Reader Review
Children's Music, Part 1
Children live in a magical world, where everything is new and problems get solved by beings of power and mystery. Music is a powerful part of a child's life. The best children's music contains magic, delight, originality, whimsy and a dash of guidance, though not necessarily all at once. If the songs work for adults too, so much the better. Here my recommendations for children's music, aimed roughly at ages 5-12, though younger and older kids will still appreciate the songs. This is by no means a complete list. In fact, why don't I just call this list
A Child's Celebration of Folk Music has a really nice range of classic children's songs done by well known artists. It starts off with the underappreciated Pete Seeger doing She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain When She Comes in its proper variant: A repetition of sound effects after every verse, adding as they go. Maria Muldaur does a good version of Would You Like To Swing On A Star; David Mallet does his Garden Song. Other tracks include Little Brown Dog by Taj Mahal and Run Molly Run by Sweet Honey On The Rock. Here's another review.
The Happy Wanderer, by Bill Staines, is not merely one of the great children's albums of all time, it's one of the great albums of all time. The Gypsy Rover, The Happy Wanderer, The Applepicker's Reel and many other classics are given fine renditions, along with such standards that rarely get seriously recorded like Home on the Range (with all the verses) and Kookabura. While not my favorite Staines' recording of his A Place In The Choir, this oft neglected song is served well here.
The Wombles was a series of children's books from the late 60s and then a British children's tv show a few years later. I've seen some of the episodes, and they're awful. The worst aspects of Davey and Goliath animation combined with the worst aspects of HR Pufnstuf plotlines. These small, furry creatures in Wimbledon Commons are dedicated to picking up litter. Individual personalities are drawn broadly. On the show (or at least the ones I saw, courtesy of a Showtime special many years ago), they didn't even talk; all the dialog was in the third person from a narrator. To be fair, I've talked to some Brits who grew up on them and remember them fondly. Oh well. I'm here to talk about the music done in their name, which was, it seems, a separate promotion that took off on it's own.
A young Mike Batt was commissioned to do some music based on the show, and they became hits in the mid-70s. They never reached America, and I'm not sure how you can get the older records, but the songs are wonderful. Batt, playing all the instruments and doing all the voices (at least on the recordings, I think), does terrific pastiches from all over the musical spectrum, featuring characters from the show. Minuetto Allegretto is a Mozart waltz featuring Great Uncle Bulgaria, who was dancing in 1780. I've seen deadheads close their eyes and sway to the country Wipe Those Womble Tears From Your Eyes. Tobermery's Music Machine is similar to a song by the Banana Splits about a nifty music maker. Science Fiction Fans will appreciate Womble of the Universe. Political/historical junkies will understand why Chinese music is represented by Invitation to The Ping Pong Ball. Batt riffs off barbershop quartets, James Bond theme songs, reggae, Beach Boys surfing music and more. Wonderful stuff. I have two of what a web site claims is four of their gold albums. You can get a double CD with 34 songs in Britain, but haven't been able to track down how to get it for myself! The few additional cuts gleaned from Napster were great, though.
Dave Romm is a conceptual artist with a radio show and a web site and a very weird CD collection. He reviews things at random for obscure web sites.
Thanks, Dave!
Reader Correction
re: Reader Correction, "You sir, are incorrect!"
In regard to the following:
"ABC will stay true to "NYPD Blue" and prime-time show creators Steven Bochco and David Milch for yet another season, the network said on Wednesday.
The decision to renew the show means it will be back for a 10th season this fall, making it one of the longest-running drama series in prime time television. '' (emphasis added)
The fact that another show has been on longer does not invalidate the above statement. "NYPD Blue" is in fact ONE of the longest-running series in prime time television. It did not say "THE longest", it said "ONE OF THE longest"
~~ JM
Thanks, John! I missed the obvious answer. Hate when that happens.
