The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 46

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Thursday, March 27, 1997 C2 Newsmakers By W. Speers Fed chiefs intended had to ask for clarification Gifts shouldn't have strings, for any reason Dear Ann Landers: I am a divorced father of two children who live with their mother. Since the divorce, my children have chosen not to see me. I did not abuse them, but I now realize I was too strict and our relationship was distant, which I regret. I have set up savings accounts for each child, in which I deposit gift money for birthdays and Christmas.

I have told them this money will be jsh Xv r'" t-a theirs when they decide to renew our relationship. The other day, I had to phone my daughter, who is especially hateful, and she lit into me about the account. She feels that if this money is really hers, I should just send her the check, and she" doesn't think she should have to ac Ticketmaster. Filmmaker David Lynch (Lost Highway, Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man) will participate in the fall exhibition "The Unbroken Line: 100 Years of Fellowship, 1897-1997," at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Lynch, who attended the academy in the early '60s, will show his paintings and photographs.

He described his cult classic Eraserhead as "the Philadelphia of my mind." Couples From the it-might-be-fun-being-rich-but-not-famous file comes news that the peace of Barbra Streisand and James Brolin is being disrupted by motorists passing her Malibu mansion and honking twice. The connection those AAMCO transmission commercials he does: "Double A (beep-beep) MCO." The ads are on heavy rotation on L.A. radio. Koo Stark, Prince Andrew's pre-Fergie squeeze, has IDd American investment banker Warren Walker, 38, as the father of her 2-week-old, Boston-born girl, Tatiana. "We are not married and we don't have a traditional home setup," said Stark, 40, an American- born, London-living photog.

"But we are united in our love for Tatiana." She added that she hoped Andrew Ann Landers Associated Piess JOHN HAYES How did Cuba Gooding Jr. celebrate his winning an Oscar? The costar of "Jerry Maguire" was sighted on Tuesday playing hockey with a pickup team at the Iceoplex in Los Angeles. Andrea Mitchell, who'll wed Alan Greenspan a week from Sunday, said the Federal Reserve Board chairman's proposal last Christmas was couched so obliquely that "I just didn't get it" until he asked a second or third time. "He's a man who's very careful with his words," the TV reporter pointed out. "He's very shy.

He's a man of tremendous character and he's very funny. Many people may not realize that." Although it's considered Washington's wedding of the year, the couple daters of 12 years are determined to keep it private. So far, nobody is saying exactly where it will be. Mitchell, 50, says it'll be a private civil ceremony. Her dress? "Simple and low-key." The bridegroom, 71, in "a plain suit.

I've lost the battle for him to get a new suit." They picked April 6, she said, because "both of us were in town. We realized that one of the requirements is that you can't get married if both are traveling." They'll delay the honeymoon "a couple of months until we can both get away." Locally connected Glen Naessens, who wore the La Salle sweatshirt on TV's The Real World, will open Venus Flytrap this weekend at Fourth and South Streets. Calls it a "coffee dive with a really strong house blend. But we'll have a weaker one, too, until we get you addicted to the bean." Every other Sunday he'll screen short films and vids by students, and is taking sign-ups. Artwork by Muhammad AN, Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, Joe Paterno, Red Skelton, Garry Trudeau, Dave Thomas, North Catholic grad Bil Keane plus a raft of others will be up for grabs 6 p.m.

April 10 at the annual auction of the Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness, in the DoubleTree Hotel. Katharine Graham, former Washington Post publisher, will be interviewed by WHYY-FM's Marty Moss-Coane at 8 p.m. Monday at the Central Library, 19th and Vine. Afterward, Graham will sign her book, Personal History. Tix are sold out but a free simulcast can be seen inside the library.

WMGK-FM DJ Debbi Calton will emcee the annual "Taste of the Nation" gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Monday at Center City's Marriott. More than 60 regional chefs will serve up grub benefiting Share Our Strength's fight against hunger. Tix S75 at Peopletalk By Liz Smith qrx I TA might stand as godfather. No thanks! Wendy Moniz, Dinah Merler on the TV soap Guiding Light, and costar Frank Grillo (he's that hunk Hart), have been taking it off-screen.

It's all tres touchy, what with Grillo's wife, Kathy, having just birthed their son, Remy, in January and Moniz recently split from her husband, David. On the boards B.J. the terrier has been dumped from the $6.5 mil musical Jekyll and Hyde, now in previews on Broadway, after he slipped out of character during a performance. In last Saturday's matinee, the dog, who understudied the role of Asta in the 1991 musical flop Nick and Nora, got laughs when he shouldn't have by running wildly about the stage during a serious scene. B.J.

is owned by stage manager Maureen Gibson, who got a free car and free dog food as payment for B.J.'s services. Said exec producer Gary Gunas: "You have to fit into the big picture or you're outta here. We have closed the iron door on his little tail." Woof! Joe Piscopo and Olympic gym star Dominique Dawes will star in Grease when it reopens on Broadway April 8. By the way, the comic is set to wed longtimer Kimberly Driscoll next week. Met her years ago when she baby-sat his boy, Joey.

