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Handicapped Chihuahuas get around on little scooters

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 5:40pm CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Pets

The North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, NY on Long Island is the world’s largest no-kill pet adoption center and is home to many special needs pets. Donna Imhof works as a veterinary technician at North Shore, and is mom to four chihuahuas who were born with a congenital defect that left them without front legs. Imhof adopted Carmen, Pablo, Venus and aptly-named Scooter in July, 2007 after they were recovered from a puppy mill in Virginia.

The handicapped chihuahuas get around on special scooters that were custom-built for them in January. Generous donors contributed the $1,000 cost of the scooters. (I think that was the total cost for all the scooters, not the individual cost for each, but the source article is worded vaguely.) Prior to being outfitted with their new scooters the dogs got around by hopping and walking on their hind legs. With their new aluminum-frame scooters they have more mobility and less chance of back and joint problems. They also look so cute.

If you live on Long Island or nearby and are looking for a pet the North Shore Animal League has many dogs and cats that need a good home. If you’re looking for a pet anywhere in the US, the humane society is a good place to start.

Photo credit: BARM/Fame Pictures. 9/15/08
Paul McCartney is called an “enemy of all Muslims,” is a possible terror target

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 4:45pm CDT by MSat

Tags: Paul McCartney

First Heather Mills, now this. Paul McCartney has been targeted by a radical Muslim group because he has agreed to play a concert in Israel this month. The concert will celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary as a state, and McCartney is one of the headliners. His participation in the concert has outraged Muslim fundamentalist leaders who have labeled him an “enemy of all Muslims.” They even made a veiled threat on the former Beatle’s life.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney will go ahead with his concert set for later this month in Israel despite being labeled “an enemy of all Muslims” and a possible terror target, the U.K.’s Daily Express reported Sunday.

Muslim fundamentalist speaker Omar Bakri Muhammad decried the singer’s decision to take part in the Jewish state’s 60th anniversary celebration, warning that “if he values his life, Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel,” and that “the sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him,” Ynet News said.

According to the Express, a number of Web sites described McCartney on Saturday as an “infidel” and suggested he was traveling to Israel solely for monetary reasons.

But McCartney defended his decision in an interview with the Israeli media Saturday and refused to bow down to the pressure to back out of the concert set for Sept. 25 in Tel Aviv, the Express said.

“I was approached by different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come here,” McCartney told the Israeli press. “I refused. I do what I think and I have many friends who support Israel.”

Bakri, speaking from his home in Lebanon where he has lived since exiled from Britain, said that McCartney’s decision was making him “more enemies than friends,” the Express said.

[From Fox News]

This fundamentalist group is really barking up the wrong tree here. Paul McCartney is one of the most beloved singer-songwriters of his generation. Threatening his life is not going to make them any friends on the global stage. Look what it did for Heather Mills! Besides - how does performing in a concert make him the enemy of anyone? Why are these people trying to make him a political example? And furthermore, how many fundamentalist Muslims are listening to Beatles’ records, anyway? Didn’t the Taliban ban music? I’m sure Paul has plenty of protection surrounding him for this concert. I have to give him credit for refusing to be bullied by a group of intolerant fascists who really need to mind their own business.

By the way, other “infidels” who have performed in Israel in recent years include Erykah Badu, The Black Eyed Peas and Phil Collins. Madonna was set to perform there in 2004 but backed out after receiving similar threats.

Here’s Paul McCartney out to eat with his girlfriend, Nancy Shevell, on 8/28/08. He is also shown getting an honorary doctorate at Yale on 5/26/08. Credit: Fame
Did J.Lo pull out of ‘Runway’ over a beef with Harvey Weinstein?

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 3:43pm CDT by MSat

Tags: J.Lo

Last week, we told you how Jennifer Lopez ducked out of her appearance as a guest judge on the season finale of “Project Runway” at the last minute, citing a foot injury. Well, this alleged foot injury - which her trainer denied - didn’t stop her from successfully completing a triathlon for charity over the weekend. Kudos to her for that feat. But what gives about the “Project Runway” snafu? Sources are now reporting that Lopez was upset about being denied a film role in a new project produced by The Weinstein Company, which also produced “Runway.”

A source close to “Runway” host Heidi Klum says that Klum was furious that Lopez pulled out.

“Heidi went from one big-name judge for the finale to none,” the source says. “It was embarrassing, especially the excuse that (Lopez) was hurt.”

Lopez is rumored to be throwing a birthday party for husband Anthony back in New York, and, according to the source, “She can forget about Heidi and (husband) Seal attending after this.”