Monkey Mail
Subject: website
I want you to know that I find your website to be totally offensive. ESPECIALLY after 9-11. Gore LOST and tried to STEAL the election and when that did not work and the Supreme Sourt RIGHTLY said that it was over the liberals could not handle it!!! How MANY TIMES DID THEY WANT TO RE COUNT??? What part of GORE LOST AND BUSH WON did they NOT understand??? I would NEVER trust a ton of recounts after the ballots had been MANHANDLED and mamed by all the counting and rrecounting and poking and pulling and twisting of them. I think jusdge Sanders Sauls was a real hero in that fiasco. But the Florida supreme court was totally partisan and it was SO OBVIOUS. And Daley...PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! THANK GOD George Bush is President and NOT Clinton or Gore!!! The Lord had mercy on us!!! I will not frequent your site, that is for sure. Anna
CousinAnna
Wow! If I've so grievously offended you I must be doing something right. ; )
I surmise grammar, punctuation and spelling are not your strong points. Nor logic, reason, or even common sense.
Hope you enjoy your 'Supreme Sourt', and yes, may your Lord have mercy on us all, because I'm afraid we're gonna need it.
Oh, and don't let the door hit you on the ass as you leave.
More From 'TBH Politoons'
Great Site!
Thanks, again, Tim!
Reader Contribution
Kevin ('Ares') Smith
Subject: WAH! Kevin Smith ('Ares' in Hercules/Xena) Dies in China, from
Injuries in Fall
Smith starred in many New Zealand stage, television and feature films and is
perhaps best known for his role as Ares in Xena: Warrior Princess.
Walk in Light and Love,
~ Wren Walker
Visit Wren's site, The Witches' Voice
Thanks, Wren (and thanks also for including the link)!
Reader Contribution
Kevin ('Ares') Smith
Subject: Xena actor Kevin Smith dies in China
In case you havent heard, Kiwi actor Kevin Smith, made famous
internationally through his role as Ares, God of War on Xena and Hercules,
passed away today, in Beijing Union Hospital. He recieved serious brain
injuries after surviving a six-storey fall on Feb 6 but passed away this
morning.
Xena actor Kevin Smith dies in China #1
Xena actor Kevin Smith dies in China #2
He was a very well known face down here, a popular guy who noone ever had a
bad word for. He was an excellent actor, about to crack into Hollywood
alongside Bruce Willis in Man of War. He is survived by his wife Suzanne
adn his three small sons. This really does suck, he was a really nice guy,
a great actor, and I am glad I had the chance to see him on stage as well as
on TV before he passed away.
Keep growing that hammer,
~~Jonathan C
Thanks, Jonathan. This is such a sad story. The obit is below.
P.S. Big thanks for including the links!
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Started the evening with more surfing than usual. Caught some of the Mark Fuhrman story on '48 Hours', and some of
'American Pie' (on Faux) to pick out what was edited, blurred or re-dubbed.
Watched most of 'NOW With Bill Moyer' on PBS and liked the commentary at the end (a lot).
Had 'The Odd Couple II' on in the background for its last hour.
Also saw most of 'Dennis Miller' on HBO. Just as he was making his Gary Condit / 'Captain Face-Lift'
crack, I had already taken off my glasses, and moved in close to the TV to try to discern whether Dennis was now 'Captain Hair-Plugs',
wearing an upscale 'piece', or was it a 'weave' costing more than minimum wage pays in 2 weeks? Yeah, I LOVE LA!
Tonight, Saturday, CBS is all reruns. 'Touched By An Angle', 'The District', and another
'The District'. This is the crappiest Sweeps EVER.
ABC has 'Thunderball' clogging up the whole night. It's in a 3 hour block (180 minutes), and it's
TRT is 129 minutes. Expect some pretty good-size chunks removed.
The WB has the movie 'Father Of The Bride' (the Steve Martin version, not the Spencer Tracy version).
Faux has a fresh 'Cops', then a rerun 'Cops', then a fresh 'America's Most Wanted: America
Fights Back'.
