Horovitz becomes a Starbucks star

Israel Horovitz is about to become a bestseller. Java giant Starbucks is putting the playwright's well-chosen words on its cups, which will be sold to coffee consumers all over the world. "I have no idea how or why I was chosen. Perhaps they confused me with the pianist [Vladimir] Horowitz?" goofed the Gloucester Stage founder yesterday. In truth, Horovitz's longtime William Morris agent, Jack Tantleff, told him to send Starbucks a couple quotes from his plays, and the coffee colossus liked them. In the end, they chose a line from "The Secret of Mme. Bonnard's Bath," which premiered at Gloucester Stage last summer. ("You simply can't make someone love you if they don't. You must choose someone who already loves you. If you choose someone who does not love you, this is the sort of love you must want.") Horovitz joins some legendary, if not quite living, writers on the coffee cups, including Dostoyevsky and Virginia Woolf. "It's amazing how excited I was when they told me," said Horovitz, who admitted he once scorned Starbucks for cornering the coffee market. "They've turned out to be an interesting company." The father of Beastie Boy Adam "King Ad-Rock" Horovitz won't be paid, but he doesn't mind. "This is sort of like winning the Pulitzer Prize of decaf."

Choice awards for Avanti and Avila

Erik Per Sullivan attended this week's Boston Choice Awards, but the 15-year-old "Malcolm in the Middle" actor had to go home a little early. After all, it was a school night. But before leaving, Sullivan and Miss Massachusetts , Despina Delios , handed Avanti owner Alex Iacobacci the Choice Award for best hair salon. Other winners, nominated by the Concierge Association and picked by the public, included Rialto chef Jody Adams, chosen ahead of Todd English and Michael Schlow for the "Lifetime Achievement Award"; the USS Constitution, the best free destination; and Steve DiFillippo's Avila, the best new restaurant.

Tony V lobbies for ‘Waterfront’

Comedian Tony V , who performed at the Choice Awards, hasn't given up hope that "Waterfront" will eventually air. Starring Joe Pantoliano and shot entirely in Providence, the CBS series was inexplicably shelved before a single episode was broadcast. "We need it to air. Let the public decide if it's good or not," said Tony, who has a role in "Waterfront" and appeared in all 11 episodes of Showtime's Rhode Island-based drama "Brotherhood." "It means a lot to the film and television industry in the area." The veteran Boston comic told us that tax incentives approved here and in Rhode Island have been a boon to local film and TV folks. "People like me can work in the area and not travel to stinky New York or LA," he said. "I think if people saw 'Waterfront' it would find a place on TV. Somewhere."

A fashionable night at Avalon

A party where all the women wear tiny black dresses and the ravishing actress/model Rachel Sterling MC's? What will they think of next? Wednesday's wicked fashion show at Avalon attracted a few interesting folks, including nightclub king Patrick Lyons and his lieutenants Mindy D'Arbeloff, Ray Montgomery, and Steve Coyle, Waterworks owner Ed Kane, State Room skipper Jim Apteker, Celts big man Michael "Candy Man" Olowokandi, Bentley Boston's Paul Downey, "Apprentice" extra Michael Tarshi, and "Average Joe" Brian Worth. Because he wasn't wearing his VIP badge, Lyons was briefly barred from a VIP-only area by one of his own employees. The club owner smiled and kept walking.

So Jon Stewart's not only funny, he's got good taste. "The Daily Show" host listed a few of his musical heroes the other night, and Boston's own Buffalo Tom was among them. Stewart named Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Roxette, and the three-man band fronted by Bill Janovitz. (We think Roxette was a joke.) The Buffalo Tom boys, whose new CD comes out in April, are understandably flattered. "It's a huge thrill," said Janovitz, who's been a pal of Stewart's for some time. "Now, maybe he'll have us on his show."

Will JoJo follow Akon Garden gig?
It was a meeting of one-name singing sensations when Akon and JoJo got together at Wednesday's Celts game. Akon got the Garden hopping afterward, and JoJo hung around to listen. We're told the fresh-faced Foxborough lass may do a postgame gig of her own soon. . . . In 25 years at WBCN, Larry " Cha-Chi" Loprete's done just about everything, from disc jockey to desk jockey. Wednesday, the station celebrated Loprete's silver anniversary by having a few of his famous friends call in, including crooner Tony Bennett, CBS Radio CEO Joel Hollander, former 'BCN DJs Billy West and Charles Laquidara. (Mayor Tom Menino also declared Wednesday " ' Cha-Chi' Day" in Boston.) "It's pretty cool," said Loprete, who's now the marketing director at 'BCN and 'ZLX. "I grew up listening to this station, and I'm the last one left."

Ben Affleck was honored in LA as one of GQ's "Men of the Year," and his beautiful better half Jennifer Garner was there to support him. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.