NYJL Sustainer News
Winter/spring 2014 EDITION
EVENTS ARE OPEN TO ALL NYJL ACTIVES, PROVISIONALS, AND SUSTAINERS; GUESTS ARE MOST WELCOME
Winter & Spring Special Events The following events will be held in the Harriman Room on the second floor at NYJL Headquarters, unless otherwise noted. Please reserve/cancel at least three business days before the event by contacting sustainers@nyjl.org or 212-606-0241 or going online to the Calendar of Events at nyjl.org. If a cancellation is not received by then, your house account will be charged. However, you may send a friend in your place. Guests and NYJL Active and Provisional volunteers are always welcome at these Sustainer-sponsored events.
Lecture Luncheon: Face Forward: Meeting Challenges Head On in Times of Trouble Thursday, January 9 Reception 11:30 a.m. Lunch and Lecture 12:00-2:00 p.m. Michele Howe Clarke, motivational speaker and author, will speak to us about taking back control of our lives, turning obstacles into opportunity and how we can live the best “now” possible. Her book, Face Forward; Meeting Challenges Head On in Times of Trouble, may be available for purchase. At a time when we will all be facing the winter doldrums, this luncheon promises to be just the thing to kick start the New Year. Cost is $40; beverages are additional.
Carats, Cocktails & Gems
Evening
Thursday, January 30 Reception and Buffet Dinner 6:30 p.m. Lecture 7 p.m. Michael Grumet, Executive Director of the 47th Street Business Improvement District, and several of his associates will speak about the fascinating history of New York’s famed Diamond District. After the lecture a complimentary assessment of your favorite piece of jewelry will be offered. Cost is $30; beverages are additional.
Lecture Luncheon: Current Trends in the Jewelry Market Thursday, February 6 Reception 11:30 a.m. Lunch and Lecture 12:00-2:00 p.m. A fascinating insider look at the world of estate jewelry auctions, Doyle New
Chairman/CEO Kathleen M. Doyle and Kevin Zavian, Senior Appraiser of Jewelry and Watches, will discuss how to discover value in current trends in the jewelry market. Mr. Zavian is a featured appraiser on the PBS Antiques Roadshow. Based on Doyle New York’s Important Estate Jewelry sales held three times each year, the auction showcases luxurious jewelry that spans several eras by such prestigious designers as Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, JAR, Schlumberger, and Tiffany & Co, among many others. Cost is $40; beverages are additional.
Outstanding Sustainer Reception Friday, February 21 Evening Reception 6:30 p.m. Join us at The Astor House in celebration of our Outstanding Sustainers, Nancy Geer Blackford and Gregg Deane Swain, as we toast their contributions to the NYJL and the New York City community. Cost TBD.
Lecture Luncheon: Artful Perception Thursday, March 6 Reception 11:30 a.m. Lunch and Lecture 12:00-2:00 p.m. Astute observation is critical to professional success. Using the analysis of works of art, Amy Herman’s The Art of Perception® program was originally designed in 2000 to help medical students improve their observation and communication skills with patients. Discover how you can improve your observation and communications skills to improve skills relevant to your profession. Cost is $40; beverages are additional.
Lecture Luncheon: The Hotel on Place Vendome: Life, Death, and Betrayal at the Hotel Ritz in Paris Thursday, April 22 Reception 11:30 a.m. Lunch and Lecture 12:00-2:00 p.m Tilar J. Mazzeo, a cultural historian and biographer, traces the history of this cultural landmark from its opening in fin de siècle Paris. Set against the backdrop of the Nazi occupation of World War II, the captivating history of Paris’s world-famous Hôtel Ritz is a breathtaking tale of glamour, opulence, and celebrity; dangerous liaisons, espionage, and resistance—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Widow Clicquot and The Secret of Chanel No. 5. Cost is $40; beverages are additional.
Lecture Luncheon: George Stacey and the Creation of American Chic Thursday, May 15 Reception 11:30 a.m. Lunch and Lecture 12:00-2:00 p.m. Trailblazing decorator George Stacey shot to prominence in the 1930s by balancing a nonchalance and irreverence, a flair for color, and an grasp of balance, scale, and proportion. Author Maureen Footer, who has written the first definitive biography on George Stacey, will discuss how Stacey captured the nuances of an exceptionally dynamic era that defined American chic that endures, glitteringly, to this day. Cost is $40; beverages are additional.
Spring Sustainer Reception: Passport to Summer Evening Wednesday, June 4. 6:30 p.m. Get your passports ready! Enjoy the piano music of Ron Gold as you nibble hors d’oeuvres and welcome the beginning of spring and travel season with friends and new acquaintances at this festive reception. All NYJL volunteers and guests are welcome! Cost is $30; beverages are additional.
