Paula Deen's Lucky Night

How can you not love Paula Deen? One look at her and you might just guess she is the happiest darn woman in America. But then you'd be happy, too, if you had a successful magazine and TV show. And happier, still, preparing and eating all of that rich Southern food for which she is famous. Hopping on-stage at the historic Art Deco Paris Theatre in South Beach tonight, Deen presided over a casino soiree where everyone in the room—regardless of whether they won anything—felt like a winner.

Also along for the fun and games were fellow food celebs Guy Fieri and Katie Lee Joel. In keeping with the casino theme, a bevy of showgirls kept things lively.

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A Night to Remember

Everyone had a party to go to last night and if they didn't, they simply danced in the streets. Indeed, there was much joy on Election Evening in New York City. Supporters of John McCain and Barack Obama alike wanted to be with friends as they prepared to witness history being made. At financier David Larkin's Tribeca home, a movie-size screen displayed the results as the magic numbers moved quickly toward 270 electoral votes for Barack Obama. Over at Public House, Harvey Weinstein, Georgette Mosbacher, Cindi Leive, and GQ's Jim Nelson hosted a star-studded fete attended by James Franco, Katie Lee Joel and James Lipton, among others. And at gallery Gavin Brown's Enterprise, the art on the walls left no doubt about the curator's favored candidate. Once the night's victor was announced, cars and taxis honked their horns--well into the wee hours of the morning. On their subway rides home, delirious passengers broke into spontaneous applause. After a two-year presidential campaign, change had finally arrived.

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