Liz Smith

Just a few weeks ago, at the celebrity Manhattan hot spot Michael’s, there she was, the unstoppable Liz Smith, ebullient as ever as she hosted a reception for her championed charity, Literary Partners. This is a fantastic not-for-profit devoted to bringing the gift of reading to thousands of adults who need a helping hand. Also there was the great novelist, Barbara Taylor Bradford, one of the charity’s most devoted supporters, a ‘woman of substance’ with a generous giving spirit.

Liz Smith

That night, as I observed Liz Smith, I couldn’t help but notice how absolutely young she is–in her thinking, appearance, and energy level. While she jokingly refers to herself as “the 2000-year-old gossip columnist,” she’s a mere 87, though she looks decades younger.

And while many her age are physically ailing, marooned in retirement homes, or at best golfing or playing cards, this peripatetic wonder remains fully engaged, not missing a cultural event or party in NY while reigning over her syndicated newspaper column and penning her daily wowowow.com column too.

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Tony Robbins

I sometimes wonder why things unfold in life exactly as they do. Can what happens to us be controlled and planned, or is much of it mere accident, fate, destiny–or perhaps another greater force at work as well?

The brilliant peak performance coach and bestselling author Tony Robbins, who has worked with three million people in 80 countries (including heads of state, professional athletes, and corporate executives)–has much to say on our collective Date With Destiny, the title of one of his most captivating seminars, offered a few times each year in exotic locales such as this April in Bali.

In my own life, especially with Katie Up and Down The Hall being soon published, I often reflect on why I became so intensely close to my neighbors down the hall.

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puppy 1 week old

That little ball of fur on the right is my new puppy at one week old, while the fully formed puppy below her is from last year’s litter, from the same Mom and Dad. Amazing what can happen in 8 weeks!

As I told you a few days ago, the new puppy is arriving on May 1 and I hope you’ll help me give HER a name. Any ideas? Whoever wins the contest will receive (5) copies of my new book and an invitation to really a really fun celebrity book party–so get your entries in.

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Joan Rivers

Last night was the funniest, most enjoyable evening I’ve had in months thanks to the inimitable JOAN RIVERS, who performs periodically at Manhattan’s West Bank Cafe, trying out new material while also raising money for her two favorite charities–Guide Dogs For The Blind and God’s Love We Deliver.

You must not miss her at West Bank. My dog-loving book guru, HARRY HELM, brilliant editorial director at Hachette Book Group, and his trusty assistant, Adlai Yeomans, were at my table, along with Broadway actor Brandon Williams and his wife, photographer Sheila, the fantastic life coach Peg Wallis, the adorably congenial real estate rep Taylor Yunis, accessory designer David Cohen, and my “youngest” friend, octogenarian Bud Klauber, energetic and stunningly dressed as always.

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