Trail Mix

*Queen Amidala (aka Natalie Portman) uses her fame and fortune for the forces of good and draws hundreds to a UC-Berkeley event promoting the virtues of microfinance, the Daily Californian writes.

*Path to riches, according to the Observer: Read books (Harry Potter series), make website (Mugglenet.com), chat with arguably the most famous author in the world (J. K. Rowling), write bestselling book (What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Falls in Love, and How Will the Adventure Finally End), earn six figures a year (and invest in "global energy project involving solar power"), all before graduating from college (University of Notre Dame).

*MIT's most recent geek speaks to the Tech about the warm fuzzies he feels for his 15 minutes of fame on the CW's Beauty and the Geek. He also has high praise for his school: "I think that the majority of MIT students could make it to the show if they wanted to."