But first, let’s review her Dallas visit.

Having just arrived Sunday night (thank heaven, she missed snowy Saturday) after a PA at Lake Austin Spa Resort, Pamela was the main course of the “Feather Your Nest Speakers Series” (FYN) luncheon at the Ritz. Since seating at Dean Fearing’s was limited to 60, Dallas authoress/FYN co-founder Kimberly Schlegel Whitman asked her mom Myrna Schegel if she would host a book signing reception in the evening for T&C‘s legendary editor-in-chief. Despite a nasty twist of the ankle suffered in Toronto last week — and being forced to wear flats — Myrna opened the Schlegel manor with the graciousness and elegance befitting a T&C event.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, aren’t we?

According to Pamela, her stay at Lake Austin was really quite excellent, despite the fact that it meant her missing what was “supposed to be the most perfect weekend of weather” in New York City. But it was well worth it. She was fascinated by the women at the spa just walking around in terry cloth robes and wearing no makeup. . . just being themselves.

Then it was a quick trip to Dallas Sunday and the FYN luncheon, which was “perfection,” according to Pamela, who is a true-blue fan of Chef Dean Fearing. “The fish was prepared just perfectly,” Pamela reported. “Everyone was so very nice. What a simply gorgeous place.”

Ah, but that was just a warm-up of the hospitality in store for the 28-year veteran of the country’s leading media expert on class, style and taste. The Schlegels somehow manage to combine mega-amazing (their mansion, of course) with personal charm and gentility. With Myrna in ballet slipper-like flats at the front door, guests were warmly greeted. If you were lucky enough to get there when the doors opened at 5, you might have missed Pam as she stood in the hallway catching up with old friends like Courtney Sinelli (pictured). It seems that 30 years ago Pamela was Courtney’s babysitter.

FYN co-founder Chris Kleinert (pictured) had to leave co-hosting duties to wife Ashlee and get back to work. By the way, Ashlee and Chris are also the driving force behind Executives in Action.

Yes, this gathering was made up of people who wear out passports with trips to India, Brazil, Europe, and all points in between. Their shopping sprees take place in foreign ports of call as opposed to Sam Moon’s. “You do know that bargains can be had overseas because of the dollar situation?” is heard more than once. They wonder aloud what others only fantasize about — a month-long-rental of a house in Tuscany  this summer, perhaps?

Even the serving staff took note that this crowd was not your typical wine and champagne group. When a waiter placed an order for a “Negroni,” he admitted none of the staff had ever heard of such a concoction. “Only the bartender knew what it was” —  equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Like the guests in attendance, the drink is a classic for the well-traveled set.

Still there was something about Pamela that set her apart from this Black Card set. Was it her diminutive size? Was it her emerald-green jacket? Her necklace of multi-strands of jade? Or, perhaps it was her smile that highlighted each introduction?

But then the hallway started filling with guests, and it was time for Pamela to take her place at a desk in the two-story library with its elegant curtains. To her right were a stack of her books that quickly dwindled as guests queued up for a personal signing. Some wanted a book for themselves. Others wanted them as gifts. Don’t tell anyone, but there is one mother whose Mother’s Day gift is already a done deal.

For those who live for the itty-bittiest of details, Pamela is a southpaw and claims that her “excellent” inscriptions (pictured) are due to “Sharpies.”

What you soon learned about Pamela was her ease at making others feel comfortable. She was fascinated in all who approached her. With amazing eye contact, she made you feel as if there was no one else in the room. How she did it time after time is a wonder. But then again it was a pretty heady crowd. For instance,