One of the rumors swirling around Lopez’s sudden injury is that she had no beef with “Project Runway,” but instead was angry with The Weinstein Company, which produces the reality show.

“Jennifer was hoping for a part in an upcoming Weinstein film, and she was told the day before (the ‘Project Runway’ show) that she wasn’t getting it,” the source says. “She was angry, so she pulled out.”

Lopez’s rep, Leslie Sloane, denied the rumors, saying “(Lopez) pulled out (of “Runway”) because she had an injury and had to have it rehabbed so she could compete (in the triathlon).” She went on to say “(Lopez) has no issues with Harvey (Weinstein).”

[From MSNBC.com]

I don’t believe Lopez had a foot injury. If she did, how was she able to participate in a grueling triathlon? Why did her trainer say she was fine? If anyone would know, he would. However, pissing off Harvey Weinstein is not a smart move, and Jennifer is nothing if not a savvy business woman. How else does she manage to keep her name in the public eye despite not having a hit movie, album or anything else in years?

Jennifer Lopez is shown out in NY with her husband last night for his surprise 40th birthday party. Credit: WENN
Random photos: Jennifer Garner, George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, more

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 3:28pm CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Photos

Jennifer Garner brings a basket of gifts to a baby shower. It was thought to be for Rebecca Romijn. 9/14/08
Fame Pictures

George Clooney and Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford’s husband, rode their motorcycles in the Pacific Palisades area of LA. 9/14/08.
Fame Pictures

Mark Wahlberg consoles his daughter Ella Rae, 5, when she gets upset during soccer practice. His girlfriend, model Rhea Durham, is expecting their third child later this month. 9/13/08
Fame Pictures

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey attend a screening of Tennessee in NY. 9/13/08
MLM/Fame Pictures

Pierce Brosnan out with his sons Dylan Thomas, 11, and Paris Beckett, 7. He has a son named Paris? Who knew. 9/13/08
Fame Pictures

Katie Holmes outside rehearsals in NY. 9/15/08
WENN

Marcia Cross takes her twin daughters Eden and Savannah, 19 months, to a Brentwood park. 9/13/08
WENN

4th annual Pink Party featuring Kate Beckinsale in a poofy dress. Also shown: Vanessa Minnillo, Marcia Cross , Heidi Montag and Jennifer Garner. 9/13/08
PRPhotos
Jolie-Pitts start health clinic in Ethiopia and name it after Zahara

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 8:56am CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Angelina Jolie

The Jolie-Pitts have founded a health clinic in their oldest daughter Zahara’s native Ethiopia through their charitable organization. They put out a press release about the clinic stating that they hope Zahara, three and a half, will run it when she’s old enough. The announcement follows a statement the couple made in an interview accompanying the first published photographs of their now two month old twins that the clinic would be their next charitable project.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Jolie-Pitt Foundation has made a $2 million donation to the Global Health Committee to establish a center to aid children affected by tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.

The center will be modeled after the Cambodian Health Committee’s Maddox Chivan Children’s Center in Cambodia, where children receive medical, education and social services.

“Our goal is to transfer the success we have had in Cambodia to Ethiopia where people are needlessly dying of tuberculosis, a curable disease, and HIV/AIDS, a treatable disease,” Jolie said in a statement.

As in Cambodia, where the couple named the center after their eldest child, the Ethiopian branch will be named for Zahara, 3, who was adopted from Ethiopia.

“It is our hope when Zahara is older she will take responsibility of the clinic and continue its mission,” Pitt said in a statement.

The clinic will also focus on tuberculosis care. The disease causes approximately 2 million deaths yearly, and is the largest cause of death worldwide for children and adults with AIDS.

“The fact that poor people continue to die in our world today of TB, a curable disease, because of lack of access to drugs and care is unacceptable,” Pitt said.

The Jolie-Pitt foundation was established in Sept. 2006, when the couple donated $1 million to the Global Action for Children organization and $1 million to Doctors Without Borders.

[From People]

Some will surely be pessimistic that the Jolie-Pitts chose to make this announcement during the opening weekend of Brad’s new film, Burn After Reading. According to Box Office Mojo, the Coen brothers comedy narrowly squeaked to number one with a $19.4 million gross. Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys was number two with an estimated $18 million.

Brad and Angelina were paid a reported $14 million for the first photos of their boy and girl twins Knox and Vivienne, which were published in People magazine in the US and Hello! internationally. The money went to their Jolie-Pitt foundation where it will be given to charities favored by the couple. In late June the foundation gave $1 million to refugees of the Iraq war.

