Did you enjoy this summer in The Hamptons?!! We sure hope you had a terrific fall, winter + spring! Follow us on twitter if you like regular updates...@hamptonsmedia Firefox, RootOrange, Razorfish, AmericanExpress, TheNextWeb, textPlus, TheUnionCares, TheOprahShow, TMZ, PRNewswire, WarnerBrosEnt, SonyPictures, CNNiReport, Piper_Heidsieck, Harpers, BSmithStyle, PasteMagazine, CrainsNewYork, LeOficial, NWF, Collective_Soul, DyansCandyBar, BaumeMercier, Veuve_Clicquot, TOMSshoes, ChrisLawford, PatrickMcMullen, SamanthaYanks, R. Couri Hay, Alex McCord, PaulWilmotComm, the NewYorkPost, Newsday, OK_Magazine, ZagatBuzz, WeAreFamilyFdtn, drinkArizona, ChuckSchumer, TheMotleyFool, NASATweetup, GuyKawasaki, Kelsey_Grammer, Sothebys, MasterCard, @AmericanAir, AlinaChoCNN & even a few blogs like Guest of a Guest, Hamptons, PlumHamptons & PageSix ARE - just to name a few : ) For LARGER size viewing check out our video index pages in the bigger flash player w/a nice xml playlist...and if you're new to us here's a preview of some of the upcoming annual events from last season on TheHamptons.com's SUMMERTIME party page...good news for you loyal Apples we are building an index for ipad & iphone for ya : ) bookmark this page too so you can keep up with all the best events in The Hamptons! Come on back for a look at what we get for where to go or do a little party gazing!! Our video index has Xploded into five p a g e s of videos featuring a library of summer parties in The Hamptons so do preview our previous party pages...and if you need to get the most current Adobe flash player to play these videos, it's free and fast to install!! We encouraged you to use firefox as a browser but IE has rendered it just as fine these days as does Safari - either are a snap to download...it makes everything look just right!

Ahead of the Summer season MD kickoff here in The Hamptons - many Hamptonites were amongst the many guests attending two mega galas rounding out May in Manhattan! The New York Women's Foundation celebrated their big 25th anniversary w/ a remarkable breakfast honoring Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton with The 2012 Century Award. Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as the 67th Secretary of State of the United States. Secretary Clinton has an unparalleled commitment of nearly four decades of service and history of leadership as Secretary of State, ground-breaking Presidential Candidate, United States Senator from New York, First Lady of the Nation, child advocate and activist. Other notable honorees were Ai-jen Poo, Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance and Merble Reagon, Executive Director, Women's Center for Education and Career Advancement - both with The 2012 Celebrating Women Award. It is awarded to women whose significant achievements have influenced the lives of - and provided a role model for - women and girls. The New York Women's Foundation is a cross-cultural alliance of women, serving as a voice for women and a force for change. In twenty-five years, the NYWF will reach $33 million in funding to over 280 women-lead, nonprofit organizations, improving the lives of 5.4 million women and girls in New York City; 81% of those nonprofits succeed in thriving today. On the warm and humid evening of May 22nd, American Cancer Society threw it's inaugural The Birthday Bash celebration boasting an A-list committee w/the likes of Cricket and Richard Burns, Sharon Bush, David Patrick Columbia Charlotte Ford, Adriana and Richard Friedman, Lucia Hwong-Gordon and Peter Gordon, Dr. Louis and Ilene Harrison, Rachel and Ara Hovnanian Lynn and Steven Jacobson, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Eric Javits and Edmundo Huerta, Uzma Sarfraz Khan and Akbar Kazim, Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, Carol and Philip Mehler, Natalie and Malcolm Pray, Betsy and David Rowe, Hunt Slonem, Donna and Richard Soloway...and plenty more biggies! Guests started off the evening with a cocktail hour at the St. Regis Roof, mingling with honorees Nate Berkus and Geoffrey Bradfield. and complemented the sorbet and gelato offered. The theme of the evening was "A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays" and the celebration kicked off with a live auction featuring tempting packages such as a private villa in southern Italy or a New York Giants VIP on-field experience, which was led by a spunky Chrisite's auctioneer and followed with a festive balloon auction. But the most touching moments of the evening, were perhaps the awards presentation in which Nate Berkus was honored the Humanitarian Award and Geoffrey Bradfield was receipient of the Man of Achievement Award. Both introduced by personal accounts, it was evident not only of both men's talent and dedication but their appreciation for their success. Said best by his presentee Barbara Taylor Bradford when mentionend that Bradfield was a man about the town - her response was "No...a man about the world." Bradfield showcases his talent on a global level, which can collectively be seen in his new book "Ex Arte. " Recognition was given to Berkus for his contribution of redesigning the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in New York City. The gratitude for his involvement was felt across the room as his presentee Lisa Kogan gave a touching introduction revealing her own experiences at Hope Lodge. It was her ability to make the room laugh but also provide a truthful look at her battles of a cancer survivor. The evening continued on as guests gathered on the dance floor to celebrate the many future birthday to come!!

JUNE began with Ross School's Ninth Annual GALA at Club Starlight commemorating its twentieth anniversary! The night began with a VERY special red carpet greeting...EVERYONE was a star!! Kids of different ages were lined along both sides of the red carpet leading into the cocktail tent CLAPPING & CLAPPING for EACH of us who entered the tent!! toute sweet : ) Inside the tent, tables were set up for silent auction and bars were easily available as were the glasses of wine & champagne being passed around on silver trays. THAT was outside! INSIDE was a dazzling spectacle of lights and palms and tables wrapped with newsletter themed tablecloths. We ran into Steven Gaines, Dr. John Anton w/Betsy Berry and Harold Grant with his handsome son. It was just a very nice show of people who LOVE Courtney Sales Ross who engaged everyone so personally with her speech about her mission to develop a school that breaks the currrent boundaries of education and gives wings to ALL children of & around the world. This was a first step and happily a successful one. Celebrities Russell Simmons and Donna Karen came to support her along with her daughter who lovingly introduced her - and then with Ross School graduates from each successive year presented her with the most special of special presents - beads from around the world - one was from 500 BC and a favorite of her collections as she is an talented artist herself. I just wish she would start a school for grown-ups!! How cool would that be...to have those very same incredible opportunities that she exposes all her family of students? Robert Flack sang her heart out to the audience as a perfect compliment from one powerful woman to another : ) Some of the amazing Silent Auction Items included: Tickets to the Super Saturday Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser, Season tickets to the Stephen Talkhouse, Private shopping party at Lilly Pulitzer on Madison Avenue, 4 VIP passes to the Hampton Classic, Galliano jacket worn by Kim Cattrall\ on "Sex and the City", 2 tickets to the Rachel Ray Show Learn to fly! Introductory flight lesson along the shores of Long Island - wowww!! The same evening Fighting Chance hosted their 10th Anniversary Gala at the exclusive Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett w/ an open bar, buffet, live auction and raffle plus Music by The Lone Sharks Guests were requested to wear "Yacht Club Attire" to carry though the theme of the evening! In Southampton the Southampton Fresh Air Home hosted ITS 20th annual Decorators-Designers-Dealers Sale, Auctions and Gala which is attended by over 500 people each summer. Shopping for hardly-used, gorgeous furniture and other household bargains, unique auction items, unusual wines has become a favorite events and tickets go quickly so have become much saught after for golden opportunities! Artists Against Abuse marked The Retreat's 25th Anniversary - what a monumental anniversary! Last year Mariska Hargitay came out for the cause and this year Joan Hornig and Dan Rizzie were the special honorees. The circuse themed event was once again at Ross School's Lower Campus Butter Lane in Bridgehampton and some of the auction items were in the tens of thousands of dollars so bidding was vigorous and all proceeds went to The Retreat to keep domestic violence at bay here in The Hamptons.

Two more super duper parties that followed were God's Love We Deliver and SOFO goes SOHO w/ Christy Brinkley as honoree. Imagine walking into a grand summer party in The Hamptons hosted by Calvin Klein! Well that's what The 12th Annual Midsummer Night Drinks was and it was a night to remember! Our gracious hosts Tony Ingrao & Randy Kemper, Scott Bruckner, Calvin Klein Jonah Disend, Alan Rogers and Margaret Russell put on a splendid garden party at Woodhouse Park in East Hampton which belongs to Tony + Randy. Lavish buffets laid out with salmon, filet mignonettes, lamb plus loads of all the delectable hors d'oeuvres passed around by the handsomest of handsome waiters donned w/ silver platters...catered by Canard, Inc. Pernod Ricard USA provided the specialty drinks like Absolut Outrageous Cocktail, Absolute Pomegranate Martini and Midsummer Night Drinks Beefeater Gin & Tonic! Bigwig guests included Donny Deutsch, Tamara Tunie and Gregory Generet, Alexandra Cohen, Aviva and Reid Drescher, Margaret Russell, Scott Bruckner, Jonah Disend, Alan Rogers, Jon & Rebecca Bond, Dennis Basso, Jon Gilman & Brad Learmonth, Bill & Jessica Koenigsberg, Mark Lanspa, Mark Moskowitz & Yuval Hadadi, Jeff Pfeifle, Robby Browne, Ford Huniford, Bruce Horten & Aaron Lieber, Peter Huffine, Gerald Madigan & Richard Pipia, Steve Markov & Jeff Meleski, Laura Michalchshyn, Lisa Sherman and Vicente Wolf. Given the popularity of Downton Abbey this year, the theme carried through w/ the photo booth generously donated by Dirty Sugar Live and was a big hit with the guests who sat for period photographs in between all the revelry. This signature event supports one of New York City's most beloved charities, the only organization of its kind that cooks and home delivers nutritious meals to clients living with severe illnesses, their children and senior caregivers. Linda Shapiro pulled off another huge success for The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in lovely Bridgehampton!! The SOFO Goes SOHO Benefit was A Hot Night at a Cool Musuem ; ) Event chairs Kim Pape, Lisa Schifter Greenberg, Lyss Stern Gail Tobias and Samantha Yanks pooled together to honor Christie Brinkley who spoke about the urgency of closing ALL nuclear power plants within close proxmity to our local area - specifically Connecticut. We locals have NO evacuation plans in place nor do we even have the remote possibility of leaving should we have a sudden emergency on our hands. Once she finished her speech I think we all realized just how on target she is with her agenda to make our world and our beloved east end a safer place. Rolling Stone Keith Richards' daughter Alexandra Richards accompanied Nick Cohen as the special DJs for an evening of spin that had EVERYONE on the dance floor. Cool lighting in tandem to the music lit up all the tables w/ various hues & rhythms + ceiling of the tent...we have to say that was some of THE BEST music of the summer so far...major awesome! We really didn't want to leave ; )

