South O' the Highway (and the North too)

Hamptons regulars and stars of "The Real Housewives of New York City" have been making headlines lately. After a legal battle with her boyfriend, Kelly Killoren Bensimon has been released from a modeling gig with Saks Fifth Avenue. Countess LuAnn de Lesseps has separated from her husband. And Alex McCord has lost her job at Victoria's Secret, where she worked as a graphic designer. In better news, "Housewives" ratings are up 50 percent this season.

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Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange star in the HBO production of Grey Gardens, a fictionalized take on the 1975 documentary that made famous the mother/daughter duo, Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, former socialites who lived in near isolation in their rundown East Hampton mansion. See it on HBO, Saturday at 8 p.m.

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East Hamptonite Alec Baldwin stars in Lymelife, a recently released movie that takes place on Long Island in the 1970s. It tackles both the minutiae of suburbia as well as the advent of our area's battle with Lyme disease.

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Hamptonite Star Jones recently ended a longstanding feud with former "View" co-host Rosie O'Donnell. The two are auctioning off a lunch date with them to benefit the Figure Skating in Harlem program, which provides girls with vital educational and skating opportunities that build self-confidence and academic achievement.

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Stratis Morfogen, who has Philippe Restaurants all across the country, is finally opening one in the Hamptons. The Chinese chain is taking over the space on Three Mile Harbor Road in East Harbor that was the Kobe Club last year.

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Hamptons resident Ann Liguori was broadcasting from Augusta National during The Masters last weekend on WFAN 660AM, as well as commenting on fandome.com.

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A Casino Night to benefit Southold's Kim Haeg, who was gravely injured in a 2004 car accident, will be held on Friday, May 8, from 7 until 11 p.m. at Raphael Vineyard on the North Fork. The evening will feature games, raffles, prizes, music, dancing, food and a full bar. For tickets and more information, contact Lorraine Haeg at 631-765-6856, or Anthony Testaverde at 516-729-1061.

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Hampton Coffee Company's Coffee Roastmaster, Dwight Amade, has been accepted into the national Roasters Guild. The Roasters Guild is the prestigious trade organization of the Specialty Coffee Association of America consisting of specialty roasters dedicated to the craft of roasting quality coffee.

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Michael Knigin and other local artists, including Karyn Mannix and Lynn Matsuoka, will take part in the "Fallen Heroes" show on April 17, 18 and 19, at The Surface Library, Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton. The opening reception is April 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. The show will portray the artists' special and insightful look at our fallen heroes and the effects of war.

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The Tommy Hilfiger Group will be opening its first in East Hampton, at 69 Main Street. For summer 2009, the store will offer "Hamptons Bohemia," items inspired by the nautical character of the Hamptons: lobster prints and cricket sweaters.

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Roberto Dutesco, Peter Tunney and Jennifer Muller/The Works present "Dancing with Wild Horses," a multi-arts installation featuring Muller's Island, inspired by Dutesco's photography of the Wild Horses of Sable Island. April 30, 7:30 p.m., 530 W. 27th St., NY. Suggested donation, $20, benefiting The Works' New Choreography Fund. 212-691-3803.

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