New York Lifestyles Magazine - April 2020

Vol. 6 #3 | April 2020

Actress, Author & Animal Activist

LEESA ROWL AND Living A Life With Style & Grace

HEALTH & WELLNESS Living In The Age Of Telemedicine

ECO-BEAUTY

Protect Yourself & The Globe

ENTERTAINMENT

Hits To Stream On The Small Screen

NEW YORK EATS

The Best Restaurant Take-Out & Delivery

SADDLE RIVER

TIMELESS FRENCH CHATEAU

$4,995,000

2000’s built French Chateau situated on 2.33 gated and fenced acres with tennis/sport court and lagoon pool with waterfalls. All brick manor features elegant woodworking and high ceilings throughout and large 1st floor MBR. Lower level has outside entry, theater and wine cellar. 4 car garage.

MAHWAH

43 + ACRE EQUESTRIAN/SPORTS ESTATE

$18,900,000

43+ breathtaking acres along the Ramapo River surrounds this English Country estate. 20-stall barn with a large indoor riding arena, paddocks and trails.

Indoor and outdoor pools, wine room, theater, sports lounges, English pub, outdoor soccer, basketball, elevator and much more!

SADDLE RIVER

6.5 ACRE COUNTRY ESTATE

$5,995,000

This custom built 6.5 acre country estate, approximately 17,000 sf in the main residence offers a state-of-the-art Kuche Cucina kitchen, 1st floor master bedroom suite, indoor and outdoor pool/spa, cabana, regulation lighted tennis court and 6-car garage.

OFFICE

VICKI GAILY REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®

201 934-7111 • CELL 201 390-5880

•

FOUNDER

•

MARKETING DIRECTOR

VGAILY@SPECIALPROPERTIES.COM • SPECIALPROPERTIES.COM FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK: @SPECIALPROPERTIESNJ •

Information deemed reliable but subject to errors and omissions.

MAHWAH

23 + ACRE RIVERFRONT EQUESTRIAN ESTATE

$3,995,000

An incredible estate along the Ramapo River. The 5 bedroom Hampton’s style shingle & stone masterpiece offers expansive views.

9-stall barn opens to a limestone jumping area, paddocks and trails along the river. Above the stalls is a massive artist’s loft.

Infinity pool, hot tub, generator & more!

SADDLE RIVER DESIGNER’S SHOWPLACE $2,225,000 Elegant 2000’s built manor styled residence with beautiful woodworking throughout. High ceilings, gourmet kitchen, media & gym in lower level. Inground heated gunite pool, paver patio, 3-car garage. Very private setting.

SADDLE RIVER CELEBRITY STUNNER $5,995,000 5.7 ACRES Notable actress offers this enchanting English Country Estate completely renovated & expanded. 6 BRs, 1st floor theater, guesthouse, lagoon pool w/waterfalls, gen., elevator & 3-car garage + artist’s studio!

SADDLE RIVER HAMPTON’S STYLE $2,995,000 Brand New, sleek & stunning stone and cedar Hampton’s style beauty situated at the end of a country lane on a 2 acre cul de sac setting. 6 BRs, 6 1/2 baths, theater area, wine tasting, wrap around mahogany porch & more!

SADDLE RIVER GRACIOUS COLONIAL $1,399,000 2.4 acre setting surrounds this gracious colonial in the heart of the Chestnut Ridge area. Large kitchen, family room, great room & master suite. Walkout lower level, 3 car garage and circular driveway. Deck overlooks pool & spa.

OFFICE

VICKI GAILY REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®

201 934-7111 • CELL 201 390-5880

•

FOUNDER

•

MARKETING DIRECTOR

VGAILY@SPECIALPROPERTIES.COM • SPECIALPROPERTIES.COM FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK: @SPECIALPROPERTIESNJ •

Information deemed reliable but subject to errors and omissions.

243 River Road, Grandview-on-Hudson, NY | Miles away from Ordinary...

Located just 15 miles north of the GWB is this custom-built oasis nestled on the Grandview-on-Hudson hillside with idyllic, full Hudson river views. So much more than just a house; it is truly a home. The living and family rooms share a two-sided fireplace and combine to create a magnificent two-story great room with a wall of windows to take in the view. The expansive deck is the perfect spot to enjoy eagles, osprey and falcons as they soar over the river. You will love the kitchen with its top-tier appliances and custom prep area with sink, additional dishwasher, island and wine fridge. Whether it’s magical sunrises or going to sleep as the lights illuminate the bridge, you will relish your master bedroom. This restive retreat offers a fireplace, five-star bath and a yoga/fitness room with a private balcony. Other features include screened in porch, patio, finished lower level with a full bath, tons of closets and a two-car garage. Enjoy the vibrant, rivertown lifestyle with cultural events, awesome restaurants, cool shops, hiking, biking, sailing and tons of other recreational activities just minutes away.

Super easy commute to NYC. Call 845-641-8613 for more information. Price - $1,397,000.

Donna Cox

Broker Associate Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty

46 S. Broadway Nyack, NY 10960 845-641-8613 (cell)

...Minutes to Manhattan | 4 Salisbury Place, S. Nyack, NY

Room to breathe, spread out and enjoy the feeling of being at one with nature. Designed in the early 1900s by noted NYC Park Avenue architectural firm Hutton and Buys, this gracious colonial provides your own peaceful, private riverside paradise. The epitome of understated grace with breathtaking views of the river and bridge from every room. Set sail or kayak from your own backyard with stunning multi-tiered gardens and lawns leading to 174 feet of shoreline. From the bright orange and yellow reflecting off the river at sunrise to the deep blue in in the afternoon to the flaming red and pink sunset, the view is mesmerizing all day long. Entertain in the riverview living and dining rooms or have cocktails on the deck overlooking the river. Fall asleep watching the moonlight reflecting off the river, seeing the lights of the bridge and hearing the sound of the waves. Additional highlights you will enjoy include the master suite with sitting room and private deck, three garages (with a home office/studio over one) and the finished lower level with a 500 bottle wine cellar. Put your car away for the weekend. While you will feel like you are in your own private sanctuary, Nyack’s trendy downtown with waterfront parks, library, marinas, restaurants and boutiques are all just a short stroll away. A small town feel, yet you can be in midtown or the Met in about 30 minutes.

Call 845-641-8613 for more information. Price - $1,595,000.

www.DonnaCox.com

Contents

11

FEATURES

10 From The Publisher 11 Cover: Leesa Rowland: Living Life With Style & Grace 31 Op-Ed: Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

32 Through The Lens With Annie Watt 36 Bits & Bailey: The Who, What & Wow Of The Luxe Life

20

STYLE 18 20 22 23

Eco-Beauty: Protecting The Environment & Your Skin Tress Relief: A Guide To Thinning Hair You Go, Girl: Meet Hannah Fastov Of Go Dash Dot A Weekend Getaway: Pack Your Bag With These Musts

TRAVEL 24 Pickering House Inn: A New Hampshire Gem 27 Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health: A Retreat In The Berkshires 29 The Ozarks: More Than Music & Museums

27

REAL ESTATE & HOME DECOR 38 40 42 44

Around Town: Financial District Brooklyn Point: A New Level Of Luxury 65 Central Park West: Old-World Details With Modern Comforts 164 East 72nd Street: A Dream Come True

4 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

40

The Time to Invest is Now...

The Florida Keys Invest in the Islands TOP INCOME PRODUCING Resort Properties FEATURING SPACIOUS WATER VIEW, WATERFRONT AND BEACHFRONT HOMES

Hawks Cay Realty team boasts over 25 years experience in the Florida Keys.

Let us guide you to owning your piece of paradise Investment property is our specialty.

YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY SPECIALISTS Margaret E. Crowley, Broker | Lissete Cadwell, Realtor | Christopher Eversman, Realtor WWW.HAWKSCAYREALTY.COM | 305-289-4887 Margaret E. Crowley, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker 1551 Coral Ct., Sugarloaf Key, FL 33042

Contents

48

52

HEALTH & WELLNESS

46 Telemedicine: Transforming The Healthcare Landscape 48 Elite Method: Coaching Children To Be Their Best 50 A Time For Rebirth

FOOD & DRINK 52 Something For Everyone: A Guide To Pick-up & Delivery In NYC 56 Brooklyn Chop House: A New World Of Steak

58

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 58 On The Small Screen 60 Catching Up With Maria van Vlodrop Of MvVO

NEW YORK, NY 63 67 68 70 72

Paws Down, Tails Up: Spring Essentials Manners For Our Times: Doing The Right Thing Counts Entrepreneur’s Corner: Jeff Leatham My New York Story: Pamela Maraldo Time Out With…Sue Phillips

6 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

68

Like Us On

f

The Perfect Spring Break Getaway!

Visit howecaverns.com or call to let us help you create your custom experience today!

& Overnight Packages Enjoy a Traditional Cave Tour • 90 Minute Walking Tour with Underground Boat Ride • Special Pricing for Children • Kids 4 and Under are FREE

Get Fired Up! With a private hands-on glassblowing experience. Our resident artists will guide you through the step by step process.

Escape Room!

HoweCaverns.com • 518.296.8900 | Only Three Hours From New York City

ISSN 2474-770X

OUR CONTRIBUTORS RUTH J. KATZ The author of five books, Ruth J. Katz specializes in consumer reporting, with an emphasis on luxury lifestyle and travel.

She has been a contributing editor to Redbook, Classic Home, and Colonial Homes— all Hearst publications. For 15 years, she was also a masthead editor for several upscale magazines, among the The Modern Estate, Golf Connoisseur, New York Spaces, and Promenade.

Ruth has written close to 100 articles for The New York Times and was an esteemed service writer/reporter at New York magazine for nearly 20 years. As an on-air personality at Fox-TV, she reported on home services/ shopping; she was also on-air as the host of shows on the Lifetime and the USA networks. She continues to travel and has visited close to 90 countries…and counting.

JENNY PETERS Jenny has covered the entertainment, lifestyle and travel worlds as a freelance journalist for many years. Her credits include writing on film, celebrities, and lifestyle for USA Today, AARP.com, Variety, New York Magazine, to name a few. She is the former editor-inchief of Brentwood/ Distinctive Living magazines and held the same post for Scene magazine. She is a founding and voting member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January honoring the previous year’s finest in cinematic achievement. Her favorite places to be: sipping wine in the middle of a vineyard or simply strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world’s great cities.

JEFF & STEPHANIE SYLVA Travel enthusiasts Jeff & Stephanie have been freelance travel writers for over 30 years.

Much of their writing reflects their love of the outdoors and their active lifestyles. Some of their favorite travel experiences include a trek across the Kilauea Iki Crater on the Big Island of Hawaii, and snorkeling with penguins and whitetipped reef sharks in the Galapagos Islands.

The New Jersey couple have written regularly for several local newspapers in addition to Hospitality 21, Family Travel Network, Family Travel Forum, The Parent Paper, Bergen County: The Magazine, Bergen County Kids Magazine, and Family Destinations.

8 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Vol. 6 #3 | April 2020 President / Publisher BILL MASON Editor-in-Chief Patricia Canole

Art Director Eric Duncan

Entertainment Jenny Peters, Lori Zelenko

Features Ruth J. Katz

Lifestyle Griffin Miller

Style Gerrie Summers

Special Projects Natasha Bazika, Norah Bradford

Chief Photographer Annie Watt

Contributing Writers Bailey Beckett, Norah Bradford, Harry Brads AP Connolly, Peter Elston TJ Johnson, Dr. Peter Kalellis Kristie Kellahan, Lee Gabay, Pamela Meraldo Darren Paltrowitz, Meryl Pearlstein, Anne Raso Will Reed, Jeff & Stephanie Sylva Dr. James Wantuk, Stacey Zable Executive Vice President of Sales LYLE SELTZER Sales Bill Mason Sr. - Director of New Business Development John Miller - Sales Manager Michael Stulmaker - Sales Manager Director of Operations Kurt Nesheim

Advertising BLUE VISTA 725

Internet Presence Scott Cuollo, Richard Austin

Magazine Distribution The Garrido Group

New York Sales Office (646) 259-2651

Editorial/Sales Fax (212) 202-4888

For subscriptions, address changes or back issues, call: (646) 259-2651 newyorklifestylesmagazine.com Facebook: /NYLifestylesMag Twitter: @NYLifestylesMag Instagram: @NYLifestylesMag All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Printed in the USA. New York Lifestyles Magazine is published 10 times annually. ©2020 New York Lifestyles Magazine

Cover Photo by Neil Tandy

Me: Super cute, really You: Not looking fun, comfortable with for a long-term commitment. silence.

FOSTER A HOMELESS PET FOR JUST TWO TO FOUR WEEKS AND MAKE A LIFESAVING DIFFERENCE.

To sign up or to learn more about fostering: ny.bestfriends.org/foster.

Check us out on the web!

FROM THE PUBLISHER ay after day, the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic invades more and more into our lives. And while many nations have taken heroic steps to contain it, travel into and out of heavily infested countries has been restricted.

As the publisher of New York Lifestyles, I need to note that I do not advocate travel to areas where the virus is still raging. With that said, I am hopeful the virus will at some point disappear, and the world will get back to normalcy. We will continue covering travel within the U.S. on a limited basis, promoting America Strong and look forward to a safer, happier time soon when we begin to recommend the joy of travel everywhere in the world.

Concerning restaurants in New York City: At press time, it was advised that restaurant service and bars in our area to be closed; however, we have a special section in this issue focusing on pick-up and take-out delivery that has been deemed okay. As for Broadway, movie theaters, museums, and other local events, it is my hope that we can once again get to enjoy them soon.

No matter how short or long this outbreak plans to last, we will persevere to the end. We are not only the most resilient city in this country, but our people and their communities always bounce back more robust than ever.

Lastly, I want to say to our readers, their families, and friends to remain healthy and safe and remember, “New York Lifestyles Magazine Cares.” With best wishes to you and yours for a very Happy Easter and Happy Passover.

See you next month…

-Bill Mason

Publisher

Read Any of Our Issues In Digital Format on:

Issuu.com | Apple Newsstand | Our Website

Visit us at: newyorklifestylesmagazine.com For subscription or back issues, call:

(646) 259-2651 10 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

FEATURES

ACTRESS, AUTHOR & ANIMAL ACTIVIST

LEESA ROWLAND

LIVING A LIFE WITH STYLE & GRACE

By Patricia Canole | Photography by Neil Tandy Hair and makeup by John Henry Edington for Angelo David Salon / T3 Mirco | Location: Russian Samovar

or Leesa Rowland living with style and grace rings true. From acting, and authoring a bestseller to animal activism, Leesa brings a certain passion to every aspect of her life. And while her roots are planted in Texas, Leesa now lives an extraordinary life and calls New York City her home.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 11

STARTING OUT

While in Texas, Leesa studied journalism, and later become a trained actress. It wasn’t too long before she was cast in several cult movie classics including Travis Campbell’s Slaughter Daughter where she played an eccentric mother who drives her daughter to insanity. Soon after, Leesa was co-starring in the critically acclaimed web series Two City Girls, as well as appearances on the Oxygen series Jersey Couture.

MOTIVATING OTHERS

The actress expanded her creative talents to also include writing the bestselling self-help/motivational book Discovering the It Factor within You: Developing Your Charismatic Personality. Leesa explained, “The book unveils everything from spirituality and religion to auras and mantras and more in helping each reader build their charismatic personality and excel in life.”

RAISING AWARENESS

Of course, Leesa is probably best known for her work as a philanthropist and animal rights activist. She has been active with the national non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals and is the founder of the New York non-profit group Animal Ashram. As a dedicated vegan Leesa says, “Life is full of choices and living a cruelty-free life is the best choice I have ever made. There is plenty to eat without eating animals. My choice is compassion. It is always in fashion.”

New York Lifestyles wanted to learn more about this fascinating woman. And, like us, you’ll soon agree that Leesa Rowland possesses lots of style and grace.

Tell our readers more about your growing up in Texas.

I grew up in a waterfront home in Rockport, Texas on the Gulf Coast until the ninth grade when we moved to Austin, which was my mother’s favorite city. I enjoyed water skiing on Lake Travis, listening to live bands on the weekends with my friends and country western dancing.

I was in the drama club and loved performing in our school plays and ultimately won awards for acting when we competed regionally with other schools. This gave me the confidence to pursue acting as a career after college at Texas Tech where I studied journalism.

How did your experiences as a girl make you the woman you are today?

I am still living out the goals and dreams I formed when I was a young girl. I remember when I was young and on our family ranch, I bonded with cows only to find out that they were later sent to slaughter. Cows were like dogs to me and all have unique personalities. This was very tough on me.

I have been a vegan my entire life; it led me to be the animal activist that I am now.

Actress, author, animal activist. How do you do it all, Leesa, and still maintain a balance in your life?

I am very selective with the projects and campaigns I choose to work on. I like to focus intently on only one project in hand. By focusing only on one project at a time I give my whole heart and soul to the project and do my very best job.

As an actress, do you have any new projects in the works?

I have read two film scripts that were sent to me recently and am in discussions on both. They will be filmed in Los Angeles.

I am also currently taking improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Now to your book. What inspired you to write Discovering the IT Factor Within You? I wrote Discovering the It Factor within You because of my personal pain, emotional triumphs, and the experiences of my life’s journey.

I want to ignite and nurture the special spark of charisma within others who are embarking on their journeys and encourage them to be the best they can possibly be.

Were there any challenges in writing the book?

I enjoy the whole process of writing and really enjoy connecting with my readers. Thankfully, I didn’t really experience any substantial challenges writing the book. Everything fortunately flowed very nicely.

The premise of your book is Charisma which presents itself when you seek your talents and passions in life. What is intriguing is that you bond Charisma with Karma. Explain this concept?

I believe good Karma raises our vibration. Raising your vibration strengthens your aura, which in turn intensifies your magnetism.

I am also writing another book for release in 2021 through Hatherleigh Press and Random House.

12 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

I have a very classical and tailored sense of style but with a whimsical flare.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 13

LEESA ROWLAND UPCLOSE What is something people might not know about you?

I am a secret gym rat and work out regularly at Equinox.

Describe your personal style?

I have a very classical and tailored sense of style but with a whimsical flare. I love to throw in statement pieces to add in a little glamour.

