Biden stumps here, then books to Iowa

No sooner had Delaware Senator Joe Biden finished signing the last copy of his autobiography "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics" yesterday, than the presidential candidate caught a flight to -- you guessed it -- Iowa. Not that the Dem didn't use his time at Borders at Downtown Crossing as a stumping stop of sorts. Biden spoke for 20 minutes, answered questions for another 20, and signed books for fans who included Citizens Bank chairman Larry Fish, City Councilor John Tobin, state Senator Jim Timilty, former state senator Joe Timilty, and Massachusetts House majority leader John Rogers.

The cameras roll on "Bachelor No. 2" next week, which means that Dane Cook must be in town. The Arlington funnyman was holed up in the InterContinental Boston's presidential suite last night wearing a hotel bathrobe monogrammed with his initials. But the actor-comedian wasn't lounging around eating bonbons. He was doing an interview for Comedy Central for his new movie, "Good Luck Chuck," which costars Jessica Alba and opens in theaters next month.

The major-label release of Lori McKenna's new CD "Unglamorous" means the spotlight is on the Stoughton-based singer-songwriter. Yesterday, McKenna hit New York, where the mother of five performed her album's title track live on ABC's "Good Morning America." Cohost Robin Roberts was amazed that McKenna was plucked from the Boston music scene by country's golden couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who not only recorded McKenna's songs but asked her to join them on their "Soul2Soul 2007" tour this summer. "It's been great," the quiet McKenna said to Roberts. After her morning in the Big Apple, McKenna made her way back home for last night's Boston Harbor cruise with radio station 92.5 The River to thank her longtime local fans.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power will speak and famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform when the traveling exhibition "Darfur/Darfur" makes a one-day stop at the Institute of Contemporary Art on Sept. 7. The show, which is coming to 24 cities, features digital images of the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region taken by seven photojournalists and one former US Marine.

Longtime Nantucket summer resident Amy Stiller just finished a four-night run playing the "fair shrew" Maria in Seaside Shakespeare Company's "Twelfth Night" on Children's Beach. The venue was especially convenient since it's more or less the front yard of the modest shingled cottage belonging to her parents, the legendary comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. (The house also made a fine spot for Ben Stiller's sis to host the opening-night cast party.) "I'm here for the great combination of people -- some with experience, and some who've never acted before," she said. Another draw? "The little kids' faces lighting up."

It was girls-only pampering the other day for Bridget Moynahan and Jennifer Garner at film producer Jennifer Klein's annual Hollywood gals event. In Klein's Brentwood backyard they sorted through the racks of accessories and clothes, reports InStyle.com. "I've been coming to this event as long as it's been going on," said Garner, who purchased clothing from Little Woo for Violet, her daughter with husband Ben Affleck. Moynahan, who's nearly due with ex-beau Tom Brady's baby, made the rounds at the invite-only event, which was also attended by Jessica Biel and Hilary Swank.

WCVB-TV's morning anchor team Heather Unruh and David Brown were joined yesterday by weather gal J.C. Monahan and crews from local businesses, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Loomis-Sayles, in a day of sprucing up St. Patrick's School in Roxbury. The program, "Extreme Makeover: My Hometown," is a local version of the hit ABC home renovation show and was started by Channel 5's Karen Holmes Ward.

Globe correspondent Sandy MacDonald contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.