The legendary entertainer from days gone by, Lahoma van Zandt, has startled New York society by announcing last weekend that she was off to China (she left yesterday). It wasn't the trip that caused audible gasps, but that she was still alive. Most of us know, of course, that Lahoma is alive and living the reclusive life of magazine editor by day and sock puppeteer by night. Gone are those wild days so vividly caught on YouTube over and over and the stay-overs at the crumbling townhouse at Five Ninth (now a swanky restaurant). Everything evolves or dies. The last email I got Monday morning was to look out for her to be stopping a tank in Tianamen Square while wearing a signature tube dress.

I just wonder if the Chinese are ready for her and why she chose Beijing to launch a comeback (those crafty Chinese must be trying to lure her into a line of Lahoma dolls).