Ilana Blitzer

Ilana Michelle Blitzer, the daughter of Lynn Blitzer and Wolf Blitzer, the television news anchor, of Bethesda, Md., was married Saturday evening to Joseph Orrin Gendelman, a son of Lori and Bruce Gendelman of Palm Beach, Fla. Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer officiated at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, with Cantor Josh Perlman taking part.

The bride, 27, works in New York as the beauty editor of Family Circle. She graduated from Emory.

Her mother is a personal shopper at the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Chevy Chase, Md. Her father works from Washington as the anchor of two CNN shows, “The Situation Room” and “Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer.”

The bridegroom, 29, is the president of Bruce Gendelman Insurance Services, a property and casualty insurance agency based in Palm Beach and Milwaukee; his father is the chairman. The bridegroom also graduated from Emory.

The road that would eventually lead Ms. Blitzer to Mr. Gendelman began near a hotel hot tub in Aspen, Colo., in July 2001. While on vacation there, Ms. Blitzer and her mother met Mr. Gendelman’s father and Jordan, a younger brother of the bridegroom. After hanging out poolside, the Blitzers and Gendelmans decided to meet for dinner that evening. By the end of the night, the families had become friends.

Over the next few years, Mr. and Mrs. Blitzer and Mr. and Mrs. Gendelman continued to see one another on summer vacations in Aspen. In July 2004, while the parents dined, their conversation turned to Ilana Blitzer’s search for a New York apartment.

As it turned out, Jordan Gendelman was moving out of his Upper West Side apartment, so they suggested Ms. Blitzer take a look.

Jordan’s father, who was convinced that Joseph Gendelman, his eldest son, and Ms. Blitzer were meant for each other, jokingly told Ms. Blitzer’s mother, “I’ll put on a beautiful rehearsal dinner, if you put on the wedding.”

Although they had attended the same university, Joseph and Ilana had never met.

Ms. Blitzer liked the apartment well enough to take it, in September 2004. At that time, Mr. and Mrs. Gendelman were visiting New York, and took Ms. Blitzer out for lunch, where Mr. Gendelman snapped a few pictures of Ms. Blitzer, telling her, “These are for Joseph,” he recalled.

He immediately e-mailed them to Joseph, who then lived in Miami. Joseph eventually sent Ms. Blitzer a friendly text message on her phone.

“Did you see the pictures?” she wrote back.

He responded, “Why do you think I’m writing?”

The two stayed in touch by e-mail and phone until they agreed they should meet for a formal date.

When Mr. Gendelman arrived at Ms. Blitzer’s apartment, she opened the door — and fainted.

“I was just so nervous, I forgot to eat,” she explained.

In October 2007, Ms. Blitzer returned from work to that same apartment, only to find Mr. Gendelman and a strange-looking contraption on the counter.

“What is that thing?” she asked.

Mr. Gendelman warned, “It’s a breathing machine — you might need that.”

Then, in the exact spot where she had fainted, he handed her an engagement ring.

Sarah Palin in a Towel ???

Sarah Palin in a Towel? Clueless on Africa? Wasilla Hillbillies?

Sarah Palin Winks Lasciviously at the Crowds. Because you know thats just how people like her are, all trailer trash and slutzy. And her ultra-hot MILFness is supposed to turn conservative voters off. Huh.

Milquetoast conservatives bring out the long knives for Sarah Palin while the left continue to be angry, hostile, and remarkably ungracious winners. Other people are documenting right-wingers being sore losers, so I ain’t going to bother on that.

Although, I will note they are predicting the GOP is going to self-destruct. How long had pundits on each side predicted the other party was going to self-destruct? Or that their party was going to enjoy a permanent majority? You know what, it almost never happens. Historically, I think the 40-year one-party rule of the Democrat house is going to turn out to have been a fluke. The Whitehouse changes party hands, on average, about every eight years. Pick up a history book, you goobers.

