Miss Peru crowned Miss World

Sanya, China (ap) — Miss Peru, Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, an aspiring high school teacher, was crowned Miss World 2004 on Saturday night in this southern Chinese beach resort.

Miss Dominican Republic, Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodriguez, was the first runner-up, and Miss USA Nancy Randall was second runner-up.

Mantilla Garcia, 20, wearing a turquoise gown, blew kisses to the crowd as she was crowned. The title carries a $100,000 prize.

Organizers said the winner was selected by pageant viewers voting by Internet, phone and mobile phone text message. Vote totals and other details of the voting weren’t immediately released.

A total of 107 women from around the world competed for the crown on Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

“I’m very surprised, but I’m also very happy,” Mantilla Garcia told reporters. She said she wanted to do charitable work as Miss World and “help all the people that I can.”

The pageant included performances by American pop singer Lionel Richie.

A panel of celebrity judges was on hand to pick the winner in case the high-tech voting system failed.

They included Australian TV star Kate Ritchie, West Indian cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, Chinese fashion photographer Li Shaobai and Krish Naidoo, an Ireland businessman.

Boss promotes local shops

Trenton, N.J. — With Santa Claus coming to town, Bruce Springsteen is hoping that holiday gifts will be purchased in the shore city where The Boss rose to fame.

Springsteen is offering 10 people a pair of tickets to his Dec. 19 show at Harry’s Roadhouse, along with the opportunity to meet him. But the only way to enter the contest is to visit a shop in Asbury Park.

The contest is the latest effort by Springsteen to help local businesses, said Eileen Chapman, president of the Merchants Guild of Asbury Park.

“Bruce has gotten onstage and listed all the merchants in Asbury Park, actually gone down the whole list and encouraged people at his concerts to shop the stores in Asbury,” Chapman said.

Movie auctioning its props

Waterville, Maine — Hundreds of props, costumes and other items used in making the TV movie “Empire Falls” will be put up for sale next week — just in time for Christmas.

“Empire Falls,” about an economically depressed mill town in Maine, was filmed last year in Waterville and Skowhegan. The movie is scheduled to air in May on HBO.

Sale items include a pink cashmere sweater worn by Helen Hunt, painter’s overalls worn by Paul Newman and silver spoons used by Newman’s wife, Joanne Woodward. The auction also includes other costumes with the “Empire Falls” logo worn in football scenes.

The items will be sold Dec. 11-12 in the warehouse of the former Central Maine Power Co. office on Water Street.

Town seeks glimpse of stars

Naugatuck, Conn. — “Free hugs and haircuts for Tom Cruise & Steven Spielberg” read one sign outside Savior Hair as a few giggling hairdressers tried to lure the actor and director into the salon.

Cruise and Spielberg were on set filming scenes at the Uniroyal Chemical plant for “War of the Worlds,” based on H.G. Wells’ novel about an invasion from outer space.

They arrived by helicopter and landed in a secluded parking lot behind the plant. But that didn’t stop fans from lingering in front of police barriers as early as 5 a.m. Friday to see if they could spot them.

“If I find Tom, I want to bring him home with me. I’ll say, ‘You don’t need a hotel! I have plenty of room,”‘ said Maria Furtado, a 56-year-old grandmother.

Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures officials remained tightlipped about which scenes were being shot for the movie, also starring Tim Robbins and Dakota Fanning, which is set to open June 29.

Owens brings pick-me-up

Salem, Ore. — A gift from country music legend Buck Owens has lifted one Salem woman’s spirits.

Betty Youngblood received a huge package this week. It contained a red, white and blue guitar autographed by the 75-year-old Owens, who was host of the TV show “Hee Haw” for many years.

“I guess he wanted to cheer me up,” joked Youngblood, a longtime fan of the singer. She met Owens three years ago. Her daughter works for Owens’ company.

Owens knew Youngblood had been through difficult months, including the death of her brother and recent surgery.

The guitar is inscribed with the message: “Two easy lessons will qualify you to pick and grin with me. Your friend, Buck Owens.”