Color Magazine - December 2009 - January 2010 - Edition 24 by Color Media Group, LLC

Edition

24 December 1st January 31st

2009

in a city rich in shades, here is a COLOR that includes all...

Ming! East-West Chef Ming Tsai on the Holidays, Eating Out and Blue Ginger The Garden Girl’s Green Resolutions A Six-Step Guide to Unemployment The Hollywood Stars Align for ‘Precious’ Surviving Tuition Sticker Shock 2010: The Year of Gratitude in Motion

Contents

Dec e mber 2009 - Janu ary 2010

Entertainment

15 | The Stars Align for ‘Precious’ 16 | Emiko: Pop Cultures 18 | Catching up with Kei Miller

Lifestyle

19 | Green Resolutions from the Garden Girl 20 | Designer Collaborations a ‘Go’ 21 | Jo Malone Goes Tropical 22 | Savvy Wines for the Holidays

— 01 — 02 — 03 — 04 — 05 — 06 — 07 — 08 — 09 — 10 — 11 — 12 — 13 — 14 — 15 — 16 — 17 — 18 — 19 — 20 — 21 — 22 — 23 — 24 —

Business

5 | The Emotionally Intelligent Leader 6 | Surviving Tuition Sticker Shock 7 | The Year of Gratitude in Motion 10 | A Six-Step Guide to Coping with Unemployment

Benchmarks

8 | City Fresh Foods: Recipe for Success

Society

14 | The All-Inclusive Awards with Forest Whitaker

| 12 | Feature

Simply Masterful: Ming Tsai

Cover and Feature Photos by Anthony Tieuli for WGBH

www.colormagazineusa.com DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

Welcome

In a city rich in shades here is a color that includes all…

From the Publisher:

his has been an extraordinary year for us. In a volatile economic climate we persevered, celebrating our two-year anniversary and entering a new, major market, New York City. Not bad for what started as an 8-page, newsprint, insert, distributed in the suburbs of Boston. As another benchmark, our Second Annual AllInclusive Awards was a huge success. Forest Whitaker’s speech was thought provoking – a reminder that we are all connected, and that connectivity is something powerful. That evening, nearly 500 people came together to honor the eight individuals and organizations who are committed to creating an inclusive world. From so many deserving nominees and after much deliberation, our Advisory Committee selected this year’s awardees: Paul Francisco, Elaine Ullian, James Sturgis, Greg Almieda, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Boston World Partnerships, Stop & Shop and The Partnership Inc. Congratulations to

the winners, their work makes us all proud. Of course, we are not just going to rest on our laurels and look back at what we have accomplished! So, I am pleased to announce the creation of the Color Magazine Foundation. The foundation will provide financial assistance to professionals of color who are seeking graduate degrees. In 2010, a portion of the advertising proceeds of Color Magazine will go directly to the foundation. As we enter into our third year, I want to recognize the hard work of the Color Magazine team, the generous support of the Advisory Committee and the continued commitment from our advertisers and our sponsors – you make this all possible. Josefina

CONTRI BUTING W RIT E RS

Color Magazine is the premier all-inclusive monthly magazine that highlights and promotes professionals of color. 4 Copley Place | Suite 120 Boston, MA 02116 (617) 266.6961 sales@colormagazineusa.com Publisher

Josefina Bonilla

josefina@colormagazineusa.com Editor

Michael Chin

michael@colormagazineusa.com

Vice President Of Marketing And Sales

Lisette Garcia

lisette@colormagazineusa.com Advisory Committee

Greg Almieda Ferdinand Alvaro, Jr. Daren Bascome Mark Conrad Kim Dukes-Rivers Beverly Edgehill Yvonne Garcia Digna Gerena Kimberly Y. Jones Samson Lee Brenda Mckenzie Juan Carlos Morales Oswald Mondejar William Moran Nereida Perez Russel Pergament Carol Sanchez John Sims Eduardo Tobon Leverett Wing Publisher

Color Media Group, LLC Distribution

GateHouse Media

Robert Amelio is the Vice President of Diversity and Talent Management at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He has been involved with diversity work for close to 20 years.

Anna GiraldoKerr founded Shades of Success, a career coaching firm, to help professionals of color proactively manage their careers. In 2006, Anna’s editorial commentary on immigration and education was awarded national recognition at the First National Ethnic Media Awards.

Trond Arne Undheim is an entrepreneur, speaker and author. He lives between Boston and London, speaks six languages and has a Ph.D. in sociology. He writes frequently on wine and society.

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

Martha R. A. Fields is president & CEO of the management consulting firm, Fields Associates, Inc. She is a motivational speaker, the author of five books and appears regularly in on CNN, ABC and Fox TV 25-Boston.

Keiko S. Broomhead is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Wentworth Institute of Technology. She is also a Senior Consultant with Stevens Strategy. She holds a B.A. from Oberlin College, an Ed.M. from Harvard University and is currently pursuing an Ed.D. from Northeastern University.

Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, is a noted green columnist and the host of Farmers Almanac TV. Her popular online video show, Garden Girl TV, focuses on sustainable urban living. Patti also has an award-winning green product line and lives with her family in Boston on her “urban farmette.”

Business

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is proud to be a sponsor of the 2009 All-Inclusive Awards! At Ocean Spray, we strive to create an inclusive culture in which individual perspectives are valued and differences leveraged for greater opportunities in today’s multicultural society.

To apply, visit www.oceanspray.jobs Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. believes diversity makes good business sense. We take pride in being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Emotionally Intelligent Leader By R o b e rt Am e l i o

recently conducted a leadership development program for new doctors and researchers who were about to manage a lab or clinical unit for the first time. They were hungry for any information on how to lead and manage in a high-stress and ever-changing environment. Much of the program focused on leadership skills of emotional intelligence: empathy, understanding others’ cultural backgrounds and getting to know how staff members are best motivated. Each of these young doctors listened attentively, practiced using these skills and created a plan of action on how they would continue to develop their expertise in these areas when they got back to work. They also talked about the difficulties they would face using these skills at work. They said the senior managers and leaders they knew, tended to use the old leadership skills of “command and control” and didn’t seem to consider their emotional impact on others. I have heard this

same concern in private industry, government agencies and other workplaces. Here in the United States we spend millions (billions?) of dollars each year to develop leaders and managers. Yet, the stories we are told about difficult leaders – who are uncaring or mean, not concerned with the morale of their workers or have poor interpersonal skills – are legendary. In this era of an enhanced focus on working effectively in a diverse world, what are we doing wrong? Perhaps we aren’t really teaching or rewarding the right skills to truly encourage or change leadership behavior. What if we rewarded the following skills at work? 1. Kindness: showing concern by thinking through how to give constructive feedback to someone, while maintaining their dignity 2. Caring: asking about a staff member’s weekend or family, allowing flexibility in a schedule if a family member is ill 3. Empathy: spending time with a staff member who is struggling to

understand a new task and trying to figure out how best to help 4. Setting Limits: rather than let a staff member who is not performing well continue to flounder with the hope that things will get better, establish clear expectations to guide the employee 5. Appreciation: doing small things for staff members, such as buying muffins every so often, or acknowledging excellent work either publicly or privately, or saying “thank you” more often 6. Modeling True Leadership: being “hyper”aware of a leader’s effect on others and always remembering your staff members are watching and learning from you every day Using and rewarding these skills might seem simplistic or obvious. But, if that is the case, why do so many workers complain that they don’t see these skills, from their leaders, on a regular basis? In addition to meeting goals and performing excellent work, what are you doing to be a humane and effective leader?

