Country star Brad Paisley will be joining the president and first lady in saluting the military on the Fourth of July at the White House.
Mr. Paisley will play the fourth annual “Salute the Military” USO concert for President Obama, Michelle Obama and about 1,200 troops and military families Wednesday night. The performance will be streamed live on the White House website.
Attendees also will be treated to a concert by the U.S. Marine Band, family-friendly games and barbecue along with a premium view of the night’s fireworks display in the District.
Church of Scientology denies surveillance of Holmes
The Church of Scientology denied Monday sending anyone to follow Katie Holmes after she filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, amid reports she feared her husband’s plans for their daughter.
A lawyer for the church also dismissed reports that Mr. Cruise — a prominent Scientologist — wanted their 6-year-old daughter, Suri, to join the Sea Organization, described as a boot camp for the controversial religion.
“There is no truth whatsoever to the TMZ.com report (or any other report) that the Church of Scientology has sent anyone to follow or surveil Katie Holmes,” lawyer Gary Soter told Agence France-Presse in an emailed letter.
“The allegation about a 6-year-old joining the Sea Org is similarly untrue,” added Mr. Soter, who described himself as counsel for the Church of Scientology International.
The attorney’s statement came after 33-year-old Ms. Holmes was spotted in New York on Monday without her wedding ring.
She left a shoot for a television series in Times Square, her hair pulled back conservatively in a sleek pony tail and wearing a navy ensemble. Throngs of television satellite trucks and paparazzi were camped outside the Manhattan building where she was staying.
Wal-Mart campaign may send Pitbull to store in Alaska
Miami rapper Pitbull soon might be chilling out in Alaska.
In a marketing deal, Wal-Mart will send Pitbull, aka Armando Christian Perez, to the store that gets the most “likes” on its Facebook page.
Right now, the leading candidate is Kodiak, Alaska. And there might be a reason.
A writer for the Boston Phoenix newspaper thought it would be funny to send Pitbull to the most remote Wal-Mart possible, and is encouraging people to “like” the Wal-Mart in Kodiak.
It seems to be working.
The Kodiak Wal-Mart had more than 35,000 “likes” Monday, more than five times the town’s population.
Kodiak has a significant lead in the contest to land Pitbull, but actual numbers weren’t immediately available, Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sarah Spencer said. She said other Wal-Mart shoppers have until July 16 to like their local stores and pull ahead of Kodiak.
“I know Pitbull is hoping his Miami Wal-Mart shoppers start liking their Facebook page,” she said.
That would require some heavy lifting, with one Miami location sitting tight with 45 “likes” Monday.
“He’s definitely coming to Kodiak if Kodiak wins,” she said.
It would be the rapper’s first visit to Alaska.
Pitbull, who is touring Europe, seems to be taking the contest in good nature. “Wherever the fans want to have a party, I will be there,” he said in an emailed statement sent Monday from Austria.
Kodiak Island is about 225 miles southwest of Anchorage. It’s home to the nation’s largest Coast Guard base, and the island is known for its Kodiak brown bear population.
That fact wasn’t lost on Pitbull, who tweeted Saturday: “I hear there’s bear repellant at Kodiak, Alaska #walmartspecials.”
Jon Bon Jovi teams with Avon on fragrance deal
Jon Bon Jovi is going Unplugged in a bottle.
Avon Products Inc. announced Monday that the 50-year-old rock star is the company’s newest celebrity fragrance partner. He’ll appear in ads for both Unplugged for Her and Unplugged for Him.
The company said the inspiration for both scents is the unique feeling one has listening to a favorite song. The goal is “an emotional connection.”
The women’s version, which will be available through Avon representatives and online in October, is a floral oriental perfume, and the men’s is a woody floral musk fragrance. It will go on sale in November.
Both Avon and Mr. Bon Jovi said admiration for each other’s involvement in philanthropy largely drew them together as partners.
• Compiled from Web and wire reports
Please read our comment policy before commenting.