Southampton - The Hamptons is truly blessed with an enormous talent pool of great artists, writers, designers, directors, financial titans and philanthropists who are not only major players on the global stage but give back to the community in so many ways, particularly to the schools in our area. Right now scores of lucky children - and more than a few adults - have the unique opportunity to work under the direction of world class artists to learn and create.

That multi-talented writer, director, choreographer, teacher, actor and poet Kate Mueth is hopping around all over town spreading great cheer and putting a group of neophyte dancers through the paces for a women's studies dance theater piece, "Wody Girtch Mama," which willdebut at The Ross School later in the Spring. Photo courtesy of Kate Mueth

Renowned Springs abstract artist David Geiser, in a little 1960s redux, is harking back to his post-college San Francisco days where passing on a Yale art fellowship he found himself in the midst of a major social upheaval and generational shift and hung out with the poets, musicians, and artists that were reshaping the world one poster, one song, one poem at a time. There he became involved in the underground comics scene where no subject was taboo and the comics were filled with political rants, sex, drugs, rock 'n roll - sort of the predecessor to the graphic novels of today's world.

Tapping into these talents David is conducting courses at both the Ross School and Guild Hall that will allow kids and adults to indulge in their fantasy comic book creations in the seven-session series, "Underground Comix and the Graphic Novel."

Over at Hayground School, critically acclaimed composer and founder of The Hayground School Creative Orchestra Bruce Wolosoff of Shelter Island will begin his fifth annual music composition residency at the progressive school. Bruce and faculty member Arjun Achuthan will work with the students who will compose individual and original pieces based on the theme of metamorphosis - how ideas can change over time. Each student will have a chance to compose and revise their pieces with Wolosoff. The Hayground School Creative Orchestra will give a performance of their work on Thursday, April 2 at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton. There is still time to sign up - adults are most welcome - and release your inner Keith Richards or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Become a composer in three weeks!

That multi-talented writer, director, choreographer, teacher, actor and poet Kate Mueth is hopping around all over town spreading great cheer and putting a group of neophyte dancers through the paces for a women's studies dance theater piece, "Wody Girtch Mama," which will debut at The Ross School later in the Spring. As well, she is readying for several productions - "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged" and A.R. Gurney's "Sylvia" to be staged at Mulford Farm in East Hampton this summer.

If it's inspiration you're looking for in these dark times read on about a great example of courage and fortitude. Back in the 1980s the brilliant young director, Tony Award winning Jack Hofsiss was paralyzed in a swimming pool injury but that didn't hold the feisty Hofsiss down. His story is now a part of an amazing theatrical experience by Director/Writer Ethan Silverman.

"Jack From Above," based on Jack's true to life experiences following his life changing accident will begin as a workshop at Bay Street Theatre. The theatre will bring a group of artists together at Bay Street for a week of rehearsing, developing, and reworking this new project, culminating in a public performance on Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m.

Fashion legend Diane Von Furstenberg will be hanging out her gilded shingle and offering up all those great DVF classic prints with a nod to Mother India on Jobs Lane. Photo by Wire Image

"Jack From Above" tells the hilarious and harrowing true story of how Hofsiss' disabling pool accident in Fire Island, took him on an outrageous wheelchair-bound journey beginning with his 'juicing' life in LA all the way to Communist China with acupuncturist Dr. Ha in search of a cure - that he might be able to walk again. If only it wasn't all true. And yet, while poignant, it is in fact quite hilarious. In this workshop version, Hofsiss will appear as himself as an actor, rather than as director where he is best known as the Tony Award winning director of the original Broadway production of "The Elephant Man." Bay Street Theatre audiences are also familiar with his directorial work as seen in numerous shows over the years from "Splendora" to "You Can't Take It With You" to "Pippin."

