In his first visit to a synagogue since taking control of the state, Governor Paterson told a crowd of around 1,000 in Westhampton that he supported the Orthodox community's struggle to erect an eruv, a symbolic fence around the synagogue. He then revealed that he felt a special connection with Jewish community not only because of his longtime friendship with Rabbi Marc Schneier, but also because he shares some lineage with them. Paterson told the......

The NY Sun details Senator Hillary Clinton's fundraising agenda in the NY area. Most notably, she and former President Bill Clinton will be on a "48-hour, six fund-raiser blitz" in the Hamptons that includes events at billionaire Ron Perelman's East Hampton home and Entenmann's heir Robert Entenmann's North Fork vineyard. From the Sun:The Hamptons trip highlights just how crucial New York's wealthy donors are to Mrs. Clinton, and to all of the 2008 presidential candidates.......

MOVIE: Last week Bryant Park was packed as Annie Hall played on the big screen. This week grab someone who's hand you'll be able to squeeze tight as the classic horror flick, The Thing, plays in the park. The timeless flick watches the sci-fi terror unfold as "scientists at an Arctic research station discover a spacecraft buried in the ice. Upon closer examination, they discover the frozen pilot. All hell breaks loose when they take......

The Hamptons may reek of money, but Coney Island is getting its very own scent, courtesy of downtown fragrance company Bond No. 9. Inspired by all the recent development along Brooklyn's bayshore, parfumeur Richard Harpin designed a location-based scent that is the borough's first from the company. It will retail for $40 an ounce, $125 for 1.7 ounces or $180 for 3.4 ounces, indicating to us that the value lies in the increasing size of......

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: unusual fire at JFK, and more bank robberies in Brooklyn Heights and Carroll Gardens. The first proposals for connections between Brooklyn Heights and the new Brooklyn Bridge Park are in-- and they are ugly. Steven Johnson, the lunatic who tried to torch Bar Veloce back in 2002, drew 240 years from a judge at his sentencing today. Has it really come to this? The Hamptons Jitney will begin servicing......

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: cracks in a building in Tribeca, train derailment at Grand Central, and a burn victim at the Harlem Water Treatment Plant. The Hamptons: they're not just for summers any more. (via Blog Soup) The State Assembly has picked the next comptroller-- Thomas P. DiNapoli, a Democratic Assemblyman from Nassau County-- he's probably not as much fun as Hevesi. Maybe they should start throwing in SCUBA lessons with those overpriced......

It was bound to happen. The Hamptons, or as Gothamist likes to think of it, a displacement home for wealthy New Yorkers, finally got their own wine and food festival. The talent read like a who’s who of the food and wine circuit: Rick Moonen, Michael Romano, Steven Jenkins and Floyd Cardoz all boarded the Hampton Jitney to share their secrets with those who could afford the $150 ticket. Or for the big spenders $650......

On Seinfeld, Jerry, Kramer, and George all had cars. That's something I never understood. Why? If you live in Queens or Brooklyn, that's understandable. But why have a car in Manhattan? It's more a pain in the ass then anything. I say that as someone who freaks out at all the cars causing the traffic while in a cab, desperately trying to get somewhere. The Times tries to delve deeper in the minds of the......