Browse: July 2007

With a new book out, Dispatches for the "New York Tribune": Selected Journalism of Karl Marx, Deputy Managing Editor of CNNMoney.com, Jim Ledbetter, sat down at the MorningNoon&Night show to talk about the continuing relevancy of Marx's writing as well as the big story of the day: Governor Spitzer's current plight.

> Full coverage

We're not going to bother trying to recap everything that happened this weekend. We're just going to talk about one, and only one, day: Saturday. Stuff happened on Friday night and there were even a few things going on on Sunday. But Saturday was the day. If you spent the day on the beach, then here's what you missed.

We told you the weather would be fine and we were right. Just had to get that off our chest. Super Saturday 10 was the big event—at least in the afternoon—and as usual, the shopping competition was heated (as was the weather). Kelly Ripa hosted and even presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani (with wife Judith in tow) couldn't pass up the chance to do a little shopping. No word on what Rudy thought about the gift bags which are always popular. While the shopping was happening there was also some basketball being played at the annual Hoops 4 Hope benefit right down the street in Bridgehampton. And just because we needed even more traffic on Scuttlehole Road, the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge kicked off its second weekend. Next weekend will be big as the world's best polo player, Adolpho Cambiaso, makes his debut on the polo grounds. All of the afternoon activities were, of course, just a warm up for the eveniongs events. Robert Wilson hosted the Watermill benefit—this year's theme was Voom Zoo, and the guests played along with the animal theme. Not to be out done, Russell Simmons held the Art for Life benefit at his East Hampton home and drew some serious boldfaced names, including Forrest Whittaker, who spoke with our MorningNoon&Night host Olivia Sterns, about how important supporting the arts and creativity is for young people because that's what allowed him to accomplish everything that he has on the stage and in film. If that wasn't enough to keep you amused, Dave Matthews played at The Ross School and according to inside sources the show was "amazing." Futher east, The Cinema Society held a screening of the new film, Becoming Jane, which ws attended by hottie Anne Hathaway as well as Heather Graham, Howard Stern and plenty of others, which isn't a bad haul on an absurdly busy night. Also in East Hampton, Adrian Grenier hosted a shindig for charity:water at Project Greenhouse and, though he didn't manage to do too well in the poker game, he did quite well behind the turntables before heading to the Star Room where it seemed like just about every after party that night converged. And that was just another Saturday here in the Hamptons.

Attention Plum viewers and browsers: The polls for July's Dog of the Month contest have officially closed.

You may also begin submitting doggies for our August competition, which will begin immediately following the announcement of July's winner.

How To Enter:

How many times have you been stuck in East End gridlock and asked yourself (or screamed aloud even) how much longer you'll have to sit in this #$%* traffic? More times than there are grains of sand at Cooper's would be our assumption. Although we don't have any news that will alleviate your current traffic tension, we did read some promising news for next summer: Southampton Town is making moves to develop its first-ever Highway Advisory Radio Network. Should these plans meet successfull completion by then, there will be three channels into which you can tune for traffic reports that will aid your decision in switching from main arteries to the back roads, or vice versa. You'll know when to turn the dial with a little help from road signs that will flash alerts at appropriate times. In addition to the plan for a permanent, second eastbound lane on County Road 39 (slated to open Memorial Day 2008), the radio network is another step toward removing the sole, universally-hated aspect of the Hamptons.

Picture this: gaggles of women running hoi polloi around a field ripping off their clothes and diving into piles of designer wear, all of which is on sale. It's about as close to the Roman gladiator games as you can get in modern times except victory is measured in savings on DKNY dresses and 7 for All Mankind jeans. And best of all, it's all for a good cause.

Super Saturday 10, which benefits The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund,  was held at Nova's Ark in Bridgehampton Saturday, July 27. If you're not going, avoid Scuttle Hole Road as traffic gets nightmarish and focus on the road is replaced by a feverish building of anticipation. If you are going, get there on time as the deals go fast.

