New York Lifestyles Magazine - March 2016

Š Peter Max 2016

Vol. 2 #3 | March 2016

The Iconic Pop Art of Peter Max

Oscar Winners on Broadway with Pat Collins

Live Like a Royal: The Stronghold Castle

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Table of Contents FOLLOW THE

Sun.

34

Feature

15

47

10 Publisher’s Note 12 March At A Glance 15 Peter, To The Max!

Fashion

22 Fashion: The Fabric Of New York

Travel 25 28 32 34 40

Thailand: A Fun & Cultural Experience Mexican Holiday Marvelous Mesa Caribbean Calling Abe & More: Spring Vacation With The 16th President

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43 Upper East Side Luxury 47 Upscale Serviced Apartment Begins Welcoming Guests 48 Stronghold Castle: Live Like A Royal

Spas & Health 53 54 57 58

“Concussion - The Movie,” But Real Life Winter Beauty Reboot Spotlight On Beauty: Science, Passion & Health Naturopathica: Healing Arts Center & Spa

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St. Patricks Day: NYC Irish Pubs Paname: Midtown’s Authentic French Bistro Robert Restaurant: Where Art Meets Cuisine Carnegie Deli Returns: Oh How We Missed That Pastrami

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March Broadway Review With Pat Collins Broadway Spring Preview!

Shear Madness, Insane Fun Pat Collins’ Picks of New Home Video Releases

Theater & Arts

Business & Finance

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Vol. 2 #3 | March 2016 President / Publisher Bill Mason Executive Publisher Ernie Anastos

Executive Editor Bob Nesoff

Editor at Large Nina Anastos Floyd

Vice President of Sales Lyle Seltzer

Marketing Director Phillip Anastos

Arts & Entertainment Editor Pat Collins

Fashion & Style Columnist Miki Makrillos

Travel Editor Sandy Nesoff

Art Director Eric Duncan Photographers Chief Photographer - David Handschuh Photographer - Maybelle Webster

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Medical Editors Doris Day, MD, Devi Nampiaparampil, MD, MS Peter Schmaus, MD Contributing Writers Northeast Ray Daoud, Karen Feld, Jason Wolfgang Gehlert, Anthony George Jon Haggins, Laurie Heifitz, Aram Kasparian, Jim Kierstead Midge Leavy, Nava Raviv, Michael Raviv, Rob Shuter Willard Smith, Jeff Sylva, Stephanie Sylva, Kerri Zane Midwest Pacific Northwest Mira Temkin, Jodie Jacobs Curt Winston South Southeast Mona Hayden Pam Barker, Gerry Barker Real Estate Daniel Bollinger, Stan Popovich Webmasters Scott Cuollo, Richard Austin

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For subscriptions, address changes or back issues, call: (646) 259-2651 newyorklifestylesmagazine.com Facebook: /NYLifestylesMag Twitter: @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 12 times annually. © 2016 New York Lifestyles Magazine

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Publisher’s Note

Ernie Anastos is a celebrated author and distinguished Emmy award-winning television news legend in New York.

He is recognized as a champion for promoting more positive news and an influential voice in the world of media.

I think I am one of the luckiest guys in the world! What an honor to be anchoring television news in New York for more than three decades. This is the best city... with the best people anywhere.

I really cherish my relationship with millions of viewers over the years. Wherever I go, I sense a genuine comfort and familiarity in all of the great neighborhoods that are filled with people of all ages and diversity. I always say, “It’s the whole world in one city, New York!”

New York Lifestyles Magazine is a continuation of my passion to share news, information and lifestyle about how and where we live. This commitment reflects a positive approach to compelling features with a high quality presentation. As executive publisher, I am proud of our professional staff, including my family, who are helping to reshape the way you read and enjoy this exciting magazine.

In this issue, we are thrilled to highlight “New York to the Max!” The colorful and brilliant cover page features the distinctive style of renowned artist Peter Max. He sets the tone for all the positive aspects of this extraordinary city, including its unique style, culture and influence. We thank Peter so much for his artistic genius and personal interview for this issue. I also hope that you will enjoy the many other stimulating articles in our special tribute to NYC! In the coming months ahead, we will keep you in touch with great stories and ideas that, we hope, will joyfully contribute to your own New York lifestyle experience.

-Ernie Anastos

Executive Publisher 10 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

March at a Glance What’s happening and going on this month

HEALTH March 1 through March 31

National Nutrition Month

This month, skip the added sugar and salt in your cooking and instead use fragrant herbs and flavorful spices like sage, rosemary, and ginger to whip up creative, yet easy meals. This year’s theme for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National Nutrition Month is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right”. The Academy’s annual campaign spreads the word on the importance of making good food choices and developing healthy eating habits. Studies show that enjoying food’s natural tastes, which are often masked by additional sugar and salt, can help lower intake of calories, sodium, and saturated fats. And not only do herbs and spices boost your food’s (and beverage’s) flavor without adding any sugar or salt, they’re full of antioxidants that help fight illnesses and diseases. So, try saffron in shellfish and rice, turmeric in vegetarian dishes, or chili pepper in a savory steak rub. For tips on reducing sugar, sodium, and saturated fats in your diet, go to nationalnutritionmonth.org

New York City Ballet in Justin Peck’s The Most Incredible Thing.

Photo by Paul Kolnik THEATER & ART April 21 through May 7

New York City Ballet’s The Most Incredible Thing

Get your tickets now for the New York City Ballet’s fantastical production of Hans Christian Anderson’s dark literary fairy tale, The Most Incredible Thing, next month. Choreographed by Justin Peck with music composed by Bryce Dessner, the story tells of a young man who creates a magical clock in an attempt to do the most incredible thing to win the king’s daughter and half of the kingdom and the spectacular consequences that occur when the true winner is chosen. The elaborate set and costumes for the production are created by contemporary artist Marcel Dzama, one of the world’s renowned young artists known for his whimsical designs. Last month, the New York City Ballet featured an installation by Dzama in their 2016 Art Series, but you can check out Dzama’s pieces on permanent display at The Museum of Modern Art and The Guggenheim Museum to get a taste of his work before you see the ballet. For tickets, go to nycballet.com ENTERTAINMENT March 15 and April 15

Billy Joel at the Garden

One of our favorite New Yorkers and multi-Grammy Award winners, Billy Joel is in full swing at Madison Square Garden. The first artist to score a music franchise at Madison Square Garden, the singer-songwriter makes the arena his professional home alongside the iconic Knicks, Rangers, and Liberty sports teams. His monthly shows are filled with songs that are loved by generations like “Piano Man”, “Uptown Girl”, and “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. You might have missed The Tonight Show’s host Jimmy Fallon performing The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” with Joel in January (YouTube it!), but you never know who else might pop up to join Joel on stage this spring. For tickets, go to billyjoelmsg.com 12 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

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Peter, to the Max!

By Ivette Manners All photos courtesy of Peter Max op artist Peter Max’s work has become so much a part of American culture; you’ve probably seen a poster, ad campaign or portrait and not even realized it was one of his pieces. As much a New York iconic figure as the Statue of Liberty, which he has painted dozens of times in different variations over the last decades, Max is one of the most famous artists of all time. His psychedelic art helped define the 1960s and he introduced modern and pop art to many generations around the world.

Peter Max paints Lady Liberty canvases at The White House Rose Garden in 1981 for President and Mrs. Reagan and assembled guests and dignitaries. © Peter Max 2016

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 15

Peter Max painting in his New York City studio. Photo by Stephanie Arcabascio Š Peter Max 2016 16 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Peter Max painting Lady Liberties at OpSail 2000 with President Clinton on the Hudson River in NYC. © Peter Max 2016 Max is a cultural icon himself and as regarded as the people and places he’s painted. His unique style, which is made up of bold colors and trippy shapes, has depicted almost every phase of American history from the 1960’s Age of Aquarius to 911 and has touched many lives.

Austrian expressionist who taught me about the works of Henri Matisse, Max Beckmann and Alexei Jawlensky. In Paris, my parents enrolled me in art classes at the Louvre. I was very culturally educated and I lived in culturally-rich cities full of museums and galleries. I learned a lot about art from each place.

World recognized, internationally renowned, and globally trained in art, Max lived in various countries before the age of 15 and has traveled all over the world ever since, but he calls New York home. As a child growing up in China, he became fascinated with American culture even before he moved to America. He immersed himself in American comic books, music and Hollywood films.

How did your interest in art continue to grow in New York?

I studied art for six years, painting and drawing every day. I started my formal art studies right out of high school. A friend of mine and I took classes at the Art Students League of New York. The painter Frank J. Reilly was my teacher and I really admired his work. He and Norman Rockwell were in the same class at the Art Students League about 20 years before I studied there.

After 50 years of creating his imaginative artwork, Max is still in high demand to illustrate what is current and hot. In the last year, he created paintings in honor of the Frank Sinatra 100th centennial celebration, poster art for the 30th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and portrait art of the four talented coaches of NBC’s The Voice, featured in its promotional campaign for the latest season— and the list goes on and on. We recently sat down with the esteemed artist for a chat about his life and his art, and were even more impressed by his colorful personality.

You grew up in some of the most inspiring cities in the world. What was that like? And when did you make New York your home?

I was born in Berlin and when I was a year old my family moved to Shanghai where we lived for nine years. We then moved to Tibet, then Israel when it was a fairly new country and then we lived in Paris. We finally came to New York when I was 15. Each place where I lived was terrific. I had a great childhood.

When did your interest in art start?

As a child, I was always drawing, painting and doodling. Growing up in Shanghai, I watched Buddhist monks paint Chinese characters on large sheets of rice paper and I had a wonderful Chinese nanny who drew and painted. In Israel, I studied with an

Do you consider yourself an illustrator, painter, graphic artist, or pop artist?

All of them. I love all art and have developed my own style.

Who are some of the painters that have inspired your work while you were developing your style?

Reilly and Rockwell were two of my biggest inspirations. And there were so many great artists at the time that I was coming out on the scene.

What do you think of art today compared to when you were first starting out?

When I got out of art school, there were many different styles out there that no one had ever seen before. Today, there are also many fantastic styles. There is so much more media today. There are thousands of television shows and magazines that use and expose art to the masses.

Did the decade in which you started out in art influence your work?

It definitely did. There was a major cultural explosion in art in the 60s. When I became “famous”, there was so much culture in New York, even more than today. I was in the middle of a very exciting time culturally and artistically. It was like the whole world exploded with art in the mid 60s and the advertising age became huge.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 17

Top left: ‘Cosmic Runner’ Top right: ‘Love’ Bottom left: Max’s poster & program art for The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Bottom right: ‘Portrait of Marilyn Monroe’ All art © Peter Max 2016

18 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Peter Max and Taylor Swift on her ‘Fearless Tour’ with one of the portraits he painted of her. Taylor became a fan of Max and his work as a young girl vacationing with her family at the Jersey Shore, where she saw his vibrant works at Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor. Max became a fan of Taylor’s immediately upon meeting her and experiencing her music and beautiful, creative spirit. Š Peter Max 2016 What impact has New York had on your career?

New York is a tremendous media city. It’s truly fantastic—full of magazines, advertising agencies and art. It’s a very diverse city with great museums including the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim and Whitney. I’ve had a very modern lifestyle here. New York City is something I use in my work a lot. For example, I’ve painted the Statue of Liberty many different ways over the years.

You’ve been commissioned to work on many exciting pieces, from posters for the U.S. Olympic Teams and Super Bowls to designs on the side of cruise ships and airplanes. Which has been your favorite?

Every day is a new day, and every day brings a new project. Each piece is a favorite piece. There have been thousands of great projects and thousands of great ideas.

Music seems to be a big influence in your work. Is it a personal interest?

Music is a great inspiration for me and how I got my start in my career. My first big commission out of art school was an album cover for blues piano player Meade Lux Lewis. Since then, I’ve designed tour posters and album art for musicians like the Grateful Dead, Yes, Alice Coltrane and Aretha Franklin; stage art for music festivals such as Woodstock ‘99; posters for the Grammys; and portraits of musicians Steven Tyler, Taylor Swift, Bono and many others. Music is so available today with streaming music, videos on our phones and favorite songs heard at the touch of a finger. I have a lot of close friends in the music industry, from owners of record labels to musicians.

You’ve been commissioned to paint portraits of very important

and famous figures, from U.S. Presidents and other dignitaries to actors and athletes. What was it like to paint them?

Each and every person has been interesting—television personalities, movie stars, rock stars, musicians, politicians.

They’re all very iconic people. They come to me every day to have their portrait done, even now.

You’ve created so many amazing designs. How do you come up with the concepts for the pieces you’re commissioned to do?

I have great ideas all the time. They come spontaneously—the subjects, colors and designs.

Did your parents encourage or influence you to be an artist?

Absolutely. My parents encouraged me to pursue my interest and talent in art. My father liked to draw and my mother was a great artist. She was a fashion designer and had incredible style.

Vibrant cosmic colors and shapes have played a big part in your work. Where did your interest in the stars come from?

I discovered astronomy as I grew up. I became very fascinated with what was in the sky. Even to this day, I look up and am awed by how big the universe is. It’s been one of my signatures.

You seem to have a love of all cultures. How many languages do you speak?

About five.

Tell me about your art studio. It’s an amazing space.

I love spending time in my studio. It’s very bright and I have a great palette of almost 100 colors. I have 55 wonderful people working XJUI NF &WFSZ EBZ * DPNF UP XPSL * N FYDJUFE * IBWF UIF CFTU KPC t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 19

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Fashion: The Fabric of New York

By Miki Makrillos

eautiful models, creative designs and a savvy audience all eagerly await the upcoming season’s fashion trends in designers’ displays of artistic expression during the biannual New York Fashion Week shows and presentations. The city that never sleeps is well known as the fashion capital in the United States, as well as around the world. Fashion has always been the fabric of New York’s history, economy and lifestyle.

New York’s role as the center of the nation’s garment industry dates back to when tailors produced ready-made clothing for Southern plantation owners, sailors and western prospectors. By the 1820’s, there was an increase in the number of ready-made garments of a higher quality than what was being produced 22 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

for a broader market. By the 1850’s, industrialization and the invention of the sewing machine created a huge transformation in ready-made clothing. By the 1860’s, Americans bought most of their clothing.

Immigration was another important factor that helped influence New York’s growing garment industry. German and Central European immigrants coming to America around the mid19th century arrived on the scene with experience and skill in garment production. In the early 20th century, a largely Eastern European immigrant workforce powered the garment trades.

With an expansive, as well as inexpensive, workforce and a wellestablished distribution network, New York became the garment production capitol. By 1910, 70% of the nation’s womenswear and 40% of men’s clothing was produced in New York.

During this period of industrialization and growth another very important factor was developing in New York that would be a big impact on the future of the garment industry. Education and Fashion were destined to join. In 1896, American Impressionist painter William Merritt Chase founded the later named Parsons School of Design. He was later joined by arts educator Frank Alvah Parsons to establish the first Fashion Design program in the United States.

As the modern curriculum developed, many successful designers remained closely tied to the school and by the mid-1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parsons became what many dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;the training ground for Seventh Avenueâ&#x20AC;?, located in the heart of New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famed Garment District.

Designers such as Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Jason Wu, and Derek Lam are among the alumni success stories from Parsons School who globally influence fashion trends.

Photo by Scott Gries/ Getty Images

The Fashion Institute of Technology, known as FIT, was the next great New York fashion educational center, founded in 1944 and accredited in 1957. It was ranked among the top five fashion schools in the world. Designers such as Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Norma Kamali are among the graduates from the college.

FIT was not only a top rated educational center for thousands of future graduates in New York City; but in 2012, the Museum at FIT, which was established in 1969, was awarded accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum exhibits garments and accessories dating back to the 18th century within its permanent collection. Today, students continue to come from around the world to study fashion in New York.

The Garment District in New York, also now known as the Garment Center and the Fashion District, has played an integral part in New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connection to fashion. This district consists of a dense concentration of fashion-related uses (such as studios, designersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; main offices, factories, warehouses and wholesalers) and occupies less than 1 square mile between Fifth and Ninth Avenues from 34th to 42nd Streets. The Garment District has been known since the early 20th century as the center for fashion manufacturing and designs in the United States and the world. Â There is no other city like New York that has a comparable concentration of fashion businesses and talent in a single area. The concentration of talent, entrepreneurship and wholesalers creates an ecosystem that supports the industry.

The Garment District historically would produce garments only blocks away from the luxe retail of Fifth Avenue, including stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Lord & Taylor, as well as designer flagship boutiques. These stylish, quality retail stores bring in millions in revenue from tourists who come from all over the world to go shopping in the fashion capital. Trendy areas such as Soho and the Meatpacking District have also joined in the fashion connection, drawing many designer flagship stores, tourists and dollars.

For decades, fashion in New York has also been depicted in famous films, such as Breakfast at Tiffanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Working Girl, The Devil Wears Prada and Sex in the City to name a few. Moviegoers around the world have been fascinated by what they see on the big screen and yearn to come to New York to experience the magic of fashion in the Big Apple.

