the United States. The combination of its ten unique botanicals, vapour infusion process, and authentic British heritage secure BOMBAY SAPPHIRE as a leader among gins, as well as a symbol of style and sophistication. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE strongly supports inspired adult individuals who create passionate work in design, film, and other artistic areas. For more information, please visit www.BombaySapphire.com
BET'S "106 & PARK" CELEBRATES 2000TH EPISODE AND LAUNCHES NEW SOCIAL COMMUNITY, 106 & PARK CONNECT ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 AT 6:00 P.M.*
Milestone Episode to Feature Appearances by Jennifer Hudson, T.I., LL Cool J and Keyshia Cole
NEW YORK – August 12, 2008 –106 & PARK, BET's flagship music series and a leading source of entertainment, hip hop and R&B music, will commemorate its 2000th episode on Wednesday, August 20 at 6:00 P.M.* Special guests on hand to help BET celebrate 106 & PARK's phenomenal milestone include Jennifer Hudson, T.I., LL Cool J, and Keyshia Cole, along with a few other surprises. The 2000th episode will also serve as the launch of 106 & PARK CONNECT (www.bet.com/106andpark), a new social community for everyone who loves the 106 & PARK culture.
To kick off the 2000th episode festivities, hosts Terrence and Rocsi will introduce 106 & PARK CONNECT. This new online destination is all about connections as it allows viewers to connect online with: (1) Terrence and Rocsi; (2) contests and competitions related to 106 & PARK; and (3) other fans who share similar interests. In addition, this site will be more deeply integrated into the show and allow Connect Members to interact with and participate in the show more than ever before. For example, members of 106 & PARK CONNECT can upload videos and responses to different elements of the show, or have their profiles highlighted during an episode. In addition, 106 & PARK CONNECT members will be able to upload video answers to political questions as an effort to educate and encourage participation in the 2008 presidential election.
"A gigantic thank you goes out to 106 & PARK viewers and fans for carrying this awesome experience, a show that debuted in the year 2000, all the way to 2,000 episodes," said Stephen G. Hill, Executive Vice President of Music, Programming and Talent for BET. "106 & PARK was designed to reflect our audience's taste in music, style, swagger and attitude. Viewers have rewarded us by keeping us the most popular daily video show in cable television for a number of years. There are too many wonderful touchtones in 2000 tune-ins to mention, but there's always space to show much appreciation to AJ, Free, Julissa, Big Tigger, Terrence and Rocsi for keeping the show fresh and intriguing."
"We're thrilled to launch 106 & PARK CONNECT in conjunction with the show's 2000th episode," said Denmark West, President of Digital Media, BET Networks. "Through this new community and in partnership with Stephen Hill and the show producers, we're providing our audience with an even deeper connection with 106 & PARK by providing them with new opportunities to be a part of the show, connect to the brand and share the lifestyle."
In addition to hosting the hottest stars on television, 106 & PARK has become home to some of the biggest moments in television history, ranging from the infamous "Clash of the Titans" between contenders 50 Cent and Kanye West, to 106 & PARK's visit to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, to Jay-Z's free mini-concert in Brooklyn, and most recently, Madonna's highly anticipated visit to the 106 & PARK studios. Even though the studio sets and co-hosts have changed over the years, 106 & PARK has maintained its position in the lives of urban music fans around the world.
Under the BET Digital Media Group, 106 & PARK made history by launching the first mobile fan club of its kind available through all domestic carriers, the 106 & Park Mobile Fan Club. In the fall of 2007, 106 & PARK went global with a one-hour branded block on MTV Japan airing a weekly "best of" 106 & PARK show in Japan.
*All times ET/PT
ABOUT 106 & PARK
Making its network premiere on September 11, 2000, the 106 & PARK urban music phenomenon launched on BET and forever changed the perspective of hip hop/R&B fans around the world. Live from New York City, the most energetic show on the planet welcomes a live studio audience, exciting show elements and superstar guests five days a week. The biggest names in the music and entertainment industry such as Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Tom Cruise, Queen Latifah, Bruce Willis and Diddy have all stopped by THE PARK.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
NEW YORK – August 12, 2008 –106 & PARK, BET's flagship music series and a leading source of entertainment, hip hop and R&B music, will commemorate its 2000th episode on Wednesday, August 20 at 6:00 P.M.* Special guests on hand to help BET celebrate 106 & PARK's phenomenal milestone include Jennifer Hudson, T.I., LL Cool J, and Keyshia Cole, along with a few other surprises. The 2000th episode will also serve as the launch of 106 & PARK CONNECT (www.bet.com/106andpark), a new social community for everyone who loves the 106 & PARK culture.
To kick off the 2000th episode festivities, hosts Terrence and Rocsi will introduce 106 & PARK CONNECT. This new online destination is all about connections as it allows viewers to connect online with: (1) Terrence and Rocsi; (2) contests and competitions related to 106 & PARK; and (3) other fans who share similar interests. In addition, this site will be more deeply integrated into the show and allow Connect Members to interact with and participate in the show more than ever before. For example, members of 106 & PARK CONNECT can upload videos and responses to different elements of the show, or have their profiles highlighted during an episode. In addition, 106 & PARK CONNECT members will be able to upload video answers to political questions as an effort to educate and encourage participation in the 2008 presidential election.
"A gigantic thank you goes out to 106 & PARK viewers and fans for carrying this awesome experience, a show that debuted in the year 2000, all the way to 2,000 episodes," said Stephen G. Hill, Executive Vice President of Music, Programming and Talent for BET. "106 & PARK was designed to reflect our audience's taste in music, style, swagger and attitude. Viewers have rewarded us by keeping us the most popular daily video show in cable television for a number of years. There are too many wonderful touchtones in 2000 tune-ins to mention, but there's always space to show much appreciation to AJ, Free, Julissa, Big Tigger, Terrence and Rocsi for keeping the show fresh and intriguing."
"We're thrilled to launch 106 & PARK CONNECT in conjunction with the show's 2000th episode," said Denmark West, President of Digital Media, BET Networks. "Through this new community and in partnership with Stephen Hill and the show producers, we're providing our audience with an even deeper connection with 106 & PARK by providing them with new opportunities to be a part of the show, connect to the brand and share the lifestyle."
In addition to hosting the hottest stars on television, 106 & PARK has become home to some of the biggest moments in television history, ranging from the infamous "Clash of the Titans" between contenders 50 Cent and Kanye West, to 106 & PARK's visit to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, to Jay-Z's free mini-concert in Brooklyn, and most recently, Madonna's highly anticipated visit to the 106 & PARK studios. Even though the studio sets and co-hosts have changed over the years, 106 & PARK has maintained its position in the lives of urban music fans around the world.
Under the BET Digital Media Group, 106 & PARK made history by launching the first mobile fan club of its kind available through all domestic carriers, the 106 & Park Mobile Fan Club. In the fall of 2007, 106 & PARK went global with a one-hour branded block on MTV Japan airing a weekly "best of" 106 & PARK show in Japan.
*All times ET/PT
ABOUT 106 & PARK
Making its network premiere on September 11, 2000, the 106 & PARK urban music phenomenon launched on BET and forever changed the perspective of hip hop/R&B fans around the world. Live from New York City, the most energetic show on the planet welcomes a live studio audience, exciting show elements and superstar guests five days a week. The biggest names in the music and entertainment industry such as Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Tom Cruise, Queen Latifah, Bruce Willis and Diddy have all stopped by THE PARK.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
VH1 Hip-Hop Honors UPDATE!!!
HIP HOP PIONEERS, Cypress Hill, DE LA SOUL, SLICK RICK, NAUGHTY BY NATURE AND TOO $HORT WILL BE HONORED AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL "VH1 HIP HOP HONORS"
Tracy Morgan Returns As Host of The 2008 "VH1 Hip Hop Honors"
Which Premieres On VH1 and VH1 Soul on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*
NEW YORK, August 13, 2008 – VH1 has announced the five honorees for their fifth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort. Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year's musical celebration will give viewers a chance to step back and reminisce on a time when hip hop music began to make its greatest impact on American pop culture.
Premiering on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*, generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked a revolution and continues to fuel an evolution around the world. Additional performances and appearances will be announced shortly.
"Now in its fifth year, the 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. "This year's five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon."
Introducing this year's honorees:
Cypress Hill: With a driving rhyme style and brutally infectious production, this L.A. based collective brought a welcomed Latino perspective to hip hop storytelling, creating records like "Insane in the Brain" that crossed all barriers and gave Cypress Hill fans in the rock, as well as, rap world.
De La Soul: This Long Island trio brought a playful, smart, and off-center style to hip hop, while pushing their suburban and bohemian sensibility to the fore. Their innovative sound has influenced not only other MCs, but helped inspire the entire underground movement in the culture.
Naughty By Nature: Led by the strident style of lead MC Treach, Naughty By Nature brought New Jersey hip hop into the mainstream by creating hit singles than became anthems for a generation. "OPP" and "Hip Hop Hooray" are two of the most popular records in rap history.
Slick Rick: With vivid storytelling and unique rhyme style Slick Rick has always been one of the most unique and influential figures in the culture's history. When you combine Rick's MC gifts with his gold chains, eye patch and regal clothing the result is a figure who embodies the fun, the danger and the flavor that is hip hop.
Too $hort: Too $hort started his career in the '80s selling 12-inch singles full of freaky tales on his own indie label in Oakland and has remained true to his raw style, in the process becoming a legend in the game while staying true to his hard core values.
Additionally, on September 16 VH1.com will launch its dedicated "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more at HipHop.VH1.com. Additional VH1.com and VH1 Mobile efforts around "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" will be announced in the coming weeks.
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for Blackjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and Fab Five Freddie are co-executive producers.
*All times ET/PT
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" is sponsored by T-Mobile USA and Taco Bell Corp.
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1 Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
Tracy Morgan Returns As Host of The 2008 "VH1 Hip Hop Honors"
Which Premieres On VH1 and VH1 Soul on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*
NEW YORK, August 13, 2008 – VH1 has announced the five honorees for their fifth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort. Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year's musical celebration will give viewers a chance to step back and reminisce on a time when hip hop music began to make its greatest impact on American pop culture.
Premiering on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM*, generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked a revolution and continues to fuel an evolution around the world. Additional performances and appearances will be announced shortly.
"Now in its fifth year, the 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. "This year's five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon."
Introducing this year's honorees:
Cypress Hill: With a driving rhyme style and brutally infectious production, this L.A. based collective brought a welcomed Latino perspective to hip hop storytelling, creating records like "Insane in the Brain" that crossed all barriers and gave Cypress Hill fans in the rock, as well as, rap world.
De La Soul: This Long Island trio brought a playful, smart, and off-center style to hip hop, while pushing their suburban and bohemian sensibility to the fore. Their innovative sound has influenced not only other MCs, but helped inspire the entire underground movement in the culture.
Naughty By Nature: Led by the strident style of lead MC Treach, Naughty By Nature brought New Jersey hip hop into the mainstream by creating hit singles than became anthems for a generation. "OPP" and "Hip Hop Hooray" are two of the most popular records in rap history.
