South O' the Highway (and the North too)

If you're wondering where all the pretty people have been lately, they're hiding out in St. Barts - Steven Spielberg, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bon Jovi, Penny Marshall, Russell Simmons, Jimmy Buffett, Andre Balazs, Bob Colacello, Rachel Zoe, Donny Deutsch and Denise Rich are just some of the many Hamptonites hibernating from the cold on the French Caribbean island, leaving Main Street peaceful for the true, year-round Hamptonites.

* * *

This year's Golden Globe television nominations feature a face-off between creative East Enders. East Hampton's Barry Sonnenfeld's original series "Pushing Daises" and Alec Baldwin's "30 Rock" are both nominated for best comedy series.

* * *

Richard Swift, the marketing and sales genius, has been named sales manager of Dan's Papers. Congratulations to him.

* * *

Socialite Bingo Gubelman who, along with Jamie Johnnson, made the cult documentary Born Rich, about the emotional trials and tribulations of rich kids, has landed a deal with Morgan Freeman to direct their next production, The Homecoming. The film from their company Paper Street Films allegedly has their party pal Mischa Barton on board.

* * *

Amagansett's Howard Stern is expanding his West Side condo by buying the one beneath it. With a $15 million price tag, Stern and fiancé Beth Ostrovsky are doubling the size of their Manahttan home. This is why Manhattan real estate is still soaring.

* * *

Rachael Ray has finally closed on her Southampton compound. The $3 million dream home comes equipped with a pool, pond and multiple gardens adjacent to prestigious Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, and a European style villa (in addition to two cottages).

* * *

Six of the top 10 most expensive residential real estate deals in the Hamptons occurred in Southampton this year. The most expensive was the $32.75 million deal for Terry Allen Kramer's Southampton spread on Murray Lane.

* * *

Congratulations to Gus Wenner, son of publishing magnate Jan Wenner, on his early acceptance at Brown. Another kudo to his bandmate Jack Byrne, son of Ellen Barkin, who was just accepted at Bard College.

* * *

Ralph Marlin and Company is awaiting the final okay from Yoko Ono on their upcoming line of ties printed with the late John Lennon's intense paintings. In addition to the eight artistic neckties, boxers and pajama paints are planned.

* * *

The ever-classy Chelsea Clinton is apparently courting some digs at the new, exclusive One Madison Park building. The $3 million, 1,300 square foot two-bedroom overlooking Madison Square Park, home of the Shake Shack, is an under-the-radar flip.

* * *

The local elites toasted 2008 at 75 Main this year, where the Southampton Chamber of Commerce hosted a party with a buffet by chef Tim Burke. In attendance were Doug Murtha, Hyt Me Estate's Nia Gandy, Hamptons.com's Vanessa Leggard and Robert Florio with his fiance Ellen Cea, Stubbs & Wooten's Gregory D'Elia, and many more from the local business community.

* * *

Producers of Broadway's Legally Blonde, creative couple Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley often hide out in their East Hampton home, but this New Years, they celebrated their success in New York, where Lane's newest production venture, Cyrano de Bergerac beat the record for the highest gross of a play or musical in one night, totaling $153,880. At the soiree in their apartment were a bevy of East End friends including Beverly Camhe, Jamie de Roy, Mary Ellen Winston, Ted Miller, CeCe Black, Phil Witt, Elizabeth Coppola, Gato Barberi, Gwendolen Cates and Lee Harris.

Back to Contents