{Happy Sunday!!}

 Happy Sunday my friends!

Do you practice mantras? Write these on post its in your mirror or wherever you would be SURE to see them on a daily basis! Memorize them and bring them to life!

{What's the 4-1-1!!??}

Whats the 4-1-1!?

This week, Lamar Odom took on the fight of his life. At press time, he suffered brain damage, at least one stroke and remains on a ventilator after he collapsed and was found unresponsive in a brothel. The Love Ranch is a legally run brothel in Crystal, Nevada where Odom spent four days. Employees there say the former L.A. Laker used cocaine and herbal Viagra since he arrived. His fourth day there, employees found Odom unconscious with fluid coming from both his mouth and nose. He’s been hospitalized since. His estranged wife Reality Star Khloe Kardashian has been by his side with Kim, Kris Jenner and a visit from Reverend Jesse Jackson. The rest of the Kardashians have taken to social media to express their support and still call Odom family. Odom also has two children with his ex-girlfriend. Odom’s career winning two championships with the L.A. Lakers took a backseat to the publicity he received as a reality star when he married Kardashian in 2009. Unfortunately, their heavily watched marriage included accusations against Lamar of infidelity and continued drug use. Eventually the two separated and signed divorce papers, but they haven’t been finalized so Kardashian is making all the medical decisions.

Bobby Brown is ready to tell! Brown wants to tell his life story in the book My Prerogative. Sources say the book will be raw and talk about his music career, life, marriage to Whitney Houston and his late daughter Bobbi Kris. Why is he doing this now? Isn’t he still mourning the loss of his daughter? Is he doing it for the money so he can support his latest wife and two young children? What does the Houston family have to say about this? Is he writing the book to get back at them? Bobby has been estranged from a lot of people for quite a while. When the New Edition miniseries debuts on BET, he will have limited involvement. Is he ready to talk about the tragic end to his daughter’s life? There are a lot of questions about Bobbi Kris, Bobby himself and this book, which is due out next June.

Speaking of New Edition, they are coming to Philly as part of the lineup for the WDAS Holiday Jam Saturday, November 28^th at The Wells Fargo Center along with Jill Scott, Tyrese, SWV and Jazmine Sullivan. Tickets are on sale now.

The Soul Train Awards are happening Tuesday, November 10^th on BET and Centric Networks. Philly’s own Jill Scott is going to be the night’s big honoree.

Gabrielle Union returns for a new season of Being Mary Jane Tuesday the 20^th on BET. Season three will feature Loretta Devine and Jill Scott. Jilly From Philly has got a lot going on.

Cookie makes the cover! Actress and Empire Star Taraji P. Henson is the cover lady for the November issue of Essence magazine.

Congrats to Singer John Legend and his wife Model Chrissy Teigen. After months of fertility problems, they are finally going to be parents. Teigen is expecting their first child.

FOX’s Rosewood is getting a new addition. Taye Diggs has signed on for the show in a recurring role in the Morris Chestnut medical and detective drama. It’s a reunion. Diggs and Chestnut are old friends and co-stars from the Best Man movie franchise. Rosewood airs on Wednesday nights at 8pm on FOX.

Congrats to Janet Jackson! Her latest CD Unbreakable just topped the charts at No.1. The makes the seventh career number one for “Ms. Jackson.” Her Unbreakable tour comes to Philly in February and Atlantic City in June.

Speaking of “Ms. Jackson,” she and Chaka Khan lead the list of the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nominees. N.W.A., The Spinners, Chic, Chicago and James Brown’s band The JB’s are all also nominated. The Class of 2016 will be revealed in December and the induction ceremony will take place in New York and air on HBO in April 2016.

The View’s Raven Symone is certainly making a name for herself. She is no longer the cute child star from Cosby and Disney fame. The actress/TV personality is branding herself as an outspoken talk show host. Her often controversial remarks make headlines, and the producers at The View love it. This will probably solidify her position on the ABC daytime talker. Her outrageous and controversial remarks are a lightning rod on social media and people are talking. Symone’s dad recently came to her defense…sort of! Christopher Pearman, who used to be her manager, says his daughter sometimes just says some dumb s**t, but he still loves her. At this point, people are tuning in just see what she has to say. The 29-year old has stated in the past she hates labels: don’t call her black or gay. Now, she created a firestorm when she stated she wouldn’t hire someone with an ethnic sounding name when the segment turned to are you judged by your name. Whether you agree with her or not, Raven has people talking. Meanwhile, her View Co-star and Moderator Whoopi Goldberg has released her latest book, a sort of Whoopi’s big book on relationships, self-help style. And, who would be better on the subject than a woman who has been married and divorced 3 times? The 59-year old Goldberg has won an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony Award. She says basically people get into relationships for the wrong reasons. The book is called If Someone Says You Complete Me, Run!

