New York Lifestyles Magazine - October 2016 by New York Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 2 #10 | October 2016

JACQUES PÉPIN RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

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Table of Contents FOLLOW THE

Sun.

13 25 FEATURES 10 12 13 50

Publisher’s Note October 2016 Calendar Jacques Pepin: A Recipe For the Good Life The Fine Art of Photography

FASHION & BEAUTY 18 Fall Jewelry Essentials 20 Pink is Beautiful 22 Pure Radiance

TRAVEL 25 28 30 32 35

Hidden Caribbean Welcome to Branson USA Our National Parks: Fall Into the Woods Wine Trails of The Hudson Valley Postcard From New Orleans

REAL ESTATE & HOME DECOR 36 39 43 47 52 53

One West End: Resort-Inspired Living Instrata NoMad The New Face of Downtown Brooklyn Greetings From Asbury Park Real Estate Spotlight Fall Foliage in Vermont

Escape to the warmth of Florida’s paradise coast and leave winter far behind. Our luxury vacation homes for rent by the week, month or season are filling up fast! Sink your toes in the sand and sparkling blue water on your new favorite beach. Book your royal vacation at RoyalShell.com.

V a c a t i o n s

The treatment you expect.

The treatment you deserve.

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Table of Contents 55

PURSUE

perfection.

69 88

HEALTH & WELLNESS 55 58 61 62 64 66

Healthy Eyelashes Luxury Spas: Bringing Haute to Health Eat Well to Feel Your Best Demystifying Medical Myths 7 Work Habits You Should Know Frozen in Time

DINING 69 72 74 76

What’s Old Is New Again The Best NYC Wine Bars Culinary Practice Sweet Sensation

THEATER & ARTS 78 80 82 84 86

On the Big Screen On Stage Reviews with Pat Collins Pat Collins’ Picks of Home Entertainment Releases Artists Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple About Books

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NEW YORK, NY 88 90 91 92 94 96

Pampered Pets Tracking Your Pet Midtown’s Design Runway Entrepreneur’s Corner: Demetrios My New York Story 15 Minutes with David Barton

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RULE THE

world.

Vol. 2 #10 | October 2016 President / Publisher Bill Mason Executive Publisher Ernie Anastos

Editor at Large Nina Anastos Floyd

Vice President of Sales Lyle Seltzer

Director of Operations Kurt Nesheim

Marketing Director Phillip Anastos

Art Director Eric Duncan

Managing Editor Patricia Canole

Medical Editor Doris Day, MD

Arts & Entertainment Editor Pat Collins

Fashion & Style Columnist Miki Makrillos

Real Estate Editor Daniel J. Bollinger

Chief Photographer Annie Watt

For more than twenty years, Royal Shell Real Estate has curated irresistible opportunities in luxury properties. We bring the global branding and marketing expertise that will achieve the outcome you desire wherever you want to live.

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Editorial/Sales Fax (212) 202-4888

For subscriptions, address changes or back issues, call: (646) 259-2651 newyorklifestylesmagazine.com Facebook: /NYLifestylesMag Twitter: @NYLifestylesMag Instagram: @NYLifestylesMag

RoyalShellRealEstate.com 239.689.7653

All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Printed in the USA. New York Lifestyles Magazine is published 12 times annually. © 2016 New York Lifestyles Magazine

Florida: Bonita Springs/Estero, Cape Coral, Captiva Island, Fort Myers, Naples/Marco Island, Ocala and Sanibel Island

Cover photo by Tom Hopkins

North Carolina: Cashiers/Lake Glenville, Highlands, Sapphire Valley/Lake Toxaway

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.” ne of my favorite passions is looking for positive quotes and sharing them with others. I think they offer truth, create enthusiasm and motivation which can lead to action. I also have my favorites quotes. So, here is my choice for this month’s issue. “When is the last time you did something for the first time?” I love this line and I will tell you why. I believe it’s very important to recognize that life is filled with endless opportunities to challenge ourselves to new experiences and greater happiness. We can do this by looking at life with an open mind. We do not necessarily have to give up what we are comfortable with or enjoy. Just be open to learning, trying and experiencing something new and fresh. I once noticed a sign at a botanical garden that read, “The only sign of life is growth.” That’s so true for us too! If we want to feel more alive and experience life, we need to think like a growing child and try something for the first time. Enjoy it!

-Ernie Anastos

Executive Publisher

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. 10 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2016 CALENDAR

American Crafts Festival Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts craftsatlincoln.org Honey Weekend at Wave Hill (honey tastings, demos, hive exhibits) wavehill.org

10 th 14

New York City Food & Wine Festival Pier 92-94 and other locations nycwff.org Opening Night: Â New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Hockey at Madison Square Garden rangers.nhl.com

17 th 18 th

12 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

Opening night of The New York Pops 34th Season Carnegie Hall (showing the Musical World of Lerner and Loewe) newyorkpops.com NYC Craft Beer Festival Lexington Avenue Armory (sample over 150 beers with local restaurant food) nyccraftbeerfest.com

Avon39: The Walk to End Breast Cancer avon39.org/new-york

Edible Escape Lower East Side (sample globally-inspired food and drink) ediblemanhattan.com

87th Columbus Day Parade Fifth Avenue columbuscitizensfd.org

Spa Week in NYC spaweek.com

Amy Schumer Theater Show Madison Square Garden Arena thegarden.com

43rd Annual Village Halloween Parade halloween-nyc.com

Jacques Pépin

A Recipe For The Good Life By Clint Brownfield • Photography by Tom Hopkins

few weeks before we spoke with world-renowned French master chef Jacques Pépin, he had spent a week in California’s Napa Valley, participating in a food and wine festival. Soon after, he made a pit stop at his Connecticut home, where he and his family have lived since 1975. Then, along with his daughter Claudine, he headed to Copenhagen to cook up a storm with 300 other chefs at a food event at Noma, which for several years has been ranked as the world’s top restaurant. After six days in Denmark, he came back to the U.S.A. His schedule the following week was just as strenuous: An appearance on The Rachael Ray Show and coordinating his schedule at the International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute), where he is Dean of Special Programs. And, most important of all, that same week, he would celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Gloria. If this schedule seems a bit daunting, also remember Jacques Pépin will turn 81 years old in December. After visiting with the chef, a pattern very quickly emerges: his life has consisted of hard work, learning about food and its preparation and then passing along that knowledge to friends, family, students, television viewers and those who have enjoyed the 28 cookbooks he’s written through the years. The 28th, Jacques Pépin: Heart & Soul in the Kitchen is accompanied by his 26-episode PBS-TV series. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in Fall 2015, it and many of his other books and videos are readily available. All of his television programs have been produced by KQED-TV in San Francisco. And, if you’re on a budget, a few hundred of his appearances are available on YouTube, free of charge. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 13

Great cooking favors the prepared hands.

In The Beginning

This pattern of learning and teaching was set in motion very early when at age six he began learning by helping, and observing his grandparents and parents in their home and restaurant kitchens in his native Bourg-en-Bresse, France, 35 miles north of Lyon. He continued to help out in his parents’ restaurant, Le Pelican until age 13 when he began an apprenticeship that would further add to his food education— “learning by observing and doing.” He still fondly remembers when, as a six-year-old boy, he milked a cow for the first time and got to drink a glass of milk straight from the source. We asked him what other childhood food memories still stand out. “Fondue,” he told us, “it’s fun and tasty and is a great way to entertain family and friends.” At 17, he moved to Paris and rapidly began working in some of the best restaurants of the time, training under Lucien Dait at the Plaza Athenee, then moving on to Maxim’s and Fouquet’s. A friend of Pépin’s, who worked for France’s Secretary of the Treasury, led him to a position as personal chef to three heads of state, including Charles de Gaulle, from 1956 to 1958. He remembers it would have been unheard of in those days for someone hosting or attending a state dinner to come back to the kitchen and praise or thank the chef. But that was then. Now, for example, if he prepares a meal for the Obamas in the White House, he and other famous chefs are accorded the same status that rock stars enjoy.

America The Beautiful After moving to the United States in 1959, he first worked at Le Pavillon, which was then New York’s most revered French restaurant. This lead to a 10-year stint as director of research and new development for Howard Johnson’s where he developed recipes for the chain (Howard Johnson himself, was a regular diner at Le Pavillon). During this time he would learn English and earn BA and MA degrees in French literature at Columbia University. Looking back, Pépin told us that it was his experience at Howard Johnson’s that enabled him to open and operate his own successful New York restaurant, La Potagerie, from 1970-1975. After that progression of learning and continuing to perfect his craft, he was placed in charge of food operations for the newly opened World Trade Center. In 1988, he began teaching at the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center) where today he continues as Dean of Special Programs. Down through the years, his success as a chef, professor, television personality and author has been based on one main thing: knowing and using the proper technique. The success of his book La Technique, which is used to this day as a textbook for teaching the fundamentals of French cuisine, prompted him to launch a televised version resulting in the acclaimed 1997 PBS series, The Complete Pépin.

When you are at home, even if the chicken is a little burnt, what’s the big deal? Relax. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 15

“It’s more useful to have knowledge about cuts of meat than a lot of money.”

Becoming a Legend

Early after his arrival in NYC, he met and became friends with other future legends such as James Beard and Julia Child. I asked him his favorite memory of Julia Child. He thought for a moment and smiled. “The times she would come to my house, and we could cook together.” Those days with Jacques and Julia can still be seen today. Her Julia Child: Cooking With Master Chefs (originally aired on PBS and can be seen on YouTube) is priceless as she and Jacques prepare a lobster soufflé. His wealth of knowledge, experience, and technique is truly spectacular. It’s also fun to watch. Julia’s mastery of landing a one-liner is just as impressive as Jacques’ ability to teach us how to whip up a lobster soufflé. And he certainly can teach. Over the years, he’s taught us how to slice and dice an onion, and how to sharpen knives (he says you only really need three knives but admits to owning around 300). He’s even explained the complexity of preparing an artichoke.

A True Artist

Listening to Jacques reminisce about the past and talk about his busy schedule today we asked him if he has time for a hobby. He said that painting has been and continued to be his avocation. Examples of his oeuvre are on jacquespepinart.com—still life, landscape and the like in oil and acrylic. You might not be surprised at all to see that most of his subjects are—edible. He also spends as many Sunday afternoons as possible playing the classic French game boules near his Connecticut home. With 50 other likeminded men, they spend hours rolling heavy balls (called boules in France, and bocce in Italy) toward a small target ball. Meanwhile, back to food: Does he ever shop in a neighborhood supermarket? “Yes,” he said because when he began to write cookbooks and show people how to prepare the recipes on TV, he had to imagine that people across the nation might not have access to extensive selections of imported cheeses, fresh seasonal produce and the like. He always had an imaginary grocery store in mind that could provide some semblance of what it might take for a home cook to prepare one of the recipes. Jacques’ wife, Gloria, loves to cook as well. In fact, she had cooked beans and rice for him the night before—comfort food after the trip back from Denmark. That evening, he would prepare fish for their dinner. It was Gloria who broadened his French-based food horizons. Born in New York City, Gloria’s mother was from Puerto Rico and her father was born in Cuba. Jacques began to add such Latino staples as rice, beans, chili peppers and cilantro to his repertoire—backed up by the finest French technique, of course. And so it goes. From grandparents and parents in France who helped him begin his food journey, to his daughter Claudine and her husband Chef Rolland Wesen and their daughter Shorey, the food chain is unbroken. It’s not every daughter who can say she was taught how to cook by her father—on TV, via the 1995 PBS series Cooking With Claudine. Granddaughter Shoney, at 12, has also appeared alongside her grandfather in what he has said will be his final TV series Jacques Pepin: Heart & Soul. So, maybe instead of calling Jacques Pépin a French chef, we should just say he’s a man who was born in France, who has lived in America for nearly 60 years and has helped teach the world how to cook—really well. Yes, the good life indeed! • Clint Brownfield is a New York City-based freelance travel and food journalist who writes for major newspapers, magazines and regularly appears on network television and radio shows. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 17

FALL JEWELRY ESSENTIALS By Leslie Termuhlen

s the leaves turn brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange, it’s time to consider a switch to more appropriate designs with a Fall accent—namely jewelry. These New York-based designers feature many new pieces perfect for adding to your Fall jewelry collection.

JUDITH RIPKA This renowned designer strikes a balance of uptown sophistication and downtown chic. “It’s about striking the balance between the elegance of a classic woman with the fashion sense of today’s modern woman,” states Judith Ripka. For more information visit: judithripka.com

ESTATE EMERALD CUT QUARTZ THREE STONE CUFF An elegant bracelet ideal for dressing up your evening wardrobe. The green hue is the spot on perfect Fall color ($650).

All photos courtesy of judithripka.com

ESTATE BLUE CORUNDUM BAGUETTE CUFF Here’s a lovely way to compliment the Estate Emerald Cut Green Quartz Cuff. The blue gemstones add just the right amount of color without being too overpowering ($1,200).

ESTATE ASSCHER CUT BLUE CORUNDUM PENDANT NECKLACE Simplicity reigns supreme when you wear the gorgeous necklace that promises to dress up any outfit. It’s great for the office or a night on the town ($550).

AMBROSIA SMALL CANARY CRYSTAL MONACO RING A beautiful gemmed piece of jewelry that will brighten up your day— and fashion ($975).

MARGO MANHATTAN Bold, dynamic and sexy define Margo Manhattan and her namesake line of jewelry. “I was born during intermission,” says the celebrity designer, who is the daughter of New York City Prima Ballerina Karin Von Aroldingen and god-daughter of world-renowned Ballet Master George Balanchine. Her jewelry has been worn by many celebrities, from Selena Gomez to Beyoncé. Margo combines jewelry and philanthropy, her two passions, to create “bold, dynamic, and sexy” jewelry. For more information, visit: margomanhattan.com. All photos courtesy of margomanhattan.com 18 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

THE QUEEN BRACELET As simple as it is elegant: This bracelet would match nicely with The Raya Earrings or as its statement piece ($3,840).

KATIE SCOTT In 2013, Katie Scott introduced her beautiful jewelry line. Her jewelry collection references spiritual talismans and messaging that personally relates to the wearer in a contemporary way with a variety of metals such as gold and ebonized sterling silver, diamonds and exotic skins, meditation beads and archetypal crosses. “I work directly from the heart; I also think one of the greatest gifts I can offer is a heightened level of sensitivity to your greatest desires to expose and explore them. For more information, visit: katiescottdesign.com. All photos courtesy of katiescottdesign.com

FULL MOON WISH CUFF WITH PAVE DIAMONDS This goes everywhere: A simple bracelet with diamond embellishments. Also, matches quite well with the Full Moon Ring ($2,450).

LET IT BE ID NECKLACE A great option because of its minimalistic qualities. Let It Be is a perfect motto for Fall and is also the name of Katie’s new book ($175).

TRINITY EAGLE WING EARRINGS This pair of earrings will take you from AM to PM without a hitch. The wings symbolize protection, strength, and flight ($3,615).

THE RAYA EARRINGS Composed of Sterling Silver with Crystal Hematite, these make the ideal accessory for Fall. These earrings could be for the fanciest formal events or every day at the office ($645).

THE FLEURETTE LARIAT This neckpiece is perfect for the season. The Sterling Silver will certainly last past Fall. Beautifully designed it is a must for choker aficionados ($569).

THE BOURBON RING Composed of Sterling Silver and Cabochon Moonstone, this is a departure from Margo’s other unique designs; it would be best paired with a light-colored gown or Fall sweater ($395). •

OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 19

PINK IS BEAUTIFUL By Patricia Canole

ith October’s arrival, there’s no better time of year to learn about the newest initiatives to support breast cancer prevention and research. Help fight for the cure in a meaningful way by purchasing products from hundreds of well-known companies who will donate a percentage of the sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which continues to spread awareness about breast cancer worldwide. Treat yourself—or a friend—to one of these goodies that give back. You’ll not only look good but feel great too! BEAUTY ON THE GO No excuses here! Always look your best with the Pink Perfection Color Collection which comes complete with lipstick, eyeshadows, and blush. Estée Lauder (esteelauder.com). SOOTHING TOUCH This high-potency formula helps to instantly quiet discomforts associated with irritated skin. Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum is ideal for sensitive skin. Darphin (darphin.com).

PUCKER UP The Art Stick chunky pencil gives you lipstick and liner in one with a creamy matte finish. Bobbi Brown (bobbibrowncosmetics.com).

THE SCENT OF A WOMAN Feel renewed with this favorite Liquid Cashmere Blush EDP Spray. It’s like pure luxury. Donna Karan New York (donnakaran.com). 20 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

PICTURE THIS Take a hint from runway models: Wake up skin with just one spritz of Photo Finish Primer Water which contains electrolytes and restores moisture to the skin. Smashbox (smashbox.com). LUCKY LOCKS Equal parts dry shampoo, style extender and volumizer, Prêtà-Powder with a limited-edition pink cap is the perfect way to beautiful hair. Bumble and bumble (bumbleandbumble.com).

BALMY DAYS Cooler temperatures often mean chapped lips. The Lip Balm’s formula works upon contact to soften roughness, relieve discomfort and help rejuvenate seriously dry lips. A patented Lip Lipid Complex delivers a moisture barrier and prevents damage. La Mer (crèmedelamer.com).

SLEEP SUCCESS Put dry skin to bed with the ultra-rich Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask which deeply quenches skin. Skin awakens comfortable, refreshed and supple. Origins (origins.com).

SOFT TOUCH This intense Hand Relief Moisturizing Crème soothes seriously dry hands leaving them silky smooth. The formula contains flower and plant essences to aid in sealing your hand’s moisture barrier. Aveda (aveda.com).

A CLASSIC The fun Eau de Parfum Rollerball captures a feminine, polished signature scent that can be used from day into night. Floral peony and tuberose blend perfectly with citrus notes of neroli. Tory Burch (toryburch.com). OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 21

PURE RADIANCE By Patricia Canole

ho doesn’t want to look fabulous? The trouble is, amidst all the day-to-day activities it can be hard to devise—and stick to—a beauty regime that’s right for you. Whether you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s plus, you’ll find savvy tips on body, skin, hair and makeup.

20 + GO WITH THE GLOW SHAPE YOUR BROWS Beautiful brows are essential to looking your best. Consult a tweezing specialist to find your ideal shape and go back for monthly touch-ups. BOOK WEEKLY MANICURES Regular trimming prevents splitting and keeps nails looking incredibly beautiful. CLEANSE SKIN If you’re acne-prone wash daily with a mild facial cleanser with salicylic acid. It decreases bacteria and oiliness. To counter slight acne scars, start using glycolic acid-based products, which slough off dead skin cells. 22 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

EXFOLIATE YOUR BODY Start using a body scrub with or without a loofah. Follow up with a rich cream with vitamin C. CONSIDER HIGHLIGHTS Lightening the locks around your face brightens your complexion and gives you a vibrant, youthful look. USE NATURAL-LOOKING MAKEUP Neutral tones work best to enhance a young face. Use oil-free foundation for a semi-matte finish, then set with translucent powder. Shimmery products look shiny in the T-zone; use only over brow bones and on top of cheekbones. Skip eyeliner and try a taupe shadow in the crease.

30 + GROWN-UP GLAMOUR USE AN ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM WITH VITAMIN A These creams are designed to minimize and prevent developing lines caused by sun exposure. The best of them improve the skin’s elasticity and contain subtle light-reflecting pigments, such as mica, that make tiny lines less noticeable. MOISTURIZE HANDS The natural collagen loss that comes with age makes your skin drier and thinner, and that change shows up first on your hands. Protect and hydrate them with an emollient-rich hand cream containing vitamin E.

DEEP-CONDITION HAIR As your hormone levels change, hair can become dull and dry, especially if you color it. Start regular at-home or salon deepconditioning treatments to restore glow and shine. If you have fine hair (which can become even finer in your 30’s as estrogen levels begin to drop) be careful not to over-condition or hair will look flat the next day. AVOID HARSH MAKEUP Everything should be soft. Don’t put blush on the apples of the cheeks. Instead, using a natural matte blush, apply feathery strokes straight back from the cheekbone. Use a cream eye shadow in light or neutral colors (cream is less likely than powder to get trapped in tiny lines around your eyes.