Good luck ladies, and here's the list of designers you'll have the chance to choose from.

The Designers:

7 For All Mankind, Abaete, adam+eve, Alberta Ferretti, Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier & Pollini, Alex Woo, Alice & Trixie, Alice + Olivia, Anlo, Apropo Showroom, Archipelago Botanicals, Archipelago, Inc., B. Kamins, Chemist, Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, Banana Republic, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Ben Sherman, Best & Co., betsey johnson, Bill Blass, BINETTI, birdie, BLACK LABEL PUMA, Blue, Botkier, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Canterbury of New Zealand, Carolina Herrera New York, Catherine Malandrino, Chantelle, Charlotte Ronson, Chip & Pepper, Christopher Fischer, Citizens of Humanity, Clarins, Cole Haan, Converse by John Varvatos, Cottages & Gardens Publications, Custo Barcelona, Daniel Swarovski Eyewear, Debra Rodman, development by erica davies, Diane von Furstenberg, Dooney & Bourke, Dsquared(2)/Maison Martin Margiela, Dyson, EDUN, Elie Tahari, Ella Moss, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Eve Reid Inc, Farylrobin Footwear, Felix Rey, Flowers by Zoe, Freeze 24-7, Gaiam, Generra, GUCCI, Gussto, Hat Attack, Inc, Hatchlings, Helmut Lang, Henri Bendel, Hudson Jeans, HUGO BOSS, inca, Infinity NYC, Intermix, Isabella Oliver, J BRAND, james jeans, JENNIFER MILLER JEWELRY, Jill Alberts Jewelry, Jill Stuart, June Jacobs Spa Collection, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Kim Seybert Inc, Kooba, Kule by Nikki Kule, L'erba, L.A.M.B, L.A.M.B Handbags Schifter + Partners, Laboratoire Remede, lafayette 148 new york, Lancôme, LaROK, Larsen, LeSportsac, Lily Holt, Lily Pulitzer, Lisa Curran, Liz Lange Maternity, Lucy Sykes New York, LVMH Beauty Bar, MAGASCHONI, Marc Jacobs, Maxstudio.com, Mblem. by Mandy Moore, Michael Kors, Miguelina, Milly, Nanette Lepore, NATORI, Napapijri, Nautica, Nest Children, Nicole Farhi, Nicole Miller, Nieves Lavi, Only Hearts, ORIGINAL PENGUIN, Pea in the Pod & Mimi Maternity, Penelope Peapod, Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care, Phi, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ports 1961, Radcliffe, Rafe, Ralph Lauren Home, Ralph Lauren Childrens, Ralph Lauren Fragrance, Rebecca Beeson, Re:Volve Apparel Project, Robert Lee Morris, Rock & Republic, Salvatore Ferragamo, Scoop NYC, SEE, SFERRA, SHOPBOP.COM, Shoshanna, Silhouette Optical, Skip Hop, Smythson of Bond Street, Sonia Kashuk Beauty for Target, Sperry Top-Sider, Splendid, Sportmax, Steven Alan, SUNNER, Supersmile, Swarovski, Sweetees, T-Bags, tarte cosmetics, Taryn Rose, Ted Baker London, TEPPER JACKSON, Theory Women's, Theory Men's, TOCCA, Tommy Hilfiger, Tracy Reese, Trina Turk, True Religion Brand Jeans, Turnbull & Asser, Twinkle, Vera Wang, Victoria's Secret Beauty, Victoria's Secret Stores, vince., Vincent Longo Cosmetics, Vivienne Tam, Vogue Eyewear, What Comes Around Goes Around, Whim, White + Warren, Workman Publishing, YAYA AFLALO LOVE YAYA, ZAC POSEN

This weekend marks the third year that the Scope Art festival will be coming to the Hamptons and judging by its past successes, the next four days of art and events should again create a stir in the art world.