• Former Crystal Charity Ball Chair Sara Martineau (pictured) with her daughter Maria Plankinton discussed Swiss fashion house of Akris’s Albert Kriemler‘s being the featured designer at this fall’s Best Dressed Luncheon with Pamela. “You’ll love him. He’s adorable,” Pamela smiled.
• Fashionista First Lady Heidi Dillon in a softer-than-legal white leather jacket exchanged business cards with Pamela with the latter saying, “Everyone loves to talk about fashion.”
• While waiting her turn to chat with Pamela, Barbara Daseke in luscious black lamb leather jacket admitted that she had been so impressed with the Lauren Bacall talk recently at the Nasher that she had bought Lauren’s book and was amazed at her diverse life.
• Barbara Buzzell complimented Pamela on one of her staff with whom BB had just worked with on a story. Without hesitation, Pamela knew the staffer and noted that she was a Dallas gal and very good.
• Shelle Sills (pictured right hugging Billie Leigh Rippey) got a big hug from Pamela saying, “I’m here because it’s you!” Then Shelle reported that  husband Michael was on his way just to see Pamela, too. In a flash, Michael not only showed up but presented Pamela with a drink refresher. That man knows just what the doctor orders. By the way, don’t think that NM Downtown Non-stop Head Lady Shelle spends her life entirely in four-inch stilettos. “When I’m home, it’s strictly flip flops.” Why, oh why, do we suspect that hers are so much classier than the rest of ours?

But it wasn’t all pleasantries among the book-buying guests. Pamela also shared some thoughts on the publishing industry and the various rumors swirling about.

• Shelter magazines — “The entire shelter industry went . . . (she motioned with her hand hitting the desk).”
• Print vs. online — ” So many women tell me how they like holding paper in their hands when they read.”
• Advertising — “Advertisers are so eager to think they can cut costs by advertising on the web. But a little ad online just cannot compare to a wonderfully produced ad in a magazine.”
• Social media trends — “We going through a period when people are flirting with things like Facebook.”
• Publications adjusting their standards to survive — “I’ve told them (her staff and publisher) that we’re not going to do that.”
• Blogging — “Someone just recently told about blogging and that it can be fun.”
• The Devil Wears Prada: “My doorman said, ‘Ms. Fiori, you’re not like that woman in The Devil Wears Prada.’ I sure hope I’m not.”
• Her publisher Jim Taylor — “I have the world’s best publisher. We don’t always agree but we respect each other.”
• Her next book — “It’s on St. Bart’s.”

And that rumor that’s been making the rounds. Well, it seems the NY Post’s Keith Kelly reported this past Friday that HEARST Magazines President Cathie Black has quietly been searching for Pamela’s replacement. When confronted with the Post‘s latest item, in typical T&C style, Pamela just smiled and said, “There are always rumors about Anna Wintour, me and all of us. If it happens, it happens. I have a life. . .  my husband (Colt Givner) of 28 years, my relatives, my friends. You truly realize their importance when times get difficult.”

In parting, someone asked, “Will you be back in September for the Best Dressed luncheon?”

“I hope so,” Pamela replied.

Last Thursday she held court at the Nasher Sculpture Center as part of the Nasher Salon Series. Arriving for a lunch with a full room of guests, she surprisingly was upstaged by her companion — Sophie, (pictured with, from the left, Lauren Bacall, Jeremy Strick, and Michael Cain) an adorable and extremely well-manned Papillion. But, no fear of female jealousies. Bacall actually enjoyed the attention that Sophie received. Once seated at Table #1 with Nasher Director Jeremy Strick and old friends Karla and Liener Temerlin (pictured with Nancy Nasher Haemisegger in center),  Sophie sat in her owner’s lap and never raised her nose above the table. Obviously, this wasn’t Dakota-living Sophie’s first rodeo. However, later as Bacall talked to the room of guests, Sophie (pictured) decided that Jeremy was her lap of choice and sat patiently. That Jeremy just has a way about him.

Leave it to the Nasher folks to set the luncheon up perfectly. With B&W movies from Bacall’s past on two of the walls and framed pictures of the lady on each table, it almost made you wish you had brought your autograph book. One table of enthusiastic fans insisted on having their group photographed around the picture centerpiece.

But once she arrived and sat down, everyone controlled their enthusiasm and made it through lunch waiting for her discussion with Dallas Film Society Chairman of the Board Michael Cain.

Poor Michael was just a tad bit apprehensive about the chat. Seems that he had gone a couple of rounds with the sharp as a tack lady when she was in town a couple of years ago for the AFI Dallas International Film Fest. Like Harriet Hubbard, the lady suffers no fools.

