New York Lifestyles Magazine - September 2017

Vol. 3 #8 | September 2017

New Mission With The Next Generation MEET NYC'S

NEW HOME TEAM

JUST RELEASED

BOOK REVIEWS

BACK TO SCHOOL

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13 FEATURES 10 12 13 18 44 48

Publisher’s Note September Calendar Jean Shafiroff: Teaching New Generations To Give Back NYC’s New Home Team Through The Lens With Annie Watt Joan Hornig: Roll It Forward

FASHION & BEAUTY 20 Dressing: A Natural Act 22 Ciao Wrinkles, Hello Smooth Skin

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TRAVEL 25 28 30 34 36

Inside Providence Leaf Peeping in Stowe, VT The Allure Of Italy Thai High Style London Calling: The “Suitest” Place

REAL ESTATE & HOME DECOR 38 39 43 51 55 58 60

REDinNYC Chateau Des Jardins Spotlight: Taylor Spellman 265 East Houston The Eugene Manhattan Views At MiMa Henry Hall

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58

HEALTH & WELLNESS 62 64 66 68

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Spa Scene: Premier 57 The Future of Fertility Medicine Tech Talk School Lunch: A Healthy Twist

DINING 70 Classic French Meets Modern American 72 A West Village Jewel: Mah-Ze-Dahr 74 How To Score The Best Table In NYC

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THEATER & ARTS 76 78 80 82 83 84

Big Screen Previews On Stage Pat Collins’ Picks of Home Entertainment A Look At Manhattan Theater Club On The Bookshelf Movie Glitz In Hell’s Kitchen

NEW YORK, NY 88 90 92 94 96

9/11 Tribute Museum Paws Down, Tails Up Entrepreneur’s Corner: Catherine Marion My New York Story: Kate Brashares 15 Minutes With Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin

6 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

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ISSN 2474-770X

Check us out on the web!

Vol. 3 #8 | September 2017 President / Publisher Bill Mason

Read Any of Our Issues In Digital Format on:

Issuu.com | Apple Newsstand | Our Website

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

Feature Editor Joan Hornig

Real Estate Editor Daniel J. Bollinger

Fashion & Style Editor Miki Makrillos

Contributing Editors Clint Brownfield, Ruth J. Katz

Chief Photographer Annie Watt

Contributing Writers Jim Bernstein, Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN Norah Bradford, Kate Brashares, Dr. Alan Copperman Karen Feld, Lee Gabay, Judy Goss, Ann Grenier Karen Jacobs, Peter Kalellis, Gretchen Kelly Meriam Lobel, Anthony Rapacciuolo, Anne Raso, Richie Realms Baruch Shemtov, Bill Spadea, Patricia Stark, Christine Stoddard Leigh Stringer, Jeff & Stephanie Sylva, Leslie Termuhlen Susan Traub, Gigi Stone Woods, Lori Simmons Zelenko Internet Presence Scott Cuollo, Richard Austin Advertising BLUE VISTA 725 Sales Bill Mason Sr. - Director of New Business Development Brett Caldwell - Director of Integrated Sales and Marketing John Miller - Director of Sales - Travel Michael Stulmaker - Director of Sales - Real Estate Francine Dingeman - Senior Sales Manager Crystal Stephens - Senior Sales Manager New York Sales Office (646) 259-2651

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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 10 times annually. © 2017 New York Lifestyles Magazine

Cover Photo by Michael Paniccia

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE “New York Lifestyles Magazine is a continuation of my passion to share news, information and lifestyle about where and how we live. This commitment reflects a positive approach to offering compelling features with the highest quality presentation. As executive publisher, I am proud of our professional staff and my family who are helping to reshape the way you read and enjoy this exciting magazine.”

STORM AND THE FAWN have always loved animals, especially my childhood dog, Danny Boy. Well recently, I had a special treat to meet Storm, the amazing Golden Retriever who’s been hailed as a hero for his quick response to help save a drowning baby deer.

“What happened was magical,” said his proud owner, Mark Freeley when I interviewed him on my 6 pm newscast on FOX 5. As they were both walking along the beach one Sunday morning, Storm quickly spotted something in Long Island Sound. Suddenly, the dog jumped right into the water making his way to the little fawn and gently pulling it safely to shore. What a beautiful moment!

Now, there’s also something very unusual about all this. Storm’s owner told me that his dog has never tried to retrieve things, a branch, not even a ball. But in this remarkable instance, “Storm knew just what he had to do,” said Mike.

The whole scene was captured on video and posted on YouTube with more than 3 million views.

Well, that’s man’s best friend—and one lucky baby deer’s, too!

-Ernie Anastos

Executive Publisher New York Lifestyles Magazine “Our City, Your Life”

Ernie Anastos with Storm

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 | SEPTEMBER 2017

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SEPTEMBER 2017 CALENDAR 3RD BRAZILIAN DAY Join this lively festival celebrating Brazil’s Independence with music, dance, and food of “Little Brazil” (near 46th Street). brazilday.com

6TH – 14TH NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Top models, photographers, and designers converge on NYC as the new Spring 2018 Collections are debuted. Some shows are open to the public. fashionweekonline.com

10TH WEST SIDE COUNTY FAIR Enjoy carnival rides and games, live bands, a sideshow, aerialist, and lots of food at Riverside Park and 70th Street. nycgovparks.org

15TH THE LANDMARK AT WEST 57 GRAND OPENING The much anticipated finally arrives on the West Side. Come and enjoy a favorite movie, sip a wine or craft beer at the bar in this luxurious theater in Hell’s Kitchen. landmarktheatres.com

11TH TRIBUTE IN LIGHT The annual Tribute to 9/11 brings two brilliant beams that shine into the sky all night near the World Trade Center.

911memorial.org

14TH HARVEST IN THE SQUARE Local chefs prepare signature dishes accompanied by microbrews, wine, and music on the North Plaza of Union Square Park. harvestinthesquare.nyc

14TH -24TH 16TH STEUBEN PARADE See German-American marching bands, floats, dance groups in traditional costumes in the 60th annual parade on Fifth Avenue (from 65th to 86th Streets). germanparadenyc.org GREAT IRSH FAIR OF NEW YORK The 36th annual Irish fair is a family-friendly event with music, dancing, vendors located at The Amphitheater at Coney Island. iabsny.com

20TH-24TH CENTRAL PARK HORSE SHOW Watch show jumping and exhibition acts, with a family day on the 24th at Wollman Rink at Central Park. cphs.coth.com 12 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO The 91st annual Italian street fair is popular for its religious procession, colorful parades, live music, ethnic foods, and the famous cannoli-eating contest near Mulberry and Grand Streets. sangennaro.org

22TH TASTE OF ASIA Sample dishes from dozens of Asian restaurants with cocktails, beer, wine and sake at the New York Feast by LuckyRice at the Mandarin Oriental. luckyrice.com

24TH TUNNEL TO TOWERS 5K This annual run/walk honors and provides financial support to our first responders and military. tunnel2towers.org

JEAN SHAFIROFF

TEACHING NEW GENERATIONS TO GIVE BACK

By Christine Stoddard and Jim Bernstein | Photography by Michael Paniccia

ean Shafiroff is quick to downplay her accomplishments as a philanthropist, public speaker, and author. But the fact is that she has earned many honors for her efforts as a humanitarian. Even with that fact in mind, she will swiftly tell you that it was only through hard work and teamwork that she is able to fundraise and chair several charity events each year as she does. Her book, Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give (Hatherleigh Press), gathers her years of expertise into a guide on how to be a philanthropist through time, knowledge, and available financial resources. She brings awareness to notable charitable causes, including the ones that she has devoted her life to women’s rights, animal rights, and children’s welfare.

Shafiroff sits on the boards of the New York City Mission Society, New York Women’s Foundation, French Heritage Society, Couture Council (Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology), Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. Also, there’s Southampton Animal Shelter Honorary Board, Southampton Bath and Tennis Club Charitable Foundation, and Global Strays, a nonprofit founded by her daughter, Elizabeth Shafiroff, and Lindsey Spielfogal. Additionally, she has been appointed as an ambassador for the American Humane Society. Shafiroff holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University and a BS in physical therapy from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

We took the time to chat with Shafiroff about her philanthropic career. Here is what we learned about this fascinating woman.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 13

You have spent years in philanthropy, both as a volunteer and donor, and are eager to get younger generations involved in charitable causes. Why do you think that is necessary?

The younger generations are the key to continuing the work others have established and built. I have the utmost confidence in them. But to unlock their potential, they require mentors to guide them. These mentors must exemplify why giving time, knowledge, and available resources are so fulfilling and needed in our society. To quote David E. Trueblood, “It takes a noble man to plant a seed for a tree that will someday give shade to people he may never meet.” We are the role models for our children and future generations. As responsible parents, relatives, and citizens, we bear the duty of serving as positive role models to teach future generations to give back. The world we build and cultivate today is the world that our children will inherit tomorrow.

Why is philanthropy so important to our society?

I believe that those who have resources have an obligation to help the underserved. This can include helping people, animals, and the environment. We are taught that being a giving person is a rewarding experience, but no one explains why that is so. We establish ourselves as better human beings when we give. The world becomes better the moment someone shows kindness and generosity. We need to inculcate that in our future generations, so the world can continue to be kinder and gentler.

Who is the most responsible for teaching our children the value of giving—schools or parents?

It has to be both. Without a foundation at home, the schools have a more difficult job. Parents must demonstrate the importance of giving, and why it is essential to our lives. One of the greatest gifts parents can give to their children is to teach them the importance of philanthropy and helping people and animals in need. Parents should encourage their children to choose a cause that is of interest to them. A parent can contribute to do this by exposing them to various causes. Once a cause and charity are chosen, the family can work together. Once an interest is found, the parent can help the child choose a well-run charity that they both might get involved with. The process of parent and child choosing a charity and then working together for a cause can be a great bonding experience.

By working together, the parent can teach the child many of life’s valuable skills as they relate to dealing with different kinds of people. A child will learn the importance of helping those less fortunate. Family bonding through philanthropy is something that can bring a family closer together over a lifetime. A parent who teaches their child about giving back will have instilled very strong values—values that the child can keep throughout life.

But it is also the duty of the schools to teach our children the importance of giving. It is important to implement courses in schools—including grammar schools, high schools, colleges, and universities—that focus on the importance of philanthropy, and the multitude of ways a person can give not just their money, but their time, their experience, and their ability to care. Thankfully, some educational institutions do teach children the value of giving. However, it’s something that should be required at all schools. There should be mandatory courses in place at both public and private schools in the United States and around the globe.

Children should be involved in community service activities and fundraising efforts, which can include volunteering at soup kitchens, senior citizen homes, and local animal shelters, just to name a few. There should be different volunteer options made available to children. Obviously, adult supervision is always required. Children should never be asked to fundraise for large sums of money. Penny drives, and bake sales are appropriate.

14 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

I believe those who have resources have an obligation to help the underserved.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 15

One of the greatest gifts parents can give to their children is to teach them the importance of philanthropy and helping people and animals in need.

16 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

When in a child’s life should they be introduced to the importance of giving?

The process should begin when they are toddlers. We must teach our children to share and to be kind to others. For example, children should be taught to share their toys with their friends. The sooner a child understands that there are others in need, the better the chances are that child will grow up to become a giving person for a lifetime. As the child gets older, those early lessons will resonate.

How did your parents instill those values in you?

My father was a music teacher, and he taught in public schools all of his life. My mother was a homemaker. Together, they stressed life-long learning and giving and had plenty to teach. My parents sent me to Catholic schools, where the nuns taught us to give to and care for the underserved. However, all religions teach the importance of giving. At Catholic school, we talked a lot about charity, philanthropy and sharing with those who had less than we did. In Judaism, the Torah teaches about giving. In the Muslim faith, the Koran also highlights the goodness of giving. Religion calls us to be charitable, something the next generations must always know.

How have you passed along your experiences to your own children?

Our two daughters, Elizabeth and Jacqueline, were raised in a giving environment. In fact, they introduced me to the Southampton Animal Shelter. The girls were animal lovers since they could walk, and their enthusiasm for helping dogs, cats and other creatures was infectious.

Elizabeth also founded a nonprofit with her friend. It is called Global Strays and focuses on making grants to animal welfare organizations in developing nations.

What happens if we fail to mentor the younger generations to be giving and embrace charity work?

The system begins to fall apart. We need to raise people who can learn to give back and who can teach the same.

The cycle of philanthropy must go on. •

It is also the duty of the schools to teach our children the importance of giving.

Christine Stoddard is a writer, artist, and the founding editor of Quail Bell Magazine. She has authored multiple collections of fiction and poetry, as well as the nonfiction book, Hispanic and Latino Heritage in Virginia (The History Press). Her words and images have appeared in Marie Claire, The Huffington Post, Bustle, The New York Transit Museum, and elsewhere. She is a graduate Connor Art Fellow at the City College of New York.

James Bernstein is a veteran writer and reporter who spent 30 years of his career working for Newsday. He is now a freelance writer and an adjunct professor of communications at Farmingdale State College on Long Island.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 17

NYC’S NEW HOME TEAM

By Clint Brownfield

ew Yorkers can rejoice! We’re the proud home to New York City Football Club (NYCFC), the only MLS team located within the five boroughs, playing home games at the most famous sports venue in the world—Yankee Stadium.

Although avid sports fans in such places as Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, and Pasadena might disagree.

Soccer is the most popular and watched sport in the world. And this form of soccer, played by NYCFC, began as association rules football in the UK in 1863. Those rules are what all Major League Soccer (MLS) teams follow as players vie to represent their respective countries at the FIFA World Cup—played in different countries around the world every four years (the current champion is Germany). The next FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Russia from June 14 to July 15, 2018. Mark your calendars!

It couldn’t be easier to attend a match during the soccer season—March to October (longer if the NYCFC makes it to the MLS playoffs). Just hop on the #4 train at Grand Central, and about 20 minutes later you’ll be at Yankee Stadium. Along the way, excitement mounts as fans, from little kids to seniors, board the train wearing NYCFC scarves and jersey emblazoned with the names of their favorite teams from around the world. Most will be wearing the city blue NYCFC jersey, decorated with the world Etihad—the team’s lead sponsor.

18 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

GAME DAY SPECIALS Grand Hyatt New York is proud to be the official hotel partner of the NYCFC featuring the best weekend deals all year long. At its prime midtown location at 42nd St. and Lexington Avenue the hotel makes it easy to enjoy a match whenever you please.

Grab your friends and stop in at its New York Central restaurant for game day specials. Wear your jersey on game days, and receive one free appetizer. And remember, the hotel is steps away from the #4 subway—just six stops to Yankee Stadium.

For more information on the Grand Hyatt New York, visit newyork.grand.hyatt.com

MEET THE TEAM NYCFC has 26 players from 15 different countries—an exciting mix of international experience and young rising stars.

Home games are played at the iconic Yankee Stadium.

City Football Group (CFG) is the majority owner of the team with New York Yankees as a minority owner. There were 43,502 fans for the Club’s inaugural home game March 13, 2015, against New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium defeating the visitors 2-0.

Now, let’s meet NYCFC’s coach, and its three key players.

NYCFC TIMELINE 2015

MARCH 8th New York City FC’s first ever league game against the fellow expansion team, Orlando City.

MARCH 13th New York City Football Club play their inaugural home game against New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium, defeating the visitors 2-0.

2016

JANUARY 1st Patrick Vieira is appointed as Head Coach for New York City FC. JULY 12th In partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, US Soccer Foundation, and Adidas, New York City FC announce New York City Soccer Initiative, bringing 50 new soccer fields to the five boroughs.

OCTOBER 5th New York City FC announce a permanent training facility in Orangeburg, the City Football Academy, New York.

PATRICK VIEIRA is the Head Coach at NYCFC, taking over the post in January of 2016. Vieira previously served as Head of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad. He also had an impressive 17-year playing career, winning the World Cup in 1998 and also earning 107 caps for France.

DAVID VILLA is the Captain and one of the team’s three Designated Players. Villa has had an impressive soccer career (World Cup 2010 winner and NYCFC’s first signing). Last season, David scored 23 goals with the club, earning him the 2016 Major League Soccer MVP Trophy.

This season, he won an ESPY Award for Best MLS Player.

David Villa has also appeared at 2015, 2016, and 2017 MLS All Star games.

JACK HARRISON was the first round MLS draft pick in 2016.

Only 20 years old, Jack has quickly become a fan favorite. He is a former player for Manhattan Soccer Club, the NYCFC Youth Affiliate.

ANDREA PIRLO is another one of NYCFC’s Designated Players.

He was acquired from Juventus in 2015, making his debut in the July 26th match in 2015 against Orlando City SC. Pirlo who won a World Cup in 2006 is known worldwide as a deep-lying playmaker in midfield. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever exponents of this position, due to his vision, ball control, creativity and passing ability; he is also a free-kick specialist.

2017

FEBRUARY 27th The NYCFC Girls Soccer Academy is announced for U14 – U19 girls, based in Orangeburg.

FEBRUARY 28th New York City FC Designated Player, Maxi Moralez, surprises the “millionth fan” with a customized jersey, celebrating the milestone of a total of 1 million fans attending a home game.

APRIL 16th NYCFC U16s win the Adidas Cup Premier Division, the Club’s first major silverware, without conceding a single goal.

General admission tickets at NYCFC games start around $20 and go up to around $100, with additional hospitality options. The Club has a range of experiences and price points for the diverse needs of New Yorkers, from rowdy seats in the supporters section to premium suites with unlimited food and drinks.

Hats off to the grounds keepers at Yankee Stadium! The Yankees and NYCFC seasons overlap (a lot)—one day there’s a baseball diamond and the next day a soccer field magically appears. Amazing! The Boys in Blue play rain or shine, so take a poncho just in case. Games run 90-minutes, so before you know it, you’ll be back on the #4 train, grinning from ear to ear after cheering NYCFC on to another victory. We hope to see some of our Boys in Blue playing in Russia next year at the World Cup. For more information on New York Football Club and ticket availability, visit nycfc.com. • GET SEAT MAP & TICKETS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 19

DRESSING: A NATURAL ACT

By Miki Makrillos | Photos courtesy Museum at FIT

ith the environment taking center stage these days, there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to ponder the relationship between humans and nature. Intrigued? Now through November 18th, the Force of Nature exhibit at the Museum at FIT will help you explore this vital connection: the interaction between fashion and the natural sciences.

Alexander McQueen dress, Plato​’​s Atlantis Collection, Spring 2010, England

Dolce & Gabbana, evening dress, Spring 1998, Italy

20 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Charles James, Tree evening dress and Petal stole, 1955, USA

Alexander McQueen, dress, Horn of Plenty Collection, Fall 2009, England

Alexander McQueen dress, Irere Collection, Spring 2003, England

Arzu Kaprol, evening ensemble, Fall 2014, Turkey

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, suit, circa 1972 France

(L) Saks Fifth Avenue, cocktail dress, Fall 1953, USA (R) Evening coat, circa 1920, France

Mme. Pauline, hat, circa 1955, USA,

The garments and accessories, representing a span from the 18th century to contemporary times, are drawn from the permanent collection of the museum. The exhibit reveals the impact of nature historically within the context of society’s interpretation, understanding, and embracing these natural world elements into fashion. Natural elements have inspired diversity and creativity throughout time with the use of water, lightning, celestial bodies, botanical, florals, animal prints, feathers, and microorganisms among the examples displayed at the exhibit. Museum curator, Melissa Marra, explains how “the natural world has influenced fashion in positive ways; however fashion’s impact on the environment has been mostly detrimental.” Today, there are growing technological and scientific inquiries that work with nature to help create fabrics that are more sustainable, and biomaterials that are developed using biological organisms. The Force of Nature exhibit closes with emerging dynamic and encouraging discussion about future directions in fashion.

For more information on the Force of Nature, visit fitnyc.edu/museum. • Pierre Hardy, shoes, Summer 2015, France

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 21

CIAO WRINKLES, HELLO SMOOTH SKIN! oft, smooth and supple skin shouldn’t be a luxury! With effective anti-aging care, we can take a more relaxed approach to the natural anti-aging process.

THE INNER VALUES ARE IMPORTANT! British scientists may have deciphered the secret of eternal youth: a researcher from Newcastle University has found that the so-called mitochondrial complex II is no longer entirely intact at an advanced age.

Because the skin (especially the cells) is exposed to bio-energy, more free radicals are released—fine lines, first wrinkles and a loss of elasticity are the results. The researchers are confident that with this, finding a new approach for anti-aging treatments have been discovered. Those who don’t want to wait for the “Miracle Cream” should be certain they include one or more in the daily beauty routine: vitamin E, retinol, collagen, coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid and stem cell extracts.

