*Carol Channing’s signature dress — a shimmery number she wore in the stage production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” — was stolen at a Hollywood hotel. The 86-year-old actress and her husband were checking into the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Thursday when a man swiped one of her bags from a bell cart, said Officer Jason Lee, a police spokesman. The bag contained the dress, which Channing told police was valued at $150,000, Lee said. “I’m not crying about it. I didn’t know it was such a historic specimen,” Channing said. “The Smithsonian was crying.”
*Billboard magazine has picked Reba McEntire for its first Woman of the Year Award. The magazine says the award coincides with its second annual Women in Music issue, which will be published in early October. Billboard Group editorial director Tamara Conniff says the country star was chosen for the honor because of her wide success in music, television, movies and publishing. “Reba is an inspiration to women everywhere, and we are delighted to be presenting her with this award,” Conniff said.
*The estranged wife of “Married With Children” actor David Faustino wants a trial date to be set in the couple’s divorce. Andrea Faustino filed papers in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday asking for a trial to address issues of spousal support, division of property and attorney fees, CelebTV.com reported, citing court documents. The 33-year-old actor, who played Budrick “Bud” Bundy, filed for divorce in February.
*A comedy writer paid $10,200 for what an animal-rights group said are notes from football star Michael Vick’s apology for a dogfighting scandal. Carol Leifer made the winning bid for the notes sold by the Humane Society of the United States. Leifer is a writer and co-executive producer of CBS’ “Rules of Engagement” and also known as the inspiration for “Seinfeld’s” Elaine Benes. “Michael Vick, ironically, never made the most important apology — the one to the animals themselves,” Leifer said.
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Personals was compiled by Alan Leo from Tribune news services and staff reports.
