SF diner honors the 100th birthday of TV's First Lady of Comedy, Lucille Ball

The legendary comedienne Lucille Ball will be honored on Saturday, August 6,th 2011 at 2 PM when Lori's Diner, 500 Sutter Street, will unveil one of Miss Ball's costumes once worn in a television special with Art Carney. A large grouping of photographs and ephemera will also be exhibited highlighting her TV and film career.

The exhibition will mark what would have been Lucille Ball's 100th birthday. Miss Ball was born Lucille Desiree Ball on August 6, 1911, in Celeron/Jamestown, New York. A century has passed since her birth and Lucy remains a household word and the undisputable Queen of TV Comedy. Lori's Diner is planning an all-day salute to the famous redhead which will include a free hamburger for all people named Lucy (with proof of picture I.D.) and free Cokes and coffee all day long at the Sutter Street Lori's Diner! Whoever dresses like Lucille Ball or Desi Arnaz on August 6th and comes to the diner on Sutter Street will receive a free hamburger, fries and Coke for an entire week! There will be a prize for the best-dressed Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

There will also be a special screening of original 16mm film I Love Lucy TV shows in the back room of the diner in honor of the star beginning at 4PM. Lori's Director of Marketing Barry Barsamian is well-known for his collection of Hollywood memorabilia and celebrity wardrobe items. He worked with the unforgettable redhead back in 1986 when he acquired numerous items from her fan club. Back in the late 1970's Lucy had an auction of her wardrobe that benefitted a children's charity and that's how Barsamian got the gown. Never did he dream that by 1986, he would be working with Lucy on a retrospective of her life and career, called The I Love Lucy Birthday Special, produced at KTVU-TV by now-KGO eyes-in-the-sky Stan Burford with Barry as Associate Producer. This program received the highest ratings for the time zone and beat out the then popular show, Dynasty.

President/CEO of Lori's Diner, Mr. Man J. Kim, who is known for his love of nostalgia, film and TV, said "we are thrilled to honor the great Lucille Ball...one of television's pioneers and an unforgettable talent. We ALL Love Lucy."

The exhibit will run through mid-November 2011. This presentation will replace the Elizabeth Taylor display which has garnered much attention since its installation in April shortly after the she passed away.