Football Hall of Famer and Multi-Media Personality Michael Strahan is everywhere. Good Morning America, Live With Michael & Kelly and FOX NFL Sunday. Now Strahan, 43, is promoting his new book, Wake Up Happy. In the book, he shares Rules For Life. The father of four admits he’s unlucky in love with two divorces and one broken engagement (Eddie Murphy’s ex Nicole Murphy), but he is genuinely happy in his life. At this point he is looking for someone genuine…..no golddiggers!

How long will the FOX show Minority Report last on the TV? The new drama starring Meagan Good is not doing well in the rating, so don’t be surprised if it is cancelled. Another TV show not doing well is the NBC drama The Player starring Wesley Snipes. The show is placed in a poor time slot, 10pm going up against Thursday Night Football on CBS and TGIT-Shonda Rhimes’ How To Get Away With Murder with Viola Davis on ABC. One show definitely not returning is the CBS summer drama Extant. The show starred Oscar Winner Halle Berry and aired over the past two summers, but it never caught on with TV viewers.

Tracy Morgan is returning to Saturday Night Live this week as host. This comes months after a tragic limo accident almost took his life and killed his manager. Morgan sued Wal-Mart because it was one of their drivers who caused the accident. Word has it he got a $90 million settlement, and he is now resuming his career. Saturday, November 7^th, it will be The Donald as Mogul and Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump returns to Saturday Night Live. This will be the first time he’s hosted since 2004.

The movie scene is heating up with two big movies on the way. The Rocky franchise continues with Sylvester Stallone in Creed. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan, who is playing Apollo Creed’s son. Carl Weathers played Boxer “Apollo Creed” in four of the Rocky movies until the character was killed off in Rocky IV. In the movie Creed, Jordan enlists the help of Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky Balboa”) as he launches his boxing career in his father’s name. The movie opens in theatres Thanksgiving Weekend. Meanwhile Michael B. Jordan is also the cover guy for the new issue of GQ magazine.

Another big movie on the horizon is Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The movie stars British Actor John Boyega as “Finn” the storm trooper, the voice of Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o as “Maz Kanata,” the pirate and original Star Wars Castmembers Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theatres December 18^th.

Speaking of Actress Lupita Nyong’o, she’s gracing the cover of October’s Vogue magazine. The 32-year old Oscar winner has a red hot photo shoot inside and talks about her upcoming projects: a New York stage production called Eclipsed, the Disney feature Queen Of Katwe and, of course, Star Wars.

Get ready for the live version of The Wiz coming to NBC in December. New Jersey Newcomer Shanice Williams will be playing “Dorothy.” Ne-Yo is playing “The Tin Man,” David Alan Grier is on tap to be “The Cowardly Lion” and Elijah Kelly will be playing “The Scarecrow.” Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Common and, the woman who helped turn the Broadway play into a legend, Stephanie Mills as “Auntie Em” will also be rounding out the cast. The live version of The Wiz airs December 3^rd on NBC.

Oscar Winner Denzel Washington is doing a lot of work behind the cameras with directing lately. Washington is set to direct an upcoming episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Famed Choreographer and Director Debbie Allen is serving as the show’s executive producer this season. She and Washington are long time friends, and she once got Washington to the set of A Different World when she produced it as a gag for Jasmine Guy.

 Mariah Carey is now directing. The holiday movie, A Christmas Melody, will air on December 19^th on the Hallmark Channel. Carey’s doing double duty because she’s also starring in the TV movie with Lacey Chabert. A Christmas Melody will mark the singer’s directing debut.

Philly’s Will Smith is returning to music! For the first time in a decade, the Oscar nominated and Grammy winning performer is back with a song called Fiesta with the Columbian band Bomba Estereo. Smith is also talking about going on tour with his former music partner, Philly’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff. Despite their great collaborations (Brand New Funk, Parents Just Don’t Understand, Summertime), Will and Jeff have never toured together.

