Francine LeFrak, entrepreneur and philanthropist’s “private intimate birthday dinner” for husband Rick Friedberg, Mayor Giuliani’s former director of advance, was Sunday.
I figured Emmys, everybody’s home, nobody’s out, can’t get a taxi. It’s just us.
Just us??? Cop cars, serious dudes in serious suits with earpieces.
Plus former UK P.M. Tony Blair, wife Cherie also having a birthday, daughter Kathryn, son Euan with wife Suzanne.
Plus Rwanda’s President His Excellency Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette, who said, “Our country’s average age is 57” and sat near Rick’s mom, Gertrude, 93, inhaling wine.
Plus Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, co-host Sarina Russo from Welfare to Work.
Plus John and Margo Catsimatidis, Ray and Veronica Kelly and another 50.
Francine: “I can’t let my husband have the last word.” So her last word? “You who are not from New York — spend money.”
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GOP threat a mere gimmick
Meanwhile, back here’s our own war with Mickey Mouse politicians. Like the GOP shot to defund Obamacare or shut down the government.
On CNN, Robert Zimmerman, Democratic National Committeeman, about the House Republicans: “They’re taking no principled or moral position. This is congressional twerking. Like Miley Cyrus, it’s creating a cheap thrill and gimmick for their base.”
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Nairobi violence may be lingering
Latest communiqué on Tuesday at 2 p.m. New York time from my friends in Nairobi whose family there, due to certain connections, are in the thick of the situation:
“Kenya’s military, announcing they have control of the mall, are lying. NO! They’re in control of only part. The extraordinarily well-armed terrorists are set up like a large, well-run corporation. Sophisticated communications systems keep al-Shabab steadily in touch with its own media.
“Despite TV and on-the-scene reports, our mall incident is not under control. It’s ongoing. Both sides are firing at each other.
“No true informed news is emanating from Kenya. Journalists here are frustrated because no one’s dispensing information. All reporters say the same things, repeating them over and over. The reason is, no one basically knows anything. Nairobi police have no knowledge of what’s happening. Everyone’s guessing. Nothing real and confirmed is getting out.
“Lots of Mossad and CIA types here. Mossad appears to be directing the recovery effort. We’re told to stay away from big hotels. Remain in our protected gated environments patrolled by armed guards with weapons drawn. We have no choice other than to stay close.
“The terrorists aren’t making any demands, so however this standoff ends will not be good. I suspect, being martyrs, they will either blow themselves up with the remaining hostages or the Kenyans will blow them up. What other way is there for this to end?
“President Kenyatta just said, ‘We have ashamed and defeated the terrorists. It’s all over,’ but didn’t address how and when. Probably means it’s not over at all. No one believes him since there are zero details.
“We’re fine but worried about the airport and going through town to get out of here. The terminal when we arrived was terrifying and chaotic. That part of it is scary.”
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Odds & ends
Among NYC’s 1,000 Italian eateries, newly reopened after moving an inch up West 54th’s block, Il Gattopardo was jammed. Even with Fran Drescher and restaurant critic Bob Lape . . . Monday 5:40 p.m., CBS news crawl spelled out “proffesor” . . . Underground painter Fares Rizk’s new patrons? Queen Noor and Patricia Field . . . Maybe-she-will-maybe-not-who-knows-we’ll-see b.s. about Hillary’s hurdle for presidenthood? Kiddies, Mother reported that for sure for sure months ago.
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West 50th. Police car being towed.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.