Brad and Angelina are shown at the 2007 Deauville Film Festival, which took place in early September. Credit: Efloch from Wikimedia commons.
Amy Winehouse skips 25th birthday party, leaves guests in the lurch

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 8:25am CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Addictions

Amy Winehouse’s best friend, singer Remi Nicole, threw a party for her 25th birthday Saturday night at a London club. Instead of showing up and accepting everyone’s well wishes Winehouse begged off and stubbornly refused to go to her own party. She is rumored to have told friends gathered at her house urging her to go that she wasn’t going to attend the party because she was “ugly.” Remi organized the whole thing and went to a lot of trouble, but she spent three frustating hours and Amy’s house and ultimately couldn’t convince the singer to go. This is pretty sad if it’s all true:

AMY WINEHOUSE refused to go to her own birthday party after realising how drugs have ravaged her looks and ranting: “I look “f***ing ugly.”

The Grammy award-winning singer had a furious row with best pal REMI NICOLE as she desperately tried to convince her to attend her own 25th bash.

Celebs including ADELE, MARK RONSON and Amy’s mother JANIS waited for her in central London’s Jazz After Dark club on Saturday — but the junkie, who is still battling huge drug addictions, refused to leave home.

Three cabs were called to the star’s house in Camden, North London.

Two were sent away before Remi gave up and took the third home after three hours trying to get Amy out.

Her 15 guests were then left to eat her guitar-shaped cake without ever seeing her.

A pal said: “Amy was standing in front of the mirror telling everyone how rough she looked.

“Unfortunately her lifestyle has had a major affect on her appearance and it’s only just started to sink in.

“She kept saying she was ugly and was in an awful state. They couldn’t get her out.

“Remi had organised the night and made a huge effort. They had a huge row.

“Amy can be very selfish — there was no convincing her and she ruined the night for everyone, including herself.”

Even Amy’s pal BLAKE WOOD — who she was rumoured to have had a fling with — arrived with arms full of presents, only to be told the troubled singer wasn’t coming.

[From The Sun]

Amy’s mom Janis is said to have been crying at her daughter’s absence.

Winehouse was recently photographed looking very troubled and sickly. It’s possible she saw the stories about those photos and that led her to be particularly self conscious.

Whatever you call Amy - an addict, druggie, junkie - she’s a human being and our heart goes out to her. No one deserves to live like that even if they’re “choosing” it. People are speculating that she’s near death based on her fragile state. It’s difficult to really comment on these Winehouse stories or even think about it too much as it seems very dire for her at this point.

She doesn’t need a party, she needs to be committed. There are all sorts of legal complications that make that impossible to do at this point, and I’m afraid we’ll have to just keep watching her downward slide. It’s up to Amy now, but maybe something will change and someone will be granted responsibility over her. It worked for another famous singer. There’s no comparing Amy and Britney, but Britney’s positive outcome can at least give us some hope for Amy.

Amy Winehouse is shown on 9/11/08. There’s also a photo of a paparazzi van decorated for her birthday outside her house on 9/14. Credit: WENN
Is Jessica Biel starting a music career with help from Justin Timberlake?

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 7:54am CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Jessica Biel

It’s possible this story is completely fabricated because it’s in Star Magazine and there aren’t a lot of details. This is a rumor that’s too good to pass up, and if it is true hopfully Biel has the musical chops to pull it off. Actress Jessica Biel, 26, is said to be working on her first music CD, in which she’ll sing lead vocals and her boyfriend, musician Justin Timberlake, will provide backup and production.

Jessica Biel is the latest big-screen beauty with music ambitions - and she’s lucky enough to have her pop superstar beau, Justin Timberlake, helping her out! JT, 27, will produce, write songs and provide backup vocals for 26 year-old Jess’ debut CD, which a source says will be “a cross between Alicia Keys and Madonna.” Adds the source, “Most people don’t know that Jessica’s first love is actually singing, not acting, and she’s appeared in productions of Annie and The Sound of Music. Jessica is really excited about the CD!

[From Star Magazine, print edition, September 22, 2008]

We all know how well the music crossover worked out for actress Scarlett Johansson, who coincidentally was once linked with Timberlake and even appeared in one of his music videos. Timberlake is a talented guy and is possibly capable of helping just about any singer with a decent voice put out a solid pop song. Is he really going to put his reputation on the line by helping his girlfriend break into music though? We can only hope this story is wishful thinking by someone at Star. Barring that, maybe Jessica and Justin will break up over his mommy issues and we’ll be spared from Biel’s music ambitions.