Overall, fashion is the fabric of what New York and New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle represent. The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, immigration, education and exposure from media all has inspired the fashion industry and encouraged people from BMM PWFS UIF XPSME UP DPNF UP /FX :PSL t About Miki Makrillos Miki Makrillos is a commentator on style and fashion on her website: wonderwomantalks.com MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 23

Thailand: A Fun & Cultural Experience Story and photos by Jon Haggins oh Samui is Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket with an abundance of sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees. Upon arrival in Koh Samui, we transferred to a pier where we boarded a private speedboat and sped through the tranquil blue water passing a number of lush green islands as we headed to Koh Phangan Island. When we arrived at Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa, the staff greeted us with cold, wet towels and cool refreshing coconut drinks.

This five star property offers a variety of villas, some with private dip-pools with a view of the sea. The serene environment and swaying palm trees will take your breath away. It’s a total eco-friendly property surrounded by nature and offers great hospitality. The outdoor pool and open dining room lead to a white sandy beach.

The early morning golden sunrise is unbelievable. I stepped into my dip-pool just to start my day. Lunch was in the restaurant under thatched umbrellas on the beach. The afternoon was very relaxing with a deep-tissue Thai massage. The hotel offers a variety of water sports such as kayaking and jet skiing. There is also a

morning boat excursion where one can snorkel and have lunch on board. A shopping mall is located several steps from the hotel.

Sugar, one of the hotel staff took me to an elephant farm for an unbelievable experience. Riding the elephant and being lifted up by the elephant’s trunk was unforgettable. We also visited a colorful temple high on a hill and stopped at a homemade ice cream parlor where they make fresh, tropical flavored ice cream from local fruit. They even have a durian ice cream. Durian is a fruit that locals love. The most amazing and spectacular thing to do is watch the sunset while sipping tropical drinks in a restaurant at the edge of the sea. We returned to the hotel for a local island dinner under the light of the full moon.

After reluctantly departing from Koh Phangan Island, our next destination was Anantara Bophut Resort and Spa. We were pleasantly surprised by the amazing receiving line as they welcomed us to the hotel. They pulled out all the stops, including a young person dressed in a colorful cultural costume. A large painted elephant sculpture stands at the head of a lily-pond and the open garden of the hotel is ethereal. It’s lined with royal palms and floating lilies. We dined in the restaurant overlooking the pool and ocean. There is a service bar next to the pool for those who don’t want to move a finger.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 25

We had a Thai cooking lesson from the chef. Everyone was instructed on how to prepare some of the local dishes and we ate what we prepared. The hotel also offers Thai kick boxing lessons, flower making and fruit carving lessons.

The hotel had planned a white party where everyone had to wear white from head to toe and was held on the beach under a white open tent with candlelight. The service was impeccable and the dinner was the best, especially with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

The hotel is a short walk from the Fishermen’s Market where we shared a few beers at a bar on the beach. We reclined on large pillows on the beach looking out over the sea while an acrobatic flaming fire act performed in front of us.

Along the edge of the island sits the Grandmother & Grandfather Rock, very phallic and suggestive. A large golden Buddha sits on top of a hill overlooking the city and there is a steep climb to reach it. One can experience a sense of peace and tranquility when arriving at the top.

Lunch was at the newly renovated Six Senses Spa and Resort. This peaceful environment was the perfect stopover. A large infinity pool overlooks a green valley of coconut trees. Chaise lounges and large white umbrellas surround a pool and it’s a perfect place to relax and forget your troubles.

Anantara Siem Bangkok Hotel sits in the heart of Bangkok. The hotel has a grand stairway in the lobby decorated with a colorful mural. This is the very same hotel where Hillary Clinton stayed. The hotel has an open court with lots of shops and restaurants. We dined in the Spice Restaurant in the hotel. The outdoor pool is a perfect place to lay back and reflect on Thailand’s culture and beauty.

No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit to the Grand Palace. It’s the most visited site in the city and was built in 1782. For 150 years it was the home of the Thai King, the Royal Court, and the administrative seat of Government. The Grand Palace of Bangkok continues to awe visitors with its beautiful architecture and intricate details, all of which are a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of the Thai people. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom and the Grand Palace is perfectly preserved.

26 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Let’s not forget a visit to Wat Pho, the Temple of a beautiful reclining Buddha. It’s one of the largest Temples in Wat Phra Chetuphon, located behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It’s one of the largest temple complexes in the city and famed for its giant reclining Buddha that measures 150 feet long. The figure is molded out of plaster around a brick core and finished in gold leaf. Mother-of-pearl inlay ornaments decorate the feet, displaying 108 different characteristics of a Buddha. It’s an easy ten-minute walk from the Grand Palace. The golden Buddha is very popular; you need to take time to wander around the entire complex because it’s very relaxing. This is also a great place to get a traditional Thai massage. Wat Pho is often considered the leading school of massage in Thailand.

The Chao Phraya River, a major transportation artery, runs north to south through Thailand.

The river is used for boat tours as well as commercial transport and is a colorful and exciting experience while looking back at the city skyline.

We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the busy river and shoreline. Afterward, we visited the Nii Spa and had a traditional deep tissue Thai massage, which was a perfect way to relax after a busy day.

For our farewell night, we shared drinks at one of Bangkok’s rooftop bars, followed by a visit to the Asiatique Night Market where we explored various shops and then we went out to dinner. We also visited Patpong Night Market where everything is for sale, from clothing to wallets and watches. It’s a perfect place to haggle for the right price. After shopping you might want to take a Tuk-Tuk (one of the colorful trucktaxis) ride back to your hotel just for the thrill of it.

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are idyllic and relaxing experiences. Bangkok is a huge metropolis with lots to offer and a must see when visiting Thailand. t Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel 999 Samutprakarn 10540, Thailand +66 (0) 2 131-1111 info@novotelairportbkk.com www.noveltelairportbkk.com

Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa 5/5 Moo 5, Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan, Suratthani 84280, Thailand +66 77 239 555 www.phangan-rasananda.anantara.com Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa 99/9 Moo 1, Bophut Bay, Amphur Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Thailand +66 (0) 77 428300-9 www.anantara.com

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 27

Mexican Holiday

By Ivette Manners

ake your pick of one of Mexico’s muy caliente coastal towns for a get-out-of-the-cold vacation. We’ve scouted out five of our favorites that shouldn’t be overlooked. Once overrun by tourists or underdeveloped and little known, these resort locales are now some of the chicest places to be seen in. And when you tire of soaking up the sand and sun (as if!), each of these beach destinations boast festive towns nearby.

Cancun No longer just a haven for college spring breakers, Cancun is now more hip and upscale. The crystal clear water, picturesque beaches and newly redone resorts make this destination A-list. Frolic on the beach, hit the high-end designer malls and dine waterside. Then unwind at the super sleek Nizuc Resort & Spa, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Take in the sunset at the resort’s A-Kan bar and have a signature spicy habanero pepper margarita. Party boats and day cruises are a staple activity in Cancun, so book an excursion with Dancer, which offers tours on catamarans complete with a spiral slide and diving board for water fun while anchored, plus a DJ and fully-stocked kitchen and bar to keep you entertained while you sail to the nearby Isla Mujeres (dancercruise.com). The resort town of Playa del Carmen, an hour south of Cancun, is hopping day and night with shops, restaurants and bars along its Quinta Avvenida (5th Avenue). nizuc.com Riviera Maya Cancun’s sexier sister, the Riviera Maya is a tucked-away spot made for total leisure. The surreal Banyan Tree Mayakoba, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a tropical hideaway within fresh water lagoons and mangroves.

Each room at this all-villa resort features individual tropical gardens, a private swimming pool and terrace complete with hammocks. While only 15 minutes from all the action in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya still maintains an air of seclusion. banyantree.com 28 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Puerto Morelos Located halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, the small up-andcoming fishing village of Puerto Morelos is sprouting five-star luxury hotels among its casual bars and restaurants framed by the destination’s long stretch of pristine beach. With the second largest barrier reef in the world 500 meters from its shore, Puerto Morelos is a divers paradise.

It exudes a chill beach-town vibe, but is super close to all of the fun in Cancun.

Check into the chic beachfront Grand Residences Riviera Cancun resort, made up of 103 spacious suites so that you can stretch out and relax. You can bike into town from the hotel and enjoy some of the local seafood, which the area is so well known for. grandresidencesrivieracancun.com Riviera Nayarit Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit is the next big thing with 200 miles of pristine coastline dotted by cool seaside towns and lush nature sanctuaries. You’ll get to do lots of sightseeing here: think isolated beaches hidden by tropical jungles, rustic colonial towns and mountaintop views. Here is where nature and luxury meet, and the exclusive Four Seasons Punta Mita is the perfect place to kick back after a long day taking in all the natural beauty. Request a room with a balcony and hammock overlooking the ocean.

Waterways weave through the colonial part of the area, so there are many attractive marinas to explore. fourseasons.com

Cabo San Lucas Cabo San Lucas, one of the two towns that make up Los Cabos, is one of the most unique spots in the world because it’s where the Sea of Cortés and Pacific Ocean meet at a dramatic point framed by a distinct arched rock formation. Just beyond the arch lies the awe-inspiring Lover’s Beach, which can only be reached by boat and shouldn’t be missed during your trip. Base your

escape to Cabo at the famed Esperanza, an Auberge Resort, which recently underwent a total renovation, complete with new cozy lounge spaces and dramatic cliff-side dining areas. Spend a day in Cabo’s eclectic neighboring town of San Jose del Cabo, which is much more low-key—full of vibrant colors, charming streets and traditional Mexican buildings dating back to 1700. esperanzaresort.com t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 29

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Marvelous Mesa

By Mira Temkin Photos courtesy of VisitMesa.com

rom Wild West adventure, Native America history, to arts, culture and the natural beauty of desert and mountains, Mesa, Arizona, is a city that knows no bounds. This geographic wonderland provides unique experiences to tempt your palate as well as give you a few thrills. Here are a just a few ways to have a good time in Mesa.

Batter Up for Spring Training The Cubs have been calling Mesa “Wrigley West” for Cactus League play since 1952. Now, Sloan Park is open for its third pre-season play with games through March 30. Sloan Park is the largest spring training stadium by capacity in Major League Baseball. Visitors to the stadium will notice several dark green elements reminiscent of Wrigley Field. It’s a great place to cheer on the team under the warm Arizona sun. cubs.com... and stay within swinging distance at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel, Wrigleyville West.

Literally across the parking lot from Sloan Park, sits this contemporary, new hotel, boasting 180 rooms, smack dab in the heart of the city’s new development, Mesa Riverview shopping and entertainment complex. Walk into the hotel and you’re greeted with the open-air lobby and Stats Sports Grill. Pools rule here with a 5,000 square foot pool, plus two heated wading pools and two hot tubs. Fitness buffs can keep up their routines with Starwood’s revolutionary health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance. It’s so close to the ballpark, you can almost hear the crack of the bat. We dined at the new Legends Steakhouse, featuring a fine selection of steaks from locally-raised beef. Home to renowned Executive Chef Cameron Bolender, their speciallyselected wines, with an array of decadent desserts, round out the menu at one of Mesa’s finest dining experiences.

SheratonMesa.com

32 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Postino Wine Café This café has a wonderful neighborhood feel to it where you can try almost 40 hand-selected, approachable wines; simple, delicious food prepared with local ingredients such as bruschetta, Panini’s, salads and soups; and a warm, friendly welcome. Perfekt, the Riesling wine from Germany, was the perfect accompaniment to the Sunshine Daydream salad. With a contemporary urban space and outdoor patio, this is one cool place to hang out.

PostinoWineCafe.com TQLA Southwest Kitchen & Agave Bar Voted one of the best Tequila Bars by USA Today, TQLA features a collection of tequilas on tap, hyper-cooled to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

TQLA combines the freshest locally-sourced ingredients, along with the flavors of the Southwest and Coastal Mexican cooking influences. The sizzle from their signature fajitas was a prelude for the fantastic entrée to come. Other standouts include crawfish and spinach enchiladas, table-side guacamole, pumpkin seed crusted salmon, and for dessert—the Cuatro Leches is simply divine. tqla.com/dana-park Eat Your Veggies at True Garden Urban Farm Make your vacation a learning opportunity at this education center which teaches you how to grow healthy and nutritious food without soil. At this 5,000-square foot vertical urban farm, owned by compound pharmacist Troy Albright, visitors can enjoy a weekly farmer’s market as well as seminars about organic growing practices, nutrition and overall health and wellness.

Albright can grow up to an acre of fresh vegetables using 1/10 of the land and a fraction of the Water.

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Ancient Grains at Hayden Flour Mills Taste Arizona history at this family-owned flour mill that has been featured in the new documentary, The Grain Divide. Focused on native seeds and grown in Heirloom wheat with minimal processing, Sossaman Farms offers a full-sensory culinary experience that starts with a tour of the Hayden flour milling operation. Visitors can participate in baking classes and educational seminars. Be sure to bring home their artisan breads, pasta and wheat berries.

HaydenFlourMills.com Agritopia – A community of Creativity Lauded by the New York Times as the leading “agri-hood” in the U.S., Agritopia is a master-planned community in Gilbert, which preserves urban agriculture and integrates it into daily life.

Agritopia was established in 2000 by developer Joe Johnston, who has now unveiled plans for a new project to revitalize a 100 yearold barn, creating an innovative artisan collective. Slated to open in October, Barnone will feature 14 resident craftsmen, including a micro winery and micro distillery, a medicinal garden and culinary machinist designing kitchen tools, including coffee roasters, espresso machines and more. agritopia.com The original Johnston family home built in 1966 is now Joe’s Farm Grill, a 60’s diner featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Many of the ingredients come right from their gardens next door. Joe’s takes popular foods to the next level, like the Farm Burger, Portobello Farm Salad and Baked Potato Fries. My Pumpkin Shake (in season) was delicious.

Life on the Superstition Dairy Farm Roll up your sleeves and get a taste of life on the farm. Run by fourth generation brother and sister team, Casey and Alison Stechnij, you’ll see what goes on at Moo-University, followed by a tractorpulled hayride, plus feed the goats and other farm animals. Try one of 12 flavors at the Milk Bar, including Butterscotch and Peaches & Cream. Their Udder Delights homemade ice cream comes in fabulous flavors: Red Velvet Cheesecake, Choc Hazelnut, and my favorite, Blueberry Moofin. superstitionfarm.com Press for Olives Queen Creek Olive Mill is Arizona’s only family-owned and operated olive mill and farm. Here olives are grown and pressed for high quality extra virgin olive oil in amazing flavors like Blood Orange Olive Oil or Bacon Olive Oil. Taste the oils, olives and tapenades and then dine at del Piero – the mill’s Tuscan-inspired eatery. When the weather is ideal, dine in the olive grove.

QueenCreekOliveMill.com Schnepf Farms – Perfect for the Whole Family As an active farm, Schnepf Farms is the largest grower of organic peaches in the state as well as one of the largest agri-tourist farms in the country. Pick your own fresh produce, hop on a hayride or enjoy their Country Store & Bakery. Be sure to try their warm, cinnamon rolls.

SchnepfFarms.com If you’re coming to visit, check out the Mesa Art Center, Rawhide Western Town in Chandler and Pink Adventure Tour jeep rides.

For more information, go to visitmesa.com or download the app, Mesa City Limitless.

About Mira Temkin Mira Temkin has a passion for writing and sharing her adventures across the globe. She covers everything from destinations to tours to cruises in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and Europe with a keen eye and open mind. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Lakeland Boating, thevacationgals. com and usinesstraveldestinations.com. t

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 33

Caribbean Calling

By Ivette Manners

y the time March rolls around we’re completely over winter and in desperate need of some fun in the sun. So, why not get out of town and head to the jewel-blue waters and warm white sands of the Caribbean for a quick getaway or weeklong holiday? We did a little island hopping to get you motivated and found these gems in the sea that will have you booking the next flight out.

TURKS & CAICOS

Windsong Resort, A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Over the last few years, Turks and Caicos has become a haute destination loved for its luxury hotels amidst uncrowded beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrantly-colored reefs. Only 8 of the country’s 40 small islands and cays are inhabited, giving Turks and Caicos its far-off feel. Providenciales, locally known as “Provo”, is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos islands; and offers a bevy of elegant outdoor restaurants and impressive resorts. The Windsong Resort on Providenciales is a tropical sanctuary encompassing incredible panoramic views and wildlife (don’t be surprised if you spot a sea turtle while dining at the café). The resort sits on a prime spot in Grace Bay and features 53 rooms along the beach. The idyllic island has sparked a new trend for vacationers, in which a professional photographer takes their portrait on the beach. (For more information on vacation photography in Turks and Caicos, go to myparadisephoto.com.) windsongresort.com

JAMAICA

Half Moon, A RockResort Americans fell in love with Jamaica in the mid 1950s and development started going up pretty quickly around the island. Montego Bay became a fashionable destination and reggae music ruled. Part of the destination’s growing popularity included the legendary Half Moon resort, which attracted a long starstudded list of guests including Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy, and even Queen Elizabeth II and several other members of the British Royal family. Today, the 400-acre resort continues to have major appeal with its key location on a private two-mile beach, 197 spacious rooms, and exceptional service. A spinning studio, equestrian center, and 54 swimming pools are just some of their cool perks, along with a whimsical children’s village for the little ones to frolic in when they’re not on the beach with you. halfmoon.rockresorts.com

PUERTO RICO Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Puerto Rico’s capital city of San Juan is a bustling town split into two sections, with Old San Juan known for its historic forts and charming plazas and New San Juan packed with restaurants, bars, and shops. Take comfortable shoes because you’ll want to see it all. Afterwards, chill out at the posh pool lounges at the recently redone historic Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. The resort’s spot on the coast of the exclusive Condado District offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel’s overall contemporary décor retains a hint of its historical opulence, while the well-designed rooms are cozy and modern. condadovanderbilt.com

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Amanera Nestled between the two small villages of Rio San Juan and Cabrera, the new Amanera resort is a chic out-of-the-way retreat on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast boasting 25 casitas connected by an intertwining pathway weaving through tropical gardens. Set on a 60-foot cliff overlooking Playa Grande and fringed by 2,170 acres of jungle, the secluded resort features a sleek design that seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings. Each of the room’s half-open air layout, which is also used throughout the property, features outdoor dining and lounging areas, while inside floor-to-ceiling windows offer unobstructed views of the beach from all the other angles. Book a room with a private pool, but definitely don’t be shy to take a dip in the main pool with the other discerning guests. aman.com/resorts/amanera SCRUB ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, BVI Considered one of the best secret islands on Earth, Scrub Island is a serene 230-acre private isle at the east end of Tortola accessed only by ferry; and Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is the centerpiece of the destination. The impressive property features 52 rooms, a collection of hillside villas, a spa, two restaurants, and its own marina that flanks a lagoonstyle, multi-tiered pool and strip of beach. And the starting guestrooms are so luxe you’ll think you were upgraded to one of the suites.

