U2 at Fenway in '06?

Before Mick Jagger has even set foot on the stage at Fenway Park, the whispering has begun about next summer's boffo shows at the ballpark. How do you follow Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett, and the Rolling Stones? How does U2 sound? Word is the Irish lads, who are on a never-ending tour to promote ''How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," are nearing a deal to occupy the outfield next summer for two nights. Neither the Sox nor Clear Channel would comment yesterday, but the band has demonstrated it's a big fan of Boston. In May, Bono and the boys played three sold-out shows here, and they're returning for two more at TD Banknorth Garden Oct. 3 and 4. But wait, there's more. According to the trade publication Pollstar, U2 is bound for Boston yet again in December, playing shows at the new Garden on Dec. 4 and 5.

United against Arnold

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may have thought he would roll into Fenway for a Rolling Stones preconcert fund-raiser, but on Sunday he'll be met by a large contingent of nurses -- joined by firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other union members -- in protest of the Governator's policies. Registered nurses from the California Nurses Association and the National Nurses Organizing Committee will join a couple of dozen members of the Massachusetts Nursing Association to protest what they call Schwarzenegger's ''corporate fund-raising and policies harmful to nurses and other Californians." Schwarzenegger was given tickets and a luxury box by mortgage lender Ameriquest, a lead sponsor of the Stones' tour.

So who's slinging the hash at Ahnold's private preconcert reception? Michael Schlow, of course, chef extraordinaire at Via Matta, Radius, and Great Bay. (We're told Todd English may have been asked, but he'll be in Europe.) By the way, considering that Via Matta's a favorite of former J. Geils singer Peter Wolf, it wouldn't be far-fetched to see the Stones roll into the restaurant during their stay. After all, they're just down the street at the Four Seasons.

A winning combination

Jasper White walked away with a bronze trophy at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans,, and he's going to share the winning dish with diners. His creation, sea scallops wrapped in cob-smoked bacon served over succotash studded with lobster meat, will be on the menu at Jasper White's Summer Shacks in Boston and Cambridge for a week starting on Monday. The Make-a-Wish Foundation will benefit, with $1 of each sale of the $25 dish going to the charity.

Go figure

Wondering about the two huge pieces outside the Museum of Fine Arts' West Wing? Yesterday crews carefully installed Fernando Botero's ''The Roman Soldier" and ''Woman Smoking a Cigarette" there for the exhibition ''Things I Love: The Many Collections of William I. Koch," which opens at the end of the month.

What's new? 'Pussycat'

Next time look and listen to the TV spot for the new Bill Murray movie ''Broken Flowers." Why? Because the backing track is a tune called ''Pussycat" by Somerville-based garage rockers the Charms. ''I don't see a lot of movies, but I think I'll see this one," said singer Ellie Vee. ''I love Bill Murray." The Charms, who head out on a US tour next month, just played the ''Save CBGB" benefit show in the Big Apple organized by Steve Van Zandt, Tommy Ramone, and Blondie's Debbie Harry.

Political pull on the set

Big-time Boston political fund-raiser Barbara Lee is heading to the West Coast this week to visit the set of the new ABC series ''Commander in Chief" starring Wareham native Geena Davis. Lee is meeting with producer/director Rod Lurie to share her expertise on the issue of women in politics.
Alison Arnett of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.