Vol. 3 #7 | August 2017
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FEATURES 12 14 15 21 50 56
Publisher’s Note August Calendar Serving At Center Court Steve Guttenberg: NY Roots Allowed Him To Grow Through The Lens With Annie Watt Joan Hornig: As Everyone Likes It
FASHION & BEAUTY 26 Cool Summer Whites 28 Easy Beauty Care
26
TRAVEL 31 35 38 40 43
Ybor City—The Cuban Connection Southwest France: Barging Right In Jersey’s Ocean Place Resort & Spa Croatia’s Fantasy Island Insider’s Guide To The Hamptons
REAL ESTATE & HOME DECOR 49 59 62 64 66 68 70 72 73
Notes From DB 30 Park Place Node Brooklyn Co-living In NYC CODA A Gold Coast Restoration Long Island’s Greybarn Designing Ways Spotlight: Paris Forino
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Vol. 3 #7 | August 2017 President / Publisher Bill Mason
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Executive Publisher Ernie Anastos
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Contributing Writers Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN, Jade Dressler, Karen Feld, Lee Gabay, Judy Goss, Karen Jacobs Peter Kalellis, Ruth J. Katz, Gretchen Kelly Kelly McFarland, Olivia Owens, Jeannie Pawlowski Anthony Rapacciuolo, Richie Realms, Joanna Roberts Beth Shapiro, Baruch Shemtov, Bill Spadea, Patricia Stark Leigh Stringer, Jeff & Stephanie Sylva, Leslie Termuhlen Susan Traub, Sharon Volpe, Gigi Stone Woods, Lori Simmons Zelenko Internet Presence Scott Cuollo, Richard Austin Advertising BLUE VISTA 725 Sales Bill Mason Sr. - Director of New Business Development Brett Caldwell - Director of Integrated Sales and Marketing John Miller - Director of Sales - Travel Michael Stulmaker - Director of Sales - Real Estate Francine Dingeman - Senior Sales Manager Crystal Stephens - Senior Sales Manager New York Sales Office (646) 259-2651
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE “New York Lifestyles Magazine is a continuation of my passion to share news, information and lifestyle about where and how we live. This commitment reflects a positive approach to offering compelling features with the highest quality presentation. As executive publisher, I am proud of our professional staff and my family who are helping to reshape the way you read and enjoy this exciting magazine.”
Ernie Anastos With Heather Lubov, Executive Director Central Park Foundation
A UNIQUE NEW YORK EXPERIENCE entral Park for New Yorkers is a way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Once you step inside this oasis, the options are endless; there’s a lot more going on than you probably realized. The puppet show at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater is one of many performances and events happening at the park. This puppet show, sports activities, like free tennis lessons at Astoria Park in Queens, and the concert series called, SummerStage are just some of the incredible opportunities offered to park visitors. Most of it is free of charge thanks to the nonprofit City Parks Foundation. CPF has to program in about 350 parks throughout the city, and it’s there for everyone to enjoy. Congratulations on the fabulous work done each year by the City Parks Foundation. We all thank you!
-Ernie Anastos
Executive Publisher New York Lifestyles Magazine “Our City, Your Life”
Ernie Anastos is a celebrated author and distinguished Emmy award winning TV news legend in New York. He is recognized as a champion for promoting more positive news and an influential voice in the world of media. 12 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
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AUGUST 2017 CALENDAR 1ST-18TH NYC Restaurant Week Get a special deal on a three-course lunch ($29) or dinner ($49) at more than 300 restaurants. nycgo.com/restaurant-week
1ST-26TH Harlem Week A celebration of local culture and history which includes performances, tributes, films, fashion, a street fair, and lots more. harlemweek.com
12TH-13TH 10TH-13TH The Giglio Feast of Saint Antonio This feast celebrates Italian food, culture, and tradition. On Sunday, a platform holding a 12-piece band and 80-foot statue is carried through the streets of East Harlem. eastharlemgiglio.org
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Spend a weekend filled with fun at Flushing Meadows Park’s fest inspired by Chinese tradition. Nearly 180 teams gather at the lake to race on long boats while paddling to the beat of their boat’s leader/drummer. hkdbf-ny.org
26TH Tennis Family Day Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day begins with a free festival of games and tennis activities outdoors, followed by a show and concert at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. arthurashekidsday.com
19TH Blues & BBQ Festival Stroll on down to Pier 97 on Hudson River Park as American blues and roots musicians pair with great barbecue. hudsonriverpark.org
26TH -27TH 1920s Jazz Age Lawn Party Don your flapper garb and ferry over to Governor’s Island and dance the night away to the Dreamland Orchestra. There will be a Charleston dance contest, 1920s cars, croquet, and lots more. jazzagelawnparty.com 14 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
28TH US Open Tennis Championships Opening day of two weeks of exciting matches with the world’s best players. Finals are Sept 9th and Sept 10th at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows. usopen.org
28TH-29TH Lady Gaga in Concert Catch Lady Gaga in her Joanne World Tour at CitiField, Flushing, NY. ladygaga.com/tourdates
Ser ing at Center Court By Patricia Canole
rom late August through early September, it’s pretty much tennis and more tennis in New York City. But it’s also a known fact that before the championship matches get underway, the tennis elite love to play. So what better place to rub elbows with athletes as they begin their two weeks of nail-biting matches than with New York’s top chefs at Citi Taste of Tennis. Considered the World’s Premier Food & Tennis Experience, it will kick off the U.S. Open Tennis Championships on August 24th at the W New York (Lexington & 49th Street). Now in its 18th year and produced by AYS, it brings together New York’s professional chefs, tennis royalty, and luxury brands for an unforgettable evening of gourmet food, signature cocktails, and nonstop fun. The evening will begin with dynamic duo Bob and Mike Bryan, who will face off in a Sushi Challenge alongside Chef Masaharu Morimoto—this year’s Citi Gold Lounge Host—during an exclusive VIP hour. Then the main affair begins at 7:00 pm when guests enjoy tastings from leading chefs, sip on signature cocktails, and escape to destination-themed lounges. New York Lifestyles had the pleasure to meet with many of the top chefs partaking in this annual event. Most—if not all—of them agree that there is a strong correlation between chef and athlete: Namely, you need to be on your game. Being fast and nimble is a number one requirement! Now, let’s meet New York’s chefs and get to know a little more about these masters. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 15
BILL TELEPAN OCEANA Chef Bill Telepan is one of New York’s leaders in sourcing quality ingredients from small farms and local purveyors. At Oceana, he uses the finest ingredients, combined with his classic training and contemporary influences. Telepan’s restaurant experience includes work in some of the world’s top kitchens and has apprenticed with the legendary Chef Alain Chapel at his eponymous threeMichelin-star restaurant outside Lyons, France. There he learned the importance of retaining the integrity of fresh ingredients in creating delicious food. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Telepan has trained with Chef Daniel Boulud and Chef Gilbert Le Coze in New York. Then, in 2005 Chef Bill opened Telepan, the popular Upper West Side restaurant, which earned him a Michelin star among other accolades. Since 2008, Telepan has served as Executive Chef of Wellness In The School’s Cook for Kids Program. “We’re dedicated to improving children’s health by enriching lunch programs. It includes developing nutritious and appetizing school menus, training in-residence cooks and cafeteria staff,” he told us. “Teaching student, parents and teachers and engaging with professional chefs is an active step to overcoming childhood obesity.”
MASAHARU MORIMOTO
JONATHAN WAXMAN
MORIMOTO RESTAURANTS Without question, Chef Morimoto has been the key influence in creating the bridge between the culinary traditions of his native Japan and the American palate. Doing so has brought intense excitement, precise technique, and perfectly balanced flavors to thousands of diners throughout the world. But it didn’t start that way.
BARBUTO You might consider Chef Jonathan Waxman one of the pioneers of the modern farm-to-table movement. In the 1970s, the native Californian sold Ferraris and played trombone before he enrolled in cooking school, first in San Francisco and later in Paris, at the famed La Varenne, where he mastered classic French cuisine. He returned to California and found his way to Chez Panisse, where he worked under the queen of the organic-and-local movement, Alice Waters. “I was fortunate to be mentored by Alice Waters. It doesn’t get any better than that. He went on to develop his own signature California cuisine at the famed Michael’s in Santa Monica, owned by restaurateur Michael McCarty. However, it wasn’t until he moved to New York City, that he reached celebrity in the 1980s when he opened Jams. (Waxman has since opened a reincarnation of Jams at 1 Hotel Central Park.) Currently, he is chef and owner of Barbuto in Manhattan’s West Village which continues to be a favorite for both locals and visitors alike.
Morimoto wanted to play professional baseball. After a shoulder injury had ended a promising career as a baseball catcher in Japan, Morimoto began studying sushi in his hometown of Hiroshima. He quickly grasped the technique of this exacting food art, and at age 24, opened his first restaurant. Five years later, he moved to America to explore new opportunities and possibilities. It was wasn’t too long before Morimoto joined the original Nobu restaurant and was soon named Executive Chef. In 1999, Chef Morimoto appeared on the Food Network’s Iron Chef where he was able to showcase his flawless technique and creativity with different ingredients. Two years later, he opened his first eponymous restaurant in Philadelphia. Morimoto expanded his culinary reach to opening restaurants in Mumbai and New Delhi. Then in 2006, the much-anticipated flagship restaurant, Morimoto New York opened. A decade later, his much-anticipated first ramen restaurant was launched in New York City, Momosan Ramen & Sake, which showcases his personal, modern take on traditional Japanese ramen. We were amazed at how this Iron Chef never seems to slow down. “More to do,” he laughed, “so, I better not stop!”
16 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
His career has spanned more than four decades with no signs of slowing down. He is the 2016 James Beard Award winner for “Best Chef, New York City” and the author of cookbooks, A Great American Cook and Italian, My Way. Waxman loves tennis. “Healthy diet and being physically fit makes all the difference for athletes.” And although Waxman is no vegan, he contends that most Americans need to modify their diets for the sake of health and sustainability. That’s food for thought.
ANDY D’AMICO 5 NAPKIN BURGER Andy D’Amico is the Executive Chef and partner of 5 Napkin Burger (New York and Boston) and New York restaurants Marseille, Nice Matin and Nizza. But Chef D’Amico doesn’t have a biography that starts at his grandmother’s apron strings. His father was a musician, and the young Andy grew up wanting to follow in his footsteps. “I was always in the school band and ended up picking up the base guitar in high school, wanting to be a rock musician. I wound up in a club band. Eventually, I decided it was time to do something else.” D’Amico landed a position at a local restaurant, and a friend convinced him to check out the Culinary Institute of America. His very first job out of CIA was working the line next to Emeril Lagasse under Chef Wolfgang Puck. In 2003, Andy became the executive chef at Nice Matin (a Chef Driven Group restaurant). From that point, you might say, Chef Andy D’Amico’s culinary career has been rockin’ all the way.
ANTOINE WESTERMANN
LE COQ RICO French Chef Antoine Westermann’s storied career has led him to the world of the Michelin stars and, with Le Coq Rico in New York City and Paris, back to his roots and his original love—poultry. Using only the finest quality of noble and heritage birds raised responsibly and mindfully, Chef Westermann perfectly executes the simple dishes of his childhood and enjoys, rendering them undeniably exquisite. His argument for a return to the farming practices of our past is evidenced in the flavors of his cuisine. As he contends, “A wing has a different flavor from the breast. We want each client to be able to enjoy any part of the bird they prefer.” C’est merveilleux!
OLIVER LANGE ZUMA German-born Chef Oliver Lange developed his passion for cooking by visiting Japan and immersing himself in its culture. “I always made food for friends and family when I was young. Then, I started working at a sushi bar in Berlin, and I knew that was my eureka moment!” In 2009, after winning the German cooking show, Restaurant sucht Chef, Oliver opened his pop-up restaurant Kokoro by Ollysan in Munich to critical acclaim. Soon after he took up permanent residence at Zenzakan, a Pan-Asian supper club in Frankfurt, where his work won the title of “Best Innovative and Creative Sushi” in Germany by Michelin. With his catering and hospitality company in full gear, Lange subsequently moved to London to open the much-anticipated The Magazine, designed by the late architect, Zaha Hadid. Two years later, he joined Zuma London as Head Chef; he assumed duties as Executive Chef of Zuma New York in September 2015. His work is driven by a continuous search for new inspiration and creativity. We wondered had he not become a chef, what would he have done? “I have never thought about this…I can’t imagine having any other job!”
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 17
INTO THE NIGHT The fun continues with Citi Taste of Tennis After Dark, a delectable dessert-tasting extravaganza in the CitiGold Lounge from 9 to 11 pm. You’ll enjoy New York’s popular sweets, dessert drinks and, of course, the company of top tennis players who also have a sweet tooth.
I-CE-NY Head Chef, Danny Naruenartwanich, will serve up his new sensation: Ice cream base and mixers are poured onto a special iced plate that can get as cold as -4 degrees. In just minutes, the cream firms up and it will be spread into a thin layer, then, scraped into the chubby rolls.
COOKIE DŌ Kristen Tomlan will feature her creative, and delicious cookie dough based treats for sweets lovers like her. Her scoop shop serves signature flavors, all of which are available daily. WOWFULLS David Chan and his team will be serving Hong Kong-style egg waffles (gai dàn jai) filled with all sorts of goodies including ice cream fruit, Oreo crumbles and more.
18 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
ISTVAN TOTH DAVIO’S Istvan Toth is the CoExecutive Chef at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse. Toth was born and raised in Hungary and moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 to begin his career as a chef in New York City. He grew up with grandparents who prepared all of their meals from scratch. This upbringing is what started his love affair with quality food and cooking. Before leaving Hungary, he obtained his culinary degree at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. Chef Toth began working in the industry as a teenager, where he interned in the kitchen of a well-known resort in Hungary. When he moved to the United States, he held positions at some of New York City’s most renowned culinary establishments, including Mario Batali’s Eataly. Before long, Toth joined the Davio’s family, where he has been cooking since 2013. Toth’s favorite part of being in the kitchen “creating flavor profiles and plating stylish dishes.”
FRANCES TARIGA
MEGU Chef Frances Tariga, born and raised in Manila, Philippines, began her career in Dubai, cooking at the world’s first seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. After proving herself in Dubai, Frances was brought into the UAE Royal Family’s household as their private chef. Soon after, Chef Tariga moved to the United States to return to the restaurant business as a Sous Chef at Buddakan before working as the Chef de Cuisine at Catch. Today, she is telling the story of modern Japanese cuisine at MEGU. Tariga, who is fluent in six languages, has also appeared on national cooking shows from Chopped to Top Chef. We asked her if she could be a food what would she be. The chef laughingly said, “I would be a jackfruit as it looks intimidating, but once you eat it, you will say, ‘I had no idea it’s sweet and tastes amazing!’”
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Citibank , Jamaica Tourist Board, Etihad Airways, Genesis Motors USA, Lifeway Foods, Campari America, ChefWorks, Voss, and Volkl Tennis are just some of the major sponsors; Wellness In The Schools (WITS), a non-profit partner, inspires healthy eating and fitness for kids in public schools. Citi Taste of Tennis kicks off at 7 pm, August 24th at W New York (Lexington and 49th Street). For more information and tickets, visit tasteoftennis.com.
KERRY HEFFERNAN
ROXANNE SPRUANCE
GRAND BANKS Chef Kerry Heffernan began working in New York City restaurants at age 15. Following high school, Kerry bicycled through Europe, eventually settling in the South of France baking croissants. He returned home to attend the Culinary Institute of America to eventually hone his skills at such highly regarded restaurants as Montrachet, Le Régence, Restaurant Bouley and Mondrian with Tom Colicchio before landing his first job as Chef de Cuisine at One Fifth Avenue. Heffernan later became the Executive Chef of the Westbury Hotel’s famed Polo Restaurant, the training ground of such extraordinary talents as Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud. Soon afterward, he opened Union Square Hospitality Group’s Eleven Madison Park as Executive Chef and eventually became a partner. During his time at 11 Madison, he worked with Danny Meyer to develop the original menu at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park.
KINGSLEY Chef Roxanne Spruance entered the culinary world as a pastry chef apprentice in the highly regarded restaurant, Blackbird in Downtown Chicago. Working her way up in the Chicago restaurant industry, Spruance gained valuable knowledge and experience in all aspects of the kitchen. An athlete at heart, Chef Spruance has taken her fearless, winning attitude towards sports and translated it into her approach towards food. As Executive Chef and co-owner of Kingsley, she’s confident to experiment with different genres and ingredients and believes in creating a culinary product that is stimulating while never losing respect for the product. She creates innovative, seasonal food while respecting and incorporating regional traditions in her Lower East Side restaurant.
An avid outdoorsman and seafood expert (he’s won several charity fishing tournaments), you can find Chef Heffernan at Grand Banks, a seasonal oyster bar and galley on the deck of an old cod fishing schooner moored at Pier 25. He remains active outside the kitchen in philanthropy, serving on the City Harvest Food Council, and an occasional game of tennis, too. Heffernan looks forward to taking part in Citi Taste of Tennis which will mark his 15th year. “I love New York City and have seen so many amazing talents on and off the court.”
Chef Spruance’s experience has been far and wide. In 2010, she landed a coveted spot as Chef de Partie under world-renowned chef Wylie Dufresne at New York’s WD-50, where she took full advantage of the opportunity to absorb modern techniques and experiment with flavor profiles and menu creation. Her tenure at WD-50 was followed by a Sous Chef position at Blue Hill at Stone Barns outside of New York City, where the daily exposure to fresh and local ingredients reinforced her passion for continuing to support that cause in her cooking today. Believing that the best food comes from fresh, seasonal products, she is passionate about purchasing from local farmers. Keeping to her word, after our interview session was completed, Chef Spruance was running off to where else? The Union Square Greenmarket! •
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 19
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ByAnthony Rapacciuolo
t a young age, this Brooklyn born native was told he wasn’t cut out to be an actor, but did he listen to the criticism? Of course not, he’s from Brooklyn remember. Rather than call it quits, Steve Guttenberg went on to star in more than 60 films, play leading roles on Broadway, direct, produce, and even author two books. Throughout his career, his movies have generated over $1 billion dollars in international box office sales, a feat very few stars have ever achieved. See what happens when you tell a New Yorker they can’t do something! New York Lifestyles had the chance to speak with Steve about his personal life, career and his newest role on the HBO hit series, Ballers. He also divulged something he does on a weekly basis right here in the heart of the city; you’ll never guess what it is so you’ll simply have to read on. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 21
I have a wonderful home life living on the Upper West Side, and I love to visit the park, go to the theater, and the ballet.
22 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Three Men and a Baby Police Academy
It’s been said, that at an early age you were told to ‘forget about acting,’ how did that make you feel then, and more importantly now, looking back? In his writing, the author Joseph Campbell always talks about foreshadowing and the villain. For me, the foreshadowing was people telling me what I can’t do, and the villain came in the form of somebody not opening the door of opportunity. The villain, however, can always be beaten if you’re vigilant. For me, when that agent told me I wasn’t going to amount to anything as an actor, I didn’t hear a word he said, and I didn’t take it to heart because I’m the captain of my future. Looking back now I only wish him well and hope he’s as happy as I am. Who or what was your inspiration?
Every day I’m going to try to do everything I can to make the lives of the people I care about better.
It’s always been Theodore Roosevelt for me. Since I was seven years old, I’ve been going to visit Sagamore Hill, and I’ve always been inspired by his respect for family, for the country and his fellow man. Frankly, my fans also encourage me. Every day someone will come up to me and talk about their lives and values and character, and these are people I don’t know. I’m thrilled because I get to meet these new people all the time, and I’m fortunate to be in a business that allows me to do that. Talk about being born and raised in New York, and what it means to be a New Yorker. I was very fortunate to be born into a loving family in Borough Park. Later in life, we moved to Flushing, Queens and still later we moved to Massapequa, Long Island where I graduated high school. I’ve got a beautiful book of memories about my childhood in New York. I’m very proud of being a New Yorker. I think you have to have a tough skin, but also a flexible skin because here if you don’t bend, you’ll break. It was great to grow up here, and live here as I do now, it teaches me to be flexible every day. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 23
What’s changed in the Big Apple from your childhood till now? I think the city has gotten better. There are so many more amenities now compared to when I was growing up. Lincoln Center now offers dance nights and even shows the opera outside as well. And, of course, there’s The Philharmonic, the Ballet, and The Metropolitan Opera House are now more available for everyone to enjoy. Whereas when I was growing up, it seemed more elitist. The city has created opportunities for those who are less fortunate to expand themselves. Education has never been better in my opinion, and even the people are friendlier. You’ve starred in over 60 features including stage and film, is there a difference? Do you prefer one over the other? The commitment to the acting craft is universal. It’s the same whether you’re doing a short film for NYU or a full-length feature for Warner Brothers. The enjoyable part of theater is that you get to practice every night, and the wonderful part about film is that one special moment is captured that will never come again.
What’s been your favorite role or character throughout your career? I just played a role on Ballers, the HBO series starring Dwayne Johnson, and I had a great time playing Wayne Hastings Jr., who is a psychologically complicated billionaire hotel owner from Las Vegas. Dwayne, Rob, and Richard all want him to be a part of their investment business. He’s pretentious, selfish, and self-involved but a hell of a lot of fun to play. What’s it like working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? He is a well-mannered, generous, thoughtful, kind actor. He is attentive and centered, and present at the moment. He’s also an excellent listener on and off the set. I was impressed by his character and integrity.
HBO’s Ballers ©HBO/Jeff Daly
HBO’s Ballers ©HBO/Jeff Daly
HBO’s Ballers ©HBO/Jeff Daly
24 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Give our readers a taste of what’s to come this season on Ballers. I think the audience will get a kick out of the writing. The writing was just stellar beyond anything I thought was possible on a series show. The writers and directors are of the top caliber, and because of that, it’s going to be a great season. Tell us about Steve the person, not the actor. I think I’m a modern man with old fashioned values. I’m interested in today and the future, and I respect the past. I think our Senior Community is one of the most undervalued communities because of what they know and what we can learn from them. I have a wonderful home life living on the Upper West Side, and I love to visit the park, go to the theater, and the ballet. I still have deep roots in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.
You’ve done so much, what’s next? I’m not a medium, but I know that I’m going to do the right thing every day and that I’ll always have loving and meaningful relationships with my family and friends. Every day I’m going to try to do everything I can to make the lives of the people I care about better. Sound Off! Tell our readers something they don’t know about you. People probably don’t know that I visit what I consider two of the greatest pieces of art quite often at MoMA. I’m there probably once a week to look at two paintings which are Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Wyeth’s Christina’s World. There’s a personal relationship that I have with these paintings. I don’t know why but I must see them at least once a week. The other thing they may not know is that everything I’ve ever learned that was important and meaningful, I learned at my parent’s kitchen table. I highly recommend sitting around the kitchen table to see what you can learn. • Anthony Rapacciuolo is the owner of New York-based PRcision LLC, a full service public relations, marketing and events firm. His company has been called upon by numerous clients to assist in their fundraising and communications efforts. He is also a partner in an Italian Restaurant based on Staten Island.
The commitment to the acting craft is universal. It’s the same whether you’re doing a short film for NYU or a full-length feature for Warner Brothers. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 25
COOL SUMMER WHITES By Miki Makrillos
Cool down your hot summer days with these simply sharp and cool white ensembles that will leave you feeling stylish in white! All fashions and accessories from Ann Taylor (anntaylor.com)
White and Gold Round Earrings
Gretel Metallic Leather Slides
Natural Straw Clutch Purse
Scallop Eyelet Shift Dress
Gold Lace Sandals
Coral-Inspired Beaded Hoop Earrings 26 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Dress Featuring Crisscross Strap Back
Sleeveless Lace Up Sweater Pants: The Wide Leg Marina Pant
Piped Halter Dress
One-Shoulder Knit Top
Natural Straw Hat
Wide-Leg Pants
Resin Petal Earrings
Sleeveless Top And Pants
Poplin Tie Sleeve Shirt Dress
Wide Sleeve Top
SHOP SUMMER WHITES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
Francesca Metallic Leather Wedges
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 27
EASY BEAUTY CARE By The Editors of BeautyPress.com
ith the last days of warm weather on the horizon, let’s make the most of these warm days and breezy nights. And while we enjoy pool parties, and adventures at the beach, it’s still crucial to care for skin and hair while the heat and humidity beats on. We asked the experts at BeautyPress.com for some light care tips to get you through the last hot and humid days of summer.
