Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents century's last Christmas Spectacular

Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents century's last Christmas Spectacular

For the fifth consecutive season, "Welcome Yule!" ushers in the holiday season at Symphony Center. Its five programs are a treat for children and Christmas-spirited adults alike.

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Chicago Children's Choir, and Percussion Scholarship Group, all under the baton of CSO Chorus Director Duain Wolfe, will perform traditional Christmas favorites; a sing-along will prompt audience participation as well. Rumor has it that Santa himself will make an appearance!

The Christmas Spectacular will be held at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Traditional songs will include "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Deck The Halls," "Christmas Flourish" by Bass, "March of the Kings (Farandole) from "L'arlesienne Suite No. 2" "Fum, Mum, Fum" traditional/arr.

Shaw, "Jordnanas" by Fry, "This Christmastide" by Fraser; "Welcome, Yule!" by Mathias; "Hallelujah" from "Messiah" by Handel, "I's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" Handel, "Skier's Waltz" by Wilson, "Christmas Menace" by Fry, "The Sleigh Ride" by L. Mozart, "Christmas in Chicago" and "Good Night" and "Merry Christmas."

William Eddins, resident conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will conduct "The Millennium New Year's Eve Gala" with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featuring Andrea Marcovicci, vocalist as soloist Friday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.

On New Year's Eve 1999, Orchestra Hall audiences will end the year-and the twentieth century-with dinner, music, champagne, and dancing `til dawn. Guest artist and cabaret song stylist Andrea Marcovicci will interpret the history of American popular song.

The Millennium New Year's Eve Gala is sure to showcase Symphony Center at its most festive occasion with music, sing, a balloon drop, party favors and dancing.

Supper club singer extraor-dinaire Marcovicci's appearance marks the second time that she has graced the Orchestra Hall stage. She is among the new generation of singers and pursues an active concert and cabaret schedule throughout the country.

Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.

Photo (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Villagers stumped as all-star celebrity wedding takes over

Cricketer Kevin Pietersen has married singer Jessica Taylor in astar-studded wedding ceremony.

But residents of picturesque village Castle Combe were less thanbowled over by one of the celebrity weddings of the year.

England star Pietersen married the Liberty X singer in thevillage's parish church.

But as a host of stars of music and sport made their way to thevillage - best-known as the location for the Dr Dolittle film -local people found themselves confronted by bouncers and bypaparazzi.

Part of the lower village became a no-go area on Saturday.

Vice-chairman of the parish council Adrian Bishop said: "I thinkthis is the most hyped wedding that has taken place there.

"Access to the church was completely cut off to people who livehere.

"I understand several people wanted to lay flowers on graves butwere prevented from doing so by bouncers. It upset some people.

"There were lines and lines of paparazzi but I doubt if they gotanything, there was so much security there.

"No one bothered to tell us about the fireworks display, either."

At the pounds300-a-night, five-star Manor House Hotel, all 48rooms had been booked for the wedding

Flamboyant batsman Pietersen, 27, had tried to keep details ofhis wedding to Taylor, 27, a secret.

But news leaked out as teammates, including England captainMichael Vaughan, and celebrity friends began showing up.

Hair and make-up experts were on hand to ensure the bride, whoarrived at the church in a black Rolls-Royce, looked stunning.

One of the few locals who managed to catch a glimpse of her wasTina Seiler, 41, who said: "She was gorgeous. Her dress was abackless ivory silk chiffon design, tightly crunched at the frontwith sparkling beads hanging like icicles down the pleats."

After the 45-minute ceremony - which included the carol SilentNight - the bridal party and 200 guests walked to the hotel.

Pietersen had spent the night before enjoying a quiet meal withhis family and best man, England colleague Darren Gough, in aprivate room.

Other guests included England one-day captain Paul Collingwood,fast bowler Matthew Hoggard and veteran wicketkeeper Paul Nixon.

Girardi denies rumors he wants to flee from Florida

MILWAUKEE -- Speculation about Dusty Baker's future with the Cubsis reaching Florida, where rookie manager Joe Girardi is dealing withhis own rumors about feuding with team owner Jeffrey Loria and eyeinga move north to his old team.

Girardi tried to quell the rumors Tuesday before the Marlins' 4-2victory over the Washington Nationals.

"I am still the Marlins' manager, [and] I plan on being theMarlins' manager for a long time," Girardi, who signed a three-yearcontract, told reporters Tuesday. "People like to speculate that I amgoing to Chicago.

"If I was going to go to Chicago, I wouldn't have sold my house[in the north suburbs]. I have property there that we've kept therefor a long time. I don't have a house there; I sold my house, my kidsare enrolled in school in South Florida. I enjoy jumping in my poolevery day. It's a nice life."