Biel could be a competent singer despite the cynicism that people may feel after hearing this story. People reports that “Before pursuing acting, Jessica Biel trained extensively as a singer, a passion she still indulges.”

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are shown out on 8/7/08. Credit: Fame Pictures
Jennifer Hudson engaged to reality show contestant

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 7:18am CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Engagements

Jennifer Hudson is engaged to her boyfriend of under a year, David Otunga. Otunga was a contestant on the reality dating show I Love New York 2, which aired in late 2007. He was nicknamed “Punk” on the show. Both Hudson and Otunga are from Chicago. Hudson’s last serious relationship was with her hometown sweetheart of eight years, a maintenance engineer named James Peyton. She was spotted out with NY Jets safety Kerry Rhodes late last year, but was seen with Peyton after that, suggesting they may have had an on-off relationship. It looks like Hudson has moved on, as she accepted Otunga’s proposal on her 27th birthday:

Jennifer Hudson and boyfriend, David Otunga, have gotten engaged, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A.” says the rep.

Otunga, who is known as “Punk” from the reality show I Love New York 2, popped the question with a Neil Lane diamond ring on the Dreamgirls Oscar winner’s 27th birthday.

The couple, who have been dating less than a year, both hail from Chicago.

Professionally, it is a busy time for Hudson as well. Her debut solo album, Jennifer Hudson, will be in stores Sept. 30, and her next film, The Secret Life of Bees opens on Oct. 17.

[From People]

Did any of you watch this show and remember if “Punk” came across as a decent guy? I read the Wikipedia entry for it and he lasted until nearly the end of the show, until episode 10. I think I’ve watched it once but there are only so many sacrifices I’ll make for this job.
Jennifer Lopez and other celebrities raise money for charity in triathlon

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 6:35am CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Jennifer Lopez

If Jennifer Lopez had a rumored foot or ankle injury that prevented her from judging the Project Runway final she showed no sign of it on Sunday. The 29 year-old singer/actress and mother of nearly seven month old twins competed in a sprint triathlon on Sunday in Malibu along with other celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, William H. Macy, Eliza Dushku, Jon Cryer, Scott Foley, and Tiffany Amber Thiessen. The triathlon consisted of “a half-mile ocean swim, an 18 mile out-and-back bike course, and a 4-mile out-and-back run course,” according to the official website for the event. Lopez raised $127,000 for Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and completed the course in two hours and 23 minutes. Matthew McConaughey, 38, had a finish time of one hour and 31 minutes:

Jennifer Lopez completed the Nautica Malibu Triathlon in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 38.8 seconds on Sunday.

The singer, 39, pumped her arms in the air and smiled broadly as she crossed the finish line of the swimming-running-biking event.

“Thank you guys so much,” she told the crowd. “This is an amazing day.

“I feel really great and so glad I finished and that I made it out of the water but more amazing than that, I feel really great that we raised $127,000 for the Children’s Hospital [of Los Angeles] and hopefully it’ll go to good use,” Lopez added.

Husband Marc Anthony was on the sidelines being supportive. The couple kissed between the biking and running portions of the race.

After finishing, Lopez joined her family and Matthew McConaughey, who came in before her, in the VIP area. McConaughey was accompanied by his girlfriend Camila Alves and their newborn son Levi.

McConaughey’s race time was 1 hour, 30 minutes and 44.7 seconds.

Lopez’ participation raised $127,000 for the Children’s Hospital of L.A. and the entire event raised $950,000.

[From US Weekly]

There was no rest for Lopez after the grueling course. She flew out to NY to celebrate her husband Marc Anthony’s 40th birthday party that night.

I enjoyed the photos of the other people that participated, particularly William H. Macy, who looks incredibly buff for 58. Scott Foley and Jon Cryer are also looking good. Some celebrities are wearing medals as they were honored after the event in a special ceremony. Congratulations to all the people who participated and raised money for charity. That’s a real accomplishment and it’s nice to see the money going to a good cause.

Photo credit: PRPhotos and WENN
Lindsay Lohan punches paparazzo in the nose (update: video)

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 5:27am CDT by Celebitchy

Tags: Photos

Lindsay Lohan tripped over a metal barrier last night while headed into Marc Anthony’s 40th surprise birthday party at a NY hotel. She took her frustration out on an innocent photographer and punched the guy in the nose. As TMZ points out, she probably thought the guy had tripped her. It’s unknown what kind of damage she caused or whether the victim was bleeding. Police were called but no charges were filed. Of course TMZ is all over that and promises that the video will be up soon. Lohan was heard on her cell phone saying afterwards “Oh my God, I just punched a paparazzi in the nose.”

