If you’re new to nwaMotherlode.com, you’ll want to know what makes our celebrity gossip column a little different from the rest. Ours is “good” gossip, which means we filter out all that nasty, mean-spirited stuff (that’s often a big fat lie anyway) and yet still deliver those interesting little personal tidbits about popular celebs. So enjoy your gossip guilt-free, ladies, because it’s all good.

Celebrity Dish

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, mom to two boys, ages 16 and 11, said her secret to balancing work and family is to “get up very early and get a lot of things done before my kids get up.” (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 24th edition)

At the premiere of the Kung Fu Panda DVD release, Angelina Jolie said her four-month-old twins are now smiling. “They are at that stage where their personality really starts to shine,” she says. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 24th edition)

Ellen Pompeo, star of Grey’s Anatomy, toasted her one-year anniversary to husband Chris Ivery at a party held at Tao Las Vegas. Kate Walsh and husband Alex Young, Jenna Fischer, Lindsay LohanStacy Keibler and were also there. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 24th edition)

As you probably know by now, President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle have promised their two daughters a puppy once they settle into the White House next year. He wants a rescue dog or a Labradoodle, but daughters Malia and Sasha have hoped for a Westie (like the one at left) they plan to name Snowball. Either way, Mom Michelle says they have to wait until spring. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 24th edition)

Joely Fisher recently expanded her family by adopting a baby girl she named Olivia Luna. She joins sisters True, 2, and Skylar, 7. Fisher is married to Christopher Duddy. Six-week-old Olivia was born to an unwed teenage mother in Los Angeles. “I remember telling my mom I wanted to adopt when I grew up. This is a dream come true,” she said. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 24th edition)

CNN news anchor Campbell Brown, 40, and husband Daniel Senor are expecting a second child in April. They already have a toddler, Eli, who is 10 months old. “He waved bye-bye to me for the first time,” Brown says. “I burst into tears!” (Source: US Weekly, Nov. 17th edition)

Local Dish

Jennifer Capps of Bentonville recently won a nwaMotherlode.com gift certificate for dinner at Blackboard Cafe. Jennifer is eight months pregnant with her third child. She and husband Jon and their kids, Kathryn, Hunter and Jacob, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new little sister. Congrats to the Capps family! Enjoy your dinner out on the town!

Amy Gilmore, a mother of two who recently moved with her family to NWA from Montana, won a Bath Junkie door prize at the nwaMotherlode booth at Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market over the weekend. Congratulations, Amy! She was excited to find out she could take her Bath Junkie goodies to the Rogers store and get some of the items scented/tinted to her own specifications! And speaking of Candy Cane Lane, it was a super event with a nice variety of businesses represented. We’ll be sure to have a booth there next year, too! The Junior Auxiliary women were on the ball and made sure all the vendors were well looked after. Thanks, ladies!

Celebrity Dish:

Alison Sweeney, 32, of Days of Our Lives fame and host of Biggest Loser, is expecting a baby girl in January with husband David Sanov. They have a 3-year-old son named Benjamin who said he was hoping for a helicopter instead of a brother or sister. But he’s warming up to the idea, says Alison, and is looking forward to teaching her how to jump on the bed. (Source: US Weekly, November 3rd edition.)

David and Victoria Beckham mix business with pleasure with the launch of his-and-her fragrances, “Beckham Signature” due out this month. Victoria said she and her husband would “burst out laughing” during the sexy photo shoot. (Source: US Weekly, November 3rd edition.)

Sarah Palin was a popular lady on the set of Saturday Night Live. In fact, she helped fix the hair of the actor playing her husband to help him look more authentic in the role. Amy Poehler sent a text message to a friend saying the candidate was nice. (Source: US Weekly, November 3rd edition.)

Lisa Marie Presley named her twin girls Harper and Finley, born October 7th. Both names are in the top 37 percent of popular baby names. (Source: US Weekly, November 3rd edition.)

Saturday Night Live star Amy Poehler gave birth to a son, Archie, on Oct. 25. Archie weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz., and was born, appropriately, on a Saturday — just hours before the show went live. Amy, 37, announced in April that she was expecting a baby with fellow comedian Will Arnett, her husband of five years. Amy said she won’t be returning as a regular cast member, but plans to star in a new NBC comedy in 2009. Until then, she’ll be taking on a new role: mama. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 10, 2008 edition)

If you’re into country music, the 42nd Country Music Association Awards will air live from Nashville on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. on ABC. These ladies are up for Female Vocalist of the Year: Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 10, 2008 edition)

On Oct. 22, Angelina Jolie visited Afghanistan for the first time for a look at living conditions of refugees who have returned after fleeing the country in 2001. She saw many living in makeshift tent homes in Kabul, where many have flocked in search of basic necessities like food and water. Jolie said the first thing she did when she arrived home was hug her six children. (Source: People Magazine, Nov. 10, 2008 edition)

Local Dish:

Angie Brandenburg of Your Scrapbooking Secret sent us information about a Holiday Boutique Show set for Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The show features 25 “unique boutiques” filled with adorable items (like these pictured) and made by local moms!

