Charles Barkley Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Charles Barkley joins the ranks of Diana Ross, Heather Locklear and Queen Latifah, all of whom have been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. He was arrested by an Arizona tasks force which specializes in targeting drunk drivers. Read the story here. All I have to say to celebrities is WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR DRIVER!!! It is not like you cannot afford to call a car if you have been indulging. I would like to know what others think about this trend and driving while intoxicated, especially on the biggest celebration night of the year.

United States Oldest Living Male Dies at 112

George Francis, the nation's oldest man who lived through both world wars, man's first walk on the moon and got to vote for the first black president, has died. UCLA gerontologist, Stephen Coles, who maintains a list of the world's oldest people, said Francis lived 112 years and 204 days. Read entire story here.

Old School Friday - I Can Drink To That

It seems that back in the good old days adults use to get together every Friday for fish, barbeque, beer and liquor. It wasn't a house party without the music of James Brown. I grew up listening to it at home and when I started going to quarter parties in basements, Brown was always on the turntable. Kick back and listen to "Sex Machine", enjoy the dance lesson provided by Mr. Brown and then groove to "Papa Don't Take No Mess" and "Gimme My Thang".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

To join in the fun, click here

Eartha Kitt Succumbs at 81

Sultry sex symbol of the 40, 50's and 60's died of colon cancer today. She was one of the most versatile actresses of all time, winning two Emmys, two Grammys and having several Tony nominations. Her career spanned a total of six decades, from her start as a dancer in the famed Katherine Durham troupe to her work on stage, in film and on vinyl. She penned three autobiographies throughout her life and was once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles.

Kitt came from humble South Carolina beginnings and was of mixed heritage. She made headline news for denouncing the Vietnam War while visiting the White House. This incident caused her to be blacklisted for many years. I first remember seeing Ms. Kitt opposite Nat King Cole in the film "St. Louis Blues". Younger audiences might remember her as the much older woman after Eddie Murphy in "Boomerang". Others may remember her as one of the Catwomen on the campy 60's series "Batman".

For years, Kitt was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at historically black Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., located her birth certificate, which verified her birth date as Jan. 17, 1927. Kitt had previously celebrated on Jan. 26. The research into her background also showed Kitt was the daughter of a white man, a poor cotton farmer.

Enjoy Ms Kitt spreading some holiday cheer.

Old School Friday - It's Christmas

I am not a Christmas person, but I do like the music and films associated with the season. I have chosen two of my favorite old school Christmas songs. The Ojays "Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without the One You Love" and the Emotions "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas". No when you see the video for the latter song you may ask why Alicia Keys is in the video. I don't know why who ever uploaded the song dubbed it into an Alicia Keys video, but one thing for sure, this is the original song being performed by the Emotions. Enjoy the selections and I wish all who visit a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or just a very pleasant week ahead!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

SEXTING!

I do not have teenagers (thank the Lord), but I know what it is like to be a parent. I often think how difficult it is to be a parent and an adolescent in today's world. Let me tell you that I hate the news because it is all about the negative, rarely emphasizing the positive, however sometimes I do learn something by not switching the channel as soon as a newcast comes on the airwaves. Is anyone out there familiar with sexting?

From what I am told sexting is texting semi nude or nude photos to the object of your affection. In my day we use to pass notes (but I digress), but now in the technological age we are able to reach out in a more intimate way;-) Text-messaging, it seems, has become the communication mode of choice among teenagers. That has opened the door to growing abuses.

Apparently teens taking risqué photos of themselves is turning into a full-on epidemic. Researchers from Teenage Research Unlimited have finally put some hard numbers to the anecdotes about teens getting themselves in trouble with revealing photos. According to the study, commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and and unplanned pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com, 22-percent of teenage girls and 18-percent of boys have taken nude or semi-nude photos of themselves and sent them to someone or posted them online. And a third of young adults (20-26 years old) have done the same.Young adults and teens view sending these photos and suggestive text messages as simple digital flirting. 39-percent of teens and 59-precent of those young adults say they've sent naughty texts a means of flirting.

Do you think this is harmless flirting or is it a growing problem among teens?

Cadillac Records

I just saw the film "Cadillac Records" and I am rating two thumbs up! The reason this film rates four stars out four is because of the characterizations seem so real. Most biopics sugarcoat reality, but this one seems to tell it like it is, warts and all. The film tells the story of Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) and singer Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and the founding of Chess Records in Chicago.

There are some standout performances, Columbus Short as Little Walter was my favorite depiction in the film, but all of the the performance were absolutely wonderful. Mos Def portrays an excellent Chuck Berry, duck walk and all. I was wondering if Beyonce could pull off a convincing Etta James and she does. Beyonce was also the executive producer of the movie.

I don't want to reveal the plot, but if you enjoy musical biographies I guarantee you will love this film.

Celebrate The Inauguration!

On January 20, Barack Obama will be sworn in as president. I received an email from MOVE ON (an organization of which I am a member) and they have developed this cool inaugural t-shirt that all Obama supporters should be wearing on January 20. 2009. Even if we all cannot be in Washington DC physically on this auspicious day, we can be there in spirit and support our president elect.

Barack Obama has said many times that he can't deliver universal health care or a sweeping clean energy policy on his own. We all need to do our part.

MOVE ON has launched a campaign called "Real Voices for Change" to make Obama's progressive mandate impossible to ignore. We're organizing grassroots events. We're putting together a major ad campaign. And MOVE ON members are already out gathering messages of support from their neighbors.

We're going to make sure the voice of the people speaks louder than the HMO lobbyists and oil companies and purchasing this t-shirt will accomplish this goal. To get a t-shirt click here.

Old School Fridays - Actors Who Can Sing and Vice Versa

There are too many in either category for me to name. For instance, Isaac Hayes, Gladys Knight, and Aretha Franklin come to mind as singers who from time to time have acted. Almost every old school actor can sing, a skill that is part and parcel of an actor. How about a dancer, who could act and sing. I chose the late Gregory Hines who was a true triple threat. I was astounded when I heard him hold his own with Luther Vandross. Here are the two legends singing "There's Nothing Better Than Love".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.