CLIMATE CHANGES Not only do the climactic changes affect our skin, but also the differing productivity of our oil glands. They are more active during the warmer months; hence, a lot more sweat and dirt accumulate on the skin’s surface that causes clogged pores and impurities. At the same time, environmental toxins and other harmful influences put a strain on the skin when being outside. A mild facial cleansing regimen is a must now! Cleansing lotions, using micelle technology are the ideal summer companion since they free our skin of makeup and impurities; moreover, they clarify it and even provide moisturizing qualities. Remember, too, large-pored skin becomes fresh and clear again by using a mild cleansing gel.
SMART HAIR CARE Besides facial and body care, the treatment for our hair should be adapted to the season, too. Both hair and scalp need special care during summer. Shampoo that moisturizes the hair and, at the same time, calms the scalp is exactly what we need now. Also a hint from the pros: To protect hair after an extended stay outside use a moisturizing spray that supports the hair’s keratin fiber.
MOISTURIZE For summer, dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer that has an oil-in-water formula. These emulsions contain tiny oil drops in an aqueous base that have an incredible moisturizing effect. Oil-in-water emulsions can be found in the form of lotions, gels, serums, and creams. They are easy to apply and have a lovely cooling effect due to their high moisture content. Also, they don’t leave a greasy film on the skin or clog pores, but rather leave a pleasant feeling on the skin. Skin care also includes the all-important use of SPF—a must during summer (and for that matter, all year round). While UVB radiation causes sunburn, the short-wave UVA rays are responsible for premature skin aging. Therefore, a good SPF with a broad spectrum protecting against UVA/UVB rays is recommended every day.
WEIGHTLESS BODY CARE There’s no doubt the body loses a lot of water during warmer months. To prevent dehydration, drink more water; it keeps our largest organ (skin) healthy and supple. To assist in the quest for healthy skin moisturize from the outside, too. Rather than a rich texture often used in cooler months, opt for a lighter lotion or refreshing gel for easy absorption.
28 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
BEAUTIFUL PROSPECTS Despite the heat, most women don’t want to wear makeup during the summer months…nor do they have to! Very often what is needed is a light texture. Instead of a thick foundation or creamy compact powder, opt for a lightweight BB cream that conceals blemishes without weighing down the skin. Today, cosmetic companies are also offering CC and DD formulas that match the individual skin tone and give your complexion a natural finish.
COOL OFF Once temperatures start to rise, so too our body heat. Thankfully, our body has developed an ingenious system to protect against overheating: sweat provides a natural cooling effect. Unfortunately, sweat is also an ideal fertile soil for microorganisms that can cause an unpleasant body odor. Solution: Take a break and shower. A moisturizing and lipid-replenishing shower gel prevents dehydration while supporting the regeneration of the skin after outdoor activity. Also recommended, use a gentle scrub to promote velvety soft skin. These fine particles exfoliate to help smooth and revitalize the skin. •
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AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 29
beautiful beachfront luxury
Check your cares at the front desk and explore the oceanfront Pan American Hotel where our professional crew stands ready to meet your every need. Lovely first class rooms feature private balconies providing sweeping aerial views of the ocean. On the Beach at Crocus Road • 5901 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 609.522.6936 • Visit us at www.PanAmericanHotel.com
A MOREY RESORT
YBOR CITY - THE CUBAN CONNECTION By Jeff & Stephanie Sylva
f course, we’re all familiar with the likes of John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie and Cornelius Vanderbilt—those industrial giants of the Gilded Age. But what about Vicente Martinez Ybor? You might know of him if you’re a cigar aficionado. After all, he was primarily responsible for making Ybor City, Florida—and Tampa— the cigar capital of the world. Today, Tampa proudly embraces its Cuban heritage born of the cigar industry and the man for whom Ybor City is named.
THE EARLY YEARS As a young boy Vicente left Spain for Cuba to avoid being enlisted in the Spanish army. At the age of 14, Vicente started working as a cigar broker in Cuba becoming quite successful. However, Ybor’s sympathy for Cuba’s independence from Spain resulted in his fleeing Cuba and setting up his cigar business in Key West. In the mid-1880’s Ybor purchased land in Tampa, knowing that the hot and humid climate was perfect for making cigars.
Local resident enjoying an Ybor City cigar
The cigar industry in Tampa—especially in Ybor City—flourished, growing Tampa’s population from a small village of 400 in 1880 to a town of 15,000 by the turn of the century. Because of its highly successful cigar production, the City of Tampa annexed Ybor City into its city limits in 1887. Cigar rollers at Tabanero Cigars
A SUCCESS STORY The story of Ybor City’s success goes beyond its quality cigars, hand-rolled from the finest Cuban tobacco. During much of its heyday spanning the decades of the 1880’s to the 1930’s, the city became a model of immigrant success and prosperity. Skilled artisan workers from Cuba, as well as other immigrants from Italy, Spain, and Germany, lived and worked together, supporting each other’s “American Dreams.” Vicente Ybor and other cigar manufacturers were quite instrumental in the prosperity of their immigrant workers. “Casitas” were built for the workers providing clean, comfortable and safe housing. Social clubs were built for the various immigrant cultures; and benefits, including medical coverage, retirement plans, and funeral and burial services, were all provided at no cost to the workers: Essentially the country’s first Social Security and Medicare. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 31
YBOR CITY TODAY A visit to Ybor City will provide a chance to experience the history and culture of this unique neighborhood. Following the demise of the cigar industry in the 1930’s due to the Great Depression and a few other factors, Ybor City fell upon some hard times. The Cuban Revolution and the subsequent embargo accelerated the decline, and the construction of an express highway in 1976, essentially dividing the neighborhood in two, certainly didn’t help. A so-called renewal project accomplished nothing more than the leveling seventy acres of Ybor City. In 1974, the Ybor City Historic District was established, which enabled the protection of the nine remaining cigar factory buildings and other historical sites and the designation of the District as a National Historic Landmark. The neighborhood’s recovery continued in fits and starts for a few decades. Today, Ybor is alive, as new pubs and restaurants add to the already bustling food scene. Some cigar shops populate Seventh Avenue (Ybor’s main commercial street) where tabaqueros mesmerize onlookers with their skills at rolling cigars by hand. Most of these shops sport a comfortable array of couches and easy chairs inviting visitors to slow down, unwind, and enjoy one of the shop’s finely-crafted cigars while sipping a café con leche. Strolling along palm-lined Seventh Avenue (residents know it as “La Setima” or “Broadway”), we were impressed by the European-city ambiance. Italian and Spanish architectural designs are evident, including wrought iron balconies, ornate cornice work, and intricate tile designs. Authentic five-globe street lamps lining the wide sidewalks add a nice historical touch. Your first stop in Ybor should be at the Ybor City Museum State Park (ybormuseum.org), located in a 1923 building that was originally the Ferlita Bakery. (Note: The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.) The museum documents the rise and fall of Ybor from the 1880’s to the 1940’s. And if your interest in Ybor City’s history and heritage is as deep as ours was, you will want to contract the services of Wallace Reyes and his Cigar Industry History Tours (reservations required; yborcitytours.com). In addition to an in-depth explanation of the museum’s exhibits, Wallace will take you through the museum’s reconstructed casita, to Vicente Ybor’s factory building, and a number of other historical sites. One of his stops is on Cuban soil. That would be the Jose Marti Park. Jose Marti—poet, essayist, journalist, revolutionary—is considered the Apostle of Cuban Independence. The lot where the park is located was donated to the Republic of Cuba in 1956. Walk through the park’s gate, and you are in Cuba. No visa necessary!
Ybor City Centro © Visit Tampa Bay
Wallace Reyes at the Ybor City Museum Jose Marti Park
THE ART OF CIGAR MAKING Sipping the almost-addictive café con leche, we sat with Steve Stamberger inside Tabanero Cigars (tabanerocigars.com) as he described the intricate details of making (and smoking) cigars. From the different tobacco leaves and how they affect flavor, aroma, and strength of the cigar to the correct ways to cut, punch, light and set off a hand-made cigar, it’s quite an experience. “Never crush a cigar to put it out,” he told us, “just let it go out. It’s a work of art; don’t insult it.” Tabanero Cigars offers a 45-minute tour of its cigar-making, which includes observing skilled workers rolling hand-made cigars and a visit to the humidor to experience the different aromas of various tobacco leafs. 32 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE For a little off-center look at Tampa and Ybor City, take the Cigar City Magazine Mafia Tour (cigarcitymagazine.com/events.) This 90-minute walking tour through Tampa’s mafia history is led by Scott M. Deitche, author of five books on the mob. Ybor’s checkered mafia history is brought to the screen in Ben Affleck’s Live by Night. The author of the novel, Ybor City Cigars Dennis Lehane, was inspired by Photo by Keir Magoulas Deitche’s Mafia tour. © Visit Tampa Bay
Andalucia dining room
THE FOOD SCENE To fully appreciate Ybor City you must savor its food—and there are a few important choices. First, you need to have a Cuban sandwich. Miami residents may claim it originated there and that they have the best. But Ybor City locals will tell you the sandwich began here. As one story has it, it was created as a lunch alternative for the cigar factory workers’ typical large meals that often would induce an afternoon sluggishness. The Ybor version (originally called a “Mixto” and whose ingredients represent the prominent ethnic groups in the city) includes Cuban-styled mole roasted pulled pork, Spanish ham, Italian salami (Miami’s version does not include this), and a pickle, mustard and a slice of Swiss cheese representing the German influence. Finding a good Cuban sandwich in Ybor is easy. The one we sampled was from Stone Soup—a stop on the Original Historic Ybor City Food Tour (yborcityfoodtours.com). This tour offers a wealth of history while making 5 to 6 stops for some tastes of Ybor. Another must-try food experience is the Columbia Restaurant (columbiarestaurant. com). Established in 1905, it is Florida’s oldest restaurant and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world: it serves a killer Cuban sandwich. For a perfect lunch, we suggest sharing the Original 1905 Salad and a pitcher of Sangria (both made tableside). We especially liked the Sangria de Cava made with sparkling Spanish wine. Dinner at Columbia is a treat, as the menu offers a full array of Spanish and Cuban dishes. Every night (except Sunday) a Flamenco Dance show is presented in one of the restaurant’s 15 dining rooms. Reservations required; $6 cover applies. No matter where you get your “Mixto,” it probably will be made with bread from La Segunda Central Bakery (lasegundabakery. com). Copeland More, whose great-grandfather opened the bakery in 1915, described with pride the time-honored process of “slow and deliberate” proofing steps to create the perfect taste of La Segunda bread. Entirely hand-made and crafted—no timers used—the bread’s signature split crust is created by laying a palm frond across the dough before entering the oven. With a wide variety of pastries and bread, including the traditional favorite of many locals, a guava & cheese turnover, La Segunda is a great breakfast stop. The only problem is they have no seating for dining. Just take your breakfast over to Centennial Park, and settle on one of the benches. A note of warning: Overlook the resident chickens, descendants of chickens who arrived in Ybor over a hundred years ago. They are venerated by locals and protected by law. For more information on Ybor City and Tampa visit visittampabay.com. •
La Segunda Central Bakery
PLAN YOUR TAMPA BAY TRIP Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 33
beautiful beachfront luxury
Set sail for adventure at the Port Royal and make luxuriously appointed accommodations your port of call on the Jersey Shore. Soak up some sun and salty sea air with your First Mate from a private balcony with spectacular views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. On the Beach at Palm Road • 6801 Ocean Avenue • Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 PortRoyalHotel.com 609/729-2000 A MOREY RESORT
SOUTHWEST FRANCE: BARGING RIGHT IN Text & Photos By Karen Feld
pon arrival at Perpignan Airport in Southwest France, a charming Gilles Sansa greeted us and engaged us with his personal tour of vineyards and villages in the area before dropping us off at the European Waterways ultra-luxury barge, Enchante. It was docked about an hour away in Trebes on the 300-year-old UNESCO heritage Canal du Midi, the oldest functioning canal in Europe. Legend has it that over a dozen years 15,000 men and woman dug ditches by hand that would one day enable a more efficient transport of goods. Once we reached the barge, the five English-speaking crew members led by Pilot Captain Elie Ficher were eager to pamper. They greeted us with Champagne as we boarded the double-decker hotel barge Enchante, our floating home for the next six days. Enchante is the largest hotel barge on the Canal du Midi. In fact, it was too lengthy at one point; owners had to cut down eight inches. “We built the boat to be the biggest boat on the canal,” explained owner Louisa Gronow. The canal is operated by the government. And, although it is the smallest in France, it permits barges to go from one canal to another as we did on the Robine Canal which links Narbonne to the Mediterranean. Soon after, enthusiastic hostess Sheryl Gilmore, who described her job as “in charge of sparkles” showed us to our suite on the lower deck, one of four comfortably appointed guest suites with private bath. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 35
READY FOR NEW ADVENTURES Barging is a way of life for Enchante owners, Roger and Louisa Gronow. The couple met on this same canal while crewing for European Waterways. They lived their dream and refurbished two barges of their own. The Enchante, once a mid-century Dutch freight barge, now has a bright art deco style and spa pool on deck. Our gentle paced journey navigated under bridges and through locks—all automated—including a steel triple lock system.
Photo courtesy European Waterways
We stopped daily to explore small villages via foot, bicycle or van including Carcassonne, a walled medieval city with 52 watch towers. We walked the ancient streets of this Gallo-Roman era UNESCO World Heritage site while taking in the Camelot setting. The region is just south of Bordeaux and bordered by the Pyrenees. Wine-making is a way of life here, but the wines are not as well known—yet! As a wine aficionado, I learned that the Southwest LanguedocRoussillon region has 120 indigenous grapes and over 300 varieties making it France’s fifth largest wine-growing region. The unique wines, creative blends offering versatility at affordable prices are gaining attention. And, so, the tasting began! This region of France was once more known for raising sheep and grain than wines. But with changing economic times, the residents turned to producing inexpensive table wine with a low alcohol content. Initially, it was about quantity not the quality of wine in Minervois. But as I learned from Graham Nutter, a gentleman farmer and one of the top winemakers in Minervois having received the coveted AOC French mark of approval this region is on the map. Chateau St. Jacques d’Albas produces 10,000 bottles a year. “It’s always windy here,” he explained as he showed us around, “it shakes the leaves, so bugs fly away.” It’s all sustainable, no chemicals and has fewer tannins so fewer headaches. Dry farming in this area means no irrigation. They rely totally on rain after the first year. But Nutter said, “The weather patterns are getting more spiky with global warming.” After a successful career in the financial arena in New York, Nutter “recycled” himself by not only buying a vineyard but involving himself in every detail of wine-making using the latest technology including stamped stainless steel barrels from Northern Italy to eliminate leakage and evaporation of whites. He further combined lifestyle with wine-making by converting an old barn into a tasting room and a hay barn with a music room where he holds concerts with name musicians from Paris and elsewhere. We drove along the windy and hilly Route 20, a popular path for wine lovers; roamed Narbonne’s colorful indoor market where olives, tapenades, cheeses, bread, spices, meats and fresh fish were artfully displayed. It’s a hub for locals who gathered at wine and tapas bars in the center. Other stops included a local cooperative olive oil press and sampling Lucques olives and oils; the spectacular town of La Grasse and its 8th century St. Mary Abbey where visitor donations are believed to reserve a place in heaven. A delicious lunch of duck confit on the patio at Abbaye de Frontfroide was one of the only meals off-barge followed by a visit to the hilltop village of Minerve, which has a winter population of 40. While strolling along the canal one afternoon, I spotted La Librairie Ancienne du Somail, an old bookstore where I watched workers clean the books by hand before carefully wrapping them in clear plastic.
DINING PLEASURES Chef Sylvain Moretto of Dijon has been perfecting his culinary skills on barges for 15 years. I watched him in the open galley create masterpieces from perfectly timed individual four cheese soufflé to profiterole swans with homemade ice cream on a lake of chocolate caramel. He caters to dietary needs and all tastes. A good example was when one guest preferred something other than escargot. The chef substituted mushrooms—same color and texture—along with the same delicious garlic cream in puffed pastry sail. Cheryl’s creative and sparkly table settings were a surprise each meal as were the wine pairings with each course and the nightly cheese selection. Another important choice involved the chef ’s expertise at rapidly chopping tomato, zucchini, shallots and mint without blinking—his version of a fish sandwich with the veggies in the middle. The crust, a mixture of rock salt and egg whites served as crust. The result was fish steamed to perfection. On the way to the airport from our final stop, Salleles d’Aude, I spotted the highest mountain of the Pyrenees, Camigou, and reflected on the benefits and joys of slowing down and barging through nature and well-preserved history. Barging is seasonal with trips from April through October. For more information on the Enchante, visit europeanwaterways.com. • Karen Feld is an award-winning writer, speaker, and broadcaster. CRUISE EUROPE ‘17 SPECIAL OFFERS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
36 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Group bonfire
JERSEY’S OCEAN PLACE RESORT & SPA By Jeff & Stephanie Sylva
he Jersey Shore has long been a favorite retreat for those looking to enjoy the sandy beaches along its long coastline. One town that boasts a long and fascinating history of famous visitors to its beaches is Long Branch. As a matter of fact, it’s attracted many U.S. presidents—Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley and Woodrow Wilson—who have all stayed here. One of the town’s beach front parks, Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, pays tribute to Long Branch’s past. In recent years Long Branch has experienced a renaissance that has returned the resort town to much of its former glory, A perfect way for visitors to experience the best of Long Branch’s oceanfront relaxation and beauty is a stay at Ocean Place Resort and Spa, the only full-service luxury oceanfront resort between Manhattan and Atlantic City. Just like much of Long Branch’s ocean front, Ocean Place Resort and Spa has undergone a major renovation resulting in luxurious accommodation, dining, and spa experiences. Lobby
SLEEK & ELEGANT We were immediately impressed with the sleek style of the large, welcoming lobby. Numerous stylish couches and chairs create an upscale yet relaxed ambiance. With a large sense of openness, the lobby seamlessly incorporates the 70-foot marble bar of the Seaview Lounge, which smoothly flows into the resort’s sophisticated Seaview Restaurant, both of which have panoramic ocean views. The resort’s South Beach-inspired guest rooms feature luxury bedding, duvets, and down pillows, as well as spa-inspired baths with glass-walled showers enhance the elegant feel of the room. Rooms with a king bed or with two queen beds are available as well as junior suites and oceanfront suites. Terrace dinner
IMAGINATIVE CUISINE Ocean Place Resort offers guests sophisticated dining at Seaview Restaurant where Chef Guillermo Veloso creates a seasonal menu with Spanish-Caribbean fusion influences. The Portuguese-style clam chowder; Basque Tuna Mignon; and the Seafood Mixto Vera Cruz (a generous mix of jumbo shrimp, jumbo crab, mussels, scallops, and lobster in a lime-charred tomato salsa) are excellent, flavorful offerings. Other dining options include the beachfront Terrace Grill serving breakfast, lunch and light fare from before dusk. The Seaview Lounge also offers a bar menu. Most Thursdays the lounge offers a complimentary tasting with samples of refreshing cocktails using the day’s designated spirit. One of the Jersey Shore’s favorite places is Ocean Place’s Tiki Bar. The traditional thatched roof venue is set right alongside the Long Branch Promenade offering unique views of the beach and surf. With live music on weekends, signature libations including fusion-jar creations, and specialty cocktails, it’s sure to please. Once cooler weather closes in, the bar closes down. Entertainment moves inside to Seaview Lounge.
38 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Sunrise over pool
A RELAXING EXPERIENCE
North coastal view
Our second day proved to be even more of an escape, as we were pampered at the luxurious Ocean Place Spa. A recent $4 million makeover makes it unforgettable. After enjoying a soothing couple’s massage, we enhanced our experience with a rejuvenating Joint & Muscle Arnica Soak in a private soaking tub romantically illuminated by candlelight. It was easy for us to imagine that with its excellent spa and inviting indoor pool, Ocean Place Resort and Spa would be a great escape any time of the year. Ocean Place’s beachfront location, upscale facilities, and numerous amenities made us feel like we had escaped to paradise. Ocean Place’s private beach welcomed us with swaying palm trees and comfortable lounges and umbrellas set up by the beach attendants. Also, on-site parking, internet service, room mini-fridge, an indoor pool with heated soaking tub, an outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, and a well-equipped fitness center are tempting amenities. Children will be kept occupied with the Ocean Play room equipped with small couches, games, a large-screen TV, movies, and counselor-led program on weekends.
Pool side view
Visitors will find plenty to do all year round at the resort as well as the neighboring Pier Village, a collection of 30 shops and dining venues. Be sure to ask for the special brochure filled with discounts at some of the shops and restaurants, many of which are well known for their outstanding cuisine.
