CarolJoynt.com

Tareq Salahi, In Exclusive Interview w/ Washingtonian, Says He Has Turned HIs Life Around

HAPPIER TIMES: THE SALAHIS OWN PHOTO OF THEMSELVES WITH V.P. JOE BIDEN AT WH STATE DINNER

Remember the Salahis? Of course you do. They will be back in court on Monday for another hearing in an ongoing nasty divorce case. We talked with Tareq Salahi, who says he's turned his life around since splitting with Michaele. He also says he's developing a cooking show. Read it here: Tareq Salahi Interview With Washingtonian. 

Let's Hear It For the Ushers

 CONGRATULATIONS TO FRANCES CHASTANG FOR 40 YEARS AS A KENNEDY ENTER USHER, HERE WITH HER BF, TOM.

Last evening, as I was privileged to join hundreds of them at the Kennedy Center, I couldn't help but think, "Ushers are people, too." I say that because so often ticket holders storm the theater and regard the usher as a help or hindrance but rarely as a person with a story to tell. All of the Kennedy Center's hundreds of ushers were gathered in the Atrium for their 17th annual "appreciation" dinner. It was a big crowd.

 THE 40 YEARS OF SERVICE PIN, DESIGNED BY A KENNEDY CENTER USHER

They were out of their red jackets and dressed up in their party clothes as a dozen or so were honored for 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service. Those being honored for 40 years have worked at the performing arts center since it opened. Among them Frances Chastang, who invited me as her guest. It was a delight to be there for her, because Frances always has been there for me, whether at Dean and Deluca, where she worked until her recent resignation, or stopping by my house to show me how to trim the roses, or going way back, to when Howard was dying at Washington Hospital Center, and in the last days she showed up with food for all of us keeping vigil. She's known my son since he was a stroller baby.

 THE USHERS FILLED THE ATRIUM. IT WAS ONE OF THE HAPPIEST PARTIES HELD THERE.

There were remarks from officials. There were usher jokes. You know, like the hundredth time you get asked for directions to the bathroom but keep on smiling. There was an awful lot of camaraderie. Hooting and hollering as each honoree was announced. 

FRANCES CHASTANG SHOWS OFF HER PIN TO COLLEAGUES

I talked to ushers to the left and right of me. Many are retirees. Many just want to be in the room for opera or ballet, and this is the way to do it. They get paid to be in the theater. Some are second generation ushers.

Frances works the opera house. That's her love. She also works the Presidential box when Potus is in the house. Her BF, Tom, also is an usher. That's where they met!

 THE APPRECIATION DINNER DESSERT

I miss her smiling face at Dean and Deluca. She was an asset to the store, and there's a marked void with her no longer there. I met her on the day the store opened, eons ago, when they had a swanky opening party. She's been in our lives ever since. By her desk in D&D's basement she kept marks on the wall tracking Spencer's growth from knee high to 6' 4". I spent so much money at D&D because of Frances. Now I don't go in much anymore, but I'll go to the Kennedy Center more often.

 THE 40TH PIN WAS MUCH ADMIRED BY OTHER USHERS

Next time you're there ask your usher how long he or she has been on the job. You'll be amazed. Incredible job loyalty.

 BEAUTY SHOT OF THE KEN CEN UPON MY DEPARTURE, LEAVING ALL THOSE USHERS TO PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY ON THE ROOFTOP

NYSD Today: "Follies" and Its Relevance to Washington Marrieds

 THE KENNEDY CENTER AT TWILIGHT (photo by Carol Joynt)

The Kennedy Center revival of Stephen Sondheim's 1971 hit, Follies, is proving to be a hit with Washington audiences. Apart from the obvious reasons, why is that? I try to answer the question in my New York Social Diary column today. Please read it here.