Rima Fakih:"...I am Muslim-American."

After tonight, the next Miss USA will likely face more questions about her beauty secrets than whether she's tied to a terrorist organization.

That's because the reign of Rima Fakih, the current title holder and first Muslim-American to wear the crown, will end when a panel of judges selects her successor at the 2011 Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas.

During her tenure, Rima Fakih, 25, who was born in Lebanon, repeatedly faced questions about her ethnic and religious identity. That included responding to unfounded rumors circulating over the Internet that she had family connections to Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite group that the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.

Fakih flatly denied the allegation, calling it the product of a blogger who had made it up "out of her prejudiced mind."

"I'd like to say I'm American first, and I am an Arab-American," Rima Fakih said. "I am Lebanese-American, and I am Muslim-American."

Fakih not only stood up for herself, she lent moral and vocal support to another Muslim beauty contestant, Great Britain's Shanna Bukhari who received a death threat because of her stated goal to represent her country at the Miss Universe pageant.

"Be fearless, be proud of who you are and no matter what anyone tells you by using religion as a tool against you, don't let that affect you," said Fakih, who sent Bukhari a charm bracelet to show her support.

Not all of the pesky questions posed to Rima Fakih were about religion, however. There were those pictures of her standing next to a stripper's pole circulating around the Internet that Fakih had to explain.

Those were taken during a radio station competition in which no clothes were removed, Rima Fakih said.

Karina Smirnoff-Brad Penny has Set a Wedding Date

Karina Smirnoff has set a wedding date. Smirnoff and her fiancee, Detroit Tigers pitcher Brad Penny, will wed on January 21, 2012, People reported Tuesday.

While Karina Smirnoff revealed the date of her upcoming nuptials to People, the 33-year-old Dancing with the Stars dancer wouldn't disclose the exact location of the destination wedding, which will take place someplace in the Caribbean.

"I have a lot of family and friends that live in Europe and Israel, and Brad has a big family in Oklahoma," Smirnoff said. "It's going to be a very diverse, colorful crowd."

However, Karina Smirnoff still hasn't reached a decision on another important element of the ceremony: her wedding dress.

"We're down to six, which is better than 20," she told People. "You always have to look at the glass half full."

"I'm very open to the colors, the setting, the flowers. I'm very easy... the only thing I do want is that big dress with the train. Even if it's just me walking in a dress, I'm all good."

Karina Smirnoff began dating Penny in October 2009, shortly after she and fellow Dancing with the Stars dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy called off their engagement and ended their relationship. Penny then proposed a year later in October 2010. (S)

Paula Abdul Officially Joins Simon Cowell on U.S. 'X Factor'

Everyone's favorite reality TV couple are back together. After weeks of rumors and a reported 11th-hour contract signing that nearly derailed the first day of auditions, former "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul will has officially taken her seat beside her ex-"Idol" sparring partner Simon Cowell on his upcoming U.S. version of "The X Factor."

Announced on Sunday evening, the addition of Paula Abdul to the show completes the judging panel, which also includes former music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid and British singer and U.K. "X Factor" judge Cheryl Cole.

According to reports, Cowell was prepared to pull the plug on Sunday's auditions when Paula Abdul didn't sign her contract until just before taking the stage.

"I am excited beyond words to be a part of the 'X Factor.' I couldn't be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show," said Paula Abdul in the announcement. "[I] know that it will be an extraordinary journey — we're going to have a blast. I'm also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again ... but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!"

Open auditions for the show will continue in Dallas on May 26. Unlike other reality singing competitions, contestants on "X Factor" sing in front of an audience of thousands as well as the four judges in their first audition.

Though Cowell told the audience that they would serve as the "fifth judge" and be relied on to help decide who will get the $5 million grand prize, The Hollywood Reporter said the crowd apparently was taking that advice too far and had to be asked by producers to boo the singers less as a way to "temper negativity on the show."

The program also revealed its co-hosts over the weekend, former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones. Though her solo singing career has struggled to take off, Scherzinger has found success as a guest judge on the U.K. version of "The X Factor."

Scherzinger, too, said she was excited to be on the Stateside version of the program, which is slated to launch in the fall. "I am thrilled to be asked by Simon Cowell to host 'The X Factor'," said the singer, who also is a one-time "Dancing With the Stars" winner. "I loved working alongside Simon on the U.K. show, and cannot wait to see what he has in store for the U.S. I'm so excited to work with Steve Jones and help discover astounding talent from across the country!(S)

Wow, Pippa Middleton -- $5 Million Porn Offer by the Vivid Entertainment

Time for a little porn math -- Pippa Middleton = 5 Octomoms ... because TMZ has learned a major company is offering Kate's little sister a whopping $5,000,000 ... for JUST ONE SCENE.

