It’s been a while since I’ve seen a new edition of Celebrity poker. The event is both a gathering of stars and a healthy poker competition for charity. Having watched a rerun of the show while vacationing in Paris, I searched online only to find that there would be no more tournaments in the future as the cable network did not sign up for the new episodes.

Having watched an exciting game of poker on TV, I decided to get some poker action myself. Being a tourist in Paris in the middle of May, my options were limited by the huge flock of tourists parading the streets. I decided to try an online poker portal called www.PartyPoker.fr to see if it could satisfy my poker cravings. Since it was my first time playing online, I was a little hesitant to spend my hard earned cash. Then I thought to myself, I would’ve been in the same situation had I gone to any of the casinos in Paris. With a lot of help from the ‘www.PartyPoker.fr’ is www.PartyPoker.fr website, I was able to start playing online. I was quite surprised to learn that playing poker online is much easier than it is in the casinos. I was winning hands I would normally fold before the flop came out. Bluffing was also effortless since my opponents could not see me; my playing style dramatically changed despite all the years in which I’ve played the game.

Having won all that money, it’s hard to feel as generous as the Hollywood stars who give away their winnings. It’s not exactly easy money that you can earn, like a regular day at work. In fact, I’ve never won such a huge amount, before. You always hear in the news– how celebrities were so generous in giving their cash prize away. This can make one think, “I could be generous too, if I had that amount of money.”

Now here I am, confronted with so much cash and I can’t spare a dime to save your life. Playing online poker in France was an eye opener for me. Having been stuck in the middle class for so long has left me somewhat tight-fisted. I began to admire Hollywood celebrities who donated their earnings to charity. I searched online for a list of charitable institutions on GiveWell to ease my remorse and donate some of my cash prize to charity.

After my visit to the glamorous city of Paris, I swore I would return again and make the vacation an annual event. Hopefully by then, I can get another great deal at Booking in a less crowded time of the year. Paris was as beautiful as they said it would be, and it would be a pleasure to walk its streets again. As part of the tradition, I will also play copious amounts of poker and donate (some) earnings to charity to spread the blessing. I thank the Hollywood stars for showing me how it’s done.

HBFF welcomes narrative features, shorts, student and documentary films for its competitive program. This year HBFF is pleased to announce a new category for Web-series.  Feature-length scripts are also accepted for the separate HBFF Storyteller Competition.

For FAQS about submitting your film or script, please visit: http://www.hbff.org/?p=795All films submitted must have been completed after September 1, 2011.

Regular submissions will be accepted from June 18 through August 6. The late deadline is August 17.

HBFF accepts film submissions from all filmmakers; however, to be eligible for the festival’s competitive program, one of the film’s creative principals, i.e. the writer, director or producer must be Black or of African heritage. All other films will be considered for our invitational program. Please notify the festival in your application if your submission does not meet the requirements for the competitive program and you wish to be considered for the invitational program.

 Narrative feature films should be at least 60 minutes in length; short films should be 30 minutes in length or less; and student films must have been completed while the filmmaker was enrolled as a full or part-time student in a college or university.  Web series content creators must submit at least 3 episodes, in ALL genres, less than 20 minutes in length each. 

 Film and script entries are accepted exclusively through Withoutabox.  To submit your film and/or script, go to >> https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1175.

For more information on HBFF visit the website at http://www.hbff.org.  Like HBFF on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/hollywoodblackfilmfestival.  Follow HBFF on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBFF

I’m sure Rihanna fans were passing out like flies when Oprah revealed via Twitter that she will be interviewing superstar Rihanna for her Next Chapter series. I have quickly became a fan of the Next Chapter series where Oprah interviews celebrities and asks all the questions that we all want answers to.

Oprah revealed that the interview will take place this August. Can we get a Beyonce and Jay-Z interview too? With 50 cent and The Kardashians, we are FINALLY getting relevant content over at OWN. Oprah has learned that pop culture people and topics trumps metaphysical programming ANY day!

How do you feel about this MTV-ish direction Oprah seems to be headed?? Smart move or off brand?

Spotted: Hostal Lamure

[Watch]

Thoughts????

Sabrina Rollins works her first case with Agent Stone, her new partner, and makes a shocking discovery. 

www.debtcollectorstheseries.com
Fan: www.facebook.com/debtcollectorstheseries
Follow: www.twitter.com/DCtheSeries

‘Hiding in Plain Sight’  is the story of Darius (Kelly O’Neil Jackson) and Josey Blackmon (Sharice Henry-Chasi) a couple in their 30s struggling to keep their family safe after their fall from the middle-class forces them, and their two children to live in their car. 

Darius’ once unshakeable faith, in himself and God, is beginning to fall apart. Life on the street, the struggle to find work, the constant pressures of keeping the kids in school- and the authorities from separating the family- are taking their toll. The film features the beloved, Irma P. Hall (Changing the Game, Harry’s Law, Soul Food)  as Grandma Ida Blackmon.

M. Legend Brown-Poorchild Films has joined forces with producers Kelly Gray (Mahogany Films) and Sharice Henry-Chasi (Higher Heights Film Works), Marty Ezelle (Fear Not Productions), and Michael and Judy Ciancio (Electric Light & Power Company).

The film was shot, in entirety on the streets of Dallas, Texas. One percent of the film’s proceeds will be donated to the fight to end homelessness. 