Slick Rick: With vivid storytelling and unique rhyme style Slick Rick has always been one of the most unique and influential figures in the culture's history. When you combine Rick's MC gifts with his gold chains, eye patch and regal clothing the result is a figure who embodies the fun, the danger and the flavor that is hip hop.
Too $hort: Too $hort started his career in the '80s selling 12-inch singles full of freaky tales on his own indie label in Oakland and has remained true to his raw style, in the process becoming a legend in the game while staying true to his hard core values.
Additionally, on September 16 VH1.com will launch its dedicated "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more at HipHop.VH1.com. Additional VH1.com and VH1 Mobile efforts around "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" will be announced in the coming weeks.
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for Blackjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George and Fab Five Freddie are co-executive producers.
*All times ET/PT
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors" is sponsored by T-Mobile USA and Taco Bell Corp.
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1 Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
VH1 Hip-Hop Honors!!
VH1’s “Hip-Hop Honors” 2008 Set for October Premiere
VH1 has announced the upcoming date for its next A-List tentpole event the “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Now in its fifth year, “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” will once again pay tribute to the hip hop luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into a truly global news phenomenon.
VH1 will fete this year’s honorees at a high-energy event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York taping Thursday, October 2, 2008 and premiering on VH1 on Tuesday, October 7.
The music and influence of each of the honorees, to be named later this summer, will be recognized through performances in collaboration with some of today’s hottest talent. Generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked and inspired the evolution of the music.
Last year’s show was hosted by Tracy Morgan and honored A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliott, the film Wild Style and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing. The star-studded 2007 edition also featured performances by the honorees, along with appearances by Ciara, Eve, Pharrell Williams, The Game, T.I., Timbaland, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, Common, T-Pain, Keyshia Cole and Nick Cannon as well as Chris Rock, Harvey Keitel, LL Cool J, Kerry Washington and Diddy. Salt -N- Pepa, Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo, KRS-One The Teacha, Jermaine Dupri, Grandmaster Caz, Nelly, Mos Def, Kool Moe Dee, Grand Wizzard Theodore and The Chief Rocker Busy Bee.
“As we’ll remind viewers with our upcoming ‘VH1 Rock Honors’ show saluting The Who, VH1’s on-air tentpole events represent the best of music and pop culture entertainment. We work tirelessly and passionately to attract the biggest stars in the industry, create must-see buzz and engage record numbers of viewers,” said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1.
“Our ‘VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the hip hop community, drawing legends from back-in-the-day to the hottest stars of the genre today. This fifth edition will reflect the true power of hip hop while promising to deliver our best Hip Hop Honors show yet,” he added.
Story pulled from: http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/
VH1 has announced the upcoming date for its next A-List tentpole event the “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Now in its fifth year, “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” will once again pay tribute to the hip hop luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into a truly global news phenomenon.
VH1 will fete this year’s honorees at a high-energy event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York taping Thursday, October 2, 2008 and premiering on VH1 on Tuesday, October 7.
The music and influence of each of the honorees, to be named later this summer, will be recognized through performances in collaboration with some of today’s hottest talent. Generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked and inspired the evolution of the music.
Last year’s show was hosted by Tracy Morgan and honored A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliott, the film Wild Style and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing. The star-studded 2007 edition also featured performances by the honorees, along with appearances by Ciara, Eve, Pharrell Williams, The Game, T.I., Timbaland, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, Common, T-Pain, Keyshia Cole and Nick Cannon as well as Chris Rock, Harvey Keitel, LL Cool J, Kerry Washington and Diddy. Salt -N- Pepa, Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo, KRS-One The Teacha, Jermaine Dupri, Grandmaster Caz, Nelly, Mos Def, Kool Moe Dee, Grand Wizzard Theodore and The Chief Rocker Busy Bee.
“As we’ll remind viewers with our upcoming ‘VH1 Rock Honors’ show saluting The Who, VH1’s on-air tentpole events represent the best of music and pop culture entertainment. We work tirelessly and passionately to attract the biggest stars in the industry, create must-see buzz and engage record numbers of viewers,” said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1.
“Our ‘VH1 Hip Hop Honors’ has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the hip hop community, drawing legends from back-in-the-day to the hottest stars of the genre today. This fifth edition will reflect the true power of hip hop while promising to deliver our best Hip Hop Honors show yet,” he added.
Story pulled from: http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Cast of ‘America's Next Top Model’ Cycle Eleven Announced (Updated)
Photo: Courtesy of the CW
On Wednesday, September 3, new episodes of America's Next Top Model return to the CW with a two-hour premiere. It will undoubtedly be as joyous as the hippie vibes La Banks exudes in the absolutely stupendous ad for the new season at left. How could it not be when Tyra's the queen of cooking up fierceness with a side of camp? Oh, plus the CW has revealed the fourteen finalists of the new season. And for the eleventh time they sound stellar.
Eight of the fourteen finalists are 19 years old, the perfect age for not getting along with other girls you're forced to live with, especially with no media to entertain you. The oldest contestant, Joslyn, is only 23. Tyra's even throwing two Europeans into the bunch. Elina, 19, hails from the Ukraine and needs to win because she really needs a job. Why bother with annoying résumés when there's the ANTM safety net? Also 19, Marjorie hails from Marseille and is currently a student in San Francisco.
But we're most intrigued by the 21-year-old Sheena, a Hawaiian hostess and go-go dancer who currently lives in Harlem. We expect Tyra to find a way to analyze how being a go-go dancer intersects with her womanly values and self-esteem, all the while encouraging her to switch on her go-go fierceness in front of the camera to propel her modeling career (none of the other contestants have that going for them after all). We can't wait.
Update: Us Weekly reports one of the cast members is transgender. Now how's that for all-inclusive? Isis is a 22-year-old former receptionist who tells the magazine she identifies as female but was born male. GLAAD is beside itself: Its president, Neil Giuliano, called Isis's casting "unprecedented. He adds, "We applaud Tyra Banks and the CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible."
This ought to make the bikini-wax episode more interesting.
ROCK THE VOTE!!!
Rock the Vote Press Releases
Rock the Vote: Home » About Rock the Vote » Press Room » Press Releases
ROCK THE VOTE KICKS OFF CONVENTIONS WITH “BALLOT BASH” OPENING NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D, JAKOB DYLAN AND AFTER-PARTY WITH NICK CANNON TO DJ
Washington, DC - August 12, 2008
Later this month, Rock the Vote will kick off our 2008 Democratic and Republican Convention activities with “Ballot Bash,” a star-studded event showcasing the power of the youth vote in the 2008 Presidential election. The Monday night concert in Denver, Colorado will feature world-class musical acts including: FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan.
Don’t miss the action as guests, delegates, young adults, politicians and celebrities come together to rock the night away!
When:
Monday, August 25th 2008
Ballot Bash Concert: 10pm –12am MT
After Party: 12am – 2am MT
Where:
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver Performing Arts Complex
Denver, Colorado
Who:
More than 2,500 guests will experience a live concert in the world-class acoustical Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The show will feature exclusive performances and collaboration by marquee artists including FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan.
The party continues as 400 guests head to the official after party featuring Nick Cannon on the turntables with hottest VIPS and celebrity guests filling the room.
“Young people are critical in choosing the next President. As all eyes are on Denver and St. Paul, Rock the Vote will be front and center amplifying the voices of young Americans and ensuring that both candidates and campaigns are paying attention,” says Heather Smith Executive Director, Rock the Vote.
There is a political youth movement happening in the country right now. Young people hit the polls in record numbers this primary season and will carry that momentum to Election Day this November. Already in 2008, more than one million people have used Rock the Vote’s online tool to register to vote and by November, Rock the Vote will have registered more than two million 18-29 year olds through online, broadcast, and grassroots outreach.
Rock the Vote will be in Denver and St. Paul representing the 44 million eligible young voters. Through Ballot Bash and our other events at the conventions, we aim to make sure the political world knows that the time has come for young adults’ voices to be heard.
For additional information on Rock the Vote’s convention activities in both Denver and St. Paul please visit: www.rockthevote.com/rocktheconvention
Ballot Bash 2008 is made possible through the support of AT&T.
About Rock the Vote:
Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country. Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote in every election. And we give young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives, and leverage their power in the political process. Rock the Vote is creative, effective, and controlled by nobody’s agenda but our own – we tell it like it is and pride ourselves on being a trusted source for information on politics. We empower the 44 million young people in America who want to step up, claim their voice in the political process, and change the way politics is done. www.RockTheVote.com
Rock the Vote: Home » About Rock the Vote » Press Room » Press Releases
ROCK THE VOTE KICKS OFF CONVENTIONS WITH “BALLOT BASH” OPENING NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D, JAKOB DYLAN AND AFTER-PARTY WITH NICK CANNON TO DJ
Washington, DC - August 12, 2008
Later this month, Rock the Vote will kick off our 2008 Democratic and Republican Convention activities with “Ballot Bash,” a star-studded event showcasing the power of the youth vote in the 2008 Presidential election. The Monday night concert in Denver, Colorado will feature world-class musical acts including: FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan.
Don’t miss the action as guests, delegates, young adults, politicians and celebrities come together to rock the night away!
When:
Monday, August 25th 2008
Ballot Bash Concert: 10pm –12am MT
After Party: 12am – 2am MT
Where:
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver Performing Arts Complex
Denver, Colorado
Who:
More than 2,500 guests will experience a live concert in the world-class acoustical Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The show will feature exclusive performances and collaboration by marquee artists including FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan.
The party continues as 400 guests head to the official after party featuring Nick Cannon on the turntables with hottest VIPS and celebrity guests filling the room.
“Young people are critical in choosing the next President. As all eyes are on Denver and St. Paul, Rock the Vote will be front and center amplifying the voices of young Americans and ensuring that both candidates and campaigns are paying attention,” says Heather Smith Executive Director, Rock the Vote.
There is a political youth movement happening in the country right now. Young people hit the polls in record numbers this primary season and will carry that momentum to Election Day this November. Already in 2008, more than one million people have used Rock the Vote’s online tool to register to vote and by November, Rock the Vote will have registered more than two million 18-29 year olds through online, broadcast, and grassroots outreach.
Rock the Vote will be in Denver and St. Paul representing the 44 million eligible young voters. Through Ballot Bash and our other events at the conventions, we aim to make sure the political world knows that the time has come for young adults’ voices to be heard.
For additional information on Rock the Vote’s convention activities in both Denver and St. Paul please visit: www.rockthevote.com/rocktheconvention
Ballot Bash 2008 is made possible through the support of AT&T.
About Rock the Vote:
Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country. Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote in every election. And we give young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives, and leverage their power in the political process. Rock the Vote is creative, effective, and controlled by nobody’s agenda but our own – we tell it like it is and pride ourselves on being a trusted source for information on politics. We empower the 44 million young people in America who want to step up, claim their voice in the political process, and change the way politics is done. www.RockTheVote.com
Name that tune...no...BRAND THAT SOUND!
Potato-potato-potato!” Know what that sound is? Maybe you don’t recognize the onomatopoeia, but you must certainly know the actual sound. It’s the “Hog Call,” the rev of a Harley Davidson, and it’s one of the most recognized sounds of one of the most recognized brands in the US.
