Sunday $idewalk $ale In The City

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With idyllic early fall temps Sunday and a rousing street festival just two blocks away, it couldn't have been a more perfect day for my Brooklyn Heights coop to host its  annual Sidewalk Sale. Of course, I can't help but wonder how the hell I even accumulated enough crap (again) to fill a table full of goodies to pawn.

With buddy Leo selling his own bounty of jewelry and pal Suzanne peddling a couple of winter coats, it proved to be a bounty for all. My total take for the day: $160. Yassir! *

Ruff, Ruff! Brooklyn Heights Annual Dog Show

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While I was down the street selling everything I could heave down from my apartment during ourbuilding's annual $idewalk $ale, the local Brooklyn Heights Assn. held its 2012 Dog Show amid the fall Summer Space festival on Montague Street. The event included music, games, dance, and restaurant & retailer goodies. During a lull in sales mid-afernoon, I charged up the avenue to shoot some pics for the Brooklyn Heights Blog, and was astonished at the turnout: some 300+ folks and dozens and dozens of pooches.

The Dog Show included some 63 pooches entered in the contest and offered prizes in nine cute categories: Best Treat Catcher, Best Tail Wagger, Best Hairdo, Coolest Ears, Best Trick, Cutest Medium-Big Dog, Most Affectionate, Cutest Small Dog, Dog Who Most Likes The Judges and Best in Show. "Finn" won in three categories: Best In Show, Treat Catcher and Trick.

Sadly, this year there was no "Best Couple" category. I'm thinking Abby & Spencer woulda been a shoe-in to carry the crown, right? *

P!nk Debuts Atop The Billboard 200 With 'The Truth About Love'

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Deserved kudos to singer/songwriter P!nk, whose sixth studio album The Truth About Love, debuts this week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In all, she launched atop the album chart in seven countries: Australia, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland.

Surprisingly, it's her first-ever No 1 launch at No. 1 in the U.S. Truth is the third-highest selling debut of 2012, behind Justin Bieber and Madonna.  The album also tops the American Digital Albums chart, and topped iTunes Album in 20 nations. 

Lead single “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" is No. 1 at Top 40 and Hot AC radio and on Hot 100 Airplay. It's No. 5 on the Hot 100—her 12th top 10 hit.

Meanwhile, Maroon 5 rises 2-1 on the Hot 100 with "One More Night," a notch higher than previous (and much better) single "Payphone" was able to achieve. Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Getting Back Together" dips 1-2. fun. ably avoids dreaded one-hit wonder status as its "Some Nights" is No. 3. *

Joe Manganiello Deemed 'Sexiest Man' For 'People's' Emmy Poll

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Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara were voted the “Sexiest Man and Woman” on People magazine's 2012 Emmys poll. Meanwhile, Joe covers two mags: the Spring/Summer (huh?) 2012 issue of Australia's Remix mag; and Summer Girl. We have the pics!

Manganiello recently grew a full-on beard for his role as werewolf Alcide Herveaux in the upcoming sixth season HBO's True Blood, which begins filming in January. He also trained for five months to add muscle for the role, following his beefy role in Magic Mike.

There's still talk of a follow-up flick after the enormous success of Mike. Manganiello told Hollywood.com earlier this year, "We're actually talking about the possibility of doing a prequel... because if you want to do the sequel, then you lose Mike [Channing Tatum]. Otherwise, what's Mike going to do? So you would do the prequel, and how they got there."

Tatum also is up for the idea: "Yes, yes and yes!" he tweeted in a Glamour interview over the summer about the possibility of a second Magic Mike installment. "We're working on the concept now. We want to flip the script and make it bigger." And as we all know, bigger is better when it comes to Joe.*

Matt Zarley's Best Single Ever: 'Change Begins With Me'

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At last! The song I've been waiting for: The fourth single from my sweet, adorable, hunky pal Matt Zarley's current album Change Begins With Me is the beautiful power ballad title track. Written by Zarley, Andy Zulla, & Chris Curtis, and produced by Matt's long-time collaborator, the Grammy-winning Zulla, “Change Begins With Me” is a wildly intense declaration of self acceptance, responsibility and ultimately, forgiveness.

