People: Prince Harry rubs New Zealand noses
Britain’s Prince Harry arrived in New Zealand on Saturday for a weeklong visit and was soon talking about the country’s prowess in rugby, pressing noses with indigenous Maori leaders and laughing off marriage proposals.
Harry was greeted by Prime Minister John Key and other dignitaries when his plane landed in Wellington on a sunny and calm fall day. Wearing a blue suit, Harry stopped often to say hello to cheering fans as he began his first tour of the South Pacific commonwealth nation of 4.5 million.
From the airport he traveled to Government House for an official welcome. He pressed noses with Maori leaders in a traditional greeting called a “hongi” and met with military representatives. He also talked with schoolchildren, feigning surprise when some told him they didn’t play rugby.
“I thought you would be forced to play rugby,” he said. “That’s why you have such a good rugby team, isn’t it?”
Harry was scheduled to watch a rugby game Saturday night. The prince also talked about soccer, telling the children that most royal family members were Arsenal fans.
One young girl gave Harry a card for his niece, Princess Charlotte, which the prince popped in his suit pocket and promised to pass along. Charlotte was born last week, bumping Harry down a notch to fifth in line to the throne.
The prince then traveled to the National War Memorial, where he laid a wreath at the foot of a statue and placed a native fern on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, to honor those killed in war.
The prince, grandson of Britain’s monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, arrived from Australia after a monthlong embedment there with the Australian army.
‘Crazy Train’ delivers $10,000
Ozzy Osbourne has donated $10,000 to a Kentucky children’s percussion group after watching a video of the students performing Osbourne’s signature hit, “Crazy Train.”
The Courier-Journal reported the rock star saw a YouTube video of the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, a group comprised of more than 60 students, ages 7-14.
The group is a community nonprofit organization funded by donations, performance revenue and album sales. The students come from 48 schools in the Louisville area and practice after school.
Founder Diane Downs uses a modular approach, teaching each student a specific part of a song.
The group has performed with My Morning Jacket, Dave Samuels, Louie Bellson and Ruben Alvarez.
The birthday bunch
Singer Henry Fambrough (The Spinners) is 77. Singer Donovan is 69. Singer Bono (U2) is 55. Model Linda Evangelista is 50. Rapper Young MC is 48. Actor Kenan Thompson is 37. Actress Lindsey Shaw (“Pretty Little Liars”) is 26.