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Spears Will Still Have To Make Room For Daddy

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

Britney Spears' father will retain control of the pop singer's finances and personal affairs through the end of the year.
Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz extended James Spears' conservatorship over his daughter Thursday morning until the end of 2008.

Goetz opened the hearing by saying the singer "reluctantly agreed" to extend the arrangement, and scheduled an update hearing for October.

The pop singer's father assumed control over her personal life and finances this year after a series of high-profile incidents of erratic behavior that twice led to her being hospitalized.

Spears has since shown signs of improvement.

Rowling To Publish Book For Charity

News alert for Harry Potter fans: A book of wizard fairy tales written and illustrated by J.K. Rowling is to be published for charity.

A British charity said Thursday it hopes to raise $8 million through sales of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." Rowling co-founded The Children's High Level Group charity, which supports institutionalized children. She has signed over her royalties.

The book will be published Dec. 4 by Scholastic.

Rich Plans To Raise McCain
Country music star John Rich wants like-minded voters to join him in "Raising McCain."

The other half of the Nashville duo Big and Rich, the singer-songwriter has penned lyrics for a rock-infused anthem focused on the 51/2 years Republican presidential candidate John McCain spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his refusal of an early release.

"He stayed strong, stayed extra long till they let all the other boys out. Now we've got a real man with an American plan, we're going to put him in the big White House," the song says. Its refrain: "We're all just raising McCain."

Rich planned to debut "Raising McCain" today at the Country First concert in Panama City, with McCain on hand.

Even Hospitalized, Liz Is Still Fabulous

Representatives for Elizabeth Taylor say she is in a hospital but is doing fine and expects to return home shortly.

A statement released by Dick Guttman, her Los Angeles-based publicist, did not say where she was staying Thursday or what had been ailing the 76-year-old actress.

"Ms. Taylor is fine," the statement read. "Her hospital visit was precautionary. She will be returning home shortly. At present, she is surrounded by family, friends and fabulous jewels."

Taylor lives in Bel Air, a tony section of Los Angeles.

Today's Birthdays

Actor-director Geoffrey Holder is 78. Cartoonist Tom Wilson is 77. Actor-comedian Dom DeLuise is 75. Actor Giancarlo Giannini is 66. Blues musician Robert Cray is 55. Singer Michael Penn is 50. Rock singer Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) is 49. Rapper Chuck D (Public Enemy) is 48. Rapper Coolio is 45. Movie director Sam Mendes is 43. Actress Tempestt Bledsoe is 35. Actress Taylor Fry is 27.