Passages.

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Author: Wren, Jennifer

EXPECTING King Kong's Jack Black, 37, and musician wife Tanya Haden, 34, who eloped in March, are expecting their first child, a boy, early next month. The couple first met as students in high school and started dating in April 2005.

BIRTHS Ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell got what she wanted-what she really, really wanted. The singer, 33, gave birth to her first child, daughter Bluebell Madonna, May 14 in London, according to Britain's Hello magazine. "[A bluebell] is a precious flower, which seems just right for my daughter," said the singer…. Penn Jillette, 51, the speaking half of prankster magicians Penn & Teller, and wife Emily, 40, welcomed a son named … drumroll, please … Zolten Penn Jillette on May 22 in Las Vegas. Regarding his name choice, Jillette said, "Zolten is a common Hungarian name; it's my wife's maiden name, and most importantly, it's the name of Dracula's dog." Now daughter Moxie Crime Fighter, 1, has a sidekick!

ANNOUNCED On May 23, Charles Gibson was named anchor of ABC's World News Tonight. Gibson, 63, currently coanchor of Good Morning America, will replace Elizabeth Vargas, who will go on maternity leave this summer and return in the fall to 20/20. Vargas's coanchor Bob Woodruff is still recuperating from injuries suffered during an Iraq bombing in January.

LEGAL MATTER Sandra Bullock is seeking to extend a restraining order against Thomas James Weldon, 37, a Michigan man she accused of stalking her, according to papers filed May 4 in L.A. Bullock, 41, was granted a stay-away order against Weldon in 2003 (PEOPLE, June 23, 2003). "We are being cautious," says Bullock's lawyer.

DEATHS Dance pioneer Katherine Dunham, known for melding Afro-Caribbean and classical styles, died May 21 in New York City at the age of 96. The civil rights activist started the Dunham School of Dance & Theatre, teaching movement to James Dean and Marlon Brando. "People appreciate that I opened doors," Dunham told PEOPLE last year.

BARBARO'S BAD BREAK In his quest to win the Triple Crown, Barbaro sustained life-threatening injuries when he broke his right rear ankle in three places just steps into the Preakness Stakes on May 20 in Baltimore. The 1,200-lb. favorite-who ran away with the Kentucky Derby-endured a six-hour operation to insert 27 screws. Still, the horse's lead surgeon, Dr. Dean Richardson, gives Barbaro only a 50 percent chance of survival, considering the ongoing risk of infection. Trainer Michael Matz, for one, is keeping the faith: "He looks better today than he did yesterday."

PHOTO (COLOR): Jack Black and wife Tanya get ready for a baby boy.

PHOTO (COLOR): Flower power: Geri Halliwell welcomes baby Bluebell.

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By Jennifer Wren