In Las Vegas, Ed Graney in a profile of Golden Knights Owner BILL FOLEY notes long before he spent $500M on an NHL expansion fee, Foley "became intrigued" in the '80s by "techniques for making Chadonnay and Pinot Noir." Foley now owns 22 wineries in California, Washington and New Zealand, which "produce 1.5 million cases annually." Foley: "I love being involved with blending sessions with the winemakers." Foley purchased California's Chalk Hill winery in '10 when it was in "near disrepair and then spent millions raising it to its present standard" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/8).
NAMES: Redskins TE VERNON DAVIS is hosting a clothing drive on Friday to "kick off Vernon's Closet, intended to 'raise awareness and support for homeless and community in need." It is the "second consecutive season Davis has teamed up with Covenant House DC, a nonprofit organization aiming to provide care for homeless youth" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/8)....Actors ALDIS HODGE and GREG KINNEAR are "set to topline" the TOM SHADYAC-directed film "BRIAN BANKS." The biopic tells the story an "all-American high-school football player committed to USC by his junior year whose life was upended" in '02 when "falsely accused of rape" (DEADLINE.com, 9/7)....Hallmark Channel is adding the reality series “MEET THE PEETES” to its “slate of original programming.” The series will “follow the lives” of actress and activist HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE and her husband, former NFLer RODNEY PEETE. Production is “set to begin this fall and will premiere” in February (DEADLINE.com, 9/7)....Lakers G LONZO BALL on Friday is releasing his new single, “MELO BALL 1,” featuring KENNETH PAIGE (DAILYNEWS.com, 9/7).
IN MEMORY: Former Yankees GM and Special Advisor GENE MICHAEL, who was with the team for “nearly a half-century, rising from sure-handed shortstop to general manager and building teams that won four World Series championships,” died on Thursday at his home in Oldsmar, Fla., at the age of 79. The Yankees “reported his death on their website, saying the cause was a heart attack” (N.Y. TIMES, 9/8).
