FINALLY

Arts prize: Jazz composer and saxophonist Ornette Coleman has been awarded the 2004 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, which is given for contributions to “mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life” and carries a cash award of about $250,000.

Guest gig: Alan Alda, the Emmy-winning star of the ‘70s comedy-drama series “M*A*S*H,” will guest star on 10 episodes of the coming season of “The West Wing.” Alda will play a Republican senator with presidential aspirations, his agent said.

Open house: To help promote the release of “Genius Loves Company,” Ray Charles’ final recording, the late singer’s historic L.A. recording studios on Washington Boulevard near Western Avenue will be open to the public from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.