Wilco fans give it up; Miss USA says yes
LYRICAL TRIBUTE He's such a committed fan of the band Wilco that Ronen Givony maintains a website -- bemydemon.org -- devoted exclusively to singer Jeff Tweedy's words. "I'm a lyrics guy, I guess," said Givony, 25, a grant writer for the Boston-based Conservation Law Foundation. Make that a lyrics guy with a conscience. Givony and fellow Wilco-iteJeff Dashley have launched justafan.org, where fans who appreciate the band's practice of providing free streams and downloads can show their appreciation by contributing to Doctors Without Borders, a cause supported by Tweedy and his bandmates, "instead of having the $12 or $15 we spend on albums end up in a marketing department's campaign of the next Britney or Justin Timberlake record," Givony said. Remarkably, since April 1, when justafan.org went up, fans already have donated more than $3,500. Through its manager, Tony Margherita, Wilco has expressed support for the site, confident that fans will also show their support by buying the band's new CD, "A Ghost Is Born," when it's released June 22.
MAGIC GETS RECORD GRACIE NOD Magic 106.7's "Exceptional Women" show has been awarded its 18th Gracie Award -- the most won by any radio show in the country. Presented by American Women in Radio and Television, the awards will be given to show hosts Candy O'Terry and Gay Vernon this summer. Before then, on May 6, O'Terry and Vernon will host their annual "Exceptional Women" event at the Westin Copley Place, with guests Gloria Estefan, Central Park jogger Trisha Meili, Mount Auburn Hospital's Dr. Madeline Crivello, and others.
MARKETING MAG ON THE MARKET Framingham-based CXO Media -- the folks who brought you CIO (Chief Information Officer) magazine and CSO (Chief Security Officer) magazine -- is expected to announce today that it will have a magazine and website for chief marketing officers. They are calling it -- you guessed it -- CMO. And if you weren't more than ready to call Vanna White and buy a vowel, CXO is owned by IDG. Whew! The new magazine's editors promise that when the glossy monthly hits the streets in September, the focus will be to provide marketing types the "information they need to not only capture market share but also justify budgets in a recovering economy."
SHOOTING BY THE 'NUMBERS' The crew from the pilot episode for the CBS drama "Numbers," about an MIT mathematician who is recruited by the FBI to solve crimes, was in town over the weekend and turned more than a few heads when shooting in Chelsea and along the Boston waterfront. Director Gregor Jordan ("Buffalo Soldiers" and "Ned Kelly") and crew were shooting with a few of the stars, including Michael Rooker ("JFK" and "The Bone Collector"), along the Mystic River on Saturday. One of the scenes involved a women's body found along the water, with the Boston skyline visible behind. Some of the crew and folks gathered on the cold, overcast day were surprised to find out that the body was an actual actress who was lying nude in the mud of low tide. (When filming was canceled because of heavy rain on Friday and on Saturday morning, members of the crew were out raking mud and picking up glass and debris so that the unnamed actress wouldn't get hurt.)
KIND WORDS He's several pounds lighter after being hospitalized for an acute case of tummy trouble, but mayor Tom Menino wasn't at Anthony's Pier 4 to eat. Hizzoner stopped by to lend his support to the Senator Joseph F. Timilty Adult Day Health/Memory Loss Center. "In this business of ours . . . what you have is the difference you've made in people's lives," said Menino, who once worked for Timilty. "Joe Timilty has a heart, and that's how I know him." Five years in the making, the center is slated to open in June and will serve 60 Boston area seniors who otherwise would not be able to remain in their homes.
SHE WILL Miss USA Susie Castillo is engaged. Live yesterday on Ryan Seacrest's show, the muy lovely Lawrence native said "yes" to longtime boyfriend Matt Leslie. . . . And speaking of Castillo, a dress originally designed for her was a popular item at Friday's MassArt benefit auction. Designed by MassArt grad Jeury Rosario, the red gown (actually, a replica of it) went home with Cambridge resident Eric Hoagland and his wife, Cyndee, who bid $2,300.
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