The lunch bunch including Dallas Film Society‘s Tanya Foster at one table and Carmelita Whiteley with Barbara Daseke (pictured right with Carmelita Whiteley) at another was thrilled to have such a icon of the great days of movies among them. She didn’t let them down. Her talk was filled with nuggets from the golden days of Hollywood with personal feelings interjected throughout.

Then it was back to her hotel with Sophie to rest up for the evening’s talk.

Just past 7 it was a return to the Nasher. With red carpet once again waiting at the curb, the black limousine pulled up and out came the girls. Sophie in her finest fur and Bacall with little if any makeup in black. No, she isn’t the teenage “Slim” from To Have and Have Not, but darn it if she doesn’t still have “The Look.” Graciously, she and Sophie posed for pictures with the VIP guests (pictured right Dr. Joanne Stroud with Lauren Bacall) and chatted with each of them.

Then it was time to go downstairs for the talk. As she entered the room, the sellout crowd gave her a standing ovation. Or, rather, gave her and Sophie a standing O.

Michael once again girded his loins to interview Bacall. With cards in hand, his plan was to go through the questions in chronological order. That evidently didn’t fit Bacall’s plan. He had to reshuffle his cards. Then he asked about her romantic relationship with Bogart that started during the filming of To Have and Have Not.

Whoa!

The Look was not a happy one. She corrected Michael that she and Bogie did not have any type of romantic relationship during the filming of the movie: “He was married.”

Michael looked nervous.

He asked if it was true that for her first movie, Howard Hawks gave her a choice of either Cary Grant or Humphrey Bogart as her leading man.

She looked a bit shocked instructing Michael that she was not in a position to choose anything. . . “I was too scared.” Looking at Bacall now, it was hard to believe that she’d ever had a nervous Nellie moment.

Michael then asked about a string of her various “leading men” including Woody Harrelson. Mistake. . . big mistake!

“Take him out of that list! Woody Harrelson? That is a lulu,” she demanded. Later she diplomatically said she liked him (Woody), but …

At this point in the cat-and-mouse game, Michael was on the verge of tossing the cards and just letting nature takes its course. Instead he decided to simply forgo the chronological order and just chat. Wise decision. That is until he asked if it was true that Bette Davis was her role model.

Screech of brakes.

She questioned his use of the expression “role model.” After getting the definition of role model clear in her mind, she concluded, “I wanted to be Bette Davis (as an actress), but not live her life!. . . No one had what Better Davis had. She was surprising.”

In passing, Michael mentioned that guests might like to read her “book.” Like a schoolmarm correcting a student in front of class, she let him know the word should have been “books.”

At this point, Michael wisely decided to let the lady have her head and answer questions from the audience:

• On her recent Lifetime Achievement Oscar: “There’s so many awards. There are awards for breathing. But I figure, what the hell. If it’s for me, it can’t be that bad.”
• “Did she have a song with Humphrey Bogart? Bogie’s song was That Old Black Magic, but “he had no taste when it came to music.”
• On George W. Bush and current trends in art/writing/etc.: “I think people are affected by events and government. For eight years, we had a government that couldn’t even spell the word ‘art.’ There was no appreciation of the arts in those eight years. George W: one of the great brains of our age.”
• Is there somebody she would love to work with? “Unfortunately, most of them are dead.”
• She momentarily reflected on the days of the big studios. “It was the best time for quality movies. Solid, wonderful projects. … The standards were higher in those days. … Today stars run it, with the big salaries.”
• On the Australian actors: “The Australians have taken over. Cate Blanchett. Nicole. Hugh Jackman. I’m a groupie for Hugh Jackman.”  Like talking with old friends, she looked into the audience and asked if they had seen him in the The Boy From Oz. . . “You’ve got to see him in it!”
• She was astounded that no in the room knew who Louis Bromfield was.
• “I was once told, ‘Always be with people who know more than you.’ So what am I doing here?”

