White's great-niece caught up in 'Web'

It may have opened to mixed reviews and had less-than-predicted ticket sales, but Lindsay Morand's opinion of "Charlotte's Web" or the beloved book's author, E.B. White , remains unchanged. Morand, you see, is the great-niece of the late author, and unabashedly proud of his work and leery of those who tread on White's turf. But "Charlotte's Web , " starring Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Robert Redford, and a slew of Hollywood's A-list actors, meets Morand's expectations. "We loved, loved, loved . . . 'Charlotte's Web,' " said Morand after a screening the other night at the AMC Loews Boston Common. "I'm delighted that Hollywood has adapted the movie version into a live action, enjoyable film that I truly believe my Uncle E.B. would have loved," said the Townsend resident. Morand particularly liked Steve Buscemi, who provides the voice for Templeton the rat, and that the new film uses a lot of White's dialogue from the book. Yet the touch she liked best were the "witty and hilarious characters" -- as Morand called them -- Elwyn (Andre Benjamin) and Brooks (Thomas Haden Church) , named "after my very wonderful great-uncle Elwyn Brooks White."

Wahlberg gets into the seasonal spirit

Mark Wahlberg might've been wearing a black leather jacket and Boston Celtics T-shirt, but he looked a whole lot like Santa Claus to some 265 young people at Fenway Park's State Street Pavilion yesterday. The recent Golden Globe nominee's Boston-based youth foundation had a party for the kids and gave out $125,000 to several area youth programs. Joining Wahlberg were three of his brothers -- chef Paul, actor Bob, and Jimmy, who runs the youth foundation -- and their sister, Tracey. State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry and her husband, Bill, were also on hand and will join Wahlberg, the star of "The Departed," for a reunion of the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club in March at UMass-Boston. Yesterday, Wahlberg handed out gifts from sponsors including Old Navy, the Sox, the Celtics, Converse, Reebok, and Roche Bros.

Damon wants Obama for president

Illinois Senator Barack Obama. That's who Matt Damon wants to see get elected as president in 2008. "The Good Shepherd" star appeared with Robert DeNiro, the film's director, at the "Hardball College Tour" at George Mason University the other day and was quizzed on a number of subjects by "Hardball" honcho Chris Matthews. "But I would also say that I do some work with a group here in D.C. called Data," said Damon in the exchange that airs tonight. "They're part of the -- the parent organization of the One Campaign who prioritize Africa and issues of extreme poverty. And whoever's in there, Republican or Democrat, I hope -- I hope they take up that issue. And I will say that I disagree with George Bush about a lot of things, but his emergency plan for AIDS relief [in Africa] is . . . outstanding."

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry chimed in on the Red Sox signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka: "It was exciting to watch the press conference . . . . We are proud and honored to have him come to Boston. I know he is going to enjoy playing in Boston, the US, and Canada as much as Aerosmith enjoys playing and visiting Japan." The diehard Sox fan and rocker added: "On a more personal note, I know he will find a warm reception from the Boston fans for him and his family just as I have found for me and my family in Japan. It's gonna be a rockin' season this year! Fenway Park will never be the same. Good luck Matsuzaka-san." . . . Dustin Diamond (a.k.a. Screech from "Saved by the Bell") was in Portsmouth, N.H., Friday night chowing on steak at the Portsmouth Brewery before performing an adult-themed stand-up comedy show at the Ioka Theater in Exeter, N.H., where he poked fun at his former castmates, including "Dancing With the Stars" heartthrob Mario Lopez. Diamond, whose Paris Hilton-style sex tape is soon expected to go on sale to the public, was followed around the "Live Free or Die" state by a crew from VH 1. He'll be a contestant on the network's next installment of "Celebrity Fit Club. "

She's know n around Gillette Stadium as "The Flag Lady "; now Karen Hourigan can add Bank of America/New England Patriots Fan of the Year to her resume. Pats chief Bob Kraft honored the 64-year-old grandmother from Millis at a ceremony before yesterday's game.

Meredith Goldstein of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.