For charity, that is. “Christie’s, which plans to auction the machine on Friday, estimated that it would fetch between $15,000 and $20,000. Mr. McCarthy wrote an authentication letter — typed on the Olivetti, of course — that states: ‘It has never been serviced or cleaned other than blowing out the dust with a service station hose….'”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Are Humans Altruistic By Nature?
Some biologists have come to the conclusion “that babies are innately sociable and helpful to others. Of course every animal must to some extent be selfish to survive. But the biologists also see in humans a natural willingness to help.”
With S&M Twins, Littell Wins Bad Sex In Fiction Award
In giving the nod to Jonathan Littell for his novel, “The Kindly Ones,” the jury cited “one incestuous scene that unfolds on the bed of a guillotine and another that invokes the myth of Cyclops, ‘whose single eye never blinks.’ These marred what the judges called an impressive work.”
Is Canada Prize Poised For A Reappearance?
“[F]ederal Heritage Minister James Moore said the magic, startling words during a media scrum: There will be news about the Canada Prize ‘very soon.’ Many felt sure that plans for an annual international culture contest in Toronto would just vanish after a political storm that caught the Harper government by surprise in late January.”
As Child Actors Flourish On B’way, So Do Child Wranglers
“Safety is job one,” but for wranglers there’s also “lots of reminding the children, who range in age from 7 to 18, that while waiting in the wings they’ve got to keep their energy up and their voices down, that if they want to eat something while in costume they’ve got to put on a robe, and that roughhousing while in costume is simply not in the script.”
Novelist Annabel Lyon Wins $25K Writers’ Trust Prize
“After being denied two of the big awards for which she was nominated this year, last night Ms. Lyon won the $25,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize for The Golden Mean, her popular novel narrated by a boldly imagined Aristotle.”
Artists Object To Gag Clause In Cultural Olympiad Contract
“The arts-festival portion of the 2010 Olympics risks sliding into a squabble over free speech, as artists who signed on to be part of the Cultural Olympiad learn of a clause in their contracts that prohibits negative comments about the Games and its corporate sponsors.”
Julie Andrews Plans A Comeback Concert
A dozen years after “an operation to remove non-cancerous nodules from her vocal cords was thought to have ended her singing career,” Julie Andrews, 74, is to “announce today a homecoming concert in London that is expected to net £1 million in box-office receipts and will be one of the most scrutinised shows of next year.”
Are Radio Royalties For Performers A Racial Issue?
“Radio broadcasters hate the idea of performance royalties — really, really hate it. They’re speaking up in Congress and on air.” Among the most vocal is Cathy Hughes, “the legendary founder of Radio One, the country’s largest chain of black radio stations.”
Actor Who Lunged At Audience Member May Face Charges
“Theatregoers said that they were shocked at what they described as an unprovoked attack at the end of Monday night’s performance at the Duke of York’s Theatre,” when actor Ian Hart “ran from the stage to scream threats at” Gerard Earley. In the play’s second half, Hart had “pointed at Mr Earley and told him to ‘shut up,'” though audience members said he’d been mum.