May 23, 2004

BY MICHAEL SNEED SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Is Michael Jordan now an NBA owner?

Sneed hears rumbles the basketball legend may have purchased part of the Milwaukee Bucks -- making good on a bid which failed last year.

If true, is the reason it has not been announced yet because NBA officials don't want the spotlight taken away from the NBA playoffs or NBA finals?

Or did Jordan conduct some big business in Milwaukee recently that made him a happy man upon his return to Chicago?

Jordan, who was in China to promote his clothing line last week, told the Chinese press: "My next goal is to own a basketball team, buy a basketball team, not coach."

Jordan was expected to finish his tour in Tokyo today. Stay tuned.

The posh set . . .

Fore ... er, more?

Actor Hugh Grant did not recapture the title he took away from former Illinois Lottery chief Michael Jones two years ago at the Marquess of Worcester's Badminton Open Golf Tournament in England recently.

*The flipside: But . . . Jones did dine with Grant and movie producer Michael Medwin; Pink Floyd's Roger Waters; the Duke of Marlborough; actress Rachel Ward's sister, Lady Tracy Ward, and his buddy, Chicago commodities broker Chris Gilmour, whose father is Lord Gilmour and whose uncle is the Duke of Buccleuch, one of the largest landowners in England, don'tchaknow.

A Petrone salute . . .

Dateline: The Heartline -- Theresa M. Petrone, who heads Chicago's Memorial Day Parade -- which has become the nation's largest -- has more than a passing interest in honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much for their country.

She has personal reasons, as well.

*The buckshot: Her husband, retired Circuit Judge Frank Petrone, was a member of the 19th Mountain Division during World War II, who was critically wounded when he was shot by a German sniper three days after the war ended. The sniper hadn't been informed the war was over.

*The upshot: Frank Petrone spent months in the hospital, where he made friends with another wounded soldier, Bob Dole, who went on to become a U.S. senator and presidential candidate.

*The backshot: The Petrones' son-in-law, Ald. James Balcer (11th), is a Vietnam War hero, the recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor and three Purple Hearts.

I spy . . .

Members of the Eagles, who dined at Alex Dana's Carmine's recently, were treated to a special meal of homemade meatballs by Rosebud's chef Joe Farina. ... Boka bountiful: Actors Kathy "Picket Fences" Baker, Bill "CSI" Petersen, Kevin Anderson, Jeff Perry, Johnny "Roseanne" Galecki, Chef Rick Bayless and Dem U.S. Senate hopeful Barack Obama were all spotted at the Boka Restaurant recently, and rocker Don Henley ordered takeout from the eatery.

This & that . . .

*Shoot 'em: Actor Benjamin Bratt was in town shooting an "Oprah" segment to promote "Catwoman" recently.

*Rehab 'em: Bill "The Apprentice" Rancic is reportedly rehabbing a building at the corner of Huron Street and Bishop Avenue.

Sneedlings . . .

Anti-casino chat: Watch for GOP Cook County Recorder of Deeds candidate John Cox to hold a nonpartisan press conference Monday to voice his opposition to turning Cook County into "Vegas Lite." ... Congrats to Kevin and Christine Moran on their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday. . . . Ditto to Jonathan Leach, who graduates from Kent College of Law today. . . . Today's birthdays: Joan Collins, 71; Tobi Williams, 53; Courtney Sanchez, 21; Drew Carey, 46; Karen Duffy, 43; Maxwell, 31, and Jewel, 30. Monday's birthdays: Bob Dylan, 63; Alfred Molina, 51; Rosanne Cash, 49; Kristin Scott Thomas, 44; John C. Reilly, 49; Priscilla Presley, 59; Alisa Parenti, ageless; Jane Byrne, 70; Tommy Chong, 66, and Jimmy Bannos, 46.

Michael Sneed is seen at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays on WMAQ-Channel 5.