Perfect Sunday Nite in West Hampton Beach

We had a most enjoyable evening last night, beginning with cocktails and dinner at Starr Boggs al fresco with Jazz in the back ground. Followed by music by Herbie Hancock at the West Hampton Beach Performing Arts Center. A most perfect amphitheater, where every seat is a great seat. Guild Hall, in East Hampton, Bay Street in Sag Harbor and Performing Arts Center in West Hampton Beach are cultural treasures on the South Fork.

Can’t wait until our next nite on the town.

Just recently I was out and about looking at houses for a customer in Southampton Village – the estate section to be exact. I could not believe the amount of construction going on there. On one block there were so many contractors’ trucks that they had one of the workers directing traffic. What’s interesting was that on the same day,  the morning business news was all doom and gloom and one would think the Great Depression was just around the corner. I know our economy in not in the best shape but sometimes the media takes things to an extreme. It was a good feeling to see that the Hamptons’ is Defying Economic Gravity.   If you have never driven around the Estate Section of Southampton, you must, it is probably some of the most beautiful real estate you will see. Each time I go there, the beauty of all the old houses, landscaping and the beaches just takes my breath away. Be careful not to get caught in the “trade parade traffic jam” on Ox Pasture!

Sean Scanlon once again hosted the annual "Barcelona Point Boat Party" on Sunday, August 3rd.  This year the party had to be moved to Mashomack Point  - something about not being able to get a "party permit" from the Town of East Hampton - but thanks to Shelter Island the party took place without incident.  What a beautiful day - sunny, warm weather and the views of Sag Harbor and Shelter Island were picturesque. It seemed to me that this years “floating Woodstock” had a record attendance. I think there were over 500 boats – from little dingys to major yachts all having a great time. Even the jelly fish seemed to corporate and stayed out of the harbor so the swimmers could float around without getting zapped with their tentacles. 

CALLING ALL CPF (Community Preservation Fund) MANAGERS!!! 

The Sag Harbor Cinema, at 90 Main Street in Sag Harbor, is up for sale according to The Sag Harbor Express newspaper. The article can be read on line at www.sagharboronline.com .

The article calls upon Steven Spielberg to consider buying the building for a film school with a community focus. A great idea!

It is my opinion that this is piece of history is a PRIME candidate for CPR acquisition. Much like Poxybogue Golf Course, the Sag Harbor Cinema has been a part of the community landscape for many years. This is the sort of purchase many expect the CPF money to be spent on… integral components of our Main Streets that would be sorely missed if they disappeared.

Now is the time to share your voice and opinion. Write, call or Blog today.

Judi Desiderio,  CEO

Sunday Nite is Reggae Nite at East Hampton Point.

Last nite was a perfect summer evening. We sat on the deck ,over looking the water, watching the sunset, listening to music and enjoying good friends and great conversation…. there’s no better restaurant than East Hampton Point for all that!

Congratulations to Jaime Mulholland, Steven Kamali and their partners at the new Surf Lodge in Montauk.

Town & Country and agent Stacey Barnds had the Exclusive on the former Lakeside Inn and sold it to these current owners. What a transformation. It’s alive with energy. The food was great and the music was fun… and what a great view!

Wishing the partners much success!

The Hamptons and The North Fork, known not only for their natural beauty, but for their rural flavor, have an abundance of farm stands offering everything from flowers to produce to cheese to wine to baked goods, all grown, produced or baked right in our backyard. 

As you drive the highway on the North Fork or South Fork or the back roads of Mattituck to Montauk, you’ll see an array of stands to choose your delectable delights from. Pull up to any one and peruse - you are sure to come away with more than you expected - and something "home grown" for sure.

So savor the true local flavor of the area by buying local  - you win, farmers win and environments wins.

The lifeline thrown out to the housing crisis yesterday was just what the Doctor ordered.

$300 Billion was allocated to help American’s avoid foreclosure on their primary dwellings.

While most say, we here on the East End (Hamptons & North Fork of Long Island) are immuned to this meltdown, there’s no denying the rippling effects any time there is trouble with the American Dream of homeownership. No one is completely immuned when the depth of the problem is what we are experiencing.

To that end, I’d like to personally thank our leaders for a great move.

I believe, in time,  this will be viewed as the turning point from current market conditions for our industry.

Judi A Desiderio, CEO

On June 22, 1998 in a farmfield in Southampton, Gov. George Pataki signed legislation granting rights to the 5 East End Towns of the Peconic Bay Region (East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead & Southold)  to establish Community Preservation Funds transfer tax. Since that time over 7,000 acres have been purchased with approximately $400,000,000. This 2% transfer tax shall remain in existance until 2030, as per a vote in 2006.

So many vital parcels of land have been preserved thanks the the real estate boom we’ve experienced over the past 10 years.

We all believe in the importance of preservation both ecologically as well as asthetically, but the entry level (ie homes under $250,00 in East Hampton, Southampton and Shelter Island) does not seem fitting. There are discussions on first home buyer exemptions which would be a step in the right direction, but more to help the young generation stay here and raise their families and the older generation remain is necessary.

To read more on where these tax dollars are going, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov and search Peconic Bay Region Transfer Tax.