Hundreds mourn Marion Barry at his annual turkey giveaway

Hundreds of people gathered outside Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast Washington on Tuesday for Marion Barry Jr.s turkey giveaway, an annual holiday ritual that turned into a vigil for Barry, who died early Sunday morning at 78.

For years, Barry, the Districts four-time mayor and Ward 8 councilman, had raised thousands of dollars to buy turkeys and give them away to the poor. He called the long lines of people waiting for free Thanksgiving fixings a sad commentary on poverty in the richest nation in the world.

During his career as a civil rights activist and then the Districts most charismatic, powerful politician, Barry was viewed by many as a champion of the poor and disenfranchised. His annual turkey giveaway was something his constituents had come to count on in a tough economy and they were mourning him as they waited for the 3,500 turkeys and fresh vegetables that would be given away.

Marion Barry is going to be truly missed, said Ernice Beasley, 49, who lives in Southeast. I dont think well find anybody to fill his shoes.

LaToya Foster, a spokesperson for Barry, looked at the crowd and cried. This is what Marion Barry lived for, giving back to people, giving to the poorest people, making sure those who felt like they didnt have a voice were served.

As some in line wept, Foster said Barry was a voice for the voiceless, a voice for the disenfranchised who didnt feel they had any hope. He always said if you found yourself down but you could look up, then you could get up.

Barrys memorial service wont be held until next week because of the scale of the events planned.

DeNeen L. Brown is an award-winning staff writer at The Washington Post who has covered night police, education, courts, politics and culture.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/hundreds-mourn-marion-barry-at-his-annual-turkey-giveaway/2014/11/25/c7be81da-74b3-11e4-bd1b-03009bd3e984_story.html

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Steve Austin podcast to air live on WWE Network with special guest Vince ...

During tonight's Survivor Series pay-per-view, WWE officially announced that Stone Cold Steve Austin's podcast, The Steve Austin Show, will air live on the WWE Network immediately following Monday Night Raw on Dec. 1, 2014.

And Vince McMahon will be his special guest.

WWE partnering up with Austin always made sense and, frankly, I'm shocked it didn't happen sooner. Austin's podcast is wildly successful for Podcast One and the WWE Network is desperately in need of compelling, easy-to-produce content that appeals to the wrestling audience.

Airing an Austin podcast with Vince as special guest is the best of all worlds.

You tuning in?

Source: http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2014/11/23/7273247/steve-austin-podcast-live-wwe-network-guest-vince-mcmahon-wwe-raw-dec-1-2014

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LeGarrette Blount

Bill Belichick doesn't care about your fantasy team.

Yes, that line could've been written at any time during the past 15 seasons, spanning Belichick's tenure as coach of the New England Patriots. But there might not be any more compelling evidence than what he has done with his backfield the past two weeks.

On Sunday of Week 11, Jonas Gray burst onto the scene with a 201-yard, four-touchdown, 44-point fantasy performance. He played a team-high 55 of 74 snaps and amassed 38 of the team's 45 carries, en route to being the week's most-added player in ESPN leagues: As of Sunday, his ownership had gone from 8.4 to 75.7 percent, and after being started in 1.3 percent of leagues in Week 11, he was started in 32.9 percent in Week 12.

This Sunday, Gray didn't only get shut out on the fantasy scoreboard, he didn't even play a single snap. That came on the heels of a report that he missed Friday's practice after oversleeping; the team did announce beforehand that he wouldn't start.

Meanwhile, LeGarrette Blount -- who ironically played only one snap for his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Monday of Week 11 before leaving the field before the game's conclusion, a contributing factor to his release the following day -- joined the Patriots on Thursday, played 17 snaps for his new team (that per ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss' account) and scored 19 fantasy points.

Oh, and just for an added wrinkle, per Reiss, Shane Vereen played 62 snaps Sunday, which would represent his season high in that department.

Let's start with Blount's performance, perhaps the least likely outcome in a season of unlikely outcomes from Patriots running backs. Historically speaking, for a player to score as many fantasy points as he did following a midseason change of teams is extremely unusual, or, at least, a player doing so in his first game for his new team -- among those without any gap in playing time between teams (other than bye weeks) -- is unusual. In fact, since 1960, only one player has scored more than 19 fantasy points in those circumstances, and only eight have scored as many as 14:

PlayerPosYearWkTeamFPTSHopalong CassadyRB19626Phi25LeGarrette BlountRB201412NE19Chris ChambersWR20099KC19Paul PalmerRB19897Dal17Joe NedneyK20006Car15Deion BranchWR20106NE15Randy MossWR20105Min14Herschel WalkerRB19896Min14

Interestingly, there are common threads between multiple pairs of players on this list. Walker was traded to the Minnesota Vikings midseason, with Palmer acquired by Walker's former team, the Dallas Cowboys, to serve as Walker's replacement. Moss, meanwhile, was traded to the Vikings by the Patriots, who then acquired Branch the following week to help fill out their wide receiver corps. Meanwhile, Cassady, Chambers and Nedney, along with Blount, were free-agent pickups.

