DJ COMMUNITY

Puff Daddy May Get His Eatery, But Name Could Cost Him

March 24, 2000|By Ellen Warren & Terry Armour.

Get ready folks. Puff Daddy is coming to town.

Inc. has learned Sean "Puffy" Combs plans to open one of his Justin's soul food restaurants here, possibly in the South or West Loop. He already has eateries in New York and Atlanta. "That is our next move, to come to Chicago," John Vasquez, general manager of the Manhattan restaurant told Inc.

The Puffster could have naming problems. There is a Justins, in Wrigleyville. But Puff Daddy is set on having the name for his eatery, named after his son. "If he wants to give me $2 million for the name, he can have it," says Justin Salk, owner of Chicago's Justins

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By the way ...

Speaking of celebrity restaurants, looks like Sammy Sosa's might need a new home--even before it opens. The building once known as Michael Jordan's Restaurant, 500 N. LaSalle St., is for sale. Inc. hears this means the Cubs' slugger's eatery, which was to take over the spot, will probably open elsewhere. Gene and Joe Silverberg, controlling owners of Jordan's restaurant, have filed for bankruptcy, but Sosa still wants them to control his place. Stay tuned.

Where have you gone,

charmin' Billy?

Some alums of Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey, are trying to answer the question, "What next for Bill Bradley?" by touting him for university president. The only problem is there is no vacancy--at least not yet. Current President Francis Lawrence has weathered past efforts to oust him.

Da bench

After many, many failed attempts, lawyer Paul Karkula is on his way to becoming a Cook County Circuit Court judge after winning his Democratic primary Tuesday. That means two of Chicagoland's more controversial political figures--former Ald. Edward R. "Fast Eddie" Vrdolyak (10th) and Cicero President Betty Loren-Maltese--will have a friend in court. Karkula once worked in Vrdolyak's law offices before he became attorney for the Town of Cicero.

This just in

If you don't want to know this late-breaking news about the sometimes lame "Ally McBeal" plots, don't read any further. Remember not too long ago when we told you Gil Bellows (Billy) was leaving the show (his character dies of a brain tumor)? Well, that story line could be set in motion on Monday's episode when, as Fox explains, Billy will "give everyone the shock of their lives in court."

The quote

"If it does happen--if I do get an Oscar, you know--it'll go up on a shelf next to my Lego ships (laughing) and that'll be the end of it." That's Haley Joel Osment, on Friday's "Dateline" on NBC, talking about his chances of winning a best supporting actor Oscar for "The Sixth Sense."

... but who's counting?

Friday birthday's: comedian Louie Anderson, 47; actress Lara Flynn Boyle 30; actor Robert Carradine, 46; attorney Robert Clifford, 49; designer Bob Mackie, 60; actress Annabella Sciorra, 36. And special shout-outs to Eugene Peters, who turns 101, and Ted Nelson, who turns 52. Saturday birthday's: modeling executive Eileen Ford, 78; soul diva Aretha Franklin, 58; actress Mary Gross, 47; feminist Gloria Steinem, 66; singer Elton John, 53; ice skater Debi Thomas, 33; actress Sarah Jessica Parker, 35; former astronaut James Lovell, 72.

The Inc. Spot

Warren interviews Sylvia McNair

McNair, 43, is a regular guest soloist with the Chicago Symphony, the New York, Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, and many others. On Sunday, the soprano will perform a program at Orchestra Hall that includes a newpiece written for her by composer John Corigliano. It puts to music the words of songs written by Bob Dylan, including "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Blowin' in the Wind."

Inc.--Do your friends call you Sylvia?

A--What else would they call me? S - - - head?

Inc.--You are a down to earth Midwesterner aren't you? I just thought maybe Sylvia was your stage name.

A--Nope. I'm "Sylvia" and I am from a little town in Ohio--Mansfield. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married just south of Mansfield.

Inc.--Speaking of the Midwest, you're singing Bob Dylan. How's that for a segue?

A--Yeah, he's from Minnesota.

Inc.--Are there any stereotypes about your profession you'd like to dispel?

A--(Laughs) You mean, "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings?"

Inc.--Uh, well, yeah.

A--Today's opera singers are really very trim, very healthy.

The other one I want to dispel is that we're a bunch of stuffy snobs. I'd much rather see Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen play basketball than go to the opera.

Inc.--I'm with ya!