Harada Data Productions » Tributes

TRIBUTE TO EILEEN “BACHAN” HARADA

John Harada — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:43:51 +0000

The light of our universe has gone out…only on Earth but not in our hearts.

Our mom, Eileen Harada, or also affectionately known as “Bachan” to her 7 grandchildren,

“Awooh” to her many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and “T.I.”

to the neighbourhood kids, passedaway from lung and liver cancer

on Monday, July 5, 2010.

She was surrounded by what she selflessly gave the entire 89 years of her life…

love, joy and affection.

10 of us…her children, grandchildren and siblings were with her when she passed.

It was so incredibly difficult watching her finally go but we were all comforted to know

she no longer had to live in a body and mind that didn’t serve her well

(also had Alzheimer’s.)

We were blessed she didn’t have to suffer much at all…she only had pain the final 2 days

of her life and also didn’t have to be tormented by the ravages of Alzheimer’s that steals

a person’s memory, mind and dignity.

Our Mom wasn’t a rich woman with material possessions but she was incredibly wealthy

with what she shared with everyone she met…love, affection, kindness and her gentleness.

She always cared and looked after others before concerning herself.

Every person she met, she touched…with her sweetness and her beautiful soul.

She was known for her baking and cooking…especially her baking…the unforgettable

lemon cupcakes, the nanaimo bars, her legendary butter tarts…her 100 dozen cookies

she baked every Christmas… and all the wonderful Japanese dishes she created.

Her 23,000 origami butterflies were shared with hospitals, charities, friends and families

all over the world as she spread the true meaning of their symbol- the rebirth of Christ.

To the incredible palliative team at Scarboro Hospital (Evangeline, Brenda, Sharon, Rorie,

and others)… thank you for giving her such a safe and caring haven during her final days.

You were all so wonderful and your compassion for our Mom was immeasurable.

To the staff at Delmanor, Wynford (Toronto)- you went above, beyond and over the top

to see that our Mom was happy and comfortable during her short stay at the manor

and the caring continued during her 5 week stay at Scarboro Hospital right up

until the funeral this past Monday the 12th.

We’ll all terribly miss this tiny woman with a huge heart but we all know she more

than earned her spot beside God in Heaven.

She was a good disciple…mission accomplished.

Mom…thank you for what you have given us…your light and love will continue to shine.

You’ve set the bar very high until the day we all meet again.

We love you !

Killer Show Prep- Wednesday, April 14/10

John Harada — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:20:47 +0000

Oprah’s lyin’ ’bout being poor and her childhood, according to a new biography… the truth about Michael Jackson’s “missing body”…the new cellulite removal machine…women are happier campers than men…lots more harada-data and more in today’s killer show prep !

*** LAUGHING=LONGER LIFE***

*** The wider your smile and the deeper your laughter lines are, the more likely you’ll live longer, say researchers at Wayne University in Michigan.

According to a new study, which studied 230 pictures of major league baseball players printed in the 1952 baseball register, broader smiles and wrinkles around eyes point to a positive outlook on life, implying better long-term health.

The researchers ranked players according to their smiles and laughter lines, spanning from none at all, to partial and then those with a full blown toothy grin and crinkled eyes…then compared the chart to the lifespan of each player.

They found out of the 184 players who’d since died, those in the “no smile” section lived an average of 72.9 years while the players in the “partial smile” group lived to around the age of 75.

The ones with the widest grins lived an average of 79.9 years-7 more years.

*** MONEY=LONGER LIFE***

*** They say money can’t buy you love or happiness…but it can help you live a longer life.

According to a new study, by longevity experts Club Vita, there’s a very strong link between high affluence and living longer.

The study found people living in Kensington and Chelsea, England live the longest in the UK to 86.6 – 6 years above the national average, while the average weekly household income’s 2nd highest in the country.

Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy of the UK at just 74 years where weekly household income’s 9th lowest in the country.

*** WOMEN HAPPIER CAMPERS THAN MEN***

*** Women enjoy their quality of life and balance between work and leisure more than men, sez a new study of 4,423 adults by First Direct Bank. Other happy thoughts...

More than 1 in 3 women ranked their general happiness as 8 out of 10 or higher, compared with just over 1 in 4 men.
The happiest women are married or retired.
The little pleasures women enjoy include watching their favourite television show, music and their pets.”

*** GEORGE STRAIT’S DA MAN***

*** George Strait’s set a Billboard record as the 1st act to hit the top 10 on any Billboard chart for 30 straight years. Strait the record “Strait” with “I Gotta Get to You,” which hit #9 on Billboard’s top country songs list.

Strait’s 1^stcountry top 10 hit was in ’81 with “Unwound,” and he’s made the Top 10 every year since.

“I Gotta Get to You”s his 82nd top 10 country hit.

*** MANY BELIEVE ALIENS LIVE AMONGST US…OR ARE US !***

*** A recent world poll sez 1/5^th of adults believe aliens are living on Earth disguised as humans.

The poll questioned 23,000 adults in 22 countries and found that more than 40% of people from India and China believe alien life exists with a human façade on this planet.

European respondents in the survey were more skeptical with only 8% of people from Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands convinced that life from outer space exists on Earth.

Although most of those who do believe in aliens were under 35, they came from all incomes and classes.

*** OPRAH AND JOHN TESH LOVERS- ??!!!***

*** Oprah Winfrey and John Tesh were once lovers…that’s the word in Kitty Kelley’s new biography of Oprah who claims the talk show queen and Tesh, a 6’6” composer, syndicated radio host and former longtime host of ET, were a romantic item in Nashville in the 70′s.

The book, due out Tuesday claims they shared an apartment there until Tesh left in the middle of the night, unable to take the social pressure of being half of an interracial couple.

On Monday, Tesh told the New York Daily News he and Oprah were cub reporters in Nashville nearly 40 years ago and dated for a short time and remain friends to this day.

*** AND*** In the biography Oprah, author Kitty Kelley sez Oprah’s repeatedly lied about her upbringing and made up stories about sexual abuse to boost her reputation.

Oprah’s always said she grew up so poor in rural Mississippi she never had any new dresses or dolls and could only keep cockroaches as pets but Kelley claims Winfrey was spoiled as a child and her lies have alienated her from much of her family.

“Where Oprah got that nonsense about growing up in filth and roaches I have no idea,” the New York Post quoted Winfrey’s cousin Katherine Carr Ester as saying in the book…she also said… “I’ve confronted her and asked, ‘why do you tell such lies?’ … Oprah told me ‘that’s what people want to hear – the truth is boring’.”

Vernon Winfrey, the talk show host’s adoptive father, told Kelly he felt “ashamed” about her lies.

*** BRUCE BERESFORD-REDMAN UPDATES***

*** “Survivor” and “Pimp My Ride” producer Bruce Beresford-Redman was expected to be arrested Monday as a suspect in his wife’s strangulation death.

Although Beresford-Redman hadn’t yet been charged with any crime, he wasn’t allowed to leave Mexico while authorities investigated the death of Monica Beresford-Redman, a 42-year-old Los Angeles restaurant owner who was found dead in a Cancun sewer Thursday.

Beresford-Redman reported her missing 4 days earlier while they were on vacation in the resort area with their 2 children at the time of her death.

Hotel guests complained of hearing the couple fighting before the woman disappeared.

Investigators said they found inconsistencies in the 38-year-old television producer’s account of what happened and expected to arrest him Monday.

Beresford-Redman already’s met with the high-profile Mexican attorney who successfully defended Duane Chapman of the “Dog, the Bounty Hunter” show when he was accused of illegally arresting a convicted rapist.

*** SANDRA BULLOCK UPDATES***

*** Michelle McGee’s featured in a new interview with Australian TV show Today Tonight apologizing to Sandra Bullock… “I want to give her a heartfelt apology. … Sandra, I’m sorry for your embarrassment. I’m sorry all this is public. I’m sorry for everything. She must be hurt, devastated, upset, embarrassed,” she adds. “I’m sorry for her embarrassment and pain. I do feel really bad about it.”

McGee sez James, who was “very sweet,” told her he and Bullock were separated and “did not live together” and feels like she was duped just as much as Sandra was.

*** AND *** Michelle “Bombshell” McGee sez she’s not pissed with Tina Fey for poking fun of her on “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update” when she sais McGee’s body “looks like a dirt bag’s binder from 7th grade metal shop.” Asked if she was insulted when Fey compared her to a whore, McGee sez “That is kind of hurtful because she doesn’t know me. She doesn’t know my side of the story. “

*** AND*** Jesse James’ sex-texts to alleged mistress and former West Coast Choppers employee Merilee Gertha while he was married to actress Sandra Bullock have been revealed by Radaronline.com.

James and Gerth settled out of court when she alleged sexual harassment at work after the texts were the proof she used to force the settlement.

*** MJ UPDATES***

*** The mystery of Michael Jackson’s missing body after his funeral’s been unfurled.

On July 7, 2009 the Staples Center memorial was held in front of thousands of people in downtown L.A. Jackson’s body was inside in a $25,000 red casket.

Following the service, no one saw the casket leave the building which fuelled rumours Jackson’s body wasn’t really inside the casket and maybe he was still alive.

Jackson’s body arrived in a hearse, but it left in a SWAT van which was driven to a secret location, where it hooked up with a Forest Lawn van — which then transported the body to the cemetery without being noticed.

*** AND*** The trustees of Michael Jackson’s estate have rejected 7 claims, including one for $300 million (£187.5 million). Jackson estate lawyer Howard Weitzman filed legal papers rejecting Allgood Entertainment’s claim over a Jackson family concert that was scrapped when Jackson signed up for 50 London concerts, which were due to start weeks after he died last summer.

Other rejectees…

Jose Freddie Vallejos, an angry LA citizen who demanded Jackson pay for his own memorial

Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson, who claimed to have been married to him

Memorabilia collector Richard Lapointe who demanded $5 million (£3.1 million) after placing the highest bids on 170 items at a Jackson auction, which was scrapped over ownership issues.

The King of Pop’s longtime personal manager and publicist Raymone Bain who stood by Jackson throughout his child molestation trial in 2005 and regularly defended him on TV news shows, claims she’s still owed $360,000 (£225,000) for her services.

Bain joins his former skin doctor, Arnold Klein, and the pop star’s media and communications consultant, Van F. Alexander, among the creditors.

*** CO-CO UPDATES***

*** Conan O’Brien will host a late-night talk show debuting on TBS in November, Mondays through Thursdays at 11 p.m. (ET/PT)and will be followed by Lopez Tonight, which moves to a midnight time slot.

*** BABY DUGGAR BACK IN HOSPITAL***

*** Baby Josie Duggar, the preemie who weighed just 1 lb, 6 oz. when she was born in December at 25 weeks was re-admitted to the hospital on Thursday, April 8 at 3 a.m. with minor stomach issues. Her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar now live in Little Rock close to the expert staff at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. (The family’s home’s in Springdale, Ark.)