The island might be tiny, but the resort offers lots to do, from daytrips to one of the neighboring islands or cays and sailing lessons to watersports and speed boating. scrubIsland.com MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 35

ST. BARTS Hotel Christopher, A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts As a trendy playground for the rich and famous, St. Barts is probably on your vacation bucket list. Favored for its French culture in the middle of the Caribbean, savvy jetsetters flock to St. Barts for its white-sand beaches, which seem to melt into the clear water and are dotted with chic hotels. The quaint and remote Hotel Christopher is a no-brainer, with ocean-view rooms and a location of the prestigious Sisley spa. You may end up dining here every night because their Taïno restaurant provides one of the best views on the island, an appetizing menu, and inventive cocktails. But do take time to tear yourself away from the hotel, as a day in Gustavia, the island’s capital, will procure a dazzling view of luxury yachts and designer boutiques. hotelchristopher.com ANGUILLA Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa, A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts The small under-the-radar island of Anguilla is known for its heavenly beaches, stellar restaurants, and swanky hotels—no wonder ballers (both the wealthy and NBA players!) gravitate here. But it’s not just for high rollers, as stylish regular folk can also experience all that Anguilla has to offer, such as the new Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa. The pristine six-acre property is adjacent to Fountain Cavern National Park in the Shoal Bay East region of the island. The hotel is designed to incorporate the island’s Caribbean culture, from the spa treatments to the personalized minibars; and their dedication to the environment shows though the ecoconscious construction and environmentally-friendly efficiency, such as sustainable hardwoods used throughout the resort and solar heating systems. However, the rooms’ décor doesn’t skimp on anything, offering uncomplicated luxury and high-tech amenities, all of which you might overlook because the views of the beach are simply breathtaking. zemibeach.com 36 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

ST. LUCIA Cap Maison Resort & Spa, A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts St. Lucia is mainly made up of majestic mountain peaks rather than wide beaches, but it’s still a favored island destination for savvy travelers. It’s a landscape full of palm trees, unspoiled rainforests, and natural waterfalls. Innovative hoteliers have incorporated the country’s natural beauty to construct plush resorts set on cliffs overlooking the sea, such as the Cap Maison Resort & Spa. The resort features villa-style suites spread out among tropical gardens and their famed Cliff at Cap open-air restaurant, which offers unobstructed views of the island of Martinique and incredible sunsets. capmaison.com PETER ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Peter Island Resort & Spa, A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts If you’re considering a little splurge for your next vacation, Peter Island Resort & Spa is a unique oasis away from it all. A short ferry ride from Tortola, this 300-acre beachfront boutique hotel dominates the 1,800-acre private island it’s located on. Visited by the famous and even the infamous (think Blackbeard the pirate), Peter Island is a preserved destination for unplugging and unwinding. Each of Peter Island Resort & Spa’s 52 rooms and suites are just steps away from the beach; and there are a total of five distinct beaches to choose from, each offering a different experience and activity. Book a beachfront junior suite, positioned among coconut palm trees and tropical gardens with hammocks lined up for the perfect view of the beach. peterisland.com NEVIS Montpelier Plantation & Beach If you want to get lost in the Caribbean without going into survival mode, head to Nevis—where the vibe is soothing and secluded, you’ll find long stretches of empty beaches, and the scenery is a Technicolor fantasy. The small, almost perfectly round island inhabits just one main road that has been used for centuries, a rainforest within the clouds, and old plantation ruins. Hideaway at The Montpelier Plantation & Beach, a 19-room boutique hotel set in an 18thcentury sugar plantation surrounded by 60 acres of lush gardens. The property’s open design was planned to allow guests to move between the rooms and the outside, so that they can feel connected to the rich blues and greens of the island. Each guestroom is individually decorated offering the sense of a beach house, yet the Relais & Chateaux hotel branding provides upscale attention and details. montpeliernevis.com t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 37

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Abe & More: Spring Vacation with the 16th President

By Jodie Jacobs

hile presidential candidates pontificate on what they would do to or for the country, reconnect with the president who did change the country’s course. This spring, leave Fort Lauderdale and Corpus Christi beaches to the college students to walk in Abraham Lincoln’s footsteps.

From his home with Mary Todd Lincoln and his tomb to his law office and the Old Courthouse where he spoke, Springfield, IL is the heart of Abraham Lincoln country. It is also Illinois’ capital with a stunning State Capitol building that visitors can tour and it’s home to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Best of all, most of its sights are in walking distance of each other.

You step back to the 1850s-60s in a historic neighborhood that includes the Lincoln family home. Then, fast forward fifty years and walk to the nearby Dana-Thomas House reconfigured by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Stand on the steps of the Old State Capitol where the 16th President gave his “House Divided” speech and cross its square to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum where ghosts unveil the contents of the Presidential Library in a special effects show and another show reveals Lincoln’s thoughts on the country’s Civil War. Drive out to Lincoln’s Tomb and further out to the reconstructed New Salem Historic Village where Lincoln once lived and worked.

You get the idea. There are enough Lincoln sites and other interesting places to see in and around Springfield to make a trip

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to this Midwestern city worth the drive or flight. Plan to spend a few days because the Presidential Museum, alone, is worth half a day and is a good starting point because it is near all the downtown sights. Here are some things to put on the do list.

The Route 66 Connection Shea’s Gas Station on Peoria Road, a prime Mother Road (as Route 66 is known) stop, has closed but the memorabilia-filled Cozy Dog Drive In, 2935 S. Sixth St. (also on the Route 66 trail) is open and still sells its famous hot dogs on a stick.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum You may just think you know all about the country’s 16th President.

Springfield immerses visitors by placing signs on almost every downtown block with historic Lincoln site information. But save two hours for the Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St. Exhibits talk about and honor the man and his period but also dispel the myths that surrounded him. The Presidential Library, across a small street is attractive, but is typically used by researchers.

Law Office Go to the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets across from the Old State Capitol. Completed in 1841, Lincoln moved in with partner Stephen Logan in 1843.

When that partnership ended in 1844 William H. Herndon joined the firm. Don’t be surprised by any shoddy, unkempt looks. The building was a formal, Greek Revival style, but Lincoln’s style was casual.

Lincoln Home and Tomb Visit the Lincoln home (1844-1861) and its historic neighborhood.

The tomb is a National Historic Site operated by National Park Service Rangers. You need to go to the Lincoln Home Visitor’s Center next to the four-block, 1850s-60 neighborhood at 426 S. Seventh Street to visit the home.

Take a break from the downtown to see the stunning Lincoln Tomb at 1500 Monument Ave. in the Oak Ridge cemetery. This is where he, Mary Todd Lincoln and three of their four sons are buried. His burial site was located here after an attempt to steal his body. He is resting under tons of poured concrete.

Illinois State Capitol Do the Old State Capitol where Lincoln spoke in the Hall of Representatives and tried cases before the Illinois Supreme Court. Then go over to the stately Capitol Building towering over trees and buildings. Walk through its imposing rotunda to tour the building, a merger of baroque and classical styles.

Two Notable Homes Frank Lloyd Wright aficionados know that Springfield’s Dana Thomas House is considered among the best examples of the architect’s work. It has all of its original glass and many original furnishings.

Add the Vachel Lindsay Home to the itinerary. Mary Todd Lincoln’s sister Ann lived there. Then Vachel Lindsay’s parents bought the house. The poet lived there until he died in 1931.

Lincoln’s New Salem Drive out or take a tour that goes out to this historic site. Sitting about 20 miles northwest of Springfield, it is a village that has been recreated to look like it did when Lincoln lived and worked there in the 1830s. You can chat over a fence or inside a working mill with costumed docents who make visitors feel as if they really stepped back more than 180 years. The historic site is at 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, IL. Lodging Historic: If you look for historic inns, check The Inn at 835. An early 1900’s building that once served as an apartment house. The inn at 835 S. Second St. is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Retro: Mid-last century is in at The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St. The Inn at 835 and The State House Inn have complimentary breakfasts and parking. You can walk to downtown attractions so you won’t have to look for parking or feed a meter.

Up-to-date: Travelers who like a pool, sauna and full-service hotel would appreciate the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a conference-style facility at 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, at the edge of town near I-55.

However, Springfield has several lodging options, so check with the Convention & Visitors Bureau, 109 North Seventh St., Springfield, IL 800-545-7300. Because the town is the state capital it also has several conferences throughout the year, therefore book ahead.

For more information visit: www.visit-springfieldillinois.com t

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 41

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Upper East Side Luxury

By Daniel J. Bollinger his month I had the pleasure of touring two luxury buildings on the Upper East Side. The Upper East Side was once known as the Silk Stocking District, and it is now one of the most affluent neighborhoods in New York City.

It has a plethora of cultural institutions that make it one of the most luxurious and desirable neighborhoods in the city, including but certainly not limited to: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Academy of Design, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Asia Society, Jewish Museum of New York, and the Andrew Carnegie Mansion, which houses the Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum.

In addition to all these cultural icons the UES also includes Madison Avenue, which is home to the most luxurious shopping in the world. Gucci, Hermes, Tourneau, Barneys, La Perla, and Agent Provocateur are just some of the stores on Madison Avenue. And Central Park is the Upper East Sides’ closest neighbor. The two buildings I toured certainly reflect this Silk Stocking District with smart design and luxury finishes and details. The two buildings I toured were 12 East 88th Street and 1110 Park Avenue. As usual I am going to write about that “one thing” that sets these apartments apart from the pack and, as usual it is going to be two or three things since these residences are simply outstanding in design and aesthetic. I will also call out some of the finer details to show the attention to detail and design that make each residence one of a kind.

Both buildings share my two “one thing” details that make these residences a great investment. They are: 1) Fully pre-wired residences for complete home automation; 2) Oversized living rooms for ultimate family time and entertaining.

The future of tomorrow is here today. Full pre-wiring allows homeowners to control all systems (heat, lighting, audio, etc.) in their residence remotely via the internet and also internally with wireless and in-wall touch panels. The remote access system allows a homeowner to set climate control, turn on lights, open shades, and have their favorite music playing when they arrive home.

This is energy efficient since you can control multiple heating and cooling zones in the house when in use (keep the more active areas of the house heated/cooled during the active parts of the day and off when used less). The same applies for lighting control. This technology also improves the aesthetics of the space since you can replace multiple banks of wall switches with a single keypad. This is very impressive technology and it is the future of design; being able to control all systems in your house, anywhere you are in the world, with a mobile device.

Both buildings have designed oversized living rooms in their residences that are laid out wonderfully. If you believe in the importance of family time and/or if you host soirees often, these two buildings offer a great space for such activities. In many NYC apartments the family room is of similar size to all other rooms in the house. No real demarcation is made in many apartments in NYC. That is NOT the case in these two buildings. The designers knew what they were doing in providing an ample amount of space for you and your family.

Photo by Angela N.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 43

12 East 88th Street Some of the finer design details that impressed me with 12 East 88th Street: One, the layout of the kitchen to formal dining room to living room in 12 East 88th is outstanding. For a family that ritually hosts the Thanksgiving dinner or family get together this is an apartment designed for you. The kitchen seamlessly integrates into the dining room so the family chef preparing the meal does not miss out on family memories being made at the dining table. And, if dessert is a little less formal, with a buffet of sweets on the dining room table to be enjoyed in the family den the dining room and family den are in direct relation to each other. This space is large enough to accommodate a large family gathering and all three rooms integrate so that the whole family is still together no matter what room they happen to be in. The brown leather-finish on the granite slab fireplace is a very nice detail. And in the master bath the textured stone mosaics are a very impressive design detail. Very few apartments I have toured in the city have this detail. The fireplace and textured stone mosaic are some of the finer design details that make 12 East 88th Street a cut above other residences in the city.

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1110 Park Avenue A true GEM of a building. Finding residences like this on Park Ave is very rare; they just don’t come on the market often. There is a reason why Toll Brothers City Living has won an array of awards, including The Most Trusted Home Builder of 2015 by Lifestory Research. For one, Toll Brothers used real dimension Indiana limestone on the entire Park Avenue façade to match the existing façades of the area. This shows how serious Toll Brothers is. You will find nothing “faux” about this residence.

Some of the design details that really make 1110 Park Avenue a true GEM. The library is gorgeous; the floor to ceiling mahogany paneled library makes a statement of warmth and stateliness. I only wish they would complete the statement by paneling the library side pocket door as well.

Equally majestic is the custom designed Chesney mantel in the library. A mantel like this is a rare find at any residence. The library might be one of the smaller rooms in the entire residence, but it makes one of the largest statements with these details. Right off of the library is the living room, the largest room in the house and very grand indeed.

What’s makes the living room (and the entire residence) so stately and majestic is the soaring ceiling heights. The unit that I toured has 12’ ceilings throughout. 12’ ceiling heights, combined with the living room situated street side (East) makes for ample, natural sunlight entering this room and really defines what ‘luxury’ is.

The only other building that I have toured that has a larger den is 252 East 57th Street. The penthouse has even higher ceiling heights of 14’ throughout. The other finer design details that impressed me were in the bathrooms. The mosaics in the master bath and specifically in the private water closet are beautiful and accent the space. Combine that detail with the rain shower and handheld in the private water closet and you have another defining example of the high quality that Toll Brothers delivers.

And the last detail of quality is the marble outlined tubs. I have seen many apartments in NYC where the front façade of the tub is tiled so that the aesthetic of the bathroom flows … meaning there is not a glaring white ceramic tub visually prominent amid the colors and textures of the tiles.

Toll Brothers has taken it to another level. Not only have they marbled the front of the tubs in the en-suite baths in each bedroom, but they have even covered the top of the tubs with a marble slab. I have not seen this detail in any other luxury residence that I have toured in New York to date.

The Upper East Side is a great location for luxury living in NYC. It encompasses many cultural attractions, the highest quality shopping, and Central Park. Both 12 East 88th Street and 1110 Park Avenue offer great luxury residences with the latest technology of fully pre-wired home automation, oversized living rooms for family entertaining, and each has fine design details that make each space unique. To learn more about luxury residences in NYC and investment opportunities please contact Daniel J. Bollinger at Daniel@APGNY.com or (718) 662-9493. t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 45

Freeland Farms One of the Great American Estates A rare opportunity to own a work of art, this is one of the great mansions of the world, with over 38,000 GBA sq. ft. of museum quality construction, secluded on 50 acres in a prime Midwest location. In addition to the mansion, there is a guest apartment, a separate 5,567 basement, a 6,720 sq. ft. stable and many acres of

emerald green lawns, studded with huge towering trees, a 7 acre private lake, incredible landscaping and gardens. Built by craftsmen equivalent to those employed by the Astors or Vanderbilts, this stone mansion has all the elegance and grandeur of a bygone era yet all the modern conveniences for grand scale entertaining and family living.

This estate has multiple buildings with a total

commented that there is no equivalent to this home existing in the Midwest today. The estate has 10 buildings on the grounds, which consist of the main home, second home, main barn with apartment, additional garage with apartment

Amish craftsmen. Stonework on home inside and out is impeccable. Elevator to all 3 levels.

The theatre and game rooms are located to accommodate family or corporate parties and there is even a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wrappingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; room in the basement for Christmas presents. This Property has all the farm with no details left out. The Pastures are all fenced with cypress wood fencing, having 8 x 8 notched posts. Also available is a separate 25 acre world class equestrian facility which may be purchased with Freeland Farms.

grand entertaining areas, a conservatory, and a lower level entertainment wing. Visitors have

www.FreelandFarms.com Hoffman International Properties 214-698-1736 www.MarilynHoffmanRealtor.com

Upscale Serviced Apartment Begins Welcoming Guests

By Ross Warren

&A Residential Hotel, the first short-stay furnished apartment by Furnished Quarters, has begun welcoming guests.

Situated in the heart of the thriving Financial District, this innovative residential hotel concept offers a new way to travel: short-stay, live-work suites, available for up to 30 days, allowing for shorter stays than traditional furnished apartments. Q&A Residential Hotel is located on floors three through six of the iconic Art Deco skyscraper, 70 Pine Street, a historic Landmark well known as the former AIG world headquarters.