The Hearst girls of Bridgehampton and other exotic ports of call, model Lydia Hearst and her sister Gillian Hearst Simonds have tripped off to Egypt on behalf of their pet charity Operation Smile. They will be spending a week in Cairo volunteering at hospitals for Operation Smile, which hopes to repair 500 cleft lips on this mission. There, they will see first-hand how the programs work and participate in the screening process for Operation Smile.

Lydia, who skipped the Paris runway shows for this trip, is documenting their experience and will be posting both videos and photos on Style.com and OperationSmile.com to help inspire their pals to get behind this great cause. And you thought all she did was stroll the catwalks and the red carpets. Yeah Lydia and Gillian!

Since I've mentioned runways and models, it's the perfect time to let you in on some additions to the retail landscape in Southampton. Jobs Lane appears to be reclaiming its status as the fashion destination for style conscious Hamptonites. New tenants in the rebuilt Onderdonk building will be two major designers both with not too shabby reps and both focused on the active life of the Hamptons gal. Italian luxe cashmere and silk design house Magaschoni, who makes the cuddliest sweaters including hoodies in 42 colors, will be opening soon. Just a few steps away, fashion legend Diane Von Furstenberg will be hanging out her gilded shingle and offering up all those great DVF classic prints with a nod to Mother India - flirty little dresses in Mandala Square orange perfect for an afternoon at the beach, long flowing gowns in vibrant patchwork printed silks that are just the thing for a summer's eve dinner party, and scores of great tops - some in her iconic wrap style that make any girl look svelte and sexy.

Sag Harbor's Jon Stewart is quickly becoming everyman as he continues to skewer the politicos, money men and pundits. Photo by Wire Image

It's interesting to note that both design firms have an exemplary track record in support of women's and children's programs. Magaschoni, who already has an outpost in East Hampton, has been a major supporter of the Southampton Fresh Air Home - the residential camp for physically challenged youth; Step Up Women's Network, an organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls through teen empowerment for undeserved girls, women's health education and advocacy, professional mentorship and social networking opportunities, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

DVF's philanthropy, both through her company and on her own with husband Barry Diller, is legendary. A firm believer in the power of women, Diane sits on the board of Vital Voices, a women's leadership organization that empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the world. Her name figures prominently on the most important benefit committees on the East End and New York.

This week, two friends of longstanding, both giants, came out to help another old pal, Jack Lenor Larson, founder of the LongHouse Reserve. Longtime supporter and Pulitzer Prize winning author Montauk's Edward Albee joined Tony Award winning actress Marian Seldes at The Lotos Club for a dramatic reading of Albee's play "Counting The Ways." "Counting The Ways" is a humorous and poignant exploration of a couple questioning their love for each other. The evening at The Lotos Club in New York City, one of the oldest literary clubs in the U.S., benefited the programs at Larson's magnificent LongHouse Reserve. Prior to the reading attendees enjoyed an elegant reception and dinner in one of the historic Lotos Club's magnificent dining rooms.

Sag Harbor's Jon Stewart is quickly becoming everyman as he continues to skewer the politicos, money men and pundits. The comic's battle with CNBC Jim Cramer has grown to epic proportions. Though they have been sniping at each other for over a year, things came to a head when Cramer appeared on Stewart's wildly popular Comedy Central show last week. Stewart, who is more prepared with his research than some journalists, had his team pull together a series of very embarrassing clips in which the money man had put his foot in his mouth big time.

Cramer was one of the biggest cheerleaders for the bull market through his show "Mad Money." Since the market's collapse last year, he's come under heavy criticism for encouraging investors to believe that firms such as Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Wachovia, and Citigroup were sound investments, when they were instead teetering on the edge of collapse.

He caught flack last fall for creating market hysteria in October when he commanded viewers to "get out of the stock market now." He later clarified his stance, saying that investors should take out of the market any money they think they'll need for the next five years. The day after the airing of the interview Cramer's partner in investment advisory site TheStreet.com resigned. Guess he was afraid Stewart's producers would be calling him next.