Rumors have swirled that Girardi has an "out" clause in hiscontract that allows him to leave for the Cubs. It also has beenalleged that he has a handshake agreement with Loria for the samereason.

"There are no outs," Girardi said. "I have a three-year deal. Nohandshake agreement, no elbow rubbing, no kissing, nothing. Why wouldany club hire someone who had a handshake agreement that they couldget out? Because you would know their heart's not in it. I think theone thing that you know about my heart is that it's about winning."

Z STREAK: Carlos Zambrano (12-4) starts tonight hoping to extendhis 10-game road winning streak dating to last year. Zambrano is 10-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 14 games on the road, holding opponentsto a .194 batting average since Aug. 17, 2005, at Houston. Hisoverall nine-game win streak was halted Friday.

While Zambrano contends for the Cy Young Award, he also could be acandidate for the Silver Slugger honor, given to the best hitter atevery position, and a Gold Glove.

"I've never seen a guy who could switch-hit [Zambrano has hithomers from both sides of the plate] and throw with both arms," Bakersaid of Zambrano, who typically throws with his left hand in practicethe day after he pitches. "He's an athlete, not just a pitcher, andtakes pride in being an athlete."

REHAB TIME: Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall threw three inningsin the bullpen at full speed without discomfort. Marshall, who hasbeen on the disabled list with a strained oblique since July 23, isexpected to be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend.Wade Miller (shoulder) also will make another rehab start thisweekend.

tginnetti@suntimes.com

New Zealand beats England in Sevens final

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Debutant Declan O'Donnell scored three tries as New Zealand came from behind to beat England 29-14 in Saturday's final of the Wellington Sevens rugby tournament.

England went ahead 7-0 in the second minute when Fijian-born British Army solider Isoa Damu crossed, but New Zealand piled on the pressure, mainly through tight defense, to score five straight tries and clinch a comfortable win.

The tournament victory took New Zealand level with England on 64 points after three of eight rounds of the World Series. The next round of the Series is at Las Vegas on Feb. 12 and 13.

New Zealand was the dominant team at its home tournament, clearing its pool with ease and progessing comfortably through Saturday's knockout rounds, beating Wales 26-5 in the quarterfinals and Australia 17-0 in the semis.

England, in contrast, was hard-pressed in almost all of its matches at the two-day, 16-team tournament. It needed a last minute try to beat the unranked Cook Islands in pool play and labored to a 14-7 win over Argentina in the quarterfinals and a 7-5 win over world champions Samoa in the semis.

Samoa had earlier ousted defending Wellington Sevens champions Fiji 12-5 in the quarterfinals.

England was seen to have more pace than New Zealand in the showdown between the top two teams in the World Series but New Zealand's defense quickly shut down the English speedsters and its robust style allowed it to dominate possession.

Damu scored a try from a tapped penalty in the second minute, exploiting the only lapse in concentration from the home side's defense. New Zealand quickly recovered and established its dominance, scoring tries through Toby Arnold and O'Donnell to lead 12-7 by halftime.

Veteran Tomasi Cama scored and converted his own try in the first minute of the second half to extend New Zealand's lead to 19-7, then O'Donnell scored back-to-back tries to make its advantage unassailable at 29-7.

England managed a consolation try in stoppage time.

"He's outstanding. He had an outstanding tournament," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said of O'Donnell who was playing in his first World Series tournament and final.

New Zealand lost captain D.J. Forbes to injury when it was still behind on the scoreobard but rallied in his absence to reclaim its home title.

"We lost D.J. early which could have been a major played but the guys went out and played for him," Tietjens said. "We got up from that setback, picked the game up and didn't look back."

Fiji won the plate competition, beating South Africa 26-12 in the final and Kenya won the bowl, beating Tonga 19-0.

Many English majors can avoid Bard

If William Shakespeare were alive, he might revise his line fromHamlet to read, "Something is rotten in the state of Englisheducation."

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni did a survey andfound only 15 of the nation's top 70 universities require Englishmajors take a course on Shakespeare, whose birthday is Monday.

The report lists the University of Chicago and Northwestern amongthose that do not require such a course. The University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign does require it. "A degree in English withoutShakespeare is like an M.D. without a course in anatomy," the reportdeclares.

But that's not to say the Bard isn't taught at those schools: Thehome page for U. of C.'s English department features his picture,and students must take courses on British literature and onliterature written before 1700. NU requires a course in pre-1798lit. NU English department officials could not immediately bereached for comment.

Praise soars for Young's well-grounded Thompson

Ever wonder what people say about you behind your back? Youngsenior forward Amanda Thompson, quite possibly the best girlsbasketball player in the Public League and one of the best in thestate, doesn't have to wonder anymore.

Thompson led Young to a third-place finish at the Class AA statefinals last season at Redbird Arena in Normal and also led theDolphins to the Public League title over Hope for its first citytitle since 1995.