On a perfectly divine June summer evening, Group for the East End celebrated its 40th Anniversary Benefit + Auction raising more than half a million dollars to continue protecting our gorgeous Atlantic beaches, 300 year old+ farms, pristine bodies of fresh water and the nature that abounds making our twin forks on eastern Long Island so wonderfully special. Nearly 400 passionate supporters celebrated the remarkable achievments of the past FORTY years under the sailcloth tents at Wolffer Estate Vineyard. The ceiling of the Sperry dinner tent was orchestrated to change colors as the sky grew darker to illustrate a panoramic sunset that had been captured over years and morphed together into a grand scheme of ever changing colors. Alec Baldwin, a dedicated supporter of the Group's work, entertained the crowd then started an impromptu bidding challenge to help the organization raise $40,000 to install 40 Osprey Nesting Pole on the East End (note this was only a portion of the more than $500,000 raised throughout the evening). As he applauded the Group's work to protect and defend the environment of the East End, the good-natured Baldwin asked if they might consider expanding the work of this organization to the corner of 10th and University saying "I want the 'Group for the corner of 10th and University' to come and exterminate a group of people that has been hanging out there a lot that are an environmental menace...and only (Group for the East End president) Bob DeLuca could come in and clean up this infestation." [#hahaha] He closed by raising a glass to toast group for the East End, thanking them for their work each day to "protect the true nature and identity of this area." He introduced us to his beatiful daughter who he brought along with his fiancee in the hopes of carrying on his tradition of support as well as spur awareness for the next generation. Billy Joel looking very buff as well described his perfect East End day: "Get out on the boat, go to Block Island, go to Shelter Island, go up to the north fork, ride a motorcycle around here on all the beautiful back roads, go to some of the great restaurants, walk the dogs through the village - I'm just hanging out!" Brian Halweil, Editor of Edible East End and a Program Chair for the benefit spoke about the benefits of farm to table freshness and nutrition and how food connects many people to the environment saying that "local food is a sort of a gateway drug for conservation, because supporting our local farmers and fishers won't just keep money in our neighbors pockets, it won't just taste better and be more nutritious, it won't just save fossil fuels used in shipping and packaging it will also give value to those farm fields and wetlands and bays nearby. We live in a blessed place that gives us a unique and complete gastronomic experience, from world-class wine and micro beers; from Montauk stripers to Sagaponack tomatoes, from Riverhead duck to Cutchogue peaches~Jthe work of the Group isn't just about protecting the landscape, but everything that landscape yields. It was the Group that helped pen legislation 40 years ago that helped farmers and land owners preserve tens of thousands of acres in Suffolk county. This vineyard (referring to Wolffer) would not exist if not for that legislation." Lest we not forget some of those who founded it - Garrick Stephenson will always be remembered as one of the Group's initial supporters and one who cared enough to do something about saving our area. As locals we are grateful to ALL the volunteers who selflessly do more then their fair share to keep our landscape + waters crystal clear, clean and magnificent. Here, here to you all!!! Under a billowing white tent in Bridgehampton with the farm breezes wafting through, American Heart Association hosted its 16th Annual Heart of The Hamptons Ball - Life is Sweet - at Hayground School in Bridgehampton horse country. Always a festive occasion starting w/ the cocktail hour and a silent auction, guests then proceed into the tent where That 70s Band was playing classic songs like Marvin Gaye What's Going On - a personal fave we lucked out to hear just prior to the dinner hour followed by more dancing to all those great old tunes. The Heart of the Hamptons Ball has raised over $2.5 million for the American Heart Association since it began 15 years ago! This year's ball honored Jeffrey Moses, MD, Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center and Layne Lieberman-Liebelson, RD, MS, CDN, nationally renowned food expert and nutritionist, founder of WebRD. Each year an elegant and diverse representation of the corporate, medical and social communities from the Hamptons, Long Island and New York City come together to celebrate the community's support of the life-saving mission of the American Heart Association. Kevin O'Connor, President of our local Bridgehampton National Bank, chaired this season's Life is Sweet gala!

Another very big weekend was the last one in June! East End Hospice's 13th Annual Summer Gala themed Moonlight Luau was once again held at Sandacres Estate in the hamlet of Quogue. Bonnie Grice served as Mistress of Ceremonies entertaining guests over a sumptuous dinner by D'Alession Catering w/ her easy going radio personality. The 13th Annual Dorothy P. Savage Good Samaritan Award went to Gordon A. Werner as guests enjoyed the lavish gala w/ Angel tables of 10 at $10,000 a pop! We were treated to a delightful Dressage Exhibition and Pony Drill Team Performance over at Stony Hill Stables. It was their inaugural launch party for the foundation - a not-for-profit organization whose mission is promoting equine sports through riding education and competitive opportunities for children and young adults in the local residential East End community. We walked into a lovely garden style party under some shady trees that surrounded the dirt rectangle lined with white chairs. It's a well established, old stable that's been around a long, long time and "Wick" is well known as a terrific equestrian and teacher in Amagansett. She had even taught my friend who came along w/ me to photograph and showed me all around the barns where we were lucky enough to catch the children all gathering together for the perfect photo opp! Some notables on the Stony Hill Stables Benefit Committee include Alec Baldwin (who was off getting married at the time), Maureen Bluedorn, Michael Braverman, Rebecca Chapman, Ed and Christy Burns, Alan and Jackie Mitchell, Melissa Errico and Patrick McEnroe, Lisa Bialkin, Ellen Rosengard and Pernilla Ammann. You can always reach them to make a donation to give some local kids a great chance to learn how to ride horseback and even compete in many levels of the sport down the road...maybe even the Hampton Classic!? Then it was on to Beaches & Bays Gala for the 12th Anniversary Celebration of the Nature Conservancy at The Center for Conservation in East Hampton. What an old guard group of guests and how refreshing to see so many younger attendees who care enough about saving the purity of our surroundings. It's the Nature Conservancy who cuts so many of our beautiful trails for hiking on the thousands of acres of woods. This season Long Island's Beaches and Bays Gala honored Jeff Hughes their longtime Board chairman and conservation supporter. Committee Co-Chairs leading the way were Alan and Christina MacDonald and Fred and Bettina Stelle who were able to get none other then THE Peter Duchin with his full orchestra! The tent was adorned with chic tablecloths in bold black + white stripes and light earthy tones for most everything else. Here a table of ten was $50,000 so nothing was spared to make it a perfect evening under another glorious sperry pinnacled tent and dinner by Glorious Food Catering! We ran into loads of people we knew and Kevin McDonald adorned with an urge to take action poster - he does double duty for both The Nature Conservancy AND Group for the East End!! The mayor of East Hampton along with his wife and Peter Turino were present for the gala as were lots of other politicos and local environmental supporters. Funds raised at the event will be used to support The Nature Conservancy's critical work on Long Island including the protection and management of our precious environment of wetlands, forests, bluffs, dunes, beaches and underwater bay habitat.

The Kickoff Cocktail Party for the Inaugural Art Southampton was at Gallery Valentine featuring an exhibition called Color Go-Lightly...An Homage to Color curated by Laurie DeChiara and Todd Hutcheson. John and Ed introduced us to Ryan Ross - owner of Gallery Valentine and a most gracious host. We promised to come back and do a more in depth focus on his agenda for the season. Loads of Southampton supporters strolled in and we caught up with Sue Madonia of Ann Madonia Antiques on Jobs Lane and Jean Shafiroff we consider part of the financial backbone of Southampton Hospital! Art Southampton presented by Art Miami - the premiere International Contemporary & Modern Art Fair and marketplace for acquiring the finest works of art available in the Hamptons will make its long - and eagerly - awaited Hamptons debut at the height of the social and cultural season this summer. We will have more on this grand benefit for Southampton Hospital as the fair will feature a carefully selected group of 50 leading international art galleries, with a strong focus on primary artists and select secondary market works. The 75,000 square foot Art Southampton Pavillion w/ a VIP lounge will be showcasing curated indoor and outdoor projects on a sprawling 18-acre estate property Love Heals, The Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education hosted the ultimate birthday party at its 13th Annual Love Heals on Luna Farm. A celebration of the organization's 20th anniversary, the 650 person event raised well over $300,000. Hilary Rhoda, Charlotte Ronson, Andrew Saffir + Daniel Benedict hosted the Southern BBQ (brought to the Hamptons from South Carolina and cooked on-site for 24 hours prior to the event) The most delish summertime cocktails concocted by Patron were shaken, stirred and served w/ tempting names like Patron Birthday Splash, Luna Farm Refresher + Healing Touch - I know my rum drink was a sensation : ) Orange was the color of the evening from waiters to tablecloths to neon glasses! Guests and friends mingling under the stars included the organization.s co-founder, Dini von Mueffling, supermodel Nicole Trunfio, pianist Chloe Flower, designer Rebecca Minckoff, Rodale's David Zincenko, news anchor Chris Wragge, Peter Davis, Kelly Delaney, Richard Farley, Stephanie Hirsch, Richard Johnson & Sessa von Richtofen, Scott Lipps, Avis Richards, Teresa Sorkin, Martin & Nina Varsavsky, Eric Villency, and Niche Media's Samantha Yanks, among others. Alison Gertz' parents Mr. and Mrs. Jerrold Gertz were also in attendance. We capturred handsome Chris Wragge in his chic, hot pink pants enjoying the spotlight photography and being a good sport kicking up his heels! Love Heals was founded in 1992 to carry on the memory of the late AIDS activist Alison Gertz, who contracted HIV from a single sexual encounter at the age of 16. It empowers young people in the fight against HIV. Their HIV-positive speakers are putting a face to the epidemic and their youth empowerment programs are training a new generation of community educators and activists. By the close of 2011, Love Heals directly educated more than 530,000 young people about the realities of HIV and AIDS. The 300- plus young women of color who have completed our peer education training program have reached an additional 10,000 through their community action projects.

