Truth is in the cards; Johnny on the spot
POKER-FACED POET It wasn't the prospect of hearing Theo Epstein's band play Guns N' Roses that enticed poet Robert Pinsky to The Studio's 25th anniversary party Sunday. (The Studio, located in Brookline, is a women's clothing store co-owned by Theo's mom, Ilene.) No, it was the chance to hang with Theo's dad, fellow BU prof Leslie Epstein. "We play poker together," said Pinsky. "Playing cards allows me to behave as if I was 14 years old again." Told there are less expensive ways to act like a teenager, Pinsky said he'll never lose money as long as he plays with the elder Epstein. "Unfortunately," said Theo's dad, "that's true."
GOING TO FENWAY FOR THE WEEKEND Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry, who watched the Red Sox game Sunday at Fenway, left the ballpark through the players entrance while outfielder Johnny Damon just happened to be trailing a few feet behind. A young fan -- our spies tell us about 6 years old -- yelled: "Johnny, you're my favorite." Both Johns turned around, but when Kerry shook the boy's hand, the young fan seemed a bit puzzled. . . . Red Sox utilityman David McCarty stopped by the Baseball Tavern after Saturday night's game and stayed to have a round with patrons. . . . And our favorite former CEO turned regular Fenway attendee, Jack Welch, was once again at the Crown Royal Club at Fenway over the weekend. We think Welch sightings at Fenway, like John Malkovich sightings in Cambridge, might have to be retired.
BACKSTREET'S BACK Ms. Personality Herself -- hotel scion Paris Hilton -- kept a low profile at radio station Kiss 108's annual concert over the weekend at the Tweeter Center. She arrived early in the morning with the Backstreet Boys while her beau, Nick Carter, ran through a sound check. However, Hilton decided to stay at the hotel during the Boys' surprise performance later that evening. . . . Another surprise moment -- that almost didn't happen -- was Ashanti's arrival to perform onstage with Ja Rule. He was well into his 20-minute set when Ashanti's limo pulled into the venue. Ashanti ran through the backstage area and right to the stage to perform their duet "Always on Time."
FAST COMPANY For years, Ernie Boch Jr. has been supplying rides to Godsmack. Now, Sully Erna and the boys are returning the favor. The Boston band is playing before Sunday's Indy 500, and they've invited Boch to join them. "I'm a huge race fan," the car dealer said yesterday. "And the celebrities who'll be there . . . It's just unbelievable." (In fact, Boch is sitting with David Letterman, Jessica Simpson, Morgan Freeman, LeAnn Rimes, and, quite possibly, President Bush.) As a special treat on race day, Boch and the band will ride behind the pace car for one lap -- in Corvettes.
DRESSED AND SUCCESSFUL A group of high-powered women spent time the other night at the St. John's store in the Back Bay doing a little high-powered shopping for the Roslindale-based Dress for Success, an organization that donates business attire to women transitioning back into the workforce. Among those on hand for the event, which raised more than $15,000, were the organization's founders, Enith Levine and Nancy Schneider; Angela Menino, wife of the mayor; Dot Terrell; PR maven Colette Phillips; Carol Fulp of John Hancock; Sherry Penny of the University of Massachusetts; The Partner's Bennie Wiley; and the American Red Cross's Deborah Jackson.
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