GETTING THERE Ocean Place Resort & Spa is an hour-and-a-half from Manhattan by car or train (with complimentary shuttle service to and from the station). Be sure to check the Ocean Place website for special deals and packages such as the “Let’s Get Together,” the “Spa Escape Lite,” and the “Girlfriends Getaway” packages. Spa treatment room OCEAN PLACE RESORT SPECIALS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
For more information on Ocean Place Resort & Spa, visit oceanplace.com. • Jeff and Stephanie Sylva are retired English and Social Studies high school teachers who have been freelance travel writers for over 28 years. They’ve been publishing in many national publications and who love to write about the great outdoors and, of course, travel. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 39
Losinj Island
CROATIA’S FANTASY ISLAND By Gretchen Kelly
emember the TV series Fantasy Island which touted the unforgettable saying, “The plane! The plane!”? Every week visitors were transported to a beautiful island and left looking fabulous, rested and ready for the real world. That was more than thirty years ago. Today, if you wanted to look for an island just like that in the real world, you would find it in Croatia (known to a new generation of media watchers as “King’s Landing” from Game of Thrones). Once part of the Austrian Empire, the island of Lošinj (a short private plane hop from Zagreb or Venice) became famous as the private island retreat for Emperor Franz Josef and his young mistress. Here they were quartered in the gorgeous, art nouveauinspired villas for the mild winter climate and the island’s natural aromatherapy. The fresh air with a hint of the isle’s pines and herbs like rosemary, and immortelle (a small plant so powerfully healing and restorative that the French face crème business imports it by the truckload). The minute you arrive and take a deep breath, you’ll feel what the Austrian glitterati of the day felt. Your lungs expand, your body relaxes, the senses open and take in the healing, aromatic salt-tinged, pine-laden air. The unique microclimate and mix of rare plants and flowers here have been medically known to expand lung capacity (a boon in the days of The Austrian Empire’s coal-choked cities). It’s the reason Lošinj developed a reputation as a place of retreat and healing for the wealthy Austrians and Italians who knew the secrets of its restorative powers and built beautiful hotels and villas along its turquoise watered beaches. Lošinj is divided into two parts: Mali Lošinj near Čikat Bay is the larger of the two; Veli Lošinj, the smaller, is to the south of the island. The island’s commercial hotel industry is managed by one company, the Jadranka Group, which own and operate a boutique selection of properties from four to five stars. Guests can also stay in private homes (where you’ll find those elusive celebs and their entourage), but the island’s Hotel Bellevue and Hotel Alhambra by Čikat Bay are the places where the holistic hedonism happens. 40 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
SITTING ON THE BAY The Bellevue, right on the bay, is a white marble and stone shrine to the idea the French call, “bien dans son peau” or feeling alive and fantastic in your own skin. Built to look from the water, like an elegant ocean liner, when you are inside the Bellevue’s high white stone lobby with its Italian marble floors and pillars, you feel a bit like you’re in an ancient Greek temple to the goddess of feeling good. The Bellevue is home to its own pier and swimming area along with two salt-water pools: one indoor and one out. It also has a world-class spa and spa zone where you can curl up in a warm healing chaise made of stone or relax on a water bed after one of the spa’s signature massages with some of the island’s herbal Hotel Alhambra healing oils. There’s also the bracing bay itself for a dive into the water so pure and crystalline you can see your feet (and a few spiny sea urchins) below. Float out a bit, and you can MUCH TO DO watch the Bellevue’s invariably well-heeled and Armani-clad clientele dining on fresh Scorpionfish and other local catches Although you wouldn’t be faulted for never wanting to leave the cocoonon the wide terrace. like pleasures of the Bellevue or the Alhambra, the island has plenty For a more private and slightly higher-end experience along of cultural and scenic treasure to lure you from your seaside cave of with Italianate interiors and Ferragamo amenities, the Hotel delights. Roman and Medieval ruins (along with a lovely and very retro Alhambra next door is the place to ensconce yourself and Archaeology Museum) in the town of Osor are a great field day out into never want to leave. The building is of the Wiener Werkstatt/ the island’s multi-layered history of Venetian/Austrian/Roman ancestry. Gustav Klimt era, with beautiful brass and wood everywhere Note: if you see Venetian lions with their tails up, the structure was built during a time when the locals were feeling friendly. Tails down, not so and an art nouveau take on the Moorish style. much. EXPERIENCE LOSINJ ISLAND MAGIC Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
There’s also the fascinating Museum of Apoxyomenos where you can see the bronze statue of a Greek athlete found in the waters off the island by a visiting diver. The image of a young man in the prime of his physical peak, in near perfect condition, is a powerful branding message of the island itself: the joy of physical wellness, the beauty of a body well-tended. Around the island, you can also find local olive oil makers and places to buy the precious oil of the immortelle flower—the roadside herb that renders a substance said to keep skin looking glowing and young, and that gives the body as a whole a sense of vitality and energy. The smell is of amber, a bit like cognac mixed with honey. In the end, your senses will keep the memories of those tastes, that bracing saltwater on your skin, the mild, warming the sun on your face and the scent of pine resin, wild rosemary, and sage, for years to come. •
Hotel Bellevue
Gretchen Kelly writes on travel and hotels for The New York Post, TravelwithVal.com, Frommers. com, and many other websites and publications. She has appeared on FOX5’s Good Day New York, BBC Worldwide News and Bloomberg News. She’s been to over 80 countries.
Villa Hortensia
GETTING THERE You can get to the island via direct flights to Venice, Italy or Zagreb, Croatia and then a short 30-minute transfer to a private flight on King Airways which offers passengers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and its islands below. Ferry service from mainland Croatia is also available. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 41
Welcome to Harborside resort montauk
The Harborside Resort Montauk offers a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. On-premise pool and tennis, attractive rooms, studios, suites and efficiencies - each offering many amenities. Montauk is one of the beautiful resort destinations on the East Coast. Miles of breathtaking coastline, nature trails and preserves, varied watersports from famed surfing to water-skiing to whale watching.
World renowned fishing is found here, too as Montauk is well recognized as one of the top fishing capitals of the world. For beach lovers, we provide our guests’ access to Montauk’s finest ocean and sound beaches. And, golfers, bring your clubs and golf at the magnificent Robert Trent Jones designed Montauk Downs State Park located just one mile from the Harborside. You can enjoy the pleasure of
371 West lake dr. montauk, nY 11954 631.668.2511 montaukharborside.com
nearby horseback riding, being pampered at a marinotherapeutic spa, great shopping and a trip to our treasured beacon - the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Sample the gourmet delights of the finest restaurants, just a short walk or drive away. You will never be at a loss of things to do in Montauk - where a great vacation begins!
INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE HAMPTONS By Norah Bradford
he Hamptons are as much a state of mind as a place, a retreat on the eastern tip of New York’s Long Island where most can find (even for a short weekend getaway) their version of peace and tranquility. Read on for our take on the hottest hotels, restaurants, activities and more to make your stay memorable.
WHERE TO DINE 75 MAIN This Hamptons restaurant has been transformed into a go-to year-round hot spot. 75 Main combines the classic style of the Hamptons with the enticing elements of New York City nightlife. Some A-listers who have enjoyed the elegant ambiance include Leonardo di Caprio, the Kardashians (Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe) and Sarah Jessica Parker. 75 Main, Southampton, NY (631.283.7575; 75main.com). UNION CANTINA Do not miss the exciting new menu specials and entertainment at one of Long Island’s most vibrant, social and delicious destinations, Union Cantina; it’s considered The Hamptons only authentic modern Mexican restaurant. This popular eatery, designed by Southampton Social Club owners Ian Duke and David Hilty, sits in the iconic Bowden Square and is open year-round. With Duke and Hilty working alongside award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf, who has been featured on Food Network’s Iron Chefs of America, the trio continues to captivate with delicious cuisine. What’s New Some of the things happening this summer at Union Cantina include a new cocktail menu, menu choices of Mahi Tacos, Skirt Steak Tacos, Angry Lobster, Pan Snapper, and Apple Cinnamon Empanadas. Of course, Union Cantina will still feature classic favorites from their popular menu. Exciting entertainment will be offered three nights a week (Thursday-Saturday). The bar will be offering Happy Hour (MondayFriday from 4-7 pm). Also, lawn games and other fun special events will be happening throughout the summer season. Check the website for latest updates.
KOZU Zach Erdem returns with another exciting season at the Japanese Fusion restaurant Kozu. The menu features signature dishes such as the Kozu Jalapeño Yellowtail with Smoked Tomato Ponzu. Aside from the delectable dishes, the chic décor also attracts celebrities— Nicky Hilton, Amber Rose, and Hugh Jackman to name a few—to the restaurant’s elegant atmosphere, featuring dark wooden floors and white walls covered in colorful artwork by Raphael Mazzucco. Fresh flowers add a sense of luxury to the restaurant, as do the scorched ash tables and soft lighting. The large outside patio, which seats 150 people, offers additional dining space “al fresco” during the summer season. After dinner, check out Kozu’s nightclub, Kozu Lounge (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) with name DJ’s from around the world and more. Also look for Brunch Parties (Saturdays from 12-6 pm) with DJ and performance—and a good amount of Champagne! Kozu, 136 Main Street, Southampton, NY (631.619.6660; 75maingroup.com).
The restaurant sits behind the 400 Rabbits Tequila Bar, which is reminiscent of a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Bartenders mix fun favorites for diners that perfectly complement any meal. The tequila bar carries 100+ types of tequila, producing a unique signature cocktail program and an extensive tequila menu consisting of sangrias, punches, and frozen drinks.
CLAUDE’S New for Summer 2017 is The Southampton Inn’s latest restaurant, Claude’s which features all the delicious farm-to-table, homecooked menu selections as well as its “Best of the Best” breakfast, lunch and light bites. It is open daily and menu choices are no more than $20. Enjoy your meal inside the gorgeous dining room, al fresco in the beautifully planted courtyard, or in Claude’s “Secret Garden.” Utterly charming, totally welcoming, and thoroughly unpretentious.
Union Cantina, 40 Bowden Square, Southampton NY (631.377.3500; unioncantina.net).
Claude’s, 91 Hill Street, Southampton, NY (631.283.6500; southamptoninn.com). AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 43
WHERE TO PARTY SOUTHAMPTON SOCIAL CLUB This season, Southampton Social Club returns to set the bar for dining, drinks, and dancing to which others aspire. As the pre-eminent fine dining supper club in the Hamptons, Social Club continues to set the standard for hospitality. Look for Executive Chef Scott Kampf ’s farm-totable cuisine, a cocktail program featuring many new refreshing libations, not to mention the integration of the classic social beer garden concept to SSC’s outdoor area. Weekly live music and DJ’s create good vibes. Boasting an exquisite interior dining room, South Beach-style cabanas and beautifully manicured outdoor gardens, Southampton Social Club continues to put the capital ‘S’ in Social. Southampton Social Club, 256 Elm Street, Southampton, NY (631-287-1400; southamptonsocialclub.com). PRIVATE BRUNCH WITH FERRARI & MASERATI (August 5th) RAND Luxury is proud to produce a Private Brunch in the Hamptons in association with Ferrari Maserati of Long Island & Hamptons Purist. On display will be the latest models from Ferrari & Maserati. A silent auction will be held with proceeds benefiting the Every Woman Counts. For more information, visit theluxuryreview.com. SOUTHAMPTON INN With the most magnificent beaches, elegant estates, fabulous shops, and über recreational opportunities (swim, surf, boat, golf, tennis, bike and horseback riding), Southampton Inn is the perfect getaway for all. Ideal for couples, honeymooners, and also kid-friendly, Southampton Inn is walking distance to the beach, village, culture, and shopping, and right next door to spas, salons, and exercise studios.
WHERE TO STAY
As the winner of numerous awards, Southampton Inn is a warm and welcoming haven with an excellent reputation that is richly deserved. Celebrate the art of pure relaxation, indulge in a romantic rendezvous, or enjoy precious time with the entire family—Southampton Inn is an elegant choice. Southampton Inn, 91 Hill Street, Southampton, NY (631-283-6500; southamptoninn.com). Southampton Inn
Hotel Ze HOTEL ZE Owned by restaurateur and nightclub owner Zach Erdem of 75 Main Group, Hotel ZE is a Parisian-inspired boutique hotel with a total of 9 rooms: 5 suites and four standard rooms. The hotel and rooms are designed by world-renowned architect Costas Kondylis, in a modern European style, and is open year round. The hotel is adjacent to Kozu restaurant, where diners can enjoy delicious Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine. Hotel Ze, 136 Main Street, Southampton, NY (631-619-6660; 75maingroup.com). 44 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
PARTY FOR A CAUSE EVELYN ALEXANDER WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER’S “GET WILD” SUMMER GALA (August 12th) This benefit will celebrate the summer season with its annual “Get Wild Summer Gala” hosted by Molly Channing of Channing Daughters Vineyard. Notable attendees from last year’s event included Beth Ostrosky Stern, Howard Lorber, Leslie Alexander, Liz Brown, Ginnie Frati, Jackie Rogers, Curtis Sliwa, Shelley Berkoski, Missy Hargraves and Jill Rappaport. For more information, visit wildliferescuecenter.org.
13TH ANNUAL HAMPTONS HAPPENING (August 5th) The 13th Annual A Hamptons Happening will mark the 41st Anniversary of the founding of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation by the noted oncologist and cancer researcher Samuel Waxman, MD. This year’s benefit will honor Glenn Myles, chairman, and CEO of First Wall Street Capital. A Hamptons Happening will feature over 30 of the top chefs and restaurants in New York City and the Hamptons. There will be musical performances by Rufus Wainwright and Sophie Beem. For more information, visit waxmancancer.org/events/hamptonshappening.
Southampton Hospital’s 59Th Annual Summer Party SOUTHAMPTON HOSPITAL’S 59TH ANNUAL SUMMER PARTY (August 5th) This summer party is an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing to benefit the Jenny and John Paulson Emergency Department. Lawrence Scott Events will provide the ambiance and gourmet offerings. Attendees from last year’s event included president and chief executive of the hospital Robert Chaloner; VP, Robert I. Ross; Senator Ken Lavelle; Lawrence Scott; Jean Shafiroff; Chuck Scarborough; Steve Bernstein; Jay Schneiderman; Robert Zimmerman; Steven Bellone; Congressman Lee and Diana Zeldin; and Victor de Souza. For more information, visit southamptonhospital.org.
“AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS” FOR THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES (August 19th) The intimate “An Evening Under the Stars” fundraising dinner and auction in Bridgehampton benefits The Michael Bolton Charities. All décor and services for the private fundraising event will be donated by Lawrence Scott Events. For more information, visit michaelboltoncharities.com.
PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION’S GALA & PRO-AM TENNIS TOURNAMENT (August 27th) The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating research globally. Prostate Cancer Foundation will host its annual gala in support of the 13th Annual Charles Evans PCF Pro-Am Tennis Tournament. The gala is a celebration featuring cocktails, dining and special performances. All proceeds raised throughout the evening will go to supporting groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research. Last year’s event was catered by Robbins Wolfe, with performances by Billy Idol, Diane Reeves, and The Company Men. The gala raised over $3.5 million. This year, the PCF Gala & Pro-Am Tennis Tournament will take place at Parrish Art Museum in Watermill, NY. For more information, visit pcf.org. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 45
WHERE TO PLAY
HAMPTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB Here is one of New York’s best-kept secrets—and members like it that way. Hampton Hills is located in the middle of the 2,000-acre pine and oak tree preserves in Westhampton Beach. The wooded setting allows members to escape the rush of the city in favor of peaceful competition against a challenging golf course. Get ready for the U.S. Open 2018 at Shinnecock Hills right down the road. Hampton Hills Country Club, County Rd. 31, Westhampton Beach, NY (631-727-6862, hamptonhills.com).
WHAT TO GIFT
HOW TO PARTY
LAWRENCE SCOTT EVENTS A signature Lawrence Scott Event offers guests a chance to enter a magical environment that allows them to escape and connect in a great space unlike any other. Lawrence Scott Events’ services are in-house, so clients receive only the bestcustomized décor, food, flowers and entertainment which blends to make a perfect event. Larry Scott is a favorite among high-profile clients—Vera Wang, Michael Bolton, Judge Judy—for his thoughtful and personable approach to planning events. For more information, visit lawrencescottevents.com.
WHAT TO READ
HAMPTONS SALT Peter Pierce founded Hamptons Salt Company upon discovering the abundance of chemical-laden table salt varieties. He wanted to find a safe, delicious alternative to serve to his two children. The company is the preeminent provider of all natural sea salt and contain no additives. Each salt has a unique taste profile based on the sea from where it originated, and the natural minerals are not stripped out like refined salt. Hamptons Salt currently offers 29 salt varieties from around the world. You can experience Bali Pyramid or Cypress Flake without leaving your kitchen. Also, Hamptons Salt Company offers assortments of Hamptons Salt for the perfect hostess gift or foodie. Each collection comes in its own sleek black gift box. For more information on Hamptons Salt, visit hamptonssalt.com. YUMBOX Perfect for summer drives to the Hamptons, picnics on the beach, and even long bike rides is the Yumbox bento box. Pack your favorite meals, healthy snacks, or whatever you desire in this durable, BPA-free container. Founders, Maia Neumann & Daniela Devitt, are both proponents of the Mediterranean-inspired balanced meals. There’s a Yumbox for every occasion and age: Yumbox Original and Panino for little and big kids, Yumbox Tapas for active teens and adults, and Yumbox Mini-Snack for anyone that packs healthy snacks. For more information on Yumbox, visit yumboxlunch.com. 46 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
CLASS MOM: A NOVEL (Henry Holt and Co.) Laurie Gelman’s debut novel Class Mom: A Novel is a clever take on a year in the life of kindergarten class mom, Jen Dixon. Jen is not your typical Kansas City, Missouri mom or a mom in general. She already has two college-age daughters by two different men (probably musicians), and it is her second time around the class mom block with fiveyear-old Max; this time with a husband and father by her side. Though her best friend and PTA President sees her as the “wisest” candidate for the job (or oldest), not all of the other parents agree. Class Mom: A Novel will be available August 1st wherever books are sold.• MORE DINE, PARTY, PLAY INFO Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
for escape
Kayak the Hudson, climb the Gunks, then sit for a moment and marvel at the epic stillness of nature.
SEEK FOR YOURSELF. ulstercountyalive.com
DUCK SOUTHERN SHORES KITTY HAWK KILL DEVIL HILLS NAGS HEAD SOUTH NAGS HEAD
Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates is a family owned company with nearly 50 years of experience in providing quality vacation rental accommodations and real estate services on The Outer Banks of North Carolina. You can trust the knowledge and expertise that come from choosing to do business with one of the first and most well-known companies on the Outer Banks. Our work ethic, dedication and strong community involvement awarded us the honor of 2016 Small Business of the Year by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce.
Vacation Rentals We offer rental homes in all of the popular Outer Banks beach towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores and Duck. We understand the importance of your vacation and have carefully selected a wide range of homes to fit everyone’s needs and budgets.
Real Estate Sales Quite a few things have changed since 1968. One thing that will always stay the same is our commitment to you. Whether you are buying or selling property on the Outer Banks, open communication and team oriented decision making will guide you through the ins and outs of your transaction.
Open seven days a week 800-552-6257 or locally at 252-261-4444 joelambjr.com • joelambrealty.com
NOTES FROM DB By Daniel J. Bollinger
MARKET NEWS: REALITY COMETH… There seem to be some conflicting stats in the market these days. For the second quarter of 2017 median and average sales prices have risen to record-setting numbers as has the number of closings. But “days on the market” increased dramatically and listing discounts also rose. Market data in this industry isn’t the most concise. Though median and average sales prices have increased, there are some events that “skew” this data: New developments that were in contract in past quarters are included in this quarters data when the transaction closed. Also, transactions on some of the most highly priced inventory on the market, like One57 and 15CPW, tend to push up these figures. Compare that to listing discounts that have grown this quarter, and I would say the era of aspirational pricing in NYC is near its end. The number of new condos on the market for the second quarter was just below 6,000, up 35 percent year over year, but contracts signed were just 350, a 23 percent decline. There are still thousands of new developments slated to come to market through the year 2020. That’s a whole lot of rental and condo inventory on tap. It is going to be very interesting to see what the market has in store for us since the rental market is currently in the doldrums with many rental developments giving discounts on rent and offering to pay broker’s fees. Watch to see this trend enter the sales market as well. Now is an excellent time to get your pre-approval for a mortgage (preferably with a locked in rate) and start window shopping. As the market continues to trend toward “reality,” you will be in perfect position to take advantage of this situation. I recommend using a buyer broker who knows the market to help you make sensible offers.
REBNY RLS There is great news regarding Streeteasy’s poor Premier Agent service. Leader’s in my industry have finally come together to push back against Streeteasy’s attempt to completely bleed brokerage firms by charging fees for leads. I am proud to announce, as of this writing that The Board of Directors of the Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) Residential Brokerage Division has finalized plans to syndicate REBNY Residential Listing Service (RLS) listings through a centralized, single feed. This is probably the closest thing NYC can hope for regarding an MLS. Most of the top firms have committed to signing on including BOND NY, Brown Harris Stevens, Citi Habitats, Compass, The Corcoran Group, CORE, Fox Residential Group, Leslie J Garfield & Co, Stribling & Associates, TOWN Residential, Warburg Realty, and Halstead Property. There is only one other reputable powerhouse firm that I hope to see on this list soon: Douglas Elliman. The board has set a target date of August 1st to launch this syndicated feed. This has the possibility of cleaning up the NYC real estate industry and simultaneously putting Streeteasy in check. As REBNY President John Banks states, “Syndication is a win-win for our members as well as consumers. It will reduce costs and increase efficiency for agents, and provide more accurate data for consumers to make well-informed decisions.” If and when this new RLS gets initiated, I urge all buyers and sellers to work only with REBNY member real estate salespeople. I also recommend all brokerages to sign up for this feed to help raise the bar of our industry The RLS encourages all third party websites that wish to receive the feed to contact REBNY’s Stefan Martinovic at rlsinfo@rebny.com to sign the RLS content licensing agreement. Daniel Bollinger Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Halstead Real Estate DanielJBollinger@Yahoo.com Luxury NYC Real Estate Expert AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 49
THROUGH THE LENS Photography By AnnieWatt.com
LEESA ROWLAND HOSTS ANIMAL ASHRAM’S EMERGING ARTISTS
CASITA MARIA CENTER FOR ARTS & EDUCATION MUSICALE 2017
THIRTY FILIPINO ARTISTS FEATURED IN PINTO MANHATTAN MANILA
Dancers Leesa Rowland, Chris DeRose, Mary Max
Co Chairs - Robin Cofer, Liz Derringer, Lisa Rowland, Chris DeRose
Ben Mindich, Jane Scher, Montgomery Frazier, Models
Peter Max, Mary Max
Haydee Morales, Jacqueline Weld Drake, Michele Gerber Klein, Maria Celis Wirth
David Rockefeller Luis Mora, Rainer Armbrust, Marcelo Guzzo, The Casita Maria Chamber Choir, Haydee Morales
Haydee Morales, Paola Rosenshein, Mercedes Bograd Levin, Jacqueline Weld Drake, guests
Rainer Armbrust, Marcelo Guzzo
50 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Federico de Vera, Mercedes Zobel
Jerry Sibal, Dr. Joven Cuanang, Mercedes Obel, Donna Karan, Edwin Josu
WOMAN TO WOMAN SPRING BENEFIT HONORING VALERIE AND BOB GOLDFEIN
FRIENDS OF THE BUDAPEST FESTIVAL CHAMBER CONCERT
FRIENDS OF THE DOMAINE DE CHANTILLY
Pierre Rosenberg, Lecturer Chamber Concert Valerie Goldfein, Woman to Woman volunteers
Betty Jean Eveillard, Suber Sterlesser
Dr. Konstantin Zakashansky, Dr. Ann Marie Beddoe, Bob Goldfein, Dr. Peter Dottino, Arden Moulton
Hanna Green, Pat Falkenberg, Allan Green, Rochelle Hirsch
Marilyn Aronson, Diane Smith, Dr. Stephanie Blank, Arden Moulton, Valerie Goldfein, Linda John, Sara Pasternak
Julia Burns, John Vance, Laine Siklos, Gioia Zwack
Kathryn Livingston Forgan, Gladys Thomas, Nicolette Pathy Bingham
Stephen Benko, Julie Tobey, Noemi Sallai, David Tobey, Luis Ortiz
Ishtar Méjanès, Nathalie Brunel
Peter Marino, Lynn Wyatt, Jane Marino
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 51
SONJA TREMONTMORGAN HOSTS AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BLERANCOURT
NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY BOOK AWARDS EVENT AT THE UNION LEAGUE
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OXFORD PHILHARMONIC AT THE WALLACE COLLECTION IN LONDON
Kevin Johnson (Photography), Susan Rather (Art), Stephen Coss (Nonfiction) Begnino Aguilar, Chris Ivezaj, Nicole Milano
Wallace Collection Dinner
NES Book Award Committee Anne Teasdale, Ireen Kudra-Miller, NES President Anna Bulkot, Ellen Scordato, Jan Ogden, Roland Foster Miller
CeCe Black, April Gow, Susan Gutfreund
India Grimstad, Gigi Grimstad, Falcon Hudson, Lainie Garside
Bill Crookston, Ellen Scordato, Marian Morrill, Maria Grazul
Anne Nitze, Bill Nitze, HRH Princess Michael at Wallace Collection
Miles Morgan, Quincy Adams Morgan
Lee Ballinger, Douglas Winston, Danzey Burnham
Joyce DiDonato, Marios Papadopoulos
Franck Laverdin, Devi Kroell, Pamela Johananoff, James Gerard, Heimata Rutgers, Camile Mantelin, Elizabeth Higgins
52 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
NATURAL AREAS CONSERVANCY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
David Langer, Julia Robbins, Elizabeth Garrett, Hannah Bennett, Cait LaMorte
Jeffrey Buan, Jennifer Epstein
Karen McQuiston, David Langer, Stacy Sonnenberg, Eric Sanderson, KC Sahl, Carter Strickland, Sarah Charlop-Powers, Adrian Benepe, Bram Gunther
Richard Brockman, Matt Blood, Mirra Bank, Michael Samuelian
JOSEPH ACHKAR & MICHEL CHARRIERE HOST AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BLERANCOURT
Laverdin, Michel Charrière, Joseph Achkar, Dorothea de La Houssaye
RE-OPENING OF THE FRANCOAMERICAN MUSEUM IN BLÉRANCOURT, FRANCE
Franco-American Museum
Christopher Treble, Sonja TremontMorgan, Miles Morgan, Dorothea de La Houssaye Quincy Adams Morgan
Franck Laverdin, Beatrice Rosenberg, Joseph Achkar
Scott Kramer, Quincy Adams Morgan, Eric Jirgens
Franck Laverdin, Eugenie Angles, Francoise Nyssen, Didi D’Anglejan
Franco-American Museum dedication
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 53
THE GARDEN PARTY IN CELEBRATION OF PRIDE WEEK
8TH ANNUAL FREDDIE G FELLOWSHIP CLASS OF 2017
Bear Donna, Geraldine Visco
8th Annual Freddie G Fellowship Class of 2017
Brooke King, Kambiz Shekdar, Daniela Naji, Jessica Robinson
Kambiz Shekdar and Guests
Jeff Calhoun, Freddie Gershon, Myrna Gershon, Baayork Lee, Drew Cohen
iTheatric’s Marty Johnson, Timothy Allen McDonald, Cindy Ripley, Steven Kennedy
AMERICAN HUMANE SHELTER TO SERVICE DOG PROGRAM INAUGURAL GRADUATION
Beth Stern, Alex Donner, Jewel Morris, Dr. Robin Ganzert
Bob Morris, Naomi Judd, Larry Strickland
Graduates of the Shelter to Service Dog program
Nancy Hassel, Elyise Hallenbeck, Naomi Judd, Dr. Robin Ganzert, Stephanie Mattera, Eile Ginty, Ronnie Perl
Julie Atlas Muz, Richard Pyles
Trevor Hardwick, Stephen Flaherty, Baayork Lee and MTI’s John Prignano
54 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
SEE MORE EVENTS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
Winter's Tale (2014)
AS EVERYONE LIKES IT By Joan Hornig
ast summer, I cut my Labor Day weekend short to return to the city to attend the final night of the Public Works performance of Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. With a cast of 200 and a limited run of 3 performances, this play marked the close of the outdoor Public Theater season. I knew nothing about it ahead of time, but Jan Gura, my friend who works in development at The Public, invited me and promised it would be special. That was an understatement. Like many New Yorkers, I am no stranger to joyous evenings of The Public’s Free Shakespeare in the Park. But this Public Works Participatory Theater program underscores their commitment to being a theater of, by and for the people in a way that extends the meaning of Free Shakespeare in the Park beyond a performance created by world-class theater professionals. Participatory Theater done this way bodes well for the future of arts innovation. It illustrates how non-profits collaborating in creating extraordinary theater can extend the boundaries of engagement in the arts and add a fresh dose of creativity to storytelling.
