April 2017
Gold Coast Luxury Magazine
JEAN
SHAFIROFF
NewPHILANTHROPIST York City
Fashion | Luxury | Profiles | Features | Shopping | Travel | Art | Design | Auto | Food | Health
April 2017 | 3
April 2017 | 1
fashion
FURLA FURLA METROPOLIS MASK MINI CROSSBODY BKK4 Totem Printed Calf Leather: Multicolor cm 16,5 x 12 x 8
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COUTURE
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CHANEL
CONTENTS
APRIL 2017
56 Cover Story Jean Shafiroff New York City Philanthropist
FASHION 16 Hodaya Louis’ Fashion Whimsy 20 Fun in the Sun 26 Pilyq 32 Retro Marine 38 House Dress 48 An Italian Treat for the Ages 50 Tadashi Shoji
FEATURE 56 Jean Shafiroff
TASTE
16 Hodaya Louis
64 Gansevoort’s Stelle and Zest 68 David Noto, the Prosecco Whisperer 70 Bobby Van’s Newest Steakhouse 72 E dgar Vaudeville’s Food Notes for Spring
26 Pilyq
32 Retro Marine
50 Todashi Shoji
68 David Noto
O LEG C ASSINI E L E G A N C E K N O W S O N LY O N E N A M E
®
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CONTENTS 77
APRIL 2017
86
REGIMEN 80 Getting to Know Super Matcha
JETSET 82 London: The Royal Shopping Tour 84 Traversing Australia’s Top End 86 Miami’s Mid-Beach Heats UP 88 Glorious Glasgow, Scotland
PROFILE 90 Angelo David Salon 96 Richie Hart Events Keeps the Party Going 98 Neil Pammo Knowledgeable and Educated Team at House of Hair
ARTFORM
64
100 Meet Master Abstract Expressionist, George Schulman 102 Matter in Movement at Salomon Arts Gallery 104 Keltie Ferris’s Intimate Body Prints 106 Victoria Faiella’s Wild Butterfly
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SOCIAL 110 New York Society Scene 112 LA Party Scene 113 Social Party Scene 114 Cover Party for Tamsen Fadal 116 Galas Galor
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How to get from money to wealth. Yes, it takes financial expertise. Yes, it takes sound strategic thinking. Yes, it takes years of experience in all kinds of markets. But, even more, it takes an advisor who is always there for you anytime, day or night. Whose principals invest and manage their own money right alongside yours. And who make you feel like you’re their only client.
516-935-1200 w fliinvestors.com April 2017 | 11
Publisher
Chase Backer Editor-in-Chief
James Brooks Art Director
Heidi North Assistant Publisher
Jaime Backer
Cover Photographer
Michael Pannicia
Director of Marketing-NYC
Suzanne Vigliotti Copy Editor
Lisa M. Geller Jessica Porter Art Editor
Debra Rothberg Luxury Editor
Stephanie L. Howitt Features Editor
Victoria R. Crosby Fashion Editor
Raven Roberts Profiles Editor
Alexandra Appino-Tabone March 2017
Social Editor
Gold Coast Luxur Luxury Magazine
Clara Morgan Food Editor
Andrea Correale Nutrition Editor
Lindsay Brustein Rosen, M.S., R.D., CDN. Gold Coast Writer
Monica Randall Contributors
Carlos Lacayo, Bennett Marcus, Valerie Vitale, Lisa Loverro, Janis Turk, Katie Conti, Katherine Sempecos, Cat Andersen, Elizabeth Darwen, Peter Elston, W.A. Muller, Jackie Martling, Bennett Marcus, Elizabeth Darwen,W.A. Muller, Fashion Issue
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Fashion | Luxury | Profiles | Features | Shopping | Travel | Art | Design | Auto | Food | Health
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Welcome to our April 2017 issue. I’m pleased to present another incredible edition full of stories about notable people, places and happenings throughout the greater New York City area. This time, we are focusing on culinary matters for our special food issue, so don’t be surprised if you feel hungry after reading this. We have steakhouse news, spring restaurant trends and even treasures from the Caribbean to entice you. We’re here to celebrate taste with you. But this issue is about feeding people in more than one way. Our cover subject, Jean Shafiroff, is a volunteer philanthropist who dedicates herself to underserved populations, among other causes. She works tirelessly to fundraise for organizations such as the New York City Mission Society, which allows their devoted staff to fight hunger. Though Shafiroff lives a life of glamor and privilege, she is not blind to the needs of others. She proudly champions women’s rights, animal welfare and the needs of underserved people. She does this by organizing memorable galas and other fundraising events to benefit some of our region’s most important charities. As admirable as Shafiroff is, this issue has so much more to offer. Begin reading to see what else we have to bring you about luxury living in the greatest city in the world. From high fashion to exotic cars, we hope you go out and relish these gems. As always, thank you for your continued love and support.
Chase Backer Publisher
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fashion
Hodaya Louis’ Fashion Whimsy THE FINE ARTIST IS THRIVING IN A HAUTE COUTURE WORLD BY CHR IST INE STODDARD
HODAYA LOUIS Artist
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ith more than 48,000 followers on Instagram, you might be tempted to think that Hodaya Louis is yet another fashion blogger. When the Israeli-American illustrator picks up her pencil or paintbrush, she conjures fashion’s enduring mystique right on the page. Her final products are not mere sketches, either. They are fully realized artworks that have been presented to or by the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kenneth Cole Productions, Nine West, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor and Dillard’s. Louis’ original artwork has even been featured on Bravo’s Real Housewives of OC. Once the artist finishes a piece on paper or canvas, she photographs it and posts the picture to Instagram. In an effort to get inside of her imagination, I asked Louis a couple of questions about her work. She was kind enough to tell me about her process and share some of her favorite fashion illustrations.
How did you become a fashion illustrator? Ever since I dressed my Barbie dolls in little dresses I made with taped fabric, I’ve been attracted to textile, fashion, drapery, colors and textures. My father, artist David Louis, made sure to give my siblings and me art lessons starting when we were very young. He wanted us to understand perspective, lighting and the human figure. Capturing images I like on paper is something I’ve done for as long as I can remember. I wanted to be a fashion designer as a kid and ended up studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. The curriculum included fine art classes, such as nude drawing and sculpture. So, as I was working on my fashion career—which eventually I realized is not for me as it requires strong business acumen—I continued developing my fine art skills. Once I graduated, I found myself without a job in the fashion world, but it’s actually something I’m grateful for today. It prompted me to pick up a pencil again. That was four years ago, and I’ve found myself drawing or painting almost every day since then. Many of my techniques and subjects are influenced by my experience in the fashion world. When I draw or paint, I am inspired by striking patterns and try to capture the movement of flowing fabric on a runway. The artist stands with her commissioned oil painting, “Gilded.” Gilded, 7' by 10', oil on canvas, 2015
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How would you describe your signature style? What are your main media and techniques? My signature style is a blend of expressive strokes and
Teal Stroke, watercolor on paper, 14" by 22", 2016. Of this piece, called “Teal Stroke,” Louis says, “I was inspired by a fashion photograph where the model had teal eye shadow, and I wanted to get that same pop of color but in an effortless, quick manner.”
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Valentino stud shoes, Watercolor and glitter on paper, 11" x 15", 2015
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exploration of colors. I tend to mix wet and dry media in layers. I start with ink and watercolor, and once the layer is dry, I add details with oil pastels, pencil or charcoal. I constantly look for inspiration on my social media feed, in movies or in vintage fashion magazines. You never know when or where the next inspiring image will appear. Flowing fabrics and textures in photography that incorporate motion always catches my attention. When I find an inspiring clothing image, I think of how the fabric can be best translated onto paper. If it’s a soft
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and sheer dress, I might go with watercolor. If it’s a structured jacket, I might go with squared-tip markers for hard edges. Either way, I am a big fan of contrasting textures, so even when I smudge soft pastel, I add sharp definition with dark lines.
What’s your favorite commission to date? My piece, “Gilded.” I was commissioned to create a 10-foot-high oil portrait based on a fashion photograph by Bojana Tatarska. The project took me nearly two months to complete. It challenged me technically and
artistically because it was huge and also required me to use oil paint.
How would you define fashion? Fashion is what makes every person a bit of an artist. Selecting colors, patterns and textures—these are the elements I think of when faced with a blank canvas. Fashion is an unlimited source of inspiration, whether we’re talking about unique vintage patterns or a shoot that stages an outfit in a scene that evokes emotion.
“Versace,” a 16" x 20" watercolor and acrylic piece, was commissioned by W Magazine and printed in the publication’s September 2015 issue.
Monochrome Valentino, markers and pencil on paper, 16" x 20", 2015 “Monochrome Valentino” was inspired by a Valentino runway look and was created in collaboration with Winsor & Newton. The piece was exhibited at the Society of Illustrators Museum.
fashion
Fun in the Sun
SWINGING STRIPES AND FLOWERED PRINTS LIVEN UP A DAY AT THE BEACH.
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Exotic prints and plunging necklines bring the jungle to the beach.
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LEFT: Explore your surroundings with this explorer-themed belted one-piece. ABOVE: Bold stripes embrace this flattering and figure-forming onepiece. April 2017 | 23
fashion
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Lounge in sexy comfort with this floral-bedecked off-the-shoulder swimsuit. April 2017 | 25
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RESORT WEAR 2017
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Now you don’t.
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Our ship has sailed.
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Play it again!
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Not all those who wander are lost.
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Yes Ma’am!
April 2017 | 37
House Dress’ Slow Fashion
fashion
For a New Era House Dress focuses on considerate design, simplicity and ease. Designer Katie Goldman Macdonald’s California roots inform the effortless feel of the collection while her time in New York has inspired the line’s modern and functional aesthetic.
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PHOTOS BY JORDAN TIBERIO (PORTFOLIO AT JORDANTIBERIO.COM.) Models include Meisha Brooks, Sienna Fekete, Elizabeth Downey, Arden Sherman, Kelly Gervais and Helen Henderson. Find out more about the line at HouseDressNY.com. April 2017 | 39
fashion
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.
Photos by Jordan Tiberio.
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Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.
Shot on location at Wave Hill in the Bronx.
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Sunshine almost always makes me high.
Photos by Jordan Tiberio.
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HOUSE DRESS April 2017 | 43
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HO
USE
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As a member of the slower design movement, House Dress builds clothes with beautiful materials like raw silk noil and Akoya shell buttons in layerable, generously proportioned silhouettes. The line also offers a unique “size free� approach. All garments are designed and made in New York.
Photos by Jordan Tiberio.
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April 2017 | 45
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HOUSE DRESS
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Photos by Jordan Tiberio.
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An Italian Treat for the Ages Furla, maker of quality purses, keychains, wallets, and accessories for 90 years, has debuted a sleek and elegant spring collection featuring items as classic and timeless as a New York blackand-white cookie. Founded in 1927, this Italian brand has consistently provided both men and women with chic and sensual products geared to enhance any outfit.
You can’t go wrong with a classic, tasseled cream-colored purse.
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Add a pop of color to your purse with these two chic offerings.
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fashion
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Tadashi Shoji in Manhattan THE JAPANESE DESIGNER ON NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, BRINGING A BOUTIQUE TO THE BIG APPLE AND MORE BY CHR IST INE STODDARD
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ew Yorkers may not have a signature Tadashi Shoji boutique just yet, but they probably recognize the Japanese fashion designer’s highly feminine and flattering garments from any number of places. The first reference is television. As a sponsor of the Miss Universe Competition from 2002 to 2007, Shoji created evening gowns worthy of spectacle for pageant participants. In addition, Shoji’s clothes hang on the racks of more than 700 department stores and fine shops in more than 50 countries around the world. These include two signature Tadashi Shoji boutiques in the United States: one in Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas and the other in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California. Shoji’s clothes also have appeared in numerous fashion magazines and websites, as well as in New York Fashion Week. I caught up with the designer a couple weeks after NYFW wound down to hear about his recent experience in the city that never sleeps, and what else he has in the works.
What are your reflections on the most recent NYFW? I always look forward to NYFW, and the challenges and the excitement it brings. This season was especially unique, as I participated in the Business of Fashion white bandana #TiedTogether movement. I was honored to be able to make a statement with other designers to support solidarity and unity.
How have your experiences with NYFW evolved since your first Fall 2007 showing? Many things have changed in my years showing at NYFW. The overall production of the show has become more organized and streamlined. I want a calm atmosphere. I focus on the beauty of the clothes and women who wear them.
How does your fine art training influence your approach to fashion design? Do you think there is anything distinctly Japanese about your aesthetic? I trained formally in art school and worked for artist Jiro Takamatsu, which was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The experience however, made me realize that this wasn’t the path I wanted to take. From there, I decided I wanted to move to the United States, so I worked many odd jobs that led me to fashion design. I am still greatly influenced by art. Usually, each season begins with finding a piece that really inspires me to base the new collection on. Although I do not generally have any Japanese aesthetics in my designs, I continue to love the country and culture in Japan. I’m so inspired by the people and visit Japan often. In fact, my spring 2016 collection (as well as my new fragrance) was inspired by Japanese rose gardens.
Could you confirm when you launched your bridal collection? What do you think is special about designing for brides? The bridal collection is available at the Tadashi Shoji boutique in Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, California, and is available on our website. It will also be carried online at Nordstrom.com. I started selling white dresses on BHLND. com. The collection did so well they asked me to create bridal pieces specifically for them. From there, I decided to create my own bridal collection. The gowns are a natural progression of my brand and aesthetic. My bridal designs capture the essence of affordable luxury without any fuss.
When are your leather handbag and lingerie lines due out? What can you tell us about how they will look? Tadashi Shoji will launch handbags this summer. Our new collection will include a variety of styles from wristlets to totes using all natural leather with pony hair and laser cut details. Lingerie will launch this summer and shape wear will launch in April. [The shape wear line] will include high-waisted panties, a bodysuit, and mini slip with lace trims and shapers to smooth under formalwear and contour the waist.
Why did you decide to venture into fragrance this year? What was the process of making a fragrance like? Eau de Rose launched in March and is now available on our website, in all Lord & Taylor stores and on Macys.com. I’ve wanted to create my own fragrance for several years now. Since I am launching my other categories, it just made sense to become a lifestyle brand. The hardest part of getting the fragrance right was the scent. Fragrances are a very long development because the progress phase is very personal and emotional. I wanted my scent to be just right and perfect for all markets that I sell to.