But back to Sarah Palin. Male McCain staffers got to enjoy Sarah Palin coming out in a towel and their complaining? Not only should they be fired, they should be stripped of any claims they had to supposed “manhood”.

Here is a Dramatic Re-Enactment of Sarah Palin Coming Out, Wrapped in Towel. McCain staffers are apparently not only self-loathing and America-hating left-of-center moderates, they’re also nuetered, desexualized eunuchs or something.

Sarah Palin doesn’t know Africa is a continent? Didn’t know what countries were part of NAFTA? Bullshizzle and bullshizzle. In fact, that sounds like folks tried to trap her. They set her up with Charlie Gibson. They set her up with Katie Couric. She spent some, but not nearly enough, time on friendly media. She was set up by losers in the McCain camp, and now they’re trying to make her out to be the problem when, in fact, they were.

I don’t mean to be ungracious, but I hope they all choke on pretzels.

Ben France on the Bullshizzle Palin Smears. Way to go Ben. Take on these retarded mofos who think we’re all as stupid as they claim Palin is.

McCain aids let loose on “Wasilla Hillbillies”. Someone needs to let loose on “McCain’s Loser Campaign Staff that Ran a Losing Campaign and Should Never Be Employed By Anyone Running a Political Campain, Unless they want to Lose–Again”.

Fortunately, Sarah Palin aides are firing back. Toldya, they ain’t going nowhere. Youbetcha.

Nicolle Wallace, who would know, defends Sarah Palin and–get this!–does it publically, and uses her real name and everything. Unlike the “anonymous” staffers who are throwing rocks at Palin’s care from the bridge, the running away as fast as their fat little legs can carry them. Campbell Brown on the falseness of the Palin smears. The Provocateur knows the Sarah Palin smears are bunk. More good points from a Marketplace of Ideas.

Will it work? We shall see. But, I think those folks are full of it, and as long as Republicans want to take their advice on how to campaign and who to nominate in our primaries, Republicans will lose those elections. Bottom line.

Ashley Alexandra Dupre - No charges for ex-NY governor in prostitution case

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that they will not bring criminal charges against Eliot Spitzer for his role in a prostitution scandal, removing a legal cloud that has surrounded the former New York governor since his epic downfall eight months ago.

U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said investigators found no evidence that Eliot Spitzer or his office misused public or campaign funds for prostitution. Investigators found that Eliot Spitzer solicited high-priced call girls, but federal prosecutors typically do not prosecute clients of prostitution rings.

"After a thorough investigation, this office has uncovered no evidence of misuse of public or campaign funds," Garcia said. "We have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter."

The announcement by Garcia signals the end of the bombshell investigation of Emperors Club VIP and means that nine other men described in an indictment as clients of the lucrative prostitution service also have escaped charges. Those clients were never identified.

Legal experts said that local authorities technically could still charge Eliot Spitzer as a john, but that it would be highly unlikely.

A remorseful Eliot Spitzer issued a statement in which he expressed relief that he will not face charges.

"I appreciate the impartiality and thoroughness of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office, and I acknowledge and accept responsibility for the conduct it disclosed," he said. "I resigned my position as Governor because I recognized that conduct was unworthy of an elected official. I once again apologize for my actions."

Spitzer was out of town and unavailable for further comment.

He resigned in March after it was disclosed he was referred to in court papers as "Client-9," who spent thousands of dollars on a call girl at a swanky Washington, D.C., hotel on the night before Valentine's Day.

Garcia said that Eliot Spitzer later revealed to investigators that on multiple occasions he arranged for women to travel from one state to another state to engage in prostitution.

The scandal ruined a promising political career for Eliot Spitzer, who won a landslide election in 2006 with a vow to clean up corruption. He has remained out of the spotlight since his shocking resignation, spending time with his wife and three daughters, working for his father's real estate business and occasionally being photographed running in Central Park.

He also assembled a high-powered team of lawyers who made an intense behind-the-scenes lobbying effort with the U.S. attorney's public corruption unit. His legal team included former prosecutors.