The stage play Things Your Man Won’t Do has been rescheduled for a new date and location. The Je’Caryous Johnson production starring Leon, Essence Atkins Terri J. Vaughn and Allen Payne has been rescheduled for February 18^th -20^th at the Merriam Theatre.

Bloodstone is coming to Philly! Two shows on November 7^th at 6pm and 10pm at Temptations, 220 West Chelten Avenue.

Jennifer Lopez will host The 2015 American Music Awards. She takes over from Pitbull, who hosted two years in a row. Lopez, who recently announced her new live Las Vegas show All I Have, is also set to perform. The AMA nominations will be announced on Good Morning America October 13^th. The 2015 American Music Awards air Sunday November 22^nd on ABC.

TV One is back with a new season of UnSung on Wednesday nights. The new season will feature Chante Moore, Kashif, KC and The Sunshine Band, Jennifer Holliday, Lakeside and Nate Dogg.

Get ready for the return of Angie Stone. Last year, Stone and her daughter Diamond made headlines when they got into a fight, and Stone knocked her daughter’s front teeth out. Stone is looking to put this unfortunate incident behind her. Meanwhile, she is hard at work on a new album, Dream, which is coming out November 6^th.

Shonda Rhimes will also sit down with her fellow TV Titan Oprah Winfrey. Rhimes will discuss motherhood and how she essentially lost 117 lbs. so she can be around for her three young daughters: Emerson, Harper and Beckett. Rhimes sits down with The Mighty O on November 15^th‘s Super Soul Sunday on OWN.

Mary J. Blige is coming to Atlantic City. Blige is performing at The Borgata on Friday, November 13^th. She’s also preparing for her role in the NBC live version of The Wiz, which airs December 3^rd. She’s playing The Wicked Witch. Blige also hooked up with Taraji P. Henson (Empire) and Kerry Washington (Scandal) in a new commercial promoting Apple’s music service. The service creates playlists and mixtapes. Ava DuVernay directed the series of commercial.

Tyler Perry is returning to Philly. It’s another Madea production, Madea on The Run November 10^th -15^th at the Merriam Theater. Tickets are on sale now.

Upcoming Events!

There a new date for the 11^th Annual Riverfront Ramble which will be Sunday, October 25^th starring Gospel Sensation Yolanda Adams and R&B Sensations Lenny Williams, Freddie Jackson, Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle and Howard Hewett. There’ll be food & craft vendors, community health & education pavilions, a children’s carnival and a fireworks show. It all takes place from 2p to 9p and for vending and information log onto www.chestercity.com

Philly’s Men Are Cooking returns Saturday, November 14^th at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum get your tickets now Ivylegacy.org

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!

Is the Lamar Odom tragedy bringing out those with a hidden agenda? Just like with Bobbi Kristina, the accusations and warnings are already hitting the fan. That means they’ll be more to come.

Check out who’s coming to town:

Thursday, October 22^nd – Singer Raheem DeVaughn will be in concert at the TLA, 3rd and South Streets.

Saturday, October 24^th - Martin Lawrence’s standup comedy show at Caesars Casino in Atlantic City.

Friday, November 6^th – Gladys Knight and The O’Jays at The Academy Of Music on Broad Street between Locust and Spruce.

Saturday, November 7^th- Bloodstone and The Delfonics revue at Temptations, 220 West Chelten Avenue Two shows at 6pm and 10 pm.

Sunday, November 8^th-The Festival of Praise Gospel Concert with Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton and Kim Burrell at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Friday, November 13^th - Mary J. Blige in concert at The Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

 Saturday, November 21^st- Keith Sweat in concert at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA.

Friday, December 11^th- Babyface in concert at Caesar’s in Atlantic City.

Friday and Saturday, November 27^th and 28^th- Earth Wind & Fire in concert at The Borgata in Atlantic City.

Saturday November 28^th – 2^nd Annual WDAS Holiday Jam starring Jill Scott, New Edition, Tyrese, SWV and Jazmine Sullivan at The Wells Fargo Center.

 Thursday, December 31^st – Kevin Hart’s What Now comedy show at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Friday, January 15^th- Larry Graham, Jeff Bradshaw and Tom Brown headline MLK Weekend at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City.

 Sunday, January 17^th - MLK Weekend Hip Hop All Stars starring KRS One, Dru Hill, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, Yo-Yo, Special Ed, Kwame and Dana Dane at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

February 18^th – 20^th - The stage play Things Your Man Won’t Do Starring Leon, Allen Payne, Teri Vaughn, Tony Grant and Essence Atkins at the Merriam Theater, Broad & Spruce Streets. For more info go to Jecaryous.com.