When can New Yorkers expect to see a Tadashi Shoji boutique open here? I haven’t set a date for New York. However, our retail developments are on the rise. We are focusing on a Middle East expansion in 2018 and are set to open 18 stores.
The 69-year-old designer, Mr. Tadashi Shoji, himself. April 2017 | 51
fashion
Lirika Matoshi’s Starry-Eyed Design
THE YOUNG DESIGNER SERVES UP IMAGINATIVE LOOKS FOR CELEBS AND SOCIALITES. BY SARAH SULLIVAN
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thereal. Whimsical. Celestial. Designer Lirika Matoshi’s collection of intricately embroidered fishnets, gloves, chokers and headbands is truly fit for a fairy princess. For those of us who are earthbound, the pieces make exquisite statements for balls, galas and other festive occasions. The entire collection draws inspiration from the natural world. Think fishnets embellished with holographic flowers to mirror an underwater pond or delicate stars to reflect a beautiful clear night in the mountains. A gifted bead jewelry artist, Matoshi embroiders a colorful variety of beetles, leaves and stars onto accessories such as dainty gloves, shoes, and socks to deliver a uniquely elegant and gossamer approach to fashion. With a popular Etsy site, 60,000 Instagram followers and glowing write-ups in numerous international fashion blogs, Matoshi’s star is on the rise. One of her more notable clients is “Ex’s and Oh’s” singer Elle King, who wore a commissioned Matoshi floral headpiece
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to the Grammy Awards. Celebrity placement is an accomplishment for any designer, but it’s particularly impressive given Matoshi’s young age. Originally from Kosovo, the designer is only 20, putting her years ahead of most of her peers. Matoshi’s rapid success has surprised her, especially since she moved to New York less than a year ago to live with her fashion designer sister. Before that, she was a painter who briefly studied architecture back home in Southeastern Europe. That move proved to be a turning point. With her sister’s encouragement, Matoshi pivoted from the painter’s canvas to jewelry, headpieces and gloves. “I usually did chokers,” Matoshi says. “But when I did fishnets, people started going crazy. It was really spontaneous. One day I took fishnets out of my closet and decorated them, and people asked me to make more.” She suddenly had long lists of orders for her products, and had to work hard to fulfill them. Visiting Matoshi’s Etsy shop, it’s easy to see why customers were
instantly drawn to her fishnets. She’s transformed a classic design with beads, flowers and stars. Matoshi is grateful for her luck, but also recognizes the efforts she has put in for her brand. “I didn’t expect everything in such a short amount of time,” she says. “Things just happened. I worked hard, and I thought maybe in five years I’d start my own business, but it appeared that I started earlier.” Matoshi’s future plans include finishing college one day, but for the moment, she’s working on expanding her brand. “I would like to make my brand a little bigger,” she says. Right now, she’s working with a few designers and celebrities, which was her initial goal when she moved to the big apple. “I want to go to fashion school,” she confesses, “but I have so many things to do!” And right now, she’s exactly where she needs to be. Matoshi’s fishnets, gloves, chokers and headpieces can be purchased at lirikamatoshi.com
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Nene Shoes’
Signature Global Sophistication A NEW LINE CATERING TO STYLISH MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS. JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER’S DAY BY AL EXANDRA AP P I NO-TAB ONE
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nspired by daughters who want to imitate what their mothers wear, husband and wife team Froilan and Jasmine Mendoza created a sophisticated line of matching flats, wedges, and derbies for moms and daughters. The line is named after Jasmine’s Filipino mother, Nene, which means little girl or young woman in Tagalog. After traveling extensively for a global consulting firm, Jasmine left her consulting job to raise her children, and began designing. She soon started Nene Shoes with the help of her husband Froilan, who specializes in launching startups. Together, they have created a line of sophisticated, high-quality footwear that provides fun, stylish, and age-appropriate options for mothers and daughters, as well as the invaluable experience of a shared connection.
Shoes strives to use only certified, high-quality leather and natural materials to ensure comfort and safety. Their children’s shoes also are thoroughly tested for safety by independent laboratories. Attractive prints and colors compliment sleek designs that come in a range of styles, including flats, Oxfords, wedges and sneakers. Jasmine remains conscious of designs that appeal to mothers and daughters, while the matching styles create a bonding experience they can share. Drawing inspiration from materials she finds at the Linea Pelle fairs for leather goods, Jasmine is careful to strike the right balance between understated elegance and youthful whimsy when creating her designs. The spring 2017 line features new styles, including slip-on sneakers, which will be available in two colors.
It Takes Two
A globally-influenced company created with families in mind.
Inspired by her travels throughout Europe, Asia and North America during her career as a consultant for a Fortune 500 firm, Jasmine draws ideas from different fashion trends and expressions throughout the world, including Hong Kong, Germany and Milan. While visiting New York for work, she met Froilan, and relocated to New York permanently. She studied shoemaking at the Brooklyn Shoe Space, and is currently enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. With Jasmine’s design expertise and Froilan’s experience in launching successful startups, the duo combined their talents to launch a family-run company created with families in mind.
Comfort Without Compromise Nene Shoes are cute and stylish without being flashy or gimmicky. Sophisticated, wearable styles come in grown-up versions for moms and matching, ageappropriate versions for girls. Concerned about the prevalence of synthetic materials in the market, Nene
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Global Impressions As parents, Jasmine and Froilan are not only concerned about the quality and safety of their products, but the broader impact they can have on the world as business owners. For example, Nene Shoes used one of its women’s lines to help support an indigenous tribe in the Philippines. They were also able to partner with New York’s Children’s Museum of the Arts for New York Fashion Week in February. Through global consciousness and quality assurance, the philosophy behind Nene Shoes reflects a passion for family, health, and ethics that moms and daughters can be proud wear together.
Cover: Dress by Oscar de la Renta, Bracelet by Buccilatti Right: Gown and Earrings by Oscar de la Renta,
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Gown by Oscar de al Renta, Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels
Jean Shafiroff
A LIFE OF A PHILANTHROPY AND GLAMOUR BY CHR IST INE STODDARD
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limpsing into Jean Shafiroff’s world, it may seem as though the philanthropist’s life revolves around the glimmer and glamour of society balls. But that’s the trouble with glimpses; they are too fleeting to give you the full story. A wider view would show you that the humanitarian and author devotes herself to causes, not parties. It is simply that the parties drum up others’ excitement for those causes. Shafiroff is not merely prancing around in breathtaking designer gowns and cocktail dresses. She is setting fundraising goals and achieving them, leading conference calls, making site visits and doing everything necessary to ensure that she makes an impact on New York charities. Hence, the parties—
which are fundraisers for the New York City Mission Society, the French Heritage Society and other nonprofits near to Shafiroff’s heart—must go on. “I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re here for a reason. We’re not meant to just consume,” says Shafiroff in an exclusive interview. “We have to do what we can to improve the lives of future generations. We have to be socially aware and we have to do something to enact change.” Shafiroff’s career as a volunteer philanthropist is inspiring, if not a little intimidating. The multi-potentiate serves on several boards. These include the boards of the New York City Mission Society, New York Women’s Foundation, French Heritage Society, The Couture Council, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Southampton Animal Shelter
All photographs by Michael Pannicia except otherwise noted. All hair by Henry de la Paz of Warren Tricomi
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features
Gown by Carolina Herrera, Earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Flowers by Fellan
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”
an
employ the same strategy. Shafiroff has long cared about achieving equality for women and bettering the lives of homeless and low-income people. “I don’t think women are treated equally around the world,” she says. “Pay parity is an issue that’s very appealing to me. In so many places around the world, women’s rights are being compromised in a big way.” She adds, “We need to have concern for future generations. If we don’t make a big effort in our lifetime to give back, then we’ve really wasted a lifetime.” It was only later on that Shafiroff, who was recently appointed an ambassador for the American Humane Society, began to truly understand how interconnected humans and other animals are as earthly neighbors. In the United States, pets are particularly popular, though pets are not always treated with the respect they deserve. With this realization came the desire to add animal welfare to her carefully curated list of causes. “65 percent of all American households have a pet,” says Shafiroff. “In this country, our pets are very important to us, which is why I’m focusing on animals more.” As a self-identified animal activist, she believes pet owner education is essential and wants to put it at the center of her fundraising efforts for adoption organizations. “We need to make low-cost or free spay and neuter programs available to people in underserved communities,” she says. She also opposes puppy mills and at-home breeding. “People end up with ten dogs and no one to buy them, so they end up in shelters. Overpopulation is the root of the problem. If we had an education program [in this and other countries], we’d be much further ahead,” she says. Speaking of other countries, Shafiroff has been instrumental in mentoring her daughter Elizabeth and her friend Lindsey Spielfogel as they build their nonprofit Global Strays. This brand new 501(c)3 organization has rescued several dogs from developing nations. The dogs are then placed in foster homes until they can be adopted. The organization’s main thrust is to fund rescue groups in developing nations and to educate pet owners about proper animal care. Global Strays currently partners with animal rescue organizations in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to help expand their spay and neutering programs. Pa t
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s much as she may wish to spread the wealth and joy, Shafiroff is selective about which organizations receive her time and attention. She has chosen to hone in on three causes in order to maximize her impact in particular fields: animal welfare, women’s rights and underserved populations. “Very often, you’ll see people with extraordinary wealth—say, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett—doing targeted giving in an area where they feel they can make an impact,” says Shafiroff, explaining that she wants to
Ph oto :
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Causes Near and Dear
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Honorary Board and Southampton Bath & Tennis Club Charitable Foundation. Yet it is not enough to just sit on those boards. One must do so adroitly in order to make a difference. In doing exactly that, Shafiroff has earned notice after notice and accolade after accolade. Her philanthropic efforts have been mentioned by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Gotham Magazine, New York Social Diary, Avenue Magazine, Hamptons Magazine, The Huffington Post and other outlets. Multiple organizations have honored her work, as well. The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Youth Counseling League, Surgeons of Hope, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Pet Philanthropy Circle and Animal Zone International are among them. Shafiroff’s fundraising prowess and leadership capabilities did not blossom overnight. Prior to becoming a philanthropist, she worked full time and raised a family. But first came her impressive education. Before she became wife to investment advisor Martin Shafiroff, she earned her B.S. in physical therapy from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and worked as a physical therapist. When she realized that was not her life goal, she applied to and was accepted by the Graduate Business School of Columbia University. After earning her M.B.A., Shafiroff worked on Wall Street, which sharpened the financial know-how she gained from business school. She also became the mother to two daughters, Jacqueline and Elizabeth, who share her dedication to charitable causes. These experiences inform the fundraising and event planning she does today.
u ll
“
It’s impossible to just sit back and not do anything.
– Jean Shafiroff
It is worth mentioning that the organization only distributes grants to organizations it has visited. “Going and actually seeing the work that a charity does can really reinforce your passion,” says Shafiroff. “Seeing that the work is making a big difference has reinforced my passion for the work I do.”
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Brain Meets Heart s emotionally invested as Shafiroff is in her causes, she takes a practical approach to fundraising. A party is never just a party. It is an opportunity to elevate a cause in the minds of New Yorkers and others. “The primary purpose [of a charity event] is to bring funding to the charity,” says Shafiroff. “Then, bring visibility and then of course people, although yes, the event needs to be fun and exciting.” One way she makes the events fun and exciting is by wearing larger-than-life gowns. “Fashion and philanthropy can often go hand in hand,” says Shafiroff, who sits on the board of the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “When people go to an event, they get dressed up and it raises the level of the occasion. That’s why we dress up for weddings, for instance.” Though she has amassed quite a number of gowns, cocktail dresses and other enviable attire, she does not plan to keep them forever. “I hope to donate my gown collection to a museum one day,” she says of the garments from both established and up-and-coming designers. “I do love style and fashion and I will wear these interesting pieces for as long as I can.” Though Shafiroff puts on memorable, often dramatic affairs, getting there is less than glamorous. Planning a successful gala requires true strategy, business acumen and an eye for detail. These are skills that Shafiroff developed while studying at Columbia Business School. She schedules planning meetings—usually conference calls—to discuss and finalize logistics well before the special occasion. Participants will go over an outline point by point, whether that means debating the pros and cons of certain locations or brainstorming about potential donors and corporate sponsorships. In addition to smoothing out these and other details, Shafiroff will try to generate enthusiasm about the associated cause by keeping everyone informed of relevant trends and current events. “A charity event has to be run like a business,” she says. This means that Shafiroff stays acutely aware of finances throughout the planning process. She explains
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“
Selfishness does not bring happiness. Few of us will be remembered for the business we created or for how many vacations we took. To feel fulfilled, we must be engaged in helping other to make society stronger.
”
— From Jean Shafiroff’s book, Successful Philanthropy: How to Make A Life By What You Give
Photo by Patrick McMullan
Photo by Billy Farrell Agency, Red Gown Victor de Souza, Gloves by Milly
that the expenses for a charity event should never exceed one-third of the funds brought in for an event and should really be much less. Thus, the expenses for an event that raises $1 million should not exceed $333, 333.33 (to be precise). Ideally, Shafiroff says event costs would be lower so as to “raise as much money as possible.” In addition to planning and arranging fundraising events, Shafiroff makes introductions for charities. These introductions put charities in touch with key figures, such as potential board members and donors, who
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can also contribute their time, money, and knowledge to non-profit organizations. Shafiroff used her extensive philanthropic expertise to author her first book: Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give. The title, which has an introduction written by Georgina Bloomberg and has earned five stars on Amazon, has become something of a bible for those on
the charity scene. Shafiroff plans to write another book and continue making television and radio appearances to speak about philanthropy and fashion. “I enjoy the work,” says Shafiroff. “I wouldn’t want to be playing golf or Bridge. I’m an empty nester. My children are out of college. I find this so rewarding.” £
Gown by Carolina Herrera
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Executive chef Joel Vallar blends Filipino influences with Caribbean classics.
