I know Page Six at the New York Post isn't the most reliable of media sources, but fealty to my corporate overlords requires me to pass along the following tidbit that appeared in their pages Wednesday morning:HAS a New York Ranger captured first daughter Barbara Bush's heart? Fans spotted Bush "dancing, drinking beers and cheering on" the team at Madison Square Garden Sunday night - in addition to sporting "two gold rings on her left ring finger." We're told Bush "recently became a die-hard Rangers fan and befriended a few of the players."So is it true? Here at FanHouse we endeavor to uncover the heart of every story. Here's what I've found out.
I poked around the archive at Getty Images, and first caught sight of Bush photographed at MSG on March 25 during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers (see above). She was identified as being with a pair of guests on either side of her, a young man on her right and a young woman on her left, both obviously in their 20s. A close examination of other photos from that night seem to show a large ring on the ring finger of Bush's left hand, but it's impossible to identify it as an engagement ring.
Digging deeper into the archive, I found another picture of Bush with this same young man (see right), identified now as Derek Blasberg, a freelance fashion writer who is quite the man about town. The two were photgraphed together at a press event for Prada on February 5.Next, through the magic of Google, we discovered that Blasberg wrote up a quick summary on New York Ranger Sean Avery's birthday party over at Style.com on April 10.
In attendance at the party was, you guessed it, Barbara Bush, along with a number of A-list guests including fellow Ranger Brendan Shanahan.
This kind of coverage isn't exactly a shock. Ever since Avery hit town last season, he's taken pains to be seen in New York society circles.
So what does this tell us? Not a whole lot, outside of the fact that the young Ms. Bush seems to have been traveling in team circles for a while now. As for being engaged, I think we have to hold off for something a little more official.
N.Y. Rangers vs. N.J. Devils
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils loses his helmet after a third period collision against the New York Rangers during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils makes a save against the New York Rangers during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Brian Gionta #14 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the New York Rangers during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Nigel Dawes #10 of the New York Rangers misses a scoring chance against Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Brian Gionta #14 of the New Jersey Devils looks for the puck as Scott Gomez #19 of the New York Rangers tumbles to the ice during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Scott Gomez #19 of the New York Rangers plays the puck against Dainius Zubrus #16 of the New Jersey Devils during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Scott Gomez #19 of the New York Rangers checks Brian Gionta #14 of the New Jersey Devils during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Martin Straka #82 of the New York Rangers plays the puck against John Madden #11 and Jay Pandolfo #20 of the New Jersey Devils during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save as David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Scott Gomez #19 of the New York Rangers skates against Jay Pandolfo #20 of the New Jersey Devils during game three of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. She's always naked, who cares.
Posted at 6:50AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Kat
2. No f'ing way!! One of the Bush girls drinking?!? I wonder where they got their taste for alcohol? I mean, their diddy (sic) is a devout Christian, no? Oh well, I'll take a Jenna and Tonic
Posted at 7:10AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Bush Must Go
3. AND WHO CARE'S WHAT THEY DO?? NIETHER OF HIS DAUGHTERS ARE WORTH ..ANYTHING..JUST LIKE MOM & POP..I'LL JUST BE GALD WHEN THERE ALL GONE..OUT OF OUW WHITEHOUSE .. THEY DISGRACE IT WITH THER VERY PRESENCE..ALL OF THEM
Posted at 8:27AM on Apr 17th 2008 by SHIRLEY
4. Sounds to me like Barbara is the "player":)
Posted at 8:36AM on Apr 17th 2008 by solomeeeo
5. WOW.....now I can go on living again!!! Seriously, who cares what either of the Bushy Twins do?
Posted at 9:37AM on Apr 17th 2008 by LeeAnn
6. Y'all are just so jealous of the Bush twins because they have a life and you don't. Have a nice wedding Jenna and Henry.
Posted at 9:41AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Tim
7. this is for Shirley.....I guess I can tell you are a diehard democrat...but, before you go busting on someone who obviously has more smarts then you have, you should pick yourself up a copy of "Hooked on Phonics" and learn how to spell...."GALD" I could help you out with your spelling, but that is "Niether" here nor there (notice I can use the right spelling of "their") well, "ouw" White House will probably house a "jackass", but that's "niether" here nor there....Shirley, have a nice day!!!!
"GALD"
Posted at 9:47AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Pam
8. 3. AND WHO CARE'S WHAT THEY DO?? NIETHER OF HIS DAUGHTERS ARE WORTH ..ANYTHING..JUST LIKE MOM & POP..I'LL JUST BE GALD WHEN THERE ALL GONE..OUT OF OUW WHITEHOUSE .. THEY DISGRACE IT WITH THER VERY PRESENCE..ALL OF THEM
-----------
This was a cruel thing to say. Our household is certainly no fan of the Bush regime. However, to blame their children for their father's tactics doesn't seem fair. My guess would be that there are many folks that had less than ideal parents as role models.
