MALIBU, Calif. — Singer-actress Barbra Streisand says she understands that California has to sell her donated 22.5-acre Malibu ranch to help balance the budget, but she hopes the buyer will preserve its “special habitat.”

Ramirez Canyon Park, which the singer donated in 1993, is on the list of state-owned properties that Gov. Jerry Brown wants to put up for sale despite fierce opposition.

The property contains meadows, gardens, a creek and three homes that Streisand customized with a wealth of architectural detail ranging from Art Deco metal panels to Douglas fir framing on a Craftsman-style house. It was valued at $15 million when Streisand gave it to the state and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

But the property “does not serve any essential state function,” Brown’s spokeswoman, Elizabeth Ashford, told the Los Angeles Times. “The state should not be the landlord for a place that hosts mountain retreats.”

“I understand Governor Brown’s tough decision,” Streisand said in a recent statement. “I only hope that there is little disruption to the residents of Ramirez Canyon through this potential transition and that whatever entity does purchase the land and the homes on it will preserve its special habitat.”

Back spoils the future for Michael J. Fox

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DES MOINES, Iowa — A back injury has forced actor Michael J. Fox to withdraw from the Principal Charity Classic pro-am golf event in West Des Moines this week.

Fox had been expected to tee off today at the Glen Oaks Country Club. But the Des Moines Register reported Tuesday that Fox has decided against making the trip after hurting his back, according to tournament spokeswoman Joelle Kirchhoff. He competed in the tourney in 2009.

The Principal Charity Classic, a Champions Tour Event, runs from Friday through Sunday at Glen Oaks.

Texan sues comedian for emotional distress

DALLAS — A Texas man is suing comedian Andy Dick over his December performance at a Dallas nightclub. Robert Tucker claims he suffered emotional distress and defamation when Dick allegedly exposed himself while walking through the audience.

The suit filed May 10 also names a talent agency that represents the comedian and the club where he performed. It says they should have known Dick’s “long history of assaulting patrons.”

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The lawsuit cites Dick’s January 2010 arrest on felony sexual abuse charges after allegations he groped a bouncer and patron at a Huntington, W.Va., bar, as well as other incidents.

A minor in romance novels

WESTMINSTER, Md. — Nora Roberts’ foundation is giving $100,000 to McDaniel College in Westminster, and the school says it will offer an academic minor in romance literature and start a writing course in the genre.

President Roger Casey said the college aims to raise the profile of romance novels, and that study of the subject will reinforce Roberts’ reputation as a master and champion of the craft.

The school also will build a library collection of American romance literature, including all of Roberts’ more than 200 novels. And the college will hold an international conference on romance novels in November.

Roberts lives in the western Maryland town of Keedysville, where her foundation also supports writing, music and drama programs at a local high school.


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