GWENDOLYN BAINES

(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn:
Four months ago I went to our family reunion.  Everyone who attended was concerned about my brother’s children. This is the problem: My brother has not attended a family reunion in six years. He has stayed away because at his last attendance the family members voiced their opinion about his children’s health. His children look like elephants and bears.  We were told they have not lost weight but have gained more weight—if that is possible. At his last visit he was told his children look like animals—not humans.
Gwendolyn, that was nothing to become upset to the point of staying away from family gatherings. What do you think?—Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth:
Your brother made a good decision. Families should act like family if they want to be loved by family. Let me tell you this: To alert him about his children could have and should have been done in a better manner.  What’s wrong in saying, “My brother’s children are obese.” They are humans and not animals. No parent takes to negative comments about their children.
If your brother stays away from the next reunion, write to him and apologize for the cruelness that was said. Suggest they seek professional help in going to a facility that has a doctor, nutrition assistance, and up-to-date gym equipment. If family is really concerned, take up money at the reunion to pay for these services.
Elizabeth, life can take a change. Often pretty little boys and girls end up doing nothing positive with their life. They resort to being criminals. Sometimes those little elephants and bears become college presidents, bank presidents or—president of a country. Weight control is needed for good health and not a focus for good looks. Think about it.  There are many people with a sexy body and an ugly face.
(Write to Gwendolyn L. Baines at: P.O. Box 10066, Raleigh, N.C. 27605-0066 or email her at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

UNDERGROUND PERFORMERS—G-Money, third from left, performing with his posse, including BR, during the PUMAs. (Photo by Abdul Al-Nakhli)

by Abdul Al-Nakhli
Outside the August Wilson Center, Sunday was filled with grey skies and rain, but it didn’t stop the spotlight from shining on the city’s best underground talent for the first annual Pittsburgh Underground Music Awards (PUMAs).
The PUMAs were organized by Pittsburgh music professionals to honor the artists of the area making strides in hip-hop, R&B, and pop genres.
There were 21 different categories awarded at this year’s PUMAs, including best Pop artist, best Producer, Hip-Hop single of the year, and best male/female rap artists of the year.
From late February to early April, fans were encouraged to vote for their favorite artists on the PUMAs’ website and Facebook page.
For local fans, being involved in the PUMAs is an honor words can’t describe.

“It is nice to have an event not just honoring our artists, but to keep motivating them to continue to chase dreams, and not feel their efforts fall on deaf ears,” said Lisa Jackson, Crafton.
“I’ve been a fan of local music for over 15 years, and to see this much talent under one roof excites me. I am looking forward to seeing where their (local artists) careers will go from here.”
The night’s events had an amazing synergy. Entering the August Wilson Center, posters and displays from local sponsors, including the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, clothing businesses and artists decorated the main corridor.
Local artists were signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, and industry professionals, such as Danny Carter, an A&R representative for Interscope Records, were buzzing on phones and social media.
Backstage, artists were networking amongst each other, exchanging phone numbers, CDs, and emails. Some of the artists considered this the foundation of the scene.
“Whether an artist wins a PUMA or not, everybody wins tonight in the bigger picture. We’re trying to build up the music scene and show how much talent we have. The more they (artists) network and build, the better for Pittsburgh,” said Mista Scrap, one of the award presenters.
Inside the arena, it was nearly filled to capacity, with a lively crowd supporting their favorite local artists. As each award was announced, fans would jump out of their seats and chant the individuals’ name in approval.
“I’m loving the energy in here tonight, it’s a beautiful thing, Pittsburgh,” said Mike Jax from WAMO-100 who served as Master of Ceremonies.
There weren’t many acceptance speeches Sunday evening, but there were numerous electric performances from artists like Capitol L, Mic Menace, HollyHood, Good Kelly, and others.
 Each artist left a piece of themselves on stage, filled with a passion incarnate, and most didn’t want their performance to end, such as Mic Menace who slammed his microphone in disapproval when cut off during his set.
“It’s beautiful to see all of you here to support us tonight, and we thank you for being here to see us shine,” said Capitol L.
Fellow performer HollyHood agreed.
“I just want to say how much I love you all, and love how you’re supporting your own. Keep supporting and showing us (as artists) that we do matter.”
With the final award of the evening for Best Male Rap Artist going to Hardo, the lights went off and the first PUMAs came to a close.
Those in attendance feel good about the future of Pittsburgh’s music scene.
“We have a voice now, and it’s not from Wiz Khalifa or Mac Miller. Those two opened the door, but what’s about to walk through it is about to break the hinges off,” said Marcus Wright, South Side.
Next year’s PUMAs is scheduled to take place in April 2014. More information can be gathered from their website: (pghundergroundmusicawards.com)

(To contact Abdul Al-Nakhli, follow him on twitter (@mrspadez) or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Singer Chris Brown turns 24 on May 5. (Photo: John Shearer John Shearer/Invision, AP)

The Associated Press

May 5: Actress Pat Carroll is 86. Actor Michael Murphy is 75. Actor Lance Henriksen ("Millennium," ''Aliens") is 73. Comedian-actor Michael Palin (Monty Python) is 70. Actor Roger Rees ("Boston Common") is 69. Actor John Rhys-Davies is 69. Former MTV News correspondent Kurt Loder is 68. Drummer Bill Ward of Black Sabbath is 65. Singer Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen is 54. Newsman Brian Williams is 54. Actress Tina Yothers is 40. Singer Raheem DeVaughn is 38. Singer Craig David is 32. Actress Danielle Fishel is 32. Singer Adele is 25. Singer Chris Brown is 24.