If you had to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

You create your own opportunities.

What are your three favorite locations in the city?

I absolutely love Central Park. It is such a beautiful and vast location that just a walk through the park immediately lifts my spirits…I have always enjoyed going downtown to the South Street Seaport. I feel like I’ve been transported out of the city and being by the water is thoroughly rejuvenating. We are beyond fortunate to have so many distinctive and unique locations available to us…St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the most gorgeous house of worship in our beloved New York City. There is no spiritual experience like attending mass in this legendary and magnificent Cathedral with all its history and majesty. I receive Holy Spirit chills every time I pray there. I love that place.

Name your three favorite restaurants in NYC? Franchia is a South Korean teahouse and vegan restaurant located on Park Avenue.

It is my favorite go-to restaurant. The location, food and employees are all amazing and consistent. My non-vegan friends can’t believe they are eating vegan sushi; crab cakes and other mock meats because everything tastes so scrumptious…I’m really enjoying the new Upper East Side Italian restaurant Piccola Cucina on 60th St. The owner and chef Philip Guardione hails from Sicily and can he ever cook!

He’s very creative and talented…Le Bilboquet is a very special French restaurant where I’m a regular. I love the lentil salad, soups and espresso as well as the open, festive ambiance and excellent service.

Tell us if you could pack your bags and fly off to some exotic location, where would it be?

I have always wanted to travel to Norway to see the Northern Lights. What an amazing experience it will be to see the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky! I’ve seen pictures but I will be so excited to see the phenomenon in person.

What are three items you couldn’t live without?

I couldn’t live without my iPhone, lip balm, and designer sneakers.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?

I am in awe of the Kennedy family and find them fascinating. I wish more of their family were still here, but it would be wonderful to have dinner and conversation with Caroline Kennedy.

What three words describe you best?

Enthusiastic, passionate, compassionate.

What always makes you laugh?

My cat Cupid continually comes up with new antics to entertain me.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Be careful of relying on anybody but yourself. Even your shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given to someone?

I gave a friend, who was struggling to find work, a whole makeover once. I took her shopping, styled her from head to toe. She loved it and soon found a great new job, too.

What is your favorite cuisine?

I like all types of vegan cuisine and Indian food.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Spicy vegetarian curry.

14 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Life is full of choices and living a cruelty-free life is the best choice I have ever made.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 15

Any good advice to women who are looking to start their own business?

I would advise any woman looking to start a business to make an honest assessment of herself.

Jot down your strengths and weaknesses. Know what you are good at and make a crystal-clear game plan of what it is you want to achieve. Write down your goals for one year, three years and five years. Stay focused and always follow through.

We know that one of your great loves, of course, is Animal Ashram. Tell our readers more about the foundation.

We rescue dogs and cats off the kill list from New York City Animal Care and Control.

Sadly, they euthanize pets because shelters are so overcrowded. Our mission is to place those animals with fosters or adopters.

Our vegan outreach program and support of cruelty-free fashion and products is very popular.

We also award grants and funding to other worthy animal welfare and rescue groups. We are anti-vivisection and are against factory farming.

Speaking of Animal Ashram, what do you want to accomplish this year?

Animal Ashram is looking forward to doing a vegan pop-up with cruelty-free and sustainable fashion, yoga and pet adoptions this summer.

As a leader, what do you think is the biggest issue for women today?

I am happy with what women have achieved in the workforce during the last few years. We have come such a long way and accomplished a great deal. We still need to make more strides to put an end to violence toward women.

Are there any female leaders whom you admire?

I am very impressed with New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and all that she has achieved in a relatively short time. She is the youngest Republican ever elected to Congress and has been very vocal about her belief that Congress needs more women.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

I would tell my younger self to be more patient and to be gentler on myself.

For me, success and happiness means being content with what you’re doing and where you are in life.

16 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

How do you define success and happiness?

For me, success and happiness means being content with what you’re doing and where you are in life. Being content brings us peace of mind.

What would you be doing if you weren’t an actress/author/animal activist?

I would travel more if I didn’t have so many responsibilities. There are so many places such as India, the Pyramids, or on an African Safari.

How do you stay so fit and beautiful?

I work very hard at staying fit. I go to the gym three times a week and enjoy Pilates, yoga, and the elliptical machine. I maintain a diligent beauty regimen including morning and evening serums and monthly facials. •

SWITCH TO AT&T $ AND GET A 250 AT&T VISA® REWARD CARD* WHEN YOU BUY A SMARTPHONE ON A QUALIFYING INSTALLMENT PLAN! Must port in new line of elig. postpaid wireless svc (min. $50/mo. after discounts start w/in 2 bills). *Ends 12/31/20. Remain active and in good standing for 30 days. After 30 days, you will be mailed instructions for claiming your card online. Claim w/in 75 days.

If svc cancelled, device balance due. $30 Activation, add’l fees, taxes & other charges, & restr’s apply. See Sales Rep for details.

Call us, your AT&T Preferred Dealer.

Iv Support Holdings LLC

1-855-977-8562 *$250 REWARD CARD: Ends 12/31/20. Smartphone: Buy any new smartphone on qualifying 0% APR installment plan. Other installment options may be available. $0 down for well-qualified credit or down payment may be req’d. Retail price is divided into monthly installments. Tax on full retail price due at sale.

Required Wireless: Port in new line w/ postpaid wireless voice & data service (min. $50/mo. for new svc with autopay and paperless bill discounts. Pay $60/mo. until discounts starts w/in 2 bills. Other qual. plans available.). Excludes upgrades and AT&T ports. If you cancel wireless svc, will owe device balance.

Activation Fee: $30. Return: Return w/in 14 days (w/in 30 days for business customers). Restocking fee up to $55 may apply. Reward Card Redemption req’d.: Will be sent email or letter with redemption requirements. Redemption req’d w/in 75 days from reward notification mail date. Reward Card delivered within 3-4 weeks after redemption to customers who maintain qualifying service(s) from installation date and through reward fulfillment. Card expires at mon-end 6 months after issuance. For Cardholder Agreement, go to rewardcenter.att.com. The AT&T Visa Reward Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted in the United States, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. No cash access. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Limits: May not be combinable w/other offers, discounts or credits. Purchase, financing & other limits & restr’s apply. Participation in these offers may make your wireless account ineligible for select other offers (including select bill credit offers) for a 12-month period. Gen. Wireless: Subj. to Wireless Customer Agmt at att.com/wca. Svc not for resale. Deposit: Service deposit may apply. Limits: Purchase & line limits apply. Credit approval, activation (up to $45/line) and other fees, advanced payments and other charges apply. Additional monthly fees & taxes: Apply per line and include Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee (up to $1.50), Administrative Fee ($1.99) & other fees which are not government-required surcharges as well as taxes. Additional one-time Fees may apply. See www.att.com/mobilityfees for more details. Coverage & svc not avail. everywhere. You get an off-net (roaming) usage allowance for each svc. If you exceed the allowance, your svc(s) may be restricted or terminated. International and domestic off-net data may be at 2G speeds. Other restr’s apply & may result in svc termination.

Pricing, promotions, programming, terms & restr’s subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. ©AT&T svc is subject to AT&T network management policies, see att.com/broadbandinfo for details. ©2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV, and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Ask rep for details.

STYLE

ECO-BEAUTY

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT & YOUR SKIN

By Gerrie Summers

ow more than ever, it’s important to protect and preserve the environment with a cleaner, greener lifestyle. It’s as important to protect and preserve our skin. These products help you do both.

NOUGHTY HAIRCARE CIREM COSMETICS OZ This company creates products through a cold press manufacturing process, without added heat or petrochemicals during and after production (more energy efficient, with smaller carbon footprint) to avoid destroying active ingredients. You end up with a clean product in a more natural form. Oz Naturals products are formulated without harmful preservatives and are cruelty-free, to treat individual concerns from redness and oily to mature skin. Info: oznaturals.com.

These haircare products are 97 percent n atu r a l , w it h n o a n i m a l - d e r i v e d ingredients or animal-testing. Noughty Haircare plans to upgrade to recyclable sugarcane plastic packaging in early 2021 (normal plastic production releases CO2 into the environment). Try To The Rescue Shampoo to replenish lost moisture, Moisture Boost Conditioner to condition damaged and dry hair, and follow with the Anti-Frizz Serum. Info: noughtyhaircare.com.

Going by the “skincare before makeup” philosophy, Cirem Cosmetics are made in the USA and in small batches. This is to improve quality, reduce waste and be more sustainable, with ingredients that are not tested on animals and aren’t harmful to the skin. Cirem’s Rapid Absorption Technology can be found in the HCR 3-In-1 Serum, Youthboost Diamond Eye Gel Cream, and Diamond Moisturizing Cream, allows product to penetrate the skin not just rest upon the skin to make it look good. Info: cirem.com.

ANISA BEAUTY

EARTHWISE BEAUTY

NUGG BEAUTY

Makeup brushes and cleansing products from Anisa Beauty are PETA Certified Cruelty Free and sustainably made. The new Purify Collection features The Wash, a brush cleaner to remove powder-based formulas from makeup brushes. It’s also dermatologist tested and gentle enough to use as a facial wash and can be used with the Brush Cleaning Pad to deeply clean brushes. Info: anisabeauty.com.

Developed in small, handcrafted batches with plant-based, organic, and unrefined ingredients, Earthwise Beauty products are certified cruelty-free (PETA, Leaping Bunny, Logical Harmony). The products are mostly vegan, carefully sourced and humanely harvested, with sustainable packaging and shipping materials. Try the Ruby Face Oil and Passion Eye Serum.

Info: earthwisebeauty.com.

Made without petrochemicals, synthetic and other dubious ingredients, Nugg Beauty mostly forgoes using preservatives by formulating products without water.

Though made in the USA, the company is registered with EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC)—which has stricter guidelines for ingredients and chemicals used in personal care products. The pocket and purse-friendly packaging is minimized for less environmental waste and recyclable.

Info: nuggbeauty.com.

18 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

SUKI SKINCARE

ILIA BEAUTY

The company supports ethical manufacturing and packaging processes, using suppliers that support environmental initiatives (sustainable harvesting, sourcing fair trade, organic and local ingredients wherever possible, using wind power energy, using glass instead of plastic and biodegradable and vegetable-based ink.) Try Suki’s Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser with colloidal oats and sugar which gently remove dead skin cells for clearer, smoother skin. Info: sukiskincare.com.

Ilia Beauty is a makeup company with cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, natural and organic botanical ingredients (safe synthetics where needed). The company utilizes sustainable packaging using recycled aluminum, glass components and responsibly sourced paper. Ilia also uses Terra Cycle’s Zero Waste Box platform that recycles hard-to-recycle items (makeup packaging often falls in this category.) Info: iliabeauty.com.

VENICS BEAUTY Its tagline is “impactful green beauty.”

Venics Beauty products are organic, all-natural and sustainable, in reusable, recyclable and biodegradable packaging to reduce waste. Venics has partnered with GlobalGiving. For each product sold, a dollar goes to provide one day of meals to a child in need in rural Kenya. The Glowy Skin Makeup Removing Cloth is made with eco-friendly materials, is durable and ultra-soft. It can be used up to 1,000 times which equals 4,000 single use makeup wipes. Info: venicsorganic.com.

JUARA SKINCARE An absolute favorite company, JUARA Skincare utilizes Jamu, an age- old Indonesian herbal medicine practice, and exotic, nurturing ingredients that are vegetarian and free from harsh chemicals, artificial colorants and animalbyproducts. Hands dry from frequent washing and hand sanitizers can benefit from the Coconut Illipe Hand & Nail Balm. Info: love.juaraskincare.com.

LAVIDO Well-known throughout the world is Lavido which grows many of its skincare ingredients in their own Botanical Sanctuary in Israel. Ingredients not grown on property are ethnically and sustainably sourced in locations where said ingredients are abundant. The products are nonGMO, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

You’ll love the Replenishing Facial Serum and Age Away Hydrating Cream. Info: lavido.com.

GOOD CLEAN BEAUTY Tired of the hunt for safe, natural and chemical-free makeup and skincare products? Make your own. Good Clean Beauty (Rock Point) by Caroline and Isabel Bercaw, creators of the Da Bomb Bath Company, has over 100 natural DIY recipes to try. Recipes utilize easy-to-find ingredients, some found in the kitchen pantry to help you create scrubs, facial masks and even long-lasting foundation.

It’s also a fun activity to do with your tweens and teens. Available online and in stores. Info: quartoknows.com. •

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 19

STYLE

TRESS RELIEF

A GUIDE TO THINNING HAIR

By Ann Grenier

air, as we know it, highlights our style, acts as a security blanket, and boosts confidence.

When hair looks good, you want to show it off. But for the millions suffering from hair loss, there may be more bad hair days than good.

Thanks to cutting-edge products, devices, and procedures, this doesn’t have to be the case. While hair loss is common in men, the conversation has now started to include women, too. Factors like lifestyle and stress can lead to follicle fallout. But before you go on a self-diagnosing Google bender and freak yourself out, let’s all take a deep breath and get the facts straight.

SOLUTIONS TO HAIR LOSS There are many reasons why you may be losing hair— genetics, nutrition, stress—and any number of solutions to accompany them. New York Lifestyles recently met with Angelo David, owner and creative director of Angelo David Salon, who has seen it all. Whether your hair loss is acute or long-term, Angelo has developed solutions to help women and men obtain the hair they used to have, or the hair they have always wanted. Through 25 years of experience and hands-on research, he has developed a variety of cuttingedge products and techniques that have allowed his clients to maintain healthy hair at every stage of life.

Located on Madison Avenue, the salon boasts a team of highly trained staff members who are dedicated to making each client feel welcome and appreciated. Renowned for Couture Hair Extensions and Couture Wigs, Angelo David Salon also offers a full range of services and includes seven private VIP Hair Suites. The full-service salon offers— in addition to thinning hair solutions—the best in cut, color, color correction, and styling. Angelo’s vast experience with hair, hair health, and hair growth led him to realize that hair health issues often begin inside the body, not on the surface.

20 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Angelo David Couture Wigs ©Linda Covello

Here, Angelo’s top tips to prevent and address those facing hair loss.

Proper Hair Care One major tip Angelo advises is to brush your hair before you get in the shower. “Hair is weakest when it’s wet,” says Angelo, “When you brush it dry, you won’t see as much hair in your brush afterward, or as much breakage. Use a gentle detangling brush like The Flex Brush, which I helped design to work with the contours of your scalp. Start from the ends and work your way up, in small sections at a time.”

Proper Nutrition If your hair is thinning, look at your plate. Perhaps it’s lacking vital nutrients including biotin. Natural sources of this vitamin are in foods like eggs, liver and other meats, almonds, and salmon. Vegetarians and vegans may need to supplement due to the lack of biotin and other essential proteins that are the building blocks of healthy hair. Angelo’s hair supplement for men and women is called Hair Detox, which gently detoxifies the body, helps minimize nutritional deficiencies, addresses hormonal imbalances, and supports healthy hair growth from within.

Be Mindful Of Stress All forms of stress—mental and physiological—lead to inflammation in the body. “When the body is stressed, it pushes your hair follicles into a “resting phase,” so they do not produce new hair strands,” says Angelo. “Daily activities like driving, environmental stressors, demanding jobs, and poor diet can all contribute to stress, so it’s important to incorporate mindfulness and relaxation every day.”

Couture Hair ©Angelo David Salon Angelo David working ©Jaime Pavon

Avoid Over-Styling Though the sleek, high ponytails are in style and look great, pulling back your hair can contribute to hair loss and severe damage. “Pulling your hair into a tight ponytail is like cutting off circulation.

Especially if your hair is thin or falling out, you want to nourish your scalp and be gentle to your hair.” Before blow-drying, Angelo advises to always use a heat protectant product. If you insist on wearing your hair in this style, use a soft scrunchie. Before bed, use your fingers and massage your scalp, and leave your hair down while you sleep. “You want to increase blood flow to the scalp as much as possible so that the hair follicles can be healthy and strong,” says Angelo.

Seek A Pro If you are dealing with severe hair loss, seek out a salon that specializes in thinning hair solutions. Investing in a good quality wig or hairpiece can do wonders for your self-confidence. “Losing your hair can be a very emotionally traumatic experience,” Angelo notes. “By creating custom wigs for my clients, it looks natural. A high-quality hairpiece can instantly transform someone. It is not uncommon for my clients to cry tears of joy when they see their wig on them for the first time.”

For more information on the Angelo David Salon, visit angelodavid.com. •

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 21

STYLE

YOU GO, GIRL

MEET HANNAH FASTOV, THE FORCE (AND FACE!) OF GO DASH DOT

By Bailey Beckett

annah Fastov’s fashion sense and market savvy belie her young age.

Possessing confidence, knowledge, and know-how of a seasoned designer, it’s hard to grasp she’s not yet 30 (and looks ten years younger). But this mogul-in-the-making knows her stuff.

As the CEO and Founder of Go Dash Dot, Fastov, who previously worked in merchandising and product development for Brooks Brothers and Rag & Bone, has created a virtual market for something truly versatile: stylish bags for women that started for fitness enthusiasts and soon evolved as chic ways to carry regular dayto-day items, materials for work, clothes for the weekend, sweats for the gym, even days at the beach. It’s for a woman who “work,” “work out,” and “go out,” she says. With a collection that includes totes, backpacks, cross bodies and her own signature “puffle” (a re-imagined duffel worn as a hand or shoulder bag or crossbody), Go Dash Dot has generated a fanbase (including a few dudes who like the backpacks), brisk business and retailer base (hello, Neiman Marcus!). New York Lifestyles caught up with the straight-talking entrepreneur, who grew up in Westchester and now lives on the Upper East Side with her husband, over a brew at Java Girl.

Describe Go Dash Dot At Go Dash Dot, our ethos is simple: to create smart, sophisticated bags for the woman who does it all. Our collection of bags offers the perfect combination of fashion and function. With separate compartments for footwear, laptop, laundry pouch, cell phone, and additional pockets for all the necessities of life, the bag is machine washable.

We believe you should always carry your independence.

What inspired this idea?

