hCar program benefits from N.Y. attraction

hCar program benefitsfrom N.Y. attraction
MCPHERSON, Kan. -- Jay Leno fans who visit a replica set of "The Tonight Show" that's part of a new tourist attraction in New York City will be helping to support a car restoration program at McPherson College.
The school in this central Kansas community has gained national attention for teaching students how to restore antique and classic automobiles.
For several years, Leno, an avid classic-car collector, has helped fund scholarships for McPherson students enrolled in the automotive restoration technology program, touted as the only program of its kind offered at a four-year college.
Proceeds from the attraction, which opened last weekend, will help fund more scholarships, school officials said.
NBC designed several replica sets, where fans can pay $5 and get a picture taken with the likeness of a TV star. At "The Tonight Show" set, Leno fans can pay for a picture that makes them appear to be a guest on his show.
"It was just wonderful to be remembered by Jay," Bob Knechel, the college's vice president for institutional advancement, said last week.
Clintons top the listof tabloid awards
Former President Clinton and his wife, Hillary, are the top celebrities in the nation's First Annual Tabloid Choice Awards, sponsored by the National Enquirer, Star and Globe.
"These awards are the ultimate measure of who's been naughty or not so nice," said Steve Coz, editorial director of the tabloids. "The editors counted up stories in the nation's tabloids and the Clintons got way more than anyone else this year."
The Star said the Clintons got the top Tabby "for demonstrating that power really is the greatest aphrodisiac -- and for staying together in spite of it."
Jennifer Lopez took second place. The Enquirer said that J.Lo's "rocky love life put the tabloid spotlight" on her and asked, "Is she happy with new love Ben Affleck?"
Pop tart Britney Spears came in third, with the Star noting that while "she supposedly was a good girl saving herself for marriage," revelations "about her romance with Ben Affleck" (which supposedly spurred her break-up with Justin Timberlake) show that "Britney has left her innocent past behind."
Madonna came in fourth, with the Enquirer noting that while "the Material Girl has a new baby, a new man in her life and a new home in Britain -- what she doesn't have is a hit movie."
Rosie O'Donnell came in fifth, the Star awarding her a Tabby "for the star who could fit Lara Flynn Boyle and Debra Messing in her sweatpants -- and enjoy it."
Latin Emmy Awardsare in the making
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences plans to establish Latin Emmy Awards to recognize excellence in Spanish-language television programming, Peter O. Price, president of the National Television Academy, said.
"The time has come for major national and international recognition of distinction in Hispanic television -- and there is no better platform than the distinguished Emmy Award," Price said. "The establishment of the Latin Emmys is a way for the National Television Academy to embrace Hispanic television and to create new and innovative ways to build for the future."
Today's birthdays
Lady Bird Johnson is 90. Former House Speaker Jim Wright is 80. Actor Hector Elizondo is 66. Country singer Red Steagall is 64. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Steve Carlton is 58. ABC News correspondent Diane Sawyer is 57. Rock singer-musician Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) is 56. Baseball All-Star Steve Garvey is 54. Actress Lynne Thigpen is 54. Singer Maurice Gibb is 53. Singer Robin Gibb is 53. Golfer Jan Stephenson is 51. Actress BernNadette Stanis is 49. Rapper Luther Campbell is 42. Country musician Chuck Mead (BR549) is 42. Actor Ralph Fiennes is 40. Actress Lauralee Bell is 34. Actress Dina Meyer is 34. Actress Heather Donahue is 28.