Southampton - The heat and beat of the season are upon us, with oodles of events happening in the Hamptons and New York City.

Paris Hilton was spotted in the Hamptons recently, on the side of a bus that is! The Hampton Jitney is sporting a wrap-around ad for the society gal's new program "The World According to Paris" on the Oxygen channel.

Cancer survivors, with their families and friends, came to the Cancer Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center to celebrate survivorship in a festival-like atmosphere during Stony Brook's National Cancer Survivors Day. The crowd was inspired by Golden Globe-winning actress Ann Jillian, who spoke about her 25-year journey battling then beating breast cancer.


"Be an optimist, have a solid foundation in your faith, and have an appreciation for the absurd, in other words - laugh," said Jillian, responding to a question in the audience from a fellow breast cancer survivor regarding the best ways to cope through treatment and survivorship. Jillian got the audience of survivors and Stony Brook University Cancer Center doctors, nurses, and staff to chuckle and smile throughout her presentation, titled "Surviving and Thriving." She talked about stages of her treatment and long-term survival, as well as the joys in her life, such as the birth of her son after breast cancer and staying in the show business industry throughout that time and for 40 years.

Jillian's long-term survivorship and the many survivors attending the celebration, which included survivors of breast, ovarian, prostate, lung, and other forms of adult and childhood cancers, personified growing optimism for surviving cancer.

Another sure sign of hope for cancer patients, emphasized Kenneth Kaushansky, M.D., Senior Vice President, Health Sciences, Stony Brook University, Dean of the School of Medicine, and a nationally recognized hematologist, are the "continued advances in the development of targeted therapies for some forms of cancer, which may lead to more cures or the long-term management of certain cancers, much like the way chronic diseases such as diabetes are managed.

Garth Brooks and Billy Joel at the recent Songwriters Hall of Fame gala. (Courtesy Photo: Rogers & Cowan)

Disgraced Democrat Anthony Weiner, and his pregnant wife Huma Abedin were spotted shopping at the King Kullen in Manorville. Walking through the store his baseball cap pulled low, hiding his face, Weiner managed to be heard singing quietly at the check out counter to the piped in music. Appearing at ease, it's assumed Weiner and his wife are headed further east.

A very big night in music took place in NYC last week: The 2011 Songwriters Hall of Fame 42nd Anniversary Induction and Awards Dinner was a sparkling success, as SHOF Chairman Jimmy Webb and President/CEO Linda Moran recognized and celebrated some of the key songwriting legends of our time. In New York last week, icons John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, and Allen Toussaint were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Honored with special awards were Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil who were presented the Johnny Mercer Award; Drake, who received the Hal David Starlight Award; the legendary Chaka Khan who received the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award; Ervin Drake was presented the Towering Song Award for "It Was A Very Good Year;" and former SHOF Chairman Emeritus Hal David received the first ever Visionary Leadership Award.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame, year after year, is a night full of remarkable memories with music's greatest. Some of 2011's most incredible moments included Garth Brooks and Billy Joel's unforgettable duet of "Shameless," in matching black cowboy hats, Chaka Khan's powerhouse performance of "I'm Every Woman," Leon Russell on piano with "A Song for You" and Trisha Yearwood's beautiful medley tribute to Hal David, including "What The World Needs Now." Legendary songwriting partners Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly performed their iconic "Like A Virgin" before the incredibly talented Chrissie Hynde captivated the crowd with "I'll Stand By You." Hip Hop sensation Drake performed, "The Calm," off a mixtape for the first time at an award show or event, and in honor of John Bettis, Skyler Grey performed "Human Nature" on a dulcimer. The unique and creative pairing of Sam Moore and Bill Medley brought the crowd to its feet with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."

Chaka Khan received the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala. (Courtesy Photo: Rogers & Cowan)

The Johnny Mercer Award, which is the highest honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame as only previous inductees can be eligible, was presented to Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Throughout the past four decades, the melodies of Mann and the lyrics of Weil have comprised one of the most successful songwriting teams in history. Their body of work is so significant that it is often described as "a soundtrack to our lives." Weil dedicated their award to "every songwriter facing 88 keys and a blank page" and recognized that receiving the Johnny Mercer Award is the consummate honor for a lyricist. The husband and wife team have written legendary songs such as "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (with Phil Spector), "On Broadway" (with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller), "Walking In The Rain," "Soul And Inspiration," "I Just Can't Help Believing," and the Grammy® nominated "Don't Know Much" (with Tom Snow) to name just a few.

