Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff talks getting started in charity without writing a big check

Jean Shafiroff==Book Signing with Jean Shafiroff for "Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a LIfe by What You Give" at Barnes and Noble==Barnes & Noble Citigroup Center, NYC==June 07, 2016==©Patrick McMullan==Photo - Sylvain Gaboury/PMC== ==
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Photo -Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan

“I’ve created a guidebook that lays out the tools needed to begin the most fulfilling job anyone can do, which is to help the less fortunate.”

That was Philanthropist and Author Jean Shafiroff, hosting a special talk for her new book Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give, at Barnes & Noble in New York City.

On the heels of her animal rescue mission in Nicaragua to help abused and abandoned animals, Jean shared with the audience how to get started in charitable work, without writing a big check.

Using examples from her own life, Jean provided a roadmap on giving back by explaining that everyone has something to give, no matter how small.

A big question of the night was about starting a charity. Jean Shafiroff who chairs seven charities, reveled the enormous undertaking involved. With over one million charities in the U.S. and many overlapping efforts, Jean expressed a need for consolidation.

Surrounded by family members Martin Shafiroff and Elizabeth Shafiroff, other guests included John Lutri, Victor de Souza, Dawn Marie Grannum, Amy Gautreau, and Pamela Morgan,

 

 

 

Jason Priestley, Danny Glover Hobnob with Monte Carlo Royalty at Television Festival

Monte-Carlo, 56th Television Festival. Opening Ceremony Red Carpet Pictured: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, Danny Glover, Jason Priestley
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WENN.com

Actors Danny Glover and Jason Priestley spent time with Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene at the opening ceremony at this year’s 56th Monte Carlo Television Festival.

The two Hollywood stars are both part of the festival running through June 16. Danny Glover will preside the News Jury, while Jason Priestley will officiate as the Fiction Jury President.

Said Priestley: “I was honored to accept the role of president of the Fiction Jury. I’ve been to the festival several times and was nominated for two Golden Nymphs and won one. I’m looking forward to seeing the work of all the international competitors. It’s a very exciting time in television today. The level of the programming has never been better and I’m excited to see what’s next!”

Now under the Honorary Presidency of Prince Albert II of Monaco, the festival which presents the very best of television from around the world, was originally created by his father Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

 

 

Celebs at 15th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball

15th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball held at a Private Mandeville Canyon Estate Featuring: Rachel Zoe, Selma Blair, Rebecca Gayheart, Liz Carey, Elizabeth Berkley Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 12 Jun 2016 Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com
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Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Hollywood’s fashion fabulous ladies gave their best red carpet at the 15th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball held at a Private Mandeville Canyon Estate in Brentwood over the weekend.

Rachel Zoe, Selma Blair, Rebecca Gayheart, Liz Carey, and Elizabeth Berkley all dolled up to support the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment.

Honorees included writer/producer Hank Steinberg,  director/producer Brian Robbins, actress Kellie Williams, and Queen Latifah.

Also there Fred Savage, Paula Patton, Eric Dane, Balthazar and Rosetta Getty, Russell Simmons, Vanna White, and Greg Lauren.

 

Coast of Sicily Shopping for Susan Sarandon

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WENN.com

Fabulous Oscar winning actress Susan Sarandon did some shopping with friends in Taormina, Italy, a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily.

Sarandon in town attending the Taormina Film Festival along with others including Richard Gere and Patricia Arquette, was seen having a great time walking with friends and shopping.

The 61st Taormina Film Festival runs through June 20.

12th Annual ‘A Hamptons Happening’ Cancer Fundraiser Honoring Sandra Lee, Jayma Cardoso, Deirdre Quinn July 9

a hampttons happening_marion waxman_samuel waxman cancer research foundation_new york gossip gal_sandra LeeCelebrating its 40th anniversary, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is having its 12th Annual Hamptons Happening on July 9 at the residence of Maria and Kenneth Fishel.

Guests will indulge their appetites for the savory and the sweet, mix and mingle, bid on exciting auction items and dance to today’s hottest tunes, all the while collaborating to fund science’s quest for a cure for cancer.

