Hamptons Magazine and Stoli...

This past Saturday night I attended the Hamptons Magazine party in East Hampton sponsored by Stoli. It was a fabulous party where everyone had a great time. They were so nice to have mini tram cars that took us from the main road down to the front entrance of the home of Jamie Drake and Shawn Murphy. There were a few people dressed in unique outfits and I had to ask what that was all about.

Bottles, bottles and more bottles

Stoli in the pool

Stoli Cup

I spoke with a girl named Kelsy and she explained that the designer of the outfits was Steam Trunk. Steam Trunk couture is sort of a cross of underground theatre meets circus. They not only look good but the people who wore the outfits were also performers. They were very entertaining and I thought this was such a creative way to introduce the line to the public.

Annemarie Davin, FameHampton and the Whip Guy and Kelsy of Steam Trunk Couture


They put on a show where the gentleman had a whip and was very good with it. Kelsy had a woman come up to hold the rose that was going to be cut with the whip. He was nice enough to give me the bud at the end!



The whip guy and Kelsy getting set up with the rose

The whip guy that had really good control with the whip and the snapping was insane!




Kelsy holding the rose in her mouth

Kelsy helps the volunteer hold the rose in place

Everything is in ready position and they are ready to go!

Then there was another girl who performed on stage and was amazing!

The outfits were gorgeous and the entertainment was front row fantastic

She kept her balance very well and was very limber

The crowd was having a great time and everyone enjoyed the cocktails and conversations.



The crowd was full of fun, Stoli and great conversations




PJ Monte, Andrew and Terry Ross kicking back pool side


Jim Smith of Hamptons Magazine and his lovely wife Barbara



PJ Monte, CEO of Don Clothing, Annemarie Davin, FameHampton



Terry Ross, Spanierman Gallery and Jamie Drake, Designer

Some of the many handsome guests at the party



Annemarie Davin, Enrique Martinez, Terry Ross

The party was a great success and I had so much fun, more than I have had in a long time. Thanks to Hamptons Magazine, Stoli, Jamie Drake and Shawn Murphy and Steam Trunk Couture.

Don't forget when you're in the Hamptons to stay at The Enclave Inn for your accommodations enclaveinn.com and travel in style with East End Limousine at eastendlimousine.com

Photos by Terry Ross and Annemarie Davin

Be Nice Or Go Away...

Well the summer is almost over and so is my patience. The summers in the Hamptons are always the same with people who come from other areas and feel they are entitled to do whatever they want and that there are no rules. I don't get this, I have never been to any other place where this takes place. I really try to be patient but about this time every year, my patience wears thin.


First let's start with the ride into the Hamptons via Sunrise Highway. There are speed limit signs clearly marked that for some reason are invisible to these people. There is a point where you start to enter Southampton and you must slow down to 45 mph but people are still going 60mph. Little do they know that the police are just waiting to pull them over and if you're a local, you know where most of these spots are so you obey the signs. You don't know how many times I see people who pass me and have this look like what is she doing? only to get pulled over and then have a look like "oh, that's what she was doing".




Today I was at a stop light, right hand turn signal on, waiting for the traffic to go by and making sure it was safe enough to make a right hand turn. The guy behind me felt that he could not wait anymore so decided to pull up along side my left side to make the right hand turn. REALLY??? I guess I was a mirage to him or something. His windows were down, guess he couldn't afford the air conditioning in his car, and as immature as this was, I really couldn't resist. I put my window down and said to him "Hey congratulations!" and he looks over kind of confused and I said,"You just won the Hamptons biggest a'hole award of the day! Have a nice day!" and I waved with a big smile on my face as he tried to go as I was going to make the right hand turn. What if a car was coming, he would have plowed right into them. What a jerk!

Then I'm on County Road 39 by the 7-11 approaching the red light, and I see a car that was coming from the opposite direction , looked like she wanted to make a left hand turn but actually she was making a U-Turn in the middle of that busy intersection! OH MY GOD! Let's cause an accident lady!





How about the line jumpers whose time is more valuable than yours? Yesterday I had to go to Southampton Hospital to pick up some records for a friend. Side note, I loved the fact that the hospital has an actual valet service at the entrance haha....only in the Hamptons....haha...but I digress. So I am at the admissions desk, waiting for the girl to finish with the guy in front of me. Finally it's my turn and I'm a bit irritated but I don't show it. So I tell the girl why I'm there and while she leaves to go get me the records, a couple come in and practically run up to the counter like "I'm first!" and I'm thinking, don't they see the LINE? Well I looked over at the woman and must have shot her a scary look because she backed down before saying anything and got in line behind me. Good going lady, I guess the death stare made its point.


