People

LITTLE AL PROMISES TO STAY SOBER

In a major statement to media, Al Unser Jr. says that he is going to be sober from now on, leaving his legendary drinking days behind him. He tells the Indianapolis Star that at age 40 it took nearly three weeks in an East Coast rehabilitation clinic to get him to admit that he is an alcoholic and will have to deal with the condition one day at a time for the rest of his life. Additionally, he says he will stop frequenting bars and strip clubs; his drink of choice ... Diet Coke. He tells the publication that he will be his own doctor. " ... If I control it," he says, "there's an absolute guarantee that (my problems) will go away." Unser noted that while in rehab no last names were used and many of his fellow patients had no idea of his fame. He has also signed an agreement that he will not disclose any information about the clinic or its whereabouts. Little Al is scheduled to run again in the Indy Racing League this coming weekend at an event in Kentucky. Unser has won the Indy 500 two times. He was arrested two months ago after his girlfriend told police he had assaulted her.

IS HIS HONOR ON A DIET ... OR NOT?

If the new mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, is officially dieting, he won't admit it. The New York Post says that confronted with the question at a recent news conference he simply noted that "that is what some people are saying." But the steak-loving politician has reportedly sworn off red meat, which would make a sterling departure from his usual culinary habits. At a recent visit to a restaurant he noted that he was having fish, "although I would have liked to have had a hamburger." Diet or not, it would appear that the 60-year-old Bloomberg has decided that health may be a primary concern. Even though the millionaire mayor can order anything he wants, he seems to be opting for lighter fare.

MARTHA STEWART FACING MORE QUESTIONS

In the wake of accusations that housewares maven Martha Stewart may have profited from advance Wall Street information, several lawmakers are now suggesting that an official subpoena be issued for Stewart in order to put her under oath. NBC interviewed Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat, about the Stewart flap. He told the news organization that he thinks that the TV personality and writer may have to be hauled into Congress if she does not accept an "unofficial" call for her to appear before a House committee investigating insider trading. The committee, The House Energy and Commerce Committee, has already asked for some of her personal records in trying to sort things out.

NICHOLS ISSUES CALL TO RETURN TO ROOTS

Rising country singer Joe Nichols thinks that most fans of country music would like to see things they way the used to be. He tells Country Music Television that he thinks it's time for a major return to country's roots. Nichols, part Cherokee Indian, says that the time is "ripe for a boom" in that direction. He recently spent an entire day on a wind-swept Los Angeles-area pier filming the video for his latest hit, "The Impossible." He is due to make a major appearance on the cable network's Saturday night songfest, "CMT Most Wanted Live." Nichols is a real success story. A Nashville songwriter who had taken his car in for servicing in Arkansas heard Nichols singing along with a radio at a Jiffy Lube. That was seven years ago. Now he's the major star for a new record label, Universal South. Before being discovered he had worked as a steak salesman, a cable installer and as a furniture mover. During all those mundane jobs, the music kept going through his mind. Now he's finally sharing it with a wider audience than just the customers at a lube shop.

MORE BAD PRESS FOR BALDWIN

Recently we reported that Alec Baldwin will be sharing center-square duties on a redo of "Hollywood Squares," noting that although the move is not necessarily downward, it would seem to put Baldwin far from the top of Movieland favorites. Now, according to reporter Richard Johnson, Baldwin is facing more embarrassment. He is the subject of a Star magazine article that is headlined: "Alec Baldwin Caught in Auction Scandal." The story charges that Baldwin was caught trying to cheat a Sag Harbour theater out of more than $3,000. He may have scratched out the minimum bid listed for a coveted Norman Rockwell, decreasing the price listed. One eyewitness was quoted as saying that maybe Baldwin is down on his luck and could not afford the mentioned price. He ended up paying $7,000 for the painting, though.

OASIS BANDMEMBERS RECUPERATING

In the wake of a head-on collision in Indianapolis, several members of the rock group Oasis are recuperating ... preparing to get back on the road again. Police reports in the Indiana capital city show that Andy Bell, Jay Darlington and Noel Gallagher were in a taxicab that was struck, head-on, by another vehicle this week. MTV says that the majority of the injuries sustained by the two were not severe, mostly bruises and other bumps caused by the air bags that opened upon impact. Noel Gallagher, the group's lead guitarist -- sitting in the front seat -- additionally suffered abrasions and burns from his seatbelt. The group's manager tells the rock service that he is trying to reschedule the missed appearances so no fans will be disappointed.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 389

Inspired by charges that Alec Baldwin was an "auction price-fixer," here is today's question: "Do you often go to auctions, flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores? What about some of the things you've found there?" Put AUCTION in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 384 (AC)

Last week we wondered how much you used air conditioning, or preferred other means of staying cool. From a quick dip into the e-mail basket, here are some replies: Rose writes to say that in her part of California she is stuck with an electric provider that is among the highest around. She can't get away with less than $200 a month during peak AC season. That's why she only turns on the air conditioning in the hottest of weather and uses fans the rest of the time (though she hates the roar of fans). Tish, who lives in the High Desert (in California) -- whose house I pass every time I drive from 'Vegas to Los Angeles -- says her bills are an astronomical $400 a month during the summer, but can't live without AC. Pam lives in "cooler Canada," but says a health problem demands she have cooler air in order to breathe more easily. Brenda is among the many who say that some places over-air condition, such as grocery stores. She uses AC but "not at full tilt." RB remembers the time before air conditioning and doesn't know how we survived. Finally, Btrflybabe (who also lives here in hot-hot Las Vegas) notes that she can't stand it when it's too cold. She says that the casinos, for some reason, are refrigerators and she often has to take a sweater with her when she goes to them. TOMORROW: The oddest of questions. GBA.