UPN has the Clint Eastwood/Sondra Locke movie 'Every Which Way But Loose'.
Locally in the LA-area, KCET (PBS) has the movie (uncut & uninterrupted) 'Doctor Zhivago'.
All day, AMC is devoted to 'scary' movies...everything from the original 'Dracula' to Francis Ford Coppola's
'Bram Stoker's Dracula'. Also, the original 'Wolf Man' and the original 'Frankenstein', and even a
William Castle Classic B movie, '13 Ghosts', and the seriously underrated 'Count Yorga, Vampire'.
In the middle of the night, on TCM, the Edward G. Robinson classic 'Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet' provides a lesson in
bacteriology that altered history.
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
''Love Rocks'' Concert - #1
Bono Tribute
Hollywood stars such as Tom Cruise and Kevin Spacey, and rock bands No Doubt and R.E.M. tossed valentines to U2 singer Bono
at a fund-raiser on Thursday marking the outspoken Irishman's "extraordinary philanthropy."
The first annual "Love Rocks" concert was held in Bono's honor, and also brought out the likes of comedians Ray Romano
and Drew Carey, actor Sean Penn, R&B singer Lauryn Hill and Walt Disney Co. Chairman Michael Eisner. The event was designed
to raise money for cardiovascular research.
Bono, a.k.a. Paul Hewson, was feted with the "Heart of Entertainment" award for what organizers described as "his extraordinary
philanthropy and dedication to improving the lives of millions of people throughout the world."
Cruise told the crowd at Hollywood's Kodak Theater that Bono "makes us all proud to be human." Former President Bill
Clinton and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger sent congratulatory videos. R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe described Bono as a "singer,
songwriter, statesman, fashion plate."
R.E.M. performed a short set that included a cover of "I Got You Babe" during which pop diva Cher made a surprise
appearance from the wings to duet with Stipe on her '60s classic. She said it was the first time she had ever
performed the song without her late former husband, Sonny Bono.
In accepting his award, Bono proudly described himself as "a thorn in the shoe" of President Bush's administration
because of his efforts to apprise U.S. lawmakers of suffering in the world's poorest countries.
Still, even a charismatic rock star knows he can command people's attentions for only so long.
"I guess right down the hall from beatification comes crucifixion, so I better enjoy this," he said.
Bono Tribute
''Love Rocks'' Concert - #2
'No Doubt'
Music recording group No Doubt arrives at the inaugural "Love Rocks" concert Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, in the Hollywood
section of Los Angeles. No Doubt performed at the event.
Photo by Chris Weeks
His Fireplace Is Real
'Dave'
Last night's "Late Show with David Letterman" presented its own version of the fake fireplace NBC has been using on the
set of its coverage of the Winter Olympics.
NBC admitted earlier this week that the warm, crackling fire that appears over host Bob Costas' shoulder on its Olympic
telecasts is in fact an electronic effect - a videotape of burning logs superimposed on the set.
During Thursday night's Letterman Show, viewers could see a portable, cherry-wood fireplace that had been next to Letterman's desk.
Letterman's fireplace was the real thing, complete with flames.
Letterman walked over and warmed his hands on the fireplace, complaining that it has been too cold in The Ed Sullivan
Theatre, where "Late Show" is taped.
That's another inside joke of sorts - since guests and staffers have been complaining for years about how cold it is inside the theater.
Letterman prefers it that way.
Letterman's Fireplace Is Real
Informational Link
Myths Exposed
Right Wing Myths Exposed: The Red-Blue Myth, The Liberal Media Myth, the Myth of the Homosexual Lifesyle (a work in progress)
Right Wing Myths Exposed
Buh-Bye 'Greenfield at Large'
Jeff Greenfield
Jeff Greenfield's CNN talk show "Greenfield at Large" has succumbed to low ratings after eight months.
In a wry online message, the host laid the blame squarely on his viewers, who failed to enlist support for the program.