Go Dash Dot is the result of my quest for the perfect carryall bag. After starting my career in the fashion industry, I realized that if I wanted to work out, go to work, and see friends or family, my day had to start at 6 am end at 10 pm, and required a lot of stuff. But I hated having my shoes thrown in my bag next to my lunch, my dirty gym clothes on display, and my water bottle always opening in my bag. Based on a survey I took of over 100 women, and my personal experiences Go Dash Dot was born.

Where are the products sold? How can you buy it?

Go Dash Dot is sold online (godashdot.com), Neiman Marcus (neimanmarcus.com), Bergdorf Goodman (bergdorfgoodman.com), as well as boutiques, fitness studios, hotels, resorts, and spas across the country.

22 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

How do you determine the designs and styles?

My inspiration comes from major fashion houses. We look for trending silhouettes and fabrications and then redesign them to fit the Go Dash Dot aesthetic—fashionable, functional, yet timeless.

When did you realize Go Dash Dot was going to be a success?

I knew Go Dash Dot was going to work when I saw people reacting to the bags precisely the same way I did when I came up with the concept— immediately understanding the necessity of a bag like ours.

What have you learned so far in launching the company?

The most important lesson is to listen to the advice and opinions of others to assist in my decision making. As a young, female entrepreneur with minimal business experience, I often felt overwhelmed and underqualified to be making business decisions. But I have learned that no one knows Go Dash Dot better than me, and I am smarter than I think.

Where do you see the brand in five years?

In five years, Go Dash Dot will be a profitable omnichannel brand designing functional and fashionable bags for women, men, and children.

Who inspires you?

My team! My small but mighty team inspires me to bring my A-game to the office every day, and together we encourage each other to push Go Dash Dot to be more innovative, more creative, and more connected to our consumers. •

STYLE

A WEEKEND GETAWAY PACK YOUR BAG WITH THESE MUSTS

By Gerrie Summers

eady for the spring getaway? Here are some must-have essentials to toss into your bag—and will take you from day to night.

CINDY KAREN

ARCOPEDICO

ONZIE

Cape Town These on-the-go basics are not only comfortable with a relaxed fit, but can be dressed up or down. The pants are perfect for business events and dinner, worn with heels, or for a more casual look with flats.

Another plus: they are wrinkle-proof, so they also pack well. The Cape Town slacks are available in several colors. Info: cindykaren.com.

Vegas If you want a shoe that is comfortable for day and still looks nice for the evening, Arcopedico’s Vegas shoe is perfect to take for your getaway. It’s easy to slip on, with a very comfy fit, almost like your feet are resting on a cushion. The dual-arch support system promotes a more even distribution of weight over the entire plantar surface. Info: arcopedicousa.com.

Tica Romper This romper is pretty handy on the road.

Not only does it pack well, but it can be worn several ways—for just lounging around, for yoga class and even as an outfit for lunch or dinner. It has a V-neck front, with high slits on either side (sexy, and also makes doing Warrior pose with ease). Info: onzie.com, yogaoutlet.com.

PHILIP STEIN Sleep Bracelet Nano Do long flights, endless trains rides, even hotel rooms make it difficult to fall asleep?

Perhaps this innovative bracelet can help.

The electrical activity in our brain and nervous system produces a bio-magnetic field around our bodies and this field interacts with other magnetic fields, both natural and man-made (like Smartphones and TVs). Some of these fields can have negative effects. The Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet Nano uses a Natural Frequency Technology that resonates with the body to help restore its ability to have deep, restful uninterrupted sleep. The effects seem to depend on the individual and the company suggests wearing it for a full 30 days to start seeing results (although some see results the first week). Don’t worry. There’s a 60-day money back guarantee and two year warranty. Info: sleepbracelet.com.

ANTHROPOLOGIE Antonia Wrap Bracelet Add a bold statement to just about any fashion with this wraparound bangle.

Beautiful rows of colorful beads catch the light and a dose of glamour, too. Designed with moonstone, garnet, pink tourmaline, or tiger’s eye and available in a variety of colors including cream, medium pink (shown), wine, green. Info: anthropologie.com.

LUCY PARIS Ayla Wrap Dress Lucy Paris fashions reflects the city girl lifestyle, blending “Parisian elegance, with a New York state of mind and California cool.” The line is inspired by cosmopolitan cities Paris, New York City and Los Angeles and are for the ladies who brunch, enjoy happy hour, dinner parties, and jet-setting. Who wouldn’t like a wrap dress for a springtime stroll in Paris? Info: lucyparis.com. •

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 23

TRAVEL

Pickering House Inn ©John Gauvin

PICKERING HOUSE INN A NEW HAMPSHIRE GEM

By Jeff & Stephanie Sylva

istinguished as “The Oldest Summer Resort in America,” the town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, attracted summer visitors primarily because of its location on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake. But this attractive New England town has grown to become a popular four-season vacation destination, often being referred to as “The Jewel of Lake Winnipesaukee.” And within this “jewel” of a town, you will discover another jewel— The Pickering House Inn. Barn at Pickering House ©John Gauvin

Opened in 2018, the inn proudly reflects Wolfeboro’s history as a resort town.

The building was constructed in 1813 by John Pickering and then purchased by his brother Daniel two years later to serve as his private home. For over 40 years, the stately building remained the home of one of Wolfeboro’s most prominent citizens and then continued to be a local historic landmark for generations.

By 2015 the Yellow House, as it was affectionately called, had fallen into a state of disrepair and was threatened with demolition to make way for commercial development. Into the picture stepped Wolfeboro residents Peter and Patty Cooke. The Cookes had a vision of creating a distinctive inn and a special place for social gatherings. Committed to the principle of preserving a strong sense of community, they devoted more than two years to painstakingly renovating Pickering House. The exquisite quality and attention to detail are evident throughout the inn. In 2019 the Pickering House Inn was selected by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top 30 hotels in New England. The inn was also named to the National Register of Historic Inns in 2019.

24 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

LIGHTHEARTED LUXURY

Today Pickering House Inn is a unique blend of the relaxed convenience and intimacy of a bed & breakfast, the charm of a historical property, and the luxury and personal service of an elegant boutique hotel. Despite the property’s age, modern comforts are not sacrificed. The inn’s spacious ten rooms each have unique décor (some of the room’s headboards are repurposed original doors) and include upscale amenities such as luxurious bathrooms with heated tile floors and electronic shower controls.

The inn’s common gathering spaces invite guests to quietly relax with a book and a glass of wine in The Living Room, on the wrap-around porch or by the outdoor fire pit; or commune with new friends over a board game in The Library or gathered around the counter in Pickering’s Kitchen. A variety of packages are offered seasonally, including the Chef ’s Table Wine and Dinner Series, the Museum Loop Package, and the Romantic Getaway.

Barn at Pickering House ©John Gauvin

DINING CHOICES

Like many B&B’s, a complimentary gourmet breakfast is prepared and served each morning by Chef Jonathan Hudak and his wife Chef Aleks in Pickering’s Kitchen. Hudak employs his New American-style cuisine to a range of dining offerings that go well beyond the typical offerings. In addition to evening light bites, snacks, and beverages, a variety of exceptional dining opportunities are periodically offered in Pickering’s Kitchen or The Barn at Pickering House, where the Hudaks have presented a number of soldout Chef ’s Table Dinners. These three-course dinners, presented nearly every week, are popular with community residents as well as guests. Main courses have included Red-Wine Braised Lamb Shank, Porcini-rubbed Pork Tenderloin, and Herb-Roasted Tenderloin of Beef.

Guest room in original Pickering House homestead ©John Gauvin

EXPLORE WOLFEBORO Wolfeboro offers plenty to do. During warmer months, enjoy the fun and beauty of Lake Winnipesaukee with the many water activities available. Rent a jet ski or boat and explore the lake or learn to water ski or wakeboard. Take a scenic cruise on the M/S Mount Washington or the Winnipesaukee Belle, or a ride in the vintage Chris Craft speedboat the Millie B. Swim at one of the many nearby public beaches or golf at one of three local courses.

The Hudaks’ gastro skills will soon be utilized in the Cookes’ next undertaking—The PAVILION, a restaurant named in honor of The Pavilion Hotel, which was built and operated by Daniel Pickering and his son-in-law.

The restaurant, set to open in the fall of 2020, will be the centerpiece of the transformation of the Avery Building, which is adjacent to The Pickering House.

Be sure to take a short walk into downtown Wolfeboro for other dining options. One dining choice we recommend is O Bistro at The Inn on Main.

Chef Brandon says that he and his staff are looking to “make classics new again.” A meatloaf entrée made with American Kobe Beef with New Hampshire Mushrooms is one take on this theme. Another is the Bourbon BBQ Turkey Tips. A couple of house favorites are Beef Short Rib Stroganoff and Seafood Carbonara.

Fo r m o re in fo r m at i o n o n Pi c k e r i n g Ho u s e In n , y ou c an v i sit pickeringhousewolfeboro.com; for Wolfeboro, visit wolfechamber.com. • ©John Gauvin

Or perhaps spend a full day on Wolfeboro’s Museum Loop (ride on the Millie B boat to the Libby Museum of Natural History and return on Molly the Trolley) to the New Hampshire Boat Museum. Here you’ll find the Wright Museum of WWII and the Clark House Complex of four authentically furnished historic buildings). Walk or bike the 12-mile Cotton Valley Rail Trail or take a hike in the picturesque Sewall Woods. Be sure to attend a production of the Village Players or a screening of a classic movie in their intimate theater.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 25

Together..

RESORT

GOLF

IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE T H I S W I N T E R AT W O O D L O C H !

SPA

MEETINGS

excellence

Woodloch provides unrivaled hospitality, engaging activities, countless amenities and enter tainment. Here, it's about families coming closer together, reconnecting, and having an experience you won't soon forget - you just have to see it for yourself.

W O O D L O C H . C O M | 8 0 0 . W O O D L O C H | IN THE NORTHERN POCONO MOUNTAINS

TRAVEL

KRIPALU CENTER FOR YOGA & HEALTH

SAY “OM” TO THIS RETREAT IN THE BERKSHIRES

By Meryl Pearlstein

oga lovers are familiar with the extensive programming offered at Kripalu, a yoga and health center in the Berkshire Mountains, just three hours north of New York City. But you may not realize that Kripalu is much more than yoga; it’s a center that fosters a way of life-based on wellness and mindfulness. It’s also a gorgeous getaway regardless of whether you’re a yogi or not.

Kripalu’s history began in 1983 when Shadowbrook, a structure used as a Jesuit educational center, was converted into a retreat for devotees of Swami Kripalu. The Yoga & Health Center now offers year-round programming that goes well beyond yoga. Outdoor activities on the 100-acre Stockbridge campus enhance indoor wellness in a comprehensive (and personalized) R&R program.

Especially enticing are hikes on the trails of the Yokun Ridge, paddling on Lake Mahkeenac and forest bathing, the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku. A new concept for me, forest bathing, is simply walking in the forest, a meditation in motion to build a connection between nature and yourself. I was also told that the scent of pines helps reduce stress.

While these experiences are especially lovely and visually striking when the foliage explodes with fall color (you’ll want to sit back and stare at the tapestry of leaves), the spring season is a wondrously tranquil time.

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS All programming is run by skilled faculty and educators. Book for a week or make it a long weekend escape. You can be involved and active or keep your schedule relatively uncluttered and let spontaneity guide your day. You’ll be joining a community of some 40,000 guests from around the country who visit each year, including locals who have made Kripalu a regular part of their day.

I filled my three-day schedule with yoga, movement, and education with a post-dinner spa appointment each night at the Healing Arts Center. Breakfast was a learning experience where I was challenged to fully embrace self-contemplation and focus on my meal in complete silence. Surprisingly, this was rather easy, as the all-natural food buffets were so good and the setting so beautiful that I didn’t need (or want) further distraction. It also helped kickstart the day by setting an intention, a good yogi practice.

But socializing is definitely part of the experience and YogaDance, workshops about stress control (or as it was called during my stay, “Centering from Riding the Wave,”), and cooking classes are all designed to foster community as well as learning. Lunches and dinners are anything but silent (unless you choose to sit in the silent dining room).

EASTERN-WESTERN TREATMENTS Kripalu’s Healing Arts program is an essential part of achieving wellness. With a broad range of bodywork, Ayurveda, and some 20 modalities to choose from, you can put together sessions to improve your health with a balanced mind-body-spirit connection. I chose a Kripalu Signature massage to start but then ventured into energy work. Reiki and craniosacral therapy from Kripalu’s master practitioners are designed to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, and balance energies. They also helped me sleep much better.

A variety of weekends offer specialists in many areas. Yoga retreats are popular featuring instructors like Colleen Saidman Yee and Rodney Yee, and Shiva Rea, well known for yoga and creative empowerment. In spring alone, the catalog shows more than 170 programs in a wide range of topics. Throughout the year, Kripalu has mother-daughter programs, women’s weeks, men’s weeks, meditation immersions, and other deep dives into learning and consciousness. Solo travelers are welcome, but you’ll be sure to leave with new friends and perhaps a return trip in mind.

Take-home learning from these sessions is your gift, and Kripalu’s beautiful shop has a library of self-care books along with clothing and yoga equipment to create a practice that continues after you leave.

Guests are encouraged to pack simply to enjoy the benefits of the retreat. Kripalu’s rooms are plain but comfortable, and the most you’ll need is workout clothing and footwear, and a casual dinner outfit. You can choose from accommodations ranging from group dorm rooms to singles and doubles in Kripalu’s all-green Annex. Cell phone use is discouraged and not allowed in public spaces or shared sleeping areas. Wi-Fi is available in the Café if you need to connect. By the end of your stay, you might forget how to unlock your phone anyhow.

GETTING THERE From New York, Peter Pan buses take you to Lenox, Massachusetts. Metro-North goes to Wassaic, New York. A shuttle to and from Kripalu is available on weekends and some holidays. Alternately, a drive up the Taconic or New York State Thruway will take about three hours.

For more information on Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health, visit kripalu.org. • 28 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

TRAVEL

THE OZARKS

Thorncrown Chapel

MORE THAN MUSIC & MUSEUMS

By Ruth J. Katz

ell, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I slept with the lights on, the night I spent in the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The facility cautions: “Guests check out, but they never leave.” Ouch! This very fitting tagline is grounded in countless documented incidences of paranormal activity, some of which have been reported on the Biography Channel’s My Ghost Story.

Built-in 1886, as its name makes clear, the hotel was a major destination for anyone seeking the curative waters of the sixty-some springs that bubbled up in the area. Countless stories of strange goings-on also percolated over the years; among the most notorious are those that revolved around one Dr. Norman Baker, a name that is a bit too close to that of Norman Bates, of Psycho fame.

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa Eureka Springs, Arkansas

GHOSTLY ADVENTURES

The so-called physician bought the building in the late 1930s and established the Cancer Curable Baker Hospital. Smart money says that nobody was ever cured here. When the hotel was bulldozing the grounds for a new outdoor activities area last year, workers discovered jars and jars of medical specimens. Last April, teams from the Arkansas Archeology Survey arrived in their excavating gear to meticulously unearth whatever else lay beneath. To wit: Hundreds and hundreds of glass containers among the gruesome surgical tools and other “artifacts.” Bottom line: The hotel offers ghost tours each night, and I will tell you honestly—and I’m no sucker—there is truly something worthy of The Twilight Zone going on here. You may want to sleep with the lights on, too!

The 1886 Crescent is but one attraction in the Ozarks— northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri. I was moved by the stunning, take-your-breath-away Thorncrown Chapel, snugly tucked into a leafy, woodland setting. It will serenely transport you to a place of calmness, with its soaring 50-foot high ceiling and its 425 panes of glass, measuring a total of 6,000 square feet, all of which provides unfettered communion with the surrounding towering oaks and cedar trees.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 29

Panoramic view of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

A STEP BACK IN TIME

Touring the charming Eureka Springs is also a must. In this architecturally charming village, there are classic Victorians, carpenter Gothics, and other period-style residences, almost all of which have been painstakingly and lovingly restored. The homes are awash in a vibrant palette of persimmon, burnt umber, and soft aquamarine, among the vibrant rainbow of hues. (Homes bear sweet appellations, such as “Daffodil Cottage.”) There are no traffic lights here, no stop signs, and no cross streets. Tour it all on the local trolley, and you’ll understand why it was named one of America’s Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Taking its name from the Eureka Springs and surrounding natural springs, the spellbinding Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, designed by storied architect Moshe Safdie, is another compelling attraction here. A gift from Alice Walton,

whose father’s original 5 & 10 store still stands here and is a museum-like “shrine,” the ingeniously structured buildings that comprise the museum are smartly ensconced into the surrounding, 120-acre wooded site. The permanent collection features five centuries of American masterworks. Also, on the grounds is the famed Bachman-Wilson House, a Frank Lloyd Wright jewel (transported from New Jersey), built in the master’s USONIAN (United States of North America) style.

Before leaving the area, grab a meal at the always interesting 21c Museum Hotel, part of the group bearing the same name, referring to the twenty-first century. The owners, art collectors Laura Lee Brown (think Brown-Forman) and Steve Wilson, wanted to establish a museum with a hotel, much as there are, mostly in Europe, restaurants with rooms. Of course, 21c is an excellent place to bunk down, but the revolving art exhibitions are even more of a draw and worth a visit.

FAMILY FUN

Across the state line, of course, into Missouri, is Branson, a targeted destination for its 40 entertainment venues. (Some can accommodate as many as 2,000 seats, and tickets are very reasonably priced.) The entertainment roster includes everything from country music performers to tribute bands to comedians and magic acts.

There are countless other attractions in and around Branson. I had time for Silver Dollar City, a 100-acre theme park that brings the Wild West alive. Of course, there are rides, like the daunting Time Traveler (think roller coaster on steroids), as well as countless snack kiosks, including a “shoppe” with the best cinnamon buns ever. I liked, above all, the authentically recreated artisans’ workshops.

There is something for couples, families, and large groups in and around Branson, including the Ozarks National Golf Course for the duffers; the Aerodium, a vertical wind tunnel that lets you, well, fly. For go-karters, there is Thunder Alley; for shoppers, there’s the storied Dick’s 5 & 10 with the advertising slogan, “The Last of an American Tradition” (and it is!); for curious kids (of all ages) there is WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park, featuring more than 100 hands-on educational and entertaining activities, including exhibits where you can experience zero-gravity, hurricane-force winds, or lie on a bed of nails.