Staying true to their “Stay Inventive” tagline, Q&A Residential Hotel brings a new category to the hospitality industry – an upscale residential experience where each of the 132 apartment-sized suites (ranging from 500 to 1,400 sq. ft.), feels like home. Standout features include a variety of thoughtful custom-built amenities such as a fullsized kitchen complete with top of the line cookware, dishwasher, stove; bespoke furniture and king size beds across all suite categories; smart TVs with streaming capability and more. Enjoying accommodations that average three times larger than typical New York City hotel rooms, guests of the property can feel like a resident, rather than a visitor.

In line with the inspirational vision behind Q&A Hotel, the aesthetic reflects innovation and dedication to creativity. Designed by the Furnished Quarters’ in-house design team, led by Steve Saide, EVP of Design, in collaboration with Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, the designer behind the Mondrian Hotels, including the Mondrian SoHo Hotel in New York and the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles, each apartment offers an upscale look and feel, with sleek décor comprised of items hand-selected from around the world.

The largely neutral color palate and thoughtfully curated furnishings have been chosen to ignite creativity among visitors. The purpose of the property itself is meant to serve as a solution for business and leisure travelers alike, who are seeking a home-away-from-home experience; the A to each traveler’s Q, if you will. Expanding upon this unique concept, every suite category is named after a ground-breaking inventor who uncovered answers to questions of his time, with rooms featuring large-scale, artistic interpretations of each great invention’s patent; Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Benjamin Franklin are among the visionaries represented. Curious about the owl in your room? As intended. They’re there to inspire curiosity.

Guests of the residential hotel can enjoy an array of convenient amenities and in-building offerings, including a La Palestra fitness and wellness center, artisanal Australian coffee shop Black Fox Coffee, which will serve up specialty coffee, tea, cold pressed juices and baked goods, and a 13,000 sq. ft. Urban Market featuring gourmet, high-end, prepared foods, modeled after the Brooklyn outpost. Additionally, admired restaurateur Ken Friedman and Michelin-starred chef April Bloomfield will operate a four-level dining and drinking complex atop the 66-story art deco landmark, set to open in early 2017.

For more information, please visit: QandAHotel.com About Q&A Residential Hotel The Q&A Residential Hotel is designed to serve the needs of today’s business and leisure travelers. With 132 suites, Q&A’s accommodations are, on average, three times larger than a typical New York City hotel room. Q&A is also unique in that every suite is a full-sized apartment with a full-sized kitchen. For more information or to make reservations, visit qandahotel.com t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 47

Stronghold Castle:

By Ed Curtis

uropean Royals couldn’t live without luxurious surroundings and several copied the opulence of Versailles.

It was a statement that they had arrived and lived for the best in life.

While today the greater majority of wealthy Americans prefer something akin to the penthouse at Trump Towers, there are those who still channel the Versailles Syndrome. Stronghold Castle in Bedminster, New Jersey, is a gleaming example of European opulence in the United States.

Bedminster has long been a haven for the uber-wealthy and many of the United States’ prominent families have established estates in the area. It is known as “Horse Country” because of the proliferation of private equine stables and the genteel practitioners of jumping horses and competitions.

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Built in 1886, Stronghold Castle is, arguably, one of the most amazing living structures in the United States. And that could extend to the fields of England and France as well.

Built by James Coleman Drayton, a New York banker, who was married to Charlotte Augusta Drayton, a daughter of William Astor, the castle befitted their lifestyle.

And what’s a castle without a bit of intrigue? Charlotte Drayton is reputed to have had an affair with a neighbor, H. Alsop Barrowe.

James Drayton found out about the liaison and challenged Barrowe to meet him in France for a duel. Such activities were highly illegal in New Jersey at the time. He wisely refused the offer and the two never shot it out on a French field of honor. Drayton divorced his wife and divested himself of the castle.

Aside from this nefarious incident there were no reports of hauntings, ghostly apparitions or any other mysterious happenings that seem to frequent castles in Europe.

Live Like A Royal The then 127-acre estate was sold in 1892 to New York lawyer, Thatcher M. Adams and his wife, also named Charlotte. In 1899 it again passed hands, this time to John Dryden, founder and president of the Prudential Insurance Company who later served in the U.S. Senate.

John Dryden took the opportunity to put his own brand on the castle and named it Stronghold. His reason for the name was never made quite clear, but he and his family used the estate primarily as a summer residence. His winter home was in Newark at a time when Newark was still Newark.

The estate during, Dryden’s time, employed 50 people tending to landscaping, domestic help and some farming. Over the years the acreage was sold off and today the Stronghold Castle is beautifully nestled in a 32-plus-acre setting in New Jersey’s very upscale “Horse Country.”

The estate remained in the family until 1937 when the remaining

Dryden family members passed away. It remained vacant and in deteriorating condition until 1940 when it sold for a mere $200,000 and was converted into a school for girls.

In 1996 the castle was closed and plans were to sell it to a financial services group that intended to use it for commercial purposes with some 150 employees working there on a daily basis. That idea horrified the upscale neighbors who mounted opposition and the plan was dropped.

By now the value was sharply on the rise and it was purchased by the founder of a technological services company for $3.2 million.

The new owners, Christopher and Mary Carey began major renovations, converting the barn into a cottage. They told the Wall Street Journal that they spent about $6 million on the barn, furnishing the mansion with new roof, doors and windows.

In June of 2005 it passed hands to the current owner, fashion designer Marc Ecko and his wife, Allison, for a neat $7.4 million.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 49

Ecko gained considerable fame and a bit of notoriety to go along with it when, in 2007, he purchased the baseball that Barry Bonds hit (for $752,467) for a record-setting 756th home run, marked it with an asterisk (to symbolize that it may have been tainted by the player’s never admitted drug use) and donated it to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

When Ecko purchased the estate it lacked climate control and aging had taken a toll on wood paneling and interior masonry. He went to work and obtained approval to add a new entrance, a second kitchen and new garages. Then all the rooms underwent major renovation.

The Eckos lived in a nearby home during the construction phase.

They ensured that the construction would beautifully restore the property, giving it the unique feel and respect for its heritage, while at the same time providing modern amenities and a warm residential home.

A new, spacious addition increases the home’s historic footprint to include an informal entry to the residence, an expanded dining room, kitchen and family room, a sizeable open terrace and pool complex. There is also a garage wing.

The designer spared no expense to make Stronghold Castle into the property he envisioned it to be. He hired some seven contractors for almost $28 million in construction work that included marble and metal installations, renovation to the Olympic-size pool, grotto and interior rooms.

Represented by Marilyn Hoffman of Hoffman International Properties, an international brokerage specializing in selling unique properties. Marilyn is most famous for making the largest sale n the Midwest, a 35,000 sq ft. Lake Michigan estate that she sold for the full price of $20,000,000 in only 24 days. What is remarkable is that she sold this home sight unseen to a famous California family.

The castle also features more than 30 rooms, an indoor basketball court and a large exercise room. The gymnasium holding the basketball court also features a kitchenette and lavatories and is near to the mansion itself.

A broker’s representative said: “Unstinting resources were given to refurbishing virtually every aspect of its lavish architectural character while simultaneously allowing for the creation of a comfortable home. Today, sophisticated 21st century technology

50 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

silently pulses within Strongholdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recesses.â&#x20AC;?

of the structure.

The Stronghold Castle sits on its 32-plus acre estate on Bernardsville Mountain with exquisite views.

An office in the castle has been made into a one-of-a-kind room with brick along the outer wall that combined with the metal elements of a chandelier, projects a bit of an industrial feel.

Three levels of living space in Stronghold Castle are integrated with a five-level tower that offers incomparable views that would not be able to be built today.

The residence contains 20,000-plus square-feet of living space, 22 rooms, including seven bedrooms, eight full and three half-baths, a free standing gymnasium, pool, two garages with a capacity for five cars and an unfinished stone guest house.

The more than 32-acre estate also features two polo fields and a 10-acre subdivided parcel sited with an eight-room carriage house, five garages and another pool.

While carefully protecting the historic mien of the castle and estate, the Eckos managed to give it a sense of bold and distinct style. Not surprising for a famous designer. They created a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hip and chicâ&#x20AC;? vibe that does not distract at all from the classic beauty

Polished ceiling mirrors, also broken up by metal elements, give the illusion that the room is considerably higher than it really is.

There is a gallery/catwalk above that also has the atmosphere of an underground art or fashion venue-thank you Mr. Ecko.

Marc and Allison Ecko invested far more than money into the estate. They put feeling and heart into the work they commissioned and recreated the grandness of the historic estate that Stronghold Castle was and is.

They infused it with 21st century luxury living that would be the envy of European Royalty.

For more information, please visit: XXX 4USPOHIPME$BTUMF DPN t

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 51

The Towers of Natchez A rare opportunity to live and own a work of art, this landmark mansion occupies a prominent niche in antebellum Natchez architecture. The Towers has been restored by one of the country’s foremost entrepreneurs, with all the elegance and grandeur of a bygone era, and retains the warmth and deep charm of Adriatic Italy. The Renaissance itself somehow loiters for a moment in the deep shadows of the triple-arched entrance while time seems towering 300 year old trees and giant azaleas.

Known as the grandest mansion in Natchez, the renovation included plaster molding and wainscoting, Aubusson carpets and high rococo antiques. The new owner will live among priceless furniture by John Henry Belter, J.J. Meeks, Alexander Roux and Prudent Mallard. Also included for the new owner are extensive and unique collections, such as 300 antique beaded purses, 100 antique tiaras and crowns, antique lace, chatelaines, Moser glass, vintage costume jewelry and many others. There is also a collection of props and costumes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 2004 movie – PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – including the Phantom’s mask, gloves, cape and sword.

This 7,500 sq. ft. mansion has 5 bedrooms including a spectacular new master suite with 1,600 sq. ft. and is secluded on approximately 5 acres of gardens featuring 20 bronze in the world, including Star Liana York, Ken Rowe, Danny Ostermiller and Chris Navarro. This property offers a lifetime of collections that are impossible to duplicate today. Also in the heart of Natchez, including the building and inventory.

www.NatchezFinestHistoricalEstate.com Hoffman International Properties

214-698-1736

www.MarilynHoffmanRealtor.com

“Concussion - The Movie,” But Real Life

By Devi Nampiaparampil, MD, MS (“Doctor Devi”) oncussion, a true story set at the intersection of spirituality, science and sports, highlights one man’s fight to tell the truth. Dr. Bennett Omalu, played by Will Smith, is the forensic pathologist who autopsied football legend, “Iron Mike” Webster and discovered a pattern of brain abnormalities he would later name “chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).”

To prepare for his role, Smith did extensive research and even watched five autopsies—the first one performed by Omalu. At a private screening at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York, the actor noted, “Every human being needs to see an autopsy... the complete dismantling of a human body... It turned into a spiritual experience for me... Everything that makes up a person was all still there except the thing that actually makes a person. Except the soul, except that energy, the battery, the life force. Even though everything was still there, it was completely gone... I started to look at people differently. My mind started to accept the separation between a person’s body and the person.”

According to Smith, Omalu, a devout Catholic from Nigeria, didn’t draw a distinction between science and spirituality. “He sees himself as the last one who sees this person to the after life. He’s delivering souls to Heaven.”

Although Concussion is loaded with medical information, the science never overpowers the individual struggle. After Omalu determined playing football could potentially cause permanent brain injury, he informed the NFL. He expected a positive response for his discovery but received the opposite. “[It’s] that brilliant beautiful combination of genius level intellect with the naivete,” Smith explained, “It’s almost hard for those two things to exist on that level... He couldn’t even conceive of the idea that the NFL didn’t want to know.”

“What [Omalu] wanted was to be accepted as an American.” Smith recounted. “To be the guy who discovers the disease that players get in ‘America’s game’ is such a beautiful conflict.”

The film is a compilation of information - on traumatic encephalopathy - accumulated over the past two decades by Omalu, Dr. Julian Bailes, played by Alec Baldwin in the film, and the medical researchers they inspired. I place myself in that category.

While working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2008, treating wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, I found a link between traumatic brain injury and the development of chronic pain. At one point, I hesitated. These findings could turn more people against the war. I feared the federal government might try to suppress my work. Many of us have experienced that moment of pause - including Omalu and Smith.

“I was born and raised in Philly with my Philadelphia Eagles,” Smith joked. “I was like, ‘I don’t want to be the guy to have to make this movie.’ My son played football for four years and I was worried about him breaking his leg… I was concerned about spinal injury and I absolutely positively had no idea that there was a possibility for long-term brain damage. That was the thing that really pushed me over... People have to know the truth. They can decide what they want but they have to know.”

Devi E. Nampiaparampil, MD, MS Director, Metropolis Pain Medicine PLLC Clinical Associate Professor, NYU School of Medicine Medical Contributor, Fox 5 NY 347-424-4996 www.doctordevi.com t Devi Nampiaparampil, MD, MS (“Doctor Devi”) MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 53

By Ivette Manners

hen outside temperatures drop and indoor heat zaps moisture from the air it’s time to protect your skin. The chilly winter months can irritate your skin’s barrier— the lipid-rich surface that’s sensitive to changes in temperature, climate, and humidity—not only causing uncomfortably dry, itchy, and flaky skin, but also the acceleration of cells’ aging process. Fret not, we’ve rounded up what you need to know to help you bring back a glow to your cheeks and maintain healthy skin overall.

4. Step up the Moisture “Trade in your lotions for cream-based products during the long winter months, as they’re designed for more heavy duty hydration and naturally lock in moisture,” says Dr. Ingraham. Look for moisturizers that help replenish lipids, such as Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($27.50, kiehls.com), which contains botanicals similar to skin’s natural lipids, so it’s easily absorbed and helps reestablish moisture balance.

1. Switch Cleaners What you might use to cleanse your skin during the spring and summer may overdry in the winter. Ditch the harsh soaps and use a more gentle cleanser instead. “Soaps tend to disrupt the acidic pH that the skin needs to function best, as well as strip skin of crucial lipids,” says Sherry N. Ingraham, M.D., of Advanced Dermatology & Skin Care in Houston, Texas. Look for liquid-based cleansers like SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser ($34, skinceuticals. com), which is a mild, soap-free cleanser that removes impurities without drying and contains orange oil to soothe.

5. Treat the rest of your skin It’s not just your face that experiences the effect of cold winter weather. Switch your bath soap to a cream- or oil-based gel, and use cooler temperature water in the shower, which doesn’t dry skin out as much as too-hot water does. After showering, apply an emollient body cream like Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme ($7, target.com) on slightly damp skin, so that it penetrates better and lasts longer.

2. Scale back on the scrubbing Over washing, scrubbing, or overusing toner can dry out your skin. “Cleanse to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, but not so much that you leave your skin feeling tight after cleansing and depleted of the lipids that keep it soft and supple,” says Dr. Ingraham. “You want to maintain a healthy skin barrier, so that your skin can retain its ideal moisture level and perform normal cellular turnover.”

3. But do exfoliate... gently “Gentle exfoliation helps remove dry patches, improves the appearance of your skin, and allows your skincare products, like serums and moisturizers, to penetrate better,” says Alexandra Georgescu, an esthetician at Adam Broderick Salon & Spa in Ridgefield, CT. “But over exfoliating can dry and irritate skin further. Lightly exfoliate skin with a gentle scrub, such as June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish ($58, junejacobs.com), which contains pumpkin enzymes and fruit extracts to dissolve dead cells and detoxify skin.

54 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

6. Make moisturizing a habit Keep a moisturizing cream next to your sink, so that any time you wash your hands you’ll remember to reapply; and also keep cream beside your bed, so that you can moisturize before you go to sleep to help heal cracked hands and feet. “This can be the key to avoiding painful dermatitis in the wintertime,” says Dr. Ingraham.

7. Add moisture back in the air Use a cool-air humidifier whenever possible to help replace some of the moisture lost from indoor heat. Place one on your nightstand and consider getting a mini one for your desk that can be plugged into your computer.

8. Maintain lipids on the inside Keep up your intake of essential omega-3 fatty acids in the wintertime by eating salmon, walnuts, and avocados—all of which help restore essential lipids in your body and promote healthy skin, says Dr. Ingraham.

Photo by halofan943

Winter Beauty Reboot

Cold-Weather Beauty Essentials

Renew your dry skin with these complexion-saving picks

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Replacing lipids washed away after cleansing your face is critical to restoring the skin barrier.

