Awards show celebrating black women aims to uplift (AP)

WASHINGTON ? When Beverly Bond started the organization Black Girls Rock!, her goal was to empower young girls of color and give them better images than the often negative depictions seen in the media.

She made a list of women she believed lived up to the mantra, from Beyonce to civil rights figure Ruby Bridges. While the world knows Beyonce by one name, Bridges and other important black women are not as celebrated, and Bond felt that needed to change.

"We have to show them and expose to them these incredible women, and we also have to honor these women," she said. "Some don't get their just due in history and in the world. And more important, our youth don't know about these women."

The 6th annual Black Girls Rock! Awards show is part of Bond's mission to change that. The event, to air Sunday for the second straight year on BET, will pay homage to celebrities such as Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, actress Tatyana Ali and gospel legend Shirley Caesar. But it will also honor political activist Angela Davis, WNBA President Laurel J. Richie, and Imani Walker and Malika Saada Saar, the co-founders of the Rebecca Project for Human Rights.

Singer and actress Jill Scott said she was on board with Black Girls Rock! from the moment she first heard the title.

"We are so valuable to this planet; anytime we can see that and hear that and show that, I'm there," said Scott, who performed at the ceremony, taped in the Bronx last month. Other performers included Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Melanie Fiona, Mary Mary, Estelle and newcomer Elle Varner.

Tracee Ellis Ross, who stars on the BET sitcom "Reed Between the Lines," co-hosted the awards show with actress Regina King.

Scott said the awards show how multi-faceted black women are. She most enjoyed hearing Davis' speech during the ceremony, calling it "super powerful and invigorating."

Bond said the honorees are "women who support women" and understand the importance of paying it forward and passing on their wisdom.

"I want our young girls to be inspired to not settle for being less than their best selves," Bond said. "I want them to feel proud of who they are and who they can be and who we have been."

While the organization continues to promote positive images of women in media, the nonprofit's biggest mission is to provide a boost to girls and teens of color through the arts and mentoring programs.

Black Girls Rock! mentors youth in the New York City area every weekend through DJ training classes, poetry and writing workshops, and "Taste the World," which introduces different cultures through food with visits to restaurants.

The group launched the Queens' Camp over the summer, a leadership program where 30 girls from across the country participated in team building and trust activities, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, animal care and volunteering with autistic children. It also started the Black Girls Rock! and Soul Tour, a platform to showcase new and established artists who perform alternative rock and soul music. The bill included Badu, Fiona and Estelle.

Bond said she'd love for the organization to grow as big as the Girl Scouts or the Boys and Girls Club one day.

"What we teach our girls is basic stuff: the importance of integrity, the importance of responsibility and accountability, the importance of your choices, having high standards. It's basic stuff but unfortunately a lot of that basic stuff is not being promoted to our girls. It's basic tools for winning," she said. "And I think it's important that we don't assume they know it."

___

Online:

http:// www.blackgirlsrock.org

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tv/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111103/ap_en_tv/us_black_girls_rock

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Closing arguments to begin in Jackson doc trial

Dr. Conrad Murray looks on during the final stage of Conrad Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 in Los Angeles. Dr. Murray decided not to testify for his defense. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Pool)

Dr. Conrad Murray looks on during the final stage of Conrad Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 in Los Angeles. Dr. Murray decided not to testify for his defense. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Pool)

Dr. Conrad Murray looks on during the final stage of Conrad Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 in Los Angeles. Dr. Murray decided not to testify for his defense. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Pool)

Judge Michael Pastor listens during the redirect cross-examination of Dr. Paul White (not pictured) in the final stage of Conrad Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 in Los Angeles. Dr. Murray decided not to testify for his defense. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Pool)

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren speaks during rebuttal testimony in the final stage of Conrad Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 in Los Angeles. Dr. Murray decided not to testify for his defense. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Pool)

Dr. Conrad Murray and Defense Attorney Ed Chernoff listen during the final stage of Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 in Los Angeles. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, pool)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Closing arguments are set to begin Thursday as the involuntary manslaughter trial against Michael Jackson's doctor heads into its final stages before jury deliberations.

