The music world is still in shock over the death of Don Cornelius. Cornelius was a true visionary, and he changed the face of TV when he created Soul Train. Cornelius, 75, was found dead from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. What happened in his California home? Cornelius’s son Tony made the 911 call. Police say there were no signs of foul play. Soul Train was the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated show in television history. Cornelius stopped hosting in 1993, and the show, with various hosts after ‘93, ceased production in 2006. Cornelius was the first African American to create produce, host and own his own television show. He opened the door to many singers, musicians and dancers. The past few years had been rough for him. He was in a troubled marriage, and he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence back in 2008. That incident did involve guns. He was divorced in 2009, and he pleaded with the judge to end the marriage to Viktoria Chapman before he died. He had been having many health issues recently, including a stroke, and he was being treated for a brain disorder. With his signature Love Peace And Soul signoff, he was a man who changed the face of television.
The fallout is still being heard as Simon Cowell shakes up the casting of The X-Factor. Cowell was very disappointed that his singing- reality show never lived up to expectations, and this week he fired the host Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger and his buddy, Paula Abdul. Simon is only bringing back Record Exec L.A. Reid. Cowell said his show was going to be groundbreaking but in the end The X-Factor turned out just like the other singing reality shows. Cowell even toned down his act. He was known as “Mr. Mean” on American Idol, but on his own show, he was very nice. What will Cowell do? Will he hire Mariah Carey as a judge on the show? She would definitely bring the crazy. With so many singing reality shows, how can X-Factor stand out? We will soon find out.
Season 2 of Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s kicks off in March on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN cable channel. I love this show! It’s the story of former Ike & Tina Turner Backup Singer/Dancer Robbie Montgomery, her son Tim Norman, her family and her soul food restaurant in St. Louis. The new season will focus on their new restaurant.
Congrats To Actresses Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer! They were big winners at the recent SAG Awards. Winning top actress honors for the roles in the movie The Help.
His death was announced by his son-in-law, James Coughlin, who said Dundee had recently been treated for blood clots.
In more than 60 years in professional boxing, Dundee gained acclaim as a brilliant cornerman, whether healing cuts, inspiring his fighters to battle on when they seemed to be reeling, or adjusting strategy between rounds to counter an opponent’s style.
“In that one minute, Angelo is Godzilla and Superman rolled into one,” Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, who often worked with Dundee and then became a TV boxing analyst, once remarked.
Ali told The New York Times in 1981: “You come back to the corner and he’ll say, ‘The guy’s open for a hook,’ or this or that. ” If he tells you something during a fight, you can believe it. As a cornerman, Angelo is the best in the world.”
When Thomas Hearns was rallying against Leonard in their welterweight championship unification fight in September 1981, Dundee got Leonard going again after the 12th round bell, telling him, “You’re blowing it, son, you’re blowing it.” Leonard knocked Hearns down in the 13th round and won the bout when the referee stopped it in the 14th.
Dundee “knew precisely how to get through to me at the most pivotal moments, and no moment in the fight, or in my career, was as pivotal as this,” Leonard recalled in his memoir “The Big Fight” (2011),” written with Michael Arkush.
Dundee’s first champion was Carmen Basilio, the welterweight and middleweight titleholder of the 1950s from upstate New York. Although best remembered for Ali and Leonard, Dundee also trained the light-heavyweight champion Willie Pastrano, the heavyweight titleholder Jimmy Ellis and the welterweight champion Luis Rodriguez. Dundee advised George Foreman when he regained the heavyweight title at age 45. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
He was born Angelo Mirena in Philadelphia, the son of a railroad worker. He became Angelo Dundee after his brother, Joe, fought professionally under the name Johnny Dundee, in tribute to a former featherweight champion; another brother, Chris, also adopted the Dundee name.
After working as a cornerman at military boxing tournaments in England while in the Army Air Forces during World War II, Dundee served an apprenticeship at Stillman’s Gym near the old Madison Square Garden, learning his craft from veteran trainers like Ray Arcel, Charley Goldman and Chickie Ferrara. In the early 1950s he teamed with his brother Chris to open the Fifth Street gym in Miami Beach. It became their longtime base, Angelo as a trainer and Chris as a promoter.
In the late 1950s, Dundee gave some tips to a promising amateur named Cassius Clay, and in December 1960, after Clay’s first pro bout, Dundee became his trainer, working with him in Miami Beach. He guided him to the heavyweight title with a knockout of Sonny Liston in February 1964.
Dundee avoided the temptation to tamper with the brilliance of his young and charismatic fighter, and he used a bit of psychology in honing his talents.
“I never touched that natural stuff with him,” Dundee recalled in his memoir, “My View From the Corner” (2008), written with Bert Randolph Sugar. He added: “So every now and then I’d subtly suggest some move or other to him, couching it as if it were something he was already doing. I’d say something like: ‘You’re getting that jab down real good. You’re bending your knees now and you’re putting a lot of snap into it.’ Now, he had never thrown a jab, but it was a way of letting him think it was his idea, his innovation.”
When Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali soon after winning the heavyweight title, his boxing management and financial affairs were handled by the Nation of Islam. Dundee was the only white man in his camp, and he grew disturbed over references to that fact.