The best yet is the clubs. Not all the clubs mind you but it's funny how the clubs that could be snobby aren't and the ones that have no reason to be, are for no reason. A couple of weeks ago I had a couple of parties to go to and we were ending the evening by going to Lily Pond in East Hampton. We were on a guest list so no problem right? WRONG! We get there and the entrance has the usual velvet ropes which are so unimpressive anymore. They used to be impressive in the 80's but now they are merely a line that can't be crossed unless one of the flying monkeys let's you get behind the iron curtain to see Oz himself. (haha, I even liked that one lol ) So we go up to the rope and I tell the guy that I'm on the guest list and he points to the other side and tells us that for any guest lists, we go to the other side. Ok. So we walk over to the other side and we're standing there trying to get one of the guys attention to tell him. Meanwhile, the stench of what smelled like urine and trash was the same on that side as it was on the other side and it was really getting to me. So I texted one of my contacts inside then another and both said to tell them we were on the guest list and I'm telling them we are trying but no one is paying attention. The men were all just walking around with their chests (and bellys) sticking out like they were deaf. They reminded me of those ducks at a carnival game that just move robotically as your trying to shoot them. We saw Russell Simmons who I thought hmm....he's not even trying to get in ....so what does that say? haha....and then we get someone's attention to tell them we are on a particular guest list and they say ok and walk away and we're standing there and after five minutes, I turn to my friend and say, "Well, we're certainly NOT in New York City" and I just kind of laugh sarcastically. The NYC clubs are rumored to be tough to get in and they are but I have NEVER had a problem in Manhattan getting into a club that I was on the guest list. The whole point of the guest list is because you know someone so you don't have to wait on line like other random people. So we decided that the stench was not worth the wait outside and we were not going to wait for a place like Lily Pond to get in. There were other parties we were invited to so we decided to go to them. Never again will I go to that club. It's not that impressive inside and I feel sorry for the restaurant that shares space with it because that restaurant has a very good reputation and is high class so I want to be clear that this had nothing to do with the restaurant.




All the locals out here are sick of the attitudes and although the business is very much appreciated, we get to a point where we just can't handle it anymore. Imagine if in someplace like Manhattan, that is busy year round with visitors, was rude to people? If they did that, they wouldn't have the reputation of being the most visited city in the United States. Hampton's clubs need to learn this. I am not in my twenties anymore and don't have to put up with the crap of the doormen who don't pay attention to the rules or treat people like they are beneath anything. I am not going to wait to get into a building, I mean seriously that is all it is, a building like all the others with a sound system, dance floor, over priced drinks and whatever else you find there, you can find anywhere.

You take a place like The Surf Lodge in Montauk that was rumored to have a long wait in line, $100 cover, over priced drinks and pretentious crowd. People were afraid to even go there when it first opened. I heard these rumors but I checked it out myself. There was never and still is never a line. You know why? Because they want people to actually go inside and have a good time. There never was and still is no cover and the crowd is chic but laid back. Everyone pretty much gets along, I mean I've never seen a fight and I've been there a million times. The usual crowd is having a good time with their friends and dancing and just doing it up. The drink prices are on par with other places. The Surf Lodge could act like the other club but they don't which goes to show you that how you treat people, a.k.a. "hospitality", is what will keep people coming back.




The hospitality rule can also apply in the every day treatment of another human being. If everyone would stop thinking the world revolved around them and paid more attention to being nice to other people especially strangers they don't know, the Hamptons would be a more pleasant place to visit and enjoy. There would be less angst and more fun. You know the thing that gets me is that I'm not saying that every person that comes out here is this way. It's the few bad apples that ruin it for everyone. And I'm not the only one who will speak up and say something. More and more I am finding that people are saying what's on their mind. I don't like that we all have this angst because the summer is supposed to be a time of fun and good memories.





For anyone that is reading this, let's try to be more patient if we are a local and for the visitors, try to be less selfish. We don't have that many weeks left of summer so let's try to enjoy what we have left. Be considerate and be safe!

Friends or Not?

Today I'm reflecting on people. I'm so thankful for the people in my life that are real, true friends. A lot of these friendships go way back. It's so funny how you can click with some people and with others, you just don't. It's not a bad thing, I guess it's just what is. I can accept that. What I can't accept is when you think someone is a friend and they turn out not to be one. This has been one very interesting summer, sort of eye awakening. I always believed in giving someone a chance until they mess it up. You know, give you a reason not to trust them. This summer has been a lot of that. I take people at their word because after all, that's all we have is our word. But when someone is deceptive, intentionally, from the beginning then that is not really fair. To those people like that, I chalk up the learning experience of that person and just move on. But when my friends who I thought were my friends side with someone who is deceptive and take their word over mine, were they really friends to begin with? Probably not.