 Wednesday, February 24^th – Janet Jackson in concert at The Wells Fargo Center.

 Saturday, June 11^th – Janet Jackson in concert at The Wells Fargo Center.

Compliments from Patty Jackson 4-1-1

{Sketch Challenge #31}

Hello! Here is our Sketch Challenge from Scrap Our Stash!

Create a layout inspired by the sketch and you must add metal to your page...examples: stick pins, attachments, brads, charms, eyelets, etc

Please see challenge guidelines HERE. :) 

- See more inspirations HERE

 Here is my take on the Sketch Challenge:


Title: "Life is Good"

{Scrapbook Room - October Kit}

I absolutely love getting my priority box of goodies from the Scrapbook Room scrapbook kit like clock work! I think I have been receiving this kit for almost, if not 10 years! If you have the opportunity, check out their blog as well!

They offer so many different choices depending on your needs. They have a regular kit, that contains 4 collections, cardstock to match the printed paper within the collection and embellies, they offer an additional double shot kit (which includes 2 additional collections), a Project Life Kit, Embellishment and Stamp Add-On Kit, Bazzill Kits, and Patterned Paper Kits. 

I personally receive the kits below....LOVE THEM! You can start and stop at anytime...very easy and user friendly! And if you are  coffee user, you get a free sample of coffee each month IF you choose. Gourmet coffee at that...I am not a coffee drinker, but someone who is gets them from me. =) 

OCTOBER 2015 Cafe Club "Flavors of the Month" Kit Includes:

DEAR LIZZY DOCUMENTARY:

1 sheet Confetti

1 sheet Bear Hug

1 sheet Party Animal

2 sheets Granite Cardstock

1 sheet Documentary Rub-ons (varies)

AMY TAN FINDERS KEEPERS:

1 sheet Keen

1 sheet Expedition

1 sheet Treasure

2 sheets Butter Cardstock

10-11 pc. Finders Keepers Die-cuts (varies)

1 roll Finders Keeps Mini Washi Tape (varies)

SIMPLE STORIES PUMPKIN SPICE:

1 sheet Pumpkin Everything

1 sheet Pick of the Patch

1 sheet Harvest Memories

2 sheets Coffee Cardstock

(1) 12x12 Pumpkin Spice Cardstock Sticker Sheet

PINK PAISLEE MEMORANDUM:

1 sheet Cubicle

1 sheet Time Clock

1 sheet Ledger

2 sheets Black Cardstock

1/2 pkg. Black Snapshots Foam Phrase Thickers (varies)

Doubleshot Kit:

PEBBLES HARVEST:

1 sheet Apple Crisp

1 sheet Flowers

1 sheet From My Kitchen

2 sheets Vanilla Cardstock

1 sheet Coffee Cardstock

1/4 pkg. Harvest Enamel Dots

(3) Puffy Apple Stickers

(1) Yellow Alphabet Sticker Sheet (varies)

CARTA BELLA TRICK OR TREAT:

1 sheet Trick or Treat

1 sheet Spooky Night

1 sheet Spooktacular

2 sheets Black Cardstock

1 sheet Squash Cardstock

(1) 12x12 Trick or Treat Sticker Sheet

Embellishment Kit

1 pkg. Amy Tan Finders Keepers Puffy Stickers

1/2 pkg. Dear Lizzy Documentary Ephemera (varies)

(2) sheets Dear Lizzy Documentary Gold Foil Washi Paper Tape (varies)

1/2 pkg. Pink Paislee Gold Foil Photo Frames (varies)

(1) Pinkfresh Alphabet (Blue or Lt. Pink) (varies)

Enjoy! Check it out!

{Scrapbook Retreat Weekend - Raggedy Inn, Ramona Ca}

This weekend, a few of my long time craft sisters went on a retreat, at a new retreat spot, called, Raggedy Inn Scrapbook Retreat, located in Ramona, Ca. 

We were actually able to be there from Thursday to Sunday. 

It is a new spot, so its a little different that what I am usually use to. 

I slept REALLY well, which was an excellent thing, nice beds and blankets were cool. 

The spot has more of like a homely rustic feel to it. She is still getting it together, but we made some recommendations, I am sure I will go back.

