MELISSA RIVERS has written a charming, funny and intimate  book called  "The Book of  Joan" about her late Mother, Joan Rivers. 
"Comedy was her calling", Melissa says. At the age of 8 she collected all the photos of her on the piano in the living room  and shipped them all to MGM, frame and all..    Joan spent 50 years in show biz, and 30 of those years was travelling, after getting a degree in literature from Barnard College.  When she first appeared on the Johnny Carson show, he told her "you are going to be
a star", and five days later she met and married  her husband, Edgar Alfred Rosenberg . To
thank Johnny, on his Birthday, they had the nanny bring 9 - month old Melissa
to Johnny with a note - We want to thank you for everything you have done for us
so we sent you our most prized possession, our daughter, Melissa.

The book reveals charming episodes like this one. A delightful rememberance
was when Joan who liked to eat late told Mellissa "you know who eats dinner early - children, old people, farmhands and prisoners"  Joan believed in manners and collected old
Emily Post books. And what about chivalry - " it isn't dead, it's in Argentina.. Joan didn't cook, her signature dish was "takeout", and defrosting was a challenge.   She carried almost
20 pounds of stuff in her handbag, and once gave out Joan Rivers bee pins to little girls
 in Africa.. .  She carried Lysol in her purse and cleaned her hotel room so well, the maids left her tips.
 She made fun of Elizabeth Taylor when she was fat and said" her next film will be "Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham"  And for up-to date humor she said " about Kris Kardashian - no, Kris, now is not the time to leave Bruce Jenner,  just as he's transitioning, you can double your wardrobe"
 She wrote a book "I, Hate Everyone...Starting With Me".In her book she said "when I die,
I want paparazzi, I want Meryl Streep sobbing in five different accents, I want
to be buried in a Valentino gown" and when she did die, she had all that and musical interlude with Hugh Jackman,  Melissa's son Cooper was the love of her life. We will miss her humor.

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     J   O    E        F   R  A   N   K   L   I  N

JOE   FRANKLIN  died this January.  He had been ill.  JOE had originated
the late night TV talk show since the 50's  ( January 8, 1951).  He had
interviewed every major celebrity at least three times each.  He gave
BARBRA STREISAND an interview when she was an "unknown".  His favorite
interview was with MARILYN MONROE.  He also found time to write books
'Up Late With Joe Franklin" At the opening of  his restaurant, TONY CURTIS
came to wish him well.  Going to his office was like visiting a museum called
"Memory Lane", hundreds of records, photos, books.  Many years ago, he
got me on TV to read my poetry, and we always read the newspapers together
He is survived by his son, Bradley, a sister Margaret Kestenbaum
two grandchildren, and a long time companion  Jodi Fritz. 
I will miss him. 
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The 17th annual Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation - "Collaborating for a Cause"
was held at Cipriani - Wall Street and was a huge success.  There was
both a live and silent auction and entertainment by Ziggy Marley.
Ellen and Michael Nierenberg were hosts and the honorees were the
designers Carley Cushnie and Michelle Ochs.

Reggae was the vibration of the evening  while Ziggy sang, and danced
and played the guitar to the rhythms of the night.

Whatever Ziggy was singing, the crowd joined in .

Love songs were everywhere.

Emcee for the evening was Chris Wragge, CBS

 

The night went on and the band played on.

The mission of the foundation is to eradicate cancer by bridging the gap
between lab science and the patient. More than $85 million has been raised to support the work of researchers across the globe.

  Hugh Hildesley of Sothebys did a great job at the live auction which included two black puppy labs.
Ziggy grabbed a hand out of the audience to dance with him.!!!!! It was a great party and a magnificent cause.

 

It was a wonderful party for STING. After his opening of THE LAST
SHIP at the Neil Simon theater, we were driven to Chelsea Piers,
where there were a lot of ships on the water.  A  buffet dinner for some 800
people with an open bar and a dance floor went on to 3 am in the morning. In a small
cordoned off area STING  was entertaining some friends and well- wishers so I  joined them and did say hello in person.
He will be joining the cast on Dec. 9
While onstage after the performance, he told us the story how he grew
up in the town that built the Carpathia, the ship that saved the survivors of the
Titanic.  One day when Queen Elizabeth came to christen a ship, he waved to her
with a flag and she waved back to him.  Since then, he knew he would leave the small
town to go on his journey of music. 
The musical has great warmth, his lyrics, so filled with sensitivity especially in "It's Not the Same Moon, and so powerfull in "The Last Ship".  The dancing of the men is strong, dynamic, and directs
ones thoughts to this is a man's musical, growing up and sailing away to charter ones journey in life,
but its the memories that always  bring you back to where you were born and raised.
Tell your husbands, brothers, Fathers, sons, nephews to catch this show ,
it was written by a man just for them.

The gala dinner and auction celebrating the 10th anniversary of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America was held at Cipriani,42 Street. They honored Admiral Mike Mullen and Uber CEO Travis
Kalanick. It was founded in 2004, by Iraq veteran and CEO Paul Rieckhoff, supporting veterans throughout their lives with policies from federal and local levels.

The Admiral had been military advisor to Presidents George W. Bush
and President Barack Obama. The honorable Robert A.McDonald, Secretary,
U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs, and past CEO of Proctor and Gamble
spoke  to over 600 guests at dinner saying that the organization has" laser-like focus" rebuilding trust and that there is nothing more important than caring about veterans. In the majestic
setting, the band played, Willie Geist emceed , Kandace Springs sang and $120,000
was raised with a live auction.

                                            With Speaker the Honorable Robert. A. McDonald
                                             Secretary -U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
       

                                     Travis Kalanick, Uber CEO      Paul Rieckhoff, Candace Springs
  

    
       

 

 

 

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ROBIN WILLIAMS

he will be missed.  I met him when he did a benefit for CHRISTOPHER REEVE was faster than a roller coaster, quicker than quick silver, , brighter than a firecracker and funnier than a clown.  He was spontaneous and got everyone  laughing.  So I spoke to him after his performance and I said "I have seen every Mork and Mindy show you did", and then I kissed him.  It was a goodby kiss, goodby Robin, we were all blessed to have you here entertaining us and making us see the fun in life.  President Obama said "he made us laugh, he made us cry"

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SUMMER IS HERE!! Now that the World Cup is over, Catch the NY Philharmonic, in the parks presented by Didi and Oscar Shafer or go to the Delacorte-Shakespeare in the park starting July 22, King Lear.  If you like Russian music, impresario FRANK Breuer is holding "Frank's Art Evenings" his music series-again.  Bring the wine or beer ( he likes beer) and listen to  an amazing piano  concert, of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. July 24, Duke Ellington Room, 400 w 43 st; 6:30