Then just as Michael was getting ready to close the evening’s program, one more question arose from the audience: “Next time you’re in Dallas, will you talk about Frank Sinatra?”

“The Look” froze. OMG, did the person not know the history behind Bacall and Sinatra? Well-read Photoplay and Walter Winchell devotees of the 50′s raised eyebrows and prepared for a Bacall bashing. Would Bacall order Sophie to tear the questioner’s throat out?

“Why would I want to talk about him?” she said with feathers obviously ruffled. Then she settled back in her chair and the “Look” changed to be like a Persian cat appearing to have just swallowed a very plump canary. “He was very good when he sang,” she purred.

Only problem of the night was the staging of the event. Unlike 79-year-old Robert Duvall‘s recent appearance in which he sat in a high chair on stage, 86-year-old Bacall sat in a low chair. This change of staging was probably due to the staff’s concern for her comfort and safety. However, guests in the back of the room found it a bit challenging to see her on the stage, with some resorting to standing along the sides of the room for a better view.

That situation should be easily remedied for the next Nasher guest — Gladys Knight, who will be interviewed by KLUV’s Jody Dean on June 17. Tickets go on sale May 2 at 8 a.m. and remember Nasher Sculpture Center Patron Members get a nice discount on tickets.

First consider that we often think the main challenge facing the military is on the battlefield. That’s where the war correspondents report their stories — on the frontlines. Movies are made about this dramatic action.

But there is another conflict that Reserve Service Members face on the home front — financial loss. While not as breathtaking, it takes a real toll. A reported 41% of Reserve Service Members are “impacted by a pay discrepancy between their military and civilian salaries.”

To help remedy this situation, ReserveAid Texas was created in October 2006 to raise awareness and funds for the reserve and active duty military service members and their families. Leading the charge has been NexBank, which has been a lead sponsor for the annual “Stars and Stripes Dinner”.

Photo provided by ReserveAid Texas

“Our reserve members, while dedicated to our country and call to duty, are many times uprooted at a moment’s notice and there can be lapses in pay or help needed to make payments when salaries many times decrease with deployment,” said NexBank President/CEO Davis Deadman (pictured left with Donovan Campbell, Chris Mawn, and Polly Weidenkopf). “With the support of a great organization like ReserveAid Texas, these service men and women can focus their efforts on defending our great country, and not on their financial situations back home.”

Held last Saturday at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the dinner’s highlight was best-selling author and former Marine Captain Donovan Campbell.

Does Donovan’s name sound familiar? Yes, he did write Joker One: A Marine Platoon’s Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood, but he also hails from Dallas and was graduated from Cistercian High School. Yes, that Donovan! After graduating from Princeton, he became a Marine to allow him to “give back to his country, engage in the world, and learn to lead.”

Another highlight of the evening to raise funds and provide entertainment for the evening was Brian Olsen, who is renowned for his Art in Action. And, boy, was it in action Saturday night. Brian created a painting on a 4.5′ by 6′ canvas of John Lennon using fingertips, palms, elbows, and up to three brushes in each hand. The painting sold for $25,000.

“Since its beginning in October 2006, ReserveAid has already helped over 1150 families impacted by the Global War on Terror with over $2.7 million in grants distributed so far,” said event co-chair Highland Capital Management in Dallas Exec Chris Mawn . “A lot of these grants address basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and transportation, making them vital and so important for our service men and women.”

Photo provided by ReserveAid Texas

While the event raised $420,000 for ReserveAid Texas, it also provided an emotional support for Reservist with such attending guests as 100 veterans, 10 families and individuals who have received ReserveAid funds, three general officers and 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto (pictured with wife Ingrid) fresh from his stint on Undercover and his sit down with Oprah.