If interested, here is the facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/ScrapRamona?fref=ts

Here is her blog: 

http://www.scrapramona.com/

She is currently running a special which is the following:

"Grand Opening Offer!

Book your retreat now for any time that is available in 2016, and your rate for nine people is only $1,000!! To sweeten the deal, we are throwing in Thursday FREE for you!

This special offer is good for bookings made by September 30 for next year!

www.scrapramona.com

**This is a non-smoking facility**"

While we were there we had an awesome masseuse, her name was Jessica...very talented. She did massages for 2 days...everyone came out feeling like we were walking on cloud 9!

If you are ever in Southern Cali, better yet Ramona, and interested in her skills, feel free to like her facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/jessicasilvacmt?fref=ts

While I was there I would say I was pretty productive. I made a HUGE dent in my 2014 Project Life....oh, felt so good to get so many pics in albums. And I also became VERY comfortable with tossing photos that I just simply did not want or had no need for!

I was only able to crank out a few layouts, here are 2 below that I did work onL

I also worked on my summer album, that chronicled our summer vacay and a few of the places that we went.  Unfortunately, I was unable to finish the project but, I also knocked a huge dent in that book as well...just need to finish embellishing and journaling.

I thoroughly enjoyed the company, the laughs and my crazy friends!!

Thanks for coming by!

{Scrap Our Stash - Scraptober Fest Challenge Event}

Don't forget Scrap Our Stash has teamed up with 3 others in this super sweet challenge! Bringing you:
Scraptoberfest!!!

Super FUN!

Please be sure to check out ALL of the details HERE!

 Color Combo that must be used:

 Sketch to be used:

My take:

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

{Scrappy Trip, Goodies & Happy Planner}

We are lucky enough to live extremely close to the Prima Warehouse, where they also have a store an outlet store as well as a crop space. Unfortunately, they will be closing the outlet store and crop space due to some future plans. Booooo for us, but YAY that they held a $1 sale on most of their items! 

I won't mention how many times I have been to the warehouse, but trust and believe I took advantage. 

The other day, one of my really good friends Jolane, drove out with her son, I met up with her and had lunch with her at Bruxies (best gourmet waffle sandwiches EVER!) Spending time with the girlfriends are always a pleasure! XO!

Also in other news...I have to give a shout out to my other scrappy sistah Denise, who was my secret  swap partner for our planner swap. With the current big hype over planners, I created a planner swap...very fun an cool and my swap partner hooked me up! Please see the pics below!

I ended up with the MAMBI (Me and My Big Ideas) Planner which I also got from Denise as a gift...and it has taken off from there! I have also included a sneek peak of my planner pages for November thus far...and I aint done yet!

Process of decorating for November...

If you are looking to get organized in the upcoming year, you may want to look into planners! There are a number of different planners out there to suit your creative needs. These planners do range from low to high as well...so do your research and get what best fits your budget.  I personally chose the MAMBI planner A.) Because it was very affordable and B.) I LOVE the fact that you can actually remove the pages as you work in them OR remove and add pages with ease.

I understand there is a similar planner made by Erin Conderen(sp?), but MUCH MUCH more pricey....I'm good with this MAMBI planner that I was also able to use my 40% coupon on. 

There are a handful of ladies in my group who have invested in a planner! We better be on top of everything for 2016! 

Thanks for stopping by!

{Throwback Thursday}

Well today is throwback Thursday, and I thought I would include some of my favorite things, places, toys, shoes, clothes, pics that bring back memories for me as a kid. 

I;m hoping this will help me with my blogging...this will be a piece of cake to do if I choose simple topics to blog about!

Ya think? Good concept, let me see how long this lasts...lol...

Okay first throwback on throwback list: 

1. The Jetsons - I considered this one o f my all time favorite cartoons. I believe this came on in the mornings before school. Thought it was cool to see what the "future" would look like... lol...still waiting for those flying cars... =)

2.  Whose mama didn't fill these and the ice cube trays up with kool-aid? Don't lie...lol...the best on those hot summer days!

3.  What little girl did not own a pair of jellies? I can't tell you how many pairs I had, but I do know I had an array of colors! Loved them!

4.  This handy dandy object. I know these dang new millennium kids, probably have no freakin clue what the hell this thing is. I remember my off white one, maybe a Toshiba I think with the Red button, which indicted the "Record" button. I would have to smash down 2 buttons simultaneously for it to record....you remember....don't act like you don't!