LifeCell - South Beach Skincare an all-natural and all-in-one approach to preventing the signs of aging by putting nature’s most powerful nutrients to work for your skin. Instead of using 5 to 6 different products to achieve youthful skin, just one tube of Life Cell is everything you will ever need. It’s a moisturizer, a firming cream, an under-eye treatment, an antioxidant and a dark spot minimizer. lifecellcream.com Flora•py Floral Therapy Facial Sheet Masks hydrate the skin and renew the senses with sheet masks soaked with healing flowers and essential oils. The soft gel-like mask conforms comfortably to the face. florapybeauty.com

Babor HSR Lifting Cream is a luxurious, anti-wrinkle skincare range suitable for all skin types. It counteracts the most important causes of wrinkle formation: the loss of volume and elasticity, the slowing down of the skin’s metabolism and the hardening of the dermal matrix. babor.com 22 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

WHAT HAPPENS UNDER THE SKIN? Collagens are the structural proteins which form the main and most important fiber component of connective tissue at more than 60 percent. As age increases, however, the connective tissue becomes weaker, and the collagenous and elastic fibers are degraded. This leads to a loss of elasticity and also the energy in the collagen, and cell production decreases. As a result, the skin becomes increasingly dry, wrinkles are formed, and the tissue is more permeable to external breakouts.

Youth Corridor Ultimate Antioxidant C Boost Serum is a crucial skin care product for all ages and skin types. Boost Serum uses the active form of vitamin C to enhance your skin’s rejuvenation process. The powerful antioxidants vitamins C and E are uniquely combined with melatonin and vitamin B3 to help reverse sun damage, visually firm skin, brighten skin’s appearance and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin appears more even toned, balanced and youthful. youthcorridor.com

MyChelle - Peptide + Anti-Wrinkle Serum firms and repairs the skin. The anti-aging serum features Argan Plant Stem Cells and Crocus Chrysanthus to help firm the skin’s texture. The serum also contains two powerful peptides to stimulate collagen formation and minimize wrinkle depth. A potent combination of lipids and hyaluronic acids are used to increase skin’s moisture for sustained hydration. mychelle.com BUY FEATURED PRODUCTS ONLINE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

UsRx DermRenew Retinol Complex a triple action anti-aging formula designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while simultaneously exfoliating-resulting in improved tone and texture. The complex is loaded with vitamins A and pro-vitamin B5 which, when combined, lessen the look of deep creases, reduce pore size, and help smooth out rough skin textures. It contains Retinol to revitalize hyperpigmented skin and vitamin E which will contribute to tone and hydrate the skin, as well as promote scar healing. urbanskinrx.com DNA-EGF Renewal encourages the elimination of DNA damage to replicate the function that naturally occurs in young skin but slows with aging and other external factors. This highly active enzyme is encapsulated in a liposome delivery system to maximize the recovery process for younger, healthier skin. dnaegfrenewal.com

AHAVA - Dead Sea Crystal Osmoter™ X6 Facial Serum is a powerful oil based treatment and delivery system that penetrates deep into the skin making it one of the most potent serums to correct loss of firmness, deep wrinkles and skin dullness. ahavaus.com INDERMICA Oxyderm Wrinkle Cream is an innovative patented skin care product which is free of artificial preservatives; blended with new-age compounds and a combination of natural ingredients to include: apple, grape, and alpine rose stem cells to help reverse the signs of aging. indermica.com

Skin Authority Beauty Infusion Collection™ delivers superfoods for the face including probiotics, turmeric, quinoa, blueberry, avocado, and Swertia.

Skin Authority’s formulas are inspired by the ancient Ayurvedic techniques to produce inner, outer and lasting beauty. skinauthority.com

EYE-EYE CAPTAIN! The skin around the eyes is particularly thin and has hardly any sebaceous glands. Due to the high stress, wrinkles can occur quickly. What’s more, this area is often very sensitive, which is why it’s important to find a fragrance and preservative-free eye care product.

Simply dab it on gently in the morning and the evening, so that dryness smears are visually smoothed immediately, and the formation of new wrinkles is delayed.

-The editors of BeautyPress.com

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 23

for escape

Kayak the Hudson, climb the Gunks, then sit for a moment and marvel at the epic stillness of nature.

SEEK FOR YOURSELF. ulstercountyalive.com

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INSIDE PROVIDENCE

By Gretchen Kelly

hen I was a kid (the bespectacled nerdy kind who spent her free time reading paperback versions of the famed horror fiction by my favorite author, H.P. Lovecraft), I spent all my summers on Block Island—a legendary summer destination in Rhode Island. To get there, we took Amtrak to Providence, RI and then a ferry to the island but in all those halcyon childhood summers, all I saw of Providence was the old fashioned railway station and the ferry landing. I had no idea what a weird, wonderful and unique American city I was missing—or that it was the hometown of my favorite author and the fantastic universe of otherworldly creatures he created.

Biltmore Hotel

A SPIRIT IN THE AIR Providence is as New England and as historic as Boston (we all remember our school lessons on Roger Williams and its founding, don’t we?) but it doesn’t have Boston’s big dig congestion. It’s also newly becoming discovered by travelers who are flying in/out of its T.F. Green Airport because it’s easier to navigate than Beantown’s Logan Airport.

As I found out on a recent weekend trip to this newly named “Creative Capital,” Providence is also a thriving haven for artists, culinary wizards, writers and digital mavens. They are finding a home in the city’s remarkably preserved downtown—a paradise for architecture lovers and a museum of late 19th century and early 20th-century cityscape. It’s also home to a thriving community of folk who proudly herald the city’s connections to one of America’s best-known writers of “weird tales,” my favorite H.P. Lovecraft—the 20th century’s answer to Edgar Allan Poe.

Gracie's Restaurant Dean Hotel Providence

Gracie's Restaurant

I quartered in the centrally located Hilton Providence (hilton.com) a comfortable business hotel with a pool and a great lobby bar, but other great options for stays include the newly re-opened Biltmore Hotel (a remarkably renovated Hilton Curio property) and the chic boutique Dean (thedeanhotel.com) or NYLO Providence (nylohotels.com). One significant advantage of bringing the family here is the city’s proximity to Newport and Block Island—both within easy distance for day trips.

My first stop was for drinks at The Dorrance (thedorrance.com) a short walk from my hotel in Providence’s perfectly preserved downtown. The grand corner restaurant with floor to ceiling windows is a former bank where Providence’s tony crowd came to stash their bucks. Providence was once one of America’s richest cities—fueled by a major jewelry industry as well as other manufacturing businesses. While the families who made their money here spent summers at nearby Newport, their flush-with-cash daddies would spend working days here, and come to these gilded banks to check their balances. You can feel the old world money rush here while you sup on freshly caught fish and a cold pinot grigio.

Dinner was another short walk to yet another beautifully preserved interior at Gracie’s Restaurant (graciesprov.com) where Connecticutborn Chef Matthew Varga has won the restaurant the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award five years in a row with his seasonally-inspired, proud-tobe-a-New-Englander locally-sourced food.

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MUCH TO DO The reason for Providence’s downtown preservation is a case of the good that can sometimes come from adversity. During the 1970s and 1980s, while cities that were more successful economically toweled their historic downtowns to erect hard steel and glass skyscrapers, Providence was struggling. Its center remained as it had been in the 1900 to 1920s era, and a walk through these streets allowed travelers to see and feel what cities were like in our great-grandparents day—a more human scale that feels luxurious and, at the same time, intimate.

The next few days were taken up by one of Providence’s many arts festivals. This one was the PVDFest (pdvfest.com) where we watched acrobats climbing the elegant facades of downtown’s buildings, as well as Jessica Lange’s dancer daughter Aleksandra “Shura” Baryshnikov doing the pas de deux with another ballerina in the middle of a vehicle-free street, framed by families out for a typical evening.

A Step Back in History

Bloom Mural, PVDFest

For me, though, the most memorable part of my Providence weekend was a visit to the city’s Arcade—America’s first shopping center and as beautiful as London’s famed Burlington Arcade—with its arched windowed ceilings and columned facade. Inside, I spent over an hour at the Lovecraft Arts and Sciences Shop (necronomicon-providence.com/store), a haven of books and novelties dedicated to my favorite horror fiction author, H.P. Lovecraft.

With films, TV adaptations, and fans like the filmmaker, Guillermo del Toro, Lovecraft, who died in 1937, has experienced a huge surge in popularity. Providence, his lifelong hometown, is also host to the biennial Necronomicon Convention—a celebration of all things Lovecraft-related, sponsored by the shop.

Lovecraft Arts and Sciences Shop 26 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Inspired by the shop and its staff who love Lovecraft as much as I do, I made a pilgrimage out to Providence’s Swan Point Cemetery, where the cult hero is buried. The 1846 640acre pastoral internment plot is home to the modest grave that simply states, “I am Providence.” The granite stone is festooned with little Cthulu ornaments, the multi-tentacled entities that Lovecraft created and which live on in his readers’ imaginations.

IF YOU GO, DON’T MISS

•The city’s WaterFire (waterfire.org) lights when the Providence River gets its own municipal bonfires. One hundred bonfires are lit in this public art installation.

Shopping in Style

•The largest 20th-century collection of art in the US at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum (risdmuseum.org).

NAZO LAB

OUT OF THIS WORLD

•The Providence Athenæum (providenceathenaeum.org), the fourth oldest library in the country where Edgar Allan Poe met and courted Sarah Helen Whitman (unsuccessfully). Poe loved this old world library, and you can see memorabilia about both horror fiction masters here.

Not to be missed is Providence’s NAZO LAB (bignazo.com) where the international performance group of visual artists, puppet performers, and masked musicians “create bizarre and hilarious larger-than-life sized characters, environments, and spectacles,” many of them with Lovecraftian creatures with multiple eyes and squid-like appendages.

I visited the NAZO LAB shop in downtown Providence, ensconced in another one of the city’s beautiful early 20th-century storefront buildings. When asked if I could look around and take pictures of the larger than life-sized puppets the group was working on for the festival, I was answered with the most creatively Providential statement I could imagine. “Sure, just watch the tentacles.”

For more information goprovidence.com. •

•Don’t leave Providence without a sip of Coffee Milk, a Rhode Island delicacy on which kids here grew up. Mine was frothy, cold and caffeine-laden at Federal Hill’s Caffe Dolce Vita (caffedolcevita.com) the first outdoor cafe in the city.

on

Providence,

visit

Gretchen Kelly writes on travel and hotels for The New York Post, TravelwithVal.com, Frommers. com, and many other websites and publications. She has appeared on FOX5’s Good Day New York, BBC Worldwide News and Bloomberg News. She’s been to over 80 countries.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 27

LEAF PEEPING IN STOWE, VT

By Karen Feld

ow a four-season resort town, Stowe is a colorful fall getaway with idyllic mountain views and a bustling small town ambiance. It has a personality of its own.

I stayed at the centrally located Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (stoweflake.com) owned and run by the Baraw Family for half a century. The 176-room resort is located at the bottom of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. Here you will find something for everyone including great accommodations and the on-site Charlie B’s restaurant. The homemade kale hummus or spicy duck ninja roll are my recommendations for light lunch or a snack.

Fall Stoweflake Balloon

RELAXING DAYS

Aqua Solarium

Stoweflake affords guests everything from beautifully appointed rooms to luxurious suites with fireplaces, refrigerators, and whirlpool tubs. One-to-three bedroom townhouses sit on the resort’s perimeter, as does the 9-hole golf course, where the resort hosts the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. Of course, after a day of activities, there’s nothing like some soothing rest.

The Spa at Stoweflake is truly a state of the art sanctuary and features a fabulous Aqua Solarium. I felt like I just melted in a pool of warm naturally scented herbal oil as I relaxed during a special Abhyanga Ayurvedic massage, a continuous stream of warm lavender oil dripping on my forehead intended to re-balance my nervous system.

This was one of more than a hundred individualized spa treatments.

Selecting the perfect treatment was a difficult choice—the enticing Vermont maple sugar body polish and the Green Mountain coffee body treatment were tempting. Afterward, take a stroll in the 10,000 square foot meditative spa garden. Inhale the scents of the fragrant herbs many of which are used in the spa treatments. The gentle Vinyasa yoga class was also superb with a knowledgeable instructor willing to work with participants at all levels of experience.

Because fitness is paramount at Stoweflake, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the fully equipped Cybex fitness center, squash and racquetball courts. There are also indoor/outdoor pools, a golf course, and tennis courts.

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VICHY

THE GREAT OUTDOORS You never have to leave the property, but you’d miss the many other outdoor activities available. Be sure to explore the nearby Waterbury Reservoir—in the cleanest and most beautiful state parks I’ve seen in a long while—in a tandem kayak. A full-service outfitter offers rental equipment and guided foliage trips as well. Stowe has many trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

On the calendar this month, be sure not to miss the all-day annual Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival family event on September 24th. You’ll witness medieval trebuchets—mobile cannon-like devices—that catapult pumpkins into the air as far as they can go. It’s quite a sight!

For more exciting activities, be sure to see Susie, the knowledgeable resort concierge, who is always ready to plan your next activity whether athletic or cultural. The efficient concierge directed me to Stowe’s Historic Village about a mile and a half from the resort where the numerous specialty shops included handcrafted jewelry, art, and accessories. We saw everything from pottery, stained glass, and kaleidoscopes to comfy porch swings, perfect to relax for a short break.

The Stowe Craft Gallery and Stowe Mercantile, an old fashioned country store with specialty foods and penny candy won’t disappoint. Artisan coffee, candy, and ice creameries abound and lure you in with the fresh aroma.

Trapp Family Lodge

BREWS, CHEESE & MORE Local breweries are plentiful in and around Stowe. In fact, Vermont’s craft beer industry has grown to more than 35 making it number one nationally for breweries and beer pubs per capita. The Alchemist, a family owned craft brewery and home of the famous, Heady Topper, has a welcoming tasting room as does Rock Art Brewery. The famous Von Trapp Brewing has a selection of authentic Austrian lagers with mountain top views in their new bier hall. Be sure to stop by the historic Trapp Family Lodge (trappfamily.com) for a drink and look out on the magnificent hills—sooner or later you’ll be humming The Sound of Music.

Vermont is known for local products and the Stowe Farmer’s Market across from the hotel on Sunday won’t disappoint. Vendors, farmers and talented artisans are delighted to introduce their homemade products from syrups to cheeses to visitors. Handcrafted beers are also popular here and are marketed as craft mead.

Try the local thirst-quencher Switchel which is made with vinegar and ginger water, sometimes cayenne and a shot of whiskey; it’s said to have health benefits.

Stowe Craft Bev Trail

Vermont Artisan Cheese

Down at the Sterling Brook Farm, owner Bambi Freeman has been raising sheep naturally in open paddocks since the early 70s. She is a regular at the farmers market selling meat, and hand-made woolen clothing and duvets. Each vendor has a story as well as products you’ll want to bring home. I am still delighting in the super light and delicate artisanal goat cheese covered with sea nettles.

Stowe has lots to offer visitors of all ages which is just five-and-a-half hours away by car. If you prefer to fly the nearest airport in Burlington is just a short 40-minute drive to the resort.

For more information on Stowe, VT, visit gostowe.com. • Karen Feld is an award-winning writer, speaker, and broadcaster.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 29

Sorrento

THE ALLURE OF ITALY

By Jeff & Stephanie Sylva

taly—endearing, enchanting, captivating and so inspiring. But it really sounds best in its own language “Bellissimo Italia!”

For a glorious two weeks, we explored the Amalfi Coast and all its wonders: romantic towns and villages and marveled at spectacular vistas and rugged coastlines. We feasted on delectable cuisine, from fresh seafood and gourmet pizzas to homemade pasta and risottos paired with outstanding local wines. The customized itinerary was expertly planned by Perillo’s Italy Vacations. Here, some of the highlights of what to see and do!

DAY 1—ROME Our itinerary began in Rome with a stress-free day of perusing the Eternal City. The hop-on/hop off bus made it convenient to explore and stroll the charming streets and piazzas and historical centers. With an overnight stay at centrally located Rose Garden Palace, an elegant hotel with a perfect location just off Via Veneto, guests can rest and enjoy the peaceful rose garden, a perfect respite after a day of sightseeing. Be sure to make reservations for a superb dining experience in the hotel’s Il Roseto. The glass-enclosed restaurant is famous for their homemade pasta.

Rome is a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness.

30 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Rome

DAY 2 TO 6—SORRENTO, POMPEII & AMALFI COAST The next morning it’s off to Sorrento, a town popular with both foreign and local tourists for its inviting Mediterranean climate.

Visitors are attracted to its stunning views from its many luxury hotels perched on the sea cliffs; its proximity to the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Pompeii; and its prized limoncello—Southern Italy’s after-dinner digestive made from the zest of lemons.

Go ahead and explore Sorrento’s main attractions like Centro (the town’s historic section), the Piazza Tasso (the main square), and its quaint waterfront. You just may forget the hours slipping away as you wander around narrow streets and alleyways. Pick up a few souvenirs in one the many colorful shops, and enjoy a meal at that quaint trattoria, and sampling—what else?—limoncello.

You’ll soon notice the streets are lined with lemon trees sprouting lemons the size of grapefruits.

For those who enjoy historical aspects try to visit the archaeological site of Pompeii. Knowledgeable guides recount how this thriving Roman city was buried under 20 feet of volcanic ash after Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. The excitement has only begun after a drive up to the volcano. Then, after a brief hike to the crater’s edge, you have the thrill to walk nearly three-quarters of the way around the rim.

The best is yet to come! The highlight of any trip to the Amalfi Coast is Positano—the vertical town—best known for its menagerie of colorful pastel-painted houses, hotels, and villas that cling to the vertical terrain. Enjoy exploring the many shops with handmade leather sandals, hand-crafted ceramic goods, and Positano’s famed lightweight linen fashions.

Amalfi, the largest town on this coast, has a quaint seafront promenade and numerous medieval buildings of historical interest. And, of course, Ravello, perched 1,000 feet above the coast, is a charming village with many beautiful garden villas ready to be discovered. It’s also famed for its classical music concerts.

However, the main attraction of our Amalfi tour was the drive itself. The Amalfi Drive offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the world.

Poets and millionaires have long journeyed here to see and sense its legendary sights.

Amalfi, Amalfi Coast

Capri

DAY 7 TO 8—CAPRI Our next destination was the beautiful Isle of Capri, just a short ferry ride from Sorrento. Because of its stunning scenery and location, it was a favorite hideaway of the Roman emperors centuries ago. The best way to experience this idyllic island is by boat which will take you into many beautiful grottos along the soaring cliffs. You’ll get to see the iconic Faraglioni Rocks and, of course, the entrance of the famous Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto).

For those who want to soar to new heights, take the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro. Located in Anacapri (it’s less touristy) you’ll find new vistas everywhere you turn. Hiking fans should take advantage of tours to Arco Naturale (Natural Arch and be sure to visit Jardins d’August, the botanical gardens with beautiful sea views just outside of town.

Fantastic grottoes and caverns— great and small—plus villas of Roman emperors brush Capri with an air of whispered mystery.

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DAY 9 TO 11—FLORENCE Next on the itinerary is Florence our home base for three days with the charming picturesque hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. First is the tiny hill towns Siena and San Gimignano. Siena has long been famous for its art, museums, and Palio, a traditional medieval horse race run around the Piazza del Campo. San Gimignano—The Town of Fine Towers— is known for its feudal architecture, particularly the preservation of fourteen tower houses. San Gimignano is as charming as it is historical.

Be sure to try the local white wine, Vernaccia. To cap off the day, we indulged in an excellent dinner and wine tasting at a classic Tuscan winery and sampled their specialties including Super Tuscany, Chianti Classico, and Nobile de Montepulciano.

On day two it’s off to Cortona and Assisi, two picturesque villages located in Italy’s central region. Cortona’s main attractions include a variety of churches, classic medieval architecture, remains of the Etruscan wall, and the villa Bramasole, which was used as the location for the 2003 film Under the Tuscan Sun. Assisi is revered as the birthplace of St. Francis and a visit to the massive two-level Basilica of St. Francis is a must; it houses the saint’s stone sarcophagus.

Florence gave birth to the Renaissance and captured the imaginations of those who have come seeking views of art and beauty.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Florence

DINING AL FRESCO

Dining in Italy is filled with many delights. Centuriesold regional dishes are being rediscovered and presented in modernized versions. As expected, there are more pasta dishes in Italy than there are forks, so don’t limit yourself to spaghetti. With 5,000 miles of coastline, fish abounds as well, and meat dishes are imaginative and varied. Wind up the meal with a fine distilled grappa, available in most bars and restaurants.

Almost every evening in Italy, the cena (dinner) is the principal entertainment. Fine restaurants can be found in every city and town (and in many an out-of-theway corner), and family trattoria know how to make the most of their bounties; they offer a mix of comfort, sophistication and market-fresh foods.

-The Editors

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DAY 12 TO 15—CINQUE TERRE

PIZZA…PIZZA!

