Issue Date: October 28, 2001
This weekend, millions of volunteers will help their communities while also raising money for the new Make A Difference Day Scholarship Fund that will benefit children and spouses of Sept. 11 terrorism victims.
Good idea, says Reba McEntire, who has supported Make A Difference Day for years and even hosted an awards luncheon for this national day of community service.
"Now, more than ever, it is essential that we reach out to our neighbors in need and offer a helping hand," says the star of country music and a new TV series, "Reba".
"If we've learned anything from the tragic events of Sept. 11, it is that we all need each other to get by in this world."
This fund was created by USA WEEKEND Magazine and the Points of Light Foundation in partnership with the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America. It's part of the overall "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund," which has a goal of $100 million. Visit makeadifferenceday.com for more information. To donate: Go to the Web site, call 1-800-416-3824 or send a check to: Make A Difference Day Scholarship Fund, c/o Points of Light Foundation, 1400 Eye St., N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20005.
I think emerging actor The Rock is the hottest wrestler in the WWF. Please tell me he's single.
Annie Mitchell, Athens, Ohio
Sorry, Annie. He's married to his college sweetheart, financial consultant Dany Garcia, 32, and he's the smitten dad of a baby girl, Simone Alexandra, born in August. Millions of women share your opinion, though. The 6-foot-5 athlete gets credit for doubling the WWF's female fan base. You wouldn't know it from his inside-the-ring persona, but The Rock (real name: Dwayne Douglas Johnson) is a softie; for example, he makes plans to visit terminally ill children in any city he visits. At 29, he's just getting started in the movie business, but it looks promising. He recently finished his first lead role -- in next April's "The Scorpion King", a prequel to the "Mummy" movies -- for which he earned $5.5 million.
My family enjoyed watching Colby Donaldson on "Survivor II: The Australian Outback". We were sure we'd see more of him. Has he signed any advertising contracts?
Faith VanderHorst, Cincinnati
There have been some personal appearances and a magazine cover but no lucrative deals yet for the charismatic Survivor II runner-up (he won $100,000 and a Pontiac Aztek). Still, Donaldson, 27, hopes to make it in Hollywood. He left Dallas for L.A., where he hired a publicist and an agent and is studying acting. He's also making friends in high places: He spent a day on the set of "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise and director Steven Spielberg, who reportedly is a "Survivor" fan. Donaldson was a custom auto designer before he headed to the Outback.
Did any of Colin Powell's children serve on active duty in the military?
J.T. Lund, Grand Canyon, Ariz.
Michael, 38, appointed by President George W. Bush to head the Federal Communications Commission, had planned to follow in his father's footsteps until a near-fatal accident changed his life. The younger Powell served as an Army platoon leader and executive officer in Germany, but then a 1987 autobahn wreck left him hospitalized for nearly a year. When he recovered, he retired from the Army and went to Georgetown University's law school. Political observers say he has his dad's charm and intelligence and could end up in politics. Sisters Linda, an actress, and Anne, a television producer, live in New York.
After the plane crash that killed the young singer Aaliyah, there was a lot of talk about a marriage to R. Kelly. Were they married when she died?
Karen Crawford, Weirton, W.Va.
No. They never were married. Seven years have passed since rumors first spread about a marriage between Aaliyah, 22, and her fellow R&B star R. Kelly, 32, who helped launch her career in 1994. Both artists -- Aaliyah was 15 then -- denied the rumors and had ended their personal and professional relationship; Roc-a-Fella Records CEO Damon Dash, 30, was Aaliyah's boyfriend at the time of her death. Days after the crash, he revealed to MTV News that the two had planned to marry once Aaliyah's schedule slowed down. Said Dash: "She was my family. She was my best friend. My heart is broken."
"The Producers" seems as if it will be on Broadway for a very long time. Any chance the show will come to the West Coast?
Kate Geis, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Yes. The producers of "The Producers" -- with a record 12 Tony Awards -- are planning a national tour to start sometime in 2002. Too bad it won't star Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, whose chemistry and charm are the reason to see the show. They're under contract to do it in New York until March. Neither Broderick nor Lane has a specific job lined up for after that date, although Lane, who won a second Tony for "The Producers", has a deal to develop a sitcom for CBS.
October 28: Julia Roberts 34; Bill Gates 46; Dennis Franz 57
October 29: Winona Ryder 30; Richard Dreyfuss 54
October 30: Nia Long 31
October 31: Chris Tucker 28; Jane Pauley 51; Dan Rather 70
November 1: Lyle Lovett 44
November 2: David Schwimmer 34; k.d. lang 40
November 3: Dennis Miller 48; Roseanne 49
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