Dan's Papers - July 18, 2008

The fight against cancer lived on this past weekend, thanks to the 1st Annual Denim and Diamonds Gala at the Diamond Ranch in Water Mill, which helped raise thousands to benefit the American Cancer Society by auctioning off some incredible items, including 10 passes to attend the ultimate wellness experience, The Detox by Myntology Bootcamp at the Grey Goose Manor in East Hampton, which was donated by nightclub powerhouses Brian Gefter and Michael Satsky, owners of the East Hampton hotspot, Lily Pond. Several generous VIPs, including Kelsey and Camille Grammer, Bravo's "Real Housewives of NYC" stars, Countess de Lesseps and Bethenny Frankel, Bradford Rand and his fiancée, Melissa Rosenberg, Zilia Sicre, Maryanne Lemis and Peter Nelson bid and won the opportunity to train with rap artist 50 Cent's expert personal trainer, Jay Cardiello. Campers arrived at sunrise and worked their core alongside Jay and his team of experts, including William Heath, Sheldon Shaw, world-renowned yoga instructor Narween Otto and "camp director" Lori Wasserman. Guests feasted on five-star fare throughout the day, thanks to Gold Coast Gourmet, Marie Assante and Andrea Correale, owner of Elegant Affairs, for donating the food, which was meticulously prepared by selfless volunteers, including ACS Director of Distinguished Events, Dawn Tropeano, Christine Werner, Donna Willis and private chef to the stars, Artie B, a.k.a. Arthur Breidenbach. Artie served up some healthy yet incredibly tasty dishes from grilled white peaches with mixed greens in a sea of poppy seed dressing, to grilled salmon steaks presented on top of an onion medley. The body-building gift bags were packed with health-conscious goodies from Crunk energy drink, Vita Coco, Cell-Nique and Om Records.

As boot camp guests were departing, "Dancing with the Stars" star Karina Smirnoff and star of MTV's "The Hills," Lauren Conrad, were arriving at the Grey Goose Manor to primp up for a night out on the town. The duo had just attended the Intermix VH1 Rock Honors VIP shopping party Friday night in LA, and then took a red-eye to the Hamptons, where Smirnoff attended the VIP St-Germain Bastille Day dinner party at Chodorow's Kobe Beach Club, alongside Rob Buckley and Francisco Costa. Next door, Conrad hosted the Svedka Vodka's Join the Party event, designed to encourage young people to take part in politics and vote.

This Friday evening help VH1 Save the Music at the Summer of Soul Concert hosted by Morris and Jaci Reid with live performances by NE-YO and Beyonce Knowles' little sis, Solange, at EMM Group's The Estate, which is Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum's home in the Hamptons. And, if that's not enough, DJ Sky Nellor is behind the beats.

On Saturday, July 19, let the matches and mingling begin! It's opening day of the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge. Nacho Figueras and team are back in black and ready to take on another season at the Bridgehampton Polo Club, with all proceeds to benefit The South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition. The kick-off match will be hosted by "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford, thanks to The Strategic Group. If you are in it for the social scene, you better make sure you are on Lawlor Media Group's VIP tent list. You have six consecutive Saturdays to experience the festivities and shop the exclusive Polo Ralph Lauren apparel collection, which will be set up on-site this season! Post-match, head on over to Russell Simmons' mansion in East Hampton to attend his 10th Annual Art for Life Benefit.

Until next week - Life is short, you only live once, so party on!

Entertainment & Feature Correspondent, Director, Writer and Executive Producer, Gina Glickman, can be seen on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends starring on News 12 Long Island's "What's Hot in the Hamptons." Log onto for more celebrity action with Gina, on her "Main Street" series. www.ginaglickman.com