GOTHAM GOSSIP |
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Written by: P: 212-332-9991 718-885-6576 A chatty, informative column of New York events featuring places, people and personalities and celebrities. demetriadaniels@gmail.com
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Saturday, December 03, 2005
Saturday Dec 3, JZ KNIGHT will speak. In her book "A State of Mind", she explains how a 35,0000 year old entity called RAMTHA occupied her life and her body. You can hear her at St Andrews church, at W 86 st and WEAve. The very next day RAMTHA, THE ENLIGHTENED ONE will address the audience. You are sure to find out things you didn't know before about God, love and your own potential. This is a ****-star event. Don't miss it - only in one lifetime will it happen, or you can go to the Ramtha school in Yelm, Washington state and learn more, or order the visual tapes. Monday, November 28, 2005
I was in Greece where my Father was honored with a bronze bust in front of the church he financed near Korinth. The Governor spoke, the Mayor spoke about him - JAMES DANIELS, also know as "Hadjidemon"- which is a nickname he was called because he had been baptized in the River Jordan.He was a very religious and spiritual man who never forgot his native country. When I got back to NY, I had the great pleasure of meeting GINA LOLLOBRIGIDA at the K - LOUNGE, BOMBAY PALACE at 30 W. 52 Street, a cozy and secluded upstairs den. She was second runner-up at Miss Italy and famous for her role in Solomon and Sheba. In the l980's she ran for Italian Parliament and won a seat. She still is beautiful. The first large party in the department of pediatrics at Mt. Sinai hospital will be on December 20, in the afternoon. You can donate toys and that will be great. It is organized by The Eve Fenton Love-All Foundation, Inc. For further info call 212-977-3748, 212-273-5706 or 212-699-7742- bring toys for the children, or mail in a check to this foundation that does such good for disabled children all year long. Attending their lovely event at the Rainbow Room, Jerome Richards of OPpenheimer & Company, who has received The Order of Lafayette, the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem , the the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, said "this is the most important charity event in all of New York, and I fully support it". Monday, October 03, 2005
CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE took place in New York recently. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTONled the impressive 3-day conference attended by more than 1,000 participants at the Sheraton Hotel. PRESIDENT CLINTON called for The group focused on four main tops: Poverty, Climate Change; Religion and Enhancing governance. In attendance for the religion seminar was QUEEN RANIA AL-ABDULLAH, Queen of the Royal Hasemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Honorable Richard C. Holbrooke, Ambassador to the UN, and President and CEO, Global Business Coalition on HIv/AIDS. The panel was emceed by George Stephanopoulos, anchor ABC News. Her majesty discussed the role of women in Islam and spoke about promoting interfaith cooperation "Leaders must become more proactive", she said. "There must be educational exchanges between the East and West; It is important to teach the children first." At the end of the panel discussion, the attendees were asked to come up with the solutions which were: Arts Projects, Interfaith Sports, CyberChurches, Seeds of Peace Festivals A highlight at the luncheon was Vice-President Al Gore, now Chairman, Generation Investment Management who spoke about global warming- speaking about the species and the planet, he warned "we are in great danger" Secretary General Kofi Annan closed the conference with a call for human rites. Some commitments already pledged are: World Bicycle Relief for bicycle distribution in Sri Lanka, Chicago Climate Exchange - Greenhouse Gas Reduction = 2 million from InterSolar and Climate Institute, Washington for Climate Change Observation Center in Mexico - 15 million from World Corps in Interational franchised "social business". Monday, August 22, 2005
FRANK SINATRA was in New York with his beautiful grandaughter. Appearing at the Tourneau Center next to the Trump Building, he wished everyone a grand summer, filled with wonderful music. Wednesday, July 20, 2005
