*Michael Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana will hold a tribute in his honor on Saturday, a day before what would have been his 52nd birthday.

In a press release, Gary Mayor Rudy Clay says the tribute will celebrate the King of Pop's memory as a great and giving person and as the world's greatest entertainer.

Organizers say the event Saturday will include local entertainers and a Michael Jackson impersonator, reports the Associated Press.

The Jackson Family moved from Gary to Los Angeles after the Jackson 5 struck it big in 1969.

Jackson died in June 2009 from an overdose of sedatives.

*Most women do about 11 things at the same time (including talking on the phone)-especially if they're married with children! We get good at responsibility-juggling because we have to:

There's a job to manage, diapers to change, a house to clean, books to read, friends to reach out to, not to mention a husband to care for. We know how it feels to lose heart when we get burdened by too many responsibilities.

While your husband may not juggle the same number of details you do, the challenges he deals with are heavy ones, too-starting with a wife to love and serve, a career at which to succeed, even children to nurture.

And, just like you, he can lose heart while carrying heavy responsibilities.

That's one of the reasons why God put people together in marriage -- for mutual encouragement. Unfortunately, building up is harder work than demolishing, which comes all too naturally!

But an encouraged husband makes a great life partner -- he's more positive, responsive, and better equipped to work and serve your whole family.

Say thanks.
If you find it hard to come up with ways to encourage your husband, saying thanks is a great place to start. If things are rocky just now and you don't feel particularly thankful for your husband (believe me, this happens!), start small. Thank him for holding open a door, picking up the newspaper after he's finished, or tucking your kids into bed.

Many women hold back grateful affirmations because they think, Why should I thank him for things he should do anyway?! The first reason to do it is because you've signed up for this gig (being his wife). The second is that your positive words pave the way for your husband to do more of the same.

Read the full story here.

DeShawn and Eric Snow - in better days

*She was kicked off of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" for being to boring, but Bravo may want to consider bringing back DeShawn Snow after reports of her husband's extramarital affair that just weeks ago produced a child.

According to the Web site Straight Out the A, not only did former NBA player Eric Snow file for

divorce in May, but he just welcomed a baby with his mistress Marisela Alvarado.

The two are said to be former college sweethearts who reunited at a Michigan State class reunion. [See photo below.]

Straight Out the A reports:

His mistress, Marisela Alvarado, reportedly gave birth in a Michigan Hospital on July 14th to a healthy 8-pound baby girl whom the couple have named Ava Maria Snow.

Ava Marie Snow (photo from Straight From the A)

Eric and his soon-to-be ex-wife, DeShawn Snow formerly of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," are in the middle of high profile divorce case and it is reported that he is worth $20 million dollars. Early reports are that he may have to shell out an estimated $8 million dollars to his wife along with their Atlanta estate which the couple shared with their three sons. DeShawn is said to be working on a Disney project with their three boys and hopefully she's keeping her head up. Divorce or not, Eric welcoming a daughter in this world can't possibly be easy on her.

According to TMZ, Mocienne Petit Jackson filed legal documents with L.A. County Superior Court claiming she was conceived in 1975 when MJ, then 17, secretly impregnated her mother Barbara ... who happens to be Diana Ross' sister.

Mocienne, who now lives in the Netherlands, claims when she was 9-years-old, Michael's mother Katherine hatched a plan to "abduct" her and send her to Belgium to protect Michael's "reputation." She claims all 7 of her abductors were later murdered.

The woman says she is coming forward now so she can "formally claim my part of my father's inheritance." She also wants custody of MJ's kids so she can give them a "more normal life."

MPJ also claims she was diagnosed with Vitiligo, a skin disorder that Michael shared.

Mr. and Mrs. Carmelo Anthony

After being engaged for 5 years Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony and former MTV-VJ and budding actress LaLa Vazquez jumped the broom Saturday night in New York City at the Manhattan restaurant Cipriani.

US Magazine reported that 30-year-old Vazquez and 26-year-old Anthony were escorted down the aisle by their 3-year-old son, Kiyan.

Vazquez wore a Vera Wang gown and carried red and hot pink flowers.

Among the 300 guests were Kim Kardashian, Ludacris, Ciara, Serena Williams, Spike Lee and LeBron James who was booed by onlookers when he and his longtime girlfriend, Savannah, arrived.

Check out the photos above and below from the event.

A happy La La

Kim Kardashain tweeted this photo of her, La La and Serena Williams

Guests included LeBron James and his girlfriend Savannah and Chris Paul

*Dating expert, advice columnist and author Deborrah Cooper blasts traditional Black churches and charges that they are the root cause for the high numbers of single Black women in the U.S.

With all the media coverage (CNN, Nightline, NY Times, ABC) of the "plight" of the single black woman, and the blaming of Black women for being single, this author felt it past time to examine other reasons which could be important contributors to this sad statistic:

Black women have an inordinate amount of faith in both Black men and Black churches. My position is that such blind and unwavering faith in either is misplaced.

It is my belief that the Black church, structured around traditional gender roles which makes women submissive to and inferior to men, greatly limits females.

Single Black women sitting in church every Sunday are being subtly brainwashed, soothed and placated into waiting without demand for what they want to magically come to them. Who is doing this to Black women? The male standing at the front of the Church in the role of spiritual leader, that's who!

This is the true reason that there are so many single, never married Black women in the United States - Black churches. Black women should abandon Black churches and focus more on themselves, their needs and those of their children than those of Black men or a religion which Black men use to castigate and control an entire race of women.

Single Black Females in Church

Black females have long been considered the backbone of the Black community and the cornerstone of their families and churches. But what is the real price Black women have paid to wear this crown of fool's gold?

An examination of any congregation of the average Black church shows that single Black females fill the pews. Results of a recent study "African Americans and Religion" by the PEW Research Center's Forum on Religion and Public Life found that "African Americans are markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. population as a whole."

Almost 90% of Black Americans express "absolutely certain belief in God" compared to just over 70% of the total U.S. population. Two other important statistics gleaned from this survey: (1) 80% of Black Americans report that religion is "very important" in their lives as compared to 57% of the general U.S. population; and (2) 55% of Black Americans report that they "interpret scripture literally" as compared to 32% of the general U.S. population.

The PEW study also reported that "Men are significantly more likely than women to claim no religious affiliation. Nearly one-in-five men say they have no formal religious affiliation, compared with roughly 13% of women."

The survey shows a distinct correlation between religion and social attitudes amongst African Americans. "African Americans who are more religiously observant (as defined by frequency of worship service attendance and the importance of religion in their lives), are more likely to oppose abortion and homosexuality, and more likely to report higher levels of conservative ideology."

What Do The PEW Study Results Mean For Single Black Women?

They mean that:

• Following the tenets of organized religion is not going to get you anywhere because men are generally not religious.
• Going to church is not getting you the husband you seek.
• Going to church is not making you more attractive and interesting to men.
• Going to church is not where you are going to find eligible bachelors to date.
• Going to church is not going to teach you to be fiscally responsible, investment savvy, or empower you to achieve greatness as a woman.
• Going to church is not going to broaden your horizons, make you more tolerant and accepting of all God's children, nor is it going to encourage you to be free of the chains of patriarchy and oppression of your feminine energy.

Going to church makes you a sheep, blindly following the mandates of a small group of men you have placed in your life in a position of power. Going to church makes you malleable and predictable, and narrows your thinking and thus limits your options.

Going to church for single Black women is a waste of time.

There ARE Single Men in Church, However...