People talk 1/19

Bono accepts honors from King Center

ATLANTA-- As a teenager in Ireland, when violence and unrest were escalating because of the conflict over Northern Ireland, U2 front man Bono longed for the voice of reason from somebody such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Those thoughts and understanding of King's teachings and life led the singer to write a song about the slain civil rights leader, a 1984 hit called "Pride (In the Name of Love)." On Saturday the King Center, the organization founded by King's widow, Coretta Scott King, awarded Bono one of its highest honors. The Target Corp. received the same award for its charitable work around the country. "When Dr. King spoke about having a dream, he wasn't just talking about an American dream. It can be an African dream, an Irish dream," Bono said. "That's why I'm excited to be here."

Country singer gets homesick for Australia

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Country singer Sherrie Austin has lived in Nashville for 10 years, but said she still gets homesick for her native Australia. Austin, 32, said she still meets Americans who think Australia is a wild country where people are being eaten by sharks and crocodiles. "Well, we know it's not really like that," she said. "We do have koalas and kangaroos and we do say 'crikey.' I say it all the time. That's what makes people want to go and visit the place. That really is part of Australia, the wildlife and the people." But, she adds, "There is a charm about it just like there is a charm to this country that's very individual to America."-- From wire reports

Scripter award honors year's best screenplays

LOS ANGELES -- It was a photo finish that will require a match race between two films judged to be the best adaptations from books last year. "Mystic River" and "Seabiscuit" tied for this year's University of Southern California Scripter Award, an honor bestowed by Friends of the USC Libraries on the best English-language adaptation. It was the first tie in the award's 16-year history. Final results of a runoff will be announced Thursday, and the award will be presented Feb. 15. A group of film and literary professionals selected the honorees.

The nominated films were:

"Cold Mountain," screenwriter Anthony Minghella, author Charles Frazier.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," screenwriters Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson; author J.R.R. Tolkien.

"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," screenwriters Peter Weir and John Collee, author Patrick O'Brian.

"Mystic River," screenwriter Brian Helgeland, author Dennis Lehane.

"Seabiscuit," screenwriter Gary Ross, author Laura Hillenbrand.

'Bachelorette' groom's ceremony interrupted by call to duty

VAIL, Colo. -- A ceremony honoring "Bachelorette" groom Ryan Sutter was temporarily interrupted this weekend when duty called -- the firefighter was called out on a medical emergency. Sutter gained a measure of fame when he won the right to woo "Bachelorette" star Trista Rehn on the popular reality show. He was honored Saturday with a souvenir town manhole cover. The resort sells them at prices ranging from $65 to $295. Previously, the covers have been given only to former President Gerald Ford and the New York Philharmonic. Rehn stayed for the event, while Sutter answered the call. The couple rode to the ceremony in a fire truck.

-- From wire reports