GREEN & GLOVER: Stood up

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By Stephanie Green and Elizabeth Glover

Stood up

Actress and United Nations Fund for Women Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman was on Capitol Hill Wednesday testifying and lobbying for the International Violence Against Women Act. Along with the rest of the eager press contingent, G2 awaited her arrival at a post-testimony press reception ... and waited ... and waited ...

Rep. Bill Delahunt, Massachusetts Democrat, kicked off the reception with what - at the time - was his idea of a joke, saying, "I'm here subbing for Nicole Kidman," which was met with looks of surprise and a barely audible collective groan from the room packed with reporters. "I thought I'd get that kind of reaction," he laughed.

More than an hour later, after several more speakers took their turn at the podium - still no Miss Kidman. G2 was regularly assured by one representative for the event, "She's coming."

Alas, she never did. Perhaps Mr. Delahunt knew better than the rest of us after all.

Puppy love

Proving that compassion and brawn can go hand in hand, tough-guy athletes Shaone Morrisonn of the Washington Capitals and Clyde Simms of D.C. United visited the Whittier Educational Center in the District Tuesday with a couple of canine companions to meet and greet fifth-graders.

Mr. Morrisonn's date was his English bulldog, Hazel, and Mr. Simms attended with Buddy, a mixed-breed dog belonging to Dan Cohen. Mr. Cohen started Athletes for Animals, a local nonprofit that organizes programs to teach kids how to treat animals with kindness and respect.

"Does Hazel snore?" asked one curious youngster. "Yes, which is why she does not sleep in my bedroom," replied an amused Mr. Morrisonn.

As for Mr. Simms, he explained to the youngsters that caring for a pet is a big responsibility, especially for an athlete who travels as extensively as he does, which is why he hasn't owned one. Now that his schedule is winding down for the season, however, he is in the process of adopting a pup.