GIVING AWAY HALF OF THEIR BILLIONS to charitable endeavors will surely open Heaven’s Gates for the super rich men and families who join Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in their amazing “Can’t take it with you” pledge. More than 40 billionaires have joined Buffett, who is worth $47 billion, and Gates, worth $53 billion, promising to donate at least half their fortunes to further medicine, education, arts and poverty eradication around the world.

CHICAGO BILLIONAIRES WILL BE ON THE SPOT soon when Buffett hosts some small dinners, luncheons here, to spread his message of making your monies work after your death for the betterment of your brothers and sisters throughout the world.

OUR TERMINALLY RICH, like the Lester Crowns and a crowd of Pritzkers, are already deep into philanthropic work, as are the Patrick Ryans. Ken Griffin, Neil Bluhm, Gigi Pritzker, J.B. Pritzker, James Pritzker, Nick Pritzker II, Penny Pritzker and Tom Pritzker are blessed for their many checks to cultural and civic works, and they are on Buffett’s bucket list.

OTHER ILLINOIS BILLIONAIRES, including Oprah Winfrey, William Wrigley Jr., Sam Zell, Ty Warner, Reyes Christopher, Jude Reyes, Michael Krasny and Joseph Mansueto are sure to get a call from Buffett, who has ever so gently twisted the arms, and coffers, of billionaires such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Barry Diller, Larry Ellison, T. Boone Pickens, Ted Turner, David Rockefeller and Ron Perelman. All signed his Giving Pledge vowing half their treasure, at least, to go toward good works.

MICROSOFT FOUNDER GATES’ muscle has helped win them over. Others on the share-the-wealth bandwagon include Barron Hilton (grandpappy of airhead Paris Hilton), who has said 97 percent of his wealth will go to his charitable foundation. Part of his $2.3 billion will trickle to the blond model/singer, but not to worry, she already has her own millions from personal appearances, perfumes, etc.

BILLIONAIRES ELI BROAD, JOHN DOERR AND GERRY LENFEST are already signed and delivered, as is John Morgridge. Never heard of them? They should be household names because of their humanity. Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway investment fame, lives simply, drives an old car, and married a longtime friend. No trophy wife, no scandal, no mega-mansions, just humility and a sincere desire to make our world better.

WARREN WILL BE PHONING Zell, Oprah and the rest of our wealthiest. HOW WILL THEY ANSWER THE CALL?

WHO WAS THE GUEST AT A SWANK Gold Coast dinner party who excused himself to go to the bathroom? When he didn’t return the host went looking for him and found him taking a bubble bath! It is true. Two people verified this story.

WHO IS THE PAMPERED WIFE whose husband gifted her with a Rolls-Royce Phantom that is outfitted with two TV sets and a refrigerator? Hint. She sold her personal jet that had her face painted on its nose. (A word to the wise: She treats her husband like he’s the most important man in the world, giving him lots of love, attention and care. He adores her.)

HUGH HEFNER IS NOT JUST ALL ABOUT BLONDS AND BOOBS. He gets the star treatment he deserves in a new documentary by Canadian filmmaker Brigitte Berman titled, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel. She convincingly details his longtime fight for civil rights, freedom of speech, abortion rights, gay rights and women’s rights. He’s also a taste-maker and humanitarian, helping Vietnamese orphans. His TV shows, Playboy Penthouse and Playboy After Dark were entertainment breakthroughs with black artists before integrated audiences. Hefner, 84, is said to approve of the film, even as it lets some of his detractors air complaints that he’s a pornographer. Not to be denied is Hugh’s support of Martin Luther King and the Equal Rights Amendment, and his constant battle against censorship. (We recall the fabulous parties at the old Playboy mansion on State Parkway, with topless babes swimming in the grotto, endless buffets and drinks, his oval bed, and the beautiful people savoring their moment in the great playboy’s shadow.)

THE AVANT-GARDE DESIGNER FASHIONS of legend Eunice Johnson, publisher of Ebony and Jet, will be on display at Leslie Hindman from Sept. 11 to 15, for auction at 5 p.m. Sept. 16. And they are spectacular. Gowns, accessories and coats are all unique and show her exquisite taste. Fortunately, she had the money to indulge her desires for her amazing Ebony fashion shows, the ultimate in haute couture. (I treasure two dresses purchased 30 years ago when she would sell the one-of-a-kind dream gowns.)

