More support

Oprah Winfrey did her talk show live Thursday to interview the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team and head coach Vivian Stringer about the controversy swirling around the insults and firing of radio personality Don Imus.

"I speak for myself and other women when I say you should know have made us so proud by the way you have handled this entire ordeal," Winfrey said.

"You have handled it with such grace."

Winfrey emphasized that it was never Stringer or the basketball team that demanded the firing of 66-year-old Imus.

"We've been so grateful for the support of America and so many people everywhere," said Stringer, who appeared with her team via satellite live from the Louis Brown Athletic Center at Rutgers.

"But we never had any agenda, as to whether he is hired or fired or anything, other than opportunity for the face to face meeting with him [Imus] and our desire to meet the man behind the microphone. Everything aside, too often, people are defined by their titles."

Essence Carson, the team's captain, told Winfrey her team felt Imus and the entire incident, as well as the media frenzy following the radio host's sexist and racist remarks, "stole our moment."

"No one's even paying attention to who won the game," Carson said.

"So he didn't only steal from us our moment, but he also stole the moment away from Tennessee's great team."

Stringer said the meeting with Imus Thursday, which would be about "open hearts and open minds," also included parents and university officials, because many people, including herself, believe Imus' remarks not only defamed Rutgers, but also "hurt future recruiting."

Winfrey used a quote from her mentor Maya Angelou to commend Stringer and her team.

"On behalf of myself and everyone I know, you make me proud to spell my name W-O-M-A-N," Winfrey said.

Acting up

Local mystery writer Kate Collins will appear at what sounds like a fun afternoon with an interesting spin for the characters that appear in her popular "Flower Shop Mysteries" book series.

Collins will sign copies of her books, including her latest "Acts of Violets" (2007 Signet Press $6.99), as acting students from the Valparaiso University Theatre Department act out scenes from the second book "Slay it with Flowers" (2005 Signet Press $5.99). The event will be from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Greeks Pizzeria in downtown Valparaiso. Seating is limited to 75 people. Call publicist Kiersten Moffat at (219) 464-6443 to make a reservation.

The event is been coordinated with SPARK, the Valparaiso University student run public relations agency, comprised of undergraduate students and their adviser Professor Bonita Neff. The group was "plucked" by Collins earlier this year to help create a campaign to promote the new book.

"I'm excited to work with this team of bright, young college students," Collins said.

"My book's heroine is an amateur sleuth who is a young law school flunk-out turned florist. So, targeting the college-age reader, in addition to readers of all ages is also a perfect fit."

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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