LIZA MINNELLI sang in person at Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's - Seaside Concert. She was magnificent and sang with zest, brilliance, passion,energy, love and warmth. She started the concert with "I'm happy to see you, I love you too".With warmth and rememberance, she said "when I was 16, I played in Brooklyn, in summer stock". Switching from a magnificent white beaded pants suit to a black sequin one, she performed with greatness. There could be no other word that best describes her. She smiled and joked with the almost 2,000 audience smelling the sea breeze; "I was here 40 years ago and don't feel a day older". Like the stars above, she shined with many unknown lyrics by Kander & Ebb, and others from Broadway shows, her favorites- one which was a quiet folk tune called "Lowdown Town". Also on the program were "I Am My Own Best Friend". We lost the Dodgers, but we gained Liza, now she is ours forever, lucky us. Thank you for coming to Brooklyn, we love you.  *************************************************************************************We mourn the passing of ANN LORING, teacher to so many of us, friend and past President of AFTRA. She was the first person to say hello to me when I became a member of the National Television Academy of Arts and Sciences; she served on the Board of Governors and was a National Trustee of that organization. Our sympathy to her children Steve and Joe. A memorial is planned for Sunday, July 24 at Campbells. Steve said "she affected the lives of so many". She had been on my mind and I had a strong impulse to call her for lunch, yes, that very day, the day she died, and I did to find out the very sadest of news. I brought her sons deep colored roses which have since faded, but her memory still lives in all those screenplays produced in Hollywood and in all of our hearts, when we hear her name. ************************************************************************************* Friday, June 24, 2005
RON HOWARD was scheduled by the Leaning Annex to review CINDERELLA MAN, the new boxing movie set in the depression era, starring RUSSELL CROWE and RENEE ZWELLEGER. He was being interviewed by JOEL SIEGEL from WABC-TV and much to the audience's surprise - who popped in, but RUSSELL CROWE live. Along with the viewing of the film and the screenwriter, there was a four-way conversation going onstage where some wonderful information about the film was learned. In the movie, the boxer borrows money from the government emergency fund set up to help those out of work. It is this actual receipt that was now in the possesion of Mr. Crowe, who bought it, and cherishes it. There are many cherished moments in the movie. They also spoke about how they picked the three little children from an audition of one thousand, looking for the right mix of the two boys and one girl. Mr. Consistency, the in-between type and an angel. Ron said that he came to the set everyday with a plan but looking for details to make it better. "Everyday is the creation of time". For Russell, "I need montage" was his comment. Joel Siegel asked about the sound. all the sounds coming from the fight sounded different. Both the score by Tom Newman and the sound editor were important elements as well as the orchestration of the "lack of sound". Ron Howard said the movie was a "story of triumph and about humanism". Also, "the movie celebrates the possibility of love as a foundation of survival of the body and of the spirit" ******************************************************************************** OTHER NEW YORK EVENTS - The wedding of Ray and Tomiko Taylor at the Society of Illustrators,the private art club on E. 63 St. with both families in attendance and an interfaith minister, Alyta Adams, to preside. The bride wore a satin aqua kimono and the groom a dark suit. Guests included long-time friends and family. The bride was attended by her daughter, Lisa Sato, her son, Ken Kunimoto, and her son-in-law, Kai Sato. On the groom's side were his two sons, Scott Taylor, Dan taylor, and his daughter Denise Taylor.Before the ceremony, we all snacked on salmon and shrimp sushi; after the ceremony we dined on a gourmet feast and danced the evening away. Phil Eng, creative director for Viacom and his beautiful wife Rose were in attendance. Monday, May 16, 2005
THE ELLIS ISLAND AWARDS, started by William Dennis Fugazy under NECO, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations was formed to honor the finest representatives of their heritage who meld the traditions of their ancestry with the values and vitality that keep American strong Past winners were Presidents Clinton, Ford, Carter, Nixon, Bush as well as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Michael Douglas. A beautiful spring day greated us as we sailed to Ellis Island where marching bands, Irish dancers, 10-year old violinists and USO singers entertained the 1000 guests and 100 awardees. Lee Iacocca welcomed everyone and Thomas Dressen emceed the evening.  Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and her Father Dr. James S. C. Chao received the award for the first daughter/father team. Privately she told us how she buried the word CANT in a shoebox in Queens when she was young. She had been past President of the Peace Corps. She thanked her parents and her husband Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.  PENNY MARSHALL, director of BIG starring TOM HANKS and A League of their Own starring MADONNA was waiting for a call from her daughter who was expecting any second and went to look for the Italian family name on the wall. (The baby came and is named ISABELLA-CONGRATULATIONS) After the ceremony and dinner we sailed back to watch the Gruccis fireworks with the Ambassadors from China and H.E. Abdoulaye Diop from Mali who both said "God Bless Amercia".  Wednesday, May 11, 2005
