Ringling Bros And Barnum Bailey Circus

TUPELO, Miss. - Federal agents of all sorts invaded northeast Mississippi several days ago, on a mission: Find the man who sent a poison-laced letter to the president. But the United States government quickly found itself entangled, once again, in a misunderstood land dominated by squabbling tribes and petty vengeances. Agents first arrested an Elvis impersonator, released him, then on Saturday arrested his nemesis, a karate instructor. Gradually investigators concluded that what they had descended upon was probably less about the president - or the U.S. senator and retired state judge who also received letters - than a serious case of indigenous bickering.

The folks at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus are showing uncharacteristic restraint--make that, an Amazing Deficit of Hyperbolic Hoopla--in marketing this year's show, which opens today and runs through Aug. 14 at the Pond of Anaheim. Promoters are billing headliners Romeo and Juliette, the show's 20-month-old Asian elephants, as "the babies all America wants to see." Not "thrill to," not "idolize," not even "admire." Just "see."

A teen-age Romanian acrobat with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has sought political asylum at a Queens police precinct, officials said. The 15-year-old girl, whose name was not released, was turned over Friday to the Justice Department, police said.

Affinity and co-branded credit cards continue to boom, each offering some special rebate or deal for consumers who charge. Some analysts think the card marketing is getting to be a circus--and, in fact, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has a card issued through MBNA Corp., which gives cardholders tickets to the circus and special merchandise, among other benefits.

"The circus is coming to town." Those were magical words back in the day before public zoos became commonplace, and before movies, telephones, television, radio, iPods and computers clamored for our attention. Back then, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was truly, by far, the "Greatest Show on Earth." Today, more than 100 years later, it's still quite a spectacular presentation as it competes for the public's eye in a crowded entertainment landscape.

Joseph E. D'Imperio, 61, former vice president for product and talent for RCA Victor records and credited with directing the recording careers of The Jefferson Airplane, The Youngbloods, Jose Feliciano, Charlie Pride, The Monkees and many other groups and individuals. D'Imperio was an attorney who joined RCA as counsel before moving into the entertainment area. He left Victor in 1970 and headed music operations for Ringling Bros.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus rang in its post-Gebel-Williams era Thursday with a new but less flashy star, animal trainer Flavio Togni from Italy. The all-new 120th edition show for Ringling's blue-unit premiered at Madison Square Garden, where it will run through April 29, and gave Togni his first chance to perform before a New York audience. The show is on a two-year national tour, visiting cities that were on the circus' red-unit tour last year.