Dan's Papers - July 4, 2008 - New Order at Dan's: It's All Here, Plus More

With this Fourth of July 2008 issue, you'll notice some changes in Dan's Papers with our revised format and cleaner design. Everything you're used to finding is still on these pages - perhaps not exactly where it's been. In addition to some adjustments in the front, we've restructured the second section of the book into three more intuitive categories: Arts & Entertainment, House/Home, and LifeStyle. In addition to our comprehensive North Fork section we've added a new Shelter Island section, and new columns by accomplished, knowledgeable experts in their fields.

Arts & Entertainment leads off with performing arts features and event coverage including theater reviews by Gordin and Christiano, film reviews and listings. Cinephile Ian Stark has replaced the late Guy DeFraumeni as our film critic with his "Flick Picks" column. With a background in film studies, Ian has helped create film libraries and collections for individuals and organizations. On the pop music front, Assistant Editor Tiffany Razzano, who published her own music magazine and e-zine, covers the local music scene in her column, "BackBeat."

Part two of A&E is Fine Arts and Books. In addition to Marion Wolberg Weiss on art topics and our book reviews, Features Editor Tricia Rayburn (a published Simon and Schuster author of novels for teens) writes about local and pertinent issues for writers in her column, "By the Book." Sylvia Lehrer's cooking column is in Dining and Nightlife, as well as related features on food, drink and entertaining in and out of the home.

The House/Home section will feature decor articles by accomplished home design writer Mary Beth Karoll. April Gonzales, East End garden designer with 20 years in the industry, gives us "Earthly Delights." Both the avid or reluctant gardener will want to read April's quick-hit advice of the moment in "What to Do Right Now" at the end of her column. The Homelife section is dedicated to families with children or 4-legged creatures. In the column, "Err, A Parent," Managing Editor Susan Galardi contributes musings on the foibles of parenthood, and makes recommendations on best bets for kids and families. For the furry set, Jenna Robbins, a professional trainer well known to the East End, tells pet lovers everything they need to know in her weekly column, "Pet Agree."

Our LifeStyle section includes Beauty and Fashion, featuring three new columns: "Fashionista" by Kelly Krieger, covering trends in the industry; "FashionPlate" by Seventh Avenue guru Tony Vargas; "Raving Beauty" by Janet Flora, an established fashion and beauty writer based in New York; and Maria Tennariello's "Shop 'till you Drop." "Inspirations" and "Y Factor," as well as short features on well being, follow in the Health and Fitness sections. Lastly, in Sports and Outdoors, you'll find Ken Kindler's "Take a Hike," Bob Gelber's "Classic Cars," Rich Firstenberg's "Go Fish" and the new, occasional column, "10 Minute Golf" by local pro and golf writer Darren DeMille. We'll have sporting features from stand up paddle boarding to snorkeling to flying, and of course, riding the ponies.

The new section on Shelter Island, the respite from your East End respite, includes Sally Flynn's "The Sheltered Islander," and feature stories and observations from newcomer Greg Burt about the Island. Our North Fork section, edited by David Rattiner, will continue its full coverage of the place to go to get away from it all that has so much to offer.

There are also some changes in the front section of the paper. Founder Dan Rattiner will continue to welcome readers with his unusual and insightful observations, stories and hoaxes, and we'll continue to cover news and "stories behind the news" as they relate to our readers. Regular features writers T.J. Clemente and Debbie Tuma are now joined by Susan Saiter, Ian Stark and Greg Burt. The new weekly real estate column, "Estate of Mind," will cover topics important to buyers, sellers, investors and agents on the East End. Created by Susan Galardi (who created the Residence section of the South/East Hampton Press), the column will be shared by several writers on the real estate beat. And for those looking for the newest, strangest or most interesting trends, look to Associate Editor Vicki Cooper's column, "On the Edge."

This restructuring, with a new, cleaner look and fresh, new columns, was accomplished through a collaboration and support of the entire staff - to name just a few: Publisher Kathy Rae, Advertising Director Richard Swift, Production Manager Nicole Caruso (page design), Art Director Kelly Merritt (headline/banner design), Assistant to the Publisher Ellen Dioguardi (voice of reason), Dan Rattiner (voice of experience), and all the dedicated, talented editors in the editorial department: Tricia Rayburn, Victoria Cooper, David Rattiner and Tiffany Razzano.

Welcome to the new Dan's. I have a feeling you'll let us know, one way or another, how you feel about the changes and additions. We look forward to it.