ArtHamptons just celebrated their FIFTH year as THE principle art expo in The Hamptons! Paving the way for all those who follow in their footsteps, they remain at the forefront of investors and exhibitors alike. It has transpired into a grand series of social events with rapid fire succession and become the nation's premiere summer fine art fair. International in scope over 80 well respected galleries showcase premium exhibitions and collections throughout the mega compound at Nova's Ark on Scuttlehole Road in bucolic Bridgehampton. Close to ten thousand attendees stroll through to see the special exhibitions put together by prominent dealers from 10 countries around the world (UK, Spain, Germany, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Israel, Greece, Russia, Japan, China and Korea.) ArtHamptons VIP Opening Reception kicked off the expo offering a preview over cocktails and yummy hors d'oeuvres! A special fundraiser for the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center Pollock at 100- A Centennial Celebration was held to mark the centennial birthday of Jackson Pollock and the expo's theme too was in recognition of Pollock. 2012 Honorees were Ed Moses who received Lifetime Achievement Award, Cheech Marin for its Arts Patron of the Year and Michael Childers as Honorary Guest Photographer. Guests sipped on wine while exploring a rare photography exhibition of Pollock at work in his studio. The Opening Preview Platinum Party was a benefit for LongHouse Reserve as was the VIP Opening Reception. Friday benefited Guild Hall, Saturday benefited the East End Hospice and later hosted the Hamptons Tea Dance benefiting Empire State Pride Agenda. Talk about being a marketing supernova - that'd be Rick Friedman who brainstormed this humongous expo!! Tundra was most gracious and is the humble owner of Nova's Ark - what a cool, spiritual and wonderful soul...and a pleasure to meet again. It's worth a visit back just to see what the place is really all about in its purity of landscape, art, design and as a farm with free range horses and sheep and other animals who all seem to connect on another dimension. ART expert Julie Keyes was curator of the exhibition in the Nova's Ark booth so hope you got over to C-25! Keyes Art Projects has a TON of things on both all around the hamptons and in Chelsea. Talk about being in the right place at the right time and were ushered into the VIP lounge on the last day to meet with Russell Simmons who stressed the importance of art in public schools and to make it accessible to everyone of all walks of life. His upcoming Art for Life gala is next on our agenda!

New kid on the party block ; ) Hamptons Hearts Horses at Social Club in Southampton sponsored by Qunitesstial magazine was a benefit for A Humane Alternative to NYC Carriage Horses to get them off the city streets! Mark Baker Events put on the party with champagne, cocktails, badminton, ping pong, MUSIC w/ in-house dj Chris ! All donations go towards building the prototype of the 21st Century "Horseless Carriage" - an electric vintage replica car that will replace NYC carriage horses. NYCLASS is a non-profit animal advocacy organization dedicated to stopping the inhumane NYC carriage horse industry. Hosts: Kelly Bensimon, Mark Baker, Stella Keitel, Valery & Revi Joseph, Dr Cindy Bressler, Kendall Viola, Lizzi Bickford, Kathleen Boyes, Susan Jaques, Sasha Laumeister, Heidi Levold, Amanda Slavin, Lisa Hartman, Joey Wolffer, Sara Droz, Allie Feldman and Carly Knudson! How's that for a team? ; ) Then it was off to Last Chance Animal Rescue at the lovely home of Michael & Marcy Warren in Water Mill. The line up of cars was a good indication of just HOW SUCCESSFUL Whitney Knowlton's foundation has become out here in The Hamptons and what a standup job she and her team have done in a short time. Invited for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, auctions, and a chance to win to 7 Nights of luxurious beachfront accommodations at The St. James Club resort in Antigua - for up to two rooms (4 people) - this benefit gala has picked up full speed and has now become one of the major players on a summer Saturday in the hamptons! Jean Shafiroff and Sandra McConnell are pairing up once again to host the 3rd Annual Unconditional Love Benefit. Hopefully you were able to get to the kickoff event in June for Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation hosted by Jean Shafiroff and Mackenzie-Childs. Those who DID go wee CNN Anchor correspondent Felicia Taylor, Martin Shafiroff, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Robin Cofer and Dawne Marie Grannum! Susan Allen, the shelter's founder and "ANGEL", Board President Jonathan McCann, Board Exec VP and former co-founder of ARF - Sony Schotland and board member Joel Cooper all were there too and will be serving as vice-chairmen for the biggie Unconditional Love gala honoring Ellen & Chuck Scarborough. Also there along with hubbies Jeffrey Loewy and Cliff Knight were Sharon Kerr, Nancy-Jane Loewy and Raya Keis Knight who are the Vice-Chaimen! Alex Donner and his orchestra will be the playing the party lending an a romantic, old-fashioned style of old guard Southampton.

POLO celebrated its 16th Anniversary with Opening Day hosted by Marco Mattiacci, CEO of Ferrari of North America, Peter Brant, Bridgehampton Polo Club co-founder and new partner Nacho Figueras. Rain drenched the field the day before cancelling the first official match but that didn't stop polo fans from coming anyway! Peter Brant and Nacho Figueras mounted their horses to join polo players on the field for one period of play known as a chukker. Alina Cho, Fern Mallis, Gillian Miniter, Kelly Klein, Michael Michele, Michelle Harper, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Rita Schrager were amongst the guests inside Ferrari's private tent indulging in hors d'oeuvres from Tutto Il Giorno passed on glistening silver trays and refreshing GREY GOOSE punch cocktails. Michael Cuomo + buddies for Pointy Snout Caviar + ECC restaurant were shaking signature cocktails + having a grand x doing it at the piano bar inside the VIP tent! Adelina Wong Ettelson, Helen and Tim Schifter, Richie and Jane Notar and W's Stefano Tonchi brought the kiddies along who were treated to gourmet People's Pops popsicles at the intimate space that boasted white custom-created canvas cabanas outfitted with inviting white sectionals woven nest chairs with baskets of Clinique sunscreen and crisp white curtains billowing in the summer breeze. Ferrariis FF - the company's first four-seater, four wheel drive sports car along with the Americano and Spider models lined the field along with white umbrellas paired with rustic Adirondack chairs. Last season, the club made some changes to scale back the Saturday event in size [#yay]and return to the days where the afternoon was centered around the polo match itself. This season guests are finding an even more understated setting, lending itself to a more fitting + sumptuous ambiance. ROCK the Farm started out with the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride at 7 am and was in honor of Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter from Shelter Island who was killed in duty. The benefit for Wounded Warrior Project was held in Amagansett at Ocean View Farm again and featurerd LIVE MUSIC BY STEEL PULSE in support our Ameican Soldiers! An All American BBQ with open bar delighted both Rock the Farm guests and cyclists + walkers who rode the distance early in the day. Dave Mason who played the Talkhouse two weeks before had composed a new song to honor all of our soldiers which he sung and Stephen Talkhouse put flyers on the tables to encourage support for this special event. Oops did we really skip the Parrish to go to it? Yes, we did and WHAT a great show : )

After that it was Rock the DOCK on the Long Wharf! Bay Street Theatre's annual summer gala pulled in big name guests including Bay Street Board Members Chris Bauer (True Blood) and Broadway, film and television actress Mercedes Ruehl; Tony award winner and star of the upcoming BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES Lillias White, and the show.s writer and director Paul Levine; legendary actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson and their daughter Roberta Wallach; Aida Turturro (The Sopranos); playwright of Bay Street.s current running play MEN.S LIVE Joe Pintauro; Robert Zimmerman; Lorraine Boyle; Stephen Flaherty and many more of The Hamptons' own. The summer fundraising bash supports Literature Live, camps for kids, college internships and other educational programs that keep Bay Street as a cultural gem in Sag Harbor. Tony award winner Lillias White sang three songs bringing the house down including "Candy" as a teaser to the one woman show BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES - hint/hint - get your tickets before they're gone!! : ) Then it was on to the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club for the American Cancer Society's second Festive in Flip Flops filled to capacity with the likes of such power brokers behind the cable television industry including Joe Abruzzese, President, Sales, Discovery Networks; Bill Koeningsberg, Founder and CEO of Horizon Media, and his wife Jessica and David Levy, President of Turner Broadcasting and his wife Nikki. Stacey London IS A HOOT!! What a blast it was to have her as MC - and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to trump Mark Feuerstein from last year - he offered her spiked high heels for auction resulting in a well strategized bidding war between fashionistas! Susan Lucci who doesn't seem to lose a drop of her natural beauty made her presence to support the American Cancer Society fundraiser along with husband Helmut Huber. Other bigwigs there were Boomer and Cheryl Eaision, the lovely B. Smith with her husband Dan Gasby and last year's host Mark Feuerstein with his wife Dana Klein. Mark was as gracious as ever and what a sweetheart - he's so approachable and genuinely supportive of this particular event. Most touching was when returning Chair Sherri Abruzzese first asked for all those who had cancer to stand up, then if they had a family member - but when she asked those who had been affected by a friend or knew someone - just about EVERYBODY in the room stood up. Robbins-Wolfe catered the three-course dinner and tables were festively dressed with bottles of red and white wines aptly named Flip Flop! Guests danced to Peat Moss and the Fertilizers and then continued onto the beach for a summer bonfire and yummy s'mores and then went home with chic summer beach towels!