I think everything happens for a reason and this summer has given me the opportunity to really find out who the real people are in my life. And I really am thankful for that. Even though I got hurt along the way, it's better to know the truth. I don't know why people can't just be honest with one another and say what's on their mind. They're your friends so just say what you have to say and both of you can come to some sort of agreement.


A lot of my great friendships do go way back and are rooted in great memories and people always having my back and vice versa. I have met a lot of new people this summer as well and so far they have proven to be gems too. A few have not but what am I going to? Get upset? People are the way they are for a bunch of reasons and only they know why they are that way.


Another thing I find interesting is that I have grown and continue to always evolve and grow. I know so many people are still doing the same thing they did ten years ago, twenty years ago, whatever and I don't understand how they don't evolve. They might comment on things like what I'm wearing, my hairstyle, whatever it is and the only thing that runs through my mind is that they are really not worldly enough to know anything. They still live in their own worlds and things remain the same. For me I can't do this. If I did, I'd still have my 80's perm, I would not have moved across the country, I would not have taken so many risks that led me to where I am today. I love meeting new people because I think you can learn so much about other nationalities, countries, customs, cultures, all of the stuff that makes us different. How boring the world would be if we were all the same.


I don't ever want to be stuck and not evolve. And if people comment or make fun of something, it's because it's something they're not familiar with and that's okay because that's their own world, it's not mine. If they don't get it, they just don't get it. I try to always be nice to people and make them feel comfortable. I also try not to listen to the gossip, I talk with the person directly or I ask them directly, I don't really believe it unless it comes from the horse's mouth.



These past few months, there have been a handful of people who listen to the gossip and I was really thrown by the fact that they didn't call me to say, hey I heard this or that is it true? What's going on? So I guess they choose to believe what they hear. Then there are other people who called me right away to say hey, someone is saying bad things about you or handing out wrong information but I had your back and defended you. Those are the true friends. There are two people that I have to tell you, I will never speak to again and I do see them around and I just smile and continue having my good time because no one is going to bring me down. They are insignificant in my world. They stabbed me in the back when I never saw it coming so I just took out the knife and let the healing begin. Then I put a fork in them because as far as I'm concerned, they're done!

There's only one person, yes one person, that I was becoming friends with that just shut me out and I still don't know why, but he is the only one that I told that the door will always be open because I think that he was fooled by someone who was manipulative and since he is young, I don't think he even knows he got manipulated but I'm sure he's learning what the big city is about. And if he chooses to be my friend again, I meant what I said, the door is open. I don't usually do that because I am a person who doesn't hang where I'm not wanted so it was a big deal for me to tell this person that the door remains open. Unfortunately, they don't know me well enough to know that I'm not normally like that and in fact, some of my friends couldn't believe I didn't just write him off. I can't believe I didn't write him off haha but I guess it's because there is something there, some sort of kindred spirit that's making me say that he is really a good guy and shouldn't just shut the door.


The new people that I have met in the past couple of months, I have approached with the "old me" attitude where I totally scan them out for any insincerities and my guard is completely up and they have proven to be nice and gentle souls and trustworthy and I think they may even be some people that I will have lifelong friendships with. It's nice to meet such wonderful people after the hell I went through at the beginning of the summer.

They say living well is the best revenge. I agree with that but at the same time I just like to live well because I like living well, I've learned that revenge is useless in the end because people will get back the negativity they threw out ten times as bad so karma will take care of them, I don't have to. And honestly I really don't have the energy to care about getting revenge, I'd rather focus that energy into my own life and success.






Life will always throw you curve balls and you can either catch them and deal with it or you can stand there and get hit and get knocked down. Not me. I take what's coming and deal with it head on. Good or bad I deal with it. Be thankful for the friendships in your life and I hope you can tell the difference between your good friends and the people that come into your life that you really can live without. Continue on your own path of growth and success. Keep your head high and know that you have this one life, so live it to the fullest!

Who Got Lei'd By Antonio....

Tonight was VH1's premiere of the show "My Antonio". This is not your average bachelor looking for love, this is Antonio Sabato Jr. looking for the right girl and what an episode! Antonio is known all over the world as an actor and model and though he could probably have his pick of any woman, only a handful were chosen to get their chance to see if they make a match with him. He's very serious about this mission and that was apparent in the show.





Antonio and his Calvin Klein campaign. Pic courtesy of Calvin Klein.


