By Marisa Guthrie –

LOS ANGELES - If only every daytime talk show host had a long-lost half sister.

Oprah Winfrey scored her best ratings in nearly six years with Monday's show during which Winfrey revealed that she had a half-sister she never knew.

The installment of Winfrey's daytime talker averaged a 9.6 household rating (according to metered market weighted averages). That's the highest episode since Winfrey's post-Oscar party installment on February 28, 2005.

Winfrey teased the big reveal on her show last Friday promising a "shocking family secret" that she said "literally shook me to the core."

Winfrey's younger half-sister Patricia was given up for adoption by Winfrey's mother in 1963. At the time, Winfrey was living with her father and did not know her mother was pregnant. Of course, this is not the first personal detail that Winfrey has unveiled on her daytime show. She has also revealed that she was molested as a child and lost a baby at 14.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

By Victoria Taylor –

Cornelius Grant, the gifted guitarist, artist, and music director for The Temptations (and one of their surviving members) has a relentless pursuit to carry on the legacy of his day. Here is a small glimpse on a large scale of what Mr. Grant is working on. One thing for certain about Mr. Grant is his love for the past, present, and future. He is not the typically retired artist, and music director, in fact he is the opposite, constantly looking for new talent to promote, and old school talent to appreciate. He is the CEO of Flashback International a multifaceted company, which showcases new talented artists, musicians, and writers, while it embraces the forerunners of the past. This energetic, highly exclaimed talented man is boiling with bright ideas. He can be spotted in West Hollywood, California where he resides. Getting to know Mr. Grant all over again is easier than it seems. Anyone can catch up with him through social networking mediums such as Facebook and Myspace, but to really get to know Mr. Grant one must listen to him on his internet radio station called Cornelius Grant’s Flashbacks and NewTraks, which can be streamed online from his website.

Mr. Grant himself hosts the online radio show along side Ms. Sylkie Green, an award winning radio and television personality. The two of them make this an “engaging twohour program” highlighting “old school jams from the 60s, 70s, and 80s” combined with “one-on-one interviews with artists from the past.” His plan is to one-day convert the radio show into a television show giving its viewer a visual glimpse into the lives of their favorite artist.

Mr. Grant is also pleased to announce the launch of his magazine, a line of cigars, some Temptation memorabilia, and music that can be purchased on his company’s website and his non-profit organization called Starz of Tomorrow. His aim for this organization is to showcase new solo artists, group artists, choreographers, writers, directors, sound engineers, and those working behind the scenes. He wishes to give them an opportunity of a lifetime because he remembers what it was like being a young aspiring artist. Starz of Tomorrow is making room for everyone to have their chance at being a star.

In the world of entertainment, and music it’s obvious that new talent is on the horizon, but one must not forget about the old school. Mr. Grant has felt the need to appreciate artists of the past not only by interviewing them and playing their music on his radio show, but also by awarding those who are still around. The ‘Skoole Award’ is something Mr. Grant has been diligent in seeing come to pass.

“It is an award for old school artist that have paved the way for us,” said Mr. Grant with pleasure. The 2011 Skoole Awards will be held on February 11, 2011 at Los Angeles Marriott, Grand Ballroom in Los Angeles, California, where he will be presenting an award to artists such as Little Richard, and others. This event is going to be an exciting day for all those in attendance it’s a mixture of a Valentines Dinner, a Pre-Grammy Party, a Silent Auction (where they will be auctioning off an Escalade), live performances from the Starz of Tomorrow, and so much more.

To purchase a ticket contact 424-209-0156, or visit the website at corneliusgrant.com.

Inland Empire Gets a Big Dose of Chart-topping R&B Artist

Thursday, February 10, 2011, San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino welcomes rising rapper, R&B singer and chart topper Drake to the stage. Tickets on sale now, and available at Ticketmaster.com and the San Manuel Box Office for $70, $80 and $90.

Known initially for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Canadian born Drake stepped out as a rapper and singer with pop appeal in 2006. His first major exposure as a singer was “Replacement Girl,” which featured up-and-comer Trey Songz that was featured on BET’s 106 & Park program as its “Joint of the Day.”

Supported by the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, a songwriter since age 10, he began recording his first official album with Universal Motown Records in 2009. The debut album, “So Far Gone” peaked at number six on the U.S Billboard 200 chart, won a 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year and was certified gold by the RIAA with over 500,000 copies sold in the United States. The album released the successful hit “Best I Ever Had,” which reached number two on the Billboard Top 100.

“Thank Me Later”, his next album released in 2010, provided the hit single “Over,” which hit #14 on the Top 100. The second single “Find Your Love” became his most successful single from the album, and peaked at number five on the Hot 100. The latest single, “Miss Me” featuring Lil Wayne, reached number 15.

“Thank Me Later” sold 447,000 copies in its first week and reached number one on the Billboard 200. Not only is Drake a successful singer and television actor, he has taken on roles in video games and hosting, including the first annual Ovo Festival, which featured a rap star list of Jay-Z, Eminem, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, and many more.

The successful artist, who is also a philanthropist, was featured on K’Naan’s “Wavin Flag” song to help with Haiti relief efforts.

Every Thursday night with headliner entertainment, San Manuel gives away $1,000 just for seeing the show. To be eligible to win, guests only need a ticket to the show, a Club Serrano card and to be 21 or older. Guests can enter beginning at noon on such days. Three drawings will be held on those nights: $250 at 7:20 p.m., $250 at 10:00 p.m. and $500 at 11:00 p.m. Winners must be present.

NOTE: Doors open at 6:30. Must be 21 to enter Casino. Please gamble responsibly.

The Russian National Ballet will present the classic rags-to- riches story of “Cinderella,” Jan. 30 at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St.

The three-act ballet, about a young girl abused by her stepmother and stepsisters and whose dreams come true thanks to her Fairy Godmother, is known for its color and grace, as well as its deft comedic touches and beautiful choreography.

The 6 p.m. performance is a presentation by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. Tickets are $38.50-$77.50, www.ticketmaster.com, www.livenation.com, (909) 885-5152.

The Russian Ballet Theater version of “Cinderella” features sets and costumes by Elisaveta Dvorkina, music by Sergei Prokofiev, libretto by Nicolai Volkov, and choreography by Rostislav Zakharov.

Prokofiev’s “Cinderella” is considered one of his most popular compositions. It was written between 1940 and 1945, and first performed in November 1945 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

The Russian National Ballet, currently on a four-month tour of the United States, was founded in Moscow in the late 1980s.

The ballet company presents major Russian ballet works as well as great classics.

The dance company was first called the Soviet National Ballet, and it featured graduates from the great Russian choreographic schools of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Perm. The principal dancers came from the great ballet companies and academies of Russia, and the ballet companies of Riga, Kiev and Warsaw.

Today, the Russian Ballet Theater features more than 50 dancers, many of whom have been with the company since its founding. In 1994 the legendary Elena Radchenko, a former principal dancer at the Bolshoi, was selected to assume the first permanent artistic directorship of the troupe.

The dance company has performed to great acclaim for their performances throughout the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy, and the United States. It also has performed in Istanbul, Athens, Hong Kong and Singapore.

WHAT: Presented by the Russian Ballet Theater
WHEN: 6 p.m. Jan. 30
WHERE: California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino.
ADMISSION: $38.50-$77.50
TICKETS: Available through www.ticketmaster.com, www.livenation.com or theater box office
INFORMATION/BOX OFFICE: (909) 885-5152
ON THE WEB: www.californiatheatre.net