"If you're wondering why we're being canceled, please bear in mind that it's entirely your fault," Greenfield wrote.
"You heard us. If only you had gotten millions of people to watch us, we'd be moving into Larry King's office even now.
"We forgive you. After all, we enjoyed your company and your feedback," Greenfield added.
The last show was scheduled to air Friday. It will be replaced in the 11 p.m. EST slot by a rerun of "Crossfire," CNN
said Friday. "Greenfield at Large" premiered in June 2001.
Greenfield will continue to appear on "Inside Politics" and to contribute essays and analysis to CNN, the network said.
Buh-Bye 'Greenfield at Large'
Gunning For The 'Big' Interview?
Rosie & 'The View'
With speculation growing that Rosie O'Donnell is preparing to jump on the Ellen Degeneres bandwagon and make a big deal out
of her homosexuality - possibly in a new memoir due out in April - "The View" ladies took up the subject
yesterday, apparently with Rosie's blessing.
As the conversation began, Barbara Walters explained how she talked it over with Rosie on the phone before the
show, acting on a suggestion first made by Star Jones.
She then spoke matter-of-factly about Rosie's sexual orientation - something Rosie herself has never done, either
on her own show or anyone else's, although her sexuality isn't exactly the world's best-kept secret.
"What concerns Rosie," Barbara said, "is . . . that she has three adopted children and a foster child herself and
because she is gay, would not be allowed to adopt this child [in Florida]."
And the frontrunners to interview her will be Katie Couric, to whom Rosie gave an exclusive back in November 2000 when
she told Katie on the "Today" show that she was ready to quit her daytime talk show, and Barbara Walters, whose campaign
to land that prime-time interview likely began yesterday in a well-timed phone call before "The View."
Rosie & 'The View'
As it has turned out, Diane Sawyer landed the Rosie 'coming-out' interview. Bet Barbara is frosted!
Guested On MTV
Colin Powell
Young people from around the world put Secretary of State Colin Powell in the hot seat on Thursday, with one teen-ager asking
at an MTV teleconference how he felt representing the "Satan of contemporary politics."
Groups of 18- to 25-year-olds in Britain, Brazil, Egypt, India, Russia and the United States, invited to participate by the
world's biggest music television network, probed Powell's attitudes on Islam and the Middle East, the war on terrorism and
the U.S. treatment of al Qaeda prisoners.
Powell seemed somewhat taken aback by Norway's Ida Norheim-Hagtun, 19, who asked how he felt representing a nation she said
was seen as a "Satan of contemporary politics."
Powell had to ask her to repeat the question before saying, "Far from being the great Satan, I would say that we are the
great protector." He said U.S. troops had "saved Europe."
Abdel Karin Fathy, 21, of Egypt, wanted to hear proof that bin Laden was behind the Sept. 11 attacks.
Powell said the Saudi exile "indicted himself" by effectively taking credit for the attack.
Gili Karo, 17, asked what the United States was doing to make her life safer when she went out with friends in Israel.
Henaa Mall, 18, of India asked why Washington was "hand in glove with the military dictator," as some in her nation
see Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup but has promised to hold elections.
Powell responded evenly to the questions, which were respectful but firm in tone, saying he pushed every day for
progress in the Middle East.
He said Musharraf was taking Pakistan in a new direction after becoming a key ally in the U.S. war on terrorism.
For even more, Colin Powell...Spin Alert - It
was about much more than condoms....
Liberal Radio !
Erin Hart
Liberal radio - what a concept!
Join Erin Hart this Saturday and Sunday night on 710 KIRO, www.710kiro.com
From 9 p to 1 a PST; 12 midnight to 4 a EST
David Pelletier and Jamie Sale are awarded the gold medal by the IOC for pair skating in wake of judging scandal--is this justice delayed or denied?
And what of the Russians--pair and judge? And what should happen to the French judge? Has this story overshadowed all else? We check in with reporter
Steffan Tubbs in Salt Lake.
