JANET FALLS ILL, CANCELS SHOW

Janet Jackson cancelled her concert in Montreal on Monday after she “got suddenly ill” during her sound check and had to be rushed to the hospital just before show time.

The announcement was made five minutes before the concert was about to begin with opening act LLCool J. A statement issued by promoter Groupe Spectacles Gillette said that she hopes to return to Montreal as soon as possible. She was supposed to perform in Boston on Wednesday night.

Jackson perfomed on Sunday night at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, as part of her North American tour.

TRAVIS BARKER OUT OF HOSPITAL

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has been released from a Georgia hospital after suffering severe burns in a fiery plane crash more than a week ago.

Barker and disc jockey DJ AM were the only survivors of the crash just before midnight September 19th at the main airport in Columbia, South Carolina. Two pilots and two other passengers were killed.

DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, was released from the hospital last week. Doctors expect both men to fully recover.  Quite fittingly, DJ AM recently changed his Facebook status to "Adam Goldstein is the luckiest guy alive."

FEEL LIKE SOME HOOPS

Good news for basketball fans.  Toronto Raptors training camp began on Monday in Ottawa.  Pre-season games begin on October 7th in Cleveland against the Cavaliers.  The Raptors will also play an exhibition game in Russia as they take on Russian Basketball league squad, Moscow on October 14th.  The 2008-09 season official begins in Philadelphia on October 29th and the first home game will be against Golden State on Halloween night at the ACC.

The Raptors also introduced their new 3rd jersey worn by Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon in the photo.  It is black in colour with Toronto across the front in red and white.  The name and numbers on the back will also be red and white with a red maple leaf placed just below the neck line.

The Raptors finished 6th in the Eastern Conference last season, but was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Orlando Magic.

Many believe a with new aquisition, Jermaine O'Neal at centre and if Toronto players can stay healthy throughout the year with few injuries, the Raptors could be a top 4 squad in the Eastern Conference.