Here are new pics of Madonna and her children Lourdes and David Banda (little Rocco was there as well but he was hidden behind his mum scrum) making their way out of the Kabbalah Centre in NYC yesterday after attending services. Altho they look a bit dour-faced, it seems clear that Madge and her children remain resolute in their unity in the wake of the sad news of the dissolution of her marriage:

Honestly, it looks like biz as usual for Maddy and the kids. Even when she was “happily married” to Guy, the sight of Madonna and the kids making their way into and out of various Kabbalah Centres on a weekly basis was the norm. There are some reports that Kabbalah actually played a big role in the demise of the Madonna-Guy marriage (ie. that Guy wasn’t fully on board with the religious practice) but only the two of them know the truth reasons for the end of their union. As strong as Madonna is, I still feel sad that her marriage didn’t work out. I really believe that she and Guy were truly happy for a long time … for much of their 7 1/2 year marriage. She may not like to show it but I’m sure she’s hurting … deep down inside … somewhere. But, again, she is a rock and I know she’ll be totally fine after all is said and done. At least, that’s what she’ll make sure we all see on the outside.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Last weekend we learned that the young Princes of Wales, William and Harry, embarked on a 1,000-mile motorbike trek across the South African wilderness (with other riders) to help raise funds for various charities that benefit the area. At about the midway point last Wednesday, we learned that the Princes paused to play a friendly soccer match with a local team and ended up getting trounced on the fields of play. Undaunted, tho, the Royals pressed on and I am happy to report that they successfully completed their week-long journey yesterday:

Princes William and Harry yesterday drove into the port city bearing their grandmother’s name after an arduous eight-day motorcycle trek across some of South Africa’s most inhospitable landscapes. Looking well-tanned if not a little saddle sore, the duo reportedly said the 1,000-mile journey from near Durban had been a ‘blast’. They pulled into the windy Bluewater Bay on the edge of Port Elizabeth dressed in red motor cycle jumpsuits which their 10-strong team had donned. They rode with six Metropolitan Police protection officers, Shaun Davy – brother of Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy – and the younger prince’s friend Tom Inskip. After reaching the waterfront venue, all the teams rode through Port Elizabeth resplendent in different coloured jumpsuits. They then reached a hotel where local people and a local Xhosa band danced and sang a welcome. The pair stood and talked to fellow riders, but declined to speak to the media or local onlookers before entering the hotel for an informal dinner last night. Trip organiser Simon Smith from Global Euro said the royal duo were “outstanding” riders. “They were both fantastic riders and didn’t run from anything. They asked us to treat them as one of the group and that’s what we did. They mucked in chores and shared a beer and food round the BBQ. They were outstanding companions.” He said keeping their involvement had been hard. “Only a few of us on this side knew about it. We’ve kept it secret for 12 months – not even telling our nearest and dearest.” He said the princes both paid the £5,000 fee … During the trip they rode through mountains, gorges, scrubland, dry river beds and coastline in a journey across the Eastern Cape, South Africa’s poorest province. The trip raised money for three charities, Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund, UNICEF and Harry’s Sentebale charity in Lesotho which helps orphaned children. Around £1,500 of the fee was divided between the charities which organiser hoped would amount to £310,000. Mr Smith said the duo had been ‘great sports’. At the end of each day, the organisers handed out a ‘dick of the day’ award and a ’spirit of the day’ award. Mr Smith added: “Harry did get the spirit of the day award on day three after pulling one of the riders out of a river after he fell in and became waste deep in the river. He didn’t think twice and just yanked him out. “The ‘dick of the day’ award went to someone who was a right wally,” laughed Mr Smith who said the princes did not get voted for that gong Along the route, riders helped local charity Touch Africa, in Morgan Bay, near East London, to decorate a creche on their day off last Wednesday. They also played a game of football against a local team. Harry, 24, and William, 26, both played and refereed a half but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 6-2 defeat. Spokeswoman Elise Fish said: “Both of them were really generous with their time, playing football with local kids in the rain. They didn’t ask to be omitted from anything … The princes suffered from “Transkei tummy” during the trip, but their team leader on the trip, Mike Glover, said there few serious accidents. “I’d welcome them back next year, or any other royals. They’re tough guys and you can tell they’ve been in the military,” he added.

OK, LOL at the “dick of the day” award! While I’m sure the awarding of such an award is not meant to be cheeky by any stretch of the imagination … I can’t help but let my mind go the way of the cheek. Hahahaha. I had no doubt that the Princes would successfully complete the journey and it sounds like they had a really fun time along the way. I imagine it was quite a treat for the other riders to get to know the Princes in such an intimate way (no cheekiness implied). Kudos to the young Royals for taking part in such an arduous trek. While some may scoff that the riders were not forced to ride thru “rough terrain” I contend that a week-long motorbike trek thru even the most civil, paved areas is very trying. Well done and much congrats again!!

[Source]

Hugh Hefner opened up his Playboy Mansion playhouse to the media this week to show off a preview of the haunted Halloween decorations and attractions that will be on display at the Manse for his annual Halloween Celebration Extravaganza. On hand with the Hefster were his newly appointed girlfriends, twin sisters Kristina and Karissa Shannon, and his soon-to-be ex-girlfriends Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson. The playboy and his bunnies managed to get into costume for the media preview event … behold:

I gotta say … I’m not really a fan of the Shannon sisters but they and Hef really outdid themselves with their Halloween costumes. Never before have I seen such an appropriate and life-like guise like the one we see here. Their costumes really bring out a hidden truth that I think we’ve all seen from the first day we were introduced to them … brills! The Girls Next Door, on the otherhand, look really cute in their costumes. For me, there is an air of sadness tho … that they are still hanging around the mansion, playing nice with Hefner and his new romantic interests so soon after being replaced. It shows that they are good sports, I guess, but also hints that they’ve really got nothing else going on. I hope they are able to break away from the whole Playboy thing and move on to live successful lives. But Halloween stops for no bunny so it looks like it’s full steam ahead!

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Congrats are in order for Saturday Night Live’s Amy Poehler and Will Arnett who are the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy who was born last night in NYC and the couple named Archie Arnett:

Comedians Amy Poehler and Will Arnett have welcomed their first child, a boy. Archie Arnett was born on Saturday and weighed in at 8 lbs., 1 oz., their rep Lewis Kay said in a statement. “Amy, Will and Archie are all healthy and resting comfortably,” Kay said. During the “Weekend Update” segment of Saturday Night Live, Poehler’s co-anchor Seth Meyers announced to a cheering crowd: “Amy Poehler is not here tonight because she is having a baby.”

This is amazing and very happy news. You may recall that it was just last week that a very pregs Amy Poehler not only showed up for work at SNL but managed to perform an incredibly funny rap song about Sarah Palin as well — and exactly a week later she goes and gives birth to a baby boy. It was very clear, last night on SNL, that Amy’s castmembers were thrilled that she had given birth … not only did Seth Meyers give her that shout-out at the start of the Weekend Update but they also dedicated a We Love You, Amy song to her at the end of the segment. I can’t wait to see how cute little Archie Arnett is … rest well and we hope to see you soon, Amy and Archie (and you, too, Will). Much love and congrats again!!!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]