As for Gray, his 44-point decline in fantasy production from one week to the next also ranked among history's most unusual occurrences. Since 1960, only three players have suffered a greater drop-off in fantasy points from one game to the next, and only 15 have seen their scores decline by 40 points or more:

PlayerPosYearTeamWkFPTSWkFPTSDiff.Jerry RiceWR1990SF65273-49Paul HornungRB1965GB1347141-46Jerry ButlerWR1979Buf45054-46Jonas GrayRB2014NE1144120-44Kellen WinslowTE1981SD1244131-43Barry SandersRB1991Det1349146-43Jimmy SmithWR2000Jac24734-43Wesley WalkerWR1986NYJ34341-42Gale SayersRB1965Chi13551414-41Adrian PetersonRB2007Min946105-41Joe KappQB1969Min24434-40Dave WilliamsWR1969StL74080-40Brian WestbrookRB2007Phi34040*-40Kenny BrittWR2010Ten74080-40Doug MartinRB2012TB9511011-40* Westbrook missed Week 4 of 2007

So what's in store for Belichick and the Patriots next week?

Well, that's obvious, isn't it? Vereen and Gray share the backfield evenly in Week 13, with so-so, eight-point fantasy efforts, and then Brandon Bolden explodes for a multiple-touchdown Week 14. Yup, totally predictable.

Miscellany

This might, to date, have been a disappointing season as far as first-round picks are concerned, but for one week, at least, it wasn't so much the case. Six running backs were selected in the first round on average in ESPN leagues -- Adrian Peterson (first overall), LeSean McCoy (second), Jamaal Charles (third), Marshawn Lynch (fifth), Matt Forte (sixth) and Eddie Lacy (eighth) -- and those six had their greatest combined weekly fantasy total in Week 12: 91 points (15.2 per player, 18.2 if you exclude Peterson).

These six running backs, in fact, have enjoyed their three most productive fantasy weeks during Weeks 10-12: In Week 10, they scored 88 combined points, and in Week 11 they scored 85. If it's a matter of their heating up after slow starts, they sure picked a good time to do it, what with many fantasy leagues' playoffs nearly here.

The Philadelphia Eagles' D/ST -- who else? -- had the honor of scoring the first touchdown Sunday, as Josh Huff returned the opening kickoff 107 yards for a score. That gave the Eagles' D/ST their 10th touchdown of 2014, which is twice as many as any other team has scored (the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans each have five).

It also put the Eagles within three scores of the single-season mark by any D/ST since 1960, held by the 1998 Seattle Seahawks (13). It also makes them the 15th team during that time span to score at least 10 touchdowns in a season ... and remember, they have five games remaining on their schedule. Here are the 15:

The Eagles' D/ST now has 124 fantasy points for the season, with 60 of them -- or 48.4 percent -- coming via touchdown. That's an extremely high rate; only six had a higher percentage since 2001:

TeamYearTDsFPTS% FPTSfrom TDsNew Orleans Saints201255158.8%Chicago Bears201377754.5%Tampa Bay Buccaneers201144652.2%Arizona Cardinals20101213951.8%Denver Broncos201022450.0%Tennessee Titans2012911049.1%Philadelphia Eagles20141012448.4%

I've likened what the Eagles have done this season to that 2010 Cardinals team, a touchdown-dependent unit, albeit one that maintained a level of consistency all the way through their TD-heavy year. Those Cardinals amassed 64 fantasy points from their D/ST in six games from this date forward, averaging 10.7 per contest; it was the following season during which their touchdown total regressed to the mean: The 2011 Cardinals D/ST scored just four touchdowns, all on Patrick Peterson punt returns. Keep that in mind if you've been relying upon the Eagles to regularly fill your D/ST slot, as while their big-play potential makes them a viable option regardless of matchup, in the weeks they don't score -- such as the Week 11 game at the Green Bay Packers (0 TDs, minus-5 fantasy points) -- their downside is rather extreme.