Okay....and to top off the post with some throwback photos...WOW....

I guess many people were unaware that I actually played basketball in high school. I played a Forward for my awesome High School Cajon High...this was 1993 I believe. #gocowboys!!!!

Ok,...WTH was up with this dress and WHY did they allow me to wear it? They said, I chose everything about it along with the pattern and colors!! My Nana made me this dress and I was so proud to wear it. I am not sure why it had to hang off my shoulder like this...#hot #bubblesleeves

This is a photo of me hanging with the kids club on one of the many cruises my Nana would take me and my older cousin on. I always remember, back then not many blacks would be seen traveling...mostly because we failed to realize that, hey! We can travel too! Many thought it took thousands and thousands to do, but no....just took some planning and budgeting...I am glad to see the stereotype has just about died...we travel too!

My Nana was loved by many....she took me and my cousins on cruises every single year. Not only did she take her grandkids, but in many cases, she would allow me and my cousin to invite our close friends. Here below with me is my girlfriend that I have known since age 5, yes, preschool. Still friends today =) Love seeing these photos....couldn't tell us nuthin!! We were too fly!!

{More Washi & Layouts}

Well I have been eyeballing this Washi from afar, on Instagram and a few other places from a few different cyber friends & followers in different locations of the world...and these collections finally made it to my Micheals! Yay! 

These 3 different collections I got are by Heidi SWAP...aren't they cute?

Pinks

Blacks/White Combo

Silver / Gray Combo

Aaaahhh....look at this beauty? And no..

This is not my only case...I'm happy to say I only have one or case, but its not completely full. As I become more organized, I now know I'm missing purples and oranges. I have a few orange but absolutely no purples...what's up with that!?

And some layouts to share with you!

Thanks for reading and looking!

{What's the 4-1-1}

Entertainment Dose from Pattys 4-1-1:  

The concert of the year is coming to Philly! Saturday, November 28^th at the Wells Fargo Center, it’s the 2^nd Annual WDAS Holiday Jam starring Jill Scott, New Edition, Tyrese, SWV and Jazmine Sullivan. Tickets are on sale now.

 The Matt Barnes-Derek Fisher Brawl…real or not? Reportedly, both the former L.A. Lakers teammates fought it out over Barnes’ estranged wife Gloria Govan. The divorced Fisher, who’s the New York Knicks head coach, has been reportedly been dating Govan to the dismay of Barnes. Barnes learns that Fisher and Govan are at the house of Barnes and Govan, because their still married legally. Barnes drives 95 miles, finds the couple and their guests in the backyard barbequing. The fight goes from there, Barnes wins and even spits in Govan’s face. At press time, all sides are being quiet on this report including the NBA, whose executives have been alerted to the reports. 

Janet Jackson & Chaka Khan lead the list of the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nominees. N.W.A., The Spinners, Chic, Chicago and James Brown’s band The JB’s are all also nominated. The Class of 2016 will be revealed in December and the induction ceremony will take place in New York and air on HBO in April 2016.   

Stevie Wonder is finally divorced. The 65-year old Motown legend is finally legally parted from his fashion designer now ex-wife Kai Millard Morris. During his marriage to Kai, Wonder had two sons, now ages 10 and 14. He will have to pay $25,000 a month in child support and will share in custody of his sons. Wonder has been separated from Kai for many years. He already has two young infants with his Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, the lady of current relationship. Wonder’s children range in age from 40 to 10 months. Friends are speculating if he will walk down the aisle with Bracy, who just gave him two children.

Fresh off her number one box office smash The Perfect Guy, Sanaa Lathan is coming to FOX. Lathan will be starring in a new police drama where she will play an expert investigator. The show comes from her Love & Basketball movie producers Gina Prince-Bythewood & Reggie Rock Bythewood. Lathan is also set to star and produce the movie Flyy Girl, based on the novel by Philly’s own Omar Tyree.

Mariah Carey is now directing. The holiday movie, A Christmas Melody, will air on December 19^th on the Hallmark Channel. Carey’s doing double duty because she’s also starring in the TV movie with Lacey Chabert.  A Christmas Melody will mark the singer’s directing debut.

