Southampton - Hurricane Irene certainly let us know that Mother Nature will take center stage above all else each and every time, and that's all anyone is chatting about this week, but a few other happenings took place before the storm's performance.

Academy Award winning actor Jack Nicholson knows in order to survive a hurricane you have to bulk up, as he weathered the storm here in the Hamptons. He was spotted just before Irene hit on Saturday afternoon dining at La Fondita in Amagansett with two male friends. Then he was out again as soon as the storm passed on Sunday evening at Nick & Toni's in East Hampton enjoying dinner with Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels and artist John Alexander.

Kristin Cavallari has been tapped to join Season 13 "Dancing With the Stars." (Courtesy Photo: USANA)

The Corcoran Group, New York's leading residential firm, recently held a reception themed "East Meets West" at Meadow Lane, an extraordinary oceanfront Southampton estate. This inaugural event, hosted by Corcoran CEO Pamela Liebman, was organized to celebrate and build upon the professional dialogue and cooperation between Corcoran agents in New York City and Long Island's East End.

More than 100 agents from the Corcoran East End and New York City offices attended the event as guests of CEO Liebman and co-host, Rick Hoffman, Corcoran Regional Senior Vice President, East End.

"This event demonstrates the camaraderie developed between our agents in the city and here on the East End," said Hoffman of the premise behind the "East Meets West" event. "The close working relationships between our agents in all markets we serve benefits our clients because they enjoy superior marketing opportunities that are unique to the Corcoran Group."

The site of the event, 322 Meadow Lane, a spectacular $34 million property represented by Corcoran Senior Vice President Marcella O'Callaghan, was designed by noted Southampton-based architect Will Schultz and developed by Southampton builder Hamilton Hoge.

Krae Van Sickle, Erin Keneally, Jennifer Mahoney and Rick Hoffman at Corcoran celebration. (Courtesy Photo: Corcoran)

Rumors are swirling that former "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills" star Kristin Cavallari has been tapped to join Season 13 "Dancing With the Stars." Freshly-single Cavallari is among other names in question which include reality star Rob Kardashian, singer Christina Milian, former fighter Mike Tyson and singer/rapper/actress Queen Latifah. "Dancing With the Stars" will premiere on ABC on September 19.

Here's a nice way to give back: Mario Lopez and girlfriend Courtney Mazza are celebrating their daughter Gia Francesca's first birthday by asking friends, family and fans to give back. Lopez created a birthday registry on MyRegistry.com, letting friends and family know what to purchase for the toddler's big day. Additionally, Lopez is asking friends, family as well as the public to make contributions to the Community Youth Athletic Center of Chula Vista, which benefits troubled youth in and around his hometown of San Diego, CA.

Co-hosts Beth Ostrosky Stern and designer Matt Muenster give a young New Jersey "supermom" of three young kids and full-time teacher the Hamptons-inspired sanctuary of her dreams in an HGTV special called "Mom Caves" premiering this Saturday, September 3 at 9 p.m.

In the special, while Matt takes the lead in transforming their backyard brick patio into this "mom cave" - Beth takes Kelly and her sister, Geodi, on a scenic, inspirational trip to the Hamptons, including stops at two extravagant homes, shops (homestore, Rumrunner) and bed-and-breakfasts (1770 House, one of Beth's favorites) in the Hamptons. Kelly's favorite elements from the trip will be incorporated into the space.