Sponsors for this under-the-radar event were:

• Medal of Honor ($50,000 and above) — Highland Capital and NexBank
• Bronze Star ($10,000 and above) — 7-Eleven, Hayman Capital, Lockheed-Martin, and L-3 Communications
• Purple Heat ($5,000 and above) — American Airlines, Credit Suisse Group, Employees of Citi, Epocal Inc., Haynes and Boone LLP, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jarvie, Investment Technology Group Inc, Jefferies & Company Inc., Knight Capital Group, Lackey Hershman LLP, Raytheon, Safety-Kleen, Strasburger & Price LLP, and Vought Aircraft Industries Inc.
• Meritorious Service ($2,500 and above) — Jesse and Melinda Bray, Broadpoint Capital, Mr. and Mrs. Davis Deadman, David Gately, Goodwin Proctor LLP, Jackson Walker LLP, Employees of J.P. Morgan, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC, Loughlin Meghji + Company, Moll Industries Inc. PetroCap, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Mr. and Mrs. William Pruitt, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Rossi, Simons Petroleum, Mr. and Mrs. Amit Walia, Willis Group, Winchester Carlisle, and Mr. and Mrs. Miles Woodall.
• In kind donation — Markham Fine Jewelers, Corinthian Wellness Spa, and Willoughby

Lauren Bacall will be the Nasher Salon featured speaker at the Nasher Sculpture Center for lunch and evening chats. Married to Humphrey Bogart and Jason Robards, Bacall at 85 has appeared in over 60 films including The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, Key Largo, How To Marry A Millionaire, Written on the Wind, Murder on the Orient Express, The Shootist, and Dogville to name just a few. Known as “Betty” to her friends, she made famous the line, “You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just put your lips together and blow” (To Have and Have Not). Sorry, but the evening segment is sold out and there are only a handful of tickets available to lunch with Lauren.

Across North Olive at the Belo Mansion, Henry “The Fonz” Winkler (pictured) will be part of the St. Philip’s School and Community Center‘s 2010 Destiny Awards Luncheon.  Besides being the legendary “Fonzie” of Happy Days, Henry is a producer, director, and best-selling author of over a dozen children’s books. You probably know Henry majored in drama and studied child psychology at Emerson College, and earned his Masters of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama. But did you know that he didn’t realize that he suffered from dyslexia until he was in his 30′s? Heavily involved in various children’s projects, he co-founded the Children’s Action Network in 1990, which provides free immunizations to children. For additional info, call Anyika McMillian-Herod at 214-421-5221, Ext. 238.

Folks, get your autograph books out and give them a real work out on March 11.

UPDATE: Henry has just been added to the cast of “Royal Pains.”

Tom’s chat with Rena Pederson on stage at the Margaret and Al Hill Lecture Hall of Fair Park’s Hall of State literally set the stage for former NM-ers to compare notes. Thanks to the efforts of DHS’s Diane Bumpas and Jack Bunning, barely any seats were left. The crowd was made up of former NM staffers and forever-after NM clients. Front rowing it were former NM pr gal Barbara Womble with Caroline Rose Hunt (pictured right with Barbara) and Charles Simmons. Dead center on the front row was Cody Baker with two Dallas favorites, Ebby Halliday Acers and her trusty Girl Friday Betty Turner (pictured center with Ebby and Cody).

The exchange between veteran journalist Rena and former NM marketing guru Tom was filled with nuggets of new information and old tales about Stanley and his involvement in Fortnights, His and Hers gifts, and antics that made NM legendary. Names like Sophia Loren and Lord Mountbatten were dropped like prices during the vintage NM Garage Sales. (Oh, how we loved that red pen that slashed numbers!)

Rena (pictured) recalled the Fortnight which Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco attended. At that time Rena was a reporter for UPI and Julia Sweeney was coordinating pr for NM. Still-amazed Rena described how Julia managed to get Rena in for a question with the royal pair: “With everything you have, what would be the one thing you would want?” The Princess hesitated making Rena think that she had just asked the dumbest question ever. Then Grace responded, “Health for my children.” Looking at Rainier, Grace asked, “What would you want?” He answered, “Time.”

Tom even provided a slide show that included Stanley seated next to Brigitte Bardot, with Stanley blowing out some candles. This photo was misleading because the two did not have great chemistry and immediately after the photo was taken, they more or less ignored each other the rest of the evening, squelching any plans for BB to attend a French Fortnight.