The final leg of the trip brought us to probably the most engaging place on earth! Cinque Terre (Five Lands) is a series of five little towns amazingly constructed into the steep, terraced hillsides of this seductive 10-kilometer stretch of the Italian Riviera. All five towns, the coastlines, and surrounding terraced hillsides are part of Cinque Terre National Park. Each of the villages is a picture-perfect collection of pastel-colored homes and shops flowing down to a picturesque sea, except for Corniglia, which is perched on a bluff above the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean.

No doubt, pizza is one of the world’s preferred meals, but above all, it is one of Italy’s favorites.

Indeed, approximately one million pizzas are consumed in Italy every day. Tasting this delicious foodstuff while admiring a gorgeous panorama— whether on Capri’s Piazzetta, in the shadow of Vesuvius, or perhaps in the side streets of Rome— is priceless. The sensation of crispy, wood-baked dough mixed with hot tomato and gooey cheese melting away with each bite, is simply ecstasy of the senses.

A BIT OF HISTORY Pizza is an original dish of Italian cuisine, even though its history is still pretty contested, with debates over its geographical birthplace. Nevertheless, even ancient peoples, such as the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks ate focaccia bread very similar to pizza; and writings from the year 1000, have been discovered in Italian towns.

Because of their natural isolation, cars are thankfully scarce, and in some areas of the villages, non-existent. All of the villages are connected by train service, making travel between them easy. But most people come to Cinque Terre to walk the trails. Although two of the connecting trails have been closed for some time because of landslides, we found more than enough challenge. The trails have what sometimes seem like endless steps, but the magnificent views make an effort worth it.

We learned much about the region by taking Enjoy Cinque Terre Boat Tours.

Owner and captain Daniele Faggioni enthusiastically shared his love of his hometown, Manarola, while serving up the history, culture, and stories of Cinque Terre as we cruised the coastline soaking in fantastic views of the sea.

Charming and breathtaking best describe these tiny fishing villages which have not changed that in centuries.

Despite the likelihood of its ancient birth date, it is certain that a flatbread was coined as pizza in Naples around 1500 (the word pizza probably deriving from pitta, which will remind Anglo-Saxons of the Greek Pita bread).

ON THE MENU Besides its variety of shapes and sizes, pizza also comes with a variety of toppings and even methods to customize it to taste and digestion.

Of course, the most famous of pizzas is the Margherita, created by a Neapolitan pizza maker in honor of Queen Margherita in 1889; it consists of mozzarella, tomato, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and basil. Aesthetically, it is also the most “patriotic” of pizzas, with its red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil representing the tricolor of the Italian flag. Then, there’s the very basic Marinara made only with tomato, garlic, oregano and olive oil. For cheese lovers, the Quattro Formaggi comprises mozzarella, fontina, gorgonzola, and provolone. Just as tasty is the Boscaiola with mushrooms and sausage.

Hundreds of pizza combinations exist, but don’t tell the purists in Italy that your pizza comes with pineapple!

They just wouldn’t understand.

-The Editors

Cinque Terre

THE PERSONAL TOUCH A leader in travel to Italy since 1945, Perillo Tours launched its customized tour division, ItalyVacations, in 2009. The largest and most experienced tour company for Italy, it will arrange everything for a customized itinerary— hotels, days tours, all transportation within Italy (including trains, ferries, and private car service).

For more information on Perillo Italy Vacations, visit italyvacations.com. • Jeff and Stephanie Sylva are retired English and Social Studies high school teachers who have been freelance travel writers for over 28 years. They’ve been publishing in many national publications and who love to write about the great outdoors and, of course, travel.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 33

Residences Pool Terrace

THAI HIGH STYLE

By Ruth J. Katz

ow, let’s see: Which soap do I want to turn into bubbling lather in the beckoning, soft-peach-marble-clad shower chamber where I will attempt to shed a day-and-a-half worth of travel grime from my weary body? New York to Taipei, Taipei to Bangkok, and Bangkok to Phuket. It was, indeed, a very long haul (although a singularly pleasant one on EVA Air), but worth it, because the pot of gold at the finish line was one of the 15 residence villas at the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and Spa. Here, nestled into the side of a lushly verdant mountain, is my five-bedroom complex, replete with staff. For several days, my friends and I would not have to lift a finger, as the resident butler and concierge would fulfill our every whim, while our chef and his team would prepare bountiful and delightful repasts.

All I had to do was figure out which aromatic soap to use, as recommended by a menu presented by the resort’s Soap Guru.

Proffered are indigenous scents and alchemic mixtures, highlighting vetiver, ginger flower, cedar wood, and patchouli. After a sybaritic scrubbing, I was ready for a fabulous wine-tasting with—whom else?—the hotel’s Wine Guru. Measured sips of some remarkable wines provided the perfect fillip to the day, followed by a refreshing and flavorful dinner on the terrace of one of the resort’s scenic restaurants, Dee Plee. The feast of native dishes was abundant, including a mix of khao soi gai, massaman nua, pla grapong neung—sumptuous chicken, beef, and sea bass respectively.

THE SPICE OF LIFE

Wine Room Tasting

So inspired were we by dinner, we took Anantara’s celebrated Spice Spoons cooking class the next day, which turned out to be one of the best cooking lessons I have ever chopped my way through. We set out early the next morning with Chef Suthat Ajmanan to the Banzaan Market, adjacent to two colorful temples—no surprise in this country of hundreds and hundreds of temples, one more decorated and gilded than the next; color is omnipresent in Thailand. Chef Ajmanan made sure our wicker basket was full as we headed homeward, where our cooking stations awaited us, with foodstuffs in place. We prepared a tasty three-course banquet and afterward were rewarded with serious-looking diplomas, an encyclopedia of recipes, and cooking paraphernalia.

The afternoon was devoted to a languorous few hours at the signature Anantara Spa. The distinctly unique bamboo-stick massage with aromatic oil alleviated any hint of fatigue. Another signature indulgence was the sea shell and herbal therapy treatment, accented with the gentle “whoosh-whoosh” of the sea, heated shells, and acupressure. (Worth noting: There is a Little People’s Spa menu; additionally, there is the youngsters’ Chang Club to keep the under-12 set busy while the grown-ups are taking Muay Thai boxing lessons.)

Post spa, I felt blissful, ready to attend the daily pool closing ceremony, highlighted by soft candlelight and the soothing, reverberating hum of the huge gong.

Back “at the ranch,” our residence’s chef had impressed into service his sous chefs and they prepared a hotel specialty extravaganza—a Dining by Design supper—at our outdoor barbecue pit in the sunken dining area. Countless courses, unusual flavors. It could not have been a more idyllic day, but then every day is planned by your hosts to be flawless. Nights are meant to be perfect, as well. And, yes, there is even a Slumber Guru.

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Residences Indoor Dining

ELEGANT SURROUNDINGS The residences, which debuted in Layan in 2016, are the ultimate in vacation luxury and were added to the existing resort-hotel (opened in 2014), which also offers lavish villas beachside, as well as other categories of accommodations.

Ideally suited for multi-generational vacations, the residences range from a “mere” three-to-nine bedrooms. Each villa complex features a series of semi-detached buildings, massive outdoor space, an infinity pool (ours was lap-size), and outdoor cooking facilities. The residence’s communal areas are all tastefully, thoughtfully, and functionally furnished (there is even a chic tote bag in each bedroom walk-in closet, so you have something useful and elegant to take to the pool or beach). The “work” areas—kitchen, laundry and so on—are all hidden. Hungry for a little chocolate at midnight? The guest pantry even offers a cupboard chock-a-block with necessities, like M&Ms. (Alas, however, there is no M&M Guru.)

For more information on Anantara Layan Phuket and other properties around the world, visit anantara.com. •

Residences Outdoor Dining

Layan in Phuket Upper Hill Residences

FLY IN STYLE EVA Air has several beautiful, comfortable lounges in the Taipei, Taiwan (your stopover), all with flavorsome Eastern and Western cuisine and gracious amenities geared to a tired traveler. Cabin service includes five classes—Royal Laurel, Premium Laurel, Business Class, Elite Class, and Economy Class; Elite provides plenty of extra pitch for comfort/leg room, thoughtful amenities, and probably the cleanest restrooms in the sky.

For more information on EVA Air, visit evaair.com Ruth J. Katz is a style and travel writer and has written extensively for both The New York Times and New York Magazine and has served as an editor at numerous magazines and appeared regularly on Fox television as the consumer services expert. © Ruth J. Katz 2017 All Rights Reserved.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 35

LONDON CALLING: THE “SUITEST” PLACE

Atrium

By Norah Bradford

ondon is one of the world’s great cities to experience. Given the endless array of historical, entertainment and shopping experiences available to visitors, having a place to call “home,” is the key to maximizing you and your family’s enjoyment of London.

Welcome to Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living. Upon arrival, you will be transported from the streets of London to a five-star luxury enclave from another dimension with its gardens interspersed with alcoves and comfortable seating.

This little piece of heaven comprises some 130 residencies including four City suites and four Penthouse suites all located discretely adjacent to Knightsbridge Hyde Park and located beautifully for easy access Penthouse on foot to Mayfair with Bond Street and Saville Living Room Row, Marylebone with its boutiques and hot social property Chiltern Fire House. It’s a short ride from Along with Deluxe accommodations, guests are afforded amenities including a spa, Knightsbridge with its local icons Harrods and fitness center and Atrium Café which is perfect for meetings and social events day or Harvey Nichols. night and enclosed with a glass roof for year-round comfort. Guests are also provided one of the special elements of Grosvenor House Suites—the Concierge Service.

This starts before your arrival thanks to the unique At Home with Jumeirah Living program which will arrange for your “home away from home” to be stocked with whatever epicurean or household items you need. Want to host guests for dinner in your suite? No problem, the Concierge team will assist.

Grosvenor House Suite by Jumeirah Living presents a unique service to the traveler and offers a gold standard for home-away-from-home living in London.

For more information on Grosvenor House Suite by Jumeirah Living, visit jumeirah.com. • BOOK LONDON LUXURY NOW Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

Welcome to Harborside resort montauk

The Harborside Resort Montauk offers a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. On-premise pool and tennis, attractive rooms, studios, suites and efficiencies - each offering many amenities.

Montauk is one of the beautiful resort destinations on the East Coast. Miles of breathtaking coastline, nature trails and preserves, varied watersports from famed surfing to water-skiing to whale watching.

World renowned fishing is found here, too as Montauk is well recognized as one of the top fishing capitals of the world.

For beach lovers, we provide our guests’ access to Montauk’s finest ocean and sound beaches. And, golfers, bring your clubs and golf at the magnificent Robert Trent Jones designed Montauk Downs State Park located just one mile from the Harborside. You can enjoy the pleasure of

371 West lake dr. montauk, nY 11954 631.668.2511 montaukharborside.com

nearby horseback riding, being pampered at a marinotherapeutic spa, great shopping and a trip to our treasured beacon - the Montauk Point Lighthouse.

Sample the gourmet delights of the finest restaurants, just a short walk or drive away.

You will never be at a loss of things to do in Montauk - where a great vacation begins!

REDinNYC

By Daniel J. Bollinger

EDinNYC is a networking organization dedicated to the real estate industry. Every month they host an event that has not only the best and brightest in the sector attending; it also hosts “fireside chats” which is a question and answer interview with a prominent NYC real estate insider. This month Michael Stern of JDS Development was the “fireside chatter,” and he spoke about his success in the development arena and discussed his opinions on choosing the right partners, locations, and architects. It was the place to be with over 600 people attending the August event including Robert Gladstone of Madison Equities.

The next event in September will be held at the Dream Hotel in Chelsea.

Scheduled to appear is Morris Moinian of Fortuna Realty Group.

GET EVENT TICKETS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

For more information on REDinNYC, visit redinnyc.com. •

Austin Kay and Kyle Schainuck

Kamal Ardouni and Daniel J Bollinger

Danielle Frederick and Leslie Wade

Denise Range, Dorian White, Aaron White, Dominique Thompson

Guests of REDinNYC

Kahal Grennan, Amit Persad, Brian Klansky, Pat Duffy

Cagri Kanver, Michael Stern, Robert Gladstone

Michael Stern, and Interviewer Richard Perez-Feria

Mohammed Ahmed, Casey Do, Eric Ramos, Gabrielle Dane, Morgan

38 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Chateau des Jardins Knoxville, TN

Offered for $8,890,000

www.KnoxvillesFinestEstate.com

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 39

A World Class Estate: 13,000 square foot European Chateau built by Gerald Jenkins on 15 acres of lush grounds with room for an equine facility with an exterior composed of handmade bricks and machine turned Iimestone.

Interior: •5 bedroom with 5 full and 5 half bathrooms •Solid marble and wood flooring •Antique chandeliers and light fixtures found in French flea market •18kt gold fixtures in master bathroom •Marble and bronze fireplaces by Francisco Linke •Chris Hardy murals throughout 40 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Grounds: •Pool and Pool House •Secluded walking trails laced with serene seating areas and 120 specimens of trees and shrubs •Feature natural cave leading to entertainment area where many fundraisers have been held •Bridge tailored to Department of Transportation Standards

Main Level: •11 foot ceilings •Master bedroom Suite, library, parlor, entry foyer, family room, dining room, dream kitchen, pantry, 2 half baths Upstairs: •3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms •Musician’s balcony •Two-speed light elevator

Third Floor: •Heated and cooled unfinished attic •Spectacular views of property, pool house and garden Finished basement level (4582 Square feet): •Kitchen •Exercise Room •Dining Room •Office with authentic Napoleonic era antiques •2000 bottle wine cellar with adjoining tasting room

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 41

Patricia Hoffmaster Realtor, ASP Chappell Hill Office Hoffman International Properties Home of Magnificent Properties Worldwide Direct: 512-970-8601 pat.mariahllc@gmail.com

42 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Marilyn Hoffman Broker/Owner Direct: 214-674-3961 Dallas: 214-698-1736 Lexington: 859-523-2812 Atlanta: 404-414-0690 London, UK: 44-203-05-14025 Monte Carlo, Monaco: 800-93498 Saudi Arabia: 966-8111-04-3807 www.MarilynHoffmanRealtor.com

Taylor Spellman ©Fran Parente

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT

By Daniel J. Bollinger

f you haven’t heard of Taylor Spellman, she’ll soon be on your radar. This top interior designer/staging expert has the unique talent of mixing high-end one-of-a-kind pieces with treasures found at the Goodwill. Her penchant for witty banter paired with her signature bold design style has made her a standout in the design community as a whole.

Taylor’s vast portfolio of private clients entrusts her and her firm to create their nine figure properties. Taylor is an influential voice in the industry and a go-to personality for all things creative. She regularly appears on-air as an entertaining and lifestyle expert and is one of the hosts of the BRAVO series Yours, Mine or Ours.

New York Lifestyles recently met with Taylor to find out about what’s happening in her world of interior design and staging.

How did you get into interior design and staging?

I saw a niche in the market that wasn’t being tapped.

My unique selling point with staging is that I create aggressive and bold interior designs peculiar to the space and demographic of the intended buyer.

Where do you get your design inspiration from?

New York City!

How do you go about staging a property?

First I think about who is the potential buyer. I try to hone in on what said buyer would see and feel when they enter into the space. After I determine what the space is going to say, I think about functionality. I always stage for how people live versus what people think looks nice and this has made all the difference.

Tell us some of the properties that you have staged.

Let’s see. I’ve staged 100 Barclay, 87 Leonard, 100 Avenue A, 277 East 7th Street, and roughly 80 percent of the city.

Who are some million dollar agents you work with?

What benefits are there for a real estate agent to stage Ryan Serhant, John Gomes, their listing?

Fredrik Eklund, my good friend Staging not only maximizes the price per square foot but and colleague Jason Walker leads to more photos resulting in more potential buyers and Richard Hottinger of the and a quicker sale.

Hottinger Team.

VIEW MORE OF TAYLOR'S PROJECTS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

100 Barclay ©Rich Caplan

What is a typical day for you like in the world of interior design and staging?

My day starts when my feet hit the floor at 7 am with filtering through a barrage of emails as I drink a large coffee and then it’s meetings with brokers and developers. Afterward, it’s design presentations with my team and then to whatever fire needs to be put out that day. Occasionally I will remember to eat and maybe put on some blush, but it is a mad dash until about 8 pm when I go out to eat with my friends in one of the many amazing spots in my neighborhood. Bedtime is sometime after midnight, and I wake up to do it all again.

I know you love red wine. One of my favorite spots for wine is The Ten Bells because of their vast inventory of global organic wines. What’s your favorite red wine or space for wine?

My friends and I live at Mario Batali’s restaurant, Lupa, on Thompson Street.

I also love the one-of-the-kind private wine room I designed for 100 Barclay.

For more information on Taylor Spellman, visit taylorspellman.com Instagram @taylor_spellman. • SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 43

THROUGH THE LENS Photography By AnnieWatt.com

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRES

ELIZABETH SEGERSTROM CELEBRATES WITH THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRES

J. MCLAUGHLIN CHARITY SIP & SHOP TO BENEFIT ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER

George Lancaster, Glynis Karp Julie Macklowe, Ben Fink Shapiro, Kamie Lightburn

Jean-Luc Martinez, Pascale Martinez, Elizabeth Segerstrom

Elizabeth Segerstrom

Elizabeth Segerstrom, Franck Laverdin, Patty Hearst, Sana Sabbagh, Jamie Figg, Joan Kahn

Karen Reza, Christopher Forbes, Sana Sabbagh

Elizabeth Segerstrom

Toto Bergamo Rossi, Benigno Aguilar, Franck Laverdin

Jean-Luc Martinez, Pascale Martinez, Elizabeth Segerstrom

44 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Hilary Cushing Block, Diane Chapman, Michel Cox Witmer, Martha Glass, Mary Van Pelt

Hugh McLaughlin, Barbara McLaughlin, Madeline McLaughlin, Kevin McLaughlin

Jack Lynch, Grace Meigher, Chris Meigher, Janet York, Kevin McLaughlin, Barbara McLaughlin, Alison Minton

MET ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS CONCERT AND SUPPER

Billy Short, Barbara Currie, Jerry Grossman, Andre Tchelistcheff, Christopher Hyland

NATURAL AREAS CONSERVANCY 5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

PHOTOGRAPHER TAMARA LACKEY’S BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER NYC EXHIBITION

Elizabeth John, Dan Moros, Sarah Moros, Ann Schongalla, Nathan Moros

Tamara Lackey

Jeffery Buan, Jennifer Epstein

First Beautiful Together project-bathroom renovation at Kidane Mehret Orphanage in Ethiopia

Met Orchestra performing for guests

Nancy Wu, Katherine Fong, Jerry Grossman, Desiree Elsevier

Karen McQuiston, David Langer, Stacey Sonnenberg, Eric Sanderson, KC Sahl, Carter Strickland, Sarah Charlop-Powers, Adrian Benepe, Bram Gunther

Rachel Simone, Alison Spear, Christopher Hyland, Jessica Phillips, Jarrin Kirksey

Sarah Charlop-Powers

Gallery exhibition

Orphan Prevention Care Center in Ethiopia

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 45

PUBLICOLOR’S 2017 STIR, PLATTER AND ROLL

Aaron Green, Brenda Reingold, Suzanne Tick, Ruth Lande Shuman, Len Ferro, Diane Martel

THE JAMES JAY DUDLEY LUCE FOUNDATION 17TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP RECEPTION AND DINNER

THE PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM’S “TASTE OF SHELTER ISLAND”

Jim Luce, Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura Toby Perlman, Itzhak Perlman

Donald Tober, Barbara Tober, Ruth Lande Shuman, Devan Parekh, Monica Parekh

Khaliya Ermacora Chef James Moran and Family

Frank Lupo, Mimi Taft

Mathew Luce, Brittney Broderick, Robert Nai, Tenzin Jangchup, Nubia Briones

Itzhak Perlman and the PMP String Orchestra

Ruth Lande Shuman, Devan Parekh

Noritoshi Hirakawa

46 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Patrick Romano

THE STANLEY BARD COLLECTION

THE VERSAILLES FOUNDATION DINNER FIN DE SOIRÉE

YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX AT LINCOLN CENTER

Royal Receiving Line and cadets

Keltie Knight, Marcella Guarino Hymowitz, Colby Mugrabi, Candice Miller, Lesley Thompson Vecsler, Amy Astley, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

Linda Troeller, Michelle Bard Grabell

Heide Canellopoulos, Barbara de Portago, Mrs. John Dorrance III YAGP at Lincoln Center

Chris Dufault, Jeremy Coleman, Mike Gallagher

HRH Crown Princess Elia of the Albanians, HRH Crown Prince Leka II of the Albanians, Jillian Fuller

Amber Huebner, Holly Haakonsen, Janell Torchia, Caroline Moulios. Leeor Oshri, Angelina Martinez

Peter Rockefeller, HRH Crown Princess Elia Of The Albanians, Geoffrey Bradfield

Christina Lyon, Janell Torchia, Angelina Martinez, Caroline Moulios

Guests

Lothar Troeller, Anne Henry, Judith Childs, Whitney Bounty

Whether it is a charitable cause, a magazine cover, or a special occasion, the photographers with Annie Watt.com make an occasion more memorable. Annie and her associates embody the essence of professionalism, seamlessly moving through any assignment with finesse and an innate ability to capture the moment at its heart. Book a photographer/videographer, contact annie@anniewatt.com.

