For the past six years, celebrity chef Ina Garten has been a fixture on The Food Network, where, on her “Barefoot Contessa” show, she shops, cooks and entertains, demonstrating for viewers that simple is not only easier – it’s better. Not surprisingly, her casual elegance carries over from her kitchen to her garden. Source
The auditorium of Bay Shore High School was standing room only. Among the guests lucky enough to score a special green ticket – promising a Bay Shore variation of the venerable Irish blessing, “Where the Sea Breezes Are Always At Your Back” – were the local monsignor and a group of Hibernians. Source
Remaking big-screen flicks for the small screen may be the ticket for creating new hits. Source
Billy Joel and a gorgeous soap opera actress are not quite “dating” – but they’ve gone out on a couple of dates. Capeesh? Source
Don’t worry, Straylight Run fans, John Nolan isn’t leaving the Long Beach-based band. He’s just trying something new. Source
Whitney Houston says her daughter’s support helped fuel her as she geared up for her comeback record. Source
With the expressway next door turned into a movie set, Andrea Tofalli and Chad Denimarck opened their Seaford home to strangers Monday and had a brush with fame. Source
Off the Wall can read your mind.THIS SEASON’S SOLE NEW HIT. On the networks, that would be “The Mentalist” (tonight at 8, CBS/2), repeating its premiere episode on this special night. See where Simon Baker’s head-game crime-solving started. Video clips at cbs.com/thementalist. Source
Vienna Teng knew it was time to quit her day job when she ran out of vacation time to pursue her passion – music. One problem: She had a pretty good day job – she was a computer engineer for Cisco. Source
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, U2, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and more will help the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrate its 25th anniversary with two star-studded Madison Square Garden concerts in October. Source