President Bartlet Addresses the Crowd:  Actor/Activist Martin Sheen was in downtown Providence on Sunday speaking to the New England Institute of Technology’s 71^st graduating class.  Sheen, who also received an honorary degree told the  Rhode Island Convention Center crowd, “"There remains a very real and mysterious yearning deep within every human heart that compels us to reach outside of ourselves to serve others for our own sake. This yearning I believe is a manifestation of our true selves and leads us to the very first small conscious acts of personal heroism which often brings rejection from the crowd and satisfaction from the heart. But this yearning can be very costly. If it were not so we would be left to question its value."

(to the left: Martin Sheen Speaks at the New England Tech Graduation)

X Factor Fever Hits Providence:  Thousands of people invaded downtown Providence this week to pursue their dreams of becoming music’s next big superstar and winning a 5 million dollar contract.  “Looks like there's lots of talent; great characters and this is going to be epic,”  said Fox X Factor executive producers Andrew Llinares and Rob Wade.   “We're just impressed to be honest that this many people, there's about 7000 people we believe, that this many people would have turned out and stood here in the rain.   It’s amazing we're really grateful to everyone for doing that.”  Those that are granted a, “golden ticket” in this round of auditions will then move on to audition in front of X Factor judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, possibly Britney Spears and a judge that is yet to be determined. 

Pauly D Project Star in Providence:  Michael Morgan AKA DJ Biggie was spotted in the Apple Store at the Providence Place Mall on Tuesday.  Currently Biggie stars in MTV’s, “Pauly D Project” and announced recently that he will be no longer working with the Jersey Shore star in order to pursue personal projects.

Pro Golfer in Cranston:  Barrington native and PGA tour winner Brad Faxon ditched the links for spa time at Raffa Yoga in Cranston. 

Big names, Bigger Causes:  Food Network’s Jeff Henderson told his inspirational story of how he turned his life around through cooking at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank Luncheon on Wednesday.  Henderson worked individually on Tuesday with students in the food bank's Community Kitchen job-training program.  The program serves low-income and unemployed adults. (To the left: Chef Jeff Henderson, photo by Kirsten Dichiappari) For the 2^nd year in a row Biggest Loser finalist Elizabeth Ruiz participated in the, “Dress for Success” 5K power walk on Saturday May 12^th at Lincoln Woods State Park.  International jewelry designer and Lincoln native Nicole Romano will raffle off one of her original jewelry pieces worn by Jessica Simpson at the Home & Hospice Case of Rhode Island’s Annual Spring Gala.  Romano, who is a RISD graduate, has dressed many celebrities jewelry including Brooke Shields, Lake Bell, Nicki Minaj and Tyra Banks

“Don’t Worry be Happy” singer in Providence:  Virtuoso American vocalist and conductor Bobby McFerrin was at the Vets Providence on Thursday night. 

“Mob Wife” Hits Rhody:  VH1’s Mob Wife mama Big Ang appeared at Pearl Restaurant & Lounge on Saturday May 12^th. 

Bekah Berger covers entertainment news and hosts, “This Week in Entertainment” Saturdays from 1-2p on News Talk 630 WPRO & 99.7 FM.  Spot a celeb?  Did a Rhody Native make national news?  Drop an entertainment tip to becka@630wpro.com  

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Bekah Berger | 630WPRO.com