Aflamingtribute ...

The Chinese have learned English from his speeches and celebrated the way he rolls up his sleeves. Now President Barack Obama is finally coming, and he’s being greeted with “Oba Mao” T-shirts and a statue of him that bursts into flames.

Sunday’s arrival of a U. S. president admired for his charisma is already a source of profit and brief fame for some Chinese.

Strangest is the burning Obama, tucked away in a Beijing warehouse. Artist Liu Bolin hopes Obama can take time from his visit to drop by.

“He’s so hot right now, so I wanted to translate that through my work,” said Liu, who was inspired by the idea of the first black U. S. president.

The bronze Obama bust is modeled on Time magazine’s “Man of the Year” cover and is speckled with holes for gas that ignites every couple of minutes.

Heenes pleadguilty ...

The Colorado parents accused of pulling a spectacular hoax by reporting their son was aboard a runaway balloon pleaded guilty Friday to charges that could bring some jail time and probation.

Richard Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly and falsely influencing Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, a felony, in the episode that sent law enforcement scrambling to rescue 6-year-old Falcon until he was found safe at the family home. Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, a misdemeanor.

Richard Heene told judge Stephen Schapanski he understood that he could have to pay restitution for the costs incurred by public agencies because of his actions. Local and federal authorities spent at least $62,000 pursuing the balloon and searching for 6-yearold Falcon after it landed.

Celebrity birthdays:

Sunday: “People’s Court” judge Joseph Wapner is 90. Actor Ed Asner is 80. Singer Chad Kroeger of Nickelback is 35. Monday: Country singer-guitarist Keith Burns of Trick Pony is 46. Actress Lisa Bonet is 42.

Tuesday: Singer Gordon Lightfoot is 71. Actor-director Danny DeVito is 65.

Wednesday: Actress Brenda Vaccaro is 70. Actress Linda Evans is 67.

Thursday: Talk show host Larry King is 76. Talk show host Dick Cavett is 73. Media mogul Ted Turner is 71.

Friday: TV personality Richard Dawson is 77. Comedian Dick Smothers is 71.

Next Saturday: Actress Marlo Thomas is 72. Actor-director Harold Ramis is 65. Actress Goldie Hawn is 64.