Word On The Street
(9/26/04) Anorak UK

MAGAZINES love coining new phrases, finding the word that encapsulates the spirit of an age or style.

We’ve had Sloane Rangers, Brat Packs, Rat Packs and all manner of yuppies, newbies and wannabes.

Now the magazine asks its readers to take a look at David Beckham, the man who is hereby branded a “WANKSTA”.

“Hey, Davis Beckham, wassup?” asks the caption to a typical shot of our hero clad in American basketball vest, cropped jeans and flip-flops. “Not those pants for much longer,” comes the rather sarcastic answer.

If the glibness with which the Americans are treating our beloved family man was not enough, above the same shot hangs the legend: “TOTAL WANKSTA.”

Now, we should explain that America and Britain are allies divided by a common language, and what Britons may take to be a slight on Beckham’s private activities means something different in the States.

For the American definition we are indebted to the great 50 Cent, the American rapper.

“Wanksta (wang’sta) – a person who falsely assumes the characteristics, dress or mannerisms of a gansta syn. See Vanilla Ice.”

Or see David Beckham, who is in fine company with Justin Timberlake, Aaron Carter and Nick Lachey.

Looking at the pictures of this streetwise posse, many Britons may find themselves uttering their own interpretation of the 50 Cent neologism.

 

One giant leap for your class: What will you be doing for World Space Week?
(9/25/04) British National Space Centre

Are you up for the challenge? From October 4 to 10 people across the globe will be taking part in World Space Week – a week that highlights the excitement and inspiration of space. Take your class to the final frontier and as well as learning more about the Universe we live in, they could win the chance to meet Lance Bass of *NSYNC fame.

‘Lance’s Lab’, inspired by Lance Bass, member of boy-band *NSYNC and World Space Week 2004 youth spokesperson, is just one activity that schools across the UK have a chance to take part in. The competition will see children from 50 nations designing a module on the International Space Station for Lance to live in. The winners will have the chance to meet Lance at an awards ceremony in 2005...

 

USA Weekend Songwriting Contest for Teens
(9/25/04) Frappa Stout USA Weekend

...Stumped on where to start? We asked for tips from (Simon) Cowell and Fantasia, last season's "Idol" winner, whose first album is due in November. Read on and take heed; both are USA WEEKEND guest judges and will help to pick the winner.

...Who, would you say, are the best at [writing good lyrics]?

Simon: Elton John's writing partner Bernie Taupin. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Candle in the Wind" -- those lyrics are genius. They're so creative and clever and memorable, rather than just "I love you, you love me, let's love each other."

Fantasia: During "American Idol," I was really affected by [singing] Barbra Streisand's [version of] "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" [written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman]. It made me think of my 3-year-old daughter, because I want to be there with her.

Simon: The most-sung artist [in auditions] this year is Stevie Wonder. And these are songs that are 20 to 30 years old now. It's very rare that we get people [in auditions] singing modern songs. You listen to Justin Timberlake a cappella ... it doesn't work...

 

'Stars Over Mississippi' this weekend in Amory
(9/25/04) DeSoto Times

Five-time Grammy Award winning superstar Wynonna will headline the next Stars Over Mississippi Benefit Concert in Amory, set for Oct. 1-2. Wynonna's participation in the popular North Mississippi bi-annual event was announced by Amory native Sam Haskell III, executive vice-president and worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency, Inc. of Beverly Hills, Calif.

Brad Paisley has been set to co-headline the event, which will be hosted by award-winning actor and talk show host Tony Danza, Emmy-winning actress Patricia Heaton, of the CBS hit comedy "Everybody Loves Raymond," and Grammy-nominated performer Lance Bass, of the recording group "NSYNC."

"The 2004 concert marks the 12th anniversary of the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell Scholarship Foundation, and it promises to be our biggest show ever, Haskell said. "The people of Mississippi will not get to see a show of this magnitude anywhere else in the country, and all they have to do is drive over to Amory for the biggest party of the year!"

Joining this spectacular array of stars will be Emmy-award winning actress Doris Roberts, of "Everybody Loves Raymond;" Emmy-award winning actor Brad Garrett, of "Everybody Loves Raymond;" Emmy-award winning actor Sean Hayes, of "Will & Grace;" Emmy-award winning actress Jean Smart, of "Designing Women" and "Frasier;" Emmy-award winning actress Kirstie Alley, of TV's "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet" and motion pictures such as "Look Who's Talking" and "Star Trek;" Grammy-nominated Broadway legend Michael Feinstein; U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.

In addition, "Stars Over Mississippi" regulars including Emmy winners Debbie Allen and Gary Collins, former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley, former Miss Mississippi Mary Donnelly Haskell, singer Guy Hovis and Broadway's Laurie Gayle Stephenson will be on hand to add their talents to this incredible array of stars.

"Stars Over Mississippi" is the primary fundraising arm of the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell Scholarship Foundation, named for Sam Haskell's mother, who was a public school nurse in Amory for 20 years and Mississippi's first school nurse practitioner. To date, the Haskell Foundation has raised over 2.5 million dollars to help deserving Mississippi children attend college.

...Reserve seat tickets are $30, general admission is $20 and gala tickets are $125. Gates open at 6 p.m. Oct. 2. For information on tickets, please contact Judy Holman at (877) 330-7827, (662) 256-8224 - Local or (662) 256-3282 - Fax Orders.