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Business

Surviving Tuition Sticker Shock How to Finance Your Education By K e i ko S . B r o o m h e a d

he cost of education can be shocking: 58 colleges now cost $50,000 or more a year for tuition, room and board; private schools (Kindergarten through 12th grade) can have correspondingly, shocking tuition sticker prices; continuing education quickly adds up with courses costing $400 to $1,500 per credit. The soaring cost of education can be overwhelming, and paying the bill can be a huge challenge. But that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to stop you from getting the education you or your loved ones deserve. Here are some financing options to consider:

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

Conduct a broad, yet strategic, financial aid search and apply: Financial aid includes scholarships, loans or work. Sources of financial aid include the government (federal and state), educational institutions, corporations, religious or civic organizations, clubs and foundations. Do not assume you are ineligible for income, investment, savings or academic reasons. Financial aid is intended to make education available for students in a variety of situations. The qualification factors vary, aid can be awarded based on financial need, academics, abilities, talents, demographics, memberships, essays, contests and competitions. Be wary of financial aid or scholarship scams that require you to pay money for assistance to find funds for education. In your hunt for financial aid, be organized and meet application deadlines!

Seek Employer Support: Employees may be eligible to receive partial or even full tuition reimbursement from their employer. Some employers may assist with reimbursing or loaning employees funds for educational expenses, even supplies like textbooks and computers. Companies may consider offering tuition assistance benefits to employees, especially if the education they are pursuing would bring expertise and value to the company.

Enroll in a payment plan: Ask if the institution offers a tuition payment plan. Tuition payment plans are not loans. Rather than paying the total amount due in one lump sum at the beginning of a term, a tuition payment plan breaks down your balance into more manageable, monthly, (interest-free) payments. In addition to monthly payment plans, educational institutions may also offer other installment options.

3. Consider Local Offerings: Community colleges, high schools, or adult education centers may offer low cost or free courses. 4. Evaluate Online Education: Review online education programs and see if these meet your needs and goals. The costs of attendance of online education are often lower.

6. Reduce the amount: Investigate ways to bring the overall cost down. Explore possible education income tax credits or deductions. Find out if there are tuition discounts available at the institution. Find out if you can take fewer courses to complete your program and therefore pay less. Try transferring credits or placing out of a course through previous college courses, prior professional work, real world experience or on the basis of national or institutional test scores.

Business

THANK MERCI DANKE YOU gracias

Do jey

Terima kasih

Mentoring: Gratitude in Motion

Through the many rituals that accompany holiday celebrations, we become appreciative, positive people who acknowledge what they have been given. We may say a prayer. We may offer a formal statement of appreciation – customary during the annual Thanksgiving holiday – and then go on our merry way. Our glass is half full and we are thankful for it. “I seldom have time to stop and acknowledge what I have and have accomplished. So doing it on a specific day has special meaning to me,” explained an administrative assistant at a New York City hospital.

A third group looks at their half-full glass and finds a way to share its contents with others without concern for it becoming empty. Yet, somehow their glass remains full; there is always more to share. This activity becomes a cycle of giving – and unexpected receiving – that engages both parties in a relational flow. Mentoring is based on this premise. According to the Mass Mentoring Partnership, mentoring is “the one-to-one or group relationship that one or more adults develop with one or more young people to help them develop and succeed.” Gratitude becomes a way of giving to others what one has received or experienced. Along the way, those who give also begin to receive from those whom they seek to help. Phyllis Barajas, founder and executive director of Conexión, a Boston based professional development and mentoring program for mid-career Latinos, said that mentoring, “opens up two people to new possibilities. It is a shared learning experience.” The main take away from Gaertner’s quote is to learn about the different ways we can be grateful and the many possibilities to express it. The journey of gratitude in motion is specific to each person’s level of awareness, willingness to reflect and ability to act on a particular interest. As the New Year unfolds, let’s reflect on where we are in the gratitude continuum and where we would like to be. If you are thinking of stepping into the world of gratitude in motion through mentoring, you don’t have to jump in with both feet. Dip you toe in the water – metaphorically speaking. Talk to others who have done it and set expectations for yourself and for those who will be affected by your involvement. Gratitude cannot be forced. That is the real beauty of gratitude in motion: It is a feeling that thrives on authenticity. Call it karma, quantum physics or the law of attraction. Those who live with gratitude in motion, through volunteering or mentoring, seem to always have their glass half full. I would even venture to say that along the way their glass gets fuller without even trying.

Acts of Kindness: Sporadic and Active Gratitude

To read more of Anna’s musings visit her blog at www.shadesofsuccess.net.

Toda Grazie

2010: The Year of Gratitude in Motion By A n n a G i r a ld o - K e r r

“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.” - Johannes A. Gaertner

While we are in the midst of a host of celebratory events that started with Thanksgiving and culminate with New Year’s Day, the above quote, by the German historian and university scholar, evokes feelings of self-reflection and introspection. Under what category of gratitude would I fit? How can we show gratitude when the current economic environment drags us down the path of pity and pessimism? Looking at the “glass” in our lives, we could either see one that is half full, or half empty. As you may recall from this popular metaphor, those who see their glass half empty are perceived as pessimistic. And those who see their glass half

Others may see their glass half full and say, perhaps I can share a bit of what I have with others whose glass is less full than mine. This group of people engages in sporadic actions to help others. Some knit hats for the homeless. Another group may participate in a food or toy drive once a year. In any case, gratitude in this scenario involves an outward expression that reaches others and is limited and one-directional in nature. This is what most volunteering efforts are about.

full are considered the optimistic, grateful bunch. Using this example, let’s further explore how Gaertner’s words might be an invitation to show gratitude through ongoing, consistent action. Thanksgiving: Passive and Reactive Gratitude

www.colormagazineusa.com DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

benchmarks

Glynn Loyd (left) with Sheldon Loyd, VP of Business Development, at the Open House Celebration of the new City Fresh Foods location. (Don West)