*** MORE IDOL CHATTER***

** Simon Cowell’s turned down British PM Gordon Brown’s request for him to help him form new policies aimed at getting more young people to vote. However, Cowell told him he was too busy with his TV work to help out (American Idol, Britain’s Got Talent, The X-Factor.)

*** CELEBRITY APPRENTICE UPDATES***

*** Model Selita Ebanks’ the latest star to get the boot from “Celebrity Apprentice” Sunday night when host Donald Trump fired her after her team lost the challenge to create a commercial for Right Guard Total Defense 5 deodorant.

Olympic Gold Medal sprinter Michael Johnson quit the show to focus on an undisclosed family matter.

Still in the running on behalf of their favourite charities… Cyndi Lauper, Bret Michaels (recovering from an emergency appendicitis operation,) Bill Goldberg, Curtis Stone, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Maria Kanellis and Summer Sanders.

*** JON AND KATE UPDATES***

*** Jon and Kate Gosselin are in court in Pennsylvania on May 25 for a hearing on his motion for full custody of their 8 kids. Jon’s new lawyer sez his client doesn’t earn enough to warrant the current $21,700 monthly child support award. The couple divorced last year after a 10-year marriage.

Kate’s currently on“Dancing With the Stars” and has 2 new reality shows.

Kate told NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday her TV career doesn’t make her an absentee parent and she’s just a single mom trying to support her kids.

*** CHERYL & ASHLEY COLE UPDATES***

*** Ashley Cole’s trying to win back Cheryl Cole with 2 personalized leather studded dog collars for their pet Chihuahuas Buster and Coco, which bizarrely have his initials on. Cheryl currently has the pooches and looks after them on a full-time basis, while Ashley sees them on weekends. The X-Factor-Girls Aloud singer recently arrived back in London following her promotional European tour & was also sent a rose gold brooch from the Chelsea and England soccer player. The couple, who split in February, have been in contact by phone recently but have only had one face-to-face meeting so far.

*** DWTS UPDATES***

*** Soap opera star Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska were the latest couple to get the boot from “Dancing with the Stars” in LA Tuesday night…following in the footsteps of Shannen Doherty and Buzz Aldrin.

Still in the running... Pamela Anderson, Erin Andrews, Kate Gosselin, Nicole Scherzinger, Evan Lysacek, Niecy Nash, Chad Ochocinco & Jake Pavelka.

*** “Dancing With The Stars” contestant Pamela Anderson allegedly owes $493,000 in unpaid taxes to the state of California. The former Baywatch babe’s been hit with rumours she’s facing bankruptcy after reports last year she owes $1 million in unpaid taxes and construction bills. A tax lien was filed against Anderson in April 2009, and she’s appeared on an annual list of taxpayers who’ve allegedly failed to pay up.

*** AND*** Pamela Anderson launched her own vegan milkshake for Millions of Milkshakes with PETA in West Hollywood on Friday. Pam’s new shake’s made up of vegan ice cream, pineapple, coconut and banana. Other celeb Millions of Milkshakes- Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton and David Beckham. Pammy’s been a vegan for 15 years.

*** THE BOYLING POINT UPDATES***

*** Susan Boyle was scared out of her “living daylights” by an intruder in her home when she returned to her property in Blackburn, West Lothian, in January to find a teenager running past her out of the door.

Despite the incident, the 49-year-old Britain’s Got Talent supestar’s just bought a 5 bedroom-$495,000 (£300,000) house as well keeping her family home and has complete confidence in her security.

*** AND*** Susan Boyle wants to sing with Lady Gaga and also wants some fashion tips from her. Susan also wants to sing for Pope Benedict XVI, who visits her native Scotland later this year.

*** JIM CARREY UPDATES***

*** Jim Carrey’s laughed off concerns he’s suffering a breakdown after splitting with longtime girlfriend Jenny McCarthy. Carrey actor stunned Hollywood and fans when he announced his split from his girlfriend of 5 years on Twitter last week and 2 bizarre ‘tweets’ about Tiger Woods’ marital problems over the weekend.

The Canadian funnyman sez he’s not breaking down and is thinking more clearly than he ever has before.

*** KATIE PRICE UPDATES***

*** Katie Price’s fuelled speculation she’ pregnant with her 1^st child with new husband Celebrity Big Brother champ-MMA fighter Alex Reid by pulling out of the London Marathon on the advice of her doctors.

Katie was set to take part in the 26-mile run in aid of the Vision Charity, which aims to raise money for the benefit of blind, visually impaired and dyslexic children

Her 7-year-old son Harvey from a previous relationship’s partially sighted and suffers from autism.

Katie ran the marathon with then-husband Peter Andre last year, finishing in just over 7 hours then later admitted she’d suffered a miscarriage just days before the marathon.

*** AND*** Peter Andre, ex-husband of Katie Price’s dating other women but hasn’t met anyone special. The Aussie singer’s denied he’s dating close pal Kerry Katona, with whom he shares a management team.

*** CELLULITE REMOVAL MACHINE***

*** A new Swiss-manufactured machine’s the ultimate weapon in the war against cellulite.

D-Actor uses acoustic wave therapy (AWT) to obliterate the flab.

AWT’s been used in the medical world for years to make kidney stones disintegrate and to ease joint pain.

Some of the cellulite-prone areas that can be treated with the device are the butt, thighs, arm and tummy.

*** KIDS OF DIVORCED PARENTS DON’T WANT THE BRIDGET JONES SYNDROME***

*** Children of the divorce generation want to get married sooner rather than later, sez a study of 2,000 women in their mid-20′s by More Magazine. More eye-opening news…

More than 8 out of 10 young women with divorced or separated parents still dream of tying the knot; no longer want to be party girls throughout their 20′s only to reach their early 30′s and find they’ve loved and lost Mr Right.
They don’t want to fall into the Bridget Jones syndrome. They want to marry and have their first child while their complexions are still youthful and dewy rather than botoxed and filled.
78% said they still see marriage as the “ultimate commitment”.
They no longer see living together or even having a child together as a firm commitment, they want marriage and life-long togetherness.

*** PRESSURE AT WORK=LESS SMOKING***

*** This is a big surprise…according to a new study, the pressures of work can actually lower a smoker’s nicotine dependence, contrary to popular belief.

The finding by a German team at the University of Cologne studied the associations between occupational stress factors and nicotine dependence on 197 employed smokers from the Cologne Smoking Study.

The results…

Employees who are more stressed at work are likely to smoke less than they otherwise would, therefore having a lower dependence on nicotine.
Being religious, being married, and having a higher level of education have a significant effect on the prevention of nicotine dependence.

*** NETWORKING THE KEY TO SUCCESS***

*** The old adage of “It’s WHO you know…not what you know” holds especially true when looking for a new gig.

Want a new job? Well, then forget the ads and join Facebook or a gym, as who you know matters more than what you know, says a new report.

According to careerplan4.me., networking’s the key more than ever when it comes to landing your dream job.

In fact, 80% of jobs are now secured through networking.

The report suggests job hunters to get chatting with new and relevant people every day, be it online or face-to-face to create more windows of opportunity for themselves.

The same philosophy applies to good business sense.

*** CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM TO BECOME PORN PARODY***

*** Larry David’s hit TV sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm’s been turned into a porn parody by Hustler Video. Jack Spade plays David’s character, while Madison Ivy plays his wife Cheryl and Angelina Valentine portrays Susie, who has a taste for “the sadistic side of life”. This Ain’t Curb Your Enthusiasm XXX hits DVD stores on April 20^th.

*** Members of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ “Word Committee” meet once a month on the 2nd Tuesday to try to screen applications for personalized license plates to make sure they don’t contain concealed profanity or references to drugs, alcohol, gangs or crime. Some of the less-profane submissions rejected by the committee include BITETHS, IHAV2P, LVVODKA, PMPNVAN, IGETHI, NOGOD and AHCRAAP.

*** A Scottish coast guard crew called to the scene of a reported small plane crash instead found a 5-foot-tall Mickey Mouse balloon. Someone from the Fife council area reported seeing an object he believed to be a small plane crash into Largo Bay shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday but the crew instead found the helium balloon of the popular Disney cartoon character. One spokesperson said,“Mickey was taken on board but he was found to be unresponsive…a sweep of the area was carried out but there was no sign of Minnie.”

*** A 53 yr. old New York man’s using his home-grown Naga jolokia, known as the world’s hottest chili, to create the city’s spiciest sauce. Jeff Blaine and restaurant owner Satish Sehgal, 62, are using the Naga jolokia, sometimes known as ghost chili, to create a sauce about 400 times spicier than store-bought Tabasco. Guinness World Records recognized Naga jolokia as the planet’s spiciest chili in 2007. Blaine said the sauce will eventually be available for purchase.

*** A hiker rescued following a Washington State avalanche used his cellphone from beneath the snow to call for help. Ian Rogers said he spent about 4 hours trapped beneath snow Saturday after an avalanche near Snoqualmie Pass on Granite Mountain and he was able to help rescuers determine his location by calling 911. King County sheriff’s deputies used the location of the tower that picked up Rogers’ call and information the hiker gave 911 dispatchers to find his location.

*** Officials in Liverpool, England, said children will now be referred to as having an “unhealthy weight” to spare hurt feelings from the word “obese.” In Liverpool, 1 in 20- 11 yr. olds’ classified as clinically obese so officials are adopting the new language on the recommendation of the Liverpool Schools’ Parliament, which’s made up of local students. The officials said “unhealthy weight”‘s being considered as a replacement for “obese” in all Liverpool Council literature.

*** A 33 yr. old Uniontown, Pennsylvania father was arrested for allegedly hiding several ounces of pot in the backpack his son took to kindergarten. Ronald Washington called Menallen School at about 8:15 a.m. Thursday and asked if his son had arrived because he needed to retrieve something from the boy’s “Sesame Street” Elmo backpack.

School officials searched the bag and found 2 plastic bags containing 3.7 ounces of what they believed to be marijuana. Washington was arrested when he arrived at the school and charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana and disorderly conduct. Washington was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail.

***“I don’t know what Google is.”- Susan Boyle

Loretta Lynn 75

Julie Christie 70

Pete Rose 69

Brad Garrett 50

Greg Maddux 44

David Justice 44

Steve Avery 40

Anthony Michael Hall 42

Adrien Brody 37

Sarah Michelle Gellar 33

Today is International Moment of Laughter Day, time to set aside a moment to laugh

1956- Ampex demonstrated its 1st videotape recorder which was as big as a large freezer.

1983- The 1st cordless telephone, capable of operating up to 600′ from its base was introduced by Fidelity and British Telecom.

