C.J.: Ponder thrills shoppers with 'lovely' manner

Word has it that Vikings QB Christian Ponder delighted and indulged a couple of Eden Prairie Costco shoppers Thursday night.

According to e-mailer LibbeyD: "No one really seemed to notice him as he made his way through the store."

Record needle scratch noise here. Say whut?

Nobody noticed the gorgeous QB. Later LibbeyD provided intel that quieted my doubts.

"As we got to the checkout, two 40ish-looking moms quietly and politely approached him and asked if they could take their picture with him," she wrote. "He was VERY gracious and extremely nice and took a picture with each lady. They then apologized for bothering him and [said You] must get this all the time. He replied Not at all and that it was not a problem and flashed a beautiful, albeit shy, smile their way. Once the pictures were taken, people in the lines started to take notice and whisper, but no one else asked him for a thing. I watched him pay for his stuff and walk out undisturbed."

LibbeyD was "thrilled to see him being so lovely in both manner and appearance. It was nice to see that the rest of Costco shoppers seemed to just let him be. Now if his team could just win a game here in the near future, all would be right with the world."

Saturday, LibbeyD got her football wish as the Vikings beat the Washington NFL team with the offensive name, ON THE ROAD! Exciting backup QB Joe Webb (and I wouldn't wish these Vikings fans on another Alabama kid) won the game -- even threw a touch-perfect TD pass, although some say he's not a good passer.

If I ran the NFL, the way Peterson was hit would be grounds for fines. Low tackles at the knees need to go the way of the horsecollar. (So do tackles with an intentional twisting action, although that wasn't involved here.) Although Ponder's concussion was not from a shot to the noggin, I would make using the helmet in any way fine-worthy, too. There's too much inherent violence in NFL games, where Mack-truck hits are reason to rejoice for some fans, although I find such stops nauseating.

That said, I was wondering who might be holding Ponder's head as he regains his wits.

LibbeyD's e-mail may have a clue as she noticed Ponder in the company of a "teeny-tiny [blonde] lady." A cousin, a sister, you wonder? Probably not, as LibbeyD wrote "his girlfriend was sporting a bit of a stink eye as" Ponder catered to his fans.

LibbeyD did not get a photo because "I was with my husband and he told me he'd kill me if I went up and asked."

Attempts to confirm LibbeyD's sighting with Costco and Winter Park were unsuccessful and nobody has e-mailed me any pictures, either. You know who you are!

I know for a fact that all sightings of "Nip/Tuck" alum Kelly Carlson at the Timberwolves season opener Monday were for real.

She's home for the holidays. We met at La Belle Vie before the game.

Sweet music together

"Twin Cities Live" show host John Hanson and dance professional Amy Laliberte are apparently engaged.

At the Hubbard Broadcasting holiday party, Hanson was introducing Laliberte as his fiancée.

Love is in the air over at Hubbard Broadcasting.

I hear another bride-elect is ready to launch her extensive wedding day plans. She's reportedly confounded by what's taking so long for her beau to get that ring and drop to his knee. When this one pops we won't be able to avoid hearing every detail.

There are also whispers about another budding romance between Hubbardites, who leave me holding out hope for one of those on-air marriage proposals. The TV news director in me has one request: Do it during sweeps, please!