George Clooney is 52 (Photo: Chris, Pizzello, AP)

 May 6: Singer Bob Seger is 68. Singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore is 68. Actor Alan Dale ("Lost," ''Ugly Betty") is 66. Actor Ben Masters ("Passions") is 66. TV host Tom Bergeron is 58. Singer John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants is 53. Actress Roma Downey is 53. Actor George Clooney is 52. Singer-bassist Tony Scalzo of Fastball is 49. Guitarist Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish is 46. Guitarist Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters is 42. Actress Gabourey Sidibe is 30.

Jimmy Ruffin is 74 (Photo/ClassicMotown,com)

May 7: Singer Jimmy Ruffin is 74. Singer-songwriter Bill Danoff of Starland Vocal Band is 67. Singer Thelma Houston is 67. Drummer Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead is 67. Drummer Prairie Prince (The Tubes) is 63. Guitarist Phil Campbell of Motorhead is 52. Actress Traci Lords is 45. Singer Eagle-Eye Cherry is 42. Actor Breckin Meyer is 39.

Actress Melissa Gilbert is 49 

May 8: Comedian Don Rickles is 87. Singer Toni Tennille is 73. Country singer Jack Blanchard is 71. Singer Gary Glitter is 69. Drummer Chris Frantz of Talking Heads and of Tom Tom Club is 62. Singer Philip Bailey (solo and with Earth, Wind and Fire) is 62. Country musician Billy Burnette is 60. Drummer Alex Van Halen of Van Halen is 60. Actor Stephen Furst ("St. Elsewhere," ''Animal House") is 59. Actor David Keith is 59. Actress Melissa Gilbert is 49. Drummer Dave Rowntree of Blur is 49. Drummer Del Gray of Little Texas is 45. Singer Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) is 41. Singer Enrique Iglesias is 38. Actress Julia Whelan ("Once and Again") is 29.

Actress Rosario Dawson is 34 (AP Photo)

May 9: Guitarist Nokie Edwards of The Ventures is 78. Actor Albert Finney is 77. Actress-turned-politician Glenda Jackson is 77. Guitarist Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly and The Crickets is 76. Producer-director James L. Brooks is 76. Singer Tommy Roe is 71. Singer-guitarist Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco) is 69. Singer Clint Holmes is 67. Actress Candice Bergen is 67. Singer Billy Joel is 64. Bassist Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick is 63. Actress Alley Mills ("The Wonder Years") is 62. Actor John Corbett is 52. Singer David Gahan of Depeche Mode is 51. Rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan is 43. Guitarist Mike Myerson of Heartland is 42. Singer Tamia is 38. Trombonist Dan Regan of Reel Big Fish is 36. Singer Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan is 34. Actress Rosario Dawson is 34. Musician Andrew W.K. is 34.

May 10: Singer Henry Fambrough of The Spinners is 75. Announcer Gary Owens is 74. Singer Donovan is 67. Singer Dave Mason is 67. Singer Bono of U2 is 53. Drummer Danny Carey of Tool is 52. Actor Darryl M. Bell ("A Different World") is 50. Model Linda Evangelista is 48. Rapper Young MC is 46. Actor Erik Palladino is 45. Singer Richard Patrick of Filter is 45. Actor Todd Lowe ("True Blood," ''Gilmore Girls") is 41. Actor Kenan Thompson ("Saturday Night Live," ''Kenan and Kel") is 35. Singer Jason Dalyrimple of Soul for Real is 33. Actress Lauren Potter ("Glee") is 23.

May 11: Comedian Mort Sahl is 86. Singer Eric Burdon (The Animals, War) is 72. Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo ("24") is 61. Actor Boyd Gaines is 60. Drummer Mark Herndon of Alabama is 58. Former MTV VJ Martha Quinn is 54. Country singer Tim Raybon of the Raybon Brothers is 50. Actor Tim Blake Nelson ("Lincoln," ''O Brother, Where Art Thou?") is 49. Bassist Keith West of Heartland is 45. Actor Nicky Katt ("Boston Public") is 43. Actor Coby Bell is 38. Celloist Perttu Kivilaakso of Apocalyptica is 35. Actor Jonathan Jackson is 31. Actor Cory Monteith is 31.

In this Feb. 23, 2013 photo, Chris Kelly of Kris Kross performs on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta during the So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jonathan Phillips)

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II

ATLANTA (AP) — The mother of rapper Chris Kelly told authorities in Atlanta her son became sick after taking cocaine and heroin on the night before he died, according to a police report.