Art Miami's invitation-only preview reception for the Inaugural Art Southampton connected over 3,600 collectors and art enthusiasts over at the Elks Club property which was transformed into a super elegant expo inside air conditioned tents. Sales at the show indicated an underserved market for high-quality contemporary art in particular. Most notable collectors included Beth Rudin De Woody, Michael & Seren Shvo, Ted & Ruth Baum, Wilbur & Hilary Ross, Harvey Manes, Frank Wyman, Steven & Nan Swid, Lawrence Benenson and Henry Buhl, who were unanimous in their raves for not only the art but the sophisticated and stylish presentation at the pavilion. It was clearly a well-heeled crowd, evidenced by sponsoring partner Maserati having to expand its exclusive corral parking for Maserati owners. Among the sales recorded by Hollis Taggart were a George Rickey for $80,000, a Yajoi Kusama for $35,000 and a Richard Pousette-Dart for $30,000. He also received tremendous interest in a rare Nicholas de Stael titled, Fleurs au pot bleu, 1954. Frej Forsblom of Gallerie Forsblom, Helsinki, noted quite a lot of interest in the more modern and abstract HC Berg pieces, as well as a piece by Jacob Hashimoto. He sold two sculptures by Veikko Hirvimaki for $30,000. Wilhelm J. Grusdat of Terminus Gallery in Munich said as of mid-day Saturday had a total of six sales, including a $250,000 John Chamberlain sculpture titled Sparkle Party, for which the buyer flew in by private jet and helicopter to personally pick up! Vincent Vallarino Fine Art of New York reportedly sold several major pieces of significant works including a large Sam Francis, and Tom K. of KM Fine Arts, Chicago, which sold an exceptionally beautiful and sensual Botero for $390,000. Internationally recognized painter and sculptor Eric Fischl a Hamptons resident was the subject of a one-man show by the Hexton Gallery of Chicago. Bob Chase was delighted that they sold two of the artist's bronze works "Congress of Wits" for $85,000 each and several of Fischl's watercolors. Eric Fischl's new glass sculptures almost resembled Lalique but on a much larger scale and simply stunning. Artists works on display include Milton Avery, C. Berg, Ross Bleckner, Fernando Botero, John Chamberlain, John Clement, Hans Cotter, Eric Fischl, Andrew Grima, Hans Hoffman, Kaarina Kaikkonen, Roy Lichtenstein, Li Liong, Jane Manus, Eugenio Merino, Robert Motherwell, Jeff Muhs, Harumi Nakashima, Louise Nevelson, Julian Opie, Alfonso Ossorio, Tony Oursler, Pablo Picasso, Larry Poons, Gerhard Richter, Larry Rivers, Jesus Rafael Soto, Theodoros Stamos, Donald Sultan, Norman Bluhm, Luis Tomasello, Victor Vaserely, Bernar Venet, Andy Warhol and many more. Kelly Ripa, Paula Patton, Donna Karan and Ariel Foxman hosted the 15th Annual Super Saturday benefit that raised an unimaginable sum of $3.6 MILLION for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund(OCRF)! Guests included: Matthew Settle, Mark Feuerstein, Lara Spencer, Star Jones, Tiffani Thiessen, Sam Champion, Beth Ostrosky Stern, Josh Elliott, Judith Giuliani,Hilary Rhoda, Alina Cho, Nick Loeb, June Ambrose, George Kotsiopoulos, Jeannie Mai, Isaac Mizrahi, Jonathan Cheban, Kyle Richards, Ingrid Vandebosch, Veronica Webb, Hilary Rhoda, Diem Brown, Chaske Spencer and Jessica Hart among others. Dubbed the Rolls Royce of garage sales," the most anticipated element of Super Saturday is the fashion garage sale, which includes merchandise from over 200 prominent designers including: Donna Karan, Theory, alice + olivia, J Brand, Diane von Furstenberg, HelmutLang, Intermix, Scoop NYC, Splendid, Smythson and Ralph Lauren. For the fifth consecutive year, the "Designers A to Zoe" booth by Rachel Zoe featured luxury designers such as Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som, Chloe, J Mendel, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs and Marchesa. The family friendly ALL day fundraiser had a REAL carnival with full size ferris wheel for the kiddies and humongous banquet prepared by none other then Sant Ambroeus which also featured a separate buffet of just exquisite desserts! QVC Presents Super Saturday Live simultaneously offered TV viewers the chance to purchase a variety of products including apparel, accessories, jewelry and beauty at amazing prices with all net proceeds benefiting OCRF.

Haygroud School held their 8th Annual GREAT CHEFS Dinner in Bridgehamnpton starting off with the ever popular MEET THE CHEFS Cocktail Party w/tasting stations, silent art auction and live music. I met up with Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin fame who took a break from Jeff's Kitchen to mingle with the guests before the formal VIP four course sit down dinner paired with specialty wines and live auction. What a jovial gentleman under the white chef's garb. All proceeds benefit the Hayground School's Jeff's Kitchen and the Jeff Salaway Scholarship Fund. Justin Smillie - il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, James Carpenter - The Living Room at The Maidstone, Jessica Craig - Nick & Toni's, Joseph Realmuto - Rowdy Hall, Bryan Futerman of Foody's, Kevin Penner - 1770 House, Cheryl Stair - Art of Eating, Josh Capon - Chef/Partner Lure Fishbar, Jason Weiner - Almond Restaurant Cavaniola's Gourmet Cheese Shop in Sag Harbor, Joel Hough - il Buco, Claudia Fleming - Northfork Table and Inn, Marc Meyer + RL King both of Hundred Acre & Five Points, Arthur Wolf - Smokin' Wolf BBQ, D'Artagnan and Davie Simmons - Uptown Veg/Juice Bar were just some of the other top chefs participating at the out-of-this-world delicious food event! Our personal favorite were the scallops by chef & owner Doug Gulija of Plaza Cafe in Southampton and the flavored pizzas by Christian Mir of Stone Creek Inn in Quogue!! There were sushi bars, delectable desserts, sliders, bbq pits, pizza on wheels, clams on the half shell and loads more all accompanied by terrific live jazz musicians! Now just stick in all the best, local wines, brewers and top shelf liquors and you'll catch on that this is yet another not to be missed celebration of summer and worthy causes : ) Could we eat more? You bet ya!! Next it was on to HEAT! A Celebrity Chef Tasting hosted by Dr. Howard & Gayle Sobel at their lovely home on Mecox Bay in Bridgehampton. Even though it was a muddy mess by the time we arrived in the pouring rain everyone seemed super upbeat and not at all bothered by any of it! We just took off our shoes and still got onto the dance floor because Linda Shapiro ALWAYS has THE best music!! Honorary Chairs Katie Couric + Fern Mallis were good sports as well and came in support of the benefit for The Ellen Hermanson Breast Health Center at Southampton Hospital. This year honored Dee Dee Ricks and some special guests attending were Edie Falco + Mercedes Ruehl. The very first person I ran into was handsome Chris Wragge who practically caught me as we jumped "into" the tent to hurdle the puddles! What a sweetheart with such genuine warmth - I felt like he was family so he got a hug. Roseann Scotto and hubby, the NYC housewives and Beth Ostrosky Stern were all there inside the packed tent. There was a massive bar with food stations on all corners and people packed like sardines in between but in a jolly way - what a nice group of people who came in earnest support of family and friends with breast cancer. As speeches were given the sun started to come out and we snapped a very special sunset capping the evening just perfectly and Canadian geese were flying overhead.

On a gorgeous summer evening in the greenest corn field you can imagine was a big red farm tractor ready to take guests on a grand tour of the 13th generation farm belonging to the Halsey family! The 10th Annual Through Farms & Fields held at Whitecap Farm in Water Mill was hosted by Evelyn and John Halsey, Jennifer, Craig and Will Dupree and Amy and Austin Halsey-Cohn to benefit the Peconic Land Trust. As guests arrived they were greeted and treated to some serious ice breaking cocktails that only looked like lemonade ; ) Once we had our drinks in hand only then did we check in! A big, billowy white tent ahead begged us inside where the band was setting up for the evening! Just near the Milk Pail tractor was the dinner tent adorned with tables laiden with locally grown flowers and freshly baked breads and gourmet oils ready for a farm to table Country Supper by Chef Peter Ambrose! Corn chowder followed by a choice of striped bass or pork and dessert sweetly provided by Kathleen King of Tate's Bake Shop together with coffee courtesy of Jason & Theresa Belkin of Hampton Coffee Company . need we say more?! Donald Sullivan of Southampton Publick House donated beer for the special occasion where the bar was serving more specialty drinks like we the ones offered upon first arrival! Hilary Leff & Hatsy Dresher (event co-chairs) Tracy Carey, Emma Clurman, Susan D'Alessio, Barbara Frerichs, Shira Kalish, Kristina Klug, Linda Lacchia, Marleen O'Halloran, Patty Orben, Rebecca Radin, Bob Schaeffer, Eileen Skretch, Fred Smith, Rand Stoll, Liza Tremblay, Richard Udice, Sally Van Erk, Patty Vigorita, and staff members John Halsey, Rebecca Chapman, Pam Greene, Kathy Kennedy, Dawn Liubenov, Lisa Pepe & Yvette DeBow-Salsedo were all members of Through Farms and Fields Committee that put this awesome party together! We got out to the JetOne Jets Field for the Monty Waterbury Cup FINAL with CIRCA VS White Birch Farm but alas the rain once again deluged the field so it was no good for a polo match : ( HOWSOEVER it appears that when in The Hamptons people tend to make the best of it and they SING when it rains! Check out our capture of two fellas belting out Broad way entertainment for those lucky people enjoying summery cocktails, yummy bites from Tutto Il Giorno and Pointy Snout Caviar...in spite of the weather! SO here's to the real final match this season for The Hamptons Cup - coming just ahead of the 37th Hampton Classic Horse Show - who already have their little horsey village set up! More than $200,000 was raised for the East Hampton Library at the 8th Annual Authors Night Event held on the Gardiner Farm in East Hampton. Fifteen hundred people attended and more than half of the library's guest writers have been on the Times' bestseller list this year. Over 2500 books were sold amounting to a record-breaking $40,000! I was delighted to have Pulitzer Prize winner Robert K. Massie sign his newest book, Catherine the Great, for me - we had the same woman teach us Russian - Zoya plus he was quite familiar with my family which made it very special indeed. Other terrific authors participating included: Ali Wentworth (Ali in Wonderland), Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Sexually Speaking), Ken Auletta (Googled), Martin Amis (Lionel Asbo: State of England), Andrew Ross Sorkin (Too Big to Fail), Robert Klein (The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue), Elizabeth Holtzman (Cheating Justice), Jeffrey Lyons (Stories My Father Told Me), Michael Shnayerson (Harry Belafonte: My Song), Philip Galanes (Social Q¹s), Kati Marton (Paris: A Love Story), Peter Kaminsky (Culinary Intelligence), Christina Haag (Come to the Edge), Dr. Oz Garcia (Redesigning 50), Katie Lee (Groundswell), Edward Conard (Unintended Consequences), Bill Evans (Blackmail Earth), A.J. Jacobs (Drop Dead Healthy), Kelly Killoren Bensimon (I Can Make You Hot!), Andrea Kane (The Line Between Here and Gone), Jamee Gregory (New York Parties), Robert Lipsyte (An Accidental Sportswriter), Lucette Lagnado (The Arrogant Years), Michael Lindsay-Hogg (Luck and Circumstance) illustrator Hilary Knight (the Eloise books), Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (The Nanny Diaries), Holly Peterson (The Manny), Edwina Sandys (Edwina Sandys Art), and Sam Talbot (The Sweet Life: Diabetes without Boundaries). Guests in attendance included journalist and political advisor George Stephanopoulos (who came to support wife Ali Wentworth), actress/playwright Tovah Feldshuh, actress Victoria Tennant, and Hilaria Baldwin (who arrived with new husband Alec Baldwin). So now you understand what an impressive list of authors took part for our little East Hampton library!! All were utterly approachable and humble and happy to meet attendees - which speaks volumes for how chill everybody can be in a comfy setting.