1986- Unruly baseball fans disrupted Opening Day in Toronto as hundreds ran onto the field throughout the Blue Jays-Orioles game. Police ejected 126 fans and jailed 35 others. The Orioles won.

1963- The Rolling Stones played at The Crawdaddy Club, Richmond. All 4 members of The Beatles were in the audience.

1964- The King Bees, (featuring a young David Bowie, then David Jones), played at a wedding reception at the Jack Of Clubs in London.

1966- The Spencer Davis Group were #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Somebody Help Me’

1966- The Beatles recorded “Paperback Writer” and the vocals for “Eleanor Rigby”.

1966- Roy Orbison, The Walker Brothers and Lulu all appeared at The Colston Hall, Bristol, England.

1967- David Bowie’s novelty record ‘The Laughing Gnome’ was released in the UK.

1967- A riot broke out at Warsaw’s Palace Of Culture at The Rolling Stones’ 1st appearance in an Iron curtain Country; police used tear gas in a battle to disperse 2,000 fans.

1967- Polydor Records released the Bee Gees ‘New York mining Disaster 1941′ It was released with a promotional slogan announcing ‘The most significant talent since The Beatles’. The record became a Top 20 hit in the UK and US.

1968- Phil Spector married Ronettes singer Veronica Bennett. The couple divorced n 1973 with Bennett citing several instances of alleged cruelty.

1969- ‘The Ballad Of John and Yoko’ with just 2 Beatles- Paul McCartney and John Lennon was recorded. Paul played bass, drums and piano with John on guitars and lead vocals. The song was banned from many radio stations as being blasphemous. On some stations, the word ‘Christ’ was edited in backwards to avoid the ban.

1970- Creedence Clearwater Revival made their live UK debut when they played the 1st of 2 shows at The Royal Albert Hall, London.

1971- The llinois Crime Commission issued a list of ‘drug-oriented records’ including ‘White Rabbit’ by Jefferson Airplane, ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ by Procol Harum and The Beatles ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.’

1973- Led Zeppelin’s 2-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with ‘Houses Of The Holy’

1975- After rumour’s that Jimmy Page, Steve Marriott, Jeff Beck and Chris Spedding would replace Mick Taylor as guitarist in The Rolling Stones, a news release confirmed Ron Wood would be joining the band for their upcoming American tour.

1975- Art Garfunkel’s 6 week run at #1 in the UK with the theme from the film ‘Watership Down’, ‘Bright Eyes’

1976- Eric Faulkner of The Bay City Rollers almost died after taking a drug overdose at their manager’s house while in a state of exhaustion.

1976- Motown Records and Stevie Wonder announced the largest contract renewal to date, worth $13 million.

1978-Joy Division played at the ‘Stiff Test -Chiswick Challenge’, at Raffters in Manchester, England. Future managers Rob Gretton and then journalist Tony Wilson saw the band for the 1st time.

1979 The Doobie Brothers were #1 on the US singles chart with ‘What A Fool Believes’

1980- Gary Numan released ‘The Touring Principle’, the 1st long-form rock video to be made commercially available in the UK.

1980- A New Jersey State assemblyman introduced a resolution to make Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” the official state song. It eventually became the state’s “rock anthem.”

1983- The Pretenders bass player Pete Farndon died from a drug overdose.Farndon was in the midst of forming a new band with former Clash drummer Topper Headon when he died.

1984- Michael Jackson made a $100,000 contribution to open a 19-bed cancer research unit at a New York hospital.
1984- Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” LP hit its 37th week at #1 in US – the longest run in Rock history to that date.

1990- Madonna’s 7th UK #1 single with ‘Vogue’

1993- Paul McCartney kicked off a 24-date North American tour at the Sam Boys Silver Bowl in Las Vegas.

1994- Kurt Cobain was cremated at the Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle.

1995- Burl Ives died of cancer aged 85.

1998 – Shania Twain joined Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan and Carole King at New York’s Beacon Theatre for a taping of “VH1 Divas Live,” with all 6 singing “Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)”

2001- Sean Puffy Combs, (P. Diddy), was arrested in Miami for riding a scooter in South Beach on a suspended driver’s license. He was released 20 minutes later after signing a promise to appear in court.

2002-Ashanti ‘s 10 week run at #1 on the US singles chart with ‘Foolish’ and on the same day started a 3 week run at #1 on the US album chart with her self-titled album.

2004- Former American Bandstand host, Dick Clark said he had type 2 diabetes since 1994, but kept it a secret from everyone except close friends and family.

2008- k.d. Lang was #1 on the Australian album chart with her 10th album ‘Watershed.’

2009- A planned auction of nearly 1,400 items from the former home of Michael Jackson was cancelled.

2009- Former Beatle George Harrison was honoured with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Sir Paul McCartney attended the unveiling outside the landmark Capitol Records building, joining Harrison’s widow Olivia and son Dhani. Eric Idle, Tom Hanks and Tom Petty also attended the ceremony.

Loretta Lynn 75

2008 -Kellie Pickler won 3 awards at the CMT Music Awards at Belmont University’s Curb Events Center in Nashville

2005- Alan Jackson’s “Greatest Hits Volume II” was certified for shipments of 6 million copies

1997 -The website country.com was officially launched and later renamed CMT.com

1986- Alabama won Entertainer of the Year for a record 5th yr in a row at the 21st annual Academy of Country Music awards, broadcast by NBC from Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. They also won their 6th straight Top Vocal Group trophy

1981- Hank Williams Jr. recorded “A Country Boy Can Survive”

1979- Barbara Mandrell’s remake of the R&B hit “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right” was #1 on the Billboard country chart

1966- The Beatles recorded “Paperback Writer” and the vocals for “Eleanor Rigby”.

1993- Paul McCartney kicked off a 24-date North American tour at the Sam Boys Silver Bowl in Las Vegas.

1963- The Rolling Stones played at The Crawdaddy Club, Richmond. All 4 members of The Beatles were in the audience.

1967- A riot broke out at Warsaw’s Palace Of Culture at The Rolling Stones’ 1st appearance in an Iron curtain Country; police used tear gas in a battle to disperse 2,000 fans.

*** CELEBRITY APPRENTICE UPDATES***

Olympic Gold Medal sprinter Michael Johnson quit the show to focus on an undisclosed family matter.

*** GRAMMYS BACK TO FEBRUARY***

*** The Grammys are returning to their traditional month of February for 2011- Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011at the Staples Center again in Los Angeles and aired live by CBS. This year’s show was held on Jan. 31, mainly because of the Winter Olympics which meant the cut-off date for music to be eligible for a Grammy was moved up to Aug. 31. This year, the cut off will return to Sept. 30.

*** MORE NOTES***

*** Former Poison frontman and current Celebrity Apprentice star Bret Michaels was rushed to emerg to have his appendix removed for emergency surgery Monday morning at 1 just moments before he was to hit the stage Sunday night at Sea World, in San Antonio, Texas. Doctors urged the 47 singer to go to the hospital after he’d been suffering all day from severe stomach pains and what he thought was the flu. According to doctors, Michaels, who remains in the hospital’s doing well and beginning the recovery process. His team’s working on rescheduling the upcoming gigs he’ll have to miss this month.

*** Leonardo DiCaprio and Edward Norton joined Glenn Close, Daryl Hannah and Chevy Chase, and over 100 business leaders, scientists and activists to participate in The Mission Blue Voyage, a 4-day conference at sea to address conservation issues in Ecuardo. Guest speakers during the trip included Jackson Browne, singer/songwriter Damien Rice, film producer Jake Eberts and French explorer/environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau. DiCaprio and Norton met with Ecuador’s Vice President Lenin Moreno during the trip on Friday and gave him their support for the Yasuni-ITT initiative which protects the Ecuadorian Amazon from oil extraction measures.

*** Rihana’s joined the Lilith Fair festival tour when she plays Salt Lake City in Utah on July 12. The 36-city tour opens in Calgary, Canada on June 27th and features Lilith Fair co-founder Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Nelly Furtado, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Beth Orton, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, Cat Power, Norah Jones, Metric, Erykah Badu, Tegan & Sara, and Janelle Monae. Rihanna’s Lilith date will come during her upcoming Last Girl On Earth North American tour.

Lilith Fair tour dates:
6/27, Calgary, AB (McMahon Stadium)
6/28, Edmonton, AB (Northlands Spectrum)
7/1, Vancouver, BC (Pitt Meadows Airport)
7/2, Portland, OR (Sleep Country Amphitheater)
7/3, Seattle, WA (The Gorge Amphitheatre)
7/5, San Francisco, CA (Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View)
7/7, San Diego, CA (Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre)
7/8, Phoenix, AZ (Cricket Wireless Pavilion)
7/9, Las Vegas, NV (Mandalay Bay Events Center)
7/10, Los Angeles, CA (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
7/12, Salt Lake City, UT (USANA Amphitheatre)
7/13, Denver, CO (Comfort Dental Amphitheatre)
7/15, Kansas City, MO (Capitol Federal Park @ Sandstone)
7/16, St. Louis, MO (Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St Louis)
7/17, Chicago, IL (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre)v 7/18, Minneapolis, MN (Canterbury Park)
7/20, Indianapolis, IN (Verizon Wireless Music Center)
7/21, Detroit, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
7/23, Montreal, QC (Parc Jean-Drapeau)
7/24, Toronto, ON (Molson Canadian Amphitheatre)
7/27, Cleveland, OH (Blossom Music Center)
7/28, Philadelphia, PA (Susquehanna Bank Center)
7/30, Boston, MA (Comcast Center)
7/31, New York, NY (PNC Bank Arts Center)
8/1, Hartford, CT (Comcast Theatre)
8/3, Washington, DC (Venue TBA)
8/4, Raleigh, NC (Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek)v 8/6, Charlotte, NC (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte)
8/7, Nashville, TN (Bridgestone Arena)
8/8, Atlanta, GA (Aaron’s Amphitheatre)
8/10, W. Palm Beach, FL (Cruzan Amphitheatre)
8/1, Tampa, FL (Ford Amphitheatre)
8/12, Birmingham, AL (Verizon Wireless Music Center Birmingham)
8/14, Austin, TX (Venue TBA)
8/15, Houston, TX (Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)
8/16, Dallas, TX (Superpages.com Center)

*** Gwyneth Paltrow wants another baby and is trying to convince her husband, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, now’s the perfect time to give 5-year-old daughter Apple and 4-year-old son Moses a sibling. , Chris doesn’t think now’s the right time to extend their brood cuz they’re both so busy with their careers.

*** James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver have joined Sting’s fight to stop Brazilian authorities from building a controversial hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest.

Sting held a news conference in Brazil last year to say the Belo Monte project will flood large areas of the region and have a damaging affect on the Amazon’s indigenous population, as well as destroying the habitat of many rare animals.

