September 2012 Newsletter by Altima International

An Altima business trip transformed into a magical experience...

Extraordinary Private Châteaux Encounters

t’s always fun to add pleasure to business, so when clients decided to schedule meetings in August in Central France, one post on the Le Rosey Alumni Facebook Page just before boarding the flight to Bordeaux, resulted in a magical experience for the Altima Team.

Château Le Port Joulain Our Home away from Home

“Rosey Alumni have very unique and special privileges. I hadn’t seen Irène since 1976, but, that didn’t stop her from welcoming us whole-heartedly to Chateau Le Port Joulain, graciously introducing us to fellow neighbors and taking the time to offer us a magical and memorable experience” says Maribel After a brief stop in St. Emilion where we sampled a dozen Grand Crus before selecting wines to offer our hostess, we drove a few hours to Angers, turned in our car and surrendered ourselves to our resident guide, Irène de Labouchère. We were welcomed with her gracious and noble hospitality … and her home became our home. Thus begins our magical experience

Château Le Port-Joulain St. Emilion

www.leportjoulain.com

Everyone should tour the Loire Valley through the eyes of a ‘resident connoisseur’, understanding their legacy and culture, their fabulous food, exquisite wines, but most importantly their gracious hospitality and inherent class with no need for pretentions and airs… We would like to share with you a few of the châteaux and manoirs we were privileged to be invited to…

DAY ONE IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

ur hostess started our day with freshly baked breads and seasonal salads from her ‘kitchen garden’.

Then off we were to visit her neighbors. Our first stop, an impromptu visit to Florence de Saint Genis and Roberto Davico at their home Château de la Lorie. Built in the 1650’s, this aesthetic marvel was expanded throughout the 18th century. The Marquis of la Lorie added a chapel and the marble lounge, magnificently furnished under its graceful cupola. The gracious hosts opened their kitchen door and proceeded to give us a tour of their grand residence.

In true French fashion, our tour culminated with a farewell gathering in the most important room of a French Home -THE KITCHEN

Château du Plessis

ext stop was a visit to Chateau du Plessis in La Jaille-Yvon, a 10 minute drive through quaint villages and picturesque pastures where a completely different experience awaited us. Owned by Valerie Renoul Benoit, and managed by Chef Olivier Rivière, this charming chateau, has been transformed into a romantic get-away. Swimsuits in hand, Olivier escorted us to the pool where we soaked in the tranquility before our next adventure— Le Verger.. Another 10 minutes down the road. http://chateau-du-plessis.com/

LE VERGER

e Verger, a stone-structured manoir adorned with luscious flowerbeds, exquisitely decorated and immaculately maintained Bed and Breakfast is a testament to a true labor of love. Irish-born Anthony Murphy and his partner Marc were diligently refurbishing one of the many ‘treasures’ upon our arrival. Within minutes, a tray of their signature Cosmopolitan Martinis and a tasteful display of ‘amuse-bouches’ featuring Foie Gras de Canard was presented to us in the Loggia. To view complete gallery of this charming Chambre d’hotes, go to: http://www.leverger-chambredhotes.com/

Château de Douy

Château de Thoury

atrice de La Rochefoucauld hosted our client, Graham Gaspard, President of Black River Caviar at his home, Château de Douy.

“I spent three nights in Jerome Bonaparte’s room hoping for a visitation—Unfortunately he didn’t think my presence was worthy enough! Nonetheless, the experience will remain with me forever!“ says Graham. How can many people can say,

“Joan of Arc shared my bedroom?” Stanislas Fougeron can!! Fougeron, owner of the fairytale-like Château de Thoury which dates back to the 12th century and was restored in the 14th century by Louis II of Bourbon, invited the Altima team to visit this historical treasure. Too much history to include in this newsletter! You’ll be happy to know it’s open to the public April through October.

Let the Games Begin!!!! LONDON 2012

alm Beach resident, Joel Pashcow, experienced an exceptional summer— First Wimbledon, then the Olympics where as Honorary U.S. Olympic Coach he experienced it like no other… “Engaging with these young, talented and devoted athletes was truly a remarkable experience. They are an inspiration to all of us!”

Memorable moments, inspirational moments, serious moments...