Admission is free and will be held at Sequoyah United Methodist Church, 1910 Old Wire Road in Fayetteville. With everything from chalkboards to custom bedding to diaper bags, these items are definitely unique.

For directions and more information about the vendors and items you’ll find at the one-day event, click here.

Hi, Mamas. Let’s dish! First, a helping of celebrity news followed by seconds: local information sent in by women/organizations in the community. It’s all good!

Celebrity dish:

Why don’t we start with the babies? Country star Dierks Bentley and his wife, Cassidy, have a new daughter, Evalyn, who was born in Nashville on Oct. 4. (People Magazine, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

It was also a girl for Marisol Nichols, 24 actress, and her husband, filmmaker Taron Lexton. The baby, Rain, was born in L.A. on Sept. 30. (People Magazine, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

Raise your hand if you ever watched 7th Heaven. Yeah, me, too. Well, Beverley Mitchell (”Lucy” is now 27) married her longtime boyfriend, accountant Michael Cameron, in Italy on Oct. 1. Former costar Jessica Biel was a bridesmaid and attended with her boyfriend Justin Timberlake. (People Magazine, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

Beyonce Knowles’ wedding ring weighs in at a mind-boggling 18-carats. In case you’re curious, that amounts to about $5 million in wedding ring bling. (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

Oprah and Stedman were on hand in Atlanta this month to help friend Tyler Perry celebrate the opening of his own film and television studio – the first to be launched by an African-American. (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

Nicole Kidman recently told Elle magazine about her “deep and more profound love with husband Keith Urban. She added that her ex Tom Cruise “has the same thing with Katie.” Kidman recently introduced her 3-month-old daughter, Sunday, to Russell Crowe’s 2-year-old son, Tennyson, and joked that she’s a great believer in arranged marriages. (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

Only about three months after giving birth to twins, Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet with Brad Pitt and was asked by Us Weekly how she was able to look so thin after only 11 weeks. Her reply? “A good dress.” (Amen, sister. And where can we get one of those dresses?) (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 20, 2008 edition)

Country singer Brad Paisley and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim) announced they’re having baby #2 in April. Their son, Huck, is 20 months old and the family lives in Franklin, Tenn. (People Magazine, Oct. 27 2008 edition)

Shrek is headed to Broadway. Brian d’Arcy James will be positively green onstage next month in Shrek the Musical. He told People Magazine that he’s happy with the role because it allows him to live out all his 8-year-old boy impulses to expel gas and burp with no excuses. He said his 6-year-old daughter loves the movie, but is not too keen on hugging dad/Shrek. (People Magazine, Oct. 27 2008 edition)

People spoke to the co-author of a book that’s getting quite a bit of buzz lately: The Love Dare. Featured in the movie Fireproof with Kirk Cameron, this Christian marriage manual is a bestseller. The funny thing is the book wasn’t written until after they’d finished the movie. The dare involves practicing 40 unselfish principles to maintain your marriage (most are straight from the Bible). (People Magazine, Oct. 27 2008 edition). {A side note about the movie: the former “Growing Pains” actor Kirk Cameron refused to make out with his screen wife, so they brought in his real-life wife to do the honors on the set. Sweet.}

Local Dish:

There will be a Silent Auction on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville to benefit 22-month-old Eleanor Rose Suttle on her journey for treatment and recovery. Tickets are $10 at the door and there will be live music by Tiffany Christopher and Kevin Bennoch as well as “culinary delights” and drink. Eleanor, the daughter of Clayton and Meredith Suttle (owners of Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville), was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma (cancer in both eyes) in June 2007. She’s been in treatment at St. Jude’s Research Center in Memphis since then and has undergone chemo and laser therapy. Her cancer has returned and her doctors have recommended Proton Radiation, which was expected to begin this week in Bloomington, Indiana. Donations are also being accepted at all Bank of Fayetteville locations. Visit her website at www.eleanorseyes.com to find out more about this remarkable story or how to donate.

Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of NWA, a non-profit organization with locations in Fayetteville and Rogers that provides counseling and limited medical services (free pregnancy testing), recently received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Executive Director Catherine accepted the award on behalf of all the local volunteers in Washington, D.C., last month. To further honor their volunteers, Loving Choices held a formal reception last week. The non-profit’s annual fall banquet will be held Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Springdale Convention Center. The event is free to guests, but e-mail Caroline Rhoads to reserve a seat at caroline@lovingchoices.org.

