NAMES & FACES

Thursday, September 4, 2008

2 Charged in McConaughey Incident

Two surfers have been charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly attacking a photographer as he tried to shoot pictures of actor Matthew McConaughey surfing, prosecutors said.

Skylar Peak, 24, and Philip Hildebrand, 30, are accused of confronting several paparazzi who showed up on a Malibu, Calif., beach in June to take pictures and film McConaughey. One of the photographers told authorities that the surfers jumped him and threw his camera in the ocean after demanding that he put his equipment away.

McConaughey was not involved in the scuffle, which was one of several high-profile incidents that prompted Malibu and other Los Angeles area officials to seek ways to curb the paparazzi.

Peak and Hildebrand will be arraigned in October, the Associated Press reports.

D.C. Events That Really Rate

The most important annual political happening in Washington each year -- at least for the people who have to plan such things -- is the State of the Union address, with the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in second place and the Gridiron Club dinner in third.

BizBash magazine, which covers the event-planning industry, is about to publish its list of the city's top recurring bashes across several categories.

Early word is that the Kennedy Center Honors ranked as the top arts event, while the State of the Union won in the politics-and-journalism slot. The AT&T National Golf Tournament took the honors in sports.

The list, due out next week, was vetted by an advisory board of experts, "the way they do the Fortune 500," BizBash Media CEO David Adler told us. Adler said these are the events "people plan their lives around -- not necessarily the celebrities who attend, but the people who plan them."

Other list-toppers:

· Benefit: Fight Night and Knock Out Abuse.

· Holiday event: White House Easter Egg Roll.

· Parade/walk: National Cherry Blossom Festival.

· Trade event: Washington Auto Show.

Tim Gunn Pitches In His Pants

Ever dreamed of dressing as well as "Project Runway" star Tim Gunn?

Here's your chance: The Washington native has donated an autographed pair of Lucky Brand jeans to Clothes Off Our Back, a charity founded by actor Bradley Whitford and his wife, actress Jane Kaczmarek. It auctions celebrity attire and donates the proceeds to child-advocacy groups.

Gunn wrote "Make it work!" in the waistband of the size 30 jeans, which bidders can squabble over on the organization's Web site ( http://www.clothesoffourback.com) until Sept. 17. The opening bid is $50.

Noted . . .

Former teen star Mackenzie Phillips, 48, is facing felony drug charges after being arrested last week for possession of heroin and cocaine at Los Angeles International Airport. The "One Day at a Time" star, who has struggled with substance abuse for many years, has entered rehab, People magazine reported yesterday.

. . . And Quoted

"The ladies like to see that masculine build. They question if I still got it." -- R&B singer Usher, who is planning a cozy, 15-stop tour -- for female fans only. "This album . . . was more intimate," the 29-year-old entertainer told the AP of his latest effort, "Here I Stand." "So what better way to get up close and personal than to make it all women?" Hope his wife, Tameka Foster, won't mind.

-- Marissa Newhall, from staff, wire and Web reports