Before listening to arguments by prosecutors and defense attorneys, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will give jurors detailed instructions on how they should interpret evidence in the case and what they can and cannot consider.

There has been no time limit announced for how long each side will argue its position, although Pastor cautioned attorneys on Tuesday to keep their final speeches focused.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren will have the first and last word during arguments as he tries to convince the jury of seven men and five women that Dr. Conrad Murray should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Walgren has cast Murray as an inept, reckless physician who was distracted on the morning of Jackson's June 2009 death after giving the singer a powerful dose of the anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.

Prosecutors are operating on the theory that while Murray was engaged in lawful practices during his treatment of Jackson, he acted in a criminally negligent way by using propofol as an insomnia treatment without the proper staff or medical equipment, and that he botched resuscitation efforts and lied to other medical personnel about his actions.

The majority of the witnesses and evidence was presented by prosecutors, who must convince the jury unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict Murray.

Lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff is likely to argue that Jackson was responsible for his own death and took a fatal dose of propofol when Murray left his bedroom on June 25, 2009. Chernoff will also likely rely on the statements of five character witnesses, mostly former patients, to try to convince jurors that he should not be held responsible for Jackson's death.

After Walgren's final arguments, Pastor will offer some additional instructions and the jury's deliberations will begin.

The panel has listened attentively throughout the six-week trial, which featured 49 witnesses and some complex medical testimony. They also heard several audio recordings, including one of Jackson himself in which his speech was slow and slurred, as well as Murray's lengthy interview with police detectives.

It is unclear if any of those items will get a reprise during closing arguments, but Walgren told Pastor he is planning a slideshow presentation.

Murray, 58, has been stoic through most of the proceedings. He cried when one of his friends, Ruby Mosley, talked about the cardiologist founding a clinic in a poor Houston neighborhood in honor of his father.

The jury did not hear directly from Murray, who opted not to testify in his own defense.

The doctor faces up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical license if he's convicted.

___

Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2011-11-03-Michael%20Jackson-Doctor/id-542db359ce4a4321a267574a0fe7e8dd

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AUTOMOTIVE - AUTOS: Chevy Builds Hot Wheels Camaro

AUTOS: Chevy Builds Hot Wheels Camaro

Life-size concept car inspired by the 1968 Spectraflame in the first batch of Hot Wheels models; collectors toy edition planned.

Chevrolet has rolled out a wild concept car at this week?s 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, one that?s bound to get the hearts racing for children and grown men alike all over the world.

Chevrolet, with a little help from Hot Wheels, has created a life-size Hot Wheels Camaro Concept, which like many in the past will be offered as a collector?s edition 1:64-scale model.

The Camaro Hot Wheels concept is inspired by the ?Custom Camaro? ? the original Spectraflame 1:64-scale toy that was part of the first batch of 16 Hot Wheels cars released in 1968.

The new project was a collaborative effort between the General Motors Design studio in Michigan and the Hot Wheels Design studio in California. Each sketched its own ideas of a life-size Hot Wheels Camaro, compared notes and refined their visions until the concept hit the right note for each group of designers.

The standout feature of the concept is the paint job, which consists of a tinted top coat over a shiny base. A primer coat was first applied and then sprayed with a liquid-metal solution to create a mirror-smooth, silver-chrome base coat. Afterward, a green tint was applied in several layers until the just-right color effect was achieved.

Of course, there are boatloads of other performance modifications including a custom bodykit, Brembo brakes, Pedders lowered suspension, a ZL1 rear spoiler, and special badging and detail all around.

Source: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-chevy-builds-hot-wheels-camaro/

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Cubs fire manager Mike Quade (AP)

CHICAGO ? Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade was fired Wednesday in the first major move by Theo Epstein since becoming the team's president of baseball operations.

Epstein, who was introduced in his new position last week, said Quade would not return after traveling to Florida to tell him in person. He called Quade an "outstanding baseball guy" but it was time for a change.

