Year Roundup: Top 10 Biggest News Bits of 2012

This year was a rollercoaster ride - with more ups and downs in one year than we've ever seen in the past. And I couldn't start 2013 without looking back. So check out my list of the Top 10 Biggest Moments of 2012!

10. Joy Finds Work at Men at Work

Remember that episode of One Tree Hill where Brooke and Haley get high off Quinn's brownies? And remember saying how hilarious it'd be to see Joy in a comedy? Well get ready to cross it off your wishlist for 2013. In her first acting gig post-One Tree Hill - Joy will join the four buddies of TBS' Men at Work as Meg, a hot mom who becomes the romantic interest of Tyler, played by Michael Cassidy of "The O.C." fame. As if that weren't enough, another O.C. alum, the handsome Benjamin McKenzie plays Meg's ex-husband who comes into the picture to try to win her back. Quite the yummy love-triangle, isn't it?

9. Love Warriors Start Bidding Wars 

This year Joy auctioned off her personal Season 9 Chair Back on ebay and the winning bid was a grand $1,580. She also auctioned off other autographed goodies like her pair of BC Wedges, a rare One Tree Hill script, and an a framed TRIC poster, with each item selling for more than half a grand. Pretty huge considering every penny went to LOVE 146 and Shoe Revolt, making the bidding wars totally worth it in the end.

8. First Glimpses of Baby Maria

There's a certain sensitivity online regarding the sharing of images of Joy's daughter. So imagine our surprise when we got our first glimpse of baby Maria Rose posing with her proud momma in an article posted by People. The mom and daughter pair are too cute for words!

7. Everly Decides to Call it Quits

Not going to lie, I saw this coming. As I'm sure many others did as well. But even so, I was still surprised when Joy confirmed it via whosay. Everly never did get around to releasing their official album, and something about unreleased music collecting dust on someone's laptop hurts my heart a little...

6. Joy Moves to L.A. & Warms Up to the Paps

For someone who has been a fan of Joy since the beginning of One Tree Hill, I was around for 2007 where Joy literally dropped off the face of the planet and avoided events in L.A. like the plague. If it wasn't for One Tree Hill, I literally thought she'd retreat to Battle Ground and we'd never hear of her again. But a bit after she wrapped things up in North Carolina, Joy packed her bags and relocated to the paparazzi epicenter of the world, aka Los Angeles. And I was beyond shocked - because now we have the pleasure of seeing her buzzing around L.A. and just straight up owning the place. Love it!

5. Joy releases Then Slowly Grows

After six years, we finally got to hear "Never Gonna Be" "Anybody Else" in its entirety and without people talking over it. One word: Finally.

4. 4 more for 44 - Joy Supporting President Obama

Intended for Fox News, in 2008 Joy released a slightly controversial video (to most democratic fans at least) when she spoke in favor of electing McCain and Palin. Although she generally keeps the political talk to a minimum, at the time it was surprising to see her outwardly declare her support for the republican duo. But could it be that over the last four years Joy has gained a soft spot for President Obama? Earlier this year I was super intrigued when Joy gave props to the prez for spontaneously singing a pretty kick-ass rendition of Al Green's "Let Stay Together" and then I was just pretty damned shocked when she retweeted "4 More For 44!!!". I can't say with certainty whether she voted Obama or not - but at the least its safe the say the president has won over her support this time around. And hurray for that!

3. Joy Shows off Post-Baby Body

Let's get it straight, losing weight and getting in shape is not easy. Ever. But boy, did Joy make it look easy peasy this year. After having baby Maria almost two years ago, Joy seems to be in the best shape we've ever seen her! And it shows. She seems to carry herself with a renowned confidence and spark - and it helps that her wardrobe has been super flattering and on point.

2. Splitsville: Joy and Michael File for Divorce

After tying knot in December 2005 and welcoming their first child, daughter Maria Rose in 2011 - Joy and Michael filed for a divorce in March of this year. To this day, I am still in utter shock and disbelief. But for what it's worth Joy has never looked better or seemed happier. Kudos to her for picking up the pieces as quickly as she did!

1. Fans Bid Farewell to good ole Tree Hill

Despite many attempts by network execs at the CW to pull the plug on the show once and for all, One Tree Hill survived nine entire seasons! That's 187 episodes people. All jammed packed with car crashes, unplanned pregnancies, attempted suicides, pyscho-nannies, insta fame and that's just to name a few.

But of course like everything else in this world, One Tree Hill finally came to end. And surprisingly, it was a graceful bow out. Mark Schwahn finally done good and wrapped things up pretty neatly for us. And for that, it's my top moment of 2012.

News Update: Galeotti's Restaurant Going Out of Business

North Clark County residents who would like to have one more meal at Galeotti’s Restaurant in Battle Ground will only have a few more days to do so, as the restaurant will close its door at the end of the day Sun., Sept. 16.

Joshua Monen, founder and editor of the Battle Ground Buzz, was first to break the story of Galeotti’s closing on his Battle Ground Buzz Online Radio Show when he interviewed Mike Galeotti, Sr., one of the restaurant’s owners.