Cameron and Weaver spoke to the Brazilian media on Monday and urged President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to stop construction on the dam, which’ll be the 3rd of its kind in the world.

They also helped raised awareness of environmental issues by planting a tree in Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park on Sunday- the 1^st of 1 million saplings which’ll be planted in 15 countries worldwide through a partnership between Hollywood studio Twentieth Century Fox and the Earth Day Network.

*** Valerie Bertinelli, former wife of Eddie Van Halen’s running next week in The Boston Marathon. The 49 yr. old “One Day At A Time” star and celebrity spokeswoman for Jenny Craig’ ll soon be seen in the TV Land original series “Hot in Cleveland,” co-starring Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White.

*** Guns N’ Roses have cancelled their Costa Rica concert for a 2nd time after a dangerous stage collapse struck the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose Friday after water damage and the weight of the rock band’s huge screen combined to wreck the stage. No one was hurt in the accident. The concert was re-scheduled for Tuesday at La Guacima in Alajuela, but GNR pulled out of the make up show.

*** Chace Crawford’s pulled out of the ‘Footloose’ remake due to his busy shooting schedule for TV show ‘Gossip Girl’ this summer. The 24-year-old actor was initially cast after Zac Efron decided against making the movie to pull away from musical films. Crawford was to play the lead character Ren McCormack – originally played by Kevin Bacon – in the remake. The movie’s set to go into production this summer.

*** Avril Lavigne and new beau-reality TV star Brody Jenner got matching lightning bolt tats over the weekend at the grand opening of Mario Barth King Ink in Vegas. The couple went public with their romance last week, when they were snapped kissing at a Hollywood party. The matching lightening bolt tattoos are on Lavigne’s forearm and behind one of Jenner’s ears. Lavigne split with husband Sum 41′s Deryk Whibley last year.

*** Roger Waters, founding member of Pink Floyd’s announced he’s going to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Wall album in September by launching a massive North American tour where he’ll perform The Wall in its entirety, backed by a full band and state-of-the-art production. The album’s still one of the Top 5 best selling albums of all time in the U.S.

Waters’ 35-date solo tour kicks off on September 15 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and wraps on December 13 in Anaheim, California.

The Wall tour dates:

» 9/15 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» 9/20 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 9/21 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 9/26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Consol Energy Center
» 9/28 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
» 9/30 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
» 10/5 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
» 10/8 – Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena
» 10/10 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
» 10/12 – Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
» 10/15 – Hartford, CT @ XL Center
» 10/17 – Ottawa, ON @ ScotiaBank Place
» 10/19 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
» 10/22 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
» 10/24 – Detroit, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
» 10/26 – Omaha, NE @ Qwest Center
» 10/27 – St Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
» 10/29 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
» 10/30 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
» 11/3 – New York, NY @ Izod Center
» 11/8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
» 11/9 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
» 11/13 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center
» 11/16 – Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
» 11/18 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
» 11/20 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
» 11/21 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
» 11/23 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
» 11/26 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
» 11/27 – Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center
» 11/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
» 12/6 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
» 12/10 – Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place
» 12/11 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
» 12/13 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center

*** Crosby, Stills & Nash have added a 2nd leg of U.S. dates to their tour starting Aug. 11 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga, the 1^st of 7 shows with Tom Petty. The 2^nd leg includes a previously announced CSN tour of West Coast concerts in May and June and some European gigs throughout July.

Other new dates…

PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., Aug. 19

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., Aug. 20

Borgata Spa & Resort Event Center in Atlantic City, N.J., Aug. 29

The Lawn at White River State Park in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 23

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, N.Y., Aug. 31

Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. Sept. 1.

*** Heather Locklear’s camp sez she and actor-singer Jack Wagner “have not split.”

A tabloid reported Locklear, whose been dating her former Melrose Place co-star since 2007, called it quits so she could spend more time with her 12-year-old daughter, Ava (father’s ex husband Richie Sambora).

In March, Ava made her modelling debut at the White Trash Beautiful fashion show in L.A. as her dad’s Bon Jovi hit “Livin’ on a Prayer” played in the background.

Last summer, Locklear and Wagner, 50, denied engagement rumours after Locklear was spotted sporting an engagement ring at New York City’s JFK airport.

*** GRAMMYS BACK TO FEBRUARY***

*** The Grammys are returning to their traditional month of February for 2011- Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011at the Staples Center again in Los Angeles and aired live by CBS. This year’s show was held on Jan. 31, mainly because of the Winter Olympics which meant the cut-off date for music to be eligible for a Grammy was moved up to Aug. 31. This year, the cut off will return to Sept. 30.

*** MORE NOTES***

*** Susan Boyle wants to sing with Lady Gaga and also wants some fashion tips from her. Susan also wants to sing for Pope Benedict XVI, who visits her native Scotland later this year.

*** AND *** Lil Wayne’s rap protegee Nicki Minaj’s “disappointed” she had to drop plans to tour with Rihana cuz she was “thrilled” to be invited to join her as one of the support acts but pulled out to focus on her debut solo album. Minaj hopes she’ll get the chance to perform with Rihana in the future. Rihanna kicks off the tour in Seattle, Washington on July 2 with Ke$ha. A replacement for Mina hasn’t been announced.

*** Girls Aloud star Kimberly Walsh’s denied rumours of an impending engagement to boyfriend of 6 years Justin Scott, a former member of British boyband Triple 8 cuz she won’t settle down ’til she’s achieved all her career goals.

*** Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie has an odd way of keeping trim – she plays mind tricks on herself by pretending French fries are poison.

*** AND*** Fergie’s debut scent Outspoken which launches in September will be “strong and empowering” but not “cutesy”. The scent mixes notes of starfruit, tuberose, jasmine, and passion flower with base notes like black leather and smoky vetiver, and has already won over one person, Fergie’s husband, Josh Duhamel.

*** Katy Perry and her fiance Russell Brand may be moving to New York City after they were spotted househunting in Manhattan on Monday. The couple, whose planning on marrying in India later this year already own a property in LA while Brand put his London house on the market late last year.

*** Drake’s “Over” video premiered on Vevo Monday morning (April 12).

*** Nelly’s being sued by The Loop producers who paid $40,000 to Capital Connections Agency (CCA) to book the rapper for a New Year’s Eve. The Loop execs claim the money was wired to CCA boss Durby Brandon, but Nelly was a no-show. Brandon initially denied receiving the funds, and then claimed it arrived a day late and kept the cash due to a breach of contract. The Loop‘s suing CCA for the $40,000 booking fee and $250,000 for Nelly’s alleged “no-show.”

*** Wu Tan Clan dude Hell Razah’s in a coma but will regain consciousness later this week after undergoing surgery for a brain aneurysm last Wednesday.

*** Rapper Nas’ been ordered to pay Kelis $10,000 a month in spousal support…and has to pay his estranged spouse $47,249.42 in back child support for their 7-month-old son Knight, and $40,454 in back spousal support. In December, Nas had his monthly spousal and child payments to Kelis increased from a combined $40,000 to a total of $51,000 a month, but has failed to keep up with the installments.

*** British singer- TV star Charlotte Church got engaged to long-term love Gavin Henson after he proposed to her on February 21, her 24th birthday, after planning a special ride in a helicopter and luxury lunch in their native Wales. Charlotte has 2 children, Ruby, 2 and 15-month-old Dexter, with Gavin . The couple’s planning to marry this year on an unspecified island, in a lavish ceremony with around 100 guests.

*** Justin Bieber sez he likes hop-hop a lot and is happy they’ve accepted him. Bieber featured Ludacris on his song ‘Baby‘ and Lil Wayne gave him a shout out on Ustream. The 16 yr. Stratford, Ontario (Canada) sensation sez unlike many of his contemporaries, including pop stars Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, he didn’t need Disney to get ahead in the industry and “didn’t go corny, but, like, at the same time he’s been cool and collected.”

*** Pamela Anderson launched her own vegan milkshake for Millions of Milkshakes with PETA in West Hollywood on Friday. Pam’s new shake’s made up of vegan ice cream, pineapple, coconut and banana. Other celeb Millions of Milkshakes- Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton and David Beckham. Pammy’s been a vegan for 15 years.

*** Mandy Moore’s swapping Scrubs for Grey’s Anatomy when she plays a patient in the 2-hour season finale May 20th. The 26 year old singer appeared in Scrubs in 2006, playing a love interest for Zach Braff’s character.

*** Whitney Houston’s ex, Bobby Brown’s back in court June 24^thto try to lower his child support payments after struggling for years to keep up with his installments. Brown’s been granted a day in court in a bid to prove he’s “had a material change in his circumstances.”

Brown’s now filed legal documents asking for his $5,500 -a month payments to be reduced following a change in his income to Kim Ward, the mother of 2 of his teenage children.

The R & B singer’s also dad to Bobbi Kristina, his 17-year-old daughter with Houston, and a 2-year-old son from another relationship.

Loretta Lynn 75

2008 -Kellie Pickler won 3 awards at the CMT Music Awards at Belmont University’s Curb Events Center in Nashville

2005- Alan Jackson’s “Greatest Hits Volume II” was certified for shipments of 6 million copies

1997 -The website country.com was officially launched and later renamed CMT.com

1981- Hank Williams Jr. recorded “A Country Boy Can Survive”

1979- Barbara Mandrell’s remake of the R&B hit “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right” was #1 on the Billboard country chart

*** GEORGE STRAIT’S DA MAN***

Strait’s 1^stcountry top 10 hit was in ’81 with “Unwound,” and he’s made the Top 10 every year since.

“I Gotta Get to You”s his 82nd top 10 country hit.

*** GRAMMYS BACK TO FEBRUARY***

Other new dates…

PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., Aug. 19

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., Aug. 20

Borgata Spa & Resort Event Center in Atlantic City, N.J., Aug. 29

The Lawn at White River State Park in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 23

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, N.Y., Aug. 31

Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. Sept. 1.

*** Kenny Chesney told Oprah Friday he recently treated his grandmother to her 1st flight to the Florida Keys, so she could join him for a meal at his favourite restaurant. Chesney surprised her by showing up at her home in Knoxville, Tennessee and she agreed to overcome her flying fears and take off with him on his private plane.

*** Late country legend Hank Williams was posthumously awarded a Special Citiation Pulitzer prize in recognition of his lifetime’s achievement as a musician. The prestigious Pulitzer Special Citations for the arts’ only been awarded 10 times previously, mainly to composers. Jazz artist Thelonious Monk was awarded a citation in 2006, John Coltrane in 2007 and Bob Dylan was given the award in 2008. Williams died in 1953 aged 29.

*** MJ UPDATES***

*** The mystery of Michael Jackson’s missing body after his funeral’s been unfurled.

On July 7, 2009 the Staples Center memorial was held in front of thousands of people in downtown L.A. Jackson’s body was inside in a $25,000 red casket.

