WISER? NAW! PEOPLE OVER 50 think they are immune, their partners are not likely to have a disease, and so one in every seven new cases of HIV or AIDS is a naive older person.

MOST WOMEN TODAY DON’T FEEL THEY ARE AT RISK, reports an article in AARP. Of the estimated 1.1 million Americans with HIV, some 407,000 are over 50; by 2017 half of the total HIV-positive population will be over 50. “The burden of the disease is going to be borne out in the older adult,” Stephen Karpiak of the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America told AARP. And the health care system will feel its impact.

HIV/AIDS IS NOT THE GAY, WHITE DISEASE OF PAST YEARS. IT NOW AFFECTS MORE STRAIGHT PEOPLE, LATINOS AND AFRICAN AMERICANS.

UNPROTECTED SEX is an easy, stupid way to ruin your life. When you have sex with one man, or woman, you are risking catching every illness they’ve been exposed to, and HIV/AIDS lurks everywhere. Men and women look healthy, act responsibly, and you envision a loving relationship? Wake up!

NEW DRUGS ARE ENABLING PATIENTS TO LIVE LONGER, BETTER LIVES BUT AT A TERRIBLE COST IN MONEY.

THE AVERAGE 55-YEAR-OLD WITH HIV has three chronic conditions because within three years of infection, certain cells vital to the immune system age by as much as 20 to 30 years.

WE HAVE BEEN BATTLING HIV/AIDS for the past 30 years and the next 30 will be “a tsunami that will flood our budgets and worsen the caregiving crisis that’s starting to make itself known,” the AARP article quotes health expert Karpiak.

USING CONDOMS IS VITAL for protection, every savvy person knows. Sleeping around is dangerous and deadly — whether you are 18, 24, 38, 47 or over 50. Especially if you are over 50 and think you’re smart and hot. And desperate for affection and love. HIV/AIDS isn’t going away. It may be coming your way.

IS OUR SERIAL HUSBAND about to marry wifey number 7? The money manager was seen in Aspen with another of the super-skinny blondes he prefers. (Two of his ex-wives, who have become pals, call themselves “Dumb and Dumber.”)

IT IS SPLITSVILLE for well-known lawyer Anton Valukas and wife Maria.

THE IMMEDIATE WORLD showed up at Moe’s Cantina to wish popular Gibson’s hostess Kathy O’Malley a happy birthday. Hosts were B.J. Murray, Richie Gregorian, the Gibson family and the City of Chicago.

FRIENDS OF B.J. MURRAY were happy to see him in town and looking good.

BEST ROMP FOR SINGLES IN YEARS was this season’s White Party at Gallerie Marchetti orchestrated by Allen Rose of Rose Painters. There were some truly gorgeous young girls and a better ratio of guys to gals. The tradition lives on.

A CLASSY GUY, industrialist Fredrick Gohl was feted on his 95th birthday by 100 friends in a memorable dinner dance at the Ritz Carlton Club. Loving wife Susan pulled out all the stops as guests flew in from Naples, Fla. (where the Gohls have a home and yacht) and California.

THE CRAZE FOR STEAKHOUSES isn’t always sizzling. Isn’t a major, high-priced chain trying to get out of a badly conceived lease for a brand new swank restaurant?

“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF FORBES” by Stewart Pinkerton is a new hot read raising questions about Malcolm Forbes’ death (was it suicide?) and detailing more than you want to know about the family fortunes, fights, foibles. Pinkerton was former editor of Forbes’ magazine. He knows where the bodies are buried — and he’s digging them up.

ARTIST MATT LAMB has been vacationing in Ireland, and daughter Sheila is back from Dubai and Russia.

THE DIVORCED WIFE who allegedly had a hitman blow up her ex-husband in his car in Tucson so she would inherit a $2 million insurance policy is finally in custody, we hear. She moved to Switzerland but was captured recently in Austria and is waiting trial in Arizona. The attractive brunette allegedly gave $200,000 to an ex-con and he confessed while doing time for another job. Wasn’t she engaged to a Chicago multi-millionaire who now has Alzheimer’s? Sounds like a bad plot for a trashy novel.

THE DEATH OF PASTRY CHEF Russell Scott Haffner, 50, has saddened all who knew this charming man. He labored at Cafe Provencal, Ambria, the Ritz and the University Club and had a wealth of adoring friends. He died after a brief illness.

ACTRESS GOLDIE HAHN, whose mother died of breast cancer, will highlight the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation fall benefit luncheon at the Ritz on Sept. 19. Chairs are Michelle Friedman, Ashley Netzky and Lara Shiffman. A purse auction will offer new and collectable handbags. Call 312-926-4274 for more information.

