Sat. Aug. 23

He's the father of six, husband of the former MC Justine and he's a minister at Zoe Ministries. He's also the co-leader of "Run's House," the MTV series beginning its fifth season. Of course, that's not how we first saw Joseph Simmons, known then as Run - part of Run-DMC - when they brought the rock and rap communities together back in the day. Run never rapped about bitches and ho's; my favorite rhyme was "Calvin Klein's no friend of mine/Don't want nobody's name on my behind" (about branding and consumerism) and my least favorite song was "My Adidas." (Have we had a change of mind here about slinging about famous names?) At any rate, Rev. Run has taken what he gained from his Run-DMC days, and put it into religion and fatherhood, and, with his wife, written "Take Back Your Family: A Challenge to America's Parents." He's at Brookline Booksmith Saturday Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. for what's being called a signing. (What, no talk? Somehow we think he could be coaxed ... ) Run's ideas about family have to do with running your family as a COE - Chief Office of Everything - establish firm values, lead by example, do not by hypocritical, and realizing that in a permissive world, children need more rules and parental involvement, not less. Check out the good Reverend, and give him props for his past, present and what he portends for the future. All good things. Free.
279 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-566-6660 www.brooklinebooksmith.com