South O’ the Highway (and the North too)

Newly single Hamptonite Alec Baldwin has been quoted as considering online dating as an alternative to prowling the bars of Manhattan in search of a date.

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Bridgehamptonite Christie Brinkley and her soon-to-be ex husband, Peter Cook, returned to Suffolk County Supreme Court last Monday to discuss how their divorce would proceed. They agreed in writing that each would help the children with their homework. You start with the easy things.

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Hamptonite Sean Combs (a.k.a. Puffy, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and Diddy) has been hitting the town with Factory Girl Sienna Miller lately, including showing up by her side at Tao in New York City. But the next night, Sienna was seen at NYC’s Heineken Lounge with Josh Hartnett, squelching any rumors of a fling between the stars.

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Local Hamptons celebrity actor Alan Alda attended the premiere of his new movie, Resurrecting the Champ, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah last Saturday. Due to be released in theatres nationwide later this year, Resurrecting the Champ also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett and Teri Hatcher.

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Jay McInerney and Hamptons princess Anne Hearst were spotted in Palm Beach last week, celebrating their marriage at a pool party hosted by Countess Sharon Sondes and Geoffrey Thomas. The guest list reads like a Who’s Who of Hamptons and Palm Beach royalty and included John Mashek, Barry and Fran Weissler, Terry Kramer, Marty Richards, John Loring, Ambassador Earle and Carol Mack, Bob Felner, Al and Judy Taubman, Harry Benson, Henry and Nancy Silverman, Campion and Tatiana Platt, and Geoffrey Bradfield.

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Along with celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Alan Cumming, Isabella Rossellini, Winona Ryder, Gao Xingjian, HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, Robert Downey Jr., Juliette Binoche, Zhang Huan, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Dita Von Teese, Steve Buscemi, Marianne Faithfull and Willem Dafoe, Bridgehampton canine Chloe the Briard is featured in a VOOM video portrait by Robert Wilson, now showing at both the Phillips de Pury gallery and the Paula Phillips gallery in New York City. The portraits will be featured on the HD Channel “Gallery” next October.

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East Hamptonite conductor and composer Victoria Bond will be conducting lively and entertaining pre-concert lectures before the New York Philharmonic concerts conducted by Riccardo Muti on January 25, 26 and 27.

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SUNY Stony Brook Southampton will be offering full four-year scholarships to Native American High School seniors who meet SUNY Stony Brook’s admissions requirements. Scholarships will cover tuition, housing, fees, supplies and health insurance.

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The Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce is inviting local artists to submit original artwork in any medium for their annual poster contest. Although pieces centered upon every subject will be considered, a rendition of a popular, recognizable Hampton Bays site or historic place, building or event is suggested. Contact the Chamber of Commerce office or stop in at 140 W. Main St. in Hampton Bays for more information. Entry deadline is April 1.

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The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s 16th Anniversary “Bunny Hop” will be held on Tuesday, March 13 at FAO Schwarz in New York City. Sponsoring the evening will be Susie Hilfiger and Best & Co. with Melania Trump as Honorary Chair. The Co-chairs are Lisa Errico, Christina Addison and Elizabeth Fuller. The party will be “hopping” with entertainment from Sony-represented Laughing Pizza, Magic Al, Mikey Mike and Mad Hatter Balloons. In addition, Peter Rabbit, Bob The Builder, Spot the Dog, Corduroy, and Clifford the Big Red Dog will be on hand. Guests will also enjoy floral decorations by DeJuan Stroud, cookie decorating, candy necklace making, the FAO flight simulator ride, shopping and many surprises. Call (212) 639-7972 for tickets and more information.

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Hayground School co-founders Toni Ross and Roy Scheider, along with Gourmet Magazine editor Ruth Reichl and restaurateur Drew Nieporent, will co-host the upcoming Third Annual Great Chefs Dinner on Monday, March 19, at the Lure Fishbar in Manhattan. Created in memory of the late Jeff Salaway, the evening benefits the Jeff Salaway Scholarship Fund and Jeff’s Kitchen at the Hayground School. The great chefs will include Josh Capon from Lure Fishbar, Rebecca Charles of Pearl Oyster Bar, Tom Colicchio of Craft Restaurants and Top Chef TV, Claudia Fleming of The North Fork Table and Inn, Larry Forgione of An American Place and An American Caféé, St. Louis, Michael Huynh of Mai House, Marc Meyer of 5 Points Cookshop, Provence, Joseph Realmuto of Nick & Toni’s Restaurants, Dan Silverman of Lever House, Aaron Sanchez of Paladar and Centrico Restaurant, Toshio Tomita of Nobu Restaurant, Lauren Tourondel of BLT Restaurants and Miche Bacher with the Hayground student chefs. For more information, contact Donna Imbaratto at (631) 327-0573 or lucieliam@aol.com.

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Last weekend, Michael Vollbracht of Bill Blass, hosted the Hospice Ball and Bill Blass Spring 2007 Fashion Show at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach and then joined Hamptonites Jackie Rogers and Frances Hayward at the Wally Findlay Gallery for hors d’oeuvres. Jackie then flew back to check on her Hamptons boutique and get ready for her Fall ‘07 show at Scores West in New York City during New York Fashion Week.

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Hamptonite and New Line Cinemas CEO and Co-Chairman Michael Lynne can add “Master Winemaker” to his list of monikers, as his Cutchogue winery, Bedell Cellars, was just touted as one of the “Top 10 Hottest Small Brands” by Wine Business Monthly.

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The World Jewish Congress American Section elected Rabbi Marc Schneier as its new Chairman at a meeting last week that included presentations by Hamptonite music industry mogul Russell Simmons and Representative Charles Rangel (D-New York).

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Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (R,I,C-Sag Harbor) and the Long Island Assembly Republican delegation unveiled a plan to honor “Rosie the Riveter,” by recognizing women called to work during World War II by awarding special certificates that recognize and pay tribute to the hard-working, patriotic women whose sacrifice helped support war-time production. For more information, or if you know a “Rosie,” please contact Assemblyman Thiele’s district office by calling (631) 537-2583.

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