MIKIMOTO AND KEVAN HALL IN MALIBU

Go to the hot new Malibu Lumber Yard between June 18-21 some time between Noon and 6. Kevan Hall and Mikimoto have teamed up their collections. If you want to meet Kevan in person, go on the 20th or 21st between 2-5 p.m.

New York Chronicles

Had two fabulous trips. Stayed in Joan Rivers' apartment (the week of the "Celebrity Apprentice" finals!) She's the best hostess ever. Saw "God of Carnage" with Joely Fisher, and was totally knocked out. Not since the original Uta Hagen performance of "Virginia Woolf" have I been this excited. RUN to see it. Ate everywhere like Arturo's Pizza, Grey's Papaya, Katz' Deli, and Patsy's. I don't care about Per Se or Le Cirque any more. I want NY FOOD. Went with legendary singer Phoebe Snow who was honored by the Martha Graham Dance Company. (See photo with Paula Zahn and her friend Sue Shalom.) Then went to Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld's prestigious Innocence Project Awards where Phoebe sang. (See photo with the amazing crime couple Dr. Michael Baden, who is performing David Carradine's autopsy as you read this, and his wife, lawyer Linda Kenney Baden--the one who got the hung jury for Phil Spector who is now representing alleged murderer Casey Anthony.) The Innocence Project uses DNA to have innocent convicted people released from prison.

Henry Jaglom's "Irene in Time"

One of my favorite people and directors is Henry Jaglom. I love his style, his sensitivity, his creativity, and his life force. I love Henry himself. He always seens to be present at important times in my life, and I associate him with my fathers. My mother has been married four times. Two out of the four I really loved. One was Bio-Dad; the other was Step-Dad 1. Henry held me as I cried over losing Step-Dad 1 when we were huddled in the back of the Gardenia. When he screened "Irene in Time" it was on the day that would have been Bio-Dad's 100th birthday, and I had spent some time at the cemetery. And wouldn't you know it--"Irene in Time" has to do with fathers.

I think Henry makes movies for intelligent, thoughtful adults. Long may he reign! His new movie, "Irene in Time," stars Tanna Frederick, Victoria Tennant, and Andrea Marcovicci. (What an actress Andrea is. We're so used to hearing her sing.) It is about little girls and their fathers, and how even as adults our perception of who or what a father was to us can either enhance or wreck our lives. Henry's more recent movies have "opened up" more in locations, rather than just being women sitting around a table talking. But there is plenty of that in this movie (which I love), as well as lots of men at their gambling activities acting as contrasts to the women. Throughout the movie are performances of Harriet Schock's music by Tanna Frederick and Harriet, as well as a song performed by Andrea and written by Henry and Tanna. This movie held me all the way, and I LOVED LOVED the score.
Tanna Frederick, who garnered rave reviews for her last film, is a very fearless actress who isn't afraid to annoy you with her character, or pull you in until your heart breaks. She's unforgettable. Henry's two children, Sabrina and Simon do cameo appearances. Simon is very funny, and Sabrina just could be a great big movie star if guided correctly.

West Side Story--LA style

I went to the Actors' Fun Tony Awards party to see the east coast feed. I sat with Carol Lawrence, Chita Rivera, and George Chakiris. Later on we went to Joe Tremaine's house (the amazing choreographer) and DeDe Wood (another genius choreographer) was there. So was former Tony-nominee for "Fosse" Valarie Pettiford, and Chita's daughter Lisa Mordente. It was quite bizarre sitting with the REAL "West Side Story" people, while the new, really dreadful (my opinion and I won't share the others' comments on the revival) "West Side Story" was being presented at this year's Tony's. It's at moments like this that I am so grateful to be sitting with theatrical legends. You'll see photos of Jason Alexander singing to Chita, with DeDe Wood on the left, Valarie, Carol and Carol, Carol Tippi Hedren and Mariette Hartley. And Lucie Arnaz was the most beautiful person on the Tonys! P.S. Alice Ripley, who won for "Next to Normal," clearly is NOT.

