FIRST OFF . . .

Luminaries such Cher, Whoopi Goldberg and Valerie Harper joined homeless advocate Mitch Snyder and other celebrities in Washington on Thursday to dish up a traditional Christmas dinner to homeless people. “The guests were excited because they’re feeling special, and they’re feeling special because they’re feeling human,” said Snyder, whose Community for Creative Non-Violence organized the $100,000 charity event. Also participating in the event were: radio personality Casey Kasem, comedian-turned-social activist Dick Gregory, Motion Picture Association of America President Jack Valenti and actor Dennis Quaid. Most of the entertainers coming from Los Angeles were flown in by a $15 million, 14-seat corporate jet donated by Meshulam Riklis, multimillionaire industrialist and husband of singer Pia Zadora.