Fake Paula

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrives at the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Prize for humor in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. Comedian Tina Fey was awarded the Mark Twain Prize. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:37AM

W HEN I heard that Food Network superstar Paula Deen is a diabetic and received her diagnosis more than three years ago but made it public only after getting an endorsement deal from a drug company, I felt she was a big flakey FAKE and dishonest!

The popular 64-year-old chef/author could have told her loyal following that since being diagnosed she still favors and enjoys making her delicious butter and sugar-laden dishes, but for now on would be preparing great meals for diabetics as well as non-diabetics. Her honesty most likely would have cut down the overwhelming criticism that she has been receiving from fans and other celebrity chefs.

If having diabetes is shameful, then millions of people would be in the “diabetic closet.”

I reached out to Chef Michael Ponzio, of the Rosebud Restaurant chain, who is a diabetic taking multiple insulin shots a day, and he said:

“I have been a Type 1 diabetic for four years now. When I heard of the Paula Deen situation, I was not outraged. We should not shake our fingers at somebody for keeping their medical information private,” said the 28-year-old handsome chef. “It is not right to attack somebody for continuing to do what they love even though they have a life-changing disease like diabetes,” says Ponzio. “I choose to tell my diners that I am diabetic and that we offer whole wheat pasta options as well as other healthy choices, and I do believe that moderation is important.”

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC Leader Nancy Pelosi had to cancel her appearance at the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Forum Jan. 21 due to the snowstorm that hit our city that weekend. But have no fear, Pelosi is now scheduled to speak on March 3 . . . Gov. Pat Quinn presented his personal $1,000 check to Rev. Corey Brooks in Woodlawn, who has been living in a tent on a rooftop to protest violence and raise funds for a community center.

THE FUNKADELICS! The “ArtEdge Gala” is Feb. 4 at the Museum of Contemporary Art with co-chairs Penny Pritzker, Marc Brooks, Don Edwards and honorary co-chair Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Performers include the legendary George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelics and Nick Cave.

MTV “JERSEY SHORE” REALITY star Vincent “Vinny” Guadagnino hosts a party at the Drink nightclub in Schaumburg Friday. . . . R&B singer/writer Ne-Yo has left Def Jam and is now an artist/senior vice prez of A&R with the Motown label.

NEWS BITES: Restaurateur Tony Durpetti’s Gene & Georgetti eatery celebrates its 70th anniversary with friends & family at a fancy cocktail party at the Park West Sunday. . . . Also celebrating 65 delicious years in business, the Home Run Inn pizza chain . . .
Hemmingway’s Bistro is on Channel 11’s “Check, Please!” Friday.

THE NEW Chicago online network, Watch312.com with hosts Candace Jordan, Amanda Puck, DC Crenshaw and others, launches Thursday with a party at the James Hotel.

ENJOYING LIFE: Former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is now vice president/senior adviser of Strategic Relationships for BNY Mellon Wealth Management. The now very single Giannoulias celebrated with his family at LuxBar and recently dined with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin at Kanela’s on Clark . . . Bulls star Derrick Rose partied with friends at the Sawtooth and so did Arizona Cardinal/ex-Bear Chester Taylor and Bears Chris Williams and Garrett Wolfe
. . . The Hawks’ Duncan Keith at VIVO.

HAPPENINGS! Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan addresses the Greater North Michigan Avenue Assoc. at the Westin Chicago Feb. 6 with The Mix’s Eric and Kathy emceeing . . . Dr. Joel Wallach speaking at the Ramada Inn on Lake Shore Drive Saturday. . . . And a shout-out to my Stellaholics following me on Twitter!

A STELLAR REMINDER: WMAQ-Channel 5’s Marion Brooks emcees the “Black Creativity” gala at the Museum of Science & Industry Saturday.

THE BIRTHDAY FOLKS: Father George Clements, Kathy Hartigan and Ola Mae Jarrell. Friday: WGN-Channel 9’s Pat Tomasulo and Madeline Murphy Rabb. Saturday: Gus Cage and Chef Hans (Palace Grill). Sunday: Oprah Winfrey, Joan Wegner and actor Sharif Atkins. Monday: Warner Saunders and Kim Dyson.

Well, that’s Stella in the City!