TV or not TV The Rev. Jerry Falwell is urging General Motors, Chrysler and Johnson Johnson to withdraw their sponsorships of the Ellen episode next month in which the title character comes out as gay. He also encouraged an Albany, N.Y., gathering of conservatives Tuesday to organize a letter-writing campaign.Referring to the sitcom star as Ellen "Degenerate," he told the annual conference of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms: "Stop spending your dollars to underwrite a program that Disney and ABC have decided to use to corrupt the views and values of our children." Ken Wahl, the Wiseguy actor sentenced last week to a live-in rehab program, said he took his last drink March 2 but noted Tuesday: "It sucks. Not nearly as much fun. But I'm not in pain as much as I was, so I don't need it." Wahl, 40, has said he drank to tame pain from a motorcycle mishap.

Charles Manson is expected to represent himself at his parole hearing to be shown live on Court TV at 2:30 p.m. today. Manson, doing life for his 1969 murdering spree, has been denied parole eight times. This article contains material from the Associated Press, Reuters, New York Post and Star. Fair Game By Stephanie Piro knowledge the gift.

She accused me of using this money to try to control her. Of course, that is not my intention. I do it to protect myself from additional rejection. Since my intentions with the accounts are quite noble, what should I do now with my daughter's account? Should I close it and mail her the proceeds, or continue to make deposits? Battleground in D.C. Dear B.G.: Your daughter makes a valid point.

Gifts should be unconditional. Otherwise, they are out-and-out bribes. I hope that in time your children will forgive you and be more forthcoming. Meanwhile, extend the olive branch periodically. You are going to have to pay for all those years of poor parenting, and it appears there will be no shortcuts.

Dear Ann Landers: I used to be a police detective on the east coast of Florida. After reading the letter from the insurance adjuster in Texas, I believe I can provide some useful advice, based on information I've received from burglars. When I asked burglars what they look for when selecting a house to hit, their responses were: We never choose a house with a sprinkler running in the yard, or with laundry hanging on the clothesline, or with a car parked in the driveway. We look for cartons in the trash indicating a new appliance or electronic equipment has just been purchased, or a sign saying Beware of Dog but no doggie dish, bowl or toys anywhere in sight. One burglar said he paid the crews of a garbage truck company for addresses where no one was home during the day when they picked up the trash.

I have arrested thieves who follow mail-order delivery trucks until the driver leaves a package on the doorstep after knocking on the door and getting no response. The thieves take the package and enter the house knowing that no one is there. Last, but not least, I had two cases where the burglars took the family dog. Retired in Florida Dear Florida: Thanks for a letter that will help spare many readers the grief of a break-in. It brought to mind another letter I received a few years ago.

A man whose home had been burglarized several times decided to buy a mean-looking black Labrador to discourage thieves. The dog was of no value because the clever breakin artists made friends with the dog by bringing chunks of raw meat. The man's wife hit on a bright idea. She posted a sign that read: "Do not attempt delivery of parcels after 6 p.m. Poisonous snakes used for medical research have escaped from their cage, and we have been unable to find them." No burglars appeared from then on.

Associated Press KEVORK DJANSEZIAN Eddie Murphy will begin filming a remake of "Doctor Dolittle" next month. But he says you won't see him wearing a top hat while singing to a two-headed llama. He'd like to have Toni Braxton or Whitney Houston sing instead. Honoring a singular Broadway publicist Broadway's Irene Candy will be one of the recipients of the first "Woman of Excellence" awards, presented by the National Action Network's Women's Auxiliary. This happens next Saturday at the N.A.N.

House of Justice (1941 Mad Ave.) Gandy, Broadway's only female African American publicist for the last 20 years, is in good company. Other honorees include Maya Angelou, Roberta Flack, Theresa Ann Walker and Bonnie Catling. Actress Clarice Taylor, of Cosby Show fame, will be the evening's mistress of ceremonies. HBO has snapped up the rights to Richard Rhodes' book Deadly Feasts, published by Simon Schuster. This is a fascinating true-life medical detective story, tracking the cause of brain ailments, including "mad cow" disease.

The deal was made by Morton Janklow. This book is said to be even more scary than The Hot Zone. The Forbes family Steve and Sabrina, Bob and Lydia, Kip and Astrid, Tom and Anne oversee the big 80th anniversary celebration of Forbes magazine, happening Monday at Lincoln Center. David Copperfield will be on hand to turn anyone who doesn't read Forbes into a toad! Today at the Sheraton Hotel, the Harlem branch of the Young Men's Christian Association hosts the 27th National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry. Keynote speaker is Benjamin S.

Carson. Some showbiz promotion ideas just grate on the nerves. Recently, I received one perfect work shoe as a push for the new dance sensation Tap Dogs. What could I do with one brand-new shoe? I kept thinking how the single shoe should be joined with a partner and given to someone needy. The promoters said these single shoes had been made especially for the show and there were no pairs to reunite.