Drawing on average 500 guests, the event is held under a 15,000-sq-ft. floored, carpeted and air-conditioned tent on the stunning 15-acre Bridgehampton property of Maria and Kenneth Fishel. The benefit is a scrumptious celebration of New York’s finest cuisine, personally presented by the top chefs of the most celebrated restaurants in New York City and the Hamptons.

Emceed by CBS anchor Chris Wragge, the event will honor Sandra Lee, philanthropist, author, television personality and breast cancer survivor; Jayma Cardoso, Founder of the Surf Lodge in Montauk; and Deirdre Quinn, CEO of the luxury fashion company Lafayette 148 New York.

The event is chaired by Co-Founders Marion Waxman and Laurie Schaffran and Co-Chair Karen Amster-Young.  Additional chairpersons include Erin Jennifer Woudsma as Auction Chair and Erica Linden-Fineberg as Journal Chair. LDV Hospitality is the featured restaurant group at the event.

The Honorary Lead Chef Couple is Fernanda Capobianco, founder of Vegan Divas, journalist and cookbook author; and Francois Payard, pastry chef, restaurateur and author. Event production is by LBS Productions and music is by DJ Adam Katz.

The A Hamptons Happening Committee includes: Chris Arlotta and Mario Pecoraro, Tammy Caress, Diana Chudnoff, Becca Goldberg, Marcia Lavipour, Jessica Mackin, Pamela Morgan and Michael Trokel, Edward Sadovnik, Sarah Sarpolis, and Bettina and Spencer Waxman.

Find out more: www.waxmancancer.org/Events/Hamptons-Happening or www.waxmancancer.org

DWTS’ Karina Smirnoff Joins SUSHI ROXX Debuting June 24

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Photo by Andrew Werner

NYC’s trendy Japanese inspired dinner theater and club hybrid SUSHI ROXX is approaching its one year anniversary and they just announced that DWTS‘ Karina Smirnoff has signed on board to choreograph the fourth performance installment called “ROXX:RELOADED,” debuting June 24th.

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Karina Smirnoff/Dancing with the Stars

During multiple dinner seating’s, guests will be invited to a nightly spectacle where the wait-staff seamlessly slip from servers into the spotlight and Flash Mob to select songs.

“With such an entertaining atmosphere that incorporates not only a dinner style theater of performers and artists, it lets me bring my Latin style of choreography and creativity to most of the dances, if not all.  I am also looking forward in choreographing other genres of music and match-ups, like Prince, Michel Jackson and Justin Timberlake, it’s going to be a good time,” explains Smirnoff

Jason Apfelbaum, CEO of ROXX Hospitality Corp., turned to veteran designer DeVinn Bruce to create the exotic, visually enticing and entertaining adventure within and called upon fashion icon Betsey Johnson to design the uniforms for each member of the wait staff.

In addition to the live choreographed entertainment, the main dining room and lounge in the restaurant comes alive each night with Asian cityscapes projected behind guests and pillars being transformed into flowing waterfalls, while Executive Chef Edwin Purnomo is busy in the kitchen preparing his signature sushi offerings.

Designers and Celeb fans of this cool hot spot include Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, DeVinn Bruce, Jay Manuel, and many of Bravo’s fabulous REAL HOUSEWIVES.

Located within The Tuscany, a St. Giles Boutique Hotel in Midtown East (120 East 39th Street, NYC 10016/212.726.9500).

GOOD TIMES.

 

 

 

Ellen DeGeneres on wife Portia: “We genuinely love each other. Her happiness is my happiness, and vice versa”

ellen,ellen degeneres_ new york gossip gal_finding dory_portia derossiThat’s Ellen DeGeneres commenting on the rumors of marital discord that recently surfaced about her and wife, Portia.

The superstar also talked to Parade about her childhood, the long road to her success, the love of her life and her new movie, Finding Dory, a spin-off of Finding Nemo opening June 17.

