ebarzlecrs eRcibs' Join us for Early Bird Specials from $11.95 All Meals include a tasty appetizer, entrée & sensational dessert! of legislation that removed the require- ment for Jewish and other non- Christian politicians to take a Christian oath in order to serve in the House of Commons. The people and the era are brought to life by Weintraub's frequent use of excerpts from actual written corre- spondence and diaries, including hun- dreds of Charlotte's letters, which are part of the Rothschild family papers. The author took full advantage of the full access he was granted to the well-maintained Rothschild Archive, which is housed in the family bank on St. Swithin's Lane in London. A 14-page insert in the center of the book contains photographs and illus- trations, including a reproduction of the signed ketubah from Charlotte and Lionel's wedding. Despite being Jewish, Charlotte and Lionel were an important part of the social, political and financial arenas in which they lived. Charlotte was a beautiful woman and a renowned hostess, whose invitations were covet- ed throughout English society. Lionel, in turn, influenced world events by aiding Ireland during its famine, assist- ing with the purchase of the Suez Canal and helping Jews in Europe and the Middle East who were undergoing persecution. Lest anyone associate the Rothschild name only with money and power, Charlotte and Lionel: A Rothschild Love Story dispels that notion by providing a fascinating and comprehensive pic- ture of one of the world's most remarkable couples. — Ronelle Grier provides TV fashion and hair faux pas commentaries on the Today show and Access Hollywood. A native of Montreal, Canada, Cojocaru, 40, comes by his flare for fashion naturally. His mother, Amelia, was a seamstress. "She's from the Zsa Zsa Gabor school of fash- ion," he told People. "Imagine lots of fuchsia housecoats with glitter." Amelia and Cojocaru's father, Benjamin, were born in Romania. However, the couple didn't meet until they were both living in Israel. After marrying, the Cojocarus moved to Canada "to make a good life for their -future family." That family consists of Steven and his sister, Alisa, whom he refers to as "the Jewish Heather Locklear in micro minis and stilettos." Growing up, Cojocaru felt "differ- ent from the get-go." "I felt like I had been born into the wrong place, the wrong body, the wrong hair — my only consola- tion was my mother's rabid fashion sense," he writes. "She dressed me like a ventrilo- quist's dummy, in miniature velvet blazers and matching shorts, and I loved it." Equally obsessed with his hair, Cojocaru longed to have "groovy" styles. His first professional blowout happened on the day of his bar mitz- vah. "For a shiny-tamed-tresses moment, I looked the way I wanted to," he writes. It was also around his 13th birth- day, he says, that his social status dropped from "popular to pariah." RED CARPET DIARIES: With a lot of time on his hands, CONFESSIONS OF A GLAMOUR BOY he started reading magazines about By Steven Cojocaru celebrities and developed a fascina- (Ballantine Books; 165 pp.; $23.95) tion for the rich and the famous. Following high school, Cojocaru lamboyant went to Dawson College, then style reporter Concordia University in Canada, Steven maintaining an interest in journal- Cojocaru has turned ism. To help pay for his tuition, he his longtime fashion worked at the Saidye Bronfman sense into a success- Centre in Montreal, a cultural center fill career. with a Yiddish theater. In his new book, Cojocaru was cast in one of the Red Carpet Diaries: plays and had to learn his part in Confessions of a Glamour Boy, Yiddish. That exposure helped him Cojocaru humorously traces his life, land a job as a talent booker for a from his early years as a Jewish out- locally televised telethon. cast to his ascension as a nationally He began working for' Flare maga- known fashion critic. Standing on zine, where he got paid to attend the sidelines at award shows, parties, ride in limos and mingle Cojocaru, who writes a column for with American celebrities. His first People magazine, has dished with award show experience came when some of Hollywood's hottest stars he accompanied a friend to LA. about their designer garb. He also SUMMER READING on page 72 A Sampling of our Early Bird Menu Selections: Sauteed artichokes Served & lemon butter aragus CAKES classic" Fresh blue* ATL Farm razed, Full flavored, cluir-grilteiV 1USCAR ega-3 aise sauce, crabmeat Early Bird Menu items are available from 4 to 5:30 pm Sunday to Friday. ebaRlerfs eraL® 5498 Crooks Rd. • Troy, MI • 248.879.2060 • www.muer.com anner,i I Fine French Pastries * Sweet Tables Fresh Croissants - baked daily Wedding Cakes * Ice Cream • Smoothies • Fresh Squeezed Juice Bar l