As for “potato-potato-potato,” that’s the sound that Harley tried to trademark back in the ’90s. In 1994, Harley filed a registration for a trademark of its V-twin engine sound. It read “the mark consists of the exhaust sound of applicant’s motorcycles, produced by V-twin, common crankpin motorcycle engines when the goods are in use.” Though it was denied, there are more than a few sound trademark applications that made it through. About 300, in fact. Here are 17 of the most recognized:
1. NBC’s musical notes G, E, C played on chimes. NBC was the first to trademark a sound for its radio broadcasting services in 1950.
2. MGM’s lion’s roar
3. The song “Sweet Georgia Brown” for The Harlem Globetrotters
4. Tetris’ “electronic Russian folkstyle tune,” owned by Elorg Company
5. Intel’s 5 note ding
6. “D’Oh” spoken by Homer is owned by Fox
7. The 9 bars of musical chord in the key of B Flat that typically opens a Twentieth Century Fox movie
8. Looney Toons Theme Song, owned by Time Warner
9. The spoken letters “AT&T” with a music in the background
10. “Cha-Ching,” owned by Checker’s Restaurants
11. “Yahoo!” sung in a yodeling style
12. Nokia’s default ringtone
13. Mister Softee’s Jingle
14. “Hello and Welcome to Moviefone,” owned by America Online
15. The sound of the crowd & bell from the New York Stock Exchange’s trading floor
16. TiVo’s popping sounds (in 2 and 6 tones)
17. Pillsbury Doughboy’s giggle
Can’t you just hear them already? If not, head over to the US and Patent Trademark Office where they have each of the sound files ready to refresh your memory.
Article pulled from www.mentalfloss.com
Houston Children’s Charity and Miley Cyrus!
Houston Children’s Charity will reap the benefits of an exclusive Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana auction item.
The Houston Children’s Charity 12th Annual Gala may not take place until October 25, but this week witnesses the online auction of the Charity’s star item: a package for the ultimate fan of teen superstar Miley Cyrus and her television alter-ego, “Hannah Montana.”
The package includes four VIP tickets to a taping of “Hannah Montana”; a meet and greet with the cast; four round-trip tickets on American Airlines; two deluxe hotel rooms for two nights at the Universal Sheraton; a “rock star guitar purse” used by Miley Cyrus on set bearing her autograph; and autographed and framed photos of Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, and the “Hannah Montana” cast.
The auction closes on Friday, August 15. As is to be expected, deep pockets are required to secure this package – the current bid of $25,000 was placed by Texas interior designer Sherri Zucker.
Houston Children’s Charity is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused, and handicapped children who have been otherwise left behind. The fall gala is one of three annual fundraising events.
To submit a bid, email hcc@houstonchildrenscharity.org. For further information, contact Houston Children’s Charity at 713-524-2878. Check their website for bidding updates at http://houstonchildrenscharity.org/.
The Houston Children’s Charity 12th Annual Gala may not take place until October 25, but this week witnesses the online auction of the Charity’s star item: a package for the ultimate fan of teen superstar Miley Cyrus and her television alter-ego, “Hannah Montana.”
The package includes four VIP tickets to a taping of “Hannah Montana”; a meet and greet with the cast; four round-trip tickets on American Airlines; two deluxe hotel rooms for two nights at the Universal Sheraton; a “rock star guitar purse” used by Miley Cyrus on set bearing her autograph; and autographed and framed photos of Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, and the “Hannah Montana” cast.
The auction closes on Friday, August 15. As is to be expected, deep pockets are required to secure this package – the current bid of $25,000 was placed by Texas interior designer Sherri Zucker.
Houston Children’s Charity is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused, and handicapped children who have been otherwise left behind. The fall gala is one of three annual fundraising events.
To submit a bid, email hcc@houstonchildrenscharity.org. For further information, contact Houston Children’s Charity at 713-524-2878. Check their website for bidding updates at http://houstonchildrenscharity.org/.
Father’s Cancer Scare Spurs K. Lucas Into Action
Sometime this summer, before the Carolina Panthers open training camp on July 26, Ken Lucas is going to put on a fashion show.
And no, it’s not just because the eighth-year cornerback fancies himself one of the best dressed men in the Panthers’ locker room.
Lucas’ Ken Folks Foundation is hosting a fashion show to bring awareness to causes close to his heart: homelessness and lung cancer.
“Homelessness is a big issue right now with the struggles in the economy,” said the politically astute Lucas, who has 22 career interceptions.
“And lung cancer …”
He pauses before a deep sigh.
“My father had lung cancer, but he overcame it,” Lucas continued. “That was kind of tough for me when he was going through it. I’ve never had to face any adversity like that. It made me realize how much I care for my father. It kept me from taking life for granted. That’s why, today, I want to do whatever I can to raise awareness.”
Five years ago, Lucas never could have imagined that lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, ultimately would make a positive difference his life.
When his father, Clyde, was diagnosed with the disease, Lucas was in his second NFL season as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Life appeared perfect for the second-round draft pick out of the University of Mississippi. Off the field, he had money and celebrity. On it, he was a big-play defensive back who everyone respected.
But he felt something had been missing from his life for quite some time.
“It’s sad to say, but up until that point, I really didn’t know if I truly cared about my dad,” Lucas said. “But I feel like (the cancer diagnosis) was a way to bring us together.
“When my mom (Deborah) called and told me, the first thing I asked her was, ‘Is my dad going to die?’ Even though things were not always peaches and cream growing up, I never really knew that I truly loved him until she called and told me he had lung cancer. That was when things got better between my dad and me.”
And as his father’s health improved, Lucas’ star continued to rise. After a stellar 2004 campaign in which he intercepted a then-career-high six passes, Lucas signed with the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent. He immediately made an impact with his new team, matching his personal best interception total and becoming an emotional leader.
In 2007, Lucas started all 16 games, registering 62 solo tackles (his second-highest total to date) and a career-high two fumble recoveries. He also returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.
But he believes he can be much better this season.
“Whatever I can do to make this team better, I want to do it,” Lucas said emphatically.
As has always been the case with the Cleveland, Miss., native, however, his earnestness will go far beyond the boundaries of the football field.
“The way I was raised, even though I was an only child, I had a giving spirit,” Lucas said. “My folks instilled in me to always give. I was better off than a lot of people in my neighborhood, so whenever [clothes] got too small for me, instead of throwing them away, we always gave them away.
“Even now, (relatives) ask my mother and father for things, and my parents call me and say, ‘Is it all right if we do this for so-and-so?’ I’m like, ‘It’s cool.’ That’s what it’s really all about. When you bless somebody else, you continue to get blessings. But you can’t do it for just that reason; you should give because it’s in your heart to do so.”
That’s why Lucas will host a fashion show this summer in the South. That’s why he’ll continue to donate money to various other charitable causes. And that’s why he was able to view his father’s cancer diagnosis five years ago as a gift and a reminder that, despite all he’d done with his life, he needed to find a way to do more.
“Since then, I try to do whatever I can to fulfill my life while I have the opportunity,” he said. “I think a lot of us do not use that power while we have the opportunity, but I wanted to take advantage of using my name to help people while I can.”
-Story written by: C. Jemal Horton, Red Line Editorial
AFLPA & Drew Brees Help School Keep on Growing
Sandwiched between downtown New Orleans and the city’s quaint Garden District sits a garden whose crops seem more suited for an Italian marketplace than an urban American schoolyard. But Samuel Green Charter School is not only a place for children to learn; it encourages students to harvest healthy snacks from their own gardens. Now, thanks to the Arena Football League Players Association and The Brees Dream Foundation, the school has yet another place to grow its produce and a pleasant spot to savor it.
Last Thursday, the AFLPA Executive Committee and staff, school officials, coaches and 40 community volunteers came together and dug knee-deep in the dirt to build a greenhouse and picnic area for the schoolyard.
“It is truly a privilege to come out and see the progress being made here,” said AFLPA Executive Committee member Ernest Allen, who was in town for the AFLPA Board of Player Representatives meeting and the ArenaBowl. “You really see the bigger picture out here in New Orleans. To help improve a community and assist them in bouncing back after the [Hurricane Katrina] devastation that happened three years ago is amazing.”
Better known as “The Edible School Yard,” Samuel J. Green teaches students about gardening and creating healthy lifestyles. At this culinary think-tank, kids from kindergarten to eighth grade learn about science and nutrition through the food they grow, harvest and eat. The school integrates organic gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into its curriculum, culture and food programs. Visitors to the garden will see rows upon rows of eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.
“This is a replication of a flagship program in Berkeley,” said Donna Davato, a member of the school’s faculty. “This one is meaningful because it integrates organic and seasonal cooking into the curriculum of the school, but also has cultural ties. And that makes us a strong community.”
Davato said the volunteer effort by the AFLPA and The Brees Dream Foundation (which supports the school on an ongoing basis and introduced the AFLPA to the school), in addition to financial contributions made by both organizations, will allow the school to expand its program. “We’re so grateful for the contributions,” Davato said, “which enable us to continue to create a positive and beautiful environment for our students.”
Even a brief mid-afternoon rain didn’t even dampen the spirits of the volunteers and children who came out to make the greenhouse and picnic area dream come true. During the building, a festive and celebratory BBQ lunch was served for all participants. The lunch included food donated by Whole Foods Market and fresh salads made by the Samuel J. Green kids with vegetables picked from their own garden. The food was a hit, to organic and non-organic fans alike.
“The food is the best!” exclaimed Allen. “These sweet people and their community really deserve our best.”
Last Thursday, the AFLPA Executive Committee and staff, school officials, coaches and 40 community volunteers came together and dug knee-deep in the dirt to build a greenhouse and picnic area for the schoolyard.
“It is truly a privilege to come out and see the progress being made here,” said AFLPA Executive Committee member Ernest Allen, who was in town for the AFLPA Board of Player Representatives meeting and the ArenaBowl. “You really see the bigger picture out here in New Orleans. To help improve a community and assist them in bouncing back after the [Hurricane Katrina] devastation that happened three years ago is amazing.”
Better known as “The Edible School Yard,” Samuel J. Green teaches students about gardening and creating healthy lifestyles. At this culinary think-tank, kids from kindergarten to eighth grade learn about science and nutrition through the food they grow, harvest and eat. The school integrates organic gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into its curriculum, culture and food programs. Visitors to the garden will see rows upon rows of eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.
“This is a replication of a flagship program in Berkeley,” said Donna Davato, a member of the school’s faculty. “This one is meaningful because it integrates organic and seasonal cooking into the curriculum of the school, but also has cultural ties. And that makes us a strong community.”
Davato said the volunteer effort by the AFLPA and The Brees Dream Foundation (which supports the school on an ongoing basis and introduced the AFLPA to the school), in addition to financial contributions made by both organizations, will allow the school to expand its program. “We’re so grateful for the contributions,” Davato said, “which enable us to continue to create a positive and beautiful environment for our students.”
Even a brief mid-afternoon rain didn’t even dampen the spirits of the volunteers and children who came out to make the greenhouse and picnic area dream come true. During the building, a festive and celebratory BBQ lunch was served for all participants. The lunch included food donated by Whole Foods Market and fresh salads made by the Samuel J. Green kids with vegetables picked from their own garden. The food was a hit, to organic and non-organic fans alike.
“The food is the best!” exclaimed Allen. “These sweet people and their community really deserve our best.”
