People in the News

SAN FRANCISCO — Joe Harris, who for nearly half a century helped sopranos, baritones and tenors dress for their parts at the San Francisco Opera, has died. He was 82.

Harris died of lung cancer on June 9 at his home, according to the Opera’s wardrobe head Geoffry Craig, who worked with Mr. Harris for 25 years.

"He was a consummate professional,” Craig said Wednesday. "He was a genuinely caring individual who loved music, loved performers and loved his work.”

When Harris retired after 44 years in 2004, he was the company’s longest tenured employee. He was given the San Francisco Opera Medal — the first time the honor was awarded to someone working in the wardrobe department.

Born in 1924 in Oklahoma City, Harris served in the Navy during World War II, then graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He taught English and drama at San Francisco’s George Washington High School for 30 years. He joined the opera’s wardrobe department in 1961.

Nicole Richie defense is granted a delay in her driving under the influence case

GLENDALE — Nicole Richie has won a delay in her driving under the influence case.

Superior Court Commissioner Steven K. Lubell on Tuesday set a new date of July 11 at the request of a defense attorney.

That means the trial could start on that date or within the following 10 days, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for prosecutors.

Richie, the 25-year-old daughter of pop singer Lionel Richie, was arrested Dec. 11. She pleaded not guilty in February to misdemeanor driving under the influence. In addition to the single count, the case contains an allegation that Richie had a prior misdemeanor DUI conviction in June 2003.

The California vehicle code says if convicted of DUI twice within 10 years, a person can be sentenced to between 90 days and a year in jail and have his or her driving privileges suspended.

Her publicist didn’t respond Tuesday to an e-mail seeking comment.

Richie stars in "The Simple Life” reality show on Comcast Corp.’s E! Entertainment Television with Paris Hilton, who is serving a 45-day sentence for violating her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

Earlier this month, Richie told CBS "Late Show” host David Letterman that she’s worried about landing in jail, but is "willing to face whatever consequences come my way, and I take responsibility for what I’ve done.”

———

CBS is a division of CBS Corp.

———

On the Net:

"The Simple Life”:

http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/simplelife