Vivid Entertainment honcho Steven Hirsch sent Pippa Middleton the letter, saying he thought Pippa Middleton was the star of the Royal Wedding and that her "beauty and attitude" would make her a huge adult star. The fact she had some semi-racy photos surface this week probably didn't hurt either.

But get this -- Hirsch is also offering $1 million to another member of her family for doing a scene ... Pippa Middleton brother James! (S)

Click here to read the letter (in pdf file)

Middleton Pippa

Train Accidents Likely to Impair NYC Commute

HOBOKEN, N.J. – A commuter train crash that left dozens with mostly minor injuries and the derailment of an empty Amtrak train in a tunnel put Monday morning's commute in jeopardy in New York City, where travelers were urged to allow extra time even though additional buses and ferries would be provided and most agencies planned to honor each other's tickets.

The PATH commuter train, headed here from New York, crashed at about 8:30 Sunday morning as it pulled into the last station on its route, injuring 34 and shutting down the tracks for hours. Some service was restored later.

None of the injuries was considered life-threatening, though several victims were taken away on stretchers or put in neck braces as a precaution, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said. The injured, who mostly sustained cuts and bruises, were taken to three area hospitals for treatment, and most, if not all, were expected to be released later in the day.

PATH train service into and out of the station in Hoboken, just across the Hudson River from New York City, was suspended for about 11 hours because of the crash, but some service resumed on at least one of the station's three tracks around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, giving officials hope that the morning commute wouldn't be as hectic as initially believed.

Port Authority and city officials said crews would be working through the night as needed to make repairs to damaged track and other areas of the Hoboken station. It was hoped that at least two of the tracks would be ready for the commute.

The PATH, or Port Authority Trans-Hudson, system is the main transit link between Manhattan and neighboring New Jersey urban communities and suburban commuter railroads. It handles nearly 250,000 passenger trips each weekday, fewer on weekends.

A few hours after the PATH crash, an empty Amtrak train derailed in New York's East River tunnel on the other side of Manhattan. No crew members were injured, Amtrak spokeswoman Danelle Hunter told the Daily News. A broken rail led to the derailment, the Long Island Rail Road said.

It reduced its Monday schedule for trains operating into Penn Station, canceling 13 trains and planning to divert six others. The agency warned of delays of up to 20 minutes.

Riders of Amtrak and New Jersey Transit were likely to experience delays and service changes as well. Both are also routed through Penn Station, which serves half a million passengers daily and is the country's busiest train station.

Passengers on the PATH train said it had been a routine trip until they suddenly were knocked around by the impact at the station.
"People were stunned, but nobody was really going crazy or anything," said Tom Gordon, of Jersey City, who was riding in the train's front car with about 15 other people. "I didn't know what had happened at first."

Gordon, who was headed home from his security job at a New York City apartment building, said he was half-asleep as the train pulled into the station on track No. 2. But he was quickly awakened and jolted from his seat by the crash.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor arm and rib injuries and left Sunday afternoon with his arm in a sling.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation, but city police said it appeared that a mechanical failure was to blame. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were investigating.

Officials said the train's motorman would be tested for drugs and alcohol, which is standard policy in such crashes. They said there was no reason or evidence to suggest that the motorman had been impaired at the time of the crash.

Witnesses described the scene at the station as "controlled chaos," saying people were mostly calm but very concerned for the injured. Zimmer praised the efforts of emergency responders from Hoboken and surrounding communities who answered their call for assistance.

"Everyone did a great job," she said.

Zimmer said updated information on service disruptions would be posted on the city's and Port Authority's websites. (s)

Grand View Topless Coffee Shop-Nude Coffeeshop, plans to close

VASSALBORO -- Donald Crabtree says he opened the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop in 2009 so that he, his staff and his customers could smile.

Crabtree isn't smiling anymore.

Following a recent notice from the town's code officer that the shop was violating zoning rules by displaying new signs -- one advertised a benefit topless car wash -- Crabtree said this week that he plans to close the controversial business on Route 3 when his inventory is sold in the coming months.

"I wanted to have some fun; I wanted to see people smile," Crabtree said. "I started the topless coffee shop to do that, and it did. But now my smile's gone. I've fought that fight for more than two years now and no matter how hard I try to make this work, somebody sabotages me."

