An Ocean of Support

Law and Order star and crusader for the environment Sam Waterston headlined a benefit reception this evening for Oceana. Founded to heighten awareness about the environmental dangers posed to the world's oceans as well as the dangers to humans who consume contaminated seafood, Oceana has enjoyed great success in effecting real change in the way countries and companies regard the high seas. The setting for tonight's event, Christies New York, was a particularly fitting one, given the house's major auction of vintage ocean liner memorabilia, taking place tomorrow evening, at 5:00. As guests milled about among vintage deck chairs, oil paintings of steam ships and even a life jacket from the Titanic, the enduring allure of ocean travel demonstrated yet one more reason it's high time we tossed the sea a lifeline.

Happy B-Day, Byblos!

The New York air was chilly last night, but thoughts inside Chelsea hot-spot Pink Elephant were of a place far warmer. St. Tropez, to be exact, headqauarters of the legendary Hôtel Byblos, which has hosted everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Mick Jagger. The south of France home away from home for the world's glitterati turned forty years young in 2007 and is just getting around to celebrating. The hotelier chose Manhattan to kick off a four-month fête that will bring the allure and sex appeal of the iconic resort to the world's great cities. Perrier-Jouët champagne kept lips well-lubricated as a birthday cake topped with sparklers made the rounds. Celebrity DJ Jack E (whose mixes can be found on the compilation CD Hotel Byblos Saint Tropez, kept the atmosphere wild and festive, spinning tunes till the wee hours of the morning. Next stop on the Byblos bus tour is Los Angeles, where this weekend lucky revelers will party at the Playboy Mansion. The music continues in Moscow (March 4); London (March 6); Paris (March 18); Milan (March 20) and finally, in Cannes, just in time for the film festival, on May 21. %%showphotos [setid=72157603947118408]%%

Spinout at Grand Central

Thousands of cyclists hopped on bikes in Vanderbilt Hall this evening to take part in a twenty-four hour spinning marathon that raised money to support HeathCorps, an organization mounting an awareness campaign about childhood obesity. Every hour from 7 a.m. this morning through 7 a.m. tomorrow morning, New Yorkers signed up to sweat in Vanderbilt Hall, surround by baffled commuters. A batch of local celebrities took part as well, including Rapper Grandmaster Melle Mel; former Bachelor Jesse Palmer; Good Day New York’s Anne Craig; The Early Show’s Dave Price; Miss USA Rachel Smith; Chef Rocco DiSpirito; Schools Chancellor Joel Klein; Miss Teen USA Hilary Cruz; The Naked Cowboy; The Biggest Loser’s Bill Germanakos (Season Four victor); and The Apprentice’s Kwame Jackson.