Tidbits 12/5

• South Bend Tribune has an article about the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities -

  The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities was created in 1961 by former President John F. Kennedy. It was originally called the President's Panel on Mental Retardation.
  
  Twenty-one citizen members and 13 ex officio members appointed by the president comprise the committee. Among the citizen members currently on the committee is singer Clay Aiken of "American Idol'' fame.
  

• Napa Valley Register - musician records "Mary, Did You Know" -

  Also featured are the traditional French carol, “He is Born,” plus the contemporary “Mary Did You Know?” (which everyone from Reba McEntire to Clay Aiken has recorded) and a song associated with Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager’s “The Prayer,” which Michael sings in both English and Italian.

• TV Guide now has a page for Clay's 2004 Christmas special, A Clay Aiken Christmas -

  The singer is joined by Barry Manilow, gospel singer Yolanda Adams and “Will & Grace” star Megan Mullally. Songs include “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Aiken); a “Happy Holidays/White Christmas” medley (Manilow); “O Holy Night” Adams); and “I'll Be Home for Christmas” (Mullally). Also: Aiken is joined by Adams and Manilow for “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”

• Contra Costa Times on Chicken Soup for the American Idol Lover's Soul:

  "Chicken Soup for the (Insert Topic) Soul" has exhausted every reasonable topic. How else do you explain the latest bouillon riff, "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul"? It includes stories from Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken, and the foreword was written by ... wait for it ... Paula Abdul.

• Christmas tour mentions:
• Florida Sun Sentinel - "Clay Aiken — 8 p.m. Aug. 18 at Kravis Dreyfoos, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. $20-$100. 561-832-7469, 800-572-8471 or Ticketmaster."
• TownTopics.com - "8 p.m.: Christmas classics performed by Clay Aiken; State Theatre, New Brunswick."
  
• Metro Times Detroit - Kimberley Locke ... "singer Kimberly Locke, who was an American Idol finalist and runner-up to Clay Aiken and Ruben Stoddard in the series' second season competition. "
  

• Nothing here today