Foxx keeps his plans for hometown under wraps

Foxx keeps his plansfor hometown under wraps
HOUSTON -- Jamie Foxx says he has big plans for his hometown of Terrell, Texas. But he's not ready to share exactly what they are.
"We're going to do something real special in Terrell -- for the whole city," the Oscar-winning actor and singer said Sunday at the Essence Music Festival.
Foxx said he has "snuck back" to his hometown, which is about 30 miles east of Dallas, a couple of times since he won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the movie "Ray."
He said he plans to help friends with community work such as opening a new youth center.
"When I get a chance, I'm going to get back to Terrell, Texas," he said.
Foxx said he was particularly excited to perform at the festival in its first installment outside New Orleans.
"When you're in Texas, it's that great Southern feeling and it's just great to be able to do it in front of my folks," he said.
Lil' Kim released
Lil' Kim celebrated Independence Day one day early with her release from a federal detention center Monday, walking out with a bouquet of white roses to match her all-white, cleavage-baring outfit.
The rapper had arrived at the downtown prison nearly 10 months ago in a caravan of two RVs carrying about two dozen friends and family members, plus a decoy. She was greeted by hundreds of onlookers and a crush of media who tried to catch a glimpse as she was whisked in to serve time for lying under oath about a 2001 shootout in New York.
There was no hiding from the crowd Monday. Looking glamorous and waving to dozens of cheering fans -- some carrying signs that said, "Welcome Home Queen Bee" -- Lil' Kim got into a chauffeured silver Rolls-Royce. She even did a curtain call after the car pulled into a nearby parking lot, taking off her sunglasses and re-emerging to greet the throng.
"I love you," she said, blowing kisses.
The brash, 4-foot-11 entertainer, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, began serving time in the detention center Sept. 19. She was sentenced to a year and a day in prison but her good behavior shortened the term.
Some fans stayed up all night to ensure they made it downtown for her 6 a.m. release.
"It was worth it," said Shakiyla Williams, 16. "She was the same Queen Bee -- fabulous."
Though several high-profile rappers -- including Beanie Sigel and Tupac Shakur -- have done time in jail, Lil' Kim is the genre's first prominent female artist to serve a prison sentence.
New Edition reunion
HOUSTON -- Bobby Brown was back with New Edition -- and his ostentatious behavior stood out when he was paired with the soulful group.
Brown, who left New Edition in the 1980s for a solo career, reunited with the band Sunday night for two songs at the Essence Music Festival.
As the other five members moved to slick choreography Sunday, Brown ran around the stage wildly and performed raunchy dance moves.
The men brought the crowd to its feet with their performance of the 1985 hit "Mr. Telephone Man."
Brown then left the stage, and the remainder of the group -- original members Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe, plus Johnny Gill, who replaced Brown -- performed several ballads.
Brown followed with a solo set that started with "Don't Be Cruel," then quickly turned to more raunchy dancing and talk about his sex life with wife Whitney Houston.
By the time he finished with "My Prerogative," Brown was shirtless and many in the audience were screaming for him to get off the stage.
Today's birthdays
Actress Gloria Stuart is 96. Conductor Mitch Miller is 95. Advice columnist Pauline Phillips (the original "Dear Abby") is 88. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 82. Playwright Neil Simon is 79. Baseball team owner George Steinbrenner is 76. Country singer Ray Pillow is 69. Singer Bill Withers is 68. Actor Ed Bernard is 67. Actress Karolyn Grimes is 66. Broadcast journalist Geraldo Rivera is 63. Rhythm-and-blues musician Ralph Johnson (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 55. Rock musician Domingo Ortiz (Widespread Panic) is 54. Singer John Waite is 51. Rock musician Kirk Pengilly (INXS) is 48. Country musician Teddy Carr is 46. Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver is 44. Rock musician Matt Malley (Counting Crows) is 43. Actress Jenica Bergere is 32. Singer Stephen "Ste" McNally (BBMak) is 28.