Spice Up Your Vacation: Gansevoort’s Stelle and Zest GANSEVOORT’S TURKS + CAICOS HOTEL RESTAURANTS SERVE UP WEST INDIAN AND ASIAN-INSPIRED CUISINE. BY SARAH SULLIVAN
The infinity pool at Gansevoort Turks + Caicos (above.) 64 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com
The grilled lamb rack is served over ginger bread crumbs and comes with morsels of sweet potato topped with snap pea crisps.
“I love incorporating the fresh, local ingredients of the destination into my culinary creations.”
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he Turks and Caic os Islands don’t just boast crystal-clear waters, pristine sandy beaches and overwhelmingly colorful coral reefs. They’re also a destination for foodies who enjoy locally sourced Caribbean cuisine. Stelle Restaurant and Zest, the two restaurants on site at Gansevoort’s Turks + Caicos hotel, offer West Indiesinspired flavors and fish reeled in straight off the line. Stelle’s indoor and outdoor seating give diners a choice of a gourmet dinner by the pool or a seated dinner inside. There’s even the option of dining on a
private floating island for a romantic meal. Executive Chef Joel Vallar, who began working at the luxury resort in 2015, has combined traditional Filipino influences with Caribbean classics. Think tuna tartare with yuzu and togarashi, and grilled rack of lamb with ginger breadcrumbs. The menu features traditional West Indies staples such as grouper and snapper, as well as Asian main courses such as beef rendang and green chicken curry. Desserts such as mango panna cotta and lemongrass crème brulée add a tropical twist at the end of the evening. Zest is a beachfront restaurant that fuses
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Stelle’s outdoor patio at night (above.)
Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean classics. Mahi mahi, spiny lobster, yellowfin tuna and conch ceviche are all on the menu. A Mediterranean flair graces seaside staples such as white pizza and caprese salad. Vallar’s Asian influences pervade appetizers such as Vietnamese Chicken Salad with nam prik dressing and Thai Rare Beef salad, but Caribbean fare such as Slow-Cooked Jamaican Spiced Curried Goat and Beef Pepperpot Stew root the menu in the islands’ rich culinary heritage. “I love incorporating the fresh, local ingredients of the destination into my culinary creations,” says Vallar. “There is a limited but extremely high quality selection of locally caught food on Turks and Caicos, such as fresh fish, lobster and conch, and I love to use these to enhance our culinary offerings. Using these local ingredients also allows me to better showcase the Turks and Caicos Islands’ motto, beautiful by nature, in all of our dishes.” Vallar is so enamored with fresh seafood that he has launched a sushi-making class, held every week, that teaches guests how to make maki rolls and nigiri. Accompanying Stelle and Zest’s gourmet meals is a robust and diverse selection of wine and cocktails chosen by Food and Beverage Manager Subhash Devadas. The bar includes specialty cocktails such as the Berrymosa, a champagne and fruit juice cocktail, and the cinnamon-pineapple-rum Kiss Me One More Time for dessert. The wine selection has been carefully curated to include both bold new tastes and classic favorites. “Our wine list is organized by flavor profile, varietal and theme,” says Devadas. “We engage our customers in a dialogue about the wine list in order to find out if they would like to go on a curated adventure with their selection for the evening or play it safe with well-recognized names and varietals. A great glass of wine is central to a great dining experience, and this is why we’ve selected a comprehensive sampling of the most important wine varietals for our wine list. We offer different varieties from allocated and collectable Cabernets from around the world, from Caymus Special Selection and Far Niente, to cult wines from the Grace Family Vineyards and boutique wines from Paul Hobbs and Wente.”
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The baby beetroot salad comes with goat cheese, candied radish and black sesame crumble.
This is the signature sushi roll served at Stelle.
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David Noto, the Prosecco Whisperer REINVENTING THE PREFERRED WINE FOR ITALIAN ROYALTY By Christine Stoddard
O
nce upon a time, David Noto dreamt of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming an engineer. Though his father has earned notoriety building skyscrapers, he deviated from the family trade: wine. For 10 generations, Noto’s ancestors led a noble, rustic life, but his grandparents wanted their son to be a professional, so they moved to Genoa to give him an urban lifestyle and improved education. It was that shift that set Noto’s father on a different path. It set Noto on a different path, as well, but only temporarily. Soon he, too, would be called to the family trade. “Since childhood, I wanted to be an automotive engineer,” he says. “I always loved automobiles and cars. I’ve been collecting Matchbook cars, straight through today.” But when he learned that the automotive engineering field was very competitive and very specialized, Noto decided against it. “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life designing taillights,” he says. Thus he studied mechanical engineering and pursued the field for a few years before going into international consulting. He bounced from
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lucrative profession to lucrative profession until he had to pick up where his grandfather left off. Noto’s goal was two-pronged: He aspired to make the best prosecco possible and to persuade Americans to abandon the notion that prosecco’s only merit is being a cheaper alternative to champagne. Noto could not believe a wine that once was the preferred choice of Italian royalty had a less than sparkling reputation among Americans. With these two goals in mind, he started Altaneve. Well, not just like that. Noto started his wine line with a plan. First, he attended Columbia Business School. “I told myself, I’m going to the best darn M.B.A. business school in the world or I’m not doing it,” he says. He studied in the executive program while continuing to work 60 hours to 80 hours a week as a finance manager. “Initially, I thought I was going to move to the business side and add a zero to my paycheck,” he says. Instead, he realized that he valued a life of living, not necessarily a life of passionless work. He studied other successful entrepreneurs and businesses to take his prosecco idea to the marketplace. “I had an empirical point of view,” says Noto. “I wasn’t just going to buy a vineyard and think, ‘Oh, I’ll try this
and plant the roots and hope to make the wine.’ I told myself, ‘I will buy the best vineyard in the best and get the best agronomist in the world and make the best prosecco in the world.” To do that, he had to do a lot of research through reading and meeting with people who already worked in or around the wine industry. After a year and a half of market testing, Noto felt ready. “I told myself, I can do this. It’s a realistic possibility,” he says. Through trial and error, Noto, who lives in New York and visits his land in Valdobbiadene, Italy, several times a year, has raised Altaneve’s profile in the wine world and the mainstream press. His self-described “ultrapremium Italian sparkling wine” has been featured in Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Food & Wine, Wine Spectator and more—all within the span of five years. “I’m not going to lie: I’m not the smartest person in the world,” says Noto. “If I can do this, so many other people can. You have to approach the [idea] as intelligently as you can for success.” He adds, “But you have to be committed. If you are totally committed, you can probably make it happen.” Order Altaneve at Altaneve.com and share your experience on social media with #BestProsecco.
Following his families legacy, Noto produced the best prosecco in the world.
David Noto at his vineyard in Valdobbiadene, Italy.
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Bobby Van’s Newest Steakhouse EXPANDING ITS EXCELLENCE TO CENTRAL PARK SOUTH BY E LIZAB E T H DARW E N
B
obby Van’s Steakhouse has earned its place as a venerable New York institution, thanks in part to a continued commitment to cooking techniques perfected years ago by the founding fathers of New York steakhouse cuisine. Celebrating its 48th anniversary this year, Bobby Van’s has grown from its original home in Bridgehampton, New York, and now includes a repertoire of 10 restaurants that offer the refined style of a classic New York City steakhouse. The newest addition is Bobby Van’s on 40 Central Park South, a highly coveted location just steps away from the Plaza Hotel, and overlooking Central Park. The new restaurant officially opened its doors in late March 2017, inviting diners to the same exquisitely prepared dining experience as its sister restaurants, in addition to a special Saturday and Sunday brunch. The new restaurant is proud to announce Executive Chef Ted Rozzi, who has crafted a menu of delectable dishes such as Crispy Calamari, Lemon Pepper Shrimp and Maxie’s Meatballs for starters, and Veal Milanese,
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Chilean Seabass and N.Y. Sirloin Steak for entrées. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of dining options outside of prime beef and seafood, including supremely prepared pastas, wood-fired pizzas and freshly tossed salads. To accompany the meal, diners have a choice of delicious sides, which include cauliflower carbonara, thick-cut applewood bacon and sautéed mushrooms. A quintessential steakhouse, Bobby Van’s is at the root of the New York steakhouse family tree, with strong employee connections to original famed eateries. Restaurants like Bobby Van’s have inspired a legion of imitators, but Bobby Van’s still shines as a premier authentic steakhouse. When restaurateur and Chef Robert Dickert—the great-nephew of steakhouse legend Peter Luger—joined the Bobby Van’s team in 1996, he brought a wealth of family knowledge and tradition. These traditions of quality food and superior customer service are still the hallmark of Bobby Van’s dining experience today. Dickert remains at Bobby Van’s, and he helps to oversee the all-important process of selecting and dry aging the kitchen’s quality prime beef. The process of dry aging its USDA prime quality
beef is key to developing the superior flavor of Bobby Van’s’ steaks, which they do the old fashioned way. Once the team has carefully selected well-raised and well-marbled steak, it is aged in a specially-designed, humidity-controlled room for up to 28 days, which tenderizes it and enriches the flavor. Prime beef aside, the kitchen imports the majority of their seafood from overseas, selecting only the best. The tuna is sourced from the Maldives, the branzino from Spain, and the salmon from Scotland. Locally, Bobby Van’s seafood supplier has a fleet of 30 fishing boats providing the kitchen with the freshest fish and shellfish daily. Bobby Van’s décor is elegant yet warm with white table cloths and wood accents. It is the ideal dining destination for an intimate dinner, as well as for larger groups or special occasions. The Central Park location offers beautiful views in a convenient and central location. 40 Central Park South, New York bobbyvans.com
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Edgar Vaudeville’s Food Notes for Spring A FRENCH CHEF SPOTS TRENDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POND. BY CHR IST INE STODDARD
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hef and food ambassador Edgar Vaudeville’s binational experience in New York and France has groomed him for a career in spotting trends on both sides of the pond. When I asked him what he sees trending in big apple restaurants these days, he had an immediate answer. “I believe that people are looking for something much simpler in terms of the right quality from the right farmer or the right producer,” he says. “They just want to have it twisted from a different angle according to a particular culinary flair.” So it’s not that Thai food is in or Indian food is in per se; rather, quality Thai food and quality Indian food are in.
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“People want the producer to be super and they want to know everything about the product and everything about the producer,” says Vaudeville. “So if they order vegetables, they want to know if they’re [organic] and where they’re being grown.” In many cases, Vaudeville warns against foods that too elaborate in seasoning. “Normally, you should get worried when you see a dish with all sorts of sauces and flavors,” he says. “It usually means they are trying to cover [the meat], and that there is something fake.” Ideally, simple is better. “Get the best ingredients and cook it the right way with minimum seasoning.” So where can you get the freshest and most innovative meals now? Foodies take note: You might
have to board a plane to a new town in order to enjoy the latest and greatest culinary sensations. Vaudeville believes that New York City’s high rent is pushing many independently owned restaurants out of the big apple. In some cases, they are not able to open in Manhattan or even Brooklyn or trendier neighborhoods in Queens at all. Because of this, Vaudeville is noticing an uptick in high-end, farm-to-table restaurants in smaller cities, such as Los Angeles and Miami. Lower rent gives chefs more freedom to play and maybe even more attention than they would receive in Manhattan’s supersaturated market. “Big restaurants that are focusing on cutting costs and increasing revenue [rather than food quality] are
RomanĂŠe Conti, the most well known and expensive vineyard in the region.
Photograph by Sonja Morgan
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The town of Beaune, France is surrounded by world renowned vineyards. It is a place which only locals know of to take beautiful walks or jogs in the morning. killing New York’s market,” says Vaudeville. Of course, not all is lost. He still thinks New York can be a place for quality and creativity in food, as long as there are discerning restaurant-goers to support their favorite establishments. Despite the American trend toward healthy food, Vaudeville has noticed the rise of the hamburger in France. “The burger is coming very strong, not in Paris but in other major cities like Lyon and Dijon,” he says.
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“They are putting a twist on it by putting the cheese and meat of the region. I’ve been very surprised by the quality. They’re really good, quality burgers.” That is not to say that the farm-to-table trend has hit France. Vaudeville cites one Italian-style restaurant called Big Mamma as an example of an establishment taking the farm-to-table trend to the extreme. “They take their own truck and pick up products from Italy and dispatch them to their locations in Paris,” he says,
adding that the locally owned chain is très popular. “And there’s a line outside with no reservations.” Vaudeville is hoping for similar success at his new restaurant in Beaune, France, at the heart of the country’s Burgundy region. With 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry and achievements such reopening the bar at Hôtel Le Bristol in Paris, it’s likely his dream will come true.
Edgar’s new hotel and restaurant in Beaune, France. April 2017 | 75
Photography by Chris Hessling
taste
Chef Brisson at Mario Batali’s Carnevino, Las Vegas
Carnevino Italian Steakhouse A Cut Above
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decent steakhouse is relatively easy to find in any major city of the United States, but a visit to Carnevino at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas will separate the decent from the outstanding. This Italian steakhouse, from the dynamic duo of Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich of the B&B Hospitality Group, takes its steaks very seriously, catering to the serious carnivore. Surpassing normal industry standards for aging meat, their porterhouse steaks and ribeyes are aged a minimum of 90 days to 120 days, and then are rubbed with sea salt, fresh pepper, and rosemary to achieve a tender cut and aromatic flavor. Antibiotic and hormone free, their certified Angus beef meats are from familyowned farms and ranches throughout the country, and the aging process is done by the restaurant itself, at an off-site location.
By Lisa Loverro Every detail in this restaurant is on a grand scale, much like the city in which it resides. The space welcomes you with a life-size statue of “Bodacious,” the world’s most dangerous rodeo bull, perhaps as an indication of the fierce meal you are about to enjoy. The oversized windows, Italian marble, and antique furnishings are beautiful and dramatic, much like the presentation of the food itself. And, as the restaurant’s name implies, the multi-page wine list plays a dominating role in entire dining experience (as it should). Personally curated by Bastianich, the list will dazzle and overwhelm you; but don’t worry, the sommelier ensures your paring is as well thought-out as your meal. At the helm is Nicole Brisson, the culinary director for B&B Hospitality Group’s Las Vegas operations. Brisson oversees the preparation of all dishes, including the aging process and rub for the steaks. One of just a few female chefs to grace the Vegas strip, she began her
stint in Sin City with the opening of Wynn Las Vegas. Originally serving as Carnevino’s executive chef, she was appointed their culinary director in 2016. Born and raised in upstate New York, Brisson was introduced to the culinary industry early at her grandfather’s restaurant in Saratoga, New York. Inspired by her family’s dedication to creating meals from scratch with harvests from their garden, she continues to hold onto these practices in her career. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, Brisson studied and learned with food writers Molly O’Neill and Faith Willinger, taking the knowledge and traditions she acquired from her grandfather’s restaurant and developing them into a love for locally sourced produce and meats. Carnevino is a must visit during a trip to Las Vegas, ensuring a dining experience you’ll be hard pressed to duplicate. For more information, visit Carnevino.com.