CBS 3‘s Pat Ciarrocchi is stepping down after an historic 33 years. The station has been through many changes recently, but Ciarrocchi says her decision is separate from that. She calls the recent coverage of the Papal Visit a pinnacle and a great note to leave on. Ciarrocchi, who currently anchors the noon newscast with Erika Von Tiehl, will step down after October 15^th‘s newscast and wrap things up on October 16^th. Ciarrocchi says she’s off to her next venture and will now have the time to pursue it. First, she’ll spend two weeks in Italy with her husband David. I always enjoyed her work on CBS3, especially with her long time Co-anchor Ukee Washington. Pat, wishing you all the best!

Philly’s Will Smith is returning to music! For the first time in a decade, the Oscar nominated and Grammy winning performer is back with a song called Fiesta with the Columbian band Bomba Estereo. Smith is also talking about going on tour with his former music partner, Philly’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff. Despite their great collaborations (Brand New Funk, Parents Just Don’t understand, Summertime), Will and Jeff have never toured together.

 It looks like Director F. Gary Gray will be behind the camera for the next Fast &Furious movie, Fast & Furious 8. Gray had the number one movie of the summer with Straight Outa Compton. Gray is also known for the box office hits The Italian Job, Set It Off and the classic comedy Friday.

The stage play Things Your Man Won’t Do has been rescheduled for a new date and location. The Je’Caryous Johnson production starring Leon, Essence Atkins Terri J. Vaughn and Allen Payne has been rescheduled for February 18^th -20^th at the Merriam Theatre.

 Bloodstone is coming to Philly! Two shows on November 7^th at 6pm and 10pm at Temptations, 220 West Chelten Avenue.

Jennifer Lopez will host The 2015 American Music Awards. She takes over from Pitbull, who hosted two years in a row. Lopez, who recently announced her new live Las Vegas show All I Have, is also set to perform. The AMA nominations will be announced on Good Morning America October 13^th. The 2015 American Music Awards air Sunday November 22^nd on ABC.

 TV One is back with a new season of UnSung on Wednesday nights. The new season will feature Chante Moore, Kashif, KC and The Sunshine Band, Jennifer Holliday, Lakeside and Nate Dogg.

Get ready for the next set of the Jacksons. Tito’s kids have a reality show on Lifetime. The series focuses on what is now the third generation of performers in the family. TJ, Taj and Taryll will be shown balancing performing and their personal lives. The show airs Fridays on Lifetime.

 Get ready for the return of Angie Stone. Last year, Stone and her daughter Diamond made headlines when they got into a fight, and Stone knocked her daughter’s front teeth out. Stone is looking to put this unfortunate incident behind her. Meanwhile, she is hard at work on a new album, Dream, which is coming out November 6^th.

The October issue of Essence magazine is celebrating TV Titian Shonda Rhimes and her shows Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder and Scandal. The writer/producer is the cover subject for Essence. Rhimes, whose shows all air on ABC’s Thursday night lineup, is splitting the cover with the cast of her shows. Look for covers from Rhimes; Viola Davis; Kerry Washington; Chandra Wilson; the cast of Grey’s Anatomy (James Pickens, Jr., Jason George, Kelly McCreary and Jerrika Hinton) and the cast of How To Get Away With Murder (Aja Naomi King, Alfred Enoch & Billy Brown). Rhimes will also sit down with her fellow TV Titan Oprah Winfrey. Rhimes will discuss motherhood and how she essentially lost 117 lbs. so she can be around for her three young daughters: Emerson, Harper and Beckett. Rhimes sits down with The Mighty O on November 15^th‘s Super Soul Sunday on OWN.

 Rapper Nicki Minaj has a new gig….TV producer. The rapper made a deal with the ABC Family network to produce a scripted sitcom based on her early life. The show will follow the life experiences of a family’s immigration from Trinidad to Queens New York. ABC Family hasn’t announced a debut date.

Mary J. Blige is coming to Atlantic City. Blige is performing at The Borgata on Friday, November 13^th. She’s also preparing for her role in the NBC live version of The Wiz, which airs December 3^rd. She’s playing The Wicked Witch. Blige also hooked up with Taraji P. Henson (Empire) and Kerry Washington (Scandal) in a new commercial promoting Apple’s music service. The service creates playlists and mixtapes. Ava DuVernay directed the series of commercial.

Actor Michael B. Jordan is the cover guy for the new issue of GQ magazine. Jordan will be starring in the new Rocky sequel Creed, which co-stars Sylvester Stallone and opens in theatres November 25^th.

President Obama is the Coverguy for this month's Rolling Stone magazine as the POTUS talks climate change.

