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Sideshow: Serena Williams guest editor for November issue of Wired

Serena W. gets Wired She's not famous for her work on computers, but Serena Williams does know a thing or two about being a trailblazer.

Serena W. gets Wired

She's not famous for her work on computers, but Serena Williams does know a thing or two about being a trailblazer.

That's why she says she's excited to be the guest editor for Wired magazine's November issue, which is devoted to the theme. It features profiles of 10 revolutionary figures, including activist DeRay Mckesson, Black Girls Code founder Kimberly Bryant, UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, and rapper Common.

"That's the reason I wanted to do this issue with Wired - I'm a black woman, and I am in a sport that wasn't really meant for black people. And while tennis isn't really about the future, Silicon Valley sure is," Williams said.

"I want young people to look at the trailblazers we've assembled . . . and be inspired. I hope they eventually become trailblazers themselves. Together we can change the future."

Elvis . . . the symphonic king

Priscilla Presley bets the most die-hard Elvis purist will love If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Due Friday, it features 14 Elvis recordings, including "Love Me Tender," "In the Ghetto," and "Steamroller Blues," with accompaniment by the London orchestra. Guest artists include Michael Bublé, guitarist Duane Eddy, and pop band Il Volo.

"Nothing has been taken away" from Elvis' music, his ex-wife says. "The musical foundation is exactly the same." Adds Priscilla, "If Elvis were here, he would be evolving and taking risks, like everyone else today."

Boy Scouts vs. zombies

The Boy Scouts, a venerable institution with 105 years of history behind it, is a bit miffed at the portrayal of scouts in the horror comedy Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, which opens Friday. Starring Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, and David Koechner, the film features scouts hanging out at strip joint, taking part in a rave, and, well, killing zombies.

A post at ScoutingWire.org calls the film a work "of dubious artistic value." It notes that as the actors are in Boy Scout uniforms, "moviegoers might assume the characters are actual Boy Scouts. . . . To be clear, they are not."

Crime 'n' punishment

Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kim Richards, 51, will be punished for shoplifting at Target. A Los Angeles judge has decreed she must complete 300 hours of community service, three years of probation, and attend 52 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

The Halle-Olivier split

Anonymous Source tells People that Halle Berry's estranged husband, Olivier Martinez, has a bad temper and felt emasculated by her awesomeness.

"Olivier comes from a world where he was easily intimidated by her ability to work and that she was the breadwinner. He was emasculated by her beauty and her power, and his temper could erupt," says Source. "He was never physically abusive towards her. He was very possessive in a very kind of caveman way but was never abusive to her or the family."

tirdad@phillynews.com

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