Moss Brothers Serve as Role Models to Youth
The Moss brothers--wide receivers Santana and Sinorice--have a motto that it’s the humble man who always comes out on top. Now, the Miami natives are working together to stay humble and keep kids on top through their newly formed foundation.
“I got my inspiration to make a difference at a young age,” said Santana Moss. “I always said that I wanted to give back to the kids once I got older. As a role model to them, I want to show them that we all came from the same neighborhoods, and if I can make it, they can make it.”
Washington Redskins Santana Moss established his Santana Moss Foundation in 2002 to help build a stronger America, beginning with its children. He said he’s always thought of himself as a role model, first to his two younger brothers and then to the young beneficiaries of his foundation. Now he’s teaming up with one of his brothers—New York Giants Sinorice Moss—and the foundation has become the Moss Brothers Foundation, focused on improving the lives of children in Miami.
One of the events held to benefit the foundation is the Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend, an annual fundraiser in Miami that attracts some of the NFL’s biggest stars. The proceeds from this year’s event benefited the Moss Brothers Foundation and the foundation of the late Sean Taylor, former teammate and close friend of Santana’s. The weekend’s activities included the Moss Brothers Kids Day at the Movies, a community fair and a celebrity softball game.
“For the last few years we have been throwing a movie party for a couple of elementary schools in the Miami area,” Santana said. “My brother and I talk to the kids after the movie is over and give them the Santana Moss coloring book. The book has word puzzles and things they can do that deal with life situations. I have guys like Andre Johnson, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee come out and be a part of the game.”
In addition to the Celebrity Weekend, the foundation holds the annual Santana Moss Football Camp, which provides campers with basic football skills in a constructive environment. The camp is focused on creating well-rounded student-athletes.
“My whole goal is not to touch every kid, because that is impossible,” Santana Moss said. “Hopefully there are one or two kids who remember what we did for them, and 10 years from now, they will also give back. If I touch every kid, then that is 10 times what I expected.”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.tanaman89.com/home/foundation.
“I got my inspiration to make a difference at a young age,” said Santana Moss. “I always said that I wanted to give back to the kids once I got older. As a role model to them, I want to show them that we all came from the same neighborhoods, and if I can make it, they can make it.”
Washington Redskins Santana Moss established his Santana Moss Foundation in 2002 to help build a stronger America, beginning with its children. He said he’s always thought of himself as a role model, first to his two younger brothers and then to the young beneficiaries of his foundation. Now he’s teaming up with one of his brothers—New York Giants Sinorice Moss—and the foundation has become the Moss Brothers Foundation, focused on improving the lives of children in Miami.
One of the events held to benefit the foundation is the Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend, an annual fundraiser in Miami that attracts some of the NFL’s biggest stars. The proceeds from this year’s event benefited the Moss Brothers Foundation and the foundation of the late Sean Taylor, former teammate and close friend of Santana’s. The weekend’s activities included the Moss Brothers Kids Day at the Movies, a community fair and a celebrity softball game.
“For the last few years we have been throwing a movie party for a couple of elementary schools in the Miami area,” Santana said. “My brother and I talk to the kids after the movie is over and give them the Santana Moss coloring book. The book has word puzzles and things they can do that deal with life situations. I have guys like Andre Johnson, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee come out and be a part of the game.”
In addition to the Celebrity Weekend, the foundation holds the annual Santana Moss Football Camp, which provides campers with basic football skills in a constructive environment. The camp is focused on creating well-rounded student-athletes.
“My whole goal is not to touch every kid, because that is impossible,” Santana Moss said. “Hopefully there are one or two kids who remember what we did for them, and 10 years from now, they will also give back. If I touch every kid, then that is 10 times what I expected.”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.tanaman89.com/home/foundation.
NFL Player Scores with St. Louis Schools
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Isaac Bruce may have been in his off-season this summer, but he scored big last month when the St. Louis School Board adopted a program that Bruce helped create to promote healthy living in public schools.
“I really wanted to share my passion of living a healthy lifestyle,” Bruce said. “It’s something I live by each and every day.”
Bruce, who played for the St. Louis Rams during the first 14 years of his career, founded the Isaac Bruce Foundation in 2006 to fight childhood obesity and to teach underprivileged children the importance of healthy living. Shortly after it was established, the foundation teamed up with the Healthy Youth Partnership, a coalition of community organizations that provides healthy activities, tips and resources to help fight obesity in the St. Louis area.
Through the partnership, the foundation began offering a snack room that provided healthy snacks and distributed healthy lifestyle tips to students at three schools in the St. Louis public school system. The Isaac Bruce Foundation/Healthy Youth Partnership program also focused on professional development for teachers and brought physical fitness to the classroom by donating fitness equipment to schools that lack basic resources. As a result of the program’s success, the school board decided in July to expand the initiative to include every school in the district.
“I am extremely excited about the work that the Isaac Bruce Foundation has been able to accomplish in such a short time,” Bruce said. “We have been able to see the impact these programs are having on youth, and I’m really looking forward to what we are going to be able to do in the near future.”
Bruce said he was especially happy that the St. Louis schools will be integrating the Health and Wellness Policy. “Now the Isaac Bruce Foundation through the Healthy Youth Partnership has the unique ability to expand our services beyond our initial three schools to every school in the district.”
Bruce, whose achievements include a Super Bowl win, said he would like to become a reverend after he leaves the NFL. He sees his next career as a continuation of his current commitment to giving . Through his foundation, he hopes to pass on the spirit of giving to the youth he serves.
“I hope that they will imitate what I am doing as far as giving back,” he said. “I want them to have the knowledge to live a healthy life and make positive decisions”
For more information about the Isaac Bruce Foundation, go to www.isaacbruce.org.
“I really wanted to share my passion of living a healthy lifestyle,” Bruce said. “It’s something I live by each and every day.”
Bruce, who played for the St. Louis Rams during the first 14 years of his career, founded the Isaac Bruce Foundation in 2006 to fight childhood obesity and to teach underprivileged children the importance of healthy living. Shortly after it was established, the foundation teamed up with the Healthy Youth Partnership, a coalition of community organizations that provides healthy activities, tips and resources to help fight obesity in the St. Louis area.
Through the partnership, the foundation began offering a snack room that provided healthy snacks and distributed healthy lifestyle tips to students at three schools in the St. Louis public school system. The Isaac Bruce Foundation/Healthy Youth Partnership program also focused on professional development for teachers and brought physical fitness to the classroom by donating fitness equipment to schools that lack basic resources. As a result of the program’s success, the school board decided in July to expand the initiative to include every school in the district.
“I am extremely excited about the work that the Isaac Bruce Foundation has been able to accomplish in such a short time,” Bruce said. “We have been able to see the impact these programs are having on youth, and I’m really looking forward to what we are going to be able to do in the near future.”
Bruce said he was especially happy that the St. Louis schools will be integrating the Health and Wellness Policy. “Now the Isaac Bruce Foundation through the Healthy Youth Partnership has the unique ability to expand our services beyond our initial three schools to every school in the district.”
Bruce, whose achievements include a Super Bowl win, said he would like to become a reverend after he leaves the NFL. He sees his next career as a continuation of his current commitment to giving . Through his foundation, he hopes to pass on the spirit of giving to the youth he serves.
“I hope that they will imitate what I am doing as far as giving back,” he said. “I want them to have the knowledge to live a healthy life and make positive decisions”
For more information about the Isaac Bruce Foundation, go to www.isaacbruce.org.
Okoye Golf Classic
September 16, 2008
Sierra Lakes Golf Club, 16600 Clubhouse Dr.
Fontana, CA 909 350 2500
All participants of Okoye Golf Classic will play Golf with celebrities in their foursomes; (which includes, cart, lunch, goody bag, and awards dinner after golf). Beautiful caddies from Hooters Restaurants are available for all foursomes.
Invited players include: Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Reggie Doss, Richard Roundtree, Tommy Davis, Junior Seau, Andre Reed, etc...
Golf Sponsorship Levels:
$550 - For Individual golf and Dinner together
$2,000 - Bronze Sponsor - 1 foursome and t-sign.
$4,000 - Silver sponsor - 1 foursomes, caddy, banners and t-signs.
$6,000 - Gold Sponsor - 2 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners.
$15,000 - Dinner Sponsor - 3 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners
$20,000 - Presenting Sponsor - 3 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners
Lunch provided by OUTBACK Steak House, Dinner and Golf on Monday with celebrities, green fees, cart, beverages, 1 mulligan. (T-signs and banners included with foursomes, if you provide the banners. Beautiful caddies from Hooters Restaurants are available for all foursopmesfoursomes.
Sierra Lakes Golf Club, 16600 Clubhouse Dr.
Fontana, CA 909 350 2500
All participants of Okoye Golf Classic will play Golf with celebrities in their foursomes; (which includes, cart, lunch, goody bag, and awards dinner after golf). Beautiful caddies from Hooters Restaurants are available for all foursomes.
Invited players include: Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Reggie Doss, Richard Roundtree, Tommy Davis, Junior Seau, Andre Reed, etc...
Golf Sponsorship Levels:
$550 - For Individual golf and Dinner together
$2,000 - Bronze Sponsor - 1 foursome and t-sign.
$4,000 - Silver sponsor - 1 foursomes, caddy, banners and t-signs.
$6,000 - Gold Sponsor - 2 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners.
$15,000 - Dinner Sponsor - 3 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners
$20,000 - Presenting Sponsor - 3 foursomes, caddy, t-signs and banners
Lunch provided by OUTBACK Steak House, Dinner and Golf on Monday with celebrities, green fees, cart, beverages, 1 mulligan. (T-signs and banners included with foursomes, if you provide the banners. Beautiful caddies from Hooters Restaurants are available for all foursopmesfoursomes.
‘Maddenpalooza’ Headlines 20th Anniversary
As the start of the 2008 NFL season approaches in earnest, one much-awaited event remains. At 12 a.m. EST on Aug. 12, sports fans won’t have to wait any longer as they will finally have the chance to get their hands on the popular video game franchise Madden NFL 09.
Making this year’s game even more special, Electronic Arts will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Madden by celebrating its release with the biggest product launch event in its history.
“‘Maddenpalooza’ will be the single largest launch event in video game history,” said EA Sports president Peter Moore. “As we continue to extend the EA Sports brand, Madden acts as a leading vehicle to connect with our fans.”
With more than 70 million copies sold, the franchise is gearing up to put the finishing touches on its 20th anniversary release party. The launch event, “Maddenpalooza,” will celebrate its top-selling game with a fan festival featuring music, sports and gaming at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Launch festivities will take place on the afternoon of Aug. 11 leading up to the midnight release.
Anthony Stevenson, Senior Product Manager for Madden, explained, “We plan to pay homage to Madden’s history in a big way throughout the entire night at ‘Maddenpalooza.’ We’ll have former cover guys there to sign autographs, tons of imagery from all the old games and live musical performances from bands who have contributed to the Madden soundtrack over the years.” Headliners for the live musical performances will include Good Charlotte and Busta Rhymes.
