Writers commit to Hoffman's fund-raiser
ALICE'S MAGIC
When local author Alice Hoffman ("Blackbird House") asks fellow writers to help raise money for the breast cancer center at Mount Auburn Hospital that bears her family's name, they respond. And do so in large numbers. Joining Hoffman at an Oct. 4 reading of their works are: Amy Tan, "The Joy Luck Club"; Susan Cheever, "Home Before Dark"; Jill McCorkle, "Carolina Moon"; and Judy Blume, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?" A few men will also be reading: Chris Bohjalian, "Midwives"; Andre Dubus III, "House of Sand and Fog"; Arthur Golden, "Memoirs of a Geisha"; and Wally Lamb, "She's Come Undone." Tickets for the event at the Charles Hotel are $250, or $1,000 to attend a private cocktail reception and schmooze with the authors.
KICKOFF
Never mind Tom Brady and Tedy Bruschi, we're watching the Patriots opener for the pregame festivities. Keith Lockhart and the Boston Symphony Orchestra have been added to a lineup that already includes Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child, Elton John, Toby Keith, Lenny Kravitz, and Jessica Simpson. Yowza. During the "NFL Opening Kickoff," which airs at 8 p.m. on Sept. 9, the Pops will play two numbers with Sir Elton and also perform the national anthem with Blige.
PETA CASES SETTLED
It turns out that wearing underpants in Harvard Square -- even offensive SpongeBob SquarePants boxer shorts -- isn't indecent exposure. After being arrested in March and charged with indecent exposure, six anti-fur protesters from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were cleared of those charges in Cambridge District Court yesterday. It was the six protesters' third trip before a judge. Subsequent misdemeanor charges including disturbing the peace and obstructing traffic were added. Lead protester Dan Matthews, a PETA vice president from Virginia, was found guilty by District Judge George R. Sprague of disturbing the peace. Matthews paid his fine and went out and had a vegan calzone. "It's a good thing I wasn't wearing my Monopoly boxer shorts as they have `Go Directly to Jail' on the back," he said after he left court.NEW BALANCE HITS AWARDSBrighton-based sneaker pros New Balance has ponied up a pair of the buzzed-about 579 (the NB Classics shoe that is launching later this year) to each of the nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend in Miami. The men's version of the 579 is gray and navy, and the women's is white with bright red. Nominees will receive their New Balance kicks along with a goody bag of other fun swag at a cocktail function tomorrow hosted byP. Diddy. The guest list includes Usher, Justin Timberlake, Denzel Washington, Donald Trump, Jessica Simpson, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Gwen Stefani.
DRIVEN TO HELP
At a press conference yesterday at Fenway Park to announce the second annual Sept. 11 Blood Drive, Sox vice president for public affairs Charles Steinberg proved an able stage manager. Not only did he introduce and arrange the speakers on the field, including the city's safety honchos, Kathleen O'Toole (police) and Paul Christian (fire), and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center CEO Paul Levy, but Steinberg also directed the blood droplet that is the Red Cross's mascot. "If you turn around they can see the phone number on your back," Steinberg said. For more information on the blood drive commemorating the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, call 800-GIVE-LIFE.
CARD-CARRYING REPUBLICANS?
In the Washington Times yesterday, White House chief of staff Andy Card said the celebrity lineup at the Republican National Convention will "bridge generations and keep people on the edge of their seats." Among President Bush's boosters, the paper ID'd the usual suspects: right-wingers Bruce Willis, Dennis Miller, and Robert Duvall. But it went on to say that performers in the president's corner include Kid Rock, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, and -- say it ain't so -- Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Maybe he wants to be secretary of elder affairs in a second term. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253. 