40 + SOFT SOPHISTICATION RESURFACE SKIN WITH RETINOL To treat leathery patches on the face caused by sun exposure, invest in a retinol cream to use sparingly twice a day. Vitamin A plays a major role in the skin’s natural collagen regeneration process; thus retinol, a form of vitamin A, will help smooth out roughness. USE EYE CREAMS DAY/NIGHT Skin is naturally thinner and drier around the eyes after 40. Counter wrinkling and the loss of elasticity by using an overnight eye cream that contains smoothing ceramides, moisturizing lecithin and vitamins C and A. AVOID FUSSY HAIRSTYLES The looks that suit women in their 40’s are classic, clean and straightforward. Hair should be soft, touchable—anything but stiff. MOISTURIZE SKIN It’s best to apply before makeup for a seamless foundation, use an extra layer of moisturizer (especially under eyes and on cheeks). Choose one with microlight particles to lighten skin. ACHIEVE A FLAWLESS FINISH Cover spider veins or even out skin tone on the chest, arms and legs by using waterproof body makeup; it won’t smudge or run.

GO FOR WARMER MAKEUP COLORS Mature skin needs a touch of color to define features and prevent a washed-out look. Peach and rosy brown shades for cheeks and eyes, to define the crease and upper lash line. On lips try a soft, classic red or a deeper berry shade. Or top your usual color with a brighter hue. Voila! Your signature color, only more radiant—like you! •

OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 23

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www.theislandsclub.com.ky We offer 2, 3 or 4 bedroom suites, each with its own private patio or balcony overlooking world famous Seven Mile Beach. The Islands Club is located within easy walking distance of many fine restaurants, duty-free shopping, nightclubs, golf course, a large modern grocery store and water sports and activities. On the beach, large Casuarina trees provide shade from the sun as you relax in a lounge chair by the sea.

For more information visit theislandsclub.com.ky or Call TOLL FREE 1-866-533-0934 Tel: (345) 945-5211 E-mail: islclub@candw.ky

HIDDEN CARIBBEAN By Patricia Canole

hey say good things come in small packages. In the sultry Caribbean, this could well mean tiny islands, “wrapped” in gentle waves of sapphire blue water and “tied” with long, curvy baby-powder-soft strands of sand. We love Young Island and Kamalame Cay. Never heard of them? They, and our other tropical picks, are tailor-made for sun lovers. So, let’s take a peek at some of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets.

ANTIGUA JUMBY BAY Just a 10-minute boat ride away from the main island of Antigua is the very luxurious Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort located on the private island of Long Island. People are out-numbered in this pristine natural setting by white egrets, blue pelicans and turtles. Here is where you’ll find barefoot elegance. You’ll feel like a privileged castaway on a 300-acre island. Everything is top-of-theline quality and service, from the Italian tile floors to the twice-aday delivery of fresh ice to your room. The resort embodies island chic, accented with indoor-outdoor bathrooms, bamboo and granite accents, four-poster beds, and hand-painted tile work integrate modern amenities. Play Robinson Crusoe for a day with a picnic escape to a deserted beach. It’s all there for you to do—or don’t—as you please. Sip cocktails at sunset, which showcases a dazzling menu under executive chef, Sylvain Hervochon (rosewoodhotels.com).

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THE BAHAMAS KAMALAME CAY Just what the body needs to regroup, relax and rejuvenate is the island hideaway of Kamalame Cay. With three miles of white sand shores, heavenly days can be spent relaxing on the beach or by the pool. All treatment rooms at the spa boast large floor-toceiling windows. Kamalame is also the perfect place for water lovers. The world’s third longest reef is just a mile offshore, providing plenty of interest for diving and snorkeling. There’s also great deep sea fishing or you can even try your hand at catching bonefish. Spend your evenings at the resort’s Great House dining on a sumptuous new menu that blends the best of European cuisine with West IndianCaribbean traditions (kamalame.com).

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PETER ISLAND Though 1,800-acre Peter Island Resort & Spa is the BVI’s fifth-largest island resort, beachcombers won’t have a problem finding privacy in this slice of sunny paradise. The island boasts plenty of secluded beaches, such as White Bay, known for its superior snorkeling. The resort’s beachfront suites (with king-size beds, Jacuzzis and terraces) are located along Deadman’s Bay, a mile-long crescent-shaped expanse dotted with towering coconut palms. Hike, the five-mile nature trail that loops around the island. Then soothe those tired muscles with a signature treatment at the resort’s spa. Later as the sun sets, stroll over to the Drake’s Channel Lounge and be amazed with gorgeous views of Tortola (peterisland.com).

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ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES YOUNG ISLAND A little tropical paradise off the coast of St. Vincent, 35-acre Young Island boasts mango, banana and breadfruit trees—and luscious unspoiled beaches. The vibe here is casual, so ditch those sandals and go barefoot. Young Island’s Caribbean-style thatch-roof cottages are made of Brazilian hardwood and volcanic stone. Walls with floor-to-ceiling windows, al fresco showers and plenty of freshly cut flowers complete the pretty picture. Ask for one of the cottages that’s tucked away in the lush hillside for an ultra-private experience. Need some activity? Hire a yacht to explore the nearby islands of Bequia or Mustique. Of course, you can limit your exercise to a swim out to the rustic Coconut Bay, perched on stilts in the water, where drinks are served in (what else?) coconut shells (youngisland.com). PETIT ST. VINCENT Located in the southern end of the Grenadine Island chain, Petit St. Vincent is home to a gorgeous resort. Each of its cottages has a large bedroom, a living room and a wooden sundeck with hammock strung between sea grape trees. The cottages are ultra-remote. If you want to order room service (a bottle of Champagne or afternoon tea) fly the yellow flag outside your door; for ultra- privacy raise the red flag. Some guests might actually make it to the Main House for dinner in the open-walled pavilion overlooking the harbor (petitstvincent.com).

TURKS & CAICOS COMO PARROT CAY Don’t be surprised if your fellow guests at COMO Parrot Cay include some of Hollywood’s A-list. This chic, 1,000-acre island resort, north of Providenciales (the main island of Turks & Caicos), showcases three miles of powdery beaches. Here you will find elegant yet unpretentious villas and top-notch service. It’s an idyllic spot for the solace seeker. Parrot Cay’s guestrooms have a breezy décor and feature four-poster beds, and louvered doors that open on to large verandas. Relax in your comfy oceanfront chaise, or lounge and splash in the infinity pool. Or, spend your mornings and afternoons snorkeling (the surrounding reef is rich in kaleidoscopic marine life) and biking along scenic nature trails. Had enough? You’ve earned a spell in the Asian-inspired Como Shambhala Spa; the soothing Thai massage is a must (comohotels.com/parrotcay). • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 27

WELCOME TO BRANSON USA By Clint Brownfield

erhaps it’s time, more than ever, to think about spending your downtime right here in the good old USA. Someplace like the Ozark Mountains where it’s perfect for all ages—and romantic, too. But sometimes New Yorkers are a bit fuzzy when it comes to world-class destinations west of the Hudson River and one place you might have overlooked is Branson (explorebranson.com). If you put on a blindfold and made a stab at a map of America, chances are your finger would land in the lovely state of Missouri. If your aim were low, you would touch on the southern part of the state and hit the Ozarks, home to Branson. The Ozark Mountains, straddling the border between Missouri and northern Arkansas, are a beautiful, low, ancient range--much more manageable than their loftier counterparts—the Rockies, Himalayas or Andes. Let’s call them huggable.

FALL IN LOVE WITH BRANSON Autumn is a riot of color— oak and maple trees turn into gorgeous gumdrops that announce winter is just around the corner. Add in the aroma of wood smoke from a campfire, the mesmerizing rise of mist off the streams and lakes in the evening and you have the perfect place to relax and unwind. Every night you will most likely be lulled to sleep by the allusive whippoorwill. Today, Branson is the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the USA with dozens of shows and attractions From world famous headliners to smaller venues that provide some of the best fiddling, plucking and singing you will ever hear, it’s round-the-clock entertainment. Along Highway 76 you’ll find places to stay, from small B&Bs to large hotels and resorts. Shopping is also a sport in Branson, with outlet malls, a vibrant shopping scene downtown, and countless other opportunities to give your credit cards a workout. Had enough of retail therapy? Then head for the hills where adventure awaits: You’ll find camping sites, plenty of fishing, zip lining, horseback riding and other outdoor fun activities. A few miles to the west is Silver Dollar City (silverdollarcity.com), a 61-acre Ozark-themed amusement park that is also home to the spectacular Marvel Cave and is open March-December. Two million visitors, from toddlers to seniors, throng to the park each year. Rides, arts and crafts demonstrations and good ole country cooking round out the picture. 28 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

HEAVENLY HAVEN Located eight miles south of Branson, Big Cedar Lodge (bigcedar. com) is a spectacular blend of luxury and rustic atmosphere and is the area’s unrivaled choice for weddings, honeymoons, multigenerational family reunions, corporate outings and romantic getaways. Set on Table Rock Lake, the main lodge and cabins are surrounded by 3,000 preserved acres and its full-service marina on the lake. Every water sport imaginable is available. And, if you’re into hunting, this is your place. All of this is the brainchild of Johnny Morris who owns and operates the resort. He also owns Bass Pro Shops, which is headquartered in Springfield. There is also a significant outpost in Branson. Arriving at the resort involves a truly memorable sense of discovery. A secluded private mountain road brings guests through the woods and across a stream created by a dramatic waterfall. It is then that the main part of the resort is revealed. Magnificent lodges, restaurants, romantic log cabins, and a new world-class spa announce that you have arrived at Big Cedar. Rustic luxury may sound a bit oxymoronic but trust us, the two blend perfectly at this world-class resort where much of the construction has been carried out by local Amish artisans. At Big Cedar the menu options are legendary, and guests can choose from a variety of menus drawn from local cuisine such as outdoor barbecues, cookouts, and fish fries on up to formal sit-down meals served in the gracious dining venues that dot the property. The Cedar Creek Spa features 18,000 square feet of treatment rooms (each with its own fireplace), a full-service beauty salon and a wide range of massages to relax the body and mind for your big day. A fitness center, two marinas, golfing at the championship courses at Top of the Rock, horseback riding, and myriad other activities will keep you and your family thoroughly entertained—Ozark style! • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 29

FALL INTO THE WOODS By Patricia Canole • Photos Courtesy of the National Park Service

t’s time to fall in love and experience our country’s majestic beauty in one of these American beauties. Nothing stirs the senses and soothes the mind like nature, and whether it’s mountaintops and rushing rivers, or rocky wilderness coastlines that make your heart skip a beat, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for in one of America’s national parks. And what better way to celebrate fall foliage and nature at its best, than by visiting one of our majestic parks and also celebrating 100 years of the national parks service. Along with Mother Nature’s show of brilliant colors, there’s also plenty to do in one (or more) of these eastern national parks. For information on all national parks, visit nps.gov.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK With some of the most dramatic and varied scenery on the Maine Coast and home to Maine’s only national park, is Mount Desert Island (pronounced “Mount Dessert” by locals). The approximately 12- by 15-mile island belongs to Acadia National Park which boasts a rocky coastline rising starkly from the ocean. Trails for hikers lead to the rounded tops of the mountains, providing views of Frenchman and Blue Hill Bays and beyond. Ponds and lakes beckon you to fish. A network of roads lets you explore Acadia’s wooded interior, filled with birds and other wildlife. You’ll soon learn that Mount Desert Island has four different towns, each with its own personality. The most noted town, Bar Harbor, is located on the northeastern corner of the island and embraces the little villages of Hulls Cove, Salisbury Cove, and Town Hill. Bar Harbor is the major tourist destination, with plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and shops. Start your exploration at the visitors’ center (at the entrance near Bar Harbor), where there are exhibitions on the ecology and history of the island. You can pick up information there on camping and golf, cycling, horseback riding, hiking as well as maps of the driving routes and the hundreds of trails that score the island’s mountains. Cruises among the nearby islands, directed by naturalists, depart from the harbors of all the island’s towns. 30 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK It is considered by most that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park. From a roadside lookout, you can see the mountains march toward the vast horizon of natural wilderness. Incredibly, some of the tallest mountains in the East are here; the highest in the Park, Clingmans Dome, which rises 6,643 feet above sea level. In fact, these are also some of the oldest mountains in the world, far older than the Rockies. Geologists believe the formation of what are now the Great Smokies began about a billion years ago. Today, the park hosts millions of visitors each year, more than twice as many as Grand Canyon. Even so, with more than 800 square miles of protected land, it’s easy to wander off to find your closest neighbors are deer, bobcats, and black bears. The park offers extraordinary opportunities for visitors: all levels of hiking, on more than 800 miles of trails, ranging from half-hour nature walks to weeklong backpacking treks. True, the backcountry trails are wonders, but some of the most interesting sights can be seen from the comfort of your car. Go ahead and explore old farms and homesteads, or watch and learn how cornmeal is ground.

FAST FACTS Acadia National Park: Named a National Park in 1919 Did you know the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain is the highest mountain on the North Atlantic Seaboard? It’s also a favorite spot for the hiker to catch the sunrise. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Named a National Park in 1934 Did you know that more than 1,500 wild bears call this park home? Also, the much less intimidating salamander--there are some 30 species--settles here making it “the salamander capital of the world.” Shenandoah National Park: Named a National Park in 1935 Did you know that President Herbert Hoover’s summer home, Rapidan Camp, is within the park and open for visits?

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK For 80 miles along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern Virginia lies Shenandoah National Park. More than 95 percent of the park’s 190,000 acres are wooded—and in autumn explode with brilliant reds and oranges. Through the park runs the 105-mile Skyline Drive as well as a 95-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, which winds its way from Georgia to Maine. Park vistas are gorgeous in autumn; there are numerous overlooks, many with short trails, which allow visitors to drive the park’s length. With luck, you may spy on some wildlife. Along the way, you’ll find Luray Caverns, and want to explore the underpinnings of the entire mountain chain; they are formed of ancient lava that cooled and separated nearly a billion years ago. • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 31

WINE TRAILS OF THE HUDSON VALLEY By Jeff and Stephanie Sylva • Photos Courtesy of Shawangunk Wine Trail

ith a crisp chill in the air and autumn leaves surrounding your every step, it’s a perfect day for a drive along country roads and valleys of vineyards. Could this be Napa? Think again. It’s the little known 80-mile-long trail called the Shawangunk Wine Trail (SWT). Comprised of a collection of wineries it’s about an hour’s drive from the city and located between the magnificent Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River in Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange Counties. The collective of 15 wineries offers visitors tastes of their well-crafted wines and some creative, enjoyable special events. One of SWT’s founding members, Richard Eldridge, believes that a wine trail is best established if it can focus on a particular geographic area (like the Finger Lakes in New York or Napa Valley in California). Affectionately known as “The Gunks,” the Shawangunk Mountains are a ridge of bedrock extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains.

FIFTEEN AND GROWING About 26 years ago, five individual wineries in the New Paltz area saw more impact for themselves as a “collective.” Eldridge explained that organizing some special events “as a group gave these wineries a better chance to attract visitors and introduce them to wines of the Hudson River Region.” Building on the early success of this small group, The Shawangunk Wine Trail now boasts 15 unique wineries, each following the tradition of fine winemaking established by the early French Huguenot settlers who brought their winemaking expertise to the area well over 300 years ago. A visit to any of these wineries is a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of “The Gunks” and the Hudson River Valley and be introduced to some of the fine wines that the region’s winemakers have to offer. But an even better way to experience the wines of the wineries of the SWT is to enjoy one of the Wine Trail’s events. An excellent way to jump-start your holiday spirit is to spend a day or a weekend touring the Shawangunk Wine Trail for its “Wreath Fineries at the Wineries.” This year the weekends of November 18th-19th, December 2nd3rd/9th-10th, will showcase the wineries in a festive way. Visitors are asked to select a date along with any one of the wineries as a starting point. There you will receive a souvenir wine glass, a grapevine wreath, and a Shawangunk Wine Trail ornament. Appetizers are available at all the wineries as you continue to visit along the way. Tickets, sold in advance, are available for a Saturday, Sunday, or a two-day tour. Be warned: They run out fast. Also, there are special events held throughout the year and are just as festive. Another option is to purchase the Hudson Valley Passport which allows you to visit the wineries at your pace. Valid April through August, the Passport is an excellent warm weather adventure and should be put on your itinerary for next year. Also available is the Shawangunk Wine Trail Season Pass which provides access to all events with a 25 percent discount. 32 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE Travelers on the Shawangunk Wine Trail will find wineries offering many varietals. A recurring theme at some wineries is history, such as Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, which boasts the distinction of being America’s oldest winery. Adair Vineyards in New Paltz is located in a 200-year-old plus National Historic dairy barn. Benmarl Winery in Marlboro lays claim to the oldest vineyard in America. Stoutridge Vineyard in Marlboro was built on the historical foundations of a turn of the century winery and prohibition era distillery. Brunel & Rafael Winery, also in Marlboro, houses its tasting room in a century old home. Palaia Vineyards & Winery in Highland Mills utilizes a 200-year-old barn for its tasting room/gift shop. A good number of the wineries also feature entertainment on weekends including Applewood Winery and Clearview Vineyard, both located in Warwick. Baldwin Vineyards in Pine Bush presents live music during its Strawberry, Chocolate & Wine Festivals. Picking up on the micro-distilling trend sweeping the country, a few of the wineries distill spirits, such as Demarest Hill Winery & Distillery, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, and Applewood, all located in Warwick. In addition to wine and spirits, some of the wineries produce hard cider. Glorie Farm Winery in Marlboro offers a hard cider crafted from its estate-grown apples. You’ll notice after a short while that many of the wineries are family-owned and operated, such as Brimstone Hill Vineyard & Winery in Pine Bush, Whitecliff Vineyard in Gardiner, and Robibero Winery in New Paltz. Brimstone Hill’s owner/ winemaker Richard Eldridge, together with his wife, started producing wines in 1980 and is often on hand to talk with customers about the wines his family produces in the French tradition. The Robibero family’s winery, which was established in 2003, and Michael Migliore and Yancey Stanforth-Migliore’s Whitecliff Winery, which has been crafting fine wines for well over 30 years, are all perfect examples of following ones’ dream. The individual wineries of the Shawangunk Wine Trail are as diverse as the wines themselves with many offering spectacular vistas. All the wineries provide a friendly welcome and an enjoyable, informative tasting experience designed to introduce visitors to the unique wines of the Hudson River Region. For more information on the wine trail, wineries, accommodations, restaurants, and attractions call 845-256-8456 or visit GunksWine.com • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 33

POSTCARD FROM NEW ORLEANS By Patricia Canole

he joy of Dixieland jazz in the French Quarter, the spicy aroma of Cajun fare, the sweet aroma of sugar-coated beignets-what’s not to love about New Orleans? Whether you call it the Big Easy, NOLA or Crescent City, this iconic piece of Americana on the mighty Mississippi is the place to enjoy—again and again.

COLLECTING MEMORIES Start your day with a leisurely breakfast in bed: hot beignets and coffee will set the pace. Then explore the French Quarter with its Old World shops and buildings. This section of town embodies romance, with its walled courtyards, narrow streets, tiny museums, and shops. Surprise waits around every corner and jazz spills out of every door. You’ll notice that distinctive Creole architecture combines lacy Spanish and elegant French elements, reflecting the mix of culture that gives this city its continental flair. For a mid-day break, head to Tujague’s (pronounced Two Jacks, tujaguesrestaurant.com), where things are still done precisely as they were 160 years ago—only authentic Creole entrees are served and made to perfection with strict attention to detail. Afterward, stroll over to Jackson Square, where portrait artists, jazz bands, tap dancers, and fire-eaters can be seen—all in the shadow of St. Louis Cathedral, the nation’s oldest active church.

LIVELY BARS Once the sun sets, it’s time to party. For 65 years, the revolving Carousel Bar & Lounge in the Hotel Monteleone (hotelmonteleone.com) has been one of the city’s most popular gathering spots. Immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in his writings, it remains a part of New Orleans history. The bar completes one revolution every 15 minutes. Don’t leave without trying their signature Vieux Carre Cocktail... Built in 1723, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar (lafittesblacksmithshop.com), a Bourbon Street watering hole claims to be the oldest in the country. Named for the notorious pirate, Jean Lafitte, the bar serves up a friendly atmosphere, surprisingly strong libations and entertainment every night. The famous Voodoo Daiquiri is addictive.

