People

JIMMY CARTER NOT RESTING ON HIS LAURELS

In the wake of his being honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, former President Jimmy Carter has hardly taken a day off from his busy schedule. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he was in Jamaica this week, talking with local self-help groups and getting in some birdwatching. In the middle of all of that, he managed to record an appearance on "Today" that was taped just at dawn on Monday. He then met with high government officials of the island and the leaders of two warring political parties, trying to get them to work together in order to bring about credible elections. Then came the national election day. Up at the crack of dawn, again, he traveled from polling place to polling place, encouraging the people and standing as a visible example of pure democracy. He visited more than 40 polling stations during his trip. Carter is now 78 and many of his younger assistants have a hard time keeping up with him.

MARTHA STEWART MEETS THE PUBLIC

You might think that embattled household guru Martha Stewart would keep as low a profile as possible these days, particularly in light of her much-publicized tumble with Congress over charges of insider trading. But that's not been the case. For example, this week she made an appearance at the opening of the High Point (N.C.) International Home Furnishings Market. The massive home show continues through this weekend. She was there to help introduce her new Signature line of furniture -- some 200 pieces in all. Published reports indicate that the new Stewart furniture line is feminine but not overly so and is a panache of colors. And, in keeping with modern times, the traditional furniture also has alcoves for VCRs and DVDs and televisions. Although her appearance was brief, she did have time to talk with reporters and visitors ... but mostly about furniture.

STRING INSTRUMENT MASTER 'PETE' KIRBY DIES

For more years than most people can remember, Roy Acuff's sideman Beecher "Pete" Kirby was considered one of the most accomplished guitar and banjo players in the world. Over the years he developed a legion of fans as he performed under the nickname "Bashful Brother Oswald." Now CMT is reporting that Kirby has died after a long illness. A longtime member of the the Grand Ole Opry, he began his rise to stardom as a member of Roy Acuff's legendary Smoky Mountain Boys. He first started with that troupe in 1939. Many can't imagine what some of Acuff's biggest hits would have sounded like without Kirby's incredible playing and open-throated tenor singing on songs such as "The Wabash Cannonball" and "Wreck on the Highway." But it was not until he was 84, in 1995, that he was brought into the fold at the Opry as a solo performer. His last appearances at the Opry were in 1999. Beecher "Pete" Kirby was 90.

CAST OF 'LOPEZ' IN GOOD MOOD AT ABC

The cast and crew of the Latino-themed TV sitcom "George Lopez" are in a great mood as the week ends. The network confirms that it has ordered a second "season" of the popular show. The series is being produced by Warner Bros. Television. In making the announcement, ABC has decided to issue strong orders for the production of its current crop of comedy shows. ABC tells the publication that "Lopez" has turned out to be a strong performer for the network. It has dominated the Wednesday night 8:30 timeslot. It also has a strong lead-in show, "Wife and Kids." One of the real reasons for the popularity of "George Lopez" is the actor-comedian who stars in the series -- which bears his name. For years Lopez has been doing standup at clubs around the country, maintaining a hectic schedule. He appeared in over 70 TV shows before being given his own shot. He also won high praise for his dramatic role in "Bread and Roses." Additionally, he has recurring roles in several other series. A tireless fundraiser, he was recently named "Honorary Mayor of Los Angeles" for his work in local charities.

GEORGE McGOVERN STILL FIGHTING HUNGER

At age 80 politician George McGovern may have faded from the national spotlight, but he is still "on the stump," commenting about the international scene. The man who ran for the presidency some 30 years ago is still talking politics. This time his pulpit was a real one at a Minnesota Presbyterian Church as part of a Town Hall Forum in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune says that McGovern spent much of his time talking about the strides being made around the world to alleviate hunger. McGovern is no stranger to the "cause of food." He served as director of the Food for Peace program during the Kennedy years. He was also American envoy to the United Nation's food programs during the Clinton administration. The publication noted that although many in the audience were not even born when McGovern ran unsuccessfully for the White House, they are well aware of his dove-ish legacy during Vietnam and many wanted him to autograph his latest book.

THE RETURN OF THE AMERICAN WESTERN?

Actor Sean Patrick Flanery may be leading a small movement back to the American West and the early days of television. The American Broadcasting Company confirms that the photogenic actor has been tapped to play the title role in a one-hour pilot to be called "Then Came Jones." If made into a series, it would be produced by Touchstone Television and would center on a colorful El Paso gunman named Ben Jones. According to the Hollywood Reporter, there are indications that actor Jesus Garcia would play El Fuego, the best friend of the gunman. In recent months Flanery has had parts in WB's "Charmed" and in "The Dead Zone" on USA. He has also been in several movies, including "Powder," "Suicide Kings" and "Boondock Saints."

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 440

If you were down on your luck and needed to go to some charitable or "help" agency in your area, which would be your first choice?" Put LUCK in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 435 (IRAQ)

Last week we asked if you thought this country should go to war with Iraq. It would seem that the random sampling of inbox e-mail shows that many of the readers of this column are doves rather than hawks:

39 percent were in favor of going to war.

61 percent were not.

NEXT: Your encounters with the police. GBA.