Van Dyke uninjured after freeway car fire
Dick Van Dyke is uninjured after his Jaguar caught fire while he was driving on a Los Angeles freeway.
California Highway Patrol Officer Saul Gomez said Monday that the 87-year-old entertainer was not treated or cited at the scene.
The officer said witnesses reported the fire just before 2 p.m. Monday and said that an elderly man was slumped over behind the wheel of the flaming car. Passers-by stopped to help the man, whom police and fire officials identified as Van Dyke.
Arlene Van Dyke posted a video online that showed her husband speaking with police officers and the remains of his burned-out car.
Franklin will miss award luncheon
Aretha Franklin will not be attending a baseball luncheon during which she was to receive a “Beacon” award for embodying the spirit of the civil rights movement, the Associated Press has learned.
Franklin, 71, has already canceled several concerts recently because of undisclosed health reasons. In a statement issued Monday by Major League Baseball, the Grammy-winning “Queen of Soul” referred to ongoing “treatment” that prevented her from traveling. Franklin lives in the Detroit area; the luncheon is being held in Chicago on Saturday.
As recently as last week, Franklin had been expected to attend the luncheon. Franklin and former baseball star Bo Jackson were to be presented “Beacon” awards, which in previous years have been given to Willie Mays and Harry Belafonte among others.
Goodman receives honorary degree
Actor John Goodman said he’s learned to be grateful for his blessings, rather than always striving for more.
Goodman was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters Sunday during the convocation at Missouri State University in Springfield. He graduated from the school with a fine arts degree in 1975.
He said he originally went to Missouri State to play football but an injury led him to focus on drama. He said he owes his career to the school because its teachers helped him find and pursue his passion.
Goodman, a St. Louis native who has starred in stage, television and film roles, told the students to appreciate small blessings, because “the most important thing you will do in your life is take your next breath.”
The birthday bunch
Boxing promoter Don King is 82. Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is 78. Rock singer Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) is 65. TV weatherman Al Roker is 59. Actor James Marsters is 51. Rock singer Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) is 43. Actor Jonathan Ke Quan is 42. Actor Andrew Garfield is 30.