RED CARPET LIFESTYLE • 220 Old Country Rd, Mineola, NY 11501 • www.rclstyles.com | 1 (800) 793-0310
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Mozzarella & Vino Midtown’s friendly Italian eatery
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ocated in Midtown Manhattan, just steps from Museum of Modern Art, is sleek antipasti and wine restaurant Mozzarella & Vino, owned by husbandand-wife-team Gianfranco Sorrentino and Paula Bolla-Sorrentino. The talented Chef Vito Gnazzo offers diners a delectable menu that reflects the simplicity of authentic Italian ingredients, with a heavy emphasis on the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Italian cheeses and affettati. Based mostly on classic Italian antipasti, such as arancini, panzarotti and mozzarella rolls, the restaurant also serves a wonderful selection of paninis, soups, salads, and, of course, mozzarella in all shapes and combinations—even on desserts. The restaurant continuously attracts a wide array of celebrities, including Paul McCartney, Glenn Lowry, Greg Proops and André Leon Talley. Mozzarella & Vino’s enoteca-style bar focuses on showcasing smaller family estate wines and independent Italian winemakers. A variety of wines by the glass are offered, as well as by the bottle. The selection greatly varies due to constant new discoveries. Signature dishes include Buffalo Mozzarella Roll Filled with Prosciutto San Daniele with a light pesto sauce served with baby arugula, Oven Roasted Veal Brisket
By Peter Elston served with sautéed spinach, and Ravioli del Giorno, which is the homemade ravioli of the day. Diners can also enjoy a selection of homemade desserts, such as Vanilla Panna Cotta with strawberries, Dark Chocolate and Almond Cake with pistachio gelato, and artisanal Italian gelati and sorbetti, all made in-house! The Sorrentinos are committed to producing top quality Southern Italian gastronomy by using authentic ingredients and keeping the tradition of Italian culture and hospitality vibrant and passionate. Gnazzo, formerly of three Michelin-stard restaurant Antica Osteria del Ponte and world-renowned REX il Ristorante in Los Angeles, is known for his farm-to-table approach to southern Italian dining, something that attracts locals and visitors alike to Mozzarella & Vino and its sister restaurants Il Gattopardo and The Leopard at des Artistes. His commitment to bringing the best of the Italian culinary traditions to all of his creations has led to him being awarded two stars by The New York Times and 2.5 stars by the New York Post. Originally from Naples, Italy, Sorrentino carries more than 40 years of experience in restaurant management from the Grand Hotel Quisisana, The Dorchester Hotel in London, Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo, Bice Ristorante in New York, Sette MoMA restaurant at the MOMA, and Union Bar & Grill in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In
September 2001, Sorrentino opened Il Gattopardo, just across from MoMA, and the Sorrentinos embarked on one of the most rewarding journeys of their careers in 2011—the rebirth of the restaurant at New York landmark Hotel des Artistes. Brazilian born and raised by Italian parents from Veneto, Bolla-Sorrentino is passionate for art, design and Italian culture. With a fashion and design background, she travelled around the world with top fashion designers and worked in one of the most prestigious design firms of New York, Pentagram, as a graphic designer. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, but with the hospitality industry in her heart, Paula runs all visual and organizational aspects of the company, including art direction and flowers, graphic design, and customer relations, to make sure that guests are not only exposed to a wonderful gastronomical event on the table, but to a whole sensorial experience. For more information, call 646-692-8849, or visit mozzarellaevino.com. Like the company on Facebook (mozzarellaevino), follow it on Instagram (mozzarellaevino) and find it on Twitter (@MozzarellaeVino).
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All About Purple Foods WHY THE NEWEST NUTRITION CRAZE IS WORTH TRYING BY ANDREA CORREALE
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urple is such a fabulous color that it’s not surprising it’s become one of the biggest food trends this year. While the royal shade is particularly striking, purple foods also have very high levels of anthocyanins, the ultimate antioxidant. In fact, anthocyanins have been shown to fight cancer, inflammation, and aging so you can not only feel good from the inside, but look good on the outside! There’s a whole world of purple foods out there, including purple cauliflower, purple asparagus, purple corn, lavender, elderberries, and more. As purple foods continue to gain popularity, you’ll start to see these popping up at grocery stores everywhere, not just specialty health food shops. If you need more convincing, Mariah Carey herself is a huge supporter of the purple diet. So if health experts and divas alike say purple foods are great, why not start incorporating these beautiful, healthy foods into your menu?
How to eat them Let’s start with purple cauliflower. Summer will be here before we know it, and cauliflower is a great way to go low carb in lieu of a typical starch. You can make pizza crust with cauliflower, use it instead of rice or potatoes, or dice it up and make buffalo cauliflower lettuce wraps. The beauty of cauliflower is it takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with. Purple cabbage is another fabulous food that’s packed with vitamins. You can shred it and use it in a salad, or create an incredible slaw. Instead of making a mayo-based coleslaw, shred red cabbage with other vegetables like peppers and carrots. I personally love
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it with Asian seasonings, like sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and fresh ginger. It’s a fabulous side dish for any backyard barbeque. Beets also make a great side dish and can be enjoyed year-round. They’re fantastic when diced, cooked, and combined with crumbled bleu cheese, walnuts or hazelnuts, and your favorite vinaigrette. Like the cabbage coleslaw, this is a perfect accompaniment for any main dish. Eggplant is another fantastic purple food. As people bring their grills out of hiding as warmer temperatures hit, it’s the perfect time to start grilling some vegetables. Eggplant can be grilled and served in a number of different ways, such as Greek style with lemon, olive oil, oregano, and some fresh feta. Or, try some Japanese flavors by glazing the eggplant with sake, ginger, scallion, miso, and sugar before you grill it. Purple potatoes are not only pretty to look at, but they’re wonderful to cook with and make a statement. Instead of making a heavy, mayo-based potato salad, try making potato salad with lime, cilantro, and chimichurri sauce and serve it with a nice filet mignon right off the grill. While most people think of lavender as a wonderful scent, it’s actually a delicious ingredient to use in recipes. As a savory option, you can use it to season roasted potatoes. But it also makes an incredible ingredient in desserts: it’s amazing with chocolate, such as lavender chocolate brownies. You could also make lavender sorbet or ice cream for a refreshing treat. As for a healthy drink, try steeping lavender in green tea; it’s really fabulous. If brownies and ice cream don’t do it for you, create an acai barat your next gathering for a healthier
alternative to the ice cream sundae bar. Along with acai berries, include other toppings like bananas, coconut, granola, fresh fruits, and berries to make the ultimate healthy dessert dish. Purple foods are an incredible way to achieve the winning food trifecta: delicious, gorgeous, and good for you. Head over to the grocery store and see where this new color palette will take you in the kitchen!
Andrea Correale, President of Elegant Affairs, is a celebrity caterer and the new national entertaining expert for the Lenox brand. Andrea has been featured in multiple magazines and on television networks such as People magazine, Woman's Day magazine, Oprah.com, FOX 5, WCBS, Bravo, VH1, Lifetime, and Martha Stewart Living. L'Oreal Paris Academy calls her their lifestyle expert with a series of entertaining videos used to inspire women nationwide. elegantaffairscaterers.com
Purple foods, like potatoes, cauliflower, and corn, have very high levels of anthocyanins, which are the ultimate antioxidant.
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Getting to Know Super Matcha A NUTRITIOUS JAPANESE STAPLE THAT’S NOT JUST FOR LATTE LOVERS BY LINDSAY B RUST E IN ROSE N
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atcha is considered to be one of the most powerful superfoods on the market today. A long-standing tradition of Japanese culture, matcha green tea is the highest-quality powdered green tea available. This powered tea has been considered a miracle elixir in the Far East for a millennium, but has only gained widespread popularity in the United States more recently. Is it worth the hype? Following are its benefits.
1. High in antioxidants Antioxidants are responsible for fighting against the negative effects of ultra-violet (UV) radiation, providing anti-aging benefits, such as improved skin, and preventing a number of life-threatening maladies, such as cancer. Just one serving of matcha green tea provides more than five times as many antioxidants as any other food. Since matcha is a powder made from ground up tea leaves, the antioxidants are not only more prevalent, but also more concentrated.
2. Boost memory and concentration The amino acid L-theanine is contained in the leaves used to make matcha. L-theanine is responsible for the production of dopamine and serotonin, two chemicals that enhance mood, improve memory and promote better concentration. The energy boost provided from this variety of green tea is sustained over time instead of providing a surge of wakefulness before the inevitable crash.
3. Potential calorie burn Some research indicates that drinking matcha green tea may increase metabolism and help the body burn fat about four times faster than average green tea. Unlike many diet aides currently on the market, matcha
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causes no negative side effects such as increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
4. Infection fighting potential The catechins, which are disease-fighting antioxidants, found in matcha may also reduce the damage to cells in the case of illness or infections.
5. Rich in micronutrients Matcha green tea provides substantial quantities of various vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium. To get the most nutritional bang out of this beverage, make sure to drink it plain—rather than indulging in that buzz-worthy sugar-laden matcha latte. Also, drink tea made with pure matcha powder. Make sure that your matcha is made from Japan to ensure that it’s a high-quality product, therefore containing all the previously mentioned nutritional benefits. It also is a good idea to buy organic whenever you can to get the highest nutritional content, and check that the powder itself is a bright green color.
TRY THIS RECIPE Nutrition by Bru Matcha Bites Ingredients: ½ cup raw cashews 3 medjool dates 1 tsp matcha powder 1 tsp chia seeds Directions: 1. Blend all ingredients until dough starts to form. 2. Roll into 6 to 8 balls with your hands. 3. Refrigerate.
Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD is a registered dietitian and the founder of Nutrition by Bru, a nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York. She received a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Greater New York Dietetic Association.
nutritionbybru.com
Spirited Celebrations in the Grand Salon Expansive bouquets of red roses and ceiling crystals cascading from sparkling chandeliers enhance the festive setting of the Grand Salon. The seasonal centerpiece of the majestic space is the recently-installed Baccarat Red Grand Genre vase. Inspired by the iconic Harcourt design, this exceptional creation is double cased with red crystal and exalted with diamonds, and on display throughout the season for all to enjoy.
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London: The Royal Shopping Tour SEEKING LONDON’S FINEST THINGS? SIMPLY LOOK FOR A ROYAL WARRANT. BY JANIS T URK
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f you’re longing for a grand tour of London and want the royal treatment, start where the royals shop. Want to find the best of the best in London? Simply follow the lead of London’s ultimate insider: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. But where would the monarch shop or stop for afternoon tea? Who makes Prince Charles’ suits or Camilla’s crazy hats? Where do Prince William and Kate get chocolate truffles or toys for Prince George and Princess Charlotte? You don’t have to read the tabloids to sleuth such information. There’s a more civilized way to discover the royal favorites. Simply refer to the current list of Royal Warrants of Appointment, which you can find online. A Royal Warrant is like a royal seal of approval.
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Businesses and individuals, from the queen’s favorite perfume maker to Prince Phillip’s tailors, are eligible for this coveted distinction. It’s like a royal appointment: Individuals and companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to the households of the queen, the duke of Edinburgh or the prince of Wales are eligible for Royal Warrants, and many of these companies have done business with royalty for centuries. Royal Warrants demonstrate service, quality and excellence, so they are highly prized. Each is careful to maintain the quality of its products and services, or the Royal Warrant might not be renewed. Since there are 800 Royal Warrant holders in all of England, you won’t have time to visit them all during your vacation, so here are my picks for a few of the top places in London that the royals (and I) recommend.
Let Them Eat Chocolate at Prestat Take a London taxi to Piccadilly for your first Royal Warrant tour stop at the Princes Arcade, where you’ll find the sweetest thing: the colorful, whimsical shop of Prestat, the chocolatier which has been granted Royal Warrants by the queen and the late queen mother. Founded by French émigré Antoine Dufour, whose family is credited with having invented the chocolate truffle in France in 1891, this sweet London business dates back to 1902. It also is known as the favorite chocolatier of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” author, Roald Dahl, who turned to Prestat for inspiration—and chocolate truffles.
Wear Blue to Fortnum & Mason When I picture heaven, it looks a lot like Fortnum &
Mason, the most enchanting department store on the planet. As you pass through the doors of 181 Piccadilly, you enter a world awash in extravagance and beauty, and it feels as though you’ve stepped back in time. Founded as a grocery store in 1707, Fortnum & Mason is famed for its myriad choices of loose-leaf tea and luxury picnic hampers, as well as gourmet foods, fine clothing, china, fresh flowers, stationery and anything else you could ever want or imagine. Fortnum & Mason’s signature color is the palest Georgian blue, and it’s featured throughout the store on everything from tea canisters to ladies scarves. When the queen, the duchess of Cambridge (Camilla) and the duchess of Cornwall (Kate) all took tea together at the London-based luxury department store five years ago, the queen wore Fortnum & Mason blue. The store,
which has held numerous Royal Warrants in its more than 150-year history, employs more than 5,000 royal subjects.
Sweet Smell of Success at Penhaligon’s Ltd. Penhaligon’s is a luxury British perfume house (for men and women) and is a tiny two-floor shop located in Burlington Arcade, a covered shopping arcade that runs behind Bond Street from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens. Founded in the late 1860s by William Henry Penhaligon, perfumer to Queen Victoria, Penhaligon’s earned its first Royal Warrant in 1903.