Quade got the job after a 37-game audition at the end of the 2010 season, replacing Lou Piniella on an interim basis. The Cubs went 24-13 and he was chosen over Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg for the job last season.

The Cubs went out and stumbled through another disappointing year, finishing fifth in the NL Central with a 71-91 record that extended their infamous World Series championship drought to 103 years.

Epstein and new GM Jed Hoyer had a long meeting with Quade last week. Epstein had another lengthy conversation with him after a news conference Tuesday to introduce Hoyer and new scouting director Jason McLeod.

"While Mike is clearly an asset to any organization and any major league staff, Jed and I believe that the Cubs would benefit long-term from bringing in a manager for 2012 who can come in with a clean slate and offer new direction," Epstein said.

He said the search for Quade's replacement would begin immediately.

"The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level," he said.

Epstein spoke with Sandberg on Wednesday and let him know that he wasn't in the Cubs' plans. Sandberg, who managed in Chicago's minor league system and left the organization after Quade was chosen to replace Piniella, does not have major league managerial or coaching experience. He managed Philadelphia's Triple-A team last season and could be a candidate in St. Louis.

Another potential candidate in Chicago could be Terry Francona, Epstein's manager in Boston who did not return to the Red Sox after their epic September collapse. Another name mentioned is Tampa Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, who once played for the Cubs.

As for Quade, he ends a nine-year tenure with the Cubs organization. His only season as manager was filled with criticism and questions.

Like why didn't he intentionally walk Albert Pujols in an extra-inning game in St. Louis? The Cardinals star then hit a winning homer. Why did he leave starter Randy Wells in so long against the White Sox, resulting in another tough loss?

Why didn't he play September call-ups more with the Cubs so far out of contention?

Quade's season got off to a difficult start when the Cubs lost two members of their starting rotation, Andrew Cashner and Wells, in early April. It didn't get much better.

Quade was ejected seven times in his first season and he got in a screaming match with starter Ryan Dempster, one of the clubhouse leaders. His general manager, Jim Hendry, was fired during the season, Ryan Theriot, now with St. Louis, at one point said the Cubs were playing like a Triple-A team and mercurial right-hander Carlos Zambrano was a handful all year, criticizing his own closer and then cleaning out his locker after giving up five home runs to Atlanta.

The 54-year-old Quade managed more than 2,300 minor league games in the Montreal, Philadelphia, Oakland and Cubs farm systems before arriving in Chicago.

The Chicago-area native was originally selected by the Pirates in the 22nd round of the 1979 draft out of the University of New Orleans and spent four seasons as an outfielder in Pittsburgh's minor league system before entering the coaching ranks.

He held his first managerial position in 1985, with Class A Macon. He was promoted to Piniella's staff after a running the Iowa Cubs from 2003-06, a stint that included two first-place finishes in his four seasons. He was Chicago's third base coach starting in 2007 until taking over for Piniella. He was also a first base coach in Oakland from 2000-02.

Epstein said he's yet to decide if the team will bring back Zambrano and called his conversations with the pitcher's agent enlightening.

The Cubs are also likely saying goodbye to third baseman Aramis Ramirez. After the team exercised its part of a $16 million mutual option, Ramirez declined and became a free agent. He is looking for a multiyear deal.

Still unresolved is the compensation the Cubs owe the Red Sox for plucking Epstein away with a year left on his contract in Boston. Commissioner Bud Selig said he would mediate if the two sides hadn't agreed by Tuesday, though Epstein said the negotiations could be extended.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111102/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_cubs_quade

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Cain Campaign Stonewalling on Campaign Finance Scandal | FDL ...