But prosecutors' options were limited once they found he didn't violate campaign finance rules.

Authorities could have charged Eliot Spitzer with violating the Mann Act, a federal law that bans carrying women or girls across state lines for "prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose." But the legal experts say the law is rarely used to prosecute johns.

"I would have been more surprised had he been charged," said Elkan Abramowitz, chief of the criminal division in the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan in the 1970s. "Once they determined that he didn't use state or campaign money but apparently must have only used his personal money, I am not surprised they decided not to prosecute."

Another former federal prosecutor, Brad Simon, said other factors, including lobbying by Spitzers' attorneys, might have influenced the decision.

Prosecutors "have discretion, and they used it," Simon said.

The lawyer for Ashley Alexandra Dupre, the former call girl whose tryst with Spitzer sparked the investigation, said she's glad the matter is resolved.

"She's going to move on with her life," attorney Don D. Buchwald said.

Four people pleaded guilty in recent months to running the prostitution operation that led to Spitzer's political demise.

Michael C. Farkas, the lawyer one of the escort service's booking agents, blasted the decision not to prosecute Spitzer. His client, 36-year-old Tanya Hollander, pleaded guilty and admitted to helping run the ring, and she is scheduled to be sentenced this month.

"She still faces a jail sentence, while some other more infamous actors in this matter do not. It would be a sad injustice if that were to occur," Farkas said.

Murray Richman, lawyer for the 62-year-old operator of the escort service, Mark Brener, said prosecutors "did the proper thing." He said he could not "perceive how Spitzer was involved in any criminal conduct," noting that the governor did pay a price for his choices.

The lesson of the case "is that if you're a public official, you can't be a private person," he said.

Michelle Obama’s Dress - election night dress ???

Last night not only marked the historic election of Barack Obama, but also his wife Michelle Obama taking on the role of First Lady. We’ve already seen her refined sense of style on the campaign trail, and Michelle upped the style quotient with a fashion-forward Narciso Rodriguez sheath for her husband’s acceptance speech last night. We applaud Michelle’s support for a top American designer and admire her ability to pull off high style with ease. But we want to know what you thought of her dress!

Michelle Obama’s Election Day Dress, The Lob, And Target’s New Designer

Such a historic night! Such an inspiring speech!

And -- sorry, but we have to say it -- such a disasterous dress.

The fashion community is almost speechless about our soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama's strange red and black dress.

Blame it on Narciso Rodriquez, a New York fashion designer, who made the bizarre dress that looked more like a Halloween costume than an election night frock.

It's from his spring '09 collection and is described as a red and black sleeveless sheath with a criss-crossed black satin cummerbund.

So that's what that thing is called? Good to know. Now we will avoid dresses with cummerbunds at all cost.

It was great for Michelle to support an American designer. She's been doing that a lot during the campaign, wearing J. Crew, Thakoon, Isabel Toledo and Maria Pinto.

But surely one look in a full-length mirror would have told her that this dress was not flattering.

However, it did match well with her daughters' red and black choices.

Where can you buy Michelle Obama’s election night dress?

For I’m sure Michelle Obama’s election night dress will sell even better than that black and white store dress she wore on The View.

Just digging around, I’ve found the Narcisco Rodriguez collection on Berdorf Goodman, and more here at Neiman Marcus, but I’m still looking for the specific dress Michelle Obama wore.

I also see that Michelle Obama’s dress was part of Narcisco Rodriguez’ Spring 2009 Ready to Wear collection, and seeing as though I’ve never purchased a pret-a-porte dress — that I can think of — I want to know how to find this dress.

Election News : Voting Results

Dixville Notch Voting Results

Dixville Notch has been the first to post voting results since 1960. Every time (other than when Nixon ran) the town has gone Republican, seems even small town real Americans are looking for a change.