In his memoir, Dundee said that he and Ali “had this special thing, a unique blend, a chemistry.”
“I never heard anything resembling a racist comment leave his mouth,” he said. “There was never a black-white divide.”
Dundee knew all the tricks in the boxing trade, and then some.
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ARIES, THE RAM 3/21 – 4/19
Pumps your brakes there Aries, all will be well shortly. The passing of the moon cause a few interruptions nothing to worry about, your all good. Look for love to come your way shortly, in the guise of a foreign gentleman. Different I know, but heck variety is the spice of life, and you just never know. Look for changes in your family dynamics, possibly a surprise or two, all good again. Look at February is you jump off month to start on something that has been on the back burner for months, now is the time to begin.
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TAURUS, THE BULL 4/20 – 5/21
Money is an object this month not a play thing so remember that. You are a hard worker which is quite obvious. Just remember everyone is not your friend when it comes to loaning out money OK! Expect to hear good news in the family of another child coming, blessed event. Scroll down your investments and see what is really working for you if not, cash it out immediately. This month will be heavy laden with money issues, so be prepared. Look before you leap into anything, including your taxes.
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GEMINI, THE TWINS 5/21 – 6/21
When are you going to stop playing games with yourself? uh? If you don’t like something then got damn it say that. Stop putting a front on like it’s ok, when it’s not. Family issues will come out concerning money, could someone be going out of business? Know when to hold em, and when to let go. Love life is getting better and better, keep those lines of communication and understanding going and you should be fine. Love alerts for the single Gemini’s someone is watching you very close and would like to get involved with you, put those attenders out. You are in a very blessed position this month so take note my dear.
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CANCER, THE CRAB – 6/22 – 7/22
All is not lost Cancer, is only the beginning. New things are on the horizon of your life, good decisions. Love is in the air, it is what you make of it OK. Finances will go and come, just be consistent of what you have to work with this month. There will be family matters you need to deal with, some good, some bad, just know your place in all of this. We can’t pick our family members only our friends. Cancer you are in a growing and learning period right now. So keep your mind open to all which is possible at this time. Don’t neglect the obvious.
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LEO, THE LION 7/23 – 8/22
Center of attention does pay well uh?! lol lol Ok Leo this is your time to shine to the Manager, Directors, or even Supervisors, if you aren’t one of those already. Your ideas can take hold. Your intelligent, and forthcoming in innovative ways that helps you and the company you work for. So go in that office and tell them all about them. Make sure you document your ideas, so no one else steals them from you. This year IRS will be kind to you, so take advantage and use the money to good use. Holla!
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VIRGO, THE VIRGIN 8/23 – 9/22
Now is the time to stand up for what you believe to be right. You’ve been quiet of late, work well, do your work to precision, kept your mouth shut. Well now is the time to shine Virgo. You have not gone un=noticed! Virgo may be the virgin, but you bring new ideas, and communication to the table so do that my friend, voices will be listening. Expect some distance in the family all is not right, but you already know that. Sometimes it is good to be quiet and just stand still, and observe. The truth always comes out and you know this too. Money will increase thru games of chance, so by a lotto or whatever ticket you just might be a big winner, how about that! Love is all around you right now, just pick one, so many to choose from my goodness, aren’t you the popular male/female go on with your badness!
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LIBRA, THE SCALES – 9/23 – 10/23
Time to pull out all the stops, start something, and be good at it, damn it! You have been up and down in your decisions – why? Libra you know what time it is, so just do it, stop playing games. Please improve on your communications skills, you are not always easy to understand. Love is in the air as well with you too, so come on give me some Libra, folks are waiting, heh! heh! If you are a Supervisor, or Manager time to assess your staff. To many object thinking has been going on, some folks need to be fired, and some folks need to be promoted, so DO IT! Family is well, and you and a love one are planning on taking a trip, about a cruise, that sound romantic. Do what you do best Libra, just get it done please!
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SCORPIO, THE SCORPION – 10/24 – 11/21
Well, well, well, aren’t we on top of the world. And so you should be, you’ve worked hard for your accomplishments. Be proud hold you head high, pop your collar a couple of times you deserve it! whoo-whoo Scorpio! Now back to business, a lot of traveling is in store this year, February will be your down month, to get you prepared. I see sickness in your family possibly a male figure, Father, Uncle, Brother, or Cousin. Take time out to be with them, they miss you and love you very much, also you always put a smile on that person face. Remember tomorrow is never promise, so do today what you must. Money comes and goes but it’s ok, your building up to a big kauna real soon, you will be paid for your worth, skills, ability, and education you go Scorpio – male/female, it’s your time to begin a new!
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SAGITTARIUS, THE ARCHER 11/22 – 12/21
I love it when you call me Big Poppa, throw your hands in the air, like you just don’t care!!! lol lol And that explains you this month Sag. Damn you are on a roll, well do the damn thing then, you know what time it is. Continue to help family members, you know some folks just don’t get it, they will eventually pray tell. Well are you ready to do the full-time work, I hope so, because they are ready for you. Job openings everywhere for you Sag, part-time or full-time. My suggestion go Full Time, the economy is shaky this year, and tomorrow is not promise, so do your part to survive. Sit down with your accountant or a budget person to help you iron a few discrepancies. After that you should be alright.