The ladies were very excited when they first saw him jumping into the water from his boat and swimming ashore to them. They were all full of smiles and seemed to be glowing in his presence. Like many of us who date, we try not to go on pure looks, we try to get to know the person first but there are some things we just cannot deal with. For Antonio, it's a ladies hands and feet. He sent one of the ladies home because of this and honestly, I can't blame him. If you can't take care of something as simple as your hands and feet, it just says something about your hygiene, at least that's my opinion. The other girls were all shocked but Antonio reassured them that he is for real in this and he told them that they deserve complete honesty and expects the same in return. Of course it will be hard for him each week to let someone go, but that is how it goes in shows like this.


One thing he is looking for is someone who is athletic like he is. I mean, come on ladies , this should not have been a surprise to any one of you. The man is fit and has even wrote a fitness book! So the first task was to have the ladies climb a hill toward him. Some of the girls were saying how they just don't do that, or they don't work out or whatever, and all I could think of is well you better be able to keep up with him. One of the girls, Jennifer, was the first to get to Antonio and was definitely the fitest so score one for her! After such a chore, the girls were rewarded later that evening by having drinks and sitting poolside with Antonio so he could have a chance to get to know them better.





Antonio's Fitness Book that had come out years ago and has great stuff in it.


The first girl he spoke with was Brooke. She seemed kind of easy going and they seemed to have a nice conversation. The other girls were of course having some of their claws come out but let's grow up, he'll get to each and every one of you. One of the girls, Anju, seemed to be a bit much for him and kind of scared him a bit, I could see where he was coming from though. Another girl, Sarah, was very nervous because of who Antonio was but he did a good job in calming her down and having her try to relax.


All is going good and then Mom shows up haha! I loved her outfit and hat, she was very vogue and made a statement, as a mom should. I'm not a mom, but if Antonio was my son, I would be very interested to see the girls he is hanging out with too. Antonio walks over to his mom and did you catch the fact that he wrapped a towel around him out of respect for his mom? That was very cool, Antonio! Girls like boys who respect their moms because we all know that the way a man treats his mom is similiar in the way he will treat his wife. Mom definitely had her opinion on a couple of the girls especially the fact that there was something fake about them. So Antonio had to let one of them go.


The next day Antonio brought the girls a little kit full of manicure mayhem again I think stressing the importance of the hands and feet. One of the girls was missing so he decided to go look for her with the other girls. This was the shy girl, Sarah, and she was trying to get away from him and he was following her which some of the girls found funny. When he finally got to sit with her, he pointed out how she was the one he has talked to the most and asked her what he could do to make her feel more comfortable. Nice to have a guy that has respect for women.


Then comes the night that they are all having dinner and his mom joins them. Now his mom just wants to get to know some of the girls better and starts asking questions like what do they do and things along that line. Nothing wrong with that, those are good questions because who knows who he will wind up with. What I didn't find cool was that when his mom was talking with one of the girls, Sarah was giggling nervously and I'm sorry to say this but I thought that was immature and I thought she was trying to have the attention drawn on her. Well good job because it sure did. Antonio's mom starting asking her questions and at one point Antonio tried to have his mom back off a bit. The girl starts crying saying that she doesn't know what she wants to do and doesn't have a mom. Well, I don't have my mom either or my dad, both have passed on years ago, but when someone's mom is asking me questions, I stay strong and just answer them. I am who I am, good or bad, and out of respect for the person's mother, I will be respectful and just answer the questions. Not run away crying, I'm sorry but that just shows weakness. Antonio being the gentleman that he is, goes after her and again calms her down to come back to the table. At this point I'm really wondering if this girl is playing him. I hope not. But I'm sure one of the things he is looking for is maturity in a woman so be a big girl and stop running away. Antonio had also pointed out to the girls that from that point going forward, he would be making the decisions on who stays and who goes. His mom is very important to him and he handles his own problems but coming from a close Italian family, he does go to his mom for advice. I find nothing wrong with this. I think we all seek advice from our parents. So the moment of truth comes and the girls are served their desserts. Whoever has a lei gets to stay and whoever doesn't has to meet with Antonio. Two girls don't get any leis and meet with Antonio. He asks the first girl how come they haven't spent much time together and is she interested in him and she says of course she is. The other girl says that maybe she isn't the one for him because she had told him that he could do what he needs to do and basically that it's ok for them to have an open relationship. He says he is not like that and what did she even come on the show for? So his decision was made easier for him so he lets the one girl go, Anju, and the other one gets to stay so she can get to know him better.

Antonio and the cast of women from "My Antonio". Pic courtesy of VH1.


Then as if this isn't already so much for the first show, his ex-wife shows up to declare that she is still in love with him and wants another chance to fight for his love. Wow! Apparently she had hurt him really bad and I don't think that either Antonio or his mom were too happy that she showed up. So now we have to stay tuned for next week to see what happens next.