Just don’t think about a bed of nails while at the 1886 Crescent!

For more information on The Ozarks, visit theozarktraveler.com.

Walmart Museum

30 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

©2020 Ruth J. Katz. All rights reserved. •

FEATURES

WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE?

By Sean-Patrick M. Hillman, A Third Generation Born & Bred New Yorker – A Native New Yorker

here is a species that is rarely spoken about in our society today…for fear of offending, potentially scaring, someone. This species represents some of the most experienced, strongest, and most vigilant beings the world has ever known…the Native New Yorker. Make no mistake about it…this species is dangerous and most certainly falls under the “In Case Of An Emergency, Break Glass” mentality that has played out in the likes of “Heartbreak Ridge” and many other Hollywood hits...especially when the antagonist is either a coward or someone who you just want to throw into oncoming traffic. But the question needs to be asked…where have all these cowboys gone? Those Native New Yorkers of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s that helped the new get acclimated, the jaded get schooled and the political to do what’s right? We are becoming virtually extinct.

I was born in Manhattan in 1976 during a Baby Boom. I was raised on Central Park West, but always found myself anywhere but…meaning if there was an experience to be had, I was there. While, yes, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I always ventured across the tracks to places that many don’t even know existed; places that were legendary for their time and are anonymous to the Me Generation like Save The Robots, Hell’s Angel’s Clubhouse, Limelight, Palladium, Danceteria, Peggy Sue’s, Nell’s and many more. Much like those who came before me, it was always the other side of the tracks that enticed illicit behavior. Yes, I was THAT guy. After all, at an extremely young adolescent age, I was nicknamed “The Kid” and began working one of the most notorious doors in the world. No, I won’t venture down that memory lane for this column, but you get the point.

In the 70’s through the mid-90’s, teenagers in New York grew up incredibly fast. It didn’t matter where you were born or whether you were “of wealth.” It mattered if you could walk it like you talked it. The dividing line in this town wasn’t necessarily the haves and the have-nots. It was more those who had street smarts and those that did not. Yes, every movie and TV show from that time period was right…art literally did imitate life. And I am proof of it.

Flash-forward a few decades and we have a generation of sniveling, whiny narcissist adults that resemble tantythrowing children who were just hit with a dodgeball in the face. What happened to that “edge” that New Yorkers were born with…that notion that nothing can kill us. What happened to the street-attitude that allowed everyone to just say “f*ck you” whenever they wanted? The very armor that I and my contemporaries were born with seems to be missing from anyone born after 1977 in “The City That Never Sleeps.”

So what happened?

©Steve Eichner / Getty Images

Sadly decades of political correctness, pandering to the 1% and reprioritizing city politics for the tourist have all but destroyed the culture and fabric that once broke the mold. But, in times of crisis…in times of need, it is those Cowboys…us Native New Yorkers, that are the first to stand up and run into the burning building. I can’t tell you how many times my wife Kylie has gotten mad at me for stopping a shoplifter at Duane Reade, or running into oncoming traffic to stop endless taxis and other cars from going past the intersection so that an ambulance or fire truck could get through more quickly. Let me caveat this a bit…Kylie wasn’t mad that I was helping ambulances and fire trucks get through… she has historically been more upset that I have risked my life running into oncoming traffic. And, lest we forget, during the horrific events of 9/11, we know how many of my fellow Natives perished; and how many in the years following from 9/11-related illness. Many were my friends.

And right about now, those friends are standing up there scratching their heads wondering what the hell happened to the Big Apple? Where have all of the cowboys gone? Some of us are still here. Some of us still fight the good fight. Some of us still believe in the old adage, “If you take care of your neighborhood, your neighborhood will take care of you.”

My point is simple…we need this next generation to step up and fill in the gap. We need to get back to basics as a city…we need to remember that this is OUR home and WE have to take care of it…politicians be damned. Folks like Curtis Sliwa have known that their entire lives. The founder of the Guardian Angels is one of, if not THE best example of what a REAL Native New Yorker is willing to do to protect the ones we love, the places we enjoy and the neighborhoods we call home. Native New Yorkers are the last, and best, defense for anything this city will face. We always have been…and always will be. After all, Cowboys ALWAYS stand up to oppression and uncertainty for the betterment of all.

©Martha Cooper

As my Mother’s friend Cindy Adams always says in her New York Post column, “Only in New York, kids, only in New York.” • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 31

FEATURES

THROUGH THE LENS Photography By AnnieWatt.com

CAMILLA WEBSTER EXHIITION AT THE PAUL FISHER GALLERY

JEAN SHAFIROFF HOSTS GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER’S FIRST FUNDRAISER AT ALICE+ OLIVIA, PALM BEACH

Camilla Webster

Jean Shafiroff, Amy Hoadley, Felicia Taylor Julie Hayek, Ron Burkhardt

Paul Fisher, Connie Nelson, Guy Clark

Anka Palitz, Matt Rich

Casey Tennyson, Jayne Chase

Charles Arthur Bane III, Camilla Webster, Ezra Hubbard

Joan Bruen, Jon Bruen 32 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Renate Cappelletti, Steve Eichner, Barbara Eichner

Stephanie Knollenberg, Pieternel Stoop

Countess Diane De La Begassiere, Tom Shaffer

Jean Shafiroff, Martin Shafiroff

KATHERINE SHENAMAN OF CALLIDUS AND KATHERINE SHENAMAN INTERIORS HOST A BENEFIT FOR 211 HELPLINE

Mary Bryant McCourt, Maggie VandenBerghe

Katherine Shenaman, Danielle Rollins, Harrison Morgan

CeCe Black, Lee Black

Nick Gold, Bram Majtlas

Sharon L’Herrou, Taniel Koushakjian

Jack Lynch, Jayne Chase, Tom Shaffer

Pamela O’Connor, Christine Schott Ledes Meg McCarthy, Amy Hoadley Jack Lynch, Roby Penn, Katherine Shenaman, Taniel Koushakjian, Danielle Rollins, Tom D’Agostino Jr.

Shae Gonzalez, Rashmee Sharma

David McClymont, Katherine Shenaman

Sharon Bush, Felicia Taylor, Robyn Joseph

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 33

PETER AND LENI MAY HOST WORKING IN CONCERT A PARTNERSHIP TO REIMAGINE DAVID GEFFEN HALL- IN PALM BEACH

ROBIN BAKER LEACOCK’S PBS DOCUMENTARY SCREENING OF A PASSION FOR GIVING

Jaynne Keyes, Milos Missy Hargraves, Katie Carpenter, Robin Baker Leacock, Christine Schott Ledes Paul Goldner, Sandra Goldner

Krystian Von Speidel, Vicki Kellogg, Heather Fernandez, Victor Fernandez

Candice Ku, Paul Fisher, Irina Fisher

Chris Kellogg, Lauren Shortt Pinto

Susan Efron, Arnaud Sussmann, Milos, Paul Efron Chuck Poole, Karen Klopp Doug Evans, Janet Levy

Gilan Corn, Mikolaj Bauer, Cynthia Friedman, Goli Kashani 34 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Toni Sosnoff, Martin Sosnoff

Dara Sowell, Missy Hargraves

STEWART LANE AND BONNIE COMLEY HOST BROADWAY HD MILESTONE

George Ledes, Lauren Day Roberts, Nick Gold

Stewart Lane, Bonnie Comley

Lisbeth Barron, Jose Gonzalez

James Coleman, Pamela O’Connor

Marilyn Swillinger, Mark Swillinger Cliff Washer, Carol Washer

Pamela Taylor, Tom Shaffer

Robin Baker Leacock, Mary Hilliard

Frank Morrow, Geri Morrow

Maya Johnson

Haden Hosford, Dr. Herbert Gould

Stewart Lane, Lenny Lane, Frankie Lane, Cliff Washer, James F. Comley

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

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 35

FEATURES

BITS & BAILEY

THE WHO, WHAT & WOW OF THE LUXE SCENE

By Bailey Beckett

nxiety, dears. That’s the current mood of late, but let Bailey tend those wounds with some TLC (tender luxury care). Times may be uncertain, but Bailey’s certainty is not. We will get through this, and life will return anew to the city we love. In the meantime, here are some guilty pleasures to soak into to escape.

INHALE

Are you feeling stressed? Join the club! We’re all a little on edge, but we don’t have to look it! Bailey was blown away by Repêchage, a new part of The Spa by Equinox Hotels at Hudson Yards. Founded by skincare visionary Lydia Sarfati, this modern oasis is quickly becoming the place to pamper for Manhattan’s elite. Especially with its new 90-minute Signature Restore & Renew treatment, which features a four-level, seaweed-based facial accentuated with an Ultrasonic Skin Spatula, LED Radio Frequency, EMS Skin Tightening Machine, and Kansa Wand. Ideal for all skin types, the treatment begins with cleansing and toning, followed with a hybrid glycolic acid peel and clay mask to improve the appearance of the skin.

Then, the real fun begins: C-Serum® Seaweed Filtrate, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, is massaged into the skin to help prevent dehydration. The third layer includes a cooling Seaweed Mask, topped off by a mineral-rich, thermal mask that heats to 101 degrees, allowing for total penetration of all four layers. Bonus: The treatment also includes a soothing scalp massage and Peppermint Sea Twist Leg Treatment. Savvy spa-goers might also consider Repêchage’s Red-Out Facial (for sensitive skin), Biolight Luminex Mask (all skin types), Opti-Firm Eye Contour Treatment (all skin types), Peppermint Sea Twist (body contouring), Thalassotherapy Seaweed Body Contouring Mask (body contouring) or the Cryotherapy Slimming Treatment (body contouring). Repêchage has been a leader in seaweed-based skincare products since 1980, and its products are available in the finest salons and spas around the globe. Info: equinox-hotels.com/nyc/wellness/spa.

EXHALE

One of my favorite pastimes is a staycation in an upscale New York hotel, and a perfect place to do it is the Loews Regency on the Upper East Side. I’ve written about this palace before and am obsessed with its signature suites, which sit atop the hotel and range up to 1,500 square feet with varying views of Central Park and the New York City skyline. I savored its Nate Berkus Suite, designed by its namesake (yes, Oprah’s favorite decorator), which features one large bedroom, living and dining rooms, and bird’s-eye vantage of Park Avenue. The décor is impeccable: sandblasted oak flooring, patinated metals, and layered furnishings, all reimagined by Berkus. Accents like seagrass wallpaper, black and white tiles in the hallway, handwoven photo by Fernando Bengoechea in the living room, and a curated gallery wall in the dining room featuring art and unique pieces. Berkus is a tastemaker supreme, and here he did not disappoint. Other signature suites at the Loews Regency include the Bohemian Suite, inspired by the eclectic aesthetic of SoHo and the clean lines of Chelsea; Bespoke Suite, which draws its inspiration from New York City’s vibrant fashion industry; The Grand Suites, inspired by cultural icon Marilyn Monroe; and the Pop Art Suite, immortalizes Andy Warhol. Info: loewshotels.com/regency-hotel/ accommodations/signature-residences.

36 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

RELAX

If you’re socially distancing and prefer to stay indoors, consider listening to something tranquil and romantic: music by Charlie Siem, the violin virtuosos/style muse who took the classical music world by storm several years ago, and the fashion world thereafter.

Classically trained with an impeccable ear and sophisticated stage performance, Siem’s matinee-idol looks have also made him a “must” for brands like Dior, Armani, Dunhill, and BOSS eager to associate themselves with someone so striking. And did I mention supremely talented? Siem’s album Under the Stars is a mesmerizing delight that is indeed music to your ears. It includes his masterpiece recording of “Canopy,” the first composition he’s ever written, which he performed with the English Chamber Orchestra. “A lot of happiness is related to the violin,” says Siem, who performs on the 1735 Guarneri del Gesù violin once owned by the King of Prussia and worth $15 million. “When it goes well during a performance when it feels like it’s falling into place, that is a state of pure joy. At those moments, when it all comes together, it feels like my life is relevant and has some meaning. That’s why I keep playing.” And we keep listening! Info: charliesiem.com.

SHARE

TAKE

Homebound New Yorkers can at least still savor some fine cuisine.

Bailey may have been late to tech, but he’s made up for it with furious ordering on his eclectic collection of Apps like Seamless (his favorite!), Uber Eats (perfect for the woozy morning after), Grubhub, Door Dash, Postmates and Caviar (fancy!) These magic little buttons get food to your doorstep in just minutes. Bailey has been known to order his rare Burger Royale from the Smith (American cheese, apple smoked bacon, pickles, shredded lettuce, red onion, 50/50 sauce, potato bun) on Seamless. Or how about that delicious Fusilli al Ferretto (artisanal fusilli, San Marzano tomato sauce, creamy burrata cheese, basil) from Felice on GrubHub. The food comes hot and fresh. So, in these times, don’t resort to whatever is left in your refrigerator!

As much as I love my creature comforts, I do like a surprise.

Especially when it’s a pop-up restaurant within a restaurant.

TriBeCa’s favorite Tutto il Giorno invited the owners of Florence’s famous Cantinetta Antinori to join them in creating a fourday menu and wine experience that combined their Southern and Central Italian roots and cuisines. Chef Duccio Pistolesi from Cantinetta Antinori and Tutto il Giorno’s Executive Chef Agostino Petrosino created an inspired menu including entrees like Gnudi Con Ferduta (Florentine ricotta and spinach dumpling on cheese fondue), and Branzino Alla Livornese (poached in livornese sauce, tomatoes, olives, and capers) to name a few. The three-course prix fixe menu also included Marchesi Antinori wines, which has been making wine for 635 years.

Of course, we all know Tutto il Giorno, an East Hampton favorite started by Gianpaolo de Felice and David Mayer, who dreamed of authentic Italian pasta bathed in Southern Italian influences.

They opened the Tribeca location in 2014. Together, these two icons put on quite an evening, and I’m told there will be more.

“Our collaboration with Marchesi Antinori has been a natural one,” says Tutto il Giorno’s Gabby Karan De Felice. “We take pride in our restaurant’s commitment to excellence and have enjoyed collaborating with such a storied, classic Florentine restaurant.”

I’m told there will be more, so stay tuned! Info: tuttoilgiorno.com. • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 37

REAL ESTATE & YOUR HOME

AROUND TOWN

130 William Street Residence

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

By TJ Johnson

he landscape of the Financial District (FiDi), where New York’s history as a city all began has seen many changes. The skyscrapers and canyons of today’s FiDi stand where the tiny Dutch settlement, and later the prime residential enclave of post-Revolutionary New York once flourished.

The narrow alleys of the area are a reminder of the scale of colonial America. However, except for a few fragments of old foundations, not a single building erected during the 40 years of Dutch rule remains. When the British Army withdrew in 1783 after seven years of occupation, the village of New York—which covered ten blocks north from what is now Battery Park—lay almost totally in ruins. But once New York City pulled itself together and began to push north, the city grew swiftly. Two blocks of low-rise commercial buildings from this early surge of development have survived: the Fraunces Tavern block and Schermerhorn Row.

Today, the entire area has been transformed from where cattle once grazed at Bowling Green Park. Now, FiDi features converted condos, bars, restaurants, parks, memorials, and new construction soaring into the sky.

Take a closer look, and you will find improvements to parks, new restaurants, bars, and the mesmerizing new construction.

38 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

25 Park Row Terrace

LIVING IN FiDi

Yes, people seem to be happy to call this neighborhood home.

Let’s explore a couple of new luxury buildings to call your own.

130 William Street Designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye who is internationally renowned as one of contemporary architecture’s most inventive leaders. With a total 244 units, the 66 storied building reaches nearly 800 feet tall.

Adjaye’s first New York City high-rise tower is a new addition to the New York City skyline. 130 William’s hand-cast concrete facade looks beautiful against the cityscape of Lower Manhattan.

It seems that there are endless amenities that are featured in this residential luxury building. Including a full-time doorman, a spa, on-site residential manager, rooftop access, an IMAX theater, golf simulator, fitness center, children’s activity center, and the list goes on. Info: Sales for available units range in price from $1,295,990 to $6,855,990. Sizes range from 847 to 2470 square feet.

25 Park Row Offering 110 residences, 25 Park Row is a 21stcentury architectural icon at the center of the New Downtown, providing unmatched views from every residence over historic City Hall Park. COOKFOX Architects has created the quintessential downtown luxury condominium, reinterpreting the classic Art Deco skyscraper through an expressive series of cascading terraces, setbacks, and loggias.

Residents can exclusively enjoy The Park Row Club—a richly appointed amenity suite designed by Studio Mellone, featuring vast leisure spaces, soaring ceilings, and grandly scaled windows overlooking City Hall Park. The Club offers a library and screening room, a lounge, a billiards room, a bar, a dining room, a playroom, a golf simulator, and a fitness center with a yoga studio and a 65-foot swimming pool. The Park Row Club Garden and Dining Terrace offers over 7,000 square feet of outdoor space for entertainment, relaxation, and play—including lounge and living spaces, a grilling kitchen, a trellised dining area, and a naturalistic playscape and a lawn. On-site parking for purchase and a discrete Theatre Alley entrance offer privacy and convenience. Info: Sales for available units range in price from $1,725,000 to $25,000,000.

Manhatta Bay Room

DINING OUT

With the boom in real estate, also means an infusion of more restaurants along with old favorites. Below are some of my favorites.

Joe’s Pizza FiDi This outpost a block from the Fulton Street subway stop serves out-of-this-world New York-style pizza. It’s a good option for an afternoon snack when you’re sick of granola bars, or for a latenight bite. Info: joespizzanyc.com.

Manhatta My other go-to restaurant is Manhatta. Endless views and delicious food—an absolute must located on 60 floors up at 28 Liberty Street. One of Danny Meyer’s shining stars offers down-toearth hospitality along with Chef Jason Pfeifer seasonal and soulful menu. Info: manhattarestaurant.com. • If you are interest in FiDi or any of the five boroughs, contact the StarrJohnson team and me at Brown Harris Stevens.

