By Matt Simonette

Staff Writer

Gay youth org. thanks Arthur for being a friend
Even after she has passed on, Bea Arthur has proven herself to be a Golden Girl—this time for gay youth in New York City. New York Daily News has reported that Arthur left $300,000 to the Ali Fornay Center, which provides services to more than 1,000 GLBT youths each year.

The organization is planning to buy a building that houses 12 young people. It will be named after Arthur.

We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are,” Executive Director Carl Siciliano told the Daily News.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives,” Sicialiano added.

Agassi opens up about meth use
Soon-to-be-published excerpts from Andre Agassi’s forthcoming book, “Open: An Autpbiography,” will give details of the tennis star’s crystal meth use in 1997.

According to a Tweet posted by a Sports Illustrated staffer, now deleted, SI will publish an excerpt detailing Agassi’s drug use. Excerpts were also scheduled for People Magazine. “Open: A Biography” will be on sale Nov. 9.

Memo to Levi: Save your money!
Sarah Palin probably rues the day they first heard the name Levi Johnston.

Gawker reported early this week that Playgirl, now an online publication, has ponied up somewhere over $25,000 for Johnston to get naked sometime soon. The shoot is scheduled for early November and, considering the sum involved, will likely involve full-frontal nudity.

Gawker also reported that Johnston is “working on” a book about the Palins.

Woody meets “a tall, dark stranger”
Woody Allen always leaves naming his movie for last. This week he announced that his next picture, a comedy-drama starring Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Antonio Banderas and Frieda Pinto, will be titled “You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger.” The movie, which was filmed in London this past summer, will be released late in 2010.

We’d be surprised to see these on Halsted…
Miuccia Prada told Purple Fashion this week that she’s taking a stab at men’s skirts for her Fall 2010 men’s line.

Prada told the publication that one of her staffers wanted to make sure she wasn’t going to try men’s skirts again. That inspired her to do just that. Only this time the skirts will be shorter.

Good look with that, Miuccia. And thanks to the person who gave her the idea. Who says fashion is disconnected from everyday life?

Local note…Bea Arthur tribute set for Nov. 22
Speaking of Bea Arthur…Davenport’s Cabaret and Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., this week announced a one-night only performance of “Queen Bea—A Tribute to Beatrice Arthur.” Singers Carla Gordon and Beckie Menzie will perform the tribute. For more information, call (773) 278-8830.