“We regret to inform our friends, family and the wonderful people in Battle Ground that we find it necessary to close down our restaurant,” Galeotti said in the interview with Monen. “We are hoping it will be a temporary close.”

During his interview with Monen, Galeotti told listeners that the reason the family has decided to close the restaurant is due to some recent family issues. Galeotti’s son, Michael Galeotti, is currently in the middle of a divorce with his soon-to-be ex wife, Bethany Joy [Lenz].

“It does affect the ownership structure of the restaurant and we just decided it would be best to close until the divorce is over,” Mike Galeotti, Sr. said in the interview. “It’s a sad say for us as a family. It’s with heavy hearts that we’re going to be closing our doors as of Sunday.”

Galeotti’s Restaurant will close at the end of the day Sun., Sept. 16.

“Sunday will be our last day and we will be saying goodbye and farewell to our customers during the last few days,” Galeotti said.

After closing on Sunday, Galeotti said they will have a private party for the staff, but friends in the community who wish to stick around can also do so.

To hear Galeotti’s full online radio interview with the Battle Ground Buzz, click here and click the “play” button towards the bottom of the page.

Source: News Alert: Galeotti’s Restaurant Going Out of Business (Radio)

News Update: Joy & Michael Call it Quits

COUPLE SEPARATES AFTER 6 YEARS 
OF MARRIAGE 

Bethany Joy Lenz & ex-husband
Michael Galeotti

Bethany Joy Lenz (yes, she’s going back to her maiden name) made the shocking revelation that she and her husband of six years, Michael Galeotti will be filing for divorce.

“I'm sorry to say that Michael and I have decided to divorce. We remain friendly and dedicated to raising our beautiful girl in love and we appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time,” Lenz revealed on Monday through her official blog, BethanyJoy.com.

The couple tied the knot on New Year’s Eve of 2005 and in February of 2011 they welcomed their first and only child, Maria Rose Galeotti. In 2009 the couple pursued an entrepreneurial venture in the form of Galeotti’s Restaurant, located in their hometown of Battle Ground, Washington.

In an issue of Vancouver Family Magazine, Galeotti’s declaration to his family was in tall order for him despite the fact that Lenz spent the better part of each year filming One Tree Hill in Wilmington, North Carolina while he stayed at home recording with his band and running Galeotti’s Restaurant. For six years the couple made it work, traveling back and forth whenever time would allow.

However, the distance was definitely a challenge. “We haven’t lived together in the same place for longer than like three months at a time because of this show,” Lenz stated in an exclusive interview with The CW back in 2009. “So I mean I just want to go home and live with my husband for longer than three months. That would be nice.”

Lenz & Galeotti pose at an event in L.A.

The news of the divorce definitely came as a surprise to all and the news continues to reverberate across the web despite Joy’s reluctance to speak out on such a personal topic. However, most shocking is the timing. With filming for One Tree Hill all wrapped up, Lenz packed up her life in Wilmington to head for the West Coast to be with her family. Unfortunately, due to some unknown circumstances, the couple decided to call it quits but did so on amiable terms.

Whatever the circumstances, Lenz's optimism and good faith underscores her blog post stating that she “feel[s] immensely humbled and grateful that God works all things for the good of those who love Him.” In a 2007 interview with Radiant Magazine, Lenz spoke similarly on her faith and how it’s been a constant in her life. “I’ve always had faith. As a little girl, I saw the world differently than a lot of people I was around. I just always knew that God was with me. I could feel Him. I think maybe being an only child really helped me because I wasn’t distracted from my environment and how it affected me and what it meant about life. I’ve always been someone who looks beyond what I can see.”

Despite the inevitable hardship that is brought on by a divorce, it seems that Joy’s faith will help her see through such a difficult and complicated time in her life. Since the divorce she has attended several events, most recently Zooey Magazine's Relaunch Party. Remarkably she's ever looked as vibrant and confident as she does now. It seems like Joy has been able to pull herself up by the bootstraps and move forward without making any apologies for her ambitious attitude - which is something I truly admire about her.

In light of the recent events, I have decided to end this post with Joy’s poem entitled “Women of Legend” – a poem that perfectly highlights a woman’s immeasurable strength and perseverance amidst pain and hardship.

I wish Joy and her family all the best in the world as they transition through this difficult period. 

WOMEN OF LEGEND

O my child, the heart is a perilous thing.

The heart crowns all paradoxes of God;

made of muscle and steel and fire, but frail as the sparrow's wing.

Women of Legend are not born-- they are grown

out of spit and dirt and fire and sweat;

they are not a glamorous flock.

They have grease underneath their fingernails

and wrinkles around their eyes.

They have bruises from too-hard pounding upon their breasts.

They have lines from laughter and their feet are callused

from barefooted adventures and sojourns.

Women of Legend are grown out of the spit and dirt and fire and sweat;

their significance is secured in their steadfast response

to unimaginable pain.

- Bethany Joy Lenz