The Left Lane
Star-studded telethon

Bruce Springsteen, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Paul Simon and other celebrities will take part in a telethon jointly produced by major TV networks.

Uniting screen stars, musicians and television personalities, the four largest TV networks said they would simulcast a special benefit for terrorist attack victims Friday night.

"America: A Tribute to Heroes" will be aired, commercial-free, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. here, tape-delayed from the 9 p.m. EDT Friday performance.

Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks, Ray Romano and Kelsey Grammer have all agreed to participate, organizers said today. It's believed to be the first time the four networks have agreed to air the same program simultaneously.

The networks haven't said whether they will set up their own relief organization for victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks or direct viewers to existing groups. Viewers will be told how they can donate on the show, organizers said.

The four networks will pay for the event and all of the stars are donating their time.

The full list of participants: Bon Jovi, Amy Brenneman, Jim Carrey, George Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Calista Flockhart, Dennis Franz, Grammer, Tom Hanks, Faith Hill, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Conan O'Brien, Tom Petty, Romano, Roberts, Paul Simon, Will Smith, Springsteen, Sela Ward, Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

Other participants will be added up until showtime.

— Associated Press

Wearing the flag

TV news readers are being seen wearing patriotic lapel pins and ribbons on air.

But these are anything but normal times. Since Tuesday's attacks, many anchor people are wearing American flag pins or red-white-and-blue ribbons on the air.

Arriving at Camp David Sunday for his hour-long NBC interview with Vice President Dick Cheney, "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert was offered a tricolor ribbon. He readily took one. "That was not even a close call to me," Russert says. "I am a journalist, but I am also a citizen. I wanted to join all Americans and show how deeply I felt."

CBS anchor Dan Rather, who isn't wearing a lapel pin, has no criticism of those who are. Such a practice might have raised some journalistic eyebrows just a week ago, he said. "I've always felt I've had a flag in my heart every day, and that I don't need to wear one on my sleeve. But I have no argument with anyone who does."

— USA Today

GEMS for girls

If you are a girl in the fifth or sixth grade, the American Association of University Women has got GEMS for you.

Not jewels, but the 10th annual GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) Conference 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at Kapi'olani Community College. The conference encourages girls to retain an interest in math and science and pursue science- and math-related careers by having them attend two workshops. Workshops are taught by women in various fields including astronomy, biology, pharmacy and engineering.

Registration is $20; scholarships are available. The first 250 applicants will be accepted. Information: GEMS Honolulu branch office, 537-4702.

— Adrienne Ancheta, Advertiser staff writer