Sorry, but we’re not going to share any more tales with you. You’ll just have to buy the book. They’re all in there.

However, we will tell you about the post-chat snippets that took place in the Great Hall.

Capy Alexander (pictured) was taking photos and catching up with old friends, while husband/author Tom signed book after book after book. . . Patsy Donosky was a little weary after grand-babysitting this weekend. Seems dotter Janie Condon was recovering from a broken back. Now Janie doesn’t just recover in her home or a plain old hospital. Nope! The recovery coincided with her wedding anniversary getaway to Hawaii. The docs gave her permission to make the journey only if she traveled first class. That girl knows how to mend in style. . . . Former NM pr cohorts Linda Faulkner and Keith Nix were like champion race horses at the starting gate as they coordinated pr-type stuff. . .Residential real estate fashion showstopper Erin Mathews in a delicious black knit Prada with jeweled collar and Chanel boots was chatting it up with Shelby Marcus (pictured left with Erin) after Ms. Shelby got husband/Stanley’s baby bro Lawrence (pictured) seated next to Tom to sign books. Erin had to rush back to the office for a big, fat contract waiting for her. . . Former NM sales associate Nancy Halbreich was mightily relieved after an ER situation with her nine-year old pooch requiring IV’s and lots of paw holding. . . Speaking of pooch problems, Mr. Stanley’s former assistant Deborah Fugit (pictured) was all smiles despite pending surgery on her Daisy, an adorable Westie. . . Ruth Altshuler recalled how she not only chaired the 1973 British Fortnight with Lord Mountbatten, but later visited him. Seems husband Ken also recalled that the great-grandson of Queen Victoria put his royal hand on Ruth’s knee. Oh, those hot Brits! . . . Sandy Marple joined the long line of folks including Barbara Boettingheimer (pictured) waiting to get their book signed by Tom. . . Bud Knight made the rounds in a camel hair vicuna overcoat. If you were very good, he showed the label inside the coat, which read “Vicuna coat designed for Neiman-Marcus.” And, yes, the hyphen between Neiman and Marcus was on the label. Those were the days before corporate (post Stanley) banished it from the logo. . . Marjie Rozell recalled the days of modeling in the 60′s with makeup pro/daughter Kim Rozell and gal pal Oma Church (pictured right with Marjie and Kim). . . Carolyn Cobb grabbed her autographed books and had to scramble off giggling, “Oh, the books that could be writtten.”

Even before the musical begins, event co-chair Laurie Foley and Keith Nix (pictured) have arranged for a silent auction and reception with food by Wolfgang Puck. Following the performance, guests will be included in a cast party and a Valentine’s Day dance on the Wyly stage. Honorary co-chairs are Penny Youngblood and Nancy Pearce.

The funds raised through this event will be split between two initiatives of the Dallas Theater Center. The Gay & Lesbian Fund  for Dallas  will receive permanent recognition in the Wyly Theatre for its gift to the DTC.

According to Keith, “It will be a night of stars, from the Wyly’s architecture, to the performance to the food.”

The world premiere of Give It Up! took place Friday night at the Wyly and received glowing reviews with even a suggestion of heading to Broadway!

Besides Laurie, Keith, Penny, Eric, and Nancy, Give It Up! gala committee members are Dean Carter, Roberto De La Cruz, Tim Jivaranuntakul, Fernando Gonzalez, Rodger Kobes, Brant McFarlain, Jerrett Morris, Mark Niermann, Jay Oppenheimer, Dick Peeples, Jose Reyes, Kelly Rao, Raj Rao, Billy Rodriguez, and Kay Wilkinson.

Besides some excellent behind-the-scenes stories of NM marketing in Mr. Stanley’s days, the crowd promises to look like an NM reunion. No telling who just might show up thanks to the coordination of Dallas Historical Society Chair Diane “I Love Breakfast Meetings” Bumpas, Exec Director Jack Bunning, and a legion of Neiman’s grads. The reception following the program should be fraught with additional tales of life in the good old days.

Oh, and since the program starts at 4, you’ll be home in plenty of time for the Pro Bowl.

