::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . .  THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary December 4, 2015 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On December 6, 1865, a coalition comprising three-quarters of our Nation's States ratified the 13th Amendment to our Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States and affirming the truth that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. Bringing to a close one of the most painful chapters in our country's history, the Amendment ushered in a new birth of freedom. Today, we celebrate it for the protections it restored and the lives it liberated, and in honor of the millions of slaves who endured brutal violence and daily indignities, we rededicate ourselves to the proposition manifested in its ratification. This Amendment to the Constitution came not only at the culmination of years of Civil War, but also as a result o...

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin Nyle DiMarco, the first deaf contestants wins ANTM. With his deaf mother seated in the room, Nyle  DiMarco took the final "America's Next Top Model" (ANTM) title Friday night.  A fourth generation mute, DiMarco already made history as the first deaf contestant on the reality based modeling show. As the winner the steel blue-eyed model broadens the platform for the deaf community.  Show creator Tyra Banks told the 6'2" tall New York native he did not win because he is deaf, but  because of his modeling ability.  DiMarco, 26 is the last model to carry the title since the show closed its final season with this year's competition.  Throughout cycle 22 he was a standout, but admitted to People.com in an exclusive that the greatest challenge was feeling left out due to his inability to communicate with other cast members. “The competition, and especially living with the models in the house, was undoubtedly a lot of fun...

buzzz worthy. . . (Baton Rouge, LA) – December 4, 2015 – It’s been said that Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year.  Believers have much to celebrate during this special time of year.  With Contemporary Gospel Ensemble Anthony Nelson & The Overcomers’ new holiday single, “Born In Bethlehem”, Christmastime just got a little sweeter.  Reminding listeners of the reason for the season, the spirited, feel-good track is already hitting the charts.  In addition to releasing the single to radio, Anthony Nelson & The Overcomers have also released a lyric video for “Born In Bethlehem”.  The video can be viewed here:  http://bit.ly/1RqUBxo .  The song is available for purchase on  iTunes  and other digital retailers.   The up-tempo, festive track showcases the amazing songwriting talents of the group’s leader, Anthony Nelson and the lead vocals of LaTisha.  “There are some wonderful cover tunes of Christmas cl...

buzzz worthy. . . On Thursday, December 3/2015 at 10:58 A.M. the President Obama address the nation on gun violence in connection to the shooting rampage in San Bernardino, CA at an office Christmas party that occurred the day before.  Since the summer of 2015 when innocent church goers where gunned down at a bible study at the Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, Obama mass killings in the U.S. have recurred almost on a monthly basis.  The president's statement follows:

buzzz worthy. . . Music Stars Salute Nine-Time GRAMMY Winner Frank Sinatra With A 30-Song Celebration Presented At Wynn Las Vegas Tony Bennett ,  Garth Brooks ,  Zac Brown, Harry Connick ,  Jr. ,  Celine Dion ,  Nick Jonas , Quincy Jones ,  Juanes ,  Alicia Keys ,  Lady Gaga ,  John Legend ,  Adam Levine ,  LL COOL J , Seth MacFarlane ,  Katharine McPhee ,  Robert Patrick ,  Jeremy Renner ,  Nancy Sinatra , Sam Smith ,  Carrie Underwood ,  Usher , and  Trisha Yearwood  honor the remarkable legacy of Frank Sinatra by celebrating the late icon’s 100th birthday with " Sinatra 100 — An All-Star GRAMMY ®  Concert ." Airing this  Sunday, Dec. 6 from 9 – 11 p.m. ET/PT  on the CBS Television Network, the concert showcases the superstar musicians performing classic songs made famous by the Chairman of the Board. WATCH: Nick Jonas, Juanes, John Legend, and Carrie Underwood dis...

