People

CONTROVERSIAL ROCKER ON THE SKIDS

This time the "rocker" on the downslide is not a troubled musician, he's troubled John Rocker, the baseball star who once rankled many minority groups with his incredibly candid statements in a major magazine. Now, according to the Rangers MLB franchise, Rocker -- due to what coaches call "poor performance" -- has been sent to the minor leagues, back to Oklahoma City's Triple-A farm club. And, according to published reports, it would appear that he may be there to stay. The Rangers say they wanted Rocker to be able to retire left-handed hitters and he did not perform up to expectations.

GOV. JESSE WIELDING THE VETO PEN

Wrestler-turned-governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura, has proved, again, that he's not just a body sitting in the Minnesota governor's chair. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Ventura has vetoed dozens of projects in recent days, paring nearly a billion dollars from capital improvement plans. He says more cuts are in the wings. Ventura had been warning the state legislature for months that there just wasn't the money in state coffers to pay for the proposals. Among those items axed by the governor are a new theater, planned for downtown Minneapolis; a research center at the University of Minnesota; a series of state hiking trails.

CHASE'S SON IMPLICATED IN ROBBERY

Seventeen-year-old David Bernard, the son of country media personality Charlie Chase, was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville this week after being reportedly shot by a homeowner during a bungled burglary. CMT says that Chase and a 20-year-old companion are suspects in the home invasion. After both were wounded by the owner of the home, police tell the news provider that they sprayed an SUV parked at the home with rifle fire. Bernard's charges include attempted aggravated robbery and several other counts. Meanwhile, Chase has asked his fans for their understanding, prayers and support.

DALLAS PAIR BECOMING MOVIE MOGULS

They have been doing it quietly. But, nonetheless, two Dallas Internet-driven millionaires have been slowly buying up movie-making companies. The Dallas Morning News says that Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban have recently purchased Rysher Entertainment and have invested in Magnolia Pictures of Dallas. That company owns the city's West Village Theater and is hoping to set up a chain of art-film houses. Additionally, the two are buying a stake in Immortal Entertainment, a new California movie-making concern. The two tell the publication that the purchase of Rysher means they own -- lock, stock and barrel -- a large entertainment library and hold the distribution rights to "Nash Bridges, "Sex and the City," "Oz" and "Highlander." The pair went to Cannes to hawk its first major endeavor, "Searching for Debra Winger." The film won what might be called an "honorable mention" at the prestigious festival.

RESTAURANTEUSSE DOES THE TOWN IN CHICAGO

Alice Waters has hit the city of Chicago with the energy of a tornado. She's a California restaurant owner and internationally renowned chef and writer of cookbooks. The Sun-Times says that she has been making stops at book-signing sessions to hawk her latest how-to publication, "Chez Panisse Fruit." The book is published by HarperCollins and sells for about $35 in most stores. Waters is the owner of the highly acclaimed Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, Calif. She is likely best known for her championing of a nationwide movement to bring more naturally grown and organic foods to restaurants. She also has helped in the drive to publish cookbooks for people who want more natural cooking. One meeting in Chicago featured a $125-a-plate luncheon with the proceeds going to a Windy City-area "green market."

ACCUSED STALKER GOES HOME

Recently we reported about that German woman who had made more than 1,000 attempts to meet Richard Gere. Now court records in New York City show that a man from Canada, accused of stalking Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, has agreed to go home in order to avoid prosecution. Reports indicate that the 39-year-old man, from British Columbia, had been following Schlossberg for two years. He was put under arrest early this month when he told a guard at her residence that he "had an appointment with her." Caroline was reportedly not at home at the time, which immediately aroused security guards' suspicions. Under the court agreement he will avoid any contact with Schlossberg for at least three years.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 329

Today's question is: "Did you ever think they would find Chandra Levy alive, or the body ever be located?" Put LEVY in the subject line and send to survey@upi.com via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 324 (FLAVORS)

Last week, inspired by the introduction of new Vanilla Coke and Pepsi's new blue cola, we asked about your favorite soft drink flavors. Here are some of the replies: More than a quarter of respondents said they would rather stick to the traditional flavors. Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, even RC Cola got votes. Debra D is among those saying: "Just give me a real Coke." Personally, I have never felt that Classic Coke is the "real thing." Cmor, who is not a "pop drinker," does like the new cherry-flavored colas and would love to see chocolate Coke. Cmor, do you know about Canfield's carbonated chocolate cola? If not, give me an e-mail to survey@upi.com and put CHOCOLATE in the subject line. And, if any of you have ideas on where it's distributed or any other chocolate sodas, let me know and I'll share the answers. Several noted that the new flavors are not yet available in their areas. VOXEN reminds us that soda fountains -- back when there were soda fountains, mainly in drugstores -- used to specialize in mixing all kinds of flavored concoctions. Frances in Bismarck -- from whom I'm glad to hear -- says that the new Vanilla Coke is like a float without the ice cream. Finally loubabe has a comment for which I am grateful. "Too bad they can't make caffeine-free versions of all the new flavors." TOMORROW: Do you believe the tabloids? GBA.