PERFECT STAY Lush foliage-filled courtyards and plush décor have created a loyal following at the award-winning Royal Sonesta New Orleans (sonesta.com). Centered in the heart of the French Quarter’s Bourbon Street, spacious rooms greet guests featuring elegant furnishings and private wrought-iron lace balconies. You’ll especially love The R-Club on the 7th level with its luxurious suites and private elevators, concierge, club lounge and exceptional amenities. Because of its prime location on Bourbon Street, the hotel is often referred to as the “Jewel of the French Quarter” and offers great choices in dining and entertainment. At the street-side Desire Oyster Bar order some traditional favorites like Jambalaya and Po-Boys. If you’re in the mood for imaginative cuisine, reserve a table at Restaurant R’evolution for its classic Cajun and Creole menu. Not to be missed is live jazz nightly at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse with its emerging young artists and contemporary music legends. The jazz club is a great spot to catch a late night bite. • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 35

ONE WEST END— RESORT-INSPIRED LIVING By Jack Bruckland • Photos Courtesy of DBox

ne West End, developed by Elad Group and Silverstein Properties, is the pre-eminent residential tower rising on Manhattan’s West Side at the corner of 59th Street and West End Avenue. The 42-story tower is the first and tallest condominium to come to market within the rising new neighborhood of Riverside Center, whose master plan provides for 3.2 acres of green space and a new k-8 public school. The building has a highly sought after 20-year tax abatement. With exteriors by world-renowned Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, interiors by hospitality visionary Jeffrey Beers and landscaping by award-winning firm Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, One West End boasts an incredible roster of distinguished leaders. “One West End is a game changer for the neighborhood and will contribute significantly to the transformation of Manhattan’s West Side,” said Samantha Sax, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Elad Group. Robert Vecsler, President of Residential Development with Silverstein Properties, adds, “Riverside Center, and specifically One West End, will bring an entirely new resort lifestyle experience to this exciting area of Manhattan.”

UTMOST IN PRIVACY The Pelli Clarke Pelli-crafted exterior features a distinctive limestone base topped by a glass façade with metal detailing and a cantilevered atrium that extends over West End Avenue. Inside, One West End is comprised of 246 light-filled one- to four-bedroom residences, with two stunning penthouses and two duplex townhomes that offer private outdoor space. Beers’ intimate knowledge of entertaining and hospitality is a cornerstone of One West End’s resort-inspired amenities offering seamlessly integrated indoor and outdoor spaces including a 12,000-square-foot rooftop terrace featuring cabanas and areas for grilling and outdoor entertaining, an expansive fitness center, a 75-foot swimming pool in a doubleheight atrium, spa treatment rooms, a media room, a billiards room, a children’s playroom, a game room, a living room with fireplace, and a chef ’s kitchen and dining room. “When designing One West End, it was important to create a welcoming and relaxing environment that is not only resort inspired but also celebrates the kitchen as the heart of the home,” stated Beers, who partnered with Scavolini to create custom-designed highperformance kitchens for the residences. One great kitchen design detail that makes One West End truly unique is the full counter length backsplash ledge ~ very functional and aesthetically pleasing. The kitchen countertop has a custom inset for a cutting board to rest in perfectly right next to the sink. The baking station has a stainless steel work area that rolls out when in use and can be neatly tucked away when not in use, which is a brilliant space saver. 36 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

NJ LAKEFRONT LIVING at IT’S BEST!

UNSURPASSED QUALITY Each residence features a Scavolini kitchen custom designed by Jeffrey Beers, offered in a choice of light or dark palettes, with a plethora of custom touches including recessed storage niches, fully-integrated appliances, and marble slab countertops and backsplashes. Beers brings his experience working with some of the world’s most sought-after chefs, including Daniel Boulud and Todd English to One West End’s superior kitchens which showcase thoughtful details like baking and coffee stations, integrated cutting boards, and oversized islands.

Stunning PINES LAKE LAKEFRONT! home built in 2008 is the one you have been waiting for! The expansive views are gorgeous from the deck & beautifully landscaped .7 acre lot with patio at the waterfront. The open flowing rooms with 10 ft. ceilings include a gourmet kitchen with a dining area all open to the family room with a fireplace & walls of windows that capture expansive views, plus access to the deck. Waterfront dock.

Of particular note are the penthouse and duplex townhome residences at One West End. Sprawling Penthouse A features floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of the New York skyline, Central Park and the Hudson River. A grand corner room with a fireplace leads to a custom eat-in kitchen while the master bedroom suite features two oversized dressing rooms, a morning kitchen, and two ensuite bathrooms. Outside, a large glass-wrapped terrace boasts an equipped outdoor kitchen, spacious areas for dining or seating and a dual-sided fireplace that precedes a tranquil solarium.

Wayne. Offered at $2,999,000.

Upon entering you are immediately WOWED by the expansive views of PINES LAKE! The open concept floor plan features a gourmet kitchen with a huge island plus a dining area with glass doors to a beautiful covered balcony. This space flows into the comfortable family room with a fireplace & all are enhanced by walls of windows with stunning views across the back of the house. Wake up to the water view in the gorgeous master bedroom suite with a private balcony, spa bath, walk in closet & a custom barrel ceiling with cove lighting. Waterfront dock.

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Located just steps from Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center, residents of One West End will find a magnitude of resources and sought after destinations, including renowned museums, educational institutions, Michelinstarred restaurants, and a wide array of luxury shops. To help residents furnish their new homes, The One West End development team has established unique partnerships with elite home furnishing retailers and coveted brands as well as providing buyers exclusive access to design services. Partners include French luxury lifestyle brand Lalique, Parisian silversmith Christofle, and home accessories retailer Michael C. Fina. There is no better way to create the flawless home!

Wayne. Offered at $1,795,000.

I Proudly Suppor Friends of Laurelwood LAKEFRONT GEM! Located in Prestigious Franklin Lakes South Gate neighborhoodSpectacular lake views from this recently renovated custom home! The open floor plan is ideal for both indoor & outdoor entertaining with doors to expansive, mahogany deck with stunning views of the lake, pool, property & gorgeous sunsets! New kitchen and open concept easy living! An outdoor oasis with 1plus acre property and a gorgeous pool at the waterfront.

IIProudly Support Proudly Support thethe “Lynn Carole I Proudly Support the Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum International Presid Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum

First closings are expected in spring 2017 and prices for remaining residences range from $2.4 million to over $20 million. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is the exclusive sales and marketing agent for the property. For more information, please visit: 1WestEnd.com •

Top 1% Worl Call Direct: 201.8 Carole “Lynn” Brescia International President’s Premier Top 1% Worldwide International President’s Premier Carole “Lynn”Call Brescia www.lynnbres Direct: 201.848.3202 Top 1% Worldwide Top 1% Worldwide

I Proudly Support the Franklin Lakes. Offered atCarole $2,499,000. “Lynn” Brescia Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum Carole President’s “Lynn” Brescia International Premier International President’s Premier www.lynnbrescia.com Top 1% Worldwide Direct: 201.848.3202 CallCall Direct: 201.848.3202 www.lynnbrescia.com www.lynnbrescia.com

Call Direct: 201.848.3202 www.lynnbrescia.com

More photos at lynnbrescia.com

Ron Burhans and Associates, Real Estate Sales Serving Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island and Bluffton Specializing in Second Homes, Vacation Homes and 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges

866-923-5167  HiltonHeadLuxuryHomes.org

Spectacular 180 Waterfront Views 70 Crosswinds Drive, Hilton Head Island  Asking $1,150,000 Custom designed 5300 square foot Waterfront Masterpiece boasts panoramic views up and down Broad Creek. Custom built to perfection with the highest of build quality and finishes. The first floor features guest rooms, laundry, media room and expansive covered porch. The second level features large master suite and bath with walk in glass spa shower plus His & Her customized walk in closets. Large living room with gas fireplace opening to a expansive covered porch. Dining room and gourmet kitchen plus separate glassed in sun room with water views. Ground level features covered patio area with salt water pool and spa. Large 4 Car Garage with workshop.

Additional photos and details: 70crosswinds.com

INSTRATA NOMAD By Daniel J. Bollinger

elcome to Instrata NoMad, a 50 story high-rise building with 392 apartments located at 10 East 29th Street in the heart of NoMad (North of Madison Square Park). Bordering some of the city’s great areas including Union Square, Gramercy Park, Midtown, and Park Avenue South, you’ll find living here to be exceptional. Nearby Blue Smoke and Jazz Standard, Sarabeths, Eataly and the famed Pete’s Tavern in Gramercy Park are all tempting features.

THE INSTRATA BRAND The Instrata portfolio includes five buildings located throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond. The locations include Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Gramercy, Hell’s Kitchen, Los Angeles, Dallas and Washington DC. When you rent in an Instrata building you are not merely a tenant. You are actually joining a close-knit community within the Instrata brand. Along with the beautiful studio-to-three bedroom rentals offered, there are the multitude of perks and amenities that are second to none. The icing on the cake that ties the whole package together is the management company. Senior Vice President Ann Eber of Adellco Mangement LLC led me on a great tour and showed me not only how unique the Instrata brand is but also why Adellco is an exceptional management company.

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ENDLESS VIEWS The apartments are quite simply beautiful. When a rental not only has stainless steel appliances but a fiveburner Bertazzoni stove you know the sponsors care. Combine that with granite countertops, Kohler fixtures, marble bathrooms, and hardwood floors and the Instrata Luxury Lifestyle Brand starts to define itself. Large closets and private balconies seal the deal. As an example, one three bedroom boasts a huge kitchen with open dining room—so big you can fit a banquet table to host a feast! The views are amazing. From northern facing apartments there is a crystal clear view of the Empire State Building.

SUPERB SERVICES It’s not just the very well - designed spacious apartments and stunning views of the city that make Instrata a notch above all others - it’s the management. All the Adellco staff is friendly and personable from the concierge to the building manager to the janitorial staff. The Adellco service is superb. We viewed this first hand when we asked Ann Eber and her staff if it was possible to get a tour of the currently under construction Gramercy location. A taxi ride and 15 minutes later, we were at the Gramercy location viewing a split-level two bedroom with top-notch appliances as well as a very large outdoor deck. Instrata offers concierge services,fitness center with yoga studio, pet spa. bike storage and so much more.

PERKS & MORE Instrata goes far beyond with a “plus”: They not only have a yoga studio but they offer complimentary yoga classes. Not only do they have a concierge but they have Abigail Michaels Concierge which hosts four-to-five events per year outside of the building for residents; this concierge can also secure tables at the restaurant of your choice. Instrata also hosts in-house rooftop social events in all of their buildings affording unbeatable views of the city. NoMad’s has a glass enclosed residents’ rooftop lounge with wraparound roof deck and barbecue grills. Each building personalizes their events: The Brooklyn locations have more family-oriented events and their Hell’s Kitchen location has more cocktail inspired events. They also have Instacart, a service that receives your groceries and unpacks perishables in the fridge/freezer. At some select properties, the Instrata Conceirge Club Card is offered which provides members with saving and discounts to more than 100 top restaurants and boutiques. Residents also receive access to ClubCorp’s exclusive portfolio of more than a hundred private clubs across the country. In addition, their Ritz-Carlton Hotel Partnership offers residents special courtesies worldwide at all Ritz-Carlton Hotels. If you’re a frequent traveler, these perks are invaluable. And the one perk that is unbelievable is their Flexible Lease Transfer. A current resident can easily move anywhere within the Instrata portfolio with only 30 days notice. Whether you are moving around the city or to Los Angeles, Dallas, or Washington DC—Instrata just saved you from worrying about breaking a lease or dealing with subletting. It’s not hard to realize why Instrata has a high retention rate with their residences. Great apartments, an attentive management staff, and a laundry list of perks and privileges that come with being a member of the Instrata Luxury Lifestyle Brand really sets these residences apart from just “renting an apartment”. For more details on the perks & privileges, listings, and the whole portfolio visit Instratany.com. •

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COLDWELL BANKER PREVIEWS INTERNATIONAL FEATURED PROPERTIES

CCOLDWELL ANKER OLDWELLB ANKERP PREVIEWS REVIEWSIIINTERNATIONAL NTERNATIONAL COLDWELL BBANKER P REVIEWS NTERNATIONAL FFEATURED EATUREDPPROPERTIES ROPERTIES FEATURED PROPERTIES

RYE, NY  $9,250,000 A superb waterfront home overlooks Kirby Mill Pond and the Long Island Sound with 12 rooms, a chef’s kitchen, an infinity pool, 2,000 square-foot guesthouse with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. RRyeYE, ,NY $8,950,000 NY | $9,250,000

RYE, NY  $9,250,000 RYE, NY  $9,250,000

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PURCHASE, NY  $2,999,999

MAMARONECK, NY  $2,295,000

With a world-class interior design by Jeffrey Beautiful Orienta Mediterranean home. Waterfront views abound and offer resort-style living in this exquisite Bilhuber, this 6 BR contemporary estate with an URCHASE M AMARONECK , ,NY NY |$2,295,000 URCHASE, ,,NY NY $2,999,999 M AMARONECK NY $2,295,000 M amaroneck , $2,295,000 PPPPurchase NY$2,999,999 |$2,999,999 $2,999,000 terracotta roofed home. ,Amenities include an expansive indoor pool and spa, opens to 3 fabulous serene URCHASE NY MAMARONECK NY  $2,295,000 With a world-class interior design Beautiful Orienta Mediterranean home. Waterfront views deck, lap pool andMediterranean deep water dock. With awith world-class designby byJeffrey Jeffrey acres gardensinterior and a terrace. Beautiful Orienta home. Waterfront views With a world-class interior design by Jeffrey Beautiful Orienta Mediterranean home. Waterfront views abound and offer resort-style living in this exquisite Bilhuber, this 6 BR contemporary estate abound and offer resort-style living in this exquisite Bilhuber, this 6 BR contemporary estatewith withan an abound and offer resort-style living in this exquisite Bilhuber, this 6 BR contemporary estate with an terracotta Amenities include ULA EARLMAN SSOCIATE indoor EAL STATE ROKER pool and spa opens to 3 fabulous serene terracottaroofed roofedhome. home. Amenities includean anexpansive expansive indoor pool and spa opens to 3 fabulous serene terracotta roofed home. Amenities include an expansive indoor pool and .spa opens to 3 fabulous serene deck, C:dock. 914.393.4104E: SULA.PEARLMAN BMOVES COM acres with gardens and deck,lap lappool pooland anddeep deepwater water dock. acres@C with gardens andaaterrace. terrace. deck, lap pool and deep water dock. acres with and a terrace. WWW.SULAPEARLMAN.COM25 PURDY AVE , Rgardens YE, NY 10580

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THE NEW FACE OF DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN By Daniel J. Bollinger

ity Point Brooklyn is a three tower development in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn (DoBro). The complex is the largest food, shopping, and entertainment destination and includes residential and office space located along Brooklyn’s busiest retail corridor at the corners of Flatbush and Fulton. You’re literally in the center of it all and a stone’s throw from every subway line at Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn’s Cultural District including Brooklyn Academy of Music and Barclays Center. It is also home to the DeKalb Market Hall, one of the largest food halls in New York City which houses a unique collection of food vendors that will provide an endless variety of regional cuisine including the famous Katz Delicatessen. Currently, two of the three towers are completed: City Tower and 7 DeKalb Avenue. The third tower has yet to break ground but will be just as beautiful and add to the character of Brooklyn. Extell Development—one of the premiere developers in the city—will be constructing it. Yes, it’s a new Brooklyn Rising, with a befitting motto By Brooklyn for Brooklyn. They convey this by embracing the aesthetic of Brooklyn in their interiors using artisans and textile manufacturers’ located in Brooklyn. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 43

CITY TOWER City Tower is a 48 story full-service rental property with 440 units from studio to two bedrooms featuring very thoughtful design features that surpass your typical apartments. The apartments have nice layouts with a nice flow, meaning each room has its defined space for optimal space and functionality. Some features offered include top notch panelized appliances like Bertazzoni and Bosch; washer/dryers are included in each unit. Kitchens are customized with wood inset cabinets, floating islands, under cabinet lighting, pantries (in select units), and microwaves. Kitchen sinks have a European feel and are deep and come equipped with wire drain racks. Design elements like these are examples of why City Tower, located at 10 City Point Place, is high standard. The larger units have open layouts with the living room and adjoining kitchen creating a large open space. Select units have outdoor terraces and floor-toceiling windows offering views of New York Harbor, the Manhattan skyline, along with the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The bathrooms have highquality features like solid surface acrylic tops with integrated sinks. Kohler tubs and Grohe fixtures denote excellence as well. Some bathrooms have a nice “niche factor” and the custom shelving in the bathrooms shows that the designers thought about the residents who would be living here. The designers also made sure to include walk-in closets with sturdy custom shelving. Common areas and elevator vestibules are decorated with prints from Flavor Paper, a Brooklynbased eco-friendly custom wallpaper manufacturer, with iconic Brooklyn-based images. A central downtown Brooklyn location and well-designed apartment features make City Point a great place to live. Two terraces are available to tenants: A quarter acre green terrace on the 18th floor and a landscaped sky terrace on the 43rd floor. The quarter acre 18th-floor terrace is huge with a planted lawn at the center and a shade trellis as a viewing pavilion. The terrace also includes a bocce court and a resident garden with vegetables and herbs. The 43rd-floor terrace features a roof deck that is landscaped with lounge chairs. There is a health club on premises to stay in shape and the resident lounge with a kitchen space also available. The business center is a meeting room where you can have corporate meetings if you work from home. It has an Apple TV to conduct powerpoint presentations. But the choicest amenity at City Point has to be the half-court basketball court. This is one convenience that helps define that “City Point is by Brooklyn for Brooklyn”. The Brodsky Organization has done a fine job on this development. For more information please visit: citypointbrooklyn.com 44 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

Photo by Pasha Norrouzi

7 DEKALB AVENUE

Photo by Donna Dolan Photography

Equally impressive with its convenient location is 7 DeKalb Avenue. The 23-story residential tower features 50 market rate one- and two-bedroom residences. The apartments are designed with open layouts—some gallery style. Each open design maximizes space and makes for excellent entertaining and living space, 9-foot ceilings and large windows in all apartments provide fantastic Brooklyn/Manhattan skyline views. There is plenty of closet space, stainless steel GE appliances, and some residences have private terraces. A well thought out design feature is that every floor has a laundry facility. The common area hallways are fitted with a motion sensor lighting which is helping 70 DeKalb achieve their LEED Silver certification as well. Like City Point, 7 DeKalb has two outdoor common terraces. The 6,000-square-foot terrace is truly beautiful. There are lounge chairs for sunbathing and patio furniture for groups to socialize and even a bar counter area to serve up some delicious drinks. There is also lawn space and a planting garden with spinach, lettuce, cabbage, parsley and more. There are also amenities like private storage, bike storage, a fullyequipped gym, and children’s playroom. The 1500-square-foot gym comes equipped with a weight room. There’s also a media screening room with black leather chairs and bar stool seating. Tenants can use it anytime and can also reserve it for events. Photo by Donna Dolan Photography

For more information please visit: 7dekalb.com • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 45

on the GULF of MEXICO

FLORIDA LIFESTYLES

Your place in the sun, 6 “yards” to Pass A Grille Beach. Updated masonry home, 2 BR, 2 BA, den, porch + garage. Eclectic combinations of History, Architecture, Restaurants & shops. Something of interest for all ages & lifestyles. $749,000

Great location! Gated Community of Bayway Isles, St Petersburg. Premier 185’ SW Waterfront position, .63 acres. 5 BR, 7.5BA, 42’ pool/spa, dock, 5156 heated square feet. Just minutes to Eckerd College & Downtown, 30 minutes to Tampa Int Airport. $1,875,000

on the GULF of

Mexico

Pasadena Yacht & Country Club. Award winning Golf Course in Private Gated Waterfront Community. Updated, move-in ready, 3 BR, 2 BA, 2 Car Garage, Deep Water Dock & Spa. No bridges to Gulf. Membership options available, loaded Clubhouse, deep water Marina, Dock Master & Tennis. $724,000

Rare offering of 3 BR, 2 BA, 10th floor corner condo, 1912 htd sq ft, updated & move-in ready, furn. Fabulous SW water & sunset views. Balcony access from most rooms, electric storm shutters, in-unit washer/dryer, extra storage, gar parking + private Club house: pool, spa included. Gated complex, optional 18 hole Golf Course & full service deep water Marina. $475,000

Joy Assenheimer Hyland, CRS

6505 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate 727.458.4782 cell/text

joyhyland@aol.com

GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK By Neal Sroka

tanding in front of his hometown crowd at a packed MetLife Stadium, Bruce Springsteen approached the microphone to introduce his next song, “City of Ruins.” “I originally wrote this song for my adopted hometown, Asbury Park,” he belted out which was met with thunderous applause. “The town,” he said, “has suffered so long and is finally having a nice little renaissance down there—it’s good!” From the stage, he stopped to wax poetic, “People on the beach! People on the boardwalk! People in the street! That’s right, so if you’ve ever been knocked down, and you’ve got to build yourself up again, this song is for you!” The Boss was right on the money, and if you haven’t been to Asbury Park in a while, you are in for a big surprise. Long known as the home of great music venues like The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, and the Paramount Theater, the town has only recently been transformed. It’s become one of the most exciting places on the planet, filled with A-list restaurants, stylish boutiques, newly developed residences, and its first new hotel in over 50 years; in essence it’s become a year-round playground.