Here’s some:

On growing up in Metairie, La., and her parents’ divorce: “I grew up in a very conservative home. There was no drinking, smoking or cursing. I didn’t see deep emotion from my parents. It was all very polite and very surface. I never knew how anybody was feeling. I never saw anyone angry. So when I was 13 and my parents divorced, it was a huge surprise to me, because I was told everything was fine. It was very confusing. That’s not a healthy way to grow up.”

On her sense of humor: “My comedy came from observing little details of life. One of my first jokes was the fact that when somebody tastes something disgusting, they always want you to taste it too, like ‘This is disgusting—taste it!’ I was very tender, very sensitive, and I still am. I never want to hurt anybody. I want to make people laugh. I didn’t think it was ever funny to make fun of people. There’s so much to laugh at without it being at someone else’s expense.”

On the “happy” vibe of her TV show: “It is a happy show, on purpose. I represent happiness to a lot people. I think a lot of station managers thought I would have an agenda to try to somehow turn the world gay. People did worry. Our only agenda is to make people feel good. It’s an hour of joy.”

On the rumors of marital discord that recently surfaced about her and her wife, Portia: “I don’t pay attention [to rumors]. There’s a story out there that we’re getting divorced. We don’t know why. We genuinely love each other. Her happiness is my happiness, and vice versa. True love is caring more about the other person’s happiness than your own.”

More about Ellen: Parade.com (http://parade.com/482237/dotsonrader/ellen-degeneres-talks-feelings-fun-and-finding-dory/

 

Super Chefs Mario Batali & Anthony Bourdain Host The RED Supper Campaign Fighting AIDS

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: Chefs Anthony Bourdain (L) and Mario Batali take a selfie at The (RED) Supper hosted by Mario Batali with Anthony Bourdain on June 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
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Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain hosted an exclusive dinner THE (RED) Supper that kicked off the EAT (RED) campaign, a month-long initiative to raise money in support of the fight against AIDS.

Guests including musician Jon Batiste who performed, and Neil Patrick Harris’ better half David Burtka indulged in a three course dinner, each carefully paired with glasses of Josh Cellars wine.

The two food pros cooked up some selfie time in between courses.

www.red.org 

Steamy Lea Michele Heats Up ELLE’s Women In Comedy Honoring Gals of Ghostbusters

ELLE Hosts Women In Comedy Event With July Cover Stars Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon And Kristen Wiig - Arrivals Featuring: Valerie Harper, Carol Kane Where: West Hollywood, California, United States When: 07 Jun 2016 Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com
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Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

ELLE‘s July issue honors the funny girls of Ghostbusters who all grace the magazine’s cover.

Hitting theaters July 15, the funny and very sexy ladies Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon came out to celebrate for a Women in Comedy hosted evening jammed packed with some of Hollywood’s famous faces including actress Lea Michele sizzling in her new look.

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Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

The Glee star was among an amazing group of funny with guests Dan Aykroyd, Jane Lynch, Rachel Bloom, Jenna Elfman, Busy Philipps, Nia Long, Sarah Hyland, Julie Bowen, Nina Dobrev, Ernie Hudson, Mayim Bialik, and comedy legends Carol Kane and Valerie Harper.

Beyoncé is Fashion Icon at CFDA Fashion Awards

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Credit: Emily Brickel Edelson

The CFDA Fashion Awards shook the fashion world Monday night with the likes of Beyoncé, Ciara, Sophia Coppola, and Alessandro Michele doing their best red carpet strut.

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CFDA Fashion Awards

Emily Brickel Edelson, Co-Founder and Illustrator of Chic Sketch, sketched her favorite looks straight from the red carpet including the always fabulous Beyoncé, who The CFDA named as this year’s Fashion Icon in her striped Givenchy suit and broad-brimmed hat.

Emily’s app is a fashion forward mobile app, that sketches photos into Instagrammable fashion illustrations by real fashion illustrators in a matter of minutes. Very cool.

Also there, Beyoncé’ husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy who was said to have stole the show in all her cuteness.