FIRST OFF . . .

Members of the rock-funk band Kool & the Gang say they plan to donate part of the receipts from concerts in Phoenix this weekend to a group seeking a state holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Gov. Evan Mecham in January rescinded a King holiday created by his predecessor, Bruce Babbitt, claiming it was done illegally. Since then, Stevie Wonder and the Doobie Brothers have boycotted the state over the King holiday issue, and U2 has donated an undisclosed amount of money to a group seeking to recall Mecham. Entertainer Ben Vereen is going ahead with his performance in Tucson on May 15, but said in a statement released Thursday that his appearance--to benefit cancer research in Arizona--”is part of ending one dreaded disease--cancer. I urge the Governor (Mecham) to end another--bigotry--by restoring the honor and respect due Dr. King.”