Another comment I read was concerning Bush's Christian values. Now, I'm NOT referring to him particularly, yet life experience has taught me much. Personally, I know folks that drink, do drugs plus a number of other "sins"...yet, they have a heart for the Lord. They feel trapped and the guilt heaped on them by "pastors" is reprehensible. Rather than help them attain their goals of being sober, they are condemmed. If taking a drink or smoking would keep people from being a "true" Christian, then I suspect there are very few "true" Christians...not to mention pointing the finger at those we view as less worthy. It's all level at the foot of the cross.
----
To the writer of the comment I pasted at the begining, the one thing that appears crystal clear is that you love our nation...and are to be commended for your stance. The only reason I used your post was to ask folks not to blame the kids of the one that's currently in the White House. I am in total agreement with your remarks concerning him :)
Posted at 10:00AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Kathryn
9. It's amazing, some of you don't like George W Bush and his policies, so you decide to rip on his daughters? Last I checked, neither one holds a cabinet position, or even an advisory position. I'll bet Bush didn't even consult with them on invading Iraq or handling the aftermath of Katrina -yet some of you "always tolerant/compassionate/fair-minded/we hate the politics of personal destruction" Dems feel the need to insult and ridicule the politician's CHILDREN when you dislike the politician and his policies. It isn't as if either Bush daughter has injected themselves into the political process even remotely the way that Chelsea Clinton has, even as she refuses to talk to the press (even if the reporter is a 9 year old from an elementary school newspaper) - which is a way of having your cake and eating it too, politically. While you're at it, why not attack and ridicule Eliot Spitzer's daughters as well - after all, they're just as responsible for their father's reprehensible misconduct and abuse of the public trust as the Bush daughters are for their father's failures. Oh wait - you'd never do that, because Spitzer has that little D in parentheses after his name.
Posted at 10:16AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Gregory
10. drink up barbie....before you get pucked.
Posted at 10:37AM on Apr 17th 2008 by rudy
11. Who cares?
Posted at 10:38AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Steve
12. THEY SAY PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN'T THROW STONES....WATCH FOR SHATTERED GLASS....SERIOUSLY, I THINK THE BUSH GIRLS, AS WELL AS LAURA BUSH ARE LOVELY LADIES...GEORGE W IS ONLY "PLAYING THE HAND HE WAS DEALT", SO TO SPEAK...C'MON....LIGHTEN UP....WHO DO YOU WANT IN THE WHITE HOUSE...BUCK TOOTHED OVERBITE CHELSEA....OR MAYBE JOWLED HILLARY..OR SLICK CAN'T KEEP IT IN HIS PANTS WILLY??? NOW THERE'S AN UPSTANDING FAMILY....MCCAIN WILL TAKE THE OVAL OFFICE BY STORM...SO WILL CINDY..HIS WIFE, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T FOLLOW CLOSELY...=)LEAVE THE BUSH'S ALONE, AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN LIVES, IF YOU HAVE ONE...HAVE A NICE DAY...
Posted at 10:48AM on Apr 17th 2008 by sue
13. Lucky guy. The Bush girls are clean, all American girls with high morals which is more than I can say for the druggy Hollywood crowd. You idiots who are putting them down ought to be ashamed - these are good girls jo matter how the press wants to paint them. Maybe the press ought to turn to their golden boy Obama and start in on him and his Muslim Religion that they are ignoring.
Posted at 10:55AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Meech
14. WHO CARES...HER DAD HAS NOT MORALS....SHES JUST GROWING UP TO BE A MORAL-LESS WHORE LIKE HER LYING, MURDERING, CHEATING DADDY....
Posted at 11:06AM on Apr 17th 2008 by johnjohn
15. Must be a slow news day? This is news? Oh brother (insert rolling eye)
Posted at 11:07AM on Apr 17th 2008 by iluvtiels2
16. This is news? Must be a slow news day.
Posted at 11:07AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Cindi
17. You go girl! I love how they put in the article "she was drinking and cheering". And what exactly is wrong with that... she's of age and she's only human!! Give her a break people, her father's the president not her.
Posted at 11:10AM on Apr 17th 2008 by mlrabbitf
18. You know, I can't help but be completely amazed at the ignorance of so many people. They are kids. They are kids that are in their twenties. They can legally drink. Obviously, all of you people who think that George Bush is evil for partying in college apparently missed out on the college experience involving partying. Same goes for anyone who criticizes his daughters for drinking. I mean good god, I knew people in high school who were alcoholics by 15, and one person even had the liver of a 40 year old man! To criticize them for drinking legally and having fun is ridiculous, especially when it is UNDERAGE drinking that keeps beer and alcohol companies afloat. Cheers
-An annoyed college student.
Posted at 11:19AM on Apr 17th 2008 by Nick
19. you fools.. leave those girls alone: one is getting married before getting pregnant which is unusual these days.They got a great education.. they are great looking.. and they're having fun..George and Laura have done a good job with them...
Leave your hate alone and dont be so childish.
People like you dont belong in America .
Posted at 11:42AM on Apr 17th 2008 by pls
20. To JohnJohn.
you are so full of it..hateful.. if you're young, you should go to Iraq and see what real life is like.I'm sure you would fit real well with alQuada.
Posted at 11:46AM on Apr 17th 2008 by luise