• By the time Grant Halliburton was 19, he was already an accomplished artist, writer, and  musician. While he never made it to his 20th birthday due to depression and bipolar disorder, his family and friends did not let his death end his contribution to the community. Rather, they used it as a rallying point to help others facing the same challenges. The result was the Grant Halliburton Foundation created “to help people recognize the signs of mental illness. To help families know what to do before a treatable illness turns into a crisis. To help young people feel free to ask for help and to know where to get it.”
• WHERE (Women HERE) was established this past September by I AM HERE Coalition member Barbara Farmer “after a five-year journey with my daughter. It became clear to me that there was an overwhelming need for an outreach group offering support, resources, and encouragement for women.”

Tomorrow WHERE will hold a community luncheon at the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas benefiting I AM HERE Coalition and the Grant Halliburton Foundation. The featured speaker will be Terry Wise, author of Waking Up: Climbing Through the Darkness. The book deals with Terry’s battle with depression, her ultimate suicide attempt, and her road to recover.”

According to Barb, “Terry’s inspiration message — told with honesty, humility, humor, and hope — offers something for everyone dealing with the challenges of living with and caring for those who struggle with emotional and mental health issues.

Locals are chattering about which groups were taken in by the chap. So far, the nonprofit sector has been silent about possible victimization. Heidi Dillon‘s Fashionistas evidently escaped unscathed from a Mordie event earlier this month. Let’s keep our manicured fingers crossed that none suffered from Mordie’s alleged conning.

And it seems that visiting Rogues’ Gallery author Michael Gross, who was photographed with Mordie back in September, was taken aback by the bleached blonde at the Adolphus book signing. Now Michael is not a tourist to the high profile set. No indeed. He’ s made the literary rounds with the likes of the 740 Park Avenue set to Helmut Lang. In other words, he’s been around the character block and can spot a questionable character immediately.

So, imagine after attending a cocktail party at Laura Hunt‘s the night before, Michael finds himself at the Adolphus book signing with Mordie suddenly cozying up for a photo with him. Ever the gentleman Michael sensed Mordie seemed shall we say out of step with Dallas social folks:

“I must admit that Mordan was not what I had expected. But the other guests like Linda (Ivy) showed the graciousness that people associate with Dallas.”

By the way, Michael’s book Rogues’ Gallery is exceeding expectations despite the headwinds of the economy and the campaign by the Met to blacklist it. Thanks to a word-of-mouth wave, it’s becoming a publication sensation.

Since this group of very un-bookworms cuts to the chase, the author announcement was made early in the evening — Chicago’s Jen Lancaster. If that name is new to you, settle back, have a good laugh, and join her fan club. Getting her start as a blogger, Jen’s talents have resulted in such books as Bitter is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big A-s ( a word that SweetCharity is not allowed to use); Such a Pretty Fat; and Pretty in Plaid.

Now normally guests exit quickly after such an announcement is made, but, oh, no, not with this group! They stayed; they chatted; they drank; they met Chick Lit Luncheon sponsors Lara (pictured) and Robert Tafel; they tried on clothes; they bought clothes, perfume, purses (with a nice percentage going to Community Partners of Dallas).

Must admit that the shower curtain-style changing rooms at times proved to be a bit revealing themselves. As one guest passed by, her purse accidentally pulled the curtain open revealing a guest who was in a state of undress. Thank heaven, she heeded her mama’s advice to wear her prettiest undies. Oh, well, it was a girly party, so what the diff.

And speaking of girls, those gals responsible for the Chick Lit fun

were the likes of Event Chair Jennifer Tobin and Honorary Chair Sarah Losinger. And of course, since the whole Chick Lit program benefits CPD, its President Paige McDaniel (pictured) provided her well-known magic spark of energy and zeal. Has she ever met a stranger?

Bit of trivia: Did you know that last year’s luncheon raised $70,000 for CPD to provide necessities for the children in the care of Dallas County Child Protective Services?

Suggestion: Make plans to attend the luncheon, but for heaven sakes start following Jen’s blog and read her books. You’ll laugh all the way to the luncheon.