Mel Gibson, you should kindly please pardon the expression. His ex Oksana Grigorieva, whose last time hitting the spotlight was when she accused Mel of hitting her and later dropped the claim. She has teamed with domestic violence services organization The Retreat. Following past speakers Debra Messing and Mariska Hargitay, she’ll address their 18th annual Artists Against Abuse Gala. June 22, the Hamptons.
General attire
Gen. Petraeus, working for Henry Kravis, no longer working in government, still dresses like a working general. At Kissinger’s 90th birthday party, tarted up like an usher, his tux bore medals, ribbons, stars, bars and decorations. Apparently that’s proper dress, de rigueur, for even a once was, used to be, former, previous, ex-commandant.
Tunes & pols
Tommy Tune’s Town Hall audience included Twiggy. Next day was a 30th anniversary reunion of their “My One and Only”. . . Per Stribling: “Americans, feeling negativity toward wealth after Lehman’s demise, stayed under the radar. Attitudes just changed. They’re buying again. Now they want refuge.”. . . Albanese says he’ll legalize marijuana; Lhota will repeal bums lolling on Seventh & B’way’s crosswalk plaza.
Shoes & strings
Shoemaker Uriel on West 26th making boots for Megan Fox/Will Arnett’s movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Shot in New York, out June 2014 . . . Mr. Billy Porter learned to schlep around “Kinky Boots” in 6-inch heels “from doing Bikram yoga in boutique gym Mark Fisher Fitness.” . . . Cyndi Lauper hit a charity luncheon with blond hair. Two weeks earlier, another luncheon with red hair. Kinky roots.
Super man gone, NJ searches for another
We lost New Jersey’s liberal Democratic Senator 89-year-old Frank Lautenberg, a delicious man. Have some of his personal-to-me Lautenbergisms:
“I’m a super delegate. Who knows what-the-hell that is. This super delegate role won’t exist in future.
“Things are changing in Washington. Becoming a very different place. You now have to pass barricades. Can’t get to the Capitol or other buildings unless you actually work in them. Let me tell you, terrorism is winning. It’s definitely making inroads.”
An elderly statesman, his pace never slackened. Where was he when then Gov. Jim McGreevey issued those immortal words, “I am a gay American”? He said: “In Asia. I listened to his speech at 3 a.m. by phone to my office.”
2003, when first elected, when he won Bob Torricelli’s job: “I got to bed 2 a.m. Three hours sleep. Up, 5 a.m. I greeted supporters in Jersey City, 6 a.m. I’m now going 12 hours a day putting together a staff.”
Bonnie Englebardt, now his widow but back then his adored for 18 years: “That campaign created tension. However, I knew I could raise money, and I totally began focusing. Not easy because I have a full agenda. I have kids, a business, there’s parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, fund-raising for lupus. Right now there’s not even time to think.”
Before their wedding his home was in Jersey, her apartment was Park Avenue, and they’d park their Rolodexes “in three places including Washington.”
Right now best friend, jeweller Judith Ripka, has canceled all appointments to be with Bonnie.
Also right now Chris Christie’s deciding Lautenberg’s temporary replacement. Whoever it is will create an aroma. The fragrance around our neighboring state will be temporarily known as Eau de Secaucus.
High roller on UES has money to spare
The Upper East Side’s high-class Parlor Steak House establishment. A night ago this nicely dressed gent, hugging the bar, knocks off repeat big-time tequilas. These he washes down with Coronas. Unrolling a wad inside a rubber band, he tips the bartender a Benjamin. Two other Benjamins go to a waitress. Two more hundreds he hands another server. Strangers dining separately whom he doesn’t know? He picks up their checks.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.