“This event is a way to celebrate the history and future of Madden,” said Chris Erb, Director of Marketing for Electronic Arts. NFL PLAYERS Chief Operating Officer Andy Feffer agreed, adding, “The magnitude of ‘Maddenpalooza’ and the 20th anniversary of the Madden game are impressive. The fact that the Madden phenomena has grown to these proportions demonstrates the great innovation of EA Sports as an organization. We are thrilled to be partners with the leaders in the video game industry.”
The history of the Madden launch event dates back to 2006, when EA personnel began to realize that gamers were actually taking the day off from work and school in anticipation of purchasing a copy of the game.
Erb said, “With the growth of the EA Sports brand, we felt the launch of the game deserved an impact similar to that of a theatrical release.” So, in August 2006, EA trekked down to Madden, Miss. (the only town named Madden in the United States) and held an event, “Maddenoliday,” which featured retired NFL stars Jerry Rice, Marshall Faulk and Warren Moon.
“The idea was to do more to connect with our allegiance of followers,” Erb said. The Xbox-sponsored event included donations of Xbox 360 consoles to the town of Madden for everyone to get a first look at the game.
In 2007, EA took things a step further as “Maddenoliday” took place on the grandest of stages, New York City. Players and fans were able to compete against each other on the Jumbo-tron in Times Square. Not to leave any stone unturned, the midnight release of the game culminated with a countdown on the Reuters building, with New York Giants great Tiki Barber presenting the sale of the first game at a nearby Toys “R” Us.
So, how will next week’s “Maddenpalooza” top “Maddenoliday” from the previous two years?
“We want this year to be different and fresh. But most importantly, we want to get the fans more involved then ever before,” Erb said. “So, what we’ve done for the first time this year is create an interactive fan experience where the event is open to the public.”
Although the event is open to the public, there is still a bit of a VIP twist to it, as only the first 1,000 fans in line are guaranteed access. But those inside will not be disappointed—the newest version is extremely realistic, featuring authentic NFL stadiums, action shots from several angles and many added features.
Once inside, the event will include over 300 gaming kiosks, player autograph stages, the aforementioned live musical performances and even the chance to compete against NFL players on Madden NFL 09, “the best Madden to date,” according to head producer Phil Frazier. “It’s the most adaptable, visually stunning and deepest experience you’ve ever seen. I’m still amazed when I see the game in motion,” he said.
Madden fever is in full swing, and for the 20th time, there is no doubt that EA will deliver in a big way for its loyal customers. Fans have the date circled on their calendars, and don’t be surprised to see the most faithful Madden players camping out in front of the Rose Bowl. Some view it as the opportunity of a lifetime—to others, it’s simply this year’s Maddenoliday.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bernie Mack Funeral
Funeral services for Bernie Mac will be held this Saturday at noon at the House of Hope at 752 E. 114th St. in Chicago. The memorial is open to the public. Bernie Mac was loved and will be missed by many. All those who want to send gifts or tokens in his honor may send them to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. 9th St., Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60605.
Josh Howard Celebrity Softball Game!
Who: Josh Howard and Celebrity Friends (J-HO All-Stars vs. K-104 Ballers)
What: Celebrity Softball Game
When: Saturday, August 16th (Autograph Session from 3-4, Celebrity Home Run Derby from 4-5, and Celebrity Softball Showdown from 5-7)
Where: Grimes Park- 501 East Wintergreen Desoto, TX
Why: To raise funds for the Josh Howard Foundation
Admission is only $10- pay at the stadium- only accepting cash!
Giveaways include Mavs tickets and $1,000 cash.
Confirmed Celebrities: Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets), Kenyon Martin (Denver Nuggets), Rocsi (106 & Park), DMC (Run DMC), Michael Blackson (Comedian), Desagana Diop (Mavs), Jason Terry (Mavs), Greg Buckner (Memphis Grizzlies), Pastor Frederick Haynes (Friendship West Baptist Church), Everson Walls (Former Cowboy), Giovonne Samuels (Disney Channel), Reginald Ballard (From “Martin”), Derek Harper (Former Mav), and Marcus Paulk (Roll Bounce).
AFTER PARTY INFO:
Saturday, August 16th at The Empire Room (48th Floor at 1401 Elm in Downtown Dallas)
From 9pm-Until
Featuring Celebrities from Softball Showdown
What: Celebrity Softball Game
When: Saturday, August 16th (Autograph Session from 3-4, Celebrity Home Run Derby from 4-5, and Celebrity Softball Showdown from 5-7)
Where: Grimes Park- 501 East Wintergreen Desoto, TX
Why: To raise funds for the Josh Howard Foundation
Admission is only $10- pay at the stadium- only accepting cash!
Giveaways include Mavs tickets and $1,000 cash.
Confirmed Celebrities: Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets), Kenyon Martin (Denver Nuggets), Rocsi (106 & Park), DMC (Run DMC), Michael Blackson (Comedian), Desagana Diop (Mavs), Jason Terry (Mavs), Greg Buckner (Memphis Grizzlies), Pastor Frederick Haynes (Friendship West Baptist Church), Everson Walls (Former Cowboy), Giovonne Samuels (Disney Channel), Reginald Ballard (From “Martin”), Derek Harper (Former Mav), and Marcus Paulk (Roll Bounce).
AFTER PARTY INFO:
Saturday, August 16th at The Empire Room (48th Floor at 1401 Elm in Downtown Dallas)
From 9pm-Until
Featuring Celebrities from Softball Showdown
Monday, August 11, 2008
Jewel Launches KISS FOR COUNTRY Campaign
August 11, 2008
Singer-songwriter Jewel, along with the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF), kicked off the second annual A Kiss For Country campaign last week, this time to benefit a domestic violence shelter in Nashville.
“[The campaign] involves country music superstars who basically get to kiss a piece of paper, we sign it and auction it off,” explained Jewel. “It helps raise money to end the cycle of domestic violence. I was at the [Country Music Awards] last year and was very impressed with how it was run, and what a great cause it is. Domestic violence really is a cycle that needs to be stopped.”
“We could not be happier to have Jewel as our spokesperson,” said Karen Rogers, MKACF founder’s granddaughter and VP of Board of Directors. “She has had some hardships in her life and so we felt like her generosity and her dedication to these issues would make a perfect spokesperson for us. She’s been terrific.”
“Domestic violence is an important issue to me,” says Jewel, “because one in three women are abused at some point in their life, especially if they’re homeless. I was homeless for a year myself when I was 18 years old. I ended up homeless because I had a boss that asked me to have sex with him, and when I wouldn’t he wouldn’t give me my paycheck and I was kicked out of where I was living. You’re very vulnerable when you’re living on the street. So I actually wrote a single called Stronger Woman to talk about a woman’s responsibility to help herself and her fellow women.”
MKACF has contributed over $11.5 million to domestic violence shelters. See which celebrity puckers are being auctioned for the Kiss For Country campaign.
For more information click here: http://www.marykay.com/company/takingastand/default.aspx
Singer-songwriter Jewel, along with the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF), kicked off the second annual A Kiss For Country campaign last week, this time to benefit a domestic violence shelter in Nashville.
“[The campaign] involves country music superstars who basically get to kiss a piece of paper, we sign it and auction it off,” explained Jewel. “It helps raise money to end the cycle of domestic violence. I was at the [Country Music Awards] last year and was very impressed with how it was run, and what a great cause it is. Domestic violence really is a cycle that needs to be stopped.”
“We could not be happier to have Jewel as our spokesperson,” said Karen Rogers, MKACF founder’s granddaughter and VP of Board of Directors. “She has had some hardships in her life and so we felt like her generosity and her dedication to these issues would make a perfect spokesperson for us. She’s been terrific.”
“Domestic violence is an important issue to me,” says Jewel, “because one in three women are abused at some point in their life, especially if they’re homeless. I was homeless for a year myself when I was 18 years old. I ended up homeless because I had a boss that asked me to have sex with him, and when I wouldn’t he wouldn’t give me my paycheck and I was kicked out of where I was living. You’re very vulnerable when you’re living on the street. So I actually wrote a single called Stronger Woman to talk about a woman’s responsibility to help herself and her fellow women.”
MKACF has contributed over $11.5 million to domestic violence shelters. See which celebrity puckers are being auctioned for the Kiss For Country campaign.
For more information click here: http://www.marykay.com/company/takingastand/default.aspx
My TIME is Expensive...but... For CHARITY!
A new series of designer watches featuring memorabilia from rock stars and celebrities is raising money for charity.
California-based Nixon Watches has launched their 2008 LTD collection of watches which incorporates guitar frets, concert ticket stubs, and other items into quality timepieces. The brainchild of No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, the collection features watches designed by musicians such as Ringo Starr, Nikki Sixx, members of Fall Out Boy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Angels and Airwaves, and screen stars Jack Black and Joy Bryant. Proceeds from the watches will benefit the Tony Hawk Foundation, a children’s aid charity that seeks to foster lasting improvements in society, and the MusiCares MAP Fund to help musicians recovering from addiction.
According to the Nixon website, the collection ranges in price from $350 to $1,500, and is available from Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.
California-based Nixon Watches has launched their 2008 LTD collection of watches which incorporates guitar frets, concert ticket stubs, and other items into quality timepieces. The brainchild of No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, the collection features watches designed by musicians such as Ringo Starr, Nikki Sixx, members of Fall Out Boy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Angels and Airwaves, and screen stars Jack Black and Joy Bryant. Proceeds from the watches will benefit the Tony Hawk Foundation, a children’s aid charity that seeks to foster lasting improvements in society, and the MusiCares MAP Fund to help musicians recovering from addiction.
According to the Nixon website, the collection ranges in price from $350 to $1,500, and is available from Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.
LINKIN PARK CHARITY CONCERTS IN CHINA!!!
August 11, 2008 Rockers Linkin Park are set to play two charity concerts in China in October.
The shows will take place on October 12 at the 80,000-seat Shanghai Stadium and on October 19 at the 72,000-seat Beijing Workers’ Stadium, and will feature top Taiwanese rock group Mayday. Each band will perform for about 90 minutes to – according to organizers – make it the “first ever East meets West rock concert” in China.
Proceeds from the concerts will be donated to Linkin Park’s Music for Relief – a charity they established in 2005 to provide aid to victims of natural disasters around the world – to help with reconstruction of China’s quake-devastated Sichuan Province. Lead vocalist Chester Bennington said the band hopes the concerts will call more attention to the ongoing efforts in the quake-affected areas and that they are proud to be helping the people in need.
Tickets, from 100 yuan (US$14) to 1,600 yuan (US$230), are available from www.ticketmaster.cn.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Diddy Wants to Anoint You With Fragrant Oils
\Do you feel kingly yet?
Photo: Courtesy of Sean John
We know we're not alone when we say this, but we completely heart Diddy. His brazen love of self, propensity for speaking in the third person, how much he enjoys being rich. Some have called him "arrogant," and his grand displays of nouveau riche wealth "vulgar" but, to paraphrase Diana Vreeland, better to be vulgar than boring. And Diddy is definitely not boring (case in point: his recent YouTube dispatch warning that levels of global "bitchassness" are reaching record highs).
So we weren't surprised to hear that he was naming his new fragrance I Am King. (Though we were surprised to hear it's expected to make more than $100 million globally in its first year alone. For reals? Damn!) WWD reports that the new cologne will launch exclusively at Macy's in December before going global in February, to be followed by an I Am Queen perfume for all the lay days in 2009.