City Fresh Foods This Recipe for Success isn’t Secret, it’s just Smart. By M i c h e lle M c K e n z i e

lynn Lloyd laughs and shakes his head when he talks about his original “business plan” for City Fresh Foods, the Roxbury-based food service provider. “The thought was, people would order and we would deliver a lunch meal,” said the founder and chief executive officer of City Fresh, noting that neighbors of the Dudley Street site didn’t have a lot of food options and one of his partners had a relative who could cook a mean Caribbean menu. It worked for awhile, and then the roof caved in. Literally. Lloyd was forced to rebuild after a snowstorm, but a newspaper article about it led to his first client: Central Boston Elder Services, who was seeking ethnic meals for seniors. “When we opened again, that became our base,” Lloyd said. In the 15 years since, City Fresh’s business has grown at an average annual rate of about 15 percent and now delivers 8,000 meals daily to charter schools, day care centers, homebound elders and elder service agencies, including Central Boston Elder Services. It is the leading meal delivery food service provider in the Metropolitan Boston area. 8

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

And with a recent move across Roxbury to 77 Shirley St., into the former Dancing Deer Baking Company facility, Lloyd feels City Fresh now has the space to expand. Operationally, City Fresh, which has 64 employees, all from the surrounding community, now has room to more than double its business. “Our philosophy is start small and do it right,” said Lloyd, who has been a businessman since age 12 and is a Boston University grad. “If the market wants it, it will pull it from there.” What City Fresh Foods is doing right is delivering fresh, healthy meals, hot and cold, daily with its pioneering food service. On a recent Friday, tray after tray was filled with steaming rice, vegetables and pizza, then tightly sealed and packed in large insulated carry bags that were loaded into delivery vehicles. The meals also included fresh whole fruits and milk, packaged separately, and would still be warm when they reached their destination. City Fresh currently offers three menus: a traditional menu that has a little Southern flavor; an Italian menu and a Russian menu. One of its challenges is feeding both young children and elders. It also recently added Salads To Go, freshly made salads that are currently marketed to administrators and teachers at the schools and child-care facilities it currently serves. The management team, which includes Lloyd’s brother Sheldon and several people who have worked their way up through the company ranks, is also looking at developing the program outside its customer base. “There are two things we are really excited about for 2010,” Lloyd said. “We’re working on a nice salad meal. We’re always trying to figure out ways to get kids to eat more vegetables.” “The other part of it is using more locally grown products.” Last summer, City Fresh contracted with a local farm for squash that was worked into many side dishes. It also uses grass-fed beef that is raised in New Hampshire. Now it is working with a neighborhood group in Roxbury to turn a parcel of land into a garden growing produce for market. One of its first crops would be a salad greens mix for City Fresh. “That’s the thought process,” Lloyd said. “We’re still in the development stages. There’s the permitting and very strict guidelines that have to be followed to ensure the quality of the soil and the water… But we’re confident that we can create a model that can be used in other cities.” It’s a thought process that holds true to the City Fresh mission of utilizing local resources to provide a high-quality product, create jobs and contribute to a better, stronger community.

AMMP Executive Board

The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) Developing Multicultural Leadership at the MGH

Embracing Diversity, Empowering Individuals. 098891_Copley_AllInclusiveAwardsCloutAd_2.1x2.7_F.indd11/19/09 1 5:48 PM

With over $6 billion in assets and more than 70 branches stretching from Newburyport to Cape Cod, Eastern Bank is the largest independent, mutually owned bank in New England. At Eastern Bank, we foster an inclusive environment by valuing different backgrounds, different cultures, and different ways of thinking. Greater diversity enhances our ability to be innovative, serve a broader group of customers, and as a result, our team members thrive.

The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners plays a pivotal role in supporting an organizational culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. AMMP is an employee resource group committed to the advancement, retention, recruitment, and development of multicultural professionals into leadership roles at the Massachusetts General Hospital. AMMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s membership consists of diverse professionals from across the hospital. The group actively engages in personal development, provides members with an opportunity to broaden their professional and personal networks, and fosters camaraderie and an atmosphere of support. By building the skills of its members in ways that benefit the hospital, AMMP has become both a resource valued by MGH managers and a model for building employee resource groups across the country.

At the Massachusetts General Hospital, we offer our employees the best opportunities for dynamic and fulfilling careers by cultivating a diverse workplace committed to excellence.

Join us. Our opportunities include all aspects of patient care, research, administration and operations. To see a complete list of our current opportunities and learn more about our benefits, please visit our website.

www.mghfordiversity.org

To learn more about current openings, visit our website.

EASTERNBANK.COM Eastern Bank recruits for diversity at all levels of our organization, we are an equal opportunity employer.

By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead: EOE.

Business

Successfully Coping with Unemployment A Six Step Guide By M a rt h a R . A . F i e ld s

Step Two: Manage Your Job Search

It is extremely important that you force yourself to manage your job search when you are unemployed. This can be difficult, especially as you battle the blues. Begin by giving yourself a structured schedule every day. It is easy to want to just stay in the bed, pull the covers over your head and sleep all day when you are feeling down. Do everything in your power to fight those urges. Get up daily at a regular time. Your job now is to find a new position, and in this market, it will require that you put in at least a 9 to 5 shift, daily. Experts say that it will take one month of searching for a job for every $10,000 of pay you want to receive. For example, if you want to make $50,000, it may take you five months to capture such a job opportunity.

Step Three: Plan Your Career Goals

Step One: Emotions & Energy - Allow Yourself to Have Both

When you are unemployed, and want to successfully cope with it, start by understanding

your emotions. Researchers have found that when people lose their jobs, they go through the same amount of stress as someone who has lost a loved one or gone through a horrific divorce, plane crash or natural disaster. Just as there are stages you must go through to get beyond your loss in a death or divorce, you will go through

similar predictable stages when you lose your job: • Denial and isolation • Anger • Bargaining • Depression • Acceptance Allow yourself permission to go through these changes – it is normal but, don’t wallow forever in

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

your misery. While you are trying to make sense of the awful thing that has happened to you, take steps to keep up your energy. Exercise, meditate or pray, eat right, get enough sleep. You will need your energy in order to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start the difficult process of finding another job.

Believe it or not, there is a bright side to being unemployed. This time allows you the luxury of exploring or reassessing your career goals and thinking about what will be a good job match for you, both now and in the future. Write down your goals. Experts say, that which gets written down, gets done. Some people also advise that you take time to visualize your goals and think about yourself actually achieving those goals. Drawing a picture or making a collage of the goal and looking at it daily sometimes works for people, because it is a constant reminder for them.

You may want to contemplate a new career or even creating that business you’ve always dreamed of having. As you are planning your career, take some time to investigate where are the jobs with a future? You don’t want to get another job just to get laid off again because you are in a field or profession that will be obsolete in the future.

Step Four: Learn about the Jobs with a Future

There are three major industries where we currently have, and are projected to have, the most job growth: healthcare, education and government. Healthcare is an interesting field because of the variety of jobs. Whether you have a lot of education or little education, there are job opportunities you can pursue. Healthcare is the number one industry for job growth and we should see even more expansion, especially as our population ages. More people will be needed in hospitals, healthcare institutions as well as home healthcare agencies to work with a grayer population. People who are unemployed and want to get into this hot industry may want to consider going back to school to prepare for these occupations. Home healthcare aides, nursing assistants and phlebotomists (the people who draw blood), are all entry-level healthcare positions that you can train for in a relatively short period of time. Healthcare institutions also employ people from a myriad of professions from housekeepers and food service workers to accountants, electricians, engineers and IT professionals. Almost every occupation imaginable is needed in healthcare.

