newsmakers

newsmakers

Guards to protect Banksy work in NYC

NEW YORK

A Brooklyn building owner has hired security guards and installed a metal gate to protect a work by the elusive British graffiti artist Banksy.

The New York Post reports that the rolling gate went up Friday over a wall in the Williamsburg neighborhood where Banksy spray-painted two geishas and a bonsai tree.

Cara Tabachnick, whose family owns the building, says the goal is to preserve the artwork “so it can be viewed and enjoyed.”

Banksy announced on his website that he would undertake a “residency” on the streets of New York this month.

Most of his works that have gone up have been tagged over by others, and some have been completely erased.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said recently that graffiti ruins property and is “a sign of decay.”

DeGeneres gives $10K to NH waitress

CONCORD, N.H.

A New Hampshire waitress who picked up the lunch tab for two National Guard soldiers affected by the federal government’s shutdown has been repaid — more than 300 times over — by television star Ellen DeGeneres.

Sarah Hoidahl, a waitress in Concord, N.H., just wanted to do a nice thing for the soldiers, so she recently picked up their lunch tab. It cost her $27.75.

On Friday, DeGeneres squared the tab and then some, giving Hoidahl $27.75 in cash and a check for $10,000.

An emotional Hoidahl buried her face in her hands and thanked DeGeneres as the talk-show host said, “You’re a good person.”

DeGeneres caught wind of Hoidahl’s act of kindness when the New Hampshire National Guard posted a picture on its Facebook page.

The story spread quickly online. Producers saw it and invited Hoidahl to Hollywood.

Ellen also gave her a 50-inch television.

Duhamel pleasantly surprised by baby Axl

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.

Proud papa Josh Duhamel has no problem bragging about his well-behaved baby.

The 40-year-old actor and wife, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, welcomed their first child, Axl Jack, on Aug. 29.

“What’s surprised me the most is how well behaved he is. I was expecting a crying baby all the time, and he’s been really mild-mannered,” Duhamel said.

Fatherhood may have brought some life changes for the “Transformers” star, but he said his approach to his career remains the same.

Associated Press