WASHINGTON — One thing President-elect Barack Obama won't be changing: the White House chef.

Transition officials say Cristeta Comerford will stay on for the Obamas. Comerford is the first woman and first minority to serve as White House executive chef.

Michelle Obama said she and Comerford agree on "the importance of healthy eating and healthy families."

Comerford is a naturalized U.S. citizen from the Philippines who studied French cooking in Vienna, Austria, and specializes in ethnic and American cuisine.

BONO PENNING OPINION COLUMN

NEW YORK — Can he type with those shades on? Bono will write an op-ed column for The New York Times.

The paper announced that the rock star's first column will appear tomorrow, for which he will also do a podcast. His column will appear occasionally.

Bono called the gig "an honor," and joked that he's "never been great with the full stops or commas."

The Times said the column will cover a broad range of topics.

The 48-year-old U2 frontman has been an advocate in the fight against AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Times editorial page editor Andrew Rosenthal said Bono "is an extraordinary man who thinks deeply about his art and the major issues confronting the world."

ODDS ARE CAREY WILL KEEP DAY JOB

DALLAS — It won't solve the nation's growing unemployment problems, but Dallas-based Chili's Grill & Bar is prepared to offer a manager's job to actor, comedian and game show host Drew Carey.

In a recent interview with the Washington Post, the host of "Whose Line is It Anyway?" said that if the whole acting thing had not panned out, he'd "probably (be) managing a restaurant ... I'd be at a Chili's near you. I'd be the boss that everybody liked."

Jumping on the opportunity to garner some lighthearted headlines for the chain, Chili's President Todd Diener invited the comedian to "fulfill your long-held desire by managing one of our Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants for a few hours."

Carey could work at one of the 53 Chili's in the Los Angeles area, Diener said. The chain is owned by Dallas-based Brinker International Inc.

SWAYZE TREATED FOR PNEUMONIA

HOLLYWOOD — Patrick Swayze, who has been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, checked into a hospital yesterday.

Swayze, 56, was supposed to appear on a panel at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Los Angeles to promote his new A&E show, "The Beast." But when introducing the panel, A&E's Abbe Raven announced that Swayze has pneumonia as a result of chemotherapy treatments.

'HEE-HAW' STAR JON HAGER DIES

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jon Hager, who performed in the musical comedy duo The Hager Twins on "Hee-Haw," has died. He was 67.

Sam Lovullo, who produced "Hee-Haw" and was a friend of Hager's, said Hager was found dead in his apartment yesterday morning. He was found in bed and apparently died in his sleep.