Neither are the celebs featured in the book. The PR company that represents Tea Leoni, Kate Walsh, Felicity Huffman, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Melissa George has asked for their names to not be associated with the Leviev, and Oxfam Ambassador Kristin Davis has had her photo removed from Leviev’s website. New York rights coalition Adalah-NY has contacted others and asked them to renounce the company as well, including Susan Sarandon (who wrote the book’s introduction), Vanessa Williams, Kate Hudson, Molly Sims, and Gina Gershon.

An Oxfam America spokesperson, Adrienne Smith, said, “Oxfam reiterates our policy that we are not and never will be partners or beneficiaries of Leviev because of both his mining practices and his support of Israeli settlements on Occupied Palestinian Lands which is in contravention of International Law and a major obstacle in the road to peace… Oxfam is disturbed to find ourselves used in this way and we intend to be proactive in informing those in our community about the deliberate strategy of Leviev Diamonds to connect itself with unwitting charities and celebrities.”

What do you think? Did Leviev redeem himself at all by trying to work with Oxfam? Or is everyone right to continue denouncing this corruption?

For you foodies out there you that missed one of the most tasteful fundraising events of the season that supported NYC’s City Harvest, let me tell you about the evening that took place at Splash Light Studios on Hudson Street.

City Harvest, a non-profit that delivers food to hungry New Yorkers, raised enormous awareness last night during an extremely chic event called Focus: An auction of the finest photography, with special food tastings prepared by many well known chefs from restaurants like Le Bernardin, Victor’s Cafe, and South Gate to name a few. The lobster from Eric Ripert Le Bernardin was out of this world!

There were also special musical performances by the Kevin Bacon’s band, the Bacon Brothers, and the Cringe Band, led by John Cusimano, Rachael Ray’s husband. Both groups put on spectacular performances that had the room rocking.

The event had a silent auction of some of the finest photography donated by some of the world’s most famous photographers; along with jewelry from Judith Ripka which raised much needed funds to help feed the city’s needy. Other sponsors of the evening were FUJIFILM, Interview Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Diageo, and super sweet chocolates from CoCo Delice and Marti Chocolatt.

Rachael Ray, one of the bidders of the live auction, bought a Rolling Stones picture of Mick Jagger singing Jumping Jack Flash which sold for $10K. Rachael, who also sits on City Harvest’s board of directors, reminded the nearly 800 guests how we need to help support this important, 25 year old organization and make sure the region’s needy are not forgotten.

On an eco-friendly point, by the end of 2009 City Harvest will convert their trucks to be hybrid — which should help reduce emissions by 40 percent. City Harvest also uses pedi-cabs to transport food around Manhattan.

The event was produced by Bradford Rand, CEO of Go Green Expo in association with Timothy White, a world renowned photographer who also sits on the board of City Harvest.

For all of your NYers out there who work for big corporate companies or even small companies and have food catered and have lots of left overs, remind your management to contact City Harvest for food pick-ups!

Photo Credit:  Melissa Rosenberg