SEE MORE EVENTS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 47

ROLL IT FORWARD

By Joan Hornig | Photos courtesy The Children’s Health Fund and Publicolor

’ve always felt September marks the beginning of every year. That “back to school” mentality still lingers even though our oldest daughter is 30 and our youngest 26. Luckily, we are past the frenzy to get doctor appointments squeezed in so they can return to school fully inoculated and healthy.

Fortunately for us, the challenge of getting those doctor appointments was only in scheduling a convenient time. It wasn’t about finding a doctor, paying for the appointment or finding their medical records. But some parents in our city and country cannot say the same.

THE CHILDREN’S HEALTH FUND In 1987 (which coincidentally was the year I became a parent right here in NYC) singer/songwriter Paul Simon and Dr. Irwin Redlener founded The Children’s Health Fund (childrenshealthfund.org) after touring a shelter for homeless families in the city. In response to the desperate conditions they witnessed, they launched the first Big Blue Bus, a specially designed pediatric mobile medical clinic equipped with an examining room, waiting area, nurse’s station and lab.

Thirty years ago, while CHF Mobile Medical Unit 1 parked in front of a homeless shelter hotel, I was secure in knowing my kids would have easy access to top quality medical care.

But less than 4 miles north of our apartment was the poorest congressional district in the United States. (And still is today.)

Yes, even today, children living there may never see a doctor without the intervention of non-profits like CHF.

Big Blue Bus

Many amazing things have begun in NYC which then go on to mature and spread their wings. CHF is among them. Today across the U.S. there are 53 mobile CHF clinics which provide more than 290,000 doctor visits each year for children. Found in 14 states and the District of Columbia, the Big Blue Buses deliver primary and preventive care for children regardless of their ability to pay. They travel to more than 360 schools, Head Start programs, shelters and community clinics, and remote rural stretches of America.

CHF also provides specialized mobile clinics focusing on dental, mental and emotional health services using the most up-todate technology-enriched tools. Because inadequate health care undermines learning, CHF also goes directly to schools offering “Healthy and Ready to Learn” initiatives, comprehensive screening, and follow-up programs tailored to meet each child’s needs.

CHF, a first and agile responder to crises, remains active in the communities it serves. They have remained in South Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and continue ongoing programs in Flint, Michigan addressing the impact of the lead poisoning crisis on children.

Paul Simon and friends

Julianne Moore and Hillary Clinton 48 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Last autumn I asked CHF to park a mobile health unit in front of our apartment building to show my friends and their children how impressive their buses and programs are. It was mind expanding for all who attended. On average, if we matched our monthly Starbucks budget with a donation to CHF, each of us could provide two pairs of eyeglasses for 30 first graders. If we did the same when upgrading our iPhones, then four children could receive asthma care, and if we applied the price of a one-way coach fare for our family’s vacation, we could underwrite a mobile clinic and medical services for an entire day to homeless families. Volunteers are also accepted with open arms!

PUBLICOLOR Research shows that low-income students who do not have access to organized activities lose about two months of grade equivalency over these same summer breaks. This further deepens the achievement gap and puts underserved students at greater risk of dropping out of school. One program aimed at ameliorating this problem was introduced to me by Ruth Lande Shuman, the founder of Publicolor (publicolor.org). Ruth asked me to participate in an annual fundraiser—Paint, Splatter, and Roll—where artists design totes which are then painted by gala attendees and auctioned off to raise funds. I enjoyed painting alongside students, alumni of the program and inspired community philanthropists!

I am particularly impressed by Publicolor’s Summer Design Studio, a seven-week enrichment program which provides at-risk teens literacy and math skills through its prism of product design program.

With paid work experience available to each child, it revitalizes the neighborhood with fresh coats of paint.

For 20 years, Publicolor has engaged disaffected youth through design projects in their schools.

By changing their dreary, middle and high school facilities into appealing and vibrant educational facilities, student performance and attendance statistics have measurably increased. The tools: commercial paint, community-based volunteers and the principles of color, collaboration and design, combined with innovative programming!

Publicolor

Publicolor Like CHF, Publicolor has been nationally recognized for its successes. Since inception in1996, some 227 NYC public schools and 214 community facilities have been transformed. Nearly 98 percent of the kids in these schools had on-time graduation rates.

The Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University estimates this translates to $755,900 in average social benefits/high school graduate.

Also, Publicolor brings an intense and long-term commitment to providing lasting change. Because one size does not fit all, various programs continue year-round including COLOR Club, Next Steps, and Summer Design Studio which middle and high school students participate in for a minimum of three days a week.

Scholarships and support continue through college for Publicolor high school graduates.

These are just two examples of NYC responses to helping our underserved children. But there are many more in need of your help. As you make “back to school” plans, consider adding one more objective – help another child reach his or her potential. Whether by supporting a bus or a brush, you can make a lasting difference. • Joan Hornig is a New York-based Jewelry Designer, Social Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist. She left a Wall Street career 15 years ago to create a jewelry line at Bergdorf Goodman, where 100 percent of her profit is donated to the charity of the purchaser’s choice.

MEET OUR TEAM - VIEW VIDEO Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 49

Welcomes Welcomes

DANIEL BOLLINGER DANIEL BOLLINGER Contact Daniel today for all of your real estate needs: Contact Daniel today for all of your real estate needs:

DANIEL BOLLINGER Licensed Real Estate Salesperson DANIEL BOLLINGER t: 718.613.2895 Licensed djb@kwnyc.com Real Estate Salesperson t: 718.613.2895 djb@kwnyc.com 379 Broadway | New York, NY 379 Broadway | New York, NY

VIEW CURRENT LISTINGS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

265 EAST HOUSTON

By Daniel J. Bollinger

ead downtown to 265 East Houston Street where you will find a boutique development made up of a total of seven floor-through condos. They are all two bedrooms with two bathrooms except for the penthouse which has three bedrooms. The location on the Lower East Side is great. Only a few blocks from the F/M subway lines, the location is in the heart of everything downtown. Alphabet City is across the street, and not too far away are the East Village, Nolita, Greenwich Village, and Tribeca. The Lower East Side has a plethora of nightlife, music venues, boutique shops, restaurants, and is one of the coolest neighborhoods of Manhattan.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 51

UNIQUE UNITS The elevator opens to each residence and has an outstanding design feature. The back wall is windowed, so it shows all the mechanical parts of the elevator. This industrial design aesthetic is prevalent throughout the development and matches well with the Lower East Side location. Open layouts grace the interiors with kitchen/dining/living room on the East Houston Street side.

The custom Italian Carrara marble kitchens are very nice with the gourmet kitchens boasting an all Miele appliance package with a microwave convection oven. They are warm toned with a neutral color palette and recessed lighting. With integrated cabinetry and Watermark and Kohler fixtures, this is a fantastic kitchen.

With almost floor to ceiling windows, plenty of light flows through the units, and you can view everything that is going on outside. Another cool design detail is that the windows are double paned, insulated, and made of steel casing, so there is a great deal of sound buffering making your apartment quiet and tranquil. The units are smart wired with Savant systems so you can control your heating/cooling systems with the touch of your smartphone. The bathrooms in these residences showcase luxury and the industrial design feel. The luxury features are: all bathrooms have radiant floor heating and marble wainscoting, and the master baths have marble encased tubs. The secondary baths have a great open wet room design with subway tiled walls, and all bathrooms have spectacular custom designed stainless steel mirrored medicine cabinets. The penthouse has the same layout with the addition of a second-floor bedroom and wraparound terrace. All units have some very nice built out closets.

CONTEMPORARY LUXURY For a boutique building there is a very nice common roof deck that is ample for all tenants and also provides excellent views of the Lower East Side. This is a boutique condo offering refined design details including Italian Carrara marble galore, spacious floor plans, and a modern neutral color palette all combining for a minimalist style with contemporary luxury.

For more information on 265 East Houston, visit 265ehouston.com. • MORE LOWER EAST SIDE LUXURY Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

52 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Sula Pearlman

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Larchmont | Beautifully private and meticulously maintained, this 8 bedroom, 5.1 bathroom home is situated on 2.5 exquisite acres with ornamental plantings, pool, cabana, and tennis court. Finished, walkout lower level has playroom, workroom and ample space for storage. $3,750,000.

Sula Pearlman, Associate Real Estate Broker C: 914.393.4104 | E: Sula.Pearlman@Cbmoves.com www.SulaPearlman.com | 25 Purdy Ave, Rye, NY 10580

2017 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All rights reserved Coldwell banker residential Brokerage supports the principles of fair housing act and the equal opportunity act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by the Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC. Property information supplied by seller and/or other sources and is not guaranteed. If your property is currently listed for sale, this is not intended as a listing solicitation.

P r i v a t e C o v e w i t h Wa t e r f r o n t D o c k

I Proudly Suppor Friends of Laurelwood A

I Proudly Support the “Lynn Carole Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum International Presid Top 1% World Carole Brescia Serenity, privacy & beautiful water views await you at every turn. Enter the 2 story foyer & you are immediately drawn to the walls of windows in the“Lynn” spacious room CallGreat Direct: 201.8 that overlooks the quiet waterfront cove“Lynn” with a dock.Brescia The spacious room with custom fireplace & beautiful wood floors is a wonderful space to unwind & enjoy the views.

Carole International President’s Premier The kitchen is gorgeousSupport with top of thethe linePresident’s appliances, granite counters, huge islands & work space plus more. So much to see with 5 bedrooms, 5 full andwww.lynnbresc 3 half baths, International Premier Top 1% Worldwide II Proudly Proudly Support thewith fireplace, including a beautiful master suite gorgeous new bath, plus his and hers dressing rooms/closets. Vacation all year! Come See!

I Proudly Support the Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum

Top 1% Worldwide Friends of Wayne, Laurelwood Arboretum Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum PINES LAKE, NJ. Offered at $2,450,000

Call Direct: 201.848.3202

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Call Direct: 201.848.3202 www.lynnbrescia.com Carole “Lynn” Brescia

Carole “Lynn” Brescia

International President’s Premier Top 1% Worldwide International President’s Premier Call Direct: 201.848.3202 www.lynnbrescia.com Top 1% Worldwide

More photos at lynnbrescia.com

Call Direct: 201.848.3202 www.lynnbrescia.com

BEAUTIFUL HOME ON NAVIGABLE WATER 1330 CHARTER CT, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225

This gorgeous waterfront home was built by GBN Construction.

Home has almost 5000 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms/4.5 baths. First floor master and one addtl bedroom on 1st floor. Enjoy lake view from front and navigable lagoon views from back of home. Home is very well appointed with great architectural detail, two story living room with views of the lagoon, gourmet kitchen very well apptd. Wet bar with wine cooler conveniently located in the home for great entertaining.

Travertine flooring throughout the home. This home has its own private dock for parking your vessel behind your home in the unique ‘’fresh water’’ harbor found in few communities in the country. Lovely, large screened lanai with pool and spa, summer kitchen for great outdoor living.

$1,230,000

MLS#: 889664

SHARON MILLS, LUXURY REALTOR, GRI 4500 HODGES BLVD. JACKSONILLE, FL 32224

DIRECT: 904-534-6087 FAX: 904-339-9090 WWW.SHARONMILLSTEAM.COM

THE EUGENE

By Daniel J. Bollinger | Photos by Max Touhey

The Eugene is Brookfield’s newest luxury high-rise residential tower in the vibrant Hudson Yards District at Manhattan West.

Located at 435 West 31st Street, the 62-story tower with interiors designed by RW Studio features 844 rental units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms. The property features more than 50,000 square feet of amenity space, offering residents a new standard in experiential living with a series of curated conveniences and exclusive social opportunities. SLCE Architects served as the architect of the building and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed its façade.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 55

REFINED MODERN LIVING The units are quite nice with contemporary finishes. The kitchens offer a GE appliance package with Blomberg appliances. Custom made pulls adorn the custom kitchen cabinetry along with full height Heritage tile backsplashes and honed granite countertops.

A Bosch washer/dryer package comes standard. The bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling custom ceramic tiling, a beautiful two-tone color palette, and huge medicine cabinets. The studios have great open layouts as well with a great bathroom closet. All units come standard with solidly built out closets. With floor to ceiling windows, there is plenty of light and views abound. RW Studio did an excellent job in designing the interiors. And there’s more.

There is a slew of amenities in The Eugene which are named: The Hudson Club is their rooftop terrace. With panoramic views, outdoor grilling stations, sunroom with bar, piano lounge, poker room, and private dining room with catering kitchen, it’s hard to beat. They also have The Crash Pad, a lounge and karaoke bar with a stage and musical instruments like guitars, keyboards, and drums. They schedule events here regularly including a comedy night. Next, we have The Library, a quiet reading room with plenty of books but also WiFi and lots of plugs to stay charged. The Library also has its own lounge, aptly called The Library Lounge with two TVs. There is an Arcade Corner with many pinball machines and arcade games. Don’t confuse the Arcade Corner with The Game Room, which has the ping pong and billiards table and plenty of TVs. If sports are more your thing, don’t fret. The Eugene has a two-story rock climbing wall and a private La Palestra health club of almost 22,000 square feet.

There are only seven buildings in NYC with a regulation-sized basketball court, and The Eugene is one of those seven buildings.

There is also a Golf Simulator room (with its own lounge), a children’s playroom that faces Magnolia Park, a pet grooming station, and many more amenities.

The Eugene is defining the new Hudson Yards; it sets a new bar for amenities in a rental building. Centrally located in the city with plenty of amenities.

For more information on The Eugene, visit theeugenenyc.com. • AVAILABILITY & PRICES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

56 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

VIEW HOMES FROM SPECIAL PROPERTIES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

Saddle River, NJ

2017 Designer Showhouse of New Jersey

Mahwah, NJ River Oak Farm Equestrian Estate Price upon request 46 acres within 30 minutes of Manhattan. 20-stall barn with huge indoor riding arena. Indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, wine room, theater and more!

Saddle River, NJ

Private Resort Setting

Oct. 4th through Nov. 12th

$6,995,000

Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation fund-raiser benefitting The Department of Patient Care: Patient Experience. Open to the public Tuesday through Sunday 10AM – 4PM. 46 Westerly Road. Contact us for details.

Saddle River, NJ

Celebrity Stunner

$5,900,000

Notable actress, comedian and philanthropist offers this English country estate on over 5.7 manicured acres. 6 bedrooms, lagoon pool, elevator, generator.

$6,900,000

Montvale, NJ

Panoramic views of the exceptional 4.93 acres. Veranda, pool, spa, 2-story cabana, tennis court and rolling lawns. Peter Salerno kitchen with new additions,

Young Country Colonial

$1,495,000

Young, pristine, country colonial located in the Enclave. Sleek and stunning throughout with state-of-the-art kitchen and baths, heated 3-car garage. Acre+.

every Home is Special to us. office

Vicki Gaily realtor-associate®

201 934-7111 • cell 201 390-5880

•

founder

•

MarketinG director

VGaily@specialproperties.coM • specialproperties.coM follow us on instaGraM & facebook: @specialpropertiesnj •

information deemed reliable but subject to errors and omissions.

MANHATTAN VIEWS AT MIMA

By Daniel J. Bollinger

ntroducing Manhattan Views at MiMA, a two tower construction in Hudson Yards which include rentals and from floors 51 to 63 condo units. There are studios to three bedrooms available all with plenty of views, 421a tax abatements, and a private entrance at 460 West 42nd street. Kuafu Properties and SCG America identified a need in the condominium market for well-priced, well laid out units that don’t compromise on design. Capitalizing on the strength of the condo market, the codevelopers seized the opportunity to purchase the top portion of MiMA—a tremendously successful development built and managed by Related Companies—and bring to market a collection of condominium residences with exceptional 360-degree views. Kuafu & SCG have done an excellent job. MiMA stands for the Middle of Manhattan and Manhattan Views, well, that’s self-explanatory.

SPACIOUS LAYOUTS All of the units feature open kitchen/dining/living rooms and almost floor to ceiling windows. Boasting an all Gaggenau kitchen with a range in the kitchen island, the kitchens are well designed with Dornbracht fixtures and polished white Carrera marble counters. Jamie Drake was hired as an interior designer, and you will see some of his custom designed fixtures in the bathrooms in addition to a very deep marble encased soaking tub. You have a few different color palettes in the master bathrooms to choose from; a beautiful design detail is the functional ledges in the powder and secondary bathrooms. Bosch washer/ dryers come standard throughout and the units are smart wired with Nest app-monitored temperature control, smartphone-enabled door locks and a built-in Neutron Pro iPad intercom system. There are full housekeeping and valet services offered.

58 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

ON THE PLUS SIDE The units are competitive with the luxury market, but it is the 44,000 square feet of amenities that take this offering to another level. Let’s start with the two resident lounges, one has a game room with billiards table, and the other has a fireplace. There are plenty of outdoor decks and a plethora of private barbecue stations which offer private settings. There is a business center with nine apple computers, a copy machine, kitchenette with vending machines and a complimentary coffee station. A screening room with plenty of seating, karaoke room, and golf simulator. One of the finest amenities offered is a private Equinox Gym for residents only; there’s a 75’ lap pool. There is a yoga room and a children’s playroom that is larger than most. Third party parking is available for the building. There’s more: A very impressive full commercial kitchen available for two party rooms. The party rooms have an additional kitchenette, TV’s, and outdoor grilling stations attached for inside/outside events. Manhattan Views can also boast being one of only seven buildings in Manhattan that have a regulation sized basketball court with two scoreboards. The sheer size and amount of amenities are incredible, but an impressive detail in the amenity spaces are the fingerprint technology installed on entrances.

ONE REALTOR FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY

Cheryl B Newton MOVING? RELOCATING? HELPING A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND?

I belong to a nationwide network of trusted real estate agents. I can refer you to three professional agents in any area of the U.S. ­ you get to interview each of them and choose one with whom to work.

It’s that simple!

Contact me when you’re ready.

LUXURY LIVING Manhattan Views at MiMA is an impressive luxury development. Located in Hudson Yards on the edge of Times Square, offering great views in all directions, wonderfully spacious and well laid out floor plans, and more amenities that one can count.

For more information on Manhattan Views at MiMA, visit manhattanview.com. • EXPERIENCE INCREDIBLE 360° VIEWS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

431 W Lancaster Ave Devon, PA 19333 610.564.1144 M 610.647.0444 F cheryl.newton@foxroach.com

HENRY HALL

By Daniel J. Bollinger | Photography By Douglas Friedman

estled in Hudson Yards at 515 West 38th Street is a new concept in residential living called Henry Hall. This area of Manhattan is beginning to take shape with new projects finally coming to fruition and residents moving in. Henry Hall is a different kind of rental more like a boutique hotel that is redefining luxury for a new generation of New Yorkers. Offering 225 new rental units from studios to two-bedrooms (some terraced), this rental building offers more than the standard apartment.

THE UNITS Open layouts with great designs: These are elements not seen in a rental apartment. One of these is high-end appliances in the kitchens including Bosch and KitchenAid refrigerator.

Waterworks fixtures are standard in the kitchens and Kohler fixtures are standard in the bathrooms. The bathrooms are beautiful with subway tiles, custom medicine cabinets, and rain shower heads. Bosch washer/dryers are standard throughout.

Other design details brought to us by Ken Fulk include oversized steel-encased windows, ash hardwood flooring, quartz countertops in the kitchen, and the hexagonal-tiled floors in the bathrooms denote the sponsors took this a step further. Particularly useful is the integrated vanity lighting that complements the custom medicine cabinets. The apartments are delightful indeed, with design decisions heralding a higher standard than your average apartment. But it is the lifestyle defining amenities that bring this new standard to Hudson Yards.

AMENITIES There is music in the common hallways and elevators of this building.

They have a large gym area with Peleton machines, free weights, and they also offer customized fitness programs. The roof deck is designed for watching sunsets over the Hudson (apartments have fabulous western views). The resident lounge has a chef ’s kitchen with a private dining room and wine room. If that isn’t enough, take a look at the restaurant and bar by Delicious Hospitality Group on the second floor. But one of the coolest amenities of Henry Hall is their Jam Room, a cozy little nook filled with instruments and karaoke, and soundproofed. It even has mics and an Apple computer for recording.

IT HAS IT ALL BKSK Architects led by Ismael Leyva with Ken Fulk have redefined NYC living with a higher level of rental apartments, loads of unique amenities in the new history-in-the-making Hudson Yards district of NYC. For more information on Henry Hall, visit henryhallnyc.com. • GET AVAILABILITY & PRICES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

TRUSTEE ORDERED SALE AT

AUCTION THREE RIVERS FARM New Hampshire’s Premiere Waterfront Family Compound with Ocean Access Originally listed at $7.9 million, selling to the highest bidder above $2,500,000.

Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., on-site auction with live online bidding available.

185 Three Rivers Farm Road, Dover, NH. Meticulously restored 3-story Georgian mansion, of an arts & crafts architecture, on 20+/- acres including multiple guest homes, pool, dock, and island cabin.

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS VISIT www.paulmcinnis.com OR CALL (603) 964-1301.

LIC.#2089 - (603) 964-1301 - REF.#17PM-27

SPA SCENE

By Ruth J. Katz

t is hard to imagine dedicating a staggering 40 thousand square feet (on three levels) to a spa in Manhattan, a city that has to thrust steel, concrete, and glass heavenward to create new space. While I have visited some pretty indulgent spas in the city, with lavish facilities and appointments, I’d be hard-pressed to name one that could also be characterized as a hydrotherapy hub. The water therapy pools (yes, plural with an “s”), are just about the best I have seen or used anywhere. I am comparing them to two spas I thought had pretty nifty hydrotherapy facilities—at the Château de Pizay in Saint-Jeand’Ardières, a sort of long stone’s throw from Evian, arguably the water capital of France, and the hospitable Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon, with a highly therapeutic hydrotherapy circuit. It is truly not adequate to call Premier 57 simply a spa. Company literature says that it is Manhattan’s East-Meets-West Spa Country Club.

SPA-LA-LA Designed as a traditional Korean spa, it will impress for several other reasons. For starters, it’s the only spa I have visited where, sensibly, before you even step into the dressing area—where everyone is barefoot or padding around in flip-flops—you leave your street shoes in a tiny locker in an ante-chamber. Then you put on your spa slip-on to enter the changing areas so that you do not drag sidewalk grime and germs in. Also, it’s the only spa I know where each visitor is provided an electronic-style watch, to be used throughout their visit, and used to open your locker.

The main hydrotherapy bade (German for bathing) pool offers a dozen individual stations, with jets targeted to various body parts.

The most potent jets are in the center of the pool, emanating from a metal monolith with a handrail around it. Yes, you will need the hand bar to stay put, so the powerful rush of water doesn’t blow you half-way across the pool! If you get tired of the water treatments, paddle over to the pool bar and enjoy a refreshing beverage. On the rooftop, there are a few more hydro pools and even more stations for targeted therapy.

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Those are not the only things that captivate here. On the ninth floor, there is a veritable sauna smorgasbord, called Sauna Valley, with a half dozen novel saunas. Company literature describes the various potential benefits that each one may produce: • The gold sauna, which the company says is 98 percent goldplated, takes a cue from the ancient Romans and Egyptians, who felt gold induced healing, and may well improve mental acuity through the increased conductivity between nerve endings.

• Korean loess soil lines the walls of the hottest and largest sauna; it encourages a very meditative state because of the aroma of the Korean yellow clay and additionally, it may aid in circulation and metabolism.

• The walls of the Himalayan salt room have a gentle pink cast; this environment helps to regulate blood pressure and the sundry minerals in the salt may lessen allergic reactions, soften the skin, and reduce signs of aging.

• The ice igloo—hardly a sauna!—delivers a virtual trip to the Arctic; exposure to the chill just may improve the body’s antioxidant capabilities, strengthen the immune system, and reduce chronic pains.

• The infrared sauna looks very futuristic. The heaters convert the infrared light into heat, which is absorbed into the skin (as opposed to heating the air), and that may just sooth stiff joints and increase oxygen flow to the brain, resulting in better circulation.

• The chromo therapy sauna features a half dozen individual booths, each surrounded by a different-colored light and aimed to soothe and relax.

Premier 57

Cafe Bistro However, if you prefer the classic dry sauna chamber in traditional burnished wood, you will find one each, in the individual men’s and women’s lounges. Additionally, each same-sex locker room has a classic steam room, a plunge pool, and a Jacuzzi in the wet area adjacent to the locker area. (The remarkable waterworks are co-ed, on the eighth floor and the rooftop.)

When you’re completed with all the novel indulgences, there are several places to rest and relax, as well: The healing zone, the meditation room, the sleeping room, and the infrared zone lounge. And, if you spend the day there, take a lunch break at Café Bistro on the ninth floor, where the chef prepares smoothies, popular Western luncheon fare, and delectable Korean favorites.

Oh, and did we mention that, since this is a spa, there is a vast menu of spa treatments, Korean and Western-style—scrubs, wraps, hammam, massages, and facials, including the Asian bamboo massage, traditional Japanese shiatsu, and kung fu ball massage. Services can range from a 15-minute amma treatment to a two-hour Japanese Onsen experience.

A day pass is $75 and just may be the best money you’ll ever spend (of course, incidentals and meals are extra). And, unlike most spas, bottled water is at an additional cost. However, there are water coolers for use on each floor. You will find the staff very caring and attentive.

For more information on Premier 57, visit premier57.com. • © Ruth J. Katz 2017 All Rights Reserved VIEW SUMMER SPECIALS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 63

THE FUTURE OF FERTILITY MEDICINE

By Dr. Alan Copperman | Photography by Maku Lopez

fter more than two decades of practicing reproductive medicine, my greatest thrill is making the call to a patient and letting her know that she is pregnant and her dreams are going to come true. Being a fertility specialist has presented me with more opportunities to help people than I ever could have imagined. Someone asked me recently how many patients I have helped become parents over the 22 years of my career. I calculated that given both the direct and indirect influence of my efforts; the total came to well over 25,000 babies. I was staggered by the number.

A DOCTOR IS BORN For some, choosing a career is one of the toughest choices they can make in life. For me, however, I’m not sure I ever considered any other path. My parents recently told me that when I was born, I received a gift: a bib that had the legend “My son, the doctor” printed across it. It was of course quite some years later before I completed medical school, but the desire to be a physician is something that has always been ingrained in me. While becoming a doctor may have been my destiny, I did find it hard to decide which type of medical career to pursue. My early interest in science fiction steered me toward the surgical and technical aspects of medicine: I found the idea of using techniques like microsurgery and applying genetics and new scientific information to clinical care very appealing. However, I also wanted to be able to connect with and support patients on an emotional level. It was this blend of interests that first led me to consider working as a reproductive endocrinologist—and suddenly my future became clear.

I am lucky to have so many facets to my work. I embrace all of my roles as leader, teacher, scientist, mentor, and most of all, physician, and often get to perform each of these on a daily basis. For the past 15 years, I have served as Vice-Chairman and Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at Mount Sinai Medical Center. At Mount Sinai, I have the opportunity to participate in the educational process of shaping young physicians in training who collectively represent the future of reproductive medicine.

A good deal of my scientific and clinical activities are performed at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, the practice I co-founded in 2001. At RMA of NY, I lead regulatory and medical advisory meetings, coordinate our laboratory, clinical, and scientific, and mentor young doctors. Together, we are developing new protocols and clinical treatment strategies to support patients and provide access to the best possible outcomes.

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THE PERSONAL TOUCH The most rewarding part of my work involves helping individuals and couples achieve their reproductive goals. I take both the emotional and the medical side of the patient journey seriously.

I find that asking open-ended questions, listening to fears and concerns, and recognizing emotional needs help us tailor treatment strategies. Today’s medical workup must be personalized and patient-centered. It involves investigation of the uterus, the tubes, the eggs, and the sperm, as well as assessing a patient’s or a couple’s emotional needs. I believe that today’s physician has a unique opportunity to access data and use the information to streamline treatment. Some patients may benefit from low-tech approaches, while others will require in vitro fertilization (IVF) and transfer of a chromosomally screened embryo. In the infancy of IVF, having twins and even triplets were a simple fact, but by using modern information and new technologies, we can identify the healthiest of embryos and maximize the likelihood of a healthy, full-term delivery.

One of the most significant impacts the reproductive field has had is in the advancement of egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation. For women with cancer, this technology translates into future fertility for those facing chemotherapy. For women focused on building their careers, egg freezing creates the opportunities for them to make their family when they are ready. Using modern vitrification techniques, many women have preserved their fertility, and gone on to have healthy children when they were ready.

Technological advancements in reproductive medicine allow us to now identify mutations in patients who have had genetic diseases run in their families for generations. We routinely combine modern technology such as next generation sequencing with patient education and emotional support to not only cure infertility but to assist couples at risk to have healthy offspring that are not afflicted with diseases such as Tay Sachs and Cystic Fibrosis.

MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS One of my personal goals is to increase awareness of today’s advances in reproductive medicine. For too long, infertile couples have suffered in private with the shame and guilt of infertility.

So many could benefit from consultations, new technologies, and even just basic emotional support. It is time to make discussions more accessible—geographically, financially, and emotionally. We need to understand how to blend the world of science with the very personal family struggles of those who are battling infertility. We also need to take care of practical elements, like advocating for better insurance coverage to address the financial burden of treatment.

The opportunities before us now are incredible.

For centuries, we relied on anecdotal evidence as the basis for medical remedies. Just 100 years ago, infertility was treated with exploratory surgery. Thirty years ago, we saw the proliferation of endoscopic surgery. Over the past two decades, reproductive medicine has moved out of the body and into the petri dish, with physicians picking the healthiest sperm and putting it into the egg. In the last five years, advanced genomics has enabled us to refine that process by using genetic data points to identify the single healthiest embryo.

It is an exciting time to be a fertility specialist.

The advances of tomorrow will be primarily digital, and driven by data-based evidence that allows us a greater understanding than ever before of how to maximize the chance of a healthy pregnancy and birth. At the same time, we have to ensure that we don’t lose our humanity along the way—just because technology means we can do something, it doesn’t mean we should. That’s why the thoughtful implementation of science in full partnership with ethics committees, institutional and societal oversight, and appropriate Institutional Review Board approval is so important.

HERE’S TO THE FUTURE I remain as fascinated today by the technical aspects of medicine as I did when I was at medical school. Continual advances mean I still spend my evenings poring over textbooks as new knowledge creation allows for new tools to be developed. The potential for digital disruption is huge—next generation sequencing, parallel processing, cloud storage and more will in the future mean access to care and knowledge and pathways to success for those who may not previously have had a choice. I can see just over the horizon a future of non-invasive ways to select the healthiest embryos.

I am a father myself, and my three teenage sons are my pride and joy. They teach my wife and myself so much about what parenthood means and the hopes and dreams that it entails. They have also helped me to realize how important it is that we pass on the knowledge we have, to make the world a better place for each successive generation within a framework of ethics and social justice that translates to a better future for all.

I’m honored to be part of one of the largest and most patient-focused IVF practices in the United States. As physicians, we must have the courage to fail as well as to try—just as those undergoing fertility treatments do. My aim is to use my medical training and experience to blend science, compassion, and ethics with an emotional understanding of the courage it takes for patients to go through IVF treatment. I want to contribute to a world where every single patient who dreams of having a healthy baby can be helped to achieve that goal. I want to do good to make people feel better.

To me, that’s the very essence of being a physician.” • Dr. Alan Copperman is an experienced and respected clinician, has published numerous manuscripts and book chapters on reproductive medicine, and has co-authored hundreds of scientific abstracts on infertility, in vitro fertilization, egg freezing, ovum donation, and genetics. Dr. Copperman is frequently quoted in print and digital media (Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times, SELF, Health.com, Parenting Magazine) and is featured on local and nationally-televised news shows. He has been named to New York Magazine’s list of Best Doctors sixteen years in a row.

START HERE WITH A CONSULTATION Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 65

TECH TALK

By Karen Jacobs

hen was the last time you rode the train or bus and not glued to some type of mobile device? With today’s technology, we hold volumes of books, the Internet, and communication with others in the palm of our hands. We live in a consistently evolving technological age where new forms of “on the go” smaller, lighter, and more portable mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are continuously being introduced almost every day. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, nearly 77 percent of U.S. adults have a smartphone, up from 35 percent in 2011; and tablet computer ownership is 45 percent among adults.

The portable nature of smartphone and tablets allows them to be used in a variety of positions such as the standing, sitting, walking, running; and locations such as at a desk, couch, bed, bus, train, etc. This is beneficial for the versatility in utilizing this form of technology. However, it predisposes individuals to adopt less than ideal postures that may be sustained for prolonged periods of time.

A COST TO PHYSICAL HEALTH Owning a mobile device, of course, allows the user to spend hours discovering all the things new.

But you may also have discovered its downside: awkward positions and repetitive movements of your shoulders, neck, elbows, and thumbs can create discomfort which can lead to pain and even structural changes in your joints, muscles, tendons, and nails in addition to straining your eyes.

This downside is particularly concerning in an adolescent population, as postures learned in adolescence will be easily carried through to adulthood. Musculoskeletal discomfort associated with the use of information technology in students can be attributed to multiple factors including: •Decreased availability of properly fitting furniture, impaired vision, minimal to no ergonomic standards for smartphone or tablet use for students.

•Rest breaks not provided or encouraged in schools, lack of knowledge to create optimal ergonomic work station set up, and decreased awareness of body position when using information technology.

•Decreased/poor understanding of ergonomics by teachers and students. One major contributing factor is that only approximately 17.6 percent of teachers received ergonomic training.

Now let’s review some of the conditions experienced with mobile technology and what you can do to use this technology wisely.

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THUMBS Symptoms may include discomfort or pain in your wrist and thumb when bending either toward the small finger. You may also have a dull aching pain in the base of your thumb or pain and snapping in your thumb when you bend and straighten it. Cause: Repeatedly pressing the small digital keyboard and sustained, awkward positioning of your hands and thumbs while typing.

What you can do •Use equipment or gadgets to hold your mobile device securely. There are many available so try them out.

•Keep your messages short and use word prediction, abbreviations, and pre-keyed messages whenever possible.

•Avoid multiple Internet searches and limit your time spent playing games using a small keyboard.

• If feasible, use an external keyboard to increase the size of the keyboard and use multiple fingers.

•Limit your time using thumb keyboards each day.

•Be selective in returning emails and text messages using your mobile device.

•If you feel discomfort or pain, stop and rest your hands. Gently stretch your thumbs, fingers, and wrists.

•Use ice packs daily as soon as discomfort or pain appears to reduce inflammation.

ELBOWS Symptoms include tingling and numbness into your little finger and possible weakness of your hand. Cause: Continually bending your elbow to hold the tablet in your hands or the phone to your ear.

What you can do •Use your speakerphone feature or hands-free ear Bluetooth devices when feasible to avoid bending your elbow.

•Change your hands frequently during extended conversations without a handsfree device.

NECK Symptoms include muscle pain and spasms in your neck and shoulders, with possible tingling and numbness in your arms.

Cause: Prolonged head tilting when using a tablet and for a phone, raising your shoulder to your ear to secure the phone while talking.

What you can do •Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.

•Use the speakerphone feature or hands-free ear devices.

•Hold the phone up to eye level when reading on your phone.

VISION DISCOMFORT Symptoms include digital eye strain; dry eyes where this dryness can cause burning and itching. Cause: Looking at a small screen for a long time.

What you can do •Increase the font size and contrast (e.g. white on black).

•Use an easy-to-read font (e.g. Arial, Times Roman) without italics.

•Use a phone or tablet with the largest screen possible.

•Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away to refocus your eyes and be sure to blink regularly to moisten your eyes.

•Avoid using a phone or tablet with a small screen as your primary tool for Internet searches, e-mails, and texts.

•Use proper corrective lenses.

•Have regular eye examinations.

MULTI-TASKING Symptoms include lack of concentration and becoming unaware of your surroundings. Cause: Being distracted almost always puts yourself and others in danger by using your smartphone or tablet while driving or walking/running. Texting while walking/running can lead to tripping, falling, and potentially being hit by a motor vehicle or bicycle.

What you can do •Do not use your phone or tablet for texting while walking/running or driving.

•If you are talking while walking/running, be aware of your surroundings.

•If you are talking while driving, use a hands-free device.

NAILS Symptoms include misshapen and ridged thumb nails. Cause: Continually pressing the keypad with your fingertips, which puts pressure on the nail bed.

What you can do •Keep your nails short.

•Use the fleshy part of your index finger and not your fingertip to type.

•Hold the mobile phone in one hand and type with the other.

MORE TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

If discomfort, pain, or tingling occurs or persists despite the recommendations described here, consult your physician and request an occupational therapy evaluation. Occupational therapists are available through most hospitals, community clinics, medical centers, and schools.

For more information on the American Occupational Therapy Association, visit aota.org.• Karen Jacobs, OT, OTR, Ed.D., CPE, FAOTA, is a Clinical Professor at Boston University (BU), College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College. She is the national spokesperson for the AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™ and can be contacted at kjacobs@bu.edu.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 67

SCHOOL LUNCH: A HEALTHY TWIST

By Shari Bilt Boockvar

t’s September which means shopping for school supplies and planning calendars with activities in full swing. It’s also a time to be creative and try new ideas for healthy lunches.

I’ve been down this road with my own child and offer some of my favorite suggestions here. A balance of protein, whole grains and fruit or veggies is essential. Also keep in mind that for lunches to remain fresh and not spoil, use a freezer lunch bag that will help to keep foods cool.

WHOLE GRAIN PASTA SALAD A good choice is whole grain pasta or tortellini mixed with cooked chicken, broccoli or any other vegetable. Mix with olive oil or a healthier based mayonnaise, salt and pepper.

COLD TORTILLA PIZZA Another option is whole grain tortilla toasted with tomato sauce, organic mozzarella cheese and veggies. Fold over and wrap in aluminum foil.

CRACKER SANDWICHES Easy to make grain crackers filled with light organic cheese and lean protein such as turkey, grilled chicken, roast beef or ham will please. Serve with a side of carrots and hummus or fruit.

HUMMUS PLATTER Make a tray of hummus with carrots, whole wheat pita slices and protein slices such as chicken, turkey or cheese sticks.

SUSHI STYLE SANDWICH Wrap grilled chicken or turkey breast and veggies such as cucumber or asparagus into flattened whole grain bread. Slice into “sushi” pieces.

“HEALTHIER” PB&J An upgraded all-time favorite: Whole grain bread with nut butter or nut butter alternative and mashed berries of choice.

PROTEIN BALLS Mix one chopped hard-boiled egg + ¼ mashed avocado + ¼ pound freshly sliced turkey breast, mashed in a bowl and then form three golf-size balls and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Fill a whole wheat pita or top a salad with the protein balls.

CHICKEN SAUSAGE DIPPERS A fun lunch all kids will love includes one or two cooked chicken sausage links cut into bite sized pieces. Serve with a side of ketchup or barbeque sauce and veggie sticks.

WHOLE GRAIN MINI BAGEL A lunch pleaser: Top with two tablespoons of organic cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato, lettuce, and onion.

OTHER IDEAS TO TRY COOKBOOK DISCOVERY Many parents have cookbooks galore in their kitchen cabinets.

This is a great time to re-discover some of your favorites or new ones to try with your kids. Pick five to 10 recipes and bookmark them with post-it notes, so they are easy to find when you need them.

PINTEREST If you haven’t seen it now is the time to take a look at this fun and informative app that you can find online or on your phone. Healthy lunch ideas are abundant on Pinterest. You can organize recipes by making “boards.” Sort into salads, sandwiches, sides, and snacks— or make separate boards for each of your kid’s favorite lunches.

MAGAZINES Purchase a few food magazines. When you find one or two you that your family enjoys, subscribe (either print or online). Each month you will discover new recipes and ideas.

SHOP AS A TEAM Now that you have some healthy lunch recipes shop together with your children! Making them a part of the process from beginning to end will help them want to try their new meals. Make sure to devise a shopping list at home and stick to it as best as you can; it’s easy to get off track and buy foods that you may not want to keep at home when shopping without a list.

NEW FRUITS & VEGGIES The adage “if you don’t try, you’ll never know” works well here.

Each season provides us with different produce picks. Every week, try a new fruit or vegetable with your family to taste and try them in different lunches. You never know what meal ideas you’ll come up with when finding new foods. • GET HEALTHIER RECIPES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN is a Nutritionist in New York and the Tristate area. She specializes in nutrition counseling and consulting for weight control and fitness. Shari can be found blogging about her favorite products and recipes at Facebook. com@NutritionShari; Twitter.com@NutritionShari; Instagram@NutritionShari; and nutrifactsforyou.com.

68 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

Help Cure Food Insecurity Food Insecurity happens when the poor, the disabled, the elderly – wonder whether they will have enough food to feed themselves and their families.

St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters have strived to eradicate food insecurity by feeding the children who play in your neighborhood parks, the working poor, the lonely and marginalized with the welcoming respect that St. Francis epitomized.

It all starts with confronting food insecurity. Then, doors are open to so many more ways we can serve our neighbors in need.

St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters

Feeding, clothing and counseling families in need.

Tel: (212) 279-6171

www.stfrancispantries.org

YOU can donate.

YOU can volunteer.

YOU is the key word.

