August 2015

AUGUST 2015

sw inspire

TARA DESALVO GERALDEAN LANTIER LAURA MARINO

fashionable man SCOTT STERLING

take your voice back fashion forward

BUILD A WARDROBE

IN THE DRESSING ROOM

Color, Culture &Couture Michelle DaRin Fine Art Jewelry W W W. S Y R AC U S E WO M A N M AG . C O M

SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: JULY 2015

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Jacquie lost 100 lbs. and found a whole new perspective.

Sitting down for storytime with her students was hard. Getting back up was nearly impossible. But since Jacquie had weight-loss surgery, she’s found the energy to keep up with her class. Jacquie also found a compassionate team at Crouse. From trusted surgeons and nutritional experts to an ongoing support group that’s with her every step of the way.

Hear Jacquie’s story at crouse.org/weightloss.

A partnership with CNY Surgical Physicians

august Letter from the Editor

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Out & About 7

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Fashion Forward: Building a Wardrobe

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Platter Chatter: The Brewster Inn

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Take Your Voice Back: In the Dressing Room

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New in the Cuse: JoJo Rings

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Fab Finds: Syracuse Fashion Icons

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Wise Woman: Maria Rizzo

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In Her Own Words: Cut to the Chase

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Fashionable Man: Scott Sterling

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Cover Story: Michelle DaRin

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Fitness: Live a Life of Healthy Discipline

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Fit & Flavorful: Vegetable Lasagna

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Special Feature: Crazy for CORE

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Syracuse Women Inspire 43 Healthy Woman: Hypnosis 47 For a Good Cause: Give to Others

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SWM Calendar 50

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR for Humanity, the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, David’s Refuge, CNY Pride and The Salvation Army.

TEXTURE PERFECT A black, quilted, leather skirt. A burnt orange, boho dress with a hand-sewn pattern around the collar and sleeves. A pair of vintage, 1970s red-checked flair pants made of knitted acrylic. These are a few of my favorite things — and they all have one thing in common: texture.

The reason vintage clothing lures me into its grasp can be attributed to the textures of the ’60s and ’70s. Corduroy. Pleather. Fringe.

Fur. These textures just don’t exist in the average clothing store, today. Although, I have to admit, I do see plenty of color, from wild patterns to electric yellows and oranges.

But texture seems to be a thing of the past.

Texture — along with color, culture and art — plays a major role in cover woman Michelle DaRin’s “wearable art” jewelry. It’s evident in the curves of her enamel pieces, the leather straps on the bracelets, the rigid stones that rest in her rings. The same goes for her sense of style. Michelle’s wardrobe overflows with velvet, lace and sequins.

She even created a line of clothing (a mini skirt, maxi skirt, pants, dress and jacket) for the 2015 spring edition of Syracuse Fashion Week, out of a vintage yellow and orange floral-patterned blanket and brown pleather. These elements make her jewelry, and her style, memorable and iconic here in Syracuse.

This month’s New in the Cuse feature, Jordan Dudden, admires what can be done with unique mediums. Her jewelry is made using old keys — house keys, car keys, janitor keys — often donated by the box from people who don’t know what to do with them. And because of the kindness of the donations, Jordan, in turn, donates a portion of her sales each month to a different Central New York charity. So far, she’s given thousands of dollars in donations to Food Bank of CNY, Vera House, Habitat

Speaking of charitable fashion, this month’s For a Good Cause article focuses on Give to Others, a website that facilitates the exchange of donations to nonprofit organizations in Central New York. Amy and Todd Caputo started the website nearly 15 years ago when they discovered how many people had items in their home they wanted to donate to local nonprofits, but had no clue how to make the donations. So they created a craigslist-esque website that allows donors to post items they want to give away, helping nonprofits find the items they’re in need of.

Our Syracuse Women Inspires for the month of August all bring a different fashion component to the sewing table.

Tara DeSalvo specializes in men’s fashion, as she’s the store manager and custom showroom director at the Mr. Shop.

Each day, she transforms menswear into something special by helping her customers choose from hundreds of fabrics, colors and buttons to create the perfect custom suit. A more feminine touch takes over in Geraldean Lantier’s shop, Skaneateles 300.

