After a Fashion

GOLDEN GLOBULES: Last Sunday's broadcast was dull, dull, dull. I did have a favorite moment, though, when Glenn Close baited Meryl Streep from the stage after Close won for Best Actress in a Mini-Series. "Is it all right with you, Meryl? Huh? Is it all right?" It's definitely not about winning or losing, but about how fabulous everyone looked on the red carpet, as the wretched Star Jones and god-awful Joan Rivers will tell you.

MORE MODEL/LAWYER: Imagine my surprise, after writing last week's little story about the model/lawyer on The Apprentice 3, to receive an e-mail from the model/lawyer herself, Erin Elmore. Fortunately, Ms. Elmore has an excellent sense of humor: "Dear Stephen: I absolutely adore you! Your piece about me, model/lawyer, had me giggling in my Manolos for hours. Please visit my website, www.erinelmore.com, for more model/lawyer antics. XO, Erin Elmore Apprentice 3"

DALLAS DELUXE: I have been deeply humbled by receiving the Media Correspondent Award from Philanthropy World magazine (www.philanthropyintexas.com) for my coverage of nonprofit organizations. I never purposely set out to cover nonprofits; I was just covering the parties and balls and benefits that I was attending anyway. So it was way cool to be honored for it. Sister Margaret and I booked our room at the Fairmont, where the event was held, and arrived Friday afternoon. My dear friend Carolyn Farb was chairman of the event and presented me with the award. Carolyn is a fundraising dynamo an iron fist in a velvet glove and any event she's involved with turns to gold. Bob Hopkins, founder and publisher of Philanthropy World, does an extraordinary job in his nonprofit work; the event benefited Philanthropy and Volunteers in Education, a Philanthropy World program that teaches students about opportunities in nonprofits and philanthropy. My fellow honorees that evening included Christopher Radko, the internationally famous designer of Christmas ornaments. What a sweetheart he is: handsome and charming, with a heart of gold. The beautiful and talented Erykah Badu was also honored; she has founded Beautiful Love Inc., Non-profit Development to raise arts awareness among the underprivileged. She was absolutely delightful to visit with. There were also several more honorees. Rod McKuen performed; he has a catalog of familiar songs he wrote, most of which were made popular by other artists. I made a very nice little speech, which seemed to provide a fresh point of view for the many attendees who hear the same speech over and over. The award itself is a big ol' chunk of crystal from Tiffany's, engraved with the details of the award. I'll be placing it on display in my living room, next to my two Eddy Awards. We had a great time with Marilyn Hoffman, a trés successful realtor who handles world-class properties; she donated a $25,000 Arabian stallion to the equally successful live auction. I also loved hanging with former Dallas Police Chief Bill Rathburn and his drop-dead charming wife, Lou, who invited me to her ranch to see her five tigers (animals she adopted after they were dumped by irresponsible owners). I think Ill take her up on that! Donna Arp, member of the gala committee and Carolyn's right hand for the event, promised to do something absolutely scandalous to ensure she'd get mentioned, but need not have worried: Her beauty and graciousness already guaranteed it. It was especially fun seeing lots of friends from Austin there. We immediately ran into the absolutely gorgeous Kimberly De Lape in vintage Norma Kamali (what a dress! I still have a drawing of it from a 1985 W magazine), who, with noted philanthropists Joe and Terry Long (as in the Long Center for Performing Arts) and the very generous Gregory and Cindy Kozmetsky, gave Austin a great presence among the heavy-hitters. Also on board, a favorite new friend: the dashing Cliff Redd, executive director of the Long Center, and my irrepressible friend Lance Morgan, whose ability to work a room is an awesome sight. We watched him catching up with the haughty and glorious Lillie Romano, whose table was right next to ours (her family has more than 230 restaurants in 38 states and five countries) she looked haughty, anyway, and I find that irresistible. I kept trying to sneak glances at them and intended to introduce myself after the event, but I missed the opportunity. Sister Margaret, however, not nearly as star-struck as I, had a perfect view of the Romano table, and whispered to me, "I cant take my eyes off of them – they're so glamorous, its like watching Dallas." Well, we were watching Dallas – and from the best seat in the house.