Even worse: Useless from the get-go! To Ve. vuAes-- I eact-lif!" Have a question or a comment? Write to Ann Landers, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Box 11562, Chicago, III. 60611-0562. fCr. "LA- Senior Fomm ByKentS.Collins Get tough on husband's plan for will 1 i him and the attorney who wrote it to explain every, last sentence to you.

Hold on to a signed copy for yourself. Trusts are a subject of much misunderstanding. In the months to come, you can read in this space about how best to use them. Have a question or comment? Write to Kent S. Collins, The Inquirer, Box 8263, Philadelphia 19101.

His column appears each Thursday in this section, TT Ifl Jtl letters than there are people in the world! So you can help save the planet. Break a chain letter. QWhat is the main ingredient in making chocolate? Matt Kelly, St. Alphonsus School, Maple Glen A You can't have chocolate without cacao beans, also called cocoa beans. They're 'roasted and ground, making a liquid called chocolate liquor.

Cocoa powder is made by squeezing off a fat called cocoa butter. The sweet chocolate we eat, though, keeps its cocoa butter and even gets more added, along with sugar. Milk chocolate also has milk solids. Other ingredients add such things as flavor and smoothness. Experts say that theobromine, a chemical naturally found in chocolate, helps make it special.

QI have tried for two years to get my husband to change our estate arrangement from a standard will to a trust, but he contends that, with a business of his own, it would be too complicated. He also says that anyone can probate a will themselves, provided they are of sound mind and have the heip of a clerk in the courthouse. I have serious doubts about this, and I am concerned about the possible legal ramifications, especially since I don't know my way around the county courthouse. Would you please advise me? A Let me advise you that your husband may not be "of sound mind" and that he might be trying to fool you. Let me further advise that you'd better get tough on these estate arrangements, but not necessarily with a get tough on these points: While most people of "sound mind" can probably manage probate procedures, few have the energy, and fewer want to delay settlement long enough to accommodate a do-it-yourself job.

Owning a business often makes estate settlement more difficult, thus often requiring more complex documents like trusts. If your husband dies leaving debts, investors andor greedy heirs, you will need more than a standard will and friendly courthouse clerks to see you through. Examine your husband's will, get With Peter Mucha Here are some selections from earlier Kids' Talk columns. QHow come the blue-footed booby's feet are blue? Chrissy Kovacsics, St. Stanislaus School, Lansdale A In many animals, bright colors play a part in finding a mate.

Blue-footed boobies are seabirds found from Peru to California, and, yes, they do have blue feet. The only time this color seems to matter is when a boy booby wants to impress a girl booby. He'll do a little dance, lifting his webbed feet as high as he can. Girl boobies must like it. Or else, there might not be any baby boobies.

The name booby, by the way, comes from the Spanish word bobo, meaning "dunce." Sailors thought the birds were dumb because they weren't scared of humaAis. If a booby landed on a ship, a person could grab it. The blue-footed boobie does a dance to impress the ladies. QI was wondering where the "chicken" in chicken pox came from. Jonathan Carpenter, High Point, N.C.

A Maybe you guessed that people thought chicken pox was caught from chickens. Or that the red spots reminded folks of chicken skin after the feathers were plucked. Or that the spots looked like chicken pecks. But, no, the real answer, a few sources say, has to do with another disease, smallpox, which killed many people. Compared to smallpox, chicken pox was weak and cowardly.

So it was "chicken." QAre chain letters trtue? Syreeta Hill, Disston School, Philadelphia Chocolate is made from roasted and ground cocoa beans. A Chain letters are silly. Reason 1: How can copying a letter give you good luck? How can not copying one give you bad luck? Reason 2: Ever get a chain letter that tells about unlucky people who broke the chain? Excuse me, but how was that stuff added? Was it in the very first letter, before the' chain could be broken? Then it was a lie. Was it added later? Then the letter hasn't been copied exactly, so it's still a lie. Reason 3: If no one ever broke a chain letter, the world would be swamped with mail.

Say five copies had to be sent to five people in three weeks, and those people had to send five copies, and so on. Iness than two years, everyone would be getting and sending more Word Watcher By Morton S. Freeman QWhat do you think of this sentence: "Both money and support for the community is Alt was wrongly worded. The plural subject (money and support) requires a plural verb, are. However, if dual subjects have been blended into a oneness and cheese is my favorite "the wear and tear was more than a singular verb is permitted.

QDo educated speakers use ainV A Some do. Most don't. Ain't is regarded by many authoriiiies as illiterate or dialectal. It is Best' to avoid this word. Kids, what do you wonder about? News or nature? Fun and games? Inventions? People? Send your question.

We'll try to answer it. Be sure to tell us your name, your school and the town it's in. If you snd a drawing, make the lines dark (no coloring) and use unlined white paper. Write Kids' Talk, The Inquirer, Box 8380, Philadelphia 19101. Or use e-mail: kidstalkphillynews.com.