Gladys Knight goes Old School on the Queen Latifah Show

The timeless Gladys Knight performed her new single, Old School, on the Queen Latifah Show. The Empress of Soul still throws down on stage. The album Another Journey is available on iTunes and Amazon and features "I Hope You Dance" which so many loved in the movie Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys. Listen to her kick it "Old School"!

Debt collector's secret to success? Advocating for those who are struggling.

At a time when families who have already been rocked by financial upset face even harder times because of the resent and unnecessary government shutdown, this feel-good story by CBS Evening News is worth sharing. Tip your hat to Bill Bartmann, a debt collector who practices consumer advocacy. He believes in helping people through his company, CFS II. Hmm... a debt collector who helps those he is charged with collecting from. How often does that happen?!

Cancer Support Services (CSS)... Charity or Scam?

As I thumbed through my mail the other day, I was surprised to find an envelope with "A Friendly reminder: Please honor your pledge" on it in bold letters. I looked at the return address and knew immediately that I had never had any contact with this organization as I had never even heard of it. "How dare they make it seem as though I made a pledge and did not pay," I thought to myself. 

I called Cancer Support Services at the number on the back side of the letter, 1-313-565-5901, and a man answered. I told him that I received the letter and wanted to know what it was all about.  He asked for my phone number so I gave him the number listed on the letter. He "pulled up the record" and verified my name.

"Well, it looks like someone contacted you on August 8th and took a pledge," he continued.

"I've never heard of your charity and no one could have contacted me at that number because that is not my phone number," I assured him.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I'll take you off of this, then."

"Yeah, you do that," I said in a stern  and obviously aggravated voice.

I fully expect to hear from this so-called charity again because there are complaints about them contacting people multiple times, especially if you fall for the ruse and actually send them money.  They collect millions of dollars from unsuspecting people who are trying to do a good deed and help cancer victims. Donors are unwittingly stuffing the pockets of these thieves, becoming victims themselves of a scam.  CSS consists of a father and son who are getting rich off of their pretense. The mother of the family has since struck out on her own and has a separate "charity" that she claims supports breast cancer victims.  

I can't tell you what to do with your money, but I would certainly caution you to think long and hard and then think again before giving any donation to Cancer Support Services (CSS), also known as Cancer Fund of America Support Services. The web addresses are different but lead to the same site (www.cfasupportservices.org/home.htm  and  www.cancersupportservices.net). A quick internet search yielded some interesting information that you can read for yourself. Please don't fall for this devious trickery.

Charity Navigator: Post by Raymond Davis detailing his experience with CSS

Boston BBB:Cancer Charity Soliciting Nationally Raises Millions, But Almost No Cash Goesto Direct Aid

AC Services / Breast Cancer Society: Before You Donate, Read This

Read comments by others solicited by CSS

Come on! Do the Sweetie Pie with Miss Robbie!

Miss Robbie Montgomery, star of the OWN hit Welcome to Sweetie Pie's celebrated
her 73rd birthday with a banging performance of a dance tune written
just for her by her son, Tim. It's catchy and Ms. Robbie belts it
out with enthusiasm. Come on! Do the Sweetie Pie and dance along
with Ms. Robbie. She could totally rock this song at a club.
Get it, girl! "Do the Pimp Walk!" That line cracks me up.

Do the Sweetie Pie Music Video


Live Party Performance


Now that's how it's done. Shake your Sweetie Pie, people!