Following the service, no one saw the casket leave the building which fuelled rumours Jackson’s body wasn’t really inside the casket and maybe he was still alive.Jackson’s body arrived in a hearse, but it left in a SWAT van which was driven to a secret location, where it hooked up with a Forest Lawn van — which then transported the body to the cemetery without being noticed.

Other rejectees…

Jose Freddie Vallejos, an angry LA citizen who demanded Jackson pay for his own memorial Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson, who claimed to have been married to him

Memorabilia collector Richard Lapointe who demanded $5 million (£3.1 million) after placing the highest bids on 170 items at a Jackson auction, which was scrapped over ownership issues.

Bain joins his former skin doctor, Arnold Klein, and the pop star’s media and communications consultant, Van F. Alexander, among the creditors.

*** CELEBRITY APPRENTICE UPDATES***

Olympic Gold Medal sprinter Michael Johnson quit the show to focus on an undisclosed family matter.

*** MORE NOTES***

*** James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver have joined Sting’s fight to stop Brazilian authorities from building a controversial hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest.

Cameron and Weaver spoke to the Brazilian media on Monday and urged President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to stop construction on the dam, which’ll be the 3rd of its kind in the world.

Other new dates…

PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., Aug. 19

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., Aug. 20

Borgata Spa & Resort Event Center in Atlantic City, N.J., Aug. 29

The Lawn at White River State Park in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 23

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, N.Y., Aug. 31

Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. Sept. 1.

Waters’ 35-date solo tour kicks off on September 15 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and wraps on December 13 in Anaheim, California.

The Wall tour dates:

Brown’s now filed legal documents asking for his $5,500 -a month payments to be reduced following a change in his income to Kim Ward, the mother of 2 of his teenage children.

The R & B singer’s also dad to Bobbi Kristina, his 17-year-old daughter with Houston, and a 2-year-old son from another relationship.

*** Frankie Valli’s suing for $150,000 (£93,750) for each of 10 songs performed in The Boys in Concert show, all of the production’s profits and unspecified damages for unfair competition and copyright infringement…and is also seeking a court order to end its ongoing U.S. Tour.

Valli’s lawsuit’s against 6 former cast members of Broadway show Jersey Boys amid allegations they used elements of The Four Seasons-inspired show for a “copycat” concert tour.

TThe lawsuit alleges the production steals songs, stage elements and copyrighted logos to trick ticketholders into thinking the touring group is an “authorised road company” of the long-running musical.

Defendants include Christian Hoff, who won a Tony award for his performance as Tommy DeVito in the original cast production, and Michael Longoria, who previously portrayed Valli.

*** OPRAH AND JOHN TESH LOVERS- ??!!!***

The book, due out Tuesday claims they shared an apartment there until Tesh left in the middle of the night, unable to take the social pressure of being half of an interracial couple.

On Monday, Tesh told the New York Daily News he and Oprah were cub reporters in Nashville nearly 40 years ago and dated for a short time and remain friends to this day.

*** SANDRA BULLOCK UPDATES***

McGee sez James, who was “very sweet,” told her he and Bullock were separated and “did not live together” and feels like she was duped just as much as Sandra was.

*** AND*** Jesse James’ sex-texts to alleged mistress and former West Coast Choppers employee Merilee Gertha while he was married to actress Sandra Bullock have been revealed by Radaronline.com.

James and Gerth settled out of court when she alleged sexual harassment at work after the texts were the proof she used to force the settlement.

*** JIM CARREY UPDATES***

*** Jim Carrey’s laughed off concerns he’s suffering a breakdown after splitting with longtime girlfriend Jenny McCarthy. Carrey actor stunned Hollywood and fans when he announced his split from his girlfriend of 5 years on Twitter last week and 2 bizarre ‘tweets’ about Tiger Woods’ marital problems over the weekend.

The Canadian funnyman sez he’s not breaking down and is thinking more clearly than he ever has before.

*** JON AND KATE UPDATES***

*** Jon and Kate Gosselin are in court in Pennsylvania on May 25 for a hearing on his motion for full custody of their 8 kids. Jon’s new lawyer sez his client doesn’t earn enough to warrant the current $21,700 monthly child support award. The couple divorced last year after a 10-year marriage.

Kate’s currently on“Dancing With the Stars” and has 2 new reality shows.

Kate told NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday her TV career doesn’t make her an absentee parent and she’s just a single mom trying to support her kids.

*** KATIE PRICE UPDATES***

*** Katie Price’s fuelled speculation she’ pregnant with her 1^st child with new husband Celebrity Big Brother champ-MMA fighter Alex Reid by pulling out of the London Marathon on the advice of her doctors.

Katie was set to take part in the 26-mile run in aid of the Vision Charity, which aims to raise money for the benefit of blind, visually impaired and dyslexic children

Her 7-year-old son Harvey from a previous relationship’s partially sighted and suffers from autism.

Katie ran the marathon with then-husband Peter Andre last year, finishing in just over 7 hours then later admitted she’d suffered a miscarriage just days before the marathon.

*** CHERYL & ASHLEY COLE UPDATES***

*** MORE ZOOMIN’***

*** Heather Locklear’s camp sez she and actor-singer Jack Wagner “have not split.”

In March, Ava made her modelling debut at the White Trash Beautiful fashion show in L.A. as her dad’s Bon Jovi hit “Livin’ on a Prayer” played in the background.

Last summer, Locklear and Wagner, 50, denied engagement rumours after Locklear was spotted sporting an engagement ring at New York City’s JFK airport.

Brown’s now filed legal documents asking for his $5,500 -a month payments to be reduced following a change in his income to Kim Ward, the mother of 2 of his teenage children.

The R & B singer’s also dad to Bobbi Kristina, his 17-year-old daughter with Houston, and a 2-year-old son from another relationship.

*** 17 yr. old Miley Cyrus’ planning to marry her Last Song co-star-boyfriend Liam Hemsworth when she moves out of her parents’ house and into her new $4.3 million estate when she turns 18 in November. She’s been dating the Aussie actor for 10 months.

*** Jude Law and Sienna Miller are looking to buy a new home in London-a $6.6 million (£4 million) mansion in Highgate, north London. Monday, it was reported the couple got engaged again after Sienna was spotted wearing the vintage diamond ring Jude had given her during their 1st engagement – but on her right hand.

*** Paris Hilton’s denied she’s split from boyfriend Doug Reinhart, tweeting the rumour as “a ridiculous lie.” She was spotted enjoying a night out in Las Vegas on Saturday with her sister Nicky and Kim Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend, Reggie Bush.

** Liz Taylor, 78′s tweeted a denial re: she’s getting married for the 9^th time…this time to Jason Winter, 49, despite rumours that hit Friday. Here’s Dame Taylor’s tweet… The rumors regarding my engagement simply aren’t true. Jason is my manager and dearest friend. I love him with all my heart.

*** Oil heir Brandon Davis’ vehemently denied he posted nasty tweets poking fun at ex-girlfriend Mischa Barton’s weight issues, claiming he doesn’t even have a Twitter account and someone must’ve posted the comments, posing as him.

Barton was devastated after reading what appeared to be a cruel ‘tweet’ from her ex which read, “Omg (oh my God). Just realized my ex turned in to 1 of the fattest people on the planet. I’m gonna start dating plus size models. Not! Mischa the Hefer (sic).”

*** Eliot Spitzer’s former call girl lover, Ashley Dupre’s posed nude for 8 pages in May issue of Playboy. Last month, Dupre’s hair caught on fire at the Playboy photoshoot.

*** Hugh Hefner sez he’s ready to ditch the multiple girlfriends and wants to settle down with new babe Crystal Harris. Hef, 84, found new love with his current girlfriend Crystal Harris, 23, after his #1 girlfriend Holly Madison left him 2 summers ago.

*** A former 23 yr. old P.A.’s suing Steven Seagal with a $1-million-dollar lawsuit over claims he hired her and then expected her to be “on call for sex”.

Kayden Nguyen’s hit Seagel for sexual harassment, illegal trafficking of females for sex, failure to prevent sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and false representations about unemployment.

In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Kayden claimed Seagal flew her to New Orleans in February after hiring her to be a personal assistant but he expected her to be on call for sex and “treated Ms Nguyen as his sex toy.”

The documents claim Seagal had 2 female Russian attendants on staff “who were available for his sexual needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” Nguyen was hired when one of them decided to quit.

Julie Christie 70

Brad Garrett 50

Anthony Michael Hall 42

Adrien Brody 37

Sarah Michelle Gellar 33

*** BRUCE BERESFORD-REDMAN UPDATES***

*** “Survivor” and “Pimp My Ride” producer Bruce Beresford-Redman was expected to be arrested Monday as a suspect in his wife’s strangulation death.

Beresford-Redman reported her missing 4 days earlier while they were on vacation in the resort area with their 2 children at the time of her death.

Hotel guests complained of hearing the couple fighting before the woman disappeared.

Investigators said they found inconsistencies in the 38-year-old television producer’s account of what happened and expected to arrest him Monday.

*** MORE IDOL CHATTER***

*** Simon Cowell’s turned down British PM Gordon Brown’s request for him to help him form new policies aimed at getting more young people to vote. However, Cowell told him he was too busy with his TV work to help out (American Idol, Britain’s Got Talent, The X-Factor.)

*** CELEBRITY APPRENTICE UPDATES***

Olympic Gold Medal sprinter Michael Johnson quit the show to focus on an undisclosed family matter.

*** DWTS UPDATES***

Still in the running... Pamela Anderson, Erin Andrews, Kate Gosselin, Nicole Scherzinger, Evan Lysacek, Niecy Nash, Chad Ochocinco & Jake Pavelka.

*** AND*** “Dancing With The Stars” contestant Pamela Anderson allegedly owes $493,000 in unpaid taxes to the state of California. The former Baywatch babe’s been hit with rumours she’s facing bankruptcy after reports last year she owes $1 million in unpaid taxes and construction bills. A tax lien was filed against Anderson in April 2009, and she’s appeared on an annual list of taxpayers who’ve allegedly failed to pay up.

*** MORE NEWS***

*** GENIES***

*** Polytechnique was the big winner Monday night at the 30^th annual Genie Awards, Canada’s equivalent to the Oscars. on Monday, as front-runner Polytechnique claimed most of the big wins while conjuring painful memories of the Montreal massacre.

The controversial French-language film which brought back painful memories of the Dec. 6, 1989 killings at École Polytechnique won in 9 of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including best film, best direction and best original screenplay.

Quebec star Karine Vanasse won the best leading actress honour for her role as engineering student Valérie.

