Model behavior

Heather Kuzmich, 21, of Valparaiso," one of the 13 women competing on the CW Network's popular reality show "America's Next Top Model," has made it to the final six week stretch.

Once we get to November sweeps weeks, we will know which one of the final remaining eight ladies walks the runway home with the grand prize for this season's "America's Next Top Model: Cycle 9," which is: the chance to be managed by Elite Model Management and receive a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl, in addition to appearing on the cover and in a six-page fashion spread in "Seventeen" magazine.

On last week's show [OCT 24], which featured guest star appearances by male model Tyson Beckford and singer Mary J. Blige, Kuzmich, a 2005 graduate of Valparaiso High School and daughter of Robert and Penny Kuzmich, fared well in one of the week's challenges.

On Wednesday's telecast, Heather, who is a student at Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago, won a photo shoot art-directed by Blige and shot by industry favored photog Matthew Rolston. Even better for Heather, their session will concentrate on face forward shots, since in previous weeks, the judges have been critical of Heather relying on too many profile photos for her portfolio.

If you're not familiar with this reality show, which was taped and wrapped months earlier for the fall season, it's hosted by model Tyra Banks, who also serves as executive producer for the program and one of the judges. Other judges include legendary model Twiggy Lawson and make-up artist Jay Manuel.

(Twiggy blasted the first contestant to be eliminated on last season's show, or saying she believes it is okay to wear fur, as long as the animals "died of natural causes.")

As for Kuzmich, at least she is getting plenty of national press.

She turned up in the Oct. 22 "People" magazine with a one page spread (and yep, another profile photo), in a story that talks about her struggle with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism which hampers social interaction and ramps up emotional worries. (As with my attempts, the magazine didn't actually get to Heather, explaining in the story that she is not allowed to do interviews until the show's finale has aired.)

I will say I am told by my sources that Heather finishes in sixth place, which means, if my information is correct, you still have two more weeks to watch her strut herself. And if I'm wrong, I will happily be revealed, and eager for an interview either way, following the show's big finish at the end of November.

Having reservations

On the subject of November, Russ and Nancy Adams, who own Strongbow Inn, live Thanksgiving every day of the year at their famed turkey-inspired restaurant in Valparaiso.

Reservations to spend Thanksgiving Day at Strongbow Inn opened Aug. 1 and they're already more than 60 percent booked. Each seating capacity at any given time for November's biggest holiday is around 700, and the restaurant staff will serve more than 3,000 dinner guests by the end of the day. (219) 462-5121.

celebBirthdays

Actress Joan Plowright is 78. Country musician Charlie Daniels is 71. Actress Jane Alexander is 68. Singer Curtis Lee is 66. Actor Dennis Franz ("NYPD Blue") is 63. Singer Wayne Fontana of Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders is 62. Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner and cowboy son Roy Rogers Jr. are 61. Actress-singer Telma Hopkins (Tony Orlando and Dawn) is 59. Actress Annie Potts is 55. Billionaire Bill Gates is 52. Drummer Stephen Morris of New Order is 50. Singer-guitarist William Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain is 49. Actress Daphne Zuniga ("Melrose Place") is 45. Actress Lauren Holly is 44. Actress Jami Gertz is 42. Actor-comedian Andy Richter is 41. Actress Julia Roberts is 40. Fiddler Caitlin Cary (Whiskeytown) is 39. Singer Ben Harper is 38. Country singer Brad Paisley is 35. Actor Joaquin Phoenix is 33. Singer Justin

Guarini ("American Idol") is 29.