Beverly Hills...Nicole Richie lit the night! Fireworks & 3D glasses wowed Yuletide crowds! Tots snatched at snow flurries with delight!

With the flick of a switch, pretty Nicole Richie - gussied up in a royal blue cocktail dress and eye-catching sparkly necklace - lit up the exquisite baccarat crystal chandeliers on Rodeo Drive.

Seconds later, the UNICEF snowflake was instantly transformed into a beacon of light on the roof of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, as a dazzling pyrotechnic display streaked across an inky night sky and signaled to the rapt crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the street that another festive Yuletide season was underway.

The event was the annual "Lighting the Night" ceremony sponsored by tony Beverly Hills.

A short time earlier, the shoppers were treated to the song stylings of Kreesha Turner - and a popular local band - The 88.

Fans of Lipstick Girls, Gossip & the Entourage may have heard strains of Kreesha's hits emanating from the backdrop of those popular shows - after all - they lend themselves well to the medium.

The music that accompanied the fireworks display - a sort-of strident techno pop sound - was right on the money, too. The dynamic futuristic sound added a touch of excitement and drama to the whole scenario.

But it was a pair of 3d glasses that volunteers handed out just before the light show, that caught the imagination of the revellers. The unique specs turned common lights in the night sky into sparkling snowflakes when you donned 'em and gazed skyward!

But, there was serious note or two in the proceedings, as well.

Sexy Joel Maddox noted that he recently travelled to the Central African Republic with UNICEF a couple of weeks ago, and he sadly reported that - at minimum - twenty-five thousand children die in that country daily from preventable causes like malaria, measles, or lack of clean water.

At one point, Kreesha urged shoppers to pick up their cells and text "hope" to make a contribution to the cause.

"A dollar or two goes a long way," she insisted.

A rep from UNICEF, on hand to take part in the lighting of the "snowflake", noted it will shine brightly throughout the holiday season.

It was designed by Ingo Maurer, is made up of 12,000 Baccarat crystals, and weighs more than 1,600 pounds.

"We like to think it is a beacon sending out light to the dark corners of the world."

By donating to UNICEF, people have the opportunity to "believe in zero", note the organizers.

That's zero children dying from preventable diseases.

After the main stage event, guests took a stroll up Rodeo 2, where a flurry of snowflakes drifted magically down from the heavens.

The delighted expressions on all the children's faces said it all.

The joy of the season was upon us!

Text HOPE to 864233 and donate to Unicef. Its $5!

Beverly Hills...Light the Night on tony Rodeo Drive! The 88 & Kreesha Turner on stage live. November 22nd.

In the mood for a little holiday spirit?

Then, head on over to Rodeo Drive on November 22nd & take in the annual City of Beverly Hills & UNICEF Holiday Lighting Ceremony.

Forget about flicking a switch in one fell swoop; after all, there's no festive spirit in that!

The City of Beverly plans to make a dazzling day and night of it.

Festivities get underway at 3:00 pm.

So, there's time to get your bearings, and window-shop a bit, before the kids check in with jolly old Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5:00 pm (Main Stage Event).

At 6:00 pm, exciting musical guests - The 88 and Kreesha Turner - are scheduled to perform live for the audience, too.

"The 88" is a local band which has captured the nation's attention with a sound that is part punk and a little funk with a touch of R & B riffs reminiscent of the British invasion bands.

Undoubtedly you've grooved to their beat on a handful of popular TV shows such as Grey's Anatomy, The OC, or How I Met Your Mother.

Gosh, singer-songwriter Kreesha Turner - also slated to treat the festive crowd with her unique blend of musical stylings in the pop/hip hop/jazz vein - is a fellow Canuck!

Nicole Richie, Joel Madden (the UNICEF Ambassador) and lead vocalist for Good Charlotte, will then saunter in and pull a magic lever that will suddenly illuminate the exquisite UNICEF crystal snowflake and all 20 one-of-a-kind glittering Baccarat chandeliers along Rodeo Drive.

Later, show-stopping spectacular fireworks atop the Beverly Wilshire hotel, will shoot festively into the midheavens in a myriad of crackling multi-colored lights.



A few musical favorites of the Yuletide season will kick off the season to a joyous start.

But, the party won't be ready to shut down, yet.

After the fireworks, there will be a dazzling party extravaganza, at ultra-chic 2 Rodeo Drive.

Along the cobblestone Via, you'll be able to snack on a host of delectable treats, catch a snowflake on the tip of your tongue, or plump yourself down on Santa's lap.

The UNICEF snowflake and Baccarat chandeliers will continue to sparkle through New Year’s Day.

Also, take note.

Shoppers will be treated to 2 hours of free parking at city garages along Rodeo, Beverly and Canon Drives (look for the Torquoise signs)

Info: Visitors Bureau 310.248.1015

Prince Harry & Prince William...pursue studly adventure in name of charity!

Two Princely studs are on their way to the Great Horn (or thereabouts) to rustle up a fortnight of ballsy pleasure!

In the name of charity - Prince Harry (the scrapper with freckles and red hair) and Prince William (the classy one) - will be hitting the trails of South Africa.

Obviously, there be a spill or two on the hazardous terrain.

But, the boisterous lads are prepared for that.

There's a wager among 'em as to who has the most seaworthy legs.

Funds raised during the thousand-mile hairspin jaunt through the jungle wilds will be divied up so that UNICEF, the Mandela Children's Fund, and Sentebale (fun-loving Harry's pet project) receive an equal lion's share of the proceeds.

For those of who are biting your nails - and concerned about the safety of the Princely charges - rest assured.

Both of the thrill-seekers are experienced bikers.

According to informed sources, each rides a high performance motorcycle in Britain.

No word on whether there will be any bodyguards in tow!


I expect a handful of the Queen's protective forces will be lurking behind every bush along the trecherous path and hot on their trail pursuant to the Queen's Royal directive.

Along with a gaggle of paparazzi and nubile young virgins seeking their fortunes, too, I expect.

Long live the Princes!

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie...baby photos sell for $11 mil. Pimping, a turn off!

Gee, we made out like bandits, didn't we?


In the final days of Angelina Jolie's pregnancy, the media was in a feeding frenzy.

In fact, the hysteria was at a fever pitch.

Frankly - were I Ms. Jolie - it is doubtful that I could spread my legs for the arrival with the whole world gazing on!

Then, in the wake of the much-ballyhooed birth (Indian women squat in the field, bear the child, and go back to work for heaven's sake with little or no fuss) the press was a-buzz with speculation about the precious baby photos.

What? They'd be auctioned off to the highest "bidder"?

What a shocking notion.

Surely, both Brad and Angelina earn enough from their respective careers, that they don't have to pimp and turn their flesh and blood into baby whores!

Granted, today the press was awash with news that the staggering sums garnered for the publication rights would be donated to UNICEF.

Even still, the whole scenario was tawdry.

So, the young tots have been thrust into the media circus now - and likewise - are to be gobbled up by a ruthless self-serving lot in the arena of celebrity.

If you ask me, the Pitts should have "hired" a photographer to document the birth of the babies; then, distributed a couple of the candid shots to the mainstream press - lovingly.

Eda J. Le Shan once said,

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."

The Pitts turned the joyous possibility into a money-making proposition that was ugly.