May 17th, 2012

And it’s not “Being Bobby Brown”. It’s called “The Houston Family Chronicles”. The Houston family has pumped a new pulse with Lifetime for a new reality series . We think if Whitney knew, she would turn over in her grave. There’s a reason why she didn’t agree to sign on for another season of “Being Bobby Brown”, seven years ago.

“The tragic loss of Whitney Houston left a void in the hearts of people all over the world, but certainly none more so than her

beloved family,” Rob Sharenow, executive vice president of programming at Lifetime Networks, said in a statement. “In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow.”

Whitney’s mom Cissy, daughter Bobbie Kristina, sister-in-law and manager Pat Houston, Pat’s daughter Rayah and Whitney’s brother Gary will all be featured in the late Whitney Houston’s chronicles.

The Houston entourage will support and guide Bobbi Kristina through a lens as she faces the world without her Mother. I’m sure the cameras will help. Lifetime has ordered 10 hour-long episodes of “The Houston Family Chronicles” to premiere this year.

So where’s Roxbury native Bobby Brown? He’s making every little step he can to sign his own reality deal. Humpin Around networks,  “The Bad Boy of R&B: The Bobby Brown Story”. It’s Bobby’s prerogative! Reports say Bobby wants his estranged daughter, Bobbi Kristina, to costar with him.  Bobbi Kristina who was rumored to change her name to “Kristina Houston” after her mother died. Isn’t singing the same tune.

But will be tuning up the 2012 Billboard Music Awards show this Sunday, May 20th. Bobbi Kristina, is one of many who will be paying tribute to her mom. She will also be accepting the Millennium Award on Houston’s behalf. We will always love you Whitney! Rest in peace.

Dorchester’s own Queen of Disco, Donna Summer, died this morning after a battle with cancer. She was 63.

Summer, who was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, was a five time Grammy Award winner. She burst onto the music scene during the 1970′s disco phase and was one of the first artists to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US Billboard chart. Summer also had four number one singles hit the charts within a thirteen month period.

She found early success as a studio session singer and backup singer. It was while working background for the group Three Dog Night that Summer signed with Groovy Records and enjoyed European success. In 1976, Summer hit the US charts with Love to Love You Baby. Hit after hit followed, including Heaven Knows, Bad Girls, Dim All the Lights and Last Dance. She continued hitting the charts in the 1980s, with hits like She Works Hard for the Money and This Time I Know It’s for Real.

Summer  is survived by her husband, singer and producer Bruce Sudano, their daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda and Summer’s daughter, Mimi, from a previous marriage.

If you’ve been paying attention to commercials lately, you might have noticed the new campaign by Target, highlighting local shops from around the country specializing in everything from candy to antiques. The project encompasses teaming up with the small-business owners to create a hand-selected line of goods for Target, which will then be sold in Target stores nationwide in customized displays that recreate each business’s unique aesthetic. The first line of products was unveiled on May 6^th, and have launched to such a great start, the company just released a line-up of fall stores to be featured later this year. Meanwhile, one of the stores currently being featured, the Polka Dog Bakery, happens to be located in Boston’s own South End.

Going from a locally known neighborhood speciality shop to working with a large multinational corporation doesn’t happen overnight.

“Target approached us about creating a collection as part of their design partnerships program,” says Deborah Gregg, owner of the Polka Dog Bakery. “After giving it some thought, we decided it would be a great opportunity to share Polka Dog Bakery across the country. We worked closely with the Target design team to create a collection that best represents Polka Dog Bakery to a larger market.”

Getting to see their items in the Target stores, and having the commercials airing has affected their business in many ways.

“We are getting new Facebook likes from all over the country and even world, new Twitter followers, and more online purchases on our website, www.polkadog.com. Lots of people are posting photos of their dogs on our Facebook page with new Polka Dog Bakery at Target collars or with a new toy or treat from the collection. We are really seeing a reaction through social media channels. It’s so exciting to see this type of frenzy around Polka Dog Bakery,” says Gregg.

So what does it feel like to be a small boutique owner that’s suddenly on TV at nearly every commercial break?

“I don’t watch much TV, so I’ve only seen it once. The amazing part is how many people actually have seen it and how floored they are – especially the people that know Polka Dog Bakery, myself and Polka Dog partner, Rob,” says Gregg. “We have had so many phone calls, emails, Facebook posts from surprised friends, family, and customers who were sitting on their sofa and suddenly see it. It is really cool.”