Tucked inside a pretty white tent bordering the Atlantic Ocean at Dune Beach Beth Ostrosky Stern, Christopher Obetz and Ellen Scarborough hosted a lovely summer style clambake The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center of The Hamptons GET WILD Summer Gala! Ginnie and Augie Frati (Executive Director, Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center of The Hamptons), Avis Richards (Honorary Board Member, The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center of The Hamptons) Leslie Alexander (Owner, Houston Rockets), Christopher and Joni Fischer (Christopher Fischer Cashmere), Josh Guberman (Owner, Core Development Group), Jean and Martin Shafiroff (Philanthropist), Robert Albertson and Suzanne Murphy, Howard Lorber (Chairman, Douglas Elliman), Samantha Kleinfield (Jockey), Ellen and Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S (Event Sponsor, GET WILD Summer Gala), Dr. Tara Allmen, M.D. (Event Sponsor, GET WILD Summer Gala) and Paul Schindler (Entertainment Attorney) were just some of the luminaries attending the benefit. Other special guests were furry and feathered friends including, Blossom the opossum, Sonja the red tailed hawk, Kaylala the great horned owl and Cutie Pie the screech owl! Jetty Four just happened to be playing my favorite - Send Me on My Way by Rusted Root - especially nice because they were really good for teenagers. The event also included a silent auction featuring exclusive items such as such as a men's bomber jacket by Perry Ellis; a cashmere blanket from Christopher Fischer; unch for four at Southampton Inn's OSO Restaurant; two nights at The Enclave Inn with dinner for two at 75 Main;an original painting by artist Norbert Gonsalves; veterinary services from Dr. Cindy Bressler and five hours of grooming services from Hamptons Canine Concierge; six tickets to Mamma Mia! In addition, guests were also able to bid on a one hour photo session photographed by Howard Stern and LOADS more! Then it was on to Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation's 8th Annual Hamptons Happening Honoring 3-Star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten hosted by Maria and Kenneth Fishel and their two children Melissa + Bradley in Bridgehampton. This epic food event featured JEAN-GEORGE a la Carte with SEVEN of his Manhattan restaurants along with their chefs: ABC Kitchen, JG Jean-Georges, Jo Jo, The Mark Restaurant, The Mercer Kitchen, Perry Street and Spice Market. Lucy's Whey, Peter Ambrose Catering/Hampton Seafood Company, Arlotta Food, Blue Duck Bakery, The Seafood Shop, Tate's BakeShop, Roxanne Browning - Exotic Chocolate Tastings, The Sag Harbor Baking Company, The Fudge Company and more were all there! Akvinta, a Croation Vodka debuting in The Hamptons was making some seriously tasty concoctions as was Palm Bay International, Don Q Premium Rum and Avion Tequila - yes, we had a designated driver - a MUST in The Hamptons in the summertime with all these parties!! For those who preferred a beer Heineken was on tap - well in bottles...The Juicy Naam, Hint Water, HARD mixers and Nestle' Waters all filled in for non alcholic drinks which sort of became a savior! Heating up the evening besides the chefs was 4 AM DJ's hottest talents, DJ Phresh who got everyone dancing under the enormous tent transformed into a magical "club" atmosphere. That is after our host Dr. Waxman delivered a very important speech about the urgency for a cancer cure and some encouraging news of what's on the horizon of hope. SWCRF supports an international collaborative research program seeking to create scientific based, non-toxic treatments for all cancers. The dashing Chris Wragge made several introductions as one of the MCs. A luxury auction, both live as well as silent included a Smart Car and a 1996 Vintage Mercedes 230 SL Convertible from Avenura Motors...and we spied a classic old beamer from the 70s.

I doubt there could be a more fitting location for Celebration of Our Bays - Annual Peconic Baykeeper's Benefit Gala - then the Port of Missing Men steeped in rich history and perched on a penninsula saved long ago by a man with extraordinary vision. Cows Neck was originally bought by Henry Huttleson Rogers who built its famous Lodge on 1200 acres. Overlooking Scallop Pond in North Sea the house sits on a glorious piece of heaven very close to where the first settlers of Southampton came into port at North Sea Harbor. These first colonists arrived at Conscience Point all the way from Lynn, Massachusetts and founded Southampton as the First English Settlement in New York State. The evening couldn't have been more perfect weatherwise as well so it was all outside spilling onto the lawn bordering the inlet. Special Guest of Honor was Alec Baldwin who gave a whole-hearted speech on current environmental issues after Baykeeper Kevin McAllister reminded us all of the importance of each doing our part to save "our" beloved bays & shorelines & sea life. Our gracious hostess Willie Salms and her son were awfully kind and remarkably humble and had arranged tickets to tour the house to raise money for the Peconic Baykeeper foundation and its clean water programs. Peconic Baykeeper was established in 1997 and is the ONLY non-government environmental organization soley dedicated to defending Long Island's coastal waters. Lots of familiar locals came out and it was a nice mixture of people. Skip Tollefson who started everyone's favorite Lobster Inn came with his lovely wife Karen all the way from Palm Beach to be there as he is on the Board. Tim Burke Productions catered the event so there was PLENTY of fresh seafood on hand as well as the yummy passed hors d'oeuvres! The Michael J. Fox Foundation's Team Fox and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held their first annual Gala Honoring the Music of Billy Joel, hosted by actress Sean Young, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Julie Henderson and "In the Mixx"s Gina Giordan at East Hampton Studio. Presented by Ocean Productions, featuring Danny V's 52nd Street Band, the world's longest running tribute to Billy Joel. The band gave fans of the Piano Man a night to remember, packed with hit after chart-topping hit in a high energy, live performance. Guests enjoyed fine cuisine provided by Carlyle Off the Green - we can vouch that their mushroom ravioli was to die for! East Hampton Studio is huge and a great place for large size events - which this was - and every corner seemed to have something else going on - Gina was doing a live broadcast in one section, in another was the VIP dining area around the stage where we were treated to cool card tricks by a young magician! Open bars flanked all sides offering a special menu of cocktails and modern white ottomans allowed for relaxing lounges all over and some cordoned off with streaming white cloth curtains made some private but also illuminated the entire interior as they reflected the special effects lighting. The host committee included Sean Dalton, Steve Guttenberg, Edith Kirk, Andrea Peponakis-Matzner, Jennifer Esposito, JB Miller, Steve Carl, Vincent Paul, Ramona Singer, Tarik Solangi, Harry Zapiti and the ever charming Michael Wudyka who owns East Hampton Studio! Special Guests in attendance included Sean Young (Celebrity Host | Actress), Julie Henderson (Co-Host | Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model), Sonja Tremont-Morgan (Real Housewives of New York City), Ramona Singer (Host Committee | Real Housewives of New York City), Dr. Carlos Cordon-Cardo (Pathology Department Chairman, The Mount Sinai Medical Center), Jackie Martling (Radio Personality and Former Howard Stern Show Head Writer), Michael Wudyka (Host Committee | Owner, East Hampton Studio and The Enclave Inn), Gina Giordan (MC | Host of In the Mixx), Sean Dalton (Host Committee | Producer, Ocean Productions), Edith Kirk (Host Committee | Producer, Ocean Productions), Andrea Peponakis-Matzner (Host Committee | CEO, Diversely Delicious), Steve Carl (Host Committee | Owner, Carlyle Off the Green), Tarik Solangi (Host Committee | Owner, Prime Time Sound & Ocean Productions) and Harry Zapiti (Host Committee | CFO, Legacy Builders).

