BARBARA MCNAIR

The Chicago born singer and actress passed away on this day in 2007 at the age of 72. A television favorite from 1969 - 1971 was "The Barbara McNair Show", which attracted Hollywood's top entertainers as guest performers. Fun fact: Barbara McNair was the first black woman ever to pose in Playboy at the then unheard of "old" age of 34!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMgRIZ27fOk

MELANIE SAFKA

The Woodstock era veteran turns 63 today. Melanie sold over 25 million records in her career, and although she is most famous for "Brand New Key" and the iconic "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" which she recorded with the Edwin Hawkins singers, Mess has always loved her 1977 shot at rock, Cyclone. Hold tight!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOeH7nOYprQ

LANA CLARKSON

The actress died on this day in 2003. She was 40. Music producer Phil Spector is currently serving a prison sentence for her murder.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!

Congratulations to our new Miss America, a sistah who is walking the walk! Caressa Cameron won her state's title on her fourth try, and said she saw pageantry as a way to raise money and awareness for her platform issue, AIDS awareness. She said the issue is personal for her because her uncle died of AIDS and her family fostered a young girl who lived with the disdease.She was recognized by Congress in 2007 for her work to bring instant-result HIV testing to her home state.During the Miss Virginia pageant last year, Cameron was asked her opinion about gay marriage, the same issue Miss California Carrie Prejean was asked about during the Miss USA pageant two months earlier.Cameron said she believed marriage should be between a man and woman because of her religious beliefs, but she didn't think there should be laws against gay marriage. You go on with your pretty self, Caressa. Shine that light on those communities dying from denial.

GIANT SQUID, PSYCHIC CAT, GROUNDHOG

Y'all know Mess is a sucker for any animal story, and today there's 3 big ones! First, the GIANT SQUID have returned to California's sunny shores just in time for THE OSCAR nominations! And speaking of, Oscar is a hospice kitty in Rhode Island who predicts death - seems if Oscar curls up with you in your bed for a half hour, you be dead! Last but not least, today the ADORABLE groundhog left his hole to reload - yup, don't put away your thermal undie pants just yet.

LIZ SMITH

One of the original "gossip girls" was born on this day in 1923 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Liz is shown here partying with some old French bitch.

SURREAL ESTATE: THE WORK OF PAUL WILLIAMS

“He was completely undaunted by racism,” says the architect’s granddaughter, Karen Hudson, who has authored two books on his career and life. Against all odds, Williams designed hundreds of important public buildings and palatial playgrounds for the elite, in the process becoming one of Southern California’s signature 20th-century architects. His residential clients included the likes of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Lucille Ball, Jane Wyatt, Frank Sinatra, Tyrone Power and many others.
"If I allow the fact that I am a Negro to checkmate my will to do, now, I will inevitably form the habit of being defeated."

GENE KELLY

The legendary hoofer passed away on this day in 1996 at the age of 86.

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

To learn more about black people, see the following link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_people

LANGSTON HUGHES

The poet, novelist, playwright and columnist Langston Hughes was born on this day in 1902 in Joplin, Mo. to mixed race parents. He passed in 1967 at the age of 65 from prostate cancer related complications.
"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?... Or does it explode?"