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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 3, 2010

Elton John helping Eminem kick drugs

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Elton John

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Rick Warren

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Shania Twain

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Elton John says he's been helping American rapper Eminem fight drug problems for more than a year.

John says Eminem is succeeding in his well-publicized battle against substance abuse.

John told BBC Radio yesterday in London that as a recovered drug abuser, he is happy to help people if they want the assistance, but that drugs make people so cocky and arrogant, they often reject help.

John will perform at the Blaisdell Arena with percussionist Ray Cooper on Wednesday and Saturday.

MONEY POURS IN FOR WARREN'S CHURCH

Evangelical pastor Rick Warren says his call for donations to fill a $900,000 deficit at his Southern California megachurch has brought in $2.4 million.

Warren announced the sum to cheers at a Saturday service, and said the total includes only money brought in person to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest by New Year's Eve.

Warren called the donations "amazing" and says the church will start the new decade with a surplus.

Warren made an appeal on the church's Web site Wednesday, asking for donations to overcome a collections shortage.

Warren is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling "The Purpose Driven Life," and delivered the invocation at President Obama's inauguration.

SHAWTY REDD CHARGED IN ATLANTA MURDER

Music producer Demetrius Lee Stewart, known as Shawty Redd, is being held in a suburban Atlanta jail on a murder charge.

A Henry County police spokesman said Stewart was arrested Friday morning.

He's accused of shooting 35-year-old Damon A. Martin of Detroit in an argument at Stewart's home in Hampton, about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta.

The 28-year-old Stewart was being held without bond in the county jail yesterday. His first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Stewart has worked with Young Jeezy, Snoop Dogg and other major artists.

TWAIN CARRIES OLYMPIC TORCH IN ONTARIO

Shania Twain carried the Olympic torch on a leg of 400 yards into Hollinger Park in Timmins, Ontario, cheered on by thousands of parka-clad fans who turned out in arctic conditions to see the hometown celebrity Friday night.

After making her final turn toward the stage, Twain paused, held the torch aloft in her mittened left hand, and waved to the crowd. The country music star then bounded the final few yards onto the stage to light an Olympic cauldron.

"I feel proud, very proud," Twain said. "It's a highlight of my life to be able to carry the flame, to light the cauldron."

The torch will make an appearance in 1,000 communities before reaching its final destination Feb. 12, the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

— Advertiser News Services