People

A SAD FAREWELL TO ANN LANDERS

The woman who called herself Ann Landers and for more than half a century served as one of the English-speaking world's most-loved purveyors of free advice has died. Born nearly 84 years ago (she would have turned 84 on July 4), Esther Pauline Lederer died in Chicago of bone marrow cancer. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the newspaper where her columns were first printed, she refused treatment for the ailment, opting to let it take its course. "Eppie," as she was known to friends, was incredibly well-read and was known by her friends in journalism as someone who had her thumb on everything. Additionally, she had told friends that she wanted nothing special said about her at the time of her death, and decided to deal with the pain rather than be "mutilated" by surgery. She worked until just a few days before her death, coping as best she could while on heavy-duty painkillers. So, bowing to her wishes, I will say little else. After all, she was known for her sage advice and direction. By the way, in case you didn't know, she has a twin sister, Pauline. But you know her best by another name ... Dear Abby.

SPEAKING OF GRIEF ...

What a shock for the people of St. Louis and the Midwest. First, long-time, much-loved sportscaster Jack Buck dies. Then, over the weekend, Cardinal pitcher Darryl Kile is found dead in a Chicago hotel room. His teammates called the hotel on Saturday when Kile didn't show up at Wrigley Field for a game with the Cubs. Hotel security guards found him dead in his bed. He had apparently died in his sleep of a heart attack caused by an obstructed artery. Preliminary reports show that Kile's coronary arteries were nearly blocked. His father, David Kile, had also died aged 44 of a similar problem. There is an incredibly intense-but-friendly rivalry between the Cards and the Cubs. Wrigley Field went into mourning. Saturday's game was canceled. At Sunday's contest the mood was glum. Flags flew at half-staff position. A moment of silence was observed. None of the usual rousing music was played through the stands ... only the national anthem. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," traditionally sung at the "7th inning stretch," was not heard, for the first time in anyone's memory. The stadium's marquee read: "Kile 57" (his number). The great lesson in this may be the way the Chicago fans reacted to what was a St. Louis tragedy. Watching Kile's teammates being interviewed on ESPN was tough. Darryl Kile was only 33.

COUNTRY CHARLEY PRIDE HONORED AGAIN

Charley Pride has received yet another honor. He was awarded the entertainer of the year trophy at the fourth annual Golden Voice Awards in Nashville. The presentations were put together to honor veteran performers and to raise money for a special fund to help defray the hospital expenses of aging country stars. The agency is called the Performer's Benefit Fund. Country Music Television reports that other winners included Hank Locklin, as top male vocalist; Jean Shepard, female vocalist; the Jordanaires, group vocalists. Billy Walker was given the career achievement award. Additionally, Red Foley, who thrilled American TV audiences in the '50s and '60s with his pioneering presentations, was named winner of the legacy award. Foley died in 1968. The entire show has now been edited for presentation on the Internet and is viewable, on most computers, at goldenvoiceawards.com.

CHAN TO STAR IN '80 DAYS' REMAKE

It must be time for a new generation to discover the Jules Verne story of the man who tried to win a prize by going around the world in 80 days. Of course, the story was set in a period when circling the globe in that "short" length of time seemed an impossibility. The last major movie mounting of the story was in 1956, when David Niven starred in the lead as British adventurer Phileas Fogg. Mexican comedic actor Cantinflas played his assistant, Passepartout. That incarnation featured incredible photography, the great music of Victor Young, an all-star cast and literally pages and pages of named extras, make-up artists and stuntmen. In many ways, the globe-trotting photography was the true star of the film. Now the Hollywood Reporter's on-line service says that Jackie Chan has been tapped to play in a new version of the geographically expansive story. As expected, Chan will not play Fogg, but his valet, the Cantinflas part. It may be interesting to see Chan in a period piece. Producers say they will stay as true to the Verne novel as possible, not moving the story forward, but leaving it set in the late 18th century. The movie will be distributed by Columbia. No release date has been set.

CHARGES DISMISSED IN CROWE-RELATED CASE

A judge in Australia has dismissed charges against two men whom Russell Crowe claimed were trying to extort money from him. People magazine says that the two had been accused of using a security videotape that reputedly showed the 38-year-old volatile actor "behaving badly" in an attempt to blackmail Crowe. It had been claimed that the tape showed that Crowe instigated a fight outside a nightspot in 1999. But the judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to show that the accused pair had actually used the tape to their advantage and were pressuring Crowe. Further, it was ruled that some of the evidence was bordering on "hearsay" and was not admissible. Crowe did not appear in the court for the proceedings.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRINCE WILLIAM

Prince William of the UK celebrates his 20th birthday this week. Taller and more dashing than ever, according to several British media outlets, he's also developed quite a knack at playing soccer. As a matter of fact, one publication, the Sun, shows him doing something that most American 20-year-olds would be hard pressed to replicate. He is shown bouncing a soccer ball off his foot in a series of soccer moves while talking on a cell phone at the same time. The shot was snapped while William was "horsing around" with some friends prior to a polo match. No word on whether he stayed on the phone while playing polo.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 361

Today we're asking: "Have you ever had any experience dealing with counterfeit money, either receiving it or accidentally passing it?" Put MONEY in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

A SPECIAL NOTE ...

Due to a computer problem, we are unable to bring you results of last week's question. As soon as that information is retrievable you'll see it here. Meanwhile, GBA.