A wonderful farewell party for Mayor Daley

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

H EY, THIS reporter attended a wonderful farewell party for Mayor Daley (leaving office on May 16) at the fabulous Paris Club restaurant Thursday evening co-hosted by the eatery’s owners, brothers RJ and Jerrod Melman and another set of brothers, the delightful Walter E. Smithe furniture kings, Tim, Mark and Walter. I had a ball hobnobbing with the mayor, who looked great and very relaxed and was just enjoying all the accolades and well wishes. He later joined in on singing a hot rendition of “My Kind of Town.”

The smooth people who packed the place included politicos, sports figures, civic leaders and all forms of media, actually too many to mention but I’ll try. The party folks toasting the mayor included press secretary Jackie Heard, Terry Newman, Debbie & Michael Marchese, Micah Materre, Steve Sanders, Mark Suppelsa, Robert Jordan, Lourdes Duarte, Larry Wert, Allison Rosati, Rob Johnson, Ryan Baker, Anna Davlantes, Bob Sirott, Natalie Martinez, Andrea Metcalf, Kate Sullivan, Steve Lombardo, John Vincent, Candace and Chuck Jordan, Shea Vaughn (actor Vince’s mom), Jamie Blythe, Lisa Kosty, Frank Orrall, Susanna Negovan, Richard Gamble, Joel (“Mad Men”) Murray, Eric Ferguson, Kathy Hart, Otis Wilson, Richard Dent (heading to the NFL Hall of Fame), Greg Olsen, Secretary of State Jesse White, Joe, Susan and Meredith Ahern, Paulette Wolf, Aviation Comm. Rosemarie Andolino with hubby Mark Fary, Ben and Juretha Lawson, Ramblin’ Ray and the Smithe brothers’ lovely family, including Tim Jr., (whose Hollywood good looks should be in the movies or at least modeling), and the list goes on and on. It was a great evening of fun, eating, drinking, cameras flashing and folks laughing, especially at the hilarious comedy performance of “Schadenfreude.”

Tim Sr. said he was glad to see the longtime mayor so “relaxed and happy.” Hey, we all were relaxed, Tim. Now, I suggest everyone run out and buy a copy of this issue for posterity! Ha!

Yeah, I said it!

WHAT’S GOING ON? Caroline Kennedy signing her new book She Walks in Beauty at 7 p.m. this evening at the Borders in Oak Brook. . . . “Cirque Eloize” opening at the Cadillac Palace April 26. . . . Neo- Soul artist/songwriter Rahsaan Patterson, whose latest CD “Bleuphoria” is out in July, will be the special guest at the local NABJ mixer at M Lounge April 28. . . . The Rev. Charles Jenkins and Bishop Horace Smith will be among the folks attending President Obama’s “Easter Prayer Breakfast” at the White House today.

THE COMMON Ground Foundation’s inaugural black-tie awards benefit gala on Saturday at the InterContinental was a big success for handsome rapper/actor Common and brought out a blingalicious crowd. The elegant event honored Dr. Maya Angelou, 17-year-old actress Keke (“True Jackson, VP”) Palmer, “The Newlywed Game”/“The View” co-host and native Chicagoan Sherri Shepherd and top businesswoman Dee Robinson Reid. My sister, Jamie Foster Brown of Sister 2 Sister mag, and this reporter enjoyed the evening. WLS-Channel 7’s Cheryl Burton did a great job of hosting, as usual. Common’s ladylove, tennis champ Serena Williams, could not attend, but donated a few autograph items for auction.

I asked the congenial and sweet Sherri how she felt about the occasion. “I love Common because he ‘walks the talk.’ This has been an amazing & uplifting evening. Common is changing lives, and I’m honored to be a part of it all.” Sherri’s dad, Lawrence Shepherd, was also in the house. Shepherd’s next film is “One for the Money,” co-starring Katherine Heigl, John Leguizamo and Debbie Reynolds and is out next year. Sherri and her son, Jeffrey Charles, celebrate their birthdays on Friday. Dr. Angelou spoke eloquently (of course) and said, “Common decided to work with what he has been given. It is my delight and pleasure to support him.” Sculptor Debra Hand created the beautiful plaques for the awardees.

DR. LAURA Berman’s second season of “In the Bedroom” on the OWN network, is looking for committed couples to be interviewed on the show. Go to oprah.com/own and click on the casting call icon.

THE SIGHTS: The Bulls’ guard Ronnie Brewer and friends dined hearty at Carmine’s and did the same with teammate Taj Gibson at Hugo’s Frog Bar. . . . The Bulls’ Luol Deng and former player, Ron Harper, chowed down at Gibsons. . . . Actor Burt Reynolds ate at LaScarola while in town last week.

CONGRATS to my Sun-Times colleagues Frank Main, Mark Konkol and photog John Kim on winning a Pulitzer.

BIRTHDAY PEOPLE: Politico Mike Madigan, Mary Ann Childers and belated to attorney Randy Crumpton and Tino (LaScarola) Vasquez. On Wednesday: Ryan O’Neal.