There are, however, many healthcare occupations that require a considerable amount of education, but are in demand both now and in the future. They include: nurses, pharmacists, physicians (especially family and general practitioners, gerontologists-doctors who take care of elderly patients) and information technologists (especially those who are familiar with technology related to electronic medical records). Like healthcare, education, especially higher education, offers fantastic job opportunities because it is a field that hires people from just about every occupation. There are administrative and staff positions that are needed to run organizations, as well as faculty positions. While there are layoffs of teachers, especially in elementary and secondary education, I believe we will see this trend end in the coming years. Why? Because many of the jobs now and in the future are increasingly going to require educated employees. I feel we will also see a rise in the number of teachers at community colleges, vocational/technical schools and adult education programs. In addition, we will see the need for more and more teaching jobs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

Experts say, that which gets written down, gets done.

business, doing an internship or volunteer work in a field you are interested in possibly pursuing. Some other resources you may want to consider are: • The Bureau of Labor Statistics Website (www. bls.gov). Search for the Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn about where are the jobs are now and where the will be in the future. You can learn out about several job factors: training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job, working conditions, job search tips, information about the job market in each state, and more • GrantOneDay.com – A great resource for help finding grants to start a business, get an education or retrain.

Step Six: Yield Positive Results Step Five: Open Yourself to Research

Open yourself to do research about what and where are the jobs with a future. In addition, do some individual soul searching and use this time to redefine what it is you want to do with your work and life. Explore a variety of opportunities. You may want to consider such things as starting a

Remember to operate with openness and optimism. Be open to reinventing yourself and use this as an opportunity to explore what you want in your work and life. As difficult as it may seem, stay positive and you will yield positive results. Remember what you give out is what you attract. Stay a part of the “Positive People’s Club” and at all costs, avoid joining the “Ain’t it Awful Crowd.”

Boston Medical Center would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. As a central component of the greater Boston area, our commitment to serving individuals with various cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds is an essential part of who we are at Boston Medical Center. We know that by bringing together differences — a rich variety of traditions and viewpoints — we can remain truly engaged in providing the utmost service to our community. In fact, we offer our patient population on-site, person-to-person interpretation services in more than 30 languages, 24-hours-a-day. This same commitment to diversity encompasses our careers. Within our strong, all-inclusive workforce, you have the opportunity to discover the full potential of your own personal and professional strengths. You belong with the best. At Boston Medical Center (BMC), you can join a team of individuals who don’t simply strive for excellence – they set the standard for it. Visit our website to discover opportunities and enjoy an exceptional career at BMC – The Exceptional Choice: www.bmc.org/hr/taleo

True diversity knows no exceptions: EOE.

C he f

Ming Tsai When Ming Tsai told his father, a distinguished engineer, that – after earning a degree in mechanical engineering at Yale – he wanted to cook for living, his father grumbled, “Well, you weren’t going to be a very good engineer anyway. Go cook.” His mother simply made him promise that he would give “110 percent” to his new passion. Ming has delivered on that promise and since realized his father’s wisdom: “He was right. How are you going to be great at something if you don’t love it?”

I’m looking for, and use one Eastern component – I never mix Japanese with Thai or Chinese – tied with one Western component. We’ll talk it through, and he’ll make it the first time. It’s never perfect – it’s usually very good. These guys are good and know what I’m looking for. After they make the dish the first time, I say, this is good, we need to change this, this and that. Then there’s version two, and usually by version three, it’s on the menu. If we have to go more than version five, then we scrap it, because we are trying too hard. At the end of the day, a lot of my food is inherently healthy. I am by no means a diet chef, I don’t actually even look at calories or fat when I cook, all I care about is flavor. But because of the Asian techniques I use, the braising, even the flash frying – I put a very light, sweet potato flour, as opposed to a batter, on the calamari which is a much lighter way of frying. Plus the ratio of proteins to veggie to starch is much more the Chinese way. I would never do a 30 ounce steak on a plate and call that a dish. That’s a steak. I think the balance is important. I love veggies, I think they are the hardest thing to make taste good. I think they can be and should be the highlight of the dish in a lot of ways.

Ming has taken his love for food and become a national cooking icon. He has his own Emmynominated show, Simply Ming, and has appeared on, or hosted, a myriad of other programs, including Iron Chef (defeating Bobby Flay in “Battle Duck”). He is even putting some of his engineering skills to work, designing his own line of knives and cookware. But his real passion is for his renowned restaurant, Blue Ginger. We caught up with the master just before the holiday season. CM: How have you kept Blue Ginger successful for so long?

MT: I think all the great chefs realize the same thing, that you have to surround yourself with great people. Obviously, money is one factor, but not the factor. What gets people to join your team, and stay on your team, is keeping them motivated, keeping them interested. That’s done by not resting on your laurels, always doing new food and new dishes, improving service and always making Blue Ginger better. We’re into our 12th year now, and I still think Blue Ginger today, is better than it was yesterday. My proudest thing about Blue Ginger is not the accolades, but that J.T. (Jonathon Taylor, chef de cuisine) has served me ten years, and his lovely wife Paula is approaching ten years. And there are probably ten to 12 other people who are approaching seven years. That loyalty is why Blue Ginger is good. The biggest issue in restaurants is inconsistency; that happens when managers change, chefs change. It’s part of the reason why I could go do a charity golf event and cooking class last weekend, because I know these guys can run it. They also know that one of my chefs always gets to go with me. Next year I’m going to Africa and one of those guys will get to come with me. Whoever that person is will be very psyched. CM: Can you talk about your East-West philosophy to cooking?

MT: East-West cuisine, in my simplest definition is blending Eastern and Western techniques and ingredients. I actually don’t like the term fusion. Fusion, to me, is very forced. Fusion is what you do to atoms to create energy. Blending is much more of a craft, which produces food that is bold in flavor. If I say it’s a lemongrass broth, ginger broth or Thai spicy broth, I want to taste that. I love contrasting textures and temperatures – crunchy and smooth, a cold salad on top of a steak. It also takes a lot of collaboration. I will take a chef for each new dish, talk about what 12

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

CM: Have you ever been pigeonholed as solely a chef of Asian cuisine?

MT: No, never. I’ve had people who don’t know who I am say, ‘How’s your Chinese restaurant?’ Which is OK, I am Chinese, I look Chinese; then I explain to them I do East-West cuisine. I remember when we first opened, this family of four came in and called me over and asked, ‘Are you the chef? Can we order by number?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, 13 dollars, 24 dollars, 32 dollars…’ But they just didn’t know. So no, I never really have been pigeonholed. If anything it would be as a fusion chef. CM: What restaurants have caught your attention lately?