THE POWER TO CHANGE Now in its fifth season, Public Works brings diverse New Yorkers together from all five boroughs to create an unforgettable civic experience. This is one of the clearest examples of how theater has the power to change lives, tell stories and connect us to the current issues and challenges we face in our city and country. Public Works is The Public’s initiative that enables New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds to become creators, artists, and performers, not just spectators. Working with partner non-profit organizations across the City, diverse communities attend workshops, classes, performances and actively create Participatory Theater thereby enabling them to discover, develop and showcase their talents. I sat spellbound when watching community ensemble members, ballet dancers, hip-hop dancers, Mexican folk dancers, brass band players, bubble artists, taiko drummers, gospel singers, taxi drivers and professional Broadway and film actors interpret Shakespeare in a totally original and thoroughly spellbinding way. The premise of Public Works is that theater breaks down the boundaries separating us from each other in daily life through the deliberate blurring of the line between professional artists and community members. It underscores that the arts are interracial, intercultural, intergenerational, and inspirational. The success of Public Works has been great enough to spawn offshoots in Dallas, Seattle, and Detroit. 56 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Twelfth Night (2016) Twelfth Night (2016)
SEEING THE CLASSICS This summer, the luckiest among us will get to see a Public Works musical adaption by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery of As You Like It, the Shakespeare classic about chance encounters and self-discovery. Those on stage and in the audience will come to realize all things are possible here in NYC. Regardless of income, background, and age, opportunities to explore passions and talents are plentiful, largely owing to the generous public and private supporters in our city who open doors for others. It happens because throughout the year The Public Theater and partner organizations offer acting, playwriting, clown training, dance, adult Shakespeare classes, play readings, discussions, singing, and poetry writing classes to a population not familiar with opportunities like Free Shakespeare in the Park. The adaptation of As You Like It is created by and showcases talent found in our very own NYC non-profits. •Dreamyard (Bronx) is an arts and social justice organization dedicated to working with Bronx youth, families, schools and communities to build pathways toward equity and opportunity, by providing transformative arts education through school-based and out-of-school programs (dreamyard.com).
Tempest (2013) •Brownsville Recreation Center (Brooklyn) is a branch of the New York City Parks Department with extensive resources for youth and seniors which provide a vibrant space to tap into artistic and athletic pursuits (nycgovparks.org). •Military Resilience Project (All Boroughs) addresses and honors the unique experiences of our service men and women by engaging them in community -based events that allow them to become part of a shared narrative (milresilience.com).
•Domestic Workers United (All Boroughs) a city-wide organization of Caribbean, Latina and African nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers in New York who organize for power, respect and fair labor standards in the domestic industry (domesticworkersunited.org).
•Casita Maria Center for the Arts and Education (Bronx) empowers young people ages 6 through college along with their families to experience a culture of learning through high-quality exposure to and opportunities in the arts (casitamaria.org).
•The Children’s Aid Society (Manhattan) provides comprehensive support and critical services to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods (childrensaidsociety.org).
•Center for Family Life in Sunset Park (Brooklyn) is a neighborhood–based social service organization encompassing comprehensive services in counseling, employment, education, the arts, and recreation with 8 locations servicing more than 16,000 children and adults each year (ccflsp.org).
•Fortune Society (Queens) is a social service and advocacy organization which supports successful reentry from prison to promote alternatives to incarceration (fortunesociety.org).
Odyssey (2015) Odyssey (2015)
The initiation of the Public Works Program and other community engagement endeavors developed by The Public’s Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis, represents a great artistic leap forward for our broad and diverse NYC community. It is fitting that is was born at The Public. It follows in the tradition of celebrating how the arts bind us together by reaching deep into our entire community and recognizing what each aspect of our population contributes to our city. Be among the thousands of people attending the Public’s Free Shakespeare in the Park performances this summer where some of the greatest actors, set designers, directors, and musicians come together under the stars. And, if you want to spread the joy and guarantee yourself a seat, you can do so by supporting The Public and the Public Works program. To reserve your tickets through a charitable contribution to see As You Like It over the Labor Day Weekend as well as the other Free Shakespeare in the Park performances this summer go to publictheater.org. The applause at Twelfth Night last year was so resounding as to demand an encore this year. I can’t think of a better way to finish off the summer than with a standing ovation for our fellow New Yorkers in the middle of Central Park. •
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Joan Hornig is a New York-based Jewelry Designer, Social Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist. She left a Wall Street career 15 years ago to create a jewelry line at Bergdorf Goodman, where 100 percent of her profit is donated to the charity of the purchaser’s choice. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 57
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is Proud to Welcome
Daniel Bollinger to its Boerum Hill office “While you know me best as the editor of the Real Estate section in New York Lifestyles Magazine, I am proud to add that I have joined Halstead Real Estate as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and am equipped with the finest resources available such as; cutting edge Real Estate technology, award winning marketing department, and top of the line brand recognition in the industry. These are just the tools I need to help you buy or sell your next home in New York.�
Contact me today for all of your real estate needs.
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30 PARK PLACE By Daniel J. Bollinger | Photos by Evan Joseph
ocated in Tribeca at the corner of Church Street and Park Place, atop the Four Seasons Hotel is a premier condo offering what is redefining “luxury”—30 Park Place. Silverstein Properties and Robert AM Stern Architects have teamed up to build residences that have raised the standard of comfort. They couldn’t have picked a better spot. Located blocks away from 1 World Trade Center, The Oculus, and the 9/11 Memorial—everything you could ask for in a neighborhood—is close by. The South Street Seaport and Battery Park City are all easily accessible plus there’s shopping at Westfield Center and Brookfield Place just a block away. The building itself is shared with the Four Seasons: The first 24 floors house the hotel with 185 keys. Floor 39 and above are comprised of 157 units of one bedroom to six bedroom condos with eleven penthouses, two of them duplexes. The combination of location, views, design details and amenities put 30 Park Place in a class of its own. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 59
HIGH-END LIVING As Larry Silverstein states, “With the Penthouse Residences, we’ve created a new model of highend living in Tribeca.” Eleven unique half and full floor penthouses crown the top of the building, each including fireplaces and outdoor space. They all have unique layouts, but there are some constants that run throughout all. Look for soaring ceiling heights from 11’ 9” to 14’ 3” which create grand spaces. The flow of the layouts from a kitchen to formal dining room to great room to library and loggia’s are spectacular. The kitchens have oversized dining nooks that create a great family gathering space. The kitchens raise the bar of luxury with an all Gaggannau appliance package which includes double ovens, double dishwashers, and double stainless steel sinks with Kohler fixtures. Also, the marble backsplash single slab and the integrated Bilotta white oak cabinetry is also framed out with this marble, a subtle but very classy detail. (The only non-Gaggannau appliance is a Miele hood range that vents out.)
Apt. 70A Furnished by Jeffrey Beers Apt. 70A Furnished by Jeffrey Beers
The great room has a limestone fireplace. One of the best design details in this unit is the double height loggia set off the grand room. The 400 square foot outdoor terraces provide for the best views in Manhattan of the New York Harbor, Brooklyn, Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, and New Jersey. These spaces are large enough to fit seating, plantings, and still have room for walking around. The bedrooms are also oversized and almost all have en-suite baths. A junior master bedroom in one of the duplex penthouses has a large built-out walk-in closet and the master bathroom features an oversized soaking tub. How do you top that? Well, with double master bathrooms set on each end of the bedrooms with double walk-in closets. One walk-in closet even has a dressing area. The bathrooms all have custom vanities designed by A.M. Stern that are done quite well. With round cut outs in the marble, this design detail flows down the legs. Large master bathrooms with rain shower heads and oversized soaking tubs all add up to a new level of luxury.
Penthouse 78B Furnished by Robert Couturier
There are internal elevators in the duplexes, and the library rooms have wet bars. Penthouse 78B Furnished by Robert Couturier
Penthouse 78B Furnished by Robert Couturier
60 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Children’s playroom Gym
HOTEL SERVICES AND MORE The residences are managed by the Four Seasons brand which means room service and all hotel services are part of the amenities. The overall amenity package at 30 Park Place raises the bar. Of the 40k square feet of amenities, 7k are for residents only and are all located centrally on the 38th floor. Defining this new standard of luxury amenity space is the conservatory/lounge with double loggias on either side. An oval ceiling and entry way with marble columns marks the entrance. Design details such as the rounded doors that recess into the wall when fully opened reinforce this statement.
Spa Couples Suite
The gym and yoga room with double height ceilings overlooks the grand scenery. There is a children’s playroom designed by Roto and a private screening room with sound absorbing walls. The private dining room with catering kitchen is wholly unique. Designed for private dining events, there is a large attached catering kitchen.
Spa Reception
Equally impressive is the 75-foot lap pool, with its underwater speakers. The pool is part of the spa featuring a total of seven treatment rooms; packages are available. There are separate locker rooms for residents, as there are private elevators to the common amenity spaces. Also available is what every New Yorker only dreams about: Valet parking. Additionally, the grand ballroom and separate meeting rooms can be reconfigured to your liking. The location, exceptional design details and amenities add up to one unique offering. Silverstein Properties and Robert AM Stern Architects have produced a new slice of NYC history. For more information on 30 Park Place, visit thirtyparkplace.com. • PRICE & AVAILABILITY Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 61
NODE BROOKLYN By Daniel J. Bollinger
ode is a collection of thoughtfully designed, fully furnished, boutique apartments in the world’s most creative cities, where Node has re-imagined community living. One of their most exciting new locations premiered recently in Bushwick, Brooklyn on Eldert Street. Node’s global reach is grounded by a local feel with locations in Los Angeles, Toronto, Dublin, London and Manchester and they are looking to expand further on the West Coast (San Francisco, Seattle, Portland) and in Continental Europe (Berlin, Barcelona, and Amsterdam). They couldn’t have picked a better spot in this hip and happening area of Bushwick, Brooklyn. Located just two blocks from the Halsey stop on the L train, one block from Irving Square Park, this is a prime area of Bushwick. The ever growing number of new cafés, bars, and restaurants in this area is exciting for residents, as well as the very popular “Jefftown” which is within walking distance.
DESIGNED FOR LIFESTYLE If this burgeoning neighborhood, (also easily connecting residents to the larger New York City scene), isn’t exciting enough, Node’s boutique building and apartment design is beyond compare. The Node on Eldert Street consists of six apartments which embody Brooklyn’s industrial chic style while elevating expectations with high-end finishes. DesignAgency with local Brooklyn designer William Jude helped to ensure that the interiors reflected the local architecture and the history of the building itself. Open kitchens with Smeg appliances, custom shaker cabinetry, subway tiled bathrooms with brass and bronze fixtures, and mid-century industrial furniture adorn the apartments. Nest and Sonos smart tech systems are a staple of every apartment. But it’s not just the cozy apartments and unique interior design that make Node a great place live, it is the amenities and community-centric residences that make it special. 62 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
A SENSE OF HOME Amenities include free laundry on the premises, free hi-speed WiFi, fully furnished units and utilities bundled in one convenient fixed-fee. There is also a lounge community room and backyard patio with grills for barbecuing, a fire pit, and enough seating for all residents. Flavor Paper reflecting local culture symbols and old pictures of Brooklyn adorn the community room lounge and hallway. There is also a rooftop deck for enjoying summertime drinks with views of the New York City skyline. Amenities even transcend the physical space, as the node philosophy revolves around people—connecting exciting creatives and globallyminded individuals with each other in a way that helps get them involved in the local community. Co-Founder of Node Brooklyn, Dorothea Avery says, “Node works to get residents to be part of the community, and we believe in the adage “know your neighbor.” Recently, one resident who is a film producer had residents as extras in one of his films. A new Dutch resident who works for a vegetarian food company is sharing his product at an in-house Memorial Day barbecue event this month. There are many international residents and those new to New York who are attracted to Node because they can pack light since the apartments are fully furnished. Node is also attractive because of the resident networking and connection to the local community, which is good for people who are new to an area.
MORE TO COME Node is currently in construction to build four more buildings for a total of five apartment buildings in Bushwick alone but is also expanding globally. Founder and Global CEO of Node, Anil Khera says, “Node centers around technological areas, we are planning to open in Canada’s start-up capital, Kitchener-Waterloo (near Toronto), and where the Google Canadian headquarters is located. In Dublin, we will be minutes’ walk from LinkedIn and Amazon’s Ireland offices. In L.A. we will open in the buzzing creative epicenter, Echo Park. This is also why our Bushwick office is located in the co-working space Brooklyn Desk in Jefftown.” Node’s apartments are unique because they focus on design, while Node’s buildings are unique because they focus on community. There is nothing cookie cutter about Node; all units have different fixtures, furniture and color palettes. Node living provides a great place to move to whether you are an international transplant or a local Brooklynite who has been priced out of his current neighborhood. With all of Node’s community involvement and social events, you are sure to be welcomed into Node living. Dorothea says it best, “Node is lifestyle living with a Brooklyn feel.” For more information on Node, visit node-living.com • VIEW COMMUNITY LIVING REIMAGINED Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 63
CO-LIVING IN NYC By Daniel J. Bollinger
edici Living Group, the world’s largest co-living provider with 1,200 units worldwide—including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Munich—has opened its first United States location, Quarters at 324 Grand Street in NYC. The concept transforms the way creatives, young entrepreneurs and digital nomads live and work. Located in the Lower East Side, the concept is simple: Quarters provides room rentals with everything included from furniture to linens to household items and TVs. All you need are your clothes and personal necessities, and you are ready to move in.
TRENDY LES Offering 47 bedrooms for rent, Quarters is a lifestyle opportunity to network and make connections in the city. It is an easier way to “hit the ground” running in our bustling city. Most apartments feature three bedrooms; there is also a five-bedroom penthouse. The kitchens are well designed, as are the bathrooms which feature large medicine closets. The allure of this rental is not only the actual apartment but the services offered. Housecleaning for the common areas of each residence is included. No more fretting over your roommate’s dirty dishes. For a fee, housekeeping will even clean your own room. All leases are separate, so you are not responsible for other tenant’s rent. There is a three-month minimum lease, and then it changes to “month to month.” There are some excellent amenities as well including a rooftop deck with bar, 2nd-floor resident lounge which has an outdoor terrace, a full kitchen, and two bathrooms. Many events are held in the resident lounge so that tenants can network and get to know each other.
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NO-HASSLE RENTING This concept removes a lot of the hassle of renting a New York City apartment. There is no-fee to rent, the leases are open (after three months), and everything is provided for you including washer/dryers in many apartments as well as in the basement. As Gunther Schmidt, CEO and founder noted, “We’re proud to start this new community in the heart of Manhattan. We are very proud to finally launch the European co-living brand Quarters here in New York. We will expand with our brand Quarters and open further buildings in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, and Barcelona.” An easier way to live and rent not only in NYC but globally, travelers, young entrepreneurs, and digital nomads have a new ally to help match their lifestyle in Quarters. For more information on Quarters, visit goquarters.com. • 64 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
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Luxury
homes in
new Jersey
207 Franklin Mills Rd., Freehold, NJ
8 Lucas Lane, Millstone, NJ
Palatial colonial set on 6+ picturesque acres in desirable Freehold Twnshp was designed for lavish entertaining. Stunning Coffered ceilings,sweeping staircase custom woodwork throughout adds drama to 15 spacious rooms.2 master suits offers sitting areas,walk-in closets steam shower chef kitchen,Home theater, maids quarters.
Inspired Craftsmanship Distinguishes this exquisite Georgian Colonial Home Built with Select Materials with the Highest Attention to Detail. This Home is the Pinnacle of Superior Craftsmanship. The 7000 SF of Bright 13 Spacious Rooms Brim with Sophistication and Comfort. 1St floor master bedroom Suit.
LARRY SOTO, REALTOR License #0565617
Member of Luxury Home Council CELL: (732) 429-2294 OFFICE: (732) 494-7700 EMAIL: larry.soto@cbmoves.com • www.LarrySoto.com
CODA By Daniel J. Bollinger
ocated at 23rd Street and 1st Avenue in Gramercy Park is CODA, a condo offering 114 one-to-three bedroom units and developed by Ben Shaoul of Magnum Real Estate. Although originally built as a rental in 2003, it has since been converted to condos. Close to the East Village, NoMad, and Union Square its location is excellent. It’s a great value play with the price per square foot being much less than most other offerings in this area.
IDEAL DESIGN All the units are laid out ideally with open kitchen/dining/living rooms. The kitchens are what you would expect from a Magnum project with top notch Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances. They also come standard with microwaves, and the range hoods vent out. With integrated cabinets, deep stainless steel sinks, and Waterworks fixtures this quality kitchen design is something that Magnum Real Estate is known for. The one bedroom units feature tubs in the bathroom while the two bedrooms have a tub in one bathroom and a wet room in the master. One design detail to note is that the bathrooms have a beautifully custom-designed medicine cabinet with plenty of storage space, a nice functional ledge, and large mirrors. Most two bedrooms are laid out gallery style: The bedrooms are large and have lots of closet space. Units have windowed hallways, and all come standard with air conditioners and a GE washer/dryer package. Amenities include a rooftop deck that is fully furnished and landscaped. There is also a second-floor roof deck with barbecue stations. There is a private fitness room programmed by The Wright Fit, private storage, and bike storage.
DOWNTOWN VALUE CODA is an excellent value play in this market. As Ben Shaoul says, “We designed CODA at an attractive price point as compared to most Manhattan new development, and response to the property has been enormously encouraging.” All units have floor-toceiling windows and open, well laid out floor plans. The result: Beautiful sun-drenched apartments. For more information on CODA, visit coda.nyc. • BOOK A VIEWING & SEE PRICES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
66 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
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Saddle River, NJ
Within Close Proximity to Manhattan…
Saddle River, NJ
Pool & Tennis
Arrowwood Estate
$9,975,000
This 6.5 acre estate offers approximately 17,000 square feet in the main residence, a state-of-the-art custom kitchen, 1st floor master bedroom suite, indoor and outdoor pool/spa, cabana, reg. lighted tennis court, generator and 6-car garage.
$2,995,000
Norwood, NJ
Parklike Setting
$1,498,888
All brick manor with beautiful floorplan. 2-story greatroom, banquet dining hall, state-of-the-art kitchen, master suite with sitting rm/fpl. Substantial wine cellar for avid wine collector. Tennis & pool/waterfalls, large veranda & patio.
One of Norwood’s Finest Homes built in 2008. 5 bedroom, 3 baths set on 1.2 parklike, manicured acres. State of the art kitchen w/large breakfast area, master bedroom w/huge walk-in closet. Large walkout basement. Multi-level patio.
Saddle River, NJ
Mahwah, NJ
Brand New Construction
$5,258,888
Spectacular European Stone & Stucco Manor on flat 2 acre+ double cul-de-sac setting. Elegant open floor plan and state-of-the-art Kuche+Cucina kitchen and cabinetry throughout. Beautifully landscaped property with pool & cabana.
23+ Acre Riverfront Equestrian Estate
$4,995,000
5 bedroom Hampton’s style shingle & stone residence along the Ramapo River. 9-stall barn opens to a limestone jumping area, paddocks and trails. Infinity pool, hot tub and generator. High volume; expansive views!
Every Home is Special to Us. OFFICE
VICKI GAILY REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® • FOUNDER • MARKETING DIRECTOR
201 934-7111 • CELL 201 390-5880
• VGAILY@SPECIALPROPERTIES.COM • SPECIALPROPERTIES.COM FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK: @SPECIALPROPERTIESNJ Information deemed reliable but subject to errors and omissions.
A GOLD COAST RESTORATION By Daniel J. Bollinger
et on more than five acres with views of Long Island’s Cold Spring Harbor this 17 room, 22 thousand square foot Georgian Colonial has been beautifully restored to perfection. Originally purchased in the early-20th century from Effingham Lawrence, it was JP Morgan who in 1933 bestowed this 17-room house to his daughter Jane as a wedding gift. One of Jane’s stipulations, who donated many acres of this original estate to a conservancy, was that it “never to be developed.” Decades later, an original architectural rendering was discovered during the early stages of renovation. The exciting revelation disclosed the home at one time had two symmetrical wings. At the time the current owners purchased the home, only the left wing was remaining. This meticulous pencil-drawn back elevation of the home inspired the owners, along with luxury restorative architects A.T. Gray P.C., and the talented building team at Locust Valley Partners to add back the wing to restore it to its original glory.