This year the festival makes the move to East Hampton Studios—a big space that is perfect to showcase exhibits by 60 national and international galleries that focus on contemporary and emerging art. And the Hamptons is the perfect place to do it. Some of the art world's biggest collectors have homes here and they're always on the prowl looking for the next big artist. Don't be surprised to bump into Larry Gagosian or Leonard Lauder perusing the exhibits.

Scope Stats:

Cheers! Salud! Skool! Nostrovia! Prost! Hopa! The toasting can commence two-fold at our local wineries thanks to a new state law that allows them to open the doors to the tasting rooms and serve hard liquor during private, catered events that take place on the premises. Governor Spitzer signed the legislation last week and props are due to New York Senator Kenneth P. Lavalle and Assemblyman Marc Alessi for pushing the bill onto his plate. Previous law stated that two liquor licenses can't be simultaneously used on the same premise. So, when the Group for the East End held it's annual gala at Wolffer back in June, the winery could not utilize its liquor license at the same time during which the caterer of the gala was using its temporary one-day license to server liquor on the same grounds. Now, Wolffer, Channing Daughters, Duckwalk, and the multitude of wineries on the North Fork will be allowed to host wine tastings and unload some palate-pleasing bottles and cases while weddings, galas, and any other private, mass-attended events take place nearby. By opening a new door for selling local libations, the law provides a potential boost to the local economy and farmers which will support the preservation of the vineyard's beautiful and precious space. Hence, it's great news for the region. And how did our local officials and winery peops celebrate? On Monday, during the press conference to announce the news, they raised their glasses of Long Island white wine at Martha Clara Vineyards.

The only dilemma we foresee coming out of this? Keeping the tipsy wine tasters out of Uncle Fred and Aunt Abby's wedding across the hall, and vice versa.

The buzz was getting unbearable. We almost didn't make it, but we can finally report that Townline BBQ is officially open for business. We've been waiting on this for months and so have a lot of other people. But now the ribs are ready and the slaw is being served.

This is true, Southern-style, no nonsense, no unnecessary frills BBQ. You get right to the point as you walk in the backdoor past the piles of wood used for the smokers and step up to the counter. The space is done in rough hewn natural wood, the tables are seat yourself after placing your order and there's nothing about the place that would make you hesitate to get your hands a little dirty while you dig into some BBQ.

But looks aren't all that important when you're talking BBQ, so the question is: how was it? Let's just say that in the small and extremely rarified world of good deals in the Hamptons—there are only about seven of them—there is a new, and decidedly deserving entrant: Townline's pulled pork sandwich. It'll cost you an obscenely reasonable $7.50 and it's stacked high with an appropriately tangy, not too spicy pile of pulled pork with a dollop of coleslaw and a few peppers to top it off. Sublime.

We worked our way through only a small corner of the menu so we'll have to get back to you after dinner tonight about the rest of the offerings, but we can say with authority that the burnt ends are fantastic and the beef ribs are huge and tender, which can only be achieved over the course of hours of slow smoking. Pair either or all of it with a beer and you're in for an amazing meal.

It looks like the brains behind Nick & Toni's, Rowdy Hall and La Fondita have done it again. And really, we didn't expect Townline BBQ to be anything less.

Townline BBQ

Many professional photographers, understandably, take excellent shots to promote their work and themselves. The same cannot be said for Bridgehampton's Robin Saidman. The local photographer and humanitarian has traversed the globe, taking images of nations and cultures in dire need of any possible aid and brings them back to the United States to bring awareness to such need.

As his grandfather, father and uncle were photographers, Saidman's career choice was practically set for him the moment his little fingers could manipulate the shutter speed and aperture. He uses his skills today through the non-profit Vital Edge Aid, which spotlights the communities in need and encourages people, locally and internationally, to contribute funds which are used for microfinance. Through microfinancing efforts, many in need (particularly women in Third World countries) receive simple loans to buy food and medicine for their community.