From a DL post from July 5, 2003
"I just returned from Joan VanArk's sixtieth birthday party . Attending were Beverly Hill's biggests and brightest, Mackenzie Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Lisa Hartman, and Teri Hatcher were just a few that were on hand. There was a prix fixed meal that ran 45$ which included a dose of xenadrine and slim down solution pills. "We had a great time," says Joan Van Ark, "and for the first hour of the night it was open bar for well liquor!!" But things got a little out of hand when Michele Lee claimed that Marla Gibbs had stolen her glass of Glen Ellen Chardonnay. "well it was mine! and i paid for it and even gave the bartender (Ted Shackelford) a hefty tip!" said Michele. By then it was well past ten and Michele had taken a male guest upstairs to go over some lines she had for her next film part (she's playing the mother of a 4 year old). "If Donna Mills and Nicolette Sheridan hadn't stepped in i dont know what would've happened", said a guest who wanted to go unidentified. " Im just glad Michele and that antonio sobata guy weren't around to witness the dispute". When i arrived The underdressed Charlene Tilton was being escorted out by the doorman (William Devane) . Something about her not having a proper invite. Charlene appeared agitated spewing into the margarita fountain (for an extra 6$ you got to keep the glass that said happy 60th Joan!) and shouting at Michele " Joan got me fired from knots and i had to go and work for that drunk Larry Hagman!!!" But Michele along with Donna Mills paid little atention as they were both disussing their plans to go in together the next day for chemical peels. I wondered where the guest of honor could be when finally by the end of a long evening (around 8 o'clock) Joan was wheeled out and made her appearance. Joan wore a fierce yellow leather ensemble. There was not a dry eye in the house when she crooned a spirited version of "Don't Dry Out Loud". All in all it was a fun evening Did any other dataloungers go? Got any fun backroom stories about Patrick Peterson? What about Ted Shakelford mixing drinks without using his hands? Please share!"