Stay tuned for next week to see what happens. Pic courtesy of VH1.

A lot happened during this first show and I must say that he is a gentleman and I think he genuinely cares about the girls feelings but at the same time, he is looking for one girl so there will have to be eliminations and that can't be easy. Tune in next week to see what other girls get to stay and what girls have to go.

Summer of Love...

This weekend will mark the 40 year anniversary of Woodstock which was originally held August 15-18, 1969 in Bethel, New York. It was a very interesting time to be alive especially if you were there to witness so many great artists perform. I was alive but not old enough to go. I was only 4 years old but I remember seeing Woodstock on the news, showing mass amounts of people and clips of the performers. I specifically remember stopping whatever I was doing and just focusing on our 13 inch tv with the rabbit ears, the only tv set in our apartment in San Diego, California. My dad was over in Viet Nam for a 6 month stint as the U.S. Marines called him in to work on the helicopters since he was an aircraft mechanic and too old to fight the front lines. My mom worked for the F.B.I. and had me and my 2 year old sister to take care of. Relatives like my aunt and grandfather flew out from New York to California to help my mom take care of us.


I remember telling my mom that I wanted to go to Woodstock haha a 4 year old native New Yorker living in San Diego ready to go where the music would take me. Music was a big part of our lives, my parents loved music and so did we. I paid attention to all kinds of people that I came across. My sister and I would throw the peace sign to hippies and they'd laugh and throw it back to us. We wore the plastic jewelry out of the machines from the grocery store that were 5 cents back then (now 50 cents).



My sister Michele in the brown and me in the Nancy Sinatra boots haha


What a great time to experience life. I wish I was older back then because they had quite a line up at the concert. On day one, the performers were Richie Havens, Sweetwater, Bert Sommer, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie, Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez. Sweetwater was the first band to perform at Woodstock. The lead singer, Nancy Nevins, was in a car accident that damaged her vocal cords so the bands fame started and ended at Woodstock. Ravi Shankar has released over 35 albums and is Norah Jones father. Joan Baez was one of the more popular singers and was very active against the Vietnam War and even the Iraq War. She still continues to make music and even appeared at the 50th Newport Folk Festival.

Day two consisted of Quill, Country Joe McDonald, John B. Sebastian, Keef Hartley Band, Santana, Incredible String Band, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Leslie West and Mountain, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, and Jefferson Airplane. Santana added some latin flavor to Woodstock and to this day everyone knows who they are. Carlos Santana has been the most recognized from the group to this present day. What can I say about the Grateful Dead that you don't already know? Jerry Garcia was the most well known member of this group and as you know, he died of a heart attack back in 1973. Like Santana and The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival still is a favorite among many people and their songs are still listened to and played on classic rock stations. Janis Joplin, one of my all time favorite singers, still wins the hearts of fans today no matter their age. I admit I even have a greatest hits cd of hers and her voice will always be one that you can recognize in seconds. She was such a talent and had her life came to an end way before her time. She is part of the "27 club", those who died at 27. After Woodstock she lived for about a year and died of heroin overdose in 1970 in her hotel room. It was a sign of the times, so many drugs that people were doing and unfortunately there was a lot of living fast and dying young going around. I don't believe her overdose was intentional. Based on a lot of research I have done on her, it seems that on that fateful night, she just over did it not expecting not to wake up the next morning. I don't care what anyone says, to me Janis had a great smile and a shining soul and although her time her on Earth was cut short, I'm glad we still have the recordings to listen to of such a talented singer that will stay strong even after I am long gone.

The greatest female singer of the 60's and always, Janis Joplin

Sly and The Family Stone were on their fourth album at the time that they performed at Woodstock. To this day, their performance at Woodstock is still regarded as one of their best live shows. The Who is another one of those bands who is still listened to today and not only played on the radio but also have become the theme song to particular tv shows. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are still alive and continue to tour on and off with replacement musicians for drummer, Keith Moon, who died at age 32 of a drug overdose and bassist, John Entwistle, who died in 2002 of a heart attack. Jefferson Airplane, who later became Jefferson Starship, is one of those bands you definitely relate to Woodstock and the late sixties. Grace Slick retired from the band in 1988 to start a different career as a painter and artist. You might recognize her vocals especially in the ever popular songs "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love".



The ever popular lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick


Day three had performers Joe Cocker, Country Joe & The Fish, Ten Years After, Johnny Winter, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Joe Cocker has had quite a career since the original Woodstock. He was at Woodstock 1994, has over 20 albums, a film appearance and has a tour in North America planned for 2009 and a cd release planned for 2010. Nice to see someone come such a long way and maintain it since 1969. Before the Woodstock performance, Neil Young had joined CSN, and although he occasionally joins up with them, both CSN as a group and Neil Young as a solo artist, have enjoyed successful music careers and continue to do so today.