Tricycle Theatre for Youth, a professional theatre company for young people and families in Bentonville, is opening its doors to every Saturday night to local high school students (9th to 12th grade). If your teenager loves theatre and comedy improv, they can test out their material and improve their skills in an “open-mic” style format. “Trike Nights” will be held on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of the month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and food and drink will be provided. Walk-ups are welcome, but there is limited space. To reserve a spot call 1-866-331-3681. On Nov. 1, the teens who practiced in the first two Trike Nights will host Trike Night Live. In Saturday Night Live style, the teens will perform in front a live studio audience (with live music). TNL will be presented on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 with concessions available.

Due to demand, The Trike is also adding a four-week after-school Audition Techniques class for students in 7th through 12th grade. The second session is on Tuesdays in November from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is available online at www.triketheatre.org.

Welcome back to Good Gossip, a place where you can indulge in celebrity news that’s guilt-free because it’s all “good.” Underneath the celebrity news you’ll find “Local Dish,” fun tidbits about NWA women. (Don’t miss the 20% off discount for Motherlode readers when you buy adorable t-shirts from locally-owned Zoe & Sprout. Scroll down for details!) We invite you to send us good news about you or you girlfriends — an award, a new baby, a promotion at work or anything else you’d like to share with the rest of us!

Celebrity Dish:

Katie Holmes made her Broadway debut in the Arthur Miller play All My Sons on Sept. 18th in New York City. Onlookers said Tom Cruise was “really smiley” when Katie hit the stage. Katie, 29, plays a woman marrying the son of a war profiteer. Tom led a standing ovation at the end of the show. The play opens officially on Oct. 16th and concludes January 11th. Tickets cost up to $117. (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 6 issue)

Speaking of Tom Cruise, he was spotted leaving a Build-a-Bear in New York City recently. He was helping 2-year-old Suri pick some new stuffed animals. See? We’re not the only ones cruising around Build-a-Bear. Stars do it, too! (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 6 issue)

Tim McGraw, 41, is releasing his first children’s book, My Little Girl, dedicated to his three daughters, this month. Awwwww. Sounds like a sweet daddy. (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 6 issue)

Remember Andrew Firestone from the third season of The Bachelor? He and his wife, model Ivana, (pictured right) wed July 5th and just announced they’re expecting their first child in mid-April. They think they conceived during the honeymoon! (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 6 issue)

In the upcoming film Bride Wars, due out in January, stars Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson will wear Vera Wang gowns. The two actresses play “frenemies” out to sabotage each other’s big day. (Source: US Weekly, Oct. 6 issue)

Local Dish:

Zoe & Sprout, the online “fun, funky, fashion” store based in Northwest Arkansas, just rolled out its upcoming holiday designs, all available in organic or traditional cotton. For Halloween, see the adorable example of Count Duckula to the right. The Christmas designs include a Rudolph Duck, Not An Elf and Jingle Baby. You can check the tees out by clicking on this link: http://www.zoeandsprout.com/kids.html.

Amanda Zylowski of Bella Vista created Zoe & Sprout two years ago. She has her products in limited stores in the area (Terra Tots in Fayetteville and Belly Buttons Boutique in Jane, Mo., are a few) but most sales are done online as her scope is national. Amanda makes the shirts with a professional grade heat press in her basement warehouse. In 2008, the company began offering a full line of organic cotton t-shirts and onesies. Organic onesies are $20 and tees are $18. And guess what? Amanda is giving Motherlode readers a 20 percent discount off their entire purchase (even if it’s not a holiday tee)! Just use the word “nwaMotherlode” for the promotional code and receive your 20% savings!

Pambra’s, “The Original Bra Liner” was designed by local NWA mom Pamela Haven. Pam first introduced her concept in California in 1990, but only recently made her invention known in Northwest Arkansas. We met Pam at the Business Women’s Conference last week. She was at a booth with B LaRue, a store in Bentonville that carries Pambra’s, a soft cotton bra liner used to absorb perspiration under and between the breasts. Pam says it also helps make underwire bras less irritating and is ideal for post-surgery breast comfort.

Pam moved to Arkansas five years ago to help care for her sister, Patty, who was diagnosed with breast cancer after more than a year of being misdiagnosed with a clogged milk duct. After her sister died, Pam welcomed Patty’s daughters, her two nieces, into her home. The girls just graduated from high school. Pam has five children of her own, three of whom are grown, as well as twin 14-year-old boys.

Visit Pam’s website at www.pambras.com.