A NEW CHANGE With a history dating back to the late 1800s, this famed city by the sea, is a mere 60 miles from New York City. Surrounded by affluent Jersey Shore communities such as Ocean Grove, Deal, and Long Branch, it’s had a long and colorful past as one of the Northeast’s placesto-be during the summer season for elite New Yorkers and Philadelphians alike: Its famed boardwalk and seaside attractions drawing beach-goers in droves. Through the twentieth century, high society famously gave way to alternative lifestyles. And, of course, clubs continued to thrive thanks to Bruce, and other acts like The Ramones, Bon Jovi who drew inspiration from and often performed in Asbury Park’s many renowned venues. In well-documented fashion, time notoriously took a toll on this vibrant beach town. Riots gave way to vagrants; the counter-culture marched in, and residents left for suburbia. Along the way, a parade of developers unsuccessfully tried to revive Asbury Park’s original luster. And, while everyone knew something had to be done (and many tried), it’s not been until recently that a real change has taken hold and expanded. Where redevelopment had been slow, in the last several years, a drastic change is now visible on every corner. Cookman Avenue, the main drag, for years had been a row of empty, boarded-up buildings has now been transformed into a vibrant mix of retailers, restaurants, and galleries. Previously dark-empty lots have been cleaned up, and shiny new lighting illuminates the streets with the glow of progress. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 47

A STAY AT THE ASBURY HOTEL The city’s renaissance continues. The most noticeable being the first new hotel opening in 50 years. The Asbury Hotel (theasburyhotel. com), an ambitious conversion of an abandoned Salvation Army building into what could be one of the most exciting hotels to open anywhere in the last few years. The immediate success the hotel has enjoyed since opening this past summer, and the buzz surrounding its arrival, is a definitive nod to Asbury’s next act. In opening The Asbury as it’s become known, iStar, a visionary New York-based company, in tandem with David Bowd’s Salt Hotel Group, threw all of its support and efforts into ushering in a vibrant new era for a city. A new generation of young families and upwardly-mobile tastemakers from places like Hoboken and Williamsburg, who visited and relocated, complete with the requisite Uppababy strollers and Audi Q5s—to live alongside Asbury’s still-vibrant creative community,

LIVING EASY AT MONROE Further catering to this new audience, iStar’s continued commitment to Asbury takes shape in the form of a uniquely urban-meets-beach luxury condo known as Monroe (monroeasburypark.com). Situated between downtown and the beach, Monroe is a stunning new collection of homes with an elegant style that’s setting a bold new standard for Asbury Park’s waterfront. With the creative oversight of legendary designer Anda Andrei (formerly Ian Schrager’s design-lead) and world-renowned architect Chad Oppenheim, Monroe is a harmonious interplay of wood and stone as well as relaxed and elegant—just like Asbury Park itself. With all the change that’s happening, Asbury Park has certainly built itself up again while holding on tightly to the very thing that’s made it great. You can still walk down the street and see surfers carrying their boards, families heading for the beach, musicians strumming, and artists and other folks who all realize that Asbury Park is a place that lets you be yourself all year round. Like Bruce Springsteen said, “It’s good!” • Neal Sroka is the founder of the Sroka Worldwide Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate specializing in the global marketing of lifestyle development properties. For more information, visit SrokaWorldwideTeam.com. Contact him at srokateam@elliman.com. 48 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

LIST YOUR HOME WITH BOND NEW YORK. With the fall season upon us, now is the time to list your home. BOND New York is the largest independently owned Real Estate firm in the city. Our Columbus Circle office has an in-house marketing team ensuring maximum exposure of your property to a large audience. BOND also has many qualified buyers on file looking to purchase. For those interested in investing and/or selling your residence, I can help. With years of experience in construction on Long Island’s Gold Coast and studying Industrial Design at Pratt Institute in their world renown masters’ program, I can assist you in identifying trustworthy construction in NYC and well-designed condos with layouts to match your needs. Having lived in the city for 20+ years I know everything that your local neighborhood offers in terms of dining, entertainment, and culture. I am a trusted resource for all of your real estate questions. LOOKING TO SELL? Please contact me so that I can discuss what I and BOND New York offer.

Daniel J. Bollinger

LOOKING TO BUY? I would love to share my knowledge with you to help you make the best choices.

BOND New York Real Estate 1776 Broadway, 19th floor New York, NY 10019

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Mobile: 718.662.9493 dbollinger@bondnewyork.com

17 WHITE STREET, #3A - CLASSIC ARTIST’S LOFT 3,000 SQ. FT. 4 BEDROOM PRICE: $5,400,000

241 FIFTH AVENUE, #7B - MINT CONDITION 3 BEDROOM FIFTH AVENUE GEM PRICE: $3,995,000

© 2016 BOND New York. All material presented herein is intended for information purposes only. While information is believed to be correct, it is represented subject to errors, omissions, changes, or withdrawals without notice. All property information, including but not limited to, square footage and number of bedrooms, is approximate. If your home is currently listed with another broker this is not intended to solicit that listing. Exact measurements should be verified by your own attorney, architect, engineer, or zoning expert. BOND New York is a broker that supports Equal Housing Opportunity.

THE FINE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY By James Maher

n the book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs explained the aura of street life in her iconic quote about New York City: “Its essence is intricacy of sidewalk use, bringing with it a constant succession of eyes. This order is all composed of movement and change, and although it is life, not art, we may fancifully call it the art form of the city. The ballet of the good city sidewalk never repeats itself from place to place, and in any one place is always replete with new improvisations.” This quote always stuck with me in my journey as a photographer. New York may be one of the most photographed cities in the world, and yet there are always new improvisations to come across and capture. Whether we like it or not, the city always changes, and there is life interacting in every corner we might think to look in.

LOOKING TO THE SKY I started with the buildings. Almost everyone starts with the architecture when you first get a camera. To look up at the skyline in New York is a unique experience, no matter how long you have lived here. The grand old architecture grounds the city and creates a sense of history, stability, and awe, while the new glass and steel buildings sprout like weeds in an unstoppable gallop towards the future. Over time, my focus shifted downwards as I realized what was even more impressive than the skyline was what was happening on the sidewalks, street corners, and subway station. The people of New York are what makes the city special. People from different cultures, backgrounds, and income brackets all interact, co-exist and balance each other. As Louis C.K. said, “In New York, everyone is so mixed together that there’s less of a feeling of class here. Everybody is dealing with the same...everybody is on the subway elbow-to-elbow.” This is what I have been trying to photograph in New York for the past 15 years. My aim is to show the feelings and special moments that you notice while walking and interacting with the city—the good, the bad, the looking up, the looking down. Over the years, I have worked as a commercial photographer, run a portrait photography business, sold and licensed my photography to collectors and companies all over the world, collaborated with the New York Daily News, and wrote and taught about photography and the city. However, when you boil it all down, all of this still comes back to my love for getting lost with a camera. 50 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

A STORY EVERYWHERE The most personally rewarding project so far has been a four-year-running interview and portrait series with longtime residents of the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, run weekly on the East Village news website. What has become most clear throughout all of this is that while the camera is just a tool to learn, like a pen to a writer or an instrument to a musician, its real power is that it acts as a key to new experiences. It gives me an excuse to go out and explore in the worst weather, at night, or on the coldest days when nobody else would think to venture outside. It gives me access to interesting people and some of the fascinating life stories in New York. It made me curious about the city and its history, and it grew a lifelong love for reading and history. It turned me into a writer. I have explored ten stories below under Grand Central Terminal and been in $20 million apartments on Park Avenue, and it was all due to the camera around my neck. Most people don’t seem to question you when you have a camera around your neck; they let you be.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER I was asked to give some tips on how to capture good photographs. There are the technical tips, which I’m going to avoid writing about here. I promise they are not all that hard to learn, and I think the most important photography tips go beyond the technical. Get a small camera. Forget the large tank-like SLRs, and stick to the small mirrorless, micro-4/3rds, or old film cameras. I highly suggest the Fuji brand for small cameras (I use the Fuji X100 line), but Olympus and Sony are good as well. You want something that will entice you to throw it around your neck and take it with you on a daily basis, and small is the key here. Next get a good pair of walking shoes. Take the camera with you frequently and get lost. Take a half day or just leave the house 20 minutes early and take photographs along your usual route. Shoot within your daily life. Consistency is the key. Be spontaneous with the shutter button and let go of the fear of taking bad photographs. 99 out of 100 photos that I take are not great. You do not need to worry about finding the best locations. Those will come, but over time you will start to find great photographs wherever you go. They will pop out at you suddenly and unexpectedly in the most random of places. Photograph for yourself. Not everyone has to love it or understand it, as long as you

do. Get a good umbrella and go out in the rain. Go out at sunset, sunrise, or at night. Pay attention to the light. Purchase a few photography books to inspire you at night. Find a good printer and print your photographs. Make a few large prints for your walls but also create a bunch of 5x7s and put them in a shoebox, or purchase a large corkboard and tacks, fill every inch of it, and constantly change it. Give away your favorite photographs to friends and family. A beautiful print is the ultimate goal of any photographer, but when you start to enjoy the process of photographing even more than the resulting photographs is when you will start to become a true photographer. The enjoyment of the process is what fuels the creation of those prints, and there is always a new photograph around the corner. • James Maher is a fine art, street, and portrait photographer. He is also a lifelong New Yorker and is unsure if that is a good thing or not. He is a terrible driver and cook, as most Manhattanites are, but he can walk for very long distances and is an excellent navigator. He’s authored the e-books, The Essentials of Street Photography and Street Photography Conversations and loves to write about photography and the history and architecture of New York. Visit jamesmaherphotography.com. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 51

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT By Daniel J. Bollinger

eet Dan Flanigan, Chair of the 180-lawyer Real Estate & Financial Services Dept. and Managing Partner of the New York office of Polsinelli, an Am Law 100 firm, with more than 800 attorneys in 19 offices nationwide. Dan has been a trusted advisor to lenders, helping them navigate the ups and downs of the business cycle for decades. He also makes his financing expertise and in-depth knowledge of the lending environment and culture available to the firm’s borrower clients, especially in difficult restructuring and workout situations. In recent years, Dan has been intensely involved in the Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities industry (CMBS). Dan served as lead counsel in the formation and operation of two national CMBS lenders and has continued to lead the expansion of the group’s CMBS practice. I had a chance to speak with Dan about the New York City real estate market. Do you think either a Trump presidency or a Clinton presidency will affect NYC real estate markets? I don’t believe we can make any assumption how either administration will change NYC real estate, because there are simply too many unknowns, especially with Trump. What effect will BREXIT have in the NYC market? I think there will be a minor upside to NYC but nothing dramatic. A lot of investors in the world are asking “where do I put my money now?” The U.S. is considered a safe investment, at least for now, so I think you will see some uptick from foreign investment. What are your views on the Affordable Housing dilemma facing the city these days? New York needs to solve this problem up and down the lower-tomiddle of the economic scale. I don’t know how they will do this. The most important question for me concerns the people that take care of us in this city, the nurses, firefighters, and police. Where are they going to live? What do you see happening with the luxury segment of the market? “For Sale” luxury condos have gotten so much attention, but there is a glut in the luxury rental market as well. It’s going to get bumpy. There’s too much inventory in luxury and not enough below that, let’s call it the one-to-three million dollar range or even the threeto-five million dollar range (and equivalent rents in the rental area). What do you see happening as the market softens/collapses? I don’t see the market collapsing; this market may weaken, but it’s not collapsing. I think each situation is going to depend wholly on the nimbleness and staying power of the particular sponsor. Some buyers are going to get some real bargains. But the effects of the softening are all going to be uniquely related to the sponsor and its particular situation. Financially, what do you see happening within this market? The life insurance companies are doing great. That is because they are not burdened by regulations like the banks are. The banks with all their regulatory issues are going to feel some pressure. Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities has had a rough year. But we still have this maturity wave in front of us, and there should be lots of opportunity for all kinds of debt and also equity. What do you see happening with private equity funds? I am not sure about the future of private equity funds but speaking of debt funds, on the other hand, they certainly can bring a lot and 52 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

have a lot of liquidity in this market. They also have an edge since there are no serious regulatory constraints on them either, at least for now. What do you foresee in the next 6-to-12 months in the New York City real estate market? It is not going to be as strong as it has been but I would say it is still going to be good— but with some bumps. The real danger is that there is so much money, especially with BREXIT bringing more funds to the market. We can hurt ourselves with deals that are too rich, prices too high. But overall I feel more confident than anything else. When you see mega-projects like the Hudson Yards developing and the fact there are going to be 40,000 more units coming to market, do you think the MTA is planning ahead to handle all this additional commuter influx by employing more trains, longer trains, increased scheduling, etc.? Good question, I have to admit even though I’m a straphanger myself and I “feel the squeeze” on these overcrowded subways I haven’t thought about this. What is your opinion of gentrification in NYC? Gentrification is good in some ways, it increases the quality of life in depressed areas by bringing more commerce to the area and more opportunities, but it is also bad in other ways especially when it kicks into overdrive. This goes back to the Affordable Housing question you asked previously. I am disappointed in myself for not being able to do more and for not having thought more about it, but it is one of the most important questions that all of us have to answer (developers, government, citizens). What are we going to do for all of the people that call NY their home but are not upper-scale buyers or renters? Repeating myself, but it’s so vital: where are all the people that make this city run going to live? We must come up with a solution to this pressing reality. Developers obviously aren’t going to be attracted to something that doesn’t return a profit. The 421a tax abatement helped slightly, but it’s gone and much more needs to be done. Our government leaders have to work more closely with developers to solve this through programs, subsidies, funding—something. And soon! •

FALL FOLIAGE IN VERMONT By Cecilia Ruane

riving through Vermont is a scenic experience any time of year, but the Fall Foliage season is the all-time favorite for many when Mother Nature puts on a colorful show. Beautiful scenes of mountains and trees can be taken in from either of the state’s two highways or while navigating the back roads. Foliage typically is from mid-September through late October (depending, of course, on fall winds, precipitation, and nighttime temperatures). Up-to-date foliage reports are available online at vermont.com. Naturally, if you’re spending a weekend of soaking up the views, then you’ll need a hotel or inn. Here, some of our favorites. TRAPP FAMILY LODGE Maria von Trapp, of The Sound of Music fame, opened a singing camp here in the 1940s. Surrounded by incredible mountain scenery, the Tyrolean-style lodge offers all the amenities you could ever need or want. Stowe (trappfamily.com). BLUEBERRY HILL INN This inn on a secluded hillside overlooking the Champlain Valley. Just about 20 minutes from Middlebury and near the Green Mountain National Forest, it has become a family-favorite. The restaurant is superb, and the rates include breakfast and dinner. Goshen (blueberryhillinn.com). INN ON COVERED BRIDGE GREEN Norman Rockwell’s former home and studio offers a picture-perfect setting in a building more than 200 years old, with the Battenkill river and a covered bridge just outside your door. There’s no restaurant, but a generous breakfast is included in the rate. Arlington (coveredbridgegreen.com). •

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HEALTHY EYELASHES By Dr. Doris Day

he eyes are central to communicating how we feel and keeping them healthy is always important. However, that also means caring for your eyelashes as well. The average person has about 200 lashes per eyelid, and they grow in multiple rows. Just like the hair on your head, they have growth cycles, and it is normal for them to shed every few months as new lashes grow in and push them out. When I see patients who want to look their best without procedures, I have the perfect solution: Lashes. Having long thick dark lashes helps hide excess upper eyelid skin or droopy lids and can make the eyes look more open and show off your eye color. Many women often say that having longer thicker darker lashes makes them feel more confident. Here, questions my patients often ask on achieving healthy lashes. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 55

What are some things women can do once lashes are thinning? • Brush your lashes. There are tiny combs that you can use to brush your lashes before you put on mascara. • False lashes are a fun quick fix for special occasions but not ideal for daily use since the glue can be irritating to the skin and lashes, and if you don’t remove them properly you can pull lashes out. • Lash extensions are very popular but can be problematic if not done well or if done too often. Also, don’t go too dense or too long. The problem here is that puts stress on your existing lashes and may cause them to fall out. • I often prescribe Latisse to help grow longer, thicker darker lashes. It’s the only FDA-approved product, and I was fortunate to be an investigator for the FDA trials, so I saw first-hand how well it worked. I was impressed with its efficacy and reliability. When you stop using it, it stops working, and your lashes eventually revert to where they were. You do need to see a doctor but it’s always good to know it’s available as another option. Why do women’s eyelashes tend to thin as they get older? It’s usually genetic, and a natural part of the aging process, but other issues such as hormonal or autoimmune conditions can also contribute. While thinning eyelashes are a part of the aging process just like losing volume in your face, noticing wrinkles and, of course, graying hair there are things you can do to help your lashes grow and look their best. Many women also do eyelash treatments such as tinting and eyelash extensions, which often damage the lashes and follicles over time if overdone or done improperly. What are some basic tips women can do to achieve healthy lashes? Women are always looking to emphasize their eyes by using the latest creams, lotions and serums to fight the signs of aging. It’s key to remember that enhancing what you have, like your eyelashes can also yield positive results in the quest for a youthful appearance. For example, when removing mascara, do not pull at the eyelashes. If you curl your lashes do it before not after using mascara and try not to rub or touch your eyes because these actions can make your eyelashes fall out more or more quickly. And, try to avoid over-treating with extensions. Medical conditions like seasonal allergies can cause itchy eyes and lead to rubbing which can affect lashes as well as the skin around the eyes. Rubbing is one of the worst things for this delicate area of the face. It’s important to stay ahead of allergies and do your best to avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible. What can be done to prevent lashes from thinning prematurely? Taking care of eyelashes and maintaining them should be a daily routine. Extreme, crash or yo-yo dieting can cause hair shedding and accelerate the aging process including your eyelashes. Be careful not to tug at the skin or the roots of the lashes when using eyelash curlers and always take off makeup at the end of the day. Use an eye makeup remover before washing your face and after washing; pat instead of rubbing your skin to dry it. 56 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

• Over-the-counter lash conditioners and primers are helpful to use under mascara. They can’t make claims for growing lashes because that is considered a medical drug claim but they can support the growth of lashes and help them look better and stay healthy. • Another excellent and straightforward option is mascara. It’s currently the number one choice for lashes. There are excellent new mascaras that provide length and also improved thickness. I don’t recommend waterproof mascaras for daily use because they are difficult to remove and can even pull lashes off as you remove it. How do healthy lashes enhance a woman’s appearance? Healthy long lashes enhance a woman’s appearance in so many subtle but powerful ways. Celebrities have been using lashes for an extra spark of glamour for years and women have taken notice. Longer lashes highlight your eyes making them look bigger and more alluring. The bottom line is that healthy lashes are a powerful way to help you look and feel better about yourself. If you have time for only one step in your routine creating healthier lashes would give you the biggest bang for your effort. Today, there are many options available to help you reach your goal on a temporary or semipermanent basis. The eyes have it, and it’s beautiful to celebrate them. •

Dr. Day, a dermatologist, is affiliated with NYU Langone Hospital.