What's in a name? "I believe in positive affirmations," Diddy says. "If I say, 'I am not going to succeed, I'm a loser,' then that's what I am going to be. If we say we're kings and we say we're queens, that's what we're going to be. It has nothing to do with being arrogant."
The print and TV campaign for I Am King portray Combs as a mogul in a suit, cavorting around Monaco and Saint-Tropez with models Bar Refaeli and Ana Paula, on jet skis around the French Riviera, lounging aboard his palatial yacht and playing the tables inside the Casino de Paris in Monte Carlo. So, you know, his everyday life. According to Diana Espino, vice-president and general manager of Sean John Fragrances, "This is a story that needs to be told." Like the story of Jesus! Who was, coincidentally, also a king, and we bet would've totally dominated at the craps table as well. He would've passed on the jet skis, though: "No thanks, Diddy, I'll walk." —Noelle Hancock
Combs Crowns New Men's Scent [WWD]
Jay-Z!!! Summer Streets!! Read about IT!
Jay-Z and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the kick off of Summer Streets, a program that will turn NYC streets into a traffic free playground for kids. Seven miles from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, along Lafayette St, 4th Ave, Park Ave, up to East 72nd St. will be closed and made available every Saturday over the next three weeks from 7am to 1pm. The route will include activities such as, dance classes, bike rentals, and children's games with rest stops along the route and live music performances. Jay-Z hopes the event encourages kids to get involved in positive activities, and recalls one of his proudest moments is when he learned to ride a bike at the age of four. In other Jay news, he recently told Vibe that parts of your life are sacred for you and the people around you. In other words, his marriage is not up for discussion, and that will remain between the people close to him.
DO IT JAY!!!
Story pulled from Kredible Alerts
adidas Nations hits Big D
adidas Nations, the global grassroots basketball program which first launched in 2007, is set to kickoff its final camp, adidas Basketball Experience in Dallas at the Integrated Athletic Development (IAD) facility August 7 – 12.
The camp will feature eight international teams – Africa, Asia Red, Asia Blue, Canada, Europe, Latin America, US 2009 and US 2010 – along with sixteen NBA players and coaches acting as adidas Nations Head Coaches and NBA Mentors.
NBA players Antawn Jamison, TJ Ford, Josh Smith, Kyle Lowry, Desmond Mason, Raymond Felton and Antonio Daniels will be on-site to assist the young players and mentor them throughout the camp.
Paul Silas, Detlef Schrempf, Terry Stotts, Larry Krystowiak, Lionel Hollins, Frank Johnson, Ed Schilling and Dwane Casey will act as regional Head Coaches. The addition of NBA staffing will offer players first rate guidance from highly esteemed league veterans and current coaches and players.
adidas Nations is designed to emphasize and focus on adidas’ core belief that real success in the game of basketball comes from playing as a team. The training and educational activities are designed to provide insight on what it takes to elevate their basketball careers to collegiate and NBA-levels.
All eight participating teams will take part in daily practices, workout rotations and games at the IAD facility located at 2800 North Interstate 35E, Carrollton, Texas.
There's also a community outreach program built around adidas’ long-term relationship with Peace Players International – a global not-for-profit organization and 2007 ESPN Arthur Ashe Courage Award ESPY recipient – the will grant players a first hand experience with community outreach and social responsibility.
Here's the info:
WHAT: Free youth basketball clinic for local youth
WHO: adidas Nations players
WHEN: August 11 from 9:30am-11am
WHERE: Preston Wood Baptist Church (6801 W. Park Blvd, Plano, TX).
MORE: The clinic is open and free of charge to both boys and girls ages 9-14.
BLUEPRINT 3!!!
NEW YORK — Kanye West closed his Glow in the Dark show at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night with a major announcement: He's producing tracks for Jay-Z's next album, Blueprint 3. And Hova just so happened to be on hand to premiere one of the album's tracks.
After the last song of his performance, Kanye told the crowd that 20 years from now, they would be recognizing him and some of his peers, such as Glow in the Dark tourmate Pharrell Williams, as some of the all-time greats. Acknowledging his great success and loss in the past year, he told the audience — which included Q-Tip and Andre 3000 — that he was evolving and not going to be as selfish as he was in the past. ('Ye gave another reflective speech during Tuesday's MSG show.)
A story followed of how when he's in the studio producing tracks, he'll usually snatch the beat for himself, unless his friend and G.O.O.D. Music act Common is there. But on a recent trip to Hawaii, West said he changed his M.O. While in the studio in paradise, he told himself, "Every beat I do is for this person."
He promised to play a track for the concertgoers, but didn't tell them he had a bonus. As the bass kicked in for a song that is sure to heat up the clubs and streets before the summer is done, Jay-Z walked out and started to rap. (Kanye has posted video of the song on his blog.)
You would have needed the computer-chip-enhanced hearing of the Bionic Woman to make out everything the Brooklyn native was saying over the roar of the crowd. But his rap started off with a reference to his recent verbal dust-up with Oasis leader Noel Gallagher, who objected to a hip-hop artist (Jay) headlining England's traditionally rock-oriented Glastonbury festival earlier this summer: "That bloke from Oasis said I couldn't play guitar / Somebody shoulda told him I'm a f---in' rock star." He went on to rap about his female fans, including the line, "I'm like, 'Life ain't fair/ Chill, baby girl, my girl is here.' "
Kanye kept yelling a chorus that sounded like "Jockin' Jay-Z, jockin' Jay-Z." And there was no mistaking Jigga's call of "Blueprint 3," getting the crowd excited for the second sequel to one of the cornerstones of his lauded catalog of classics. Rumors of the album began this January, when a track called "Ain't I" leaked, but Jay's reps denied that the song was new.
Jay and Kanye gave no other details about the project before exiting. The spectators mixed chants of "Kaaan-yaaaay!" and "Hov-vvvvvaaaaah!" well after the house lights came on.
"I really went to see the show," Jay explained to Angela Yee and Elliott Wilson on Sirius radio's Shade 45 morning show Thursday. "I walk into the dressing room, and [Kanye's] like, 'Let's do a record. Let's do this.' I'm like, 'C'mon, man.' But you know, I couldn't tell him no. It's his show. That was the idea; he wanted to [perform] a new record."
Hov said he didn't know if the Blueprint 3 would be coming out this year, but there are tracks for it in the can. He also acknowledged a recent MTV News article in which Timbaland said the two of them had talked about making an entire album together.
"We spoke about doing an album; it just was premature," Jay explained.
When the first Blueprint came out in 2001, some critics and fans said it was as good or even better than his discography's crown jewel, Reasonable Doubt. West's production on Blueprint, for records such as "Never Change," "The Takeover" and lead cut "Izzo," was his conduit to eventual superstardom. Oddly enough, Jay premiered the first record from that LP while performing onstage as well, at the 2001 BET Awards.
[This story was originally published at 9:00 a.m. ET on 08.07.2007]
This report is provided by MTV News!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
One Goal Classic Golf Tournament
One Goal Classic Golf Tournament
NHLPA Boss Says Revenue Sharing Key To NHL Stability
NHLPA Takes Issue With IIHF Suspensions
Glenn Healy Accepts Position With NHLPA
NHLPA Golf Classic Raises $100,000 For Ronald McDonald House Charities
Former NHL Enforcer Rob Ray Sues NHLPA
Filed Under: Events
Tags: NHLPA • One Goal Classic
Have you always wondered what it would be like to compete against the best players in the NHL?
Do you have what it takes to play at their level?
This is your chance! While you may not be taking to the ice against hockeys best, you can take your chances on the links against current and former NHL players, at the inaugural OneGoal Classic Golf Tournament at The Club at Bond Head in Toronto on Aug. 20, 2008.
The tournament will benefit the OneGoal Association, helping it to continue to deliver on its vision of increasing youth hockey participation by eliminating real and perceived barriers to entry, while consistently reinforcing the positive aspects of the game with kids ages 4 to 8. The organization is comprised of the biggest stakeholders in hockey, including the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), National Hockey League (NHL), NHL Alumni, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the International Hockey Industry Association. Major brands such as Nike-Bauer, Reebok/CCM, Easton Sports and Mission-ITECH are also part of the coalition and are working together to create a broad-scale invitation to new hockey families, easing the beginner process.
According to Bill Hattem, OneGoal’s executive director, “It’s a chance to get on a beautiful course and play with people like Mark Napier, Johnny Bower, Eric Lindros and Mike Pelyk, among others. OneGoal is truly a team effort for the major stakeholders in hockey, and this tournament gives us the chance to connect with people who love hockey and share our vision for the game.”
For a $500 entry fee players will enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, a power cart, a polo shirt, a duffle bag, refreshments, two complimentary cocktails, wine with dinner and greens fees, as well as use of The Club at Bond Head’s top-rate facilities. Companies and individuals are welcome to participate.
Participants will also have the opportunity to check out the silent auction and bid on items such as autographed Sidney Ovechkin and Mats Sundin jerseys. Sponsorship and silent auction donation opportunities are still available for this event.
Interested participants can register for this unique golfing opportunity by calling (514) 342-0366. If you would like more information about OneGoal, please visit us online at www.onegoal.com. The site, available in both French and English, serves as an introduction to the OneGoal Association, as well as to the game of hockey.
We hope to see you on links on August 20, 2008 with the stars of the game of hockey, all in support of the OneGoal Association!
NHLPA Boss Says Revenue Sharing Key To NHL Stability
NHLPA Takes Issue With IIHF Suspensions
Glenn Healy Accepts Position With NHLPA
NHLPA Golf Classic Raises $100,000 For Ronald McDonald House Charities
Former NHL Enforcer Rob Ray Sues NHLPA
Filed Under: Events
Tags: NHLPA • One Goal Classic
Have you always wondered what it would be like to compete against the best players in the NHL?
Do you have what it takes to play at their level?
This is your chance! While you may not be taking to the ice against hockeys best, you can take your chances on the links against current and former NHL players, at the inaugural OneGoal Classic Golf Tournament at The Club at Bond Head in Toronto on Aug. 20, 2008.
The tournament will benefit the OneGoal Association, helping it to continue to deliver on its vision of increasing youth hockey participation by eliminating real and perceived barriers to entry, while consistently reinforcing the positive aspects of the game with kids ages 4 to 8. The organization is comprised of the biggest stakeholders in hockey, including the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), National Hockey League (NHL), NHL Alumni, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the International Hockey Industry Association. Major brands such as Nike-Bauer, Reebok/CCM, Easton Sports and Mission-ITECH are also part of the coalition and are working together to create a broad-scale invitation to new hockey families, easing the beginner process.
According to Bill Hattem, OneGoal’s executive director, “It’s a chance to get on a beautiful course and play with people like Mark Napier, Johnny Bower, Eric Lindros and Mike Pelyk, among others. OneGoal is truly a team effort for the major stakeholders in hockey, and this tournament gives us the chance to connect with people who love hockey and share our vision for the game.”
For a $500 entry fee players will enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, a power cart, a polo shirt, a duffle bag, refreshments, two complimentary cocktails, wine with dinner and greens fees, as well as use of The Club at Bond Head’s top-rate facilities. Companies and individuals are welcome to participate.
