People 9B

Bestselling author Dahl prepares new book

LONDON -- Sophie Dahl, a model and granddaughter of children's author Roald Dahl, has signed a deal for her second book, the publishing house Bloomsbury said.

Bloomsbury, which publishes the hugely successful Harry Potter series, said Friday it likely would release the book next year.

Dahl, 23, has just started work on it, her publisher said.

Her first book, titled "The Man With the Dancing Eyes," is a best seller.

Roald Dahl's children's classics include "James and the Giant Peach" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Paxton hams it up on Titanic documentary

LOS ANGELES -- His experiences on a make-believe space trip helped prepare Bill Paxton for a real voyage to the bottom of the sea.

Paxton accompanied longtime friend and collaborator James Cameron on dives to the wreck of the Titanic in summer 2001.

In his first theatrical release since 1997's "Titanic," Cameron chronicles their journey in the documentary "Ghosts of the Abyss," opening April 11 in huge-screen IMAX cinemas and some specially equipped regular theaters.

Paxton's work on the film "Apollo 13," about the ill-fated moon expedition, proved good training for his 2 1/2-mile dives aboard Cameron's mini-subs.

"You deal with the same kind of mind-set. A very tight command module, a three-man team. Everybody has to be doing something and working together all the time," Paxton said.

"Ghosts of the Abyss" is told largely through the eyes of Paxton, who says he hammed it up a bit with some fearful faces during the dives.

He did approach the trip with some trepidation, though.

"Obviously, I didn't want to embarrass myself if I had to be pulled out of the sub kicking and screaming, or they had to hit me over the head with a wrench," the 47-year-old actor said. "But very quickly, I got acclimated to it."

Eastwood takes part in opening of AFI theater

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- The American Film Institute invited an American film legend to help welcome the world to its new flagship location.

Clint Eastwood was the guest of honor Friday evening at the opening of the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, a refurbished 1938 Art Moderne movie palace that local officials hope will become the centerpiece of a re-energized business district in the Washington suburbs.

With its move to the Silver Theatre, AFI has accomplished a rare feat for a cultural institution: increasing its prominence by moving out of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The theater opens to the public on April 11.-- From wire reports

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WHEELING, W.Va. -- Some of them haven't been on stage in years.

But 12 country music performers from the early days of Jamboree USA -- including the oldest living member, 83-year-old Doc Williams -- will gather Saturday to sing, reminisce and otherwise celebrate the 70th anniversary of one of America's oldest live radio shows.

Jamboree USA, which radio station WWVA launched on April 1, 1933, now draws big names such as Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. In the early days, though, the performers were more local.

Marketing director Terri Phillips said local performer Slim Lehart helped round up the artists from the '40s, '50s and '60s for "country's golden dozen."

"So anybody who was a fan of these guys will have one more chance to see them," Phillips said Thursday.

Williams has played with the show since 1937, and was inducted into its hall of fame in 1984.

Jamboree USA is broadcast from the Capitol Music Hall, and the frequency, 1170 AM, reaches 18 states and six Canadian provinces.

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NEW YORK -- Two weeks after acting erratically at a New York Knicks basketball game, fashion designer Calvin Klein has announced he is seeking treatment for a drug problem.

A spokeswoman for Klein, 60, would not specify the type of treatment he will receive. In 1988, Klein entered the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota for alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

"For many years, I've been able to successfully address my substance abuse issues, which for anyone is a lifelong process, through strict adherence to counseling and regular attendance at meetings," Klein said in a statement. "However, when I recently stopped attending meetings regularly, I suffered a setback."

Klein credited friends with helping him to recognize the problem and also said he would continue to work with his company, Calvin Klein Inc., which was recently acquired by apparel maker Phillips-Van Heusen.

At the basketball game, Klein left his seat and walked up to Knicks player Latrell Sprewell as he was about to throw an inbound pass. He was escorted back to his seat by guards. Sprewell later said Klein was mumbling and could not be understood.

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LOS ANGELES -- The rock band Incubus and its bass player are parting ways because of what the musicians are calling "creative differences."

Dirk Lance will be replaced by Ben Kenney, former guitarist for the funk hip-hop group The Roots, Incubus announced Friday.

"We, as a band, would love to express our gratitude towards Dirk for an amazing 12 years of artistry and dedication," said singer Brandon Boyd. "He was and will remain a valuable asset to the history of this band."

Lance, one of the group's founding members, declined to comment, said Incubus spokeswoman Melissa Dragich. "I think there were just creative differences, irreconcilable differences," she said.

The decision to part ways was reached after the group finished its latest tour promoting its platinum CD "Morning View."

Named after a mythological demon, Incubus gained popularity nationwide after becoming a cult favorite in its hometown of Calabasas, Calif. Its other albums include 1997's "Enjoy Incubus," 1998's "S.C.I.E.N.C.E." and 1999's "Make Yourself."

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A judge dismissed a protection order sought against country music singer Bill Anderson but let an assault charge stand.

Deborah Marlin, 40, filed both the order and the criminal complaint last week against Anderson, 65. She said Anderson tried to injure her with the door of a moving vehicle and shoved her during an argument at their home last month.

Anderson and Marlin reached an agreement Thursday about the protection order.

Marlin said in a statement that she made the decision "of my own free will. It is my hope that both Mr. Anderson and I will move forward from this with mutual respect."

Marlin's lawyer, Jim Hawkins, said the dismissal does not affect the criminal warrant.

Known as "Whisperin' Bill" for his breathy tenor, Anderson has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961. His hits include "Mama Sang a Song," "Still," "I Get the Fever" and "My Life."