South O' the Highway (and the North too)

Political power couple The Clintons hit up the Hamptons for fundraisers in support of Hillary's presidential campaign. The Democratic duo raised over a million dollars, with the most money raised at Ron Perelman's party at his historic estate, the Creeks. Some of the big name supporters included Jon Bon Jovi, Barry and Diane von Furstenberg, Chevy Chase and John Tisch.

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This week's Ross School concert performer was none other than Long Island native and music icon Billy Joel. Patrick McMullan was on hand with his camera to capture the likenesses of audience members including Renee Zellwegger, who was rocking out next to Christine Brinkley, who was dancing with her daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. Billy's wife, Katie Lee Joel, who was in charge of the dinner menu, chatted up Alec Baldwin. Adam Sandler and itty-bitty billionairess Mary Kate Olsen, sans sister, sang along with Jon Bon Jovi, Kelly Ripa, Edie Falco and model slash First Cousin Lauren Bush. Dan's Papers' very own Dan Rattiner and his son, David Lion Rattiner, were there, singing along to Joel's greatest hits.

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Diana Ross, the Queen of Disco, will perform at the 2nd Annual Evening Under the Stars, hosted by Jill and Cliff Viner, on August 25 at the Stony Brook Southampton campus. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Diabetes Research Foundation Institute. For more information, please call the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at (212) 288-2217 or email neregion@drif.org.

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Presidential candidate John Edwards is hitting the Hamptons on Sunday, August 12, at the East Hampton home of director/producer Dennis Erdman. Politically active socialites will pay $250-$5,000 to converse with the democratic Senator from North Carolina. Edwards will also be the special guest of honor at a brunch at the Wainscott home of Michael Berman and his wife, Victoria Hagan. Also hosting is Sony Music President Andy Lack and his wife, Betsy.

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The East Hampton Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an artist studio tour on Saturday, August 11, featuring Haim Mizrahi, Alex Vignoli, Bill Durham, and Norman Mercer. The tour takes place in and around East Hampton, Amagansett and Bridgehampton and also includes a visit to the Pollack-Krasner House and the Dan Flavin Institute, ending with the opening show and reception for the Billy Sullivan exhibit at Guild Hall.

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The Clintons took time out from their whirlwind weekend of fundraising to insure that Sneakers del Arte, the August 18 benefit for Ellen's Run, at Chuck & Ellen Scarborough's, will be a success. Both Hillary & Bill autographed one shoe each of a pair of the Stephon Marbury shoes that are being auctioned at the event along with other pairs designed by Billy Joel, LeRoy Neiman, Ross Bleckner, Kelly Ripa, B. Smith, Dan Rattiner, and many others.

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The newest book by Betty and Michael Paraskevas, Peter Pepper's Pet Spectacular, will be in stores this fall. On October 27, a "Dress Up Your Pet" book-signing event will be held at FAO Schwarz in New York. The winner of the pet contest will receive a painting of their pet in the style of their new book.

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CNN Anchor Lou Dobbs has reason to be a proud parent -- his daughter, Hillary, is competing in the Grand Prix classes at the 32nd Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, at the tender age of 19!

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Cooking queen Rachael Ray and her husband, John Cusimano, have gone to contract on a $3 million East End pad near the Shinnecock Golf Club.

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A minor spat between Anne Hathaway and her boyfriend, Raffaello Folleri went down at Nick & Toni's last week, but at an event at Jerry Della Femina's later, the two looked as in love as ever. We wouldn't expect anything less from the mature Become Jane star, one of the few young actresses who still seems poised.

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Hamptons socialite Kate Spade is stepping down from her position as head designer of Liz Claiborne and her husband, Andy Spade, is stepping down from his position as CEO of Liz Claiborne.

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Joy Behar, comedian, published author, and co-host of "The View" (soon to be alongside Whoopi Goldberg as the new co-host), never feels the need to stop learning. She recently signed up for courses at the Stony Brook Southampton Writers Conference, although she already has an M.A. in English Education from Stony Brook.

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Model mom Christie Brinkley has gone to contract on a waterfront estate in North Haven with views of Sag Harbor's long wharf. The home comes equipped with a peaceful private beach -- and an $11 million price tag.

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Brooke Shields hosted last weekend's Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge at the Bridgehampton Polo Club. Looking lovely, Shields hung around the VIP tent with her kids and her "Lipstick Jungle" costar, Kim Raver.

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Barron Hilton, brother of infamous Hamptons heiress Paris, partied to the tunes of DJ AM, sans gal pal Mandy Moore, at Southampton hotspot Stereo by the Shore last weekend with an entourage of friends.

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Every Friday, from 6-8 p.m., the Ferregut Tower Gallery and the Southampton Inn will host a four-star barbecue in honor of "Ode to The East End," Dan Rattiner's drawing retrospective. Yolanda Merchant will be present to discuss the exhibit, which opened on June 25 and will run until September 11, 2007.

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