EXCLUSIVE: Ludacris’ Restaurant Straits Scores a 98

Yesterday I reported that rapper and entrepreneur Chris “Ludacris” Bridges’ restaurant Straits failed its last inspection in January with a score of 67. We’re happy to report that Straits was re-inspected today by the health department and it passed the inspection with a score of 98!

PR Guru Liz Lapidus writes:

Hi Sandra!!! Just wanted to let you know that Straits was re-inspected today and scored a 98 out of 100. Guess someone at the Fulton Co Dept of Health and Wellness must read your blog!!

Photo: Splash News Online

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BYU Dismisses Men’s Basketball Player for Having Premarital Sex

In a society where pregnant teens are rewarded for their promiscuity with fame and fat checks, there are still bastions of morality left somewhere in this country.

Brigham Young University (BYU) is standing by its controversial decision to kick standout center Brandon Davies off the basketball team for having premarital sex with his girlfriend. As a result of Davies’ dismissal, BYU (27-3) dropped its next game to New Mexico in an upset.

Davies himself revealed his violation of the school’s honor code in a meeting with school officials. The 6-9, 235 lb. sophomore told school officials that he had sexual relations with his girlfriend despite taking a vow to “live a chaste and virtuous life.”

According to ESPN, “an honor code review is under way to determine if the BYU sophomore will be allowed to remain in school, as well as his status with the team next season.”

BYU faces a wave of criticism for dismissing Davies from the team, but many in the BYU community applaud the school’s decision.

“Everybody who comes to BYU, every student if they’re an athlete or not an athlete, they make a commitment when they come,” said BYU coach Dave Rose of a code that also forbids use of alcohol and coffee and requires students to be honest and attend church regularly. “A lot of people try to judge if this is right or wrong, but it’s a commitment they make. It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about commitment.”

Thanks to loyal reader Nicole B. for the tip!

Edited Mar. 3, 2011 @ 5:06 p.m. to add picture of Brandon’s girlfriend

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Bobbi Kristina Responds To Pictures of Her Snorting Blow

Aren’t you glad there are still a few morally intact bloggers left who don’t sensationalize every false story that comes along? Your auntie ignored the hysteria that erupted yesterday when images surfaced online of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina supposedly snorting cocaine.

Bobbi, who turns 18 next week, is a mature, intelligent young lady who would never break her parents’ hearts by abusing drugs. The budding actress turned to her Twitter page today to clear her name.

I believe her:

The pictures_a former very dear person to me did this. Set me up to make it look exactly what it looks like. God will smite them yes..But it’s really not what it looks like.. People will do anything for money which is extremely sad, and I’m very hurt by this.Thing’s people do these days to hurt others is a shame. All I can do now, is keep my head up high, keep looking towards the lord.All the lord is telling me is be still. That’s all, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. #BeStill.

I love my family so much. My mom just comforted me to the max, and I’m so thankful for her. Thank you so much lord for blessing me with an Phenomenal family and incredibly phenomenal mother. Thank you for giving me the strength to move forward and put things in the past.

And the person that did this was a result of a horrible relationship that went sour. I was in love_ he was in love with money. I’ve learned My lesson. I’m so much greater and blessed for it today, and I believe nothing less. That is the last I will speak of this, let’s praise god And be greatful and thankful for your family, and people that truly love you, strength, courage, and life lessons learned. GodblessUall

Source

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Was Lover’s Quarrel Behind Fatal Stabbing of Basketball Player?

This morning, while perusing my Twitter timeline, I spotted this story about a Middle Tennessee basketball player’s roommate being charged with her murder. The first thing I thought was a lover’s quarrel had gotten out of hand. I intended to write a post this morning, but it completely slipped my mind. Thanks to loyal reader Nicole B. for refreshing my memory.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni said 18-year-old Shanterrica Madden was charged with first degree murder in Stewart’s death. She is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.

Police spokesman Kyle Evans said Madden stabbed Stewart during an argument.

Two others were ruled out as suspects after police interviewed them.

The 21-year-old Stewart had multiple wounds when authorities found her, Evans said. She was taken to Middle Tennessee Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

Middle Tennessee president Sidney McPhee, who spoke with Stewart’s father, said at a news conference that the entire university is grieving over the death of “a wonderful, talented and vibrant young woman.” McPhee said Stewart had spent the past three Thanksgivings with his family because she could not return home for the holiday.

