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Author leaving home next to Palins

Sarah Palin can take down the fence.

Palin’s neighbor of three months on Wasilla’s Lake Lucille, author Joe McGinniss, is packing his bags and notebooks and leaving Sunday for his home in Massachusetts to write the book he has been researching on the former governor and GOP vice presidential candidate.

His arrival in May made headlines and drew an indignant reaction from Palin and a visit from her husband, Todd. The Palins even tacked an extension onto an 8-foot board fence between the homes, leaving only a part of their second-story home visible from McGinniss’ driveway.

Peeping into windows or peering through knotholes was never part of his research, McGinniss said.

“I’ve been very busy but on Lake Lucille it’s been very quiet,” he said. “As I told Todd back in May – he came over to get in my face about moving in there – I said, ‘You’re not even going to know I’m there. A lot of the time, I’m not going to be here. And when I am, I mind my own business. I don’t care what happens on your side of the fence. That’s not why I’m here.’”

And that’s how it has played out, McGinniss said.

A Palin spokesman didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail Saturday seeking any comments from the governor on the author’s departure.

McGinniss has written best-selling books, including “The Selling of the President,” on the marketing of Richard Nixon, “Fatal Vision,” an account of the Jeffrey MacDonald murder case, and “Blind Faith,” about a businessman’s contract killing of his wife.

He’s no newcomer to Alaska. Thirty-five years ago, McGinniss moved to the state to see how new oil money would affect Alaskans. He wrote a draft, returned for three months in 1977, and two years later completed “Going To Extremes.” The book has recently been reissued.

Is It Just Me…

Now speaking of Whoopi, she has a new book coming out called Is It Just Me. In the book, Goldberg says what’s on her mind. Goldberg even talks about style saying she loves being comfortable. The book comes out in October. Hang on to your eyes, its going to be a blinking time tonight, lol.

Iyanla Van Zandt – is back!!!!!!!

Iyanla Van Zandt has a new book coming out in November called Peace From Broken Pieces: How To Get Through What You’re Going Through. Van Zandt is returning to the literary world after suffering the loss of her daughter and the end of her marriage.

My prayers are with you Ms. Van Zandt and your family, this too shall pass.
Believe me you where missed in the literary, and television arena’s. Love you!

Stedman Graham: ‘Athletes Against Drugs’

Stedman Graham was born on March 6, 1951 in Whitesboro, NJ, a community founded in 1901 by a group of prominent African-Americans which included Booker T. Washington and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Stedman attended Middle Township High School where the 6’6? phenom starred on the varsity basketball team.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University, he played professionally in Europe for a few years before returning to the U.S. to work on his Master’s in Education from Ball State.

An enduring, high-profile relationship with Oprah Winfrey has perhaps overshadowed the long list of business and charitable accomplishments accumulated over the course of Mr. Graham’s impressive career as Chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates, a management and marketing consulting firm specializing in the corporate and educational fields.

A prolific writer, he is also the author of ten books, two of which became NY Times bestsellers. And he has taught at several colleges, including a course on leadership at the University of Illinois and one on strategic management at Northwestern.

Most importantly, Mr. Graham has exhibited a lifelong commitment to community via Athletes Against Drugs (AAD), a non-profit organization he founded in 1985 which remains dedicated to developing leadership in underserved youth through scholarships and education. Recently, Stedman talked to me about his work with AAD and other projects.