Matt sings, "I can see it now, it's all so clear, all my answers were always here/I've turned a new page, I can see it now... If I want my life to change, the change begins with me."

And I tell you what. A year ago, when I first heard this soaring anthem, it stood by my side time and again as I weathered my own divorce. Watching the video for the first time last night, I couldn't help but tear up again. Every time that thunderous bridge and final chorus start scraping the clouds, I feel the chills coming on. And I feel change, brothers and sisters.

In the video clip below, Zarley invited fans to become part of the message. Over the past few months, dozens submitted home movies with messages of change, which are featured in the clip's finale. The vid was directed by Robert Bottoms and also features the Broadway Inspirational Voices singing the requisite gospel background chorus.

Want to know more? Check out Matt's webbie or The Smoking Nun archives! Now, sit back and prepare to swoon. Celine, girl, are you listening? You can also access the video directly on YouTube.

Coming Up on The Wendy "How U Doin'? Williams Show

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Monday September 24

Reality TV.
It’s the day after the explosive season finale of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” and Melissa Gorga is only talking with Wendy!

Plus, one of Wendy’s favorite reality TV couples, Tamar and Vince, stop by to tell us about their new WE tv reality show, “Tamar & Vince.”

Cameras roll as the newlyweds try to set up their new home and train an unruly dog while Tamar records her new solo album.

Then, don’t miss our Emmy red carpet recap with fashion expert Katrina Szish.  

Tuesday September 25

Bigger is Better.
From “Mob Wives,” the loveable Angela “Big Ang” Raiola tells us about her recent engagement to her…HUSBAND! Plus, “Big Ang” dishes on her new book, “Bigger is Better: Real-Life Wisdom From the No-Drama Mama.”

Then, new music sensation Elle Varner performs a song off her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect.  

Wednesday September 26

Guys with Kids.
The hilarious Anthony Anderson tells us about starring in Jimmy Fallon’s new sitcom, “Guys with Kids” on NBC.

Then, kid chef Eliana de Las Casas from New Orleans teaches Wendy how to make her mouthwatering jambalaya.

Plus, Wendy puts on her bathing suit and swim cap and hits the pool for a race with Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin that you have to see to believe!  

Thursday September 27

How to Dress!
Wendy dishes on the latest Hot Topics.

Then, InStyle magazine’s Subira Shaw shows us some must-have work wear fashions!

Plus, Chloe Melas from HollywoodLife.com gives us the inside scoop on the latest Hot Topics.  

Friday September 28

Slam Dunk!
Friend to the show Rosie Perez stops by to talk about her new movie, “Won’t Back Down.”
Then, NY Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire tells us about his new children’s book,
“STAT: Standing Tall and Talented #2: Double Team.”

Plus, Bahar Takhtehchian reveals Shape magazine’s 9th Annual Beauty Award Winners

