Usher's outreach to kids

Usher's outreach to kids
NEW YORK -- Singer Usher has unveiled Usher's New Look Inc., a nonprofit organization (www.ushersnewlook.org) dedicated to giving disadvantaged youth "a new outlook on life and their future." The organization says kids today are caught up in the powerful allure of "the lavish life of the entertainment industry they see glorified" in the media. So it will help them achieve, not a different sense of self, but a more realistic image of the entertainment industry, so they can better conquer it. For its first project, the group will launch a sports and entertainment camp designed to show kids how best to sell themselves as athletes or musicians to agents, producers, stylists and athletic trainers. "It's important to me to show these kids the wide variety of amazing careers available to them," Usher said.
Richards expects she'lladjust to single parenting
LOS ANGELES -- People magazine asks new mother Denise Richards, who is divorcing the father of both her kids, Charlie Sheen, how she feels about the prospect of being a single mother. Richards was all common sense: "I can't worry about being a single parent," she said. "I just want to be a good one."
After Crowe's tantrum
NEW YORK -- Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has gone from pitching a phone at a hotel concierge to putting his foot in his mouth. Seems the "Cinderella Man" used David Letterman's couch not just to apologize for throwing the phone, but to do a bit of crowing. He said he spent only a tiny bit of time in police custody Monday when he was booked after his tantrum. "I've got some friends in this town," Crowe told Letterman, saying he called a police pal who "just simplified things." That led to complaints that the actor received preferential treatment because he's a celebrity. Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne of the NYPD told the New York Daily News there was no pampering, before zinging Crowe real good: "We can't help it if someone is boasting they did something."
Perry to helm the ESPYs
LOS ANGELES -- "Friends" star Matthew Perry has been tapped to host the 2005 ESPY awards, which will be on ESPN on July 17. The event honors the best athletes, teams and sports moments from the last year.
Staind singer, wife adddaughter to their family
NEW YORK -- Staind singer Aaron Lewis is a dad again. His wife, Vanessa, gave birth to the couple's second daughter, Nyla Rae, in North Hampton, N.H., on Thursday, Lewis' publicist said. Both mother and daughter are reported doing well. There were no other details. Their daughter, Zoe Jane, is 3 years old. Staind's new album, "Chapter V," is set for release Aug. 9. The band will go on tour with 3 Doors Down, Breaking Benjamin and No Address starting in late June.
Today's birthdays
Banker David Rockefeller is 90. Former President George H.W. Bush is 81. Singer Vic Damone is 77. Actor-singer Jim Nabors is 75. Jazz musician Chick Corea is 64. Sportscaster Marv Albert is 64. Singer Roy Harper is 64. Rock singer Reg Presley (The Troggs) is 62. Rock singer-musician Brad Delp (Boston) is 54. Rock musician Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) is 54. Country singer-musician Junior Brown is 53. Singer-songwriter Rocky Burnette is 52. Actor Timothy Busfield is 48. Singer Meredith Brooks is 47. Actress Jenilee Harrison is 46. Rock musician John Linnell (They Might Be Giants) is 46. Rapper Grandmaster Dee (Whodini) is 43. Actress Paula Marshall is 41. Actress Frances O'Connor is 38. Blues musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 28. Actor Wil Horneff is 26. Singer Robyn is 26.