Everyone of ‘YOU’ has something special and unique that you can contribute to the cause.

St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters, New York’s answer to food insecurity.

db Bistro Moderne Bar Room ©D. Krieger

CLASSIC FRENCH MEETS MODERN AMERICAN

By Anne Raso

hen Daniel Boulud opens a restaurant, everything must be perfect from the Coq Au Vin to the carpeting—but the 14-year-old db Bistro Moderne at 55 West 44th Street manages to have a relaxed and casual feel despite being a gastronomic legend. Gentle earth-tone walls and light green banquettes accented by modern art and octopus-like ceiling fixtures make for an ultra-chic but relaxing dining atmosphere.

On my recent visit, I had to try the aforementioned Coq Au Vin, which was a large three-piece portion with a dark semi-smoky wine-based sauce, bacon, Chanterelle mushrooms and a generous side of spätzle. Of course, being a meat lover, I also had to try the Iron Steak which was cooked to medium rare perfection and served with arugula, caramelized onion puree, and sauce au poivre.

TOP BURGER IN TOWN Did I fail to mention that the steak came with the same legendary golden truffle oil fries that you get with the super-famous Original db Burger—a sirloin burger filled with braised short ribs, foie gras, and black truffle served on a parmesan bun? People swear this is the best burger in the city, and executive chef Chris Stam explains why: “The db Burger first became a success because it was the first gourmet burger in NYC. But it also wasn’t a gimmick; the recipe is well thought out, based on traditional French flavor pairings and techniques (Boeuf Au Vin Rouge, Tournedos Rossini). It also requires multiple days of careful preparation, so it truly is a luxury item, even beyond the ingredients.”

Chef Stam is a Boston and Martha’s Vineyard native who made his big stamp on NYC via his time at the Meatpacking District’s Spice Market. Working with Daniel Boulud is what has gotten Stam superstar status, so I had to ask just how hands-on Chef Boulud is day-to-day with db Bistro Moderne. Stam responds, “For a chef juggling the demands of multiple restaurants, Daniel is very involved in the day-to-day business. He meets with all his executive chefs to provide feedback on all seasonal menu changes, and also regularly visits the restaurant to try specials that I have developed. He actually spends a lot of time mentoring the chefs in his restaurants, and one of the things I have learned from him is how to balance innovation and tradition. When you’re working with such classic dishes, it’s important to be creative, but never at the expense of the quality of the dish or the overall experience of the customer.”

70 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

db Bistro Moderne Burger

Chef Chris Stam

MORE SURPRISES Not much has been in the media about db Bistro Moderne’s wonderful handmade pasta, but I cannot recommend any pasta dish in the city more than the Corn & Ricotta Ravioli which comes in a medium thick cream sauce, embellished with sautéed baby greens and basil. The desserts—especially the memorable Blueberry Pavlova which is topped with a fresh whole blueberry sauce, lemon verbena ice cream and blueberry yogurt sorbet—are what I would describe as “traditional French patisserie-style with a modern American twist.”

Fall will be the perfect time for you to visit db Bistro Moderne because Chef Stam promises some inventive new fare. “Fall is about vibrant colors and warm flavors, so I’ll be using heartier grains and more butter-based and emulsified sauces. It’s a time when we use less seafood and crunchy vegetables and opt for game, offal, beef, and pork. In particular, I’m excited about a sweetbreads dish with pumpkin and mushrooms, as well as a pork belly dish with celeriac and chestnuts.”

You don’t need to pull on my arm—I’m going back to db Bistro Moderne asap!

For more information on db Bistro Moderne, visit dbbistro.com/nyc. • Anne Raso is a New York City-based freelance journalist. She is the former rock columnist for the Sunday New York Daily News and has contributed travel articles to Time Out New York and foxnews.com. Anne currently edits the lifestyle website luxelifenyc.com and contributes to Discovery Girls Magazine.

RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

A WEST VILLAGE JEWEL

By Patricia Canole

he talented Umber Ahmad has been delighting pastry fans for years (including Chef Tom Colicchio of Craft fame) with a mail order and wholesale business, Mah-Ze-Dahr. Then last year after careful planning, Ahmad opened her storefront bakery in the West Village—to the delight of New Yorkers!

Mah-Ze-Dahr—it’s an Urdu word, describing the “magic that makes food so delicious”—feels a bit luxurious by bakery standards, with its cushioned banquette across from the wrap-around pastry counter. “It’s about creating memories, savoring moments,” Umber explains, “and giving people the space to cherish the rest of the day.”

Indeed, she’s working her magic in what has become one of the best pastry shops in New York. We recently caught up with Umber who shed some light on what makes her life and pastries blend so perfectly.

With a career well-established in finance, when exactly did your love of baking begin?

I started baking as a child. And, at the time, we had a Finnish woman to help care for us. As early as I can remember, she would sit me on the counter and go about baking things for our family, all the while telling me stories about her childhood, family, travels, everything. For me, storytelling and food become inextricably linked. My family is from Pakistan, where food is an honored tradition of bonding, love, intention and hard work. The food was life, and the people who created that food were magical.

How did Tom Colicchio inspire you?

Tom embodies the truth of a chef: a person who transforms the earth’s bounty into nourishment and art. He has maintained his authenticity as he has grown his reach and goes back to the origin of why he does what he does. I’m appreciative of that. Tom also recognized in me and my pastries something with potential and longevity. To have someone like Tom acknowledge your work—that goes a long way when you first start out.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Gallet

Were you always located in New York City? And what has been your vision?

I moved to NYC after graduating from business school (Wharton) to begin my career on Wall Street. After many years in banking and private equity, I started my own firm. Now with Mah-Ze-Dahr, I find myself in New York City for the foreseeable future. My vision for Mah-Ze-Dahr is for it be a global, luxury heritage brand which connects memory, experience, and taste together. The greatest luxury any of us can hope for is time. We all want and crave more time. When we sit and eat, we take that time to be focused ourselves, our well-being and those whom we love. Mah-Ze-Dahr is the true embodiment of that luxury of time.

What are some new baking concepts you are bringing to the table?

Baking is not about new concepts or innovations. Our goal is not to create fads or photographable food, but instead to become a part of your lives. We strive for Mah-Ze-Dahr pastries to be the best version of that pastry you’ve ever had. We do this through the finest ingredients, refined techniques, innovations of flavor and ingredient, and the commitment to quality. While not a new concept, I fear that it is a bit of a lost one in today’s markets.

Since opening your bakery, what has become the most soughtafter item?

One of the things that I love about our bakery is that our pastries speak to people in so many different ways. We have some guests who gravitate toward our scones, others swear by our signature Mah-Ze-Dahr bar. Our brioche doughnut with vanilla pastry cream always sells out, as do our vanilla choux.

Are there plans to open other Mah-Ze-Dahr outposts in New York City?

We are currently working on our second storefront in Manhattan. Once we have that established, we will evaluate one more before expanding to other cities. We are also working on a location at JFK airport.

For me, storytelling and food become inextricably linked.

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What’s your life like outside of the kitchen?

As an entrepreneur, you become your business, and your business becomes you. Most of my waking hours are spent working on Mah-Ze-Dahr, so when I do have some downtime, I like to spend it with my family and my friends. I seek nourishment in them and find tremendous energy and blessings in their company. I’m a private pilot and try to fly as much as possible. Outside of the kitchen, the sky is my happy place.

And have you given thoughts to writing a cookbook?

Good question! I’ve been approached by publishers and agents to write both a cookbook for Mah-Ze-Dahr, as well as the story of our brand. Both labors of love, I believe that timing is critical when it comes to books. Once we have another year under our belts, I will do the cookbook. The brand book is something about which I feel very strongly about. Mah-Ze-Dahr is a journey from emotion to a lifestyle brand. Having changed me as a person, I would hope the story inspires others to find their own love and legacy.

For more information on Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, visit mahzedahr.com. • SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 73

HOW TO SCORE THE BEST TABLE IN NYC

By Ann Grenier

n the city that never sleeps, knowing the restaurant’s gatekeeper—otherwise known as the maître d’—to the hottest scenes-to-be-seen and fashionable social circles is essential. Overseeing the most popular restaurants in New York City is no small feat. It takes a considerable amount of wit and wisdom to juggle dining reservations efficiently, seating, greeting guests and leading a team without losing one’s ability to charm. The primary goal of any ambassador of dining is to assure a satisfying dining experience for all. Tables are sectioned into tiers, based on status, and being on “the list” is not enough when catering to diplomats, celebrities, socialites, and regulars. Here, the top New York City ambassadors of dining you want—and need—to know.

Gianfranco Sorrentino has been running high-profile restaurants around the world and catered to a well-heeled, discerning clientele for decades. He currently owns landmarked hotspots Il Gattopardo and The Leopard at des Artistes, as well as the rustic Mozzarella & Vino— three acclaimed Manhattan restaurants dishing out some of New York’s most authentic southern Italian cuisine.

Gianfranco is well known and respected among New York’s powerful elite, and together with his wife Paula, Executive Chef Vito Gnazzo, and a passionate, dedicated team, he offers warm Italian hospitality and exceptional service in a unique, sophisticated, yet relaxed atmosphere.

For more information on Il Gattopardo (13-15 West 54th Street), visit ilgattopardonnyc.com.

Paola Predrignani is the owner of the Mediterranean fusion restaurant, Amaranth, located off Madison Avenue on 62nd Street.

Predignani welcomes guests as they stroll in from the most famous shopping district in the Upper East Side. With almost two decades in the restaurant business, Amaranth has garnered a massive loyal following. Paola’s devotion to an authentic dining experience serving expertly crafted cuisines using quality ingredients, imported directly from France and Italy, has made Amaranth successful for almost two decades. The ambient, glowing dining room is a reflection of the restaurant’s name, Amaranth, meaning dark red rose-colored flower; it radiates a warm and welcoming ambiance that is exuded through the demeanor and hospitality of Pedrignani’s team.

For more information on Amaranth (21 East 62nd Street), visit amaranthrestaurant.com.

Steve Millington’s personality is emulated in the service he provides as manager of Michael’s New York. The team of hostesses and waiters have fostered connections with guests, unmatched by any other fine dining establishment. Decades of experience complemented by his devotion to exquisite cuisines has made Millington a favorite amongst guests and well-respected in New York restaurant scene. At Michael’s, Millington caters to New York’s biggest power players and celebrities, including Barbara Walters and Ralph Lauren. Executive Chef Kyung Up Lim dishes contemporary American and Californian-style cuisines suited for every palate. Guests dine in a stylish environment decorated with contemporary paintings and sculptures.

For more information on Michael’s New York (24 West 55th Street), visit michaelsnewyork.com. • SEE MENUS & RESERVE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

74 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

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BIG SCREEN PREVIEWS

By Pat Collins CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: 40th Anniversary Rated: PG Release September 1st (one week only) The year 1977 was a banner year for movies: George Lucas‘ Star Wars IV: A New Hope, Woody Allen‘s Annie Hall, John Badham‘s Saturday Night Fever, David Lynch‘s Eraserhead, Richard Attenborough‘s A Bridge Too Far and Steven Spielberg’s enchanting sci-fi film. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Close Encounters will be shown in theaters for one week beginning September 1st.

Studio executives were less than enthusiastic about Mr. Spielberg‘s idea for a film about an Indiana electrical lineman‘s observation of UFO‘s. Steve McQueen, Mr. Spielberg’s first choice for the Roy Neary role, declined as did Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman and Jack Nicholson. It is impossible to imagine those actors in the role so perfectly played by Richard Dreyfus. Mr. Spielberg convinced the renowned French director Francois Truffaut to join the cast as a scientist investigating UFO activity and the disappearance of those pilots whose undamaged plane was found in the Sonoran Desert. Also in the cast—Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban and the young Gary Griffey. The film received 8 Oscar nominations and won for cinematography. The film’s budget was $20 million; its worldwide box office gross totaled $300 million. The Library Of Congress selected Close Encounters for preservation in the National Film Registry.

ANIMAL CRACKERS Not Yet Rated Release: September 1st No, it is not a remake of the funny 1930 Marx Brothers movie but a 3D animated comedy. Owen (John Krasinski) and Zoe Huntington (Emily Blunt) inherit an unusual circus which bears no resemblance to Ringling Brothers. Here everyone who eats a cracker turns into a real life version of the animal he or she just digested. The transformation may be harder for those who gobbled an elephant cracker rather than a monkey shaped sweet. Yes, this is an unusual premise for a family movie.

The voice cast includes Danny DeVito, Sylvester Stallone, Raven Symone, Harvey Fierstein as Esmerelda, the fortune teller and Sir Ian McKellen as the Huntington‘s evil uncle. Scott Christian Sava and Tony Bancroft co directed and the creatures were designed by Carter Goodrich (Despicable Me). Parent Alert: Be prepared to address the concerns of young movie goers who leave the Cineplex thinking they will not turn into a real tiger or bear or any critter after eating a box full of animal crackers.

HOME AGAIN Rated: PG 13 Release: September 8th She has not appeared in a romantic comedy since 2012‘s This Means War with Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. In the intervening years, Oscar winner Reese Weatherspoon played Cheryl Strayed in Wild, coproduced Gone Girl and played the role of Madeline Martha McKenzie in the mini-series Big Little Lies. Few actresses of her generation are as adept at playing spunky, independent women in big screen romcom like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Her character in director/ writer, Hallie Meyers Shyers‘ movie, is an emotionally confused mother of two recently split from cheating husband (Michael Sheen). In a celebratory mood on her 40th birthday, she offers the guest cottage on her property to three struggling screenwriters with no place to live. You have already guessed romantic entanglements between Alice and her boarders arise. Welcome back, Reese. You have returned just in time. We need a few laughs now more than ever.

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AMERICAN ASSASSIN Not Yet Rated Release: September 15th Robert Ludlum‘s ex CIA assassin Jason Bourne is a victim of franchise fatigue (critics and audiences gave last summer’s sequel a 55 percent Rotten Tomatoes score) and Tom Clancy‘s CIA analyst Jack Ryan, the hero of 5 movies, ran out of interesting enemies long ago.

Movie goers in search of a new and young flawed hero may find one in the late author Vince Flynn‘s avenging protagonist and rookie CIA operative Mitch Rapp (Dylan O‘Brien). Director Michael Cuesta‘s action adventure based on Mr. Flynn‘s 2010 novel was originally titled Consent To Kill where CIA deputy director Irene Kennedy (Sanna Lathan) assigns Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton) to train recruits whose identities are known only to him and one other insider.

Rapp, whose fiancée was killed in an Islamic terrorist attack on Americans at a tropical beach resort, is more than sufficiently motivated. Adding to the intrigue is a rogue operative (Taylor Kitsch) who Mitch must locate before he ignites World War 3 in the Middle East. The movie‘s creative team first approached Chris Hemsworth for the leading role before casting Mr. O‘Brien who is best known for The Maze Runner and MTV’s Teen Wolf. Bruce Willis was on their list for the role that went to Mr. Keaton, instead.

KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE Rated: R Release: September 22nd He is alive! Colin Firth‘s dapper British operative Harry Hart‘s demise at the end of the 2014 surprise blockbuster The Kingsman: Secret Service blessedly was short lived. Hart and his young, fearless protégé Egsy Unwin (Taron Egerton) travel from England to the American West to join forces with Agent Tequila (Channing Tatum) and other Kingsmen. Theirs is a revenge mission: Find and eliminate members of the Golden Circle, the clandestine organization which in a deadly attack destroyed their headquarters. Halle Berry joins the inner circle as its tech wizard Ginger Ale. (Kudos to those responsible for creating characters’ names). Julianne Moore is the glamorous villainous Poppy. Sir Michael Caine, whose presence enhances every movie he‘s in, reprises the role he played in the first film.

Pedro Pascal known to viewers as Prince Oberyn Martell on Game Of Thrones also co-stars. Returning director Michael Vaughn adds deadly lassos and other unique weapons to the Kingsman‘s arsenal.

The first movie‘s budget was $81 million. The gross was $14 million. In cleverly lampooning the Bond movies Mr. Vaughn and his team created a new spy franchise appealing to males 1835 the demographic highly valued by Hollywood executives.

LEGO NINJAGO Rated: PG Release: September 22nd The makers of what will be an instant blockbuster with heroes, villains, cool vehicles and more inspired by the toy line of the title.

The 3D computer animated action comedy promises to be an extended entertaining commercial for the Ninjago line with its movie related merchandise. It was only seven months ago when Lego Batman was released, grossing over $300 million at the global box office and making another fortune in sales of the plastic construction toys. The brave characters in this movie are six teenage ninjas not related of course to the Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles. The six ninjas are recruited by Master Wu (Jackie Chan) to fight dragons and protect the island of Ninjago from the evil Lord Garmadon, (Justin Theroux). To further complicate an already daunting mission Garmadon is the estranged father of the green ninja named Lloyd (Dave Franco). At 63, Mr. Chan, who is one of the most fit men on the planet, began his movie career almost 55 years ago. Others in the voice cast are Fred Armisen, Olivia Munn, and Michael Pena.

About Pat Collins

BATTLE OF THE SEXES Rated: PG 13 Release: September 22nd “I am not saying women do not belong on the court. Who would pick up the balls otherwise?

-Bobby Riggs She arrived in the Houston Astrodome dressed as Cleopatra carried by three muscular men in togas. He made his entrance in a rickshaw drawn by young women as scantily clad as Playboy bunnies. What looked like a scene from a B version of a sword and sandal movie was the opening act of an unusual event watched by millions of viewers.

Billie Jean King at 29 and 55-year-old Bobby Riggs, the then number one ranked male tennis player, became opponents in one of the most historic matches in professional tennis.

Oscar winner Emma Stone (La La Land) does not resemble Ms. King but Steve Carell, with prosthetics and oddly shaped hair looks like the boastful, misogynistic Mr. Riggs who publicly declared female athletes inferior to male. Nearly 90 million TV viewers watched as Ms. King defeated Mr. Riggs in a $100,000 winner take all match. Despite their professional rivalry the two eventually became close friends. He passed away in 1995. She is still a major advocate for gender equality in sports and remains the all-time number one ranked woman in tennis with 39 Grand Slam titles. Behind the camera and the tennis balls whizzing past were directors. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

The cast includes Sarah Silverman as Gladys Heldman, the founder of Women‘s Tennis Magazine. Alan Cumming, Bill Pullman, and Elisabeth Shue also co-star.

STRONGER Not Yet Rated September 22nd Eight months after Patriots Day opened in theaters another film also revisits the 2013 Boston Marathon terrorist attack, which left three dead, and forever changed the lives of those who barely survived on that April day. Of the sixteen victims who lost limbs, fourteen underwent surgery to amputate shattered legs and arms. One of the amputees Jeff Bauman wrote a moving best seller who inspired director David Gordon Green to bring his heroic struggle to the big screen with Jake Gyllenhaal as Mr. Bauman.

Patriots Day starring Mark Wahlberg as a Boston police officer focused on the manhunt for two radicalized brothers. Stronger tells a different story—that of a then 24-year-old Mr. Bauman, whose ex-girlfriend was among the runners. In an attempt to rekindle their romance, he joined the crowd gathered near the finish line in Cambridge. That is where one of the homemade bombs exploded shattering his legs. An indelible image of a wheelchair bound Mr. Bauman—a double amputee—became a symbol of Boston Strong and its citizens’ resilience. The role of an ordinary guy, with the grit, determination, and courage could bring Mr. Gyllenhaal an Academy Award nomination next spring.

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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.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 77

ON STAGE

By Pat Collins PRINCE OF BROADWAY Samuel J. Friedman Theater The Manhattan Theater Club celebrates the extraordinary career of Hal Prince with a new musical directed by the legend himself and co-directed and choreographed by fivetime Tony winner Susan Stroman.

Mr. Prince’s unparalleled successful career in the theater began in 1950 as assistant stage manager for Tickets Please.

Five years later he co-produced Damn Yankees, and after that success, he and his fellow producers brought West Side Story to Broadway.

He collaborated with Stephen Sondheim on many shows beginning with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum followed by Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Merrily We Roll Along and Side By Side By Sondheim.

Bloomberg reporter Dimitra Kessenides recently asked Mr. Prince to comment on Hamilton’s success. His response, “It is the least likely idea for a musical from Ron Chernov’s book. A lot of the shows I’ve done have been the least likely for a musical: Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, and Cabaret. It’s about the rise of the National Socialist Party. The big lesson is don’t underestimate the audience.”

His office bookshelves are filled with Tony awards. He has 21 of them—more than any other individual and one for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater. Over the years his diverse work ranged from delightful musical comedies such as She Loves Me and On the Twentieth Century to the provocative Kiss of the Spider Woman and the always relevant Sheldon Harnick-Jerry Bach masterpiece Fiddler on the Roof. Phantom of The Opera which he directed holds the record for the longest running musical in Broadway history—32 years!

