Hey, after a brief hiatus I’m back!!! So what’s cooking!? Lots but let me first tell you about this e mail I got from something called. “SOUTHAMPTONRESIDENTSUNITED”.. YEAH, it’s one word. Anyway, they’re a little peeved that Southampton Town board is getting ready to discuss a vote on legislation that will allow any homeowner with a lot of 1/2 acre or larger to install two wind “turbines” as tall as 120 feet with no planned restrictions for scenic areas or closeness to neighbors. While personally, I love the idea for green energy.. I more love the idea that if you don’t like your neighbor you can now install a wind turbine!!!! Wow! How cool is that!!! I just imagine feathers flying everywhere on the east end as those damn Canadian Geese go head long into my TURBINE!! I mean as a real estate agent, nothing helps sell a house better than an attractive 120 foot blood and feather soaked wind turbine! I don’t want to get into the debate here but if you have an issue…. call get in touch with town supervisor Anna Throne-Holst at the SH town supervisors office.
There was also a brew ha ha about the same thing in East Hampton on Long Lane earlier this year. What do you think? I’m curious to know. meanwhile, before it’s too late make sure to get your tickets for the Hamptons International film festival. Some of the highlights include Danny (Slumdog Millionaire) Boyle’s latest “127 Hours” starring James Franco and Director Stephen Soderbergh’s documentary “And Everything is Going Fine” about the late Sag Harbor resident and author, Spalding Gray. For more information and to buy tickets, check out the website; www.hamptonsfilmfest.org
Meantime, so much has been going on. Yeah, there was news of some town official stepping down… the Blue Parrot continues to disappoint diners… and the Madoff house in Montauk actually sold but the BIG story is.. THE SEX AND THE CITY SEQUEL
Finally…. gosh I don’t know but I’m talking about most these days are the Prix Fixe dinners now available all over town!!! My favorite… Nick and Toni’s is offering a “Freedom of Choice” prix fixe every Sunday all night. Guests may choose either a three-course prix fixe for $30 or a four-course prix fixe for $40, not including tax and gratuity. Also back… the dinner and a movie special; $30 for two courses and a free movie ticket!!! Now I have no excuse for avoiding the movie “Couples Retreat” since technically I won’t be paying “two cents” to see it!!
I’m sweaty and I’m in pain… and that’s the good news. For those of you just coming out east for the first time since last year, Zone Hampton has undergone some changes. Gone are the old stationary spin cycles, and in are RealRyder Core Balance bikes. According to local legend (Sam who does the check in) these bikes help you burn up to 30% more calories than a normal spin class. I need to burn more calories too… my closet is starting to look like the “huskies” section from MEN’S WEARHOUSE. The manufacturers web site states that this bike “It tilts, turns, and banks like an outdoor bike–works out the core, upper body, legs, cardio, and improves balance the way other indoor cycling bikes can’t.” The first time I tried to get on I fell off the bike, which is better than falling off the wagon!
While going fast at spin class is good… going fast anywhere in the Hamptons is very bad. The Hamptons have always been a bad place for future Andretti’s but this year it seems worse! They’re are speed traps everywhere!!! I mean EVERYWHERE! If you don’t carry a fresh box of Krispe Creme donuts I advise you all to mind the speedometer. So… what are you to do… keep the following in mind:
Being healthy in Southampton just got a little easier… and a bit more affordable. TODAY, my friends Jessica Greenfield and her husband Dominic Chiapetta (gosh I hope I spelled that correctly) have just opened up Annie’s Cafe and Grocery or as we say in the south of East Hampton, charcuterie. Located on Nugent Street in the village, Annie’s has an awesome menu, great wraps, quesadillas, omlettes, salads and more. I stopped by the other day before they even opened to sample some of the dishes and eat for free (yes, I’m cheap). It was awesome. To give you some idea of what Annie’s is like, think Provisions in Sag Harbor but with friendly people working there. They also carry a full line of healthy groceries, vitamins and fruit drinks and smoothies for a fraction of what some other health food restaurant in the village charges.
Finally, actor Richard Gere’s Water Mill home has just been reduced from $8.8 million to $7.2 million. This rather expensive blue light special is a beautiful 1890’s farmhouse that has been completely renovated. The house boasts 7 Bedrooms, 10 and a half baths, 5 fireplaces, gunite heated pool with pool house on 1.20 acres. While the house on Halsey Lane it does have distant waterviews. It also features a quaint meditation room on it’s 3rd floor with portraits of the Dahli Lama (this is similar to a meditation room I have in my house with a portrait of a deli and a lama – i know bad joke… but i really do have a cool b+w photo of 2nd Avenue deli in my meditation room). In case you didn’t know Gere and his wife former Bond babe Carey Lowell bought a home in the Actor’s Colony area of North Haven that is currently undergoing renovation.