Code of silence

By Mark Shanahan & Paysha Rhone, Globe Staff  |  August 26, 2008

Tom Brady's BFF Will McDonough gets the kind-of star treatment in the September issue of Boston magazine, in a profile reminiscent of Brady's recent Esquire cover, in that so little is revealed. Hardly anyone would go on record about the QB's right-hand-man (including McDonough himself), whom writer Luke O'Brien variously describes as "bagman," "gofer," "buffer," "fixer," "scout," "go-between," "gatekeeper," and "de facto manager." "He is a puzzle inside a riddle, wrapped in Armani Exchange," O'Brien writes. What's revealed about the Boston College grad and Westwood native? He set Tom and Gisele up, mere weeks after the footballer gave baby mama Bridget Moynahan the boot. Bundchen later told "GQ" they were introduced by a mutual friend. "A source close to Brady confirms it was McDonough," O'Brien writes.

PR mouthpiece George Regan has taken over rep duties at the new Foxborough Davio's, which is fast becoming a hangout for Pats and staff. Regan's folks will also handle other Davio's locations, as well as Avila. The deal went down when Regan chatted up owner Steve DiFillippo during a trip to Israel with Bob Kraft and Combined Jewish Philanthropies earlier this year.

Mayor Tom Menino tapped Legal Sea Foods' Roger Berkowitz to ship off clam chowder, shrimp, and Boston cream pie to today's Taste of America's Cities reception at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The Democratic-mayor sponsored event offered up signature eats from eight cities. The restaurant has also served its famous chow-dah at every presidential inauguration since 1988.

Speaking of the DNC, Massachusetts College of Art and Design alums Lauren Holmgren and Josh Dow were in the spotlight yesterday, unveiling the "HOPE" sculpture that they fabricated for famed artist Robert Indiana. The new piece, which mimics Indiana's iconic 1964 "LOVE" sculpture, marked the opening of the Democrats' nominating party and will grace the Pepsi Center in Denver. Holmgren and Dow opened the Green Foundry at Sanctuary Arts in Eliot, Maine, after graduating from MassArt a few years ago. Fellow alum-chums Matt Stone, Zach Gabbard, Aaron Legg, and Laurie Carman helped out with the piece.

Some Bostonians thought Neil Diamond at Fenway was the perfect way to celebrate Saturday night: Pat Moscaritolo, president of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, celebrated his birthday, and Paul Sacco, president of the Massachusetts Lodging Association, gave his wife, Madelyn, a birthday treat, as well.

Even with his inside information, NECN meteorologist Matt Noyes couldn't stop the rain at his nuptials. Noyes tied the knot with Jessica Howe in Gloucester this month, and wouldn't you know, it rained during dinner. Well-wishers included NECN president Charlie Kravetz and wife Debbie Sinay, anchor Mike Nikitas and wife Amy Evans, meteorologists Joe Joyce and Tim Kelley, sports anchor Chris Collins and wife Georgia Wright, who are about to have their first baby, and the station's digital media director Ted McEnroe.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen were expected on the red carpet at the Hard Rock Cafe last night, joining Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer, who were all amped up to judge a Guitar Hero competition for charity. Unfortunately, not one of the faux-rockers competing in the air-guitar fest - Chad Feast, Joe Ostrom, Jonathan Warrick, and Eric Ulibarri-Miller - was from our fair city. Still, they were welcomed by a bar full of partiers and sports types. The two-day extravaganza, Boston for Africa 2008, started with a 1,500-person motorcycle ride, led by Tyler, on Sunday; the event benefited Foundation Rwanda, FORGE, and Opportunity International, which raise awareness about poverty and war in Africa.

Celeb designer Ally Coulter, who's done homes and interiors for Kyle McLachlan, the Hilfigers, and European royalty, opened a fancy design store in Newport, R.I., a few weeks ago. With her to celebrate: featured artist Max Skeen; president of Holland & Sherry Bryan Dicker; New York antiques dealer Nicholas Brower; Ralph Lauren Home sales director Tham Kannalikham; and Dyer Jones, former commodore of the New York Yacht Club.

Simon Pegg, of "Shaun of the Dead" fame, was at the Liberty Hotel yesterday promoting his new flick, "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People," in which he plays a celeb-obsessed critic who makes a fool of himself. The wry and down-to-earth Pegg said he got along so well with costar Kirsten Dunst that by the time they had their on-screen kiss under the Brooklyn Bridge ("much to my wife's amusement"), it was just weird, because they'd become like sister and brother. "I have a massive affection for Kirsten," admitted the 38-year-old actor. "I had the best time working with her because she's just effortlessly talented. She's had a tough year. As has been reported, she was depressed. There's only so much you can deal with at a certain age and when you're asked to deal with more than you should be, there's going to be ramifications for you." Pegg also confirmed that he is indeed godfather to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's daughter, Apple, and that he enjoys playing the spoiling "Santa Claus" type. "As godfather, you're essentially a proxy parent," he said. "It's a real honor to be asked to do that kind of stuff."

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