South O’ the Highway (and the North too)

Want a piece of Hamptons favorite Billy Joel? Will a signature do? The piano man will autograph a $60,000 Steinway that will be auctioned to benefit the Mount Carmel-Holy Rosary School in East Harlem. Joel is a board member of Ten O'Clock Classics, a group that supports the Music Advance Program at Juilliard. Place your bid at charitybuzz.com.

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Guild Hall's John Drew Theater re-opens Memorial Day weekend after two years of extensive renovations. Kicking off the festivities is Liza Minnelli, fresh from her sold-out Broadway show, who will perform Saturday, May 23. The program also features pianist/ musical director Billy Stritch. A dinner follows on the Gardiner's James Lane property.

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Southampton fashion designer Vera Wang announced that she'll be offering a line of more affordable wedding dresses beginning in Summer 2010. The median price point will be 30 to 40% lower than that of her popular couture dresses, dropping from $5,500 to $3,800.

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Amagansett's Paul McCartney played to a sold-out crowd of 4,200 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas this week. He reportedly set a world record by selling out the house in seven seconds on Valentine's Day.

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Congratulations go to Hillary Dobbs, daughter of CNN anchor and Hamptons summer regular Lou Dobbs. Hillary, an award-winning equestrian and Hampton Classic participant, recently made it to the final stages of FEI Rolex World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.

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Marty Richards will be honored at the third annual GET WILD benefit for the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons on Saturday, August 8. Honorary Chairs are Liz Brown and Leslie Alexander, Margo MacNabb Nederlander and Ellen and Chuck Scarborough. Beth Ostrosky Stern, Avis Richards and Marcy Warren will serve as chairpersons. For more information, call Linda B. Shapiro at 631-329-5480

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Celebrity photographer and Dan's Papers contributor Katlean de Monchy recently appeared on "Extra!"

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Geomare Aviles, founder of Beautiful You Center for Healing Arts, a Southampton holistic health and beauty center will host an open house Saturday, May 9, 1 to 4 p.m. Mayor Mark Epley will be on hand. For more information, call 631-287-9352.

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Diane Bianchini, owner of Dream Windows and Interiors in Westhampton, was chosen as one of five New York designers to test a new version of Minutes Matter Studio Software.

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