Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A trailer Will Smith is using while filming the third installment of “Men In Black” is drawing criticism from New York residents.

The actor and father of three is currently filming in Manhattan alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin, but instead of getting a warm welcome he’s received complaints about his 53 foot trailer that features a full-sized kitchen, cinema and meeting room.

Additionally the trailer has a lounge bar, offices, a meeting room as well as a bedroom and bathroom.

Local residents are reportedly livid about the obstruction, claiming that it’s a nuisance.

Smith has yet to comment but officials from Sony Pictures Entertainment have assured resident s that they are “always respectful of the area residents and businesses.”

CHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey now has a street to call her own.

On Wednesday, Mayor Richard Daley, in one of his last official acts before he leaves office next week, stopped by her studio to rename a street outside Harpo Studios where Winfrey tapes her show “Oprah Winfrey Way.”

Winfrey is widely credited with helping transform a gritty part of the city into a thriving neighborhood, as her beige building with the giant silver ‘O’ proved to be a magnet for young professionals and families.

Winfrey is the latest of more than 1,000 celebrities, religious leaders and activists and others who have been honored with street signs in Chicago. Michael Jordan, Siskel and Ebert, Hugh Hefner and Frank Sinatra have been honored over the years — Sinatra twice as it turns out.

WASHINGTON — The White House is standing by its decision to invite the rapper Common to participate in a poetry event despite conservative and other criticism that the musician has glorified the killing of police officers with his lyrics.

Spokesman Jay Carney says President Barack Obama has spoken out against violent and misogynistic music lyrics. But Carney also said media reports about Common’s participation in Tuesday night’s East Room event distort what the rapper stands for.

Carney says Common has earned praise for being a socially conscious rapper. He adds that Pres. Obama appreciates Common’s work trying to get children in their Chicago hometown interested in poetry.

Republican strategist Karl Rove and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin have expressed displeasure at the White House for inviting Common.

NEW YORK — The New York City medical examiner’s office says a jazz musician was stabbed to death before his body was stuffed into a storage chest in his home.

Stanley Wright had wounds in his torso and neck, and his death was ruled a homicide Wednesday. He was reported missing by his family a day earlier. Police checked his Brooklyn home and found his body.

Relatives say the 62-year-old Wright once taught music at a Brooklyn middle school and played at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Wright played the bass, piano and drums and gave lessons.

May 11 marked the 30th anniversary of the death of iconic musical and Rastafarian figure, Bob Marley.

Marley rose to prominence as the founding member of the reggae outfit The Wailing Wailers – eventually changed to Bob Marley and The Wailers – in the early sixties.

The group would go on to establish themselves as one of Jamaica’s hottest acts.

After a brief stay in America and a rearranging of the group, Marley moved back to Jamaica and reformed the band, reestablishing themselves with wildly popular songs steeped in Rastafarian rhetoric.

In 1980, after becoming the most significant reggae artist of all time, Marley was diagnosed with cancer.  After battling the disease for eight months, Marley succumbed in a Miami hospital on May 11, 1981. However, his message of peace will forever live on through his timeless music.

It has been a year since actor Gary Coleman passed away, and his body still hasn’t been given a proper burial.

According to Coleman’s manager Vic Perillo the burial money is tied up between Coleman’s parents and widow.

Perillo’s statement reads: “This was not the proper and dignified manner to show respect for the magnificent talent the world TV and film audience knew in Gary Coleman. This was not the send off he deserved.”

“Unfortunately we learn of the great works and noble deeds of a person upon their death and at their memorial. Gary’s deeds and contributions to the entertainment industry and other endeavors were overshadowed by the desire of the media to stay focused on the misfortunes of his life and all the negatives.

NEW YORK — Whitney Houston is back in rehab.

A representative for the superstar singer confirmed that Houston is undergoing treatment. Kristen Foster says Houston is in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment. She says it is a voluntary measure and part of Houston’s “long-standing” recovery process.

It’s unclear how long Houston will be in rehab or where she’s being treated; Foster had no further comment. However, Houston has been visible recently: Last week, she sang on stage with Chaka Khan during Prince’s concert in Los Angeles.

CHARLOTTE, NC — A prosecutor in North Carolina is dropping charges against six men in a shootout at a store where rapper Waka Flocka Flame had been talking with fans.

A spokesman for the rapper said the shooting started after several men tried to take some of Waka Flocka Flame’s jewelry.

Prosecutors in Charlotte say none of the witnesses identified any of the shooters. Prosecutors also say there was no evidence of an attempted robbery.

The six men had faced charges that include attempted armed robbery, conspiracy and discharging a gun into occupied property.

Waka Flocka Flame’s real name is Juaquin Malphurs.

ATLANTA — An Atlanta-area woman is suing music producer Jermaine Dupri over missed child support payments after a judge recently ordered him to pay her.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Margaret Dorsey told the Grammy-winning producer in March to pay $2,500 a month and an additional $7,500 to Sarai Jones, based on the results of a paternity test.

Jones’ attorney, Randy Kessler, said Jones hopes that she and Dupri “can work together to co-parent their beautiful baby girl,” who is 7 months old.
Dupri’s lawyer, James Kane, declined to comment.

The lawsuit was filed at a time when Dupri is facing financial troubles. His mansion was up for foreclosure and set to be auctioned last week, but the sale was canceled at the last minute.

Dupri owes the state more than $493,000 in back taxes for 2007.

Based off his 2006 income, Forbes.com said Dupri was one of hip-hop’s top earners, taking home $12 million.