MUSEUM QUALITY The interiors have been designed with classic ornate detailing: Ceiling medallions, wedding cake plaster detail, Milton tiles, carved wood, as well as custom wallpaper and cabinetry can be found in the secluded estate. In fact, many of the designs are commissioned pieces. There is great flow throughout the house, and different rooms and wings are strikingly magnificent. The formal dining room is done in a beautiful cranberry while the family room is a royal blue. This three-and-a-half year renovation has kept the stately, grandeur design that is to be expected of the North Shore and has updated to the 21st century with additions like a theater room, the man loft, and a chromo therapy spa in the master bath. As the owner and lead designer of the project stated, “We decided to go with a bold color palette throughout the home which was inspired by the richness of early 20th-century estate decor.” Some details that highlight this design aesthetic include the dining room with its red damask textile walls. The library features wallpaper with hand-painted hunt scenes by British luxury interior company De Gourney and the foyer not only has hand-painted linen chinoiserie scenes by Gracie Studios but also is adorned with commissioned chinoiserie artwork by Lisa Agosti of L.A Creative Finishes. Lisa was hired as the head 68 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
artistic consultant overseeing the home’s many luxurious wall finishes and elaborate mouldings. All of this combined with oneof-a-kind pieces like the unique double ring chandelier made in Austria by Vienna Lights in the living room, creates this estate—a real masterpiece. Bathrooms feature a wet room with a marble seating bench, steam, and his/ her rain shower heads with additional sprays. There are his/her walk-in closets and a private sitting/ changing room with a wet bar. The kitchen is Architectural Digest-worthy with two islands, three copper sinks, including one double sink that is very functional, all of which were custom designed by Rachiele (there is even a personal note to the owner’s handwritten on one of the sinks). Custom walnut cabinets grace the kitchen with a lot of carved wooden details. The La Corneu La Chateau French stove with double ovens is set below a custom one of a kind Rose relief backsplash that was designed and hand carved by classically trained sculptor, Walter Arnold, who created the piece from a single piece of limestone he hand-picked from Italy. With additional American Range convection and regular ovens, this kitchen is hard to match. Double Thermador fridges flank a hidden walk-in pantry. The kitchen is full of artisan details and very functional at the same time. It is also windowed, overlooking the backyard and pool area.
TIMELESS CHARM With a total of six bedrooms, ten full bathrooms (each with a fireplace), and an outdoor fireplace who would ever think of leaving this piece of heaven on earth? The master bedroom was designed with views of the Long Island Sound and Connecticut. Also with two garages that accommodate four cars, a saltwater pool with a pool house, a large fenced children’s playground, and an outdoor porch heated with heat lamps for those chilly nights. When you are retired NBA professional Wally Szczerbiak, you don’t just build a man cave, you go one better and create a man loft. It is quite large with double height gabled ceilings and an outdoor deck. There is a full bar, ping pong table, a card table, and plenty of TVs to watch the game. An example of the care and detail that went into this restoration: The card table and chairs are all custom-made. Off the man loft, is an acoustically designed 20 seat, 16 foot screened theater room with plenty of leather seating, counter seating, and two auxiliary TVs.
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This restoration is a reason why the Long Island’s North Shore is known as the Gold Coast. The owner also said, “I could not have fulfilled my vision for this home without my collaboration with Karen Soujian of KSID Design Studio, who designed and helped procure many of the home’s luxurious window treatments and furnishings.” This classic estate which has been modernized has retained its timeless charm. The custom furniture throughout the house is equally noteworthy and compliments this restoration project. This is a real beauty inside and out. For more information, contact Marilyn Szczerbiak at 631-988-7305. • AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 69
LONG ISLAND’S GREYBARN By Daniel J. Bollinger
estled in Amityville, Long Island is the new 500-unit rental development called Greybarn featuring 1 and two bedroom units. The units are housed in five separate buildings sitting on 28K square feet of retail space and are the brainchild of third generation developers Mitchell & Gregg Rechler of Rechler Equity Partners—one of the largest owners of industrial and commercial space on Long Island. Over the years, they have received feedback from their tenants that, “it is so hard to hire and retain good talent on Long Island because there is a shortage of high-quality rental product.” After hearing this many times over the years, the Rechlers and their associates decided it was time for a change. Hence Greybarn was born.
IT’S ALL HERE Greybarn is not a cookie cutter institutional project. It is a community with a personal feel specifically designed for suburbanites. Suitable for any age, from young professionals to empty-nesters looking to downsize, there is a balanced mix of age demographics at Greybarn. Mitchell Rechler states, “We wanted to design something Long Island with a high-end functional design.” They drew their inspiration from historic South Shore and classic East End architecture. The whole project ties in great design, suburban living, and convenience into one great development. The retail section of this project was designed to offer convenience. With so much space available, there is everything you need within a few steps of your apartment including Starbucks, an Urgent Care medical center, a pizzeria, a convenience store, a sports burger bar, a nail salon, and more. It harkens back to traditional suburbia when everything you needed was a short walk away. The apartments are beautiful. They are comparable to many of the luxury apartments I have viewed in New York City. With ceiling heights of 9’ 7”, master suites with walk-in closets and kitchens with quartz countertops, double sinks and large refrigerators, it is a step above the norm on Long Island. The bathrooms have full-length mirrors, subway tiles (kitchen backsplashes too), and large vanities. Two bedroom units have two baths. The common areas are laid out like many of the new luxury residences in Manhattan with an open kitchen, dining, and living room layout. All apartments come with a washer/dryer. All the apartments also come with zoned NEST smart wiring, with three zones in the two bedrooms and two in the one bedrooms. As if the retail convenience and the well-designed apartments weren’t enough, Greybarn’s amenities package is also not only comparable to some of the luxury NYC developments but exceeds them in some respects. 70 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
PLENTIFUL AMENITIES The club area which is aptly named “The Barn” is designed as a retro barn but with a contemporary feel. The exposed beams and columns are just like a traditional barn, and all the hardware has a ‘worn’ look to them. The Barn houses all the inside amenities including Library and office space, billiards room, lounge, yoga room, and gym that offers personal training sessions. There is an 18 seat screening room that has programming twice weekly. There is also an oversized kitchen with a beautiful island and large dining area that can also be rented for private events. Cooking classes are also available as part of the amenities package. All of these amenities are on par with Manhattan. But these are just the inside amenities. Outside amenities include two pools with lounge and seating areas, a community garden, a doggie park named “Bark Park,” a barbecue pavilion, and a large playing field for Frisbee, football, and more. I have to give kudos to the newest technology incorporated into this development as well. There is video capability accessible with your smartphone to communicate with arriving guests (or you can just buzz them in too). The Luxer One Package Locker System is new technology and perfect for both the UPS man and residents.
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Greybarn is an excellent example of a new Long Island. Community planning of the future is here today. This mini-suburbia with its highend design offers convenient living while catering to all ages. Just like Levittown was the example of suburban planning after WWII, Greybarn is the example of new suburban life for today’s generation. For more information on Greybarn, visit greybarn-li.com. • AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 71
DESIGNING WAYS By Daniel J. Bollinger
ith the unprecedented new real estate development in the city, there is also a record amount of excellent new interior design and product as well. From London to California designers are making their mark on showcasing fantastic new ideas. Below are some of my top picks of what is on the market today.
HEAVY METAL PENDANT
THURSO SHOWER
The Heavy Metal Pendant is made from Solid Steel, Brass, Smoked Bronze or Matt Black with its signature knurled satin metal and matt rubber detailing. Buster + Punch also offers a range of light bulbs that look cutting-edge with this light including the LED Buster bulb. The Buster bulb is the first stylish eco-friendly LED alternative to traditional filament bulbs (busterandpunch.us).
The Thurso freestanding shower from Drummonds is an inspired redesign of their classic Severn version. The Thurso shower features an elegantly rounded skirt that perfectly matches the curvature of their signature baths. Thurso is an entirely glass-enclosed shower unit, which can stand magnificently in the middle of the bathroom. Thurso has a perfect 12” showerhead and hand shower built in, providing a blissful all-over drenching. The base is ceramic and comes raw, primed or polished. The exterior is available either in Brass, Nickel, Chrome, Antique Brass, Antique Bronze or Antique Nickel (drummonds-uk.com).
THE PEBBLE VANITY Designed by awardwinning French designer Ora Ito, world famous for his iconic work with brands such as Heineken, Nike and Toyota, the Pebble Collection by Ronbow represents Ito’s idea of “Simplexity”—art to give an object with complex functions a visible simplicity. The Glossy White wood finish acts as a canvas to best showcase the unique, organic, “pebble-like” shapes and curves. The Pebble vanity design also integrates a LED mirror and a solid surface sink top for a simple, seamless look, bringing natural elegance and harmony to the contemporary bath (ronbow.com). 72 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
ORIGINAL VINTAGE LED LIGHT BULB This bulb comes with a curved design filament that fills the glass with a swirl, knot or loop, offering an impeccable design and unique, but traditional look. Feit’s Original Vintage look has been popular for hospitality use, such as restaurants and hotels, but has recently trickled its way into the home and will now be available in mass market retail in a variety of styles. Perfect for decorative and accent uses, they come in seven distinctive designs. They offer an elegant, beautifully warm, amber glow that creates a vintage touch, at an affordable price. The LED exposed curved filament is wrapped in a clear or amber glass housing to enhance both the vintage look and feel. The bulb is energy efficient and environmentally friendly without compromising performance, individuality or design (feit.com). • SHOP FEATURED ITEMS HERE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT By Daniel J. Bollinger
aris Forino Design is a full-service, boutique design firm that specializes in high-end residential, hotel, and restaurant projects. Owner Paris Forino, who hails from Australia, started her company in 2012. In 2015 the New York Post named her one of the best four design firms in New York City. Paris values accurate and detailed conceptions that meld traditional and modern styles. A chic, elegant and understated glamour infuses each design. To ensure these principles are embodied in each project, she has carefully built a team of exceptional designers and architects who bring their unique skills, passions, and personalities to the success and vibrancy of the firm. Paris’ portfolio is rapidly expanding. Her latest work includes a gut renovation of a 10,000 square foot townhouse in the West Village, a boutique wine bar and hotel lobby in Chelsea and a 60-unit condominium in Stockholm, Sweden. With 15 years of interior design experience, she combines a perfect sense of style with excellent knowledge to create thoughtful, beautiful solutions. I recently sat down with this designing woman.
What drew you to interior design and how did it all begin? I love beautiful spaces because they can both inspire and calm people. I remember I was decorating my room as a small child by arranging dolls and paint colors—so I guess it started at a young age! How do you approach a design job? The most important thing is the customer and their goals, then we create mood boards and renderings and start developing a design. For instance, the owner of the Gem Hotel turned to us to craft a chic wine bar. The property’s Chelsea neighborhood is vibrant but with a deficit of nice bars. To create a sense of lightness and warmth we employed cerused oak paneled walls and light gray slabs of marble for the bar, reception, and half of the flooring; the other half is black and white patterned tile for added texture. The furniture pieces are a combination of custom and hand-curated, including honeycolored mirrors, and mustard-hued leather sofas. Where do you get your inspiration? I get my inspiration from a multitude of sources. Being in New York and surrounded by beautiful old buildings, work of other designers and furniture makers, going to the opera and ballet, and
even fashion magazines are all points of inspiration. How do you decide when to customize and when to install factory items? It depends on the number of units and the level of engineering that goes into a product. For example, we would not engineer a custom faucet for a private residence but we would for 150 condominiums. Some pieces are always customized as that gives the client the optimal proportioned and designed piece of their design. What’s your dream project? So far we have been fortunate to have amazing clients with great taste and projects for us. We are looking forward to doing our first boutique hotel though under our imprimatur—that would be a dream! Tell us other designers you admire and respect? Joseph Dirand, Dimore Studio, Pierre Yovanovitch For more information on Paris Forino, visit parisforinodesign.com. • AVAILABILITY & PRICES, APPLY NOW Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 73
Canyon Ranch
GET ON THE PATH TO WELLNESS By Olivia Owens
ost of us turn to gym memberships for restoration, but no amount of getting fit is going to help us get our heads on straight. Sometimes, the only answer is a solid break from our everyday life to consciously focus on our personal development. Here, our picks to detox, de-stress and ultimately appreciate life.
SKYTERRA WELLNESS RETREAT AND WEIGHT LOSS SPA Lake Toxaway, NC Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Pisgah National Forest, and the French Broad River, near Asheville, Skyterra Wellness Retreat & Weight Loss Spa offers an all-inclusive program with something for everyone. You can choose from over 60 exercise classes (yoga, aquatics, cardio), hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, waterfall hunting, fishing, cycling. There are also guided meditation and mindfulness seminars, along with delicious farm-to-table cuisine. That means no processed foods! As soon as you arrive, you undergo a spate of tests, including a bio-electrical impedance analysis test, which measures body fat, muscle distribution, and body water balance. After, you meet with a specialist to review your results and plan your stay. And what a stay it is! It’s the perfect place to relax and sleep peacefully after a day of adventure. For more information on Skyterra Wellness Retreat & Weight Loss Spa, visit skyterrawellness.com. Sunrise Springs
Skyterra Wellness Retreat & Weight Loss Spa
Skyterra Wellness Retreat & Weight Loss Spa
SUNRISE SPRINGS SPA RESORT Santa Fe, NM Sunrise Springs Spa Resort, situated on 70 acres between the Sangre de Cristo and Ortiz Mountains in Santa Fe, has been home to Native American pueblos for millennia. By the early 17th century, Sunrise Springs and the nearby El Rancho de las Golondrinas became parajes, or resting places, for travelers along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (The Royal Road of the Interior Land). This summer, the resort is offering Wellness Exploration, a healthy getaway for people looking for a life overhaul. The all-inclusive package includes accommodations; farm-fresh gourmet meals; a Spa credit; a private outdoor pool; and unlimited activities. Those in need of a longer exploration can opt for the Immerse & Thrive. In this program, you can work with Sally Fisher, M.D., a licensed counselor who can help you evaluate physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and develop a Customized Wellness Plan. Guests have unlimited access to experiential activities and customized one-on-one consultations. After your visit, you’ll also have access to ongoing support from the team. For more information on Sunrise Springs, visit sunrisesprings.ojospa.com.
74 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
CANYON RANCH Lenox, MA Known for pleasing celebrity-types, the award-winning Canyon Ranch offers one of the best weight-loss and life enhancement programs in the country, thanks to its in-house professionals and experts. Wellness is the top priority here, with a full range of fitness classes, lectures on well-being, and spiritual enrichment programs. You’ll receive personalized consultations and treatment plans that may include changes to your diet and daily habits to achieve healthier, cleaner living. You’ll also discuss clean eating guidelines, along with recommended detoxifying smoothies, which are available daily. Also included in your plan are detoxifying spa treatments; like the Herbal Wrap to help your body release toxins. Or, perhaps the Lymphatic Massage a delicate type of treatment that stimulates the lymphatic system to help the cleansing and detox process in the body. Therapists use light strokes to work on central areas of the body to open up the joint areas and allow the lymphatic fluid to flow more freely. Expect light pressure and longer fluid strokes, with less kneading, pulling and stretching, than in a typical massage. Of course, the options go far beyond these classics—it’s just a matter of discovering what works best for you. Canyon Ranch also has outposts in Tucson, a SpaClub in Las Vegas and can be found at sea on many modern cruise lines. For more information, visit canyonranch.com.
Red Mountain Resort
Canyon Ranch
Canyon Ranch
Red Mountain Resort
RED MOUNTAIN RESORT
Red Mountain Resort
St. George, UT Here is a place where you can be active or relax as you like, anytime you like. Red Mountain Resort is surrounded by thousands of acres in the hub of recreational diversity and the majestic beauty of the American Southwest. Framed by cliffs and red rock formations at the entrance of Snow Canyon State Park, the resort offers a surprising selection of quality activities for fitness and outdoor recreation enthusiast. Experience Utah’s diverse ecological beauty by participating in a guided hike or mountain bike ride. Or spend the day exploring dramatic natural “art” at Zion or Bryce Canyon National Parks. Renew your body and mind with over 50 fun fitness classes. Work smarter, with fitness testing using state-of-the-art equipment. Or participate in healthy living classes and workshops, cooking demonstrations and pottery classes. Over at the spa, a soothing and sensual experience awaits guests. Treat yourself to a Canyon Sage Warm Stone Massage. Or, perhaps book the Bee Perfect Body Wrap treatment with its layers of honey, aloe, and fruit extracts for a soft and silky skin.
Red Mountain Resort SEE SPECIAL ONLINE OFFERS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
Whether your goal is seeking sports or solitude, spiritual sanctuary or wellness/ spa offerings, Red Mountain offers a whole landscape of limitless possibilities. And best of all—you choose your own adventure! For more information on Red Mountain Resort, visit redmountainresort.com.• AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 75
THE ART OF THE SCALPEL & SYRINGE By Ruth J. Katz
he prestigious address 740 Park Avenue is arguably regarded as among Manhattan’s toniest, if not the most prestigious. It was not accidental that when Dr. Stafford R. Broumand, a board-certified plastic surgeon, was hunting for office space for his practice in 1993, he was delighted to secure a suite at 740. Thus was born 740 Park Plastic Surgery. Dr. Broumand, with an Ivy League pedigree, trained in plastic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and completed a fellowship in burn reconstruction at Massachusetts General Hospital/Shiners Burns Institute and held another fellowship in cosmetic and craniofacial surgery in France at the Collège des Médicines des Hôpitaux. He is an associate clinical professor of plastic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital and past president of the New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons. Some twelve years after opening his practice, he was joined by Dr. Daniel Y. Maman, also board-certified and faculty at Mount Sinai; the two have been practicing together for over ten years. Their quietly elegant office waiting room reflects the two doctors’ genteel and refined manner. But underneath Dr. Broumand’s raffiné mien is a thoughtful and artful surgeon, with A-listers and bold-face names as patients. But, no matter whom they treat, Dr. Broumand is firm about their attitude toward plastic surgery: “Good plastic surgery has occurred when your friends say you look fabulous, that you have not changed in years. That is what we are trying to achieve.” New York Lifestyles recently sat down with Dr. Broumand to discuss the 740 practice and trends in modern-day plastic surgery STOPPING THE and fillers.
STOPPING THE CLOCK
The newest “armament” in the tool kit from Allergan, makers of a suite of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers under the Juvéderm (juvaderm.com) umbrella is Vollure XC, which was just granted FDA approval in March. According to the company, Vollure XC could last, once injected, as long as 18 months—a veritable lifetime in the wrinkle industry. Vollure XC joins sister products Voluma XC (usually used for deep injections in the cheek to lift and add volume, countering the sagging that comes with aging) and Volbella XC (used for the lips and perioral lines around lips). Vollure XC is aimed at facial folds such as nasolabial indentations, commonly referred to as “parentheses” lines. Happy smiling! —RJK
76 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
CLOCK
K
What changes have you seen in the profession recently? Botox and fillers have dramatically changed treatment in the last ten years. There are so many things we can do now with the variety of fillers and botulinum toxin we have at our disposal that we can stave off actual surgery for a while. And for some patients, fillers and Botox will always be the go-to treatment, never surgery. I find we are using fillers more and more and today, and our practice ranks among the top 10 percent—by sheer volume—of injectable usage from Allergan. No matter what fillers we use, we strive to achieve results that are always subtle, never overdone. Ideally, we want to take a few years off the face, so you look clear, brilliant, refreshed. But, of course, you perform surgery. You have a state-of-the art operating theater in your office that certainly gets used. Yes, we have what is called a Quad A-rated operating room, as graded by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities and we perform most surgeries here—everything from rhinoplasty, liposuction, and eye surgery, to more complicated procedures—total face lifts to redoing and repairing surgeries performed previously by others, to multiple procedures for a “Mommy Makeover.” We perform most procedures here in the office, and 90 percent of what we do is on an outpatient basis. But for some procedures which are better performed in a hospital, we operate at Mount Sinai. But no matter where a procedure is performed, afterwards, we are completely available to the patient.
WINNING BY A NECK The cover of comic genius Nora Ephron’s volume of collected essays, I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, features a jar of what would appear to be prescription anti-aging cream. Throughout the book, the wry Ephron laments the tribulations of getting older, and in the chapter about her woeful neck, she waxes poetically about how little one can do to halt time. If, however, Ephron were alive today, she’d rejoice elatedly with the entry into the beauty marketplace of Neocutis MicroFirm Neck & Décolleté Rejuvenating Complex (powered, as the firm states, by MPC—microprotein complex—a trademarked ingredient). Additionally, the cream delivers antioxidants and sundry moisturizers, along with beetroot extract, stabilized vitamin C, and glycolic acid, among its many ingredients, which are aimed at conditioning and strengthening the skin, delivering renewed vitality, obliterating that “crepey” look, and defending against premature aging. Neocutis was founded with a single product (BioRestorative Cream—all the wizardry, for our money, that one needs in a single bottle), after many years in the would-healing sector of the healthcare market—so the Swiss Neocutis organization knows skin, and today its line comprises over three dozen products. After two weeks of usage of the MicroFirm cream, you are likely to want to send a transcendental, intergalactic message to Nora to share the miraculous news. Available from your physician or online. For more information on Neocutis, visit neocutis.com. —RJK
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Please describe what is involved with a “Mommy Makeover.” Each “Mommy Makeover” is individual and custom-tailored to a patient’s unique needs. Having children causes alterations in the body before and after pregnancy and some of those changes are difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. We can improve and rejuvenate the body, the goal being to restore the pre-pregnancy figure. Generally, it will include breast surgery, body contouring, tummy tuck, liposuction, and perhaps facial rejuvenation, which might be a face lift or just fillers. It might also include treatments such as CoolSculpting, Ultherapy, Clear + Brilliant laser treatment, or ThermiAesthetics. How large is your male practice and what procedures are most popular? About 25 percent of the practice are male patients. They are usually very well informed and come quite prepared, knowing specifically what bothers them and what they want to discuss. They usually come because their spouse or partner has sent them, perhaps to deal with a specific medical issue. Botox injections are ideal for arresting sweating. But, we also perform rhinoplasty on men, and gynecomastia surgery for “man boobs,” as well as lip, eye, and facelift surgery. Usually, the men we see for facelifts are sixty-plus and for eyelid surgeries, they are generally between forty and sixty. Do you think you can do something for everyone? We try to treat patients the way we want to be treated. The better we know you, the better experience and better outcome we feel we’ll achieve. But, we do turn patients away, probably more than a third of the people who walk into the office; some patients simply have unrealistic ideas of what can be achieved. Or, the treatment they want is just wrong at their age—and I tell them to come back in a few years. If it is a major surgery and they are not sure, I tell them to think about it, discuss it with friends, family, or loved ones, and come back. The most important thing for me is to do the best I can as both an artist and a doctor. For more information on 740 Park Plastic Surgery (740 Park Avenue; 888-527-5652), visit plasticsurgeonsnyc.com. • © Ruth J. Katz All Rights Reserved. The author of five books, Ruth J. Katz was the style editor of Promenade magazine for eight years. She has written extensively for both The New York Times and New York magazine and has served as an editor at numerous magazines and appeared regularly on Fox television as the consumer services expert. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 77
BACKPACK SMARTS By Karen Jacobs
’ve seen it happen many times over the years. It’s the first day of school, and I am walking my two children to school and we will pass a group of middle school-aged students who are slowly making their way to their school and one will lose his balance carrying a backpack that looks like a small dorm refrigerator or a small car trunk. When he lands on his back, I envision an image of a turtle on its back with its legs in the air as he attempts to right himself. I then turn to my children and ask, how heavy are your backpacks? More than one million New York City students in kindergarten through twelfth grade will pack and wear backpacks when school begins again this year. However, these children may also come home from school not only saying that the first day of school was fun, but sharing that they have an aching back, sore shoulders, tingling in their arms, or even a headache. Although we can’t attribute all of this discomfort exclusively to their backpacks, parents can take steps to help their children with backpack use.
