WORKING THE NETWORK: The May 7 issue of Forbes is all about "The Power of Networks," so it only makes sense that Steve Forbes would refer to his own Rolodex to add a little clout to the magazine's 90th anniversary issue. On the topic of lifestyle networks, Forbes asked his longtime friend, News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch, to write a story, and evidently, Murdoch didn't give it a second thought. "This is a one-off thing," said a News Corp. spokesman. "It's a favor to Steve Forbes." In his magazine debut, Murdoch — who the magazine titles "special contributor" — penned almost 600 words on "Mixed Media." He wrote: "Those of us in so-called 'old media' have also learned the hard way what this new meaning of networking spells for our businesses. Media companies don't control the conversation anymore, at least not to the extent that we once did." His commentary doesn't reveal many new ideas on the subject, but it does have art featuring "American Idol" (a Fox show) and a copy of the New York Post. Tom Post, deputy managing editor of Forbes, said "networks" was chosen as the issue's theme because "networks are ubiquitous in today's world, bringing people together in areas of commerce, private interests, politics, innovation and community-building." In 2004, Murdoch was honored as the first recipient of the B.C. Forbes Award, named after the family's patriarch, which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the U.S. by an immigrant. — A.W.

PROUD PARENTS: Cookie will honor 11 mothers who extend their good work beyond the confines of their family with its first-ever Smart Cookie Awards, which include a package in its upcoming May/June issue and a party Monday at New York's Morgan Library and Museum. Honorees Mariska Hargitay, Sharon Stone and Marcia Gay Harden were recognized alongside Leigh Blake, founder and president of Keep a Child Alive, and Maria Otero, president and chief executive officer of ACCION International, an organization that provides small loans to women starting their own businesses. "We decided to include moms you never heard of as well as celebrating celebrity moms," said editor in chief Pilar Guzman. Readers also chose an everyday-mom honoree — Heidi Breeze-Harris, co-founder and executive director of One by One, an organization that helps victims of obstetric fistula. Meanwhile, Cookie will increase its frequency to 10 times in 2008 from eight this year. — S.D.S