FAR, FAR AWAY in the Enkereri Village in the Masai Mara in Kenya, the women give thanks every day for the positive change in their basic lifestyles — and they are grateful to Chicagoan Reute Butler and her Friends of Conservation.

IN 2008 REUTE AND HER MOTHER, JORIE BUTLER KENT, founder and international chairman of Friends of Conservation, dedicated a biogas plant in the village to provide cooking gas. Made from cow manure and water, the fuel allows the women to make meals without the tedious and dangerous gathering of firewood. Loads were heavy and often maimed the carriers, and the need for wood depleted the forests.

It is reassuring to learn that monies raised here do good locally and around the world.

FRIENDS OF CONSERVATION believe “we have not inherited this land from our ancestors; we have borrowed it from our children.”

The dedicated group has raised millions to help conservation efforts in Africa, support traditional and sustainable ways of living with wildlife and ecosystems, and to promote climate change solutions to alleviate the effects of global warming. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy has provided core support in East Africa for 25 years.

AT THE ANNUAL GALA held this year at the Fairmont, actress Nicollette Sheridan offered to host a luncheon in L.A., a ride at her stables, as an auction prize. It went for $7,000. Reute Butler was honored for all her labors for the FOC, and proud mother Jorie praised her daughter. Uncle Michael Butler, who produced Hair, was there to add his accolades.

SUPPORTERS AT THE BLACK-TIE included orchestra leader Stanley Paul, who offered to host a cocktail party (it went for $7,000); Jim Petrakis; Cary Frank; Martin Gapshis; Ken Norgan; Ray Drymalski; Jessica and Maria Swift; the Adam Butlers, who brought pal Nicollette to the gala; longtime benefactor Joan Wegner’s son and daughter-in-law, the Chuck Wegners; Wendy Sherman; Holly Rothschild; and chairmen Philip Palmer and the Robert Phillippes.

Gossip, gossip, gossip

WHO ARE THE HIGHLY VISIBLE SOCIALITES who snubbed a former friend now that she’s a widow and broke? They enjoyed her hospitality for years but have no use for her now.

DON’T HATE NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN because she’s beautiful. Hate her because she can eat anything and not gain weight. In town for the Friends of Conservation gala, she told us that she loves all animals and her golden retriever Oliver, 5, forces her to run with him every day. “I’m naughty about food,” she giggled. “I eat everything, especially Indian food ... and I’m a good cook.” A native of Great Britain, the golden haired Edie of Desperate Housewives (but no more) was poured into a silver/beige strapless gown and even brave men thought they died and went to heaven. What a bod! Obviously she has sold her cellulite to the devil.

WE FIRST MET NICOLLETTE in 1991 when she was here with husband Harry Hamlin. She spent many years with singer Michael Bolton, but he always bolted. Her favorite fashion designers? Oscar de la Renta, Hermes, Gucci, Carolina Herrera. Doesn’t matter. This femme would look fab in a potato sack.

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS, Kathy Griffin, smart-mouth and all, was meeting fans of her D-list personna at Borders on Boul Mich. Her memoir is Official Book Club Selection. Her dress was from Barney’s and her shoes from Fendi and her jokes from Henny Youngman.

NICOLE KIDMAN ISN’T THE ONLY BEAUTY from Australia. Our Irene Pritzker was chosen by the Foreign Policy Association to present the 2009 Foreign Policy Medal to the prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, at a luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, attended by 650. In the crowd were Henry Kissinger, Barbara Walters, Paula Zahn, Judith Regan and Patricia Duff. Irene, who grew up in Australia and was the wife of Robert Pritzker, is the mother of Liesel, who was in several movies and now resides in New York City. In her speech, Irene stressed the collective vision of the two nations.

BICKERING IS MAKING FOR A TENSE SCENE at rehearsals for Neil Simon’s revival of Brighton Beach Memoirs with a cast headed by our talented Laurie Metcalf, says the New York Post’s Michael Riedel. Seems there is a revolt against director David Cromer. The play opens Oct. 25 in New York City.

EQUINE-FACED ACTOR John Malkovich could play the horse, but he’s going to be the trainer in the film Secretariat. Diane Lane is cast as the wonder galloper’s owner.

JOEY SLOTNICK STEALS THE SHOW in the perky Animal Crackers at the Goodman Theatre through Nov. 1. He is Groucho Marx reborn, with every gesture a tribute to the original. All the actors in this musical are perfect, especially Jonathan Brody and Molly Brennan. The audience loved it, and you will too.

MAYOR RICHARD DALEY IS RIGHT to back the plan for a buffer zone to keep “in your face” anti-abortionists from harassing women going to health clinics. Why don’t these people adopt or take in foster kids if they are so caring and loving? The time they take to scream at innocent women could be better spent.

CONGRATS TO GILDO MAZZOLIN, former owner of the Capitol Banks, who was inducted into the Italian-American Executive Hall of Fame. He’s a Lake Shore Drive resident with daughter Amy.

TOO BAD THAT VINCE VAUGHN’S newest flick, Couples Retreat, got such bad reviews. But he’s grinning and bearing it. Vince and fellow actors Peter Billingsley and Malin Akerman attended the Chicago International Film Festival preview. However, we hear Vaughn is happy in his Palmolive Building condo.

MICHAEL WILKE, JERRY BERLIANT, Justin Dedeaux and Michael Pontarelli hosted a pre-game party for the Notre Dame vs. University of Southern California game at P.J. Clarke’s.

A CLASS ACT: THAT’S PAT RYAN. As CEO of the Chicago Olympic Games Committee he was gracious in defeat. And as a Republican, he stood up and applauded the choice of President Barack Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize and thanked him and Michelle for flying to Copenhagen to support the bid. Why, oh why, can’t there be more truly objective leaders like Ryan?

KARYN CALABRESE of Karyn’s fresh food eateries, is launching a line of all-natural mineral makeup with ingredients that sooth, heal and fight aging.

ILLINOIS SENATE PRESIDENT John Cullerton was honored at the Illinois Bar Foundation’s annual gala at the Four Seasons. … A VIBRANT 95, pioneer fitness guru Jack LaLanne reminds everyone that he was a sickly, bedridden teen until he kicked his addiction to sugar and started an exercise program. Now he sells juicers and self-help books, and we know he’s right about eating healthy and walking, running and keeping moving.

BRENDA SEXTON and her Chicago Link Productions hosted a reception for ex-Chicagoan actress Virginia Madsen and her mom, Elaine, at a screening of the film they produced, I Know a Woman Like That, at Martini Park. The movie shares the stories of exceptional older femmes and is inspirational.

RUSH WINDBAG IS A BIG FAT ZERO as a commentator, but his wallet is as big as his ego, so he has the cash to own an NFL team. He has bashed black players without reason, but since this is a civilized country he gets the right to “buy what he wants.” The St. Louis Rams would call him boss. God help them. Woman-hating Rush has been chosen as a judge in the Miss America Pageant for what reason we can’t imagine. Rush with an objective eye? He gives a black eye to everything he sees. Ranting, twisting the truth, judging everyone but himself ... Rush is the windbag that never stops blowing hot air.

OUR CONDOLENCES TO MAUREEN SMITH on the death of Mary Ellen Dwyer, 90, her charming mother.

“Brains are an asset, if you hide them.” — Mae West

CONTACT: annbgerber@gmail.com

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