Room with a View at the Goring Hotel For one hundred years, the Goring family has owned a small luxury hotel that sits practically in Buckingham Palace’s backyard in the handsome Belgravia area. It’s that family tie and the Goring’s dedication to perfection
that has garnered royal attention for the classy hotel. The coronations of George VI and the present queen saw the hotel filled with foreign royalty attending these great occasions. The Goring pastry chef made Prince Charles’ christening cake when he was a baby, and when Kate Middleton spent the night before her Westminster Abby nuptials, she, her mother and her sister shared the luxurious royal suite and booked the entire hotel for family and friends. When heads of state, presidents, celebrities and royalty come to London, many stay at the Goring as well. To learn more about the Royal Warrant Holders, visit RoyalWarrant.org, and for more about all the exciting things London has to offer, see VisitLondon.com and VisitEngland.com, and VisitBritain.com. Visit the Goring online at TheGoring.com.
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Traversing Australia’s Top End DOWN UNDER WITH A LUXURY TWIST BY KIM SCHNE IDE R
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ike high-class castaways, we nibble on butter-poached mud crabs that we speared from under craggy rocks and mangrove trees. We also partake in the Fijian ceviche our hosts made from fish we caught. Meanwhile, frigate birds soar overhead. The glowing ball of the setting sun finally sinks below a line of dark storm clouds, and now its red-orange shadow points like a beacon toward the V-shape breaking the still surface of the Arafura Sea. The eerie eyes of a crocodile peek up at the tip of the V, causing us to shiver, even from the safety of our clifftop perch. If we previously doubted our guide’s earlier proclamation that we had come to one of the Earth’s wildest remaining places, all hesitancy is erased as stars fill the sky. Almost mystically, the sea becomes its mirror image. This is no mere reflection of the stars that is twinkling in moving waves of indigo light. It’s a phenomenon called bioluminescence that appears in only a few rare places on Earth. We’re at the wild top end of Australia’s Top End, the second most northern point in the country and within its most untouched stretch of Aboriginal land. Access to the many nations and language groups—so many that maps are coded by countries, not towns—is limited to outsiders by a complicated permit process. Park quotas allow only 20 cars at a time to enter the area, which is roughly half the size of Switzerland. Though you may not see another person outside of
your party, you will likely spot something that could kill you. Our small group of five—an Australian couple, a journalist with a passion for indigenous culture and me—started our adventure with a billabong pontoon cruise, spotting a dozen or so of the approximately 200,000 crocs tallied in the Top End. This tip is home to apex predators such as box jellyfish and sharks, too, which makes none of the region’s
waters (save for one waterfall and lake) tempting for a swim. Luckily, friendlier marsupials such as rock wallabies and tiny bandicoots abound. They are just waiting to be discovered by the light of headlamps on night walks. On drives into camp, there are so many cape buffalo and wallabies that group member Simon exclaimed, “It’s a bloody safari!” Touring with Venture North is one of the few ways
to experience this part of the country. Thanks to the owners’ relationship with tribal leaders, they lease a small luxury camp on the Cobourg Peninsula. However, put aside the traditional definition of luxury. Platform tents are perched cliffside for panorama views of sea and sky, but showers and the loo are a short walk away. Nonexistent Wi-Fi signals annoy guests at first, but then become a highlight of the stay, as well as gourmet dinners with features such as wild-caught barramundi with lemon butter and capers. Helicopter trips and lux lodges also are an option, but the real luxury is access to Australian life as it was lived centuries ago. Trips start in the Northern Territory capitol of Darwin. Closer to Bali than Sydney, the city draws cultural influences from across Southeast Asia, and you can walk paths lined by frangipani trees to a waterfront that is lined with day spas, pearl shops and waterfront dining. Galleries carry Aboriginal art, and museums draw on virtual reality to transport visitors almost too realistically to the city’s bombing in World War II. You’re transported back in geologic time as you head into Kakadu National Park, a highlight stop that draws its tourism fame from its ancient red rocks and the fact that the movie “Crocodile Dundee” was filmed there. Our guide Dave McMahon plays the biologist/ the hipster version of Mick Dundee. Though trained in French cuisine and clearly more citified, he sports a sense of ease as he hops barefoot across rugged terrain, snacks on the occasional wild plum or green ant, and wrangles rock crabs and frilled-neck lizards with equal skill. The trip’s co-star is his friend Thommo Nganjmirra, the Bininj guide who shows us around his Arnhem Land home. Thommo guides us around rocky boulders like we’re beloved family, coaching us on how to duck under rock ledges without smearing 20,000-year-old art that is more valuable more than anything in the Louvre. “Come, I’ll show you a good spirit,” he says. “A family dancing in joy.” Other rocks sport intricate paintings of catfish and yams, and of potential dangers—crocodiles and a Tasmanian tiger we’re told is at least 5,000 years old, which is when the dingo was introduced and the tiger vanished. Thommo’s people once lived here through the rainy season that still makes this region impassable, he tells us. Some perhaps still do, at least in spiritual form, because tribal members hear the music of a didgeridoo here at night. We listen closely, knowing that as alone as we feel amid this ancient landscape, the past is viscerally present—just as nature is in charge.
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Miami’s Mid-Beach Heats Up MOVE OVER, SOUTH BEACH. YOU HAVE COMPETITION. BY LISA LOVE R RO
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iami’s trendy scene is rapidly moving north to Mid-beach, a stretch of beach running from 23rd to 63rd streets along the pristine shoreline of Miami Beach, Florida. And though South Beach still attracts plenty of tourists, Mid-Beach seems to be the hot, new destination. While there are many new hotels opening along this stretch, The Palms Hotel & Spa originally opened its doors as the Sea Isle Hotel in 1939. Its current owners, the Krause family, purchased it in 1989. Then, they renovated and re-opened the establishment as The Miami Beach Ocean Resort in the summer of 1992. In the following years, the family continued to modernize and re-position the property, culminating in its 2010 re-launch as The Palms Hotel & Spa. Marked by a vibrant decor reminiscent of a tropical island paradise, this colonial-inspired 12-story, 251-room hotel exudes a feeling of tropical splendor, which is something most of the neighboring hotels to its south don’t offer. Another distinction is that the resort uses natural products whenever possible, from their spa treatments to their farm-to-table dining, with many ingredients coming from the chef’s on-site, organic garden. The pool deck, surrounded by bright orange loungers, also offers a sandy beach-inspired section, complete with a tiki bar. One of the highlights is the hotel’s beach club along the Atlantic Ocean, with comfy cushioned lounge chairs and an attentive wait staff quick to quench your thirst with a watermelon mojitos, piña coladas and other refreshing libations. Another standout at the hotel is its restaurant, Essensia Restaurant. Led by acclaimed Executive Chef Julie Frans, known for her sophisticated cuisine that emphasizes premium local and sustainable ingredients. With a Latin-inspired twist, the menu offers outstanding appetizers such as ropa vieja tostados, corn chowder soup and main courses including a seafood Islander Bouillabaisse in a coconut curry sauce. The hotel’s Spa Aveda is a large, 5,000-square-foot facility featuring holistic treatments, with five treatment rooms and rituals set to deliver a highly personalized experience to pamper and relax with natural and botanically derived Aveda products. The hotel’s decor, products, and services are all inspired by nature and The Palms has a comprehensive green program promoting wellness. Complementary yoga classes are offered twice a week and a monthly NatuRUNs program focuses on speed, pain-free running and proper conditioning. Although this hotel is just a bit north of South Beach’s hustle and bustle, its tranquil environment makes it seem a world away. For more information, visit ThePalmsHotel.com
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Glorious Glasgow, Scotland A COSMOPOLITAN TREASURE IN THE HEART OF CALEDONIA. WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JANIS TURK
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hen many people think of Scotland, think only of Loch Ness, or they picture hills, bagpipes, kilts and barns filled with barrels of Scotch whiskey. They think of haggis, beer, fish and chips, and pubs on every corner, and expect only a pretty green land of lakes with hairy cows and lots of sheep. To be sure, all those charming things you’ve heard about Scotland are true. Scotland’s scenic highlands are spectacular, and there are countless bonny banks, monster-filled lochs, ancient castles and sheep. However, Scotland offers much more than green hills, good pubs and rich history. In fact, Scotland’s best-kept secret is the glorious cosmopolitan city of Glasgow. “It’s pure, dead brilliant,” as the Scots would say. Home to more than a 500,000 citizens, Glasgow is an exciting, forward-moving city filled with arresting architecture, pristine parks, shopping streets and bustling public squares. Respectful of its past, with its face set toward the future, Glasgow is ever on the rise. Emerging in the new millennium as a hip cultural magnet for museums, music, shopping and culinary delights, Glasgow is a thriving community committed to the arts and a hub for new digital media businesses and more. One of the U.K.’s most vibrant stylish cities, Glasgow is also consistently voted as the top place to shop in the U.K. outside of London’s West End. With more than 1,500 shops, ranging from unique vintage stores and independent record shops to brand-name chains and boutiques of exclusive designers, Glasgow is often considered as fashionable, but more affordable, than London. “Each time I return, I am surprised by the changes I see,” says world-renowned photojournalist and Glasgow native Harry Benson, who holds the royal title commander of the order of the British empire. “Today, Glasgow is an exciting, modern city. Twenty-five to 30 years ago, you would never have seen an outdoor cafe, but now they are all over the place. The art galleries and the museums are also some of the best in the world, but of course that has always been true,” says Benson, who once attended the Glasgow School of Art. Today he resides on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “I am very proud to have come from Glasgow. It has a tremendous history in myriad fields, including commerce, medicine, architecture, ship building, education and art.”
During Your Visit First, settle into a centrally located hotel, such as the Blythswood Square Hotel. Located close to the city center on Blythswood Square Park, this posh boutique
hotel offers an utterly civilized retreat from the bustle of the city. An award-winning, five-star spa hotel with 100 guest rooms, including individual suites and a magnificent penthouse, this contemporary hotel is housed in a historic Georgian property that served as the clubhouse for the Royal Scottish Automobile Club from 1910 to 2002. Or if you prefer to be the first to find a new great hotel, you may also want to book a night or two at the new contemporary high-end hotel, Dakota Deluxe Glasgow, a swank luxury property that is also set near Bythswood Square Park.
“It’s pure dead brilliant.” –A Scottish expression
Less than a mile away, Buchanan Street offers a golden-style mile of boutiques, department stores, designer brand shops, cafes and restaurants. Nearby, there’s also a major train station and handy metro stop. The Gallery of Modern Art near George Square is close by, as well as outdoor cafes and park-like plazas, music clubs and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Glasgow’s most beautiful building and finest treasure trove of art and antiquities, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an enormous Spanish Baroque-style building featuring a large arms and armor collection, extensive natural history collections and works by the old masters, French impressionists, Dutch renaissance painters, Scottish colorists and artists from the Glasgow School of Art. A must-see at the museum is Salvador Dalí’s famous painting of “Christ of Saint John of the Cross.” The Kelvingrove offers free admission, as do all civic museums and galleries in Glasgow. If your idea of fine art is a souped-up muscle car or motorcycle, the Zaha Hadid-designed, multi-awardwinning Riverside Museum is for you. Housed on the banks of Glasgow Harbour, it attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year. It’s a thrilling place for visitors of all ages because it is home to more than 3,000 objects that detail Glasgow’s rich maritime past, as well as trains, planes, automobiles, bicycles,
streetcars, skateboards, boats and the barque Glenlee, which is the main exhibit at The Tall Ship at Riverside, and is anchored in the harbor just outside the back door. Even the building is exciting—its roofline is shaped like an EKG readout of a healthy heartbeat. Less than a five-minute walk from the museum along the River Clyde, the Clydeside Distillery will open this fall—the first to open in the city in more than a century—and it is slated to be an exciting new visitor attraction with tours. The creative heart of Glasgow is the Glasgow School of Art. It was founded in January 1845, but in 1896, a thenunknown junior draftsman Charles Rennie Mackintosh won a competition that earned him the chance to design a new building for the school. Today Mackintosh is considered one of the finest architects of his time and his art nouveau masterpiece building remains an active working art school and an important architectural monument. A fire destroyed part of its library in recent years, but the building is still a marvel and a delight. Enjoy a Mackintosh Building Tour to see where Glasgow’s most talented and famous artists get their start. Music is also a big part of life for Glaswegians, and there are more than 130 music events each week in Glasgow. Each year, the Glasgow Music Festival is held with more than 7,000 performers offering a varied program of events spanning two weeks during March. The city is also home to the popular Glasgow International Jazz Festival each summer. If you want to see more of Scotland, take a tour, such as the new half-day tour from Rabbie’s Tours, where you’ll pass the kilts, castles and whisky you’ve wanted to see in Scotland while also getting a modern Scottish experience. On this tour, you’ll visit the Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift in the world, and you’ll experience “The Kelpies,” a beautiful and world-renowned contemporary horsethemed sculpture. While in Glasgow, don’t miss a chance to see the enchanting city of Edinburgh, too. It’s an easy one-hour train ride from the center of Glasgow, so you can make a day trip or even just a half-day trip of it on your own. Like every great city, Glasgow is mercurial. It defies stereotypes and exceeds expectations. It has many faces: some as old and smooth as Scotch whisky, and some young, rough, ready and hopeful. Yes, Glasgow is many things, but most of all, it’s the modern Scotland I’d hoped to find while visiting an ancient land that is also so rich with history and tradition. To learn more about Glasgow, visit PeopleMakeGlasgow.us For sensational tours throughout Scotland, including trips to Edinburgh, the Highlands and Loch Ness, be sure to book a Rabbie’s Tour. Rabbie’s offers award-winning U.K. and Ireland small group tours. Visit Rabbies.com/en. for more information ■ April 2017 | 89
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Angelo David Salon
CELEBRITY HAIR STYLIST AND LEADING HAIR-LOSS EXPERT BY ANN GRE NIE R
W Stylist and thinning-hair expert Angelo David stands with a client.
