Move Over, Mr. Shakespeare

The news that actor-director Kenneth Branagh (you know, Emma Thompson’s husband) is scheduled for a book signing for “Much Ado About Nothing” gave us pause. We thought of the real author, who can’t be at Brentano’s in Century City for “an exclusive Los Angeles autograph session” Tuesday afternoon.

Branagh, of course, is the director and co-star of a new film adaptation of the work. It turns out, he will sign his version, “Kenneth Branagh: Much Ado About Nothing.” It includes his introduction, his script adaptation and stills from his soon-to-open movie.

We’d have called it “Kenneth Branagh: William Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’ ”

Presidential Psychic

Social Climes came across an item in the May Town & Country magazine classifieds that piqued our interest. In the midst of notices for riding schools in Vermont, pricey real estate in the Bahamas and camps for children with insufficient self-esteem, we spotted an ad for a psychic in our own back yard.

The ad stated that Averi Torres, an “accurate and astounding Malibu psychic,” has been an “adviser to recent U.S. Presidents.” Presidents . Plural. It went on to offer “powerful insights,” presumably to former chief executives and average citizens alike. Divinations were available in person or by telephone, payable by MasterCard or Visa.

Curious, we gave Torres a call. We wanted to know which recent Presidents had been asking for advice. Did one mention anyone named Nancy? What did the Presidents want? Did they pay by credit card?

Torres, though friendly, when asked which of the six living former and current Presidents she advised, issued a very presidential “No comment.” She said, yes, it was Presidents, plural. That she didn’t advise Nancy Reagan (“she’s into astrology”).

Torres said she was a psychometrist, one who holds a personal object and feels the vibrations of its owner. She would not say if she had a pair of Gerald Ford’s golf socks around the office. She did think it would be a good idea if we came in for a reading. We’re debating that now.

ESSENTIALS

What you need to maneuver the L.A. scene: Forget briefcases, tote bags and oversized handbags. Backpacks are being spotted more and more around town, slung over the shoulders of men and women for that look that says they’re still in the college state of mind.

Even before Demi Moore’s character in “Indecent Proposal” was schlepping that sorry-looking knapsack, packs had become quite the must-have accessory. They’re perfect for men who hate those ‘70s-style men’s purses but can’t commit to a full-on briefcase.

In case you’re worried you’ll have to settle for some hideous nylon thing from a discount store, Coach offers a lovely leather model for a mere $298.