And cats are cloned?? Would you clone a precious pet? Would you pay more than $800 to save pet cells for future cloning? It's mad dogs and cloned
cats in the weekend dark.
Sooo Sherron Watkins is my hero in the Enron scandal. Finally, somebody who actually remembers particulars AND answers direct questions about the scandal
surrounding the largest bankruptcy in US history. And locally, anybody burned by Znetix?
All that, the Bush Bash on the Environment, Iran, Iraq and everybody else; Where in the World IS. . .Dick Cheney (think bellicose, Iran); and Secretary
of State Colin Powell is PRO condom use to prevent AIDS!!! Hooray for honesty--how long do you think his tenure will last?
Erin Hart at regulation time (9 pm to 1 am [pst] Sat & Sun ) on www.710kiro.com or www.kiro710.com (It's
a browser thing).
And there's a chatroom, too!
For more details, visit Erin's fan page, http://www.erinistas.com/, or to join her mailing list, drop a
note to erinistas@aol.com
Winner In Court
Lennox Lewis
Heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis won an $8 million knockout in Manhattan federal court yesterday - and
said he was going to celebrate with a meal of hamburgers and Crystal champagne.
"I'm just glad to see that what I thought the verdict should be has actually come to fruition," Lewis said of his
devastating victory over his former promoter, Panos Eliades.
"It has been a very long trial and I am satisfied that justice has been done," he said. "I can now concentrate on my
boxing career without [Eliades'] interference and cheating."
Eliades had sued Lewis for breaking their contract in 2000. Lewis counter-sued, charging Eliades robbed him for years.
Lennox Lewis
Journals Being Shopped
Kurt Cobain
Nirvana fans may get a special treat later this year. Sources close to the family of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain say
Cobain's extensive journals, which he kept throughout his life, are making the rounds in New York publishing circles. "Kurt's
family is trying to publish a book based on his writings," said one source. "There are lyrics, drawings, essays about his
career plans for Nirvana, updated lists of his favorite records, and extensive writings on drug use, the media" and the
band's history. The book could boost Courtney Love in her fight against bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic over
control of the group's legacy. Love maintains Cobain was its creative force, and that she, as his widow, should be in
charge. "There is a lot of interest," says our source. "Kurt was remarkably insightful, funny and complicated. This book
will be a primer for all young rock musicians and an education for everyone who thought they knew him." James Barber,
representing Cobain's estate, is negotiating with publishers.
Kurt Cobain
Auction News
Dean Martin's Ferrari
A Ferrari once owned by actor, singer and Rat Pack star Dean Martin has gone up for sale on an online auction site.
The top price so far offered on eBay for the 1966 red coupe stands at £60,000, in the week in which Rat Pack
remake Ocean's 11 is released.
The car, also boasting a black leather interior, is said to be in tip-top condition, despite having completed
the Basel-Paris rally three times.
The auction ends on 20 February.
Dean Martin's Ferrari
She Should Have Seen It Coming
Miss Cleo
The state of Florida wants TV psychic Miss Cleo to prove that she really is who she claims to be in her infomercials.
Florida's Attorney General has subpoenaed Miss Cleo's birth certificate and other records of her Access Resource Services,
the controversial Fort Lauderdale-based company that profits from her sales pitches, according to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
On TV, Miss Cleo claims to be a Jamaican-born shaman - and state officials want to find out how much of that is true.
Miss Cleo is fighting efforts to produce documents about her real identity.
Florida Assistant Attorney General Dave Aronberg said consumers who spent millions of dollars based on the image she has
created have a right to know the truth about Miss Cleo, including where she's lived.
"That's important because the whole concept of Miss Cleo is premised on her being a shaman from Jamaica," Aronberg said.
"If she's from the Bronx instead, that would be a fraud."
Miss Cleo
Resident Of Fallbrook Fire Zone
Rita Coolidge
Grammy Award-winning singer Rita Coolidge says it's a miracle her house is still standing.