MT: Well, hands down, this September my wife and I went to elBulli, Ferran Adrià’s place in Spain. It was the only time I had a 37-course, five-and-a-half hour meal – just stunning. It was the most extraordinary dining experience I’ve ever had. I can’t say it was the best, because I’ve had Peking duck at the original Peking duck house, sushi at Tsukiji (Japan) at five a.m. So I can’t say it was the best, but it was the most extraordinary. CM: What are you favorite local restaurants?

MT: I love Toro, Ken Oringer’s Spanish Tapas place, the Sashimi Continued on Page 14

www.colormagazineusa.com DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

1 Continued from Page 12

AllInclusive Awards 2009 2

ore than 400 people attended the Second Annual All-Inclusive Awards on Dec. 3 at the Boston Marriot Copley Place. Forest Whitaker, the keynote speaker, and his wife, Keisha, joined us in celebrating the individuals and organizations who are setting the standard for inclusion. 3

AIA 2009 Winners Leadership

• Paul Francisco •O cean Spray Cranberries Change Agent

• Paul Francisco •B oston World Partnerships Supplier Diversity

• James Sturgis • Stop & Shop Publisher’s Choice

• Greg Almieda • The Partnership, Inc. 5

Captions: 1. Forest Whitaker addressing the audience 2. Forest Whitaker preparing to speak 3. AIA Emcee Karen Holmes Ward, Rafael Toro 4. Keisha Whitaker acknowledging the audience, Forest Whitaker 5. James Sturgis receives an All-Inclusive Award, Josefina Bonilla 6. Kimberly Jones, Surojeet Ghatak, Brenda McKenzie, Beverly Edgehill, Russell Pergament, Andrea Laufer 7. Attendees enjoying the cocktail reception 8. Josefina Bonilla (center), with Keisha and Forest Whitaker (PHOTOS: Natasha Moustache)

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

bar at Uni, and chef Ting’s Oishii. I love Michael Schlow’s Via Matta and Radius; I think he does a great job. For casual, I love going to Summer Shack, Jasper White has a great raw bar, and squid, lobster and calamari. I like Myers and Chang for good, kind of, Asian street food. I think the best Chinese restaurant in Boston is actually in Wellesley, called CK New Shanghai, delicious Chinese food. Great Korean food at Dah Mee in Natick, believe it or not, which is my town. Minado is this huge, all-youcan-eat buffet. The food is good, it’s not Japan, but for 25 bucks you eat all the sushi and hot, Asian-style food you want. For kids and large groups it’s awesome. And then Shabu-Zen, I love shabu-shabu, the one in Chinatown is great. I go to China Pearl for dim sum. Dim sum is good in Boston, but it’s not San Francisco, it’s not Hong Kong. I always recommend going to the busiest dim sum place, because they have the highest turnover and therefore the freshest food. Taiwan Café in Chinatown is awesome, good Taiwanese style food. CM: What does Ming Tsai cook for the holidays?

MT: This Thanksgiving, I’m going to Florida with my fryer and going to deep fry a turkey for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. I always do my turkey differently. This year, I’m getting a heritage turkey, beautiful, fresh, farm-raised turkey. I will brine it over night. The second day I will tea smoke it, at a very low temp, all the way through. Third day, I will rub it with lots of herbs and lots of garlic, inside the skin, outside the skin, then just let it macerate. So a week of really good brine and marinade getting in, and tea smoking, then we fry it – nothing better than frying a turkey. It’s going to be really good. I usually do a whole leg of lamb for Christmas or Christmas Eve. Probably do an Asian marinade. I do this one marinade that’s Dijon, soy, shallot, red wine, thyme. I’ll marinate it for three days, bone-in, of courses everything is better bone-in. Then I’ll just roast it for two-and-half hours until it’s 110 (degrees), let it carry over to 120. When you slice into that, it’s like, oh my God. And that screams red wine. That’s when you bring out something fantastic from you wine case. CM: Sounds like your family and friends are pretty lucky this time of year.

MT: (Laughs) Yea, they do OK.

Quality care is color-blind. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is proud to join Color Magazine in honoring those who promote the power of diversity.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Metropolitan College is proud to support the All-Inclusive Awards. Congratulations to all nominees.

Annie, Criminal Justice (’09)

Isabelle, Actuarial Science (’09)

bu.edu/met An equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

Dion, Urban Affairs (’07)

entertainment

Emiko

Emerging

The daughter of a Japanese mother and Jewish/American father, Emiko was a “Foreign Service kid” who was raised in both the US (DC, NYC) and Japan (Omiya in Saitama Prefecture). Trained as a classical pianist from the age of two, Emiko began writing original compositions at eight when she discovered pop music and made the transition into rock and roll. By the time she was a teenager, Emiko had already retired from professional classical music, and was touring the US with her own rock band and recorded her first album, “Forced To Smile,” self-released in the DC-MD-VA tri-state area (now available on iTunes). Presently, Emiko is completing work on a new CD, which is entirely funded by her fans. The producer is Grammy nominated, multi-platinum-selling, Tommy Faragher (musical producer of Fox TV’s hit series “Glee,” Bee Gees, Taylor Dane); the singles were produced by Patrick Shaw (Shakira, Alicia Keys, Mandy Moore). The new release comes on the heels of her international debut album “Here Lies Tinkerbell,” and follow-up EP “Becoming Marina.” The new CD, as yet untitled, is slated for release in early 2010. To keep her growing number of Japanese fans happy, Emiko re-recorded two of her songs – “Venice” and “Any Favours” – in Japanese to be released as singles in Japan. “Venice” and “Any Favours” can be heard in streaming audio at myspace.com/ emiko, and a video of Emiko recording the Japanese version of “Any Favours” can be viewed on YouTube.

Pop Cultures

Fans from America and Asia have embraced Emiko, now she is helping others span the musical divide. By J o h n B l a c k

long with managing her own musical career, acclaimed Japanese-American recording artist Emiko is working hard to help bridge the gap between Asia and the Western World in today’s popular music as the founder and director of the Asian American Music Industry Association (AAMIA). “It all started when I was sitting with a friend who works as a music promoter. He asked me if I had any contacts to help him with a new client, who was a Japanese rapper, which as you can imagine is not an easy act to cross over,” Emiko explained. “I thought about it and realized I knew nobody who could help him, so I went home and did some research on the web and couldn’t find any sites that would help, either.” Knowing from experience how difficult it can be to find an audience, Emiko decided to see what she could do to build a useful network that would help Asian musicians make their musical journey to America. However, as she explains on the organizations MySpace page (myspace.com/aamiainc) the more she thought about the problem, the more questions were asked with no answers in sight: Why is there no Asian American superstar currently represented in popular music? What if you want to tour Asia? How do you deal with the time differences? The language differences? The customary differences? What about music industry law in Asia? It’s different in every country. What about a non-Asian artist who want to break into the Asian market? What is the most effective way to do that? “It was an uphill battle from the start,” Emiko admitted. “The first step I took was setting up the MySpace page so people could not only follow what we, as an organization were trying to do, but as a way for them to tell us the kinds of problems they were facing. Once we had that dialogue going, we could start pointing people in the right direction.” As a second step, Emiko started meeting with people in the record industry in New York City (where she lives) to start organizing industry showcases for Asian musi-