This treatment cream contains 2% ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids (hence the name) to help increase hydration, improve tone and texture, and enhance skin’s barrier recovery and repair functions. $125, skinceuticals.com

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask Give your skin a weekly boost of hydration and radiance with this creamy mask that contains katafray tree bark extract, which is found in Madagascar and used to draw in moisture and seal it to the skin, plus sorbier bud extract, an antioxidant that encourages circulation. $36, clarinsusa.com

Dermalogica Age Smart Renewal Lip Complex Literally like an anti-aging cream for lips, this treatment goes far beyond your basic lip balm. Peptides and antioxidants hydrate, heal, and smooth dry lips while renewing skin and minimizing lines around your mouth; and a blend of avocado oil, shea butter, and cocoa seed butter offers lots of moisture, so you don’t have to reapply several times a day. $26, dermalogica.com

Pep-Start Eye Cream The delicate skin around your eyes can get dry and tight causing your face to look tired and dull, but this lightweight cream brightens and refreshes eyes. Packed with peptides and botanical extracts, it helps stimulate collagen and elastin production and fade under eye discoloration. And the cute little applicator massages as you apply the cream to help de-puff the eye area. $26.50, sephora.com

Clarisonic Mia Fit Get rid of flaky skin and help your skincare work better by gently buffing away dehydrated and dead cells. The clever electronic cleansing device deep cleanses six times better than just using your hands and exfoliates the top dry layer of skin. This more compact design is a step up from the original Mia cleansing brush, which has a cult following of its own. And there’s a version for men, the Clarisonic Alpha Fit, because his skin needs some TLC, too. $189, ulta.com

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 55

Spotlight on Beauty: Science, Passion & Health

By Dr. Doris Day

thing I hear is the complaints. I can see they are missing the beauty.

lose your eyes and think of the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;beauty.â&#x20AC;? What comes to mind? Is it a person, a place, a feeling, a sound?

Beauty is complicated. I submit to you that beauty is a conglomerate of science, passion, health, generosity of spirit and desire. It can be fleeting and elusive for those who only see its pure physical sense.

They sometimes term it as they want to look younger, but I prefer it when they say they are looking to be more attractive. There is a very big difference between the two statements. Those chasing youth often in the end will keep asking for more filler and will only be happy if they have no lines or wrinkles or movement that creates a line or wrinkle, whereas those who look to be more attractive understand that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about balance and harmony rather than chasing the lines and wrinkles.

Beauty, in a physical way, is highly subjective and is very different today than it was five, 10, 20 or more years ago. When I show my daughter photos of me when I was her age, she marvels at the hair styles, outfits and makeup that was popular â&#x20AC;&#x153;back then.â&#x20AC;? To her itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting but is dated and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit the current vision of what is beautiful for her generation. I know one day her children will say the same about her.

To break it down to the sum of its parts, beauty can be classified into subjective and objective forms. On a subjective level, it is a look, an emotion, an action. It exists in nature, it exists in our hearts, and it exists in the way we take care of ourselves and what we give back to others. The objective side of beauty has a highly scientific and mathematical backing that aesthetic physicians study for decades and discuss and debate at great lengths in meetings here and around the world to build and hone our rejuvenation techniques.

I study the objective forms of beauty by studying the old masters like Davinci, and I aim to make sure my patients only focus on the more subjective forms. In the end the result of both objective and subjective merges into this: we â&#x20AC;&#x153;feelâ&#x20AC;? beautiful, it makes us happy to see beautiful things. Beauty doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask for attention. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but notice when you see it, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but feel the experience, and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but gain from it. When you look at a beautiful sunrise, bird, work of art or face you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but make facial expressions and release hormones that inspire beauty within you.

As an aesthetic dermatologist I see patients every day who seek my advice and experience about what they can do to look beautiful. I often hear the line â&#x20AC;&#x153;one day my face just fell apart,â&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look tired.â&#x20AC;?

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost always a story about why women, and more and more men too, come in when they do and about what they perceive as their flaws. Sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that they are going to an event and an ex will be there, maybe with a younger wife or girlfriend; sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big birthday or reunion coming up and sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new job or holiday coming up that they want a little pick me up. I understand that. The common theme here is that the first

I have a few rules that I live by. One is that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have mirrors on the walls in any room in my office. This is partly because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want my patients looking and worrying over what they see as aging in their skin, and partly because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to look at myself all day. I know that if I look too much Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also fall prey to the same temptation to be hypercritical, a bad habit I have worked hard to break. For me, I look at myself in the mirror of my mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye and to give you an example of what I see, I would say the closest would be Raquel Welch. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I project and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I assume everyone else sees. I also know, realistically that getting older is inevitable and there are changes that occur, some classic and common to all of us, but most of the changes we see are due to lifestyle. One of my main objectives is to counsel my patients and the public on the importance and value of a healthy lifestyle and how it impacts the skin and beauty. Simple things like sun smart behavior- wearing a hat, sunglasses, sun protective clothing, sunscreen and avoiding midday sun exposure- eating a diet high in anti-oxidants, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated will do wonders for your skin and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see the difference within a week.

My other rule is that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t chase lines and wrinkles. I evaluate the face as a global aesthetic unit, and I look for proportion and balance. I also know that it takes a combination approach using devices like Ultherapy or Thermage which help tighten and lift the skin, along with neuromodulators like Botox or Dysport and fillers like Voluma and Restylane in discrete areas with very precise technique to rebalance. I often give my patients a homework which is to bring in a photo from when they were in their 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. My goal is not to recreate the photo or try to make them look 20. My goal is to understand their balance and their features over time so I can make sure they always look like UIF CFTU NPTU CFBVUJGVM WFSTJPO PG UIFNTFMWFT t Dr. Day, a dermatologist, is affiliated with NYU Langone Hospital.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 57

Naturopathica: Healing Arts Center & Spa

By Daniel J. Bollinger ocated at 127 West 26th Street in Chelsea Naturopathica is 21st Century Wellness. Inspired by traditional healing practices and modern science, Naturopathica Chelsea, offers holistic treatments, skin care, body products, remedies, and rituals that empower individuals on their path to well-being.

Naturopathica achieves this with their Vitality Bar, Remedy Bar, Therapists and Healers, and their Meditation Lounge.

Let’s start with Naturopathica’s Vitality Bar. It is the first thing you will notice upon entering Naturopathica. Offerings include tonics, elixirs, teas, cold-pressed juices and kombucha on tap that have special healing benefits to improve and sustain vitality.

Whether you need more energy, immunity support, a nice mood lift, better sleep, more radiant skin, less stress, or a cleansing detox Naturopathica has the right aperitif for you. Their list of tonics, elixirs and specialty drinks are sure to heal what ails you or provide you with what you are seeking more of. I tasted the Skin Radiance Tonic when I first arrived and not only was it delicious but my skin actually looks smoother the past few days (I am also using their Soothing Shave Cream currently so I believe it is a result of the combination.) “One Thing” that I must elaborate on is the fact that Naturopathica carries kombucha on tap. I was introduced to kombucha while living in Belize. I was taught how to brew my own 58 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

kombucha and am a believer in the health benefits of this very ancient known drink. You can either enjoy a shot or two daily or have a jasmine green kombucha as part of your health ritual.

Across from the Vitality Bar are all of Naturopathica’s skin and body products on display. There are a slew of products available for hand care, hair care, both men’s and women’s products, stress relief, and natural immunity. Many products are gluten free and/or vegan and you can shop by these classifications on their website. I must mention the Aromatic Alchemy Gift Set. It is aromatherapy for the mind, body and spirit which includes four blends: Chill, Inspire, Meditation, and Re-Boot aromatic alchemies. I am writing this article while enjoying Inspire. Just a few drops in the palm of your hand and a deep inhalation with your hands over your face will surely put you in the emotional state of each blended essence.

At the back of the store is Naturopathica’s Remedy Bar. It is a unique herbal dispensary featuring loose-leaf teas from the finest estates in China, Japan, India, Nepal, Sumatra and Vietnam. You will know you are there when you start noticing all the sweet aromatics that these teas emit. You can enjoy a signature tea blend while at the spa and/or purchase in bulk to enjoy these blends every day when in the sanctity of your home space. I recommend stopping by, the scents of all these delicious teas will pique your interest in enjoying these herbal health concoctions.

Therapists and Healers Naturopathica has six massage rooms and a meditation lounge behind the retail component of their establishment. Naturopathica offers an immense range of facial treatments and massage therapies.

I received the Nirvana Stress Relief Massage. Their literature states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;...deeply revitalizing treatment that uses aromatherapy and deep tissue massage to wring stress out of tension-bound muscles and includes a detailed arm and hand massage to relieve computer fatigue.â&#x20AC;? I will tell you The Nirvana is an extraordinary treatment that is more than just a full body massage from the top of your head all the way down to your piggly wigglies.

You get to choose from four different aromatic alchemy blends each offering a different mood to your treatment. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall asleep during the Nirvana Massage but I was in a highly relaxed meditative state from this massage. I would love to get this therapy and get led straight to the meditation lounge to join a group meditation session. Which leads me to...

Meditation Lounge Being an avid practitioner and believer of yoga and meditation, I am highly impressed with Naturopathicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meditation Lounge. It is large enough to accommodate a cozy group yet small enough for an intimate but not crowded experience. With a wall projector illuminating beautiful images on the walls and the quiet still of oneness, a meditative environment is present in the mediation lounge. One thing that I must point out is Naturopathicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice of meditation seating. Their seats are designed for pregnant women to sit more comfortably during meditation (and also a good solution

for anyone who may have trouble attaining lotus position for any reason). My chakras aligned perfectly while trying out this seat.

Very good choice of seating for the Naturopathicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meditation Lounge. The meditation lounge is a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;talk free zoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. It was designed for both employees, to get themselves in the right frame of mind of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;givingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for their healing session, and guests, for the same reason but for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;receivingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; their treatment. If you understand the power of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;intentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the spiritual arts you will realize how Naturopathicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meditation Lounge design and function really sets them apart from just another pampering spa. Meditation classes are coming soon.

Proprietor Barbara Close is a true master of wellness education. She considers her new second location â&#x20AC;&#x153;an urban 21st century wellness centerâ&#x20AC;?. Barbara has twenty years of experience from her original location in East Hampton and now has brought her knowledge to the Big Apple. Her experience is actually much more extensive because her true inspiration for Naturopathica started when she was just a little girl. During summers she would visit her aunt in France where her aunt taught her all about the healing powers and health benefits of the natural flora. This was during a time when â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;farm to tableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a catchphrase in our consumerist economy but actually the way of the world. It was when your kitchen was your pharmacy and Barbara learned a sense of empowerment in taking your health into your own hands. Barbara Close has brought this empowerment to you and has transformed all this knowledge and experience into a DPNNVOJUZ IFBMJOH DFOUFS /BUVSPQBUIJDB t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 59

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St. Patrick’s Day: NYC Irish Pubs

By Sandy Nesoff n March 17 of every year the Charles River in Boston turns green for the day. As with their respective baseball teams, New York outdoes Boston on that day…in New York everything is green for St. Patrick’s Day. If you disagree, check out the thousands and thousands of people lining Fifth Avenue to watch as thousands of marchers strut their stuff. Everyone is wearing some degree of green-from clothing to painted faces.

New York does “not need a green river” to let the world know what day it is.

Politicians to preachers, no matter their ethnic heritage, all suddenly become Irish. Cardinal James Dolan can stand on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and marvel at how many “ethnic converts for a day” there are.

Stepping along at the head of the parade are such Irishmen as Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Mayor Bill DeBlasio.

There are white Irishmen, black Irishmen, and Asian Irishmen, all celebrating their adopted ethnicity for the day.

After the parade many of the revelers (countless numbers who have skipped school and work) will adjourn to the number of Irish pubs located throughout the city. They come from far and near.

As mentioned elsewhere in this issue, even the city of Grapevine, Texas, has come up to join the celebration with an invitation-only party.

While in the ordinary course of pub business, brews such as Bud Lite may be the preferred drink, today you’ll be the object of scornful looks if you order anything else but Guinness.

With more than 2,000 Irish pubs in New York City, including the Boroughs, it’s difficult to choose. Herewith we offer seven pubs situated in Manhattan for your enjoyment. This is not to judge the remaining 1,993 pubs. It’s simply that space in this issue does not permit us to write about all of them... although that would have been a terrific assignment.

Our pubs for St. Patrick’s Day are:

Emmett O’ Lunney’s 210 West 50th St. (212) 957-5100 Emmett O’Lunney’s sits smack in the heart of the theater district and a long stone’s throw from the parade route. They are a pub with more than pub food. Tired revelers and parade marchers can pop in for a wide menu with reasonable prices.

Emmett O’Lunney’s has one of the more extensive Irish menus while not forsaking the American taste for American food.

There is bangers & mash, fish & chips, shepherds pie, traditional Irish onion soup and a Jr. Gaelic steak.

Those who would like a whistle-wetting, can check out the drinks at two bars. Alcohol offerings include local and imported beers, a varied wine list and cocktails O’Lunney’s is family-owned and they invite guests to “...sit and enjoy a drink and come in for lunch or dinner. The pub is open late, so there’s no need to rush right over after the parade.

62 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Step in and a journey back in time begins. The legendary “Back Room” was the place to go during Prohibition for a shot or mug.

No worries about being overwhelmed by choices for beer, there are only two kinds: McSorley’s Light and McSorley’s Dark.

For St. Patrick’s Day McSorley’s will roll out its mugs of house ale that is served in pairs. You’ll get one light and one dark. The drinks complement a very limited menu that barely changes from St. Patrick’s Day to Rosh Hashanah.

Food you want? OK, if you insist. The fare for the day will be a three-cheese spread with crackers. It’ll be accompanied by a McSorley’s special horseradish sauce that has been a staple here since anyone can remember.

McSorley’s Old Ale House 15 East 7th Street (212) 473-9148

The lure of the pub is its atmosphere. Their floors are covered in sawdust and one patron commented that it “...looks as though it hasn’t been painted since it first opened.” But that’s what regulars and first-timers alike enjoy about the place. It’s a man’s bar and always has been.

McSorley’s lays claim to being the oldest Irish pub in this country and has been in continuous operation since 1854. It has developed a cult-like following despite its lack of Irishmake that “any” serious food.

Well, at least until 1970 when the courts said it was time to come into the modern world and ordered that women be admitted.

That’s evident by the restrooms. The porcelain accommodations in the men’s room have been compared in size to a sarcophagus, while those in the ladies room are... rather Spartan.

Rosie O’Grady’s 800 7th Avenue (212) 582-2975

crusted rack of lamb, chicken Oscar and surf & turf. Well why not? After all Irish immigrants have become assimilated to the culture in the United States. But on St. Patty’s Day?

Smack in the heart of Midtown, Rosie O’Grady’s has become a destination for theatergoers and Irish aficionados alike.

Walk down to the lower level and the bar is almost like a private club…except that everyone is welcome.

The street-level dining room offers a full menu and on this special day you’ll find corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and any number of traditional Irish dishes.

There are tables across from the bar where you can sit down and order a full meal or simply relax with friends and enjoy a pint of Guinness. If you’d like, you can sit there away from the monstrous crowds and watch the parade from beginning to end on the conveniently placed television sets.

Interestingly, there is a host of non-Irish dishes that you might find in any other restaurant. There’s French onion soup, hazelnut

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 63

Slattery’s Midtown Pub 8 East 36th St. (212) 683-6444 If you can’t make the parade, head for Slattery’s. This neighborhood and after work pub, offers 25 HD TVs that’ll cover it from start to finish. You won’t have to miss a marching band, step-dancers, or the faux Irish New York politicians stepping off in the lead.

The menu also offers the ever-present pub favorites such as burgers with an Irish flair, wraps, sandwiches, wings, salads and traditional favorites such as pot pies and shepherd’s pies. Don’t miss the fish & chips.

Aside from the holiday, on weekends, Slattery’s also offers a full Irish breakfast.

Beer is Murphy’s Stout, a creamy brew from County Cork that uses a 150-year-old recipe.

There are three other Irish beers and more than a dozen whiskies. Enjoy!

One of the more popular activities at Slattery’s, putting aside the pints and shots are the schedule of specialty nights. They range from trivia night, West Wing Night, My-so-called-life Night, Harry Potter Night and Friends Night, all paying tribute to classic television programs. To change the pace they sponsor a scavanger hunt that takes participants all over The City.

Connolly’s Pub 21 West 45th St. (212) 597-5126 Connolly’s is also a family-owned traditional Irish pub. It’s a bit closer to the parade route and is minutes from Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center for commuters or visitors.

The venue pairs its food with a selection of more than 50 different beers from which to choose. If you think a comprehensive diner menu is difficult when making a choice, try that with more than 50 different beers staring you in the face. While it may be tempting, we don’t recommend sampling all of them in one visit.

Check out the Slammin spinach artichoke dip or the Buffalo wings made just right.

There’s also Irish smoked salmon and an eclectic menu that offers American food, Irish pub food and... pizza.

The combination makes Connolly’s attractive to families and especially those with children. While mom and dad are enjoying wings and artichoke dip washed down with a cool brew, the kids can be feasting on their pizza slices.

Can you imagine the happy hour? Or imagine hot and tired marchers and revelers coming in for a brew and food? The homey atmosphere calms the excitement of St. Patrick’s Day and all the guests at Connelly’s Pub can sit back, relax, grab a bite to eat and have a beer.

There are large TV screens covering virtually every major sporting event being broadcast.

The pub can accommodate from 15 to 500 people on two floors and is a hot spot for business meetings and functions, school reunions and family gatherings.

To all of you pure Irishmen and women... and those of you who join the clan for the day, Céad Míle Fáilte...Welcome.

64 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Landmark Tavern 626 11th Ave. (212) 275-8595 Perhaps if this tavern were named the O’Landmark, it would sound more Irish. But make no mistake; this is as Irish as it gets. It is also one of the oldest in New York, having opened in 1868.