The 2nd Annual United Way Benefit aptly named WHAT'S ON THE TABLE? was hosted by Avis and Bruce Richards, Tom Colicchio & Lori Silverbush, Jon Bon Jovi & Dorothea Hurley and Susan Burden at the Richards' lovely home in Southampton. The fundraiser targeted New York City's low-income and poor unable to put healthy, NUTRITIOUS food on their tables. One bidder whose name will remain private made the winning bid of $40,000 for a special dinner prepared by Tom Colicchio and music by Jon Bon Jovi...great auction item! The entire extravanganza raised OVER $200,000 to benefit United Way of New York City. Celebrated Top Chef judge and fave chef Tom Colicchio positioned tables along the sides of the huge tent each with a different theme from each of his famous restaurants. This year's host committee includes FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren, CNN anchor Alina Cho and chef Katie Lee amongst others. Guests included chef Katie Lee, supermodel Hilary Rhoda, CNN anchor Alina Cho, Estee Lauder head John Demsey, Dan Abrams, actress Natasha Bell, Royal Pains actor Rupak Ginn, Bloomberg TV host Matt Miller, Dayssi and Paul Olarte de Kanavos, Duane Hampton, Louise Grunwald, Esther Newberg, Charmaine and Carter Burden, and Stephanie Hirsch. United Way of New York City's Jennifer Jones Austin, Senior Vice-President for Community Investment and Kevin Taylor, Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement were also in attendance. Tom Colicchio and Jon Bon Jovi in particular have long been anti-hunger activists. Colicchio and his wife, filmmaker Lori Silverbush, have partnered to make a documentary about the issue called "Hungry in America" to be released later this year. Bon Jovi founded a community restaurant, Soul Kitchen, in Red Bank, New Jersey which allows people to pay what they can afford. If customers cannot pay at all, they are welcome to volunteer to work in exhange for their family's meal. You just can't trump that sort of generosity. OK, so I'm kinda thinking it would be good TOO to spill some of that passionate commitment over into our communal backyard here in The Hamptons... a lot of LOCAL people have been put out of work because of a combination of shared hard times but simultaneously the recent tidal wave of illegal immigrants [no, I don't mean the legals ones because that is what makes America, AMERICA]. There's a new "type" of group on the sidelines who need not only jobs but some kind of source of affordable shopping to be able to eat healthy. Many "food-insecure" families don't go to the food pantries and instead go without food for a few days at a time...when the peanut butter jar is empty. Mission for next season!? Perhaps there's a way to reach some of those same sort of selfless souls who do so much for the world and their favorite causes - and live here too. They are our greatest inspiration for hope and kindness! #justsayin there are two sides to "The Hamptons". It was very cool that they set up a mini farmstand so that everyone could go home with a recycled brown bag of organic veggies! : ) The 3rd Annual Southampton Arts Festival has been a wonderful series of performances and concerts which benefit the Child Prodigy and Autism research project conducted by Professor Joanne Ruthsatz of Ohio State Univesity in collaboration with Long Island's Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Dr. James Watson - Nobel Prize Laureate for the discovery of DNA. I was lucky enough to be invited to a private dinner with a special performance by founders of the festival - pianist Elena Baksht and violinist Dmitri Berlinsky at Roger Samet's house in Art Village. We were thrilled to attend the full concert at Wolffers Estates Vineyard where several world class musicians performed such as young internationally acclaimed cellist and opera singer, Marta Bagratuni - and a nine year old Piano Prodigy, William Chen, Gold Prize Winner of the American Association for the Development of the Gifted and Talented and other top notch competitions. Professor Ruthsatz spoke about how the DNA genetics of prodigious children may hold the key to lead scientists to develop a cure for autism. The Festival's acclaimed musicians include winners of the most important international competitions, as well as musicians from The New York Philharmonic, The Boston Symphony, The Cincinnati Symphony, among others. Renowned pianist, Evgeny Kissin, is the Honorary Artistic Advisor for this brilliant, new festival. A child prodigy, two cellists, a maestro pianist, an opera singer...and all this with a glass of Wolffer's best and delectable edibles!

The 37th Hampton Classic Horse Show got off to a SUNNY start this year! No hurricanes, no terrible storms...just brilliant sunshine the whole splendid time!! Olympians, locals, tourists and celebrities all gathered together to watch Kent Farrington take top honors in the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier - a very special moment for him especially since he had every OTHER ribbon but first place in the Grand Prix here! More than 10,000 fans watched Farrington of Chicago and Voyeur as they led first in the jump-off and they left all eight jumps standing as they sped to a time of 47.53 seconds. Shane Sweetnam of Ireland just brushed the front rail of the oxer in front of the packed grandstand on Amaretto D'Arco to finish second with 4 faults in 48.04 seconds. Molly Ashe-Cawley's mount - Carissimo - slipped on the 180-degree turn to the same oxer before leaping awkwardly and crashing into the jump. They regrouped, though, to finish third with just those 4 faults in 55.19 seconds. Ashe-Cawley of Wellington almost had it but she discovered after finishing that Carissimo, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, had lost a front shoe at the second fence : ( Sweetnam said he saw Farrington's round, "and I knew I had to go. I thought I was OK [turning into the oxer], but then I wasn't. He just touched it." Sweetnam rode Amaretto D'Arco, a 12-year-old Belgian-bred stallion, for Spy Coast Farm. Designer Guilherme Jorge's course proved a challenge to the 35 entries. The final jump (fence 14), a narrow vertical set four strides after a scope-testing oxer, caused the most faults. Since the time allowed was difficult to make, some riders were forced to make a tight turn into this final line of jumps. Ten horses faulted at the last fence including McLain Ward and Antares F, the first to face the course. Ward had won the FTI Grand Prix three straight years and six times overall. They had also won the first leg of the new Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge and their failure to win the FTI Grand Prix means that there will be no Triple Crown winner this year...BUT there is next year at the Classic!

October opened w/ The Hamptons International Film Festival's 20th - TWENTIETH Anniversary! That's amazing and a huge coup for the organization's head honchos Stuart Match Suna, President of Silver Cup Studios and Chairman of HIFF, Executive Director Karen Arikian and Program Director David Nugent who did a superb job once again of putting together a masterful lineup of films, actors/actresses, programs + events...and star power : ) Frank PR did another seamless job at orchestrating the entire event's PR and handling all the media with courtesy and expertise. Starting with the Opening Night Screening of LOVE, MARILYN with Liz Garbus + Amy Green at Guild Hall where Rudi Giuliani and his wife Judy were heartily greeted on the red carpet amongst many other notables...it was then on to East Hampton Point for the big Opening Night Party through a great downpour only to clear for a gorgeous night on 3 Mile Harbor overlooking an exquisite moonlit bay! Friday was the first day chock full of films, Q & As, special screenings w/red carpets plus the Nobel Laureate Exhibition reception with John Nash, Jos Ramos-Horta and Dr. Marc Pachter, Former Director of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Culture at Maidstone - which was the official headquarters for the festival once again. SUCH a cozy, hip little nook for engaging interviews, meetings, Scandanvian fare and local wines!! We went to see the screening of Citizen Hearst where luckily they reserved us seats as the theater was a full house. Later Elie Tahari was SO a'buzz that we could barely hear Leslie Iwerks at the Citizen Hearst Corporation reception where we promised a short interview before she had to go! Having grown up with some of the family in Southampton, it was a particulary interesting film on how the company grew into such a massive corporation that manages to stick with the times. #brilliatnmarketing indeed. Nearby Refuge was having a party at Blue Parrot after their World Premiere in East Hampton...we dashed back over to c/o maidstone for our interview with Stevie Nicks who was SO warm and just plain sweet!! Southampton was the Friday focal point where the Weinstein Company along with Ann Barish debuted their new film Silver Linings Playbook directed by David Russell - a comedy romance about two people rebuilding their lives - starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert de Niro, Julia Stiles, Jacki Weaver, Anupam Kher, Chris Tucker, John Ortiz Shea Whigham and Dash Mihok. Need we remind you that the last two films that premiered here went on to win Oscars? The King's Speech and The Artist - both by the Weinstein Company. Ann did the honors for an introduction and then the Mayor of Southampton delivered a quick warm hearted welcome to all! So many private soirees and special events planned every night - it wasn't even Saturday night and there was the big Baume & Mercier's Seaside Living in The Hamptons Party at Wolffers in Sagaponack (they even put latitude & longitude coordinates on the invitation!) and then there was the filmmakers' big party aptly named Plimpton [yes, after the notorious George] in Amagansett! On Saturday one of the major HIFF panels was VARIETY'S 10 ACTORS TO WATCH: BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMERS OF 2012 with Adam Driver ("Inside Llewyn Davis"), Domhnall Gleeson ("Anna Karenina"), Bella Heathcote ("Not Fade Away"), Dree Hemingway ("Starlet"), Boyd Holbrook ("The Host"), Elyas M'Barek ("Turkish for Beginners"), Scoot McNairy ("Killing Them Softly"), Nate Parker ("Arbitrage"), Imogen Poots ("Knight of Cups") and Alicia Vikander ("Anna Karenina") at the Presbyterian Church Hall SO many terrific films that it was a near toss up...but who could NOT go to the Chairman's Reception honoring Richard Gere, Ann Roth, James Schamus with other VIPS such as Alan Cumming and Alec Baldwin?!! Stuart Suna hosted the party at his home right after Meryl Streep made a surprise appearance at the tribute to costume designer Ann Roth with Nathan Lane...and read her poem, An Ode to Ann! That same evening A Conversation With Richard Gere moderated by Alec Baldwin was another sold out event - a huge crowd had formed outside of Guild Hall and many were turned away but happily there were loads of other great films and wonderful restaurants to absorb the overflow. Sunday we went to the VARIETY PERFORMERS BRUNCH at Nick & Toni's to catch up with the rising stars on the Red Carpet and then headed over to c/o Maidstone where we did a ton of rapid fire interviews during the filmmakers' luncheon over there! We met SO many up & coming filmmakers w/directors, producers and rising stars - ALL so interesting to hear and talk to - making it a much, much richer experience in tandem with their films right HERE in The Hamptons...and coming your way next! We have a load of interviews we think you'll enjoy from some of the cool people we met at this fast growing festival...still think maybe it should be a whole week long so we can see everything + go to everything...right? #hmmm

