News from Usa Today

HECTIC HILLARY: Hillary Rodham Clinton got an early round of "Happy Birthday" Monday as she helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), for which she once knocked on doors. "I know I'm about to be twice as old" as the fund, she told the benefit crowd at New York's Avery Fisher Hall. The first lady will turn 50 on Sunday, and friends plan surprises as a break in her heavy travel schedule.

The first lady was introduced by Glenn Close at the windup of an evening including brief appearances by Rosie O'Donnell and Iman, and entertainment including the Dance Theatre of Harlem, to honor Marian Wright Edelman, CDF founder and president.

"I believe (Wright) has been divinely inspired" in her work to bring education, food and caring to all children, said Clinton, her longtime friend and former CDF board member. Edelman said, "God takes our acorns of service and turns them into towering oaks of hope under which our children can play."

WHITNEY HOUSTON was a no-show (she was in California), and Close presented the singer's check for $250,000, proceeds from ticket sales for her recent HBO special. "

On Monday, the first lady will be in Chicago for two days of celebrations and other events, with the president joining her for a party and an appearance on Oprah on Tuesday.

She barely has time to rearrange her hair before next Wednesday night's state dinner for Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

At the end of next week, the first lady is off to Ireland and London for three days, then to Russia for 10 days. More postcards for Chelsea at Stanford!

submitted by: Maria D.C.P.