Nothing wakes up sleepy Jobs and Newtown lanes like a little glimpse of Hollywood. You know what I'm talking about. You're ambling along the street, iced coffee firmly in hand, and lo and behold, village denizens are atwitter because Renée Zellweger just strolled by. East Hampton's Monogram Shop has Tinseltown's elite lining up for gifts (hey, if it's good enough for Barbra Streisand, who picked out gifts there for her best friend Donna Karan, it's good enough for the rest of us); Nick & Toni's and Della Femina are this hamlet's Brown Derby and Chasen's; Mary's Marvelous and Estia's are among the breakfast spots of choice. The Hamptons have always been a haven for some of Hollywood's hottest, and can you blame them? Sick of Sunset, they've been hightailing it out here for a little peace and quiet for some time. Wonder why? Nothing compares to the East End's expansive beaches and golden light. Even Malibu pales in comparison to our pastoral pleasures: country farmstands, duck ponds, windmills, and the best harvest-time corn on the cob anywhere.

As the founder of the Cinema Society, which organizes exclusive screenings from Manhattan to Montauk, I'm fortunate enough to work with and know a great many of the most talented actors and filmmakers around, but I confess, even my knees buckled a bit one sunny afternoon when a baseball-capped Steven Spielberg sauntered by.

For the first time, I've edited this year's annual list of members of the entertainment industry, particularly the film business, who own or rent homes here-or at least have become regular houseguests. They come here to relax and rejuvenate, mostly away from the glare of paparazzi and fans. We welcome them to our summer playground and year-round escape.

-Andrew Saffir