Hoping to Soak Up Publicity With Some Absorbent Swag

Here's what Tammy Cheskis, a small-business owner from Anne Arundel County, is doing tomorrow: She's going to set up her wares in a hotel ballroom in L.A. Then stupendously well paid Hollywood stars will come to look. And then Cheskis is going to give her goods to them -- for free! Just because they're VIPs!

Would it be any more surreal if we told you Cheskis's product is a line of decorative bed-wetting pads?

Despite the writers' strike forcing a cancellation of the Golden Globes ceremony this weekend, one of the odder rituals of Red Carpet Culture will apparently carry on -- the swag room. While most official parties are off, more loosely affiliated "gifting suites" will continue to offer luxury freebies to the stars.

The setups are a grand synergy of consumerism: Celebs get swag, lifestyle mags get pics of celebs picking up swag, and swag vendors (hopefully) get some buzz. Which is why Cheskis was thrilled to be invited to the "Boom Boom Room," hosted by stylist/infotainment pundit Jayneoni Moore, where she will give away her Incog-Neato leakproof protectors.

"It looks like a quilt, so the kid's not embarrassed. They can take it to sleepovers," Cheskis said. People also use her invention for dog beds, poolside furniture and other purposes she won't mention "because it's embarrassing."

Cheskis had to fly herself out to L.A. for the privilege of gifting the likes of Jason Priestley , Sherri Shepherd and David Arquette (among the promised names she told us). "I don't care," she said. "Us and People are going to be there. It's going to be great for business."

At the Lincoln Memorial, It's a Dream for Oprah Fans

Oprah Winfrey. . . on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial . . . on a bright, beautiful winter day. . . . Looks like the makings for one awesome Obama commercial, huh?

But no, we're told the actual reason the Queen of All Media appeared on the Mall yesterday was to film a segment about Martin Luther King Jr. for her talk show. The surprisingly petite Winfrey (camel cloak, brown pants, updo, glowy makeup) commandeered the site with a large camera crew, racing to complete their work before the sun dipped too low in the sky. About 100 tourists were all aflutter, getting to glimpse an American icon in the flesh in addition to all the ones in marble. Between takes, Winfrey waved to them and bantered. "I watch your show!" shouted one male fan. "It moves me!"

Shockingly, Winfrey left D.C. before sundown without visiting Congress or Cafe Milano; the segment will air Jan. 21.

UPDATE

Will Shaq come back? The $4.15 million deal for Virginia real estate agent Casey Margenau to buy Oasis Winery has fallen through, adding yet another chapter to the "Falcon Crest"-like saga. In November, a Fauquier County judge accepted Margenau's contract, beating out Shaquille O'Neal's bid for the high-profile vineyard, but the inspection revealed aging equipment and some damaged vines. "I felt it wouldn't work," Margenau told us. "There were just so many issues."

Now Tareq Salahi, son of the winery's founders, has submitted a proposal to the court receiver to purchase the property outright and has until Monday to come up with the deposit on the $4 million purchase price. Looks like he's still looking for partners: "Ever wanted to own a vineyard or winery?" says the Oasis Web site yesterday. "Now is your chance."

THIS JUST IN . . .

To the relief of Dallas fans everywhere, Jessica Simpson will watch boyfriend/quarterback Tony Romo from afar in the Cowboys' playoff game Sunday at home against the New York Giants. The singer's appearance in the stands last month was blamed for the worst performance of Romo's professional career. "She's working on a new album," Simpson's rep told the New York Post.