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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

STELLA’S SPOTLIGHT

T HE SCOOP: The very talented and smart Bill Campbell is turning in his TV chair.

After 21 years of hosting the informative show “Chicagoing,” Campbell has decided that it is time to move on. Bill’s last show will air Dec.26 at 11:30 a.m. He told this reporter that his most fun interview was with the late comic/movie/TV star Bernie Mac, and he also had Michelle Obama as a guest years ago when she was the head of the Public Allies Chicago organization. Campbell had this to say about his upcoming retirement:

“It’s with a deep mixture of feelings and thoughts that I approach my formal departure from my broadcasting home of nearly 33 years, WLS-TV ABC 7. It has been an honor to be invited into the living rooms and lives of so many Chicagoans through editorials, parades, specials, the Holiday Food Drive and, of course, ‘Chicagoing’ over those years.

“Up next, I will be expanding my executive/life coaching, consulting and public speaking company, CampbellQuest. I also plan to extend into additional media platforms and launch a new book with my trademark program ‘Positive On Purpose.’ As I enter into the next phase of my career, I do so with the profound and humbling sense of purpose that I have contributed something positive and uplifting to Channel 7 and the Chicago broadcasting landscape.” He also thanks his longtime producer Elsa Claveria and director Mike Wall. His final guest is singer Megon McDonough.

GIVING BACK: Academy Award-winning actress and R&B star Jennifer Hudson has teamed up with the WGN-Channel 9 morning news show crew to ask the public to donate new and unwrapped toys to be given to the kids at the Abraham Lincoln Center. And on Dec. 22 from 10 a.m.-noon, Hudson will sing a Christmas song and present toys to hundreds of kids from the center in conjunction with the “Winter Wonderfest” at Navy Pier. This event is open to the public.

Hudson is doing this holiday season toy drive in memory of her nephew Julian King, who lost his life along with Hudson’s mom and brother during a senseless shooting in their South Side home in 2008.

DESIGNING diva Pamella Roland presents her spring collection at a very private luncheon Dec. 21 at Neiman Marcus’ Zodiac restaurant. The event will be hosted by socialites Candace Jordan and Helen Melchior.

COVER STORIES: Chicago author Bill Zehme did a spread

(and I do mean spread) on reality star Kendra Wilkinson, wife of the NFL’s Hank Baskett, in the current Playboy. How can a husband feel good when all his teammates see what he is working with? I predict they will soon divorce. . . . Also, Shaunie O’Neal, ex-wife of big baller Shaquille O’Neal, talks about her new life with a much younger man in the January issue of Sister 2 Sister (my sis’) mag.

DINING OUT: It is always nice to mention where folks are shopping or eating because it really helps and encourage folks to support businesses, especially in this perilous economy. With that said, the Bears’ Jay Cutler and his family dined at the new Mastro’s Steakhouse on Monday, and at a separate table with a party of 10, his teammate Brad Maynard was holding court.

THE RL SCENE: WLS-Channel 7 sports anchor Jim Rose and his longtime sweetie, interior designer Lakesha Draine ate at the trendy RL eatery on Tuesday while the lovely Juanita Jordan lunched with a friend at another table. By the way, Lakesha has launched an exciting new website at www.life-design.tv that offers elegant design, recipes and entertaining tips . . . The dapper Bunky Cushing lunched at RL with society dames Zarada Gowenlock, Linda Heister and Hazel Barr.

RECENTLY I ran an item that UIC men’s basketball coach Howard Moore had won the prestigious Ricky Byrdsong award at the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative’s luncheon. However, my pr source had it confused. Moore was actually a nominee along with the Chicago Bar Association’s Dan Cotter and Sheriff Tom Dart. Dart is the rightful winner . . . so congrats . . . and please Mr. Dart don’t evict me from my column. Ha! . . . Dr. Barry Kaufman delivers his 5,000th “Healthy Minute” report Friday on WBBM Newsradio 780.

BIRTHDAYS: Mai Martinez, James DeCastro, Shaunese Teamer and belated to the Sun-Times’ Rick Telander. On Friday: Vic Skrebneski. On Saturday: George Daniels, Jamee Field, Ann (Lettuce Entertain You) Johnson, Mike Sheahan, Katie Holmes and Brad Pitt. On Sunday: Jennifer Beals and Dr. Steve Stryker, Jim Strong and Jake Gyllenhaal. On Monday: Rev. Pam Morris.

Well, that’s Stella in the City!