A sunny and warm for -- late October day -- in New York. I spent the top of the day in a dentist’s chair (overlooking the city – nice view) having my mouth re-arranged.

Last night; get serious. There were two book parties of books about powerful and charismatic women. Peter Brown, the most famous-to the-famous under-the-radar public relations adviser in the world, held a reception at his Central Park West apartment for Eve Pollard and her new book “Jack’s Widow.” Jack being Jack Kennedy.

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Ms. Pollard is a Jackie biographer and this literary venture is a “reverential examination” (and a novel) of the always enigmatic Mrs. Kennedy Onassis, one of the most compelling figures in 20th century American history. It is still difficult to find people who can really explain, who really knew Jackie well enough to articulate what she was really like. She was a very sociable woman with lots of friends, and her friends adored her, loved her, were fascinated by her, amused and intrigued by her. She was very real and yet at the same time very Other-Worldly.

People were always conscious of the Who of her. That can tease one’s perceptions. Although she maintained a lifelong policy of not giving interviews, establishing a “privacy” about herself that was respected mainly because of the Assassination, she was quite open with close friends. It was not unlike her to have dinner with a friend and spend hours talking about herself, her life, her experience. Some of her close friends, when with each other, would also spend hours talking about Jackie, often agreeing that as well as they knew her, or rather, as much as they knew about her, they really didn’t feel they knew her well.

Perhaps she might have thought that one day she would write a memoir. A great memoir. Perhaps not. She loved books, and especially biographies. At the very end of her life, I’ve written in these pages before, shortly before she died (and she knew she was dying), she burned packets of letters that she’d saved over the years. Letters from? I don’t know. But a few at a time, she tossed them into the flames in the fireplace of her Fifth Avenue apartment. Most who’ve heard that story loved the romantic aspect of it: mystery dies with the swan. It always struck me as a concealing of that which was historical. She was certainly one of the most famous women of her time, and famous really because of the sheer force of her personality.

Ms. Pollard’s novel which is full of authenticity about the lady, may assist in understanding the enigmatic New York society girl who grew up to be a modern day heroine, and a kind of Everywoman, despite, or maybe because of her distinction.

Joan Collins

The other book party last night was down in Chelsea and for Miss Joan Collins, another character as compelling in her way as Jackie. Enigmatic? No. Romantic? Yes. Another kind of Everywoman, in that possibly every woman can relate to her in one aspect or another, including that “bitch” character that she can play so credibly that the audience thinks that’s what she’s like. Her new book, however, dispels a lot of that notion. It is called “Staying Young,” and everyone knows who the subject is because it’s obvious. If you’ve ever seen Ms. Collins up close and personal, you see that she looks just like the lady you watched back in the 1980s every Wednesday night for years on “Dynasty.”

Her advice? Forget the word “old.” It’s a joke anyway. Even marry young. If you can. And want to. Behind all this, however, is a very serious, hardworking, disciplined, and in her way, driven woman who likes her life and likes to work. It agrees with her.

About seven-thirty last night I went over to the Pierre to see the crowd that had gathered for the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s 2006 Gala. Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Cruelty to Children. Think about it. Think about the implications, the ramifications, the stupid, senseless, wicked damage. I bet you don’t even want to think about it, it’s so hideous and outrageous. It makes your blood boil. Rage and violence begets rage and violence. And it’s the children who suffer most deeply. The NYSPCC has been in business since 1875. They’ve investigated 650,000 cases on behalf of more than 2 million children. Crimes against humanity start there.

Last night they were honoring Rosie O’Donnell who needs no introduction, description or explanation. Last night Rosie was uncharacteristically looking very chic. Seriously. Wearing a black wool crepe three-quarter length coat over pants and blouse, she looked more serious than she’s ever looked (and you know she’s serious). She was a natural choice to honor. Deborah Norville, another powerhouse all silk and satin, was emcee. And Liz Hampton Callaway sang. Richard Lenny, the CEO of Hershey was the Gala Chair along with Michael Goldstein of Toys "R" Us who was last year’s honoree.

For a look at the interview of DPC two weeks ago at Nathans in Georgetown, click here.

Children’s charities are not sexy charities. Aspiring socialites and philanthropists rarely are attracted to the idea of assisting victimized children. It’s a harsh one that says terrible things about the condition of our society and our system. It’s not a new condition, or a new story. A lot of today’s cases are Dickensian and they aren’t the half of it. Children are persecuted and victimized all over the world, starved, tortured, beaten and murdered. By Monsters. Us. We’re the monsters. Who really wants to look at those truths? The men and women who give their time and their hearts to these organizations like the New York Society for Preventoin of Cruelty to Children. There are millions of little ones and young people out there who can rely only on the efforts of these people. They raised almost $400,000 last night which was commendable, but in a smarter, healthier world, they would have raised ten times that amount. Maybe next year. Anything’s possible.