Dan's Papers - September 4, 2009

When Director Davis Guggenheim's An Inconvenient Truth, starring Al Gore and his mission to raise awareness on global warming hit theaters nationwide, it seemed like the catchy phrase "go green" instantly turned mainstream or dare I say, trendy. I realize the actual movement to protect the environment isn't anything "new," but utilizing the phrase "go green" became its own movement. It was instantly acceptable to integrate the term "green" into any theme. Suddenly words like "organic" and terms such as "environmentally friendly" were at the center of every marketing campaign from fabric softener to A-list Hollywood events. Slapping "Green" on a product or laying out the "green" carpet for a media event showed you were in the know and "doing your part" to act environmentally conscious. I am actually hoping and praying that the national release of Robin Baker Leacock's new documentary A Passion for Giving, featuring Dan Aykroyd, Ross Bleckner, Henry Buhl, Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels, Alexandre De Lesseps, Gael Greene, John Sykes and Richard Branson, will instantly do the same thing for the phrase "giving back." The act of giving back to others is obviously nothing new, but putting a glossy spin on the phrase and integrating the "slogan" into mainstream media is exactly what this country needs. Who cares why the phrase "giving back" is becoming a marketing friendly term. The mission behind the movement is a topic that should be the center of everyone's universe. The fact is, before the term "giving back" was chic, I have and will continue to base my TV programming and celebrity coverage on this core premise, "How does this or how do they give back?" When it comes to the depleted word "celebrity," the phrase, or more importantly, the actual concept of "giving back" should always be incorporated. You get the point. That said, this Thursday September 3 is a local pre-screening of Leacock's film at the Ross School in East Hampton. Leacock, who will be on-site, co-hosting the big even, said, "A Passion for Giving is about the simple gesture of giving. My hope is that this film will encourage people to act-whether giving of time or money, helping people, animals or the environment. Excepted guests include the film's cinematographer, Robert Leacock, Ross Bleckner, Bob Colacello, Calvin Klein, Henry Buhl, Liliana Cavendish, Donald Sultan, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Debbie Bancroft, Jackie Astier, Deborah Hughes, Missy Hargraves, Christina Oxenberg, Countess LuAnn Delesseps and Kelly Bensimon. I am certain this distinguished audience will do more than their part to launch the "giving back" campaign and help make the actual act of giving global.

This past Saturday, Fairweather & Mills, LLC launched a private exhibition of Sagaponack-based contemporary painter Jim Gingerich and his latest works of art. Gingerich's oil on canvas East End series has been proudly featured on the cover of Dan's several times. The astute guest list included John Chamberlain and Prudence Fairweather, Jay McInerney, Walter and Molly Channing, Deborah Hearst, Helen Bransford, Lana Jokel, photographer Tanya Malott, Hal Buckner, Meg Perlman, Richard Ekstract, Fred and Eileen Mills, Kathie Russo, Terry Elkins, Diana and Danielle Aceti, Alexandra Fairweather (producer the exhibit) with her partner, Nelson Mills. The soiree was so jam-packed and Gingerich's new work created such a frenzy that the show has been extended through September 15. Call 340-626-0227 or 631-871-1605 for a private appointment.

Speaking of another form of giving back, YOU can "Shop for a Cure" this Saturday, September 5from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Devi Kroell East Hampton Store on Main Street. Kroell is teaming up with The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for this special event. Ten percent of all the sales will benefit the OCRF!

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

TV Host, Entertainment & Feature Correspondent, Director, Writer and Executive Producer, Gina Glickman can be seen Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends hosting News 12 Long Island's "What's Hot in the Hamptons."