Relax, moms: You're not in the book

"Desperate Housewives" may be back on television, but the real-life version is happening around the pool at Overlake Golf & Country Club in Medina. That's where Yarrow Point author Jane Porter hangs out to get inspiration for her chick-lit novels, including the just-released "Odd Mom Out," (reviewed on this page). The book is set on the Eastside, where Porter lives, and is about a single mom, which Porter is. Among the neighbors, the author is often met with giggles, chuckles and "a little bit of fear," she says. "There's no one person in this community who's in my books, but everyone thinks they know who I'm talking about." ...

JUST JACK!: He'll make his designer debut on "Project Runway" next month as Jack Mackenroth, but locals may remember the Bellevue native as Jack Kietzer. The 38-year-old legally shortened his name at age 21 from his given name of Jack Mackenroth Christopher Kietzer, partly as a tribute to his grandfather, Jack Mackenroth. Also possibly because four names take up way too much space on a designer label, in which case he could've just gone with "Jack Mack." La-di-da, la la, rhyming is fun. ...

BY GEORGE!: Celebrity gossip junkies in Southeast King County are buzzing about Kentwood High School grad Sarah Larson, also known as George Clooney's girlfriend. Predictably, Larson's high-school sweetheart has crawled out of the woodwork, describing her to a British tabloid as a "small-town hippie who loved playing bongos and going camping." Larson has since upgraded to hobbling down red carpets after a well-publicized motorcycle accident — with Clooney — left her on crutches. Love hurts! In related news: This is painful. ...

DAN IN REAL LIFE: In 20 years at KOMO-TV, news anchor Dan Lewis hasn't endured nearly the amount of attention as co-anchor Kathi Goertzen when it comes to appearance. But a two-minute on-air tribute marking his milestone anniversary revealed that even anchormen can have a bad hair day. "My hair has been the subject of a few jokes over the years. 'Almost Live' used to do a little skit on my hair," Lewis said. "I think some people think it doesn't move. The truth is, I don't use hairspray or anything like that. It's just the hair God gave me." As they say in the TV biz: You heard it here first. ...

WHO'S THAT GIRL?: Sharp-eyed (or should it be Hawk-eyed?) Seahawks fans may have noticed some new faces on the field — no, not there, but on the sidelines. This year's Sea Gals squad features a record number of rookies: 16 out of 28 girls are new. "I thought it was going to be a nightmare," confessed Sea Gals director Sherri Thompson, "but it's been amazing. They're so good. It's one of the best squads I've ever had." Which, in football-speak, would be known as a "good turnover." ...

WHO'S THAT GUY?: Which eligible Seattle millionaire has recently enlisted the services of a New York-based matchmaking agency? The 50-something is nicknamed "Mr. Seattle" and reportedly made his fortune in either coffee, computers or airplanes. "People would definitely recognize the name from the businesses he owns," says Torrie Tiernan, a matchmaker with the Millionaire Connoisseur's Club. "One of them would totally give it away." Mr. Seattle is seeking potential Misses in the late 20s to early 40s age range; call 561-790-3134 or e-mail MissRight@StrikeYourMatch.com to schedule an interview at the Sorrento Hotel Oct. 11-13.

TOM SKERRITT IS ALIVE: Per reader e-mail: "I was on a flight from L.A. to Seattle, and Tom was on the flight." Welcome home, Other Mr. Seattle!

Girl About Town appears every Sunday in Northwest Life. Pamela Sitt: 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com