Maxim Gaudette won best supporting actor for his chilling portrayal of Marc Lépine, who roamed the halls of the school, shooting 14 women to death and injuring 13 others before turning the gun on himself.

The film also took awards for best cinematography, editing, sound and sound editing.

Vancouver-born Joshua Jackson won best actor for his role in One Week.

Scott Speedman, one of the stars of the TV thriller Fringe won for his role in Atom Egoyan’s Adoration

Winnipeg-born Martha Burns walked away with the best supporting actress trophy for her performance as a nun in Love & Savagery.

LIST OF WINNERS …

Best Film: Polytechnique
Best Art Direction: Eve Stewart, Fifty Dead Men Walking
Best Costume Design: Atuat Akittirq, Before Tomorrow
Best Cinematography: Pierre Gill, Polytechnique
Best Direction: Denis Villeneuve, Polytechnique
Best Editing: Richard Comeau, Polytechnique
Best Actor: Joshua Jackson, One Week
Best Actress: Karine Vanasse, Polytechnique
Best Supporting Actor: Maxim Gaudette, Polytechnique
Best Supporting Actress: Martha Burns, Love & Savagery
Best Sound: Stephane Bergeron, Pierre Blain, Jo Caron, Benoit Leduc, Polytechnique
Best Original Screenplay: Jacques Davidts, Polytechnique
Best Adapted Screenplay: Kari Skogland, Fifty Dead Men Walking
Best Feature Documentary: Alan Zweig, Kristina McLaughlin, Michael McMahon, A Hard Name
Best Animated Short: Cordell Barker, Mazur, Michael Scott Runaway

*** A former 23 yr. old P.A.’s suing Steven Seagal with a $1-million-dollar lawsuit over claims he hired her and then expected her to be “on call for sex”.

The documents claim Seagal had 2 female Russian attendants on staff “who were available for his sexual needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” Nguyen was hired when one of them decided to quit.

*** Former Poison frontman and current Celebrity Apprentice star Bret Michaels was rushed to emerg to have his appendix removed for emergency surgery Monday morning at 1 just moments before he was to hit the stage Sunday night at Sea World, in San Antonio, Texas. Doctors urged the 47 singer to go to the hospital after he’d been suffering all day from severe stomach pains and what he thought was the flu. According to doctors, Michaels, who remains in the hospital’s doing well and beginning the recovery process. His team’s working on rescheduling the upcoming gigs he’ll have to miss this month.

*** Dennis Quaid, a patient safety advocate after his twins nearly died’s urging the adoption of 34 practices to prevent medical errors.

Quaid and his wife created The Quaid Foundation to raise public awareness about medical errors after their newborn twins nearly died as a result of an accidental Heparin overdose in 2007 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA.

Quaid and Dr. Charles Denham, co-chair of the National Quality Forum committee and chair of the Austin-based research organization Texas Medical Institute of Technology, based in Austin — recently co-authored an article for the Journal of Patient Safety.

Quaid’s made-for-television documentary “Chasing Zero: Winning the War on Healthcare Harm,” will be released at the Global Patient Safety Summit in Nice, France, April 22 (he’ll be the keynote speaker in Nice.)

The documentary’s the 1st in series of patient safety films airing on the Discovery Channel April 24, May 1 and May 8.

*** Meanwhile... Eliza Dushku and her boyfriend, former basketball star Rick Fox competed in the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami, Florida on Sunday to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The couple raced together throughout the event, which included a half-mile swim, a 19-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run, and crossed the finish line at the same time in 2hrs 45mins. Fox won the male celeb division.

*** Julia Roberts’ 19 yr. old actress niece Emma wants to launch an upmarket clothing collection.

*** AND*** Kevin Bacon’s joined the cast of Steve Carell’s latest film with Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Moore. The story centres on Steve’s character who hires a life coach to turn himself around after his wife – played by Julianne – announces she wants a divorce. Bacon’ll play a co-worker of Julianne’s character whose having an affair with her. Shooting starts later this month.

*** British rapper Dizzee Rascal wants to become the 1st black man to play James Bond after fans voted him the #1 choice ahead of Will Smith and Jay-Z, in a survey by PreLoved. Rascal hopes his friendship with movie star Brad Pitt will help him land the coveted role.

*** Comedian Andy Dick was picked up by cops last week after he allegedly wandered into a house in LA in the middle of the night after the frightened family called the cops. The woman called 911 and told the operator she didn’t think the intruder meant any harm, but described him as “loony” and “absolutely wasted”.

Dick was picked up by police officers and taken home. He wasn’t arrested and the family declined to press charges. The incident took place just days before Dick was thrown out a California winery on Friday when security staff suspected him of being intoxicated.

*** Demi Moore and Ben Stiller were in Haiti over the weekend to help Sean Penn with his on-going relief effort following January’s killer earthquake. Susan Sarandon and Gerard Butler were also among the celeb volunteers who toured Port-Au-Prince, while Moore and Sarandon also visited sick kids at the St. Damienis children’s hospital.

Moore was snapped hugging and playing with the youngsters affected by the earthquake then volunteered with the Jenkins-Penn Haiti Relief Organization to move homeless Haitians from a flood-prone camp to a safer area.

*** James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver have joined Sting’s fight to stop Brazilian authorities from building a controversial hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest.

Cameron and Weaver spoke to the Brazilian media on Monday and urged President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to stop construction on the dam, which’ll be the 3rd of its kind in the world.

*** Robert Downey Jr. sez in the May issue of Men’s Journal he’s now studying Wing Chun, a martial arts discipline which helped him find his focus and resurrect his career.

*** Russell Crowe was got his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on Monday as he was joined by his wife Danielle and kids, Charlie, 6, and Tennyson, 3. Crowe turned down the star several times before, but now believes at 46 and with 2 Oscar nods and 1 Academy award behind him, he now has a big enough filmography to justify the honour.

*** Jeff Daniels wants to tour with Oscar winner Jeff Bridges so clueless film fans’ll stop mixing the 2 stars up. Daniels sez he’s often mistaken for “the other Jeff” but would like to use the tour to promote his musical sideline.

*** Danny Glover’s signed on as brand ambassador and associate of nutrition company EIRO, the company that provides his wife, Brazilian teacher Eliane Cavalleiro with her favourite snacks. Glover will also be involved in the distribution of EIRO’s nutritional, energy, and weight management products.

*** Israeli model Bar Refaeli was snapped wearing several bikinis as she posed for a photo shoot for Interview magazine with the men of ‘Jersey Shore’. Refaeli, 24, posed with Mike (The Situation) Sorrentino, Paul (Pauly D) Delvecchio, Ronnie Magro and Vinny Guadagnino.

*** “The Other Side” and “Roadkill,” will air on Syfy in 2011.

*** The 31st annual Razzie Awards recognizing the previous year’s worst in film and announced the night before the Oscars will be announced Feb. 26, 2011.

*** “Tonight Show” bandleader Kevin Eubanks officially announced Monday, he’s leaving as Jay Leno’s sideman- musical director May 28 after 18 years with the late-night host. Eubanks said he was ready for a career change of pace, but he didn’t announce specific plans. In February, NBC said Eubanks had expressed interest in personal touring and recording.

*** Law & Order’s heading to Los Angeles. The long-running show, starring Sam Waterston already has 2 seperate US series – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, as well as a British version set in London, called Law & Order: UK. The new LA show debuts this Fall.

*** Danish supermodel Helena Christensen’s suing Stacey Rom-Jensen, her former lawyer for alleged misleading real-estate advice which cost her over $100,000. Christensen claims Rom-Jensen gave her bad advice on the lease of Butik, her retail store in Manhattan’s West Village, which went out of business in 2008. Christensen owes her landlord $101,731 because of Rom-Jensen’s advice.

*** Heidi Montag’s writing a Bourne-meets-Barbie movie right now.

*** An X-ray of Marilyn Monroe’s chest’s being auctioned off June 26 and 27 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The x-ray was taken at a Florida hospital in 1954 when the blonde bombshell was being treated for endometriosis…and shows her ribs as well as the outline of her famed cleavage. It was printed with her married name DiMaggio – at the time she was going through a divorce from baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. The couch she used during therapy sessions’ also expected to go under the hammer.

Killer Show Prep- Sunday, Jan. 24/10

John Harada — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:19:51 +0000

The Canadian government lifts the $50 million cap on donations to Haiti after a successful fundraising TV show Friday night… Brad and Angie are splitting up… got last night’s SAG winners and men don’t ask for help when shopping. Lots more harada-data and more in today’s killer show prep !

*** MEN DON’T ASK FOR HELP WHEN SHOPPING***

*** When it comes to asking for help while shopping, men are more reluctant than women, according to a new study by the University of New Hampshire. The study found women were more likely to turn to interpersonal relationships like friends and family for advice on buying while men, generally, more likely resorted to impersonal sources for information. However…when it comes to buying a gift, men value help from retail clerks, friends and family just as much as women.

*** BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW***

*** Pearls dissolve in vinegar

*** HOPE FOR HAITI TELETHON ***

*** Alicia Keys opened the “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon Friday night with a moving rendition of “Prelude to a Kiss“as the 2 hour special from New York and Los Angeles was showcased by dozens of musicians and celebrities who helped raise money for victims of the devastating earthquake Jan. 12th on the tiny Caribbean island.

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Jack Nicholson, Ringo Starr, Tobey Maguire, Robin Williams, Meg Ryan, Colin Farrell, Chevy Chase, Emily Blunt, Jack Black, Tim Robbins, Steven Spielberg, Ellen DeGeneres, Mel Gibson, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Billy Crystal, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, John Krasinski, Samuel L. Jackson and Andy Garcia.

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban , Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio , Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** Queen Latifah said on the Today Show on Thursday, she wants to adopt a Haitian orphan.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** William Shatner, James Cameron, Celine Dion, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Reynolds, Rachel McAdams, Jason Reitman and Norman Jewison were among the celebrities on Friday’s star-studded “Canada for Haiti” show which preceded the US “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon. $2.5 million was raised during the 1-hour Canadian special, which was broadcast live on CBC, CTV and Global Television. Nelly Furtado opened with “Try” … K’Naan, Metric and The Tragically Hip also performed. A French-language benefit, “Ensemble pour Haiti,” also aired Friday night on TVA Network, Societe Radio-Canada, Tele-Quebec, V Tele, LCN, MusiquePlus and MusiMax, TV5 and Espace Musique.

***AND*** The “Canada for Haiti” show Friday raised $2.5 million, bring the nation’s total to $67 million, prompting the federal government to lift the $50 million cap and will now match dollar for dollar the amount donated to the Haiti relief fund.

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** Queen Latifah said on the Today Show on Thursday, she wants to adopt a Haitian orphan.