RON SANTO WAS AN AMAZING SPORTS STAR who was adored by fans for his strength during adversity and his achievements as a Cub. Ron Santo, a Perfect 10, by WGN Radio broadcaster Pat Hughes and Rich Wolfe, is an inspiring saga with a foreword by Ron Santo Jr. Santo lost his legs to diabetes but never lost his zest for life.

SINGER JIMMY DAMON LOVES PIZZA and there is one luscious one named for him (the Jimmy D) at Frankie’s Scaloppine Pizzeria at the 900 N. Michigan building.

CALLED A TOTAL BOMB and worse by critics, is the movie Transformers: Dark of the Moon which has local star John Malkovich “painfully hamming.” We thought Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was not only a lousy actress but not that beautiful. However, destroying Michigan Avenue and our town in general was awesome, but so what? Some in the audience were rooting for the robots.

“THE BRAIN IS NOT COMPLETELY DEVELOPED until a person is 21 and some researchers claim even up to 25 for some,” asserts Leon Hoffman, clinical psychologist, so drinking at a young age can stop intellectual development of the I.Q. as well as physical development. Liquor can determine if a boy or girl can complete a college degree or only make it to the 10th grade. Why gamble with your potential, Leon asks. Peer pressure to drink can ruin lives.

YOU CAN DEVOUR “COOKING ON THE LINE,” a new book by food lover Wayne Cohen who became a professional line cook at 50. In this delicious autobiography, Wayne gives credit to chef Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno, chef Martial Noguier of Bistronomic and others for allowing this novice a chance to show his work ethic and love of good food. You will salivate, and wince, as Wayne slaves and reveals all the passion that goes into creating fine dishes. (He even shares a few easy recipes.) Cohen is working now at Piccolo Sogno and everyone who reads his book will have a deep appreciation for the hard work and devotion that makes a kitchen produce the exceptional cuisine we often take for granted.

MICHAEL LERICH AND HIS ORCHESTRA will knock the socks off those who attend the Aug. 3 free Skokie Village Green event at 7 p.m. at 5155 Oakton, Skokie.

FINANCIAL GURU TERRY SAVAGE, Sun-Times columnist, has a second edition out of her book, The Savage Truth on Money which gives the reader street-smart advice on the best ways to build or rebuild financial security. These critical times cry out for guidance and information and Savage gives both. She offers insightful analysis of our nation’s debt crisis to help you adjust your finances, no matter what your age or your income. Terry was a founding member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, has penned two other acclaimed books on finance — and she drives a Rolls Royce!

THE ZOO BALL attracted more than 1,000 party animals to the Lincoln Park Zoo grounds on a heavenly night and with a Hollywood theme that Ol’ Blue Eyes would have loved. Who were some of the most glamorous guests? Sexiest was Mary Kay Touhy Silverman in a strapless Balmain confection husband Jeff bought her in Paris, and the most romantic gown was on Brigid Najarian. Architect Adrienne Barnaby, a beautiful woman, was wearing the most memorable black strapless and Donna Daniels the best red creation. Amy Greenawalt’s one shoulder ballgown was a winner and Sue Carey deserves honors for a svelte blue dazzler. Sonia Larkin sizzled with orchids in her hair and knockout Jannie Pearlman’s figure launched 100 diets by jealous onlookers.

HANDSOMEST MALE ANIMAL at the Zoo ball, and there were many uncaged specimens worth applauding, was tall and noteworthy Jon Najarian. Tom Daniels, Trey Gonzales, John Hart and Bill Kurtis rated tops with their fan clubs. The trio of ball chairs, Susan Erler, Rosemary Jones and Kirsten Rider deserve kudos for a mammoth job well done — and the goodie bags, plus cupcakes, were super!

WHO IS THE OPERA COMPANY HONCHO who mistakenly sent an email to his wife, meant for his mistress in Paris, and is now in hot water at home and at the office? What about all those trips abroad? Business or pleasure?

LYDIA FISHER’S PITHY COMMENTS are page one on the Huffington Post and getting more attention each week. One of her timely topics, “Is the Glass Ceiling Expanding or is the Waiting Room Getting Bigger?” She positions her blogs to analyze business headlines as to human impact, building a universe for the reader as to what happened and why. Where are we and where might we be headed, are Lydia’s concerns.

A 3,000 POUND CAKE was a sweet treat when Joe Perillo welcomed 500 guests to his new Rolls Royce center, thanks to Buddy Valastro and his team who drove it from Hoboken, N.J. Richard Dent and Otis Wilson were among VIPs who met the Cake Boss. Dominic Di Frisco was MC. It was filmed for the hit TV show on TLC. Two of Cake Boss’s most ardent fans are Moira and Mariclare Touhy who were thrilled to meet the Big Baker.

“AMERICA — THE BEST POOR MAN’S COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.” —WILLIAM ALLEN

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com or 847-677-2232