2 Dear Sustainers, Happy New Year! May 2014 keep you healthy, vibrant and engaged at the New York Junior League. The programs offered this upcoming season have something to offer to everyone. I encourage you to peruse this newsletter and sign up for the events that are of interest to you on the calendar of events on the NYJL website. A new year means a new beginning, a fresh start, and this year is no exception. We have many exciting things to look forward to. To name just a few highlights: our first Lecture Luncheon is on Thursday, January 9, with guest author and speaker Michelle Howe Clarke. Later in the month, we will enjoy a fascinating history of New York’s famed diamond district as the Sustainer Evening Subcommittee and Affiliation Committee host Carats, Cocktails and Gems. Join us on February 21 at the Outstanding Sustainer Reception to celebrate 2014 Outstanding Sustainer honorees, Nancy Blackford and Gregg Swain. They will be formally honored at the Winter Ball on Saturday, March 1, at the Pierre Hotel. As we move into the New Year, I thank you again for your participation in our various events. It was gratifying to see so many Sustainers at the Holly & Ivy Luncheon, especially those of you who may have been away for a while. I hope you remain engaged with the League in the coming year. To those Sustainers who volunteer on Active committees, you are showing true leadership in roles that mentor and encourage our Active volunteers. All of this is a reminder of why we volunteer at our beloved organization and in our New York City community. Warm regards, Jeannie Egas-Trouveroy Sustainer Council Head and Sustainer Chair
Lunches, Outings & Interest Groups As noted, several events in this section are paired with an à la carte lunch in the NYJL’s beautiful Roosevelt Dining Room. You can also enjoy lunch in the dining room any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. To reserve, contact the receptionist at 212-288-6220, ext. 0, or reception@nyjl.org.
Trips and Tours
Please Pass the Broccoli
Space is limited at each of these special events. Reserve for one or both by contacting dfuentes@nyjl.org or 212-606-0241. You may send a friend in your place if you must cancel after the cancellation date indicated. For further information, contact Susan Fisher, 917-216-0324.
Thursday, April 3, 12:30 p.m.
Winter Antiques and Lunch Park Avenue Armory, Park at 67th Street Tuesday, January 28, meet at 10:45 a.m. 2014 is the Diamond Jubilee 60th anniversary of the most prestigious antiques show in America. After a guided tour of this extraordinary exhibition with one of the dealers participating in it, we will enjoy a special luncheon in the Tiffany Room. Attendees can then revisit the show on their own. Reserve by Monday, January 13. Cost: $95. No cancellations after Friday, January 17.
Gold Coast Tour and Lunch Thursday, May 8, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Bus pick-up and return: NYJL We will join with members of the City Gardens Club for this illuminating exploration of Long Island’s Gold Coast. Start the day with a tour of the Charles II-style Old Westbury Gardens mansion, built by the Phipps family in 1906, and its fabulous landscaped gardens. Then enjoy lunch at the historic Piping Rock Club, an example of American colonial architecture that boasted Morgans, Vanderbilts, and Astors as members. End the day with a tour of Coe Hall, a Tudor Revival mansion in the Planting Fields Aboretum. Limited to 25 participants. Estimated cost: $125, which includes the bus. No cancellations after Wednesday, April 23.
THE SALON Sustainer News is a publication of the Sustainer committee of The Junior League of the City of New York, Inc., 130 East 80th Street, New York, NY 10075; (212) 288-6220; nyjl.org.
Over lunch in the NYJL’s Roosevelt Dining Room, join in a lively informal discussion of each meeting’s topic. For information and reservations, contact Zoe Stolbun at jgword@aol.com or 212-360-6208.
A professional in-home server will dispense interesting ideas about attending to the table and guests. Come and enjoy the conversation, whether you are looking forward to an intimate spring dinner, an open house Easter brunch or a potluck supper with friends – or come just to enjoy the pleasure of thinking about it.