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CAPRICORN, THE GOAT 12/22 – 1/19
Well where is the fear Cappy? There is no fear or guilt in your being. Time to start a new. Finally all has come to pass, see it just took a little patience and time to come about. Business will begin to pickup and there are jobs available for your seeking. Remember charities and people who have less. February is all about new beginnings for you Cappy. Think long and hard about what it is you really want in life. Family will be family as well as friends, just remember don’t be a doormat, or used for your kindness for weakness. Stay strong and stand stall for your beliefs. Folks are watching you that you don’t even know about. Capricorn you will experience great things this year, just keep it all in perspective.
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AQUARIUS, THE WATER BEARER 1/20 – 2/18
My, my, my we are still leading the pack. Hard work does pay off, even when you dog tired. Family surprises in store for you this year, all good! Work can be more busy than usual this month do to in climate weather, so hang on the best is yet to come. You are a hard worker and it hasn’t gone unnoticed in the least. Family ties need to be developed once again, have you been out of touched with close relatives, then make that change to do better. Have you thought about being a Mentor to someone Aquarius. Well the time is right to start that, or pair up with an organization that could use your skills and technology for the youth. Be sure to keep up with your health.
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PISCES, THE FISH 2/19 – 3/20
Glory, glory, hallelujah you make it thru another year, thank God. You where worried and so was I for you. Lot to get done this year Pisces. For the time being, let go of old ghosts from your past and move on, this is not you. People will be who they are regardless, just know the difference. Love is in the air for you also. There is somebody you have kept on the back burner, now come on give the guy/girl a chance. They are really good people, that care about you a lot. Finances will be a little shaky this February so hold on to your pennies, and be careful were you spend them. Make sure there is a sale on, or forget about it. Family ties become much stronger. Work will be real busy for you this February so expect to work some overtime on weekends here and there. Happy Birthday Pisces you are so cool!
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by Lennis
Efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational use are gaining momentum in Washington state and Colorado, despite fierce opposition from the federal government and a decades-long cultural battle over America’s most commonly used illicit drug.
Officials in Washington state on Friday said an initiative to legalize pot has enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in November. In Colorado, officials are likely this week to make a similar determination about an initiative there.
Supporters are prepared to possibly spend millions of dollars ahead of the November ballot, when they hope a strong voter turnout, particularly among youth, for the U.S. presidential election will aid their cause.
“Whether it’s make or break depends on what public opinion does after 2012, but in terms of voter turnout this is the best year to do it,” said Alison Holcomb, director of New Approach Washington, the initiative’s sponsor.
While 16 states, including Washington and Colorado, along with the nation’s capital, now allow marijuana use for medical purposes, cannabis remains an illegal narcotic under U.S. law – and public opinion is sharply divided on the merits of full legalization.
California voters turned back a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2010, in part because of concerns about how production and sale of the drug would be regulated.
Undeterred, supporters of the Washington state initiative say it represents the “grown-up” approach to legalization.
Sales would only be allowed to adults 21 and older through marijuana-only stores licensed by the state Liquor Control Board, which would also oversee production and processing of the drug. Laws on drunken driving would be amended to include maximum blood content thresholds for THC, the main psychoactive element in pot plants.
Colorado already has a robust regulatory system for medical marijuana that includes a registry of over 80,000 card-carrying patients and rules governing how physicians and distributors operate. Here, too, legalization advocates are stressing a rational regulatory approach.
“Voters aren’t being asked to imagine as much as they are in other states, they have seen that marijuana can be regulated and it doesn’t result in significant problems,” said Mason Tvert, co-director of the Colorado-based Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.
Organizers of the Washington effort have collected over $1.1 million in campaign funds, with $250,000 of that coming from Progressive Insurance chairman Peter Lewis, public disclosure records show.
Loren Collingwood, senior researcher for the nonpartisan Washington Poll run by the University of Washington, said the initiative could pass, but that backers must spend between $2 million and $4 million to run a competitive campaign.
A poll done by the university in October found 48 percent of Washington residents support the idea of pot legalization, but that was not tied to any particular initiative.
“If young voters turn out in droves like they did in 2008 or even start to approach those numbers … then I think this will pass, but they very well may not,” Collingwood said.
Pot legalization supporters have argued for decades that prohibition has failed to curb pot use, and that the policy enriches drug cartels, hurts casual users and deprives governments of a potentially lucrative source of tax revenue.
Another reality show in the works is the Real Preachers’ Wives of Atlanta. The show will air on TLC. Meanwhile, changes are coming to the real housewives of Atlanta. Khandi Burress and Kim Zolciak are leaving the show to star in their own spinoffs. I hear Keshia Knight Pulliam (“Rudy” from The Cosby Show) may be joining the cast when the new season starts. In other reality show news, don’t look for Vanessa Bryant to star in any. The ex-Mrs. Kobe Bryant was offered a lot of money by VH1 to star in a show, but she turned them down saying shows about players wives are not her style.