• Reliable Source: "Military Idol" takes off. . . Ludacris skips the Howard University Homecoming. . . Philanthropist Jim Kimsey "toasted and roasted" at Kennedy Center. . . At Sunday's game, Andrea Mitchell kissed Alan Greenspan whenever the Redskins scored. . . Diane Keaton spotted at Starbucks; Nicole Kidman seen near K Street. . . Van Susteren sells her house. [WP]

• Under the Dome: U.N. interns blanket Capitol Hill with blue rubber bracelets to celebrate its 60th anniversary. . . Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) mingles with famed winemakers in his office. [The Hill]

• Liz Smith: Maureen Dowd's next book is titled "Are Men Necessary?" [NYP]

• Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: Alec Baldwin critiques Hutchison: "Why are contemporary Republicans so full of shit?" Replies her flack, "We take criticism from Alec Baldwin about as seriously as advice from Michael Moore." [NYDN]

• Rush & Molloy: Clinton autographs $11,000 lunch-box to auction it again. [NYDN]