The famous sister

Maureen McCormick, who turns 52 on Aug. 5, is finally ready to release her autobiography.

The actress who played eldest Brady daughter Marcia on the 70s sitcom "The Brady Bunch" spent the past two years writing "Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and finding My True Voice" (2008 HarperCollins $25.95). The 304-page hardcover, which includes plenty of show biz dish and rare photos, will be in stores in September.

McCormick will be in Chicago signing her new book at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Borders Books and Music, 830 N. Michigan Ave.

Most recently, she's garnered attention as one of the reality stars on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club," in 2007 and then, this spring, as one of the stars of the cable CMT (Country Music Television) reality show "Gone Country." Ironically, the latter reality show was taped at country singer Barbara Mandrell's former White Creek 27,000-- square-foot log-constructed Fontanel Mansion in Nashville, which was purchased as part of the 136-acre estate.

McCormick played Mandrell in the 1997 TV movie "Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story," which was based on the singer's own memoir.

(Interesting side point: The sale price wasn't disclosed. But according to reports, the house and property had been on the market for a $14 million asking price from Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, who manage country singers Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich and who bought the property from Mandrell in 2002 while she was downsizing her affairs. Back then, she ended up selling it for $2.1 million, far below the $7 million she was asking, since she spent more than $6 to build it in 1988.)

McCormick has had a long, rollercoaster career, including a stint trying her hand at made-for-TV movies like the 1979 "Vacation to Hell," which she did at age 22, post "Brady Bunch," co-starring opposite actress Barbara Feldon (of "Get Smart" fame) and now acclaimed stage star Andrea Marcovicci, Priscilla Barnes ("Three's Company") and nerdy Michael Brandon. They played a group of vacationers terrorized by natives on a tropical island.

A great experience

I'm still hearing good things about last weekend's free concert at Ameristar Casino and Hotel in East Chicago starring Lionel Richie.

For example, this is from reader Felicia Tillis:

Hello Phillip,

"I'm writing to inform you that Lionel Richie was definitely a crowd pleaser last Sunday evening. My two teenage children requested a meet and greet with Lionel for me through the Ameristar Casino. Mr. Richie granted them the wish. I was totally surprised as I thought I was just attending a concert. I had no knowledge that I was to meet Lionel after 30 years of waiting. You see, I have adored him since I was 13-years-old. It was totally awesome. I still can't believe I actually met him. He is so wonderful. He is just as his lyrics would make him seem: kind and gentle. He is simply the best and better than all the rest. I wish him continuous success in all that he does. I don't think he'll ever know just how much this meet and greet meant to me and my family. We also took photos. I want the world to know how terrific he is to fans. The concert was truly amazing. I am eternally grateful to Lionel and the entire Ameristar Casino."

Felicia

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

celebBirthdays

TV producer Norman Lear is 86. Impressionist Will Jordan (always as Ed Sullivan, "Down with Love" "The Doors") is 81. Singer Harvey Fuqua of The Moonglows is 79. Actor Jerry Van Dyke ("Coach") is 77. Actor John Pleshette ("Knots Landing") and astrologer Mystic Meg are 66. Singer Bobbie Gentry is 64. Actress-director Betty Thomas ("Hill Street Blues") is 60. Singer Maureen McGovern is 59. Actress Roxanne Hart ("Chicago Hope") is 56. Actor Yahoo Series ("Young Einstein") is 55. Comedienne Carol Leifer (said to be the inspiration for "Seinfeld" character Elaine Marie Benes) and country guitarist Duncan Cameron of Sawyer Brown is 53. Country singer Stacy Dean Campbell and singer Juliana Hatfield are 41. Actor Julian McMahon ("Profiler") is 40. Comedian Maya Rudolph ("Saturday Night Live") is 36. Singer Pete Yorn is 34. Baseball star Alex Rodriguez is

33.