Day four ended with Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Sha Na Na and Jimi Hendrix. Sha Na Na was sort of the odd band appearing at Woodstock and most people remember seeing them in the movie "Grease". They also had their own tv show from 1977 to 1982 and they are still performing to this day. Jimi Hendrix is probably the most popular performer at Woodstock and it's no wonder why. His version of "The Star Spangled Banner" had the crowd going crazy. He is another one, like Janis, who had his own distinctive sound and vocals. Jimi could sing anything and you would know it was him. And again like Janis, he died about year after his performance at Woodstock. He was one of the most influential guitar players of all time and was a pioneer in the use of the electric guitar. He couldn't read music and can you believe was a self taught musician? I personally think this is what led him to be so creative with his music and sound. I wonder how many people know that Jimi was in the U. S. Army in the paratroop division? He was discharged though due to an injury he got from a parachute jump. That was lucky for us and for him because he went on to perform with some greats such as Ike and Tina Turner, Little Richard and Sam Cooke. Jimi's untimely death in 1970 was ruled as barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit, although now there is speculation that it may have been murder. Hendrix was worth more dead than alive to his manager who was the beneficiary in his life insurance. Hendrix was 27 when he passed, yep another one like Janis for the "27 Club", and what makes this even more tragic is that Jimi's manager died 3 years later in a plane crash. So much for the greed that led to Jimi's proposed murder. There was a movie made on the life of Jimi Hendrix and if you have not seen it, you must. It was a great movie. His songs will be played for a long time to come.


He pioneered the playing of the electric guitar, Jimi Hendrix

I can't believe it has been 40 years since the original Woodstock, a concert that cannot be repeated in my book. I envy anyone who was there especially to see Joplin and Hendrix perform live. What a time it was where people promoted love and peace even at a time when there was war and racism. Although I was young, I was definitely influenced by the music of the time and my memories of that time were great ones. I feel blessed that I was alive then and as I reflect on the past 40 years, I think we have come a long way. I think sometimes we can learn from others in their own words.

"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got."-JANIS JOPLIN

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."-JIMI HENDRIX

Vick Returns To NFL...It's A Bunch Of (Pit) Bull...

Today it was announced that Mike Vick signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He stands to make $6.8 million between the two years with $3 million in incentives. This has caused quite an uproar with dog lovers all over the country. Back in 2007, Vick was sentenced for running a dog fighting ring and THEN lying about it. He used pit bulls to run this operation, who actually happen to be very friendly dogs. Pit bulls have gotten a bad rap as being mean and aggressive animals due to the people that make them that way. Any dog can be made to be mean, but for some reason pit bulls seem to be the dog of choice for any type of dog fighting rings. No matter the breed, dogs are wonderful pets and companions for humans and love unconditionally. Vick along with brother and others gave the opposite to these wonderful animals by treating them in no way any animal should ever be treated. The dogs that underperformed and weren't "good enough" to fight were electrocuted, drowned, hung and slammed to the ground. All of these tactics just to kill them. Do we do this to wrestlers or any other athletes who underperform? NO. So why do this to animals?

At first Vick denied knowing anything about the ring. Then we found out he funded it and ran it. At the time he finally said that he had used "poor judgement" and was ready to take on the consequences he would face and actually accept responsibility for his actions. I wonder what thought even entered his head to begin with to want to start a dog fighting ring to begin with?

He was suspended indefinitely from the NFL and now that he has done his time, Roger Goodell conditionally lifted his suspension. Well isn't that convenient.

Even though Vick became available to play for any team, so many teams did not want to take him on their teams. Good call considering all the bad press they'd probably get for taking him on. But the Eagles coach believes that since he has paid his debt to society, he deserves a second chance.

Let's talk about this for a second. The inhumane acts that Vick performed on these animals were unwarranted and unbelievable. No one could imagine it but yet it happened. I'm sure Vick had a lot of time to think while he was in prison. Think about what he did and why it was wrong. This Sunday on the show "60 Minutes" you can see an interview with Vick where he will talk about the hurt that he feels towards what he did and how he should've been proactive in taking on the role to stop it but didn't. I guess we'll have to watch Sunday to see how sincere he really is but let's assume for a moment that prison gave him the time to think about it and that he really is sorry. Let's say that he has paid his debt to society. That's all fine and good as far as society goes, but how has he paid his debt to the dogs? He can't bring them back to life and cannot undo what has already been done. So where does that leave the animals?

