RECEPTIONS REFLECT MUSEUM'S OUTLOOK

Receptions reflect museum's outlook
YOUNGSTOWN -- The old and the new are meeting today at The Butler Institute of American Art on Wick Avenue. The museum is hosting two receptions that reflect the diversity of art that is featured. One is for works done in pastels, a thoroughly traditional medium. The other celebrates art that taps into the latest technology. D4
Worth a fortune
NEW YORK -- A classic Gibson guitar used by George Harrison on the Beatles' "Revolver" album and by John Lennon on the "White Album" sold Friday to an anonymous bidder for $567,500, Christie's auction house announced.
The cherry-red SG Standard guitar belonged to Harrison from 1966 through 1969. He used it in recording sessions and in several of the band's increasingly rare public appearances, and loaned the guitar to Lennon during "White Album" sessions, according to Darren Julien, whose Julien Entertainment co-sponsored the auction.
Harrison presented the guitar to a friend, guitarist Pete Ham of the band Badfinger, as a gift in 1969. Ham committed suicide five years later, and the guitar passed on to his brother John.
John Ham stored the guitar beneath a bed in his London home, where it sat until he was contacted in 2002 by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame representatives putting together a Badfinger retrospective.
Also on the block
NEW YORK -- Among other items purchased in the Christie's auction was a two-page letter sent by a hallucinating Kurt Cobain to Courtney Love. The 1991 letter was faxed to her from the Nirvana front man's Sheffield, England, hotel. It sold for $19,120.
A childhood book report by Britney Spears on the children's book "Raymond's Run" sold for $1,912. The report, which dates back to the 1980s, includes a message from her teacher: "Proofread/Messy." Oops!
Call for artists
CHAGRIN FALLS -- Valley Art Center is accepting applications for the 22nd annual Art by the Falls show in Riverside Park June 11 and 12.
Applications must be received at the center no later than 4 p.m. Feb. 21. The jury will consider work in any medium provided it is original, handcrafted and of professional quality. Artists may show work only in categories approved by the jury.
To apply, artists should submit four slides for each category and indicate if they will show if only one category is approved. Jury fee is $20. Booths cost $165 for center members, $185 for nonmembers.
For more information or to get an application, call (440) 247-7507 or visit the Web site, www.valleyartcenter.org.
End the year right
BOARDMAN -- If you're looking for something a little different to end 2004, check out the concert and skating party being put together by BeatLab productions for Dec. 30.
God's Child, PG13, Mark Jackson and Final Call, Judah E., Jonathan Mason, The Warriors of the Cross, Icon, Andrea and Rappture will perform during the 9 p.m. to midnight "End-of-the-Year Thing."
Tickets, including rental skates, are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. For information, visit www.thebeatlab.com or call the Boardman Skate Connection weekedays at (330) SK8-6989.
Tomorrow's stars
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The ninth annual Stars of Tomorrow show will be at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at the New Castle Playhouse, 202 E. Long Ave.
Singing, dancing and comedy featuring high school entertainers and a 20-piece jazz orchestra directed by Dr. Thomas Zumpella.
An opening dance number and a finale showcasing all the performers (a tribute to Motown) will be presented.
Tickets are $15, with reserved seating available by calling (724) 654-3437. For more information, call Becky Clarke or visit http://clik.to/ncp.
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