Trendy beach lures all walks of life

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates » The ribbon of beach nestled along the towering skyscrapers rising from Dubai’s man-made marina district is a rare spot in the Middle East, bringing together the conservatively dressed and the bikini-clad in a multiethnic mix of those with means and those still striving for a more comfortable life.

Most of the luxury towers along the beach have been built only in the past decade. Some are homes to foreign professionals working in the Persian Gulf commercial hub, others vacation properties or a place to park some cash for business people from Russia, Asia and Saudi Arabia.

The beach — which overlooks the city’s iconic Palm Jumeirah island — is now more popular than ever after the recent opening of a sleek new shopping and entertainment promenade.

In true Dubai fashion, Will Smith joined Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in February for a peek at the complex, which boasts an outdoor cinema.

Disney exhibit in Chicago extended

CHICAGO » The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is extending a popular exhibit of Walt Disney archives.

Anne Rashford is director of temporary exhibits at the museum.

In a statement Monday, she said the exhibit is being extended for three months. It is now scheduled to end Aug. 3.

The exhibition, titled "Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives," includes more than 300 artifacts from nine decades of Disney history.

Washington Monument to reopen

WASHINGTON » "American Idol" winner Candice Glover will help reopen the Washington Monument, which has been closed since a 2011 earthquake.

Organizers say the R&B singer will join the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, U.S. Navy Band and boy and girl choristers of the Washington National Cathedral Choir for the May 12 reopening ceremony.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis and philanthropist David Rubenstein will help celebrate. Rubenstein donated $7.5 million to cover half the restoration cost.

The 130-year-old memorial has been closed since a 5.8-magnitude earthquake caused damage in August 2011. Workers have repaired more than 150 cracks in the 555-foot obelisk.