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orld-renowned stylist and thinning-hair expert Angelo David Pisacreta, who has worked with thousands of hair-loss clients during the last 25 years, is one of New York’s leading authorities on fine and thinning hair. He and his team of experts at Angelo David Salon have consulted with men and women whose hair loss comes from a multitude of causes, including genetic disorders (which are behind as much as 90 percent of hair loss), bad reactions to hair products and external impacts, such as losing a limb. “Whatever the stage of hair loss a client is experiencing, we focus on three things: prevent, maintain and correct or enhance,” Pisacreta says. When it comes to hair damage, it is vital to use the right hair care products to help prevent hair loss in the first place. Often, these can be very simple. For example, Angelo David combs, which are meticulously handmade from a single sheet of high-quality, Italianproduced cellulose acetate, have no burrs to catch and break the hair or create split ends. Their gently rounded teeth ensure an even glide through natural or faux hair with no scalp irritation. Additionally, Angelo David VOL hair products instantly boost volume without questionable additives. They are sulfate- and sodium-chloride free, and contain several beneficial ingredients, such as honey extract for moisturizing, natural antioxidants to fight pollutants and silk amino acids, which build protein and strengthen hair. Stress is a common factor behind hair loss; some women lose up to 70 percent of their hair from stress related-illnesses. Common stressors that cause hair loss include starting or stopping the use of birth control pills, scalp sunburn, crash diets, child birth, surgery, divorce, a traumatic accident, taking anti-depressants or other medications, and becoming a vegan or vegetarian. Stress shedding is usually temporary, and most women dealing with thinning hair are between the ages of 25 and 35. However, for the one in four women who are
predisposed to hereditary hair loss, the hair will not grow back on its own. That’s why it is important to follow hair-health regimens to help maintain the hair you have. To that end, Pisacreta created Hair Detox, an all-natural supplement that helps anyone maintain a healthy head of hair and combat stressors and environmental aggressors. After age of 50, many women experience senescent alopecia, the type of hair loss that naturally occurs with age. Unlike female pattern baldness, both the duration of the hair growth cycle and the diameter of the hair follicle decreases, leading to thinning hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. Angelo knows how damaging that hair loss can be to women’s self-image and confidence. That’s why he created Couture Hair to enhance the hair you have or correct the visual appearance of fine and thinning hair. Angelo David Salon’s signature, customized Couture Hair includes hair extensions, fillers, hair pieces, wigs and additions, as well as other customized options for women and men who are experiencing true hair loss. The salon has private consultation rooms, in which its team of experts provides thorough, highly personalized consultations. They sample strands of your own hair, so the Couture Hair can be identically matched to it in texture, density, thickness, color and wave pattern. Some hair solutions mimic the natural scalp, so they can be added right at the part line, while others conceal thinning spots in specific areas, such as the back of the crown. After the application of Couture Hair, the natural hair is cut and styled for a flawless blend. Angelo David, who has become known as the go-to stylist for Couture Hair extensions and thinning hair solutions, recently appeared on Good Morning America, working his makeover miracles on three women with hair loss problems. “There is nothing more rewarding than being able to change how someone sees herself, boost her selfesteem and uplift her feelings, all within the course of an hour or two. Every day I get to make someone look and feel wonderful,” Pisacreta says. For more information, visit angelodavid.com.
AMAZING TRANSFORMATION BY ANGELO DAVID.
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MY MOTHER MY DAUGHTER MY SELF
MY
MOTHER MY
DAUGHTER MY
SELF
Jane Goldberg
Dr. Jane Goldberg and her Book, My Mother, My Daughter, My Self A QUICK PEEK AT THE PSYCHOANALYST’S LIFE AND WORK BY ALE XANDR A APPINO-TAB ONE
Jane Goldberg
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enowned author and psychoanalyst Dr. Jane Goldberg, Ph.D., has long been a proponent of holistic wellness. As a practicing psychoanalyst, she specializes in psychological oncology, working with cancer patients to help them deal with the mental and emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis. She also owns a holistic health center, La Casa Resort Spa & Wellness Center, located in the rainforest of Puerto Rico, with an outpost in New York City. Now publishing her eighth book, My Mother My Daughter My Self, Dr. Goldberg explores the mother/ daughter relationship from both sides, with a book that’s part memoir, part self-analysis. La Casa Resort Spa & Wellness Center When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Goldberg began to research cancer and holistic health. “That was before the internet” and before holistic wellness was widely recognized by Western culture, she says. But Goldberg was determined to help her mother heal. “I wanted her to live,” she says. By implementing holistic practices, Goldberg’s mother made a full recovery, but later suffered a relapse after her husband died—seemingly a direct correlation between mental and emotional strain and physical health. “At that point, you just don’t want to live anymore,” she says.
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Goldberg founded La Casa Resort Spa & Wellness Center, a holistic center that treats people dealing with a number of different conditions and ailments. Inspired by her trips to Puerto Rico with her mother, Goldberg built the spa in the Puerto Rican rainforest, where she finds the natural beauty of the landscape and the sounds of the rain at night soothing. At La Casa, nature provides a calming environment conducive to healing. The Mind/Body Connection As an expert in both psychoanalysis and holistic wellness, Dr. Goldberg does not believe that there is any separation between mind and body, even though our language labels them as separate entities. She works with cancer patients to cope with the psychological effects of cancer, stemming from the idea that being attentive to mental processes is integral to a full physical recovery. Many of her patients, some “who should have died 25 years ago,” she says, make a full recovery, and attribute it to their work with her. My Mother, My Daughter, My Self When she was younger, Goldberg didn’t think she wanted to be a mother, choosing to focus on her career instead. But she adopted her daughter when she was 47 because she wanted to start a family with the man she loved.
Goldberg says the psychological and emotional relationship between mother and child stems from the initial physical connection made when the baby is in the womb. After the child is born, the desire to be one with her mother is strong, and she continues to position herself—whether near or far—in relation to her mother, for the rest of her life. While writing My Mother My Daughter, My Self, Dr. Goldberg took time to interpret her dreams as part of her self-analysis. Looking at her relationships with her mother and her daughter, Dr. Goldberg’s instructive and illustrative book explores self-hood through the psychological, emotional, and spatial relationship each of us has with the person who created us, and the people we create. A widely recognized expert in psychoanalysis and holistic health as well as a prolific writer, Dr. Goldberg has appeared on numerous television and radio segments, and published countless scholarly and lifestyle articles. Her ability to excel in such diverse fields is a testament to her talents, but it also speaks to her holistic approach to personal and professional endeavors. From psychoanalysis to oncology and relationships, all avenues of expression are paths to a unified self.
BELTRAMI A Men’s Store
SCABAL A PASSION FOR CLOTH At Beltrami, you will find the finest in Men’s Clothing, Suits, Sports Jackets and Slax. Cloth for ready made and custom clothing by: Ermenegildo Zegna, Cerruti 1881, Loro Piana and Scabal. We are proud to be the first on Long Island to carry Scabal ready made, exclusively.
OUR NEW ADDRESS
7953 Jericho Tpke. (Woodbury Village) Woodbury, NY 11797 (Corner of Jericho Tpke. and South Woods Road)
Phone: 516.466.0117
Large selection of dress shirts, ties, sportswear, jeans and shoes. Complete tuxedo department, also offering tuxedo rentals.
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Cristina Verger
Rome, Milan, Florence, Paris, and Costa Rica WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING
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ristina Verger has run her eponymous events planning firm for nearly two decades, creating everything from corporate and society gatherings to birthday parties, but it’s weddings that she most enjoys envisioning and
organizing. “A wedding is emotional, it’s forever. There is no doover. It has to be perfect no matter what,” says the Italian-born, New York-based Verger. For that reason, she personally handles every detail of weddings her firm takes on. “No one is going to speak to my assistants when they’re planning a wedding,” she says. “They’re meeting with me on everything.” To make sure she is able to give each wedding the proper attention, Verger only takes on a maximum of eight per year. She goes the extra mile by, say, personally delivering custom-made table linens to the venues, and even performing the seemingly impossible, like bumping an entire wedding for 250 people to the following day in January 2016 (as she had to do when a blizzard hit New York City.) “Weddings are fun to do because it’s the event that really needs you. It’s where you really can have an impact,” she says. Though Verger is discreet about naming her high-profile clients, a television news personality, a professional athlete and an owner of
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BY B E NNE T T MARCUS the Minnesota Twins are among them.
Rome to Costa Rica With satellite offices in Rome, Milan, Florence and Paris, destination weddings have become something of a specialty of Verger’s. Often, the weddings take place in Europe, but she has planned them in Vermont, Aspen and beyond. In Costa Rica, she planned a wedding for a couple that fell in love with an off-the-grid jungle town, complete with dirt roads, and decided they had to marry there. No matter where you hope to get married, Verger will ensure that the experience unique. Hers is a boutique company specializing in giving clients a distinctive experience. “If you want something unusual, it’s not a Pierre wedding, it’s not a Plaza wedding, it’s not a St. Regis wedding, it’s your wedding, that’s what I’m going to make it,” says Verger.
Windows on the World Verger has spent 30 years working in hospitality. After a brief stint in finance, she got a job with the Helmsley Corporation at the St. Moritz Hotel, where within a year and a half she became director of the banquet department. After that, Verger worked at Windows on the World, running a department that grossed $20 million per year. She then spent seven years as director of catering for the Harvard Club of New York City.
But Verger always wanted her own business, so she eventually decided to take that chance, and the company is now in its 16th year. Now, while planning events at venues in New York, she often meets people that have trained under her or worked for her.
Family-Owned Hotel Verger’s love affair with hospitality actually began in childhood, in Rome, where her family owned a hotel that her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother ran. “My dream was always to run the hotel,” she says. “It was against my mother’s wishes because she felt that it was a job that left you no time for your private life, just like hers.” She would beg to be allowed to skip school and instead spend the day at her mother’s side, learning the ins and outs of running the hotel. The family moved to the United States when she was a teenager, but Verger thinks her European background and command of several languages benefits her clients. “I think if you’re born in Europe, because the countries are so close together, you are naturally exposed to so many different cultures, and you create a much better bridge for the American who wants to get married abroad,” she says. For more information, visit CristinaVerger.com or call 212-715–0590.
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We are Please to Announce Michelle Battaglia-Capogna, OD Formally of Pearl Vision Center of Manhasset has Joined Our Practice
Monday-Friday 9-6 · Wednesday 9-7 · Saturday 9-5 360 Willis Avenue · Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 roslyneyecentre.com · 516.484.8899 April 2017 | 95
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Richie Hart Events Keeps the Party Going THIS HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM THROWS MEMORABLE PARTIES THAT RESONATE. BY CHR IST INE STODDARD
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he iconic duo, Richie and Debbie Hart, know how to coordinate and flawlessly execute an innovative and creative event. So how do you elevate and distinguish your special event? Richie Hart, owner of Richie Hart Events, says all of his events are unique and elegant, featuring premier entertainment, talent and music, as well as the perfect design. To further differentiate, Richie stresses the importance of branding each event from start to finish. This includes décor, pictures, and logos carried out through the party and use of social media. With more than three decades of experience, Richie and his wife Debbie, also known as the “party therapist,” have harnessed their expertise to consult with clients,
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inspire, and continue to raise the bar to produce the absolute best parties, events and corporate functions. Every aspect of the client’s vision becomes a reality and is branded, from the theme to the exquisite décor, lighting and lounge, entertainment, music and catering. But apart from experience and resources, Richie says Richie Hart Events offers a genuine client connection that can only come from a husband and wife team. He believes they communicate with each other as only spouses can, and that they fully recognize each other’s talents and efforts. “It’s invaluable for clients that they can come into our office for one-stop shopping,” Richie says. “Richie Hart Events offers supreme music and entertainment. Debbie completes what we do. Even the most discerning customers find themselves stress-free and able to enjoy
the planning of their party, as she has the perfected approach and organization for engaging parties. No detail is overlooked.” The couple collaborates behind the scenes leading up to the event, and often continues to work together on site the day of the party. “The two of us, in many cases, will be at the party. While I’m taking care of production, Debbie ensures that the complete design of the room is achieved,” Richie says.Further, the duo assures that the event adheres to the timeline, which includes grand entrances, speeches and other special requests, so their clients enjoy their party.Richie and Debbie agree that their communication and cooperation as husband and wife is a key elementof their process. “We’re passionate about what we do,” Debbie says.“There’s a good balance of knowledge. Richie
“Along with great music comes a great party.” is one of the innovators of the industry who is on top of today’s trends and has a true understanding of what is relevant to each generation at every party. As event planners, we are very good with details. It’s important to understand our clients’ needs, budgets and visions. It’s the best feeling to see the client walk into the room for the first time and know that we have achieved everything they were hoping for.” Debbie adds that customers in the New York City region aren’t used to settling. They want tip-top service, and she and Richie always strive to exceed their expectations. “In this area, people are very knowledgeable,” she says. “They’re looking to make the party the best night of their lives, whether it’s a bar/bat mitzvah, sweet 16 or a wedding. From the music and entertainment to décor and branding, every element contributes to a making your special day the talk of the town!” After the party, “we follow up with each and every client,” Debbie says.“We send them pictures, videos and post on social media.” Both Debbie and Richie feel that it is imperative to continue relationships, even after their big day is over. “We enjoy talking to them while they’re still on that high from their celebration,” Debbie says. A fabulous party keeps you soaring even after it’s over. richie@richiehartevents.com Cell- 516-805-1697 Office- (516) 802-3655
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Neil Pammo Knowledgeable and Educated Team at House of Hair “WE’RE NOT LIKE A FACTORY, IN AND OUT.”