The Prince of Broadway cast includes Tony winner Chuck Cooper, a veteran of 14 Broadway shows; Janet Dacal, who had the lead role in the Tony winning In the Heights; Bryonha Marie Parham, a current cast member of The Book of Mormon; and Emily Skinner, a Tony nominee for Side Show. Also look for Brandon Uranowitz, Tony Yazbeck, and Karen Ziemba. Everyone on the Samuel L Friedman stage will be impeccably dressed by William Ivey Long, the six time Tony winning costume designer.

TONY BENNETT CELEBRATES 90 Radio City Music Hall October 6th The week before his NYC appearance Mr. Bennett entertains fans at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, and before that engagement, he’s in Oregon, Maine, Pennsylvania and Florida. At 91, the celebrated Queens native maintains a schedule a 65-year-old would find exhausting.

During his long career, the two time Grammy winner entertained troops during World War 2 (and served in the U.S. Army), and dominated the charts in the 50’s. In the ensuing years, he’s collaborated with Lady Gaga on a 2014 duets album, Cheek to Cheek, published an autobiography, The Good Life, honed his skills as an artist and established the Frank Sinatra School Of The Arts in Astoria, Queens.

Mr. Bennett’s’ popularity waned in the 60’s, but he successfully launched the second phase of his career with the album Perfectly Frank, a musical tribute to his idol. In June the living legend was named the 2017 recipient of the Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award—named for George and Ira Gershwin and established

by Congress in 2007 to “honor singers and songwriters who entertain, inform and inspire.” Previous awardees include Sir Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. Mr. Bennett is scheduled to accept the prestigious award in November. For so many reasons this New York born and bred icon will be greeted with a standing ovation when he steps onto the Radio City stage next month.

78 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

THE PUBLIC THEATER 50TH ANNIVERSARY Nearly five decades ago in October of 1957 the theaters’ founder Joseph Papp and his creative team opened the doors of its new home on Lafayette Street in the East Village. The Public which recently launched its 50th season with As You Like It at the Delacorte Theater will present Measure For Measure September 18th to October 29th at their downtown theater.

The Shakespeare comedy will be followed by a revival of Tiny Beautiful Things, directed by Thomas Kail, a Tony winner for Hamilton as well as for In the Heights.

Oscar nominee Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) reprises the role of Sugar an online columnist and dispenser of advice to her devoted readers. Cheryl Strayed, the author of Wild, wrote the 2012 best seller which was adapted for the stage by Ms. Vardalos.

Nia Vardalos

The Public Theater

BROADWAY BUZZ Original cast THE HONEYMOONERS Papermill Playhouse September 28th – October 29th The Millburn, New Jersey theater launches its 2017-2018 season with a new musical comedy inspired by an iconic show from television’s Golden Age. Much to their surprise bus driver Ralph Kramden and sewer worker Ed Norton win a jingle writing contest and find themselves in a Mad Men-like advertising agency.

Equally mystified are their patient wives Alice and Trixie.

Stark & Billy KINKY BOOTS: 2 ORIGINALS RETURN Two original stars Billy Porter and Stark Sands step into those thigh high red boots once again for 15 weeks beginning September 26th at the Al Hirschfield Theater. The musical comedy brought Mr. Porter one of the production’s six Tony Awards.

The other recipients were Anna Leigh Ashford in a breakout performance, Cyndi Lauper (score) Harvey Fierstein (book) and Jerry Mitchell (director). Veteran Broadway producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig shepherded the show from tryouts in Chicago to Broadway. Have a case of the end of summer blues?

Billy, Stark and the rest of the first rate cast have a for sure cure.

Director John Rando, a Tony winner for Urinetown the Musical reintroduces the working class Brooklynites made famous by Jackie Gleason and Art Carney.

The Honeymooners with a score by Stephen Weiner and Peter Mills, was choreographed by Joshua Bergasse and Daisy Kay. Bill Nuss wrote the book.

Will The Honeymooners eventually move to the Great White Way? Two popular musicals A Bronx Tale and Bandstand tried out at Papermill before opening on Broadway. • SEE REVIEWS & BUY TICKETS ONLINE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 79

PAT COLLINS’ PICKS OF HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES THE BIG SICK Rated: R With his superb and hilarious film, director Michael Showalter resuscitated the romantic comedy genre, gave comedian Kumail Nanjiani a starring role, and turned a modestly budgeted movie into an indie hit praised by critics and audience members alike, scoring 98 percent with reviewers and 91 percent with ticket buyers according to Rotten Tomatoes. For inspiration, Mr. Showalter drew on the real life romance of Mr. Nanjiani, a Chicago stand-up comedian and part-time Uber driver and writer Emily V. Gordon (Zoe Kazan). Eight months after they began dating Ms. Gordon was hospitalized with an unknown infection and placed in a medically induced coma. Her parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) attempted to ban Mr. Nanjiani from visiting their daughter. His equally displeased Muslim parents (Zenobia Schroff and Anupam Kher) expect their son to marry a suitable Pakistani young woman. Behind the scenes: Ms. Gordon and Mr. Nanjiani wrote the screenplay, Judd Apatow, the director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up added his expertise as executive producer. Expect The Big Sick to be among the contenders for best film at the Independent Spirit Awards on March 3, 2018.

THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS Rated: NR The HBO film based on Rebecca Skloot’s non-fiction best seller stars Rose Byrne as the author; Oprah Winfrey, the film’s executive producer in the role of Deborah Lacks, Henrietta’s daughter; and Tony nominee (Hamilton) Renee Elise Goldsberry as Henrietta.

In 1951, her cancer cells—one of the primary cell lines in medical research—were taken without her consent at Johns Hopkins, the only hospital at the time to admit and treat African American patients. Henrietta’s family never knew of her involuntary contribution to cancer research until long after her death. Why were her cells unique? Reed Birney, in the role of Dr. George Otto Gey, explains, “Her cells reproduced at a very high rate and could be kept alive long enough to allow more in depth examination.”

The cell line, HeLa, is named for the woman who in death contributed to medical research that resulted in keeping other cancer patients alive. Courtney Vance, Leslie Uggams, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and John Douglas Thompson co-star and are first rate.

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PARIS CAN WAIT Rated: PG An uncountable amount of calories contained in red wine and gourmet dinners are consumed by Ann (Diana Lane) and Jacques (Arnaud Viard) in director/writer Eleanor Coppella’s comedy which resembles a lengthy travelogue produced by the French Tourism Bureau. Anne’s successful movie producer husband Michael (Alec Baldwin) in Cannes for the festival -is needed in Budapest to solve an on set crisis. Before heading to Paris Ann’s painful ear infection rules out flying to the City of Light where she and hubby will reunite. Michael’s business partner Jacques volunteers to drive her to Paris with stops along the way at expensive chateaux and restaurants—all charged to her credit card. He has a lame excuse for not using his card. After a few miles and a more than few glasses of Champagne (not consumed behind the wheel), his charm turns more flirtatious. Ever the good and faithful wife, Anne rejects his subtle and not so subtle advances. One could be forgiven for dozing off between Cannes and Paris but not forgiven for not correctly predicting how this story ends. Ms. Lane’s captivating performance is the only reason to see Ms. Coppella’s disappointing indie film.

A GHOST STORY Rated: R Oscar winner Casey Affleck— Manchester By The Sea—is covered in a white sheet with two black eye holes looks like a Halloween party guest who put no effort into his costume.

Mr. Affleck and Rooney Mara who co-starred in director David Lowery’s Ain’t Those Bodies Saints reunite in an unusual love story about loss and longing. He’s “C, ” and she’s “M.” No need for a spoiler alert. As revealed in the trailer, C does not survive a car crash and returns in spectral form to the modest home he and M once shared.

She eventually leaves but not without placing a post-it size note in a crack in a wall. C’s most memorable dialogue: “We build our legacy piece by piece and maybe the whole world will remember you or just a couple of people…but you do what you can to make sure you are still around when you are gone.”

QUEEN OF THE DESERT Rated: PG 13 Nicole Kidman described her character—the 19th-century British cartographer, writer, and archaeologist—Gertrude Bell as the female Lawrence of Arabia. The daughter of wealthy Londoners, she was uninterested in the city’s social life and eager to experience the world: she embarked on a journey to Tehran, where her uncle was a high ranking diplomat, at a time when it was unthinkable for a young woman to travel without a father, husband or brother. A love affair with Henry Cadogan (James Franco), an embassy staff member, was doomed. After he had taken his own life, she found solace and a mission writing about and journeying throughout the Middle East. “I’m not afraid. For the first time in my life, I know who I am-my heart belongs to no one but the desert.” Her knowledge of the Arab world made her invaluable to those in the British government shaping Middle East policy in the late 19th and early 20th century. Robert Pattinson looks distinguished as the young T.E. Lawrence who would be immortalized as Lawrence of Arabia.

THE MUMMY Rated: PG 13 Despite the best efforts of their human enemies big screen mummies keep coming back to wreak havoc on the living. In this latest version Army Sergeant Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) while plundering graveyard antiquities with his buddy (Jack Johnson) resurrects a Pharaoh’s daughter (Sofia Boutella) who despite the passage of time holds a grudge against her father for putting her brother on the throne and not her. Hell hath no fury like a century’s old mummified princess. Her sarcophagus is placed on a military transport plane which crashes on route to England. As revealed in the coming attractions trailer Morton busts out of a body bag in the morgue to prevent the undead princess from wreaking further havoc. Also in the cast is Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll. Given the action movie’s less than enthusiastic reception director Alex Kurtzman need not contemplate resurrecting the mummy again for a sequel.

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE Rated: PG Two fourth grade pranksters, George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) create a crime fighting oddly underdressed character who comes to life after they hypnotize their mean spirited principal Mr. Krupp (Ed Helms) and convince him he is a superhero. The very mention of villainous German scientist Mr. Poopy pants, or an oversized Turbo Toilet 2000 and a character named Uranus never fails to get laughs from young movie goers. The DreamWorks animated feature directed by David Soren is based on Dav Pilkey’s series of 12 books for children ages 6 and up. Nick Kroll voices a German scientist whose secret sinister goal is abolishing laughter. He will not succeed as long as there are giggling kids eager to watch this family comedy over and over. The movie took in a solid 90 million. •

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 81

A LOOK AT MANHATTAN THEATER CLUB

By Pat Collins

anhattan Theater Club’s contribution to American Theater since its inception 47 years ago is legendary.

Terrence McNally, Beth Henley, Athol Fugard, and Harold Pinter are among those whose plays were produced by the theater company—regarded as one of the finest.

Its success is due in large part to Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove. During her tenure, Ms. Meadow produced and directed more than 450 MTC productions including Love! Valour! Compassion! (Nathan Lane), Proof (Mary Louise Parker), Doubt (Cherry Jones), Ain’t Misbehavin (Nell Carter and Irene Cara) and Crimes Of The Heart (Mary Beth Hurt). Also Charles Busch’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Margaret Edson’s Wit, Alan Ayckbourn’s Woman in Mind, Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters, and several other successful shows.

Prince of Broadway, one of MTC’s most ambitious projects on the life and times of Hal Prince, is performed in the intimate (650 seats) Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. I asked Ms. Meadow about her career at the Manhattan Theater Club and longtime friendship with Hal.

I watched a tall, amusing man do a pratfall, and I was hooked.

When did you know you wanted a career in the theater?

I knew I wanted to be in theater when I was six years old and my mom had written a musical revue for the little theater in the basement of our synagogue where I grew up in New Haven.

She took me to a rehearsal; I watched a tall, amusing man do a pratfall, and I was hooked.

My mom went on to write and perform in original musicals at the Jewish Center, and when I was 12, she and I performed together in the Richard Maltby-David Shire original musical Grand Tour at the Yale University School of Drama. It starred Gretchen Cryer, and Austin Pendleton was in the cast.

Watching the brilliant Bill Francisco direct the show cemented my decision to be a director.

MTC recently received several Tony nominations and awards for two extraordinary revivals: August Wilson’s Jitney and Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes. What productions will MTC present in the 2017-2018 season?

The fall schedule includes The Children, a Royal Court Theater production; John Patrick Stanley’s The Portuguese Kid with Sherie Rene Scott and Jason Alexander; Dan Cody’s Yacht, a drama directed by Douglas Hughes.

Do you recall the first time you saw a Hal Prince musical?

Yes, as a child, I saw the pre-Broadway out-of-town tryout of The Pajama Game at New Haven’s Shubert Theatre. It was then that I learned Hal Prince’s name and I can only imagine how proud my parents would be if they were alive to see Hal’s newest show at MTC.

Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove How and where did you first meet Hal? In 1973, during my first season at Manhattan Theatre Club, I produced a musical called The Little Mahagonny. Hal was rehearsing She Loves Me upstairs in the Bohemian National Hall on East 73rd Street, which was MTC’s first home, and he came to see the show. He filled out a postshow survey with a simple “Fantastic!” Hal’s encouragement meant the world to me as a fledgling Artistic Director, and I treasure that note to this day. Already a major figure in the industry in the early 70s, Hal was generous with his time and energy and helped us secure MTC’s first NEA grant, which helped us keep our doors open in our first years. He has been a steadfast friend and supporter ever since that first encounter and directed LoveMusik at the Friedman in 2007.

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How will you describe Hals’ legacy?

Hal and his work have truly defined an epoch of American musical theatre. His incomparable talent, creativity, energy, generosity of spirit, and love of telling stories have made him one of the titans of our industry. I feel incredibly lucky to count him as a friend and colleague. I am genuinely proud and excited for MTC to produce Prince of Broadway, an exuberantly theatrical tribute to a living legend. Hal has created an unparalleled body of work on stage and has had an indelible impact on the lives and aspirations of many, many theatre artists—including me. • VIEW SEASON & BOOK Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

ON THE BOOKSHELF

By Patricia Canole

THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES:

Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper, And The Making Of A Classic

By Richard Sandomir Hachette Book; $27 Movie and baseball fans unite.

Richard Sandomir, sports writer for The New York Times for the past 25 years, has beautifully written about one moment in baseball history and the movie it inspired.

It was on July 4, 1939, slugger Lou Gehrig stepped onto the field at Yankee Stadium to deliver a dramatic speech dedicated to the fans who inspired him during his brilliant career. In what has been called “baseball’s Gettysburg Address,” Gehrig declared himself the “the luckiest man on the face of the earth” even as his body was being ravaged by the neurological disease that would soon be named after him. This became one of the signature moments in sports history—but it might have been lost if not for Samuel Goldwyn’s 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees.

Timed to the 75th anniversary of the beloved movie, Sandomir tells the entire story behind a movie that ranks number 22 on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 list of the most inspiring films of all time and third on the list of greatest sports movies. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at a movie that Samuel Goldwyn, who knew nothing about baseball, ordained would be a romance about the great love between Lou and Eleanor Gehrig and how they faced the tragic illness that killed him at age 37.

Sandomir brings to life the lives and careers of Gary Cooper (who played Gehrig), one of Hollywood’s greatest leading men, and shares a new understanding of the “luckiest man” speech: the one that Gehrig delivered and the one that Cooper portrayed before the Goldwyn’s cameras. For Yankee fans especially this book recaptures some fascinating moments in the filming of The Pride of the Yankees. One that stands out is Gary Cooper could not, in the end, convert to a left-hander and that the film of him batting, fielding and throwing right-handed was flipped to make it seem he was doing everything as a southpaw. But a frame by frame analysis shows that such an effort was unlikely to have occurred; that too much effort would have been required to maintain the subterfuge and that only a sequence of Cooper throwing was reversed. It turns out it is just a myth. Babe Herman, a smooth fielding major leaguer with a good bat, was Cooper’s double.

Another little-known fact: Samuel Goldwyn was not willing to pay for a significant amount of Gehrig’s former teammates to be in the movie, in large part to recreate the day Lou made his speech but a few reluctantly agreed—including Babe Ruth.

It’s a remarkable account of Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper and written for all those who love the great sport of baseball and appreciative of Hollywood’s magnificent films.

AS I SAW IT:

A Reporter’s Intrepid Journey

By Marvin Scott (Beaufort Books; $26.95) Here’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of New York’s fabled reporters, Marvin Scott. Spanning more than 50 years, it’s a career that most could not even dream of having. For his stellar reporting, he’s amassed more than 10 Emmy Awards.

From international headlines to local heroes, this member of the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame has covered the news with objectivity and integrity, bringing journalistic excellence to every level of reporting. Scott has interviewed six presidents, visited the front-lines of war in the Middle East and Asia, and witnessed the rise of America’s space program. For him, it’s all in a day’s work.

You don’t have to be a news aficionado to enjoy this book. For me, it is a first-hand, personal account of events that have shaped this world we live in. He recounts stories that have touched him personally—and the people who gave them life. Marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., tense meetings with Yasser Arafat, and a little 11-year-old girl, Stephanie Collado, who needed a heart—and in so doing touched his. With more than 30,000 interviews conducted during his career, Scott opens us to the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and everyday life in NYC. The King of Comedy, Jerry Lewis, reveals his secret to longevity; why Sophia Loren wants to be remembered as something other than a glamorous movie star; the infamous bank robber who inspired the film Dog Day Afternoon, reveals to Scott why he wanted a job as a bank security guard.

Marvin Scott has seen it all. He’s a born storyteller who gives a fresh perspective on life’s everyday experiences that have shaped us all. Dan Rather (he wrote the foreward) probably best describes him best. “The dictionary describes intrepid as being of resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance. That is exactly how to describe Marvin Scott’s journey as a lifelong reporter—and to describe the man himself. It fits Marvin like a bespoke suit.” • BUY THESE BOOKS & MORE HERE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 83

The Landmark at 57 West

MOVIE GLITZ IN HELL’S KITCHEN

By Patricia Canole

eading to the movies will soon be less of a trek for West Side residents. On September 15th, Landmark Theatres chain will open its second New York City flagship location, The Landmark at 57 West (between 11th and 12th Avenues); its other location is the Landmark Sunshine downtown.

This is the first newly built major movie complex in Manhattan since 2002 when Loews moved in to its E-Walk venue on West 42nd Street, across from the AMC Empire 25.

In addition to eight movie screens, the theater’s entrance will feature an “active video wall” and an artistic light fixture that will display “an inviting array of colors.”

Landmark’s CEO, Ted Mundorff, calls this “a game changer.” He went on to tell New York Lifestyles that “we are excited to be opening a premiere theater on 57th Street and creating a new destination for cinema. The Landmark at 57 West will provide a top-tier entertainment experience for the sophisticated moviegoer who enjoys a wide array of interesting and quality films,” he went on to say. It will include laser projectors, leather electric recliner seats which can be reserved through advanced ticketing, and locally made healthy snacks—in addition to traditional popcorn with real butter. The space is large enough to host private screenings and also boasts a wine bar for guests.

CEO Ted Mundroff 84 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

The Landmark at 57 West Exterior

Landmark West 57th is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. It will also become a beacon for the creative community and film industry as well. And as Mundroff stated, “we take pride in our customer service and delivering the best in film and are confident we will exceed our customers’ expectation.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Landmark!

For more information on Landmark Theatres, visit landmarktheatres.com. • NOW PLAYING - BUY TICKETS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

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Vacation Rentals We offer rental homes in all of the popular Outer Banks beach towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores and Duck. We understand the importance of your vacation and have carefully selected a wide range of homes to fit everyone’s needs and budgets.

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Whether you are buying or selling property on the Outer Banks, open communication and team oriented decision making will guide you through the ins and outs of your transaction.

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Positively Ernie

CHANNEL 5 NEWS AT 6PM

Ribbon Cutting with Ernie Anastos and Dignitaries

9/11 TRIBUTE MUSEUM

By Meriam Lobel

n June 13th, the 9/11 Tribute Museum, an expanded version of the 9/11 Tribute Center that originally opened next to the World Trade Center, held its grand opening ceremony, hosted by award-winning TV anchor Ernie Anastos.

Moving three blocks south from Liberty Street to the corner of Rector and Greenwich Streets, the 9/11 Tribute Museum provides a cultural and historical context for understanding the events of 9/11 through personal experiences. “We are so pleased to welcome visitors from around the world to have a chance to hear the people from the 9/11 community share their stories of September 11th,” said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Adams-Webb.

And that is what makes the 9/11 Tribute Museum unique. Founded by the September 11th Families’ Association, the original galleries opened in September 2006 as a place where millions of visitors could learn through a variety of programs and exhibitions, both onsite and online, that utilize history as a means to inspire a better tomorrow.

A SENSE OF COMMUNITY Tribute volunteers are all part of the 9/11 community—family, members, survivors, rescue and recovery workers and residents of Lower Manhattan. These volunteer guides narrate their personal stories to visitors in the galleries and on walking tours and engage with visitors of all ages and from all over the world. The stories about what people lived through on the morning of September 11th and in the immediate aftermath were harrowing, devastating and painful, but they were also inspiring.