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

cians that would help get the performers and their product out to people who could really do something with them. “Our goal is to have a showcase where the musicians not only perform, but to have that performance professionally recorded,” she said. “It’s not just to give them a memento of the event, but to give them a truly unique recording that they can bring to booking agents and record company people that shows just what they can do on stage.” The next step will be developing a ‘cultural immersion’ addition to the AAMIA site designed to give interested musicians a crash course into the lives of the fans they will be trying to reach. “Cultural awareness is a big issue,” Emiko said. “It’s one thing to think you will be a hit in Japan or Korea because some people living there have downloaded your song from your website; the reality of traveling there and performing in a foreign country can be very, very different.” The cultural immersion pages, she added, will cover everything from the basics of how to get around in a particular country to some pointers on what to expect/how to react with fans

of a different culture. “Our goal is to try and take as much pressure as we can off the musicians who are looking to expand their careers,” Emiko said. “There’s so much great music being made in the world, and I hope AAMIA helps it find the audience it deserves.”

entertainment

The Stars Align for ‘Precious’ By J o h n B l a c k

ometimes the planets align and something truly special is born. Even in Hollywood. Some of the biggest names in the world of entertainment – including Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry and Mariah Carey – have combined their talent, and substantial star power, to help bring the wrenchingly emotional journey of a young girl named Precious to the big screen. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Winfrey, who signed on to be an executive producer of the movie soon after she watched it. “The moment I saw Precious, I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to encourage other people to see this movie. The film is so raw and powerful – it split me open.” Directed by Lee Daniels, Precious is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait, hand and foot, on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school where, thanks to the help of one very special teacher, she begins a journey that will lead her from darkness and pain, to love and self-determination. “When I started watching this film I was taken back twenty-five years to my childhood, when life was rough,” said Perry, who joined Oprah as one of the films executive producers. “By the time it was over, I was changed. Precious is filled with so much hope, and I really think it has the power to change lives.” An endorsement from two such influential powerhouses as Oprah and Perry is, of course, a dream come true for any filmmaker, but their support is just one in a series of fortunate accidents that surrounded the film. For example, Oscarwinning actress Helen Mirren was originally slated to play Precious’s welfare caseworker, Ms. Weiss, but had to withdraw due to another commitment. Enter multi-platinum musician Mariah Carey, whose performance in the movie is drawing the kind of acclaim that could make critics

Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece "Precious" Jones.

(and fans) forget her less fortunate attempts at acting in films like WiseGirls and Glitter. Of course, all the star power in the world wouldn’t have mattered if Daniels hadn’t found just the right actress to stand at the center of his movie to bring Precious to life. After searching for close to five months, he found his muse in 24-year-old Harlem resident Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe. A psychology major at Lehman College in the Bronx, Sidibe had acted in a few college productions but had no real ambitions to become an actress. A fan of the novel that the film is based on, Push by Sapphire, she decided to go the audition and see what would happen. Within a matter of hours, she received a call back for a second audition the next day. “The authenticity she brought to the part was amazing,” Daniels said. “We talked about the character in depth. Gabby clearly understood Precious, and even disagreed with me about some aspects of the character’s behavior based on her own real-life experiences. She gave me the facts and just blew me away.” Sidibe said she connected with the character so deeply because she was moved by Precious’s capacity to imagine a better life for herself, despite the relentless negativity and abuse from her mother. “Precious is very much a dreamer and has a lot of wonderment in her. And she’s very hungry for knowledge,” she said. “She’s sweet, but at the same time she’s learned to be defensive. When there’s trouble coming, she’s ready for it. She’s a warrior.”

(Anne Marie Fox)

Congratulations to the 2009 AIA Recipients, who join us in championing diversity and inclusion. www.Dana-FarberCareers.com

A Place of Opportunity

Enhancing Our Community Through Diversity

www.colormagazineusa.com DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

entertainment

Catching up with Kei Miller By J o a n n e M . C h o i

After finishing Kei Miller’s The Same Earth – a vibrant story of a village in Jamaica – I wondered how much of the main character, Imelda Richardson, was crushed parts and transformed pieces of Kei Miller himself. Imelda is not part of the ‘religious’ community; she is considered unconventional because of her independence and fearlessness and the schooling she received from her stint abroad. Similar to Imelda’s path, the Jamaican Kei Miller received a M.A. in creative writing from the Manchester Metropolitan University in England. Years ago, I met the author in a New York City coffee shop. At the time, he struck me as one of those citizen-of-the-world types, with a bit of nomad mixed in. He had an easy smile and a grad student vibe about him. I found out that he was working on a novel. My friend whispered to me that he was, “such an incredibly talented person and she loved his poetry.” During our brief conversation, he touched upon how outwardly religious Jamaicans are in general – a central theme in his yet-to-be-finished novel. It’s singularly satisfying to hold Kei’s finished novel in my hands, after speaking to him when the book was still in draft form. As I read The Same Earth, I let myself enjoy the way he gently led the reader into the thoughts of the Village’s inhabitants such as Tessa, Miss Millie and Pastor Braithwaite. His vivid portrayals of the inhabitants of this small village and their interactions became almost voyeuristic; the reader experiences the unique scents and sounds of these people. Miller demonstrates how the ties that bind can be both a burden and a blessing. His upcoming 2010 releases are The Last Warner Woman and A Light Song of Light (July). CM: What are some of the reasons you decided to write The Same Earth? KM: That’s a harder question to answer than you might think – only because most times when I get this type of question people want to know what it is it that I was trying to say, and I’m not sure my intentions were polemic in that sense. I suppose you could also be asking why I decided to tell this story as opposed to any other – and maybe it was that I was trying to teach myself how to write a novel having already written a collection of short stories – and The Same Earth, I think, is somewhere between those two genres; it’s a novel composed of vignettes. I realized quite early that the main character of the novel was really the village, and that gave me the freedom to tell all kinds of stories of so many people. And I think that’s why I write – because I like telling stories. I love it when someone gasps in the middle of a tale. I know it sounds manipulative, but in a way every writer is. Perhaps I’m in the business of catching breaths. CM: The personalities of Tessa, Imelda and Pastor Braithwaite are so vivid. Were they inspired by parts of your own experiences or of those you knew growing up? KM: I suppose every character can always be traced to people we’ve encountered. But I didn’t do that in any conscious way. I’d like to say they are pure inventions, and most 18

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

of the characters are, but then I’ve often had that experience of someone from my childhood reading something I’ve written and then declaring, ‘Oh Kei - I can’t believe you’ve told the story of so and so,’ and I realize that they’re right of course. I really have just retold a story of someone I knew. It’s strange that amnesia. There are a few stories in the novel that I know I’ve lifted from life – like Cutie destroying the funeral, or Purletta smoking ganja on her balcony – those are absolutely true stories