AN EVENING IN INDIA was the theme for the WILDLIFE TRUST'S second annual International Award gala held at he manificent Gotham Hall where ROBERT REDFORD and JANE FONDA recently attended separate events. CO-CHAIR of the event was the creative filmaker ISMAIL MERCHANT who's long list of movies include many Hollywood stars and screen legends. The Indian God Ganesh welcomed all who entered the vast hall to watch Dr.Madhav Gadgil, PHD receive a beautiful crystal Rosenthal elephant for ecological sciences. Indian puppets were the centerpieces, elephant napkin rings held napkins and wonderful Indian dancers danced, arranged bySargam Entertainment. President Mary C. Pearl said "tongith we celebrate our work in India where we have been helping humans and elephants co-exist in crowded landscapes" Deputy Consul General of India, Ashok Tomar remarked "the dinner highlighted the scientific work done in India, and was very tastefully done".. Sundaraam, of Sundaram Gallery said the colors and display were the most beautiful he has ever seen. Sunday, April 24, 2005
BIZBASH held a bash at BB KINGS - the place where EARTHA KITT recently performed and MAYOR BLOOMBERG held his inauguration party. Dave Adler, Publisher of BizBash welcomed everyone and joked "the host's worst nightmare is when noone comes". Gerry Moss welcomed everyone too - the room was packed indeed. Michael Cavanaugh, now in BILLY JOEL'S MOVING OUT played and sang some favorites to add to the festive occassion befor the BIG B'S were given out to the best in the events business. The best GIFT BAG went to Liberty National Golf Club Announcement Event -submitted byKarlitz & Company- it had a leather basket filled with a box of wine glasses, linen tablecloth, napkins, wine bottle, cookbook and (get this) silver rings. The best EVENT CONCEPT went to the Robin Hood Foundation Benefit, submitted byEvent Resources Inc. The well-known Dalzell Productions won for Gotham Awards. Other categories included "best" event decor, new venue, lighting design, staging set design, entertainment program, conference, and frest idea. The judges included the well-known Susan Magrino Agency, BIZBASH Media, Macy's and several others. Inducted into the HALL OF FAME HONOREES were JULIAN NICCOLINI and ALEX VON BIDDER, owners of the famous FOUR SEASONS restaurant- who together created the "power lunch". It was indeed a great BASH and a fun party. Ice-skating champion and Olympic Gold Medalist SARAH HUGHES emceed the coveted SULLIVAN AWARDS at the NY Athletic Club. She told me that "if I hadn't started at the age of 4, I would never have won my first medal at the age of 16." The Saint George Society held their black tie gala at the Pierre and raised monies from an auction and dinner dance. Last year, SIR DAVID FROST told jokes and emceed. Wednesday, March 30, 2005
I walked into my local copy shop saying good morning to all the regulars there and got to chatting with the woman next to me. Somehow I recognized her name and said"hey I know you remember me?" Well it turned out to be Dr. Marcella Maxwell who used to be Commissioner inolved with New York City government. So she turned to me and invited me to a luncheon called "WOMEN AT HEART" of the Greater New York Chapter of THE LINKS, an organization of black women worldwide. This was the 56th annual Easter luncheon and fashion show, and Dr. Maxwell was the chairperson of the event which honored Karen Boykin-Towns,of Pfizer, Sharon A. Henry, of Bristol-Myers Squibb and Mos Def, one of hip-hop's artists whose grandmother accepted for him. Charles Rangel and Virginia Fields both attended. There were 1,000 people in a lovely setting with a glorious fashion show from The Murphy Group. Harriette Cole, Columist for the NY Daily News MCed the show. Oscar - the dog made an entrance on a leash. There were both men and women fashions and Ethos jewelery on both. Dr. Maxwell remarked " it was a fabulous luncheon celebrating 56 years in an excellent Chelsea Piers setting overlooking the Hudson with a preferred staff serving a luscious meal." The purpose of the luncheon from President Linda Zango-Haley was"to raise awareness that heart disease is the #1 killer of women resulting in over 500,000 deaths last year. Some tips for your heart and your health 1, love thyself 2, learn how to breath,3, "let it go" - don't become a pit-bull terrier, 4, find time for yourself, 5, treat your body with exercise, 6, see your doctor, 7, learn more about heart disease. Wednesday, February 23, 2005