The theme of making a difference in the world is present throughout the 9/11 Tribute Museum’s galleries. Embracing the tagline “Compassion, Resilience, Service,” the museum’s exhibits focus on the many ways people helped each other in response to the terrorist attacks in 2001 and highlight the creative projects and outreach efforts developed by 9/11 family members, responders and survivors ever since. Inspired by the generosity and kindness they received from all over the world, members of the 9/11 community have changed their own lives by reaching out to help others, developing foundations and service initiatives. “To take your tragedy and try to turn that into something good for other people, now that’s incredible,” says 9/11 Commission Co-Chair Thomas Kean, in a video that plays in a gallery titled Service to the World.

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Tribute Volunteer Sharing a Story

A BETTER TOMORROW Lee Ielpi, Tribute Museum Co-Founder and Board President, who is a retired firefighter and whose son, Jonathan Lee Ielpi, also a firefighter, was killed in the attack, emphasizes the importance of this positive focus. “We hope that our new 9/11 Tribute Museum can become a place where people come to share their ideas about service and to engage in service activities. Most importantly, we want to convey this message to young people. Each one of them can work to make tomorrow a better day,” he said.

The 9/11 Tribute Museum has developed programming specifically for young people who visit to hear first-person stories and for offsite use in classrooms. Over the past ten years, multiple resources have been created to help teachers introduce the topic of 9/11 in sensitive ways. Bi-annual teacher workshops, as well as general public programs, provide insights into the many aspects of 9/11 that can be explored in a way that encourages students to understand the healing power of helping others.

The final gallery of the 9/11 Tribute Museum, Seeds of Service, gives visitors the chance to think about what issue they want to address, and to engage with an interactive media wall to share their commitment to service. Visitors are invited to plant a seed of service by supporting an issue, making a donation or contributing their skills to a good cause. “By the end of our first year, we hope to have 10,000 pledges of service on our digital map of the world, every one of them pleased to be talking about how they are changing the world, one small step at a time,” commented Kristine Pottinger, Tribute Museum’s Director of Programs.

Lee Ielpi Leading a Tour 9/11 Foundation Visitors Respond

The 9/11 Tribute Museum reminds people of the powerful positive difference our local and global communities can make when we stand together. The Tribute Museum provides an understanding of the loss and impact of 9/11 while demonstrating the resilience and recovery of New York City, the country, and the world. We look forward to welcoming you to our galleries to hear the personal stories of the 9/11 community.

For more information on the 9/11 Tribute Museum, visit 911tributemuseum.org. • In Memoriam

We decided to come here because we thought meeting people who lived through September 11th is not something we can do anywhere else.

–Marina, a visitor from Germany

Meriam Lobel is the Senior Curator of Exhibits and Public Programs at the 9/11 Tribute Museum. She joined the Tribute staff in 2005 because as an arts presenter and a long-time resident of Lower Manhattan she felt a need to think about the ways 9/11 was changing our world. In her work, Meriam curated both the initial exhibits that opened in September 2006 and the new exhibits that opened this year. She has recorded over 500 personal stories of family members, survivors, responders, rescue workers and residents, upon which all of the exhibits are based.

BOOK YOUR VISIT NOW Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

Dubbed “one of today’s most eminent tastemakers,” decorator Alex Papachristidis with his Yorkie, Teddy who avails himself of tiny gilt chairs to assist in accessing the sofa. Photo courtesy: Alex Papachristidis

PAWS DOWN, TAILS UP

By Lori Zelenko & Susan Traub

or Fido or Fifi, there’s a mantra among those who decorate with the family pet in mind: never sacrifice aesthetics for practicality. While some may opt for high-performance upholstery and others, choose natural fibers, uniformly petfriendly interiors are sophisticated if not even playfully luxurious.

POSH PETS Our four-legged friends are increasingly an important part of the family. And with nearly 80 percent of New York City apartments allowing dogs today, this is a trend that’s here to stay. As kids grow up and homes become empty nests, pets replace the human children; the cost of their upbringing in some cases being almost equivalent.

According to New York decorator Alex Papachristidis who has seen this upturn in pet-friendly décor, he explains that “with my clients, it is not unusual to have a room in the home where the groomer can wash the dog. Very often owners need a specially constructed space where the dog has its food and water bowls and its bed.” In fact, he’s frequently called upon to create such spaces often complete with built-in cabinetry to accommodate the paraphernalia that comes with a pet.

And while not every pet appreciates a trip to the groomer, not every owner wants to spend the time to deliver and collect their pet to the groomer. Select groomers often make house calls, like Ryland Burnett whose New York City client base calls on her not just for convenience. Because a dog may have tremendous anxiety about being bathed, Ryland works with the dog to overcome this, even getting in the tub herself with a frightened puppy. “Today,” she observes, “in-home grooming Robin Baron, of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York, with her is not merely a luxury, for many pet owners it’s a necessity.”

Havanese, Oreo. Photo courtesy: Robin Baron 90 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

PAMPERED PLACES Where once a basic dog bed in a neutral shade worked for any interior, today a “pet parent” frequently turns to their decorators to create beds in the same fabrics they are choosing for upholstery or drapery, all elegantly integrated into a welldesigned and often, eco-conscious interior. “Our clients prefer natural fibers,” says Alex Papachristidis. Observing that his customer base is as conscientious as they are indulgent of their pets and, “pays attention to the chemicals from the carpet to the garden.”

Decorator Alex Papachristidis’ Yorkie, Teddy, poses on a custom dog bed designed to complement a sophisticated interior. Photo credit: Donna Newman

Rouge and Marley, Real Housewife Sonja Morgan’s dogs, pose on a fringed ottoman. Perfectly expressing the elegance of city life.

Nancy Pearson, an interior designer, who counts star of Real Housewives of New York City, Sonja Morgan, among her clients, often replaces silk velvets and taffetas with synthetic blends, especially when the environment needs to be petfriendly. “I’ve seen natural fabrics ruined by pets where if a synthetic—which may look the same—were used, the effect would be just as striking but maintenance would be far easier.”

Nancy continues to explain that it’s “very much a trend now to use outdoor fabrics indoors since stain and dirt resistant materials look as luxurious and beautiful as many finer fabrics; there’s no sacrifice for style and they hold up better.”

Beloved pets are accommodated with whimsical décor options such as little gilt chairs which allow Teddy, Alex Papachristidis’ Yorkie, to hop from sofa to floor without risking damage to his back. Nancy Pearson opted for a velvet ottoman for her dog as an interim step when jumping up or down from the furniture, a favorite look she’s also featured in Sonja Morgan’s interior.

Of course, bed linens may be a significant investment with Pratesi, Frette or custom linens costing into the thousands of dollars. How to protect them? Nancy Pearson not only suggests regular “pawdicures” for the pet but also laying an extra sheet or coverlet over fine bed linens to protect from pet damage.

New York City Decorator Alex Papachristidis at home with partner, Scott, and their Yorkie, Teddy, whose paws never touch city streets. Photo courtesy: Alex Papachristidis

Celebrity interior designer and lifestyle expert Robin Baron recommends light colored patterned fabrics for pet-friendly interiors. Photo courtesy: Robin Baron

HOME, SWEET HOME Not every pet owner, however, opts for the uber-luxe. There are those who go for what’s immediately accessible choosing pillows, throws, even twin beds purchased from Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn, observes Richard Nassimi of The Nassimi Group. “What works for kids, works for pets too.”

Robin Baron agrees that educating clients about which fabrics will maintain their look best with a pet is key to a successful project. Robin, a celebrity interior designer and lifestyle expert (she’s appeared on Million Dollar Listing New York and HGTV), sometimes finds a client may insist on a certain fabric or color, but they may not understand how dander will affect textiles. “An open weave like linen is not a good choice as it is porous and the dander and hair will get trapped. The best option for a home with a pet that sheds is a patterned fabric with a tight weave that is not in a dark color.” She reminds her clients that confidence begins at home. “Remember when creating a pet-friendly environment opt for non-toxic choices in materials (synthetic or natural), flooring that is non-slippery (avoid marble) and consideration for the pet in every way—from size and age to personality and fitness.”

What counts in the end is no matter what the interior design choices whether velvet or chintz, natural or synthetic fibers, designated space or the run of the house, priority #1 is the overall health and wellness of the pet. • Lori Zelenko and Susan Traub have teamed up to reveal exclusive personal insights into the luxe life of pets in the city offered by the influencers in Manhattan’s design and real estate communities. Each a devoted dog owner as well as an entrepreneur, Lori and Susan are mutually dedicated to improving the well-being of pets in NYC and beyond. To learn more, email info@royalanimals.com. ©2017 Lori Zelenko and Susan Traub, All rights reserved.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 91

ENTREPRENEUR’S CORNER

By Lori Simmons Zelenko

nchanted by the glitter and glamour of gems since childhood Catherine Marion left a successful career to follow a dazzling path. Heading back to school, she went to the Fashion Institute of Technology and earned a degree in Jewelry Design in 2007. Early on Marion worked with renowned designer Sharyn Wolf, finding inspiration in Wolf’s work reflecting diverse cultures. Later, a professional association with Azul Partners known for their elegant bridal jewelry, opened doors as it brought opportunities to gain insight into the business end of the industry.

Today, JEMILY (jemily.com), named for Catherine Marion’s daughters, Jennifer, and Emily, is cherished by women who love the collection’s versatile chic and sexy looks.

Although she likes to say she is a business person first vs. being an artist, Marion acknowledges she’s always had an artistic bent despite reading The Wall Street Journal and other business periodicals before she was a teenager. She even bought her first shares of stock at the age of 12. Despite their education in science, both Catherine Marion’s parents pursued artistic “hobbies.” Her father taught himself how to do stained glass years ago; he now has stained glass windows hanging in several churches near Philadelphia. Her mother was a creative, resourceful craftswoman, always with a sketchpad in hand. So, it does appear then that family genetics passed along the creative gene.

We sat down to talk with Catherine, who is based in Manhattan, and where all JEMILY jewelry is made by hand. Pieces are delicately crafted in 18K gold and diamonds—with Rubies, Sapphires, Tanzanite, Aquamarine, Tourmalines, and other semi-precious stones adding wit and whimsy to the polished, timeless style.

FLEUR DE LIS Pendant shown here coordinates with earrings and charm in this 18K gold and diamond collection

EMILY PENDANT Rare Santa Maria Aquamarines and green tourmalines set in 18K gold shimmer

92 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

IDRISSA APATITE NECKLACE Sheer beauty complements the 18K gold pendant expressing elegance

Allegra Why did you want to become a jewelry designer?

Over the years, I inherited an amazing collection of stunning jewels—pieces that date back over the years even to the days when Maharajahs ruled; I have an article presented to one of these uber-glamorous royals that are just dazzling! The fascination has been with me; it seems forever. So when I had the chance, I left a law career and moved into jewelry design. I started JEMILY nearly five years ago, and I’m so proud to see it grow. We’ve earned a following of real women who love the ease of wearing the looks that seem to work well with their modern lifestyles.

saw on the Oscars red carpet sparkle in the Harlequinade collection.

Who knew jewelry could be so flirty? For Harlequinade I wanted to shake things up, do something that’s different and fun. In fact, the name comes from Commedia Dell’Arte the Italian comedy that used to entertain royals—and everyday people—back in the day, in fact, the Harlequinade pantomime is still performed in New York City Ballet’s Balanchine version.

The Demoiselle collection takes flight, a delicate transformation inspired by the tracery of dragonfly wings. Chunky Cabochons in Amethyst, Smoky Topaz or Crystal hint at the powerful allure of the heroines of Game of Thrones (Catherine Marion’s favorite entertainment). A fun When it comes to creating a new collection how do you find but decidedly glamorous take on a cocktail ring, these dazzlers are the catalyst that will serve as inspiration? frosted with diamonds exuding a dangerously sexy sparkle as they’re For me, inspiration comes from nature, architecture, and the embraced by the Demoiselle setting in 18K gold. different design elements I uncover in the world around us.

New York City is rich with fantastic ideas, shapes, patterns, What’s next for Jemily? What design statements have you planned style references that come from the past—and the present— for the future? appearing unexpectedly, a decorative detail will just catch my Coming soon is the Pavilion collection based on the art and architecture eye. of the Art Deco period that has long fascinated me. Premiering in Pavilion will be a pendant glistening in gold and dazzling with an array How essential is nature as a theme when you are designing? of rare stones from the JEMILY private collection, never shared before.

The names of the collections are chosen from life, nature does Set to premiere for Holiday 2017, this new couture approach represents inform, as do art and architecture. Narcissus is my favorite an extraordinary departure for me—transcending spring flower. After a long cold, snowy winter, their cheery accessibility as the collection enters the coveted yellow blossoms tell me I’ve made it through another dreary realm of couture. • and seemingly endless winter. Can you know that winter is my Lori Simmons Zelenko is the founder of LSZ least favorite season?”

COMMUNICATIONS. To drive sales and buzz, visit lzelenko.wixsite.com/lsz-communications The name Idrissa which means immortal, speaks to the or call 917-693-8602. ©2017 Lori Zelenko, All influence of Moorish architecture, the style of palaces like the Rights Reserved. (Photo credit for portrait of Lori Alhambra in Spain. But JEMILY does not present this classic Zelenko: Leonardo de Vega) reference; literally, it’s linear style is made modern in 18K gold and, of course, accented with rare conflict-free diamonds.

New collections take on a playful edge, reverse set earrings as we

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 93

MY NEW YORK STORY

By Kate Brashares

’m originally from England and have been in New York for about 17 years. I came here to attend Columbia Business School—and never left! Today, I have an American husband and three very American children who make fun of my accent.

I love the energy, vibrancy, and diversity of New York. Every neighborhood is different. And, of course, I love the food.

For about ten years after business school, I worked in the for-profit world, doing marketing for beauty and food companies here in New York and California. I’ve always been drawn to companies that have a strong social mission, and about seven years ago I realized that the aspects of my work that I most enjoyed were those areas—so I decided to move to the non-profit world.

I started at Edible Schoolyard NYC as the Interim Executive Director, thinking it would be for just a couple of months, but I fell in love with the program immediately and was excited about the opportunities for growth and building the program from the ground up. Now, five years later, we’ve grown into a vibrant teacher training program with twenty-six members and have expanded to include six schools.

SOW TO GROW Edible Schoolyard NYC has been in New York since 2010, and our mission is to transform the hearts, minds, and eating habits of young New Yorkers through hands-on, experiential gardening and cooking lessons incorporated into the school day. We are an affiliate program of the Edible Schoolyard Project, started

by Alice Waters, acclaimed restaurateur and food activist, in Berkeley, California in 1995. Alice felt the best way to teach children the connections between food, health, and the environment was by integrating an edible education program into a school curriculum. We have adapted her vision to meet the unique needs of New York City by developing our own curriculum and programming, but Alice’s original vision remains a huge inspiration for us.

We currently reach about 3,000 students (and growing!) through our Demonstration School and Network School models. We also touch about 53,000 students indirectly through our Professional Development programs.

Our teachers, who are embedded in schools, teach gardening and cooking during the school day, run family and after school programs. The children in Edible Schoolyard NYC schools go to gardening and cooking class in the same way they go to science or art class. All our lessons are standards-based and academically rigorous, but also bring joy, wonder, and discovery of food. Every class incorporates tasting food—the best way of getting kids eating new things, and new healthy things are to expose them to these new things time and time again!

To make the biggest impact, we work with Title 1 schools which have been identified by the Department of Health as having high rates of diet-related diseases. Students learn everything from how to plant seeds to how to make a salad using all parts of the plant. My favorite part of Edible Schoolyard lessons is at the end of cooking class when the students will clean up, lay the table, and sit down to share the food that they have prepared as a family after saying ‘Thank you, gardeners! Thank you, cooks!’ That ritual of sharing food together, the community you build around the table, well, it’s magical.

94 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

SPREADING THE WORD The benefits of an edible education are numerous!

Experiential garden and kitchen nutrition have been shown to help students develop a sense of responsibility, self-efficacy, and ownership, increase physical activity, improve food and nutrition knowledge, improve interest in eating, improve social skills (including interpersonal relationships, and group cohesion), help foster family relationships and increase parental involvement! Students are not only becoming advocates for their own health, but for their families, communities, and the environment. We see numerous changes in our kids and parents—from changes in eating habits to increased confidence in the kitchen and the classroom. One thing I love about our program is that we get kids to eat new foods every class. Nearly 99 percent of our students try the food in kitchen class. I’m often asked what we do about picky eaters, as so many people experience that with their own children. Our educational philosophy, our thoughtful approach, and our incredible teachers encourage students to keep an open mind. It works! Picky eaters become adventurous tasters with Edible Schoolyard NYC!

As we look forward, I’m really excited about what’s to come for our organization, and for kids in New York. Our vision is that one day all children are educated and empowered to make healthy food choices for themselves, their communities, and their environment, actively achieving a just and sustainable food system for all. Our work is about creating a generation of healthier kids, and about changing the food system in NY and creating a more equitable playing field for our children. I hope that the kids that we work with truly are the advocates and the agents for change.

For more information on Edible Schoolyard NYC, visit edibleschoolyardnyc.org. • Kate Brashares is the Executive Director of Edible Schoolyard NYC. She lives in Montclair, NJ with her husband and three children, where she enjoys attempting to turn her wild backyard into a beautiful garden and cooking with her family.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 95

15 MINUTES WITH CONSUELO VANDERBILT COSTIN

By Baruch Shemtov

rmed with the legacy of the Vanderbilt family, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin has always forged her own path. As a musician, she started her own record label and released four singles that hit the Top 20 on the Billboard Dance Charts. Beyond music, Vanderbilt Costin also succeeded in the world of fashion, where she launched an HSN line of jewelry inspired by a family heirloom. With this strong creative background, she is now the co-founder of SohoMuse, a digital networking platform designed to connect professionals across creative industries. And as she builds this new business, Vanderbilt Costin reflects on her family’s history and how it fuels a new generation of creative entrepreneurship.

What does it mean to be a Vanderbilt?

I feel incredibly honored to be a part of this family of trailblazers and visionaries. Beyond the more commonly known history of the men who revolutionized shipping and railroads and helped build this country are the stories of incredible matriarchs who have fought tirelessly for important causes from war movements to women’s rights.

Has the Vanderbilt legacy inspired your entrepreneurial journey?

While I’ve always been a creative at heart, business is something that’s just in my blood. As a seventh generation descendant of shipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt (and great-great-great niece of Consuelo Vanderbilt, the Duchess of Marlborough), my family’s entrepreneurial genes are certainly a big part of who I am. In 2015, I teamed up with HSN to launch Homage, a pearl jewelry collection inspired by an engagement ring I inherited from my great grandmother, Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl. Two years later, I launched the SohoMuse Beta. I feel as if I am continuing my family’s legacy of connecting people.

How has your background in music led to your new venture?

Working in the music industry, I saw the need for a vertical social network designed for the creative industry as a whole. A great example is when I was on tour working in Germany and preparing for a performance on a TV show and lost one of my dancers. I had less than 24 hours to find a professional dancer who could work remotely with my choreographer in L.A. I saw first-hand the tremendous value of a site like SohoMuse, where all types of talent can network in one place, showcase their work and find and hire or collaborate with other creative professionals.

In what ways is SohoMuse creating a new community for creatives?

SohoMuse was specifically designed with the needs of creative professionals to offer them the necessary tools and arena to effectively display their skills, identify and explore new opportunities with talent across the global industries—including film, TV, music, and fashion. There’s no other platform out there that was created by creatives for the community. With SohoMuse, creative professionals now have the ability to network and collaborate with other creative professionals, showcase their entire body of work, as well as source reliable top-tier talent. For example, an actor-director can promote both professions on a single platform. A producer can go on and find not only actors or directors but everything from cinematographers and set designers to more specialized talent like ballet dancers and motion graphics artists, etc. It’s much more than a networking site. We’re a collaborative community.

What’s the future of SohoMuse?

The future vision is that the creatives are collaborating and creating content and that we are a full-distribution / one-stop shop for creatives. We are working with a partner to fully explore that technology and its potential applications for our members.

Technology and this arena are an important intersection because technology is life. It’s everything that we do—everything is so fast and moves at a rapid pace. For you to market yourself, or find a job, it’s all about using technology. But it has to be efficient. • GET YOUR INVITE HERE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

96 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | SEPTEMBER 2017

CONSUELO’S NEW YORK FAVORITES A Coffee?

Dean & DeLuca in Soho. Aside from delicious coffee, the place is such a hot spot... always buzzing and full of energy.

A Gift?

Tiffany is my go-to place for gifts.

You can always find something beautiful for any occasion, and those little blue bags make everyone feel special.

Dinner?

Yefsi Estiatorio on York and 78th.

Fantastic, authentic Greek food in a neighborhood setting with a great vibe and ambiance.

Time Alone?

Central Park. It’s stunningly beautiful and equally spiritual, and there’s no better place to take a little quiet time and clear my head.

A Celebration?

Augustine on Beekman Street. Chic and fun, this place is a throwback to the 1920’s with amazing French food and fabulous cocktails.

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