A PRIVATE COLLECTION in the owner’s home is the lure for the North Side Affiliates of the Museum of Contemporary Art on Sept. 19 with lunch at the Palmer House, reports chairman Andrea Fisher. Call 312-399-1149.

FOR YEARS BERNICE KURTZMAN sold Judith Leiber bags at Marshall Field’s Water Tower store and her fans are legion. For her 90th birthday, 130 gathered at Galleria Marchetti to share stories about this plucky widow who started her new career at 65 and continued through 87. Bernice’s two daughters, Lois and Syral, and grandkids and great grandkids added their love and thanks to their special lady.

LIMELIGHT’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY BLAST was orchestrated by partymeister B.J. Murray, who flew in from New York City. And the place was jammed with folks such as Ken Henry, Maggie Dempsey, Heather Bushong, Tom Doody, the Gordon clan from Bravco, Shelly Howard, Nina Mariano, Lisa Monet, Barbara Bailey, Dale D’ Ann, Kathy Piccone, Liz and Joel Brodsky, Robert Murphy, Cheryl Larsen, Irene Mojica, Melissa Brown, Jimmy Damon, Rachel Cain, Jonathan Scott and Andrea Lamm. Russell Brunelli was there at Murray’s side as the gang danced and snacked and reminisced. (Has everyone forgotten that 25 years ago the opening was a disaster with hundreds waiting to get in for hours? Restaurateur Arnie Morton threw his tickets away in disgust and left. It was called “the worst party ever in Chicago.”) But since then, Limelight has glowed and darkened, glowed and darkened. With Murray back it had mega-watt power once again.

CHICAGO AUTHOR CHERI POPE SIGNED COPIES OF HER CHRISTIAN FICTION NOVEL Going Home at Borders. It tells the story of a troubled teen.

“HIGH C’S ON THE HIGH SEAS,” Chicago Opera Theater’s benefit cruise, raised $8,000 reports director Brian Dickie.

PANCREATIC CANCER IS THE TARGET of the Sept. 26 Lustgarten Foundation event in Lincoln Park. Call 866-787-1000.

HOT DESIGNER CARMEN MARC VALVO brings his gowns to Neiman Marcus on Sept. 25.

SINGING THE PRAISES OF Attorney General Lisa Madigan is activist Suzie Glickman, who is pleased that Madigan is pushing for DNA testing on every rape kit, as well as mandating lifetime supervision of sex offenders.

A POOL PARTY IN NICE, FRANCE, is how popular interior designer John Robert Wiltgen will celebrate Sept. 14 for his 13th such blast. There will be gambling in Monte Carlo, a trip to Antibes, plus other special treats.

EAT, PRAY AND ZILCH complain some disappointed femmes who followed Elizabeth Gilbert’s travels and Julia Roberts’ romp in the new flick Eat Pray Love. According to Sara Stewart in the New York Post, many found the spiritual journey commercial and expensive. Some lost most of their savings to the ashram. They became enlightenment junkies, spending all their time and money seeking a path to happiness via guru worship. Where is the overwhelming sense of spirituality and enlightenment? The book stresses spending whatever you have to and travel as far as you need to, in order to achieve happiness. The payoff isn’t always there. Be forewarned.

SEPT. 11 IS ONE SPECIAL DATE. It is the 50th anniversary of the women’s board of the Rehabilitation Institute with a major gala planned for the History Museum. Supporters include: MRS. ROBERT CROWN, the RICHARD ALMEIDAS, the MIKE KEISERS, the JUDE REYES, the TONY ARMOURS, KATHLEEN BOEGE, the JONATHAN BROSSES, the PATRICK CALLAHANS JR., the DAVID COOLIDGES, the LAURENCE GRANTS, the KING HARRISES, LORI KOMISAR, J.B. and M.K. PRITZKER, SUSAN BARCLAY, the LAURENCE BOOTHS, the WESLEY DIXONS JR., the DANIEL DOLANS JR., the LOUIS FREIDHEIMS JR., MARGARET GIBSON, the RODNEY GOLDSTEINS, the PAUL KAWALEKS, the TOM KENNEDYS, the WILLIAM McILVAINES, the JIM NAPPOS, MRS. CHARLES POLLOCK, the SAM SCOTTS, the RICHARD STRUBELS, the JAMES TEN BROEKS and the CARL THOMAS.