“The anguish I feel as a father and a president … but personally as a father with a daughter about the age of Tina cannot adequately be expressed with words,” McPhee said.

Counselors have been alerted to help on campus.

Athletic director Chris Massaro was emotional at the news conference.

“This is an unspeakable tragedy to one of our family members,” Massaro said. “Our biggest concern is with Tina and her family. The team is devastated, but we’ll work through this together … one step at a time.”

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fanMAIL: Rihanna and Chris Brown

A loyal reader took umbrage at a statement that I wrote yesterday about singer Chris Brown being provoked into beating down his ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. While I don’t condone violence against women, the reality is that some women can (and do) provoke men to violence. Even a normally calm man will swing wildly at a female who punches him in the mouth (see photo above).

I stand by my statement that Rihanna probably provoked the savage beating she received at the hands of Chris Brown. I doubt that she sat there silently while he tattooed her face with his fists without provocation. We know now from Rihanna’s increasingly erratic behavior that she is quite capable of making a man snap. But I guess some people will never find it in their hearts to forgive him.

Mirna writes:

Dear Ms. Rose:

It was with serious disappointment and alarm that I read your post on Chris Brown today, hailing his “successful” comeback to the music scene following his brutal assault on Rihanna. You then go on to say that “we” were “misled” into believing he had assaulted her, when, in fact, she “provoked” him. Are you serious? Did you see the same pictures the rest of us saw?

Chris Brown had a dot on his lip that he was calling an “injury”; Rihanna had her face rearranged.

I don’t know how old you are, but please grow up. Feud with the girl all you want. Call her names and make fun of her forehead, if you have too. But do not make uninformed and ignorant comments like that on your blog. As you know, you have a very public forum. And people are impressionable. It is NEVER alright for a man to beat a woman like Chris Brown did to Rihanna.

There is no “provocation” sufficient to incite someone to violence like that. By saying that she provoked him, you are saying that what he did was alright. IT WAS NOT. I have seen enough women abused and hurt in my life to know that anything can serve as a “provocation” for a violent man — a look, a sound, a “tasteless” meal, a telephone call, anything!

We have enough issues in our community without glossing over what this convict did. There is no excuse for Chris Brown. I don’t begrudge him trying to earn a living; but, I, for one, will never spend another cent on his records or products.

Thank you for listening,

Mirna

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Randy Jackson Disses Monica On ‘American Idol’

R&B singer Monica’s fans are in an uproar this morning after ‘American Idol’ host Randy Jackson seemed to diss the legend with his over-the-top praise for the off-key performance of ‘American Idol’ hopeful, Ashton Jones.

I didn’t catch the episode last night, but loyal reader Trevino Allen did, and he caught me up to speed with what happened:

Trevino writes:

*Hey Sandra,

Did you see American Idol last night and how Randy tried to diss our girl Monica? One of the girls did “Love All Over Me” and Randy said that it’s a good R and B song for Monica but he thinks that the girl is way bigger than a Monica record. I was pissed off for real. Then Randy and Jennifer go on to say that she (the girl) is like a Diana Ross. She couldn’t even sing! Please!!!!!!! Randy Jackson don’t know music. He just happy he still got a damn job. How you gone be on the show 10 years and you still making less money then the other 2 judges.

*Email edited for clarity

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Jay Z Orders Rihanna To Take a Break From Touring

In just little over a month, pop singer Rihanna has gone from being the most loved to the most hated entertainer in the biz. She has come under fire from A-listers like Donald Trump, and most recently she irked Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, who called her performances “filthy” and her fans “swine.”

Concerned that the criticism combined with her hectic tour schedule would further erode her fragile mental health, Rihanna’s mentor Jay Z has ordered her to take a break.

According to Look Magazine (as quoted by MTV UK), Jay-Z is worried that the 23-year-old is being overworked and that her current schedule is causing her health to deteriorate.

“[Jay-Z] told her to take a holiday for a week –- she’s been working flat out and needs to get over the bronchitis, which he’s sure she’s developed as a result of stress,” the source continued. “He told her she’ll be all right, but to keep her head down.” Source

Last week I told you that Def Jam held a meeting to discuss Rihanna’s damaged public image after Britain banned her controversial music video for her lackluster single “S&M”. The label was worried that Rihanna was spiraling out of control after rumors surfaced about her self harming behavior and her sexual promiscuity with male and female groupies.

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