CM: In your acknowledgements, you talk about the many drafts that you did for The Same Earth. What is your general writing process and do all your stories have about 12 drafts? KM: I do go through many drafts. I couldn’t give you a specific number though. The novel that I have coming out next year perhaps only went through six drafts. So maybe I’m getting better at this process – making less mistakes. As I said, with The Same Earth, I believe I was teaching myself how to write a novel, so it was bound to take several wrong turns. My first mentor once told me that all good writing is re-writing. I don’t know who originally said that, but I’ve found it to be true in my own practice. CM: You live in both the UK and Jamaica now. Do you have any cultural adjustments when you return to Jamaica? KM: Not yet. I move much more naturally in Jamaica – and I don’t have to adjust my accent there. But the sky always takes some getting used to. In the UK the colors are so muted that when I land in Jamaica the sky always seems unreasonably blue for a day or two. CM: You have two books coming out in 2010. Can you tell me about The Last Warner Woman and A Light Song of Light. KM: The Last Warner Woman is the new novel. In a way I think it’s my first novel, because it really is a novel this time, and it’s hard to contain my excitement about it. So briefly, the Warner Woman is a kind of prophetess figure, a prophetess of doom of course. She gives warnings – magnificent warnings about floods and earthquakes. The Warner Woman of my novel migrates and tries to give one such warning in the middle of a town square in England, and it doesn’t go well for her. A Light Song of Light will be my third poetry collection. The concept behind the book might sound cheesy to you – but last year was a pretty hard year for me. For several people in the world I think. The recession and all the job losses and house repossessions. And my mother died. So I wondered how in the midst of so much darkness could we possibly sing. And I wondered what it would sound like – this song of light, and how could you right an intelligent, rigorous poetry like that, that dared to be hopeful, and didn’t try to undercut it with irony.

Health

Our People.

Green Resolutions for the New Year By Pat t i M o r e n o , t h e G a r d e n G i r l For me, green means being conscious about my impact on the environment, conserving energy, managing my waste and connecting and nurturing nature through gardening. This transformation didn’t happen overnight. Every year, I incorporate new sustainable lifestyle choices. For example, I stopped using any paper or plastic cups, plates, napkins, and paper towels, I also switched to storing leftovers in canning jars instead of plastic containers, and I use Seventh Generation brand toilet paper.

At the center of all we do. To find out what makes us a great place to work, visit www.tuftshealthplan.com

Patti’s Garden

clutter by gathering any plastic grocery bags you have, and take them back to the grocery store for recycling.

Start a Veggie Patch

This might be a drastic change for you, so I’ve put together a few green resolutions for the New Year to get you started toward living a greener lifestyle.

BYOB: Bring your own Bag The push from grocery stores for consumers to bring their own bag has finally gained momentum, and more and more people are bringing their own bags to the grocery store. Are you? Did you know that the average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store? So what are you waiting for? Just one reusable bag

can eliminate the use of an average of 1,000 plastic bags over the lifetime of the reusable bag. To get you started and be able to follow through, keep a small bag in your purse for those quick trips to the drug store. Keep a few reusable bags in your car and at your desk at work, and clean the

Eat healthier, save money, get closer to nature and live greener by starting a kitchen garden. Start off small and expand gradually. Grow culinary herbs on your window sill, put containers on a balcony, or if you have the room, build a 4x4 raised bed. You’ll be surprised at how much fresh lettuce, herbs, and vegetables you can grow in just 16 square feet of space. My kitchen garden is 500 square feet of space. Daily maintenance is less than 5 min once it is planted and I can feed a family of six, a salad at lunch and a vegetable at dinner for the entire growing season. It’s a great way to get the family doing something together. For more information visit my website at www.gardengirltv.com.

Install an Eco Lawn Tired of tending to your lawn every week, want to reduce your water use; want to save money on fertilizers and landscapers? Convert your lawn to an eco lawn. It is a combination of seven different fescue grasses that require 75 percent less water than a traditional lawn. Its long roots are able to grow deeper to find the water it needs to stay green. Fescue grasses also need little or no mowing as they are quick to germinate and slow to grow. One mowing in the spring and one in the fall is really all you need. Don’t want to mow at all? Don’t worry. Eco lawn looks great grown in too. Have poor soil? It’s no problem. Eco lawn grows in the poorest of soils. Did I mention it also grows in shade? I planted my own eco lawn last fall in an area that is shaded by trees and I actually have a lawn now! Check out my video on my eco lawn and visit www. eco-lawn.com to get more information and to purchase.

When we’re as well as we can be, then life is better for us all.

Visit harvardpilgrim.org/wellness

www.colormagazineusa.com DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

style

Designer Collaborations are a “GO” By R o s a n n a O rt i z S i n e l

he recession has tied up our wallets more than we had ever expected. We are conscientious of what we spend our money on and have cut costs with lower priced cosmetics and luxury items. However there is a silver lining to all of this scaling back and for all this saving-for-a-rainy-day business. High-end designers have taken the role of fairy godmother and blessed us with their delectable creations at a fraction of what they would cost on 5th Avenue. Many have added limited editions of their work in the mid-tier department stores you can find almost anywhere across America. Genius.

Project Runway season four alum, Christian Siriano has created an amazing line for Payless Shoe Source. Coned heeled pumps and boots in vivid colors blended with metallic gold have sold faster than vintage Chanel bags. His line is close to sold out online and in stores, but his boots are selling on eBay for three times what they would cost at Payless. Talk about demand. Target is still going strong with their “GO International” series, which has luxury designers create a limited collection for the retail giant. When a designer collaborates with Target, it establishes the brands credibility through a retail perspective. Amazing what Target can do that for such a well-known brand. Ethereal label Rodarte – who just won a Council of Fashion Designers of America award for most coveted top design – will be the next collaboration with the GO International line starting December 20 - February 6. The sister team designs looks that previously one could only dream of being able to afford. The beloved Jimmy Choo collaborated with H&M in a line that launched November 14th. The inexpensive, trendy chain has featured a “picks” series by Madonna and Elle magazine – which boasted their names on the tags of particular garments these two “chose” as the best – but have never done a collaboration on this level. Jimmy Choo President, Tamara Mellon, designed an entire line for

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

Shoes from Christian Siriano’s Line for Payless

Looks from Rodarte for Target’s GO International line, available Dec. 20 February 6

the shop – ranging from leather dresses to sky-high pumps and accessories. Astronomically expensive Jimmy Choo, now offers items at H&M priced from $89-$299. Stores from South Coast Plaza on the west coast to Manhattan had lines of eager women dying to get inside and get their luxury-at-a-fractionof-the-cost fix. Retail chain Kohl’s has offered the “Simply Vera” brand by Vera Wang for some time now. They just added the “LC Lauren Conrad” collection. Lauren Conrad who is best known as the head starlet of The Hills reality series on MTV is also a clothing designer who sells her expensive frocks in luxury boutiques. The department store offers her limited line of blouses, jackets and her signature dresses for less than $75. These collaborations with chain stores seem to becoming a trend for designers who want to get their looks out to the masses during these rough times. However many of them have to edit their designs and make them wearable for the everyday woman and keep the quality affordable. So fart he quality has been surprisingly better than expected and it is hard to tell the difference. The designer and retail giant collaborations have increased since 2007 and continue to grow. This is a good thing for us bargainistas out there. Instead of saving for an insanely priced outfit from a beloved designer, we can go and purchase another beloved designer at a much more fashionable price. It’s a win-win situation for all. Let’s shop.