THE EVERGREEN INVITATIONAL is a horsey, classy luncheon and shopping at the elegant Pritzker Evergreen Farm, in Bristol, Wis., to benefit Northwestern Memorial Hospital, hosted by M.K. Pritzker. This Sept. 11 event features top riders competing for $75,000 in the grand prix and $25,000 in the junior competition.

Sponsor is R. Bruce Duchossois. Twenty-nine shops will offer luxury items like gems, furs, clothes, pies and popcorn. Supporters include: the BRYAN CRESSEYS, SHAWN DONNELLEY, CHRIS KELLY, the ROONEY ALDEN FAMILY, LAURA DAVIS, SUZETTE BULLEY, JOAN BRODSKY, CASSIE CARVER, GABRIELA CLEVELAND, STEPHEN FALK, JACKY FERRO, ANDREA MURPHY, MIMI OLSON, TRISHA ALDEN, the JEFF ARONINS, SARAH BEGEL, KATHLEEN BIRMINGHAM, the RICHARD BORONS, SHEILA BROWN, SCOTT BYRON, NEELIE FRITZ, the JAMES GRAYS, RICK MANCUSO, ALISON and MELISSA McNALLY, NEAL ZUCKER, DESIREE ROGERS, LESLIE HINDMAN, MEREDITH WOOD-PRINCE and the BRUCE WHITES.

CAROLE SANDNER, an inspirational woman who has fostered many children, will receive an award for the Illinois Club for Catholic Women from Catholic Charities’ Rev. M.M. Boland on Sept. 10 at the Navy Pier black-tie gala of the arts benefit. Carole, president of the club, will accept the honor for improving the lives of poor children and families.

CABARET SINGER STEVE ROSS kicks off the Lake Shore Salon series Sept. 12 in River North. Ticket includes appetizers and champagne in a private home. Call 773-294-9816.

ONE OF OUR MOST ELEGANT BENEFITS is the Illinois Children’s Home and Aid Society gala, and this year marks its 90th anniversary. Co-chairs are Mary Ellen Cagney and Heather Kotlarz, who will see the Palmer Award go to a woman who has vision and leadership and is devoted to helping abused and neglected children. The memorable night is Sept. 10 at the Four Seasons for this 120-year-old organization.

SLEEPING WITH 1,000 MEN, yes, that’s his claim to fame, has given escort Hunter Andrews material for a most unusual blog, “Confessions of a New York Rent Boy.” He fancies himself the Carrie Bradshaw of male confessors and insists all he’s looking for is love.

FASHIONISTAS ATTENTION! FASHION NIGHT OUT is Sept.10 and Neiman’s, Saks, Macy’s, Nordstrom, plus Water Tower shops and the Shops of North Bridge are gearing up for a special shopping extravaganza with sales, modeling, music, cocktails, appetizers, discounts from 5 p.m. Break open the piggy banks.

OPRAH FLEW TO LONDON LAST WEEK. Was she offering Queen Liz a reality TV show called Keeping Up with the Kardkarryingroyals? ... Meanwhile her best pal Gayle King, happily living in New York City, has been checking out duplex and triplex mansions-in-the-sky on Park Avenue. For Oprah?

SAD TO REPORT THAT PRETTY BLOND Kelly Mulqueeny, for eight years a hostess at Gibson’s, and the survivor of a gunshot years ago, died of cancer. ... OUR CONDOLENCES to Molly Weiss on the death of her husband, Howard.

A RIOT OF COLOR are the photos in the current Vogue magazine (weighing 4 pounds) of Nick Cave’s Furry Soundsuits. Cave, chairman of the School of the Art Institute’s fashion design department, is opening a salon on Michigan and E. 23rd Street to showcase his amazing creations.

MAYOR RICHARD DALEY was seen lunching outside at Gibson’s on Friday.

LOVELY AUDREY EPTON, whom we sang the praises of last issue, is the widow of Bernie Epton.

WE FIGURED OUT ROD BLAGOJEVICH’S STRATEGY. POLITICIANS, like Gov. George Ryan, go to jail. CELEBRITIES, like O.J. Simpson, go free. So Rod became a celeb.

THE SUDDEN DEATH of popular printing exec Martin Gapship has saddened and shocked his army of friends. Martin was a philanthropic giant and a great friend to all who were privileged to know him.

“WHEN WOMEN ARE DEPRESSED they either eat or go out shopping. Men invade another country.” — Elayne Boosler

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com

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