*** BRAD AND ANGIE DIVORCING ??? ***

*** Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are headed for splitsville, according to London’s News of the World who claim the couple’s met with California divorce lawyers earlier this month and have agreed to divide their$322 million (£205million) fortune. In legal papers signed this month, Pitt and Jolie also agreed to share custody of their 6 kids.

Pitt, 46, will have full access to their 3 biological children – Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne and the 3 adopted children – Maddox, from Cambodia Zahara, from Ethiopia and Pax, from Vietnam.

The couple’s never married and have been together since starring in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” 5 years ago, when Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston.

Pitt and Jolie, 34, haven’t been snapped together in recent days, and according to a report in the Jan.6th edition of the National Enquirer, they had a heated argument inside the Alto restaurant in Midtown when Pitt demanded Jolie get psychiatric help for the depression she’s suffered from since the death of her mother 3 years ago.

Pitt was photographed Friday night backstage at the “Hope for Haiti” telethon in Los Angeles without Jolie.

Last week they failed to show at the Golden Globes even though Brad’s film Inglorious Basterds was up for several awards.

*** ANDY DICK BUSTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT***

*** Comedian Andy Dick was arrested Saturday morning in West Virginia on 2 felony charges of alleged sexual abuse in the 1st degree and later freed on bail. The managing partner of the Lucky Bone Comedy Club in Huntington where Dick was hired paid the $60,000 bail. Dick’s lawyer Jeffery Rubenstein refused to comment on the details of his arrest. Dick has a preliminary hearing Feb 2. In 2008, Dick pleaded guilty to misdemeanour battery and marijuana possession in California after he allegedly walked up to a 17-year-old female victim, grabbed her tank top and bra and pulled them down and exposed her breasts.

*** CONAN O’BRIEN’S LAST SHOW (FRIDAY NIGHT)…

*** Conan O’Brien did his last gig on the Tonight Show on Friday…very funny exchange… “I will do nudity. HBO, when you make the movie, I would like to be played by Academy Award winner actress Tilda Swinton. “

Said sidekick Andy Richter, “I’m hoping for Val Kilmer.”

Also featured… an appearance by Steve Carell, who did a mock exit interview with O’Brien on NBC’s behalf, then shredded his I.D. badge. Tom Hanks and Will Ferrell also dropped by and Neil Young sang “Long May You Run” (Now on YouTube…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7gbwYL6H0g)

*** MJ UPDATES***

*** Michael Jackson’s estate’s blocking an attempt by father Joe Jackson for a monthly allowance of over $15,000 who claims he relied on his son’s help to survive and had little income of his own and needs the money to cover “maintenance expenses” and to “support his children or grandchildren.” According to court papers, Michael left Joe out of his will and the estate says he failed to show Michael supported him while he was alive.

*** POLANSKI UPDATES***

*** A Los Angeles Superior Court judge says director Roman Polanski must be present to be sentenced in his 30 year old child sex case. The 76-year-old Oscar winner was put under house arrest last month at his Swiss chalet while he’s waiting to hear if he’ll be extradited to the United States in the 1977 case when he was accused of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.

*** CHARLIE SHEEN UPDATES***

*** Charlie Sheen’s wife Brooke Mueller’s facing more dental problems after her impacted wisdom tooth turned into a serious infection. According to People magazine, Mueller had gone in to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed and ended up in ICU with a 105-degree fever with double pneumonia and a systemic infection. Dental experts say the kind of infection Mueller contracted’s very rare.

*** SAG AWARD WINNERS***

*** Jeff Bridges and actress Sandra Bullock won the top honours at the Screen Actors Guild Awards Saturday with the Best Actor and Actress of 2009 awards for their roles in “Crazy Heart” and “The Blind Side”, respectively.

* Quentin Tarantino’s war drama “Inglourious Basterds” won for best ensemble cast.

* Christoph Waltz won his 1st SAG award for the best supporting actor in “Inglourious Basterds”.

* Mo’Nique won best supporting actress award for “Precious”.

* “Mad Men” took best ensemble drama cast

* “Glee” won best ensemble comedy cast award.

* Julianna Margulies wont TV drama actress for “The Good Wife”

* Michael C. Hall won for “Dexter”.

* Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin won the best comedy actress and actor for “30 Rock”, respectively.

* Outstanding performance in a TV movie or mini-series, Kevin Bacon took home the trophy for “Taking Chance” and Drew Barrymore won for “Grey Gardens”.

*** MORE IDOL CHATTER***

*** Simon Cowell’s publicist Max Clifford’s denied reports the American Idol- Britain’s Got Talent judge’s the father of Jasmine Lennard, the daughter of former Bond girl, Marilyn Galsworthy’s child. Clifford says Cowell hasn’t even spoken to her for almost a year. The child was conceived in London in November.

*** BALLOON BOY UPDATES***

*** A newly released video obtained by the Fort Collins Coloradoan Friday, shows Mayumi Heene, the mother of the 6-year-old boy said to be in a runaway balloon, telling sheriff’s officials the Oct. 15 event was all a hoax she and her husband orchestrated to gain notoriety and land a reality TV show — contrary to her husband’s repeated public denials just before going to jail.

The boy, Falcon, was hiding at home during the balloon’s 5-hour ride. Mayumi pleaded guilty to filing a false report and her husband, Richard Heene, pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant. He began serving a 30-day jail sentence Jan. 11. Mayumi does the big house for 20 days after him.

*** DRIVING AFFECTS MEMORY AND LEARNING***

*** A new study at the University of Illinois shows driving reduces a person’s ability to remember, comprehend and use language. Participants were asked to retell stories told to them while driving which resulted in their ability to retain and retell the stories worsening as much as that of their younger peers. In contrast to their performance while sitting still, the drivers remembered 20% less of what was told to them while they were driving.

*** DARK CHOCOLATE REDUCES STRESS***

*** Snarfing an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for 2 weeks can reduce levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people who are highly stressed, says a new study in ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research.

*** “I’m not in charge of what she does with any part of her body. I’m her husband – not her owner.”- Spencer Pratt on wife Heidi Montag’s 10 surgeries in 1 day.

Ray Stevens 71

Neil Diamond 69

Aaron Neville 69

Nastassja Kinski 50

Lonestar’s Keech Rainwater 47

Gymnast Mary Lou Retton 42

Tatyana Ali 31

Mischa Barton 24.

Today is Belly Laugh Day, a day to celebrate the great gift of laughter. At 1:24 p.m. (local time) smile, throw your arms in the air, and laugh out loud!

1908- The 1st Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell.1922- Christian K. Nelson patented the Eskimo Pie.

1989- The world’s oldest sheep died in England a week before her 29th birthday. She’d given birth to her 40th lamb only months before.

1996- The fat substitute Olestra was approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

1999- A British road safety official found an effective way to make motorists reduce their speed on the street past his house. He put up a large poster of Czech supermodel Eva Herzigova, taking off her shirt. Drivers slowed down immediately.

1958- Elvis Presley was #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Jailhouse Rock’.

1958- The Quarry Men performed at the Cavern Club, in Liverpool, (this was the bands only performance at the club).

1962- Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles where he got 25% of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10%.

1968- Georgie Fame was #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘The Ballad Of Bonnie and Clyde’

1969- New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to US record dealers they’d be charged with distributing pornography if they were caught selling the John Lennon-Yoko Ono LP ‘Two Virgins’. The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind.

1969- The Doors appeared at Madison Square Garden, New York City, They were paid over $50,000 for the gig making them one of the highest paid acts this year.

1970- James Sheppard, the lead singer from the Heartbeats and Shep and the Limelites was found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway. He’d been beaten and robbed.

1976- Bob Dylan’s 5-week run at #1 on the US album chart with ‘Desire’

1976- Diana Ross was #1 on the US singles chart with ‘Theme From Mahogany’

1978- Workers at EMI’s record pressing plant refused to press copies of The Buzzcocks forthcoming release ‘What Do I Get’ because of the title on the B-side ‘Oh Shit.’

1979- The Clash released their 1st single in the US, ‘I Fought The Law’ (written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly’s Crickets).

1979- Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys divorced his wife Marilyn after 15 years together. She was a member of the Honeys and mother of Wendy and Carnie Wilson, who’d go on to sing in Wilson-Phillips.

1981- Adam And The Ants started a 10-week run at #1 on the UK chart with their debut album ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’.

1981- Steve Tyler of Aerosmith was hospitalized after he smashed up his motorbike.

1987- Billy Vera and the Beaters’ 2 week run at #1 on the US singles chart with ‘At This Moment’

1992- Nirvana played their 1st ever show in Australia at the Phoenician Club in Sydney with Tumbleweed and The Meanies.

1999- The Offspring went to #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Pretty Fly, For A White Guy’.

2003- Girls Aloud were #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Sound Of The Underground’ and Avril Laviagne had the UK #1 album with ‘Let Go.’

2008- Amy Winehouse was admitted into rehab in a battle to kick her addiction to drugs. A statement from her record company, Universal said she entered the facility “after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors to continue her ongoing recovery against drug addiction.”

Lonestar’s Keech Rainwater 47

2006- MCA released Josh Turner’s “Your Man” album

2005- Lynn Anderson was arrested for shoplifting after being caught stealing a Harry Potter DVD from a New Mexico supermarket and punching a police officer during her arrest.

2003- Joe Nichols set an odd precedent on the Grand Ole Opry while performing “Brokenheartsville” at the Ryman Auditorium. A green bra was tossed on stage as he sang, supposedly the 1st time an undergarment was ever been thrown on stage in show history

2002- Freddy Fender underwent a kidney transplant.

2001- Garth Brooks’ double-disc concert album “Double Live” was recognized for shipments of 14 million copies

1994- George Strait’s 1st triple-platinum album The “Pure Country” soundtrack

1981- ”9 To 5″ by Dolly Parton was #1 on the Billboard country chart

1958- The Quarry Men performed at the Cavern Club, in Liverpool, (this was the bands only performance at the club).

1962- Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles where he got 25% of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10%.

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** Ronnie Wood’s ex-girlfriend Katia Ivanova’s lost her cellphone containing X-rated photos of her and the Rolling Stones guitarist and conversations between them, including violent rows. The 21 year old former waitress fears it could appear on the web.

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** Radiohead’s put recording sessions in LA for their new album on hold to schedule a last-minute gig to raise money for the Oxfam Haiti relief fund at a charity gig at Hollywood’s Henry Fonda Theater on Sunday night. Tickets went on sale on Thursday via an auction on the group’s official website. News of the last minute gig came shortly after frontman Thom Yorke turned out to DJ at a Haiti fundraiser at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in L.A. on Wednesday night which raised $20,000 for aid efforts.

*** Susan Boyle, Take That, Rod Stewart, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and Westlife are recording REM’s Everybody Hurts to help raise funds for Haiti.