THELONIOUS “TJ” JOHNSON Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, LLC Partnering Worldwide

130 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 Direct: 212-317-3687; Cell: 646-236-7901; Fax: 212-319-3925 Email: tjohnson@bhsusa.com Visit him: bhsusa.com/thelonioustjjohnson

Joe’s Pizza

Member of Luxury Portfolio International Member of the Real Estate Board of New York APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 39

REAL ESTATE & YOUR HOME

BROOKLYN POINT A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY

By AP Connolly | Photos Courtesy Of William’s New York

t 720 feet, the 68-story Brooklyn Point has cemented the title as the tallest building in Brooklyn.

The tower offers a new level of luxury living in the borough. It is the first and only for-sale building at City Point, which is the largest food, shopping, and entertainment destination in Brooklyn.

“As the tallest building in the borough, Brooklyn Point represents a milestone for the borough.

The Brooklyn marketplace now competes with Manhattan and has significant demand for quality homes,” said Ari Alowan Goldstein, Senior Vice President at Extell Development Company. “We are experiencing tremendous success because our buyers appreciate the value of outstanding design, amenities, and unparalleled views coupled with the savings of a 25-year tax abatement.”

Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the skyscraper is designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox with interiors by AD100 designer Katherine Newman. Offering a mix of studio to three-bedroom residences, the luxury homes have been curated to reflect a sophisticated design aesthetic that combines art and utility, resulting in a modernist sensibility that embraces and reinterprets the past.

40 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

ELEGANT SOLIDITY “At Brooklyn Point, we wanted to honor the creative spirit of Brooklyn, while crafting a new landmark for the borough’s downtown,” said KPF Design Principal Rob Whitlock.

“To that end, we picked up on the diversity of scale and texture of the site’s context in the building’s expression. Brooklyn Point features a sculptural façade, with eclectic materiality that plays with light and shadow, giving the tower an elegant solidity.”

Adding to the building’s allure is an unprecedented array of lifestyle amenities and services spanning over 40,000 square feet. The building’s roof features the highest residential infinity pool in the Western Hemisphere, offering breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Adjacent to the pool is a landscaped rooftop retreat outfitted with a sundeck, al fresco dining areas, changing rooms, showers, and an outdoor movie screening space.

Living Room Master Bedroom

HEALTH FIRST Additionally, Brooklyn Point has a comprehensive health and wellness facility with a 65’ indoor saltwater swimming pool, 35-foot rock-climbing wall and yoga studio, Pilates and cycling studios, and a squash/basketball court. To complement residents’ wellness experience, Brooklyn Point’s spa includes an infrared sauna, men’s and women’s steam rooms, and hot tub.

Social and entertainment amenities include the triple-height Park Lounge, featuring a signature bar, salon, fireplace, and co-working space.

There’s also a chef ’s demonstration kitchen, wine library, game lounge, screening & performance room, private study, and children’s playroom.

Other amenities also include an outdoor oasis, designed by award-winning landscape architecture firm Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects. The ninth-floor landscaped terrace consists of al fresco dining areas with gas grills, a putting green, fire pit, lounge areas, terrace bar, and the Forest Adventure children’s playground.

ONE-STOP SHOPPING Located at City Point, a 600,000-square-foot mecca of retail, dining, and entertainment amenities, Brooklyn Point residents will have access to everything this neighborhood destination has to offer. City Point is home to a Trader Joe’s market, Target, Century 21, Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, and DeKalb Market Hall, an epicurean food hall with over 40 vendors, including Katz’s Deli, Ample Hills Creamery, Pierogi Boys, and more. Brooklyn Point is close to 11 subway lines and will be across the street from the new one-acre Willoughby Square Park.

Info: Model residences are now available for prospective buyers to view on-site. Pricing for the studio to threebedroom residences start at approximately $900,000 and Brooklyn Point buyers also benefit from a 25year tax abatement. To schedule a private on-site showing, please visit brooklynpointnyc.com or call 718-222-5770. •

Residential Lobby

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 41

REAL ESTATE & YOUR HOME

65 CENTRAL PARK WEST

OLD-WORLD DETAILS WITH MODERN COMFORTS

By AP Connolly

esigned by renowned and celebrated architect Emery Roth, 65 Central Park West is an excellent full-service cooperative building. It is an ideal and premier location, just steps to wondrous Central Park.

Built in 1929, the 16-story building offers exceptional living on the West Side. The open loft-like formal expanse of Apartment 6FG is perfect for year-round entertaining. With a total of six rooms, it’s old-world details and modern comforts all set in an excellent fullservice building make this a very desirable place to live.

THE RESIDENCE

THE AMENTIES

Pre-war details and grand scale, full of exquisite architectural details including highbeamed ceilings, pristine crown, and baseboard moldings, decorative trim, beautiful hardwood floors, original detailed decorative mantel. The gracious layout offers distinct entertaining and private living with two bedrooms on one side and the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom on the other side of a loft-like living/dining room.

This open entertaining expanse was designed to maximize space, scale, and light with a side-by-side formal living room and dining room, an elegant entry foyer, a welldesigned open kitchen with great storage and natural light. Top-of-line appliances include a six-burner Viking range oven with a professional hood, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Sub-Zero wine refrigerator, and Meile dishwasher. There is a separate laundry room with a washer and dryer for your convenience.

65 CPW maintains a full-time doorman, concierge, and live-in superintendent and has a bicycle room and storage bins. The building is pet friendly. Ideally located in the 60s, the building is minutes to Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, and some of the best restaurants, museums, and shopping destinations the city has to offer.

42 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Price: $3.2 million. For more information on 65 Central Park West, contact Susan Rubin or Stephanie Kanner at Fox Residential at foxresidential.com. •

WESTPORT, CT I $12,900,000 I MLS#170105271 Leslie Clarke Homes, 203.984.1856

WESTON, CT I $4,750,000 I MLS#170267131 Leslie Clarke Homes, 203.984.1856

GREENWICH, CT I $3,650,000 I MLS#107877 Janet Milligan Associates, 203.253.1770

FAIRFIELD, CT I $3,600,000 I MLS#170261757 Al Filippone Associates, 203.258.1595

GREENWICH, CT I $3,499,000 I MLS#104473 Janet Milligan Associates, 203.253.1770

GREENWICH, CT I $3,495,000 I MLS#107601 The Magyar Team, 203.550.1929

POUND RIDGE, NY I $2,295,000I MLS#6002517 Nikki McMann, 917.349.4763

NEW CANAAN, CT I $2,195,000 I MLS#170265026 Jack Horstmeyer, 203.536.5106

FAIRFIELD, CT I $1,995,000 I MLS#170269233 Denise Walsh & Partners, 203.650.1583

WASHINGTON, CT I $1,650,000 I MLS#170228742 The Matthews Group, 860.868.0511

FAIRFIELD, CT I $1,639,000 I MLS#170269088 Susan Tortora, 203.331.3395

CHAPPAQUA, NY I $1,595,000 I MLS#6000807 Joanne Milch, 917.744.3207

WARREN, CT I $1,525,000 I MLS#170268343 The Matthews Group, 860.868.0511

FAIRFIELD, CT I $1,525,000 I MLS#170264727 Leena Krook, 203.685.1148

WASHINGTON, CT I $1,350,00 I MLS#170240744 The Matthews Group, 860.868.0511

REAL ESTATE & YOUR HOME

164 EAST 72

ND

STREET

A DREAM COME TRUE

By AP Connolly

his romantic and chic pre-war Penthouse is atop one of Lenox Hill’s elegant co-ops located at 164 East 72nd Street. With over 1,250 square feet of lushly planted wrap terraces, several greenhouses, open city views south, north and east, this sun-flooded apartment is a dream come true.

164 East 72nd Street is a beautifully maintained small, white glove cooperative building with a 24-hour doorman, new state-ofthe art gym, landscaped courtyard garden, private storage, bike room, central laundry and live-in super. The co-op now allows 75 percent financing.

THE RESIDENCE

With a total of three bedrooms and a library and four and a half baths, this extraordinary residence will leave you breathless. The living room has a wood burning fireplace and greenhouse framed by huge windows, terraces and open skyline views. The adjoining library with a second wood burning fireplace has French doors opening onto a gorgeous terrace with ample space for dining and relaxing. The windowed eat-in kitchen is renovated with top-ofthe-line appliances, a granite dining island, and terrace-access.

This leads to the formal greenhouse dining room. There is a washer dryer and a powder room off the kitchen.

The romantic master bedroom suite has a third wood burning fireplace, high ceilings and French doors opening onto a divine private terrace. There’s an adjacent sitting room/home office and a massive dressing room/walk in closet. The master has two renovated bathrooms, which can remain separate or be combined into one large bath. Two more guest bedrooms have private, renovated baths. Central air conditioning. Info: Price $4,950,000.

This is a co-exclusive with Fox Residential and Brown Harris Stevens. For more information on 164 East 72nd Street, visit foxresidential.com. • 44 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Your Invitation Beyond the Gates

Stay & Play Packages This is your invitation beyond the gates to 3,500 acres of adventure, tranquility, luxury lodging, and fine dining.

Call to Create Your Custom Getaway Club Memberships and Private Residences Available

2.5 Hrs. From NYC - Richmond RI • ThePreserveRI.com • 401.539.4653

HEALTH & WELLNESS

TELEMEDICINE

TRANSFORMING THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE

By Ryan McQuaid

oday, new technologies continue to innovate the way we conduct and provide healthcare services. Virtual platforms that allow for remote professional treatment are improving access to healthcare for populations that are traditionally marginalized by the industry.

To put this in perspective, here are some of the facts about discrimination in modern American healthcare.

• The mortality rate for African-American infants is almost 2.5 times higher than it is for white infants.

• Nearly a third of transgender people reported being denied services on account of their gender identity.

• Even when controlling for insurance status and income, some racial and ethnic minorities are still more likely to receive lower-quality healthcare.

•In rural communities, the physician-to-patient ratio is 39.8 to 100,000 compared to 53.3 to 100,000 in urban areas.

Facts like these are symptoms of a system riddled with discrimination.

Fortunately, new technologies are changing the landscape of healthcare by empowering patients with greater access, control, and efficiency.

RESHAPING HEALTHCARE

Enter PlushCare, a leading virtual health platform that offers primary healthcare and virtual doctor’s visits to patients in all 50 U.S. states.

With over 150,000 users and counting, patients are connected to the best physicians from the top 50 medical institutions in the country via desktop or mobile devices. PlushCare accepts most major insurance plans, and patients have access to quality primary care consultations and can get diagnosed, treated, prescribed medication or have lab testing.

The brainchild of Dr. James Wantuck and Ryan McQuaid, this unique platform brings world-class doctors, on-demand lab testing, affordable pricing, and same-day appointments with the patient’s choice of provider. Treating over 3,500 medical conditions, PlushCare strives to make the patient’s healthcare experience with doctors stress-free and is available on the PlushCare mobile app for iOS and Android.

At PlushCare, for example, patients can skip the trip to the physician’s office and schedule a remote appointment with an online doctor. In this way, digital health providers are disrupting the healthcare industry by bringing down costs, improving efficiency, and prioritizing the patient experience. Likewise, groups historically marginalized by the healthcare industry are finding new avenues for inclusion via digital services.

IMPROVED ACCESS

It’s simple. Access is faster and more convenient when you don’t have to leave your home to speak to a doctor. For those in rural communities, remote appointments save lives. One of the most important issues facing people in rural areas is the distance between themselves and health services.

Between January 1, 2010, and August 21, 2019, 113 rural hospitals closed. In rural areas, there is an additional 22 percent risk of injury-related death in comparison to urban areas. Likewise, those in rural communities make, on average, $9,242 per capita less than those in urban places.

Digital healthcare offers lower costs and removes the need for travel. Furthermore, outbreaks like the coronavirus/ COVID-19 where the practice of social distancing is so important, the CDC even recommends telehealth options like PlushCare as the first line of defense in order to avoid contact with others in doctor’s offices and waiting rooms.

46 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

AFFORDABLE CARE

So far, we’ve been telling you that digital healthcare will save you money, but how? The answer isn’t complicated. Did you know most studies find that at least 30 percent of emergency room (ER) visits are non-urgent?

Similarly, 79.7 percent of adults visit the ER due to lack of access to other providers, and 54.5 percent say their visit was because their doctor’s office was not open. With digital healthcare, these concerns evaporate. Online doctors are always available for appointments, giving patients another option to rely on instead of racking up unnecessary bills in the ER. Today, digital healthcare can help low-income patients with no health insurance. Compared to adults with private or public insurance, uninsured adults are more likely to go to the ER because they have no other options at the time of visit. With PlushCare, uninsured patients can receive a remote consultation for just $99, saving patients potentially hundreds of dollars.

Digital providers also save patients transportation costs and allow you to make appointments that conveniently fit your busy schedule.

MORE ADVANTAGES PlushCare offers a Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) program to help prevent the contraction and spread of HIV. Thousands of LGBTQ community members who suffer disproportional rates of exposure to HIV have already begun taking PrEP with PlushCare. We have a 90 percent adherence rate in our PrEP program and have had 0 reported cases of HIV for those enrolled. Patients taking PrEP are required to meet with a doctor every three months before receiving prescription refills, and we attribute our high adherence rate to the convenience of our online appointments.

Additionally, mental health is one of the defining medical concerns of our time. One in every five American adults experiences mental illness. Therapy services are expensive and in short supply. In rural communities, youth are twice as likely to commit suicide in comparison to those in urban areas. These needless deaths are particularly tragic because depression and anxiety are 100 percent treatable. That’s why digital mental health services continue to grow more popular, offering online therapy sessions, medication prescriptions, and monitoring to ensure treatment plans are followed. Solutions to our mental health crisis exist, and digital health care is improving access to them like never before.

BARRIERS TO OVERCOME We still have a way to go to make the healthcare industry fair for all, and digital services will need to overcome some key obstacles. For one, it doesn’t matter that you can see a doctor remotely if you don’t have access to the internet and technology like phones and computers.

Digital comprehension is also a necessary skill to navigate the many online services.

Likewise, the industry will have to continue to prove its worth to providers who have resisted integrating telemedicine services into their practice for any number of reasons, the most common being a desire to avoid the expense and hassle.

Finally, diversifying the industry’s production will be vital in reducing AI and programming bias. With these challenges in mind, digital healthcare continues to grow each day, evolving to help those who need it most.

For more information on PlushCare, visit plushcare.com. •

DR. JAMES WANTUCK, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER Dr. Wantuck treated many patients who traveled long distance to see him, and this along with his frustration of the lack of modern technology in healthcare helped plant the seed for PlushCare to be born. Dr. Wantuck received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and went on to get an MD at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2010. He completed his residency at Stanford University Medical Center, and is board certified in internal medicine. Dr. Wantuck grew up in Rochester, NY and currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

RYAN MCQUAID, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ryan graduated from The University of California with his undergraduate degree. While in college, Ryan prided himself in being a student athlete where he had unlimited access to quality healthcare services. He understood this is not common for the average person, and with the current state of U.S. Healthcare, he knew he wanted to lead efforts in making quality healthcare access seamless and affordable for the everyday citizen. Prior to launching PlushCare, Ryan led AT&T’s MHealth Platform.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 47

HEALTH & WELLNESS

ELITE METHOD

COACHING CHILDREN TO BE THEIR BEST

By Bailey Beckett

ife coaches are the perfect accessory for successminded people, or those just looking for a positive change in their lives or careers. But for children?

Welcome to Elite Method, a new program designed by husband and wife team Michael and Rachel Dube.

It provides a new concept providing kids and teens with coaches to help build confidence, self-esteem, socialization skills, and physical and mental fitness through sports skills.

The program is targeted to parents looking to give their kids an early “success plan” they can apply to every aspect of their lives, from the playground to the field, classroom, social life, and even family life. “We are a private coaching program for children that combines physical skills development and confidence coaching,” says Rachel. “Our goal is to help every child push the limits of their potential. Elite Method takes a highly customized approach to work with every child to build on their strengths and unique personalities.”

Rachel & Michael Dube

A METHOD THAT WORKS Serving families throughout the New York City/New Jersey area, the program currently staffs 16 coaches—all with experience working with kids, physical fitness, and social/emotional development—that Elite Method that matches with the significant needs of children who enroll. “We have every type of child in this program,” continues Mike. “After all, who doesn’t need a confidence boost and an edge in today’s age? Our clients range from kids who are afraid to catch a ball to those who are super athletes on school teams. Both types of children can often lack confidence and have social skills challenges. Whether the issue is impulse control, shyness, hyper-competitiveness, lack of focus, or anything else, we identify the specific challenges and work on addressing them. Our youngest client is four and our oldest is 16.”

The science is clear: this method works. In a joint research project by the Aspen Institute and the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Easel Lab, it was found participation in sports has also been associated with a variety of social and emotional competencies. Children with strong social and emotional skills are more likely to have positive work and family relationships, graduate college, succeed in their careers, and have better mental and physical health outcomes.

The study also found that physical activity provides youth with opportunities to build self-efficacy and perceived competence. Participation in physical activity provides opportunities for participants to learn and use critical social, emotional, and cognitive skills that ultimately improve performance and well-being in sports, school, and life.

It’s that science, and years of in-the-field experience they developed from their previous sports programming business, Dubezone, that inspired the couple to create Elite Method. “In that time, working with thousands of children, I learned a tremendous amount about what makes some kids successful and left others struggling. It became clear that helping a child develop sports skills was wonderful and important, but it didn’t address the core issue of boosting a child’s confidence and helping them navigate an often-confusing world. Confidence is what gives kids the ability to feel good in their own skin and to want to make their mark on this world. I was determined to create a program that combined both fundamental sports skills training with a social/emotional component that would allow children to develop their social skills and confidence. Children need to feel good on the ‘inside’ and the ‘outside,’” says Rachel.

48 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

THE HEART & SOUL Finding the right coaches is an elaborate process with several screening levels—including an extensive background check and review of how they interact with children.

“Our coaches are truly the heart and soul of our business,” Mike says. “They come to us with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We have PhDs and grad students, physical education instructors, mental health workers, personal trainers, and teachers. They all have years of experience working and relating with children of a variety of ages and skills. Additionally, all have an advanced level of athleticism and knowledge on how to teach children sports and fitness properly.”

