'August: Osage County' screening has fans cheering

Dermot Mulroney in “August: Osage County”

SEEN ON THE SCENE: The word “Oscar” was on the lips of many lucky movie lovers who attended the special Chicago International Film Festival early screening Tuesday of “August: Osage County,” based on Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer and Tony-winning play, that was launched at Steppenwolf. The film and it’s all-star cast — including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Sam Shepard, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Julianne Nicholson, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbach and Dermot Mulroney — had many raving, including Nora Daley and Sean Conroy, Neal Zucker, Arny Granat and Irene Michaels, Joanna and Grant DePorter, John Lanzendorf, Beth and Rich Heller, Nena Ivon and Dori Wilson. On hand for the exciting event were Chicago-based producer Steve Traxler, his producing partner Jean Doumanian and Mulroney, whose in town filming the new “Crisis” TV series. While many on hand were happy for Traxler, one woman was overheard quipping, “I love Steve, but it would have been nice if [fellow “August” producer] George [Clooney] could have dropped by tonight!” … Derek Jeter had heads turning as he lunched at Tavern on Rush — nibbling on a heart-healthy organic mixed greens salad and grilled chicken breast. .. The new Nick’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Wilmette has already attracted the likes of Bears head coach Marc Trestman, ex-coach Dave Wannstedt, former Bear Gary Fencik and Cubs CEO Tom Ricketts. … The Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford was spotted hanging out at Bub City, as was ex-Bear Hunter Hillenmeyer — and separatedly newly-minted travel show host Audrina Patridge, who also was seen checking out the new tiki bar, Three Dots and a Dash.