Coolidge lives in Fallbrook, Calif., which was hit with wildfires on Sunday just as she was returning from performing
at the Olympics opening ceremony. Coolidge, 56, says the avocado groves around her home burned and her lawn chairs "melted
into a puddle of nothing." She says the house is almost untouched. She says she had damage, but it's repairable.
Coolidge, whose hits include "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher," performed a concert last night for the
hometown crowd that benefited a local Boys and Girls Club. She also donated about 100 tickets to firefighters who
helped put down the fire.
Rita Coolidge
Drew & Lucy & Cameron Are Back
''Charlie's Angels 2''
It's a wrap! Producer Leonard Goldberg confirmed that "Charlie's Angels 2" is a done deal. Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu
have signed on, along with Cameron Diaz, for the second big-screen installment of the hit '70s TV series. Barrymore will
again produce. No one will confirm salaries for Barrymore and Liu, but Diaz is believed to have cut herself a multimillion-dollar
deal which could add up to more than 20 million bucks when all is said and done. If Hollywood is the ultimate equal opportunity
employer, the other two gorgeous gals will fare as well.
''Charlie's Angels 2''
Suing Kenneth Starr (No, Not That One)
Sylvester Stallone
Actor Sylvester Stallone has filed a $17.3 million lawsuit against a business manager who urged him to hold onto Planet Hollywood stock
as the share price spiraled downward and the theme-restaurant company plunged into bankruptcy.
Stallone, in a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claimed that Kenneth Starr, a business manager with many celebrity clients,
cost him more than $10 million by repeatedly advising Stallone to hang on to more than 3.9 million shares of Planet Hollywood International stock.
Stallone received the shares in exchange for promotional work for the movie-themed restaurant chain, which went public in 1996 with help
from Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. The shares peaked in September 1996 at $28.50, making Stallone's stake
worth more than $111 million.
Starr allegedly "had actual or constructive knowledge of the poor financial condition of Planet Hollywood" because he also represented
Keith Barish, a member of the company's board of directors and a large shareholder. Financial information about the company normally
sent to Barish also went to Starr, the suit said.
Starr allegedly told others that Planet Hollywood was heading for bankruptcy at a time when the stock was still trading at
more than $5, the suit said.
Sylvester Stallone
Harvard's Hasty Pudding Man of the Year
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis was wearing a wig and gold glitter bra Thursday night when he was crowned Harvard's Hasty Pudding Man of the Year.
"I haven't seen this many men dressed in women's clothing since my bachelor party," Willis quipped after two undergraduates dressed in
drag presented him with the brass pudding pot.
In keeping with tradition, members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, an undergraduate dramatic organization, didn't let Willis off easy.
They forced him to re-enact a scene from "Die Hard," the action film that made him a star. He had to remove his shoes,
pull a bloodstained tank top over his tuxedo and run across bubble wrap — a sendup of the scene in which he runs
barefooted over broken glass.
Willis also rode a scooter through an obstacle course and played his harmonica.
Harvard's Hasty Pudding Man of the Year
''Queen of the Dammed''
Aaliyah
You've probably seen the TV ads for the Aaliyah movie "Queen of the Dammed," and behind them, there are a bunch of
questions over how far to go in promoting a movie that features a star who has died. Not only that, the role she plays
is that of a vampire who comes back to life six-thousand years later.
Warner Bros. is avoiding any mention of Aaliyah's death in its promotion of the film, according to Entertainment Weekly's
Web site. However, some of the lines in the promotional material have left some fans of the R&B star cold. Some of the
earlier ads had the tag line: "All she wants is hell on earth." But after some people complained, that line disappeared
from later versions of the advertisements.
A spokeswoman for Warner says though the ads feature the dead singer, the studio is "not exploiting her death." Dawn
Taubin says all the ads featuring Aaliyah are "very true to her character in the movie."
Queen of the Dammed is due in theaters next week.
''Queen of the Dammed''
This seems to be the HOTTEST commercial with the 9 year-old set.