Patrick Henry Carley opened the tavern as the “Irish Waterfront Saloon on what is today 11th Ave. It was located on the shore of the Hudson River... right on the shoreline. Along came Prohibition and they turned the third floor into a speakeasy. They couldn’t use the second floor because that’s where they lived with their little children. Today it still retains its classic old New York Charm.

Food is good Irish pub fare. While there is a larger menu if you are intent on sitting down for a full menu, its pub food and bar are what keeps on bringing regulars back for more.

If you can play an instrument, come on in on Monday night and join the band.

All are welcome to participate.

Paddy Reilly’s 519 2nd Ave. @ 29th St. (212) 686-1210 Some patron’s have called Paddy Reilly’s “The best and only real Irish pub left in New York.”

Other pubs and patrons may take issue with that, but Paddy Reilly’s has one distinction none of the others have and it fits right in with the holiday celebration. It claims to be the “First and only all-Guinness draft bar in the world.”

That’s something we’d have to do a lot of research on to confirm, but for the time being, let’s accept it at face value.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrants will enjoy the $5 draft of Guinness.

OK, so there’s no other choice because that’s all there is on tap.

But who cares?

The staff has earned a reputation for being welcoming to all patrons and many return because of the feeling they have. That seems to be the hallmark of virtually all Irish pubs in New York.

Paddy’s had been serving thirsty patrons for more than 30 years and entertained them with live music. Groups include Irish Seisún’s as well as The Prodigals. Other music genres play during the week as well ranging from Bluegrass to jam sessions.

The flooring comes from an old Irish hotel and there are remnants of a still from County Cavan. How much more BVUIFOUJD DBO ZPV HFU t

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 65

Paname: Midtown’s Authentic French Bistro

By Lyle Seltzer

rue French food is difficult to find. It is either good or not good; there is no in-between. Paname easily fits the first category... it is a fine French restaurant.

Paname is a neighborhood French restaurant located on Second Avenue between 56th and 57th Street serving lunch and dinner seven days a week. The dining room is both spacious and quiet, which set the tone for an enjoyable dining experience.

At dinner, one has the option of ordering off an a la carte menu or a 3-course prix fixe menu.

The prix fixe menu is reasonably priced at $38 and provides choices from a selection of 10 appetizers, 13 main courses and 10 desserts. I opted for the prix fixe menu because I wanted to enjoy a full dinner (appetizer, entrée and dessert)and I was impressed with the available selections. My dining companion also opted for the prix fixe option as it provided a significant savings to ordering a la carte.

For starters, I ordered the escargots which were served in baby potatoes with garlic butter. The snails were tasty and the presentation was a nice touch compared to the standard escargot presentation.

My dining companion opted for the crab cakes with remoulade sauce and was quite satisfied by both the meatiness of the crab cakes as well as the texture of the crab. We also shared a Caesar salad with Parmesan cheese which was chilled and quite refreshing. Other appetizer choices on the menu included pate, tomato, mozzarella

and basil, baby octopus, Portobello mushroom with fresh mozzarella and the choice of a few Salads.

For the main course, I selected the oven-roasted duck and my companion ordered the filet of sole with pistachio nuts. The duck was cooked to perfection and was well seasoned. It was accompanied by quinoa. The filet of sole was a very generous portion which was nice and moist. Both dishes had a $4 supplemental charge as did the New York shell steak and the bouillabaisse.

Other main course options included penne with shitake mushrooms, spaghetti Bolognese, penne with shrimp, lobster ravioli, cod fish, tilapia, chicken breast and pork scaloppini.

The meal would not have been complete without dessert. I capped my meal off with the banana split and my companion went for the old standby, crème brulee. Both desserts were superb and the presentations were exquisite.

Other dessert choices included apple tarte, tarte tatin, chocolate cake, mousse au chocolat, crepe, chocolate volcano and sorbets and ice cream.

The service at the restaurant was top notch as our waitress was both attentive and knowledgeable.

Paname Restaurant 1068 Second Avenue New York City 212-207-3737 www.panamenyc.com t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 67

Robert Restaurant: Where Art Meets Cuisine

By Jon Haggins Photos By Maybelle Webster

Weinstein is no stranger to New York, and he loves to eat. Dr. Brian Saltzman is a vast art collector who appreciates art.”

ining and culture rarely go together... except at Robert Restaurant. Robert Restaurant is located on the 8th floor of the Museum of Art and Design at Columbus Circle with an impressive view of Central Park, Broadway and Central Park West. The building was originally constructed as The Huntington Hartford Museum and later occupied by The NY Cultural Affairs Department. Now it shines as the New Museum of Art and Design.

Robert was conceived to include a collection of contemporary art and design. It was commissioned specifically and curated by the partners, Michael Weinstein and Dr. Brian Saltzman.

Robert was named in honor of Robert Isabell, the late florist and party designer and long time friend of the owners. Isabell was involved in the creative concept of the restaurant from its inception.

The space evokes an elegant, sophistication and a celebratory atmosphere for which Isabell was renowned.

Ana Harris, the restaurant manager told, me: “Robert is designed to complement Columbus Circle. Not only is Columbus Circle a destination, it’s also a one stop shoppers paradise where one can get a little culture and a fantastic dining experience. Michael 68 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Guests can sit on sofas in the central lounge area or by the large windows to enjoy the spectacular view of Columbus Circle and Central Park.

The lighting is designed by San Francisco based architect Johanna Grawunder. Grawunder’s two installations are Cherry Blossoms, a mobile like chandelier installation of LED lit Lucite panels and Tangerines; a series of suspended orange Lucite boxes along the windowed perimeter.

Sculptural steel cocktail tables, host stand and a 15-foot communal table bisected by a 6-foot high ‘sound wave’ were created for the space by London based architect Philip Michael Wolfson. Vladimir Kagan, a modernist master, designed the sorbet colored orange, pink, cerise, aqua and turquoise upholstered chairs.

The prix fixe three-course lunch includes an appetizer, main course and dessert for $35.00.

We began our meal with a roasted beet salad with yellow and dark beets with pickled red onion, breakfast radishes and orange vinaigrette ($16). It was a refreshing start to our lunch.

Tuna Carpaccio is always a delightful dish, especially with the colorful presentation at Robert that includes, Kalamata olives, red peppers, chipotle aioli and red onion finely chopped ($18). Not only is it presented artistically colorful, it’s a blend of flavor that is very appealing.

For our Pasta course we chose Agnolotti ravioli topped with fava bean, ricotta lemon and thyme beurre blanc ($25). The Scottish Salmon with a thin seared crust was ever so seamlessly prepared with flare. It was anchored on zucchini and butternut squash finely cut like spaghetti ($30). What could be better than that?

I felt as if I was on top of the world as the desserts arrived. Dessert began with three colorful flavors, including cranberry mango, apple cider and raspberry sorbet ($4 per scoop). The chocolate cake was filled with marvelous chocolate topped with a passion fruit custard raspberry gelee ($12). What could be better than that to top the dining experience?

Robert is open for lunch, brunch, dinner and late night cocktails with jazz music. Chef Luisa Fernandes prepares the specialties and Chef Benito Gregorio delights everyone with creative pastries.

Columbus Circle in New York City can seem like the center of the world and Robert can make you feel as though you’re on top of it all. From the excellent dining, the wonderful art and the relaxed ambience, you are in for a very special treat at Robert.

Robert Museum of Arts and Design, Ninth Floor 2 Columbus Circle New York City 10019 212-299-7730 www.robertnyc.com t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 69

Carnegie Deli Returns: Oh How We Missed That Pastrami

By Bob Nesoff

o this guy who looks like a tourist from Iowa on a date with his young son, decides to take him to a New York restaurant.

They walk into the Carnegie Deli, only steps from famed Carnegie concert hall on Seventh Avenue.

They sit down at a table and the father’s eyes bug out as he sees sandwiches, piled so high with meat that they could feed most of an army platoon. He turns to the waiter and asks: “Do you have a children’s menu?”

Never mess with an old-fashioned Jewish waiter in a deli.

The waiter, blank stare on his face, looks down his nose at the hapless tourist and says, in a voice filled with disdain: No!” Then turns and walks away.

70 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Locals sitting at surrounding tables stifled a chuckle as the man sought to regain his composure and dignity and try to find something his son could fit his lips around.

The Carnegie Deli is back in business, arrogant (is it a put-on?) waiters and ginormous sandwiches and all. Closed for close to a year following some legal problems, many feared the deli would never reopen. But open it did and loyal customers are flocking back to chomp into those mouth-watering pastrami sandwiches, fatty corned beef and a darned good knish. And that’s not to even mention the chopped liver.

Over recent years the number of iconic New York delis has dwindled. There is no other place in the country where a deli sandwich tastes the same as it does in New York City. You could even make that “Manhattan.”

Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the water. Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the air. But try pastrami or corned beef in Pennsylvania and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mystery meat.

But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a history,â&#x20AC;? Harper said. Look at all the pictures on the wall.â&#x20AC;?

The Stage Deli suddenly closed its doors a couple of years ago. The Second Avenue Deli moved from Second Avenue to two other locations and lost much of its panache. Yeah, we know, Katzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is still around, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Houston Street, another world away from midtown.

She points to walls that have almost every inch of space covered with a virtual hall of fame of movie and stage stars, politicians, authors, athletes... you name it.

Ben Ashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deli, just a few steps from Carnegie, is still active but not nearly as well known. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about it folks.

The Carnegieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notable munchers range from Woody Allen, who used it as a site in his movie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Broadway Danny Roseâ&#x20AC;? to former New York Yankee captain Derek Jeter. Both had sandwiches named in their honor. Woodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, costing a penny less that $30, consists of a combo of corned beef and pastrami while Derekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, brought out to honor his retirement, is a tower of turkey, bacon, American cheese, lettuce and tomato on white toast for $24.

Former Jets quarterback, Tim Tebow (now howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that-a sandwich in a Jewish deli named for a born-again Christian) was immortalized with a 3.5 pound monster sandwich of corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, American cheese, lettuce and tomato on white bread and called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;JetBow.â&#x20AC;?

You know that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve truly made it in New York when they name a sandwich after you.

Loyalty with the Carnegie extends from patrons to the staff. Most of the deliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees, about 50 of them, returned as soon as it reopened. And that was long after their unemployment benefits ran out, but yet they hung around. Management promised they would reopen and the staff waited.

Marian Harper, Carnegieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner, knows why customers and staff are so loyal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anybody can make corned beef because all they have to do is pickle it. With pastrami, we have it in an oven for more than two weeks and we add our unique special spices.â&#x20AC;?

The meats, breads and cakes are made in a facility in New Jersey and brought daily to New York.

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go to the Carnegie and not make friends. Tables are jammed one against the other and people sit shoulder to shoulder.

Natives and visitors, Americans and Europeans, all join in the cacophony of languages and sounds that permeate the restaurant.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a true paean to the words of the Dalai Lama: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strangers are only friends you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t met.â&#x20AC;?

The atmosphere is always hectic, but convivial. The line sometimes reaches down the block as people wait their turn. Reservations?

The Carnegie doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know how to spell the word. Come, wait your turn and then eat.

First opened in 1937, the Carnegie Deli was called by USA Today â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most famous restaurant in the United States. Now in its 79th year its family connection is still intact. Marion Harper still holds the reins, but daughter, Sarri, is waiting in the wings for her opportunity to be the Pastrami Queen of New York.

Leo Steiner, who passed away in 1987, co-owned the deli. It became so famous that he was commissioned to create a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statue of Livertyâ&#x20AC;? made of chopped liver for the United States Bicentennial. The torch was a turkey drumstick.

Four years earlier he provided corned beef and pastrami for visiting heads of state attending the G7 Economic Summit in Williamsburg, VA. Gastronomic conversion?

After 10 months of darkness, the lights came back on, then the lines formed and there was no question but that the Carnegie Deli was back in operation.

And the restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motto was once again in full force: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you can finish your meal, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done something wrong.â&#x20AC;? To the contrary, mon ami, it sure looks as though youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing it right. Let us know when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to celebrate that 80th BOOJWFSTBSZ OFYU ZFBS t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 71

Photos by Rey Rosa Photography

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March Broadway Review with Pat Collins Oscar Winners on Broadway orest Whitaker, whose portrayal of dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland earned him an Academy Award, makes his Broadway debut in a revival of Hughie at the Booth Theater. The setting for Eugene O’Neill’s two-character play is the lobby of a Manhattan hotel where talkative hustler Erie Smith (Whitaker) blames his recent streak of bad fortune on the death of Hughie, the former desk clerk. His replacement, played by Tony winner Frank Wood, is the patient listener in this 74 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

highly anticipated two hander. Mr. Whitaker joins a stellar group of actors including Jason Robards and Al Pacino, who starred in previous productions of O’Neill’s play, which opened in 1942.

Lupita Nyong’o, an Oscar winner for her supporting role in Twelve Years a Slave, chose Eclipsed, a new play by Danai Gurira, for her first appearance on a Broadway stage. A story of survival during the Liberian civil war, Eclipsed debuted at The Public Theater before moving to the Golden Theater on west 45th street.

She Loves Me The musical that inspired the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie You’ve Got Mail and enchanted audiences in 1963 and 1993 returns in a Roundabout Theater Company production directed by Scott Ellis. Laura Benanti, a Tony winner for Gypsy and Zachary Levi, the star of NBC’s Chuck, play bickering coworkers at an elegant Budapest parfumerie in the 1930’s. They are unaware that each is the other’s passionate pen pal. The score by Sheldon Harnick and the late Jerry Bock includes the best song ever written about ice cream, plus “Will He Like Me?”, “Tonight at Eight” and a dozen other numbers. Jane Krakowski, formerly of 30 Rock and a Tony winner for Nine, sings another showstopper “A Trip to the Library”.

The King Returns Ken Watanabe who took a leave of absence from The King And I to undergo treatment for stomach cancer has returned to the critically-acclaimed production directed by Bartlett Sher. Watanabe was Tony nominated for his portrayal of the titular character. His luminous costar Kelli O’Hara was chosen best actress in a musical. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, which debuted on Broadway in 1951, is something wonderful at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Departing Neverland Frasier star Kelsey Grammar, who plays the dual roles of Captain Hook and Charles Frohman in the Broadway musical Finding Neverland, will depart the Broadway musical March 26, one day before Tony Yazbeck gives his last performance as Peter Pan creator J. M. Barrie. Grammar is also one of the show’s producers.

The Red-Hot Color Purple Of the many impressive Broadway debuts in the 2015-2016 season, none surpass the showstopping performances of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson (Shug) and Cynthia Erivo (Celie) in a splendid revival of The Color Purple. Thunderous applause follows each of the score’s 18 songs, including Celie’s heartbreaking “Somebody Gonna Love You”, Shug’s naughty “Push da Button and the stars’ duet “What About Love?”. Oprah Winfrey, who was Oscar nominated for a supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 big screen version of The Color Purple, is one of the revival’s many producers.

Get off the sofa and get On your Feet There is no surer cure for the March blues than spending two and half hours with the high energy cast of On your Feet. The bio-musical follows Gloria and Emilio Estefan from their hard-won success with the Miami Sound Machine to international stardom. Dancing in the aisles at the Marquis Theater is discouraged, but yes “Rhythm is Gonna Get You”.

About Pat Collins Pat Collins is a three-time Emmy award-winning film, theater and entertainment critic/reporter. Her outstanding media credits include WCBS-TV, Good Morning America and WWOR-TV. She is a contributor to CUNY-TV’s Arts and The City program and the host of several Broadway specials including Kinky Boots On Broadway, Fiddler On The Roof: Back On Broadway, and The Road To The Tonys.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 75

Broadway Spring Preview!

By Jim Kierstead

he spring is on its way, everyone! And there is no better time on Broadway than when the new spring shows begin to perform. I’d like to give you a preview of some of the amazing new musicals and plays that have just begun or are about to begin. Get your tickets now since some of these are likely to be huge hits that will be sold out for years to come!

Here we go!

WAITRESS – (begins previews March 25th at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre) This new musical based on the 2007 motion picture of the same name, tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, who is stuck in a small town in a loveless marriage. When she’s faced with the chance to escape and change her life, will she?

The show features music and lyrics by the five-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter, Sara Bareilles. And the show is under the expert direction of Tony-winner Diane Paulus. You don’t want to miss this show, folks!

AMERICAN PSYCHO – (begins previews March 24th at The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre). Do you recall the film of the same name starring Christian Bale? Or the incredible novel the film 76 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

was based on that tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and handsome Wall Street banker who pursues his darkest American dreams, all within the backdrop of the excessive 80s in Manhattan.

Direct from a highly acclaimed London production, with a techno score by the incredible Duncan Sheik (SPRING AWAKENING).

Here’s a show not for the faint of heart, but one you’ll remember for a long time. I saw a workshop of this show and the opening number is worth the price of admission all by itself.

BRIGHT STAR – (began previews February 25th at The Cort Theatre) After playing The Kennedy Center this past winter, this bluegrass-style musical features 25 new songs. It tells a story in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina between 1923 and 1945, of a young soldier who returns from World War II, meets a brilliant journalist and, together, they discover a powerful secret that alters their lives. Sounds like an interesting one, but what’s most interesting is that the score is by Steve Martin (yes…THE Steve Martin) and the incredible Edie Brickell.

