Light Reading
Bill Clinton’s 957-page bestseller, My Life, may be holding down every coffee table in Manhattan, but that doesn’t mean anyone’s actually reading it. “I’ve read it,” cracks New Yorker editor David Remnick, “but not personally.” Alec Baldwin plans to read the copy he bought at the Upper West Side Barnes & Noble—eventually—but Kevin Bacon’s not sure he’ll get around to it. “I’d love to, but I’m dyslexic and reading is hard for me,” he says. Peter Jennings claims to have more pressing matters: “It was released when I was in Baghdad, and that seemed more compelling.” Critic Dale Peck has no plans to pick it up: “I don’t know a soul who’s read it, or even expressed interest in reading it.” Mort Zuckerman was the only person we could track down who had finished the opus, and only because he had to review it. He calls it “the most self-indulgent book I have ever read.”
On the Move
Automobile heiress and etiquette maven Charlotte Ford has sold the 3.1-acre lot with deeded ocean access next door to her Southampton house on Squabble Lane for $5.5 million to hedge-fund manager Curtis Schenker. She also unloaded the $15 million, 7.4-acre house. Meanwhile, Millard “Mickey” Drexler, the CEO of J.Crew, signed a contract to pay just under $20 million for a 6-acre spread in Bridgehampton, via broker Paul Brennan of Douglas Elliman, who declined to comment. The property features three houses on Sag Pond.
Bonus Round
While Martha Stewart gears up for a possible five months in prison, employees at her company, Omnimedia, are getting a little welcome relief: stay bonuses. People who remain with the company—in a number of divisions—are receiving financial incentives for not jumping ship. “We have a variety of incentive programs to reward employees for their hard work and continued service,” confirms a company spokeswoman.
Theme Party
Visiting New York can be an overwhelming experience—particularly when hordes of screaming protesters are asking you to go home. But GOP-convention planners have prepared an extensive menu of off-site activities for delegates, organized around four themes, one for each convention day. “We’re presenting the city along thematic lines to showcase the best it has to offer,” says Maureen Reidy, the COO of the NYC Host Committee. Here’s a small preview. Monday, August 30: fashion and shopping day with discounts at Cartier and Alviero Martini, followed by a reception at Barneys with former top cop Bernard Kerik. Tuesday: sports and parks day, featuring batting practice with the Mets at Shea for delegates, a barbecue in center field, and a meet-and-greet at Chelsea Piers with Olympic athletes back from Athens. Wednesday: music, entertainment, and culture day with tours of the Today show and Late Show With David Letterman studios and a gospel lunch at Sylvia’s. Thursday is history day: tours of Governors Island and trace-your-genealogy sessions on Ellis Island, with noted genealogist Brian Anderson.