Here's an idea Vick. Since you've already gone through bankruptcy and are standing to make millions between your contract and endorsements and whatever else comes your way, why don't you donate money to the foundations that deal with dogs? How about throwing some cash over to the S.P.C.A. and other places like shelters and specifically to dog groups that focus on the pit bulls? The dogs you killed cannot come back but your money can certainly help save dogs that have a chance worth saving. PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS VICK and literally pay your dues to the animals.

Personally I am still trying to figure out how someone, a human being, can intentionally hurt an animal. I really don't get it. How can anyone do that?? I am still pissed that any of that happened to any of those dogs but in reality, nothing can bring them back.

The two years that Vick served doesn't really matter either, he could've stayed in prison another fifty years and it wouldn't bring the dogs back. So if society sees it that he has "paid his debt to society" then so be it because to me, no prison time means anything. They should've done to Vick what he did to the dogs so he could feel the pain he caused to them. Animals don't have voices to stick up for themselves so we have to be their voices.

But let's say society has been taken care of, now it's time to give back to the dogs. Michael Vick should HAVE to pay to these dog foundations as part of his "sentence" for what he did. And I hope that he is NEVER allowed to have any pet of any kind as long as he lives. If he wants to play football, go ahead, play football, make the big money but then get your check book out and write checks to dog foundations and make those checks BIG!!!

I guess we will see how things will unfold but there are also a lot of football fans out there who don't think he should play again and in fact the public relations team for the Eagles were even surprised when it was announced that Vick would be playing on the team. Why are so many people surprised and upset? It's because these people have souls that tell them they don't want to have anything to do with someone like Vick who would do what he did. I know I certainly would not want to be associated with anyone like him. It goes against my morals and how I treat living things like humans and animals. But I don't work for the NFL or the Philadelphia Eagles. And I don't have to deal with Vick. And I am happy about that.

But the good news is that the dogs that were alive when they busted Vick have been rehabilitated and found homes so thank goodness for that. A lot of them were nervous and afraid of humans and it took some time for them to accept that the people they were with were loving and not going to hurt them. I'm very happy that these dogs are being loved the right way and taken care of the right way.

So let's stay tuned for Sunday's interview and see what he has to say. And hey Vick, here's a little saying I want to say to you:"You can't run with the big dogs if you pee like a puppy"...so man up and as soon as you start receiving your paychecks for playing ball, start writing checks out to the dog foundations and keep them coming because although I think you have no soul, I absolutely will take advantage of this situation in trying to save the dogs that can be saved. And always remember one thing, dog lovers are loyal and I don't care if you're 90 years old, we will never forget what you did. But trying to save dogs with your monetary donations will make it sting a little less....and I mean a little.....

Authors Night...

Last Saturday I attended Authors Night held at the East Hampton Library. It's the literary event of the Hamptons and was held under a huge white tent. The honorary co-chairs were Alec Baldwin, Candace Bushnell and Jay McInerney. This is a great event where you can meet the authors, buy their books and have them signed right there by the author. The books that are bought that day have the proceeds that go to the East Hampton Library as a donation. There were so many authors there, I couldn't believe it!

Alec Baldwin's book was " A Promise To Ourselves", Candace Bushnell's book was "One Fifth Avenue" and Jay McInerney's book was "How It Ended". Some other authors that were there were Countess LuAnn de Lesseps "Class With The Countess", Bethenny Frankel "Naturally Thin", Dan Rattiner "One Year On The Hampton Subway" and Barbara Walters "Audition" just to name a few.

There were also silent auction items that were donated by various vendors and a variety of dinners that you could choose from where you could have dinner with your favorite author and they would speak about different topics. These dinners were themed dinners.

If you would like to know more about this wonderful event you can log onto http://www.authorsnight.org/ and here are a few pics, courtesy of Keri Lamparter, from the event.

Alec Baldwin

Bethenny Frankel and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps

Barbara Walters






Jay McInerney and Candace Bushnell signing books and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps






Anne Heche stopped by for a surprise appearance






I missed my former boss, Dan Rattiner, but had to give props for his books!




Here is TJ Clemente, writer for Dan's Papers and Montauk Pioneer with girlfriend, Cindi, who stopped by to support this wonderful event





Barbara Walters, Jay McInerney, Candace Bushnell and Alec Baldwin happy to be there




Bethenny Frankel, Alec Baldwin and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps


Thank you to everyone who made this event a success and thanks to Keri Lamparter for taking the pictures and for all her work toward this event. If you missed it this year, there's always next year and if you are an author who would like to be part of this event, you can contact Keri Lamparter at http://www.kerilamparter.com/

A Trip To Parris...Allison Parris...