This year's Hal David Starlight Award, given to gifted songwriters who are making significant impact in the music industry via their original songs, was presented to Drake by Jimmy Jam. Drake is one of music's brightest new stars lauded for his songwriting prowess, melodious hooks and emotionally transparent performances. Drake dedicated the award to his mother, calling her the strongest person he knows.

The legendary Chaka Khan was this year's recipient of the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award, presented by Valerie Simpson. Music icon Khan, recognized for her all-powerful lungs, show stopping stage presence and fearless style thanked all of the amazing songwriters that have given her "her voice." The soul singer/songwriter has won 10 Grammys® and countless other awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from both BET and the World Music Awards, as well as the prestigious UNCF Award of Excellence for her outstanding accomplishments in the music industry. Khan created some of the industry's biggest hits, such as "I'm Every Woman," "Papillon," "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me?" and "I Feel For You."


This year's Towering Song Award for "It Was A Very Good Year" was presented to Ervin Drake, and performed by actor/songwriter Dominic Chianese. The song was originally recorded by Bob Shane of The Kingston Trio in 1961, but it was Frank Sinatra's rendition in 1965 that made the song legendary with his Grammy® Award winning version in D-minor. "It Was A Very Good Year," has been recorded by many artists such as Don McLean, Richie Havens, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Lou Rawls, Eartha Kitt, The Flaming Lips, Robbie Williams and Ray Charles as a duet with Willie Nelson.

SHOF Chairman Emeritus Hal David was the recipient of the first ever Visionary Leadership Award for his outstanding 10 years of service as the organization's Chairman and CEO. During his chairmanship, the SHOF's Virtual Museum (Songhall.org) developed into the industry's most authoritative website on songwriters and songwriting, becoming a comprehensive research tool with over 250,000 records of data and over 10,000 pages of content that includes photos, discographies, audio clips and more. With David at the helm, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner has become one of the most anticipated events on the music industry calendar. Along with his extraordinary service to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, David is a legendary and Academy Award winning lyricist. He was inducted into the SHOF in 1972, was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award in 1996 and the Towering Song Award for his iconic song "What The World Needs Now" in 2004.


The 42nd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner was truly a spectacular evening with incredible performances to remember that celebrate outstanding songwriters in the music industry. For further information go to www.Songhall.org.

Also in NYC last week, the Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, one of the largest and most respected children's services agencies serving New York City and Long Island, hosted The Rose Luncheon honoring "The Woman Who Makes A Difference." The annual fundraising luncheon took place at a private club on the Upper East Side. Honorees included Sheilagh Cirillo, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Dina Manzo, Erica Rivera, Tracey Frost Rensky and Noreen Donovan Roth. Long-time Little Flower supporter Susan Lucci, star of ABC's "All My Children," served as this year's Honorary Chair. Luncheon chairs included Mina-Jacqueline Au and Tracy Silverman. Proceeds will benefit Little Flower's vast array of programs and services that support children, families and the developmentally disabled. The luncheon speaker was Grace Lo Grande, executive director of Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. Also in attendance were Tiki Barber, Traci Lynn Johnson, and Geraldo Rivera.

Lo Grande said, "The people we serve - children, families, and disabled adults - need advocates. Day after day the women we honor today so generously give their time, talent, and resources to support us as we serve poor and vulnerable families. I would like to thank our honorees and all those who help enrich the lives of those we serve."

Each year, The Rose Luncheon honorees embody the mission of Little Flower by providing hope and help to children and families in need in their communities. The event included cocktails; boutique shopping, where vendors donated a portion of sales to Little Flower; lunch; award presentations; and raffle prizes. Guests were also treated to a fashion show featuring designer Kimberly Towers and a musical performance by the Little Flower Choir. With offices in Brooklyn, Queens and Wading River, Long Island, it is one of the largest human services agencies in New York State serving over 2,000 people annually.

And more to come as the 'season' heats up...