The Envelope - Los Angeles, CA, USA - This couldn't have come as a major surprise: "Year of the Dog," a movie about a woman who segues from pet-lover to animal rights activist, was named feature film of the year at the 22nd annual Genesis Awards, presented by the Humane Society of the United States to honor media presentations of animal protection issues.

The comedy, written and directed by Mike White, was praised for its "quirky yet ultimately compassionate portrait" of the activist (played by Molly Shannon), whose transformation provided audiences with what the Human Society called a primer on "key animal protection issues."

Perhaps more surprising was the Humane

Vanguard Online (subscription) - Waltham, MA, USA - One might expect that being on the phone with Aundrea Fimbres would be daunting, but from her tour bus Aundrea comes across just like your best friend. Perhaps the familiarity comes from watching the MTV show "Making the Band," which Aundrea and her group Danity Kane have been involved with for several seasons. The most recent "Making the Band 4" chronicles their efforts on their sophomore album and their relationship with Diddy's newest venture, Day26.

Anyone who has watched the show knows what a big song selection was to the group, and when I asked Aundrea if the group was able

Lansing State Journal - Lansing, MI, USA - Paula Abdul and Miley Cyrus are among the stars who will headline the "Today" show's 13th annual concert series.

Abdul will kick off the series on the plaza outside the "Today" studio April 25, NBC announced today.

She recently debuted her first new song in a decade, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," produced by fellow "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson.

Cyrus is set to perform July 25.

Other headliners include Ashlee Simpson, Rascal Flatts, Natasha Bedingfield, Neil Diamond, Mary J. Blige, Alanis Morissette, the B-52s, Donna Summer, Chris Brown, Kenny Chesney, Rihanna and Coldplay.

Sheryl Crow will take the stage Aug. 1.

NBC said it will

Newsday - Long Island, NY, USA - "American Idol" alum Kevin Covais, the teen balladeer from Levittown, performed for about 700 students at Tremont Elementary School in Medford Tuesday, in a concert that rewarded the children for helping to raise the most money for a new diabetes center for their community.

Wearing jeans and blue-and-white sneakers with a light blue buttoned-down shirt and pink plaid tie, the bespectacled crooner ran through several pop tunes, including newer ones such as BBMak's "Back Here Baby" and classics like Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."

Last fall, students at the Patchogue-Medford school district's seven elementary schools held a walkathon, collecting more than

Entertainment Weekly - USA - The latest American Idol alum to sign up for the franchise's summer camp extension? Season 5 finalist Paris Bennett, who will join Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice, Season 5's Ace Young and Season 3's Jon Peter Lewis as a mentor to 150 Idol hopefuls. Now in its second year, Idol Camp takes place in Running Springs, Calif., and is comprised of five two-week sessions, kicking off on June 15 and wrapping on August 23. It's open to kids between the ages of 10 and 15 and does not require an audition, but parents should take note of the camp's disclaimer:

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