buzzz worthy. . .  By Mona Austin On Dec. 2, 2015, First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks to military families at her last White House Christmas Decor Preview event. The Obama Administration held the event annually in connection with the joining Forces initiative, which supports military families. Photo: Mona Austin A "Timeless Christmas" theme is the backdrop for the Obama's final Christmas in the White House. The White House officially started the holiday season with the arrival of the Blue Room Christmas tree on Friday.  Less than a week later the Frazier fir was an East Wing centerpiece decked in gold stars, satin ribbon  and shiny blue glass ornaments.  Held a day before the annual White House Christmas tree lighting in President's Park,  on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in honor of military families, Joining Forces, a program co-led by First Lady Obama and Dr. Jill Biden that supports military families, held a preview of White Ho...

buzzz worthy. . . THE RECORDING ACADEMY ®  AND REPUBLIC RECORDS TO RELEASE THE 2016 GRAMMY ®  NOMINEES  ALBUM ALBUM PRE-ORDERS  START DEC.  6, OFFERING FANS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE 58TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS ® Album Hits Stores And Digital Retailers On Jan. 22, 2016 SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2015)  —  The Recording Academy ® 's   GRAMMY Recordings ®  and  Republic Records  have teamed to release the  2016 GRAMMY ®  Nominees  album, available in stores and via digital retailers  Jan. 22,  2016 . The 22nd installment of the best-selling series features an array of hit songs across multiple genres by this year's GRAMMY-nominated artists. A portion of album proceeds support the year-round work of the GRAMMY Foundation ®  and MusiCares Foundation, ®  — The Recording Academy’s charitable organizations focused on music education and critical assistance for music people in nee...

buzzz worthy. . . HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK IN SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION As a mark of respect for the victims of gun violence perpetrated on December 2, 2015 , in San Bernardino, California, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half - staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions through December 7, 2015. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half - staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities ...

buzzz worthy. . . Another week, another mass shooting.  The death toll is rising in San Bernardino mass shooting with 14 dead and 14 wounded.  Three suspected shooters fled in a black SUV authorities said and are still at large at this hour. Concerned citizens are still reeling form the shock of the  Planned Parenthood attack in Colorado just last week and sadly another tragey has struck. Was this a terrorist act?  Are they working alone? Are the shooters still in California?  The answers to those questions and the motives are unknown. UPDATE: By Thursday authorities confirmed 14 people were dead and 20 injured, one victim suffering from a bullet lodge in his side.  There were two suspects, a married couple. SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTING UPDATE--CONFIRMED AS TERRORIST ATTACK: Friday, 12/4/2015 An FBI spokesperson and Assistant Director, David Bowdich said at a press conference in San Bernardino today the shooting rampage is being investigated as an ACT ...

buzzz worthy. . . The last thing Americans should have to do, over the holidays or any day, is comfort the families of people killed by gun violence -- people who woke up in the morning and bid their loved ones goodbye with no idea it would be for the last time.   And yet, two days after Thanksgiving, that’s what we are forced to do again.   We don’t yet know what this particular gunman’s so-called motive was for shooting twelve people, or for terrorizing an entire community, when he opened fire with an assault weapon and took hostages at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado. What we do know is that he killed a cop in the line of duty, along with two of the citizens that police officer was trying to protect.  We know that law enforcement saved lives, as so many of them do every day, all across America.  And we know that more Americans and their families had fear forced upon them.   This is not normal.  We can’t let it beco...

buzzz worthy. . . New York Times Bestselling Author Shares How To Experience God to the Fullest  & The Voice Alumni Performs Hits from Chart-Topping Album Real Life Real Worship Select Markets to Feature Their Father Dr. Tony Evans  Los Angeles, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2015)-  On the heels of the #1 box office hit Warroom, author and speaker Priscilla Shirer will join her brother, celebrated worship artist Anthony Evans, for the nationwide Fervent Tour in February 2016. Registration will be open starting December 1. The winter event is the follow up to the fall leg of the tour that was a sold out success. Produced by Anthony Evans Productions/Entertainment in conjunction with Jerry Shirer and Going Beyond Ministries, the inspirational event ...