LUXURY SPAS: BRINGING HAUTE TO HEALTH By Griffin Miller

ching muscles... Anxiety... Dubious eating habits... Migraines... Cell phones that won’t shut up. In short, a good many of us are stressed to the max, mentally and physically. The optimum solution is, of course, downtime at an upscale spa: a couple of hours where you can disconnect and surrender to dim lights, soft music, the soothing touch of a skilled aesthetician and the ultimate prize: a healthier, more focused you. Manhattan, of course, is home to myriad high-end spas, some dedicated exclusively to pampering and others that expand upon the expected with restorative and rejuvenating services. Remarkably, two of the latter can be found down the block from each other on East 76th Street: Cornelia Spa at the Surrey Hotel and The Spa Sisley at The Carlyle Hotel. With ambiance and creature comforts to spare, these two spas have distinctive personalities while yet sharing one remarkable ability: to meld pampering with wellness.

THE CORNELIA SPA Not that long ago, I was privy to one of Cornelia Spa’s deluxe services with a most seductive name: The Elixirs of Life. This multi-tiered treatment takes place in one of the spa’s two suites, which is a two-room “urban refuge.” It features a steam shower and decadently large whirlpool bathtub in one room and a lovingly furnished second room with seating area; a matching set of damask-embedded armoires (for clothes and valuables) and two massage tables. As you might have guessed, this luxe experience was created for couples, but that doesn’t mean they discourage solo indulgence. Like many of Cornelia’s services, Elixirs begins with a spoonful of the artisanal honey and moves into a citrus and rose petal bath followed by a customized massage. Post-treatment, you’re invited to relax in the lounge area (after 4 PM with a flute of Prosecco), or browse through the spa’s select jewelry and gift items. And while rejuvenation is certainly high on this spa’s list, during the month of October the Cornelia is taking a proactive stance for Breast Cancer, by incorporating specially designed spa services into their menu. As Spa Director Tara Cruz puts it, “Early detection doesn’t have to be exclusively medical, it can be pampering as well.” Donating their services to this “pathway to a peaceful recovery,” are noted lymphatic drainage therapist Wafa Mzeghet and 58 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

lymph drainage provider Sharon Houlihan. A number of individuals who have personally been affected by the disease—hand-picked patients, survivors, family members and caregivers—will experience targeted treatments like a foot soak in a copper tub filled with warm water and aromatic herbs and a personalized massage honing in on specific needs. According to Cruz, “The object of this effort is to raise awareness of the disease and promote early detection. We would also like to bring light to Oncology & Lymphatic Massage,” she continues. “Such modalities can indeed improve a patient’s health, ease stress, and of course heal one’s mind, body, and soul during these difficult times.” As for other Cornelia innovations, this fall the Spa introduced The Purist, a two-phase/two-hour detox healing treatment designed to “return the body to its balanced alkaline state where disease cannot flourish, and your sense of well-being is increased.” Cruz adds, “This will hopefully prepare you for the over-indulgent holiday season ahead.” As you exit, take the time to check out the artwork in and around the outskirts of the Surrey’s lobby. This mini-gallery (we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars of fine art) changes on a regular basis and matches featured works to key events taking place in the city. Sweet. The Cornelia Spa 20 East 76th Street 646-358-3600 corneliaspaatthesurrey.com

THE SPA SISLEY-PARIS It was just last April The Carlyle Hotel welcomed the first fullservice Sisley-Paris Spa to North America. It arrived bearing gifts—or bonus points—by way of its superstar status as the cornerstone of Phyto-cosmetology: Sisley’s botanically-infused product lines and treatments have been an international phenom for decades. The selection of The Carlyle – home to the famed Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle – was nothing short of inspired. Upstairs, the full-service environment features check-in desk, comfy lounge, first-rate boutique (including Sisley’s product line) and access to high-end salon services, from hair color to cuts and styling to mani-pedis and professional (Sisley label) makeup applications.

NATIONAL SPA WEEK® TAKES NYC October 17th through October 23th Memo to all spa aficionados and neophytes: one of the sweetest highlights of the season is upon us: National Spa Week® – a bi-annual event during which we can indulge (and over-indulge) in high-end, full-service spa and health and fitness treatments for just $50 each. Seriously. Services—with regular price tags running between $100 and $500 at New York’s celebrated spas—are served up by the finest aestheticians in the city for this unreal rate during the week of October 17th. Insider Tip: Certain spas have been known to extend their $50 treatments beyond Spa Week’s official cut-off date. According to Spa Week spokesperson, Julie Leventhal, “These services will provide consumers a path to optimal living and will serve as a preventative and alternative health approach. Routine spa visits now will aid in preventing future diagnoses and unwanted medical procedures.” Here are just a handful of this year’s participating spas: The Red Door (thereddoor.com); L’Institut Sothys New York (sothyspa.com); Haven Spa (havenspa.nyc); VMV Hypoallergenics (vmvhypoallergenics.com); BioXage at The Roosevelt Hotel (bioxagespa.com); and DAPHNE (daphne.studio). To make reservations visit SpaWeek.com. And after you’ve finished scheduling your treatments you might want to spend some time browsing the website for tips, perks, year-round spa deals and Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week®.

Down a short flight of stairs vaulted by a gold mosaic-lined arch, the spa-scape changes and you find yourself in a quiet, dimly lit area flanked by a handful of treatment rooms. Signature essential oils and plant extracts come into play as relaxation and well-being take center stage via a menu of phyto-facials (including one dedicated to the unique needs of men). Also available are intraceuticals oxygen experiences (i.e., facials with a little something extra); massages (including prenatal therapy); and phyto-aromatic body treatments (regenerating, balancing— perfect for the overworked and under Zened). I speak from experience when I say a Sisley facial is rich with unique touches, beginning (and ending) with breathing exercises and gentle stretch alignment. It’s truly therapeutic! Next, comes the customized facial featuring Sisley’s signature skincare serums that—considering the results—are addictive. Aesthetician Bohumila gets five stars not only for her skill at renewing my skin but for putting up with my ongoing Q&A. The Spa Sisley—Paris Madison Avenue at 76th St., 3rd Floor 212-660-7560 thesisleyspa.com • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 59

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FunYOUR BEST EATING TOFit FEEL

By Cecilia Ruane

By Cecilia Ruane f the thought of warming up and working out leaves you cold, you’re not alone. When it comes to exercise, it’s WELL ith and Holiday 2016 around hard to get stay motivated. So weSLEEP gathered the best deprivation is a scenario for losing thought information onthe howcorner, to perkwe up your workoutSleep routine. about sharing some control of eating. It can particularly good GET SETexpert advice for slimming increase a craving for carbs. down and looking your for do thea little planning. First, Don’t grab your gear and go best just yet; PACK A SNACK season. setfestive goals party that are challenging but attainable. Understand the To avoidand a drop process of getting fit, so you don’t get discouraged quit! in blood sugar and craving forand candy bars, keep a EAT BREAKFAST Remember, you didn’t gain 50 pounds in athree weeks, nutritious It jump-start metabolism. if weeks you’re not goingyour to take them off And in three either.snack Next, nearby. A plastic bagtocontaining a low-fat cheese like youa specific blow ittime off, to you’re more likely to stick pick exercise each day and it. No matter Laughing Cow Light, which does not reach for potatoorchips and high-calorie when—morning evening—you schedule your workout, treat refrigeration snacks at 11:30 AM. it seriously. Finally, make sure you have a planneed of attack, so your for a day, and two or three high fiber crackers is great. time at the gym is well spent. Or, sugar-free hot chocolate mix and DRINK WATER Better thanAdiet soda, it not only fills an apple will warm you up quickly CONSIDER TRAINER onfamous. a chillySigning day. Other snack options: you up trainers but flushes away toxins Personal aren’t only for too. the rich and soy give crisps, up for a session or two with someone who will youaasmall new amount of nuts, all natural peanut CHOOSE WISELY fitness plan can prove invaluable if you’ve been slacking off butter for on a celery stick, a container fat-free yogurt. Make your consist of jump-start fruits, oryour too long. In fact, diet a trainer can help workoutsofby vegetables, suchyou as proper whole training techniques, assessing yourfiber, level,grains, teaching SKIP THE wheat and barley, and your smallfitness amounts of proceed. and showing you how should If BOOZE paying Cut out it can make your face protein. Your be fed, your seems forlean even half the costskin of awill training session like alcohol; too much puffy. Skipping will beyou bright, and join yourforces nails will ofeyes a splurge, can still with a look friend—it may be salty foods will also be healthy. This gives enough to keep you bothyou on every track. option help stave off puffiness, ensuring that you’ll look nothing less than radiant! • to look as good as you can.

JOIN A GROUP If exercising as part of a pair doesn’t boost your stick-to-itiveness, check out your gym’s schedule of classes, which can incorporate cardio or weight training into such activities as dancing, boxing or martial arts. In a class setting, you feed off the energy of others. You can also find group support through an exercise club. The Internet is a great resource for finding clubs in most cities, whether you want to run, swim, or walk. Most clubs will offer a training program for your fitness level and keep you committed and on schedule. GET OUTSIDE Of course you needn’t coop yourself up in a gym to get a full-body workout. Hit the trails with five-pound dumbbells and do strength exercises while you hike. If you’d rather gaze at the mountains, than climb them, you might like yoga. Not only does yoga allow you to chill for an hour, but it also makes the body look leaner, lighter and more toned. Varying the kinds of exercises you do and the order in which you do them also keeps your workouts fresh, meaning you probably won’t be tempted to give up so easily. And in the end, isn’t that what turning flab into fab is all about? •

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DEMYSTIFYING MEDICAL MYTHS By Jamie Wells, MD, FAAP

s a child, I followed all the rules. If I was told eating my spinach would make me grow big and strong, then you could consider it done. Not so much now, but maybe that’s a topic for another article. As a member of the undersized set, I am still waiting. When am I supposed to grow big and be strong? (Alright, I never actually ate spinach as a kid, so that too is a myth.)

MYTH #1 The Popeye with spinach effect originated from a long recounted story of a German chemist who supposedly made a calculation error in the late 19th century. Consequently, he valued the iron content of spinach at ten times more than any other green vegetable. Clarified in 1937, the train already left the station on the myth as the popularized Popeye cartoon predated this correction. Sales of the muscle-strengthening vegetable increased substantially and the parental refrain was born. In 2010, criminologist Dr. Mike Sutton published an exhaustive account of his investigation into Spinach, Iron, and Popeye: Ironic Lessons From Biochemistry and History Lessons From Biochemistry and History on the Importance of Healthy Eating, Healthy Skepticism, and Adequate Citation. (Whew!) He asserts E.C. Segar, the lovable sailor’s creator, chose initially to endorse spinach consumption for its valuable vitamin A content, not iron. Additionally, he extensively probes the concept of a scientific mistake versus sloppy research. The answer becomes irrelevant as he achieves his purpose of underscoring the importance of fact-checking, exploring studies firsthand and always being open to reexamining the status quo. So, is the myth even the real myth? Or, is the myth of the myth the story?

MYTH #2 My head hurts. Or, maybe I have eye damage from watching TV up close. Alas, we have ourselves another misconception. In the 1960s, a batch of new color television sets emitted excessive amounts of radiation which was implicated in eye damage. Naturally, the TVs were rapidly recalled without prompting a widespread issue. Though remedied by 1968, the belief stuck. The American Academy of Ophthalmologists debunked this myth stating that sitting too close to the TV does not cause damage, but can cause transient eye strain or fatigue easily cured by turning it off and going to sleep. They reiterate that a child sitting too close might be more accurately one who is not being properly treated for nearsightedness. If your offspring exhibits this behavior, then a trip to the eye doctor might open their eyes (to seeing well)! 62 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

MYTH #3 We’ve all heard it! Drink eight glasses of water per day. Or, not. It sounds silly doesn’t it to think that individuals of all shapes and sizes in varying regions of the world no matter the season or occupation be given an identical recommendation for fluid consumption? Ask the right questions. Be inquisitive. When something doesn’t seem to make sense, it is often because it doesn’t make any sense. In 1945, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council promoted that people should consume 2.5 liters of water a day (that’s eight glasses). The media took hold, and the message became just that and all in the form of drinking water. What was ignored in their statement, was the fact that much of that fluid can come from food as well as other beverages. When it comes to an otherwise healthy person, the body is a very efficient machine. In a typical day without inclement weather or extreme physical exertion and in standard office settings, an individual is not at constant risk of dehydration. Those, however, with chronic disease, acute illness and on certain medicines are not included in this mix. To learn what your individual needs are, the safest bet is to speak to your personal physician who knows the true extent of your medical history and physical examination. A good way to monitor things is to look at your urine. Too dark or concentrated, for instance, you would likely benefit from some water. A well-hydrated person urinates freely, has moist mucous membranes (aka lots of saliva in the mouth), supple skin and is alert and, hopefully, vigorous. One who is dehydrated will have a decrease in urine output, sunken eyes, tinted skin, and in severe cases be confused, lightheaded, weak, and irritable.

MYTH #4 Who doesn’t want to believe certain myths? I do, especially if it eliminates any thought I need to invest and makes me healthier in the process. We all love the quick fix elixir. Tell me to eat ten barbecued lentils a day and not have to exercise and, snap; I will instantaneously look like a supermodel! Umm, no joke, I doubt I would do it, but you can be assured I’d investigate it. For the public’s greater good, of course! As it is, I only check my height first thing in the morning. How else do you think my driver’s license has my ‘legal’ height of 5 feet 2 inches? Through the course of daily wear-and-tear, our discs in our spines compress so we are shorter towards the end of the day—sometimes by up to half an inch. The bottom line is there are rarely shortcuts to leading a healthy active lifestyle that doesn’t entail eating a well-balanced diet and getting off that couch. The myths discussed and countless others tend to take up a significant amount of the doctor’s visit debunking. Most spawn from a kernel of truth taken to excess. One magical medicine or food to cure all ails is a highly unlikely occurrence in our lifetimes. It is also essential to realize that even if one source of nourishment is proven to be of tremendous benefit, then this information must be put into the context of one’s other sustenance and lifestyle. Each impacts the other. One-size-fits-all-medicine is not a present reality as the individual is truly the variable. We have diverse body surface areas, unique defenses against infection and genetic and environmental differences that nuance our responses. Hence, why some people tolerate a medication while others do not. So, beware of absolutes in healthcare; for, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Dr. Jamie Wells is a Yale-educated, award-winning, Board-Certified physician with over a decade of experience caring for patients and the Director of Medicine at the American Council on Science and Health. To learn more, go to acsh.org. Follow her on Twitter @jamiewellsmd. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 63

7 WORK HABITS YOU MUST KNOW By Leigh Stringer

t’s not that we’re bad people, or that we aren’t working hard,” says Leigh Stringer, “The problem is that what our minds and bodies need at a basic level is in conflict with our work style. We are so focused on work, on getting things done, that we’ve changed the way we eat, move and sleep in a way that is counterproductive.” Putting yourself and your health first isn’t selfish, it’s exactly what we all need to be more productive and to make our employer thrive. So what are some of those unhealthy habits that we need to break? New York Lifestyles recently met with Leigh Stringer, who offers up a comprehensive list of what we should be doing at the workplace.

SITTING IS NOT THE ONLY WAY I know, you’ve read the news and have heard that sitting for extended periods of time is bad for your health. The issue isn’t that we sit, the issue is that many of us sit and work without standing or walking for many hours at a time. Walking on a treadmill desk for 8 hours a day is not the answer either (at least for most of us).

Instead • Stand up every 30 minutes and walk around every hour and a half, even if it’s just for a few moments. • Find surfaces around your workplace that are bar-height and stand and work for a few minutes each day. • Take phone calls, watch presentations, read or perform other activities while standing up or even walking if it makes sense for the task at hand. Performing these in the workplace not only improves cardio-metabolic health, but it will also prevent conditions like deep vein thrombosis. According to a recent study, reactive thinking develops all day indoors….

EATING AT YOUR DESK? Mindless eating (eating while your head is focused on something else) typically results in eating faster and consuming more calories than if you were seated at a dining table and paying attention to what you eat. Even worse than eating at your desk? Eating take-out food at your desk! Americans eat in a restaurant five times a week, according to a recent survey conducted by Living Social. 64 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

Instead • Bring your snacks and lunch. • Eat far from your primary workspace. Keep food and drinks away from your keyboard tray! • Invite your colleagues to have lunch with you and use eating time to connect face-to-face. If you work remotely, host a “virtual lunch” via Skype! You will automatically make better choices when you are eating without multitasking because you are more aware of what you are putting in your mouth. If you can find a pleasant environment to eat in with a colleague, all the better.

CLEAN UP TIME Paper on your desk, especially if it has been sitting there a while, is likely full of dust and dust mites, which for many people can trigger serious allergies and asthma. Do you need all that paper in your workspace? Interestingly, Xerox did a study looking at how often we use the paper by our desk. They estimated that as many as two out of every five pages printed in the office are for what it calls “daily” use, such as e-mails, web pages, and reference materials that have been printed for a single viewing. I’m willing to bet that now, a few years later, the amount of paper we need to keep lying around is much less.

Instead • File paperwork and put in place a system for removing paper or moving paper off-site that you don’t need access to on a regular basis. • Put in place a good system for scanning and digital filing of documents, so that you know where to find things later. A trusted electronic system can help reduce the need for a paper back-up. No dust mites and a cleaner desk can improve air quality. Also, removing paper can give the appearance of having more space. Big piles of paper (and all the furniture that stores it) eat into the workspace and make the workspace feel more crowded. This feeling of being “crowded in” increases stress and decreases our satisfaction with our work area.

TAKE THAT VACATION A survey for the career website Glassdoor found that U.S. employees use only 51 percent of their eligible paid vacation time and paid time off, according to a recent survey of 2,300 workers who receive paid vacation. Even more frightening, 61 percent of Americans work while they are on vacation, despite complaints from family members, one-in-four report being contacted by a colleague about a work-related matter while taking time off, while one-in-five have been approached by their boss.

RECOVER AT HOME When you come into the workplace sick, you are very likely spreading disease to colleagues. As tempting as it is for you to “power through” and minimize sick days, the overall health risk is not worth it.

GET SOME SUNSHINE A good portion of our global workforce spends about 90 percent of each day indoors, which essentially puts workers in a state of “light deficiency” and it negatively impacts our sleep cycle.

Instead • Plan your vacations, take them, and enjoy yourself. Give yourself permission to unplug. You need it to refresh and revitalize to be more effective. And, your family will love you for it. According to John De Graff , who made a documentary about overworked Americans called Running Out of Time, it has been found that there is a high cost to not taking a vacation. “Women who don’t take regular vacations are anywhere from two to eight times more likely to suffer from depression, and have a 50 percent higher chance of heart disease,” he says. “For men, the risk of death from a heart attack goes up a third.”

Instead • Stay home! Researchers from the University of Arizona in Tucson, placed a tracer virus on commonly touched objects such as a doorknob or tabletop in the work place. At multiple time intervals, the researchers sampled a range of surfaces including light switches, countertops, sink tap handles, and push buttons. They found that between 40 and 60 percent of the surfaces were contaminated within two to four hours. This may be a reason to adopt a “work from home” policy if you are looking for one. Beyond that, everyone should frequently wash their hands.

Instead • Get outside, preferably earlier in the day, for as long as you can. We need more intense light to reset our circadian rhythm, which helps us sleep. Some sleep experts recommend being outside as much as two hours a day. But even going outside for 30-60 minutes during the day—say over a lunch break will provide roughly 80 percent of what you need to “anchor” your circadian rhythm.

HEALTH COMES FIRST If you aren’t healthy, you can’t get anything done and you won’t be there for your colleagues, friends, and family when they need you. Especially if you are affected by chronic health issues. A global survey of business executives conducted by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health from 2009 to 2011 identified non-communicable diseases as one of the leading threats to global economic growth.