Participants will also have the opportunity to check out the silent auction and bid on items such as autographed Sidney Ovechkin and Mats Sundin jerseys. Sponsorship and silent auction donation opportunities are still available for this event.
Interested participants can register for this unique golfing opportunity by calling (514) 342-0366. If you would like more information about OneGoal, please visit us online at www.onegoal.com. The site, available in both French and English, serves as an introduction to the OneGoal Association, as well as to the game of hockey.
We hope to see you on links on August 20, 2008 with the stars of the game of hockey, all in support of the OneGoal Association!
Emeka Okafor Meets with Charlotte Media!!!
On July 31, the Bobcats re-signed forward/center Emeka Okafor to a long-term contract. An original member of the Bobcats organization, Okafor along with Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins, met with the local media to discuss the deal and what impact it has on the Bobcats as they look toward the 2008-09 season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobcats Forward/Center Emeka Okafor
(On re-signing with the Bobcats)
I’ve had a great four years here in Charlotte and it’s very nice to know that my career will be extended here. I’m looking forward to putting on the Bobcats hat and helping the team make great runs. I’d like to thank Bob (Johnson), MJ (Michael Jordan) and the Bobcats organization for showing me the commitment and giving me the opportunity to extend my career here.
(On how important it is to keep the Bobcats core group together)
The longer you can keep a core group together, the better they play. You learn the ins and outs of each other and your strengths and your weaknesses. I think history has shown that whenever you can keep a core group together, they just play better.
(On if he was confident he would remain in Charlotte)
I was hopeful. Basketball has a business side and in the business side, things need to be evaluated and things don’t always end up the way you want. Fortunately in this case it did. It ended up exactly how I wanted it. I was very fortunate in that regard.
(On having Larry Brown as the head coach of the Bobcats)
Larry Brown, he brings a certain dynamic and insight to the game that would make most teams better. I think he’s a perfect fit for us. Our team is young. We are hard working and he can give us that discipline and give us those little insights to the game that can take us to the next level. When I heard that Larry Brown was going to be the new head coach, I was very excited. I thought it was very positive that the organization was making great steps to try to make the team better. I’m just very excited to get the thing going.
(On if this will be a continuation of what he learned while playing for Larry Brown during the Olympics)
I definitely think so. The Olympics are a little bit different in that the coaches come in and they know that the players aren’t necessarily theirs. There is only so much they can impart. That being said, Larry Brown, he still gave us a lot. I’m just excited to have the opportunity to learn more. I think that just the way the organization has been progressing, he’s just going to help just push us along further.
(On if he had any frustrations about not getting a lot of playing time during the Olympics)
I was a college player. I knew I wasn’t going to see the light of day. I was just happy to be there and get a nice welcome to the NBA. I was around Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, a young Dwyane Wade, a young Carmelo (Anthony) and a young LeBron (James), so I was able to come in and just get insight into what league life was about and how things would be conducted.
(On if the contract negotiations were a distraction)
Not at all. Like I said earlier, basketball has a business side, so I was prepared for that. My focus was just to workout and prepare myself for the season. In the back of my mind, I wanted to be a Bobcat, and like I said earlier, sometimes things don’t work out the way you want, but in this case it did. Worrying about the contract negotiations would have just been extra stress that I didn’t need to have.
(On if he ever felt like it wasn’t going to work out in Charlotte)
Not really. I started here and I had a strong inclination that I was going to remain here. That’s also why I wasn’t really worrying too much about it. Like I said, basketball has a business side and you almost have to learn to separate the two. Me understanding that, I knew that things would work out.
(On what he can do to improve his game)
Everybody can use improvement. I’m sure between my list and Larry’s list, Larry’s list will be bigger. (I can just improve) my all-around game, offensively and defensively. I’m just really looking forward to learning from Larry and just soaking up what all he has to offer.
(On if thought about accepting the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer)
That wasn’t in the best interest for anybody. I really wanted to remain a Bobcat and I felt that Bobcats wanted me to remain a Bobcat. Again, I keep eluding to this ugly business side of basketball, but it’s a reality. Sometimes the business side has to be addressed and issues like that pop up. I wouldn’t have liked that.
(On his contract)
It’s a substantial commitment that the Bobcats showed. I don’t think it’s quite hit me. I’m a humble person, so I tend to downplay a lot of things, but it’s kind of hard to downplay the generosity they showed. I’m thankful for it and I’m looking forward to showing how I’m committed once the season starts.
(On what he’s worked on this summer)
I’ve worked on just basic mobility and also to be more effective away from the basket. I’m just trying to expand my game. Once I get more of a feel for Larry Brown’s system and what he has in store, I think my game will get a little more shape as well.
(On if the coaching change had any influence on his decision)
You had to take notice of Larry Brown being hired. Larry Brown, he is a great, great coach, a championship coach. He’s taken multiple teams to the championship level. Like I said earlier, when the Bobcats hired him, it showed me that they were committed to making the franchise better. Hiring Larry Brown, an elite coach such as him, you have to take notice of that.
(On what he thinks Larry Brown will ask as a coach)
I think that Larry is a very defensive-oriented coach. He’s very particular in what he wants. He knows the game, so I think number one he will want us to work hard and be attentive and just to lay it all out there. Of me, I think that he will ask a lot of me defensively and he’ll want me to anchor the defense and shot-block and all that fun stuff. All the other details I guess will be sorted out later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins
(On if there were any variables in the free agent market that had the Bobcats concerned about their ability to re-sign Okafor)
Not really. We knew we wanted to get a deal done. We held to our strategy and we said we have to get our best player, our best big man, back. Obviously Bob (Johnson), Michael (Jordan), Larry (Brown) and myself all wanted Emeka back. Once the negotiation process, as Emeka said, took care of itself, we were able to come to a resolution that we are all happy with.
(On how happy he is to have Emeka Okafor signed to contract)
I was telling Emeka that he might not have been nervous, but I’m sure we were in a lot of ways, me included personally. When you go through that process, you hope you can come out with a good conclusion and we know how much he means to us in terms of our improvement. Once we got a chance to show him that in terms of a contract, I think everything now is just moving forward and becoming the best basketball team we can become. He’s a huge piece to that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobcats Forward/Center Emeka Okafor
(On re-signing with the Bobcats)
I’ve had a great four years here in Charlotte and it’s very nice to know that my career will be extended here. I’m looking forward to putting on the Bobcats hat and helping the team make great runs. I’d like to thank Bob (Johnson), MJ (Michael Jordan) and the Bobcats organization for showing me the commitment and giving me the opportunity to extend my career here.
(On how important it is to keep the Bobcats core group together)
The longer you can keep a core group together, the better they play. You learn the ins and outs of each other and your strengths and your weaknesses. I think history has shown that whenever you can keep a core group together, they just play better.
(On if he was confident he would remain in Charlotte)
I was hopeful. Basketball has a business side and in the business side, things need to be evaluated and things don’t always end up the way you want. Fortunately in this case it did. It ended up exactly how I wanted it. I was very fortunate in that regard.
(On having Larry Brown as the head coach of the Bobcats)
Larry Brown, he brings a certain dynamic and insight to the game that would make most teams better. I think he’s a perfect fit for us. Our team is young. We are hard working and he can give us that discipline and give us those little insights to the game that can take us to the next level. When I heard that Larry Brown was going to be the new head coach, I was very excited. I thought it was very positive that the organization was making great steps to try to make the team better. I’m just very excited to get the thing going.
(On if this will be a continuation of what he learned while playing for Larry Brown during the Olympics)
I definitely think so. The Olympics are a little bit different in that the coaches come in and they know that the players aren’t necessarily theirs. There is only so much they can impart. That being said, Larry Brown, he still gave us a lot. I’m just excited to have the opportunity to learn more. I think that just the way the organization has been progressing, he’s just going to help just push us along further.
(On if he had any frustrations about not getting a lot of playing time during the Olympics)
I was a college player. I knew I wasn’t going to see the light of day. I was just happy to be there and get a nice welcome to the NBA. I was around Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, a young Dwyane Wade, a young Carmelo (Anthony) and a young LeBron (James), so I was able to come in and just get insight into what league life was about and how things would be conducted.
(On if the contract negotiations were a distraction)
Not at all. Like I said earlier, basketball has a business side, so I was prepared for that. My focus was just to workout and prepare myself for the season. In the back of my mind, I wanted to be a Bobcat, and like I said earlier, sometimes things don’t work out the way you want, but in this case it did. Worrying about the contract negotiations would have just been extra stress that I didn’t need to have.
(On if he ever felt like it wasn’t going to work out in Charlotte)
Not really. I started here and I had a strong inclination that I was going to remain here. That’s also why I wasn’t really worrying too much about it. Like I said, basketball has a business side and you almost have to learn to separate the two. Me understanding that, I knew that things would work out.
(On what he can do to improve his game)
Everybody can use improvement. I’m sure between my list and Larry’s list, Larry’s list will be bigger. (I can just improve) my all-around game, offensively and defensively. I’m just really looking forward to learning from Larry and just soaking up what all he has to offer.
(On if thought about accepting the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer)
That wasn’t in the best interest for anybody. I really wanted to remain a Bobcat and I felt that Bobcats wanted me to remain a Bobcat. Again, I keep eluding to this ugly business side of basketball, but it’s a reality. Sometimes the business side has to be addressed and issues like that pop up. I wouldn’t have liked that.
(On his contract)
It’s a substantial commitment that the Bobcats showed. I don’t think it’s quite hit me. I’m a humble person, so I tend to downplay a lot of things, but it’s kind of hard to downplay the generosity they showed. I’m thankful for it and I’m looking forward to showing how I’m committed once the season starts.
(On what he’s worked on this summer)
I’ve worked on just basic mobility and also to be more effective away from the basket. I’m just trying to expand my game. Once I get more of a feel for Larry Brown’s system and what he has in store, I think my game will get a little more shape as well.
(On if the coaching change had any influence on his decision)
You had to take notice of Larry Brown being hired. Larry Brown, he is a great, great coach, a championship coach. He’s taken multiple teams to the championship level. Like I said earlier, when the Bobcats hired him, it showed me that they were committed to making the franchise better. Hiring Larry Brown, an elite coach such as him, you have to take notice of that.
(On what he thinks Larry Brown will ask as a coach)
I think that Larry is a very defensive-oriented coach. He’s very particular in what he wants. He knows the game, so I think number one he will want us to work hard and be attentive and just to lay it all out there. Of me, I think that he will ask a lot of me defensively and he’ll want me to anchor the defense and shot-block and all that fun stuff. All the other details I guess will be sorted out later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins
(On if there were any variables in the free agent market that had the Bobcats concerned about their ability to re-sign Okafor)
Not really. We knew we wanted to get a deal done. We held to our strategy and we said we have to get our best player, our best big man, back. Obviously Bob (Johnson), Michael (Jordan), Larry (Brown) and myself all wanted Emeka back. Once the negotiation process, as Emeka said, took care of itself, we were able to come to a resolution that we are all happy with.
(On how happy he is to have Emeka Okafor signed to contract)
I was telling Emeka that he might not have been nervous, but I’m sure we were in a lot of ways, me included personally. When you go through that process, you hope you can come out with a good conclusion and we know how much he means to us in terms of our improvement. Once we got a chance to show him that in terms of a contract, I think everything now is just moving forward and becoming the best basketball team we can become. He’s a huge piece to that.