''Inside TV Land - African-Americans in TV''
Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson says an experience her daughter had in Europe helped drive home the need for a more diverse view of
African-Americans on television.
Her daughter was befriended by an Asian family while she was overseas, Tyson said. After a while, the Asians started
walking with a dip, and wanted to know why Tyson's daughter didn't walk and talk like the people in the movie "Car Wash."
"(Their) concept of black people was that which was projected in this particular movie," said Tyson.
Tyson says with so many American movies and TV shows being exported worldwide, people need to see a balanced view of
African-Americans and other minorities.
"I'm not saying they don't exist. I'm not saying these are not entertaining movies, but you have got to balance the scale."
Tyson is featured on "Inside TV Land - African-Americans in TV."
Cicely Tyson
At The Berlin Film Festival
Claudia Cardinale
Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, in Berlin to receive a lifetime achievement award at the annual film festival, said on Friday sport,
not surgeons, kept her looking young despite her smoking habit.
"I don't do face lifting. I don't go in the beauty salon. I do lots of gymnastics. I do lots of sport," the 62-year-old told a news conference
in Berlin as she lit countless cigarettes. "I can walk 10 kilometers and I'm not tired, even if I smoke."
Mobbed by photographers, the woman dubbed Italy's answer to France's Brigitte Bardot said she was glad she had the pinnacle of her career
in the swinging 1960s, with roles in films like "The Pink Panther" and Federico Fellini's "8-1/2."
"I've lived more than 150 lives, prostitute, saint, romantic, every kind of woman, and that is marvelous to have this opportunity
to change yourself," she said. "I've worked with the most important directors. They gave me everything."
"I've been very lucky to be surrounded by handsome men, but I've never mixed my life with my work. My private life is very private,"
she said, adding that her partner since 1975, Italian director Pasquale Squitieri, was the man of her life.
Working as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations for the last two years, Cardinale said she was busier than ever and
hoped to do something for the women and children of Afghanistan.
Claudia Cardinale
The Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway
In Washington?
The Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway is on its way to becoming history in Washington state.
After a civil debate, the state House on Friday unanimously approved a measure asking the Department of Transportation to rename
the highway after black Union soldier and Snohomish County settler William P. Stewart.
A group called the United Daughters of the Confederacy put stone markers at either end of old Highway 99, in Vancouver and Blaine,
in 1939 as part of a national effort to name highways after Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
After volunteering for the Union Army and fighting in the Civil War, Stewart became a successful farmer in Snohomish County.
His family still lives there, and several of his descendants watched proudly as the House passed Dunshee's measure.
If it passes, the Department of Transportation would be asked to remove the present markers and replace them with signs
at the north and south ends of the highway, which ran from Oregon to Canada through Western Washington before much of it
was replaced by Interstate 5 in the 1960s. The state is facing a $1.2 billion shortfall and money is tight.
William P. Stewart Memorial Highway
Don't Ask Questions?
Alma Melodioso
A bus carrying nine California musicians was stopped by police and they were questioned for 90 minutes after a convenience store
clerk said they had asked about security checkpoints.
The Alma Melodioso band from Angels Camp, Calif., which will perform at the Winter Olympics Plaza in Park City during the games,
had stopped in Payson, 52 miles south of Salt Lake City, about noon Wednesday.
Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Doug McCleve said a clerk called the police after they asked about whether there were
security checkpoints between Payson and Salt Lake City.
"Because we're in a heightened state of alert, we reacted, issued an all-points alert, located the bus and closed down the
freeway ramp until we could investigate," McCleve said. "We have an obligation to the public to be very, very responsive right now."
The band members were cooperative and allowed police to search the bus and their personal belongings, McCleve said.
Band member Kathy Miletich said the band expected security during their trip through Utah but did not expect to be pulled
over for asking a question about checkpoints. "It was a surprise and it was funny," she said. "What wasn't so funny was that
they asked us what ethnic groups were on the bus and after they searched the whole bus and found some articles about terrorism,
they pulled one of our guys aside and questioned him a lot," she said.