Instead • Make your health a priority, and start by building time in your calendar to work out, to relax or do something that gives you energy and sparks your personal passion. Healthy workers are more productive. Being our emotional, physical and mental best is foundational to doing our best work.

Leigh Stringer is Senior Workplace Expert for EYP Architecture & Engineering and is researching employee health and productivity in conjunction with the Harvard School of Public Health, the Center for Active Design, and other organizations. She is the author of The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employees-and Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line (AMACOM). You may visit her at leighstringer.com. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 65

FROZEN IN TIME By Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN

igh in fat, low in nutrients and made with processed ingredients. That’s the perception that many people have of frozen meals. However, if you choose wisely by looking at ingredients and the Nutrition Facts label, there are many great options to be found. As a nutritionist, I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy frozen finds. Here are some of my favorites! GRAINFUL’S PORCINI MUSHROOM CHICKEN This unique brand uses 100 percent whole grain steel cut oats instead of traditional pasta or rice. They come in several varieties, but my favorite is the Porcini Mushroom Chicken. You can add veggies or enjoy along with a side salad, grainful.com. EVOL LEAN & FIT’S TERIYAKI CHICKEN I’ve been enjoying Evol’s line of Lean & Fit meals for a while now, but the one I keep going back to is the Teriyaki Chicken. It’s a great combination of brown rice, chicken, veggies and teriyaki sauce. This is also available in a larger size if you are preparing for more than one person, evolfoods.com. GARDEN LITES MUFFINS It’s hard to believe the first ingredient in these muffins is zucchini! The chocolate and banana chocolate flavors are one of my favorite “go-to” foods when I need something fast. I love them as a snack simply with a cup of tea. For breakfast, try crumbling one into Greek yogurt with fresh berries, gardenlites.com. MIKEY’S MUFFINS These gluten-, dairy-, soy-, and grain-free muffins are tasty and portion-controlled at only 98 calories each. For a unique twist on the traditional bagel, top each half with a smear of light cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato, and onion, mikeysmuffins.com. AMY’S LIGHT & LEAN MEALS These tasty frozen meals are made with many organic ingredients and are available in a variety of flavors. I buy the individual serving pizzas, as they are a great way for me to portion control my slices. I also enjoy the Black Bean & Cheese Enchiladas, amys.com. GOOD FOOD MADE SIMPLE The 100 percent Steel Cut Oats Oatmeal and Egg White Patties from Good Food Made Simple are great options to keep in your freezer. I reach for their Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bowl when I’m looking for a quick savory meal when I’m short on time, goodfoodmadesimple.com.

YASSO FROZEN GREEK YOGURT BARS & HALO TOP ICE CREAM Check out these two frozen desserts for a delicious treat. My personal picks are the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Yasso Bar and Halo Top’s Lemon Cake flavor, yasso.com. •

About Shari Bilt Boockvar Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN is a nutritionist in New York and the tri-state area. She specializes in nutrition counseling and consulting for weight control and fitness and can be found blogging on her favorite products and recipes at: Facebook: NutritionShari, Instagram: NutritionShari2 NutrifactsForYou.com

66 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

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237 West 54th Street | New York, NY | 212.586.9700

www.empiresteakhousenyc.com

YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW

A PICKOFF from A CUTOFF TO BE A FAN OF

G R E AT S TE A K . THE STEAKHOUSE of the

NEW YORK YANKEES.

Join us at Midtown Manhattan’s most invigorating twist on a traditional steakhouse. And revel in Yankees legends, past and present.

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7 WEST 51ST STREET, NEW YORK, NY 646.307.7910 nyysteak.com

All New York Yankees trademarks and copyrights are owned by the New York Yankees and used with the permission of the New York Yankees.

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN By Patricia Canole

here’s no argument that New York City is the number one capital of steakhouses. Where else can you sit down and be served a juicy porterhouse charred to perfection? Unlike the more modern minuscule tastings on oversized plates being served at trendy places, steakhouses seemingly can’t give you enough of their fare to consume. More often than not, these chophouses almost always feature darkened wood clubby atmospheres offering patrons generous portions of char and charm. We recently visited the three classic steakhouses (all extending back to the 19th and early 20th centuries) for a new look at how simplicity can very often mean complete satisfaction. Here’s our bite on the best.

Best Bets: Colossal Crab Cake The Gotham Rib Steak on the bone Porterhouse Steak for two

OLD HOMESTEAD For those craving a carnivore’s dream, head downtown to (where else?) the Meatpacking District now one of the city’s trendiest locales for fashion, nightlife, hotels—and, of course, Old Homestead Steakhouse. The iconic chophouse has been operating in the same location since 1868. Back in the day, it was known as The Tidewater Trading Post, when the Hudson River nearly washed up on its doors. During that time, the steakhouse attracted the wellheeled—mostly ladies and gentlemen who could afford a splurge at the then-pricey cost of 8 cents. In fact, it was that popular, patrons would wait hours for one of five tables for what was described as the biggest and best steak in town. Over the years and several landfills later, Old Homestead has continued to serve up its legendary USDA prime dry-aged slabs of beef—including the signature Prime Rib, Filet of Mignon on the bone, and Gotham Rib Steak on the long bone. Seafood aficionados enjoy the Colossal Crab Cakes, Whale-size Lobsters, and Seafood Towers with Shrimp, Clams, and Oysters. The restaurant is also famous for its classic sides of creamed spinach, garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed mushroom caps. For nearly seven decades, Old Homestead has been operated by the same family. Now owned and managed by the Sherry Brothers— Greg and Marc—whose paternal grandfather Harry started as a dishwasher only to later purchase the establishment. And like Harry Sherry, the two brothers have pioneered many industry firsts.

Always on the cutting edge to introduce new experiences to their customers, they worked closely with the USDA and its Japanese counterpart, to bring Kobe, the most expensive and decadent beef in the world, to the U.S. This led Greg to gain access to Wagyu that is sold only at special auctions in Japan. Step into this historic building and you’ll find a diverse group of Wall Street types and Financial movers and shakers making deals alongside fashion models, music industry elite and a parade of celebrities from Hollywood and the sports world. Equally famous is the restaurant’s facade, which features the celebrated Annabelle the Cow, the life-size bovine sculpture perched on the two-story marquee above the entrance. A star in her right, she’s made appearances on Seinfeld, Law and Order, and many other TV shows and movies. Harry Sherry received Annabelle from a Nebraska farmer who loved visiting New York City—and ate at his favorite steakhouse every night during his stay. Sherry didn’t know what to do with this gift, so he had it elevated to the marquee. She’s remained there overlooking Ninth Avenue and greeting customers for nearly 60 years. Old Homestead also has outposts at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. OLD HOMESTEAD 56 Ninth Avenue 212-342-9040 theoldhomesteadsteakhouse.com OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 69

KEENS STEAKHOUSE

Best Bets: Fresh Oysters Prime New York Sirloin Two Double Lamb Chops

When Albert Keen opened his restaurant on West 36th Street in 1885, he figured it would be just another chophouse serving the old Herald Square Theater District. Well, after 131 years you might wonder how it’s outlasted a multitude of imitators. And with past regulars including Babe Ruth and Teddy Roosevelt along with other luminaries who have dined here, it’s little wonder it’s become a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Walk in the door and you’ll be transported to another time: There’s memorabilia from more than 100 years of New York history, including playbills, political cartoons, and photographs, as well as a collection of more than 50,000 pipes from back when regulars would store theirs there. However, the real spectacle comes in the form of the charred steaks and chops, including a gargantuan bone-in Prime Rib. Not to be overlooked are the 16 choices for dessert. If you are on a schedule, however, step into the adjacent pub room for lighter fare including Prime Rib hash considered by those-in-the-know to be the best in town.

70 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

GALLAGHERS STEAKHOUSE

Best Bets: Chilled Medley of Seafood Roast Prime Rib of Beef Porterhouse

It’s difficult to mistake what Gallaghers is all about. All you have to do is take a look at the street-level meet locker to discover what’s to come inside. Gallaghers promises a prime New York experience from start to finish. Excellent steaks grilled over blazing hickory coals, rubs from coffee to porcini mushrooms and an affordable lunchtime menu with a giant Porterhouse is just the beginning. The steakhouse starts by selecting the finest USDA prime beef, which is then aged to tender perfection for at least 21 days in a temperature-controlled meat locker. During its 89-year history, Gallaghers has been witness to legendary events at the crossroads of the world. Now with Dean Poll at the helm, Gallaghers is sure to continue to be a place for festive occasions. His takeover has brought back the glamour of this landmark steeped in history. Like his Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse, Poll sees Gallaghers as an integral part of the fabric of New York and is passionate about retaining its original glory and character. With its trademarked combination of the very best USDA-prime steak, a classic cocktail list, and a congenial staff who will never forget your name, Gallaghers serves up an authentic New York experience in dining. •

OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 71

THE BEST NYC WINE BARS By Tina Mulqueen y (now) husband and I had our first date at a wine bar in Manhattan. Unbeknownst to us at the time, that bar would come to hold great significance for us. It had a cozy, upscale feel with an Italian ambiance and a diverse menu of share plates that perfectly paired with selections from an extensive wine list. More significantly, it’s where we shared pieces of history—our conversations flowed even more quickly and easily than the wine—and started the foundation for our relationship. At the time, we didn’t even think to jot down the name. That’s why, for the past two years, we’ve been trying to find it. While we have yet to accomplish our goal, the journey hasn’t been for naught. In our search for our wine bar, we’ve experienced some of the best that Manhattan has to offer. Here are some of our favorites.

LEA WINE BAR This hidden gem is located under the bridge near the entrance to Grand Central Station. It has an intimate feel centered around an artsy wall of liquor, though their apparent focus is on wine. The tapas menu offers some really interesting and delicious options. We had the Brazilian Pasteis, which is a deep-fried chicken empanada, and the chicken satay. Both were fantastic. There’s an extensive wine by the glass menu that features exciting blends that were unfamiliar to even a wino like me.

LEA WINE BAR 230 Park Avenue 212-922-1546 leanyc.com

ALDO SOHM WINE BAR

ALDO SOHM WINE BAR 151 West 51st Street 212-554-1143 aldosohmwinebar.com

OOVINA WINE BAR Walking into Oovina, and the adjacent wine gallery, Oovah, we were immediately drawn to the unique decor. The bar area was tastefully decorated with tree leaves which covered most of the ceiling. The light fixtures reflected the light up and into the tree leaves which gave a warm and intimate feel to it. Beyond the decor, the bar menu had much to offer in the way of cocktails, sangria, and, of course, wine. Wines by the glass featured some of our favorite Portuguese and Spanish wines. Being a wine and tapas bar, we expected a pretty nice spread of Latin wines, but what we didn’t expect were wines from Austria, Italy and Germany. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable about all things food and drink and willing to teach you all about what Oovah has to offer. 72 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

OOVINA WINE BAR 496 Ninth Avenue, #1 212-967-3892 oovinanyc.com

The Aldo Sohm Wine Bar touts a laid back environment that captures the energy of the city. True to its name, the bar features living roomstyle sofas and a contemporary atmosphere punctuated by colorful, art-filled walls. We enjoyed exceptional French and Spanish wines from their menu of over forty-by-the-glass options. If you’re sipping with a group, their bottle menu is even more impressive—they have more than two hundred selections. Wines by the glass from the Rioja region can be hard to come by, so if you like fruit and spice, try one of their many selections.

ARIA WINE BAR We found this little gem in the West Village. The modern, rustic decor was immediately warm and inviting. We sat at the white tiled bar and were almost overwhelmed with the wine selection which served as the bar’s backdrop. There are over 20 different grape varietals, ranging from Montepulciano to Riesling, to our favorite Italian. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a casual day drinking expedition, Aria offers beautiful wines and pairs them with amazing food. Try the Tiramisu!

ARIA WINE BAR 117 Perry Street 212-242-4233 ariawinebar.com

VIN SUR VINGT

VIN SUR VINGT 201 West 11th Street 212-924-4442 vsvwinebars.com

Vin Sur Vingt has three locations around NYC. Classic French decor foreshadows a lengthy menu of more than fifty French wines by the glass and bistro fare. It’s a great place for my husband and me: We have developed an affinity for Rhone Valley reds. They have some fantastic blends from that region, as well as many from the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions. They are also one of the only wine bars that we’ve found that serves by-the-glass selections from Beaujolais—one of our favorite—albeit lesser available wine regions. We enjoyed the warm brie with melted honey, which paired nicely with our moderately tannic wines.

TERROIR WINE BAR Bedecked by the building’s raw materials (including wood beams and exposed brick walls), Terroir does an excellent job of capturing the architectural nuances of Tribeca. If you’re the type who loves Riesling wines, then here’s the place to be. Coowner Paul Grieco loves the wine so much; he even has a Reisling on tap!). There are more than two dozen reds as well as whites by the glass. And for those who wish to experiment, Terroir offers a three-ounce size, thus encouraging imbibers to find a favorite (if only for the evening). The food menu might include a good duck prosciutto sandwich or a red wine and oxtail risotto balls, which we enjoyed!

TERROIR WINE BAR 24 Harrison Street 212-625-9463 wineisterroir.com OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 73

CULINARY PRACTICE By Trish Connolly

s you might expect in a city filled with ethnic and health-conscious dining spots, some culinary schools have widened their curriculum and offer a wide range of global cuisines. For a quick afternoon refresher or weekend class, check out one (or two) to sharpen your culinary skills.

INSTITUTE OF CULINARY EDUCATION (ICE) INSTITUTE OF CULINARY EDUCATION (ICE) Sauté, grill, reduce, plate, taste and learn. Enroll in a class at ICE and that’s exactly what you will be doing. More than 26,000 people sign up annually for the school’s 1,500 classes. Courses are given in a state-of-the-art professional kitchen and conclude with a family-style meal. Choose from classes that range in focus and discipline, like Cooking for Couples or Culinary Essentials. From perfect Thai curry and Indian cuisine to farmer’s market favorites (with a visit to the Union Square Greenmarket) to cooking comfort food classics, you’ll discover new talents and be a Top Chef for your family and friends.

50 West 23rd St. recreational.ice.edu

NATURAL GOURMET INSTITUTE More than 35 years ago, Dr. Annemarie Colbin started the Natural Gourmet Cookery School in the kitchen of her Upper West Side apartment. Over the decades it has become so popular worldwide that today the renamed Natural Gourmet Institute has become the leader in healthsupportive culinary education and has graduated over 2,500 chefs from over 45 countries. The school offers instruction in food that’s not only good to eat but also good for you. Scheduled classes include Amazing Desserts, Homemade Tofu, and Holiday Gifts. You’ll be using whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, sea vegetables, and natural sweeteners, among other ingredients, to make wholesome, energy-giving edibles.

48 West 21st St. naturalgourmetinstitute.com

PIZZA A CASA PIZZA SCHOOL

371 Grand St. pizzaschool.com

In the heart of Little Italy is Mark and Jenny Bello’s very own Pizza a Casa Pizza School. Here you’ll discover how to make quality pies at home (no pizza oven required). The four-hour class covers everything you’ll need to know for pizza perfection: dough making, shaping, topping, and baking. Opened in 2010, the school has attracted pizza lovers from near and far (some 30,000 in fact) who agree the art of pizza making is an unforgettable experience. The culinary camaraderie you’ll find here is like none other. By the way, there are special classes just for couples or cheese-specific exploring secrets of mozzarella.

JULIE SAHNI INDIAN COOKING SCHOOL Award-winning cooking teacher and former executive chef of Indian restaurants in New York City, Julie Sahni is the proprietor of the Julie Sahni Indian Cooking School. Ms. Sahni has also authored many cookbooks, including Savoring India: Recipes and Reflections on Indian Cooking, which garnered the Best International Cookbook Award. She has served on the faculty of New York University and Boston University’s culinary programs. As if that weren’t enough, Ms. Sahni also hosts annual cultural and culinary tours to India. Her first love, however, is her culinary school where students learn the cultural and religious philosophies behind different Indian cuisines. The four-hour Taste of India Workshop and Nan, Kulcha & Samosa Workshop are favorites; however, the school also offers Vegetarian, Ayurvedic Healing Vegetarian, and even Gluten-free classes. 306 West 57th St. surlatable.com

101 Clark St. Brooklyn, juliesahni.com

SUR LA TABLE You’ll leave completely satisfied after attending a class at the Sur La Table kitchenware shop, where classes, both demonstration and hands-on, include tasting-size portions of seasonal dishes. This month look for workshops including Thai Restaurant Favorites, Date Night Modern Tuscan Cooking, Confident Cooking (a three-part series), and Autumn Pies & Tarts. •

Photos by Rey Rosa Photography

UMBERTOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CLAM HOUSE 132 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013

(212) 431-7545

umbertosclamhouse.com

SWEET SENSATION By Emily Costa

here’s something about cooler weather that makes warm apple pie sound so deliciously inviting. They bring back memories of holidays and the idea of a comforting treat to go along with a crisp fall evening. It’s inevitable that from October to December, we will indulge in sweets, no matter how healthy our diets are! So, instead of always trying to cut out these fond memories, let’s take a step back and rethink dessert—the healthy way!

APPLE CRUMBLE Let’s start with apples, arguably the most popular go-to fruit to incorporate in desserts throughout the year; especially in the fall and winter. Apples are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C. Most commonly seen in a famous family recipe for apple pie; this fruit is not an ingredient to be overlooked when thinking about a healthy dessert. Because of their high fiber content, they are naturally filling, which helps curb the urge to indulge! I love the versatility of apples for baking and cooking. A simple, yet delicious, recipe is my take on a traditional apple crumble. Swapping out gluten-free oats for regular oats, and cornstarch for the flour in the filling, while cutting back on added sugar, you can still indulge in this fall treat with half the amount of guilt! The Recipe • 4 Apples peeled and cored (preferably Cortland or Granny Smith) • ¼ Cup of sugar • ½ Tsp vanilla • 1 Tbsp cornstarch • 1 Tsp cinnamon • 1 Tsp fresh lemon juice Topping • 1 Cup gluten-free oats • ⅓ Cup brown sugar • ½ Cup gluten-free flour blend • ½ Tsp cinnamon • ¼ Tsp nutmeg • ⅓ Cup of melted butter Toss all ingredients for the filling in a large mixing bowl. Make sure the apples are all evenly coated. Spoon into a 9” pie dish or cake pan and set aside. For the topping, whisk the brown sugar, oats, and flour together. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg. Once combined, mix in the melted butter until it’s a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the topping over the apple mixture. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until the apples are soft, and the top is golden brown. If the top is browning too quickly, add aluminum foil to the top for 10 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes so everything sets. • 76 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

ON THE BIG SCREEN By Pat Collins JACK REACHER NEVER GO BACK RATED R Despite the warning in the title, Reacher goes back to the military unit he once commanded for personal reasons. His successor Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is behind bars wrongly accused of treason. After busting her out of jail, Reacher and Turner move at lightning speed to outrun those involved in a military conspiracy. Reacher fans should expect an action packed cross country mission. The film is based on Reacher creator Lee Child’s 2013 best seller—the 18th book in the series. Full Disclosure: A family member was involved in the film’s production.

