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Lake Worth Monster expert Clarke dies

BENBROOK, Texas, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Texan Sallie Ann Clarke, known as the authority on the legendary Lake Worth Monster, has died at the age of 80, one of her children said.

Clarke wrote a 1969 book about the Lake Worth Monster, a 7-foot-tall man-goat creature allegedly first seen near the Texas lake that year.

Clarke, who claimed to have seen the Lake Worth Monster on three occasions after penning her book, said in a 1989 interview that her experiences with the creature made her regret her book's tone.

"If I'd seen it before I wrote the book, the book would have been quite a lot different," she said. "It wouldn't have been semi-fiction. It would have been like a history."

Clarke's husband, Richard Lederer, said while some dismissed the Lake Worth Monster as a teenage prank, his wife remained a true believer.

"She offered a $5,000 reward for any person who could pass a polygraph that they were the monster," Lederer said.

The Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported Saturday that Clarke, who died of unspecified causes Tuesday following a long illness, is survived by Lederer, three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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Perry says Tyler likely leaving Aerosmith

BOSTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry says the U.S. rockers' lead singer, Steven Tyler, apparently bagged on the band after a United Arab Emirates show.

Speaking with the Las Vegas Sun Friday, Perry said he believes Tyler quit Aerosmith after a recent concert in Abu Dhabi and an online report appears to confirm his suspicion.

"Steven quit, as far as I can tell," Perry said. "I don't know anymore than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don't know for how long, indefinitely or whatever."

Perry told the Sun he would attempt to keep Aerosmith moving forward, even if Tyler part ways with his bandmates.

"Right now I'm adjusting to how we're going to go on," Perry said from his home in Boston.

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton told the Boston Herald Tyler, 61, announced after the band's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix show that he was planning on going solo.

Hamilton downplayed Tyler's comment, saying Aerosmith members are no strangers to conflict from their nearly 40 years together.

"Steven's always mad at us," Hamilton said.

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'Got Talent' star Boyle due on 'Dancing'

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- A representative for Susan Boyle says the "Britain's Got Talent" star has agreed to make a guest appearance on the U.S. TV series "Dancing with the Stars."

The unidentified representative confirmed the 48-year-old Scottish singer, who gained fame for singing "I Dreamed a Dream" on the British talent series in April, will arrive in Los Angeles next week to tape her "Dancing" guest spot, People.com reported Saturday.

The upcoming appearance comes after the singer appeared on "America's Got Talent" in September. The "Dancing" spot also comes weeks before Doyle releases her new album, "I Dreamed a Dream," on Nov. 24.

Boyle's brother, John, told People magazine his sister is excited to leave her home in Blackburn, Scotland, for her U.S. visit.

"She's excited and happy," John Boyle said. "She loves America and loves the people. She appreciates their honesty."

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'Sesame Street' set to turn 40

NEW YORK, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The creators of "Sesame Street" say the U.S. children's TV series' 40th birthday is being marked with special ceremonies in New York and Washington.

The Boston Globe reported Saturday in addition to the ceremonies, the series' birthday Tuesday will bring about a new 13-episode season of "Sesame" filled with trendy celebrity guests and updated parodies.

Among the stars to appear on the newest season of the puppet show are NBA star Kobe Bryant, actress Christina Applegate and Michele Obama, wife of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Also, after airing nearly 4,200 episodes to date, "Sesame" will introduce its first computer-generated Muppet character.

"Sesame" executive producer Carol-Lynn Parente told the Globe while her series now targets children 3 years and younger instead of 4- and 5-year-olds, it still remains a popular early-education tool for parents.

"Parents have grown up with these characters and make us their first choice for young kids," said Parente, referring to the PBS series' characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Big Bird, Count Von Count and Elmo. "We're proud of that."