Of Human Interest: News-lite

BUT NO SNAKES

Fourteen years ago, Alice Cooper and his wife, Sheryl, sat through a boring variety show at their daughter's school, Hopi Elementary in Phoenix.

"I looked at the audience and saw parents looking at their watches and thinking, 'When can I get out of here?' It was just short of being dismal," Sheryl Cooper told the Arizona Republic.

So she and her rock-star husband took over the show, elevating it to near professional theater. This week, the 35th annual elementary school show is expected to sell out once again -- with shows Thursday and Friday at Arcadia High School.

"It's phenomenal," said Chris Sibbio, the show's producer for several years, whose first-grader is in the cast. "It's mini-Broadway. It's not a talent show, it's a full-blown production."

The newspaper said the Coopers write and direct the show each year. This year's production, "Hopi Doodle Dandy," is a patriotic celebration of America, complete with songs, skits and a snow-making machine in the finale.

Alice makes his annual appearance in the show, as does Sheryl, who dons a fat suit to become the character Large Marge.

JUST KIDDING

Internet fan sites took off with a rumor Wednesday that New Line Cinema had decided on a title for the third Austin Powers movie, but the studio quickly shot the rumor down.

According to the grapevine, New Line had settled on "Licensed to Shag" as a replacement for the "Goldmember" title that the studio had been using -- until the Motion Picture Association of America ruled that it sounded too much like the James Bond title "Goldfinger."

New Line officials said that the rumor mill had it wrong, and that they're still undecided about what title to put on the movie.

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

WORKING HIS WAY THROUGH COLLEGE

A University of Texas student has been arrested on charges of making counterfeit Texas driver's licenses.

The licenses produced by Imran Ali Karim, 19, of Plano, Texas, were apparently sold for use in the illegal purchase of alcohol, but investigators are trying to determine if they had other illegal uses, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

"Driver license fraud is a serious crime with potentially far-reaching implications, especially in light of Sept. 11," said Col. Thomas A. Davis, Jr., the DPS director.

Karim faces a charge of tampering with a government document, a second-degree felony punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

DPS officials are urging anyone in possession of one of the phony licenses to contact them.

REASONS TO CELEBRATE THIS WEEKEND:

FRIDAY: Today through Sunday is Second Honeymoon Weekend, a time for couples to spend some quality time together.

And the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia celebrates its Independence Day today.

SATURDAY: This is Iwo Jima Day, commemorating the date in 1945 when U.S. Marines raised the flag on the Pacific island.

Today is National Day in Brunei, celebrating its independence from Britain in 1984.

The South American country of Gayana marks the Anniversary of the Republic with a national holiday.

And it's Army and Navy Day in Russia, also known as Defender of the Fatherland Day.

SUNDAY: The closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics are today in Salt Lake City.

And Estonia celebrates its Independence Day today.

MONDAY: Today through March 1 is Read Me Week.

It's also International Week at Texas A&M.

And this is National Day in Kuwait.

(Thanks to Chase's 2002 Calendar of Events)

BY THE WAY...

He was known as the "Gentle Giant." Who?

Robert Wadlow -- the tallest man in recorded history -- who was born on this date in 1918. Though only 9 lbs. at birth, Wadlow was more than 6 ft. tall and 210 lbs. by age 10 and 8 ft. 11.1 in. and 490 lbs. when he died at age 22 in 1940. His gentle, friendly manner earned him the nickname "Gentle Giant."