SPEARS

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed selected Rhode Island artist Mary Jane Begin to design a uniquely Rhode Island ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas tree.

First Lady Laura Bush, who chose this year’s theme of Red, White, and Blue X, invited Senator Reed and other lawmakers across the country to select one local artist to participate in the tree-decorating festivities.

Begin’s ornament features Rhode Island’s state bird, the Rhode Island Red, ice skating against a night sky backdrop. The sky is the color blue found in the American Flag and is complemented by red and white strips at the top and bottom. The ornament has 50 stars with the largest star meant to represent both Rhode Island and the Christmas holiday.

Begin and her mother joined the other artists to view the ornaments at the White House yesterday. Begin, who lives in Barrington, is an illustrator known for her children’s picture books, including R is for Rhode Island Red and Willow Buds. Her illustrating career began as a student at the Rhode Island School of Design where she has taught in the illustration department for 17 years.

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The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 tour comes to Mohegan Sun on Thursday, March 26, as part of a 27-city North American tour, her first in five years. Wade Robson, is directing the tour production, which also features the Pussycat Dolls. Tickets are $250, $158, $128 and $98 and go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Tickets may also be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Box Office starting Sunday.

The tour begins in New Orleans on March 3 and includes Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. She’ll close the tour April 28 in Chicago.

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Barry Manilow will sing at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, in Providence, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. and range from $119 to $19. They’re available at the box office, by calling (401) 331-2211 or online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.manilow.com.

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John Ratzenberger, aka Cliff Clavin on the sitcom Cheers, was at 10 Prime Steak and Sushi restaurant in Providence last night.

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Patrick Swayze is angry about tabloid reports that say he doesn’t have long to live. The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, issued a statement yesterday affirming that so far he is winning his fight against the disease and responding well to treatment.