The Dubes don’t need scientific journals to tell them their method works. They see it before their eyes. “Our success can be attributed to two factors,” Rachel explains. “First is the extraordinary amount of work that went into the development of the methodologies we use in this program.

We spent 18 months collaborating with the best specialists and experts in child development before we ever took our first client. We incorporated best practices from fields such as child psychology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

“Second, is the phenomenal work our coaches do in truly getting to know every child and what drives them,” Rachel continued. “They observe and listen attentively.

They don’t judge and they are solely focused on giving every child whatever support it is that they need to feel more confident and content with who they are. They are mentors, cheerleaders, and advocates. Watching these relationships blossom has been very moving and hearing from parents how their child has made great strides is incredibly rewarding. The testimonials from parents inspire us to work even harder and continue to innovate and support as many kids as we can!”

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS But the husband and wife are not resting on their laurels. As the company grows—Miami, LA, Chicago, and Dallas are next—they are always fine-tuning and improving.

“There is also a tremendous amount of work being done behind the scenes by our staff and coaches,” Rachel says proudly. “All kinds of data analysis, lesson plan, and curriculum development, progress tracking, report writing, etc. Communication is a key part of our program. These reports are an invaluable tool for parents to get a true understanding of their child’s development and progress by an objective third party. Parents can also choose to share these reports with any other professionals working with their child, including doctors, therapists, or schoolteachers. Collaborating with the clients’ entire support team is important, so we can all work together towards achieving our client’s success.”

Inevitably, parents are always anxious to see results right away.

Most parents working with Elite Method will notice subtle but meaningful changes in their child’s social and emotional growth.

Kids in the program learn how to identify and control their emotions. They exhibit more patience, resilience, and improved listening skills, the couple says. Their motivation increases, and they are willing to try new things and express their thoughts and feelings. Ultimately it is this kind of growth that leads to a more capable and confident child.

For more information on Elite Method, visit theelitemethod.com. • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 49

HEALTH & WELLNESS

A TIME FOR REBIRTH

By Peter M. Kalellis

pril has a significant meaning to the life of many cultures, for they live in anticipation of the abundant fruits that Earth is destined to produce. Most of these people find the land fertile and ready to plow and plant seeds in the hope that the response will be favorable come Fall.

But for those of us who prefer to live in our urban lifestyles, there is another message that we are offered. Strive for excellence, be fruitful and ambitious. Already you are in good shape intellectually, and all you need is to find several outlets for your energies. You may not be a farmer, but you are a planner. You are the boss.

LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY

Okay, dear boss! You are in charge, independent, curious, and interested in results. You know what you want and why you want it. You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are a peacemaker, and you do the very best to enjoy your life. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your ideas, your love, ideals, wealth, and work. Does this sound like you?

Within your belief system or a religion, whether you belong or not to a church, temple, or mosque, the task of cultivating your fundamental values would be more comfortable and more productive. Involvement in a religious group can create a feeling of belonging, communal ties, a caring connection with people.

The dynamics of a group interacting and pursuing a common goal, under the genuine guidance of a trained spiritual leader can be most potent.

Your human potential, with its spiritual principles, can provide comfort and hope, compassion, and love. Imagine if all human relationships began with the belief that people are innately wonderful and beautiful—and with an inner capacity to love. It may be hard to believe this, yet beyond our superficiality, we are people with a potential for love. With practice, we will realize that we can look through others instead of just at them; we will understand others with a capacity to love despite some outwardly unloving behaviors.

AN IMPERFECT WORLD

A FEEL-GOOD EXPERIENCE

Technology, with all its benefits, has replaced intimate interaction among people.

Our children are mesmerized with computerized knowledge: Texting has replaced verbal communication and socialization. Our schools have fallen short in teaching respect, duty, or responsibility. Entitlement has become an epidemic. As a result, we have a generation that does not accept restraint, does not know goodwill, or peace, or altruism, or true faith. Can you give your potential some thought?

A meaningful spiritual framework, where people share an understanding of similar issues and support each other, will enable you to face life’s adversities with courage and intelligence. It can give you a feeling of acceptance. It can offer you opportunities to discover a sense of purpose in your personal life. The power of faith is interwoven in the lives of millions. Faith has sustained countless people through difficult times. Sometimes, faith operates in small quiet ways, sometimes in profound transformative experiences. •

You may ask why even take the trouble? Because we are imperfect and do live in an imperfect world with imperfect people, our peace of mind, the health of body and soul are dependent on the relationships we establish with others. Think, for all of today’s talk of love, the fact remains that never has the world been so lacking in love, self-absorbed, hostile, cruel, rejecting, contemptuous, and indifferent.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods are horrific, and we feel sad for the victims, if we are not affected, after a brief period of compassion, we forget about them.

Never have human hearts been so weak in faith, as are the hearts of many modernday members of society. War and massacres no longer disturb us; we can hardly hear the needy who beg for help at our very doorstep. We are busy—with nothing.

We talk—of nothing. Our neighbor, our brother or sister, cries for help, and we do not listen.

50 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

It is the Springtime of 2020. Why not remind yourself, as you travel down the road, that you are a worthy human being and you can do good deeds for others?

It can be a feel-good experience. And if someone in your path mistreats you or blocks your growth with negative thoughts, try to understand that these people project on you their mental conditions.

WWW.KWreal.cOm | infO@KWreal.cOm

VACATION RENTALS

SALES SERVICES

Spend

more time

in the place you love.

OUTER BANKS VACATION RENTALS & REAL ESTATE SALES joelambjr.com • joelambrealty.com • 800-552-6257

Welcome to Harborside resort montauk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FOOD & DRINK

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE A GUIDE TO PICK-UP & DELIVERY IN NYC

By AP Connolly

ith New York City shuttered, it’s a dark day for those of us who live and breathe food and its endless diverse dining scene. The closed doors, the gated windows, are jolting reminders to those who still venture out. Of course, we are optimistic and feel that dining as we knew it will again return. It will be difficult. But we will, in the end, endure.

So, for now, until the city comes back to life, New York Lifestyles urges readers to support your favorite restaurants—large and small.

Doing so will help the restaurant owners, staff, farmers, purveyors, and all those who have a stake in this incredibly trying time.

To accomplish this, we’re presenting a list of restaurants that provide take-out and delivery to your door. Please check the website for special pick-up times. More restaurants will be added in the weeks to come.

We wish you more delicious meals—Bon appetite.

MANHATTAN

BELL BOOK & CANDLE 141 West 10th Street Wine, beer, and lots of food make a satisfying trio. Look for Chipotle BBQ Beef Quesadilla and Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna Nachos, among others.

Info: bbandcnyc.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Grubhub 52 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

BENJAMIN STEAKHOUSE 52 East 41st Street The restaurant offers its full menu, as well as packaged meats for delivery.

Info: benjaminsteakhouse.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Grubhub, Seamless

BROOKLYN CHOP HOUSE 150 Nassau Street Inventive dim sum and chops plus everything from homemade dumplings and noodles to Prime Steaks and Chops. (See our review in this issue.)

Info: brooklynchophouse.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Seamless

CARMINE’S 2450 Broadway The entire menu is available for online delivery from the Upper West Side location.

Info: carmines.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Yes

CUCINA & CO. 200 Park Avenue Main dishes that include turkey dinner, eggplant Parmigiano, fried chicken, and chicken pot pie are available.

Info: patinagroup.com/cucina-cometlife Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Grubhub, Seamless

IL MULINO 37 East 60th Street Enjoy the regular Italian menu; there’s also a family-style meal available. Wine and beer with pick-up only.

Info: ilmulino.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Doordash, Postmates

KATZ’S DELICATESSEN 205 East Houston Street All signature dishes, including pastrami, corned beef, and knishes.

Info: katzsdelicatessen.com Take-out: Yes Delivery: Caviar

LEGACY RECORDS 517 West 38th Street Three-course meals are available at this Hudson Yard’s restaurant. The Northern Italian menu is excellent.

Info: legacyrecordsrestaurant.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Caviar

LINCOLN RISTORANTE 142 West 65th Street Risotto, ravioli with lemon ricotta, panini, and lots more—plus 20 bottles of wine.

Info: lincolnristorante.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Grubhub, Seamless

MINETTA TAVERN 113 Macdougal Street You can still sink your teeth into the iconic burger. The Black Label burger is back—and can be yours for home enjoyment. Call in your order (212475-3580). Check their website for additional options.

Info: minettatavern.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Yes

OSTERIA MORINI 218 Lafayette Street Look for 20 percent off all orders (food and beverage) placed over the phone. Additionally, their Classic Negroni, as well as beer and wine, are available for purchase.

Info: osteriamorini.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: DoorDash

RED FARM 2170 Broadway Chef Joe Ng’s significant dim sum and spicy larger dishes will never disappoint.

Info: redfarmnyc.com Take-out: Yes (Call 212-724-9700) Delivery: Uber Eats, Postmates, Caviar

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 53

RUSS & DAUGHTERS 127 Orchard Street Bagels, lox, and a whole lot more are available for take-out and delivery at the Lower East Side location.

Info: russanddaughters.com Take-out: Yes Delivery: Caviar

RUSSIAN SAMOVAR 256 West 52nd Street Borscht, Chicken Kiev, and lots more are offered for delivery.

Info: russiansamovar.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates

SAN CARLO OSTERIA PIEMONTE 90 Thompson Street It offers delivery of its signature menu, including eggplant Parmigiano, pork tenderloin, and more.

Info: sancarlonyc.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Seamless

SHOJI AT 69 LEONARD STREET 69 Leonard Street Chef Derek Wilcox offers boxed sets of familiar and unfamiliar sushi for $80, $120, and $150.

Info: 69leonardstreet.com Pick-up: Yes (Call 212-404-4600) Delivery: No

TAMARIND 99 Hudson Street Avtar Walia’s offers his entire Indian menu as well as the famous Malai halibut and extensive Tandoori selections.

Info: tamarindtribeca.com Take-out: Yes Delivery: Yes

T-BAR STEAK & LOUNGE 1278 Third Avenue T burgers plus prime steaks make the perfect dining option for home.

Info: tbarnyc.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Postmates

THE OUTER BOROUGHS

AINSLIE (BROOKLYN) 76 Ainslie Williamsburg’s popular eatery offers up wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, NY steak, free-range chicken and more for delivery.

Info: ainsliebk.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Caviar 54 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

EVELINA (BROOKLYN) 211 Dekalb Avenue Fort Greene’s Mediterranean-Italian standout offers delivery on its entire menu.

Info: evelinabk.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Yes

FAUSTO (BROOKLYN) 348 Flatbush Avenue Italian favorites are available for dinner. The restaurant also offers select wines from its cellar.

Info: faustobrooklyn.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Caviar

FETT SAU (BROOKLYN) 354 Metropolitan Avenue A definite Brooklyn hot spot for its excellent barbecue.

Info: fettsaubbq.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Grubhub, Seamless, Caviar

FRANKIES (457) SPUNTINO (BROOKLYN) 457 Court Street Its pasta dishes are legendary. Best of all, you can order fresh pizza from its sister F&F and combine it with some wine from Frank’s Wine Bar. Call it one-stop shopping.

Info: frankiespuntino.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Grubhub, Seamless, Caviar

RED HOOK TAVERN (BROOKLYN) 329 Van Brunt Street Order up a few Red Hook cheeseburgers to have on hand as you binge on Netflix/Hulu/Amazon.

Check their website and order through their website.

Info: redhooktavern.com Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Yes

DiWINE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR (QUEENS) 41-15 31st Street Deliveries are daily. Check the website for hours.

Info: diwineonline.com Pick-up: No Delivery: Grubhub, Seamless

HAHM Ji BACH (QUEENS) 40-11 149th Place Flushing’s Korean newcomer has begun delivery (additional $5) and pick-up on their exceptional barbecue menu. Call-in orders.

Info: hahmjibach.nyc; 718460-9289 Pick-up: Yes Delivery: Yes

ANTONIO’S TRATTORIA (THE BRONX) 2370 Belmont Avenue With a menu philosophy of cooking Old World-style. So, it’s little wonder that the comfort food at this spot is rib-sticking.

Info: antoniostrattoria.com Take-out: Yes Delivery: DoorDash, Postmates

STATEN ISLAND JIMMY MAX (STATEN ISLAND) 280 Watchogue Road As the restaurant’s owner recently said, “We’re not going anywhere!”

Look for a full menu of pastas, burgers, salads, and more.

Info: jimmymax.com Pick-up: Curbside Delivery: Yes

THE STONE HOUSE AT CLOVE LAKES/VIOLETTE’S CELLAR (STATEN ISLAND) 1150 Clove Road The Stone House and Violettes Cellar have combined forces for take-out and delivery. Everything will be produced at Violette’s Cellar for pickup and delivery online.

Info: thestonehouse.com Take-out: Yes Delivery: Yes

ENZO’S OF ARTHUR AVENUE (THE BRONX) 2339 Arthur Avenue A limited menu of appetizers, pizzas, pastas from this popular restaurant.

Info: enzosarthurave.com Pick-up: Yes (curbside) Delivery: No

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 55

FOOD & DRINK

BROOKLYN CHOP HOUSE A NEW WORLD OF STEAK

By Patricia Canole

ne thing you can guarantee in New York City is that you won’t find a shortage of American steakhouses. While the serving of steak in restaurants originated in French-style eateries in mid-1800s, today’s venues are American through and through and hold on to their heritage, places such as Brooklyn’s Peter Luger and Manhattan’s Keens Steakhouse, both dating back to the 19th Century.

And like serious carnivores, we will go to the ends of the earth to seek out a perfectly marbled, expertly seared steak. We’ve tried dry-aged and wet-aged beef from corn-fed cattle, and grass-fed pure-bred organic cattle raised on small farms. The cuts may vary, but they have one thing in common—they are deliciously superb.

Chinese dumplings take on a new meaning with such fillings as Philly Cheesesteak, French Onion Soup, Bacon Cheeseburger.

56 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

A NEW BEGINNING

Owners of Brooklyn Chop House Robert Don Pooh Cummins & Stratis Morfogen

Fast forward to 2020: Steaks turn international with Korean and Greek steakhouses, and what we think is the most creative of them, all sitting in the shadow of the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge.

If one defines a steakhouse by a combination of high-quality cuts, contemporary aesthetics, and knowledgeable service, the Brooklyn Chop House certainly sets the example in the new wave of multi-cultural steakhouse restaurants.

Nestled in a Beaux-Arts building at Nassau and Spruce Streets, a block away from City Hall, the 150-seat restaurant offers a traditional ambiance, along with a hip industrial look of exposed ceiling duct work and brick walls, with the clientele nearly as well-dressed as the California Lobster Avocado Salad.

The brainchild of restaurateur Stratis Morfogen, entrepreneur Dave Thomas, and music industry leader Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins, the restaurant offers New York City a unique appetizer menu of dishes that would easily fit into any Chinese restaurant. At the same time, the entrees exemplify the best of steakhouses.

Brooklyn Chop House started as a summer pop-up restaurant in the Hamptons and debuted last year in the Financial District, its name a play on both a meat chop and chopsticks. “There might not be a restaurant around that will serve a 4 lb. lobster, 3 lb. dry-aged Porterhouse steak, and 7 lb. Peking duck carved tableside complemented with lobster and chicken fried rice, French fries, onion rings, and wok onions and mushrooms,” Morfogen told us. He calls this divine trio his LSD. Morfogen, whose other investment ventures include Phillipe Chow and Jue Lan Club, is passionate about offering an East meets West menu with panache. His Chinese dumplings take on new meaning with such fillings as Philly Cheesesteak, French Onion Soup, and Bacon Cheeseburger, to name a few. Also order the addictive Peking Duck Tacos.

With the popularity of his dumplings, Morfogen has authored a book due out in October, Damn Good Dumplings: 60 Innovative Favorites for Every Occasion (Page Street Publishing). In it he shows just how easy it is to merge American flavors with the classic dim sum favorites.

Cucumber Vodka Collins

THE MAIN EVENT Now to serious surf and turf pleasures. Our table enjoyed the flavorful 16 oz. Filet Mignon grilled medium rare with a side of onion rings.

For fish lovers, The Drunken Branzino came with a savory broth and bite-sized bits of fish done to perfection.

Pastrami dumplings

Other popular entrees include Kung Pao Chicken and the 48 oz Prime Dry-Aged Porterhouse for two. Finish off your meal with Vanilla Ice Cream served with Crispy Apple Wontons.

In this trendy neighborhood, a bar crowd is a given. Brooklyn Chop House assures this lively crowd top-shelf drinks (try the Smoked Boulevardier, made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Campari, and Sweet Vermouth). The restaurant also offers an excellent choice of wines as well as a variety of craft beers. •

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 57

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ON THE SMALL SCREEN

By Jenny Peters

THRILLS, CHILLS & CRIMINALS BAD EDUCATION HBO Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney and Ray Romano star in this TV movie that’s part crime caper, part comedy and all kinds of ridiculous. Based on a real happening in Long Island, New York, this group of highschool administrators and teachers tried to pull off a massive embezzlement scheme— and succeeded for a while. With a script written by Mike Makowsky, who went to the school when this brazen attempt happened, this one’s stranger than fiction.

DEADWATER FELL Acorn TV David Tennant stars in this disturbing mystery series, as a man whose family dies mysteriously in a house fire. As the community around him comes together, a brutal reality emerges, for someone has set the fire. Written by Grantchester creator Daisy Coulam, the four-part miniseries Deadwater Fell is full of twists, turns, betrayals, and much more. Cush Jumbo and Matthew McNulty co-star.

DEFENDING JACOB Apple TV+ Based on the best-selling novel, this limited series is a whodunit of a particularly creepy kind. For when the teen son of an assistant district attorney is accused of a senseless murder, the family must face up to the reality that their boy might be a sociopath. With Chris Evans and Michelle Dockery in the parental leads and Jaeden Martell as Jacob, this is one disturbing tale of love versus justice.

HOME BEFORE DARK Apple TV+ The power of smart girls is an integral part of this mystery thriller based on the real-life journalistic investigation of a nine-year-old. In this limited 10-part series, Brooklynn Prince stars as the kid who’s determined to be a reporter who finds herself investigating a mysterious incident in her journalist dad’s early life.

Does she solve the crime?