THE PROPER FIT The road to a correctly fit backpack begins with back-to-school shopping. By joining as a team and making backpack shopping a family affair, children start to learn the importance of proper selection, packing and wearing a backpack. Backpack shopping and considering the quality of the item is an excellent way to have children begin to take more responsibility for their physical health. As an occupational therapist, I’m concerned about the growing problem posed by improper backpack use. We risk long-term damage to our children’s growing bodies by remaining silent on this public health issue. Given this concern, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) started National School Backpack Awareness Day™. In its 17th year, it is the longest running public health initiative in the profession of occupational therapy. Every third Wednesday in September, occupational therapy practitioners, educators, parents, and students conduct “weigh-ins” at schools, malls, libraries among other locations to help educate children, parents, school administrators, teachers, and the community about the “how to” for backpacks - to “pack it right and wear it light.” There is the real effectiveness of backpack education. In a study, almost eight out of 10 middle school children who had been educated on backpack safety subsequently changed how they loaded their backpacks and ultimately, reported less discomfort in their backs, necks, and shoulders. There are three simple steps to follow when selecting and purchasing a backpack. 78 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
LOAD
SELECT School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Choose the right size pack for your child as well as one with enough room for necessary school items. • The height of the backpack should extend from approximately two inches below the shoulder blades to waist level or slightly above the waist • Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingle in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. • Choose a backpack with chest and hip straps which will help distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. The backpack should be made of lightweight material. • As safety precautions, have a reflector on the back of the backpack and avoid having your child’s name or initials on the pack.
Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
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Your child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10 percent of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 10 pounds. • Pack heaviest items closest to your child’s back (the back of the pack). • Arrange books and materials so that they won’t slide around in the backpack. • Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure the items are necessary for the day’s activities. I recommend packing a backpack before your child goes to sleep, so it is ready for the morning.
WEAR Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. • Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backward and strain muscles. • Wear the chest and hip belt. • The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline. • If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand carry a book or other item outside the pack. • If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it. I hope you will reach out to your school to learn if there is an AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™ event. If not, consider requesting one. We hope you will join occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students across the country as we help others “Live Life to Its Fullest” by avoiding the discomfort that can come from backpack use. For more information on the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), visit aota.org. • Karen Jacobs, OT, OTR, Ed.D., CPE, FAOTA, is a Clinical Professor at Boston University (BU), College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College. She is the national spokesperson for the AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™ and can be contacted at kjacobs@bu.edu. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 79
HOW HEALTHY ARE ACAI BOWLS? By Shari Bilt Boockvar
es, it’s Summer, and just like me, you may be looking forward to ordering your favorite acai bowl. These purple-hued concoctions taste like a cross between sorbet and ice cream. You will be mesmerized by the beauty of these meal options. You may be wondering what acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is. The acai berry is harvested from Brazil and is loaded with antioxidants, minerals, and healthy fats. The benefits range from weight loss, detoxification, to heart health and skin health. Frozen acai is delicious when blended with frozen bananas to make the base of an acai bowl. Top it off with fruit, nuts, honey, coconut, nut butter, and other yummy toppings, and you have yourself a healthy treat. Right? Not so fast! Read on to find out how your selections add up.
MIX-IN STARTERS Acai 1 pack (some places may use 2) = 70 calories, 5g fat, 0 sugar. Almond milk 1 cup, sweetened = 60 calories, 2.5g fat, 7g sugar. Almond milk 1 cup, unsweetened = 30 calories, 2.5g fat, 0 sugar. Apple or pineapple juice ½ cup = 60 calories, 0g fat, 14g sugar. Coconut milk 1 cup = 70 calories, 5g fat, 3-7g sugar, 1g fiber. (Make sure the establishment is not using real coconut milk which comes in a can: that one is 360 calories & 36 g fat per cup!) Protein powder (You’ll have to ask to see the label if you want to know.)
TOP IT OFF Granola ¼ cup = 150 calories, 7g fat, 5g sugar. Flaked coconut, unsweetened ¼ cup = 100 calories, 10g fat, 1g sugar. Sliced banana medium = 110 calories, 0g fat, 19g sugar. Berries 1 cup = 60 calories, 0g fat, 7g sugar. Honey 1 tablespoon = 60 calories, 0g fat, 16g sugar. Nutella 2 tablespoons = 200 calories, 12g fat, 21g sugar. Nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.) 2 tablespoons = 190 calories, 16g fat, 2g sugar. Coconut oil 1 tablespoon = 13 calories, 14g fat, 0g sugar. Keep in mind that the above are estimates and you can always ask to see the labels of products used. In fact, many places like Jamba Juice have the calories listed on their website. Now let’s do the math: If I were to make a bowl using all of my favorite ingredients and toppings, it would clock in at about 600 calories, 30g fat, and 37g sugar. Instead, if I top my acai bowl with berries, two tablespoons of granola, one teaspoon honey and one tablespoon peanut butter it would total about 390 calories, 18g fat, and 25g sugar.
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DIY If you have a blender or Nutribullet at home, you can easily make this yourself and save some money too. Your local supermarket likely has frozen acai packs, and you can simply blend one bag with a ½ frozen banana and a small amount of milk or non-dairy beverage such as almond or cashew milk. Top with some fruit, a teaspoon of honey and a light sprinkling of granola and nut butter. •
Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN is a nutritionist in New York and the Tristate area. She specializes in nutrition counseling and consulting for weight control and fitness. Shari can be found blogging about her favorite products and recipes at Facebook.com/ NutritionShari, Twitter.com/NutrtionShari, Instagram: NutritionShari, and nutrifactsforyou.com. 80 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Photos by Rey Rosa Photography
UMBERTO’S CLAM HOUSE 132 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-7545
umbertosclamhouse.com
ETHYL’S ALCOHOL & FOOD By Patricia Canole
thyl’s Alcohol & Food is a wild ride back to 1970s. Opened in May 2016, Ethyl’s is led by a diverse team of rock stars who were there in the heyday of the disco, punk, and rock ‘n’ roll scenes in NYC. Co-owner and designer Paul Gerard is an acclaimed NYC restaurateur, chef and musician known for capturing the retro spirit of the city with places such as Belle Reve and Exchange Alley, after revamping larger venues like Soho House, and Soho Grand Hotel. Without stopping there, he continued to use his creative energy to design his latest project, Antique Bar & Bakery in Hoboken.
A STEP BACK IN TIME To create the Ethyl’s concept, he partnered with Brooklynborn Gerard Renny (aka “The Skipper”), a seasoned industry veteran and cookbook author who happened to be a former doorman at the original Studio 54. Renny created such restaurants as critically acclaimed Bar Stuzzichini and founded Pacific Street Hospitality consulting group. Paul also brought to the team his lifelong friend, Ronnie Magri, a drummer, actor, DJ, and Geffen recording artist who played with Little Richard, Joey Ramone and a series of greats that earned him the title at Ethyl’s of “Consigliere of Cool.” Magri also created the score for the Broadway show Present Laughter by Noel Coward starring Kevin Kline and served as guest of honor at BurlyCon, an annual burlesque social and educational convention. He uses his musical experience to ignite the crowd with his dynamic playlist. To complete the “cast of characters” at Ethyl’s is Lower East Side-born, Adam “Skinny Papa” Velez, who was a co-host with Paul on their Heritage Radio Show and all around nightlife guru. Adam moves the crowd like no other with his witty banter. The space decked out in the regalia of the ‘70s, surprises diners with images of icons, starlets, poets and punk rockers adorning the cherry red walls. The swivel chairs and plush leather banquettes are perfectly in keeping with the theme, while a shimmering disco ball radiates rotating flecks of color across a stage always ready for the impromptu jam. Don’t miss the themed entertainment nights featured throughout the week when go-go dancers will sway to the sounds of 1970s funk and disco jams from a rotating cast of DJs. 82 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
FAVORITE CHOICES The creative food offerings by Executive Chef Paul Gerard draw on the fun and playful themes of the restaurant, but with serious kitchen skills that reinforce the establishment’s ‘70s New York cool. Colloquially named options doused in punk-rock attitude include the Fi-Dolla Burger, a single all-beef patty, layered with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and house GoGo Sauce, a signature version of Thousand Island dressing. The burger can be enhanced with add-ons like a fried egg, caramelized onion, guacamole, bacon, or you can Make It a Double or order The Stacked Ethyl with the works. The Coventry Burger Sub is named after The Coventry, the acclaimed rock club that launched KISS, The Ramones and others. The sandwich pays homage to the famous foods of the era with an all-beef 8 oz. patty with port wine cheese, crispy bacon, sautéed onion and watercress on a pretzel hero bun, slathered in go-go sauce. Other creative favorites are the Mozzarella French Toast with spicy maple tomato dip, and inventive takes on Mexican cuisine—try the Cheese-stuffed Mexican Meatballs with molé sauce. The menu also offers a nod to New Orleans with Dirty Fries doused in a creamy signature gravy blend of ground chicken livers and pork with creole spices. The cocktails stay decidedly on the theme, from The Sleazy Mustache with mezcal, honey syrup, lime juice, bitters and egg white that leaves behind a frothy “mustache” on your upper lip, to the Hot Blooded with tequila, blood orange, agave, muddled jalapeño and fresh lime juice. The bar staff is headed by Julia Daniels who radiates the Ethyl’s energy with her experience, style, and energy. Affordably priced global beer is available by the bottle or on draft. A well-selected wine menu is also affordably priced by the glass and bottle. For more information on Ethyl’s Alcohol & Food (1629 2nd Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets), visit ethylsnyc.com. • VIEW MENU & EVENTS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
TASTE AND TOAST By Patricia Canole
ood may get all the press, but specialty liquors are just as important in imparting the real taste of a location. The creation of such spirits is a celebration of the history, landscape, and culture of a particular region. We explored in search of authentic experiences to taste and toast some of the world’s most famous liquors.
The Glenlivet Distillery
Strathisla Distillery
SINGLE-MALT IN SCOTLAND Scotch is certainly having a significant moment, but it’s been the favored libation of every Scot from shopkeepers to kings for centuries. The single malts, which are distilled, barrel-aged and bottled by Scotland’s 120-plus whisky makers, are more prevalent now than ever. Meant to be slowly savored, single malts warm the palate with intense flavors that range from light and delicate to rich and smoky. The spirit is produced mainly in the Highlands (but also along the western coast and on islands such as Islay and Skye). Scottish whisky-tasting adventures are the perfect complement to the country’s wild craggy landscapes and secluded castles. Begin in Edinburgh, where there’s no shortage of whisky bars. At trendy The Devil’s Advocate, you’ll find more than 200 options, plus delicious whisky-based cocktails. And the old-school Bow Bar is popular with visitors and locals. Hire a driver/guide to explore the heart of the single-malt country in Speyside, and you can learn how malted barley, spring water, and yeast combine to create this strong (40 percent alcohol) spirit. Two favorite distilleries include Strathisia (chivas.com)—home to Chivas Regal—the region’s longest operating (since 1786) and most photogenic distillery, and The Glenlivet (theglenlivet.com), where history meets modern mega-commerce. Then head to the Isle of Skye to visit Talisker (isleofskye.com)—the producer makes whisky with a smoky taste: it’s malted over a peat-fueled fire. 84 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Talisker Distillery
Ole Smoky
MOONSHINE IN TENNESSEE
Ole Smoky
For a spirited getaway closer to home, check out the wildly popular Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where legal moonshine distilleries are abundant, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is ripe with spectacular scenery. Visitors score with warm hospitality—all served, of course, with a chaser of fiery Appalachian moonshine. Try some white lightning at the Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Distillery (olesmoky.com). Here the unaged corn whiskey liquor is crafted using century-old recipes. In addition to tastings, the distillery hosts live bluegrass music. Pick up some samples: You can choose from the original 100-proof deal or slightly less lethal flavored versions (peach, watermelon, apple pie, sweet tea). All are packed in Mason jars. A visitor-friendly trolley makes imbibing easier. Mount Gay Rum
RUM IN BARBADOS
Mount Gay Rum
You’ll find a thriving rum culture on most Caribbean islands, but on Barbados, you’ll also discover an almost religious reverence for rum shops— small wooden houses—where locals gather to drink, play dominoes and nibble flying fish cutters (sandwiches), along with rice and peas. Barbados’ history is robust with this sweet spirit, which is derived from sugarcane. The rum tradition dates back to the 1600s when the island was dotted with 500 windmills that were used to cold-press the sugarcane. Today, Barbados beaches are teeming with luxurious resorts. So, when you are not soaking up the rays or dining under the moonlight, there’s always time to toast the day with the island’s favorite libation—rum punch. Start at the source: Mount Gay (mountgayrum.com)—named for Sir John Gay, whose business partner was the improbably named John Sober—has been making rum since 1703, when the spirit distilled from molasses was known as “Kill-Devil.” Here, you can choose from one of three tours/tastings, before continuing your rum lessons at beautiful St. Nicolas Abbey, which was built in 1660 and is home to a rum and sugar museum and distillery. Tip: In November, the island welcomes the Barbados Food & Rum Festival (visitbarbados.org), during which top Bajan chefs and international names, such as Anne Burrell and Marcus Samuelsson, demonstrate cooking techniques, along with loads of rum sipping. • SPECIALTY SPIRITS AVAILABLE ONLINE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
Barbados Food & Rum Festival AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 85
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SWIRLS OF MAGIC By Patricia Canole
hink back to your childhood: Summer meant a season of fairs and carnivals and the inevitable accompaniment to the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and carousel. I’m talking hot dogs, soft pretzels, onion rings, snow cones—and, of course, bowling ball-sized wisps of cotton candy. True, a day at the fair or carnival can still be found somewhere within the region—and to the delight of children of all ages. But how does a New Yorker recreate that feeling of carefree fun and wonderment? The answer: fluff + fluff to satisfy any sweet dilemma. We recently caught up with Natalia Ryder, the founder of fluff + fluff, who opened this confection company last year. She noted that fluff + fluff only uses organic cane sugars, natural flavors, and colors because quite simply they care. They want to make this a happy, wholesome delight. What inspired you to start fluff + fluff? The sheer pleasure of cotton candy in all its splendor. I love the look, feel and taste of our cotton candy. It is, quite possibly, the prettiest confection on the planet. I like working with beautiful things. Once I made it artisanal cotton candy I was truly inspired. Did you have a background in making cotton candy? I bought the cotton candy machine to add the fun factor to a White Party we were hosting. I had visions of white clouds dotting the dance floor, as impromptu props at the photo booth and a guaranteed treat and smile-maker for our guests. Once the machine arrived, I started dreaming up ways to make it taste better. In no time, at all, I arrived at the conclusion that I would only use organic cane sugars and all natural flavors for the party. It made the look and taste vastly superior! Organic sugars caramelize in a way that refined sugars can’t. The response was over-the-top. Everyone at the White Party gushed and shared on social media. Soon, friends would invite me to their celebrations and then interject with, “Do you think you could make your fluff?” It wasn’t long before friends of friends were calling to ask me to spin for their events. That is how fluff + fluff came to be. We’ve been spinning for quite some time, but our official launch was last May 2016. It was high time we properly shared our fluff + fluff with the planet! Tell us about the process of making your cotton candy. Is it as complicated as it looks? It’s not difficult because fluff is inherently pretty. It’s very hard to go wrong but our Spinners develop individual flair and personal style for their fluff spinning. I aim to build hills and valleys to “catch” our Snappy Toppings and spread the joy of Pixie Dust, Sparkle, Chocolate Cookie Crumble, Sea Salt, Chili or Confetti Sprinkles...all over our fluff + fluff clouds. Some of our Spinners love to build perfect spheres and punctuate with our Snappy Toppings. Other Spinners look for a budding rose effect. We infuse a lot of personality and panache into every cloud of fluff!
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 87
Where did you start out? Was it in your kitchen or did you already have space in a manufacturing facility? I started out making choices about good wholesome ingredients in my kitchen when I was making fluff for family and friends. The moment we started getting requests from people, beyond our nearest and dearest, I started borrowing a chef ’s kitchen and getting his kind input on my fanciful concoctions. Did you ever think you’d be this successful making an old-time favorite? Once I came up with flavors like Rose, Pomegranate, Earl Grey, Mojito, Caramel with Black Hawaiian Sea Salt, Cookies & Cream, Coconut, I couldn’t fathom anyone resisting a taste. The notion of fluff + fluff Tubs took the concept even further. Our 24 oz. Tubs keep our delicate wisps airtight (under the right conditions they can last up to two weeks and, sometimes, a bit more). This means that you can travel with them, ship them, hand out a great many of them at a time, set them on a table, in a basket or swag bags for guests and clients to enjoy a sweet treat. Although most of your business is directed to catered events, can the individual consumer purchase fluff + fluff? Yes, we are a democratic maker of wispy works of artisanal cotton candy. We came up with our fluff + fluff Tubs so that anyone could eat our confections at home, in the office, at events and gift it to those they really and truly love and appreciate! Tell us who dreams these up? Inspiration is everywhere! At fluff + fluff, we talk flavors all the time and pride ourselves on being inventive and inspired with our menu offerings. Nevertheless, some of our faves can be credited to our clients and friends. For instance, our Unicorn Mix (a Snappy Topping composed from a medley of Sprinkles, Confetti, Pearls, Shimmer and small sugar shapes) was created by one of our youngest clients, when her mom asked her what the topping should be for her Unicorn Party. At fluff + fluff, we live to make joy so it stands to reason that if a client can dream it, we will make it happen for them. Our sugars are handcrafted so we can offer endless variety. Tell us about some of your over-the-top flavors. Of course, the Pink and Blue versions are the common experience for most but don’t offer the joy of flavors like Champagne, Lavender or Tangerine. Having a flavor like Passion Fruit is an exciting departure. There’s something for every palate. Our menu changes seasonally, so it always stays fun. This summer we’re offering Coconut, Mango, Watermelon, Strawberry, Lime, Cherry, Almond, Rose, Caramel, Cookies & Cream, Pomegranate, Vanilla, Champagne, Lavender, Earl Grey, Mojito, and Tangerine. Then, of course, factor in our Snappy Toppings: Confetti, Sprinkles and the magic of Sparkle on your fluff + fluff. Team fluff + fluff identifies with fun being a “core value.” We live it every day. We attract it from other people. We bring it everywhere we go. Hence, our motto: fluffy, wispy, yay! For more information on fluff + fluff, visit fluffandfluff.com. • ORDER FOR EVENTS & AT HOME Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
88 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
BIG SCREEN PREVIEWS By Pat Collins THE DARK TOWER Not Yet Rated Release: August 4th The Shining, Misery, Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption are the best of the many films based on a Steven King best seller. Inarguably Carrie was the worst page to screen adaptation. The Dark Tower, a series of eight books, inspired this sci-fi, western horror movie starring charismatic British actor, Idris Elba, as the lone gunslinger Roland Deschain. He has the unenviable task of preventing the Sorcerer/Man in Black Walter Padick (Matthew McConaughey) from destroying a mystical structure known as The Tower. Where else but NYC would such a tower be located. Jake Chambers plays Tom Taylor (Deschain‘s protégé) and surrogate son. The Dark Tower‘s journey from page to screen began in 2007 with J. J. Abrams on board to direct before Nikolaj Arcel signed on.
KIDNAP Rated: R Release: August 4th It is a parent‘s worst nightmare and the subject of several films including Liam Neeson’s 2008 blockbuster Taken, Hugh Jackman’s Prisoners and Halle Berry‘s smaller budgeted film about a devoted single motherKarla whose 10-year-old son Frankie (Sage Correa) is abducted at a carnival. Frustrated by police department bureaucracy Karla resolves to find the men who sped away with her terrified son while onlookers failed to intervene. Her determination is summed up in one line of dialogue: “As long as my son is in that car, I will not stop. Wherever you go, I will be right behind you.” The Oscar winner‘s star power and the subject matter account for the movie‘s 95 percent audience want-to-see-rating based on statistics provided by Rotten Tomatoes. Kidnap‘s original opening date was scheduled for October 2015; a new date, May 2016, was scrapped as well. In her next film Ms. Berry co-stars with Colin Firth, Taron Edgerton and Channing Tatum in The Kingsman: Golden Circle, a sequel to the 1995 spy action adventure opening in October.
DETROIT Not Yet Rated Release: August 4th Fifty years ago on July 23rd, Detroit was a war zone. State troopers, the National Guard, and the city‘s police force descended on the city‘s West Side during what would be known as the 12th Street Riot. The events leading up to that urban battle are recreated in Kathryn Bigelow‘s film. Ms. Bigelow, the first woman director to win an Academy Award, helmed The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. The battleground here is the Motor City‘s streets with snipers on the loose and civilians in danger. Ms. Bigelow focuses on a group of young terrified African American men who sought refuge from the police in the Algiers Motel. The police attack on that motel claimed the lives of three innocent people. Leading the cast are Anthony Mackie (The Avengers), Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction), Hannah Murray (Game of Thrones) and John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Ms. Bigelow shot her film in Boston not Detroit because Michigan does not offer the movie production incentives Massachusetts provides.
WIND RIVER Rated: R Release: August 4th In a remote part of Wyoming the death of a Native American teenager, raped before she succumbed in subzero temperatures on reservation land, is under investigation. A Las Vegas-based FBI agent (Elizabeth Olson) has the grim task of solving the crime in an unusual whodunit directed by Taylor Sheridan. Jeremy Renner bundles up to play Cory Lambert, a wildlife officer who in pursuit of mountain lions discovers the dead body in the snow. Flashbacks to the crime are not for the squeamish. Coincidentally the victim is the daughter of one of Cory’s childhood friends. Also coincidentally Mr. Renner studied criminology in college. 90 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
THE GLASS CASTLE Rated: PG 13 Release: August 11th Jeannette Walls’ 2005 memoir spent 261 weeks on the best-seller list and sold 2.7 million copies. In the highly anticipated film version Brie Larson, (a 2012 Oscar winner for Room) has the pivotal role as the most outspoken of four siblings raised by impoverished, non-conformist parents Rex and Rosemary. Theirs was a nomadic existence controlled by a dictatorial—often violent and alcoholic—hippie father (played by Woody Harrelson) who moved his family from one state to another in search of odd jobs and to avoid many creditors. Unlike Ben Cash (Viggo Mortenson), the widowed father living far from civilization in the Washington State woods with his six children in Captain Fantastic, Rex Walls is not a sympathetic or likable character, but he is an interesting one. Destin Daniel Cretton directed this mostly factual account of Ms. Wall’s childhood and formative years before severing ties with Rex. Naomi Watts adds another parental role to her filmography as the dysfunctional mother. I will not divulge more of the plot but will add that with the help of benefactors Ms. Walls graduated with honors from Barnard College and went on to achieve success in her chosen career. Before her father’s death in 1994, Ms.Wells reconciled with him. THE HITMAN‘S BODYGUARD Rated: R Release: August 18th If there exists a world record for the number of times the best known four letter expletive is uttered in a major motion picture, Samuel L. Jackson indisputably breaks that record in an action comedy directed by Patrick Hughes. Darrius Kincaid (Mr. Jackson), a hit man who proudly claims he has bumped off 250 victims, is temporarily released from jail to testify against a brutal European dictator (Gary Oldman) at The Hague International Court Of Justice. To ensure the star witness is not eliminated by the dictator‘s assassins before the trial, a protection agent Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is hired to safely deliver the titular hitman to The Hague. The two men have a history, and it‘s decidedly not a good one. Once upon a crime Kincaid tried but failed to kill Bryce. Salma Hayek whose presence is always a welcome addition to any movie plays Kincaid‘s wife and fellow assassin. This is Mr. Reynolds first film since Deadpool a $781 million blockbuster that secured him a place on Hollywood‘s A-list. With more than 100 movies on his filmography, Mr. Jackson ranks as the all-time box office champ. Added together his films grossed more than $5 billion. LOGAN LUCKY Rated: PG 13 Release: August 18th As the director of three Ocean’s movies, director Steven Soderbergh knows a thing or two about making a heist movie. However, the thieves here lack the intelligence and expertise of Danny Ocean and his Vegas crew. The goofy would be thieves Jimmy and Clyde (Channing Tatum and Adam Driver) intend to break into the vault at the Charlotte Motor Speedway but are utterly clueless about how to steal the money. For expert advice, they turn to an incarcerated thief Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) and bust him out of jail to plan and execute the daring robbery during the Coca-Cola 600. Mr. Craig‘s character with cropped white hair and an even shorter temper bears no resemblance to the debonair James Bond. In cameo roles are real life NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch as state troopers. Mr. Soderbergh‘s cast also includes Oscar winner Hilary Swank, Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, and Sebastian Stan. The movie reunites Soderbergh and Tatum who worked together on Magic Mike, Side Effects, and Haywire.
