Sunday, December 4, 2005

 

Spotlight: Ballerina Suzanne Farrell, film actor/director Robert Redford, crooner Tony Bennett, stage and screen actress Julie Harris, and rocker Tina Turner – this year's Kennedy Center Honorees – will be feted at a star-studded performance tonight, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Given annually since 1978, the awards recognize those who have greatly contributed to American culture through the performing arts. The show will be broadcast on CBS-TV later in the month.

Quote: "That song made me a world citizen. And when I do it, it always feels like the first time." – Tony Bennett of his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"

Word of the day: genre: French word for type, category; the Kennedy Center Honors are given to outstanding candidates in the various genres of performing arts. (© )

Today's News:

• ADHD: panel rules patch is safe and effective, but should carry warnings (story)
• Brad Pitt: wants to adopt Angelina's children (story)
• bling bling: now you can use glowing flowers as ornaments (story)

Today's History:

• Chicago: was founded with a mission established by French priest Jacques Marquette on the shore of Lake Michigan (1674)
• suttee: Indian practice of a widow's self-immolation on her husband's funeral pyre was outlawed (1829)

Today's Birthdays:

• Wassily Kandinsky: Russian abstract painter (1866-1944)
• actors: Jeff Bridges (56), Marisa Tomei (41)
• music men: Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys (1944-1983); Jay-Z: rapper, producer (36)