Although Eero Saarinen seemed to have a passion for flight, he must have also had a passion for education--he at very least was able to take advantage of schools with deep pockets. As a prime example, Yale University commissioned Saarinen to design a distinctive hockey rink, and the David S. Ingalls Rink, built between 1953 and 1958, is still going strong today as it continues to hold just shy of 3,500 fans for men's and women's hockey.]]>
Former Beatle and recent divorcé Paul McCartney just got an honorary degree from Yale University. Those robes just make everyone look better!
And there's no rest for the other weary stars working the commencement circuit. Harvard has invited Harry Potter author JK Rowling. After last year's backlash about "Lost" actor and alum Matthew Fox, Columbia University went the straight-and-narrow and picked New York City school superintendent Joel Klein--only to see sister school Barnard College nab Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
President Bush is doing double duty this weekend at the US Air Force Academy and Furman University in Georgia, and tiny Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois continued its tradition of getting high-wattage speakers by snagging Madeline Albright. (Both Bill Clinton and Stephen Colbert have spoken there in recent years.)
If you want to chase down your favorite star, USA Today has a great list. Stay tuned for our report from Planet Oprah in June!
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[Photo: Celebitchy]]]>
This weekend, every sugared up child--and many an adult--anxious for Christmas to arrive will probably be lining up to buy tickets for Fred Claus, this holiday season's first big-budget movie. Since we've been seeing trailers for this since last Christmas, we're probably not going to be one of the anxious ticket holders to see Vince Vaughn get kicked in his man-parts.
But there's one thing we love: Paul Giamatti as a disgruntled, messy Santa, the kind who deserves scotch instead of milk with his cookies. In honor of the constantly underrated Mr. Giamatti, we're pointing you to the city of his birth, New Haven, Connecticut, where perhaps you could meet an adorably rumpled comic book lover or a suspicious superintendent. Or how about:
A man with a nifty bag? Koffee Too is not only open till midnight serving fair trade to Yale students, but it also stocks authentic New York bagels from H&H. 276 York St.
A gourmand with lots of friends? Have a "lively" tapas dinner at Pacifico, and augment with mojitos as desired. 220 College St.
A taken woman? Viva Zapata may not have won the distinction of best margaritas in town according to the Yale Daily News, but lingering at the carved-up bar enjoying the house guacamole or an unbeatably fresh lunch combination, you may not be so bothered. 161 Park St.
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· Pacifico [Official Site]
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Connecticut Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Connecticut Hotels [HotelChatter]
[Photo: mrpaul]]]>
Legendary adventurer Indiana Jones is basically the only fearless man left. (John McClane, eat your heart out.) So it makes sense that on his triumphant return to the big screen, he's going to a place that makes even the youngest and healthiest of us quake in fear...Yale. According to an extra who spoke to the New York Observer, "Indy 4" will open with Jones in a classroom in New Haven, Connecticut (at the fictional Marshall University) before some of his old enemies force him to take up the bullwhip again. His getaway car of choice? This motorcycle, driven by Young Jones (played by a post-pubescent Shia LaBeouf).
We are sure the powers that be at the Greater New Haven tourism bureau are furiously working on a way to make all this sing--"Come to New Haven".
Related Stories:
· Movie Set Travel [Jaunted]
[Photo: Just Jared]]]>