Delicate shoes, colorful frocks, and highfashion pants and blouses fill the racks of her quaint store near the shores of Skaneateles Lake. Laura Marino would rather create an atmosphere of fashion than purchase it. The fashion photographer combines her talents in makeup, hair and design to craft dreamlike scenes through pictures.

No matter if you favor texture, a funky pattern, bright color or an interesting cut, simply remember the words of fashion designer Anne Klein: “Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The women who wear them will.”

Stay fashionable, Alyssa LaFaro

OUR TEAM PUBLISHERS

Kelly Breuer Barbara McSpadden

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Barbara McSpadden

EDITOR

Alyssa LaFaro

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kelly Breuer

PHOTOGRAPHY James Bass Gerard H. Gaskin Steven J. Pallone Alice G. Patterson Jussara Potter Solon Quinn Chris Szulwach Brandon Vick

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashley M. Casey Patricia Hurley Deferio Linda Gilmore Hayleigh Gowans Brittany Sperino Horsford Paige Kelly Alyssa LaFaro Tracie Long Samantha McCarthy Joleene Moody Katharine Osborne Michele Erbland Shannon Ann Marie Stonecypher Catherine Wilde

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Each issue includes articles on health, fashion, fitness, finance, home matters, dining, lifestyle and personal perspectives, as well as a spotlight on local Syracuse women.

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ON OUR COVER

Michelle DaRin was photographed by Chris Szulwach of The Story Photography (thestoryphotography.com) at her home in Jamesville. Cover woman clothing from Heidi’s Boutique in Fayetteville. All jewelry by Michelle DaRin Fine Art Jewelry.

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o&A MOVIES The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - 8/14 Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. centers on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization, which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

Agent 47 - 8/21 An elite assassin is genetically engineered from conception to be the perfect killing machine. He is the culmination of decades of research and forty-six earlier Agent clones -- endowing him with unprecedented strength, speed, stamina and intelligence. His latest target is a mega-corporation that plans to unlock the secret of Agent 47’s past to create an army of killers whose powers surpass even his own.

Regression - 8/28 Minnesota, 1990. Detective Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke) investigates the case of young Angela (Emma Watson), who accuses her father, John Gray (David Dencik), of an unspeakable crime. When John unexpectedly and without recollection admits guilt, renowned psychologist Dr. Raines (David Thewlis) is brought in to help him relive his memories and what they discover unmasks a horrifying nationwide mystery.

Jane Got a Gun - 9/4 Jane Got a Gun centers on Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman), who has built a new life with her husband Bill “Ham” Hammond (Noah Emmerich) after being tormented by the ultraviolent Bishop Boys outlaw gang. She finds herself in the gang’s cross-hairs once again when Ham stumbles home riddled with bullets after dueling with the Boys and their relentless mastermind Colin (Ewan McGregor).

::OUT & THIRD ANNUAL TEED OFF AT CANCER — AUG. 23

Are you ready to hit some golf balls for a good cause? Then sign up for Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer’s Third Annual Teed Off at Cancer golf tournament on Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Pompey Golf Club.

Enjoy a day on the course, along with putting contests, a tee shot contest, raffles and other games. The tournament will be played in a scramble format with four-person teams. The price is $90 for singles or $360 for teams of four. Those who don’t sign up as a team will be placed with a group. Not a golfer? For just $100, sponsors can get their company name on a hole and other donations are accepted. Money to benefit the CHASE Angel Fund and CancerConnects.

Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer is Ann Marie Giannino-Otis’ fierce and unconventional initiative to promote breast cancer awareness, early detection and advocacy, with a special focus on how the disease impacts younger people.

For more information, contact Ann Marie Giannino-Otis at stupiddumbbreastcancer@gmail.com.

BUBBLE BLAST RUN — AUG. 30

Do bubbles fill your heart with glee? Then come to the New York State Fairgrounds at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, for the Bubble Blast Run to benefit ACR Health.

The Bubble Blast Run features an array of foam obstacles — and an endless amount of bubbles. All paid entry participants will receive a ticket to the New York State Fair and an official Bubble Blast Run t-shirt. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the run near the main gate. Amy Robbins from 93Q will greet all finishers at Chevy Court, along with music, food and more bubbly fun!