Screenwriting Master's Classes at Howard University

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OBS on Tour in Partnership w/  Howard University’s College of Arts & Sciences, Student Affairs Presents Screenwriting Master's Classes
*** SEPTEMBER 28^th, 29^th, & 30^th, 2012 ***
“ANATOMY OF A PILOT”, “CREATE THE BLOCKBUSTER FEATURE”, & "IN THE WRITERS ROOM" are coming to HOWARD UNIVERSITY!!!
Join "OBS On Tour" for this exciting event. Stay tuned to find out how to reserve YOUR seat in the room soon!
THREE GREAT WORKSHOPS! Option 1: Anatomy of A Pilot w/Kellie Griffin (Creator of “Reed Between the Lines”) Option 2: Create Your Blockbuster Movie w/OBS Screenwriting Experts Rene N. Rawls (Tribeca Alum, Nelson Mandela Grant Recipient, & Cosby Fellow) & Tracy Grant (Lincoln Heights). Option 3: In The Writers' Room w/Stacey Evans Morgan & Bentley Kyle Evans
Option 1: A comprehensive workshop that will provide you with the tools and resources that you must have in order to get that story from inside of you to out on the page. Pilot class takes you through the process of creating and writing a pilot script from beginning to premise statement, outline first draft. You develop a viable series concept, create unique and memorable characters with an original execution, write the pilot script, explore the possible markets for it, and are encouraged to be as fresh and original as possible. Your series can be a comedy or drama; single camera, multiple camera, or animation; designed for traditional media or the latest new media or any combination thereof-the choice is yours.
Option 2: The Feature Film workshop will guide you to launch and make significant headway on new & completed film projects that need polish. The goal is to develop a strong premise that sustains your entire script, create and refine the story outline, and outline Act I.
Option 3: Join the sister/brother duo, writers/producers Stacey Evans Morgan (The Parkers, One on One, Image Awards, Love that Girl, Family Time) and Bentley Kyle Evans (Martin, A Thin Line Between Love & Hate, Creator of The Jamie Foxx Show, Love that Girl and Family Time) “IN THE WRITER’S ROOM” for an exciting, informative weekend workshop designed to give aspiring television writers a true, “room” experience, how to market and sell a show in the new paradigm of television, knowledge on how to write and develop a situation comedy series, and learn the business of "THE BUSINESS".
Opens w/ OBS Meeting, Track Overview, & Reception Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30p.m. Classes Sat, Sept. 29, 2012 - 9:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. & Sun, Sept 30, 2012 - 9:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. $150 for entire weekend* *Howard University Students - Scholarships Available LOCATION: HOWARD UNIVERSITY - BLACKBURN CENTER  
2400 6TH Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059
MORE INFO & REGISTER: http://obsontourdc2012.eventbrite.com

Media Piracy & Culture: A Discussion of Empirical Research

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  You are invited to attend a public discussion of Media Piracy and Culture: A Discussion of Empirical Research at American University Washington College of Law   4801 Massachusetts Ave NW, Room 400 September 27, 11:30am-1:30pm Lunch provided for all registered attendees https://www.wcl.american.edu/secle/cle_form.cfm   Live Webcast: http://www.wcl.american.edu/pijip/go/events/sep-27-media-piracy-ip-and-emerging-economies     DESCRIPTION Joe Karaganis, a researcher at Columbia University’s American Assembly, and Bodó Balázs, Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society, will discuss their ongoing research on culture and media piracy in the U.S. and Europe. Karaganis will discuss a recent comparative study, "Copy Culture in the US and Germany," which maps digital media practices and attitudes toward copyright enforcement in the two countries. Balázs will discuss his ongoing research on the complex system of rules and governance mechanisms in piratical P2P file-sharing “darknets,” including communal enforcement of intellectual property –like regimes within such communities.

Are you ready for Election Day?

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If You're Not Registered, You Can't Vote Use the simple interactive tool to register to vote. One thing all the candidates agree on: women's votes are key in this election. It may be hard to believe, but Election Day is only six weeks away! Early/absentee voting has already begun in a few locations, and some states' voter registration windows will close soon. Are you ready? If you're not registered, you can't vote (unless you live in one of the handful of states that allow people to register at the polls). Fortunately, we've made it easy: go to NWLC's Voter Education page and use our simple voter-registration tool, offered in conjunction with Rock The Vote. While you're there, be sure to look at our handy fact sheets explaining WHY women need to vote, each of which focuses on a set of issues crucial to our lives and our families. When Women Vote, Leaders Listen! Today is National Voter Registration Day, when organizations across the country join together to help ensure that our members and supporters are ready to go to the polls. Many people don't realize that your registration can lapse if you move, get married or divorced, or even if you've had to go through foreclosure. Please take advantage of this opportunity to help set the direction of our country — use NWLC's voter registration tool to make sure that you'll be ready in November. I'll see you at the polls — where together we'll make a difference. Sincerely, Emily J. Martin Vice President and General Counsel National Women's Law Center P.S. You can't vote if you're not registered! Use our easy voter registration tool today — some states' registration windows will begin to close very soon.