Pashcow models the official U.S.A. Team Outfit designed by Ralph Lauren

Joel and Roger Federer at Wimbledon

Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

The International games continued...In the Alps Letter from Graham Gaspard Jr. thanking Village Camps ear Mr. Ivy, Thank you very, very much for the opportunity to go to camp in Switzerland! I had such a great experience and a BLAST! I made a lot of cool and interesting new friends from all over the world. One of my friends is Amein, he lives in Jordan and has a country house in Russia and also a yacht, which I thought was amazing. One of my roommates, ‘Can’ was from Turkey. Artium and Igor were from Russia and Igor is a really great tennis player like my other roommate Max. I also met Joel who was half Swiss and half Japanese, lives in Hong Kong and was a great ping-pong player.

Probably the best part about camp was all the exciting sports and activities. The ’trust games’ with the blindfolded partner and the one where someone would walk on a rope held by the other campers were really fun. The murder mystery game was also very fun and challenging My favorite of all of the activities were the high ropes course and the hut trip. The hut trip started with hiking to the top of the mountain. I loved the revolving restaurant at the top and the view was beautiful. After the restaurant we walked to the hut and saw the amazing mountains and views. When we got to the hut we were drenched so we hung our clothes up to dry and warmed up by the campfire before going to bed. In the morning the weather was nice and we left after feeding bananas to the cows.

International night was great and I got to learn about other countries from the skits that the campers performed. Prom night was fantastic, we were served a fancy dinner and we got to watch dance camp and other performances. Then we danced and Vittoria and I were crowned Prom King and Queen. I loved all of my counselors too! They were all a lot of fun, but my favorite was Alex. He was from England. He had great enthusiasm and a great personality. He was the best counselor ever! THANK YOU VILLAGE CAMPS!!!— Graham Gaspard Jr. Vittoria, Counselor Alex and Me

www.VillageCamps.com

Back to Work, Our Eye is On….

KEN GROSS

nce you meet Ken Gross, it’s easy to see that as President and CEO of Capponi Construction Group, he takes a handson role in the company’s people and projects. Working with company namesake, Michael Capponi, he engages in the initial review as well as the ongoing oversight of every project. His leadership role with premier construction companies in prestigious projects in the United States and the Caribbean is valued at over $2.7 billion.

Ken knows what luxury clients are looking for whether it’s in a custom single family home, or five-star hotel rooms for a prestige hotel company. He first came to South Florida in the early 1990s when a client asked him to oversee the construction of a 15,000 square foot second home. His reputation and extensive history building luxury residential properties, multi-use properties, and residential towers nationwide led him to serve as a senior executive for companies including Bovis Lend Lease and WCI Communities. Prior to forming the new Capponi Construction Group LLC, Kenneth was a Senior Project Executive for Ocean Properties, Ltd. in Delray Beach. The largest privately held owner/operators of hotels in the United States and Canada.

ahoo Finance recently recognized Capponi Construction Group for the company’s expansion in the Palm Beaches. “In a move that confirms the renewed vitality of real estate and construction in Florida’s Palm Beach County, Michael Capponi, Chairman of Capponi Construction Group, LLC, and Vanessa Grout, CEO of luxury real estate firm Douglas Elliman, Florida Brokerage marked the Grand Opening of a shared office space at 444 E. Palmetto Park Rd in Boca Raton.

Back to School, It’s more than a school for life— A SCHOOL FOR THE FUTURE

nstitut Le Rosey, — a true ‘melting pot’ and an example to the world... After over 130 years, this institution has succeeded in nurturing a harmonious community amidst a conflictive and tumultuous world. Located in the Swiss Alps, Le Rosey offers students from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds a multi-cultural platform where tolerance, communication and humanitarian values are an inherent part of the education. “If our world leaders had grown up with the respect for others and the values we learned at Rosey, the world would be a better place. ” says Alumni Alexis Posada.

SAVE THE DATES... Thursday, Sept. 6th BICE, SUPERCAR and Altima invite you to an Après Fashion Soirée La Dolce Vita Thursday, Sept 6th 8:00 PM BICE Ristorante 313 1/2 Worth Aevnue Après Fashion Soirée at Bice celebrating ‘La Dolce Vita’, will immediately follow Worth Avenue’s Fashion’s Night Out . Highlights of the evening include special prices on Dolce Vita Birra, Bice Martinis and a special bar-bite menu prepared by Chef Elmer Sarabia.

