Brooks, Yearwood file for marriage license in Oklahoma

Claremore, Okla. – Months after a proposal in front of thousands of fans, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood may be setting up their wedding bells.

The couple, who live in Oklahoma, filed for a marriage license Friday in Rogers County, court records show. Under Oklahoma law, a couple must be married within 10 days of the filing of a marriage license.

Brooks, 43, got down on one knee and proposed to Yearwood, 41, in May in front of 7,000 fans at the “Legends in Bronze” event at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, Calif. Ten larger-than-life bronze statues honoring country stars were unveiled, including one of Brooks.

The marriage will be the second for Brooks, who has three children, and the third for Yearwood.

Brooks is credited with widening the genre’s appeal in the 1990s by merging traditional country with honky tonk, pop, folk and rock. His “Ropin’ the Wind” album was the first such country recording to debut at the top of the pop music charts. His latest album, “Scarecrow,” went triple platinum.

Yearwood was named the Country Music Awards female vocalist of the year in 1997 and 1998. Her latest album is “Jasper County.”

‘Sopranos’ creator receives award from governor

Princeton Township, N.J. – David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos,” has received a first-of-its-kind filmmaking award from the governor.

Chase, a New Jersey native, was presented with the award Friday by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey during a reception at the governor’s mansion.

The governor said Chase’s “creative writing and rich character illustration have produced a show unlike anything else on television.”

“The Sopranos,” a serial drama that portrays the life of fictional New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, starts its sixth season on HBO in March.

Criticized by some Italian-American groups for advancing a stereotype, it has been lauded by millions of viewers, including television critics, for its originality and inventiveness.

Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., Chase was raised in New Jersey as the only child in an Italian-American family.

Several “Sopranos” cast members were on hand to help Chase celebrate: James Gandolfini, who plays Tony Soprano; Tony Sirico, who plays Paulie Walnuts; Dominic Chianese, who plays Uncle Junior Soprano; and Steve Schirripa, who plays Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri.

The Governor’s Award for Filmmaking will be given annually to prominent filmmakers who have made substantial contributions to New Jersey’s motion picture and television industry, Codey’s office said.

Estefan hopes screenplay she wrote will star DeVito

Mexico City – Latina diva Gloria Estefan has spent four years writing a screenplay that she hopes to turn into a movie starring Danny DeVito.

The script tells the story of a female American pop singer in the 1950s.

“The script is finished and is in the hands of several artists to see if somebody wants to film at the start of next year,” Estefan said Thursday at the opening of a restaurant she established in Mexico City.

She did not say who might direct or produce the movie.

Working on screenplays has not stopped the Cuban-American songstress from making music. Next year, she plans to release a new Spanish-language album, which she said will have a similar sound to her record “Mi Tierra.”

“I’m never going to stop making music. I couldn’t,” she said.

Estefan and her producer husband are also planning to extend their chain of Cuban restaurants throughout Mexico.

On Thursday, they opened the Bonguitos Cuban Cafe in Mexico City’s international airport. On Jan. 18 they will open another eatery in the Pacific resort of Puerto Vallarta.

Part-time police officer crowned Miss World

Sanya, China – Miss Iceland, a part-time police officer who wants to be a lawyer, was crowned Miss World 2005 on Saturday.

Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir competed for the title in a field of 102 women in the pageant in Sanya, a southern China beach resort.

Miss Mexico Dafne Molina Lona was the first runner-up, and Miss Puerto Rico Ingrid Marie Rivera Santos was second runner-up.

Vilhjalmsdottir, 21, a part-time airport police officer, is studying anthropology and law. She was born in her country’s capital, Reykjavik, and enjoys hiking, camping and playing the piano. She said her motto is, “You are what you do.”

Watts to be among honorees at Santa Barbara Film Festival

Santa Barbara, Calif. – Naomi Watts, who stars in the new “King Kong” film directed by Peter Jackson, will be among the honorees at next year’s Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Roger Durling, director of the 2006 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, said he was so “stoked” when Watts’ participation was confirmed Wednesday, he couldn’t sleep.

“I’m working on adrenaline today,” Durling said Thursday.

The 21st annual festival will take place Feb. 2-12. Watts will receive the Montecito Award in recognition of several standout performances.

Other honorees include “Titanic” director James Cameron and actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Heath Ledger. George Clooney was previously announced as the recipient of the Modern Master Award.