Baldwin, Linklater join polar-bear plunges in NY

Baldwin, Linklater join polar-bear plunges in NY

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y.

Actor Alec Baldwin and director Richard Linklater have braved the chilly waters off New York’s Long Island at separate polar-bear plunges on New Year’s Day.

Newsday reported that Baldwin dived into the Atlantic Ocean on Friday to benefit an East Hampton rehabilitation facility. Linklater took part in a nearby plunge benefiting the East Hampton Food Pantry.

Baldwin is a Long Island native and a regular at glitzy charity events on the island’s East End.

The Texas-based Linklater was vacationing in the area and decided to join the plunge. He said it was “really cool, so many people coming out for a good reason.”

Baldwin has starred in numerous films as well as the NBC show “30 Rock.”

Linklater’s films include “Dazed and Confused,” “School of Rock” and “Boyhood.”

‘Game of Thrones’ author blogs that he missed book deadline

NEW YORK

For fans of George R.R. Martin, winter is not coming – at least not right away.

The “Game of Thrones” author says he missed a Dec. 31 deadline to finish “The Winds of Winter,” the sixth book in his popular fantasy series. That means the next HBO season based on the novel will start airing in April, before the book is published.

The words “you won’t like it” appeared Saturday on Martin’s blog, reporting that “the book’s not done. ... I tried, I promise you. I failed.”

Martin says he is working with HBO to ensure the show reflects the next installment of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” books – in which characters warn of impending doom with the phrase “Winter is coming.”

With hundreds of pages and dozens of chapters written, Martin said he estimates it will still take months more if the writing goes well.

Vegas police probe allegation of battery against singer Brown

LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas police are investigating an allegation of battery against R&B singer Chris Brown.

Lt. Jeff Goodwin says authorities received a call shortly before 10:30 a.m. Saturday about the purported battery at the Palms Casino Resort. Goodwin would not release any details about the allegation, saying the investigation still is going on.

Brown’s attorney and publicist did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Brown was freed from felony probation last year, more than six years after he attacked then-girlfriend Rihanna. The singer pleaded guilty to felony assault in that case.

Associated Press