People in the News

WANTAGH, N.Y. — It was probably not the day at the beach that Miss USA Tara Conner had in mind.

With winds whipping on a frigid February afternoon, the 21-year-old Conner was at Jones Beach on Tuesday, doing a photo shoot to promote Donald Trump’s $40 million planned catering facility, Trump on the Ocean.

"I’m good,” said Conner, modeling off-the-shoulder bridal dresses. "I’m cold, but I’m fine.”

Trump told Newsday in Wednesday’s editions that using Conner as "the face” of Trump on the Ocean will help revamp her image. She recently completed a stint in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center after nearly lost her crown for hard-partying in New York nightclubs.

Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant, said at a much-publicized press conference in December that Conner could keep her crown if she straightened up.

"We are trying to get Tara in the mainstream in a positive way,” he said.

Conner thanked Trump for giving her a second chance, but avoided commenting on the feud between the billionaire developer and "The View” co-host Rosie O’Donnell that developed over his decision to let her keep her title.

Jerry Garcia’s widow sues for access to unpublished tapes of guitarist’s musical performances

SAN RAFAEL — The widow of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia is suing to gain access to unpublished tapes of her late husband’s musical performances. Deborah Koons Garcia filed a civil suit Jan. 31 in Marin County Superior Court against a limited liability corporation, comprised of the rocker’s beneficiaries including Koons Garcia, that oversees business involving his estate.

According to the lawsuit, Koons Garcia wants to professionally restore the so-called "Garcia Tapes,” but others in the limited liability corporation have stalled the process. The suit asks a judge to clarify the terms of the agreement that led to the formation of the business entity.

Koons Garcia claims the corporation had been scheduled to dissolve by Dec. 31, 2005, but continues to exist.

The lawsuit is just the latest in a prolonged legal battle among Jerry Garcia’s beneficiaries.

Some have filed their own lawsuit against Koons Garcia in an effort to maintain the corporation. The rocker’s daughter, Keelin Noel Garcia, 19, also has sued Koons Garcia for allegedly shoddy financial oversight of the estate.

Attorney Lawrence Rockwell, who represents several of the defendants in the Jan. 31 lawsuit, could not be reached for comment.

A hearing is scheduled for April 13.