Odell Beckham Jr. has enjoyed one of the more beneath-the-radar starts to an NFL career, at least as wide receivers are concerned. With his career-high 26-point fantasy performance Sunday night, he joined an exclusive group of young wideouts. Only one wide receiver since 1960 scored more points in his first seven NFL games:

PlayerTeamYear/WeeksFPTSMarques ColstonNO2006 Weeks 1-890Odell Beckham Jr.NYG2014 Weeks 5-1289Willie GaultChi1983 Weeks 1-788Randy MossMin1998 Weeks 1-885

But it's not acrobatic catches alone that make Beckham a burgeoning fantasy WR1; it's also his quick ascent to a prominent role with the New York Giants. Consider that Beckham has been targeted at least 10 times in each of his past four games and, using the early-run snap counts from Sunday's game, he has played 333 of the Giants' 344 offensive snaps (96.8 percent) in his past five contests. And with Victor Cruz out for the season, plus Beckham making the kinds of catches he has the past two weeks, there's little doubt he'll continue to be used this heavily going forward.

• Senior writer for ESPN.com
• Co-host of the Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast
• Two-time LABR, two-time Tout Wars champion
• Member of the FSWA Hall of Fame

Source: http://espn.go.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/fantasyfallout141124/jonas-gray-legarrette-blount-switch-roles-surprise-many

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TY Hilton marks baby's birth with adorable touchdown celebration, emotional ...

On Sunday morning, the wife of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton gave birth to the couples third child and after making sure that Shantrell and the baby were fine, he headed for Lucas Oil Stadium and the Colts game against Jacksonville.

Hilton was asleep at the teams hotel when his wife went into labor. When attempt to rouse Hilton failed, his best friend raced to the hotel, the NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reported, roused him and drove him to the hospital just in time for the arrival of little Eugenia. (Shes named for him; his given name is Eugene.) Afterward, Hilton promised to make the day even more special by scoring a touchdown for the newest member of the family.

Darned if, like his wife, he didnt deliver, hauling in a pass from Andrew Luck for a 73-yard touchdown. After crossing the goal line, he stopped and gently cradled the ball, rocking it like a proud new dad. It was adorable.

After the game, he was one emotional new papa and his postgame interview, coupled with his celebration, made one of the best days of his life one of the best Sundays of the season for everyone else.

Very emotional game for me. Little bit of rest just came out here and gave it my all, Hilton said, his voice and composure cracking.

Again, very emotional. I aint got no pulse in my body today. Ive been there with my baby girl the whole time. I just wanted to give it my all and play this game for her.

After spending most of her career in traditional print sports journalism, Cindy began blogging and tweeting, first as NFL/Redskins editor, and, since August 2010, at The Early Lead. She also is the social media editor for Sports.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/11/23/t-y-hilton-marks-babys-birth-with-most-adorable-touchdown-celebration-ever/

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Big Sean shares a touchy feely shot of himself getting steamy with girlfriend ...

Published: 16:29 EST, 22 November 2014 | Updated: 16:32 EST, 23 November 2014

They performed together on Tuesday, after finally confirming their relationship last month.

However, not only are Big Sean and Ariana Grande happy to flaunt their love on stage, it seems they're open to showing fans what they get up to backstage too.

On Saturday rapper Big Sean posted a very intimate snap of the pair locked in a passionate embrace while kissing each other.

Scroll down for video

Private moment: Big Sean and Ariana Grande are no longer hiding their love, as he posted this intimate moment to his Instagram on Saturday, captioned 'Me n my Ari'

PDA: Ariana and Big Sean put on a loving display as they performed a duet together at the A Very Grammy Christmas event in Los Angeles on Tuesday

On-stage however, it was a slightly more restrained affair.

The two artists held hands as they performed A Very Grammy Christmas event in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.

The 21-year-old Problem singer held onto the lapel of the rapper's tuxedo as she showcased her vocal talents on her track Best Mistake at the event, held at the Shrine Auditorium.

Affectionate: The 21-year-old singer put her hand on the lapel of the rapper's jacket as they performed at the gig, held at the Shrine Auditorium

The two seem to be in a honeymoon state since officially announcing their relationship back in October.

Ariana told The Telegraph: 'He is one of the most amazing men in the whole world, and that includes my grandfather and my brother,' she said of Big Sean.

'I think the world of him, and hes an amazing person,' she gushed of her new beau. 'Thats kind of all there is to it.'

Big Sean also said in an interview with Ryan Seacrest: 'That Ariana is very, very special. Shes very special to me. Everything she has going on is good with her, everything I have going on is good with me, everything between me and her is good, and Im just going to leave it at that.'

Dynamic duo: Both were glammed up at the performance as 26-year-old Sean looked dapper in a black tuxedo with a smart white shirt and bowtie

Red hot: Ariana looked ravishing in a crimson-coloured number featuring a midriff revealing panel as she teamed the look with a pair of matching pumps

The two lovebirds also initially hinted at their coupling when they posted photographs wearing matching jewellery.

