"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news.
It was the wedding lots of people in Phoenix and Chicago were schmoozing about – especially within political circles! Not only did the guest list of 400 weigh heavy with political figures including U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke…officials like the U.S. Marshall David Gonzales and sports powerfuls such as Derek Hall of the Arizona Diamondbacks - but the brides’ ex husband made a toast.
Yes, longtime confirmed bachelor George Weisz - philanthropist, part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns’ Dan Majerle’s restaurants- Majerle’s Sports Grills, and recent former senior assistant to Mayor Phil Gordon- walked down the beautiful isle at the Desert Botanical Garden and married Leesa Berens Morrison, the director of Arizona’s Department of Homeland Security under Gov. Janet Napolitano, who recently joined Policy Development Group Inc.
The wedding, nestled amid the majestic desert setting and the building at the Botanical Garden named for George’s parents – Barbara and the late Bill Weisz- it was particularly meaningful.
The Jewish wedding with many Jewish traditions – lured almost all the guests on the dance floor for the Hebrew folk song Hava Nagila to dance The Hora. The tradition was embraced by the both Jewish and lots of non-Jewish guests.
And that guest list was also characterized by Republicans and Democrats. You see, George- a Republican and Leesa- a Democrat- are the James Carville and Mary Matalin of Arizona of sorts. (Mary’s, a Republican and James a Democrat are the famous political strategists consultants based in Washington, D.C.)
Among the celebrities at George and Leesa’s wedding --- was the wedding cake! Atop the cake were a donkey and an elephant, symbolizing both the Democrat and Republican parties.
But – oops – as George and Leesa were showing me the cake – the DONKEY’s HEAD fell off! The couple became very nervous trying to get the caterers to piece it back together. “Oh – well – that’s probably significant that it’s the donkey that is falling apart not the elephant,” whispered George to himself. (Leesa didn’t hear that- it was so softly to himself, but I heard it George.)
So, how many rabbis does it take to marry a once confirmed bachelor? Plenty. After dating seven years, the yentas can now stop asking “George, when ya gonna get married..”
But kudos to the couple who during those seven years became one big happy family . George and Leesa’s ex husband and three daughters are all great friends –even vacation together.
Also kudos on the food at the wedding. The menu boasted mouthwatering grilled lamb chops – all you could eat- champagne glasses filled with gourmet mashed potatoes – and other culinary delights-not to mention the dessert bars overflowing with make your own gourmet sundaes and hot chocolate donuts!
Oh and the bachelor party included a day on the baseball diamond at Chase field – actually playing a game on the field and changing in the actual locker room – all coached by former Diamondback player Matt Williams!
And I have to mention the wedding invitation – which included a real stamp with a picture of Leesa’s and George’s new son – Murree on the return envelope. Murree is their cherished, Jewish/Irish son. He’s a two-year old 160 pound Irish Wolfhound.
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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