Tutu tribute

May 6, 2008

BY STELLA FOSTER Sun-Times Columnist

A HOT! HOT! TICKET! Oprah Winfrey will introduce and present Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the Lincoln Leadership Prize at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library dinner May 13 at the Ritz-Carlton. The illustrious co-chairs are Chaz Ebert, Ray McCaskey, Frank Clark and Norm Bobins. Noted broadcaster and documentarian Bill Kurtis will emcee.

The Lincoln Leadership Prize is the highest award given out by the ALPL, which happens to be the most visited presidential library in the nation.

Chaz and Roger Ebert, while visiting South Africa a few years ago, had lunch with the honorable Tutu, who mentioned his difficulty of making decisions during his leadership of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Tutu said that some of his decisions angered his supporters and friends, but he knew he had to do the right thing. Without this process, there could not have been a peaceful transfer of power in South Africa. This should be a very enchanting and enlightening evening.

MORE OPRAH: Oprah was in New York on Saturday and therefore couldn't appear in person at the taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show that day at Pioneer Court near NBC Tower. So Ellen talked to Lady O via satellite, and Oprah welcomed her to Chi-Town and surprised everyone by sending over her favorite Rudy Malnati Pizano's pizza slices to be passed out to the 1,300 or more lucky folks in the audience. Malnati wasn't on camera but was definitely making sure everyone got fed. The show airs at 3 p.m. today on NBC5.

STELLAR HAPS: THE SEVENTH annual Cinco de Mayo gala is Thursday at the Fairmont Hotel. Frank Clark, CEO of ComEd, receives the Art Velasquez Corporate Service award, and the co-chairs are Yolanda Stemer, Ray Mota and Vonita Reescer. The evening benefits the National Museum of Mexican Art.

"AN EVENING OF Laughter Featuring the Cast of Second City" is the theme for the High Jump organization's 20th anniversary event at the Chicago History Museum Wednesday. This program's purpose is to prepare seventh- and eighth-graders for top college prep schools. Langdon Neal, chairman of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, is the new president of the board for High Jump. So jump over to this benefit! For more info: (312) 582-7704

ABOUT TOWN: Supreme photog Vic Skrebneski celebrated the launch of his new book Skrebneski Seduced at a party at RL. The guests included Leslie Hindman, Jerry Kleiner, Burt Natarus, Whitney Lasky, Chuck and Candy Jordan and Debbie DeMaio . . . ESPN's Chet Coppock celebrated his 60th at Via Carducci Lasorella eatery . . . The NBA's Antoine Walker stopped by the ESPN Zone with friends . . . Former Bears star Keith Jennings and WMAQ-Channel 5's Sandra Goldberg dined on separate evenings at 200 East Supper Club . . . Blackhawks' coach Denis Savard stopped by the JABB Boxing Gym to wish local WBC lightweight champ David Diaz good luck on his June 28 fight in Vegas with Manny Pacquiao. . . . Comic/actor Robin Williams by himself and wearing a hat and sunglasses seen looking at jewelry at Akira Men's Store in Bucktown.

THE MUSIC SET: The Queen of Disco -- a k a Donna Summer -- will be in town May 24 for Dedry Jones' "The Experience with Donna Summer" interview and CD-release party at the Harold Washington Cultural Center on South King Drive. She has sold over 100 million albums. Her new album, "Crayons," will be released on May 20. It's her first in 17 years, and with all new songs. For info: (773) 493-0154.

WBBM-CHANNEL 2 investigative reporter Dave Savini snared a small part playing himself as an investigative reporter for the CBS pilot "The Tower." He was on the set for two days. It's a drama about the boss of a newspaper played by Marcia Gay Harden, who also heads a team of investigative reporters who cover mysteries and solve them as well. They even asked for his input. Hopefully, the pilot will be picked up.

THE PREMIERE of Chicago filmmaker Darryl Roberts' documentary "America the Beautiful," featuring Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Gerren Taylor and other celebs, is this evening at AMC River East theater on East Illinois. It opens this weekend at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on North Clark.

BIRTHDAYS: Chicago cultural commissioner Lois Weisberg, maestro Bert Rose, actor George Clooney, financial guru Toi Salter, publicist Sunny Feeley, and belated to retired lawyer Sue Yellen. On Wednesday: WGN-TV's Dina Bair, and anniversary wishes to Ed and Rita McElroy.

Well, that's Stella in the City!