*** German rock band Scorpions’ calling it quits after 40 years, announcing on its web site Sunday “we agree we have reached the end of the road.” The band’s final album “Sting In The Tail,” will be released in March with a worldwide tour over the next couple of years.

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** Susan Boyle, Take That, Rod Stewart, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and Westlife are recording REM’s Everybody Hurts to help raise funds for Haiti.

*** A LA judge’s ordered Britney Spears’ father Jamie to remain in charge of her financial and legal affairs and also granted permission for a dress she wore at the 2008 MTV Awards to be auctioned off to raise funds for Haiti.

*** Rihanna’s new LA Dodgers boyfriend Matt Kemp cleared up the violent relationship -restraining order by a former girlfriend story- Kemp dated Felisha Terrell who filed a restraining order against him after their relationship ended in 2008 and shortly afterwards, on her own accord, dropped it based on the fact that the statements made within were false. She’s very recently said she has no issue whatsoever with Matt and she and Matt consider it to be a non-issue.

*** Essence Magazine’s honouring Mary J. Blige at their Black Women in Music gala Wednesday at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angeles in recognition “as an influential artist, successful entrepreneur and passionate philanthropist.” Also expected to attend are singers Estelle, Melanie Fiona, Ne-Yo and Trey Songz; rapper/actor Ludacris; Nia Long, Holly Robinson Peete and Kim Coles; and Essence President Michelle Ebanks and Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray.

*** Katy Perry has a hard time writing lyrics cuz she’s hooked on porn.

*** Joaquin Phoenix’s in the new video with Miley Cyrus and Liv Tyler for To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA.)

*** Miley Cyrus wants to marry her boyfriend, 18 year old Australian actor Liam Hemsworth. The 17-year-old star, who recently denied she’s engaged to Hemsworth’s been telling friends about the possibility of changing her name to her boyfriend’s last name.

Lonestar’s Keech Rainwater 47

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** Susan Boyle, Take That, Rod Stewart, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and Westlife are recording REM’s Everybody Hurts to help raise funds for Haiti.

*** Joaquin Phoenix’s in the new video with Miley Cyrus and Liv Tyler for To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA.)

*** Jessica Simpson‘s launching a line of denims to help girls’ butts look good.

Ray Stevens 71

Neil Diamond 69

Aaron Neville 69

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** Susan Boyle, Take That, Rod Stewart, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and Westlife are recording REM’s Everybody Hurts to help raise funds for Haiti.

*** Jon Gosselin was spotted Friday afternoon holding hands with his new girlfriend, Morgan Christie at the Sundance Film Festival in Colorado.

*** Ronnie Wood’s ex-girlfriend Katia Ivanova’s lost her cellphone containing X-rated photos of her and the Rolling Stones guitarist and conversations between them, including violent rows . The 21 year old former waitress fears it could appear on the web.

Nastassja Kinski 50

Gymnast Mary Lou Retton 42

Tatyana Ali 31

Mischa Barton 24.

George Clooney and Haitian singer Wyclef Jean hosted the show from both cities.

Celebs who helped answer phones…

Performers…

Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge debuted a song they wrote about the quake.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio, Jon Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington who shared the heart-breaking and heroic stories from Haiti since the earthquake throughout the telethon.

Anderson Cooper reported from Haiti for CNN.

*** UPDATE*** Organizers for the all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon say the event raised $57 million and still counting. The “Hope for Haiti Now” CD

*** AND*** BET plans to hold its own all-star telethon on Feb. 5, with Diddy and Queen Latifah as hosts. It’ll also be aired on MTV and VH1.

*** UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, who supports the SOS Children’s Villages, says the organization’s been raising more than 300 orphaned or abandoned children and cared for 4000-plus poverty-stricken kids and families in Haiti before the earthquake and now the needs of the children orphaned by the Haiti earthquake are almost “almost incalculable”. The organization’s been working non-stop in Haiti to find shelter, food, medicine, trauma counselling and more for children and families.

*** 2 time Oscar nominee, Golden Globe Award winner (“Guys and Dolls”) and Emmy Award winner (“The Thorn Birds”) Jean Simmons, 80, died Friday at her home in Santa Monica, Calif. from lung cancer. Simmons’ survived by 2 daughters, Tracy Granger and Kate Brooks.

*** Kim Kardashian’s filed for a temporary restraining order against Dennis Shaun Bowman whom she’s accusing of stalking and harassing her since

September. According to court documents, Bowman believes he’s in love with the TV star and started tweeted her last September , then moved from Georgia to a neighbourhood near her Calabasas, California home. Kardashian claims Bowman began showing up at her appearances in the Los Angeles area acting bizarrely. A hearing’s February 3rd to determine if a temporary restraining order will be issued.

*** Jay Leno will headline this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association press and scholarship dinner May 1 at the Washington Hilton Hotel.in Washington.17 Washington students will receive a total of $132,000 in college scholarships from the association to pursue careers in journalism at the fundraising gala.

*** Former Baywatch star Jason Momoa beat out Twilight hunk Kellan Lutz and Supernatural actor Jared Padalecki for the lead role in the Conan The Barbarian remake. Mickey Rourke’s said to be playing Conan’s father, Corin.

*** Liza Minnelli’s will play an “outrageous drama teacher as Betty’s camp nephew Justin’s high-school teacher in several episodes on Ugly Betty. Shooting starts later this month.

*** Designer Diane von Furstenberg was on The View Friday to announce she’s getting into the home furnishings biz with Springs Global to release an international line of furniture, bedding, tablecloths and bath accessories in early 2011.

Tribute- The Kidney Foundation, SouthWest Ontario Walk

John Harada — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:12:58 +0000

These are pics from this past summer’s Kidney Foundation of South Western Ontario Walk held in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada which I was honoured to host.

Kudos to the volunteers and walkers !

Tribute-John Lennon- Dec. 8/09

John Harada — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:23:10 +0000

I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was doing middays at CJCH AM, Halifax, the Powerhouse of Atlantic Canada when John Lennon was murdered.

The former Beatle was gunned down in front of his wife, Yoko Ono the evening of Dec. 8, 1980 outside his Dakota apartment building in Manhattan. It was 10:50pm when Mark David Chapman, with a copy of Catch In The Rye in hand called out “Mr. Lennon,” then proceeded to shoot him 5 times in the neck and back.

He’d been stalking him for days…even got his autograph earlier that day. He’d actually flown in from Honolulu in October when he’d plan to murder him then but couldn’t find him that visit.

Wow- can’t believe it’s been 29 years since he left his world !

All I remember is when I first heard the news on my car radio driving into the radio station the next morning, I heard Jim Goldrich doing the news headlines…lead story…

” A former Beatle’s dead…” My 1st thoughts were John Lennon….perhaps from a drug overdose or in a car crash but murdered ?

I thought I was going to drive off the road at that moment !

The mood was sad, dark and very sullen that day and for days to follow.

My buddy Bob Powers who was PM Drive and Music Director for our sister station C-100 FM was crying…it was an incredibly difficult day for everyone.

Man- doing a shift on-air was a huge challenge putting aside my personal sadness, grief, sorrow, shock, anger…doing everything I could not to scream out loud on air what a dick Chapman was for taking away one of our heroes for a moment’s glory…what a sick %$#@ !

I often wonder what the world would be like if John Lennon were still alive- pretty awesome, I bet.

We would have grown with him like we did with George and continue to do so with Paul and Ringo.

All I can say is I still really miss him today and thank him for making the world a better place for his short life on earth.

John Lennon- God bless you !

Tribute- Paul McCartney (Dec. 9/09)

John Harada — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:29:12 +0000

He’s always been one of my favourites…a true world class leader and great musician to boot.

I’m talking about Paul McCartney- former Beatle and champion for animals rights.

His activitism as a vegan’s been unstoppable and now he’s narrated “Glass Walls,” a 13-minute video about slaughterhouses for animal rights activists, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) to raise awareness about how animals and workers are treated in slaughterhouses.

In the video, McCartney also explains how cows, pigs and chickens “endure almost unimaginable suffering.” While he talks, images of the animals being killed are shown.

The footage’s pretty gross and quite nauseating and really makes you think twice about eating meat.

It kinda rocked me a bit but honestly, I don’t know if it convinces me to become a vegetarian.

I’ll eat regular meat like chicken, beef, fish…rarely pork and usually never lamb…and definitely never game.

You’ve got to hand it to him- he really makes his point in this video… he may convince you to switch !

Check it out…www.meat.org.

TRIBUTE- Haydain Neale, 1970-2009

John Harada — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:55:52 +0000

( AP photo)

Jacksoul frontman Haydain Neale was remembered as an “amazing individual” and a “joyful presence” as stunned friends and musicians learned of his death from cancer on Monday. Haydain, lead singer from the Juno Award-winning group, died Sunday at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto at age 39, following a 7 month battle with lung cancer.

He’d also been recovering from serious injuries after being hit by a car while driving his motor scooter in Toronto on Aug. 3, 2007.

Jacksoul was to release SOULmate , on Dec. 1 with 10 new tracks, their 1st album since the accident.

The 1st single, “Lonesome Highway,” was co-produced and co-written by Haydain.

He’s survived by his wife, Michaela and daughter, Yasmin

Tribute: Alison Postma

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:17:44 +0000

In October of 2008, The Universe lost one of the most incredible, bravest people I’ve ever met in my life.

5 year old Alison Postma of Waterloo, a big Nickelback fan died from DIPG (inoperable brain stem tumour)
2 weeks to the day after I met her.

Her moving spirit and love for life…”living the moment” touched me beyond words.

The following is a blog on the Caring Bridge website
I wrote just after she passed away.

I was very honoured when this was read at her funeral.

In memory of Alison Postma…God Bless her !

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2008 10:08 PM, CDT

To the Postmas…
A few times in our lives, we’re blessed with extraordinary people… Some extremely special ones who bring us gifts.   One of these people is Alison.   I could see from our short meeting 2 weeks ago, she was a very special angel.

Her happiness, her white aura, her white light and her eternal gratitude for just being alive that moment said it all.   It blew me away to see a child of just 5 years old with a wealth and lifetime of knowledge of being able to live the moment and appreciate every little thing she had in life… Most importantly, the powerful love of her family and friends … and souvenirs from her favourite group Nickelback.  All this coming from a child who was suffering from more pain than most of us will experience in a lifetime but yet she was so grateful to just be surrounded by love.

I’m so honoured and thankful you allowed me to share a couple of hours with Alison that night and ever so much more grateful for the gift she gave me … of just being thankful for what I have … despite the outcome.   Alison has changed my life and I will honour that gift.   I will also miss her… My heart goes out to her and to your entire family and closest friends.   God bless you all and God bless Alison, a beautiful, little angel… Thank you, Alison… Mission accomplished!

With much love,
John Harada