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Updated: June 7, 2009, 3:42 am	Share    Print    Email

Bette Midler

All eyes were on —Bette Midler. April 16, when she arrived at the Carlyle on the Green at Bethpage State Park. The divine Ms. M was here to recieve her award from the New York State Parks Commission, for her efforts in beautifying state parks by picking up garbage.

"I grew up in Hawaii, where I loved the trees and flowers, and gained a great appreciation for nature," she said. "It really bothers me when I drive along Park Avenue, or walk through the parks, and see plastic bags hanging in trees." Laughing, Midler said, "I do admit to being obsessive and compulsive about picking up trash, to the point where my husband invented a long stick with hooks on it, which he calls a "bag-snagger," and he gave it to me on my 50th birthday."

Midler has walked the streets from Manhattan to Long Island, including the parks of Harlem and the Bronx, picking up trash as part of her foundation, the New York Restoration Project, a non-profit group organized to clean up and revitalize parklands, gardens and public places. "Most Long Island parks are so huge, they're practically like countries," she joked. While presenting Midler the "Master Builder Award," New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro commended Midler for her enthusiasm and her ability to "get things done."

"Who else would say, 'grab a black bag and meet me in the park to pick up garbage?'" Castro smiled. Standing at the podium before a crowd of about 400, Midler quipped, "I had no idea I was so loved on Long Island. This is the jewel in my environmental career."

Also attending this event were model Carol Alt, CEO of Rallye Motors xxxx, and noted golf course architect Rees Jones, of East Hampton, who snagged $5,000 worth of Midler's movie videos, CD's, and the red shoes and earrings she wore in a movie role.

Alt, who commented that she has often frequented the Hamptons, said later that she came to support Midler's good work, as she is a "big fan."

For those of you who love good restaurants, "and who doesn't?" we hope you caught the great deals that were available during Hamptons Restaurant Week, which took place the last week of March. Over 20 restaurants, from Westhampton to Montauk, discounted their meals by 50%, including some wines. This event was kicked off by a fun party at Della Femina Restaurant, complete with numerous chefs of local eateries. Steve Haweeli, of WordHampton Public Relations, who organized this event, explained, "We did this, for the second year in a row, as a way to boost the restaurant business in the off-season. People love it—they can try their favorite restaurants, and go to more of them, for less." We tried some meals at Della Femina's and Bamboo, and were pleased with the food, wines and nice crowds that attended. Another great perk, to spice up the winter doldrums. This event was sponsored by Bridgehampton National Bank, Figi Water, and others. So look for it next spring!


There is no place so rich in culture and the arts than the Hamptons, and now there is something new happening in the way of poetry. RadioFree Hamptons, located in Sag Harbor, just had their first poetry marathon on April 22, in conjunction with North Sea Poetry Scene. Together, they will be hosting poetry readings on Sundays in July, so stay tuned. Radio Free Hamptons actually consists of four businesses: a 24-hour internet radio station, a digital art gallery aimed at amateurs and professionals, a place for copies, faxing, and photo scanning, and lastly a place to check email and surf the Internet.

Owner Reggie Woolery said he was inspired by the work of award-winning poet Allan Planz and Suffolk County Poet Laureate George Wallace who read at the poetry event. "We hope to showcase other local poets and artists in the future, and we look forward to making this into a community-oriented space, with people looking sharing their work on a regular basis," he said.

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, who was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the Hamptons Film Festival several years ago, and who is known for his movie, "Grey Gardens," filmed in East Hampton, is back in the news with the recent celebration of the Beatles' 40th Year Anniversary. Maysles recently released his updated version of his original movie, "The Beatles First U.S. Visit." Maysles will also, once again, be creating a film about the legendary artist "Christo." He gave a talk at the Metropolitan Museum in New York last week, about his upcoming project, where he plans to film Christo when he does his new project, "The Gates," in Central Park next year. Maysles has already made five documentaries on Christo's art projects which included "Running Fences," "Islands," "Christo in Paris," "Umbrellas," and "Valley Curtain."

Getting a jump on the Hamptons shopping season, we also spotted Edie Falco, of Sopranos fame, buying a bamboo chaise lounge at a store called, "Haven," in Montauk. Check in next week for more parties, events, and celebrity sightings, as the summer season gets rolling!