buzzz worthy. . . EARNEST PUGH TO RELEASE “HIDDEN TREASURES” ALBUM THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH TO STORES AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS Vocal powerhouse Earnest Pugh is continuing to make passionate, classic music such as his now iconic #1 radio hits “Rain On Us” and “I Need Your Glory.” On December 4th, the five-octave belter releases the twelve-track  “Hidden Treasures” (P-Man Music/ Central South Distribution) album that features “Trade It All,” his current Billboard Top 25 radio smash. It is just one of the many gems on his eighth album that features cameos from Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Beverly Crawford, Richard Smallwood and Lisa Knowles. This week Pugh is having listening party events for the new project. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) stopped by the Houston listening party earlier this week to celebrate with Pugh and his P-Man Music team. Follow him on Twitter at @earnestpugh or visit him onli...

buzzz worthy. . . World Renowned Tenor Fernando Varela signs with Germany's Deutsche Grammophon and Prepares for Televised Special Concert Event       ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 1, 2015 -- World-renowned tenor and classical crossover artist, Fernando Varela, confirmed his signing of a global recording agreement with Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft MBH, a Universal Music Company, based in Berlin, Germany. The agreement culminates a year full of recording and trans-Atlantic trips for Varela. Deutsche Grammophon remains the world's largest and proudest classical music label today and represents high standards of artistry. Now working with parent company Universal Music Group, they continue to be a leader in the music industry by providing artists with the perfect combination of innovation and tradition. They hold a long roster of artists including many of the world's most admired talents such as Bryn Terfel, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Krystian Zimerman, Claudio Abba...

buzzz worthy. . . Los Angeles, CA. -    OWN's  Welcome to  Sweetie Pie's and Tim Norman definitely created a buzz in Atlanta during  the southern stop of a three-city press tour prior to the premiere. Norman participated in numerous media interviews over a two-day period, making stops at NPR, Kiss104FM, RadioOne, CBS Radio and Rolling Out.  In addition, Norman sat down with urban bloggers such as Freddy O, Burton Wire and Yes Lord Radio and others. As Tim traveled around the city, he was repeatedly asked by media and everyday citizens:  "When are you going to open a Sweetie Pie's in Atlanta?" A packed house at Taboo 2 Bistro celebrated the launch of OWN's Welcome to Sweetie Pie's recently. Tim Norman, Charles Crenchaw , Bruce George, Chloe Cook and Danielle Champion worked the red carpet, took selfies with fans and helped raise the level of the excitement among viewers for the new season. Me...

buzzz worthy. . . Renowned Minister of Music, David Griffiths, Presents First Musical, “Journey To Worship”, At Nineteenth Street Baptist Church In Washington, DC On Saturday, December 5, 2015 (Washington, DC) – November 30, 2015 - David Griffiths is known as a gifted musician, vocalist and the minister of music at the famed Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington, DC.  Visited by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, the church is steeped in history and is recognized as one of the Nation’s Capital’s premiere sites for exceptional Gospel music.  Griffiths, a graduate of Columbia Union College with degrees in music and theology and The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance, is getting ready to add the title of “playwright” to his resume.  Along with his church, David Griffiths is presenting his first musical, Journey To Worship , at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church (4606 1...

buzzz worthy. . . The choices we make define the quality of our life's journey. I woke up Thanksgiving morning fully aware that someone else didn't. That someone woke up in a cold hospital bed. For life itself, I am truly grateful. Life may not be perfect, but it is sacred.  I have chosen to have an attitude of gratitude and  learned to thank God anyhow, regardless of life's circumstances. There truly is always something for which to be thankful. Instead of bemoaning individuals who are no longer in my life, I thank God for those who cared enough to stay.   During the holidays people also tend to focus on what they lack. It is normal to pay more attention to material things as commercials and billboard messages scream we need more of or the latest of something. Sometimes it's hard to ignore sales and offers and quell the desire for more STUFF even if you don't need it. I thank God for what I do have instead of what I don't. America is the la...