McCain: 6

Obama: 15

Obama leads in dash for cash

We knew this was going to be an expensive election when Federal Election Commission officials argued that for any candidate to be taken seriously in the 2008 election, he or she would have to have raised at least $100 million US by the end of 2007.

Now, after candidates, particularly on the Democratic side, have continuously broken fundraising records, the combined amount raised and spent has broken the $1 billion US mark. Here’s a look at
who got what and where it went:

ELECTION: Virginia voting at a record pace

The executive secretary of the State Board of Elections said at a briefing in Richmond that 30 percent to 40 percent of the state's more than 5 million registered voters had cast ballots this morning.

Nancy Rodrigues said that typically the turnout is about one-half of that pace.

She estimated that more than 75 percent of Virginia's registered voters will have cast ballots by the time the polls close at 7 p.m.

While Rodrigues acknowledged long lines at the polls and some problems with voting machines, she said it is not extraordinary given the historic nature of this vote.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have heavily courted Virginia, a battleground state in the presidential election.

Sexy candy corn, Jesse Jane, hosts Halloween at Prive

A newer Vegas tradition has become the mixture of adult film stars and Halloween costume contests for resort nightclub events. This year Jesse Jane, an adult performer who gets a lot of attention from mainstream media, is hosting a naughtiest costume party at Prive at Planet Hollywood.

(Also, Tao at the Venetian has Tera Patrick as host for its celebration.)

I have interviewed Jane a few times before, at the annual adult convention and film awards that takes place each January at the Venetian and Mandalay Bay. Jane is very friendly and has a bubbly persona that sticks with her in interviews. Most of her answers begin or end in giggles, sometimes both. It is often only when I type up my interviews that I notice how articulate she can be between giggles. In the interview bellow, for example, look at her answer about the connection between porn star hosts, Vegas and Halloween. It was delivered with so many laughs from Jane, I had not realized how insightful her comment was until I read it without the giggles. We talked about her hosting gig tomorrow and some of her other Vegas experiences.

Richard Abowitz: Have you hosted before at a Vegas nightclub?

Jesse Jane: Yes. It has been great. Everyone wants to come to a party in Vegas, and everyone wants to have a good time, and everyone wants to get crazy in Vegas. I threw a party at Cathouse [in the Luxor] a few months ago and we packed the place and everyone had a good time.

Q: What is your Halloween costume going to be?

A: I am going to be a candy corn, a sexy candy corn.

Q: I did not know there were sexy candy corns.

A: Neither did I until I saw it. I have never seen anybody be a candy corn. But then I saw the costume. It has a little skirt with orange, yellow and white stripes. And, there is a sexy bikini top. It is really cute.

Q: What is it about Halloween that you think has Vegas nightclubs in recent years reaching out to porn stars to host?

A: Fantasy. Everyone wants to be in a fantasy. Fantasy is what Halloween is about and that is what adult stars are about. The truth is that we are what a lot of adults fantasize about. The thing about getting an adult star to host a Halloween party in Vegas is that the holiday and Vegas encourage people to let their inhibitions loose. So, when an adult star hosts a party in Vegas on Halloween it creates a chance for people to almost role play by dressing up in sexy costumes, and having fun in a totally comfortable way where no one will judge you. That is why I am there. Everyone wants to be sexy and have fun. And, especially in Vegas, a porn star helps make that environment feel like you are inside the fantasy.

Q: A decade ago hosting an event at a resort would be very unusual for someone in your line of work. I wonder if hosting at a nightclub in Vegas as a mainstream paying gig surprises you and how you enjoy it?

A: It is actually really cool that the doors have opened for us to do this. It is great exposure, and it is a good experience. I also have to tell you that it is very easy. They pay us to come and have fun. You show up, you talk on the microphone to the crowd. It is really refreshing, really relaxing and honestly just cool to be paid to hang out in Vegas.