I Love Paris Thursday, May 29, 12:30 p.m. We will explore the excitement and adventure of the City of Light, traveling through conversation to new and familiar places, from the Rive Gauche to the Rive Droite, Montmartre to Montparnasse. Around the arrondissements we will go, sharing memories and enjoying the many charms of Paris.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES Celebrate your special day over lunch in the Roosevelt Dining Room with other NYJL volunteers who were born in the same month. Interesting facts about your new-you day will be revealed, but no birth years need be! Lunch is ordered from the delicious regular menu; dessert is a birthday treat. Save your party date. All parties begin at 12:00 p.m. To reserve – several days in advance would be very much appreciated – email reception@nyjl.org or call 212-288-6220, ext. 0. Birthday:
Your party will be on:
January Thursday, January 16 February Tuesday, February 18 March Wednesday, March 19 April Wednesday, April 30 May Tuesday, May 13 June Tuesday, June 10 July Tuesday, June 17
3
TRAVEL TALK Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, April 24 12:30-2:00 p.m. We will share travel tips and adventures over Dutch-treat lunch in the Roosevelt Dining Room. Enjoy connecting with someone who has been where you may want to go, and get the most out of getting away, whether for a weekend or a special vacation. For information and reservations, contact Barbara Hazen at 212-288-1253 or bshazen@verizon.net.
DAYTIME BOOK GROUP Tuesdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m. The Daytime Book Group meets monthly over lunch in the dining room to discuss books chosen by the group. For further information, contact Emily Walsh at 212832-8496 or emilywalsh96@hotmail.com. January 7 – The Lieutenant, by Kate Grenville. In the early British settlement of New South Wales, the real life story of a relationship between an English lieutenant and a young Aboriginal girl becomes entwined in the colonial conflicts of the era. February 11 – Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. A pre-colonial Nigerian warrior is brought down by his own personal history and by the unyielding forces of British colonialism and Christian missionaries. March 11 – Three Strong Women, by Marie NDiaye. This winner of the Prix Goncourt, France’s top literary award, chronicles the lives of three Senegalese women who move to France and struggle to understand and overcome the challenges they face in their new country. April 8 – Bring Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel. A sequel to Wolf Hall, this novel continues the story of Thomas Cromwell and his efforts to aid Henry VIII in plotting the death of Anne Boleyn, the king’s second wife.. May 6 – Girl in a Blue Dress, by Gaynor Arnold. Inspired by the actual correspondence left by his widow, this novel evokes the moral prejudices of the Victorian period while telling the story of the life and marriage of Charles Dickens.
EVENING BOOK GROUP Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants gather for a drink in the Pine Room at 6:30 p.m. and then adjourn to the Astor Room at 7:00 p.m. for the book discussion. For information and reservations, contact Allison Hyers, amhyers@gmail.com.
January 15 – Bring Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel. Though he battled for years to marry Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII is now disenchanted with her, due to her sharp intelligence and her failure to give him a son. February 19 – Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, by Susannah Cahalan. This gripping memoir describes a young reporter’s struggle with a rare and terrifying disease, opening a new window into the fascinating world of brain science.
winner spotlights the power of literature, as the discovery of an ancient prose poem changes the course of human thought and makes today’s world possible. May 27 – Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East, by Christopher M. Schroeder. In the midst of chaos and repression, a quiet but hopeful revolution has begun in the Middle East, where entrepreneurialism may reinvent this region as a center of innovation and progress.
March 19 – Defending Jacob, by William Landay. Andy Barber has been a respected BRIDGE CLASSES AND BEYOND Duplicate Bridge assistant D.A. for more than 20 years, but he is blindsided when a shocking crime Tuesdays, January 14 and April 1 shatters his New England town. Lunch 12:00 p.m., bridge 1:15-4:00 p.m. April 16 – Sea Change, by Karen White. The NYJL will sponsor two afternoon When Ava Whalen marries and moves to duplicate bridge games for NYJL volunSt. Simons Island, this new beginning takes teers and friends, each with an optional her on a unexpected journey into the deep lunch beforehand in the Roosevelt Dining recesses of her past. Room. Prizes and Master Points will be May 21 – Fathermothergod: My Journey out awarded to the winners. of Christian Science, by Lucia Greenhouse. Please reserve at least one week before The author grew up in a Christian Science each event, and indicate whether you will home where you could not be sick – also come for lunch. Reservations can be because you were perfect – and where no made on the Calendar of Events section of medicine, even aspirin, was allowed. the NYJL website or by contacting Dinah Fuentes, dfuentes@nyjl.org or 212-606NONFICTION BOOK GROUP 0241. For further information, contact Deni Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wendt (deni@wendts.us, 917-670-5815) or Nancy Blackford (NancyBford@aol.com, After an optional drink in the Pine room at 212-794-5238). 