Actor Tim Robbins and his wife, actress Susan Sarandon, campaigned in Bedford, N.H., on Monday for Edwards. Also present were actors Madeleine Stowe and James Denton, who plays the plumber, Mike, on the TV show "Desperate Housewives."

Robbins kicked off the party by pooh-poohing all the polls showing his man going down today in New Hampshire.

"Out of 96 polls in the past four months, only four got them right," Robbins told the crowd. "I don't know if there are any teachers out there, but that's a failing grade."

And touching on the theme of the day, Sarandon told Dome that Edwards is appealing to New Hampshire residents with his message.

"I think that people want change, however they see that," Sarandon said. "I think Obama's a great man. I just don't get the passion for the fight; I think he's much more cautious."

About three dozen guests attended the party, along with about four dozen members of the press.

Change sings in N.H.

Speaking of celebrities, politics and change, Sheryl Crow may be having her moment in New Hampshire.

Crow's 1996 song "A Change Would Do You Good" has appeared on the pre-rally song lists of Edwards and Hillary Clinton.

As far as music goes, Crow is a safe choice for mainstream rock, though the lyrics to this song are not as PG-rated as you may have thought.

Among Democrats, she's also a good pick, known for raising awareness of global warming with environmental activist Laurie David. (And equally derided in other quarters for famously suggesting a ban on using too much toilet paper.)

Still, there are other choices out there if "change" is the message. For the smart set, there's David Bowie's "Changes." There's the classic civil-rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke (or Aretha Franklin's more personal version, which might suit Edwards better with its "born by the river in a little tent" vibe.).

And, of course, there's "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by the Byrds, although that may be too boomer-centric for anyone but Clinton.

Longtime PIO dies of cancer

Juan Santos, a veteran public information officer in state government, died Sunday after a long fight with cancer.

Santos, 60, of Wake Forest, had been communications director of the state Department of Labor for the past seven years.

"He was a true and trusted friend," said Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. "He was one of the best communications directors I've ever ever seen. He had such a love for his family and a zest for life."

The Texas native had also worked as public information officer for the State Energy Office, and as Highway Trust Fund information coordinator with the Department of Transportation.

Santos also had a career in newspapers, working as a reporter in the 1980s with The News & Observer and the Greensboro News & Record as well as managing editor of The Reporter magazine in Washington D.C.

N.C. colleges rate as bargain

Six North Carolina universities are ranked in the top 100 by Kiplinger's Personal Finance as the country's "Best Values."

The magazine's February edition ranks UNC-Chapel Hill No. 1 for the seventh consecutive year. N.C. State University is No. 13, Appalachian State is 27, UNC-Wilmington is 36, UNC-Asheville is 40 and UNC-Greensboro was ranked No. 68.

The rankings are based on cost and are designed to combine value with a first-class education.

More on the rankings can be found at www.kiplinger.com.

GOP gubernatorial debate

WRAL is hosting a debate for the Republican gubernatorial candidates.

The debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 17. The station plans to air the event live for a commercial-free hour.

The three Republicans running for governor are Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and state Sen. Fred Smith.

Starting this week, UNC-TV will begin a series of forums featuring all the candidates.