Technically paparazzi is a plural term and the correct way to refer to just one celebrity stalking photographer is paparazzo.

Lohan may have just been following the recent trend of paparazzi abuse. Other celebrities involved in altercations with photographers in the past week include Kanye West and Nicole Richie, whobroke a fan’s camera. It doesn’t seem to matter whether the photographer in question was particularly bothersome to a celebrity. They’re pissed and they’re not going to take it anymore.

Update: TMZ has posted the video, and you can’t really see what happened as it’s far away and you just see Lohan kind of scuffle with someone. Lohan is on her cellphone the entire time and you hear her say “I just hit a paparazzi.” Someone yells “They got that on film, bitch. Crazy.”

Lindsay Lohan is shown on 9/12/08 in Toronto at the “Ultra Supper Club.” Credit: WENN
Britney’s Birthday Boys Truckin’ Along

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 4:49am CDT by Ceilidh

Tags: Britney Spears

Britney Spears’ sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, turned 3 on Sunday and 2 on Friday, respectively, and Mama Britney threw them a good ol’ big-truck themed party! Britney and the boys partied it up family-style with Grandma Lynne, Grandpa Jamie, Auntie Jamie Lynn, and 2-month old cousin Maddie along with about 50 other guests. This should put to rest the speculation about the contents of Lynne’s soon-to-be-released book, which was falsely reported, a publishing insider told OK! Magazine, to contain a lot of stories about sex and drugs in Britney’s early teens, but it won’t. Celebrity friend tots also included on the guest list were Jenny McCarthy’s son Ewan and Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s son, Kingston. Kingston partied all weekend. He was at Heidi Klum and Seal’s son, Henry’s, 3rd birthday party earlier with the Beckham boys. Sounds like a brat pack in the making to me.

In typical spoiled, celebrity kid style, SP and JJ got Ed Hardy style tricked out trucks for their birthdays. A source told People that the trucks came complete with personalized license plates and Ed Hardy by Christian Audiger decals and air freshners. Britney and family spent the day watching the boys and their little guests drive around the property of Brit pal, Adrienne Maloof-Nassif’s Beverly Park mansion. I didn’t get my first car until I was 18, and I still haven’t gotten a personalized license plate. I do have the Ed Hardy air freshener, though, so I’m not bitter.

The boys’ dad, Kevin Federline, threw them a pool party last weekend while their mother unceremoniously opened the MTV Video Music Awards, and surprisingly won three of them.

[Some details from People.com]

Photos from 9/13/08 credit: Fame
Sarah Silverman wins Emmy for F**king Matt Damon

Posted: September 15th, 2008, 3:57am CDT by Ceilidh

Tags: awards

In a ceremony for the Creative Arts Emmys held Saturday in Los Angeles, and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and Sarah Chalke, Sarah Silverman won two Emmys for the incredibly funny and oddly poor-timed video, “I’m F’cking Matt Damon“. Sarah bagged the Best Original Music and Lyrics and a picture-editing award.

Originally recorded for then boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, the song became a internet hit and spurred a rebuttal video from Kimmel, claiming he was f’cking Ben Affleck. Sarah and Damon’s song was much better, but Jimmy’s video had an amazing number of cameos including Brad Pitt as a FedEx delivery guy, a We-Are-The-World-style sing along with more names than I can count, and Harrison Ford being very unHarrison Ford-like as he speeds away in a convertible.

The Damon-Kimmel “feud” goes back to September 2006, when Damon delivered a very convincing tirade on Kimmel for bumping him from the show… again. Although I’ve never seen it substantiated, I think Matt Damon showed just how good an actor he is in the closing credits of that show. Damon references the joke at the end of the Silverman song.

The song was released in February and Silverman and Kimmel ended their five year relationship in July, but Sarah, who’s not generally known for her manners or compassion, knew who to thank in her acceptance speech.

“Let’s be honest, Matt Damon had very little to do with this being popular,” Silverman, 37, said while accepting her award at the Creative Arts Emmys for the salty music video “I’m F—— Matt Damon” at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

“Thanks to the person for whom this whole video was made: Jimmy Kimmel, who broke my heart – ohh, who’ll always have a place in my heart,” Silverman continued.

In her speech Saturday, Silverman also thanked her cowriters and joked, “this makes all the, ‘Hey, I’m f—— Matt Damon, too,’ totally worth it.”

[From People.com]

The Creative Arts Emmys air on E! September 20th. The Primetime Emmy Awards air on ABC September 21st.

Sarah Silverman is shown at the Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Awards on 9/13/08. Credit: Apega; Adriana M. Barraza / WENN