Tune in and find out!

58 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

RUN HBO Lovers of Fleabag need to race over to HBO to see Run, the latest from the genius minds behind that award-winning show. Vicky Jones is Phoebe WallerBridge’s creative partner; she takes the lead on this one from a Waller-Bridge idea. It’s a tale of a long-separated couple who promised to come running if one or the other ever texts the word “RUN”; when that happens, all hell breaks out in this exciting mystery thriller starring Domhnall Gleason, Archie Punjab and Waller-Bridge herself.

THE WALKING DEAD: THE WORLD BEYOND AMC Throwing out another spinoff of the original hit show The Walking Dead is a no-brainer for AMC since the first two have been so popular. This time out, the story focuses on younger characters who have always lived with the flesh-eating zombies who walk the earth. Most of the characters are high-school kids, but Julia Ormond also stars in a key role in this continuation of the human vs. zombie story which began in the comics back in 2003.

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS BELGRAVIA Epix Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes returns to television with this historical story of London society in the 1800s.

It begins just as the Battle of Waterloo takes place and follows the stories of different members of the British aristocracy as they navigate the post-war times. Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Alice Eve, and Tamsin Greig lead the stellar cast in what’s sure to be another feather in Fellowes’ cap.

PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS Showtime Posited as a “spiritual descendent” of the original Victorian Penny Dreadful series that ran from 201416, this new iteration jumps to 1930s Los Angeles. Also created and written by John Logan, this time out, two LAPD detectives (Daniel Zovatto and Nathan Lane) encounter both mysterious and supernatural events that garnered the original multiple awards and nominations in its three-season run.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 59

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CATCHING UP WITH MARIA VAN VLODROP FOUNDER & CEO OF MVVO ART

By Harry Brads

aria van Vlodrop is known within New York art circles for her innovative art venture comprised of a team of advertising, art, and technology professionals. Her dedication is boundless in creating new opportunities for artists, art lovers, and brands to discover each other and form powerful partnerships.

In 2018, Maria, who is a global business executive, created AD ART SHOW to celebrate creativity and the artists from advertising who create art outside of their day jobs. That year, AD ART SHOW debuted successfully at Sotheby’s in New York with 100 artists. The show will be held at the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center this coming fall. MvVo ART is poised to reimagine and redefine the relationship between Art & Commerce.

New York Lifestyles Magazine sat down with Maria van Vlodrop to discuss her career and what to expect at MvVO ART’s AD ART SHOW 2020.

Tell us where you were raised.

I grew up in Switzerland in an Armenian family with American dreams. It was my father’s life-long dream, and it became our family story. Perhaps it was all the books about California that he read to my brother and me when we were growing up? After I received my degree from the London School of Economics, we moved to New York City. I was working as a BBDO Account Executive for the U.S. Navy account when I became a citizen. The Navy flew a flag in my honor, and the entire agency celebrated my citizenship. It was one of my proudest moments.

What did you do before MvVO ART? I worked in advertising and business development in New York and internationally. Aside from BBDO, I worked at Ammirati Puris Lintas, Y&R, Euro RSCG on the business development side—always working closely with creative teams. When I realized it was time for a change, I delved into the technology side of the business, working with Toyota, L’Oréal, Honda, and Hyundai.

I love advertising. A great campaign is entertaining and persuasive.

It’s also a collaborative creative endeavor—the result of a group of talented individuals working as a team. AD ART SHOW celebrates the talent and creativity of the artists making those campaigns happen.

How did you get involved with art?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in art. I grew up in a house full of art! My parents collected, and our walls were always full of art. I often visit galleries and art fairs.

A lot of my friends in advertising are artists, and that was the original spark that led me to found MvVO ART. I realized all these talented, passionate artists had no platform to show their artwork? Many notable and famous names in art started in advertising. It’s always been the industry that gave them support and employment. From Toulouse-Lautrec and Magritte to Haring and Warhol—there’s no reason for the Art World and the Advertising Industry to be separated.

They should be partners. I started MvVO ART to create partnerships that allow these artists to get discovered.

60 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Maria van Vlodrop ©Patrick McMullan

Why did you start the AD ART SHOW? I quickly realized that the ad world needed to have its art show. I also realized I’d have to enlist people in both art and advertising to make it happen. That was my big idea. I took a copy of Andy Warhol’s famous Marilyn Monroe portrait and a brief written description of the AD ART SHOW concept and then mined my network to get one-on-one meetings with people who could help me make it happen. They got it! They loved the idea.

Linda Vaccarino of NBCUniversal immediately came on board as our first sponsor. Then I went to a gallery opening with my friend Eleanor Kobel and met Laura Skoler from the Board of Directors at the New Museum, and she became our first connection to the art world. Linda is now the chair of our selection committee and my art world mentor. She introduced me to Eric Shiner, from the Warhol Museum. At that time, he was the head of contemporary art at Sotheby’s, and Eric latched on without hesitating. I remember him saying that his grandfather was an art director and an artist. Let’s have the show at Sotheby’s! Then I called my former boss David Sable, CEO of Y & R who championed our launch in the advertising world.

This year will be the third year for AD ART SHOW, what have been some highlights of previous years?

Our debut at Sotheby’s in 2018 was remarkable! We had a diverse group of 100 artists, a sold-out VIP opening party, and art, advertising, fashion and media visitors pouring in during a three-day show in a gorgeous setting, plus lots of press coverage and excitement!

Then Sotheby’s began a renovation project, and we didn’t want to lose our momentum by skipping a year, so in 2019 we took a radical step and brought our art directly to the streets of New York. We turned the LinkNYC digital street displays into art galleries in key neighborhoods during Frieze Art Week.

While we were working on our LinkNYC plans, we connected with Westfield, and they invited us to bring our all-digital show to the huge screens in Santiago Calatrava’s Oculus at the Westfield World Trade Center. This was a game-changer. The foot traffic is staggering and the screens are enormous. It’s a fantastic marriage of art and technology.

Westfield World Trade Center ©Patrick McMullan

MvVO ART AD ART SHOW at Westfield World Trade Center 1 ©Patrick McMullan

Why did you make the transition from a traditional studio art show to the digital format?

When one door closes, you create another door, and that’s what we did.

Jumping to an all-digital format enabled us to show more art to more people. Our mandate is to create opportunities, to connect artists with art lovers and collectors, and to help artists get discovered.

We have our MvVO ART online gallery on Artsy for AD ART SHOW artists where the work can be purchased. It’s another aspect of the digital revolution. We’re using technology that is associated with advertising to create our art show platform. It’s what MvVO ART is all about!

What can guests look forward to at this year’s AD ART SHOW? We’re back on the Oculus in 2020—with more artists, more sponsors and partners, and more support from both the advertising industry and the art world. Nicole Purcell, the President of the Clio Awards, will personally give our show’s winner a special Clio.

Being entirely digital makes us agile and open to new opportunities.

Right now, it’s all about bringing everyone downtown to the Oculus to see an incredible month-long art show on gigantic screens.

Where do you see yourself, MvVO, and the AD ART SHOW in the next five years?

We’re on the path for expanding outside New York to other art/ advertising agency hub cities—like LA and Paris. We started that thread showing at Shibuya Stream in Tokyo. As an all-digital show, AD ART SHOW is positioned for both real-life and virtual art experiences that will enable us to bring artists and art lovers from all over the world together.

We’re also expanding on our already-impressive social media presence.

Instagram and LinkedIn have been critical to our growth. In five years, I’m confident that we will be working on new social media platforms to promote our artists and connect with new sponsors and partners.

The key to AD ART SHOW’s future is getting more agencies on board and adding a few more significant sponsors who want to connect with our audience. I’d like to see AD ART SHOW grow and continue to innovate—reflecting the creativity in both the art world and the advertising industry.

For more information on MvVO ART SHOW, visit mvvoart.com. • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 61

NEW YORK, NY

PAWS DOWN, TAILS UP SPRING ESSENTIALS: THE BEST BETS FOR YOUR PET

By Lori Zelenko

pring essentials for your pooch and kitty. We looked far and wide to find the most practical, healthy, and fun products—from fashionable to functional—for pets and pet parents to experience as the season’s change. So, get a jump on it and try one of our seasonal musts.

AGELESS PAWS FIRST SATURDAY LIME SPOT THE DOG Ageless Paws freeze-dried dog and cat treats and food toppers are made in the USA with just one healthy, grainfree ingredient each: raw, wild-caught salmon, beef, chicken breast, turkey heart or bison liver. No additives, preservatives, fillers, antibiotics or added hormones, just 100% animal nutrition, delicious, healthy goodies to pamper your best furry friends. Small, bite-sized pieces make them perfect for training! Info: agelesspaws.com

The strongest and safest pesticide alternative on the market. Safe enough for use around kids and pets, yet it is strong enough to dry up insects. This is nature’s formula—an easy solution that repels pests and protects the lives of loved ones, animals, gardens, and our earth. We love that it is natural and safe—not just for dogs but for horses or goats (and yes, pet parents too). Info: firstsaturdaylime.com.

Whether you’re hiking in the deep woods, or running along a city street, Spot the Dog® reflective wear makes sure your four-legged companion is highly visible and safe. Between the styling and the quality, Spot the Dog is truly a winner! From bold tartans to neon shades for collars and coats, the looks are fashionable and fun, great for city or country dogs. We love that you can see our pups in the dark and so fashionably too! Info: spotthedogvt.com.

BRUTUS BROTH

FAUNA CARE

MERRICK FRESH KISSES NUTRA BITES

This family-run business evolved from a commitment to enhance canine diets—while giving back to the community.

Brutus Broth is packed with nutrients, minerals and amino acids, bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse for dogs with benefits such as gut, digestive and joint health, and improved immune systems.

And FYI it is super safe as it is manufactured and packaged in USDA-approved facilities and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Info: brutusbroth.com.

We all recognize that animals play an important part in our lives. Fauna Care’s mission is to help provide the finest care possible to all our furry, fuzzy, and scaly friends. Cuts, wounds, burns, hot spots, and dermatitis can be painful for your pet so it’s important to know that Fauna Care’s no touch sprays make it easy to apply these healing formulas to irritated or infected areas without causing further discomfort. Editor’s note: Their silver spray is a miracle worker! Info: fauna-care.com.

Merrick Fresh Kisses are allnatural dental treats that deliver two big benefits at once: clean teeth and truly fresh breath thanks to the innovative doublebrush design and all-natural breath freshening ingredients. As dogs chew, Fresh Kisses works to remove plaque and tartar while mint breath strips, coconut oil and a combination of botanical oils (mint, lemongrass, and rosemary oils) freshens breath naturally.

Info: merrickpetcare.com.

Bite-size treats are made with one single, nutritious ingredient: Bison liver. This top-grade protein is low in calories and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. These tasty treats can help your dog: maintain a healthy weight, support digestion and boost overall health. Not only is top-grade, nutrient-rich bison liver the main ingredient, it’s the only ingredient. That way, you can treat your dog worry-free. My two won’t come to the door without one. Info: ultimatepetnutrition.com.

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 63

HAUSPANTHER

OLEY HEMP CAT LITTER

CAT PAW CANDLES

As satisfying for cats as they are for people, each Hauspanther toy encourages a different kind of play behavior from stalking and pouncing to chasing and tossing, keeping cats active and entertained. Abstract shapes, unique textures and sophisticated colors make the toys look like modern art on your living room floor. Who says cat toys can’t be beautiful and functional? Look at the Hauspanther Collection by Primetime Petz.

Info: shop.hauspanther.com.

OleyHemp is on a mission to save the planet by practicing sustainable and organic farming practices as well as providing nontoxic products for your family, pets, and home. Their cat litter is all natural, made from 100% USA grown hemp. It is 100% biodegradable as well as paraben and toxin free. Seven times more absorbent than leading clay litter, OleyHemp is odor free and an excellent choice for pet owners who chose to live a natural lifestyle. Info: oleyhemp.com.

The purrfect gift for Cat Lovers, these cute, cool Cat Paw candles with 40 hours of burn time are made from pure vegetable wax with highly concentrated fragrance.

Carefully designed and hand poured with love and passion, they come in a charming gift box that’s a fun memory to keep as a delightful reminder of the 6 oz. candle within. A wooden lid and seal keep your candle fresh. Info: catpaw. shop.

SOCIAL CBD

PIBBORAFI

AMUSE POOCH

Dogs and cats, like humans and other ver tebrates, have endocannabinoid systems. Social CBD PETS Broad Spectrum Drops interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system to help support your pet’s overall well-being. Made with 100% hemp-derived broad-spectrum CBD extract, fractionated coconut oil, all-natural herbs and spices, and a product promise of 0.0% THC, Social CBD PETS provides a pure, powerful, and honest wellness experience for every furry friend. Info: socialcbd.com.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hold an adorable soft, cuddly puppy in the palm of your hand? A plush pup who has a heartwarming story of finding its fur-ever home? This dream comes true with the authentic and lovable collection of lightweight, palmsized children’s toys modeled on real life rescue dogs. Pibborafi® Rescue Heroes— adorable plush creatures—are not only a fun toy for children (age three and up) but they give back too. Info: pibborafi.com.

Made only with USDA beef or ethically, pasture-raised chicken breast, Amuse Pooch Chicken Chips and Beef Chips are crunchy, healthy, and fun to eat, one crunch and you can see the consistency is like tortilla chips. A unique cooking process makes these single ingredient treats safe for pooches and for the humans handling them. Best of all, for the pet parent who totally adores their pooch, the bags can be customized with Fido’s picture. Info: amusepoochtreats.com.

PROBIORA PET

WAGALONGS

STICKII CLUB

Freshen your pet’s breath with ProBioraPet. A unique, once-a-day all-natural probiotic powder that supports and maintains good oral health for your companion pet... Just the way nature intended. Sprinkle on your pet’s food once daily. There’s no odor or taste. Naturally whitens your pet’s teeth as it restores your pet’s natural balance of beneficial bacteria. ProBioraPet is a breakthrough probiotic powder specifically designed for your pet’s oral and dental care.

Info: probiorahealth.com.

When the owner of Wagalongs munched on her favorite Girl Scout cookies, and then looked at her own beloved dog, Max, she had a flash of inspiration: create equally delicious peanut butter treats for dogs. Certainly, dogs cannot eat Tagalongs cookies, but dogs can surely eat the delicious Wagalongs treats so lovingly made for them.

Wa g a l o n g s a r e nutritious peanut butter dog treats made with both natural and organic ingredients Info: amazon.com.

More cuteness than you ever thought could be stuffed in one package! Sticker collections for all those that love things super kawaii (Japanese cuteness culture).

The Cute All The Doggos pack is filled with so many adorable stickers of dogs, sticker fanciers will be out of their minds with delight…there’s a Corgi Butt sticker patch stating ‘I 3 dogs’, a dog shaped paperclip, a literal hot dog notepad and of course the best decal ever by @corgiyolk and so much more! Info: stickiiclub.com.

64 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

LIL’ ARCHIES No matter how much poop picking up you do, Lil’ Archie’s poop bags will sustain you: durable, sturdy and won’t break or leak. Helping to eliminate singleuse plastic bag waste, these poop bags are 100% compostable, easy to open, easily tear off from the roll and meet strict industrial facility and home compost certifications. Packaged in boxes made of recycled materials ready to be recycled again upon disposal. Made with less packaging materials BUMBLEBEE PET COMPANY DOO LOOP (no plastic or cardboard spools); sustainable A modern leash accessory for those Lil’ Archie’s bags take their commitment to the There’s nothing worse than feeling like you tired of carrying dog waste. The environment seriously. Info: lilarchies.com. aren’t doing the best for your dog. Sometimes Dooloop frees your hands for better it’s hard to come home after a long day and things, morning coffee, a phone call, convince yourself to take the dog outside wave to a friend, push a stroller, hold for a walk. Bumblebee Pet Company created a hand! No need to carry bags full of the Tagalong a small plastic clip to hold full poop when out on walks with your bags of dog poop on your daily dog walk. dog. The Dooloop is made in Maine Secure the tag to your leash, stroller handle, of non-toxic, compostable plastic or backpack and let Tagalong do the dirty and hand-assembled, for zero-waste work. PS: A portion of Bumblebee proceeds packaging; useful, affordable and helps local animal rescue organizations. Info: lightweight. Info: thedooloop.com. bumblebeepetco.com.

EQUIGROOMER

EVERLANE LINT ROLLERS

WINSTON MANNER

The perfect grooming tool for dogs, cats and of course, horses too. Equigroomer gently removes loose hair, dirt, and dander on all parts of your pet’s body, including their legs and bellies. Tiny barbs grab dead, scaly hair and pull it out from the ends rather than digging down into the coat and potentially scratching sensitive skin. Many pets find this grooming process relaxing.

Cats especially appreciate the EquiGroomer because it mimics a cat’s tongue.

Info: equigroomer.com.

No matter what the season, it’s important to keep stubborn pet hair at bay, as it often gets stuck on furniture, clothes, and curtains.

Evercare, known for their quality lint rollers can help keep pet hair under control. Evercare boasts an extreme stick adhesive, coupled with razor-cut, easy-tear sheets, to easily and efficiently pick up pet hair, lint, dust, and debris. Info: evercare.cleanerhomeliving.com.

This Spring’s must have fashion accessory for your dog? A Winston Manner dog harness and matching collar or leash. Find a style that best suits your dog’s personality or follow the trend and go with the season’s fashion fad - from denim to polka dots, Winston Manner has it all.

Get ready for Fido to be the talk of the town. Flirty florals or manly macho gear, Winston Manner has what’s perfect for your pooch. My two love to strut their stuff in these uber chic harnesses! Info: winstonmanner.com.

ROCCO AND ROXIE

FRISCO STRIPED POLO

BANDANAS UNLIMITED

What do you get when you fall in love with two furry friends, an exuberant labradoodle and one cool tabby shelter cat? Meet the furry family members who are the inspiration for Rocco and Roxie, an outstanding line of super-effective products for pets and devoted pet parents. Started with love and motivated by the confidence of knowing that every product genuinely works, Rocco and Roxie are committed to using only the best ingredients. My dogs are insane for their jerky treats! Info: roccoandroxie.com.