6:00 p.m., the group will meet on the third floor at 6:30 to discuss the books listed Bridge Classes below. For information and reservations, Bridge classes will continue at three levels: contact Julie Horner at 123horner@earthAdvanced Beginners (Thursdays, 1:00 to link.net or 212-472-4256. 3:00 p.m.), Intermediate (Wednesdays, January 21 – The President’s Club: Inside 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.), and Advanced the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity, (Wednesdays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.). All classes by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. This will be taught by award-winning bridge fascinating look at American history and professional Mark Hyman. You do not need politics traces the complex relationships a partner to join a class, and both NYJL among presidents from Herbert Hoover volunteers and friends are encouraged through Barack Obama. to participate. A minimum of eight particiFebruary 25 – Gengis Khan and the pants per class are needed in order to run Making of the Modern World, by Jack the class. Cost: $20, not including lunch Weatherford. Genghis Khan’s conquerto be ordered from an à la carte menu. ing Mongol army brought his gigantic Information and reservations, Trish Klestadt, empire an unprecedented rise in cultural 917-975-4342 or trish.klestadt@gmail.com. communication, expanded trade, and a Winter+ Wednesdays: January 8, 15, 22, blossoming of civilization. 29; February 5, 12, 26; March 5, 12; April March 25 – Lester Lanin: An Intimate View 2, 23, 30. Cost for each 12-class series: of America’s Favorite Society Dance Band $300 for NYJL volunteers, $350 for others. and Its Leader, by Al Warner. The author, Single class: $45. Lanin’s pianist, collaborated and collided Winter+ Thursdays: January 16, 23, 30; with Lanin for 17 years. Mr. Warner is February 13, 27; March 27; April 24. Cost expected to attend our meeting. for the 7-class series: $175 for NYJL volunApril 29 – The Swerve: How the World teers, $225 for others. Single class: $45. Became Modern, by Stephen Greenblatt. Spring Wednesdays: May 7, 14, 21, 28; This Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award
4 June 4, 11, 18, 25. Cost for each 8-class series: $200 for NYJL volunteers, $250 for others. Single class: $45. Spring Thursdays: May 1, 8, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26. Cost for the 8-class series: $200 for NYJL volunteers, $250 for others. Single class: $45
CAREER NETWORKING Wednesdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m., January 22, February 26, March 26, April 23, and May 21 Join fellow NYJL volunteers to discuss a variety of career management topics, from job search techniques to business
development strategies. These meetings are an excellent way to get real answers and opinions from your peers. All discussions are held in confidence. On January 22, Jim Armoff will offer tips on the art of networking. For additional information on this meeting or others, contact Wendy Burrell Enright or Brette Westerlund at at nyjlnet@gmail.com.
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM LECTURES & NYJL LUNCH Join other volunteers for some or all of these fascinating slide lectures and
then for Dutch-treat lunch together in the NYJL dining room. All lectures will be presented in the Met’s Grace Rainey Rogers auditorium. Each ticket includes Museum admission for the entire day. To request your series and/or single tickets and have them mailed to you at no additional charge, reserve by January 21. Reserve via the Calendar of Events at nyjl. org or contact Dinah Fuentes, dfuentes@ nyjl.org or 212-606-0241. Questions: Sue Abernathy Melvin, 914-419-3630 or calmsea@optonline.net.
New York, New York 10075 130 East 80th Street PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. Postage PAID New York, NY Permit No. 8048
Most leading 19th-century American painters sought instruction and inspiration in Europe. This series focuses on the effect of their experiences there on their art, whether they remained overseas or returned home. Lecturer: H. Barbara Weinberg. Series: $70; single tickets: $30. March 11 – Artists in England (Whistler, Sargent, and others) March 25 – Artists in Germany (Leutze, Chase, and others) April 8 – Artists in France (Eakins, Cassatt, and others)
NYJL Sustainer News
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
The Junior League of the City of New York
Innocents Abroad: 19th-Century American Painters in Europe
GREAT DECISIONS The Great Decisions program provides participants with an opportunity to learn about and discuss a wide variety of topics relating to current world affairs and their significance for the United States. We begin each meeting with a 25-minute video of experts exploring the day’s topic, and then we discuss the topic among ourselves. After the meetings, which last about an hour and a half, many daytime participants have lunch together in the Roosevelt Dining Room. Evening participants begin with a cocktail in the Pine Room at 6:00 p.m. and then move to the 4th floor at 6:30 p.m. for the video and discussion. Questions: Julie Horner, 212-472-4256 or
123horner@earthlink.net.
Assessing threats to the U.S. (Chapter 8 in the 2013 Great Decisions briefing book) Wednesday, January 29, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 23, 6:00 p.m. Defense Technology (Chapter 1 in the new 2014 book) Wednesday, February 26, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 6:00 p.m. Israel and the U.S. (Chapter 2) Wednesday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 6:00 p.m. Turkey’s challenges (Chapter 3) Wednesday, April 23, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 6:00 p.m. Islamic Awakening (Chapter 4) Wednesday, May 21, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 6:00 p.m.