More than just pin money

New England Patriots player Matt Cassel wasn't bowling yesterday just for bragging rights. The backup QB was one of several dozen people who turned out at Kings Lanes to raise more than $10,000 for Healthworks Foundation, Need to Lead, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, and the Alzheimer's Association. Joining Cassel at the "Bowling Battle of the Charities" were former New England Patriot Max Lane, Fox 25 meteorologist A.J. Burnett, comic and "The Biggest Loser" finalist Kelly MacFarland, "American Idol" finalist and Boston College basketball player Ayla Brown and her parents, state Senator Scott Brown, and WCVB-TV reporter Gail Huff. After hitting the lanes, Ayla picked up a mike and performed a few of her songs, including "Know You Better" and "Falling Into You."

Despite reports last week, it doesn't look like James Taylor will have time in his schedule to play Fenway Park in late July without some serious rearranging. One thing is clear, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter was well-prepared for last night's sold-out show at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. To prepare for the show, Taylor enlisted the services of Harvard French instructor Guila Clara Kessous to translate his show - even his banter and jokes. As for whether Taylor will perform a night at Fenway this summer, his people were mum yesterday. And when we asked about the open dates Sweet Baby James has in August, we were told that would be after he's already given his band some time off.

With a half-dozen major movie projects currently filming in the region, it appears we're all going to have to get used to a gaggle of A-list movie stars bumping around. Yes, that was "The Proposal" star Ryan Reynolds dining with his girlfriend Scarlett Johansson at Bin 26 Enoteca on Charles Street the other night. Meanwhile Mark Ruffalo and Michelle Williams, both shooting Martin Scorsese's "Ashecliffe" with Leonardo DiCaprio, took their families to see "Go Diego Go Live!" at the Opera House over the weekend. And, nightlife guru Patrick Lyons hosted actor Luke Wilson at Lyons's Sonsie restaurant on Newbury Street. The two then headed to the Liberty Hotel, where Lyons just opened Scampo with chef Lydia Shire. Joining them for a late-night nosh at Alibi, were "Bride Wars" star Kate Hudson, "Nip/Tuck" star Rhona Mitra, comic actor Steve Byrne, "Reba" regular Steve Howey, and actor Bradley Cooper and his fellow "Wedding Crashers" alum Keir O'Donnell, who is in town filming a comedy with Kevin James.

Stylist Mario Russo opened his famed salon at 9 Newbury St. yesterday to give several dozen women quick makeovers to raise more than $8,000 for Rosie's Place, which provides meals and shelter to poor and homeless women in Boston. Joining Russo in manning the scissors and blow-dryers on their day off were Juston Distazio, Monica Ramizi, and George Amaral. Also on hand were radio station Kiss 108's "Matty in the Morning" crew including the show's host, Matt Siegel, and Lisa Roach, who organized the fund-raiser.

Harvard professor William Julius Wilson hosted David Simon, creator of the HBO series "The Wire," for a discussion at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government about the show's portrayal of Baltimore. Also on Friday's panel were Boston Police Department deputy superintendent Nora Baston, and Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone.

Governor Deval Patrick and Senator Ted Kennedy got a quiet moment to talk about a few things before they made their way out to address the Friends of Public Higher Education dinner on Friday at the InterContinental Boston Hotel. The packed house included UMass prez Jack Wilson, about a dozen college heads, state Senator Robert O'Leary, and state representatives John Rogers, Kevin Murphy, Thomas Calter, James Fagan, Robert Koczera, John Quinn, and William Pignatelli. Kennedy and Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish were both honored by the organization.

Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.