After the season, Thompson participated in the USA BasketballYouth Development Festival and was ranked sixth in the latest NikeBlue Star report. Earlier this month, she was featured on the coverof School Sports magazine.

Thompson, who is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds, took thefirst step to her promising future last month when she signed withOklahoma.

Thompson is sure to continue the Sooners' tradition of contendingin the Big 12 conference and making appearances in the NCAAtournament. The Sooners' first-ever Final Four appearance was in 2002when they reached the championship game and lost to Connecticut.Oklahoma has won four Big 12 Conference titles, all under coachSherri Coale.

Coale had the obvious praise for Thompson on signing day, usingthe same words to describe the 6-foot Thompson that many othercoaches and players have -- tremendous player, toughness, a specialkid, extraordinary skills. I could go on, but Coale also put a uniquespin on Thompson that I haven't heard from many others.

"Amanda Thompson is one of those rare finds," Coale said onsigning day. "You're going along and sifting through, and all youfind are rocks. Then all of a sudden, you find a diamond. That'sAmanda.

"We began watching her a couple of years ago and followed her. Themore we watched her and followed her, the more we fell in love withher grit and her toughness."

Similar to Dales-Schuman

Coale didn't stop there. She also compared Thompson to formerSooners standout and current Chicago Sky guard-forward Stacey Dales-Schuman, who was on Oklahoma's 2002 Final Four team.

"[Thompson] delivers the basketball in similar ways as StaceyDales," Coale said. "There are a lot of similarities in the offensiveway the two of them play the game."

Thompson's best asset might be blocking shots. I've watchedThompson perfect that skill over three years, and she seems to keepgetting better. Coale noted that blocking shots is almost an art formby itself in basketball because a player has to get the timing downjust right against players who might be taller. And it also takes aplayer of high caliber to block shots without picking up a foul inthe process.

Respect from Gaters

"She is an outstanding player," said Marshall coach DorothyGaters, whose team is set for its annual grudge match with Thompsonand the Dolphins on Wednesday at Young. "She's made consistentprogress, steady progress. We try not to let any one player beat usand just try to hold her down."

Dolphins senior guard Ashley Bey is good friends with Thompson andhas learned a lot about competing from just watching her.

"Playing off of Amanda is fun, and she's really hyper and likes toget her teammates involved -- and she's a good friend," Bey said."When she's playing well, people can feed off of her energy, and thatmakes everybody else play better."

Bey's favorite Thompson memory doesn't even have to do with aparticular game or move by Thompson on the court. Bey will miss thepregame pep talks.

"Before the game when we're in our huddle, she's always excitedand she gets hyped up," Bey said. "Then everybody knows we need toget things together to win this game."

Coaches can talk all they want about Thompson's skills on thecourt and what she'll bring to the game of women's basketball in thefuture. But I think Bey and Dolphins coach Corry Carter give the bestdescription of what Thompson is like as a person, and not necessarilyas a player.

"She's just a good person to be around," Bey said. "She's not sador anything and is just real happy all the time."

"She always plays at the same level all the time," Carter said."Off the court, she is a real genuine, nice kid, and never gets intoconfrontations with anyone."

PEOPLE WATCHING: It's never too early to think spring.

At the Young-Crane girls game Wednesday, I spotted CynthiaAnderson, mother of former Morgan Park state track record-holderAlexandria Anderson, who is now at Texas. Anderson was watching heryounger daughter, Ashlee, play for the Dolphins.

Track and Field News has ranked the Longhorns' freshman class No.2 in the nation behind Oregon. Who is leading that class? Anderson,who was named as a "prize recruit" in the latest issue of Track andField News, which also predicted the Longhorns will defend their NCAAnational title.

I can't wait until the snow melts, the temperatures rise and theoutdoor track season begins.

takouris@suntimes.com

BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS:

By Michael O'Brien

(Last week's rank in parentheses)

1. Glenbrook North 10-0 (1)

- Tyler Cullitan is pitching in

2. Simeon 3-2 (2)

- McKinnie played well in Indy

3. Crane 6-0 (3)

- Collins is a highlight film

4. Warren 7-0 (4)

- Marcus Lewis can score

5. Thornton 7-1 (6)

- Catron hot vs. Von Steuben

6. Proviso East 7-2 (7)

- Jacob Pullen is a smart player

7. St. Joseph 7-1 (8)

- Showdown with Oden on Sat.

8. Marshall 7-1 (9)

- Illini are watching Beverley

9. H-F 9-0 (11)

- Vikings dangerous at Proviso

10. Glenbrook South 9-0 (10)

- Can Titans repeat at Elgin?