ACR Health is a not-for-profit, community-based organization providing a range of support services to individuals with chronic diseases, including HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, asthma, substance use disorders, and serious mental illnesses, with the goal of positive health outcomes.

For more information or to register, visit bubbleblastrun.com.

KRISTIE CARTER BENEFIT — SEPT. 16

Come to Firudo Asian Food & Bar on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to raise money for Kristie Carter, a local woman who was recently diagnosed with Stage IV brain cancer. To help raise money for Kristie’s hospital bills and her family’s needs — she has an 8-month-old son, Monte — Syracuse Woman Magazine will also host a Ladies’ Night at Firudo on this evening.

The event will feature a silent auction, music from Dave Hanlon’s Cookbook and wonderful food from Firudo — which will give 50 percent of all monies spent that night to Kristie Carter and her family.

Two months after Monte’s birth, Kristie was diagnosed with Stage IV glioblastoma — brain cancer. She had brain surgery to remove three substantial tumors and was under the care of the neuro-oncologists at Dana Farber in Boston. The traveling and the development of another tumor are taking their toll, so Kristie has decided to receive radiation, chemo and other treatments in Syracuse. Every day is a battle.

To donate now and support these wonderful community members, visit gofundme.com/unamek.

about

F OA

forward ::FASHION

Culinary Vogue When the food you consume defines your sense of style and taste

BUILD a wardrobe, NOT an

BY ANN MARIE STONECYPHER I PHOTOS BY SOLON QUINN PHOTOGRAPHY We have all been there, right? You open your closet and it is chock full of clothes, but you have nothing to wear. Could gremlins have snuck in and stolen not only the mate to all of your socks, but the matching bottoms to all of your tops? It’s more likely your style of shopping needs a makeover.

Wardrobe building is the concept of buying clothes to create outfits verses buying odd pieces of clothing that simply tug at your heartstrings — and your debit card. Shopping with the intention of buying items that you can wear several different ways will help you not only build a functional wardrobe, but one that is gremlin-proof.

Do you have a skirt, scarf, sweater and pants at home that will already look great with that beautiful blouse you are walking to the cash register? Or will it end up an orphan in your closet to someday grace a bin at Goodwill? The theory of wardrobe building is that you only purchase an article of clothing if it has items to match waiting for it at home (preferably three articles of clothing). If you continue shopping this way your wardrobe will naturally propagate itself because one set of threes will have something in common with another and voila: a fabulous wardrobe is born!

GET OFF THE TREND MILL

Know where to invest and where to pass. Classics have the most longevity and are great wardrobe builders (i.e. navy blazer, black pencil skirt). Trends add some spice to your wardrobe and will usually stick around for a few years (i.e. moto-style jacket, military detailing). Fads will add more zing to your wardrobe, but tend to burn out quickly (i.e. jeggings, wedge sneakers).

Try to focus your fashion dollars on classics versus fads. Consider my 60/30/10 rule when you shop: Spend 60 percent of your budget on classics, 30 percent on trends and 10 percent on fads. Buying this way

outfit

will divert the bulk of your cash to the clothes with the most longevity and on which you can build the strongest wardrobe, while still dressing with a lot of pizzazz. Dropping a lot of dough on the latest fad may seem fun, but when the fad fizzles — often in one season — you are left with less cash and less clothes. Tip: If it sounds oxymoronic, i.e. hobo chic, it’s better to leave it at the store.

ON OUR MODELS

I took one basic pair of black capris (all clothing courtesy of Lord & Taylor) for three completely different looks — you may be able to go to your closet now and create these outfits. A simple bohemian shirt with a chain belt is easy and casual, while the dressy denim blazer and classic crisp white blouse makes a great work outfit. A fun print blouse and vibrantly colored coat is a great standout look.

Next, I outfitted all of our models with a casual blue blouse — which could also be denim or chambray — and created a very easy look with white denim and bold jewelry; then really mixed it up with a “ready for business” pin-striped pencil skirt juxtaposed with a leather jacket.

After, I dressed it halfway down with khakis and a classic black blazer, which is a great relaxed look for many occasions. Accessories are the unsung heroes of the working wardrobe so don’t forget the belts and jewelry. They are great place to incorporate fads as long as you don’t spend too much on them.

