People talk 7/26/02

British queen pays respects to Beatles

LIVERPOOL, England -- Queen Elizabeth II made two stops in Liverpool on Thursday devoted to the Beatles, opening a new $48 million passenger terminal at John Lennon Airport and attending an exhibit of paintings by Paul McCartney.

At the airport, the queen met with Yoko Ono, the widow of the murdered Beatle, and viewed a life-size bronze statue of Lennon, complete with his trademark round spectacles and swept-back hair.

After a short address by airport chairman Robert Hough, the queen presented a commemorative plaque and signed the airport visitor's book, before leaving in her Bentley for a meeting with McCartney at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery.

The 60-year-old former Beatle showed the monarch a display of 70 of his largely abstract paintings and sculptures, saying afterward, "I think she liked them. She said they were very colorful, and I took that as a great compliment."

Willie Nelson performs for Texas flood victims

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas -- Willie Nelson is coming to the aid of South Texas flood victims, just as he did four years ago.

Texas' own country music star will perform at a $100-a-ticket concert on Aug. 5 at Gruene Hall, north of New Braunfels. The money raised will go to New Braunfels Rebounds, which repairs homes for owners without flood insurance.

Nelson also was at a benefit in 1998 for South Texas flood victims.

"When Willie did the benefit show in '98, it not only raised a lot of money, it raised a lot of people's spirits as well," said Mattson Rainer, program director for KNBT Radio.

Comal County Judge Danny Scheel announced Wednesday that a ban on swimming and floating in the Comal River has been lifted. River outfitters and other tourist-dependent businessmen cheered the announcement.

Mike Myers gets star on Hollywood walk

LOS ANGELES -- Yeah, baby! Mike Myers of the "Austin Powers" films now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Wearing a black suit and shirt, the Canadian-born actor displayed his usual self-deprecating humor Wednesday as he accepted the award in front of an adult gift shop. "It's a long way from playing street hockey in Toronto to having a star in front of the International Love Boutique," he quipped.

The 39-year-old former "Saturday Night Live" cast member was accompanied by his wife, Robin Ruzan, his mother and two brothers. Celebrity guests included "Austin Powers" co-stars Robert Wagner, Mindy Sterling and Seth Green.

--From wire reports