NYC2012 It's a remarkable time for New York City. The International Olympics Committee , all 13 judges are here to look at the city and decide whether New York will be host to the 2012 Olympics. It has been non-stop events - looking at the various sites and hearing from MAYOR BLOOMBERG, GOVERNOR PATAKI, and the other major players for 'THE BID'. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH sent a videotape to support New York and send well wishes 'THE BID"'is the major event here. Daniel Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Jay Kriegel, Executive Director of the NYC2012 bid are doing their best to convince the committee members that New York should be the place for the games. Mike Moran, Senior Communications counsellor said: "let the dreams begin". Mayor Bloomberg told us about his daughter who is an equestrian expert in the family and he wants her to "bring home the gold". He told us that at a luncheon given by CHRISTIES, where CEO , Mr. Stephen Lash hosted us. At a reception at the New York Athletic Club, President, Peter V. Ueberroth, and James E.Scherr, Secretary General of the US Olympic Committee spoke to a room fillled with people. Among them was the great gold medalist NADIA COMANECI, who won in gymnastics and set a trend for women everywhere . Her husband BRAD CONNER started a school for gymnasts in Oklahoma. Also OKSANA BAUIL ,gold medalist in ice skating, is now engaged to GENE SUNIK. CONGRATULATIONS to the both of you. At the United Nations, AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOK, hosted a luncheon for us and said New York has the ability to become the sports center of the world. "It will forward the goals of Coubertin, and become inspirational for all sports venues ', he said. COMMISSIONER GIVENS welcomed us to hear the Ambassador, who is also the President of the ASIA SOCIETY here in New YORK. The evening ended with a show at the Lincoln Center Jazz Hall and then dinner at the Mayor's house where WHOOPI GOLDBRG, PAUL SIMON, BARBARA WALTERS , MERYL STREEP, ROLAND BETTS, DAVID STERN spoke with Evaluation Commission Chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel and feasted on a traditional turkey dinner.It's a wonderful moment - we are all filled with hope and enthusiasm The committee will decide July 6.- LET THE DREAMS BEGIN'. Sunday, February 13, 2005
THE GATES of CENTRAL PARK have arrived. Artists CHRISTO and JEANNE CLAUDE have donated their monies for the art project that has opened in Central Park. It has turned into an art "happening". Thousands attended the unfurling of the saffron-colored gates which are 16' feet hight , with a 7 foot-pleated curtain and which are 7,500 strong throughout the pathways of the park. Brilliant in the sunshine they wave in the wind turning from orange to tangerine . Mayor Bloomberg pulled the string for the first gate. He said at the press conference that "now is the right time for this project". Since 1979, the artists have tried to create the gates, being disappointed several times with rejections from the Parks Commissioners. Gordon Davis, a past commissioner said at the time he was commissioner, the time was not right. This is a project of "joy and beauty" as described in the book of The Gates.The color saffron is also the color worn by the Dalai Lama, who spoke in the park one year ago. This gives them a spiritual quality. The reaction of New Yorkers was one of celebration and excitement. Everyone had at least one camera each. Photos - ops were from every path, every hill. All proceeds of the sale of the books and souveniers which include post cards, magnets, T-shirts, seartshirts, mugs, will benefit the Central Park Conservancy. Doug Blonsky, President of the Conservancy said "we are thrilled to have The Gates here". Other projects include The Umbrellas, blue ones in Japan and yellow in California, openned at the same time and the wrapping of the Reichstag and a couple of islands. I had wondered about these conceptual artists and when I saw a documentary on the Umbrellas, I realized that what happens is a raising of the consciousness, that makes people "wonder". We need that. Although only up till February 27, we will have them in our memory after that. Also the very famous filmaker, ALBERT MAYSLES who filmed TRUMAN CAPOTE, MARLON BRANDO is doing a documentary on The Gates, so they will be in our memory for a long time to come. Thursday, January 27, 2005
