Elton John a top contender for being sculpted in chocolate

Legendary rocker Elton John is leading a race to be molded in chocolate. Chocolate maker Cadbury is holding a poll in England to determine which English celebrity will be rendered in chocolate and put on display in Madame Tussaud's museum. The poll consists mainly of British athletes and personalities, but John leads the way so far. Sharon Osborne is also one of the choices, but she is not one of the top three vote getters. Voting ends February 18. In other Elton John news, the singer said Wednesday he will entertain at Fourth of July events in Philadelphia to raise money for and promote awareness of HIV and AIDS. John will perform with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Philadelphia Freedom Concert and Ball. Organizers said they hope to draw 1.5 million people and raise $2 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Philadelphia's Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund. John said he recently spent time in South Africa and saw his foundation's work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. "It will be a long fight, and one that must be met with strength and compassion, but we can all make a difference. I met with vulnerable and orphaned children who have been left destitute," John said in a one-minute appearance by satellite from Las Vegas, where he is performing at Caesars Palace. The Fourth of July events will include a free concert and fireworks display in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a fund-raising ball with ticket prices from $500 to $2,500. Funds will also come from corporate sponsors, concert concessions, and donations, organizers said. Mark Segal, president of the Hirschfeld Fund, said he hoped the events would emulate the success of the 1985 Live Aid concerts held in Philadelphia, London, and other cities to raise money for famine relief in Africa. Segal said the Hirschfeld fund was created to raise money for research and prevention as well as education about HIV and AIDS. "People think [HIV/AIDS] gone. It is not," he said. (AP)