The shop, which has featured topless waitresses serving coffee, garnered national media attention when it first opened in this rural community, provoking outrage among many residents. It has prompted Vassalboro and many other communities to adopt ordinances regulating where and when sexually oriented businesses can operate.

Crabtree's original building, a former motel, burned to the ground in a June 2009 fire that investigators say was the result of arson. The man charged with the fire, Raymond Bellavance Jr., who was in a relationship with one of the waitresses, is awaiting trial.

But Crabtree, 43, said the final straw for him was the recent notice of violations from the town over large signs he set up. One advertised a benefit topless car wash, while a portable sign proclaimed, "Boobies Wanted." Crabtree said he removed the signs Thursday night, after he was given seven days by the code officer to do so or else face legal action.

Many in town will be glad to see the shop go away. At public meetings and in letters to the editor, residents of Vassalboro and surrounding communities have bemoaned not only the business, but what they view as the negative attention for the town.

The Rev. Steve Rogers of the Vassalboro Baptist Church said he's pleased the shop will close.

"I hate to see a business disappear, but ..." Rogers said, letting the word hang in the air. "That's really not the type of business Vassalboro needs. It's had an effect on the community and upset people. I think the majority of the town is going to be very pleased it's shutting down and hopefully whoever buys it will run a more family-friendly business."

Dan Feeney, Vassalboro's code officer, said he went to inspect the signs April 26 after receiving complaints. Feeney said Crabtree's signs are bigger than what's allowed under his local permit and under the adult-only business ordinance.

"It's not what's on the signs; it's the signs themselves," Feeney said Friday.

Feeney also informed Crabtree that he couldn't hold a benefit car wash on his property, nor sell lobsters there, because those activities would change the property's allowed use. Crabtree says he is a licensed wholesale lobster seller and is permitted to sell lobsters out of his truck.

Crabtree doesn't understand why he's not allowed to hold a benefit to raise money, even though he concedes a topless car wash is "probably pushing it a little bit."

Still, Crabtree feels unfairly targeted by complaints and town officials -- a contention that he's been making the last two years.

Crabtree claims that people have been spreading rumors about drug use and prostitution ever since his business opened, all of which he adamantly denies.

"These people are bound and determined to shut you down," he said. "I'm singled out, but I'm just trying to make a living like everyone else."

Even so, Crabtree said he'll cherish the nice people he's met the last two years, staff and customers alike, and he considers them all friends.

Regular customer Herman Jellison, 47, of Whitefield, said he's sorry the coffee shop will close.

"I don't blame him," Jellison said of Crabtree. "This town's been harassing him since he's been here. People really need to mind their own business."

Since the fire, the coffee shop has continued inside a trailer on the property. The property is listed for $169,000.

Crabtree says he doesn't attract nearly as many customers as he did at first, so he's reduced hours of operation and employs four women as waitresses. He has been attempting to rebuild the coffee shop building through donations and a building shell is now up, as is a section where he lives, but he's had barely enough money to get by.

The shop now charges a $5 door fee, which Crabtree says is basically a mandatory tip for the waitresses, and cups of coffee are $3 for the first one and $6 for subsequent ones.

Crabtree conceded that the decision to close the shop is as much about frustration with the town as it is a financial and psychological reality.

"The business is slowly dying," he said. "You can't win. I'm killing myself, is what I'm doing."

TIMELINE

• Jan. 6, 2009: Donald Crabtree receives approval from the Vassalboro Planning Board to open the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop on Route 3.
• Feb. 23, 2009: Crabtree opens the shop.
• June 2, 2009: Crabtree appears before the Planning Board for a pre-application meeting to discuss his proposal to extend hours of operation and add dancing and a disc jockey.
• June 3, 2009: Just hours after the Planning Board meeting, the coffee shop is destroyed in an early morning fire that investigators rule as arson.
• June 8, 2009: At the annual Town Meeting, Vassalboro residents overwhelmingly approve a new ordinance regulating sexually oriented business in response to the coffee shop.
• July 14, 2009: The Planning Board approves a permit for Crabtree to operate the business in a new building, once it’s constructed. Meantime, Crabtree later reopens the business in a trailer on the property.
• April 6, 2010: The state Fire Marshal’s Office releases the name of the man suspected of setting the coffee shop on fire: Raymond Bellavance Jr., who investigators said dated one of the coffee shop’s waitresses.
• May 5, 2010: Bellavance is arrested after U.S. marshals nab him in South Carolina.
• April 28, 2011: Vassalboro’s code officer notifies Crabtree that his business is violating town rules with two new signs placed on the property.
• May 2011: Crabtree says he will be closing the coffee shop once the inventory is sold in the coming months. (S)