Ivy Nesbit is suing her former employer, Inspire magazine, a smallish east-side publication that targets affluent readers, for back pay and release from her "no compete clause."

According to a suit filed Tuesday, Inspire CEO Steve Wanamaker terminated her March 5 for four instances of "inappropriate behavior" but refused to provide documentation. Later in March, Emmis Publishing (Cincinnati magazine) offered her a job. She accepted, the suit says, but the offer was withdrawn when Inspire threatened Cincinnati with legal action based on her "no compete" agreement.

The suit, filed by Randy Freking, goes on to say the magazines don't compete (Inspire circulates 500 every other month, Cincinnati does 30,000 monthly) and the job with Cincinnati is totally different from her job at Inspire. Enforcing the "no compete," the suit says "wrongfully and maliciously interfered with Plaintiff's ability to work, thereby causing irreparable damages."

Then comes a surprise: "Inspire magazine is financially struggling and it is believed that the May/June edition is in jeopardy," the suit says.

Don't know if that's true or not because we couldn't get through to Wanamaker - no answer in his office and his voice mailbox is full.

Attorney Freking couldn't be reached, either.

Late night

Just a reminder, lest you've forgotten since the Enquirer published it last week: Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of the local band the Greenhornes, frequent guests on stage at Northside's Comet, will be on late night TV twice this week - Late Night with David Letterman (11:35 p.m., Channels 12, 7) Monday and The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno (11:35 p.m., Channels 5, 22) Wednesday.

It's because the two are featured on Loretta Lynn's new Van Lear Rose album (review, F11) - Keeler played drums, Lawrence bass. Both admit to being Lynn fans. And even bigger fans now that they've worked with her and may even tour with her come late summer.

A singing Corbett

The next voice you hear singing will be that of arts philanthropist Patricia Corbett. At least it will be if you tune in to WMKV-FM's (89.3) tribute to her.

Turns out longtime local broadcast veterans (and we really do mean longtime) Len Goorian, Bill Nimmo and Bill Myers teamed up to do the 60-minute special packed with reminisces and clips of Corbett singing.

Goorian is best known as a TV producer (he was a Paul Dixon staffer forever) and Nimmo is best known as on-air talent, including a stint with Johnny Carson (Who Do You Trust?) and a local show with then-wife Marian Spelman. Bill Myers has done TV weather and radio all over town.

As for Corbett singing, "It's an aspect of her life not many people know about," says WMKV general manager Alan Bayowski. "But she had an excellent singing voice."

Honest. A bunch of years ago when she and the late J. Ralph were a young couple in New York, she was serious about a vocal career. And pretty good, people say. Even in recent years, she could sometimes be persuaded to sing, though she preferred dramatic readings.

Anyway, check her vocal skills when the show airs at 7 p.m. Saturday and repeats at 9 p.m. May 13, 4 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 18.

Bug boy

People are already talking about the new Snappy Cicada Pizza jingle. Here's what most don't know: Jay Gilbert, WEBN-FM (102.7) afternoon jock, wrote it and recorded it way the heck back in 2001.

Seems Snappy marketing director Bret Witte approached Gilbert in 2001 to come up with a new jingle for its commercials. A real jingle, not a put-on. So Gilbert did it.

But at the same time, just for the heck of it, he wrote and recorded a parody version with cicadas in mind. Just like he did in 1987 with the "snap, snap, snappy cicada pizza" song. He sent the new version to Witte with a label saying "Do Not Play Until Spring 2004."

Whenever he played it, Witte was hooked. It goes on the air soon, but you can hear it now at www.Cincinnati.com or www.snappytomato.com. You can hear the 1987 version there, too.

Morning madness

At WEBN, the morning drive time Dawn Patrol is gearing up for its deliciously tasteless Mothers Day tradition - the Miss Morning Sickness Pageant, also known as the pregnant bikini contest.

The rules: You must be 18, due before July 31 and willing to prance around in a bikini. Beyond that, you're on your own with costuming and body decorations and whatnot.

No one's sure, but program director Michael Walter thinks it's at least the 14th annual. "I know at least 14 because sometimes when we're out we meet some 12- or 13-year-old whose mother competed. We're starting to get some repeat contestants, too. Pretty bizarre stuff."

Winner gets $1,000. Side contests, with smaller prizes, include - Most Likely to be Back Next Year, Best Stretch Marks and Best Reason to Breast Feed.

The pageant is at Las Brisas (the Waterfront's outdoor deck in Covington), regardless of weather ("These are hardy women," Walter says) starting at 6 a.m. Friday. It's free, open to the public and, as at all 'EBN parties, the bar will be open and well-stocked.

Email: jknippenberg@enquirer.com