Others can have at the prurient Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal. While it may be fun watching Cain bob and weave to try and ?recollect? these claims in the best possible light, I maintain that the much more damaging issue for Cain is the fact that a network of private corporations directly paid for many of the campaign?s early events. Adele Stan has a good roundup of this story:

Prosperity USA, described as a 501(c)(3) in its incorporation documents (and which now seems to be defunct), appears to have been footing the bill for Cain campaign expenses, including a highly unusual payment of $100,000 to the right-wing Congress of Racial Equality in advance of a major speech by Cain. Daniel Bice, who writes the Journal Sentinel?s No Quarter blog, reports that the payment to CRE appears to have been disbursed from $150,000 in loans raised from unnamed donors. While Bice says that Cain was apparently not paid for that appearance, the New Yorker?s Jane Mayer this month uncovered information suggesting that Cain?s speaking fees are not directly reported as such on his disclosure forms to the Federal Elections Commission, but are shielded from public view as transactions that take place between his private company and the speaker?s bureau representing him [...]

Among Bice?s revelations is a record showing that Prosperity USA paid for (Cain chief of staff and noted smoker Mark) Block?s travel to meet with David Koch, the billionaire right-wing funder behind Americans for Prosperity and its foundation, and AFP president Tim Phillips in Washington, D.C., in January ? after Block was named ?chief of staff? of the Cain campaign. Although the records Bice combed through do not specify a date for that trip, we know that both Phillips and Koch were in the nation?s capital to celebrate the swearing in of the new congress on January 6, and to see the speaker?s gavel passed from Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to John Boehner, R-Ohio.

Block has a history of running afoul of campaign finance laws, and this just appears to be an extension of this. The more you read, the more you recognize that the Cain campaign is really just a corporate front group in and of itself, designed to push the conversation well to the right. Block is the only senior staffer in the Cain campaign, and he?s a direct conduit to the Koch Brothers and their network of corporate-funded groups.

The campaign is now claiming they will investigate the charges. Block himself had to answer some questions about this today, and here was the result:

At National Journal?s 2012 preview panel, in the caged environment of a hotel ballroom and live video, ABC News?s Amy Walter asked Block if he could explain the Bice story.

?We?ve retained independent counsel to look at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story and report back to us,? said Block.

Walter followed up with a different version of the question.

?We?ve retained independent counsel to look at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story,? said Block.

Walter tried again, asking Block if he watched the books when he ran the organization.

?Amy,? said Block, coldly and calmly, ?why don?t we talk about the campaign going forward??

Revealing!

The only problem with the story by Daniel Bice, which is meticulously documented, is that it came out on the same day as these sexual harassment allegations. But there?s a lot of smoke here.

Source: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/11/01/cain-campaign-stonewalling-on-campaign-finance-scandal/

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Bachmann not worried by 4th place Iowa poll finish (AP)

WASHINGTON ? Michele Bachmann says she's not worried that a new Iowa poll puts her fourth among GOP presidential candidates.

But she won a straw poll in the state in August, was born in Iowa and is counting on a strong showing in the January caucuses.

Since the straw poll, the Minnesota congresswoman has struggled in the race, especially after Texas Gov. Rick Perry jumped in. Bachmann once led national public opinion polls, but got only 8 percent support in the new Iowa poll from the Des Moines Register.

Bachmann tells ABC's "This Week" that her campaign is "doing exactly what we need to do." She says she's campaigning heavily in Iowa and isn't worried about "day-to-day snapshots" of the race.

She's not saying whether Iowa is a must-win state.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politics/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111030/ap_on_el_ge/us_bachmann

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Doris Day wins L.A. film critics' lifetime honor (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) ? Doris Day has been named recipient of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association's 2011 Career Achievement Award, the critics group announced on Saturday.

"Decades on from the main body of her work, Doris Day is still arguably the template to which Hollywood turns when trying to quantify and capture 'girl-next-door' appeal," said LAFCA president Brent Simon in a release announcing the honor.

"Equally at home in snappish romantic comedies and more dramatic fare, Day was the biggest female star of the 1960s, giving a series of delightfully perceptive performances."

Day has often been a subject of speculation when the Academy meets to choose its honorary Oscar winners, though she has a long-running and well-known reluctance to attend ceremonies.

The association also announced that it will vote for the winners of its 2011 awards on Sunday, December 11. While the New York Film Critics Circle, which usually chooses its winners the day after the Los Angeles critics, decided to move its voting into November, LAFCA opted not to change its voting date.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/movies/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111030/film_nm/us_dorisday

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