BREAKFAST AT TITAN at 5 am in the moring took place at the American Museum of Natural History were we watched the press conference coming from Europe from ESA, the people that created the Titan probe, which landed on the moon of Saturn. NEIL TYSON, Director of the Hayden Planetariu, Astrobiologist David Grinspoon, and Laura Danly, astrophysics Director of education ,all spoke. Most of the questions came from the 10-year olds in the audience who wanted to know about the methane lakes that the HUYGENS-CASSINI space creaft revealed. (Huygens lived in 1696 and wrote "Cosmotheris") We even heard the space sounds which were relayed and the photos which showed a coast line similar to California and strange cloud formations on the moon The kids asked about the magnetic field, the tidal forces, seasons, the ice rocks, and more about the ethane and methane. Then we all marched into the Hayden Planetarium to see the photos in the round. What a morning that was. Saturday, January 22, 2005
I went to the INAUGURATION and it was truly fantastic. Not having made any reservations I wound up having an exciting time. First, in the elevator at my hotel someone asked if I was going to see the searing-in ceremony. I said I didn't have a ticket and I was with two other people. Well, Celia C. Ramos, Administrator of the Burlington School, Inc. from Los Angeles said, " well here are three tickets to get in. Wow, what a surprise. I got my friends and we walked over a few blocks to the yellow entrance. Getting in was a wait but once on the lawn we were right in front of the Capital and the ceremony was just beginning. After the swearing-in of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney, under a sunny sky, the President spoke. A few of my favorite lines were "no one is fit to be a master and no one is deserves to be a slave" and ' the fire of freedom will erase the darkness of the world". He spoke too of the expansion of freedom which will create peace and if countries stand for liberty, we (the USA ) will stand for peace. On to the parade route where again by accident we wound up in the guest bleachers watching the parade go by. LAURA BUSH , looking beautiful in white,and PRESIDENT BUSH waved to the crowd. The Crawford high-school band marched and played and Wyoming paraded by. It was getting too cold for me so we went back to the National Press Club, where we met some wonderful people like the past President, John P. Cosgrove, and the very helpful evening manager Joshua R. Funk. The night before, we attended the Illinois ball which had taken over the entire Grand Hyatt with two dance floors, a riverboat room, a 50-s room, my favorite where we danced the night away and drank root beer floats. Gerry Frank and Jeanne Jacob co-chaired this marvelous event and pointed out to me that Abraham Lincoln was from Illinois. I also made it to the Constitution Hall Ball where SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE was in attendance. A rock band was playing and they were serving my favorite Greek dessert -baclava. Tuesday, January 18, 2005
I watched the TSUNAMI AID CONCERT FOR HOPE. It was a very low-keyed production starring the greats, singing and speaking. Along with the video footage of the wave, the actors present, hosted by JAY LENO, evoked the sadness and the sympathy we all feel. MADONNA, started the program singing JOHN LENNON'S "IMAGINE"She was wearing a simple dark blue dress and sang quietly as did DIANA ROSS who ended the show with "Reach Out and Touch Someone's Hand". In between those two of the greatest, were ELTON JOHN playing from London, MICHAEL DOUGLAS and his wife KATHERINE ZETA JONES from New York and a host of celebrities manning and womanning the phones in Los Angeles that included GOLDIE HAWN, RENE ZWELLINGER, LEONARDO DI CAPRIO, TIM ROBBINS, ANETTE BENNING. GLORIA ESTEFAN sang while CINDY CRAWFORD TOM SELLECK, BRUCE WILLIS, HUGH GRANT, did their part. STEVIE WONDER was brilliant- UMA THURMAN spoke and SHERYL CROW sang. JOHNNY DEPP, MAT DAMON, DREW BARRYMORE attended the phones. I gave - will you give too. 1-800-435-7669 or www.redcross.org Friday, January 14, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL. Thank you to STEVEN SPEILBERG who donated $1.5 million dollars to the TSUNAMI disaster and to the other Hollywood celebrities that are opening up their pocketbooks to help and to all the countries and other persons who are donating their money and time to this tragic event. This Saturday celebrity singers will sing on television for the TSUMANI cause. At STEINWAY HALL, Janis Spindel had a book signing for her 365 WAYS TO FIND A LOVE. She also has a web site janisspindelmatchmaker.com She is also doing an event at the 92 st Y a brunch at 11 am. She and her husband ( her personal trainer too) will be on hand. |
