News for Gary Coleman

By the time he was 4, Gary Coleman had developed a wit and precociousness that charmed his parents Sue and W.G. "Willie" Coleman. Tragically by his 20s, he was no longer speaking to them.
"Before he was in kindergarten, Gary had an imaginary friend, who he called Kumas," Sue, 67, tells PEOPLE. "If Gary did something bad, I'd say 'Gary, why'd you do that?' and he'd say 'I didn't do it mom, Kumas did it!'"

It was Gary's contagious personality that got him plucked from the Midwest and set down in Hollywood – a move his parents have never regretted, despite their son's longtime struggle with fame.
"He had a God-given talent," Sue explains. "Getting into show business was his decision. We always told him, 'It's up to you, Gary.' We never forced him to do anything. We protected him as best we could."
They saw their son's primetime success as a way to overcome the limitations of his ill health: The first of two kidney failures occurred when he was 5, and doctors warned early on that he may not have a long lifespan.
"We were happy for him, we were so proud," Sue says. "We always worried how he could be self-sufficient in life because of his condition. People said he was forced to work while sick, but you have to understand, Gary was never in perfect health. We were the first to take him home if he didn't feel well."

Ted Koppel Son Dies

More sad news today: Andrew Koppel, Former ABC News Nightlight Host Ted Koppel's son, died reportedly after a day of drinking.

The New York Post reports that Andrew Koppel, 40, of Rockaway Park, Queens, and a lawyer at the New York Housing Authority, passed away from a day-long drinking binge. The question is just how much did Andrew Koppel drink?

Koppel on Facebook NOT Andrew Dorney Koppel

In the original post, this blogger reported that Andrew H. Koppel had passed on. Thanks to a person who actually knew Andrew D. Koppel, the correct information, and what should be noted on the other blogs that used "Andrew H. Koppel" is that the son of Ted Koppel is Andrew D. Koppel and not Andrew H. Koppel. (Note: photo by Photography by Ilona.)

Koppel was found "unconscious and not breathing in a bedroom" at 180th Street at Audubon Avenue. Koppel had been out with Russell Wimberly, a 32-year-old waiter he met at a bar in Hell's Kitchen just 12-hour before. That's when they allegedly went on what would become for Koppel a fatal drinking binge.

Wimberly said they went hoping from bar to bar. He said Koppel didn't eat; just drank straight whiskey and beer. From personal experience, three glasses of whiskey is too much for this blogger, unless over three hours and with a good steak dinner and three glasses of water. Just reading the accounts of this story, Koppel had a lot more drink than that over a smaller period of time, and no steak dinner.

Ted Koppel loses his only son who was also father to a baby girl. Andrew Koppel has three sisters, including an older sister Andrea and a younger sister Tara.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail??blogid=95&entry_id=64790#ixzz0peWD6vv6

Rent The Runway

My son is getting married this July, and I haven't yet found the perfect dress. Maybe I'll just rent the runway. "Rent the Runway" is being called the "Netflix of Designer Dresses." Consumers can check out 160 different dress styles online and choose the one they'd like to rent. Rent the Runway will then send the dress in two sizes for you to try on. Rent the Runway carries dresses made by 40 top designers.

Based in New York, Rent the Runway gets their gowns and dresses directly from the designers. They have the latest styles for the appropriate seasons. The dresses are returned to Rent the Runway in prepaid mail bags.

I definitely want to check out Rent the Runway. Why spend hundreds of dollars on a dress I'm likely to only wear one time? I have a feeling there has been a huge need for a business like this for many, many years, and I expect Rent the Runway will make a killing renting dresses and gowns.

Have you ever heard of Rent the Runway? Would you be opposed to renting a dress or gown for a wedding or other special occasion?