Kate and Lance’s Independence Day Smooch

Kate and Lance’s Independence Day Smooch

With their romance in full bloom, Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong joined in on the Fourth of July festivities at pal Courteney Cox’s house on Friday (July 4).

For the celebratory outing, Kate sported a festive hair wrap while carrying her son Ryder - who appeared to be sound asleep - as Lance stood nearby.

According to an insider on the scene, “Lance constantly kept his hand close to her as she smiled adoringly at her newfound love.”

Eventually the couple leaned in for a quick, tender kiss before heading in for the party, where, it can be assumed that they kept on with their PDA loving ways!

George Clooney: Still Single

George Clooney

Good news for any ladies angling to be the next to steal George Clooney’s heart: He’s still available.

Despite recent reports that Clooney has already moved on from ex Sarah Larson, sources tell News that Clooney is still licking his woundsalone. “He is not dating anyone at all,” says a source. “Anyone who says he is already dating doesn’t know what they are talking about.”

We’re told that Clooney, rather than wining and dining the ladies on his annual summer vacation at his villa on Italy’s Lake Como, has been playing host to friends and, believe it or not, getting work done.

“He’s doing a lot of reading of scripts and writing,” says a source in Italy.

So what about the supposed “mystery brunettes” that were seen on one of Clooney’s boats back on June 14? Well, News has identified the dark-haired beauties.

The older woman in the pics is the wife of a Clooney business associate, and the younger brunette is none other than our colleague Olivia Munn, host of G4’s Attack of the Show, who was visiting Clooney with her boyfriend/close Clooney pal, actor Bryan Greenberg.

Katherine Heigl Visits T.R., Finds Lost Dog

Katherine Heigl Visits T.R., Finds Lost Dog

While a booming career and new marriage would be enough to wear most people out, Katherine Heigl is constantly on the go.  And yesterday the paparazzi spotted her out and about running errands.

The “27 Dresses” babe looked like a woman on a mission as she made her way around Los Feliz, California stopping off at her mother’s house before heading over to pal T.R. Knight’s pad.

Upon returning home, Heigl was pleasantly surprised to find that her missing pooch (who had snuck out of her backyard) had been safely returned by a neighbor.

Along with her decision to pull herself out of the Emmy race has come widespread speculation over whether or not she’s leaving her hit show “Grey’s Anatomy.” And hubby Josh Kelley recently told press he’s behind her either way. “I’m always supportive of Katie, no matter what she does.”

Will Smith’s Cursive Combat with Cruise

Will Smith, Tom Cruise

They say the pen is mightier than the sword.

And in Hollywood, sometimes a Sharpie can be more important than the box officeat least when it comes to Will Smith and his pal Tom Cruise.

The Hancock star tells USA Today about the friendly stars’ long-standing rivalry about who spends the most time signing his, well, John Hancock.

“It’s hard to beat that dude,” says Smith. “He has another gear. He did 2½ hours in France for Mission: Impossible on the red carpet. Now when I go to France, people will say, ’You know, Tom was out here for 2½ hours.’ ”

Despite such competitiveness between the Tinseltown titans, Smith is still protective of his friend…

On the subject of how the media relentlessly harps on Cruise’s involvement with Scientology, he says: “That’s painful for me to see. I’ve met very few people committed to goodness the way Tom is. We disagree on a lot of things…but even with different faiths and different beliefs, at the end of the day, goodness is goodness.”