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Millionaire in the making?

George Finch, uncle of acclaimed local artist Scott Finch, will appear on ABC’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire this month. Finch, a guidance counselor at Southeast Middle School, was on vacation in New York City recently when he tried out for the show. He’s under contract not to disclose his winnings, although we can report that he was trying to answer the $50,000 question when he used his “phone-a-friend” lifeline to call his wife. Finch will be in two episodes airing Sept. 25th and 26th.

Dragon gets a new room

When city-parish officials decided Government Street needed another turning lane, the Red Dragon Listening Room got the old heave-ho. The city-parish is buying Chris Maxwell’s building so it can demolish it and widen the road, but it doesn’t mean the end for the funky folk music venue. Maxwell bought the building at 2401 Florida St., where he plans to re-open the place known for intimate acoustic performances by such folk faves as Susan Cowsill, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. The new building (right) will triple the floor space so more fans can enjoy the distinctive concerts Maxwell is known for.

Jackson’s action

State Rep. Michael Jackson, who bolted from the Democratic party to challenge U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux as an independent this fall, says he’d consider returning to his original party but is comfortable running as an independent. A move to the Republican ranks, however, is out of the question, despite chatter that Jackson’s enjoying support from some new conservative friends (he spoke in favor of school vouchers for Orleans Parish at the last regular legislative session).

Jackson went independent after his own party refused to consider backing him instead of Cazayoux in the race against Republican Woody Jenkins. Now that Cazayoux must run against the widely popular State Sen. Bill Cassidy, Democrats are concerned Jackson will pull black votes from Cazayoux, which will help Cassidy. Jackson says he’s not running as a spoiler. He says the 200,000 voters of the 6th Congressional District, a nine-parish area around Baton Rouge, is looking for a strong voice in Washington, D.C. For now, Jackson appears a lock to remain an independent. Sources tell Whispers Jackson isn’t even taking calls from national Democratic leadership. “It’s been liberating,” Jackson says of running as an independent. Look for some top supporters from the campaigns of Andy Kopplin and Jason DeCuir to join Jackson’s camp this fall.