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA NY) proudly presented their Inaugural Focus on UK films at The Hamptons International Film Festival this year. Co-hosts and BAFTA members Michael Apted and Trudie Styler (Sting's wife) highlighted the British portion of the festival which heralded James Schamus CEO of Focus Features as the festival's 2012 Industry Toast Honoree. It was a great honor to sit with Peter Baxter and listen to HIS rendition of Wild in the Streets - and yes, it does sound pretty untamed for England but somehow there IS a method to the madness! World Cinema Documentary Wild in the Streets was directed by screenwriter Peter and co-produce along with James Zalcman starring Sean Bean. Every year at Lent the whole town of Ashbourne, England gathers to PLAY Shrovetide football! A heaving sea of humanity wills a hand-painted, four-pound ball towards one of two goals set three miles apart. This unusual but popular version was developed in medieval times and is the origin of soccer, rugby, and American football. This spirited cross-town rivalry divides the population into posh Up'ards and the dirty Down'ards. Played for a thousand years, the game is a time-honored, quintessentially British tradition, surviving edicts from kings, revolutions, and modern life. Peter Baxter is a filmmaker Co-founder/President of Slamdance. In 1995 Baxter co-founded Slamdance as an independent alternative to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Since its inception, Baxter has been responsible for developing and maintaining all areas of Slamdance. As Slamdance's President, he has built an organization synonymous with the discovery of emerging talent. Peter evidently had a good reason to do a documentary on the Shrovetide Football ritual as he TOO play in it! He laughed and said he was on the dirty Down'ards' team : ) Next we had a chance to speack with the folks fom Sin Bin! A World Cinema Narrative directed by Billy Federighi - starring Emily Meade and Michael Seater who sat down with me for a fun interview - they too exude a very special chemistry and enjoyed every chance to chat up their new film Sin Bin. Brian is a shy scholarship kid at a fancy Chicago prep school who lends out his beat-up van aptly nicknamed the "Sin Bin" to his classmates for their sexual exploits while he himself remains a virgin. One day he strikes a deal with Tony (the scene-stealing comedian Bo Burnham), a class kingpin who holds court in the handicap bathroom. In exchange for use of the van, Tony will help Brian with the ladies. This is Billy Federighi's first feature and a charming coming-of-age comedy sure to make you smile. He grew up in Chicago before moving to LA for film school and began his career as a commercial director after winning national contests for Doritos and Converse.

I sat down with the totally chill Noah Bushel and Marin Ireland to hear about Noah's World Cinema Narrative debut of Sparrow's Dance at HIFF which he both directed and was also the screenwriter for - the two were quite engaging, warm and funny especially for having had such a big night before in The Hamptons! Produced by Louise Runge and Samantha Housman, the film stars Marin Ireland and Paul Sparks. Award-winning filmmaker Noah Buschel turns his lens on the confines of a Brooklyn apartment in this charming and original love story. An agoraphobic former actress (Marin Ireland) has successfully shut herself off from the outside world, but when her toilet breaks, she is forced to open her door to Wes (Paul Sparks), a saxophone playing plumber, who is equal parts charismatic and disruptive to Ireland. The pair falls in love, but not without obstacles that threaten the new and tender relationship. Bringing nuance and humor to their roles, Ireland and Sparks anchor this winning film. Born in Philadelphia in 1978, Noah Buschel grew up in New York City's Greenwich Village. After spending some time as a contributing editor for Tricycle Magazine, he made his feature film debut with BRINGING RAIN, starring Adrian Grenier and Paz de la Huerta. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2003. His second feature, NEAL CASSADY starred Tate Donovan and Amy Ryan. His third film, THE MISSING PERSON, starred Michael Shannon and premiered at Sundance. Buschel was nominated for a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Director and the film was on IFC.Com's 2009 Ten Best List. Next I sat down with the subjects of ROMEO, ROMEO a new World Cinema Documentary Feature directed by Lizzie Gottlieb and produced by Michael Young, Eden Wurmfeld and Lizzie Gottlieb. Lizzie is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker who intimately documents her friends, a lesbian couple, as they attempt to conceive. With no holds barred access, Gottlieb follows warm, laid back Lexy and reserved, career woman Jessica every step of the way as they traverse the world of artificial insemination, from sperm donors to expensive and harrowing IVF to the possibility that Lexy might not be able to get pregnant. Filled with test tubes, laughter, and tears, ROMEO, ROMEO (from the producers of KISSING JESSICA STEIN) epitomizes the struggles and triumphs of marriage and family and makes a compelling story of our times. Lizzie Gottlieb directs theater and film in New York City. She founded and ran Pure Orange Productions, which produced new plays Off Broadway. Her first short film, Why Don't You Dance, screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival in 1998. Her most recent film, Today's Man, is a feature documentary about Asperger Syndrome. It follows her brother Nicky and his struggle to become an independent man in the world. and aired on PBS as well as screening at festivals around the world.

Comedy Screenwriter and Producer Justin Schwarz, Producer Laura Kleger and Actor Griffin Dunne were happy to sit down and chat about their new film The Discoverers - they were so in tune with each other all during our interview that you sensed a genuine comaraderie amongst the threesome. The Discovererers is a World Cinema Documentary about three generations, two centuries remixed and one dysfunctional family! It's s a human comedy starring Griffin Dunne about a family forced on a Lewis and Clark historical reenactment trek who discover themselves and each other along the way. A road movie across America, THE DISCOVERERS is an intimate family journey that shows how sometimes you have to get lost in order to find yourself. Justin has been to our local festival before and was selected for The Hamptons Film Festival Writer's Lab. A Yale graduate he's taught film at Columbia University where he received his MFA in Film. Alena Watters and Stephanie Riggs gave a warm and passionate summary of The Standbys directed by Stephanie which she co-produced along with Blair Erickson. The Standbys is a World Cinema Documentary about three incredibly talented musical theater actors all cast as "standbys" for some of Broadway's biggest names. Unlike understudies who often play a part in a show's ensemble, standbys wait in the wings night after night, and must be ready to slip into the leading lady's or man's shoes at a moment's notice. The film tracks Ben Crawford, Merwin Foard, and Alina Watters as they try to climb the ladder of theatrical success. Stephanie has directed and produced film and theatre productions in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, New York, and Hong Kong. She has directed theatrical world premieres off-Broadway as well as independent films that have screened all over the world. Her theatrical-documentary style has become a go-to solution for corporations looking for a fresh voice with their commercials. Stephanie's producing credits range from Hong Kong Disneyland's top-rated theatrical shows including "The Lion King" and "Golden Mickeys" to the upcoming 3D thriller feature, "The Banshee Chapter,"- Executive Producer> Before The Door Pictures.

The film Dreaming American is a particulary touching film directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker, screenwriter and Executive Producer Lee Percy along with co-producers Barbet Schroeder, Paul A. Levin and Yada Zamora. A young man fights to keep his body, his dignity and his dream alive, but finds himself up against an uncaring immigration bureaucracy. A true story of courage, living by one's wits, and the struggle to make it in America. The wild thing is that the star Praq Rado was actually ARRESTED EN ROUTE TO The Hamptons International Film Festival! SO ironic and so disturbing and yet so true. This twist of fate occurred on his way by train when a federal agent removed him and he now remains in police custody in Buffalo at a detention center awaiting a deportation hearing. Needless to say the 31 year old actor from Albania is hard pressed to get the word out on his film out to the public with an earnest plea for processing his green card. While the writer/director Lee Percy, is new to the short film form, he is anything but a beginner. In his long career as an editor, he won the Emmy in 2010 for the HBO production of "Grey Gardens" and was nominated that same year for "Taking Chance", which won the "Eddie" award, for editors by editors. He has edited performances that garnered Oscars for such actors as William Hurt in "Kiss of the Spider Woman"; Jeremy Irons in "Reversal of Fortune"; Hilary Swank for "Boys Don't Cry" and nominated Catalina Sandina Moreno for "Maria Full of Grace". His training as an actor and his experience with their work helped Percy draw authentic and nuanced performances from the cast of "Dreaming American". Paulie is another Short Film Narrative making its East Coast Premiere at HIFF and directed by Andrew Nackman. Produced by David Haskell and Chris Abernathy together with Screenwriter David J. Lee, Andrew sews this comedic short seamlessly! With a twinkle is his eye Andrew explains that when a coveted school prize goes to his cheating, underachieving tormentor, wunderkind Paulie sets out to expose him and learns a lesson or two himself in the process! Born and raised in Sleepy Hollow NY, Andrew received his BA in English from Washington University in St. Louis, during which time he also studied film for a year at Kings College London. Following that, he went to USC Film School in their MFA Film Production program. He's written, directed as well as edited numerous short films. His most recent directing effort, a short film called Paulie, won the Panavision Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Palm Springs International ShortFest. He is currently in development on his first feature.

The New York Women's Foundation celebrated its big 25th Anniversary at the Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center this week with a special performance by Tony Award Winning Playwright and Performer Sarah Jones! Hosted by Connie Chung, NYWF honored co-founders Soledad O'Brien & Brad Raymond and Ginny & Sean Day for improving the lives of women and families in New York City. Joining NYWF Founding Mother + Chair Emerita Helen LaKelly Hunt were other NYWF Board Members Diana L. Taylor, Anne E. Delaney, Yvonne Moore, Susan Cote, Rossana Rosado, Jean Shafiroff, Anita Channapati, Hyatt Bass, Taina Bien-n-Aime, Susan R. Cullman, Kwanza R. Butler, Lisa M. Holton, Antoinette E. La Belle, Ann Short, Celeste Smith, Regan Solmo, Mahsa Pelosky, Karen Reynolds Sharkey, and President & CEO Ana L. Oliveira. Quite the list of accomplished women! Over the past twenty-five years, the NYWF has invested $33 million in funding to over 280 women-led, nonprofit organizations, improving the lives of 5.4 million women and girls in New York City; 81% of those nonprofits have succeeded and are still thriving today. In 2009, the NYWF responded to the economic crisis by launching RISE-NYC!, a 5-year partnership initiative that increased its grant-making by more than 20% in focused areas including economic security, anti-violence and safety, and health and reproductive rights. Ms. O'Brien and Mr. Raymond started a family foundation called the Soledad O'Brien and Brad Raymond Foundation which supports hard working young women in their educational pursuits, sending them "to and through" college. They currently have 12 scholars and will be going up to 20 this year. After the cocktail hour and a nice buffet everyone took their seats in the theater for some very special introductions and speeches for the award ceremony. Following the four honorees, Tony Award Winning Playwright and Performer Sarah Jones was then introduced by Connie Chung. Just as at the TED conference, Ms. Jones brought a coat rack with her onstage, putting different items on and portraying different ethnicities, ages and types of women, all speaking about The New York Women's Foundation. While portraying a Jewish grandmother, quick-talking Latina woman, Chinese immigrant, Indian woman and young feminist, Ms. Jones covered many topics affecting women including diversity, education, and investing in the future and cited the "importance of The NYWF on the history of New York City." Ana Oliveira, President & CEO of The NYWF took the stage and spoke about the disproportionate impact of The NYWF for its size; its impact is significantly larger. Lastly, The New York Women's Foundation Board Chair, Anne Delaney then took the stage, honoring the "special night to celebrate and meet grantee partners." "There are a lot of good ideas and good energy generated around the Foundation from partnerships, committees and donors," said Ms. Delaney. Connie Chung was then brought to the stage and toasted The New York Women's Foundation for "all [they] have done for the past 25 years, supporting 5.5 million women and girls," and stated "don't stop!"

