Hollywood Beat

Harvey Milk Foundation Ball & Emeralds Never Fade

Harvey Milk’s dream for a better tomorrow with equality, and a world without hate, guide his Foundation, after his brutal 1978 assassination, as depicted in the Oscar winning film Milk, Harvey’s Nephew, Stuart Milk, carries forth the banner, along with Desmond Tutu, Heads of State, and our own President, Barak Obama.

To celebrate the Holidays and raise funds for Milk’s Foundation, Czarina Liz Loren and Czar Drue of the Emerald Kingdom of Palm Springs hosted the 2^nd Annual Diversity Christmas Ball, which brought out a slew of celebs and socialites, including members of the Crown Jewels. Accepting the award for their participation were Westsiders Grace Robbins (widow of famed author Harold Robbins), Gloria Weintraub, whose late husband created the famed comic strip Archie, who is now married to Dr. Lewis Weintraub; philanthropist Annie Lehrer, and Gloria Levishon, whose husband, David, is lead cameraman  on Dancing With the Stars.

Some of the performers who participated in the fabulous show included Peter Mac, whose impression of Judy Garland is world renown; Doug Graham, who appeared in Cats, A Chorus Line and Phantom of the Opera, and gorgeous Thea Gill, star of Queer as Folk on the hit Showtime series, who is making a name for herself as a cabaret performer.

Kudos to Dr. Danne King, and his alter ego, Czarina Liz Loren, who was breathtaking in several Fedor dazzling gowns,

We were pleased to attend another event celebrating publication of Emeralds Never Fade, the new novel by Stephen Maitland-Lewis, which honored the Actors Fund.  The handsome English gentleman, married to philanthropist, Joni Berry, now resides in Beverly Hills.  His new novel, is a tale of Jewish persecution and Nazi escape, and follows the lives of two Germans – one of them Jewish.  Maitland says, “I was driven to write this book, as I am haunted by all that Nazi Germany represented.”

Some of the celebs in attendance at the exquisite eatery, Nonna in West Hollywood, included International acting sensation Mike Burstyn, who just completed starring as Al Jolson here in Los Angeles; Comedy Club owner, Budd Friedman, comedian Norm Crosby, marvelous Mitzi Gaynor, and George Sclatter, Producer of Laugh-In.

Stuart Milk & Nephew

Czarina Liz Loren with Actress Thea Gill

Director of the Actors Fund, Keith McNutt with Author, Stephen Maitland-Lewis & Joni Berry

Crown Jewels Accepting Diversity Award