I DJed at the Hudson Rise Picnic last night, an amazing benefit proposed to help prevent the construction of a hideous 14-story sanitation facility that’s been approved for construction as early as June 2009 down on Spring and Canal streets, near the river. The city is pushing to construct the building, which will contain garbage trucks, a mountain of salt, garbage fuel, and lots of other stinky stuff that doesn’t seem right next to the water and the Holland Tunnel. The reason I volunteered to DJ for free at this gala was that unlike most groups who gripe about things, these folks are actually offering an intelligent, cheaper, and indeed economically cleaner solution -- Hudson Rise Park, which would connect to the river, cost about $200 million less than the city’s current plan, and still accommodate local garbage facilities. Another reason I DJed was to check out the celebs who were on the invite.

Actress Jennifer Connelly is the new face of Revlon. She will be in good company at the beauty giant, as fellow Oscar winning actress Halle Berry is also a spokeswoman. Revlon president and CEO David Kenned explained his reasoning for choosing Connelly: "She is an accomplished wife, mother and actress and her successes complement the spirit of the Revlon brand." Connelly was last seen as a model in those Balenciaga ads for spring/summer 2008. Her duties for Revlon, beyond looking good in print and television ads, are representing Revlon in fundraising events for charity. It's hard work to be pretty.

Jennifer Connelly starred in Dark Water, now she’s drinking it. This PSA for CharityWater.org is disturbing in its reality, but having the Blood Diamond starlet as the "lead" is sort of distracting. The spot’s message is strong enough without needing a recognizable actress to sell it. It’s the brown water in those glasses that gets our attention, not Connelly’s defeated look at having to serve it to her kids. The clip was directed by Hotel Rwanda’s Terry George. Check it out after the jump.