People

SEINFELD, PARKING GARAGE OWNER

It's hard enough to find a parking space in New York City for one vehicle. But what if you're a multiple-car owner? Well, The New York Observer says that comedian Jerry Seinfeld has found a way to safely park his collection of vintage Porsche automobiles -- he's building his own parking garage. Seinfeld says that he has decided that what he and his neighbors on West 83rd St. in Manhattan need is a high-rise parking structure. And he is the man to build it. The garage could cost nearly $1.4 million. When it's done Seinfeld will have 20 spaces earmarked for his fleet of cars. The building is only a few blocks from the comedian's digs, a $4.35 million duplex. Meanwhile, the paper says that the ongoing construction of the parking structure is causing major disruptions on the already crowded street.

BRINGING TAYLOR BACK TO TINSELTOWN

If columnist Liz Smith has her way, movie icon Elizabeth Taylor will head back to the studios for another movie. Smith points out that "no star in her right mind" would want to have the legacy of "These Old Broads" as her last effort. One of the star's best friends, Denis Ferrara, has suggested to Smith that Taylor would be perfect to reprise the old Barbara Stanwyck role in "Sorry, Wrong Number." It was brought to Hollywood in the late 1940s as a vehicle for Stanwyck after the incredible popularity of the plot on "Suspense" on radio. The scenario involves a woman, bound to her bed, who accidentally overhears a conversation on her phone about a home-bound woman who is about to be murdered. She intercepts the information when her phone wires are suddenly crossed. By the way, the plot is so intense that when it was first done on radio -- by Agnes Moorehead (Kane's mother in "Citizen Kane" and Endora on "Bewitched") -- Moorehead fainted after the final scene. She was asked to repeat the live performance many more times. "Sorry, Wrong Number" became one of radio's favorite dramas. It was great with Stanwyck and, yes, Taylor might find it a more rewarding swan song that "Broads."

BUSH: LET'S REBUILD AMERICAN EDUCATION

President Bush was on the road this week, pushing for a revitalization of American schools. At one stop, in the Twin Cities, Bush used a high school convocation as a pulpit for pushing his plans. At one juncture he told the audience that teachers "are an important part of your life and an important part of our country's future." Among the points of the Bush education plan are "exit" tests for all teachers as they leave college before heading to the classroom. The Star-Tribune says that he also wants more people in private industry to get involved in schools. He's also proposing a program under which fledgling teachers would eventually have their student loans forgiven if they agree to teach much-needed subjects in high-risk schools. "We must raise our expectations" when it comes to our schools, he told the Minnesota audience.

LUCY'S CHILDHOOD HOME TO BE AUCTIONED

The home in which classic comedienne Lucille Ball spent much of her childhood is going up for sale on the Internet ... again. Published reports indicate that the home, at 59 W. Lucy Lane in Chautauqua County, New York, was home for Ball from the time she was eight until she was in her mid teens. It's in the rural village of Celeron. A real estate agent has put the building on the on-line auction site eBay. He's asking more than $98,000. This is the second time that the 112-year-old house has gone up for auction. The first time around, several bid more than $100,000, but failed to put their money where their bids were. The home is about an hour south of Buffalo.

WHERE WERE THE NEW FACES?

This year when Nashville's country music establishment held its 33rd annual Country Radio Seminar, as usual the event ended in a concert featuring "new" country stars. But, according to country.com, this time some of the faces were not as "new" as many had expected. Wincing from criticism leveled at promoters last year that several record companies were exercising undue force in helping decide who would and would not be showcased, this year the "newbies" were picked by canvassing last year's attendees. One young artist who did impress the crowd was Carolyn Dawn Johnson. The young singer-songwriter told the audience how she finally made it in Nashville. She remembered having to pay her own way to come to a similar event six years ago and being inspired by one of the artists she heard. On a comedic note, Blake Shelton sang a song about a legendary aspect of Nashville's Renaissance Hotel's atrium. It seems that if you stand in the right place in the huge room you can see into many of the hotel rooms on the upper floors because of the "mirror effect" of some of the windows.

PULLMAN HEADED BACK TO BROADWAY

Many people don't know that before popular actor Bill Pullman went to Hollywood to appear in a slew of movies, he worked briefly in several off-Broadway plays in the Big Apple. Now, according to the New York Post, Pullman is going back to his roots to star in the Edward Albee play, "The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?" The publication describes it as a quirky comedy. Early reviews of preview performances have been in the form of raves, with predictions that the play will have a long run. Some are already suggesting that Pullman and co-star Mercedes Reuhl could win Tonys for their performances. Pullman was born in Hornell, N.Y., and is now 49. By the way, he's one of seven children. Some of his better-known movie roles include: Julian in "The Accidental Tourist," Bob Hinson in "A League of Their Own" and the leading role in the made-for-TV remake of "The Virginian."

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 283

Today is good deed and common sense day. So, here goes. First your assignment: Check the batteries in your smoke alarms, automatic emergency lighting and other security systems. While you're at it, check to make sure any emergency supplies, such as food, batteries, first aid kits, etc., are still viable. Secondly, the question: "What did you discover? What action, if any, did you have to take?" Put EMERGENCY in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to a reprogramming of computers, the RESULTS of previous surveys will not be available for a short time. When I can access them again, I promise to catch up. Meanwhile, keep the cards and letters coming. GBA.