SET: 'N Sync will kick off its "Celebrity 2002 Tour" of the U.S. on March 3 in Portland, Ore., reports MTV.com. So far, nine dates have been set, mostly on the West Coast, though the five guys say they will canvass the country before winding things up on April 28 in Orlando, Fla. The gig marks the group's first set of concerts since their sold-out "PopOdyssey" stadium tour last year . . . FACED: American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh, 20, appeared in a Virginia court Thursday to address charges that he conspired to kill Americans in Afghanistan. His head and beard shaved, Lindh told a judge that he understood the terrorism charges that could send him to prison for life. His attorney, James Brosnahan, then complained that Lindh had been denied access to a lawyer while being held for nearly eight weeks aboard Navy ships in the Arabian Sea . . . DIED: Calypso musician Lord Pretender (real name: Aldric Farrell), 84, who rose to fame in the 1930s, died at his home in Trinidad Thursday after having suffered throat cancer for years, reports the Associated press. Among his hits were "Never Ever Worry" and "God Made Us All" . . . SHUNNED: A volunteer fire group in Penryn, Pa., is boycotting a YMCA triathlon because it says the club promotes witchcraft by reading Harry Potter books to children. "I don't feel right taking our children's minds and teaching them (witchcraft)," Penryn Fire Police Capt. Robert Fichthorn told the Associated Press. "As long as we don't stand up, it won't stop. It's unfortunate that this is the way it has to be." The YMCA's executive director, Michael Carr, expressed disappointment over the department's decision, but said he doesn't expect that the move will prevent about 600 triathletes from participating in the race . . . DECLARED: The Dec. 16 death of Scottish rock musician Stuart Adamson, 43, has been ruled a suicide, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner's office. The Associated Press reported that the musician had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit when he was found hanged in a Hawaiian hotel room . . . PERFORMED: Musician Freddy Fender, 64, had successful kidney transplant surgery Thursday, with his 21-year-old daughter, Marla Huerta Garcia, providing the necessary organ. The procedure took place at University Hospital in San Antonio. Garcia was in good condition Thursday and is expected to be released this weekend, reports the AP. Fender is expected to attend the Feb. 27 Grammys, where he is up for best Latin pop album ("La Musica de Baldemar Huerta.")