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Will Smith's Academy Refutes Scientology Claims

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 1, 2008

Will Smith's soon-to-open private school is not a Scientology facility, as some reports have suggested, the academy's director said.

Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, have founded the New Village Academy in Calabasas, Calif., scheduled to open in September.

The school will use instructional methods developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard called study technology. And a few teachers belong to the church.

But the couple say they are not Scientologists. The academy's director insists the facility has no religious affiliation.

"We are a secular school, and just like all nonreligious independent schools, faculty and staff do not promote their own religions at school or pass on the beliefs of their particular faith to children," New Village Academy director Jacqueline Olivier told the Los Angeles Times.

Oliver said some of the school's staffers are Scientologists, Muslim, Christian or Jewish.

In addition to reading and math, the school offers classes on yoga, robotics and etiquette.

Sun Shines On Kattan

Mango got married.

Chris Kattan, a former cast member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," tied the knot with model Sunshine Tutt in Yosemite Valley, Calif., his publicist, Jill Fritzo, confirmed Monday.

The couple became engaged on Christmas Eve, when Kattan proposed to Tutt at her grandparents' home in Gainesville, Texas. They had been dating since spring 2005.

Kattan, 37, appeared on "SNL" from 1996 to 2003, during which he introduced the recurring character of Mango, a hyperactive exotic dancer.

Spears House Hunting

Court records show Britney Spears is house-hunting - preferably for something greener, quieter and with a bigger backyard.

Documents released Monday show that Spears seeks a house with a larger yard that's closer to parks and recreation areas for her children, Sean Preston and Jayden James. She also wants a "less trafficked" locale than her paparazzi-stalked Beverly Hills home, which she bought for nearly $7 million early last year.

Spears' father, James, requested the sale in mid-June, and a court commissioner agreed. James Spears is acting as his daughter's conservator after several incidents of erratic behavior by the 26-year-old singer.

The children's father, Kevin Federline, has custody.

Today's Birthdays

Rock singer-actress Deborah Harry is 63. Rock singer Fred Schneider (B-52s) is 57. Actor-comedian Dan Aykroyd is 56. Rhythm-and-blues singer Evelyn "Champagne" King is 48. Olympic gold medal track star Carl Lewis is 47. Actress Pamela Anderson is 41. Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott is 37. Actress Liv Tyler is 31.

Source: The Associated Press

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com.

CORRECTION: Redington Shores will not have a fireworks display July 4. A listing in Monday's Metro section was incorrect.