People talk 5/13/02

Couple throws party for children's charity

LONDON -- England soccer captain David Beckham and his pop singer wife Victoria, also known as "Posh Spice," threw a celebrity-studded party Sunday to raise money for a children's charity.

Dozens of stars attended the lavish Japanese-themed garden party at the couple's mansion, nicknamed Beckingham Palace.

Guests -- asked to dress in "white tie and diamonds" -- included many of England's World Cup soccer squad, Sir Elton John, tennis star Greg Rusedski, designer Vivienne Westwood, actress Joan Collins and Virgin empire billionaire Sir Richard Branson. Harrods owner Mohammad al-Fayed arrived at the mansion north of London in a helicopter.

The bash included an auction to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Thousands of orchids helped set the Asian tone, and the Japanese-style menu reportedly included asparagus and shitake mushrooms on green tea noodles, platters of beef satay and chilled monkfish.

David Beckham will lead England's soccer team in the World Cup, which takes place in Japan and South Korea from May 31 to June 30.

Former judge Mills Lane recovering from stroke

RENO, Nev. -- Friends thought Mills Lane was getting better when he got feisty.

Now that the former boxing and television judge is using curse words, they're sure he's improving since suffering a stroke in March.

His wife, Kaye, said one doctor told him, "'Mills, you're doing very well on your French, but now you have to work on the rest of your speech."'

Lane has been released from a rehabilitation hospital, and will undergo outpatient physical and speech therapy at the New York University Medical Center in New York City, where the Lanes have an apartment.

The March 31 stroke affected 64-year-old's speech and resulted in mild weakness to the right side of his body.

The former district attorney and county judge starred in a nationally syndicated TV show "Judge Mills Lane" for three years until it was canceled a year ago.

He also refereed the heavyweight bout in which he disqualified Mike Tyson for biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear.

Authorities investigate fire at rocker's home

WEST BARNSTABLE, Mass. -- The Cape Cod home of Aerosmith bass guitarist Tom Hamilton was destroyed in a fire, authorities said.

No one was in the house when a fire started just before 7 p.m. Saturday, firefighter James Murphy said. An addition to Hamilton's home was under construction.

Minutes later, a second fire was reported at a barn about a mile away. Horses inside were rescued before flames engulfed the building, Murphy said. The barn is not owned by Hamilton.

Authorities were investigating both blazes, which caused an estimated $500,000 worth of damage.

One firefighter was treated for minor injuries.

The Boston-based band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

Singer charged with drug possession

MIAMI -- Singer Dionne Warwick was arrested Sunday when baggage screeners at Miami International Airport said they found 11 suspected marijuana cigarettes inside her lipstick container.

Warwick, 61, of Miami Beach, was charged with possession of less than 5 grams of marijuana. She signed an affidavit promising to appear in court and was released.

Warwick was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles when screeners at Concourse D noticed a suspicious item in her carry-on bag at about 7:30 a.m. She missed the flight.

The five-time Grammy award winner and cousin to Whitney Houston became famous in the 1960s for such songs as "Walk on By" and "I Say A Little Prayer."

More recently she been a spokeswoman for the "Psychic Friends Network."

-- From wire reports