When it comes to that fashion essential in a Spring wardrobe for your dog or even your fashion forward cat, Frisco has a selection of polos in a poly-cotton blend that are soft and ultra-wearable. The fabric is breathable so they’re outdoorfriendly, and the pullover design is quick and easy to put on. Sporty, fun and practical…what more could a pet parent ask for? Made by and for a family of pet lovers. Info: chewy.com.

Is your dog the life of the party? Outgoing and joyful? Or lower key, looking for love quietly on the sidelines? No matter what your pet’s personality, Bandanas Unlimited has a bandana to match. With three to a pack and six sizes, there’s sure to be one to match their mood and fit their size, so stock up, Summer’s coming and no self-respecting pup will be seen catching a frisbee without an “unlimited” bandana. Info: walmart.com. •

APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 65

HAPPY HEALTHY HEMP TREATS CALM

HAPPY

THRIVE

MOBILITY

TINCTURES

Anxiety is no fun. Especially for dogs. Our 100% natural blend of full spectrum hemp oil, hemp protein and chamomile is the best way to help chill upset stomachs, tenseness, and bad tempers when things get stressful. Your dog loves being happy, just like you do. Toss them a treat, help them relax.

There’s not a dog on earth who isn’t happy when they get a treat.

Our sweet potato pumpkin, full-vegan, treats make them even happier with health fortifying full spectrum hemp oil.

It’s a good treat for a good dog, which, let’s face it, is all of them.

A healthy dog is a happy dog. Our proprietary formula is full spectrum hemp oil blended with big-time inflammationreducing, immune system boosting ingredients like rosemary, ginger root, and seven other herbs.

One treat a day helps keep your friend going strong deep into their twilight years.

Whether it’s chasing squirrels, playing catch, or tearing circles around your house every night, your dog needs exercise to stay healthy and happy.

Our full spectrum hemp oil formula, loaded with all-natural ingredients like turmeric and willow bark, reduces the aches, pains, and inflammation of joints and muscles.

Good feels for a good dog.

Our pure, human grade Broad Spectrum tinctures are an alternative to our treats and biscuits. Perfect for cats, dogs with dietary issues, or owners who want to control how much hemp oil they give their pets based on weight and need.

No THC

SCAN CODE ABOVE TO VIEW LAB TEST RESULTS

All Natural

Organically Grown

Non GMO

petness.com

Lab Tested

@petnesscbd

NEW YORK, NY

MANNERS FOR OUR TIMES DOING THE RIGHT THING COUNTS

By Lillian Langtry

et’s admit it, we slip up occasionally. Perhaps we don’t respond to e-mails in a timely manner.

Or, we swear under our breath from time to time. But we’re doing OK, right? Do we need to worry about correct behavior? The polite answer is “Yes!”

With all of the noise around us ranging from social media channels and 24/7 news, it is little wonder that etiquette on occasion has been put into a second, third, or last place in our society. Child psychologists are already grappling with the idea that virtual assistants such as Google, Siri, and Alexa will respond to commands without requiring a “please” or “thank you.” Will this generation struggle even more with understanding the subtle niceties of polite discourse?

Although times change, some of the fundamentals of good manners and etiquette do not. Here are three golden rules for timeless good behavior that are worth remembering to enjoy the new roaring twenties. Proper individual etiquette has an enduring role at the more significant level of society. After all, if we were to all practice good manners, wouldn’t the world be a more beautiful place?

TREAT OTHER WITH RESPECT

One of the purest, forms of doing right in terms of displaying good manners is to treat others with respect. Regardless of work or perceived position or wealth and power, properly interacting with others sends a powerful signal and also reinforces in yourself the importance of doing things right. It is an old aphorism but treating people on the way up as you would wish to be treated on the way down is a touchstone for developing good manners— think of etiquette like a muscle in the human body—it too needs a workout to maintain strength and conditioning.

TECHNOLOGY HAS ITS PLACE

Living in a high-tech world can be incredible. However, knowing when to use it—and more importantly, when not to—is essential to avoid missing out on developing good relationships. In just 25 years, nearly everyone now owns a cell phone. A large percentage of those users have Smartphones which add the power of the Internet. Personal safety, as well as displaying consideration for others, are the watchwords for using technology.

Reading/texting at a dinner table, during a meeting, or social gathering could imply that the user is uninterested in those they are with or value others on the other end of the phone a lot more. And need we even mention that using a cell phone while walking/driving is medically proven to be a distraction that can have disastrous consequences.

If we were to all practice good manners, wouldn’t the world be a more beautiful place?

TAKE YOUR TIME

In our world today, we often feel that we have no time, which can be translated into short, infrequent interaction with those who do, could, and should be at the center of our lives. Making time to be polite with others is as vital as the 30-second phone call or shout-out as you jump into the car/train/subway/office.

Making time also implies not just broadcasting to those around you but listening. Listening leads to be a better understanding of how the other person thinks and enables you to develop a positive relationship through thoughtful communication. Try it, and you will be rewarded.

For more information on manners, read Manners That Matter Most (Hatherleigh Press) or visit hatherleighcommunity.com. • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 67

NEW YORK, NY

ENTREPRENEUR’S CORNER JEFF LEATHAM: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/AUTHOR/FLORIST

By Bailey Beckett

olor is the first and most important aspect of my work, always,” said Jeff Leatham, on the eve of his exhibition Kaleidoscope at the New York Botanical Garden in February. “I want every gallery to be a different color experience for visitors as they move through them, like looking into a kaleidoscope.”

Mission accomplished! Leatham’s event, part of NYBG’s 18th Annual Orchid Show (which runs through April 19th), earned rave reviews, including the New York Times, which cheered “February in the city is a notoriously depressing time. When it’s not frigid and dark, it’s wet and dim. But at this annual flower showcase in the Bronx, springtime seems within reach.”

As part of the exhibit, Leatham filled every gallery of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with thousands of orchids, creating a “turn of the kaleidoscope” kind of experience. A Sunrise/Sunset Tunnel features arches of hanging orchids in shades of yellows, oranges, and reds, while he’s filled the Hanging Baskets and Special Collections Gallery with a flood of green and white. Leatham worked for months with the Botanical Garden’s senior curator of orchids, Marc Hachadourian, to create the exhibit, which also features a flower close to his heart: the Vanda Sunanda Jeff Leatham. That’s right, it’s named after him.

IN FULL BLOOM

Acclaim is nothing new to the artist, who has become known as the rock star florist with an envied clientele of stars, fashion brands, and five-star hotels.

Tall, strikingly handsome, and with charisma off the charts, Leatham has all the makings of a celebrity himself, without the attitude. The Utah-native, who started his career as a model, is gracious, warm, self-deprecating and funny. A Hollywood anecdote is never far from his lips, but all in good fun.

When you work with the likes of Oprah, Cher, the Kardashians, and Tina Turner, life is a bed of roses... err, orchids.

And that is the key to Leatham’s success: fun. “I create lasting memories, and I put smiles on people’s faces every day,” he said. “That’s the best part of my job, from when we do a huge installation, and people are amazed by the simplicity and beauty.”

Leatham’s success is a fairytale come true. After his modeling career ended, he went back to Los Angeles not sure what he would do next. A friend mentioned the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills was looking for help with their floral displays and Leatham, with nary a day of experience, threw his petals in the ring. “Before then, I had never touched a flower, never even wanted to work with flowers!” he said. To his great surprise, he was hired and began designing the hotel’s lobby and public spaces. He began experimenting with positioning, color and style, and turned heads with his unexpected creations. “Four Seasons gave me that whole spectrum: I started making big, grand flower installations, so that helped me be the artist I am today.”

68 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

A NEW BEGINNING

Leatham’s career exploded in 1999 when he was recruited to design the lobby of the George V Hotel Paris, which re-opened as a Four Seasons after a five-year renovation. His previous work had so impressed its new owner, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, who gave Leatham carte blanche to design the venerated Parisian palace as he saw fit. His work soon became the hotel’s signature and provided the artist a global stage to showcase his many talents. He is known to use 13,000 stems a week and has an annual budget of $1.7 million per year (although some say it’s virtually unlimited).

Leatham’s work at the George V has become an attraction into itself. Scores of visitors walk through the hotel’s revolving doors just to peek at his grand displays in the lobby, courtyard and public spaces. “I think that’s what I want people to think of my work as timeless, bold statements of color and texture,” he said. “And when I work there’s a specific style: flowers leaning out the side of the vase, for example. I’m lucky as a designer to have a design that is characteristic to me and my personality.

In fashion, you can look at Valentino and say, ‘That’s a Valentino red dress.’ The fact that you can look at a style of flowers and say, ‘That’s Jeff Leatham,’ makes me a lucky guy.”

SIMPLICITY

The designer keeps everything clean, simple, and chic (known in the industry as the “Leatham Rules of 3”), which means bunching all of one type of flower, never mixing more than three types of flowers or colors and keeping everything monochromatic.

“For me, the most important thing is just creating things and evolving, so you’re never just staying stagnant,” he says. “You always have to have your signature thing.

I think it’s just being your own person and your own artist, no matter what you do.”

Leatham’s work at the George V gave him a global stage to showcase his talents and opened doors to collaborations with brands like Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Dom Perignon, and Chanel. Also, he’s worked with such famous names as Madonna, the Dalai Lama, and Chelsea Clinton whose wedding he designed. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest honor for artists who have made a significant contribution to French culture given by the Minister of Culture. He has also created the floral design at Versailles, among other famous landmarks.

Leatham is also the author of three best-selling books, including Flowers by Jeff Leatham, Flowers by Design, and Jeff Leatham—Visionary Floral Art and Design. His designs have even expanded into the tabletop market with a line of gift- and barware aptly named The Jeff Leatham Collection, with Waterford. Later this year, look out for his first signature fragrance.

In 2016, Leatham had a homecoming of sorts when he added back to his portfolio the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, which he directs in addition to the George V. He also has incorporated the Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center to his growing clientele.

CREDIT TO HIS TEAM

Leatham spans the world with four offices in Paris, LA, Philadelphia, and China. We wondered, to what does he owe his success? Ever the modest one, Leatham credits those around him. “My team is everything to me,” he says, noting the hashtag he created #TeamLeatham for social media. “I am nothing without my team. They make it possible for me to do all of this travel, they make all these beautiful things possible, and I have the most brilliant, talented team in the world.”

He also is a big believer in loyalty. Even with a global profile, Leatham continues to fly to Paris once a month to design the George V. “A lot of people, when they achieve success at a young age, tend to take every offer that they get to grow their brand and do different things,” he says.

“The loyalty that I’ve had to Four Seasons and my clients has probably been the biggest secret to my success.

This is my 20th anniversary at the George V. People still say, ‘I want to hire that guy who does the flowers in the lobby of that hotel in Paris.’

They still say that, all these years later. Even if they don’t know my name, they know where my flowers come from.”

For more information on Jeff Leatham, visit jeffleathamflowers.com. • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 69

NEW YORK, NY

MY NEW YORK STORY

By Pamela Maraldo, CEO of Girls Inc. New York City

s an advocate for women, my life’s work has taken me down roads that have always led to championing women’s issues. I came to Girls Inc. of New York City for the same reasons: because I wanted to help give girls, especially girls living in poverty, a strong foundation, strategies that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

I joined Girls Inc. 13 years ago, first as a consultant, serving as interim Executive Director, and then as Chief Executive Officer five years ago. I see Girls Inc. of New York City as part of the solution in society. We are helping to bridge the gender, racial, and economic divides that are palpable in today’s world, and to prepare the young girls in our organization with the skills to become leaders.

My vision for the organization is to have a strong presence and brand recognition in schools throughout the city while preparing girls for leadership, creating a world where our daughters are welcome as much as our sons.

It’s also my job to think about where our most considerable growth is in the future. I’m working with our board members and partners to create new cutting-edge initiatives that address major societal problems like the mental health crisis among girls in New York City and the highest suicide particularly among black girls. We’re also launching new initiatives that will give the girls we serve skills for the 21st century, in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Financial literacy, and knowledge in other areas they don’t usually get in school.

THE MISSION Gi rls Inc . of Ne w York C it y is a non-prof it organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy.

Through strategic partnerships with schools in all five boroughs, we find those that align with our vision and goals and work together to deliver our programs.

Currently, Girls Inc. is in 60 high schools throughout the city, and this year we will serve 10,000 girls.

Many of our girls have challenging circumstances; they’re from the most depressed and impoverished communities of New York City. Our job is to make sure we offer opportunities that provide a strong foundation and skills that will give them the tools for a brighter future.

70 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

Pamela Maraldo

OUR PROGRAMS

What sets our programs apart is that they’re research-based, and they’re grounded in experiential learning. For instance, not many girls know how to invest in the stock market. To change that, one of our programs allowed girls to invest in the market. Within a year, they had a 54 percent rate of return. Not only did they learn how to invest, but they were also able to keep their savings for college, an experience they’ll never forget.

Two places where I see our most significant growth are our teen leadership circles, where we train girls to become peer leaders who deliver our programs, and cutting-edge, digitized, interactive programs over the Internet.

I’m incredibly proud of Generation Giga Girls (G3): The Moody’s Data Analytic Program, which we created with the help of Moody’s Corporation and is now a national program available in thirteen cities. It is designed to teach girls about big data, how companies use it, how it’s used in marketing, as well as to solve research problems. It focuses on how big data is changing our world. Ultimately, it’s providing the skills needed to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field.

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH

This year we are focusing heavily on mental health. There has been a rapid rise of depression in teen girls as well as suicides, which has become the second leading cause of death amongst teens. Physical health is mandated in schools across the country, why not mental health? Mental health should be just as important. Proceeds from this year’s virtual gala will go towards our Mind Body Matters program; it provides girls with the tools they need to understand how to deal with the stressors in their lives.

The first four modules are currently being piloted in schools in Brooklyn, East Harlem, and the South Bronx. The goal is to deliver the program to not only the schools that participate in Girls Inc. but to distribute it throughout the entire NYC public school system.

What’s unique about these programs is girls’ capability to interact in an online community and connect with other members of their class for support, in whatever form they need.

A VIRTUAL GALA

For the past ten years, Girls Inc. of New York City has hosted an annual gala where we celebrate corporate and female leadership along with the accomplishments of our members and our alumni. This year we will be holding a virtual gala on May 14th instead of our usual Cipriani celebration. But our Virtual Gala will be none the less exciting in its purpose: honoring the exceptional work of the girls in our programs from underprivileged communities all over the city.

Participants will have the opportunity to see firsthand the shared stories of the girls in our programs and alumni. We’ve invited Caroline Rhea to host the Gala as usual, with key messages about the financial crisis as well as how to maintain your mental well-being during this time of crisis.

This exciting virtual event will highlight the difference Girls Inc. of New York City is making in their lives, preparing these young women as future leaders.

For more information on Girls Inc. New York City, visit girlsincnyc.org. • APRIL 2020 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 71

NEW YORK, NY

TIME OUT WITH… SUE PHILLIPS: HER NOSE KNOWS

By Bailey Beckett

ou’ll forgive Sue Phillips if her “office” is too discreet.

Nestled on the lower level of a nondescript building in TriBeCa, the legendary perfumer’s lair is among the best kept secrets of New York. Warm, cozy and elegant, the Scentarium, as she calls it, is where the world’s elite come to create their own fragrances. And now discerning New Yorkers can get one, too. Just stand in line.

Sue Phillips

“I love what I do,” she coos, in an impeccable South African accent on a cold rainy night in February. “I want people to have a beautiful experience and enjoy the magic of fragrance. I also want them to reflect who they are by having their own fragrance.”

MAKING SCENSE OF SCENTS

She would know. A 40-year veteran of the fragrance business, Phillips created the Tiffany perfume for, well, Tiffany, as well as its men’s cologne. She also dreamed up Society for Burberry as well as other aromas for Trish McEvoy, Avon, Diane Von Furstenberg and Lancaster, among a few others. Along the way she has held top level positions with the biggest brands in beauty before starting her company, Scenterprises, and opening her Scentarium. It’s there she is doing some of her most intimate and inspired work (and for stars like Jamie Fox, Katie Holmes, and Zendaya, to name a few.)

One need only look around her laboratory, which could double for a designer atelier, to see Phillips takes this seriously. After greeting each visitor warmly, she has them do a personality quiz that asks favorite colors, foods, dream house, celebrities (among other offbeat questions), which Phillips says is 99 percent accurate in reading her clients.

A SCENT OF YOUR OWN

Armed with this insight, she then takes clients on a fragrance journey. The aroma artisan has narrowed the eight fragrance families into four categories: fresh, floral, woodsy and spicy. From that, she has created 18 proprietary blends, which include ingredients like amber, herbal and heady floral, in jars spread across the table. Each scent gets its own strip, and Phillips lets each client choose their favorite four. “The possibilities are endless,” she says. “We have done statistics where their formula is one in 280,487,209 possibilities, so the likelihood of ever having someone with the same formula is remote.”

Phillips then decants the formula into crystal bottles or atomizers and provides a Registration Certificate.

The entire experience lasts just 90 minutes and that, says Phillips, is real luxury.

“Today, the definition of luxury is not just the state of great comfort and extravagant living but creating your own personal brand by reflecting who you are with confidence, individuality and creating your own sense of style,” she says.

72 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | APRIL 2020

A SENSE OF SMELL

Phillips traces her love of fragrance back to her childhood. Her mother, Grace, was a musician and made sure to surround the family with art and culture. Though she’d listen to her mother sing and perform, and savor her drawings, Phillips didn’t think she had it in her. “But it was inoculated in me and I never knew.” Until one day, when an expected curiosity struck.

“I started to think about colors and what they would smell like,” she says. “In South Africa there’s beautiful bright sunshine and gorgeous light and I would correlate fragrance and color and see what it would smell like.”

She was on to something. Scent, scientists have long known, is the most powerful of the five senses—and the only one that connects memory, emotion and taste. “Our sense of smell is our most powerful sense after sight,” Phillips explains, “but it is the most forgotten and ignored. Our olfactory hub in our limbic system triggers memories and emotions. People also tell me that when they are cleaning out an attic, and they come across a memento from a loved one, such as a scarf or a book, that they are immediately reminded of that person or situation. It is so powerful!”

For more information on Sue Phillips and Scentarium, visit scentarium.com. •