President-elect Obama has inherited a nation that has Americans facing disappearing savings and homes seized by foreclosures. Therefore, it is no wonder that the President-elect’s first speech would be all about the economy. His speech on November 7 was somewhat reassuring, saying that his number one priority is to get Congress to approve an economic stimulus plan that would extend jobless benefits, send food aid to the poor, dispatch Medicaid funds to states and spend tens of billions of dollars on public works projects. President-elect Obama first made waves with his widely praised, eloquent speech at the Democratic Convention a few years ago.

I had the great pleasure of meeting the President-elect Obama years ago when he joined Governor Corzine of New Jersey during a rally at Middlesex County College in Edison, in 2005. The governor, a former CEO of Goldman Sachs, had been rooting for Obama, after Senator Hillary Clinton lost the primary. Governor Corzine appeared on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, “Meet the Press” and other entertainment programs. Just a month ago, the Governor held a rally in New Jersey, where he chatted with high school students, including my daughter Kelly. Corzine has been tapped as a possible candidate choice for Treasury Secretary under Obama. As of press time, nothing has been confirmed. One person missing when President Barack Obama met with economics advisers in Chicago on November 7 was Governor Corzine. Corzine was in California that weekend to attend a family wedding and visit with his grandchildren, according to published reports.

Activist/actor Tim Robbins found himself in real-life electoral drama when his name was missing from registration rolls, the Associated Press reports. Imagine his frustration, after waiting around the precinct for hours, he was sent to the Board of Elections office, where his registration was confirmed. A judge then issued a court order that sent him back to his original precinct to cast his ballot. Robbins didn’t trust the paper ballot he was given at a downtown Manhattan YMCA where he has voted for years.

Praying for President-elect Obama is Billy Graham. Graham’s son said on November 7, that his ailing evangelist father who celebrated his 90^th birthday is praying as the nation’s next leader begins his work. Franklin Graham said in an interview that his father, who has counseled every president beginning with Eisenhower, is not in line to mentor Obama. “My father feels like his time and day for that is over,” Franklin Graham said. “But he would certainly like to meet [Obama] and pray with him.” Though never partisan in his preaching, Billy Graham is a registered Democrat, according to news service reports.

What do Britney and Justin have in common? Madonna. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake performed Thursday, November 6 in separate appearances, during Madonna’s show at Dodger Stadium on her “Sticky & Sweet” tour. The former power couple did not take to the stage together, and according to reports, it wasn’t clear if they even crossed paths. Rumors began swirling that they were scheduled to appear, making the event a Hollywood can’t-miss for some A-listers; Elizabeth Banks, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez and Lucy Liu were among some of the Hollywood elite.

It looks like it’s time for a merger: Ivanka Trump, daughter of the real estate mogul Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner. According to the Israeli news website Ynet, the on-off-on again couple is engaged. Jared Kushner is the son of disgraced New Jersey real estate developer Charles Kushner. The same website is reporting that Trump is working with rabbis at an Upper East Side Orthodox synagogue to convert. Kushner was raised in the Orthodox Jewish tradition. Intermarriages are frowned upon in the Orthodox Jewish tradition, and that is putting it mildly. Mazel tov.

Rose’s Scoop: Merle Haggard, 71, a country music legend, is recovering from surgery that removed a malignant tumor from his lung, the AP reports. The legendary singer is reported to be in stable condition, as of press time. Canyon News loves dogs, and if President-elect Obama wants a pup, he should read my colleague’s interesting column "Vi’s Corner" by Vi Logan. In VI’s column dated October 26, the journalist wrote that mixed breeds tend to be healthier than pure breeds.