The Lovely Mark Freeman

    A bartender by day and a drag queen by night, actor and comedian Mark Freeman was surprised when he realized he had more control of his career as a woman.

    “There were no real theater companies that I wanted to be a part of, no shows that I was interested in doing and for me it was a way for me to be on stage and play a character. And I was in complete control of it,” Freeman said.

Freeman studied theater at Ohio State. Becoming a drag queen was never part of his plan, but he says queens always had a way of finding him.

The “Gayest Store on Earth”

By Frances Vega

Wall magnets at Block Party store (photo by Frances Vega)

Near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente lies what has been deemed “the gayest store on Earth,” at least that’s what the owner calls it.

The store’s official name is Block Party. It is part clothing store and part novelty items. Customers have the option of buying a tank top, an “out and proud magnet,” or even adult literature. Owner Larry Block likes to think there is something for everyone, but he doesn’t want people to forget they are in the heart of “Boystown.”

“West Hollywood is becoming a homogeneous city. And that’s not good,” Block said.
Block opened his store a few months after A Different Light Bookstore closed in 2009. Selling adult books for the gay, lesbian, and transgendered community in West Hollywood, the store had been a staple in the city for almost 30 years. When Block heard about the closure he wanted to make sure the building continued being a part of the gay community. He knew the store’s owners were considering selling the store to American Apparel and he did not want the deal to happen.

Whitney Port Talks "True Whit" At USC

Whitney Port (Photo: Frances Vega)

Reality star and fashion designer, Whitney Port, appeared at USC Tuesday to talk with students about her new book, “True Whit.”

Port, who appeared on "The Hills" and starred on her own spinoff, "The City," has kept herself busy over the last few months. She’s working hard on her clothing line, doing charity work for an organization called FACE Africa, has a new book out, and for one night she added motivational speaker to the list.

K-Fed Expecting His Fifth Child

Kevin Federline and Victoria Prince (creative commons)

He’s at it again. Britney Spears’ ex-husband Kevin Federline is expecting another baby.

E! Online has reported that Federline’s girlfriend Victoria Prince is pregnant with their first child. Media outlets have reported that the former volleyball player is five months pregnant.

Federline and Prince have been dating since 2008. Sources told E! that the two are “totally happy,” but representatives from Federline’s camp have not released a statement.

E! News also tried to get a comment from Britney; her reps say “she’s focused on her work right now.”

The new baby will be Federline’s fifth child. He already has two children with Shar Jackson and two with Spears.
K-Fed seems to have some very potent sperm. Any woman who thinks about sleeping with him in the future should probably keep this in mind. Federline is a baby-making machine.

Any bets on how many more kids he’ll have before he decides to get a vasectomy? Maybe he’s working on his own version of Kate Plus Eight? It would probably work well in the time slot next to Jersey Shore and Teen Mom 2.

Reach associate entertainment editor Frances Vega here.

High Capacity Magazine Ban

By Frances Vega
 

Courtesy of Paul Koretz's office

Los Angeles City officials announced their support Wednesday of a proposed federal bill that would ban large ammunition magazines like the one used in the recent Tucson shooting.

 “You know the US has got to get beyond it’s fascination with unrestricted access to fire arms and recognize that a civilized society does not need implements of war in the hands of its citizenry in order for home protection,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck in an interview later. “There is no need for magazine capacity above 10 rounds in civilian hands.”

Beck, City Council President Eric Garcetti, City Councilmember Paul Koretz, and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich held a press conference urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass H.R. 308. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) sponsored the pending federal law that would prohibit magazines holding more than 10 rounds. A magazine is an ammunition feeding and storage device used in automatic and semiautomatic weapons. The magazine may be detachable or internal.

"Night Of 100 Stars" Oscar Viewing Party

Dalai Lama (Photo by Frances Vega)

By Frances Vega

The 83rd Academy Awards was the biggest event of the night on Sunday, but some celebrities chose a cozier event to attend.

The Beverly Hills Hotel hosted the 21st Annual Night of 100 Stars. This black-tie private dinner featured former Oscar winners, nominees, and other television and film actors. Celebrities had a chance to get together and watch the awards live from the hotel's Crystal Ballroom.

Nearly 200 stars arrived on the red carpet to show off their most formal attire. Even the Dalai Lama made and appearance. This years guests included Ed Asner, Fred Willard, Keith David, Alan Thicke, Chris McDonald, Antonio Sabato Jr., Lea Thompson, Bai line and many others.

Local Businesses Suffer During Oscar Setup