Topless club owner names dog shelter after Gingrich
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/28/art.newtsnook.sign.lodge.jpg caption="Dawn Rizos donated $5,000 to open 'Newt's Nook'."]
(CNN)– Despite being uninvited to a "private dinner" given by Newt Gingrich, the owner of a Dallas topless club has no hard feelings. She used the money meant for a donation to the former house speaker's political organization to open up a dog shelter in his honor.
Last month, Dawn Rizos, owner of Dallas topless club The Lodge, received a letter from Gingrich's American Solutions inviting her to dine with Gingrich at a Capitol Hill club. She was also told she had been selected to receive an Entrepreneur of the Year Award. "Dawn – Newt is looking forward to finally meeting you face to face" to talk policy, read a handwritten note on the missive.
Lodge spokesman Michael Precker said they were told the group would need $5,000 to confirm her attendance, which they promptly paid. Shortly after, they were notified by a marketing company working for American Solutions that the invite had been mistakenly extended, and was being rescinded.
"Newt's Nook" opened its doors earlier this week, thanks to a $5,000 donation made by Rizos to the Animal Guardians, a dog rescue shelter 40 miles outside of Dallas. The shelter is meant to provide a place for dogs to recuperate until they are adopted.
"We're thrilled to help such a worthy project," said Rizos. "Instead of holding a grudge, we decided to make something positive out of his bad manners."
Rizos also announced a Valentine's Day special. The Lodge will donate an additional $100 to the Animal Guardians for each dog adopted through Valentine's Day 2010, along with a gift certificate to The Lodge or Stratos Global Greek Taverna.
Animal Guardians Director Annette Lambert says she will be forever grateful.
"Dawn [Rizos] didn't deserve to be treated like that, but this will do so much for these loving dogs until we find them good homes," Lambert said.
–CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand contributed to this post.
This is way too easy.
But I'll do it anyhow.
Do you suppose they have a cage for Newt?
You would think that Newt would know that there is more to vetting his award recipients than cashing the $5000 check. Although, Dawn does appear to have the qualifications to be Newt's running mate.
more proof of the hypocrasy of the GOP
Dawn should be SURE to have the rescue shelter include the advice: "Have your pets spayed and NEWTered".
Alls well that ends well.
This was a case of mistaken identity. Dawn was not the Entrepreneur of the Year. That's why she was uninvited.
And she wasn’t receiving $5000, it was a $5000 plate dinner. Obama has them all the time, only it more like $25k/plate….and more strippers
I suppose anyone can make a mistake, but it always seems the 'con's have their fingers in the cookie jar.
Newt tries to play the loyal reptili'con' role, but in his 'off time'.......
even easier: Spay or Newter?
You got Newt-ed by the Re-Pugs. Thanks for the Dog money.
republicans are such prudes!! I don't go to strip clubs or topless bars or the like (more because I dislike drunks than I have a problem with uncovered breasts....)but I have no problem that they exist for others and certainly don't have anything against those who work at them, this woman is a successful small business owner, what's the problem?? an jeez do we really have to review some of gingrichs less moral choices in life???
running off on your dieing wife is a DEFINING choice, like soooo many repubs gingrich is an ACTOR and the fact that he has no manners or care for how he treats others on the way to getting what HE wants should surprise no one, people stop looking at these radical rightists theu your rose colored glasses, wake up to how scary these self serving liars are
I hope the dogs will either be spayed or NEWTERED...
If it were to meet the president at the white house dinner, you do not even need an invitation.
Good cause, anyway! And good publicity to a politician on the conservative side!
If only all political donations went to such good causes.
This is a Republican fundraising scam. I received the same "business of the year honor"... as it turns out if only I paid money.
They call you with the news that you have been selected, and would like to invite you to a "presidential award banquet" to present you with the award. Then they slide in the donation requirement after getting you enamored of the honor.
Republican's are now no different from a cold call nigerian scam.
Good for them to make something positive out of a negative. A lesson for us all!
That's called "rewarding good costumers".
it is a shame to dog shelter to compare Gingrich...he is worst than that...all these GOP guys who messed our nation...fiscally....
Maybe they need to have him "newt"ered.
What a tribute to the lizard! What does this say about the Newt's forge ahead at all costs and count the bodies later?
When Newt had the chance to be a positive force in American politics, he screwed it up. Do you want to give this loser another chance to screw up worse that he did before?
Ironic that she named a dog shelter after Gingrich, seeing as how he's not even qualified to be dog catcher.
This is a good shelter, and a great cause. I'm sure Newt is honored, as anyone would be. While the Obamas set a disappointing example by acquiring an expensive fashionable dog, Newt's Nook will help to adopt out dogs who would otherwise have no home at all. I wish the Obamas had done something like this, but they didn't.
I'm sure the Newt group will do a better job of begging ... er, vetting next time they select an Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient.
Good to hear something positive came out of this sleazy affair.
Ya gotta love people with a sense of humor! And, ya gotta wonder if Newt or any other Republican right-wing extemist has an equal sense of humor. Based on their performance over the past year, I doubt it.
There are a lot of out-of-control strays out there that need to be put in these kennels with names like Cheney, Rush and Sarah.
That's funny....I love it....
A more worthy donation would be to a wrecking company who could then dismantle the :"Lodge". Are you kidding me, that somehow smut and debasement of women is respectable?