Some places people get a real kick out of Halloween and out here is no exception! The Kiwanis Club of Southampton hosted a BIG costume themed party at the Water Mill Community Club's Burnett Field House bringing a lot o' locals out for a really good time. Even though the faces didn't "look" familiar there were tons of people of all ages and made it a blast running into so many good old & young friends alike! Mosey Muller was snapping photos for best costume + grand prize and one the most popular was Sandy dressed up as a forecast for the impending hurricane. It was a real mix of all sorts with a sense of humor and knowing it was right before Hurricane Sandy was to make landfall with Long Island smack in her path gave everyone a big reason to party just a little harder ; ) After Irene last fall no one was quite sure what to expect with the 3 combinator...we started taking some of it Monday but those limbs looked a little perilous so we captured the aftermath around our parts. It shows what happened to a lot of the beaches and is mostly Bridgehampton and Southampton. We heard that the Southampton Inn put out the welcome mat to those who were under mandatory evacuation and also to FEMA, National Grid, LIPA and both NY State & out-Of-state electrical workers from Florida, Iowa and Nebraska. We saw ten workers from Iowa at Shippy's last Saturday night so they know where the good food is after a long day's work. It seems some of these workers have booked their rooms through the end of the month and will be spending Thanksgiving at Southampton Inn. The public is invited to join them for a buffet Thanksgiving dinner presented by OSO Restaurant (for a fee). Apparently one worker commented that they had been in trailers at the airport until last week and were enormously grateful to have private rooms and hot showers. I bet they were. SO many people around The Hamptons are pitching in to help those neighbors who were not so lucky on Long Island and more & more every day.

Known affectionately as "The Waxman", Dr. Samuel Waxman, Scientific Director and Founder of Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) and Michael and Elin Nierenberg hosted the 15th Annual Collaborating for a Cure honoring Carmen Marc Valvo with the Humanitarian Award and Dale & Peter Claman as Distinguished Service Awardees. Special Performance by the Warren Haynes Band Featuring Peter Frampton & Gregg Allman wowed the guests which included Board of Directors: Spencer Waxman,James Frankel and Honorary Board Member Mary Kantor and Board Member of Voices Against Brain Cancer Michael Burkhardt, Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Fox Morning Extra Host Tom Murro, Professional BoxerTor Hamer Actress and Model Suzanne Johnson, Artist Peter Tunney and Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President & Auctioneer of Sotheby's. The Collaborating For A Cure Dinner and Auction was held at the landmark Park Avenue Armory. The evening's live auction offered guests the opportunity to bid on exclusive items such a Black Lab puppy which started a bidding war between two attendees, each ending up going home with the adorable dog for $8,000 each. Guests were also able to bid on an exclusive opportunity to meet Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes and Gregg Allman backstage at the event with a signed guitar by each; the winning bids went for $10,000, $8,000 and $8,000, respectively. The highest bid of the night went to a luxurious five night stay aboard a Private Yacht complete with a private jet and seaplane for $125,000. Other packages included a trip for ten to the world famous Golden Eye Resort in Jamaica for $70,000, a week stay at a private ocean front villa in Jamaica with private jet service for $65,000, a golf outing for 36 people at Hamptons Hills Country Club in Westhampton, NY for $25,000 , a stellar wine tasting for 20 at the winner's home, catered by Restaurant Associates and decor from byROBIN for $5,000, two private wine tastings for 25 at Italian Wine Merchants for $22,500, "Suddenly" original artwork by Peter Tunney for $30,000, "Sunlit Birches" limited edition print by Peter Lik for $21,000, Neta Sushi experience with Nick Kim and Jimmy Lau for $25,000, a one of a kind dress and two seats to the Carmen Marc Valvo 2013 New York Fashion Week Show for $4,000 and a five on five game against NBA greats Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson for $18,000. The Waxman is always an astonishing fundraiser that raises an astounding amount for cancer research in an effort to help everyone around the globe.

One of the hot places to be in Miami was the VH1 Outdoor Lounge at The SCOPE Pavilion for SCOPE Miami's official opening party! VH1 #yououghttoknow artist Metric performed live for the international mix of art and music enthusiasts there to experience first hand emerging artists. Marking the music and pop culture brand's first entry into the art space, this invitation only private soiree set inside the VH1 Outdoor Lounge became the ultimate platform for showcasing contemporary emerging visual and performing artists. Bobby Flay, Stephanie March and DJ Cassidy were seen amongst the crowd of influencers and trendsetters in the outdoor lounge enjoying the sounds of famed DJ duo The Dolls: Mia Moretti + Caitlin Moe. VH1 You Oughta Know SCOPE Artists on the Rise Hugh Hayden and Patrick Martinez were also on hand showing off their art work. The evening closed with a live performance by Metric, the Canadian indie-rock band that VH1 just anointed as a You Oughta Know artist, joining a group of artists that has previously showcased Adele, Gary Clark Jr., Delta Rae, The Lumineers, Walk the Moon, The Civil Wars, Emile Sande Gotye. Although running in tandem with internationally acclaimed Art Basel + SCOPE Miami - Art Miami happens to be Miami's LONGEST running contemporary art fair providing a compelling array of modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and prints from 21 countries around the world. A new addition: CONTEXT Art Miami - an expansion of Art Miami showcasing Miami's OWN newest emerging and cutting-edge contemporary artists. Together Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami combined more than 190 international galleries and prominent art institutions. World-famous for its stylish, gallery-like decor, outstanding quality and extraordinary variety, Art Miami spanned the entire 125,000-square-foot Art Miami Pavilion in Miami's Wynwood Arts District and CONTEXT Art Miami took over a 45,000-square-foot pavilion! Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami Opening Night VIP Preview was invite only for VIP cardholders and members of the press to experience an exclusive first view of the highly anticipated Art Miami Fair and inaugural Edition of CONTEXT Art Miami at a cocktail reception benefiting the Miami Art Museum. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres provided by the Rums of Puerto Rico, Heineken, Bootlegger 21 NY Vodka, Societe Perrier and Spuntino Group Catering. The next evening was Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami's After-Party where Art Miami exhibitors and Host the Committee were invited over to the EPIC Hotel featuring cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Nope it didn't stop there! Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami invited all museum professionals and curators to the 5th Annual Museum Professional & Curators Brunch to enjoy a delectable brunch in Art Miami's VIP Lounge while mingling with peers, Art Miami dealers, Fair Director Nick Korniloff and Curators Julia Draganovic, Elena Forin and Claudia Loffelholz of LaRete Art Projects along with Nicholas Cohn of Nicholas Cohn Art Projects. Art Miami and the Buoniconti Fund hosted a VIP reception at the CONTEXT Art Miami Pavilion featuring the artwork of Ma Desheng, who was present for the event. A portion of artwork sales proceeds was donated to the fund. The Miami Art Museum Party on the Plaza is the Museum's largest event of the year. Hosted by MAM Director Thom Collins, the celebration of the New York Miami 2013 exhibition featured newly commissioned works by Miami's vibrant artistic community, special musical performances, and cocktails on the Museum's outdoor plaza. A VIP Guided Tour with Carol Damian, Director of the Frost Art Museum, led an intimate VIP guided tour of the fairs and Christie's International Real Estate hosted an exclusive reception in the Art Miami VIP Lounge. Artist/blogger Joanne Mattera took to the aisles for an hour-long tour of the Fair, stopping to admire artwork and engage in dialogue with dealers. Finally, there was the Art Miami VIP After Party at the Bakehouse Art Complex!! Mind you this was all in conjunction with the biggest and most infamous Art Basel...and SCOPE : ) Then of course...there was the big Dom Perignon Luminous Rose party with all sorts of celebs! Lots more to come...

Till next week we hope you enjoy TheHamptons.com scoop on People & Parties while we gather together more of this season's crop of galas & charitable events! We encourage you to buy tickets to these terrific fundraisers that support your favorite charities - this is their big chance to raise tons of money for those worthy causes so they put out their BEST for you. Enjoy the upcoming holiday season...thehamptons.com will keep bringing you interviews and a whole lot more...just to name a few ; ) You'll find all the great parties from previous seasons AND the season before and so on & so forth...and get an idea of what to look forward to for this season's events PLUS you just might see yourself in one of them. As per our copyright notice for this entire website, all content, photos & videos are copyrighted to thehamptons.com. If you would like a copy of any photo or video from any of these events, please get in touch with thehamptons.com by emailing us at staff@thehamptons.com and THANK YOU for visiting : ) We will keep adding to this as we capture more great footage here & there...could be nyc or cannes!!! Please have a look at our seasonal social page to keep up with The Hamptons all year round! Autumn, Winter and Spring are very special here and that's why so many have lingered on and opted to become LOCALS!! Please come for a visit during each of those and find out why there is still so much to keep you here most all of the time. TheHamptons.com and @hamptonsmedia are invited to cover events here & there so keep us bookmarked and share w/your friends : )