TUCK EVERLASTING – (begins previews March 31st at The Broadhurst Theatre). This new musical is based on the bestselling, award-winning novel of the same name, with direction and choreography by the incredible Casey Nicholaw (SOMETHING ROTTEN, ALADDIN, THE BOOK OF MORMON). It tells the

tale of a young girl who discovers the magical secret of the Tuck family, which causes her to embark on an extraordinary adventure that will change her life forever.

SHUFFLE ALONG – (begins previews March 15th at The Music Box Theatre). Actually, the full title of this classic 1921 musical is SHUFFLE ALONG OR THE MAKING OF THE MUSICAL SENSATION OF 1921 AND ALL THAT FOLLOWED. Yes. I’m serious. But we all refer to it as SHUFFLE ALONG. This is not just any revival, though. It actually is new in that it explores the backstage drama around the original show’s creation. In May 1921, the musical SHUFFLE ALONG became an unlikely hit that changed the face of Broadway musicals. A show that seemed doomed to failure ended up igniting Broadway with its infectious jazz score and exuberant dancing. New York City was changed as Uptown and Downtown met and became one. This innovative production brings the original show back to life while telling this little known backstage story. The cast includes the incredible Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter (our wonderful star from KINKY BOOTS!), Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry. I think this one might be really worth checking out, folks.

THE CRUCIBLE – Although Arthur Miller’s THE CRUCIBLE is no stranger to Broadway, as it is an allegory of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist “witch hunts” of the 1950s. This play is about the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s. However, what I’m most excited by in this production is the casting. Starring the amazing Ben Whishaw and the incredible Saorise Ronan (star of the film BROOKLYN).

FULLY COMMITTED – (previews begin April 2nd at The Lyceum Theatre). And now for something completely different! Five-time Emmy Award nominee Jesse Tyler Ferguson (MODERN FAMILY) returns to Broadway playing more than 40 outrageous characters in

this one-man comedy. Sam works at the hottest restaurant in town and it’s his job to keep himself sane amid a barrage of desperate callers wanting reservations. I’ll be curious to check this one out.

If anyone can pull this material off, I would think it would be Jesse.

Of course these are just a few of the new shows opening on Broadway this spring season, but they are definitely some of the highlights. Be sure to check some shows out early in the run. It’s always fun to see a show during previews since the energy is so fresh and work is still being done so you can usually be guaranteed an over the top performance. Also, usually word of mouth and advertising have not fully kicked in during previews (i.e. Before Opening Night when the reviews come out) so getting a ticket is usually easier than after the show opens (especially if the reviews are good!).

Regardless, here’s to an amazing spring! And, as always... break a leg!

Jim Kierstead Kierstead Productions, Inc. Producer Kinky Boots On Broadway at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre, on tour, in London, and in Toronto Winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical Past projects: Pippin, You Can’t Take It With You, The Visit, Side Show, It Shoulda Been You, Rocky, The Glass Menagerie; Notable investments: Something Rotten, Matilda For more information about our upcoming projects and how you can be a part of them, please contact our office at: kiersteadprod@gmail.com t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 77

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MARCH 16 RIKI KANE LARIMER PRESENTS CAGNEY THE MUSICAL STARRING ROBERT CREIGHTON WITH JEREMY BENTON, DANETTE HOLDEN, BRUCE SABATH, JOSH WALDEN, AND ELLEN ZOLEZZI BOOK PETER COLLEY MUSIC & LYRICS ROBERT CREIGHTON & CHRISTOPHER McGOVERN ARRANGEMENTS CHRISTOPHER McGOVERN SCENIC DESIGN JAMES MORGAN COSTUME DESIGN CHARLES SCHOONMAKER LIGHTING DESIGN MICHAEL GILLIAM SOUND DESIGN JANIE BULLARD PROJECTION DESIGN MARK PIROLO CASTING CAROL HANZEL CASTING PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER LARRY SMIGLEWSKI PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT TINC PRODUCTIONS L.L.C. ADVERTISING HOFSTETTER + PARTNERS/AGENCY 212 MARKETING LEANNE SCHANZER PROMOTIONS, INC PRESS REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HILLMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS GENERAL MANAGEMENT BRIERPATCH PRODUCTIONS MUSICAL DIRECTION MATT PERRI CHOREOGRAPHY JOSHUA BERGASSE DIRECTION BILL CASTELLINO

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Jordan Ahnquist, Lynne Wintersteller, Jeremy Kushnier, and Kate Middleton Photo by Carol Rosegg

Shear Madness, Insane Fun

By Bob & Sandy Nesoff

omedy is often the most difficult acting chore to do. You never know what mood the audience is in, but yet you have to play to it. Johnny Carson used to take the stage and either watch his audience laugh until they had tears in their eyes, or sit politely and watch him.

That’s never a problem at “Shear Madness,” playing at the New World Stages. Before the play actually opens, the characters are cavorting on stage, setting the scene and the audience is in fullthroat laughter. If there was ever a more talented cast to take the stage, you’d be hard-pressed to find it.

This murder-mystery involves not only the cast, but drags the audience in as well, testing its knowledge of events that have taken place in an effort to determine who is the killer of a faded concert pianist, (who, by the way is neither seen nor heard except for music in the background) found dead in an apartment right above the barber shop.

80 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Virtually from the get-go, the audience was in agony from the rapid fire jokes, innuendos and zany activities on the stage. No one is spared from Donald Trump to Anthony “Check me out” Weiner.

In a cast of six, it’s difficult to pick a standout. That being said, two of the actors stole the show. Jordan Ahnquist, Tony the barber/ hairdresser, is an absolute hoot. His facial expressions, comments, body language, absolutely tore the audience apart. His ability to stand on the side and kill the audience with a simple rolling of his eyes, or the twist of his body was incredible.

“I started with the show three years ago in Boston,” Jordan commented to NYLM. “It gives everyone a chance to be silly and believe in a heightened reality. Everyone finds something to do.

Grandparents and kids join in to try and solve the crime. You can’t ‘phone anything in.’ Much of the material changes regularly with current events. Today’s show could be different that the one you rehearsed the other day and there’s room for improv. Working with this cast and the audience, you always leave in a better mood than you came in with.”

a seventh character in the show. We never know from one night to the next who the killer will be. I’ve wanted to switch roles, but the producers said they needed me as Nick.”

Let’s not forget the rest of the cast. Barbara (Jennifer Ellis), the perfect gum-chewing Brooklynite, never had the opportunity to sing. But she didn’t have to. Her voice has won high praise from critics around the country for roles such as Eliza in My Fair Lady.

Her versatility is that of the consummate pro.

If she never worked as a hairdresser, you’d never know it. Her walk and body language was perfect and would have raised the temperature of any teenage boy in any Brooklyn high school.

The rest of the cast, and this is not meant to overlook anyone, was stellar as well. Adam Gerber (Mike) the detective accompanying Nick; Jeremy Kushner (Eddie) as the perfectly bearded potential killer and paramour of Barbara; Lynn Wintersteller (Mrs. Schubert) the uppity Upper East Side matron, who may or may not be having an affair…with somebody?...were all priceless.

The amazing thing about Shear Madness is the fact that the actors are able to slip in and out of their roles. The producers work with them and if a promising role in another production comes up, they are given leave to take the job and return when another opening comes up.

The show has had a more than 30-year run in Boston, 23-years at the Kennedy Center in Washington and throughout the United States.

It began in the summer of 1976 in Lake George when Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams were working on a production for a playhouse there. They discovered that they both had the same warped sense of humor. They began to develop the concept for Shear Madness and the show took off and became one of the longest running shows in the country. It might be second to London’s “The Mousetrap.”

The show caters to couples, groups, wedding parties, divorce parties and anyone who is looking for an evening of laughter and “Shear Madness.” The show is at the New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues.)

Check out shearmadness.com t Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams Photo by Carol Rosegg The second is, without doubt, Patrick Noonan, Detective Lieutenant Nick O’Brien, who carries much of the show on his shoulders, is a macho man who falls prey to the foibles of Tony and Barbara, the hairdresser with the buxom, padded (we think) bra that seems to enter the room before she does.

Ad-libbing takes a toll on both the actors and audience. At one point while Nick is questioning Tony, the barber sidles up to him, nose-to-nose and plants a kiss on his lips, then dances away.

Nick (Noonan) almost lost it at that point and the audience couldn’t control itself. Nick and Tony stumbled for a minute or two as they attempted to comport themselves, while the audience roared. Nick stood on a staircase, biting his lip in a vain effort to control himself.

Noonan, who plays a straight man to Tony’s frenetic barber, has been with the show on and off since 1998.

“It’s a nice job for actors to come and go,” he says. “It’s a fun episode to be on with ‘family’ and takes away the worry of an unemployment check. The lights come on at night and the audience participates as

Patrick Noonan and Jordan Ahnquist Photo by Carol Rosegg MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 81

Pat Collins’ Picks Of New Home Video Releases Room Running time: 118 minutes Rated R A young mother and her 5 year-old son are imprisoned in a small garden shed by the monster who kidnapped and raped her 7 years ago. The sexual assaults continue and he shows no sign of freeing them anytime soon. Brie Larson’s character plots their risky escape, reenters the suburban world of her doting divorced parents who had given up hope and copes with an intrusive media.

The film examines how newfound freedom has its own challenges as much as imprisonment does.

From a nail-biting escape to the scene where mother and child choose to revisit the place they call «room», director Lenny Abrahamsom has our complete attention. Brie’s award-winning performance is but one of the many reasons to see this exceptional film.

The Peanuts Movie Rated G Running time: 88 minutes Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang return in their fifth big screen adventure. An essential movie for “no school” days and long road trips.

An essential movie for "no school" days and long road trips.

The Danish Girl Rated R Running time: 2 hours Eddie Redmayne received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the Copenhagen landscape artist who was one of the first known recipients of sexual reassignment surgery in the mid 1920’s. Alicia Vikander costars in this heartbreakingly brilliant film.

Miss You Already Rated PG 13 Running time: 112 minutes Lifelong best friends Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette face life-changing decisions when one of them is diagnosed with breast cancer. In the mood for a good cry?

Revisit Beaches with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey.

82 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Concussion Rated PG 13 Running Time: 2 Hours A touchdown performance for twotime Oscar nominee Will Smith, but not a winner of a movie. Concussion is based on the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a brilliant Nigerian American doctor whose postmortem examination of the late Pittsburgh Steelers player Mike Webster led to a diagnosis of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Omalu’s attempt to convince the NFL to address the connection between on-field injuries and CTE lacks the clock-is-ticking urgency of director Michael Mann’s film The Insider, which connected the dots between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.

Brooklyn Rated PG -13 Running Time: 1 hour 45 minute This enchanting romantic drama was Oscar nominated, as was its rising star Saoirse Ronan. The film is a rarity in that it does not focus on libidinous teenagers or grownups with well-decorated homes and a Mercedes Benz or two in the garage. All of the above are blessedly absent in Brooklyn. Ms. Ronan plays Ellis (pronounced Ay-lish) who moves from her native Ireland to Brooklyn in the 1950’s. Smart, curious and pretty, she quickly adapts, finds employment and marries a hardworking Italian American.

A family crisis necessitates a trip home where she is soon courted by a handsome wealthy bachelor who is unaware of her marital status. The film avoids the usual clichés of a romantic drama and instead gives the audience a believable and admirable heroine to root for.

Carol Running time: 118 minutes Rated R Many of my esteemed colleagues put Carol on their ten best movies of 2015 list. I did not. The film’s one redeeming element is Cate Blanchett’s Oscar nominated performance. The year is 1952 when women with a wealthy mate and social position lived a conventional privilege lifestyle. That life is about to change for a WASPY New Jersey wife and mother whose husband has asked for a divorce and custody of their young daughter.

Escaping for the day to one of Manhattan’s upscale department stores, Carol is waited on by a shy sales clerk (Rooney Mara). Subsequently, the two meet for lunch, become friends and eventually lovers. Given the prejudice against same-sex couples 60 plus years ago, there were heartbreaking consequences. I wanted to care about these two characters, but director Todd Haynes gave me no reason to.

Creed Rated PG 13 Running time: 2 hours 13 minutes The 7th installment in the Rocky series brought Sylvester Stallone a best supporting Oscar nomination, but Michael B. Jordan’s superb performance as Apollo Creed’s son went unrecognized by the Academy.

Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine Rated R Running time: 2 hours Director Alex Gibney examines Jobs’ personal and profession life and his legacy in a riveting documentary, which includes interviews with those in the Apple founder’s inner circle. I found Gibney’s film more compelling than the feature film, which despite Michael Fassbender’s and Kate Winslet’s laudable performances left me wanting more.

The Big Short Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes Rated R Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt are the A-list actors in this smart and clever film adaptation of Michael Lewis’ bestseller.

Can you define credit default swaps, margin call and synthetic collateralized debt obligations? Most of us cannot. Director Adam McKay’s highly entertaining film educates the 99 percenters by recreating the events—some preventable, some not—that resulted in the catastrophic 2008 financial crisis. Perhaps Mr. McKay should have titled his cautionary tale “Wake Up Call”.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Rated PG-13 Running time: 2 hours 17 minutes The wait is over for avid Hunger Games fans. The final installment of the franchise will be available on Digital HD March 8th and on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand March 22nd. Suzanne Collins’ last book in the series was split in two for the big screen. Legions of young female fans around the world were responsible for the huge financial success of the four films. How successful? Let’s look at the global box office grosses: The Hunger Games (2012) - $694,394,724;The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - $ 865,011, 746; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014) - $ 755, 356, 711; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015) - $ 652,660, 441 In Katniss Everdeen, the heroine played by Jennifer Lawrence, girls 8 to 18 related to a brave survivor they admired and identified with. Unlike the annoyingly bland Bella of the Twilight series who depended on Edward the pale vampire to come to the rescue, Katniss is not only capable of defending herself, she also risks her life to save her family and friends in a dystopian future. In The Hunger Games films and the novels that inspired them, female empowerment is front and center. The author’s message is clear: Smart girls with the courage to do the right thing can change the world.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 83

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Hilary Duff and Molly Bernard in Younger Photo courtesy of TV Land

New York: The New Hollywood

By Rob Shuter

new renaissance is happening in film and television production throughout New York’s five boroughs, as scripted TV shows return to the place where it all began.

Long before Hollywood existed, New York was where the film industry was centered and now more and more shows are once again calling New York home. Between 1895 and 1910, New York City was the capital of film production and distribution, then filmmakers started moving to Los Angeles to escape strict rules imposed by moviemaking patents on the east coast and to take advantage of the ideal weather on the west coast. According to the Boston Consulting Group, spending on film production in New York has grown $1.5 billion in the last four years, hitting a total of $8.7 billion. Estimates have pushed the total number of full-time employees in the film production industry to more than 100,000.

Experts expect that this trend is not slowing down. So, what has made the city once again a desirable place for productions big and small? Luis Castro, the acting commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment commented in a recent interview that the reason we’re seeing an explosion in the growth of filming in New York City is because of all the things that New York City has to offer a great production.

In 2014, 242 movies were filmed in New York and in 2015 that number increased to 336. Plus, episodic shows increased from 29 in 2014 to 46 in the last year. The state tax credit of up to an estimated $420 million per year for New York-based productions, which was extended in 2013, is one major factor behind the growth. This increase in film production has been responsible for more than an estimated $3.3 billion in earnings and $9.8 billion in spending throughout the state in the last two years. All this news has lead some to declare a new golden age for the Big Apple.

No other city in the world offers better locations than New York, with such diverse settings easily available for filming. For example, 86 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

lower Manhattan provides one of the most filmed spots thanks to its courthouses that crime dramas like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Blue Bloods use. And of course, you can find almost every industry represented in New York. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment has compiled a list of the locations that hosted the most amount of TV and film productions in 2015, and Coney Island, Fort Totten and the Bronx County Courthouse were among some of the most filmed locations. The city also has all the technology and production facilities that filming requires, including talented and trained film crews, modern equipment and sound stages.

New York is also a popular center for filming because of the extraordinary pool of actors and models who are based in or flock to this city. And let’s not forget that Broadway and the thousands of theater actors and crew who work for the stage are a cornerstone of New York.

But it’s not just scripted shows that have shown huge growth.

Insiders say the return of The Tonight Show, in February 2014, has had a huge impact on the city. Now, both the number one morning show and the number one night show are coming from New York City.

And while critics maintain that New York is more of a TV town than a film city, big-money movie productions, including producer Michael Bay’s sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, choose New York for filming. Creating the right environment for the New York film industry to flourish in is a top priority. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment is now looking towards the future with fellowship and mentorship programs for future TV writers and assistant editors, as well as a contribution of $1.5 million in scholarships and grants to the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, the new film school located on the Steiner Studios lot. This town is getting serious about not just maintaining current production, but increasing it. Watch out )PMMZXPPE t

Take a look at some of the amazing shows now filming in New York City. How many do you watch?

