Neil Diamond’s plans

Q: I’m a huge fan of Neil Diamond. Is he having any upcoming concerts in the near future? If so, where and when, and what has he been doing lately? I saw him a few years ago in Tampa, Fla., and he was fantastic. — Ron K., via e-mail

A: Neil Diamond has been out touring in support of his box-set release “Stages: Performances 1970-2002,” a five-disc CD set with 83 songs, all but one of which have never before been released.

You will, however, have to travel farther than Florida if you wish to see him any time soon. While no U.S. dates have been announced, Diamond will be playing shows (many of which sold out in less than 20 minutes!) in Australia in March, and will be in England for May and June.

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Q: Please tell me about Robert Verdi from “Surprise by Design.” — Dorothy S., Mims, Fla.

A: Robert Verdi began his creative career as a teenager, ditching class to make and sell his own jewelry at upscale stores in downtown Manhattan.

He earned his degree from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, and soon the world’s most prestigious jewelers were begging for his wares.

After a brazen phone call to Gay Entertainment Television CEO Marvin Schwamof in 1994, Verdi was hired as style consultant.

Verdi branched off into home design and began decorating the homes of such clients as Courtney Love, Ricki Lake and Sandra Bernhard.

He created Metro TV’s “Full Frontal Fashion,” and recently began hosting E! Entertainment Television’s “Fashion Police” show, replacing Joan and Melissa Rivers.

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Q: Could you please tell me the name of the actress who played Robert Young’s wife on “Father Knows Best”? Thank you. — Rebecca, via e-mail

A: Actress Jane Wyatt played Margaret Anderson, the wife/mom on this popular sitcom (1954-1960).