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air salons aren’t just about looking good; they’re about feeling good. Getting that boost requires a carefully planned and imaginative experience. “I have a number of businesses— hair salons, gyms, insurance companies,” says Neil Pammo, owner of House of Hair in Woodbury, which opened in March 2016. “I’m very creative and I wanted to have a creative business.” He also wanted that business to be a smart one. Pammo decided to distinguish House of Hair by assembling a highly knowledgeable team: “We’re different because of education.” Three House of Hair colorists are educators for Goldwell, an internationally recognized hair product company. Goldwell educators are responsible for going to other salons to educate colorists because quality hair color needs to be meticulously formulated. Education gets the wheels turning for innovation. At House of Hair, that means striking a balance between work and play. The staff are professional while still being hospitable and fun. “It’s about the environment,” says Pammo. “It’s very warm and friendly. We have 13 chairs, so we’re not like a factory, in and out. Everybody kind of knows each other. There’s no hurry. It’s a quaint atmosphere.” Of course, not everybody is a regular and
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BY CHR IST INE STODDARD there’s a process in place for newcomers. When a new client arrives at House of Hair, the first step is to schedule a brief consultation. “We seat them in our waiting area and offer them hors d’oeuvres, coffee or water,” says Pammo. “Then the stylist will do the consultation to gather information about what the client is looking for in terms of color and style.” From there, the client enjoys a shampoo and conditioning treatment before returning to the chair with the stylist. The stylist will confirm what they want to achieve before getting to work. House of Hair is a full-service salon that offers hairstyling, color, keratin treatments, updos, bridal treatments, full makeup and eyelashes. That being said, it is strictly a salon and does not offer spa services,
like massage or hair removal. Pammo believes that this fact allows the team to specialize in incredible hair. Ideally, incredible hair is for everyday, but it’s particularly necessary on one’s wedding day. House of Hair offers special hair and makeup services for brides and bridesmaids. Prior to the wedding, a bride should make an appointment for her trial hair and makeup to ensure that she gets the look she wants. “When she comes in, the bride will explain in detail the kind of look she’s trying to achieve,” says Pammo. “Whether it’s a soft look, dramatic look, fresh look. Depending on what she’s looking for, that’s what she will get.” On the wedding day, the bridal parties either come to the salon or go on location. The House of Hair team has served brides and bridal parties all over Suffolk and Nassau counties. Generally, the team goes to a hotel close to where the bride is getting married to do the hair and makeup there. House of Hair also offers treatments for other special events, such as bar mitzvahs and sweet 16 parties. The salon currently is running a prom package through the end of June. “No matter the client or occasion,” Pammo says, “We take great pride in the customer experience and stylists’ education. We specialize in hospitality and we are very service-oriented.” Keep that in mind next time you hope to raise your look to new heights.
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Meet Master Abstract Expressionist, George Schulman SCHULMAN IS BRONX-BORN AND ELITE-BRED. BY DE B R A SCHULMAN
GEORGE SCHULMAN Artist
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George Schulman Inside the Artists Studio 2016 after finishing “Debra, She’s One Kool Kat” Acrylic & 24Kt Gold Leaf Collage 73" x 84."
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n artist’s artist, master abstract expressionist George Schulman took a lifetime to achieve his well-deserved success. Schulman, now 69, comes from generations of creatives, including—perhaps most notably—his second mother, Freda Diamond, the Martha Stewart of the 50s. By 23, he was already an active member of New York’s vibrant art scene. He showed on Madison Avenue, managed SoHo’s Jamie Canvas art supply store, and advised and befriended scores of artists—from a not-yet-discovered Jean-Michel Basquiat to Knox Martin. Listening to Schulman’s stories today, it is easy to lose oneself in his tales of studio visits and adventures with 20thth-century art icons. But for decades, Schulman could not revel in the New York artist lifestyle. Married young and desperate to keep his family far from the street gang and thugs of a changing Bronx, he used his art sales to move his family to Huntington, Long Island. Family responsibilities forced him out of the New York art scene. Though he stood shoulder to shoulder with his contemporaries, Schulman convinced himself that it was not his time. Schulman opened Schulman Custom Stretchers and taught at the Art League of Long Island in Huntington for a decade, but he lacked the volume he needed to support his business. He needed a corporate job. While it paid the bills, taking the position meant spending 40 hours a week at his desk without painting. Schulman’s luck changed when Home Depot closed its luxury chain and gave Schulman a large payout and pension. This fortunate occurrence finally afforded him the time and money he needed to paint full time. It even allowed him to pursue an artist residency at the prestigious Vermont Studio Center, where he was surrounded by a community of international artists. After years of experimentation, Schulman is back to market with a vengeance and enjoying the accolades from fellow artists, gallerists and buyers. Last December, Artsy.net voted him a “Top 80 Artist” at Miami Art Week. Schulman’s more recent paintings and collages—some painted with 24-karat gold—tell stories of love, disappointment and false security. They show escapes to scenic locations, as well as the decaying Bronx streets. “I love to paint,” says Schulman. “To understand anything, you must live with it, you must observe it, you must know all its content, its nature, its structure, its movement. One of the most difficult things in the world is to look at anything simply. In the end, [looking] is a lifelong process, so you need innocence, humility and courage.” Schulman’s exaggerated forms, colors and textures take his viewers on a crazy ride. Yet they exist in flattened spaces, not unlike the synthetic cubism of Picasso. That is not to say
“As shapes occur, I look for their rightness, their harmony.” –George Schulman
that Schulman’s work is flat. It is far from flat. His paintings are emotionally explosive linear dances on twisting whirlwinds in unexpected palettes. Underlying everything is a golden section of grid work, which establishes a foundation of mathematical harmonies much like music chords. Shapes and patterns sometimes appear to be a spider web of strings, a lathe of dots or a colorful patchwork. “As I paint, I am constantly examining things,” says Schulman. “I paint in strokes, but I see in patches. I also use grid systems. There is something programmatic within. As shapes occur, I look for their rightness, their
Fugue Series 2002 “Discovering Columbus” Acrylic on Canvas. 6'x 5.'
harmony. Color creates its own sensation, reacting as the painting progresses and takes shape. The magic is in discovery.” Wildly colorful, kinetic, exuberant and at times visually tense, the master abstract expressionist’s body of work is his personal alphabet of mark making. The painting itself dictates the moves Schulman makes as he works, allowing color to create mood and light within the painting. He takes some of his cues from nature—how shadow naturally defines light—and uses white to define form within the painting. This process involves many layers of paint. Schulman is constantly
referencing the “golden mean” in the making of his paintings, in part linking himself to the old masters, particularly Titian and his dynamic use of space. Today Schulman works out of his penthouse studio at Artspace Patchogue Lofts, which has tall ceilings and natural light that stream from floor to ceiling. With the Long Island Rail Road just around the corner and Southampton and MacArthur airports a mere car ride away, Schulman is well situated to enjoy his explosive success. “The ‘new’ is just around the corner,” says Schulman. “The beauty is discovering the unknown.” April 2017 | 101
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Matter in Movement at Salomon Arts Gallery PHOTOGRAPHY BY MITCHEL GRAY AND PAINTINGS BY EVAN SEBASTIAN LAGACHE BY ALE XANDR A APPINO-TAB ONE
EVAN SEBASTIAN LAGACHE Artist
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quality art show leaves an impact, even months or years after it is over. One recent big apple example was Salomon Arts Gallery’s Matter in Movement. The Tribeca gallery presented the exhibition from Feb. 8 to Feb. 22, but it’s still on our minds. Matter in Movement featured two New York-based artists: Mitchell Gray and Evan Sebastian Lagache. Gray’s work included a series entitled Bodies in Action, while Lagache’s included a selection of abstract expressionist paintings. Curated by Rodrigo Salomon and Debbie Dickinson, the exhibition placed the work of these two artists in conversation with one another as it explored the nature of movement through separate artistic mediums. While one artist’s work focused intently on the human form in motion, the other’s explored movement through color and abstract imagery. Despite their differences, both artists’ works seemed to capture the nature of energy and its various manifestations as it travels through space.
Mitchell Gray Mitchell Gray’s photographs have appeared in several sports and fitness magazines, featuring prominent sports figures such as Tom Brady and Derek Jeter. He is a master at manipulating light in order to accentuate and define every muscle, showing the body’s full engagement in each movement. In the Bodies in Action series, it appears as though there are two people in some of the photos, but Gray is actually representing two sides of the same body. This technique illustrates the idea that movement is a process in which the body engages with itself and its space.
Evan Sebastian Lagache Original Evan Sebastian Lagache Sgt. Lonely Heart / 24”x 36” / Acrylic / 2016 /$ 2500
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Evan Sebastian Lagache attended the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, and was later offered a scholarship to New York University. His work has appeared in shows at the Mark Borghi Gallery, the Public Factory, the Elga Wimmer Gallery, Julie Keyes Gallery at the X Contemporary Art Fair - Hotel Nobu Eden Roc and the Jacob Javits Center. He is currently on view at Salomon Arts Gallery, the Keyes Art Gallery at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida and in preparation for an exhibit in Paris. Like the contraction and release of a muscle in motion, Lagache’s paintings explore movement through contrast. Pastels work alongside patches of
DRIFTER / Acrylic on Canvas / 36” x 36” / 2016 / $6500
ECLIPSE / Acrylic on Canvas / 60” x 60” / 2017 / Blick Arts Materials Sponsorship / $10,500
MITCHELL GRAY Artist
dark blue and black, while warm and cool tones appear both separate and mixed, and watery clouds juxtapose more defined, yet imperfect grid shapes. This tension creates depth, and presents energy as a concentration of color and form that becomes more diluted as it radiates outward and evolves in different directions.
Matter in Movement When viewed side by side, Lagache’s paintings almost seem like thermal images of Gray’s figures in motion, like different concentrations of heat throughout the body. Both artists are deeply aware of space in
their work. Gray’s bodies are starkly outlined by a dark background to emphasize the solidity of form and the space it occupies, while Lagache’s paintings play with the tension between fluidity and structure, following the continual metamorphosis of energy as it takes on different forms. Additionally, both artists seem to use negative space to accentuate the form, whether in a defined or fluid state. Thus, Matter in Movement created a dialogue between two very different aesthetics: one solid and defined, the other ephemeral and fluid. And while Gray’s photographs use form to capture movement,
The Salomon Arts Gallery hosts cutting-edge exhibitions of various artistic mediums to give back to the community. A portion of the proceeds from the Matter in Movement Exhibition benefits The Children’s Museum of the Arts. You can follow featured artists Mitchel Gray’s work at MitchelGray.com, and Evan Sebastian Lagache’s work on Instagram @evanlagache. For further inquiries contact edentpr@gmail.com
Lagache’s paintings seem to depict movement through the transitory nature of form. However, both collections seem to speak to the way in which energy continues to project movement, even when captured in the apparent stillness of a single moment. Matter in Movement partnered with conscious shoe company Nene Shoes on Feb. 14 for the Have a Heart for Art event: an exhibition, silent auction, and trunk show benefiting the Children’s Museum of the Arts, which provides arts education programs for children in New York City.
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Keltie Ferris’s Intimate Body Prints THE ARTIST PREMIERES HER NEW SERIES OF INTIMATE NUDE AND CLOTHED BODY PRINTS AT MITCHELL-INNES & NASH.
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\A\R\C\H, an exhibition of Keltie Ferris’s continuing series of body prints, will be presented by Mitchell-Innes & Nash at the gallery’s Madison Avenue location from March 29 to May 6. M\A\R\C\H will be Ferris’ third solo show with MitchellInnes & Nash, a gallery that focuses on contemporary art. Ferris’ body print series began during an art residency in 2013, when she switched from her famous abstract spray-painted canvases to a more intimate medium. The body prints offer a chance for the artist to connect physically with her work. She paints her body in oil, whether clothed or nude, and presses herself against paper before covering the impression with a powdered pigment. The end print resembles a fragmented photograph or photocopy, which explores the literal relationship between Ferris and her impressions. Ferris’ layered body prints also display a powerful perceptual depth. The imprints float in hazy compositions that suggest the shadow or memory of the artist, literally and figuratively. As no two prints are exactly the same, each work represents a
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BY SARAH SULLIVAN
multitude of forms. Displayed together, the impressions present individual facets of the artist’s identity, both autonomous and dependent. The artist calls into question the notion of seriality and the existence of a true carbon copy. Prior to her body print series, Ferris was known for her mostly large-scale canvases covered with layers of spray paint and hand-painted geometric fields. Characterized by a continuously expanding investigation into painting, her practice considers a multi-planar site for constructed light and shifting space. In her ongoing series of body prints, Ferris uses her own body like a brush, covering it with natural oils and pigments and pressing it against a canvas to literalize the relationship of an artist’s identity to the work that he or she produces. Ferris was born in Kentucky in 1977 and currently lives and works in Brooklyn. She graduated with a B.F.A. from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and an M.F.A from the Yale University School of Art in 2006. Recent solo exhibitions include Body Prints and Paintings at the University Art Museum at SUNY Albany in New York (2016); Paintings and Body Prints at Mitchell-Innes & Nash
in New York (2015); Keltie Ferris: Doomsday Boogie at the Santa Monica Museum of Art in Los Angeles (2014); Body Prints at Chapter NY in New York (2014); and Man Eaters at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City (2009-2010). Her works have been included in group exhibitions at institutions including the Saatchi Gallery in London (2014); Contemporary Arts Museum Houston in Texas (2014); American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York (2014); Brooklyn Museum in New York (2012); Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art in Indianapolis (2010); and The Kitchen in New York (2009). She was recently awarded the Rosenthal Family Foundation Award in Painting by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Mitchell-Innes & Nash was founded by Lucy MitchellInnes and David Nash, who previously headed the worldwide Contemporary and Impressionist & Modern Art divisions of Sotheby’s, Mitchell-Innes & Nash places exemplary contemporary artists within a historical context, revealing a continuity of ideas and aesthetic virtuosity from the modern era through the present day.
Far Left: “Backlash.” Oil and powdered pigment on paper. 39 15/16" x 26 ¼." Middle: “Infant Tree.” Oil and powdered pigment on paper. 40 ¼" x 26." Left: “Assassin.” Oil and powdered pigment on paper. 39 7/8" x 26 1/8." Right: “Doppelganger.” Oil and powdered pigment on paper. 40 3/16" x 26 1/8."
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Victoria Faiella’s Wild Butterfly The artist’s new album soars with bruised, but hopeful, wings.
