Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Dead:

The oldest living American has died again. MARY JOSEPHINE RAY was 114. Born in Canada on May 17, 1895, she died just after midnight yesterday at nursing home in New Hampshire. She was recognized as the second oldest person in the world by the Gerontology Research Group, which certifies claims of extreme old age. The oldest person in the world is believed to be KAMA CHINEN, a Japanese woman born one week before Mary Josephine.
   Ray outlived her husband, WALTER RAY, by more than 40 years and is survived by two sons, eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
   The oldest person in the United States now is NEVA MORRIS of Ames, Iowa, also 114.

Last words of the nation's oldest person (Maiman):

   --"Hello, Domino's? How serious are you about delivering in 30 minutes or less?"
   --"These are my last word! No, these are my last words! No, these are my last words!"
   --"Too... much... potato salad."
   --"Tell that bastard world's second-oldest person I'll see her in hell!"
   --"Oh sure, NOW there's an impotence pill."
   --"Tape 'American Idol' for me."
   --"Please! Stop that singing!"
   --"I saw it all --from horseless carriages to pantsless presidents."
   --"At least I made out on my Social Security money."
   --"Ah, screw it."

Stars and their movies:

Writer-director JOHN HUGHES may have gotten a tribute to his passing and the legacy of his brat-pack movies at this year's Oscars Sunday night, but one of his scripts may still be produced.
   The Hollywood Reporter says Hughes' screenplay, "Grisbys Go Broke," has been floating around the industry and a film company might actually buy it. The film is a comedy about a wealthy Chicago family that loses everything and is forced to move out to the sticks.

Grace notes:

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL's next Las Vegas show will be based on the life and music of MICHAEL JACKSON. A major source in Sin City revealed that following the major success of THE BEATLES "Love" and the hopeful success of "Viva Elvis," the Cirque gang is in talks now with the Jackson family to bring all of that great music into a new show. This is in the very early stages, but something could be ready by 2011. (Marino)

Stupid people, stupid places:

Strange story out of New Jersey where six women have been hospitalized after receiving butt-enhancement injections that contained material used to caulk bathtubs.
   The Newark Star-Ledger says the women underwent surgery and got antibiotics after receiving a diluted version of nonmedical-grade silicone, apparently administered by unlicensed providers.
   Health officials have alerted hospitals and doctors to be on the lookout for other potential victims. (Maiman)

Iditarod update:

   --Current Leader: PAUL GEBHARDT, whose team left Rohn last night, en route to McGrath, AK. Last year's winner, LANCE MACKEY, is twelfth, a bit less than three hours behind.
   --Current temp: Light snow, and 1 degree Fahrenheit (wind chill: -14).
   --Miles traveled: 272 of 1112.
   --Today's leg: a 75 mile trip to Nickolai.

Strange surgery:

Doctors in China say they've surgically removed a tail (weird picture) from a 4-month-old baby.
   According to Ananova.com, surgeons considered removing the five-inch tail at birth. But, they thought it would be better to wait until the baby was older and stronger.
   Dr SUN JUN says, "It's very rare, about one in a million. We have never seen anything like this before."
   Physicians say the surgery was a complete success. But, follow-up treatment might be necessary. (Still)