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On the weekend before Valentine’s Day, down-to-earth romance trumped intergalactic love at the box office.

Dear John, based on a teary tale by Nicholas Sparks and starring Channing Tatum and Allentown’s own Amanda Seyfried, raked in $32.4 million on its debut weekend to dethrone James Cameron‘s blockbuster, Avatar, which had held down the top spot for seven weeks.

Avatar slipped to second with a still very respectable $23.6 mil, bringing its total take at the domestic box office to a whopping $630.1 million – a record. Avatar already had soared past previous record holder Titanic, also a Cameron film, which took in $600.8 million during its glorious run on U.S. screens.

Miley Cyrus helps out

If you are a faithful reader of this column, then you know that celebrity folly is meat and drink to “Sideshow.” but let it not be said that we are blind to the good that celebs do. In that vein, we direct your attention to Miley Cyrus‘ effort, as reported by People magazine’s Web site, to organize an online auction for the benefit of earthquake victims in Haiti.

The 17-year-old singer tells People: “Ever since the earthquake, I’ve been trying to do my part to help the people of Haiti – and I wanted to do more.”

The Herve Leger dress that she wore to the Grammy Awards Jan. 31 will be up for bids today at Ebay.com/Miley. Two tix for the Hollywood premiere of her forthcoming film, The last Song, also will be offered at the online auction site.

Cyrus reached out to a few of her pals. Nicole Richie came across with jewelry from her House of Harlow line and Britney Spears donated the silver Versace minidress she wore to the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

“Everyone has been so generous,” Cyrus said. “My mom and I started calling and texting all of our friends to see if they’d like to be a part of the auction. Demi [Lovato] was one of the first to respond. Hugh Jackman was also excited to donate something.”

All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross for emergency relief efforts in Haiti, People reports.

Bullock discounts Oscar nod

Sandra Bullock is not clearing a space on the mantel for an Oscar. People.com reports that Bullock, nominated for best actress for her star turn in The Blind Side, told reporters at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Friday that she is certain the name called when the envelope is opened will not be hers. “I’m so not winning an Oscar,” said Bullock, who did win the Santa Barbara Festival’s American Riviera Award for her influence on American film. Bullock, 45, calls herself a good Oscar handicapper, saying she’s right nine times out of 10. She’s sure she has this year’s winner figured out. Who might that be? She isn’t saying.

Wedding bells for William?

The Telegraph newspaper in Britain sees signs that an engagement may be in the offing between Prince William and Kate Middleton. the Telegraph quotes an anonymous bud of Middleton’s dad, prosperous businessman Michael Middleton, as saying, “We are all convinced an engagement announcement is imminent.” the reason? Michael Middleton, a purveyor of kids’ party products, is said to be thinking about stepping back from the family biz for a bit. What else could he be doing but planning a wedding, concluded friends and neighbors in the Berkshire village of Bucklebury. “Sideshow” suggests a wait-and-see approach. Wills, 27, offspring of Prince Charles and Princess Diana is second in line of succession. he and the fair Kate, 28, met when both were students at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland.

Contact “Sideshow” at sideshow@phillynews.com.

This column contains information from

Web sites and from Inquirer wire services.