People talk 12/24/03

Simon, Garfunkel plan children's collaboration

NEW YORK -- The recently reunited Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel announced another collaboration Tuesday: a joint $1 million donation to The Children's Health Fund. The singers, who launched a reunion tour earlier this year, made a two-part donation. Half of the money will go to CHF's national network for poor and homeless children; the other half will go to a pediatric preparedness program run by CHF at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

Actress Neve Campell gets hurt on glacier

WASHINGTON -- Neve Campbell knew she'd be in pain training 8 1/2 hours a day for six months to play a ballerina in "The Company," but she was hurting even before she started. Campbell, 30, dislocated her knee while dropping from a helicopter to snowboard on a glacier in the Canadian Rocky Mountains -- a move she said was "really dumb." Then she broke a rib in training while doing a lift wrong and had to film the whole movie that way.

Wayne Newton wins out in court fight with casino

OXFORD, Miss. -- A federal jury has ruled in favor of Wayne Newton and his corporate production company in a civil case brought by a Mississippi-based casino. The Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. lawsuit sought almost $20 million from the singer and Erin Miel Inc. for an alleged breach of a joint venture relationship. In its complaint, the corporation claimed it had made a verbal agreement with Newton in March 1999 to develop theaters at its casinos across the country where he would perform.

Rapper Trick Daddy avoids prison with plea

MIAMI -- Trick Daddy, who avoided prison by pleading guilty to cocaine and weapons charges, will make 24 free appearances to talk to high school students about the dangers of guns, AIDS, drugs and violence. The rapper, whose real name is Maurice Young, will speak at high schools in troubled neighborhoods, an assistant prosecutor said. Under the plea bargain, the most serious felony charge, aggravated assault with a firearm, was reduced to a misdemeanor, improper display of a deadly weapon or firearm.

-- From wire reports