Aykroyd plans winery

Toronto – Dan Aykroyd is throwing his star power behind an $11 million winery that aims to boost the Niagara wine region’s international profile.

The Dan Aykroyd Winery, which will showcase souvenirs from the actor’s career, will be located near the town of Lincoln, Ontario, in the heart of the province’s vineyards.

Aykroyd was born in Ottawa.

“We joked about doing a Coneheads vodka or something,” the 54-year-old actor said, referring to one of his best-known characters on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” “And I never thought that a line of wines would be a possibility.”

Construction begins this fall and should be completed in time for the 2008 growing season.

Spain honors Dylan

Madrid, Spain – Bob Dylan was awarded Spain’s Prince of Asturias arts award, one of the country’s most prestigious honors, Wednesday.

“He’s a living legend of popular music,” said Jose Llado Fernandez-Urrutia, president of the prize’s panel of judges.

Dylan, 66, has been one of the most influential popular music artists in recent decades, and is regarded by many as a poet. His hits include “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” “Like a Rolling Stone” and “All Along the Watchtower.”

“He’s considered one of the most important figures of song, a form in which he combines, in a majestic way, the beauty of his poetry and ethical commitment,” said the prize foundation in a statement.

Eight Prince of Asturias awards are given annually in categories including arts, science, sports and humanities to Spaniards and foreigners alike.

Former Vice President Al Gore last week won the Prince of Asturias award for international cooperation for his “decisive contribution to progress in solving the grave problems of climate change which threaten our planet.”

White Stripes rock the geriatric crowd

London – The White Stripes won some new fans during an intimate and unusual gig at a home for elderly British military veterans.

The Detroit duo, dressed in their customary red and white, played for some 20 scarlet-clad Chelsea Pensioners on Tuesday. The retired servicemen, residents of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, wore red tunics and black tricorn hats modeled on the uniforms of 17th-century soldiers.

Jack White and Meg White played an acoustic set in the hospital’s state apartments, where Mozart once performed.

In contrast to many of the band’s shows, the audience sat quietly in rows of chairs during the six-song set, which included the White Stripes’ hit “Hotel Yorba” and the traditional “St. James Infirmary Blues.”

“Fantastic!” said retiree Paddy Fox. “Normally we only get the odd carol service in here.”

The White Stripes plan to donate proceeds from another show in London this week to help fund a new infirmary at the Chelsea hospital. The hospital, founded in 1692, houses elderly veterans on army pensions and those who have been wounded in battle. It is being redeveloped as it prepares to admit women for the first time.

Mogul’s assets auctioned

Orlando, Fla. – Platinum and gold records, autographed posters and even a key to the city all went “Bye Bye Bye” at an auction Tuesday as creditors liquidated the assets of boy-band impresario Lou Pearlman. More than $200,000 was collected, according to court officials Wednesday.

Hundreds of bidders packed a downtown building for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy sale. The auction was populated mostly by middle-aged men, not the screaming young girls who drove Pearlman’s bands to multi-platinum success.

Pearlman’s assets included memorabilia from the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync, the two boy bands he created in the ’90s that made him famous, and several of his lesser-known acts.

Pearlman allegedly defrauded about 1,000 investors of more than $315 million by selling for years a bogus savings account plan, then using their money to cover his losses in other businesses. Banks are hounding him and his companies for more than $120 million, according to court documents.

Pearlman’s whereabouts are unknown. He hasn’t been seen or heard from in months.