Katmandu - Walton Among First to Skydive at Everest

Alan Walton, right, stands at the drop zone in Nepal with Nigel Gifford, founder of High & Wild. (Contributed photo)

More than 55 years ago, the first climbers reached the summit of Mt. Everest, the highest peak on the planet. Earlier this month, another milestone was reached when the first people to skydive at Mt. Everest soared in front of the mountain. Westport resident Alan Walton was a participant.

"The jump wasn't all that difficult," said 72-year-old Walton. "Getting there was the problem."

Walton, chairman of the Oxford Bioscience Corp., had been skydiving since he was 57. He first got the notion of skydiving as a professor when a student told him it was of the most terrifying experiences he had even been through.

The trip was organized by High & Wild, a U.K.-based company dedicated to providing "adventure holidays," according to its Web site.

Walton got a call from the founder, Nigel Gifford, who asked if he was interested. He certainly was, but as Walton said, the jump was the easy part.

A plane couldn't simply be taken from Katmandu, the capital of Nepal, and then drop the divers off from the top of the mountain. From Katmandu, Walton had to a take a plane to Lukla Airport, which could be considered more of an airstrip rather than an airport. It's known as one of the most dangerous airports in the world because of weather around Mt. Everest.

"If you saw it, you'd say, 'My god, nobody in their right mind would ever land here,' " Walton said. The next flight after his return crashed on Oct. 8 and killed 18 people. Only the pilot survived.

Walton and the other clients were now 9,000 feet above sea level.

In total, 32 people paid around $24,000 for the experience. Still, the jump couldn't begin just yet. Some of the other jumpers were unaccustomed to the thin air, so they suffered severe altitude sickness. Some of the symptoms include nausea, dehydration and fatigue.

Walton was accustomed to high altitudes since he had been to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Also, being in the sky seems like a natural fit for Walton, who used to fly in the British Royal Air Force Reserves and has taken up piloting jet fighters as a hobby.

As many of the jumpers suffered from altitude sickness, they spent a few days getting acclimated and trekking in the high altitudes. Conditions were rough, especially when nauseous.

Walton gets the thumbs up from, on left, Dave Wood, a professional skydiver and chief instructor at the Cornish Parachute Club, and Tom Noonan, Strong Enterprises tandem director and a tandem jumpmaster. (Contributed photo)

Walton opted to rent a helicopter with his son, Kier, to take them to the drop zone. Kier came along the trip as an observer.

The drop zone is where the plane with the jumpers would take off. Walton explained that 150 sherpas spent a month creating an 1,100-foot landing strip nearly 13,000 feet above sea level.

With such a small margin of error for piloting the aircraft, weather conditions had to be perfect to take off. Unfortunately, they often weren't ideal and this delayed the jumps.

"The weather was the biggest factor," Walton said. "It was misty nearly every day."

Eventually there was a break in the poor weather, so a group of several jumpers were able to get on the small Swiss Pilatus aircraft. The trio jumped at about 29,000 feet. Walton wasn't able to go just yet.

Unfortunately, the weather never totally cleared up so Walton couldn't jump from the same height as the first group. After four days at the drop zone, he was able to do a low-level tandem skydive on Oct.

Everest, the highest peak in the world, in all its heavenly glory. (Contributed photo)

4. In a tandem there are two skydivers connected by a harness.

His jump was 8,000 feet compared to the 17,000 foot drop the first group went through.

"The surrounding views are spectacular when the weather was clear," he said. "When the sun came out it was breathtaking, even on a low-level jump."

Walton was disappointed that he didn't get to do the jump he set out for, so he is contemplating trying again next year.

"I don't know if at 73 I'll be in good enough shape," he said.

For now, he is slated to go much higher than Mt. Everest. Walton was one of the first people signed up to go into space through Virgin Galactic. The company is still working on the technology, but the first flight, which has already been delayed, is planned for 2010.

Alan Walton said that not all of his vacations are quite as epic.

"In between doing crazy things I go on a couple cruises," he said. "I also do old people things like [playing] bridge."