A celebrity is a person who is widely recognized (famous) in a society and commands a high degree of public and media attention. The word stems from the Latin celebritas, itself from the adjective celeber meaning 'famous, celebrated'. While fame is generally considered to be the major prerequisite for celebrity status, it is not always sufficient. There has to be a level of public interest in the person which may or may not be connected to the reason they are famous. For example, a public figure such as a politician, industry leader etc. may be famous but not a celebrity unless something else triggers public and mass media interest (e.g. Virgin Director Richard Branson attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon). Other types of fame, particularly those connected with mass entertainment are almost guaranteed to lead to celebrity even if the person deliberately avoids media attention. Examples of these are performers such as actors and musicians and athletes.

Celebrity structure

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Each nation or cultural community (linguistic, ethnic, religious) has its own largely independent celebrity system, e.g. individuals who are extremely well known in India, might be unknown abroad, except with the Indian diaspora.

Subnational entities or regions will also have their own 'celebrity system'. This will be largest and most independent in distinct regions such as Quebec and Puerto Rico. Locally, regional newscasters, politicians or community leaders could be considered celebrities: for example, Lin Sue Cooney is a well known television reporter in Arizona, but she is not that well known in other areas. Singers, actors (especially working in their native language) and other media celebrities from say the Netherlands are much more likely to be famous in equally Dutch-speaking Flanders, and vice-versa, than anywhere else.

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NYT > Home & Garden

Style: Sky Lark
Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:03:31 -0000
When a family in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, needed more space, there was nowhere to go but up.
Australia in Sonoma
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:04:24 -0000
Linda Dodwell, an intrepid motorcyclist, adventurer and artist, built a compound in California that was inspired by her solo ride across the Australian outback.
At Midlife, Called to a New Field
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:16:39 -0000
A change in home life, as much as in career, seems to appeal to a new breed of back-to-the-landers: former urban professionals.
Shopping for House Gifts With Simon Doonan
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:24:06 -0000
The creative director of Barneys New York shopped for house gifts that would suit the hypothetical characters described in his new book.
In the Garden: Foraging for Berries, the Summer Special on Nature’s Produce Aisle
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:02:11 -0000
If you can’t tell the difference between a blueberry and a pokeberry, you need to carefully educate yourself, and periodically refresh the lessons.
The Fix: Power Remedies for Dirty Grout
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:28:27 -0000
Some homeowners hide their ugly grout behind shower curtains. Others throw rugs over offensive areas or take to their knees and try to scrub it clean.

L.A. Times - Home & Garden

With vast views and clean lines, a Mulholland Drive remodel takes its owners to a higher plane
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The new Mayberry?
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Venice artists Nancy Evans and Tucker Strasser build up and turn to glass to create a home-studio
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
In July, take a rest from planting but keep an eye on the watering
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Grow your own exotic citrus -- pummelos, blood oranges and kaffir limes.
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Doghouses get a green roof with plants that cool the inside
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Christian Science Monitor | The Home Forum

Redemption
A poem
'Jingle-belling' in China
Chinese students learning English catch the Christmas spirit as they sing carols to college classmates and staff.
Where did that Christmas song come from?
For kids: The stories behind three popular Christmas songs.
Today's Article on Christian Science: 'Meekness will receive him'
A Christian Science perspective on daily life.

Denver Post: Lifestyle

Amache internment camp survivors remember tough times
editor@denverpost.com (By Jordan Dresser / The Denver Post) Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:55:05 -0600
Standing on a dusty road near the foundations of what were once barracks at the Amache Japanese internment camp, Kumiko Hasegawa begins to make her journey home.
Maybe bidders more generous with a song in their hearts
jadavidson@denverpost.com (By Joanne Davidson / The Denver Post) Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:10:59 -0600
For everyone who has vowed "never again" after enduring another fundraiser that devolved into a speech-and-live-auction marathon: You should have been at the National Repertory Orchestra's 2008 Summer Gala.
Ask Amy
editor@denverpost.com (By Amy Dickinson / Tribune Media Services) Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:38 -0600
Dear Amy: Another graduation season has come and gone, which means another display of tacky behavior.

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