Beauty

Jo Malone Goes Tropical for the Holidays By J o a n n e M . C h o i

Recognize the similarities, celebrate the differences. At BNY Mellon Wealth Management, we first became aware of Jo Malone – the luxury British fragrance house – because of Jennifer Lopez. Yes, I owe it to her! It is widely reported that J. Lo adores the grapefruit and lime blossom candles and uses them when staying in hotels. Years ago, this information made me want to try something from this line myself. Pan to present day and the fulfillment of wishes: I open the somewhat heavy, cream-colored box, eagerly untie the grosgrain ribbon and breathe in the scent of their new pomegranate candle. The top notes of pomegranate, raspberry, plum, rhubarb, watermelon delight my senses. Who cares that I am home late after a long day and haven’t had dinner? I have my Pomegranate Noir Deluxe Candle (Bougie Parfumée) to make my little condo smell festive, decadent and delicious. With a happy sigh, I take my nightly shower and try the Grapefruit Shower Gel and the Grapefruit Condition. The smell of grapefruit and tangerine are deep into my skin and I wanted to keep sniffing myself hours later. While I imagine I’m on a long due vacation (or maybe, on tour) I unwrap the final, and most important product, the travel candle. Yes, the French Lime Blossom Travel Candle is everything I’d hoped for! And isn’t that what products are sometimes meant to do? Be an indulgent escape and reprieve from the grind and pull of daily life? Help me to fantasize that I have a little glamour in my normal, mundane life?

believe that celebrating our differences, as well as our similarities, will help us to one day be comfortable in our spots.

You can pick your own Jo Malone products through their website, jomalone.com, or at the following fine department stores: Bloomingdale’s Chestnut Hill, MA Nordstrom Burlington, MA Saks Fifth Avenue Prudential Center, Boston, MA Southampton, NY Huntington Station, NY Neiman Marcus Copley Square, Boston, MA Natick, MA White Plains, NY

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FOOD

Savvy Wines for the Holidays By T r o n d A r n e U n d h e i m he holiday season is challenging enough – packed with symbolism, stress and somewhat superficially boosted relationships and encounters – so why make wine complicated or expensive? Stock the bar with everything from smart bubbly via whimsical whites to fruit-packed power reds and sweet dessert wines. This year, it might be a good idea to mix and match just like you would with designer and vintage clothing. Who can afford a $100 bottle these days? On the other hand, who can afford a life without peak wine experiences? Here’s how to have luxury

and value without sacrificing quality. Holiday food tends to be richer and call for full-bodied wines with intensity. But avoid the overpriced, excessive oak this year, and instead seek power from elsewhere, such as from double fermented Ripasso or Amarone. Skip the expensive Tuscan power wine Brunello and go with its simpler sister Rosso di Montalcino. To fully embrace the holiday lifestyle, a French Bordeaux wine or two should be reserved for a decadent occasion. Try the Pauillac or Pomerol regions and include a French cheese (a Camembert or Brie are

innocent choices). On the other hand, restraint in all things is also possible, and trendy. If your food choices go towards the austere – vegetarian, vegan or raw – organic wine is the way to go. Since that will be the focus of a latter article, for now, suffice to say that Whole Foods has the range. Holiday value is important. Remember to have a reserve so you can tackle parties, love, gifts, unforeseen events etc. Buy a few bottles of highly respectable but also reasonably priced Italian wine from Sicily made on the Nero d’Avola grape or some mid-range Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Chilean Maipo Valley or take a chance on some white Orvieto Classico made on a Trebbiano grape blend, which should set you back less than $10. If you want to go domestic, try some uncommon wine regions and explore the East Coast or even the South West. Trying something new, you

might get lucky. For New Years, a decent bubbly wine will do, but a French Champagne like Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame at $100 plus is no longer a must. There are decent Cremants ($20) from all other regions in France, Cremant de Bourgogne is a good choice. Even a Spanish Cava ($20) might add the required sparkles to your life. If you are feeling gutsy, try Maria Casanovas 2006 Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava ($40, my rating 89/100) for the grand occasion. If you are proposing, why not include a trip to Spain with the ring and toast?

Last, but not least, don’t forget to include dessert wine in your portfolio. Chocolate will taste better with a Sancerre or Muscato. Even better, sample the Hungarian Tokaij for a taste of what Peter the Great and Napoleon III used to drink. Or try a Moscato ($20) if you just want a simple and sweet treat for that holiday mood to emerge.

Congratulations to Color Magazine on its Second Annual All-Inclusive Awards Business wins when everyone matters. Diversity and inclusion are enduring values embedded into our culture. These values are fundamental to both our business and our mission of saving people money so they can live better. At Walmart, we continue to look for ways to diversify our business and team of associates to better serve our customers. We are proud of the strides we have made, but our journey is not over. With the help of our associates, customers, suppliers, and the communities we serve, we look forward to continuing our journey in being a true leader in all aspects of diversity and inclusion by offering programs that truly matter.

The “Spark” Design (

MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 - JANUARY 2010

The MGH Mission: Guided by the needs of our patients and their families, the Massachusetts General Hospital aims to deliver the very best health care in a safe, compassionate environment; to advance that care through innovative research and education; and, to improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve.

Trond’s Holiday Picks Rosso di Montalcino Castello di Banfi 2007, ($ 12, my rating 87/100). Ruby, cherry, licorice with hints of cedar on the palate, pleasant acidity, medium-long aftertaste with lingering tannins. Great value, try several vintages and vintners from that region. Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 1994, ($100+, my rating 94/100) Having watched the brownish redbrick color of this Bordeaux red in a decanter for hours, you will find the bouquet of caramel, vanilla, ripe plum and cedar immediately starts filling a generous part of the air around and above the glass and carafe. Velvety, almost creamy in texture, extremely elegant and layered, this wine brings out the aromas of dark berries, plum, Belgian chocolate and mocha. The supple cedar tartness dominates the immaculate aftertaste. With cheese, or almost any meal to be honest, you cannot go wrong here. However, make sure you have the adequate company. Experiment with vintages in case you get lucky, but never drink expensive Bordeaux unless it has aged a decade. Dante Rivetti Moscato D’Asti 2008, ($15, my rating 88/100). Effortlessly light-bodied, an inviting soft straw-like color, almost clear in presentation. Balanced array of tropical fruits like melon, peach and even small hints of mango. Sweet, sparkling like a first kiss, without overpowering the palate. Minimal aftertaste, yet leaving lingering images of summers on a Vespa scooter. Great for sinful moments.

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