Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

Happy Birthday | Governor David Paterson turns 55 today. Cher is 63. Newsweek editor Jon Meacham is turning 40. NBC chief legal correspondent Dan Abrams is turning 43. Busta Rhymes is 37. The Food Network's Ted Allen is 44. Interior designer Stephen Sills turns 58. Joe Cocker is 65. Ron Reagan, the son of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, is 51. Former Yankee David Wells turns 46. And Cindy McCain is turning 55 today.

• Sarah Jessica Parker is dying to cast Britney Spears as Carrie Bradshaw's younger cousin or niece in the next Sex and the City movie, or at least that's the rumor anyway. [MTV]
• Jeremy Piven was not on the plane that crashed yesterday, just in case you were worried or anything. [NYDN]
• Lindsay Lohan says she works "as hard" as other actors, but she gets no credit due to the "mess that I created in my life." [NYP]
• Is John McCain thwarting our chance to see Cindy McCain on Dancing With the Stars? Say it isn't so! [P6]More

Not a moment too soon, the prospective first ladies have received some invaluable advice on how to handle life in the White House from Holly Peterson, socialite and esteemed author of The Manny, who appeared on Fox over the weekend just moments after stumbling out of bed, judging by her unbrushed hair and croaky voice. Not that this detracted from the depth of her wisdom, as you'll see.

Isaac Mizrahi appeared on CNN yesterday to promote his new book, How to Get Style. When a CNN anchor asked the designer about how the First Lady fashion has evolved over the years, Mizrahi used it as an opportunity to gush about how fabulous it will be to have Michelle Obama in the White House: "The First Lady that I'm thinking about is a smart and stylish person," he starts. "I don't think it's a moment to be flashy and way glamorous if you're the First Lady, but I don't think Michelle Obama will disappoint. She's going to be gorgeous." And how about Cindy McCain? Isaac has no interest in even contemplating such a horrible thought, thank you very much. Video after the jump.More

Spotted | Poor Diddy stepping in dog poop while his bodyguard glares at the paparazzi photographers capturing the embarrassing moment ... Blake Lively and Chace Crawford filming a scene on the set of Gossip Girl ...  Terri and Bindi Irwin getting out of an SUV in front of their hotel ...  John and Cindy McCain on the set of Rachael Ray's show ... James Taylor carrying a shopping bag in Midtown ... Celine Dion signing autographs for fans outside her hotel ... Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa shooting a segment outside ... Katie Holmes on stage for the opening night of her play and then leaving dinner with Tom Cruise afterward ... and David Blaine and Donald Trump announcing Blaine's next stunt inside Trump Tower.

• Lindsay Lohan is turning down a $700,000 offer to pose nude for Playboy, even though she took her top off for New York for free earlier this year. Maybe Hugh should call Dina Lohan? [P6]
• Dennis Basso appears to be having money trouble: The IRS has imposed a $200,000 lien on his apartment at The Beresford. [P6]
• That stint in the hospital really seemed to help: Amy Winehouse asked to have 48 bottles of Jack Daniel's delivered to her dressing room for a weekend gig. [The Sun]
• CNBC personalities like Maria Bartiromo, Suze Orman and Donny Deutsch are all competing to have their pictures added to the CNBC billboard that overlooks the West Side Highway [P6]

Republicans Are Just Like You and Me | Cindy McCain's outfit on Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention cost between $299,100 and $313,100. [Vanity Fair]

• Matt Damon's wife Luciana gave birth to the couple's second child together yesterday, a girl named Gia Zavala Damon. [NYDN]
• 50 Cent is supposedly stonewalling investigators who want to question him about the Long Island fire that destroyed his ex-girlfriend and son's home. [NYP]
• Ricky Martin is the new father of twin boys, who were born to a surrogate sometime in the last few weeks. [People]
• Donald Trump might not be buying Ed McMahon's home after all: an anonymous buyer is offering to outbid him. [ExtraTV]
• Lisa Gastineau has started filming a new reality show for VH1. It's called Camp Cougar. TV just gets better and better, huh? [P6]

Thank God for Fashion Journalism | Breaking! Cindy McCain! In person! Spotted shopping at Oscar de la Renta's showroom at 550 Seventh Avenue! "What was the taut Mrs. McCain shopping for? An inauguration, perhaps?" No comment! [WWD]