hough the event is open to the public, preregistered guests will have the added benefit of complimentary mini-palm readings by Palm Beach’s local psychic, Ava of Psychic Visions, as well as participating in raffles and ‘glam shots’ with the latest vespas and supercars serving as backdrops, courtesy of Michael Price and Neil London. A limited number of swag bags sponsored by Juicy Couture and Melissa Peverini, founder of Versi-comb, and Golden Brown Skin Food for Sun Care by New World Organics; will be offered to the first 200 ladies who pre-register. The bags will be available at Bice Ristorante upon check-in. To pre-register for the event, please go to: http://www.altimacclub.com/#!whatshappening/c1d76

Celebrity Stylist Melissa Peverini, founder of Versi-comb

Prior to the special Soirée, guests are encouraged to stop by Juicy Couture and Hamilton Jewelers on Worth Avenue to preview new collections and indulge in the ultimate shopping Hamilton Jewelers will showcase Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry and the latest fashions of Badgley Mischka. Stylist, Katherine Lande and beauty expert Debora Koepper will be available for fashion and makeup consultations. Enjoy chocolate delights and fine Gran Tuscan wines, courtesy of Lo Scopaio .

uicy Couture will be showcasing the Fall Collection of ‘Bird Couture by Juicy’. Guests will have the opportunity to shop this exclusive collection available in only 9 stores nationwide, while enjoying a variety of beauty and wellness luxuries. Visit the Bangs Bar, where stylist to the stars Melissa Peverini will offer complimentary ‘bangs styling’. Guests will also partake in one-on–one consultations with renowned aesthetician Pearl Carson and enjoy mini massages by Melanie Robertson. The event is generously sponsored by La Cacciatora wines and Chef Michael Ober. Ten percent of proceeds from sales will benefit Forever Family Foundation—a non-profit, nonsectarian, 501 C3 organization that supports the premise that life does not end with physical death, furthers the understanding of Afterlife Science and survival of consciousness, and offers support to the bereaved.

More Dates to Remember...

September 2012 Events

Around the World in 3 Days with Seabourn and Black River Caviar.

ravel the Globe with all of your senses in one fabulous location September 28-30th in New York City at The Travel & Leisure Global Bazaar. The second year of this outstanding show curated by editors from Travel & Leisure Magazine promises to top last year’s event which attracted almost 5,000 luxury globetrotters who for one weekend experience food, spirits, live music, cultural performances, shopping, and people from all over the world. Come spend time with Black River Caviar and Seabourn while celebrity chefs promise to take you on an epicurean journey. Slated to attend include: Masaharu Morimoto, Scott Conant, Michael White, Tim Love, Johnny Iuzzini, Jose Garces, Floyd Cardoz, and Jose Andres.

6 Altima’s Fashion Celebration Fashion’s Night Out in Palm Beach 12 Palm Beach Illustrated A-List Party (by-invitation-only) 11-16 Cannes Boat Show salonnautiquecannes.com 19–22 Monaco Boat Show www.monacoyachtshow.com 21–23 Miami International Wine Fair 28-30 Travel & Leisure Global Bazaar in NYC

For ticket information visit: http://www.travelandleisure.com/promo/globalbazaar/

Giving Back...Capponi Construction Group, LLC supports Haiti A letter from Michael Capponi, founder of the Haiti Empowerment Mission Hi Friends, Against all odds I was able to touch down in Haiti Sunday morning with 15 duffel bags filled with tents and aid supplies. The mission began in Belvil, Haiti where we helped revive the homes of families in need. The people were overjoyed to see us as they proclaimed they had been praying for help. Later we drove to Jacmel, Haiti to bring aid to our HEM village. Upon arrival more than half of their homes had been completely destroyed. The people of the HEM village represent the future of Haiti as the adults are newly graduates of the HVS Hospitality School and the children are currently enrolled in private schools scheduled to begin on the first of October. These people are beginning a new life and are just starting to get their feet off the ground. With special thanks to Shuzz

It is imperative that this natural disaster does not prohibit them from Foundation for shoes. achieving their goals and aspirations. I am currently still on grounds trying to resolve the issue at hand. Your help would be greatly appreciated in this matter, as the people of the HEM village have been and will continually be forever grateful for your help. Thanks to your love and support all of this is possible. To make a monetary donation, please go to www.haitiempowermentmission.org These funds will be allocated to the people of the HEM village to recover their path to success. Anything and everything is appreciated!

Haiti Empowerment Mission 501(c)3 non-profit organization