OZONE MAGAZINE STAR STUDDED LINE UP SURE TO TURN HEADS
Aug 05, 2008
OZONE MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES STAR STUDDED LINE UP OF PERFORMERS FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL OZONE AWARDS
Bun B to Honor Pimp C with Tribute Performance
ATLANTA (August 5, 2008) – OZONE Magazine (www.ozonemag.com) today announced the presenters and performances for its 3rd annual Ozone Awards. T-Pain and Rick Ross will help headline the show's chart-topping musical talent. Other performers will include The Game, Plies, Bun B, Lil Boosie, DJ Khaled and Trick Daddy.
Presenters for the awards include Flo Rida, Young Buck, Soulja Boy, Pitbull, Bow Wow, Trina, David Banner, Ray J, Lloyd, C-Murder, Mya, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. They will be handing out awards in over 25 categories including "Best Rap Album"; "Breakthrough Artist"; "Best Rap Group"; Best Video"; "DJ of The Year"; and the newest "Pimp C Award (TRILLEST ARTIST)." A full list of nominees can be found by logging on to www.ozonemag.com/toa_voting.
Topping this year's performances will be a Pimp C tribute set, orchestrated by fellow UGK member Bun B. The set includes Big Boi, Webbie & Boosie, Too Short, 8Ball & MJG, David Banner, and other special surprise guests.
The OZONE Awards is the grand finale of TJ'S DJ'S Tastemakers Only Music Conference (www.tjsdjs.com), a weekend long celebration of the top artists, executives, DJs and tastemakers in the music business and southern hip hop. Heavyweights such as Nelly, Lil Wayne, T.I., and Young Jeezy will all celebrate during the weekend with private events. Conference registrants and DJs will have access to these private functions, which will be filmed for MTV Jams and BET Rap City.
The event begins on Friday August 8th with the UGK Pool tournament, Nelly's Bowling Challenge, and the Rap-A-Lot/Cash Money Kickoff party. Producer, artist, and DJ panels featuring the biggest names in the music industry take place on Saturday and Sunday. T.I. and Grand Hustle host the OZONE Awards pre-party on Sunday night, and Young Jeezy hosts the Island Def Jam BBQ in the Park on Monday leading into the OZONE Awards red carpet. For a full list of events during the weekend please log onto www.ozoneawards.com.
About OZONE Magazine
Founded by Julia Beverly in 2002, OZONE Magazine represents the best in Southern rap music and is now internationally distributed at many major retail outlets and newsstands. The OZONE Awards are OZONE Magazine's annual star studded award ceremony honoring the biggest names in Southern Hip Hop. The event honors Southern artists in over 20 different categories. Past participants include Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, UGK, Pitbull, David Banner, Trina, DJ Khaled, and DJ Drama. For more information, please visit www.ozonemag.com
About TJ's DJ's Tastemakers Only Music Conference
TJ's DJ's was established in 1994 as an opportunity for thirsty DJs in North Florida and Southern Georgia to receive the best music first while providing powerful feedback that fuels the crucial decisions made by labels. Over the years, TJ's DJ's has evolved to an organization that builds bridges with the quarterly Tastemakers Only/DJ Music Conferences including the annual partnership with OZONE Magazine's OZONE Awards, takes advantage of technology by being the first urban pool to service CDs, incorporating mp3s to break music, utilizing the music traders on the message boards at www.TJsDJs.com to generate over 20 million hits per month, and provide first class promotions and consulting on how to navigate the dangerous waters of the music industry. For more information, please visit www.tjsdjs.com
OZONE MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES STAR STUDDED LINE UP OF PERFORMERS FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL OZONE AWARDS
Bun B to Honor Pimp C with Tribute Performance
ATLANTA (August 5, 2008) – OZONE Magazine (www.ozonemag.com) today announced the presenters and performances for its 3rd annual Ozone Awards. T-Pain and Rick Ross will help headline the show's chart-topping musical talent. Other performers will include The Game, Plies, Bun B, Lil Boosie, DJ Khaled and Trick Daddy.
Presenters for the awards include Flo Rida, Young Buck, Soulja Boy, Pitbull, Bow Wow, Trina, David Banner, Ray J, Lloyd, C-Murder, Mya, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. They will be handing out awards in over 25 categories including "Best Rap Album"; "Breakthrough Artist"; "Best Rap Group"; Best Video"; "DJ of The Year"; and the newest "Pimp C Award (TRILLEST ARTIST)." A full list of nominees can be found by logging on to www.ozonemag.com/toa_voting.
Topping this year's performances will be a Pimp C tribute set, orchestrated by fellow UGK member Bun B. The set includes Big Boi, Webbie & Boosie, Too Short, 8Ball & MJG, David Banner, and other special surprise guests.
The OZONE Awards is the grand finale of TJ'S DJ'S Tastemakers Only Music Conference (www.tjsdjs.com), a weekend long celebration of the top artists, executives, DJs and tastemakers in the music business and southern hip hop. Heavyweights such as Nelly, Lil Wayne, T.I., and Young Jeezy will all celebrate during the weekend with private events. Conference registrants and DJs will have access to these private functions, which will be filmed for MTV Jams and BET Rap City.
The event begins on Friday August 8th with the UGK Pool tournament, Nelly's Bowling Challenge, and the Rap-A-Lot/Cash Money Kickoff party. Producer, artist, and DJ panels featuring the biggest names in the music industry take place on Saturday and Sunday. T.I. and Grand Hustle host the OZONE Awards pre-party on Sunday night, and Young Jeezy hosts the Island Def Jam BBQ in the Park on Monday leading into the OZONE Awards red carpet. For a full list of events during the weekend please log onto www.ozoneawards.com.
About OZONE Magazine
Founded by Julia Beverly in 2002, OZONE Magazine represents the best in Southern rap music and is now internationally distributed at many major retail outlets and newsstands. The OZONE Awards are OZONE Magazine's annual star studded award ceremony honoring the biggest names in Southern Hip Hop. The event honors Southern artists in over 20 different categories. Past participants include Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, UGK, Pitbull, David Banner, Trina, DJ Khaled, and DJ Drama. For more information, please visit www.ozonemag.com
About TJ's DJ's Tastemakers Only Music Conference
TJ's DJ's was established in 1994 as an opportunity for thirsty DJs in North Florida and Southern Georgia to receive the best music first while providing powerful feedback that fuels the crucial decisions made by labels. Over the years, TJ's DJ's has evolved to an organization that builds bridges with the quarterly Tastemakers Only/DJ Music Conferences including the annual partnership with OZONE Magazine's OZONE Awards, takes advantage of technology by being the first urban pool to service CDs, incorporating mp3s to break music, utilizing the music traders on the message boards at www.TJsDJs.com to generate over 20 million hits per month, and provide first class promotions and consulting on how to navigate the dangerous waters of the music industry. For more information, please visit www.tjsdjs.com
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
C- Webb Third Annual Bada Bling! Celebrity Weekend
Chris Webber's Las Vegas Photo Gallery: A Celebrity Bash for Charity
Chris Webber: Paying It Forward
The former NBA star teams with friends, family and supporters to help America’s disadvantaged youth
By Cori M. Murray
(LAS VEGAS)—Not even sweltering 100-plus-degree heat could keep the stars away from the third annual C-Webb’s Bada Bling! Celebrity Weekend at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The three-day event, a fund-raiser for the Chris Webber Foundation, which serves literacy programs for underserved youth, was a who’s who of Hollywood, the music industry and, of course, professional sports. Among the boldface names in attendance were Idris Elba, Tichina Arnold, Jill Marie Jones, Laz Alonso, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Terry Crews and his wife, Rebecca, Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher, Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, Clifton Davis, Mark Curry, Elise Neal, Clifton Powell, DJ D-Nice, Lil' Mo, and our own ESSENCE columnist Finesse Mitchell.
Webber welcomes guests to the Saturday Night Soiree!, which took place on July 26.
Chris Webber: Paying It Forward
The former NBA star teams with friends, family and supporters to help America’s disadvantaged youth
By Cori M. Murray
(LAS VEGAS)—Not even sweltering 100-plus-degree heat could keep the stars away from the third annual C-Webb’s Bada Bling! Celebrity Weekend at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The three-day event, a fund-raiser for the Chris Webber Foundation, which serves literacy programs for underserved youth, was a who’s who of Hollywood, the music industry and, of course, professional sports. Among the boldface names in attendance were Idris Elba, Tichina Arnold, Jill Marie Jones, Laz Alonso, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Terry Crews and his wife, Rebecca, Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher, Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, Clifton Davis, Mark Curry, Elise Neal, Clifton Powell, DJ D-Nice, Lil' Mo, and our own ESSENCE columnist Finesse Mitchell.
Webber welcomes guests to the Saturday Night Soiree!, which took place on July 26.
Article pulled from Essence.com
Diddy not showing in FASHION WEEK??!
Diddy's New Pres
Sean John appoints Dawn Robertson; celebrates 10th anniversary
Monday, August 04, 2008
(NEW YORK) Sean "Diddy" Combs has become a champion for the electoral process with his Vote or Die campaign. But today his menswear brand announced the appointment of its own president-- Dawn Robertson--effective immediately. Robertson will work directly with Combs, founder and chief executive officer. She was most recently president of Old Navy. Previously, Robertson was managing director of Australian department store Myer; prior to that she was president and chief merchandising officer of Federated Direct, a division of Federated Department Stores. "We are very excited to have Dawn join the Sean John team on the eve of our 10 year anniversary," said Combs. "As the new president, she will help continue the dynamic growth and expansion of our brand."
Sean John will celebrate its diamond anniversary this month. In lieu of debuting the Spring/Summer 2009 collection at MAGIC in Las Vegas, Combs will be hosting an editor preview mid-August at his home base in the Sean John building at 1710 Broadway. And front rowers looking forward to a fashion week extravaganza won't get their fix this season--come September, there will be no Sean John runway show.
NOLA WEINSTEIN
from Fashionweekdaily.com
Sean John appoints Dawn Robertson; celebrates 10th anniversary
Monday, August 04, 2008
(NEW YORK) Sean "Diddy" Combs has become a champion for the electoral process with his Vote or Die campaign. But today his menswear brand announced the appointment of its own president-- Dawn Robertson--effective immediately. Robertson will work directly with Combs, founder and chief executive officer. She was most recently president of Old Navy. Previously, Robertson was managing director of Australian department store Myer; prior to that she was president and chief merchandising officer of Federated Direct, a division of Federated Department Stores. "We are very excited to have Dawn join the Sean John team on the eve of our 10 year anniversary," said Combs. "As the new president, she will help continue the dynamic growth and expansion of our brand."
Sean John will celebrate its diamond anniversary this month. In lieu of debuting the Spring/Summer 2009 collection at MAGIC in Las Vegas, Combs will be hosting an editor preview mid-August at his home base in the Sean John building at 1710 Broadway. And front rowers looking forward to a fashion week extravaganza won't get their fix this season--come September, there will be no Sean John runway show.
NOLA WEINSTEIN
from Fashionweekdaily.com
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