MIDDLE SCHOOL THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE RATED PG 13 The sixth grader Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) refers to his junior high as the Hills Village Prison For Middle Schools. He has many reasons to dread being the new kid in the class. One example: The clueless principal dictates that “creativity has no place in this school.” The movie is based on James Patterson’s 2011 best seller and was reportedly financed in part by Mr. Patterson whose books for grownups Along Came A Spider, Kiss The Girls among others have made him one of the country’s most financially successful authors. The movie company Lionsgate wisely scheduled a Columbus Day weekend opening to attract kids and parents looking for a family-friendly movie. THE ACCOUNTANT RATED R Ben Affleck who gave less than a memorable performance in the critically panned Batman v Superman plays Chris Wolff the titular character whose clients are wealthy mobsters. J.K. Simmons brings his commanding presence to the role of a U.S. Treasury Agent who is convinced Wolff is not the small town CPA he claims to be. One of Wolff ’s colleagues describes him as “having more in common with Einstein and Mozart than the rest of us”. But unlike the geniuses mentioned above, Wolff is the man who knows too much about other people’s money and wakes up every day wondering if it will be his last. 78 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN RATED R The film adaptation of Paula Hawkins phenomenally successful thriller arrives in theaters with a few changes. The location is New York, not London, and the commuter train of the title travels through Westchester, not the London suburbs. The Help’s director Tate Taylor cast British actress Emily Blunt, the costar of Edge Of Tomorrow and Sicario, as the jobless, alcoholic Rachel Watson who is emotionally derailed by a failed marriage. During her trips on Metro North, Rachel becomes creepily obsessed with a young wife and husband she frequently sees from her window seat. Coincidentally, the attractive couple—Megan and Scott—are neighbors of Rachel’s ex-husband and his new wife. The plot thickens when Megan mysteriously disappears. Mr. Tate assembled a solid supporting cast which includes Justin Theroux as Rachel’s former spouse. All aboard for a guaranteed box office hit. THE BIRTH OF A NATION RATED R Director and actor Nate Parker’s film won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Mr. Parker devoted eight years to bringing the story of Nat Turner’s 1831 slave rebellion to the big screen. His film covers Turner’s life from a childhood spent picking cotton on a Virginia plantation to his adult years as a popular and respected leader of his enslaved people. Sundance critics who gave the film glowing reviews compared it to the Academy Award winning 12 Years A Slave and Glory. The director who plays the adult Turner purposely chose a title associated with D.W. Griffith’s racist 1915 movie which glorified the Ku Klux Klan. INFERNO RATED PG 13 Tom Hanks and Ron Howard reunite for Harvard symbolist Robert Langdon’s third adventure in a sequel to Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. The film begins with Langdon in a Florence hospital. How he got there, he can’t recall. Sinister forces are at work and before he can sample the hospital’s gelato and pasta choices he is running through the dark streets of the city with the young, brainy Dr. Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones) to elude their enemies who include a female assassin and an MI5/ CIA-like consortium. One of Inferno’s most intriguing and dangerous characters is a billionaire geneticist committed to saving an overpopulated Earth by releasing a virus that will kill millions. OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL RATED PG 13 The theatrical release is well-timed to coincide with Halloween. The supernatural thriller which is a prequel to the 2014 original, features a new cast and is set 50 years before the events which transpired in the first movie. A widowed mother and her two daughters are phony psychics in the séance business. In the payback-is-a-youknow-what-department: one of the daughters is possessed by an evil spirit. But looking on the positive side, the experience may make for an unusual college entrance essay one day—or not. Cast members include Elizabeth Reaser, Annalise Basso, and Henry Thomas. Yes, he is the Henry Thomas who starred in Steven Spielberg’s ET! About Pat Collins 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. OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 79

ON STAGE REVIEWS WITH PAT COLLINS HEISENBERG SAMUEL J FRIEDMAN THEATER The Tony and Emmy Award winner Mary-Louise Parker reprises the role for which she received rave reviews in an Off-Broadway production of Simon Stephen’s two-hander about a relationship between Georgie Burns, an eccentric 40-something woman from New Jersey, and Alex Priest a 70-something London butcher. She initiates the odd affair by impulsively kissing Priest in a crowded train station. Denis Arndt co-starred with Ms. Parker in the original production of Mr. Stephen’s play about two people who have experienced loss and regret. Mr. Stephen is best known for adapting Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Nighttime, for Broadway. Ms. Parker won her Tony for Hedda Gabler and an Emmy playing Nancy Botwin in Showtime’s Weeds. LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES BOOTH THEATER Playwright Christopher Hampton’s stage adaptation of the 1782 novel of sex, intrigue, betrayal, and treachery has captivated audiences since its 1985 London debut. The play was revived on Broadway in 1987 with Lindsey Duncan and Alan Rickman and staged again in 2008 with Laura Linney and Ben Daniels. Glenn Close and John Malkovich were perfectly cast in the 1988 movie version. The critically acclaimed 21st-century revival imported from London’s Donmar Warehouse stars Tony winners Janet McTeer and Liev Schreiber. Dominic West played opposite Ms. McTeer in the production across the pond.

OH HELLO LYCEUM THEATER Georgetown graduates and Comedy Central alums Nick Kroll and John Mulaney bring their odd alter egos to Broadway after fine tuning their show Off Broadway. Gil Faizon (Kroll) and George St. Geegland (Mulaney) are divorced, middle-aged geeky bachelors obsessed with Alan Alda. Of course, many of us are Alda fans as well, but we are not as preoccupied with him as Kroll and Mulaney’s Upper West Side guys in turtlenecks are. The two funny men are on stage for 15 weeks only.

FINIAN’S RAINBOW IRISH REPERTORY THEATRE The Irish Repertory Company’s production of Finian’s Rainbow which debuted on Broadway in 1947 will open Off Broadway this month starring the popular Melissa Errico as Sharon. The Burton Lane— Yip Harburg musical debuted on Broadway in 1947 and since then was revived four times. Francis Ford Coppola directed a 1968 movie version with Fred Astaire and Petula Clark. A 1954 animated version featured the voices of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Finian’s enduring popularity is attributed to its memorable score which includes “That Old Devil Moon,” “Look To The Rainbow,” “When The Idle Poor Become,” “The Idle Rich,” and “How Are Things In Glocca Morra.” The title character and his daughter Sharon leave Ireland for America, carrying gold stolen from a leprechaun and bury their treasure near Fort Knox believing their wealth will multiply. They also underestimated the leprechaun’s determination to reclaim his gold. Their new community of Rainbow Valley is home to poor sharecroppers, tobacco farmers and a bigoted sheriff who answers to a crooked Senator. The issues of racial and income inequality resonate now as they did when the curtain went up in 1947. Sure to be in the audience on Finians’ opening night is tennis champion Patrick McEnroe who is married to Ms. Errico. Opening night: October 26th. 80 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

FIORELLO THE 13TH STREET THEATER The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical celebrates the life and political career of New York’s most beloved and charismatic Mayor LaGuardia who served three terms from 1934-1945. The first Broadway production opened in 1959 and was followed by three revivals including a superb 2013 production at City Center. Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s unforgettable score includes “Politics and Poker,” “A Little Tin Box,” “I Love A Cop,” and “Till Tomorrow.” Bob Moss, a founder of Playwrights Horizon, directs the Berkshire Theater Group’s production which surprisingly is the first time Fiorello will be performed Off-Broadway. The son of immigrants, Fiorello was a reform-minded Republican who took on Tammany Hall’s crooked politicians and was elected to Congress. Oh to have a time machine to bring back one of Gotham’s great Mayors.

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY/SPAMILTON TRIAD THEATER During its 34 years Off Broadway, Forbidden Broadway has hilariously spoofed hit shows such as Phantom Of The Opera, The Lion King, and Rent. It was just a matter of time before the clever parodists focused on the Tony-winning mega hit Hamilton. Spamilton was written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini who created Forbidden Broadway 34 years ago. Head to the Triad Theater before its final performance the end of October.

BROADWAY BUZZ THE COLOR PURPLE: Jennifer Holliday who took home a Tony award for her dazzling performance in director Michael Bennett’s 1981 production of Dreamgirls is back on Broadway as the outspoken Shug in The Color Purple. Another remarkable Jennifer—the Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson—played the same role when the musical opened last December at the Bernard Jacobs Theater. In 2007 Ms. Hudson won an Academy Award for the Effie role in the film version of Dream Girls—the role Ms. Holliday originated on stage. In June, The Color Purple’s famous producer Oprah Winfrey accepted the Tony for best revival of a musical. WICKED: On the night before Halloween the musical Wicked begins its 13th year on Broadway. What better way to spend the eve of All Hallow’s than with two rival sibling witches. Idina Menzel was the original Elphaba, and Kristin Chenoweth played the good witch Glinda.

THE ENCOUNTER JOHN GOLDEN THEATER Theater devotees who bemoan the lack of original and unusual productions this season should be enthusiastic about the new offering from British actor, director, and writer Simon McBurney. In his one-man show, McBurney retraces the 1969 adventures of Loren McIntyre, an American photojournalist who lived with the Mayoruna people in the Brazilian rain forest. Mr. McBurney presents that experience in an extraordinary way using binaural microphone technology to communicate with audience members wearing headphones. Variety’s theater critic in London where the production debuted described it as “immersive and transportive.” The Encounter runs two hours with no intermission. • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 81

PAT COLLINS’ PICKS OF HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES CAPTAIN FANTASTIC RATED R When the Oscar nominations are announced next January Viggo Mortensen’s name should be on the list for his extraordinary performance as Ben Cash, a widowed father raising six children in the woods of Washington State. He isolates his family from what he believes are the corrupting influences of popular culture and, instructs the kids ranging in age from 7 to 18 to survive in the wilderness. The three daughters and three sons have never seen TV or a cell phone, but they are proficient in math, science, and literature. The outside world intrudes when Ben’s wealthy father in law played by Frank Langella calls to inform his estranged son in law of the formal traditional service he has planned despite his daughter’s expressed wishes to be cremated. Ben and the children’s road trip to the maternal grandparents’ estate in New Mexico results in an ugly confrontation between Ben and Jack. Despite the film’s disappointing melodramatic last half hour director Matt Ross’ film was well received at Sundance and is worth seeing if only for its exceptional performances.

X-MEN APOCALYPSE RATED PG 13 Director Bryan Singer relies on visual effects to maintain the audience’s interest in the franchise’s ninth installment. Unfortunately, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, arguably the film series most popular character, does not appear in this sequel. Returning X-Men characters include James McAvoy’s Professor Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender’s Magneto, Jennifer Lawrence as Raven/Mystique and Oscar Isaac as the titular villain who time travels from 3600 BC to wreak havoc in 1983. With so many X-men for movie goers to keep track of during a too long movie, the costume designer should have been encouraged to place the characters names on the back of their distinctive clothing. Hockey and football players’ names are displayed on their uniforms. Why not adopt the same ID tradition for the X-Men team? 82 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS RATED PG In a dull sequel to Tim Burton’s enchanting 2010 film Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter is a sad Hatter coping with the loss of his family. A brave and selfreliant ship captain Alice Kinsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) leaves her domineering fiancé, sails to Wonderland and emerges from a gilded mirror in the Hatter’s ballroom. At the urging of the White Queen (Ann Hathaway) Alice goes back in time to save the Hatter’s loved ones. The movie’s villain “Time” is played by Sasha Baron Cohen whose acting career should have ended with Borat. The sibling conflict between the good White Queen and the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) fails to enliven the plot. Under James Bobin’s direction, the film relies on Ms. Wasikowska’s plucky heroine and spectacular CGI to prevent the audience from nodding off with the Dormouse.

HALLOWEEN IN STYLE BATES MOTEL SEASON 4 Vera Farmiga as protective mom Norma Louise Bates explores her options as son Norman’s erratic behavior forces her to seek professional advice. Freddie Highmore costars in the A&E series which is a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. PENNY DREADFUL SEASON 3 Showtime’s horror series features iconic nightmare inducing villains including Dr. Frankenstein, The Wolfman and other frightening Victorian era characters. Eva Green, Reeve Carney and Timothy Dalton costarred in a scary Season 3. AMERICAN HORROR STORY SEASON 5 The FX series attracts a diverse cast of stars and Season 5 was no exception with Sarah Paulson, Lady Gaga, Chloe Sevigny, Angela Bassett and Misery’s Kathy Bates among those who apparently have a higher tolerance for terror than most of us. THE GOOD WITCH SEASON 2 A less scary option is the Hallmark Channel’s series starring Catherine Bell as the newly widowed Cassandra “Cassie” Nightingale who runs a B&B and the Bell Book and Candle bookshop in the small town of Middleton. Hallmark recently renewed the program Season 3. GHOSTBUSTERS RATED PG 13 Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon take on Manhattan poltergeists 32 years after the all-guy team was slimed.

THE INFILTRATOR RATED R Bryan Cranston’s character, Robert Mazur, is not dissimilar from Walter White the chemistry teacher drug dealer of Breaking Bad. The key difference is Mazur was a good guy who as a U.S. Customs official went undercover as a business person to find evidence that led to the arrest and conviction of notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Mr. Mazur whose alias was Bob Musella cast himself as a flamboyant money launderer for the mob to gain access to Escobar and his henchmen. In the supporting cast is John Leguizamo as a fellow agent, Diane Lane playing Mazur’s wife and Benjamin Bratt is Escobar’s top lieutenant. The film is based on Mazur’s 1986 memoir. Escobar was killed in 1993. • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 83

ARTISTS TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE By Maria Van Vlodrop

longside the glittering worlds of finance and entertainment in New York City is the vibrant arts community. This November 1st thru 25th, MvVO ART is presenting the debut of the Accessible Art Fair New York edition at the iconic National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, Manhattan. Works by sixty emerging contemporary artists—selected by a jury of art professionals from Sotheby’s, artnet, Christie’s, and Gagosian Galleries—will be exhibited. The Fair removes barriers between artists and collectors and creates a welcoming environment for the discovery of great talent. New York Lifestyles Magazine spoke to three of the participating artists and asked, “What inspires you and your connection to New York City?”

ANDREW GERSHON My connection to the city is physical in that I have lived in New York City for the past 17 years and have been coming here regularly since 1982. I grew up in Kansas City and will always be a Midwesterner in heart and mind. However, as inspiration goes, New York City’s past is what inspires me. The city then fused the art and disco, punk rock, architecture, performance art, and pushed all types of cultural boundaries. The city where the poor and rich intersected with politicians, mobsters, hustlers, as well as actors, artists, and musicians. This is the New York that still inspires me because the results of this real melting pot of the past are so influential in the arts: The music from Leonard Bernstein to The Talking Heads, from Norman Mailer to Paul Auster. The list is long, impressive and cannot be rivaled by any city. The inspiration and influence aren’t particular to my art, but it forms everything else around it. It gives me the confidence to be an artist. It gives me permission to try ideas that fail. It gives the ability to make art that sometimes borders on exposing a part of my essence. This is the influence of the city and its past on me. It makes me want to create one piece, just one piece, that might survive well beyond my lifetime. The one piece that someone can look at and understand themselves a little bit better because I can communicate that emotion to them. 84 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

MARCEL CUEPPENS Having married an American, I always planned to move from Brussels to New York City one day. But that day was always delayed. As an honorable New Yorker once said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” There was that move to London for a couple of years, which is probably the closest thing to living in New York if you reside in Europe, but the real thing had to wait until 2014. I had been to New York many times, for work (I’m an ex-ad man) or for fun, and every time it felt like being on a film set. I’ve been living in this movie for two years now, and it feels great! It’s so different from Brussels, where I felt like I knew everything and everyone there is to know. (I now think everybody should move to another country at least once in his lifetime). I became a full-time artist/painter in 2012; I have been living as an artist in New York for two years now. It has had an impact on my work. I think I have become more of an artist in New York. There are so many more art events here! It’s a cliché, but the city does give you a boost! Strangely I had more New York architecture in mind as a subject, the windows, the buildings before I moved. It’s like I don’t need to evoke New York anymore. I live here and for now, I am in my neo-Modernist phase. Modernism is all over New York, and many of my heroes lived or worked here. Their traces are all over the city; just a few subway stops away.

YAN DIMITROVA As an artist based in New York City, I find myself always feeling inspired—thinking about my next piece, and the one after that, and the one after... I feel that the world we live in is a vast pool of constant creative inspiration—be it minute details in my environment: the colors I observe, or current events, history, the news, or invisible moments and experiences of life. Within all of these stimulations, one aspect always has a special place in my creative process—the people! They and communities are tremendously important to my work—their experiences, their lives, and my particular connection to people. This is why I choose to live in New York, a place where I can observe, participate and engage with people from so many different places in so many different and inspiring ways. I believe artists have an incredible power to see our surroundings differently and communicate ideas about the world in a unique way. Being in New York is tremendously stimulating for me, conceptually, artistically and personally. This is a place where I feel that I can ask important and valid questions while doing the work that matters to me. For more information on the Accessible Art Fair New York, visit mvvoart.com. • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 85

ABOUT BOOKS By Joan Bauer

n our world where “the spirit of the times,” according to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson, is “joyless urgency,” it is a pleasure to read an Anne Tyler novel. Few authors understand the nature of relationships and simple moments like she does.

“Huh,” she said. “Can you bring it?” “Bring it now?” “Right.”

VINEGAR GIRL BY ANNE TYLER I finished Vinegar Girl with a sigh, with a smile, and with gratitude for the quiet way she wove a story of, well, shrewishness (this is a reworking of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew). Although our shrew, Kate Battista, has reasons for her snark. She’s not an official shrew; she’s mostly just irritated. “Too tall, too outspoken, too brassy,” 29-year-old Kate is stuck everywhere. She lost her mother after her much younger sister was born. She dropped out of college. Her father drives her crazy. She’s living at home, in charge, mostly, of her 15-year-old sister Bunny who is her polar opposite—blonde, perky, popular; while Kate has a thick, unattractive sense to her, except for her long, glorious hair. It’s as if life’s heaviness and it’s social expectations, which Kate doesn’t get, all work to make her tough like the beef jerky she chomps on. No one has sent her flowers. No one has professed love for her. No one has stayed around to be her friend. They have moved on, and she has stayed. It’s not supposed to be like this. But Kate is dutiful. She goes to work each day at the Charles Village Little People’s School, where the little girls in Room 4 play break-up (the ballerina doll ditches the sailor doll, but he had it coming). She is an assistant there—no power—though an inability to mince words thuds heavily on the heads of nervous parents one too many times. The headmistress warns Kate—learn tact, restraint, and diplomacy, or you’re out. Kate tries to tame her bluntness but finds herself a stranger in a strange land. This is where Tyler’s lovely multi-layered theme of the struggle “to live in another language” begins. It was once whispered about Kate, “She has no plan.” But her father has one, the kind that can land people in jail. Dr. Battista, a wellknown autoimmune researcher (but not as famous as he wished), has a brilliant research assistant whose 0-1 Visa is about to expire. The loss of this assistant could mean the end to Dr. Battista’s life’s work, and it occurs to this father that the easiest way to keep Pyotr in the country is for Kate, his woefully unmarriageable daughter, to marry him. Just a formality, of course. In the name of science, of course. And think of the lives that will be saved. “Kate,” her father was saying, “pick up.” She lifted the receiver. “What,” she said. “I forgot my lunch.” Her eyes went to the counter beside the fridge where, sure enough, his lunch sat precisely where she had set it the night before. She always used those clear plastic bags that supermarket produce came in, and the contents were plainly visible: a Tupperware sandwich box and an apple. 86 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

“...I’m not the Express,” she said.

Pony

“What else have you got to do?” he asked her. Not that much. It’s such an innocent beginning, but soon Kate is appalled, we are appalled, and Tyler’s trademark humor surges. Pyotr, ever the scientist, lives in the details. He brings Kate chocolate, announcing the gift: “Ninety percent cacao. Flavonoids. Polyphenols.” He stiffly instructs: “In my country we have proverb... Work, when it is divided into segments is a shorter total period of time than work when it is all together in one unit.” To that, Kate can only reply, “Catchy.” There are ideas of substance at work here, too, about duty, character, sacrifice, and relationships. What does it mean to be part of a couple, even in name only? Does that change your status in others’ eyes? Would Kate ever get more than this offer? All is at risk, from destiny to honor to the mice in Dr. Battista’s research laboratory. Kate tries to sound kinder; Pyotr tries to sound American, and they both struggle like nervous new drivers navigating in heavy traffic. Tyler is having a good time, and so are we. Thankfully, we are in the confident hands of a writer who takes her time. She doesn’t need to over-explain or bring in a car chase. Her characters are so real and so distinct that you can almost reach into the book and touch them, and if some of 15-year-old Bunny’s dialogue seems too adult, it hardly matters. There is a strange grace at work here as selfish motives and hard hearts give way to the improbabilities of love. Tyler has said that during the writing process she falls in love with her characters. We do, too. Even the laboratory mice—we know they matter. I suppose the lowkey miracle of Anne Tyler’s work is how she layers meaning and connectedness under a parade of small, distinct human moments. Through wit and precision, she allows the reader to see her characters most clearly through laughter. I applaud her for taking the Bard’s well-travelled tale and making it her own. • Joan Bauer is a New York Times bestselling novelist and winner of the Newbery Honor Award, the LA Times Book Prize, and two Christopher Awards. Her latest novel is Soar, published by Viking/Penguin Random House. Connect with her on Twitter @joan_ bauer or at joanbauer.com.

