A Groom’s Book

Brides have innumerable guides for planning the perfect wedding, but what do grooms have? Zip. Until now, that is. “The Groom’s Survival Manual” by Michael R. Perry (Pocket Books) is a witty handbook for husbands-to-be that covers buying the ring, dealing with in-laws and planning the honeymoon. In the all-important chapter titled “Cold Feet,” Perry calms the nervous groom who wonders, “Will I turn into Fred MacMurray?” and “What if my wife turns out to be a space alien?” To that he answers, “As the grocery store magazines point out, this happens quite often, especially in England. If your wife is a space alien, you should learn to love her for what she is.”

Singing in Style

“Better than a birthday party” was how L. A. Style executive publisher and editor-in-chief Joie Davidow regarded her moment in the spotlight Monday night. Davidow invited friends and staff members to hear her sing opera for two hours--Schubert to Strauss--and witness numerous costume changes at the Canon Theater, where donations were solicited for the City of Angels Hospice Foundation. Davidow, it should be known, is more than a closet diva. Before her journalism career took off, the soprano sang professionally.

Side-Lined

When publicists dare to tell the truth: At the premiere of “Truth or Dare,” a studio publicist had just maneuvered through an army of photographers, video cameras, burly security guards, fans and the popcorn counter and said to a friend as she walked to her seat, “I’m so glad I’m not involved with this event.”