The red carpet premiere, and black-tie fundraiser, hosted by actor Alimi Ballard (Fast Five, Numb3rs)  September 8th, 2012 in Dallas, TX!

For information on how to purchase tickets to attend the Black-Tie Fundraiser: http://hidinginplainsight.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn

Keep up with ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ on  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HiddenInAmerica

PETTIFORD: I have been a relationship expert for 14-years. I have traveled the country and parts of the world speaking on the topic of male/female interpersonal relationship, human sexuality, and self-development. I have written ten books two of which have been best sellers. I have my own couples retreat. I do relationship coaching, and premarital counseling. As a matter of fact I have huge event coming up soon it’s a relationship cruise (http://www.therelationshipcruise.com/) where couples married or unmarried can enhance and improve their relationship.

THO:  Is the cruise just for couples?

PETTIFORD: No not all. Those who are either single or dating can learn what it takes to have a productive and beneficial relationship.

THO:  ’Love Addiction’ why is it different from other “relationship” based shows?

PETTIFORD: I think that ‘Love Addiction” is a breath of fresh air. Finally we have a show that isn’t sensationalized, but entertaining, informational, and will allow people to have a teachable moment.  It is more than just women fighting with each other; it is more than just dramatic couples. This is an opportunity to see couples in toxic relationships; family and friends who love them and want something better for them; trained therapist and relationship experts come in and try to help the couples work through their issues. As people watch the show they may be able to identify with the characters within the show because it reflects what they may be experiencing in their own relationships. I think that is the pull and will make everyone addicted to ‘Love Addiction’!

THO:  Since the premiere of ‘Love Addiction’ there has been a number of interesting relationship dynamics played out on the show. The one that viewers talk about most is the episode with aspiring actor Bryant and his girlfriend Blair who had lupus. Because of her illness Bryant took advantage of Blair. What advice would you give to women in Blair’s situation?

PETTIFORD: I think it comes down to the love of respect you have for yourself.  If you have high self-esteem, high self-worth, you value who you are and you have standards you won’t settle.  So many women in that same scenario wind up settling for average or worst. They know that their man is cheating but as a long as he comes home at night and keeps her warm. Unfortunately a lot of women are desperate … a lot of men are desperate and put themselves in situations that seems beneficial for them. When we select who we want it is based on two things 1) physical and 2) emotional desirability. We see it played out over and over again.  She said he was good looking and gorgeous. She was obviously physically attracted to him, his height, he’s 6ft tall.  Those physical things are attractive to a lot of women but unfortunately that is not enough to maintain a healthy relationship.

THO: Why do people or women stay in unhealthy relationships?

PETTIFORD: There are many reasons. Rather than coming up with one good reason we should leave; we come up with a thousand reasons why we should stay: financially dependent, paying the car note, rent, and groceries. Women become so connected financially if he leaves she may become destitute. If a child is involved he may leave the child.  Domestic violence equals fear. Because of low self-esteem they think that they couldn’t do any better thus trapped by their own situation.

THO:  Do you or any of the therapist perform follow up visits with the couples that appear on the show?

PETTIFORD: We do not but each couple is offered counseling in LA that they can take advantage of.

THO:  You wrote a book called “Why We Hate Black Women and Why We Should Love Them.” What was the motivation behind writing the book?

PETTIFORD:  That’s the one book that when black women read the title they hate me. But when they read the book they love me. I just got sick and tired of every time I turned on the television or read an article in the paper or watch a YouTube vlogger it was nothing but hating and dogging the black woman. And even though, black men for years … for years have been the ones that have been attacked … a shift has taken place and now men are the ones on attack. There is a civil war that exists between men and women involving sexual games, a whole lot of bitterness, hurt, rage, animosity and mistrust between both genders.  I wanted to speak to those issues.

THO: Where can people purchase  “Why We Hate Black Women and Why We Should Love Them”?

PETTIFORD:  Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and the website http://www.whywehateblackwomen.com/

If you are in need of relationship counseling or want to learn more about Hasani Pettiford – go to:  www.Hasani.com

‘Love Addiction’ airs on Wednesdays on TV One! Check local listing for airtimes.

Lee is in final talks to join the production as it gets ready to debut on the Great White Way. Tyson did the show for a week in Las Vegas and TMZ were told Lee and Tyson have been talking about what changes need to be made as they transition to the biggest stage of all. Sources say Lee brought in theater mogul Eric Nederlander, who owns a slew of Broadway venues and is interested in bringing in the Tyson show … hopefully by this summer.

Tyson was on TMZ Live this week, where he plugged the upcoming show and teased Lee’s involvement.

i’d love to see Mike Tyson in a live Spike Lee dolly shot! LOL!  How do you feel about this pairing?

Source: TMZ

Janora is participating in her SECOND, 7-day 545-mile trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles on two wheels, and we’re not talking about on a motorcycle.

Last year she completed about 400 of the 545 miles, but this year Janora says, “I’m committed to riding every single mile.” She explainss, “I’m committing to do the ride again because HIV and AIDS is still a very serious epidemic in this country, especially in the African American community. Minorities in general make up a disproportionate number of all new HIV cases. The money raised not only will go to treatment, but also education and PREVENTION.”

Janora states, “Any dollar amount will help in the fight. Thanks SO much for your donation & support!! I’ll keep you posted on my progress. God bless & thanks again for being part in making a difference!!”