Too bad I didn’t place a bet on this…I wouldn’t have needed that Mega Millions ticket. People.com reports that Chris Brown and Rihanna are reunited like Peaches and Herb. The two are spending some QT together at one of Diddy’s homes in Miami (that’s Chris over there jet skiing his cares away). Why does Diddy have to be at the heart of every controversy? Anyway, Knockout Chris reportedly called Rihanna on her birthday last week and I’m guessing that kicked off the reunion. Still no word yet if Brown will actually be charged for the beat down. So, will Chris lose more fans for the slug fest or will Rihanna for taking him back?

Come and get you some diamonds! The Zales jewelry chain is saying ‘so long’ to 115 of its poor performers. The stores will close over the next 16 months. That means, 245 people will lose their jobs. Zales has reported a 20% drop in sales. The cuts will save the jeweler about $34 million. No word on what stores will be shut down…but a cheap diamond is better than no diamond at all. Ladies, get your right hands ready!

Ok, this Obama madness has gone too far. Now, we can write like him too! A Tennessee company called Insigne Design is selling a font called “44th President.” The font is based on President Obama’s lefty handwriting. You can download it for $15.95 (a portion of the proceeds go to charity). Wonder how long it’ll take before some knucklehead starts forging BHO’s signature and selling it as the “official” autograph. Hmmm, now that’s an idea!

Ugh! Jem spent the night surrounded by the locals at the hospital with a bout of abdominal pains. Guess JJD should have been drinking Fawnda’s green tea smoothies. Anywho, my people, Jem is back and in fighting form. Take that! And Jem’s got news from the young, up and coming fashion world. Turns out, Oscar de la Renta’s son, Moises, is turning out a clothing line. Talk about stuntin’ like yo daddy. My, how Jem loves her Dominicans. Viva Dominicana! The MDLR line debuts this season and word on the curb is many items will sell for under $1000…hello recession! We hear Moises will roll out looks ranging from the LBD to stretchy leather pants. We all need a little stretch sometimes.

People magazine reports Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons have reached a custody agreement for their daughters. And, it’s a SWEET deal! Simmons will pay $20,000 per month PER CHILD until Ming (9) and Aoki (6) turn 19. Fab Kimora also got sole custody of the two. Uncle Russey can still visit the girls but WITH a nanny and security. Really? Russell will also provide a new car every three years until the girls turn 16. In true Kimora style, the car must be worth at least $60,000. Kimora is now knocked up with actor Djimon Hounsou’s seed. Give us, us free!

The Mars Volta- Goliath

Ethero- If the Mood

Sy Smith- Aquarius Rising

TV On The Radio- Province

Janelle Monet – Let It Go

Vikter Duplaix- Sensuality

Rather than fire the buffoons behind the monkey cartoon, the New York Post fired Liz Smith -an institution in the gossip world- instead. And, yup, you guessed it, the economy is to blame. The real kicker is Smith was notified of the firing via letter. A letter she received 10 days after the fact. The 86-year-old’s column has appeared in the Post for 30 years. Smith calls her lay-off “emasculating.” Now, we know Lizzie loves the ladeeez, but can a lady be emasculated? I’m just asking.
Anywho, peep her interview with CNN’s John Roberts…

Two Arizona teens have been accused of running their own brothel. CNN reports the girls’ pimp game was so tight, they rented an apartment SOLELY for the hookin’.
16-year-old Tatiana Tye and 16-year-old Jazmine Finley, were indicted earlier this week by a grand jury. The two were nabbed after a 5-month investigation. Police say the two bragged about the money they could make to help recruit 5 girls from their high schools. Of course, one of the girls has emerged as the snitch. Tye blames Finley for introducing her to the pimpin’ game.
It’s hard out here for a… you know.

In these tough economic times, more people are hitting the bar. Not just for a few dranks though… for some tips! MSNBC reports the art of slanging drinks is booming these days.
Bartenders can make $15 – $30 an hour behind the bar. Enrolling in bartending courses though is no chump change if you’ve been laid off. You’ll need to pull together about $600 for the courses and devote a couple weeks to the training. Bartending schools in Tennessee are reporting a 2-week waiting period just to sign up. Of course, while you’re waiting to enroll, you could always throw a rent party and charge people for the red cups.

File this one under health news of the absurd. An Ohio women lived for 7 years with surgical towel inside her body. When Bonnie Valle died in June 2002 she donated her body to research. During a dissection, a surgical cloth the size of a large hand towel was found behind her left lung. Valle had surgery for emphysema at the Cleveland Clinic back in 1995. She always told family members that she felt something odd in her chest following the procedure, but doctors told her it was normal to feel that way after surgery and the feeling would eventually go away. Anymalpracticesuitway, the feeling never did. She died but doctors argued that it wasn’t from the towel but emphysema. The family reached a settlement with the hospital. My Granny always feared hospitals now I see why. WTF? Fawnda freaked out when she read this headline! Now I need a drink, but red wine only, since it’s healthier. I’ll tackle that topic in my next post.

This Friday 2/27 K’NAAN performs a free concert at The Millennium Stage…cute, talented and free. That’s a hot tri-fecta, right there! Doors open at 6. Get there early…you know free is an aphrodisiac!

http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/

You’ve got a week to get your money right!

Alexander McQueen’s new line for Target hits stores in just 7 days (on March 4th). The fab fashionisto kicks off Target’s new “Designer Collaborations,” which the retailer hopes will be an ongoing program to bring big named designers to its stores. The launch comes as Isaac Mizrahi leaves Target’s racks.
Target already has a designer program called “Go International,” featuring hot young designers like Proenza Schouler, Luella Bartley and Behnaz Sarafpour.

Word is the line will be similar to McQueen’s cheaper McQ designs and feature skinny jeans, bubble dresses and skirts with a rock ‘n roll edge.

Don’t sleep! The McQueen line will only be at Target for… you guessed it, a limited time!
Sneak a peek here.