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About Pat Collins
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY 3D Rated: R Release: August 25th Twenty-six years after director James Cameron‘s blockbuster opened in theaters Arnold Schwarzenegger is back on the big screen in a 3D digitally re-mastered version of the original. In 1991 the movie‘s production budget was an unheard of $102 million. The global box office of $520 million set a record. Critics and ticket buyers gave Arnold and company a 94 percent approval rating, and it made The American Film Institute’s list of best action films of all time. Legendary makeup artist Stan Winston won an Oscar for transforming actors into cyborgs. The plot centers on a strong-willed mother, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her 10-year-old son, John (Edward Furlong) who are pursued by a shape-shifting T-1000 (Robert Patrick). The movie’s dialogue co-written by Mr. Cameron and William Wisher includes these quotes “You were going to kill that guy?” “Of course I‘m a Terminator,” “Give me your boots, your clothes, your money and your motorcycle” to which Cigar Biker replies, “You forgot to say, please.” Of course, who can forget the most famous line, “Hasta la vista, baby.” •
Pat Collins is a three-time Emmy award-winning film, theater and entertainment critic/reporter. Her outstanding media credits include WCBS-TV, Good Morning America and WWOR-TV. She is a contributor to CUNY-TV’s Arts and The City program and the host of several Broadway specials including Kinky Boots On Broadway, Fiddler On The Roof: Back On Broadway, and The Road To The Tonys. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 91
ON STAGE By Pat Collins
DAVE CHAPPELLE Radio City Music Hall Unquestionably one of the best standup comedians of all time Mr. Chappelle returns to the “Showplace Of The Nation” in August for 11 performances. Three years ago he entertained a sold out crowd there. It marked his first major appearance in eleven years. At no point in his career could he be accused of overexposure. Seeing him in person is comparable to observing a solar eclipse or any other rare celestial event. He famously walked away from the eponymous critically acclaimed Chappelle Show on Comedy Central in 2003 to travel and collect his thoughts. He explained the unexpected departure in this quote: “I figured let me cut myself off from everybody, take a minute and pull a Flintstone, stop a speeding car by using my bare feet as brakes.” Known for impromptu appearances at comedy clubs around the country, he broke his own record with a six-hour-plus set in April 2007. Mr. Chappelle accepted supporting roles in The Nutty Professor, Men In Tights, Con Air, and Undercover Brother but turned down the part of Benjamin Buford Blue (aka Bubba) in Forest Gump. Ask any comedian /comedienne to name the funniest stand up in the business, and invariably Mr. Chappelle is at the top of that list.
FROZEN Coming to Broadway/Spring 2018 If you want to be among the very first to see the stage musical version of Disney’s enchanting 2013 blockbuster—fly to Denver. It’s where the cast and creative team will assemble for a tryout run at the Buell Theater in the Denver Center For The Performing Arts from August 17th through October 1st. Caissie Levy who played Fantine in the 2014 Les Miserables revival is Elsa, and Patti Murin has the Anna role. Behind the scenes are two of the most admired and awarded theater pros—director Michael Grandage (Evita, Red, Frost/Nixon) and choreographer Rob Ashford (Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying). 92 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
A NEW STAR IN THE GREAT COMET Imperial Theater The Tony-nominated musical’s new Pierre who replaced Josh Groban is well known to those fortunate theatergoers who saw him in Hamilton. Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan originated the roles of James Madison and Hercules Mulligan, a tailor/spy and Hamilton ally. Oak, as he is known, joins Denee Benton (Natasha), and Lucas Steele (Anatole) in director Rachel Chavkin’s electric pop opera Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. Oak previously appeared in Rocky The Musical and Cyrano de Bergerac. Raised in Orange County New Jersey, Oak, a scholar/athlete, was severely injured playing football. Rather than sit on the bench, he joined the high school drama club. A simple twist of fate that led to leading man status on Broadway.
ON YOUR FEET Ankling in August The cast of the impossible-to-resist biographical musical performs its final show August 30th. Until then, the cast members encourages members of the audience to form a conga line at the end of Act 1 with Ana Villafane and Ektor Rivera as Gloria and Emilio Estefan leading the way. The rhythm is going to get you and so will the real story of the Miami Sound Machine’s meteoric rise to stardom in the mid-’70s. Their chart-topping hits “Turn The Beat Around,” “Conga,” “1-2-3,” and “Dr. Beat” are among the 22 show stopping numbers. During their careers, the Cuban-American superstars sold 100 million records and won 26 Grammys. The production directed by Jerry Mitchell and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo begins a national tour soon after the final Broadway performance. Buffalo is the first stop with a scheduled opening date of September 22nd. The musical is as much about fortitude and resilience as it is fame and hard earned success. Ms. Estefan’s slow and painful recovery from a near fatal 1990 collision is the show’s emotional anchor. In 2015 President Barack Obama presented the Estefans with the Medal of Freedom, a well-earned honor for two extraordinary immigrants who got Americans up and on their feet.
He's kept his mouth shut long enough.
1984 Hudson Theatre “Big Brother,” “Double Think,” “Newspeak.” All of these now commonly used phrases which first appeared in George Orwell’s 1949 novel are frequently used when disgruntled and or discouraged Americans discuss the current state of affairs in Washington DC. The producers of this new adaptation of Orwell’s seminal work could not have hoped for better timing. Imported from London where it ran for four years, 1984 is the 2017-2018 Broadway season’s first production. It’s not for those who faint at the sight of a bloody nose. If Broadway had an MPAA-like rating system, 1984 would be R-rated for violent and gory scenes. Children under 13 are not allowed in the theater. The three principal characters, Winston Smith, O’Brien, and Julia are played respectively by Tom Sturridge a Tony nominee for Orphans; Reed Birney, a Tony winner for The Humans; and Olivia Wilde making her Broadway debut. New York and not London where the play ran for four years is the location for Orwell’s tale about a dystopian future where citizens live in fear under a totalitarian regime Not surprisingly the book is at the top of Amazon’s best-seller list. A limited number of tickets priced at $19.84 for front row seats will go to the lucky winners of a digital lottery. For more information download the TodayTix mobile app or visit todaytix.com.
Book & Lyrics by
PETER KELLOGG
Music by
DAVID FRIEDMAN
Directed by
MICHAEL CHASE GOSSELIN
LINCOLN CENTER OUT OF DOORS The (Free) Music of The Night What began 45 years ago as a small festival of street theater became a massive, city-wide event featuring jazz, folk, gospel, blues, and rock—all performed under the canopy of the night sky in a variety of Manhattan locations. Now through August 13th, all events are free. For scheduling information and event locations, visit LCOutOfDoors.org. THE SUITCASE UNDER THE BED The Beckett Theater Performances of four short plays by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy run two hours with an intermission and are directed by the Mint’s Producing Artistic Director Jonathon Bank who with other members of the company is dedicated to “restoring Ms. Deevey to her proper place in the canon of Irish dramatic literature.” The title is named for the location of Ms. Deevy’s written work which unbeknownst to her family and friends was stored in a valise. The plays respectively deal with a wedding, three marriage proposals, and two breakups. For more information about the production visit minttheater.org. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. The Beckett Theater is located at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & Dyer).
THE DAVENPORT THEATRE 354 W 45th St (Btwn 8th & 9th Aves)
telecharge.com 212-239-6200 MoneyTalksMusical.com
NOW IN PERFORMANCES
BALLSY. BRILLIANT.
“
SEE IT!
Carrie Bradshaw and her Sex and the City pals would worship this show.” The Huffington Post
MARVIN’S ROOM American Airlines Theater Janeane Garofalo, known for her work on Saturday Night Live, The Ben Stiller Show, and movies including Steal This Movie and The Truth About Cats And Dogs makes her debut in the first Broadway production of the late Scott McPherson’s 1990 play. It premiered at Chicago’s Goodman Theater before opening Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizon. Ms. Garofalo and Lili Taylor, a co-star of ABC’s American Crime are Lee and Bessie, estranged sisters forced to reunite after an 18-year separation to cope with family crises. Bessie, who has taken care of their bedridden father Marvin for twenty years is diagnosed with leukemia and requires a bone marrow transplant to survive. Do critical problems bring a family together or tear them apart? Is it possible for two siblings to forge a bond after years of holding grudges and perpetuating their silent feud? Mr. McPherson’s play debuted Off-Broadway during the height of the city’s AIDS epidemic. A victim of the disease, he passed away at the age of 33—two years after his play debuted Off-Broadway. The movie version with Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, and Leonardo DiCaprio as the delinquent son was released in 1996.
“A snappy, breathless & sophisticated romp!
NAUGHTY & HILARIOUS!” Asbury Park Press
Based on a true story, this sassy and witty musical tells the story of what it means to start life over in the modern age.
TELECHARGE.COM | 212-239-6200 Westside Theatre (Upstairs) 407 West 43rd Street, NYC
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A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 Extended Run Laurie Metcalf, who won a Tony for her acclaimed performance as Nora and fellow cast members Chris Cooper and Condola Rashad—both Tony nominees—departed the show in July. But given the production’s rave reviews, 8 Tony nominations and Jayne Houdyshell’s extraordinary performance, the show’s run will continue through January 7th at the John Golden Theater with new cast members Julie White (The Little Dog Laughed), Stephen McKinley (Fences) and Erin Wilhelmi. Director Sam Gold and playwright Lucas Hnath were Tony-nominated as well. OKLAHOMA The Goodspeed New Yorkers looking for an idyllic weekend in the country not too far away should head to East Haddam, Connecticut and The Goodspeed Theater where the cast is performing Oklahoma. The show runs through September 23rd and is the theater’s first-ever production of the 1943 award winning show. The Richard Rodgers/ Oscar Hammerstein musical opened on Broadway seventy-four years ago and was an immediate hit. The score includes “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning,” “Out Of My Dreams,” “People Will Say We’re In Love” and, of course, the title song. The cast will be led by Rhett Guter (Curly), Samantha Bruce (Laurey), Terry Burrell (Aunt Eller), Jake Swain (Will Parker) and Gizel Jimenez (Ado Annie).• SEE PREVIEWS & BUY TICKETS ONLINE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
ON THE BOOKSHELF By Pat Collins
KOI: A MODERN FOLK TALE The legendary Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, his photographer/actress/painter wife Margery Gray Harnick and their photographer son Matthew collaborated on this beautiful, charming book. In the forward Alan Alda advises readers to “jump into the water with this happy, creative family and swim with them toward delight and meaning. It will be a refreshing dip.” During a visit with their daughter, Beth in Malibu Margie photographed the Koi, and both she and Sheldon were curious about its origins prompting him to write, “Where did they come from, these multicolored marvels, Nature’s objects d’art? Well, carp from China somehow became the wondrous koi bred in Japan”. In his research, Sheldon learned of its origins and the legends associated with the colorful, beautiful fish. In keeping with the Koi’s Asian origin Sheldon’s narrative is in the form of haiku verses. The book received glowing reviews and praise from some taste makers in the Broadway community including Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote, “In this masterful book, Margie, Matt, and Sheldon weave together their disparate crafts. Through their luminous photos and his beautiful poetry, they frame the mighty Koi and get after its essence. You’ll never see Koi the same way again”.
YOU DON’T LOOK YOUR AGE AND OTHER FAIRY TALES In her new provocative book television producer Sheila Nevins who earned 32 Primetime Emmy Awards and was President of HBO Documentary Films addresses many issues relating to women of all ages including the challenges facing young working mothers and the difficulties older women encounter in a culture which seldom values, wisdom, and experience. Meryl Streep, one of the book’s many fans, wrote, “Thank you, Sheila Nevins, for putting all this down for posterity. Women need this kind of honest excavation of the process of living.” I asked Ms. Nevins a few questions about her life and career. Who or what inspired you to produce documentaries? Life’s injustices inspired me to reveal stories of the underdog so that their voices could be heard. Several of your documentaries were created for young viewers. Which of them are most meaningful and why? The one about Tourette’s called I Have Tourette’s But Tourette’s Doesn’t Have Me. My son had Tourette’s and nobody knew anything about it, or about the pain children go though who have it. What are the challenges for working women today and are they much the same as they were in the ‘70s? The challenges for working women are working men. They were and always will be. Did you regret turning down Don Hewitt’s offer to join the 60 Minutes team as a producer? It wasn’t as a producer it was as an on-camera talent. I regret nothing. BUY BOOKS ONLINE NOW What advice do you have for the next generation of documentary producers? I’d say, the word Documentary is no longer a dirty word. So your journey should be Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo a hell of a lot easier than mine was! •
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 95
PAT COLLINS’ PICKS OF HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES
WOLVES Rated: R Release: August 8th If you are a director looking to cast a superb actor as a less than admirable character in your next movie Michael Shannon should be on your list. Mr. Shannon impressed critics and audiences alike as the Orlando realtor who evicts families from their foreclosed homes in 99 Homes and was Oscarnominated for playing the cowboy detective in Nocturnal Animals. In Wolves, he adds another unsavory character to his filmography as Lee, an English professor by day and gambler by night placing his family’s financial security in jeopardy. Lee’s irresponsible choices primarily affect his son Anthony (Taylor John Smith) the star basketball player on his high school team with plans to attend the college of his choosing. Anthony seeks advice from the aptly named Socrates (John Douglas Thompson), a former Nets player who confers with his uncle (Chris Bauer) on how to impress the coach of the Cornell team. Those who know more about the sport than I assured me the games are well choreographed and well played by actors for whom this is not their first time on a court.
GOING IN STYLE Rated: PG 13 Release: August 1st Oscar winners, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, slip into the roles of three jobless factory workers who come up with a risky plan to pay the bills. These suddenly unemployed men face a financial disaster similar to real life American blue collar workers whose jobs evaporated due to either automation, corporate greed, bad management decisions or a combination of all three. With their pension plans frozen and bank balances at zero Willie (Mr. Freeman), Joe (Mr. Caine) and Albert (Mr. Arkin) hatch a plan to rob the (fictional) Williamsburg Savings Bank. When Willie asks Joe “Aren’t you afraid of being caught?” Joe replies, “These banks practically destroyed this country and nothing happened to them.” Director Zach Braff ’s comedy is an altered, updated version of Martin Brest’s 1979 movie which co-starred George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg as the inexperienced thieves. These three actors share an enviable Oscar history. Mr. Freeman won the Academy Award for Million Dollar Baby and was nominated for Street Smart, The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy and Invictus. Mr. Caine received the coveted award for Hannah and Her Sisters and Cider House Rules. His work in Alfie and Sleuth was also recognized. Little Miss Sunshine brought Mr. Arkin Hollywood’s biggest prize. He was nominated for his performances in The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter and Argo.
SNATCHED Rated: R Release: August 8th The producers’ plan had merit. Convince a much-admired star with three decades worth of hit comedies to come out of a self-imposed 15-year retirement and pair her with one of the most famous comedic talents of her generation. Despite the combined talents of Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer, the motherdaughter comedy adventure did not capture the attention of moviegoers or find favor with critics. Made for $45 million, Snatched grossed $45.6 million domestically. By comparison, Ms. Schumer’s 2015 hit Trainwreck took in $110 million. Emily (Ms. Schumer), recently dumped by a boyfriend, persuades her risk averse mother Linda (Ms. Hawn) to take a vacation at a posh resort in Ecuador. Despite being told of the statistic that one in four tourists are kidnapped, mother and daughter accept a stranger’s offer to see the countryside. It will not surprise you to know that the libidinous Emily is eager to spend time with the aforementioned handsome stranger or that the women are snatched. Unremarkable comedic shtick follows as the two hatch an escape plan. You will need an excuse to exit as well if friends and family members who have not read the reviews insist on viewing Snatched in your living room. 96 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL Rated: PG Release: August 8th It’s enough to discourage any sensible person from taking a summer road trip. In The Long Haul—adapted for the screen from author Jeff Kenney’s ninth book in the series—the Heffley kids and their parents head west to celebrate grandma’s 90th birthday. None of the original cast members appear in director David Bower’s fourth installment: Alicia Silverstone and Tom Everett Scott replace Rachel Harris and Steve Zahn. Eleven-year-old Jason Drucker is the new Greg. He and older brother Rodrick have their own agenda which involves taking a detour to attend a gamer convention in Indianapolis. Only the Griswold family in National Lampoon’s Vacation had more problems than the Heffley’s, but with a cast led by Chevy Chase, the Griswold’s were more entertaining. According to Rotten Tomatoes, only 37 percent of the audience enjoyed this Wimpy Kid sequel. The critics were less impressed with a low 20 percent approval rating.
THE BLACKLIST: SEASON 4 Release: August 15th One of the program’s major assets is Golden Globe recipient James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington—an unapologetic criminal who makes a deal with the FBI. He gives the feds a list of the most dangerous criminals on all continents and the Bureau grants him immunity from prosecution So far Mr. Spader has appeared in 67 episodes. May I humbly suggest to members of the Emmy nominating committee the establishment of a Lifetime Achievement Award and present one of the statuettes to Mr. Spader for his work on Boston Legal, The Office and, of course, The Blacklist. Although the show is set in Washington DC, episodes are shot on the set formerly occupied by Law and Order. Be of good cheer all of you avid fans awaiting Season 5 of NBC’s crime thriller on October 17th.
ALIEN COVENANT Rated: R Release: August 15th Michael Fassbender plays David and Walter, two physically identical but otherwise different androids in director Ridley Scott’s sequel to his 2012 Prometheus. Walter joins the Covenant crew comprised of five couples who were selected to colonize a habitable planet before Earth reaches its expiration date. David, displaying many human traits is the mastermind behind a plan to eliminate those involved in the mission who are attacked by an, an army of xenomorphs the powerful four-legged creatures first seen in the 1979 film and later in various Alien sequels. The movie grossed over $231 billion at the worldwide box office.
THE WALL Rated: R Release: August 15th Director Kathryn Bigelow’s 2008 Oscar-winning film, The Hurt Locker, David O. Russell’s Three Kings and Clint Eastwood’s controversial American Sniper are, in my opinion, the three best commercially successful films about the war in Iraq. The Wall directed by Douglas Limon (Edge Of Tomorrow and The Bourne Identity) is set in 2007 during the waning days of George W. Bush’s and Dick Cheney’s war. There are three characters—Staff Sgt. Shane Matthews (John Cena), shot by an unseen gunman; Sgt. Allen Isaac (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) whose so-called safe space is behind a crumbling stone wall; and the chatty sniper who may be the Islamic Army’s secret weapon known as Juba (Laith Nakli). Mr. Taylor-Johnson’s most notable film role thus far is Quicksilver in The Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Mr. Cena has another career as a WWE superstar with 25 championships. Winning at the box office is an entirely different challenge. The Wall grossed a disappointing $3 million globally. Based on the financial success of the many action movie franchises, the evidence suggests that male ticket buyers 18-35 prefer cheering on superheroes as they vanquish an enemy rather than watch a film based on the real heroics of men and women in uniform and who put themselves in harm’s way. • AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 97
Help Cure Food Insecurity Food Insecurity happens when the poor, the disabled, the elderly – wonder whether they will have enough food to feed themselves and their families. St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters have strived to eradicate food insecurity by feeding the children who play in your neighborhood parks, the working poor, the lonely and marginalized with the welcoming respect that St. Francis epitomized. It all starts with confronting food insecurity. Then, doors are open to so many more ways we can serve our neighbors in need.
St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters
Feeding, clothing and counseling families in need. Tel: (212) 279-6171
www.stfrancispantries.org
YOU can donate. YOU can volunteer. YOU is the key word. Everyone of ‘YOU’ has something special and unique that you can contribute to the cause.
St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters, New York’s answer to food insecurity.
The artist at work
FROM MD TO ARTIST By Debbie Dickinson
ong before becoming a distinguished neurosurgeon, Keith Kattner would paint up to ten hours a day, perfecting his style and use of color. Even into his medical career, Kattner never lost his passion for art. His disappearances after operating where he defused surgical stress were “therapeutic.” He languished in his private studio after hours hidden away painting Hudson-Style Renaissance landscapes.
A CLEAR VISION
Seasonal Drift
He chose the oil painting medium because he sees a vision that is an emotional thrust on a canvas that he feels gets lost when sketching. “It took me a considerable amount of effort to realize that the rules of art don’t always comply with the standards of science. I had to decide which set of rules would supersede the other,” says Kattner. His visions come from memory from his childhood, sometimes during young surfing days while living on the Oahu’s North Shore, listening to Jim Morrison. Another reason for retiring from medicine is he felt he did not have enough time to paint after passionate studies of American History and Science that took up every waking hour. It propelled his quest to become a great master. Once he understood this, he could then move forward in his own style with no limits and without hesitation. A prolific researcher, residency program director, and co-founder of the Central Illinois Neuroscience Foundation, Kattner moved to exhibit in New York City and eventually reside in Hudson Valley. Reflection Eight
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STUDYING THE MASTERS Looking at his art today, you see intrinsic meanings in his paintings. Coincidentally art has been in his family. As a young child, he enjoyed taking art lessons in his hometown of Omaha. And, during his 30-year medical career, he continued studying art history and delving into pre-1945 American Art, visited museums and then became an avid collector. Today, he does not want to be seen as a decorative artist; he only wishes to exhibit as art. His recent works are proof of that title. For more information on Keith Kattner, visit keithkattnerartisit.com. To view his recent works curated by Steven Torrisi, visit Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers & Gigantic Studio (207 West 25th Street, #600). For guided tours contact Debbie Dickinson at edentpr@gmail.com. • Debbie Dickinson is a writer/actor/supermodel and founder of E.D. Enterprises Luxury Public Relations & Marketing. Her company specializes in Art, Film & Theater Production and Promotion campaigns for artists, luxury products & services, and philanthropy. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 99
Positively Ernie
CHANNEL 5 NEWS AT 6PM
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Wauwatosa, WI, 1955–61
MUSEUM HAPPENINGS: MOMA By Clint Brownfield
here are all sorts of art exhibits running at any given time in the five boroughs of New York City—from small galleries on up to the city’s major museums, making our city the undisputed art capital of the world. Some of these exhibits are called blockbusters. Frank Lloyd Wright at 150: Unpacking the Archive at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a must-see which runs through October 1st. The exhibit includes approximately 450 objects from the Frank Lloyd Wright Archives at The Museum of Modern Art and the Avery Architectural Fine Arts Library at Columbia University, to mark the 150th anniversary of Wright’s birth in Richland Center, Wisconsin.
PRESERVING THE PAST As America’s most famous architect/designer, many would agree he was the best. The American Institute of Architects (AIA), which was founded in 1857 by a group of 13 architects including Richard Morris Hunt (Metropolitan Museum and the base of the Statue of Liberty among other projects) continues to this day as the profession’s most prestigious membership organization. It currently lists 17 of Wright’s works as national treasures which must be saved. The list includes perhaps his most famous work Fallingwater, a spectacular private residence in Mill Run, PA, which can be toured today. More than a half-century after his 1959 death in Phoenix, AZ, Wright remains America’s most prolific architect. In a career spanning seven decades, he designed more than 1,000 buildings—more than 500 were built. Wright preserved most of his drawings, despite some tragic losses to fires, to form an archive that he hoped would perpetuate his architectural philosophy, first as a tool in the production of architecture in the Taliesin Fellowship, an apprenticeship program he founded in the 1930s. The archive was progressively cataloged and opened to specialists by the Frank Lloyd Foundation, and in 2012, The Museum of Modern Art and Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library at Columbia University jointly acquired the archive. This exhibit celebrates this pioneering collaboration and the new accessibility of the collection to both scholars and the general public. Unpacking the Archive refers to the monumental task of moving across the country 55,000 drawings, 300,000 sheets of correspondence, 125,000 photographs, and 2,700 manuscripts, as well as models, films, and building fragments. It also refers to the work of interpretation and the close examination of projects that in some cases have received little attention. Seeing Wright’s works are very rewarding. The use of color and his distinctive style of drawing is nothing short of spectacular. Even the hand lettering in the drawings is done so that there is no mistaking that they are the work of this American master.