The Affair on Showtime The Americans on FX Billions on Showtime The Blacklist on NBC Blindspot on NBC Blue Bloods on CBS Elementary on CBS Friends of the People on truTV Girls on HBO The Good Wife on CBS Gotham on Fox Jessica Jones on Netflix The Jim Gaffigan Show on TV Land Law & Order: SVU on NBC Limitless on CBS Madam Secretary on CBS Mr. Robot on USA Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon.com Mysteries of Laura on NBC Person of Interest on CBS Power on Starz Shades of Blue on NBC Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix Younger on TV Land Vinyl on HBO

Top to bottom: Dominic West as Noah and Ruth Wilson as Alison in The Affair ©Mark Schafer/ SHOWTIME Bobby Cannavale on the set of the pilot of VINYL ©Brigitte Lacombe/HBO Blindspot ©Paul Sarkis/NBC David Costabile as Mike “Wags” Wagner and Damian Lewis as Bobby “Axe” Axelrod in Billions ©Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME Younger Photo courtesy of TV Land

Blacklist Poster Art Photo courtesy of NBC

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 87

Photo by Seth Lemmons

IIA Technologies: A World Leader In Grown Diamonds

By Mason Southmore

arilyn Monroe said it better than anyone before her or since: “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” While Marilyn could afford most any diamond she wanted... and Elizabeth Taylor most certainly did, the average guy has to dig deep into his savings account to come up with the means of buying an engagement ring worthy of his true love.

More than that, finding a reputable dealer is also a major factor in choosing a stone. There is the color, cut, shade, perfection of the stone, all to be considered. Most people don’t have the technological expertise to see the flaws in a stone that could seriously affect its value.

Merchants are also always on the lookout for ways to increase the bottom line. So-called “chocolate diamonds,” at one time were considered to be of little value. Thanks to a marketing campaign they have become highly desirable today.

We all know that diamonds are carbon (make that “coal”) that has been compressed underground with tremendous pressure and heat. Until now only Superman was capable of creating an artificial 88 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

diamond by squeezing a lump of coal in his incredible hands. We assume Lois Lane was the recipient.

The dream of creating a man-made diamond had bedeviled scientists for eons. How do you create the clarity, beauty, cut and, especially, the hardness of a genuine diamond?

Impossible!

Well not to the folks at lla Technologies, a company that appears to have uncovered the secret that nature has been hiding for billions of years. The firm is named for the rarest and most pure diamonds, comprising less than two percent of all mined diamonds and called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Type IIa.â&#x20AC;?

The demand for the beautiful stones is at an all-time high with the current rise of a strong middle class worldwide. Jewelers search for quality stones that are conflict-free. Conflict diamonds, brought to the public consciousness in the movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blood Diamonds,â&#x20AC;? are mined by outlaw regimes using virtual slave labor. To counteract that, legitimate dealers certify their stones to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;Conflict Free.â&#x20AC;?

With the process developed by lla Technologies, there is no question about the origin of the stones. Improving on the idea developed by the cultured pearl industry, wherein a grain of sand is implanted in an oyster to generate the growth of either a black or white pearl, they use a similar method to create diamonds.

Diamond is one of the hardest known substances on earth. They can bear high radiation without triggering an immune response, thus making them useful in construction, nuclear engineering and medicine.

To make the purest gems, the technicians at IIa Technologies refined a process called â&#x20AC;&#x153;chemical vapor deposition.â&#x20AC;? They use a vacuum chamber and place fingernail thin diamond â&#x20AC;&#x153;seedsâ&#x20AC;? under a shower of microwaves and methane and hydrogen gases. This process builds layers of carbon bonds.

Moving forward, the company opened a facility in Singapore, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest diamond growing facility in the world and produced more than 300,000 carats in a year. This process has little environmental impact as opposed to a mining operation and uses half the energy.

Take that, Superman!

Without a microscope these man-made diamonds cannot be distinguished by the naked eye.

All of that being said, there are doubters, such as Dr. Ravi Dahr of the Center for Customer Insights at Yale University. Dr. Dahr feels that customers will still see them as â&#x20AC;&#x153;unauthentic.â&#x20AC;?

These man-made gems replicate the conditions necessary to produce natural diamonds and are virtually free of impurities.

They emerge in much the same condition as natural diamonds with a rough surface. They are polished, using the same equipment and method and produce the same brilliance, sparkle and fire that any mined diamond has.

The man-made stones are virtually identical to natural and sell for a whopping 30-40% less than mined diamonds. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a boon for a young man on the hunt for a nice ring for the young lady he will ask to become his wife.

Love is not the only beneficiary of these stones. Diamonds are a major component in many commercial endeavors. They are used to polish other materials because of their degree of hardness. Diamonds unsurpassed thermal conductivity make them ideal for electronics as they can carry more heat than silicon generally used in semiconductors.

IIa Technologies is now working on a process to grow diamond plates that will enable smaller, more powerful devices that do not overheat. The possibilities are almost limitless. In a recent year, industry (construction, nuclear engineering and medicine) used some 1,500 tons of diamonds. Surprisingly about 99% were lab grown. This ability saved firms untold million of dollars that were, hopefully, passed along to customers.

Until now very few women were able to possess Type IIa diamonds because of their rarity and cost. Two who could and come immediately to mind are Queen Elizabeth and the late actress, Elizabeth Taylor.

Taylor got the ring as a gift from fellow actor, Richard Burton.

According to the story, Burton made a negative comment about her hands and then told a friend: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to cost me.â&#x20AC;? And cost him it did.

He got into a bidding war with Aristotle Onassis for a 69.42 carat, inch thick stone. The Cartier Jewelers won the bidding competition and one day later sold it to Burton for $1.1 million, making a $50,000 profit in one day. The stone was so huge that Taylor ultimately had it converted into a necklace.

Had Burton had the option of purchasing one of the IIa Technology EJBNPOET IF DPVME IBWF TBWFE IJNTFMG NPSF UIBO t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 89

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Get Ready For Summer Camp

By Midge Leavey

egardless of what your child is into these days, there seems to be a camp that offers it. When I was a kid, I played jump rope, tug of war, and box ball with friends to pass away the time, but nowadays options for summer fun and creating long-lasting memories are endless. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to do your research early to ensure that your child is well taken care of while having fun. Here are some tips to get you started on your search for the perfect summer camp for your child.

Choosing The Best Summer Camp For Your Child t 4UBSU XJUI XIBU ZPVS DIJME T JOUFSFTUT BSF BOE UIFO DIPPTF B DBNQ that best suits his or her needs. Camps today are geared towards many different interests including music, nature, sports, and science. t 8IFO ZPV TQFBL UP B TVNNFS DBNQ EJSFDUPS PS DPVOTFMPS BOE they shine with enthusiasm and passion for their job, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the right place. Passion for what someone does canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be taught or gained from work experience, it comes from the heart. Therefore, if someone has passion for their job theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re most certainly going to make it the best experience for your child. t "MXBZT HP XJUI ZPVS HVU JOTUJODU "T B QBSFOU ZPV LOPX XIBU T best for your child, so follow your intuition. If you feel uncomfortable in any way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better to continue your search. t $POTJEFS JG ZPVS DIJME OFFET USBOTQPSUBUJPO UP BOE GSPN DBNQ *G so, this may cut your search in half. t %PO U GPSHFU UP GBDUPS JO BOZ TFWFSF BMMFSHJFT ZPVS DIJME NBZ IBWF such as nuts or bee stings. If so, be sure to ask how these concerns are handled and if there is a nurse on staff.

When To Start Looking Into Summer Camps And How Early To Register t #FMJFWF JU PS OPU ZPV TIPVME TUBSU MPPLJOH JOUP ZPVS DIJME T TVN92 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

mer camp experience as early as January or February because many camps begin the registration process then. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still not too late, so look into it now if you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already started. t 0ODF ZPV WF EFDJEFE PO UIF DBNQ EPO U XBJU UPP MPOH UP SFHJTUFS Many of the good camps book up fast and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want your child to miss out on the fun.

What To Look For In A Camp For Your Child And What To Ask t "TL UIF DBNQ EJSFDUPS GPS B TBNQMF EBJMZ TDIFEVMF t "TL IPX PME UIF DBNQ DPVOTFMPST BSF BOE CF TVSF ZPV GFFM DPNfortable with the answer. t 3FTFBSDI UIF DBNQ T SFWJFXT POMJOF t 8PSE PG NPVUI JT BMXBZT B HSFBU XBZ UP GFFM DPOÄ&#x2022;EFOU BOE TFDVSF that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sending your child somewhere safe. t *G ZPVS DIJME JT FBTJMZ PWFSIFBUFE JO UIF XBSN XFBUIFS ZPV NBZ want to look into a camp that includes indoor activities with air conditioning.

Many towns offer wonderful day camps right in your own neighborhood. These day camps are usually very affordable and offer a lot of scheduled fun for your child. However, the town camps are PO B Ä&#x2022;STU DPNF Ä&#x2022;STU TFSWF CBTJT BOE UFOE UP CF WFSZ QPQVMBS Ä&#x2021;FSFfore, in many instances, you may have to wait in line for several hours to register your child.

Some Safety Laws To Be Aware Of And Where To Find A Complete List New York State law requires lifeguards to be at least 17 years old, with a ratio of 1 lifeguard per every 25 kids. When taking campers PO B Ä&#x2022;FME USJQ UIFSF NVTU CF DPVOTFMPS GPS FWFSZ DIJMESFO VOEFS ZFBST PME BOE DPVOTFMPS GPS FWFSZ DIJMESFO ZFBST BOE PWFS For more information on New York State laws and regulations for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camps, go to: health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/camps

Check Out These Cool Camps And What They Have To Offer

Camp Waziyatah Waterford, ME

Park Shore Country Day Camp Dix Hills, NY

This New England camp is a sleep-away facility that rates high on the charts. Tuition includes room and board, supervision, instruction, art materials, adventure-bound day and overnight trips, routine medical and nursing care, and laundry. They offer 2-week sessions for first-time campers and children 9 years of age and under, as well as 4- and 8-week sessions for older kids.

For more information, go to: wazi.com

Also based on Long Island, Park Shore Country Day Camp offers great programs for children of all ages, but the teen programs are exceptional. Their teen programs give older children an amazing opportunity for travel and exploring with friends—to places like Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont—under the supervision of experienced and mature directors and group leaders.

For more information, go to: parkshoredaycamp.com

Miss Midgie’s Preschool/Summer Camp West Babylon, NY

Deer Mountain Day Camp Pomona, NY

This Long Island-based camp offers a variety of activities for children ages 2-7 in an indoor, air conditioned, safe, and secure environment. Activities include lessons in karate, dance, cooking, arts and crafts, magic, and theatre.

For more information, go to: missmidgiespreschool.com

Offering almost every sport imaginable, as well as water sports and obstacle courses, this camp located in Rockland County features a long list of fun activities for children ages 3-15 amidst 25 acres of mountainside surrounded by a spring-fed lake.

For more information, go to: deermountaindaycamp.com

The French Woods Festival of Performing Arts Hancock, NY This summer camp for ages 7-17 offers programs in dance, theater, music, circus, magic, visual arts, film, and video.

For more information, go to: frenchwoods.com

Midge Leavey is a mother of two boys who are now 19 and 22 years old, yet she remains connected to young children as the owner and director of Miss Midgie’s Preschool and Summer Camp for over 15 years. Leavey is the author of two parenting books and has become a mindful educator on helping to reduce stress and anxiety in our youth.

MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 93

Big Apple Baseball

By Anthony George ew York City baseball is about history and tradition. The city was once home to the New York Giants (now the San Francisco Giants) and Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers), who both moved to California in 1957.

There have been 14 World Series championships between these original New York City teams, which possibly sparked a hometown competitive attitude that still plays out today. It’s well known that most of New York is split between Mets and Yankees fans. Since the inception of interleague play (major league baseball is divided into two leagues, American and National), there have been over 90 heated rivalry games played between the New York Mets of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League. Those games are referred to as the famed “Subway Series”, where the two teams and their fans take great delight in beating up on each other for bragging rights to the city. As we gear up for the upcoming baseball season, let’s take a look at New York’s two notable teams.

The New York Yankees In January of 1903, Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the Baltimore Orioles of the American League for $18,000 and moved the team to New York City. The team was renamed The Highlanders because the site of their new stadium was on one of the highest spots in Manhattan. Their uniforms received the nowiconic blue stripes in 1912; and in 1913, The Highlanders were renamed The Yankees. The transformation of the failed Baltimore Orioles franchise was completed in 1923 when they moved into their new home in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium, and opened with a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox. This set the stage for the team that is now known as the model franchise in all of sports. Nicknamed the Bronx Bombers because 94 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

they were the first team to use the home run as an offensive weapon, the Yankees are one of the most successful and most copied sports teams in the world. The Yankees have won 18 divisional titles, 40 Pennants and 27 World Series; all of which are major league baseball records. It’s easy to be a fan of a franchise with a roster full of current and former players and managers that reads like an all-star Hollywood cast: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Roger Maris, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Joe Torre, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. The list goes on and on. Can you name another sports franchise with so many Hall of Famers?

Despite winning 20 World Series titles the team started to decline in the middle 1960’s and in 1973 was bought by businessman George Steinbrenner, known as “The Boss” because he was a hands-on baseball executive who meddled in daily on-field decisions and the hiring and firing of managers. But one can argue that all his interfering was due to his drive to help the team recapture its former glory. He stopped at nothing to recruit talent and used money to achieve that effect. That large payroll paid off not only in team winning, but also in making the team lucrative. According to Forbes, the Yankees estimated value was at approximately $2.3 billion in 2013.

In 2002, the Yankees launched the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network (the Yes Network) with 21st Century Fox. Primarily serving New York City and the boroughs, it produces a variety of sports events, a magazine, and documentary and discussion programs; but its focus is on games and team related programs involving the New York Yankees.

These days, the Yankees play in the new Yankee Stadium across the street from the original. The team is now owned and operated by Steinbrenner’s son Hal. Although they haven’t won a World Series

Left Page: New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez up at bat Right Page: Top left: A home game for the Yankees at their namesake stadium Top right: The New York Mets after winning the 2015 National League pennant ©Arturo Pardavila III Center page: The Met’s new home base, Citi Field ©Marianne O’Leary since 2009 the Yankees are now worth $3.2 billion dollars, tied with Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League for the most valuable sports team in the United States. Only the Spanish Soccer club, Real Madrid, is worth more in the world.

2016 promises to be a transitional season for the team. They’re not expected to challenge for another championship. They’re an aging team looking to get younger and compete with elite teams. But that won’t stop their fans from coming out to support the team.

The Yankees with their deep pockets are always a trade away from dominating. Yankee fans have learned to expect that.

The New York Mets Last season, the Mets won their division and represented the National League in the 2015 World Series. Even though they lost, their arrow still point up. They’re expected to repeat as divisional champs and are favored to go back to the World Series this coming season.

They have four of the best young starting pitchers in all of baseball (Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard); resigned Cuban slugger Yoenis Céspedes; and have a wealth of talent still brewing in the minor leagues. In 2015, they set attendance and ticket sales records, filling seats up with fans including celebrities like Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jim Breuer, Jimmy Kimmel, Nicki Minaj, Julia Stiles, Glenn Close, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin James, Frank Ariza and Jon Stewart. Heck, Bill Maher is a minority owner in the team. But diehard fans are well aware that runs of stunning success and celebrity fame are not the norm for the “Metropolitans”.

Born in 1962 because of the Giants and Dodgers move to California, the Mets played their first two seasons (1962 and 1963) in the historic Polo Grounds in Harlem before moving in 1964 to Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens. The Mets began with a rough start. They lost 140 out of 162 games during their first year, and

were initially composed of washed up, past-their-time players and managers. Despite their losing, the Mets were beloved. The following year their losing streak continued; and even the new stadium they moved into (the future Shea Stadium) didn’t help matters.

Still, love by Mets fans didn’t waiver. New York had its National League team again and the Mets appealed to those former Giants and Dodgers fans. Fans warmed to the team’s colorful journeyman players like “Marvelous” Marv Throneberry and Shea Stadium, in time, became a star venue hosting many famous events, including Pope John Paul II’s 1979 New York visit and concerts by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Wonder. The Mets future continued to get brighter.

They won the World Series in 1969; drafted future hall of famer Tom Seaver in 1971; and in 1973 they won 21 of their last 29 games.

The Mets came all the way back from last place to almost win their division.

The 80’s were good in that Nelson Doubleday Jr. invested in the team after selling his family’s publishing company, and 1986 brought them a World Series championship. In 2000, they played their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, in the World Series. They’ve won 6 national league titles and qualified for the National League wild card in 1999 and 2000. The Mets have appeared in more World Series (five in total) than any other expansion team in major league history. And in 2009, Citi Field, a brand new baseball and events arena, replaced Shea Stadium as the Met’s home turf.

So, there have been high points. But to be a Mets fan can be summed up best by one die-hard fan’s reaction to the game the Mets played against the Chicago Cubs on May 26, 1964. That day, the Mets supposedly played like never before, winning 19-1.

According to legend, the fan called a New York newspaper to get the game’s score. After being told that the team scored 19 runs, the GBO QBVTFE BOE UIFO BTLFE i%JE UIFZ XJO w t MARCH 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 95

Majestic New York

By Ivette Manners Photo courtesy of One World Observatory

ew York has been unstoppable from the start. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where people come to make it big and survive alongside the champions who are already here. We think of New York as the center of the world with all it has to offer and its myriad of people and personalities. But even with all of our differences, we can always come together to be proud of our Empire State. Our tall skyscrapers werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t built to intimidate, but rather to stand as a symbol of honor and hope. And as we look out the windows from floors towering above we see the city we all hold in our hearts.

For tickets to visit One World Observatory, go to: oneworldobservatory.com t

96 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

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