Anna Nicole ‘urns’ criticism

Los Angeles The war of words between former Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith and the son of her late oil tycoon husband is heating up.

The flare-up came after Smith gave an urn containing half of J. Howard Marshall’s ashes a tour of her home on a recent episode of E! Entertainment Television’s “The Anna Nicole Show.”

A judge in 1995 ruled that Marshall’s cremated remains should be split evenly between Smith and Marshall’s son, E. Pierce Marshall.

With a smear of lipstick on his face, attorney Howard K. Stern accompanied Smith on the tour.

Said Marshall in a statement: “I think the public will conclude that this plus-sized model and her lipstick-covered attorney don’t have an ounce of decency or credibility between them.”

Shot back Stern, also in a statement: “E. Pierce should just pay the money he owes, mind his own business and let Anna Nicole move on with her life.”

In March, over the objections of Marshall, a federal judge awarded Smith nearly $89 million from her late husband’s estate.

‘Danke Schoen’ to Ohio town

Newark, Ohio This central Ohio city said “Danke Schoen” as Wayne Newton came home to lead its bicentennial parade.

The Las Vegas entertainer best known for the thankful hit greeted fans and received a key to the city from Mayor Frank Stare as grand marshal of Friday’s parade, which an estimated 25,000 people attended.

“Whoever it was who said you can’t go home again just never went to Newark, because this is one of the highlights of my life,” Newton said.

‘Stars, Stripes and Skates’

New York Sarah Hughes and Michelle Kwan are among the Olympic medalists and U.S. national champions invited to participate in “Stars, Stripes and Skates,” a fund-raising event conducted by the Coalition of 9-11 Families.

The Sept. 20 event at Madison Square Garden will feature 1992 Olympic champion Viktor Petrenko, two-time Olympic bronze medalist Philippe Candeloro and American stars such as Rudy Galindo, Nicole Bobek and national champion ice dancers Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev.

Hughes, the Salt Lake City gold medalist, and Kwan, a four-time world champion, have been extended invitations.

Young skaters also will join the champions on the ice.

Connery a witness to disaster

Prague, Czech Republic Sean Connery had a front-row seat for the devastation wrought by flooding in Prague.

“I don’t know if the world realizes the depth of the disaster,” said Connery, the star of “Dr. No” and other James Bond movies. The 71-year-old actor has been in the Czech capital since June to film “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” a historic thriller.

City officials have described the flooding as the worst in Prague in 175 years.