Last night I attended the Official Hamptons Launch for Allison Parris Fall/Winter 2009 Collection. Allison Parris is a line that is inspired from the 1940's design and was founded by designer Allison Parris and entrepreneur/lawyer Marissa Kim. The collection is made in the United States using sustainable, organic and repurposed fabrics. The line focuses on being eco-friendly and appropriately enough, her first collection debuted at Greenhouse on Varick Street in NYC. Allison trained at New York's F.I.T and has been named as one of 2009's "Designers To Know". Log onto http://www.allisonparris.com/ to take a look for yourself and see why.

Allison Parris, designer and Marissa Kim, entrepreneur/lawyer of Allison Parris

The event was held in Southampton at Day and Night Restaurant and Bar. It was a nice, warm evening under a clear, night sky outside on the deck with soft candlelight and comfy lounges. Guests were greeted at the front door by two lovely and polite ladies, Lucy Karpilovskaya and Jin Hong, who are both part of the Allison Parris family.

Lucy Karpilovskaya and Jin Hong graciously greeted guests as they entered Day and Night

Everyone was having a good time and adding to the fun and atmosphere of the evening, DJ Claudius Raphael was turning it out as only he can. He is one of the most sought after DJ's because of his clientele and following. If you have ever had the pleasure of hearing him do his thing, then you know why he is in such demand. Check out his website http://www.claudiusraphael.com/

DJ Claudius Raphael tearing it up for everyone, doing what he does best

I like going to events where there is something pleasantly unexpected. My pleasant surprise at this event was the Desserts by Tawny Ong. Tawny has a loyal following throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. And it's no wonder why! The desserts I tasted made my taste buds sit up and take notice. The Red Velvet Cake was topped with a cream cheese icing and was the best I've ever tasted. It didn't have that sugary taste and it was a perfect blend that put a smile on my face. The Ice Box Cake had a cookies and cream taste to it and the blend of the chocolate layers and the vanilla whipped cream tasted like a delicious shake in my mouth. I could have eaten the whole cake! The banana pudding was so fluffy, I liked the fact that it floated on my taste buds and wasn't heavy at all. This was the first time I've tried any of her desserts and I have to say, I was really blown away. One thing she told me was that she really doesn't use a lot of sugar in any of her recipes and I found that to be rewarding especially for anyone who is trying to lose weight or is on a weight loss program. You can enjoy dessert and not feel guilty about your sugar intake. You can log onto http://www.tawnyong.com/ or call 917.687.2640 to place your order for birthdays, special events and much more!



Jorge Chang and Tawny Ong of Desserts by Tawny Ong with a tray of deliciousness


Tiers of Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese icing and Ice Box Cake were the best I've ever tasted











I really enjoyed this event and I was glad to be in the company of some good friends of mine. My friend Tim Walser of the Montauk Yacht Club joined me for an entertaining evening and made some new friends himself. My long time friend, Jill Nicolini, was there with her boyfriend, Trent and I was so glad we could hang out again. Jill and I go way back to the days when we both worked in radio and have always kept in touch. You may know her from PIX News and recently she was voted #3 Hottest Newscaster in the America. My friend Ramona Singer of "The Real Housewives of New York City" also attended with her husband, Mario, and some friends. Ramona has her own line of jewelry that is quite exquisite and I personally would love to own every piece in her line! If you missed her last show on HSN, you have another chance to own a piece for yourself on September 14th at 10pm. Tune in because I promise you will want something from this beautiful line of estate jewelry.



Number 3 Hottest Newscaster in America, Jill Nicolini, and boyfriend, Trent

Tim Walser of The Montauk Yacht Club and Annemarie Davin of FameHampton



The ladies in white Annemarie Davin and Jill Nicolini



Annemarie Davin, DJ Claudius Raphael and Tawny Ong

Tawny Ong and DJ Claudius Raphael with a Red Velvet Cake and Jill Nicolini and Tim Walser

Lauren Bennett, Mario Singer, Ramona Singer, Scott Bennett

The night was a wonderful success and fun was had by all. For those of you who come to the Hamptons and are looking for accommodations, stay at The Enclave Inn which has several locations throughout the Hamptons. The owner, Michael Wudyka, is one of the most gracious and accommodating business owners out here and his staff follows in his footsteps. They are always helpful and courteous and you'll really like the rooms. You can call them at 631.537.2900 or go to http://www.enclaveinn.com/.
If you're in need of transportation, enjoy a smooth ride with friendly and prompt drivers at East End Limousine. They're available 24 hours at 866.410.6600 or http://www.eastendlimousine.com/