CHERYL SABAN'S BOOK PARTY

Haim Saban took over the WP restaurant in the Pacific Design Center the other evening to fete his wife, Cheryl, and her new book, "What Is Your Self Worth? ...A Woman's Guide to Validation." The guests were so happy to celebrate this terrific self-help book. Cheryl has a Ph.D. in psychology and really knows what she's writing about. Congratulating her were Maria Shriver, Sherry Lansing, Bill Bratton & Rikki Klieman, George and Jolene Schlatter, Barbara Davis, Irena Medavoy, Cheryl Woodcock, Donna Antebi, Kenny Edmunds, Arianna Huffington, Grey Davis, and Ron and Kelly Meyer, Wendy Goldberg and her son, John Mirisch, the newly-elected Beverly Hills councilman...just to name a few.
(Almost all) Photos by Alex Berliner

ALEXANDRA HEDISON'S PHOTO EXHIBITION

Alexandra Hedison, actress, photographer, and all-around smart person, held an opening for "Ithaka," a series of her photographs, at Bergamot Station recently./ The exhibit has already been seen in London and New York. The photographs are real works of art, and there were so many people at the opening, some couldn't even get in, and the party spilled over into the parking lot. Celebrating Alex were her parents, David and Bridget, Halle Berry, Saffron Burrows, Matthew Perry, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jennifer Beals, and a cast of thousands.........

LYNDA CARTER IS A SMASH!

You may still call her Wonder Woman if you want, because Lynda is an icon for women everywhere as someone who embodies strength and values, but if you go see her in concert you will discover that her voice is amazing and she's a fantastic performer. Lynda has been at Lincoln Center, Feinstein's at the Regency, the Cerritos Center, and she'll be at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on June 12 & 13. You MUST not deprive yourself of experiencing the joy of seeing her. She recently did a sold-out engagement at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, and Lynda and her band of "star session musicians" were so hot that people didn't know what hit them. Just ask MGM Chairman Harry Sloan and his wife Florence, Ernie and Danielle Del, Lynda's husband Robert Altman, chairman of Zenimax Corp (and partnered with Ernie), one of the top video game companies around, Oscar-nominated Viola Davis from "Doubt," who idolizes Lynda, John and Kimberly Emerson, and Trevor Daley, Senator Dianne Feinstein's SoCal deputy.

ALEXANDRA DWEK FOR SEC. OF STATE

Yes, that's our Alexandra visiting with First Lady Laura Bush just a few days before the Bushes left the White House. Alexandra looks very much "at home" there.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE ARASKOG!

It's so much fun when "The Girls" go out to dinner. There was enough food on the table at Mr. Chow to feed two Third World countries. (and we will). Laughing was non-stop, and particularly when Arnie Kopelson came by to say hello. We all wanted him to stay. Attacking the seaweed (really fried spinach...oops, did I tell the secret?) were Linda Thompson, Alexandra Dwek, Tracy Danza, Donna Antebi, and party organizer Danielle Del. Who's next, gang?

The Lynda Resnick Book Party

"Behind every great woman is herself," said Stewart Resnick as he introduced his wife, Lynda, at her book party recently. A while back Pom Queen and philanthropist Lynda gave a party for her friend Arianna Huffington, and this time Arianna returned the favor by co-hosting with Stewart to celebrate Lynda's new book, "Rubies in the Orchard: How to Uncover the Hidden Gems in Your Business."

"I first met Lynda 30 years ago at Joan Didiion's house," said Arianna, and we've been friends ever since. Her book is a sensational and inspiring marketing guide. Everyone should have it."
And the Lynda addressed the crown from high atop the mezzanine stairs in the grand foyer of LACMA. It was a little like Eva Peron from the balcony---very effective. "This is the best book party I've ever been to," said Lynda. "This has been a fabulous journey, and even though we are in tough times, we must always remember to become part of the family of man. There is always an opportunity when something goes wrong. Be brave, everybody. It's going to be OK."

Taking in her words were Rikki Klieman and Bill Bratton, Wendy and Len Goldberg, Jim Wiatt, Agape Stassinsopoulous, Irena and Mike Medavoy, Cheryl Saban, Willow Bay, Linda Thompson, Julie Araskog, and Pat and Michael York--just to name a few.