PASSAGES: Kelly Chooses Own Destiny

By Stephen M. Silverman

Tuesday December 31, 2002 01:00 PM EST

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PREDICTED: Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, 21, tells the Associated Press, "In 2003, I'm going to meet the man of my dreams. I'm convinced ... I just want love. I feel like I have accomplished so much, it would be so nice to accomplish that with somebody." And though she's been linked to rapper Nelly, her duet partner on "Dilemma," the R&B singer says, "Nelly's like a big brother, and I can't see him as no boyfriend."

NAMED: "Gladiator," "Alien" and "Hannibal" director Ridley Scott, 65, and "Women in Love," "An Unmarried Women" and "Gosford Park" actor Alan Bates, 68, won knighthoods in England Tuesday, two of several prominent arts figures so honored, Reuters reports. Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn will receive an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) as will "Day of the Jackal" leading man Edward Fox.

ANNOUNCED: Broadway's "Hollywood Arms," by Carol Burnett, 69, and her late daughter, Carrie Hamilton, and starring Linda Lavin, will close this Sunday due to poor reviews and matching ticket sales, say producers. The show, based on Burnett's memoir "One More Time," opened on Halloween. Also, the "Tommy Tune: White Tie and Tails" big-band musical revue, which seemed better suited for a theme park rather than New York, will also close, after only 23 performances at the brand spanking new Little Shubert Theatre.

PREPARED: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, "Superman" star Christopher Reeve and the actor's wife, Dana Reeve, plan to handle Tuesday night's countdown that will help drop the glittering, 1,070-lb. electric ball in a security-heightened Times Square, signaling the beginning of 2003. PEOPLE.com wishes its readers a happy, healthy and safe New Year.