Scrimmage over Vinatieri's old house
Former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri may have moved to Indianapolis, but his house in North Attleborough is now at the center of a legal dispute. Stephanie Vidal, a trustee for the 3,030-square-foot colonial on Wagon Wheel Road, filed a 15-page lawsuit in Superior Court Wednesday alleging that a couple from Irvine, Calif., agreed to buy the house in July for $805,000 but reneged. The lawsuit, which claims David and Elizabeth Ehrenberg signed a purchase-and-sale agreement but failed to close the deal, seeks the release of $40,250 in deposits that have been held in escrow. The Super Bowl hero and his wife, Valerie, had put the house on the market for $825,000 after he signed with the Colts. Neither Vidal's lawyers nor those listed as representing the Ehrenbergs could be reached for comment last night.
Casting for state film office head
Now that Mark Drago's been shown the door, who'll be fronting the state's film office? Some folks are whispering Sam Weisman's name, claiming the ``Dickie Roberts " director has been gunning for Drago's job all along. ``Ridiculous," says Weisman, who lives in Newton. ``Believe it or not, I promoted a plan to keep Drago." The Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission , on whose board Weisman sits, announced this week it's ditching Drago, who had limited success enticing Hollywood to the Hub. Rich Krezwick , managing director of the private nonprofit commission, insists there's no front - runner for the position. ``I have had many conversations with Sam Weisman about the film business. He's been incredibly helpful and supportive," said Krezwick. ``[But] none of those conversations has ever involved Sam taking the job." (In one bit of behind-the-scenes manuevering, we're told Weisman helped producers of ``The Game Plan" -- the football flick costarring 7-year-old Madison Pettis -- sidestep the state's antiquated child labor laws.) Weisman, whose credits also include ``George of the Jungle " and ``Bye Bye Love ," told us his plate is full: He's producing a movie that starts shooting in Waltham later this month, after which he'll direct ``Surrender" starring Mischa Barton and Eric McCormack, and then ``Love Sucks," which was written by Conan O'Brien's sister, Jane , and may star Nia Vardalos .
Rivera moves up to Bandini's old spot
Two months after anchor Caterina Bandini left WHDH-TV (Channel 7) to become a stay-at-home mom, the station has announced that Frances Rivera will replace her as co-anchor with Randy Price of the evening and late-night newscasts. Rivera, who's been at 7News since 2001, was previously co-anchor of the early evening newscasts as well as a reporter. Michael Carson, Channel 7's GM, said Rivera's relaxed on-air persona is a good fit with Price, and her popularity in-house is a plus. ``When announcements like this are made, usually there is polite applause," Carson said. ``Today, it was like a roar." Jim Thistle, a former news director at Channel 7 and the director of the broadcast journalism department at Boston University, called it a smart move. ``I think she's very good and very competent," said Thistle. Rivera, who grew up in Dallas, was elated. ``I've been the highest you can get in the clouds. I never thought that this was something attainable. It's so competitive, and Boston is a city people want to end up and stay. How can I not be over the moon?"
And the Coolidge Award goes to . . .
We're not the only one s thinking about Marty Scorsese. The Coolidge Corner Theatre announced yesterday it's giving the 2007 Coolidge Award to the legendary director's longtime film editor Thelma Schoonmaker , winner of not one but two Oscars, for ``Raging Bull " and ``The Aviator. " Most recently, Schoonmaker worked with Scorsese on ``The Departed," which opens today. Previous winners of the Coolidge Award, which recognizes someone whose work advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema, include Chinese director Zhang Yimou , cinematographer Vittorio Storaro , and Meryl Streep. Schoonmaker will be in town to receive the award in April. . . . Former Boston University president John Silber is recuperating after shattering his pelvis and shoulder in a fall a few weeks ago. Silber slipped on the State House steps while paying his final respects to late governor Ed King. His staff said the former gubernatorial candidate, 80, spent a week at Boston Medical Center before undergoing surgery on his shoulder. He will be sidelined for about eight weeks.
Actor Brian Dennehy was in Boston the other night for a Golfers Against Cancer fund-raiser at the Ritz-Carlton.
The Celtics were treated to a little team-building exercise by coach Doc Rivers yesterday. Rivers surprised gang Green by taking them to see a screening of ``The Departed."
Fenway's gone dark, but the light's still shining on David Ortiz, who was honored by Reebok yesterday for clubbing a Sox club-record 54 homers this season. No. 34 was feted at Reebok's Canton headquarters, where employees received ``Home Run King Big Papi" T-shirts. Alas, when it was over, everyone went home to watch the Yankees play .
Suzanne Ryan of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253. 
