Fans find Christopher Straub to be a down-to-earth designer

Nabbing designer Christopher Straub for JB Hudson Jewelers' second annual Girls Night Out was a classic example of Facebook working as intended.

"My team sat around and chatted about contacting Straub on Facebook," said Jeannie Joas, CEO of the high-end Nicollet Mall jewelers. "And before we knew it ..."

Shakopee's Straub, who made it to the top five of the 2009 edition of "Project Runway," told me, "I really wanted to be accessible to everybody, whether it's for fundraisers, appearances, TV, radio, I really just wanted to be available. Through just being open [and on Facebook], I've had a lot of opportunities I wouldn't have."

Joas interjected: "Because Christopher, you're so nice. Really lovely. He's really a beautiful person, and he wanted to partner with us because he loves JB Hudson."

Straub's designs sold very well to the women, who were also entertained by a fortune teller, a photo booth, a logo board "where people could have pictures taken with Christopher, and that great candy bar," Joas said.

Ah, yes, the candy bar was irresistible to David Orenstein -- of Simma Flottemech & Orenstein and a man who can only loosely be described here as my accountant -- who cut through the store on the way to his car. (Note to Suanne Orenstein: While your husband socialized just enough to justify several visits to the candy bar, I didn't notice him checking to see if you had a "My JBH Wish List" on file.)

Straub's fans were touched by how very down-to-earth he is.

"Not having his picture taken all feeds into" the persona Siriano is creating for himself, Straub said. "I'm kind of the opposite. I try to make myself as approachable as possible and try to be as engaging as I can."

That's working for Straub, Facebook, JB Hudson and Orenstein, as you can see at startribune.com/video. There's a pink purse creation of Straub's that was very eye-catching, even for someone who strictly eschews carrying such bags.

Quick trip to town Word has it that Lee Hawkins of Wall Street Journal and CNBC fame was at W's Living Room bar last week.

The Minnesota native apparently snuck into town for a quick visit with family. I definitely remember him promising to let me know the next time he was in town. Little Hawk's going to need to make more money before he starts behaving like those "NEWBOs" he introduced us to in a special.

J.K. Simmons sighting J.K. Simmons was at the University of Minnesota, Morris, on Monday visiting a relative's kid.

My call to acknowledge Davis' e-mail was greeted with her saying she didn't want me to write about this. (MINNESOTANS make me crazy! Bet this never happens to any New York City gossip columnist!) I told her she was being ridiculous, which is pretty much how she felt after calling her son, Justin, to tell him that I was writing about his celebrity encounter over her objections.

"That is way cool," Justin said, according to his mom.

Continuing: "J.K. paused to talk to the students and was EXTREMELY kind. He even posed for a picture with Justin. Any guy [who] visits his nephew in Morris, Minn., in this weather must be a pretty good guy," Davis wrote.

Longwell off the field Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell stays in touch via text messages with an Orlando, Fla., high school soccer player who lost her leg in a car accident, "Today" reported Wednesday.

A game ball from the Vikings' victory over the Packers in October is one of Bree McMahon's cherished mementos. Longwell lives in Florida in the off-season.