11. Von Steuben 2-2 (5)

- Went cold late vs. Thornton

12. Bolingbrook 7-0 (12)

- Walker and Raiders keep rolling

13. Hillcrest 7-1 (13)

- Justin Taylor is playing well

14. West Aurora 7-0 (15)

- Thompson is a super soph

15. Schaumburg 8-1 (18)

- Another Pancratz beats T-Birds

16. Washington 6-1 (16)

- Mario Little living up to hype

17. Thornwood 6-1 (14)

- Fell short against the Saxons

18. Farragut 4-3 (20)

- Isiah Williams is growing up

19. Lincoln Park 6-2 (22)

- Could prove a lot at Dipper

20. T.F. North 7-3 (23)

- Redmond huge vs. Bloom

21. Loyola 7-1 (25)

- Matt Steger is a tough player

22. Julian 9-0 (NR)

- Rocky Hill brings Jags back

23. Marian Catholic 6-1 (NR)

- Vance Cooksey having a year

24. Proviso West 9-2 (NR)

- Stinnett delivers in clutch

25. York 8-0 (NR)

- Fendley has Dukes on a tear

CLASS A

1. Hales Franciscan 6-2 (1)

- Upset by Fenwick

2. Seneca 8-0 (2)

- Callahan, Irish undefeated

3. Timothy Christian 11-0 (3)

- Huizinga, Crittle lead the way

4. Leo 7-3 (4)

- Lawson great vs. Marist

5. North Lawndale 9-2 (5)

- Haywood Brown 21 vs. Crane

GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS:

By Tina Akouris

(Last week's rank in parentheses)

1. Bolingbrook 6-0 (1)

- M. Adams owns the boards

2. Fenwick 12-0 (2)

- A. DiCanio saves day with 3s

3. Wheeling 11-1 (3)

- A. Wilson a big freshman

4. Young 9-0 (4)

- Ashley Bey does a lot on floor

5. Marist 12-0 (5)

- M. Downs nails double-double

6. New Trier 11-1 (6)

- Riding 10-game win streak

7. Buffalo Grove 10-1 (8)

- Buchek gets 1,000th point

8. Loyola 8-2 (9)

- Can't keep B. McCoy down

9. Warren 9-3 (10)

- G. Lopez is a feisty guard

10. Benet 9-3 (7)

- McInerney, McGue tough

11. Maine South 11-2 (11)

- Angie Rieger pours it in, too

12. Thornwood 8-1 (12)

- Ashanti Walker gets boards

13. Marian Catholic 9-2 (16)

- Grossnickle sets pace

14. Palatine 10-0 (17)

- Big game with Wheeling Fri.

15. Crane 7-1 (15)

- K. Shelton rebounds, scores

16. Trinity 8-3 (14)

- L. Johnson a bright spot

17. Naperville Cent. 8-2 (19)

- Next stop: Dundee-Crown

18. Bartlett 9-3 (13)

- Shocking loss to Neuqua V.

19. Resurrection 9-3 (20)

- Monaco, Ortiz great tandem

20. Glenbard West 12-1 (NR)

- M.E. Mazza a clutch player

21. Sandburg 7-4 (18)

- J. Storm still plows through

22. Geneva 11-2 (NR)

- C. Whitley a hot shooter

23. Hillcrest 7-2 (22)

- Tough holiday tourney ahead

24. Joliet Catholic 7-4 (21)

- Career-high 39 for S. Quigley

25. Schaumburg 10-2 (25)

- Rebounded from Maine S.

CLASS A

1. Hope 12-0 (1)

- Jasmine Stewart also scores

2. Bishop McNamara 9-1 (2)

- Schmidt, Juergens score big

3. Montini 10-3 (3)

- Knocked off Sandburg

4. Walther Luth. 12-1 (4)

- J. Harvey keeps rolling along

5. North Lawndale 7-0 (5)

- Angelique Beasley does it all

Suspected Maoist rebels kill 11 police in India

Suspected Maoist rebels blew up a police jeep in India's restive east on Friday, killing at least nine police officers, an official said. The attack came after police thwarted the rebels' attempt to rob a bank.

Dozens of attackers also stabbed to death two of the police officers who earlier challenged them at the State Bank of India branch in Bokaro district, 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Patna, the capital of Bihar state, said Lakshman Singh, superintendent of police.

They fled the area but later triggered a roadside land mine blast targeting the jeep bringing police reinforcements to the bank in Jharkhand state, Singh told The Associated Press.

Another three police officers were wounded in the attack by suspected rebels, many of them women wearing civilian clothes, he said.

It was the second major attack blamed on rebels in Jharkhand state this week. On Wednesday, they killed 11 police officers in a similar land mine blast.

The rebels are called Naxalites after Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal state where the movement was born in 1967, and say they are inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.

The rebels have been fighting for more than three decades in several Indian states, demanding land and jobs for agricultural laborers and the poor.

Over the past few years about 2,000 people _ including police, militants and civilians _ have been killed in the violence.