Inspired by all the puzzles around Washington, Friars are now trying to solve some in their club.
One of its former officers huffily left an annual meeting. Guards, never present before, explained their presence as, “It’s problems in the neighborhood.” This was news to nearby Duane Reade and the St. Regis.
Members received a $360-a-month, rising to $460, assessment. I’m hearing the annual meeting shunned customs such as financial statements and complete discussion concerning an amendment. One “civilian” (non-showbiz) personally loaned the organization money. Information has not been forthcoming to the members, and they’re left wondering what will happen.
A mailing stated their recent investigation was “over” and the Friars were “cleared.” At the recent meeting, phraseology changed to, “we know we did nothing wrong” and “are confident we’ll be cleared.”
Many have left. The dining room’s often empty. The applause is gone.
Honcho fêted
Hilton lunch for CIA director Mike Pompeo: Waiters began 10 a.m. Plated shrimp hit tables 10:30. 10:45, bagpipers rehearsed. 11:00, splashing dais glasses with wine, one hollered: “We put in too much. The bottle’s empty.” 11:15, about 1,200 guys in blue suits stuffed in canapes like not seeing tasties since stuffing their partners hours before.
One captain: “Behind this wall’s a hall. Wheeled tables. Separated cutlery and plates speed to washing. We can serve 8,000 at a time, then turn to set for dinner. We did Google’s party of 4,000. We’re hotel world’s prime hostelry.”
The CIA director does not wing it. His passionate patriotic rah-rah speech, prewritten, imparted no scintilla of information.
To quote him: “I know a lot more but can say a lot less.”
Duet nearby
Lest you wonder where-oh-where is Michael Musto, formerly of the formerly Village Voice — Saturday, 9 p.m., he’s downtown at Alan Cumming and Anderson Cooper’s boyfriend Ben Maisani’s Club Cumming.
At a benefit for Gays Against Guns, MM will sing in a duet.
Time to bless!
Telling you in advance: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. sharp. My annual Blessing of the Animals. No reservations. Free to all who bring pets — dogs, cats, birds, turtles, fish in a bowl. No people without pets. No pets without people. Come early. Christ Church, 60th and Park. is jammed and 700-plus bring their feathered and fluffy down the aisle for a New Year’s blessing.
Hour service. Roosevelt High School choir’s carols. Senior Minister Stephen Bauman and Rabbi Emeritus Peter J. Rubinstein’s homilies. Procession of police dogs, rescues, Farm to You Revue’s llama, goat, pig, alpaca, chickens, etc., plus our own animals. And amen to our sponsors — NY Post, Wilpons, Kalikows, Catsimatidis, Scaramucci — upon whom I’ve peed, and might hold it temporarily — Humane Society, pet food company Ollie.
Please pay attention
Pitching her new Atria book “Out on a Leash: How Terry’s Death Gave Me New Life,” Shirley MacLaine is soon among us…
Within minutes, Greg Kelly and his Judith become Mr. & Mrs…
Despite Hollywood stories of sex, Thandie Newton, naked in most roles, says, “But everyone was sensitive to me “working with nothing on”…
The 9/11 Museum. White hair. Gold-embroidered black coat. Beautiful at 83 — Shirley Jones…
The late theater-owner/producer Jimmy Nederlander now stays among us forever. Even longer than some of his shows ran. Wednesday, 11 a.m., 45th to 46th, the block of the Marriott Marquis (whose theater he owned) officially becomes James M. Nederlander Alley.
Flaws here
Former chief judge: “Humans are imperfect. Everybody has something.
“This has zip to do with today’s scandals, but look hard enough and back enough and you can indict a ham sandwich.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.