102 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Fallingwater (Kaufmann House), Mill Run, PA, 1934–37 Sixty Years of Living Architecture The Work of Frank Lloyd Wright in New York. 1953. Copyright 2017 Pedro E. Guerrero Archives.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. 1943–59
Davidson Little Farms Unit. Project, 1932–33
St. Mark’s Tower, New York. Project, 1927–29.
ICONIC STRUCTURES If you appreciate architectural models you will be in luck at the exhibition. There are a number of them on view, including one depicting a version of his masterpiece here in New York City: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at Fifth Avenue and 89th Street. Another eye-catching model is one depicting the Price Tower (completed in 1956), a nineteen-story, 221-foot-high building in Bartlesville, OK, and is the only realized skyscraper by Wright. It’s one of only two vertically-oriented Wright structures in existence today. Price Tower also features Inn at Price Tower, an intimate hotel with 19 guest rooms that occupies seven of the tower’s upper floors. Wright was also a master designer, creating most if not all of the objects used in the interiors and exteriors of his homes and buildings. The exhibition features prime examples of his designs including components, textiles, stained glass, furniture, lighting fixtures and just about any other thing you can think of that makes his work “Classic Wright” to this day. One of his main hallmarks was to integrate the surrounding environment into each of his works. For example, much of the glass made for Taliesin West in Phoenix, AZ was created from the sand surrounding the compound. You can’t get much more organic than that. In addition to the objects in the exhibition myriad, special activities will be offered at the museum through October 1st. Films, seminars, lectures, and hands-on activities for all ages will provide additional insight into the life and work of America’s most famous architect—Frank Lloyd Wright. For more information Frank Lloyd Wright at 150: Unpacking the Archive, visit moma.org. •
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Clint Brownfield is a travel, food and beverage writer and has reported from all seven continents, more than 100 countries and 45 states. He is based in New York City—his favorite destination in the world. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 103
A SMALL WORLD By Daniel J. Bollinger
Gulliver’s Gate is the new 49,000 square-foot exhibit of 300 miniature scenes of landmarks and towns which opened this year. From 50 countries around the world you’ll “visit” the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Taj Mahal, New York City and many other international locales. The brainchild of Michael Langer and Eiran Gazit, this is like no other attraction you’ll find in Manhattan. “We are such a unique place where people can open their minds,” Langer explained, “and travel to new parts of the world they’ve never experienced. We’re excited for our guests to experience this sense of wanderlust after visiting.” The entire exhibition is interactive: cars, trains, and helicopters all move throughout the exhibits. There are also cutaways within the displays that show the underground subways below classic New York City buildings. Everything is built to 1:87-inch scale and the more you look at these exhibits, the more you see.
ONE-STOP TRAVEL “We sought out model-making studios in eight countries on four continents to create the 50-nation display,” Langer said. “Design teams are based in locations around the world, including China, Russia, Italy, South America and right here in New York. When people visit, they will be able to see that each country has its own personality and creativity built through various scenes from the past, present, and future.” Unbelievable detail has been created with people inhabiting the mini-cities being exposed to surprise elements like Spiderman on the Brooklyn Bridge to the Beatles crossing Abbey Road. Adults and children alike will enjoy walking through this exhibit located in the heart of Times Square. Not only will you enjoy the different international replicas but you will also enjoy the interactive exhibits like the Open Workshop, where you can see the artists creating the models that inhabit the space. 104 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Design teams are based in locations around the world, including China, Russia, Italy, South America and right here in New York. MINI-ME Probably the best part of visiting Gulliver’s Gate is you can create your own 3D replica of yourself! As one of only three in the world, the Cobra 3D body scanner is the most advanced photogrammetry booth in the world. The booth, which is similar in size to a TSA body scanner, is comprised of 128 cannon DSLR cameras. Upon entering a 3D Gif photo is snapped in one-eighth of a second. Guests can opt to have themselves printed in 3D (full color) in three different miniature sizes.
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“This project was in the works for almost four years,” Langer told us, “and we’re proud finally to New Yorkers and visitors alike. Now that we’re open, this is just a first look at Gulliver’s Gate and the beginning of a one-of-a-kind experience in Manhattan. That said, our team is already in the process of developing new regions and countries to add. Yes, there’s more to come!” For more information on Gulliver’s Gate (216 West 44th Street), visit gulliversgate.com. • AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 105
PAWS DOWN… TAILS UP By Lori Zelenko and Susan Traub
hihuahuas, ShihTzus, Yorkies, Labradors and the occasional Portuguese Water Dog are woofing it up in Manhattan as pet-friendly buildings once scarce are now making up more than 75 percent of the market for co-ops and condos according to a 2016 fourth quarter Miller Samuel survey. But even though the pet policies of prestige buildings are loosening up (it’s been demonstrated that a pet-friendly apartment carries a higher market value), it can still be tricky to navigate entry. We asked top brokers, board presidents and one of New York City’s leading real estate attorneys to weigh in on what pet owners may encounter when looking to purchase an apartment. Jason Walker, a leading broker with Douglas Elliman, sees several lifestyle factors influencing the broader acceptance of pets in the city and the increase in pet owners seeking to buy apartments. “America, and indeed New York City, is falling in love with pets all over again through movies, television, books, and animal charities. It’s become significantly easier to maintain a pet in your apartment than ever before.” Services proliferate to fully pamper your pet are often made available by the building itself: dog walking, play groups, dog fitness trainers (with supervision a pudgy dog can be found walking on a treadmill), doggy day care, pet chauffeurs and even cat nannies.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Some $62.5 billion (estimated by the American Pet Products Association) was spent in the U.S. on pets last year, and in the city alone there’s a documented spend of more than $1.5 billion and climbing. There’s no doubt about it; pets are the new children, “fur babies” as some “pet parents” call them are companions for singles opting to marry later. In fact, 65 percent of households own a pet with more than 77 million of those pets being dogs, according to a 2015-16 APPA survey. Elaine Tross, an associate broker with Halstead, acknowledges this need for companionship. “Pet owners crave the emotional support a four-legged friend can offer. Sure, there are crazy amenities now, and that’s attractive to a pet owner,” she says, “but overall there’s been a loosening up of the rules creating a climate that’s just more accepting.” But despite the relaxation of regulations, pets are far from running wild. In fact, as David Katzive, executive producer at Finn Partners, and former board president of his Brooklyn Heights co-op recently explains, “the biggest problem with pets is humans.” Ironically when he first moved into the building, he did not require an interview with the board, but his dog did. Since then he observes there were definitely conflicts about pets, dogs in particular, with noise being the biggest complaint. Rarely did the board intervene; the shareholders worked it out among themselves. 106 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
MiMA Dog City Washing Station
MIND YOUR MANNERS Certainly, it’s a good idea to have your pet groomed and on their best behavior for a board interview or even assure the board that the pet will attend doggy daycare on a consistent basis. However, it’s an even better idea for a prospective buyer to work with an attorney before going to contract to learn the precise nature of the building’s pet policies. “What looks like a pet-friendly building may not be one,” cautions attorney, Kathryn A. McLaughlin at McLaughlin & Wilshinsky, PC. “The dogs seen entering or exiting might be service dogs or grandfathered-in pets. A looser policy may have been in effect sometime before so the 12-year-old, 55 lb. Golden Retriever seen in the lobby may not be a reflection of current policy. If the purchaser is not aware of the limitations of the pet policy and proceeds to contract only to learn that the pet is not acceptable to the board, without appropriate contingencies in place, they open themselves to the claim of default,” she says. “Sadly, it can come down to a decision to move in without the pet or lose the contract deposit if the proper due diligence is not done early on.”
MiMA Dog City
There are stories of real devotion that speak to the great love for four-legged residents. Seasoned Douglas Elliman broker, Joel Bross who has spent more than two decades as a board member at 125 East 84th Street (he has lived there for more than 50 years) tells of heroism in his building. “One shareholder had three Labs, and while not at home, a fire broke out and the superintendent, also a dog lover, rescued the dogs, resuscitating one. The building honored him.” Mclaughlin states that “restrictions on weight and size are to be expected, but there are also restrictions on breeds including Doberman Pinchers, Pit Bulls, Rottweillers and increasingly, German Shepherds which makes finding acceptance virtually impossible in prestige buildings.” Halstead associate broker Tross cites an example of a gentle German Shepherd who was well mannered and playful with the children of the purchasing family but was barred by the board. The family was not totally deterred and decided to purchase the apartment as an investment anyway. The board has considerable leeway in determining the proper candidates for residency, so there is little recourse if a pet is not accepted unless outright discrimination can be proven. However cautionary “tails” aside, more and more residential buildings are actively sniffing out affluent pet owners as respectful and responsible tenants. •
FYI To learn more about what qualifies your pet for approval in New York City buildings, here’s a list of pet-friendly experts. Jason Walker Douglas Elliman Real Estate (212-303-5300; jwalker@elliman.com)
Elaine Tross Halstead Real Estate (212-381-3322; petfriendlymanhattanrealestate.com)
Joel Bross Douglas Elliman Real Estate (212-705-1053; jbross@elliman.com)
Kathryn McLaughlin, Esq. McLaughlin & Wilshinsky, P.C. (212-477-1846; mwpc-law.com)
Lori Zelenko and Susan Traub have teamed up to reveal exclusive personal insights into the luxe life of pets in the city offered by the influencers in Manhattan’s real estate community. GET NYC PET POLICY INFO Each a devoted dog owner as well as an entrepreneur, Lori and Susan are mutually dedicated to improving the well-being of pets in NYC and beyond. To learn more, email Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo info@royalanimals.com. © 2017 Lori Zelenko and Susan Traub, All rights reserved. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 107
ENTREPRENEUR’S CORNER By Rebecca Ruiz
erfume is more than a pretty scent in a gorgeous bottle. In fact, a fragrance can lift your spirits and take you on an endless journey, stirring up emotions from some of your fondest memories. You might say it’s almost therapeutic: it will always strike the right note when applied. Of course, we are inundated with mass market designer perfumes. But for those who are seeking something truly unique, take the subway to Brooklyn to find the Atelier of indie-perfumer artist and traveler, Maria McElroy. One will discover a new heady, virtual trip around the world. Synthesizing her love of blending colors and textures with her passion for scent, McElroy is most known as a pioneer in her field of indie fragrance.
TRAVEL SCENTS Maria’s passion for expressing beauty began with her studies; she earned her MFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1986 and continued her education in Australia, where she became a certified aroma therapist with Queensland Institute of Natural Science. In her spare time, she often created bespoke fragrances, wrapped in delicate silks and velvets, and gifting them to friends. It soon became apparent that this hobby would become her passion. This calling led Maria across the globe, to Japan, where she was able to delve further into and learn even more about the art of perfume-making. Inspired by her time in Japan, studying Kodo (the ancient art of fragrance), Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), Koto (the Japanese harp), and Zen Buddhism, her first perfume collection was born. Maria attributes her collection, Aroma M to her seven-year journey—rich in Japanese history, romance, and mystery. Twenty years later, Aroma M continues to delight and is sold at top retailers. The fragrances are also popular additions to some of New York City’s exclusive spas: Cornelia Spa at The Surrey and Shibui Spa at The Greenwich Hotel. She is also known for custom-blended scent products developed for clients including Sephora. 108 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
LOVING NYC Back in the busy city of New York, love found Maria when she met her now Japanese-born chef husband. The two now live in Brooklyn, where Maria continues her tradition of creating new place-based fragrances. At her Aroma M Atelier is where you’ll find Maria’s fragrance creations come to life. The showroom is open by appointment and consultations for bespoke perfume are also available. The Atelier offers a wide array of tantalizing aromas as well as the Aroma M Beauty Camellia Oil product line. Maria welcomes guests with a cup of matcha tea (she brews it herself) to make the journey a pleasant and relaxing one. Apart from managing her perfume business, Maria has other creative ventures on the horizon. One such project is partnering with Slow Luxury (slow-luxury.com) a concept store which creates sustainable beauty and design goods body and home, as well as experiences and travel adventures to celebrate original and heritage materials. In partnership with founder Jade Dressler, Maria will create perfume and beauty products as well as designs and trips in partnership with Epic Road (epicroad.com), a specialist in transformative travel. Maria’s experience in place-based perfumes complements perfectly with Slow Luxury’s travel packages. Her recent trips to Marrakech inspired her latest perfume recipe of Middle Eastern and African oils, launching soon under the Aroma M brand. This fragrance joins another new/ancient perfume gift set called Immortal Beloved: The World’s First Goddess Perfume + Coloring Book (text and illustrations by Jade Dressler). The all-natural fragrance entwines the mystery of million-year-old amber resins with that of stunning Moroccan henna flower, drops of precious beeswax absolute, and tobacco flower. A shadow of labdanum and chypre are touched with traces of delicate lily of the valley and Madagascar vanilla. This fragrance is encased in a hand blown, gold filigree, Czechoslovakian-glass bottle and available at House of Cherry Bomb (houseofcherrybomb.com). The gift set (perfume and coloring book) will be available later this year at The Jade Dress Shop (thejadedressshop.com). Maria McElroy
Aroma M line
FABULOUS FRAGRANCE What excites Maria most about the partnership is the chance to showcase fragrance in a new, exciting way and one-of-a-kind experience. Slow Luxury and Epic Road trips will give clients a unique insight into the world of fragrance, how to create their fragrance immersed in culture and travel. World travelers will now be able to see, touch smell and bring home the very essence of their journey. The first Bespoke Fragrance Adventure will take place in Marrakech, a place that is abundantly full of fabulous fragrances, glamour, and exotic, magical beauty. Slow Luxury also appeals greatly to those looking for more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives while traveling—from food to activities and hotels. Not only do travel and design activities positively impact the local communities by providing a source of income to the area, but the adventures also aim to solely celebrate and respectfully share in the culture, while giving travelers the opportunity to choose handmade, ethically produced products. With more consumers seeking luxury products to reflect a sense of self, Maria McElroy’s Aroma M Atelier is sure to please. After all, isn’t luxury the chance to take a deep breath and escape—even for just a few moments—each day?
Camellia perfume
For more information on Aroma M Atelier, visit aromam.com. • CREATE YOUR OWN BESPOKE FRAGRANCE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
Tea group
Rebecca Ruiz’s passion for promoting ecofriendly and ethical products originates from time spent visiting Guatemala. The beautiful, handcrafted goods, made by the indigenous people, prompted her to learn more about how sustainable products and services can create positive environmental, social and economic impacts in industries and communities around the world. Rebecca lives in NYC and now works as a sustainability consultant for a wide-range of companies which aim to become greener. AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 109
The Gem Saloon
MY NEW YORK STORY By Lee Gabay
teve Nash was born in South Africa, grew up in British Columbia, went to college in California but is a New Yorker at heart. With his just opened Murray Hill restaurant, The Gem Saloon and his decade-long dynamic philanthropic work towards the wellness of the city’s young people, Nash is a now a sustainable part of New York’s positive fabric. “What I’ve noticed about the people here is they are far from shy, but the biggest thing about New Yorkers are their hearts and generosity,” says Nash.
NASH-VILLE, NYC Back in 2004, at the height of his basketball playing prowess and soon to receive the first of consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards, the forward-thinking point guard began a foundation. Its mission would provide grants for child-focused non-for-profits, medical services in areas of poverty, community reengagement for victims of sexual abuse/violence and environmental education via sustainable practices. This egress from basketball guided him back to his family’s favorite sport—soccer. Steve’s father John played professionally in England and South Africa, and his younger brother Martin played for the Canadian National team and Vancouver Whitecaps (for which Nash is now part owner). A lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fanatic, Nash fused his charitable mission with his NBA connections and a nagging need to run around the pitch. By dreaming up the Showdown in Chinatown, a charity soccer game featuring basketball and soccer all-stars, the Steve Nash Foundation subsequently galvanized a charming Lower East Side nook of the city which doesn’t often have world-class athletes running around on its fields. The antecedent to the original game in 2007 began with a discussion between Nash and his summer rec-league soccer partner, Italian NBA journalist Simone Sandri, who thought it would be special if they pooled their vast and collective resources to do something unique and positive for the community. “We saw it as a cool show for the neighborhood, which could additionally raise money and bring awareness to our non-profit work,” says Nash. Thierry Henry, Jason Kidd, and Barron Davis were among the many to show up at Sara D. Roosevelt Park 10 years ago. 110 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Steve Nash plays soccer in Chinatown Steve Nash & the media ©Joseph Zillo
FULL COURT The electricity from kids hanging from fences and on trees to get a glimpse of the action has made it soccer’s version of Rucker Park. Nash muses, “That first year was similar to watching your baby being born. So organic and a real highlight of my life.” This once-word-of-mouth unofficial kick-off to summer has evolved to a robust fundraiser with extensive media coverage and generous sponsorship, but the nascent spontaneity and kids climbing fences remains an essential part of the game. The ensuing games over the past decade have brought more cleats, shin-pads, and enthusiasm with the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Grant Hill, Kyrie Irving, Landon Donovan, Chris Bosh, Tony Parker, Jeremy Lin, and Kevin Durant. Regarding the exuberant fast-paced style of play, Nash describes the 7-on-7 competitive match as, “Soccer’s version of 3-on-3 halfcourt streetball.” Nash who retired from the National Basketball Association in 2015 having never made it to the finals as a player recently won his 1st NBA Championship in June as part of the Golden State Warrior organization—as Player Development Consultant. After 30 years of basketball, he is thrilled to finally get his coveted ring, but while speaking with him, Nash seems more interested in discussing his foundation’s mission. JOIN STEVE FOR HEALTHY KIDS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
A selfie with fan ©Joseph Zillo
Back in the day with The Lakers
GLOBAL COMMUNITY Since hanging up his basketball jersey, Nash has spent the past few years deeply involved with his organization and specifically using the time to regroup and assess how he wants its future to look. “We’ve been exploring early childhood education and universal pre-k as many children arrive at kindergarten already behind.” One of the foundation’s initiatives, Educare, which began in Phoenix is now in almost half the states. Educare is used as a means to develop best practices for infants, toddlers, children and families that can’t readily access those resources. “Having a school that you can walk to without fear of violence should not be seen as a privilege. Basic nutrition and clean water should not be considered a privilege. These kids aren’t underprivileged, they are underserved and undervalued,” implores a passionate Nash. Nash is not so much political as he is about doing what is right. His battles for social justice and humanitarian causes have been well documented. Whether it has been speaking out against Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070, which racially profiled and criminalized anyone looking like an undocumented immigrant, or being one of the first in the league to vocally support LGBT rights. So entrenched in this work and successful in his ability to effectuate change that in 2006, Steve Nash was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for his various philanthropic causes. Nash attributes his panoramic worldview to his parents, whom never sheltered him from the inequalities and injustices that exist. Being in a position where he can eradicate certain problems through systemic changes; Nash firmly believes and substantiates with the foundation’s research that child abuse can be eliminated. “There is scientific data to support this beyond the lofty goal,” explains a hopeful Nash who sees athletics as a tremendous teaching tool. “Leadership, discipline, teamwork, practice, winning and losing offer so many valuable life lessons.” He continues, “Sports is an excellent teacher, similar to music…young people tap into new languages and forms of expression.” Philanthropy and being part of the global community is paramount particularly to those who have been given so much. As Steve Nash demonstrates each June at his Showdown in Chinatown, giving can be fun, entertaining and if done on a soccer field very beautiful. • Lee Gabay is a doctor of Urban Education who teaches in Brooklyn, N.Y. He has written about education, incarceration, basketball and sneaker culture since 2006. His first book, I Hope I Don’t See You Tomorrow was published in 2016. He lives in the Lower East Side with his wife and daughter.
©Joseph Zillo
AUGUST 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 111
Junior’s Famous No. 1 Original Cheesecake
15 MINUTES WITH ALAN ROSEN By Baruch Shemtov
ew desserts are as quintessentially New York as a cheesecake from Junior’s. The legendary Brooklyn flagship restaurant opened its doors in 1950 and has since expanded to include locations in Foxwoods, CT and Boca Raton, FL. Today, Junior’s is overseen by Alan Rosen, grandson of the restaurant’s founder Harry Rosen. As the company continues to ship millions of cheesecakes around the world, it’s also strengthening the brand’s roots in New York by recently opening a new location on 49th Street and Broadway. But even as they grow, Rosen and his team remain true to the ethos that has defined Junior’s across generations. How does Junior’s do things differently? We do things the way they’ve always been done. Everything is from scratch the way my grandfather and father before me; it’s still the same 67 years later. How has the company changed the culinary landscape in New York? I don’t know if we’ve changed it as much as we’ve stayed true to it. If you’re going be a legendary restaurant in New York and be identified for Brooklyn comfort food (and obviously for cheesecake), you’ve got to stay true to what you are. And that’s what we’ve been doing for six decades. We’re not contrived. When we make a bowl of soup, it’s from scratch. I don’t know if there are many restaurants at our price point that do that. Why is this new location so exciting? We have a Junior’s four blocks away on 45th between Broadway and Eighth. It is just such a perfect place. People say why would you open nearby on 49th & Broadway? Well, we’re in the middle of the world with a tall sign that rotates around and around. How can you pass up Times Square? It’s perfect and looks like it’s always been here. Now that Junior’s is world famous, how does the brand reflect the essence of the Big Apple? I think we reflect New York comfort food at its best. You know, the Big Apple is everyone’s city. Junior’s is one of the few places where anyone can go to dine regardless of where you’re from or what economic status—and feel welcome! What makes the perfect cheesecake? Very simple. Cream cheese, fresh eggs, sugar, heavy cream, a touch of vanilla. Of great importance is how you blend the ingredients and bake it in a water bath. That’s it.
ALAN’S NEW YORK FAVORITES A Coffee? It’s a tie between Stumptown at the Ace Hotel and La Colombe on Lafayette Street. It just feels like they belong there like they’ve been part of New York forever. A gift? If I were getting someone special a gift (like my wife), I would probably have to say Tiffany. It just seems so traditional and tried and true. Dinner? Volare on West 4th Street. You go down six steps, and the owners Sal and Falco will make you feel like you’ve been coming there for 25 years as I have. Some time alone? Volare—except I would go at four in the afternoon and sit in the booth by myself and read a book. A celebration? My backyard at home with my wife and kids.
ORDER FRESH CHEESECAKE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo
How many cheesecakes do you sell a year? About 5 million, ranging in weight from 4 ounces to 14 pounds. What’s the most exotic place you’ve ever shipped a cheesecake? Years ago we received a call that someone was coming to pick up cheesecakes. Of course, they wouldn’t tell us who it was. We packed up the cheesecakes with one particular request: They wanted the strawberry glaze separate from the macaroon crunch that we use to make our strawberry cheesecake. Eventually, a limousine pulled up, and the cheesecakes were delivered. Several days later, a call a from Saudi Arabia and a crown prince. He requested the recipe for the strawberry cheesecake! • 112 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | AUGUST 2017
Baruch Shemtov is a New York-based television reporter. A graduate of Harvard College, Baruch has interviewed a long list of leaders and stars including Senator John McCain, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tom Cruise, Ryan Seacrest, Yo-Yo Ma, and many more. Baruch grew up in the City and is passionate about everything the Big Apple has to offer. Visit Baruch Shemtov at baruch.tv.
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