Ariana was said to have received the necklace as a small token of appreciation from the I Do It rapper.

The necklaces, which both are seen wearing in numerous Instagram photographs, are lion charms on gold chains.

Intimate: The two artists poured on the PDA as they got up close and personal for the performance

Enchanted: The I Do It rapper couldn't help but gaze into the eyes of his lady love as she put her vocal talents on full display

Just the two of us: Ariana and her beau put on a united front as they walked off stage hand-in-hand

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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2845590/Big-Sean-shares-touchy-feely-shot-getting-steamy-girlfriend-Ariana-Grande-backstage.html

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Why Univision is so important to Obama

On Thursday night, the usual rump shaking and pyrotechnics of the Latin Grammys were delayed as President Obama announced his executive action on immigration.

ABC, NBC and CBS chose not to air the address. That left Spanish-language network Univision, which pushed back the Latin Grammys by about 15 minutes to make time for the president, as the largest network to broadcast it.

That was one of the most important audiences for Obama. And Univisions successes and challenges in the U.S. over the last few years offer a powerful perspective on how Americas Hispanic population is changing.

First, Univision has a huge and growing potential audience for its Spanish-language programming: 35 million Hispanics speak Spanish at home today, up from 10 million in 1980, writesMarco Hugo Lopez of the Pew Research Center.

Univision consistently ranks as the fifth largest American broadcast network by viewers, after NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox. The network has the most watched local news shows in cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Houston, all of which have big Hispanic populations.

And during July sweeps this year, Univision finished first before all other broadcast networks among viewers 18-49 during prime time, due largely to the popularity of the cheesy Mexican telenovela, Mi Corazon Es Tuyo (My Heart Is Yours).

Yet the Spanish-language network has also been losing viewers under 35 for several years, according to Nielsen. The reason is that, as for all immigrant groups, younger generations of Hispanics are increasingly assimilating into English-language culture.

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that, by 2020, one-third of Hispanics age 5 and older will speak only English at home, up from a quarter of the population today. The share that speaks only Spanish at home is also falling sharply.

As a result, more and more Hispanics are choosing to get their news in English. Univision realizes this: In an effort to capture this demographic, it launched an English-language cable news channel called Fusion in late 2013 aimed at young English-speaking Hispanics.

Despite these demographic changes, however, the market for Spanish-language programming in the U.S. is still promising. While the share of Hispanics that watch TV in Spanish is falling, the total population is increasing so quickly that the overall audience for Spanish-language TV is still growing.

Even those who speak English fluently may not abandon Spanish-language TV altogether. Pew studies continue to show that younger Hispanics value bilingualism: In a survey in 2011, 95 percent of Hispanic adults said it was important for future generations of Hispanics in the U.S. to be able to speak Spanish. And research by Nielsen suggests that bilingual audiences tend to have stronger emotional reactions to ads in Spanish.

The decision to air Obamas speech on Univision before the Latin Grammys may have gained the president several million more viewers. Last year, 4.5 million viewers tuned in to the Latin awards show, according to tracking from Nielsen.

Amid furious dance performances and musical numbers, the awards show contained a few nods to the presidents speech. One came as the show began, when host Eugenio Derbez, a Mexican actor, remarked, We stopped being the minority a long time ago. Latinos are already part of this country, everyone!

Ana Swanson writes for Know More and Wonkblog.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/11/23/why-univision-is-so-important-to-obama/

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Another Day, Another Brilliant, Out-of-the-Blue Beyonc� Music Video

Many have danced toBeyonc in the bathroom; few have done it like Queen Bey herself. The singer has a new, unusually candid music video, and it dropped in the most Beyonc way possibleon a Friday, at night, without any announcement at all. The video is for 7/11, one of two bonus tracks on the deluxe release of her most recent record. But dont expect the intricate, lavishly produced feel of that visual albumthis video looks more like what the biggest pop star in the world does on a free Friday with her friends, family, a few drinks, and a selfie stick.

That isnt a criticism. The video is delightfully low-concept: Bey and her backup dancers nail some loose, spastic, pants-free choreography in august venues like the bathroom, balcony, and hotel hallway. Acrobatic cartwheels and synchronized twerks abound, but Beyonc injects some dorkiness into her woke up like this imageat one point she dials her foot like a phone and screams into it, at another she playfully scales a human pyramid in pajamas.If thats not enough, watch for the heartwarming Easter eggs, which include a quick glimpse of Blue on a bed and the first recorded footage of Jay Z doing a somersault.

Source: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/11/22/beyonc_711_music_video_the_singer_films_herself_dancing_in_the_bathroom.html

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