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PAMPERED PETS By Stacey Delikat

hen it comes to spending on our pets, some of us will spare no expense. The American Pet Products Association found Americans spent $60 billion on everything from food, to vet care, to services for their pets last year. That number is only expected to rise in 2016. Today, dog owners are ordering up specially-prepared “take-out” meals, making appointments with the acupuncturist, and even consulting with an event planner to celebrate a milestone. And that’s just the beginning. Read on and get inspired!

GOURMET FOOD Twice a week, Jax gets a special delivery to his Tribeca apartment. The white cardboard box is handlabeled with his name and neatly packed with individually portioned meals and snack bags. “I figured, we’re in Manhattan, always on the go, constantly ordering take-out, so it only seemed natural that now the option is available for pets as well,” said Aly Kirsch, a Tribeca mom. New Yorkers have long had access to specially-tailored, chef-designed, calorie-counted meal delivery services, but now, gourmet meals are available on-demand for pets, too. Once Jax, a Cavapoo puppy, tried his first meal from delivery service Doggy Chef (doggychef.com), he put a firm paw down when it came to never going to back to eating out of something as pedestrian as a can. “We used to feed him wet dog food and mixed it with dry kibble. He liked it,” said Kirsch. “But after trying Doggy Chef, when we went to give him the usual mixture of the dog food - he walked away!” Doggy Chef is one of a growing number of start-ups like Pet Plate (petplate.co) and The Farmer’s Dog (thefarmersdog.com) that deliver homemade, human-grade dog food direct to your door. Think menu choices like beefquinoa meatballs, chicken and broccoli with brown rice and basil truffle treats. “You see that it’s like something a human would eat,” said Kirsch. “It looks appetizing to me. Sometimes I feel like he’s eating even better than we are.” The ingredients for Doggy Chef ’s recent limited-edition “Salad,” read like a recipe you might find in a California-inspired cookbook: sardines, whole wheat pasta, watermelon, parsley and multi-vitamin mix. “Some of our options are gluten free, some are grain free, some are poultry free. So there is something for every dog,” said Deborah Goldberg, who started Doggy Chef earlier this year. Goldberg graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education, 88 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

only to decide she wanted to cook gourmet food for dogs. She launched her business in April and now cooks for about 150 dogs in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Meals range from $4.95 a dish to $150 a month for twice-weekly delivery. Not necessarily human-grade pricing, but much more than the regular pet food most of us rely on. “Today, people are investing so much effort and money in staying healthy, exercise, eating organic for themselves,” Goldberg said. “So they want to do the same for their dogs.” The dogs may love the fresh “human” food, but as to whether it’s better for them, Dr. Richard Goldstein, the Chief Medical Officer at the Animal Medical Center says not necessarily. “An entirely ‘human-grade’ diet of whole foods for a dog is not necessarily the best choice for your pet,” Goldstein said. “The most important thing to consider when choosing dog food is whether or not it’s complete and balanced, or more specifically if it is a diet made specifically for dogs. Because the nutritional requirements for dogs are very different than those in humans.” That said, he added the fresh, made-to-deliver foods could be a good option for a healthy dog with no underlying disease.

ACUPUNCTURE We love our furry companions so much, we want to improve and extend their lives, and entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity, whether through fancy food or services like dog massage and acupuncture. “There’s no limit to what you can do to spoil your pet these days,” said Dana Humphrey, who is known as The Pet Lady (thepetlady. net) and tracks the latest industry trends and products. “They’re becoming our family members. And just like family members, they sleep, eat good food, and love. It’s just a different way we’re looking at the way the pet is in the household.” Dr. Tracy Akner is a veterinarian and animal acupuncturist (acupunctureforyourdog.com) who makes dozens of house calls across Manhattan each week to treat dogs and cats. She charges $275 a visit and treats animals with everything from chronic digestive and orthopedic problems to anxiety. Her patients include Bosi, a six-year-old, prize-winning Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who lives on the Upper East Side and has been getting treatments for years for a heart condition and inflammatory mouth condition. Akner has been doing acupuncture on pets for a decade but says the specialty has taken off in recent years. “I get more calls now,” she said. “I think there are people who have a real intense connection with their pet and take care of them the way they would take care of a child or themselves.”

CELEBRATIONS & MORE We’re not just spending on food and health services, but on “pawdicures,” Ralph Lauren-inspired doggy outfits, and pet parties. Yes, in some dog-obsessed circles, it’s now the norm to throw lavish parties for your pet. There are “Barkday” parties, “Bark Mitzvahs,” and even dog weddings. “It’s more common than you think nowadays. Everyone we know is having a dog party for their pet,” said Paige Chernick, who threw a “barkday” celebration for her 3-year-old Golden Doodle, Charlie, last year and is planning another one in the fall. “We’ve gone to quite a few this year, and we had our own,” said Cara Foldes, who threw a “Woofstock”- themed party with a friend. “It’s almost like planning a wedding, to be honest with you. There’s a lot

of stress and planning, but we have such a great time celebrating our dogs.” But no need to take all that “pawty”-planning stress upon yourself. Hayley Ramunno runs Puppy Parties NYC (puppypartiesnyc. com), a full-service event planning company for dogs. “We do everything from start to finish: invitations, the decorations, the set up,” said Ramunno. She used to plan corporate and social events for humans, but a successful princess-themed party for her own dog, Bailey, several years ago turned an idea into a business. “After the event, people just could not stop talking about the party,” she said. “We’d see our friends a year later, and they would tell us how great the party was, so I knew it would be something.” Ramunno charges between $300 to $1,500 to plan a puppy party spectacular. Most events are themed and include special dog-friendly “pup cakes” and treats, and specialty cocktails like “barkeritas”. It’s like you’re going to throw a party for your kid if your child has a first or second birthday so why not throw a “barkday” party for your dog?” she said. In this day and age of doggy-ownership, nothing is outside the realm of “pawsibility”! • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 89

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By Scott Statland

ost pet owners know full well that their fourlegged friends are members of the family. Just look around. More and more you see petfriendly restaurants, hotels, and vacation spots across the country. We are taking them everywhere we go now. With this change in attitude has also brought about new concerns for pet owners. This new “freedom” may also trigger the possibility of losing your four-legged friend. A traumatic experience for any family. How do we find a lost pet? Where do we begin? The most common, of course, are the lost dog flyers taped to neighborhood poles. After a while, these become damaged and are often minimally helpful at best. ID tags with your name and number are the second most common method. Then there are microchips: small RFID transmitters implanted under your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. They are read by specialized scanners that are available to veterinarians and most animal rescue groups— but not readily accessible to the public. Then we have the new PetTrakr tags, which have attempted to combine the best parts of every pet identification currently available They are visible to the people that will find your pet, and unlike microchips, can be scanned by any smart device. They can be easily updated at any time by logging into your pets web page, providing geo-tracking data, maps, and directions to you when your pet’s tag is scanned. This device also has an alert system to veterinarians and shelters nationwide so if your pet is lost and away from home you’ll quickly discover the where the nearest shelters and vets are located. It is important to understand that no one form of pet identification can guarantee your pets return. Some experts recommend using more than one preventative measure to ensure recovered pet. •

MIDTOWN’S DESIGN RUNWAY By Elizabeth Darwen

alking into New York’s Decoration & Design Building (DDB) is like walking into an interior design fashion show. Internationally recognized as the world’s premier design center, DDB is home to over 130 international showrooms, to the trade only, featuring the very best in residential and commercial interior furnishings and accessories. Many showrooms feature artisanal offerings and customized collections and products—similar to those carefully selected materials and fabrics of a fashion designer.

A DESIGNER’S DREAM At the DDB, interior designers and industry professionals can find inspiration in the refinement of French interiors, such as finely crafted furniture, ornamental wallpapers, wallcoverings, luxurious fabrics, and accessories, in one of its French designer showrooms. Or, if they prefer, immerse themselves in the lighting showroom of a New York fine artist and lighting designer, featuring collections spanning from unique Gothic, Colonial, and Art Nouveau to modern, minimalistic designs. The iconic building also hosts the largest importer of silk Adras Ikats in the world, inviting designers into a sea of colorful and patterned luxurious handmade silk fabrics, available in over 100 colors and patterns. This vendor’s product range is available exclusively on their website and showcase at the DDB. Next, enter the space of a bespoke door designer, showcasing the ultimate line of uniquely customized luxury doors, each with a personality of its own, and each an individual work of art crafted to perfection from the finest woods available.

LOCATION, LOCATION Conveniently situated in Midtown Manhattan, the DDB is an invaluable resource for industry professionals and design enthusiasts who seek to create and decorate homes and commercial installations of distinctive quality. It is owned and developed by Charles S. Cohen, who is known for his brilliant repositioning of commercial real estate. Cohen’s umbrella company Cohen Design Centers owns and manages the DDB; the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California; Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Florida; and the Decorative Center Houston in Texas. Aside from the plethora of inspirational showrooms, the DDB also offers some additional services, including its Design Professionals Program, as well as exclusive educational opportunities, focusing on design, art, architecture, and lifestyle. Additionally, the Designer Referral Program is a complimentary service that helps individuals locate an interior designer who best suits their taste, project scope, and budget. The DDB hosts two major market events each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The markets, which are often held in partnership with the world’s top editorial voices and industry trade organizations, examine all aspects of design and the decorative arts. Over 2,000 design professionals and enthusiasts attend these markets, with over 150 in attendance at each of the DDB keynote presentations. The building also incorporates Upper Story, situated on the 14th floor. It’s easily accessible location is ideal for all types of business and social events for groups up to 300. The event space is overseen by renowned celebrity chef Charlie Palmer and serves a thoughtful menu. Decoration & Design Building 970 Third Avenue 212-759-5408 ddbuilding.com • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 91

ENTREPRENEUR’S CORNER By Patricia Canole

e all know the Big Apple is the core of finance, entertainment, media and, of course, fashion. Last month designers showered us with the latest in haute couture. This month, however, fashion runways are still lighting up the city with the newest in bridal fashion. It’s a week where bridal designers unite with buyers and members of the press, invite-only behind-the-scenes viewings, and non-stop rushing to the next celebrity-studded show uptown, downtown and all around town. New York Lifestyles tracked down one designer who for the past 35 years has been inspiring the world of bridal fashion. Demetrios—an icon in the bridal industry—continues to be the one name that has become synonymous with luxurious gowns. He is headquartered in the Fashion District with salons throughout the US and a global vision that has expanded his company into Europe, South Africa and beyond. At his Manhattan showroom in the Fashion District, we found Demetrios putting the finishing touches on the latest styles before showtime. We were thrilled to see his most recent 2017 Collection which is unquestionably feminine. He makes it his mission to make each bride radiate with a dream-like elegance and sophistication. What has made Demetrios so enduring through the decades is his unique ability to design incredibly gorgeous gowns that are simply unforgettable. One thing he does promise is that Spring 2017 will be a passage to a new attitude of looking positively chic and stylish!

92 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

Why is this collection so different than past showings? The 2017 Collection stands apart from my previous collections because it offers ultra-chic trends balanced by timeless design. It is one of my unique lines consisting of alluring sleeves, plunging and natural illusion necklines, and dramatic backs in a diverse array of silhouettes with intricacies to captivate any bride-to-be. I have incorporated a blend of style and artistry to this new collection. Classic and contemporary paired with luxurious fabrics, lace patterns creating the most trendsetting designs. You recently celebrated over three decades in the bridal industry. Can you explain the Demetrios philosophy and whether it has changed throughout the years? My philosophy hasn’t changed. I believe the experience of buying a wedding gown should be exceptional and one a woman should look back on and cherish. Brides so often feel vulnerable when it comes to choosing “the gown” for the most important day of their life, and they need to be in expert hands, working with someone with experience who will listen and understand them. I have ensured that everyone who works at a Demetrios Salon can offer expert advice. And now that I’ve expanded, my gowns are even more widely available around the world. You’re clearly very passionate about the industry. How did you get started? I was born near Athens in Greece, but before too long my parents decided to move the family to America and settled in Ohio. During this time, I helped my parents at their family-owned bridal salon and discovered an interest in bridal. The idea of designing wedding gowns grew and since then has been an incredible experience. What do you enjoy most about being a designer? I like designing gowns for women and transforming them to look more beautiful than ever before. Designing a wedding dress is about realizing someone’s dream that will often have been with them since childhood. The brides you dress are very stylish. In three words what is it about your style that attracts brides-to-be? I can do it in two: Understated glamour! What are the hottest trends you predict for 2017? Lace: Very light, beautiful laces. People think of lace as traditional, but the laces we use are soft and cut into contemporary styles. This coming season you will see even more sleeves. There is also a strong emphasis on dramatic back. Glamour is everywhere! What is your advice to the bride-to-be? There is no such thing as a perfect look—it all depends on the bride. The ideal wedding dress is the one that reflects most accurately her style and character. The best advice I could give is not to go too far with the sophistication. Sometimes less is more! Tell us something we don’t know about you? I am a minimalist. This is reflected in the design of my home and salons, which are very simple in terms of décor. The bridal industry has seen many transformations over the years with trends that come and go. But one thing has not changed: Demetrios’ passion for creating gowns will forever remain the same. For more information on the Demetrios Collection, visit demetriosbride.com • OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 93

MY NEW YORK STORY By Ursula Staudinger

y husband and I moved to New York from Germany after I had been recruited as the founding director of the Columbia Aging Center and immediately felt at home. I lived for many years in Berlin, another great city, and honestly feel like an urban creature. But I also love nature. In its way, New York gives me both environments at once. I love my mornings of walking my rounds in Riverside Park, the westward view of the Hudson its spectacular sunsets, and biking along the Hudson River either up towards Westchester or down to Battery Park. And I very much enjoy walking down Broadway running errands or ending a day at Lincoln Center or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You could live in the Met and never tire of it.

EASY ACCESS So when people ask me where I want to grow old, I can’t think of a better place than New York. After three years in this beautifully green neighborhood bookended by two great parks, it’s no surprise to me why my neighborhood came in at number 2 in a recent ranking of livability. But it’s not just the parks that make it enjoyable. What makes it livable for people of all ages is the easy access to stores, and transportation, the walkability, the opportunities for civic and social engagement, for continuing education and most of all the potential for inclusion of all residents. Unfortunately, affordability of housing—one big factor that plays into livability—is not a term one associates these days with Manhattan or New York. We need to do a lot better on that so that everyone can reap the benefits of aging well while living in “the greatest city in the world” to quote Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Living so close to Columbia University’s Morningside campus, you might think that my perspective might be skewed toward the younger. Swarms of undergraduates arrive at the end of each August! But the neighborhood is abundant with faculty of all nationalities and ages, and residents who’ve lived here and chosen to stay well into their older age. And taking the No. 1 train every workday up to the Medical Campus of Columbia University and to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where “Amazing Things are Happening,” it feels like taking a trip to the Caribbean as CUMC is embedded in a neighborhood of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Where else in the world is it so quick and cheap to take that trip? This is what makes living in NYC on the West Side so exciting. Livability applies to old and young, and many different ethnic groups. 94 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

IMPROVE THE AGING PROCESS Let’s not forget: New York is the core premise of the Age-Friendly City initiative of the World Health Organization. My colleague and associate director of the Columbia Aging Center, Ruth Finkelstein, was a principal architect of Age-friendly New York. And one of the primary research and policy topics we’re focused on together is to improve the contexts that we are in, be it our neighborhood or be it at work. Through my research as a lifespan psychologist, I have come to understand that our aging process is not entirely set in stone at conception. Of course, our genetic makeup plays a significant role in how our aging will unfurl. But the context in which we age, and our behavior and attitudes influence the process as well. The conclusion I have drawn with many researchers in aging science is that aging is, in fact, modifiable. This means there are a large number of things we can do as individuals and as a society to improve the aging process so that we remain cognitively and physically fit, engaged, satisfied and fulfilled. People often have no idea how much their physical fitness can contribute to staying cognitively healthy. My research demonstrated that cardiovascular training and other types of physical activities are associated with an increase in

AN AGING SOCIETY If we are going to be living lives that extend well into our 80s and 90s and perhaps beyond, don’t we want to continue to have opportunities to learn new skills? To work longer if we are able? Research shows how novelty, social connections and meaningful engagement—three of the things we get from education, work and

the brain’s ability to quickly process new information. New Yorkers are blessed in that regard as physical activity is practically built into living here since most of us get around largely on foot. If you can pick up the pace, it’s great for your brain. But again, what we do or not do—because we have to or because we want to—has significant influence over our development as human beings. And one thing is clear: we don’t stop developing at age 20! We continue to change throughout our lives. Contexts matter. The isolation that tends to come as we age and to wreak havoc with our health and well-being is in part a product of how we’ve conceived of our environments, our institutions, and societal structures. We need to rethink these so that we can all continue to develop and optimize our longer lives.

volunteerism—help keep our brains, bodies, and souls healthy. Learning new tasks at work is particularly beneficial. No one wants to do the same thing for 20 and more years! But our notions about education need to change to build in the opportunity for learning across the lifespan. Here again, NYC is a champion. With its incredibly rich nexus of educational institutions, New York could be the perfect Petrie dish in which to study the benefits of an education at 40, 50, and 60 years old and beyond. Which brings me back to Columbia University, where our Columbia Aging Center resides. It’s university-wide, interdisciplinary approach takes full advantage of Columbia’s deep bench of expertise—from the social sciences, the business school and engineering to biology and neurology—to understand and further healthy aging. As an incubator of ideas, the University offers the remarkable opportunity to convene a broad range of researchers. The Columbia Aging Center is currently funding diverse projects from topics like how hormones produced by bone change muscle function and thereby influence cognitive aging, or how curiosity contributes to longevity, to others like how to foster successful aging among lesbian and gay adults. In essence, my New York is not only a great place to grow old, but it’s also an excellent laboratory to study aging and gain better insight into how best to grow old. •

OCTOBER 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 95

Baruch Shemtov with David Barton

15 MINUTES WITH DAVID BARTON By Baruch Shemtov

avid Barton reinvented the gym experience in 1992 with his chain of David Barton Gyms. Instead of the sterile environment accessible at the time, Barton’s gyms felt more like nightclubs, motivating members with mood lighting and pulsating dance beats. After leaving the company in 2013, Barton embarked on a new journey, opening TMPL Gym in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. With the gym’s unique, technology-focused approach to fitness and an emphasis on metabolic analysis, Barton is once again redefining the way we work out. What makes TMPL unique? When I started my first business, I wanted to update the gym business. It was the ‘90s, and I wanted to make it okay for people who didn’t want to go to the gym because it wasn’t cool. I started TMPL because I feel the gym business needs another updating, and it’s a new model by which members are serviced individually, not as one homogeneous group of people. Every person can be assessed based on their unique metabolic profile, and this is a very different way to look at this business as a service. Why is an individualized approach so necessary? It’s the future. It will allow people to finally know that they can change their body in a predictable way; tell them exactly how their body will look and feel based on what’s going on with their metabolism. Chemistry overrides physics all day long. So, the body’s chemistry, to understand that is to be able to control how somebody’s body will change. What’s been your fitness philosophy over the years? A little information goes a long way. 96 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | OCTOBER 2016

People are so misinformed out there about what works. There’s a lot of information out there on social media and YouTube and magazines. It’s very easy for people to spend a lot of time and energy and spin their wheels. So my philosophy is to try to educate the people who come here about what will work. Because usually minor adjustments will go a long way. What would be your best advice for someone who’s just getting started with their personal fitness? Come to TMPL. Get useful information so that you’re not doing something that’s ineffective or injurious. There are some basic movements that the body is designed to perform and doing those movements against resistance will make the muscles firm and beautiful. The human body hasn’t evolved in a long time, so the rules haven’t changed. What’s kept you motivated over the years? Vanity. TMPL Gym 355 West 49th Street 917-521-6666 tmplgym.com •

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