Alma Melodioso specializes in Latin jazz, Afro Cuban and world beat flamenco.
Alma Melodioso
Accident At The Opera
At The Metropolitan
The Metropolitan Opera's premiere performance of Prokofiev's "War and Peace" got a little extra drama when a member
of the cast fell off the stage into the orchestra pit, bringing the production to a halt for several minutes
The accident happened in the final scene of the 4-hour epic on Thursday night. Simon Deonarian, a non-singing extra
who was playing a French grenadier, slipped and rolled off the steeply sloped stage.
Francois Giuliani, director of press and public relations for the Met, said Deonarian landed in a net that had been
erected just below the stage for the production. The performer, who was not hurt, then jumped into the orchestra pit.
The performance resumed after it was determined Deonarian was uninjured. At the conclusion of the opera, the Met's
general manager, Joseph Volpe, brought a smiling Deonarian out to center stage to loud applause from the relieved audience.
"Our retreating French soldier lost his way in the snowstorm," Volpe said to laughter.
At The Metropolitan
Thanks, Alex!
In South Korea
Protester
A South Korean protester holds a placard criticizing President George W. Bush during an anti-U.S. demonstration in Seoul
February 15, 2002. South Korea geared up for a visit by Bush, whose recent harsh comments about North Korea underscored a
rift between two allies at one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints. The sign reads, 'We oppose Bush, who is the
axis of evil and a war maniac.'
Photo by Lee Jae-Won
In Memory
Kevin Smith
Actor Kevin Smith dies after fall in China
Leading New Zealand actor Kevin Smith has died in a Beijing hospital after he was critically injured in a fall.
His agent, Robert Bruce, confirmed that the 38-year-old actor had died.
"It's a shock to us all, and a major shock to the family. They're just trying to come to terms with it all."
Mr Bruce could provide no further details.
Auckland-based Smith was injured in the Chinese capital 10 days ago and doctors treating him were concerned that he would not recover from serious injuries.
The accident occurred on February 6, the day after the actor finished work on a joint US-Chinese production, and as he was preparing to return to NZ.
The hunky local star was then to have headed to movie "boot camp" to prepare for what many believed would be his big break, a role in a Hollywood blockbuster starring Bruce Willis.
The doctor treating Smith told the Herald last night that staff from China's top movie production house, Beijing Film Studio, rushed him to the Beijing Union Hospital after the fall. Smith was believed to have been on a life-support machine before his death.
The doctor, who did not wish to be named, said Smith had suffered a severe injury to his skull and had been in a critical condition.
Acting sources have said he was injured when he fell from a great height, possibly six storeys.
Li Hao, a spokeswoman for one of the companies involved in Warriors of Virtue II, said Smith, who had completed his film contract the day before the fall, had made a big impression.
Smith's wife, Suzanne, and his parents, Geoff and Yvonne, are understood to have been with him.
In addition to his wife, Mr Smith leaves his three children, Oscar, 11, Tyrone, 9, and Willard, 3.
Smith starred in many New Zealand stage, television and feature films and is perhaps best known for his role as Ares in Xena: Warrior Princess.
His ambitions to break into the American movie market were realised when he scored a role in the $US70 million ($166 million) Bruce Willis action film Man of War, due to start filming in Hawaii next month.
He had leaped at the chance to go to China because the role allowed him to learn from the stuntman who worked on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Smith, Auckland-born but Timaru-raised, got into acting when his wife and childhood sweetheart saw a casting call while he was sidelined by concussion during the rugby season.
He was soon a leading man, happy to laugh at his beefcake image.
"A nicer guy you wouldn't find anywhere," said friend and Comedian Mike King.
Xena actor Kevin Smith dies in China #1
Xena actor Kevin Smith dies in China #2
Thanks to Wren and Jonathan for alerting me to this tragic accident.
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