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Updated: August 12, 2009, 9:54 pm	Share    Print    Email

Guests at the newly released Ebony commemorative book "Michael: In His Own Words" party in Sag Harbor. Photos by Christy Smith

"Spiritual Warrior" Screening
Paris Hilton said "If everyone in the world read this book, the world would be a much better place, it touched my heart and soul." The hotel heiress was referring to the book "Spiritual Warrior" by Dr. John Roger that inspired the motion picture of the same name.

"Spiritual Warrior" Director David Rayner at screening.

Hamptons locals Howard Lazar and Heide Banks sponsored a free screening of the 90-minute film at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor on Friday, July 24 at 2 p.m. The flick co-stars Sally Kirkland and Leigh-Taylor Young and wove the story of a Hollywood-based petty thief/out-of-work actor's spiritual journey from darkness to enlightenment.

The film's star Jsu Garcia ("Che," "Along Came Polly," "The Lost City") was on hand to welcome about 75 guests, including the book's author and movie co-star Dr. John Roger to the intimate screening.

"I played the gay salsa dancer in 'Along Came Polly,' but you might not recognize me because I gained some weight " joked Garcia. "I don't think I'll ever get that girlish figure back."

The screening was followed by a Q&A with Garcia and the film's director David Rayner where Garcia offered up this pearl-of-wisdom: "If you're doing a film you can rent the pyramids in Egypt for $1,300 for the entire day," said Garcia of one of the film's locations. "You sure couldn't get the White House for $1,300."

After the screening all guests received a complimentary copy of the book "Spiritual Warrior."

Reality TV Star Jon Gosselin at The Hamptons Happening.

To date, the movie about creating your own destiny has been screened in over 31 countries including Israel, Egypt, Canada and Germany."

Hamptons Happening
The Sixth Annual Hamptons Happening, Cooks & Croupiers, raised an impressive $265,000 at the Sagaponack Sculpture field on Saturday night to benefit the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation.

Guests munched on a vast array of gourmet goodies from Bobby Van's, Cavaniola's gourmet cheese shop, Ichiban Sushi, Magnolia Bakery, Townline BBQ, The Seafood Shop, Shun Lee, Brandt Beef and Tutto Il Giorno while sipping beverages from Palm Bay Imports, Imperia Vodka, Fire Island Beer Company (yes, there is a beer brewery in Fire Island, and it's tasty too) and Hampton Coffee Co.

"This foundation is 30-years-old. I started the concept early on in my career at Mt. Sinai in New York City that cancer cells can be treated a different way. My treatment is called differentiation and it's a very benign way of taking cancer out of one's body," said Samuel Waxman, "Over the years I entered into a collaboration with others around the world and we took on a very devastating form of leukemia which we cured 98 percent of the time by the concept of converting leukemia cells that could behave in a normal way and die. So now we have this treatment around the world."

In his keynote address, Dr. Waxman addressed the work the foundation is currently accomplishing - developing treatments to successfully address breast cancer and to resolve the reasons why cancer re-occurs within patients once it has been successfully cured.

Ebony Editor-in-Chief Harriette Cole holding special edition Michael Jackson book.

Guests got into the spirit of the evening by trying their hands at roulette and black jack ($50 minimum bids) and bidding in the silent auction on a 1992 Alfa Romeo Spider Convertible, or a super-luxurious trip to India courtesy of Taj Resorts or a Ukulele & Songbook signed by Jack Johnson or songbird Whitney Houston's Carmen Marc Valvo dress.

But the highlight or low-light of the evening occurred when reality star Jon Gosselin, of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" fame arrived with pals Michael Lohan and Erin Mueller.

Gosselin who, as of last week, graced the cover of every celebrity weekly, nonchalantly declared, for those who are aware of such things, "Kate and I are just friends. I love Hailey."

Michael Jackson Tribute
Ebony magazine editor-in-chief Harriette Cole celebrated the memory of megastar Michael Jackson on Saturday, July 25 in Sag Harbor with the newly released Ebony commemorative book "Michael: In His Own Words." This 100-page special edition book (on newsstands now) includes many never before seen photographs of The King Of Pop.

"What many people don't know is that we [Ebony and Jet magazines] have covered Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five more than any other publications," said Cole. "Michael was on 15 covers of Ebony and 25 covers of Jet over the years which is pretty amazing. So we have quite an archive."

Guests at the estate of sommelier Judia Black were thrilled to sip Domaine De La Potine sauvignon and Robert Oatley Rose of Sangiovese wines while nibbling Keen's cheddar and Midnight Moon goat cheese while listening to Michael Jackson tunes.

Everyone has a favorite Michael Jackson song and in case you're wondering what Cole's is - "I just love 'We Are The World.' I'll never forget 'ABC' it was the first time I danced with a boy."

The estate of Judia Black in Sag Harbor where Michael Jackson tribute was held.

Radar Blips
 • Mega-director Steven Spielberg was spotted dining with two of his children at Turtle Crossing in East Hampton on Monday night. The kids shared a slab of ribs and French fries while Spielberg munched on a pulled chicken sandwich and coleslaw.

 • Dan Aykroyd stopped in to Turtle Crossing on Friday evening to introduce his new vodka, Crystal Head Vodka.

 • Rachel Zoe, Donny Deutsh, David Lauren and Lauren Bush were hanging out at the Blue Parrot this weekend in East Hampton chowing down on the savory Tex Mex.

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On The Radar: Movies, Books And Betting On A Cure