Buzz Briefs: Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney
"Old Blue Eyes" Chosen For Postage Stamp
Frank Sinatra competed against 50,000 others - and won.
That's how many annual proposals are made for new U.S. postage stamps. The late crooner's face appeared on one of them Tuesday, with Frank Sinatra Jr. on hand to honor his father's memory.
"When we have the U.S. Postal Service making the announcement that there are 50,000 suggestions per year, out of which 20 are selected - if that isn't the very embodiment of the American Dream, well, I don't know what is," Sinatra said at a ceremony in Manhattan.
"He was a fellow off the streets of Hoboken, N.J.," he said.
The 42-cent Sinatra stamp went on sale Tuesday in New York, Las Vegas and Hoboken, where Sinatra was born. New York and Las Vegas were among his favorite haunts.
His daughter Tina Sinatra joined Postal Service governor James Bilbray in a dedication ceremony Tuesday in Las Vegas.
The entertainer died 10 years ago.
Sir Paul, Not All Transportation Is Green
But he's getting slammed by trackers of environmental footprints for his delivery option.
McCartney's $158,000 Lexus was flown from Japan to England, instead of being shipped by boat.
A leading environmentalist says the cargo flight is the same as driving the car around the world 300 times, and that the hybrid technology may not be the best use for a high-performance car.
Lexus gave McCartney the car. It sponsored McCartney's 2005 tour of the United States.
A spokesman for McCartney says the car has been delivered. It's unclear if McCartney knew the delivery method.
New Mom JLo Wants To Give Back & Set Example For Her Kids
The 39-year-old singer/actress/entrepreneur is also thinking about the 93,000 sick and seriously injured children treated annually by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles - and how she can help.
Lopez announced Wednesday that she'll host and help coordinate the third Noche de Ninos benefit gala. This year's star-studded party, to be held Oct. 11 at the Nokia Center, will feature performances by Lopez, Anthony, Alejandro Sanz and Latin rockers Juanes and Mana.
Lopez, who was Noche de Ninos' first honoree in 2004, said her twin son and daughter inspired her to get more involved.
Photos: Celebrity Circuit
"Doing something where I was proactive ... where I was the one pushing and making something happen, that just became very important to me," Lopez told The Associated Press. "I don't know if it was because I was pregnant and thinking about children, thinking about the world. Definitely my children inspire me very much in so many ways, even just in the past two and a half months of their little lives.
"They inspire me to want to be better, to be a better person, to do something for the world, to set an example for them, to make them proud of me and to know that there's a certain way that you should live," she said. "I've been very fortunate over the years, but I've also worked very hard, and that's the example I want to set for my children."
Star Jones' Ex Al Reynolds Vents About Media Depiction
The soon-to-be ex-husband of Star Jones says he's "been called a gigolo, a freeloader, unemployed, a sham and many other things that don't bear repeating" since Jones filed for divorce in March.
Reynolds posted a 485-word rant on MySpace and Facebook on Tuesday, using the social-networking Web sites to air his frustrations with media coverage.
"If you think you are having a tough day, may I propose you walk in my shoes for a few hours," reads the opening line. "In my mind, it feels like 'Dump on Al Month."'
His publicist issued Reynolds' only official statement on his split from Jones after three years of marriage: "We are taking the high road."
"As much as I want to defend myself, it seems like a silly and futile exercise," Reynolds writes. "It's clear that the media doesn't want to let the truth get in the way of a good story. I hate to ruin their fun."
Still, he spends the bulk of the time explaining himself and defending his marriage.
"I know in my heart that I entered my marriage with love and the best of intentions and leave it with great sadness that it didn't work," he writes, going on to explain that he "grew up in a working class home, a mobile home in fact.
"I am complex, contradictory and capable of great intelligence but also remarkable stupidity. In other words, I am a human being," he writes. "Please don't try to define me; don't try to categorize me; and most of all, don't label me. Instead, JUST GET TO KNOW ME."
Tennis Champ Justine Henin Retires At Age 25
The 25-year-old Belgian made the surprising announcement at a news conference Wednesday, less than two weeks before the start of the French Open. She has won that clay-court major championship four times, including each of the past three years.
"This is the end of a child's dream," Henin said. "This is a definitive decision. Those who know me know it is serious."
Her announcement came a day after one of the greatest female golfers in history said she's walking away: Annika Sorenstam, owner of 10 major titles and one of six women to complete a career Grand Slam in her sport, is retiring at the end of the season.
Henin, though, won't have any sort of farewell tour. She is quitting immediately.
"Wire" Director To Shoot Students' Short Film
Clark Johnson will direct a short film about masculinity and youth written by nine Manhattan high school students.
"Misunderstood," by students at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts, won a contest by Scenarios USA, which uses filmmaking to foster youth leadership, advocacy and self-expression, the nonprofit group announced this week.
The fledgling filmmakers are seven girls and two boys, a mix of juniors and seniors.
Johnson directed the 2006 thriller "The Sentinel." He also directed and appeared in episodes of HBO's "The Wire" and directed episodes of FX's "The Shield."
Johnson, who was on the committee that chose the winning submission, will work with a volunteer crew while filming in the city this month.
"Misunderstood" is expected to premiere this winter. It will be distributed to high schools and community groups across the country, streamed on the Internet and air on TV, Scenarios said.