Taraji P. Henson is the Covergirl for the October issue of Glamour magazine.

Questlove and Black Thought of the Roots are the Coverguys for the latest edition of Ebony magazine. The October issue celebrates Black Men.

Actress Lupita Nyong’o is gracing the cover of October’s Vogue magazine. The 32-year old Oscar winner has a red hot photo shoot inside and talks about her upcoming projects: a New York stage production called Eclipsed, the Disney feature Queen Of Katwe and, of course, Star Wars.

  

Jill Scott is returning to TV. Scott will be starring in a new John Singleton TV show on FX called Snowfall. The show is set in the 80’s and focuses on the beginning of the crack-cocaine crisis in Los Angeles. Scott is currently topping the charts with her latest CD Woman, featuring the hit single Fools Gold. Scott, along with Actress Loretta Devine, will also be featured on the new season of the drama Being Mary Jane with Gabrielle Union when the new season starts October 20^th on BET.

Tyler Perry is returning to Philly. It’s another Madea production, Madea on The Run November 10^th -15^th at the Merriam Theater. Tickets are on sale now.

  

Upcoming Events!

  

There a new date for the 11^th Annual Riverfront Ramble which will be Sunday, October 25^th starring Gospel Sensation Yolanda Adams and R&B Sensations Lenny Williams, Freddie Jackson, Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle and Howard Hewett. There’ll be food & craft vendors, community health & education pavilions, a children’s carnival and a fireworks show. It all takes place from 2p to 9p and for vending and information log onto www.chestercity.com

Philly’s Men Are Cooking returns Saturday, November 14^th at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum …More details are coming soon!

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!

 The two Actors’ hit show is built on their feuding, but now they’re doing it in real life. His marriage and personal life drama finds its way to the set with his attitude. She’s just as big as he is and doesn’t want nonsense to mess up their good thing or mess up everybody else. Will their off-screen fussin’ and fightin’ sink their ship or will somebody get tossed overboard?!!!!

  

Check out who’s coming to town:

This Friday, October 9^th- Smokey Robinson at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA.

This Saturday, October 10^th and Sunday, October 11^th – The Atlantic City Comedy Festival: Oct. 10th starring Sommore, Earthquake, Arnez J, Tommy Davidson and John Witherspoon. Oct. 11^th starring Mike Epps, Bruce Bruce, Don “DC” Curry, J Anthony Brown, Coco Brown and Finesse Mitchell. It’s all happening at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

This Saturday, October 10^th – Whoopi Goldberg at the Valley Forge Casino Event Center.

This Sunday, October 11^th- 90’s Fresh Fest starring Bell-Biv-DeVoe, Brian McKnight, Guy, Michelle, and Chante Moore at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Thursday, October 22^nd – Singer Raheem DeVaughn will be in concert at the TLA, 3rd and South Streets. 

Saturday, October 24^th - Martin Lawrence’s standup comedy show at Caesars Casino in Atlantic City. 

Friday, November 6^th – Gladys Knight and The O’Jays at The Academy Of Music on Broad Street between Locust and Spruce.

 Saturday, November 7^th- Bloodstone and The Delfonics revue at Temptations, 220 West Chelten Avenue Two shows at 6pm and 10 pm.

Sunday, November 8^th-The Festival of Praise Gospel Concert with Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton and Kim Burrell at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

 Friday, November 13^th - Mary J. Blige in concert at The Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

Saturday, November 21^st- Keith Sweat in concert at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. 

Friday, December 11^th- Babyface in concert at Caesar’s in Atlantic City. 

Thursday, December 31^st – Kevin Hart’s What Now comedy show at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

 Friday, January 15^th- Larry Graham, Jeff Bradshaw and Tom Brown headline MLK Weekend at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City.

Sunday, January 17^th - MLK Weekend Hip Hop All Stars starring KRS One, Dru Hill, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, Yo-Yo, Special Ed, Kwame and Dana Dane at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

February 18^th – 20^th - The stage play Things Your Man Won’t Do Starring Leon, Allen Payne, Teri Vaughn, Tony Grant and Essence Atkins at the Merriam Theater, Broad & Spruce Streets. For more info go to Jecaryous.com. 

Wednesday, February 24^th – Janet Jackson in concert at The Wells Fargo Center. 

 Saturday, June 11^th – Janet Jackson in concert at The Wells Fargo Center.