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BY SARAH S U L L I VAN
tala,” one of the songs from Victoria Faiella’s Wild Butterfly, is written about a book character who longed for lifetime virginity. Torn between her religion and her love of a man, she committed suicide. Sung in Faiella’s soft soprano voice and accompanied by strings and piano, it could easily be a real downer of a song, but Faiella lifts it from melodrama into hope—a recurring theme throughout the album. Faiella’s metaphorical butterfly floats from track to track, encountering storms and lighthouses, and it never fails to impress the listener. The album standout is her Middle Eastern-style cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” played solely with percussion, strings and sitar. “This [album] had a deep meaning for me personally,” Faiella says. “I had done a lot of demos in the past. Even though I had recorded full-length before (Sony), this was really like my first-born. I really went for it with no excuses. This is … the no-disclaimer record.” Faiella put years into Wild Butterfly with producer Barry Hartglass, brainstorming the list of all Faiella’s compositions and meticulously picking the ones that fit best in the album. The result is a record that, while echoing other female singers such as Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan, has a sound and majesty all its own. Faiella recorded Wild Butterfly in two different versions. The first was simply acoustic, violin, and vocals. The second involved, to use her word, “atalacizing” the record with piano and a string quartet of violin, viola,
cello and bass. More than one of the songs was co-written with Dave Diamond, a multitalented drummer, singer and bassist. “I’ve always loved collaborating,” says Faiella. “That’s probably my favorite thing to do. It’s really nice when you can be a facilitator and help someone to realize their vision and make something that never would’ve happened without you.” The album cover of Wild Butterfly features the redheaded Faiella dolled up in fantastical makeup, her long locks flowing in the breeze. For Faiella, it was important to find a photographer who shared her vision. Luckily, she found it in Neil Nakahara. “I had seen some of his photography,” she says. “He’s a master manipulator of photographs. I knew he could capture something. Wild Butterfly [has] a darkness to it. I wanted someone who could capture that dichotomy in a photograph. I knew he would be the right guy.” While Faiella appears self-assured in her album cover, she confesses that she is shy behind the camera. “I get very selfconscious,” she says. “I have a tendency to close up and not let my inner self shine somehow. He really made me feel so comfortable. He gave me a little bit of control in the final say. I really felt like I was in comfortable hands. I knew it would be a great collaboration.” Faiella’s recently released a new single is “C U Next Tuesday.” “It’s an acronym,” says Faiella. “Take your pain and channel it in an art form. I’m fascinated by the power of language.” Wild Butterfly is available on iTunes and all major music websites.
Find out more at BerkshireHathawayhs.com.
Learning to Fly
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Andrea Navedo CHATTING WITH THE JANE THE VIRGIN ACTRESS AT THE GREGORY HOTEL BY CHRISTINE STODDARD
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hen Andrea Navedo steps into The Gregory Hotel on West 35th Street, you take notice. In fact, you would notice her anywhere, but the Herald Square boutique hotel just happened to be the location where I had the pleasure of meeting her last summer. Hers is a quiet but radiant beauty that warmed up the lobby. While the Bronx-born actress of Puerto Rican descent isn’t a household name yet, she is a familiar face to many American television lovers. That’s because Navedo plays Xiomara Villanueva (‘Xo’) on The CW’s Jane The Virgin, a popular comedy-drama that redefines what it means to be a telenovela. Her character is the mother to Jane, played by Gina Rodriguez, a 23-year-old who gets pregnant in the most improbable way. Jane, a devout Catholic who plans to save herself for marriage, accidentally gets artificially inseminated. (Needless to say, histrionics ensue.) Seeking refuge from a hot Manhattan day, Navedo removes her sunglasses to reveal a bare face. Even without makeup, the actress is stunning. Her olive skin glows and her long, shiny hair needs little styling for her upcoming photo shoot—the very reason we are at the hotel on this August afternoon. While Navedo must realize how beautiful she is—she did, after all, pursue an acting career—nobody can call her a diva. The actress is too down-to-earth and pensive for that. She stands tall and confident, but considers her words carefully before speaking. “My motto for success as an actor has simply been showing up,” says Navedo. “Showing up to acting
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classes, to auditions, to the gym. As Latinos, we have to show up and represent ourselves. I don’t consider myself an activist on most levels, but sometimes I think I am in my own quiet way. It goes back to showing up.” She explains how simply trying her best paid off for Jane The Virgin. “When I showed up for the audition of Jane The Virgin, I showed up prepared,” says Navedo. “I showed up with a lot of years of experience of acting under my belt.” She thinks the extra preparation was necessary because of prejudices toward non-white actresses in Hollywood. “As a Latina, I know that there are not a lot of roles for me out there,” says Navedo. “Just by my very presence speaking to you right now about being Latina and the pride that I have, to me, that’s activism. When young Latinos see me on television, I want them to think, ‘Oh, hey, that’s me. I can see myself in there. I count. I have a voice.’ That’s my activism—showing up.” Months after I met Navedo, Jane The Virgin was renewed for Season 4 in January 2017 (though the premiere date has not been announced at the time of printing). That was around the same time that fans learned Gina Rodriguez (‘Jane’) was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series but did not win. The award went to Tracee Ellis Ross, the female lead in the ABC sitcom Black-ish. Ross’s win was significant not only because she won a Golden Globe 44 years after her mother, Diana Ross, but because of her comments after the win. Ross dedicated her win to people of color, saying, “This is for all the women, women of color, and colorful people whose stories, ideas, thoughts are not always considered worthy and valid and important. But I want you to know that I
see you. We see you.” Her words echoed sentiments that Navedo told me that day in The Gregory. “Our message on Jane The Virgin is one of inclusion,” says Navedo. “It’s such a diverse show and it’s not just because we have Latinos in the cast. It’s also because we have other people of color and a very strong female presence on the show. It’s groundbreaking. It’s not billed as a Latino show. It’s billed as a mainstream show. That’s really important.” She elaborates on what that message of inclusion means for American children across the spectrum. “It gives the younger generations who are going to be coming up and taking our places the notion that the world is diverse,” says Navedo. “We all count. It’s not us versus them. It’s us together. The more our children see such inclusion and see different kinds of people cooperating together, the more they think that should be the norm.” Navedo adds that inclusion is not just about race or ethnicity, either. “I have two kids, a son who’s nine and a daughter who’s 12,” she says. “My brother-in-law is gay and he has a partner. My kids see them together all the time and it’s not a big deal to them. It’s just Uncle Robert and Uncle Andrew. Nobody bats an eyelash.” Of course, not everyone sees the couple that way, which disturbs Navedo’s children. “They ask me why people are so cruel. I want all young people to have that mindset—that we should strive for inclusion, not exclusion. And Jane The Virgin is making that statement. In that sense, it is an activist show.” Even a show as hilarious as Jane The Virgin, which wrapped up Season 3 in March, can touch on serious themes, just in light-hearted ways.
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NEW YORK SOCIETY SCENE JEWELRY PREVIEW, BRITISH DESIGN & A SOUL MAN By Clara Morgan
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Celebrity jeweler Margo Manhattan held a preview for her collection exclusively for The Home Shopping Network, NYC; Margo Manhattan ©Johnny Nunez
Margo Manhattan with CymcoLé at the Margo Manhattan HSN preview event ©King Santos
New York’s iconic Decoration & Design Building (DDB) celebrated British creativity, including Chesney’s, de Le Cuona, Farrow & Ball, and Forbes & Lomax. DDB, NYC: Laura Hickey, Alistair McCowan, Marianne Howatson ©Paul Bickford for LandinoPhoto
Shaunna Prissert, Kendall Cronstrom, Baroness Diane Hadle, Maria Halkias at the Decoration & Sheri de Borchgrave, Aaron Hicklin, Nick Tiliacos Design Building’s British Design event at the Decoration & Design Building’s British ©Paul Bickford for LandinoPhoto Design event ©Paul Bickford for LandinoPhoto
The Hilhaven Lodge Monkey Bar, NYC: Brett Ratner, Harvey Keitel ©Alex J. Berliner/ABImages
Aretha Franklyn received a multi-artist tribute with ‘The Music of Aretha Franklin’ at Carnegie Hall, NYC: Sarah Dash, Sam Moore, CeeLo Green ©LMG
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Margo Manhattan with Luciana Pampalone at the Margo Manhattan HSN preview event ©Johnny Nunez
Actress and model Kiera Chaplin completed her required driving training in preparation of the 27th Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, Northeast OffRoad Adventures, Ellenville, NY: Kiera Chaplin ©Richard Lansing
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LA PARTY SCENE GRAMMYS, OSCARS & GIFTS By Clara Morgan
2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Beverly Hills, CA: Clo Cohen, Charles S. Cohen ©Patrick McMullan
2017 Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Academy Awards Viewing Party, West Hollywood, CA: Maya Henry ©Getty Images
2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA: Kerry Washington, Janelle Monae ©Patrick McMullan
GBK, the luxury lifestyle gift lounge held an Grammy luxury gift and style lounge, McLaren and Maserati Beverly Hills, CA: Ricky Whittle ©Tiffany Rose
GBK, the luxury lifestyle gift lounge held an Oscar luxury gift and style lounge, Los Angeles, CA: Richard Kind ©Tiffany Rose
Charles Finch and CHANEL Pre-Oscar Awards Dinner Madeo Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA: Naomi Watts ©Patrick McMullan
Mark Thomas, Ally Brooke at the GBK Grammy luxury gift and style lounge, McLaren and Maserati Beverly Hills, CA: Ricky Whittle, Alley Brooke ©Tiffany Rose
Sam Trammell at the GBK Oscar luxury gift and style lounge, Los Angeles, CA ©Tiffany Rose
EcoLuxe Lounge sponsored by Chariot Travelware and Un Joyau Majestueux: Alysia Reiner ©Getty Images
SOCIAL SCENE POLO, SCREENINGS & THE ARTS By Clara Morgan
Great Futures Celebrity Charity Polo: The Chauncey F. Lufkin III Foundation Sponsored of 4th Annual Benefit for the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, Wellington, FL: Sandra Familet, Neil S. Hirsch, Chauncey Lufkin, George Wight ©The Chauncey F. Lufkin III Foundation
Cara Familet, Kendra Peterson at the 4th Annual Benefit for the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, Sponsored by he Chauncey F. Lufkin III Foundation ©The Chauncey F. Lufkin III Foundation
Rolling Stone Live presented by Budweiser and Mercedes-Benz, produced in partnership with Talent Resources Sports: David Schwimmer, Matt Kirschner, Michael Heller ©Getty Images
2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards The Forum, Inglewood, CA: Ed Sheeran ©Patrick McMullan
Chauncey Lufkin, Carole Thompson at the 4th Annual Benefit for the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, Sponsored by he Chauncey F. Lufkin III Foundation ©The Chauncey F. Lufkin III Foundation
“Logan” New York Screening Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC: Hugh Jackman ©Patrick McMullan
Gagosian Opening Reception for Sterling Ruby, Gagosian Gallery, NYC: Sterling Ruby ©Patrick McMullan
Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen at the “Logan” New York Screening Rose Theater ©Patrick McMullan
Armory Show 2017 Vernissage, Piers 92 and 94, NYC: Di Mondo ©Patrick McMullan April 2017 | 113
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COVER PARTY FOR TAMSEN FADAL AT BOUTIQUE 2017 Photos by Zinno Park
Seems like all of PIX11 anchors and executives as well as celebrities and fans packed Boutique’s private back room, to congratulate Tamsen Fadal on her beautiful February Cover. Food provided by 388 Restaurant. Vodka by Punzoné.
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GALAS GALORE By Carlos Lacayo | Photos by Patrick McMullan
The Screen Actors Guild Awards honored Emma Stone for La La Land, Claire Foy for The Crown, Denzel Washington for Fences, Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep and Bryan Cranston for All the Way. sagaftra.org
25A Cover Stars Leesa Rowland, stem cell guru Dr. Christopher Calapai, nurse injector Jane Scher, TRUE Model Management’s CEO Dale Noelle and restaurateur Cindy Guyer toasted Animal Ashram at Guyer’s with event planner Cristina Verger. Animalashram.com
Professional Poker Player Beth Shak received the Humanitarian Award at the 14th Annual New York Pet Fashion Show and walked the runway with her Yorkshire Terrier, Mila, who is an Instagram star. Shak’s husband, Fox’s Rick Leventhal, lead the applause. instagram:@Mila_Shak
Harvard law professor Alan Dersowitz introduced attorney Arthur Aidala at the political rally Aidala for New York at The Liberty Warehouse. Guests included Aidala’s law partner and wife Marianne Bertuna. Aidalalaw.com
Cheri Kaufman, the co-founder of CiGive spoke at the United Nations to the Youth Assembly about philanthropy and sustainable development goals. CiGive.com
Beauty with a Twist
If your look is not becoming to you, you should be coming to Twist Beauty Bar.
TWIST BEAUTY BAR, A FULL SERVICE SALON AND SPA.
6310 Northern Boulevard, East Norwich, New York 11732 • (516) 802-0474 April 2017 | 117
April 2017 | 118
April 2017 | 119
Jackie’s Joke Box Rosegarten’s duck won’t eat, so he takes it to a vet. The vet says, “When ducks get old, their upper bills grow down over their lower bills and make it hard for them to pick up food. You need to file down his upper bill even with his lower bill. But be careful, because a duck’s nostrils are in his upper bill and if you file it down too much, when he takes a drink of water he’ll drown.” A week later the doctor runs into Rosegarten and says, “So how’s your duck?” Rosegarten says, “He’s dead.” The doctor says, “Dead? Jesus, man, I told you not to file his upper bill down too far. So he took a drink of water and drowned?” Rosegarten says, “No, I think he was dead before I took him out of the vise.” ******** A guy’s standing at the bar and he’s got two huge lumps on his head. The bartender says, “I gotta ask, pal ... what the hell happened to you?” The guy says, “My wife hit me with a chair.” The bartender says, “Why the hell’d she do that?” The guys says, “Well, I guess I earned it. She brought home a Do-It-Yourself waxing kit this morning and asked me if she should just do the sides or leave a strip down the middle. And I said I’d prefer she have no moustache at all.” ******** A guy’s in a taxi on the way home from a business trip a day early. It’s after midnight and he says, “Cabbie, I think my wife’s been cheating on me. If I give you a thousand bucks, will you be my witness?” The cabbie says, “Sure, pal.” They get to the house, the husband grabs his gun from the closet and he and the cabbie tip-toe upstairs. The husband pushes open the bedroom door, switches on the light, pulls the blanket off, and seeing his wife and a stranger lying there naked, he puts the gun to the naked guy’s head. His wife says, “Harry, don’t do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money. Felix paid for the Corvette I gave you, he paid for the cabin cruiser, and he paid for our country club membership. Felix even pays our monthly club dues.” The husband lowers the gun and says to the cabbie, “What would you do?” The cabbie says, “I’d cover his ass with that blanket before Felix catches cold.” When's the last time you "Used Your Finger!" and dialed (516) 922-WINE ?! Still going, 38 years later ... [ 516-922-9463 ] Please tell everybody you know, to get on the list for monthly jokes just e-mail jokeland@aol.com. April 2017 | 120
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