Bette Bao Lord (November 3, 1938) is a writer and civic activist. She was born in Shanghai and came to the United States at the age of eight when her father, a British-trained engineer, was sent here in 1946 by the Chinese government.

 In 1947 Ms. Bao Lord and her family were stranded in the United States when Mao Zedong won the civil war in China. Ms. Bao Lord has written eloquently about her painful childhood experiences as a Chinese immigrant in the post-World War II United States in her autobiographical children's book In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson.

 In this book she describes her struggle to learn English and to become accepted by her classmates. Today, Ms. Bao Lord is a distinguished novelist and writer, and serves as chair of the Board of Trustees of Freedom House. Established by Wendell Wilkie and Eleanor Roosevelt in 1941, Freedom House is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting democracy around the world.

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Salma Hayek wants her daughter Valentina Pinault to follow in her father François-Henri Pinault's footsteps and get into the world of fashion.

"Salma loves to shop at the finest stores in the world, and her favorite shopping partner is her daughter," reveals an insider.

"Valentina is only a baby, but Salma still likes to take her along and try to teach her the iconic names of fashion."

When your father is the head of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, just to name a few, do you have any other option but a career in fashion? Lucky lucky girl!

Salma Hayek, singing "Happy Birthday" in Spanish to friend Daya Fernandez – who founded the popular L.A. game Hollywood Domino – during her birthday bash at The Stork in Los Angeles. When she wasn't with the guest of honor, Hayek mingled with girlfriends in the lounge's bell tower.

 Meanwhile, Orlando Bloom stuck close to girlfriend Miranda Kerr – but still added his voice to the "Happy Birthday" chorus. Among the other celebrity revelers: Leonardo DiCaprio.

• Cameron Diaz, chatting it up with pal Robin Antin on the patio of West Hollywood's Chateau Marmont. The actress, who sat at the table just vacated by Radiohead singer Thom Yorke, ordered the shrimp and corn chowder, which she enjoyed with some bits of bread that she carefully buttered. She also enjoyed chatting with her friend, and the ladies seemed to relish their time together, an onlooker says of the smiling, laughing pair.

• Back from Toronto (where he got cozy with ex Rachel McAdams), a solo Ryan Gosling ordered tacos for lunch at Hugo's Tacos in Studio City, Calif.

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Even though Salma Hayek’s got some serious cash, she could be set back if a current lawsuit ends up not so much in her favor: TMZ reports that a co-manager has filed against her and her brother Sami Hayek after an investment went awry.

The lawsuit was filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, and claims that Sami “has been guilty of … fraud, mismanagement, and/or abuse of authority.”

Sami’s attorney countered with the claim that “It was an investment deal that was no good for anyone, and we’ll fight the lawsuit vigorously.

”This sucks for Salma, who owned less than 1% of the company in question.

Turns out Salma Hayek is her brother's keeper -- and now that a bitter employee filed a lawsuit against his investment venture gone wrong, Salma might have to end up paying through the nose.

A guy who used to co-manage a company owned by Salma (who has less than a 1% stake) and Sami Hayek has filed a nasty lawsuit against the siblings after after their investment hit the skids -- but this one gets really personal.

In the suit, filed moments ago in L.A. County Superior Court, Alejandro Artigas claims Sami, "has been guilty of ... fraud, mismanagement, and/or abuse of authority."Alejandro is asking a judge to dissolve it and appoint a receiver to run the company.No one is talking. Bottom line: Someone's really pissed at Salma Hayek.

Sami's attorney, Bob Weiss, released this statement: "It was an investment deal that was no good for anyone, and we'll fight the lawsuit vigorously.

Shoe addicts and celebs (and a few who fall into both camps) toasted creative director Edmundo Castillo and the new Melrose Place Sergio Rossi store Wednesday night at a private dinner at the West Hollywood eatery Bastide.

Salma Hayek took a break from new mommy duties (she gave birth to her daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, three and a half months ago) to co-host the festivities.

 "This is my first night out except to see Penélope at home after the Golden Globes to congratulate them," she said, referring to her friends Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. Hayek was having a hard time containing her excitement about her new bundle of joy: "I talk about her 24/7.

 She's fantastic. Last night, she wanted to chat, so we were up until one in the morning." Also in the crowd was Rachel Zoe, who spearheaded a movement to reopen the boutique for a little late-night shopping. The incentive? "I've worn my Sergio Rossis all day and they don't hurt," said the stylist.

Actress Salma Hayek arrives as a guest at the premiere of director Woody Allen's new film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" in Los Angeles August 4, 2008. [Agencies]

Salma Hayek is very maternal. The 'Frida' actress gave birth to her daughter Valentina Paloma last September and has impressed her friend, American fashion stylist Phillip Bloch, with her parenting skills.

Phillip told America's OK! magazine: "She's nurturing and maternal." The stylist also revealed Salma was keen to "nest" with her daughter following the birth instead of rushing back to work.

Salma and Valentina Paloma's father, French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, announced they had called off their engagement last month, but Phillip insists the actress is dealing well with the split.

He said: "Salma has survived many romances. She finds happiness in the ones she loves. She's passionido!" Salma and Francois-Henri - who had an unconventional relationship which saw Salma living in Los Angeles while Francois-Henri resided in Paris - were reportedly set to marry later this year.

However, the actress has previously admitted she does not see the point in getting married. She said: "I don't have a need for marriage.

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Salma Hayek, who recently broke up with her billionaire fiance, is developing a wedding-themed reality series with Merv Griffin Entertainment.Hayek came up with the idea, whose format is being kept under wraps, and brought the concept to the company.

"The format is steeped in reality -- it's not contrived," said Roy Bank, president of television at Merv Griffin Entertainment. "It's a unique storytelling angle on weddings that has never been seen on television before."

The hour-long project is being shopped to both broadcast and cable networks, said Bank, who will executive produce with Hayek.The actress and Francois-Henri Pinault, the father of her baby daughter Valentina Paloma, canceled their 16-month engagement last month.

Actress Salma Hayek was spotting shopping this weekend, which is not newsworthy in itself. However, she was shopping at the famous Coco de Mer sex shop. The actress came out of the store with a full bag, accompanied by her assistant.

This is a famous shop chain which specialises in bondage, S&M and erotic underwear goods, as well as sexual aids for “those who dare”. The shop does business according to the “shameless sex” philosophy.

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Salma Hayek is set to develop an hour-long reality TV series themed around weddings.The Lonely Hearts star and her producing partner, Jose Tamez, are collaborating with Merv Griffin Television prexy Roy Bank and have met with several networks about their show, which offers "a unique take" on nuptials, according to Variety.

Hayek and Tamez’s TV production unit, Ventanarosa, lists credits including ABC series Ugly Betty, as well as Showtime pic In the Time of Butterflies. Bank's credits include Fox's Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.Hayek, 41, called off her engagement to French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault in July.

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