Modest Mouse's 'Ship' comes in at No. 1
NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- Modest Mouse claimed its first No. 1 U.S. album on The Billboard 200 as "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" debuted on top.
Joss Stone's third album, "Introducing Joss Stone," entered the chart at No. 2, also a career best.
Last year's "American Idol" third-place finisher Elliott Yamin's self-titled debut entered The Billboard 200 at No. 3, ahead of another former "Idol" contestant, Chris Daughtry, whose self-titled album remained at No.4 for the second week.
R&B singer Marques Houston's "Veteran" debuts at No. 5 while Akon's "Konvicted" slipped from that spot to No. 6.
Lloyd's "Street Love" fell from No. 2 to No. 7.
After bowing at the top last week, Musiq Soulchild's "Luvanmusiq" plunged to No. 8. Rich Boy's self-titled debut dipped from No. 3 to No 9.
Rounding out the top 10 was Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black," which fell from No. 7 to No. 10.
Final 'Harry Potter' cover unveiled
NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- Harry Potter reaching up and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named peering out are part of the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" cover, the New York publisher said.
Two versions of the dust jacket, released Wednesday, will be available in different markets worldwide, Scholastic Inc. said in a news release.
The cover for the United States was designed by Scholastic Vice President and Creative Director David Saylor, who designed all seven Harry Potter covers. The art was created by Mary GrandPre, acclaimed illustrator of the six previous U.S. editions.
For the first time, the U.S. dust jacket is a wraparound.
"On the back cover spidery hands are outstretched toward Harry. Only when the book is opened does one see a powerful image of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, his glowing red eyes peering out from his hood," Saylor said.
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc released the cover images that will appear on editions distributed in Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many other countries throughout the world.
The finale of Harry Potter book series is due in stores July 21.
Villagers oppose Martha's trademarking bid
KATONAH, N.Y., March 28 (UPI) -- Residents of Katonah, N.Y., plan to oppose a bid by domestic diva Martha Stewart to trademark the name for a line of furniture, paint and bedding.
The Katonah Village Improvement Society has authorized funds to challenge plans by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to roll out furniture using the "Katonah Collection" brand, Daily Variety reported Wednesday. Stewart is seeking a legally binding registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
"This is our town and if Martha Stewart registers it as a trademark there will be no control over the name Katonah," said Bill Tisherman, who heads the civic organization. "The name could be better known as a line of goods rather than a historic place. We're just trying to protect the identity of the town."
During a meeting earlier this year, Stewart's attorney told the organization about Omnimedia's intention to brand Katonah and Bedford, another Westchester County community.
Omnimedia said the town's concerns are "misplaced." Omnimedia attorney John Cuti said Stewart's use of Katonah would not prevent anyone in Katonah from using the name.
Female filmmakers get a boost
HOLLYWOOD, March 28 (UPI) -- A series of initiatives honoring slain Hollywood actress-director Adrienne Shelly has been launched to help give the careers of female filmmakers a boost.
The American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women in Los Angeles will begin giving out an Adrienne Shelly Foundation production grant this spring, The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday. The foundation will underwrite a master class in directing as part of the program.
Shelly was killed at her New York apartment last November.
The Columbia University School of the Arts Film Division is starting an annual award in Shelly's name for best female director -- given to new filmmakers -- while the Women in Film & Television organization in New York also is initiating an annual grant this spring.
This fall, the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television division of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts will begin an annual ASF scholarship.
No dollar amounts were revealed for the various awards.
Shelly's final directorial effort, "Waitress," was acquired by Fox Searchlight after its January premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. It is scheduled to be released in theaters in May.
