Combing through it

Here's the media pitch I was sent: "The perfect way to have the hair of your dreams on your big day. Lots of brides-to-be grow out their hair for months before their wedding. But what if your hair grows painfully slow or you prefer having a short haircut most of the time?"

Singer Jessica Simpson wants to help.

With some assistance from her stylist Ken Paves, Simpson has created "hairdo Clip-In Wavy Extensions" manufactured by Hair U Wear and made from a synthetic fiber that replicates the look and feel of human hair and is available in 15-inch and 23-inch varieties. They cost $90 to $100 and are available at www.hairuwear.com.

If you go to my column on our online edition at nwi.com, you can see Simpson modeling her line of hair extensions.

Creative ice cream

Patricia Berning, owner of Pat's Ice Cream Parlor at 222 Lincolnway, Valparaiso, has been scooping ice cream for 30 years.

But even Berning was surprised to receive her two newest flavors for May provided by the family-owned ice cream company in Wisconsin called The Chocolate Shoppe, which supplies her ice cream.

When I reported last fall about her black licorice ice cream variety, many readers found it unusually good.

Now, added to her 38 flavors are "hot pepper" and Mexican rice milk ice cream called "Horchata."

I've sampled them both, and you'd be surprised ...

Just announced

The Porter County Fair Board announced Thursday the headline entertainment for this summer's grandstand venue. It's Trace Adkins with Billy Currington 8 p.m. July 2, Dierks Bentley 8 p.m. July 22 and musical group Chicago 8 p.m. July 23. Tickets for all shows are $25 to $40. Beginning 9 a.m. today, you can order tickets for all the shows online at www.indiana105.com or www.z1071.com and www.xrock1039.com as part of an exclusive presale before tickets go on regular sale May 11 once the Porter County Fair office ticket line opens at (219) 464-2993.

Quoted

On Tuesday, more than 1,000 magazine editors, publishers and industry professionals attended the 42nd annual National Magazine Awards hosted by the American Society for Magazine Editors (ASME) held at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, in New York City.

In attendance were Martha Stewart, Jann Wenner of "Rolling Stone," Gayle King, editor of "O, The Oprah Magazine" and Anna Wintour, editor of "Vogue."

Best quote of the night came from award presenter and actor Kevin Bacon: "Since you're all here, I might tell you I haven't had a magazine cover since 1982."

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

celebBirthdays

Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson is 77. Surf guitarist Dick Dale is 70. Syndicated political columnist George Will is 66. Singer-songwriter Nick Ashford of Ashford and Simpson is 65. Singer Peggy Santiglia of The Angels is 63. Country singer Stella Parton is 58. Singer Jackie Jackson of The Jacksons and guitarist Nick Moss of Motley Crue are 56. Singer Oleta Adams is 54. Actress/singer Pia Zadora is 53. Country singer Randy Travis and former child actress Inger Nilsson (the original film "Pippi Longstocking") are 48. Actress Mary McDonough ("The Waltons") is 46. Comedian Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live") is 40. Bassist Mike Dirnt of Green Day is 35. Singer Lance Bass of 'N Sync is 28. Trumpet player Jose Castellanos of Save Ferris is 30. Miles Guthrie Robbins (son of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon) is 15.