The bottom line is if you shop with an eye for buying outfits instead of random pieces, you won’t stare into your closet and just see future tax deductions.

Ann Marie Stonecypher is an award-winning business woman and the owner of AMS Models & Talent. She is also a stylist, inspirational speaker, cancer survivor and freelance writer. She lives in the Syracuse area with her children Taylor and Steven, and her dog Cocoa. Models from AMS Models: Amy Marie Keyes, Michele Castrilli and Amy Freinberg-Trufas. Assistant Stylist: Tamara Pulley. Clothing courtesy of Lord & Taylor, Destiny USA.

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BY ALYSSA LAFARO I PHOTOS BY CHRIS SZULWACH

The Brewster Inn makes everything from scratch.

“We don’t use frozen products,” notes owner Richard Hubbard. “We use bones to make the stocks that make the sauces. We churn our own ice cream. We roll our own pasta.” Each and every delectable dish served at The Brewster Inn defines what it means to eat “from scratch” cuisine. “It takes a lot of labor, but if we are going to do something, we want to do it right,” adds co-owner Patti Hubbard.

Richard takes pride in getting the best available product and sourcing is a key component to the restaurant’s superb menu offerings. Customers flock to the country inn on the shores of Cazenovia Lake for selections such as the tuna (as fresh as 48 hours off the hook) and sea bass (delivered slurried, never frozen). The restaurant prides itself that its mussels are double the size of normal ones. The secret is that they are wild and from an excellent source, as opposed to rope cultured.

The same is true for the Brewster’s meat selection. Their lamb is from Colorado, the Berkshire pork is from Texas, and the prime steaks are always corn-fed from the U.S., and never from Argentina as is common with most grocery stores. Dinner guests savor the final result of a thoroughly thought out and well-executed process. Although the menu changes three times a year, a few customer favorites never leave its pages, like the veal atlantis — hand cut veal topped with Maine lobster served on a bed of wild greens with a tarragon beurre blanc sauce.

The team behind these labor-intensive dishes is a large one, with more than 16 employees on staff in the kitchen alone. They are led by Executive Chef Jason Wright, who joined The Brewster Inn nearly 20 years ago after attending the New England Culinary Institute. “In 31 years, we have never been stronger than we’ve been this year,” Richard says proudly. “Each of my top three guys have been here no less than 10 years.”

Just as vital as the chefs are the restaurant’s sommeliers, Kirk Gibson and Steve Gordon. Under Richard’s guidance the restaurant boasts a Wine Spectator award-winning list of more than 750 selections. Even more impressive is the inn’s fully climate-controlled wine cellar, which stocks more than 16,000 bottles of wine from all over the world. “Visitors from big cities like Los Angeles and New York City are blown away by our wine selection,” says Richard. “Many tell me they find wine vintages here that they can’t find where they live.”

Just as rich as the wine and the food is the inn’s history. Built in 1890, the inn was a summer home to Benjamin Brewster, one of the original financiers of Standard Oil. The Brewster family originally came over on the Mayflower, and Elder Brewster was the head pilgrim. Through the generations, each man in the Brewster family was dedicated to the church. “Benjamin was the first person in his family to leave the ministry,” explains Richard. “Instead, he joined a couple financiers from New York City, took a boat around Cape Horn and became the only merchant in California. He traded during the Gold Rush, and became one of the richest men in America.

“This building holds special meaning to a lot of people,” concludes Richard, who recently invested half a million dollars into the inn to remodel all the rooms. “It has a presence that people can feel,” Patti adds. “Cazenovia wouldn’t be the same without it.”

For more information on The Brewster Inn, visit thebrewsterinn.com, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/TheBrewsterInn or follow @TheBrewsterInn on Twitter.

SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: JULY 2015

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back ::TAKE YOUR VOICE

Take Your Voice Back

BY JOLEENE MOODY

in the dressing room

When I try on a dress, it needs to happen quickly and without incident.

After all, I can’t allow the walls of the dressing room to see my prettierin-the-magazine panties that don’t do a bit of service to my middle-aged body. I just need to slip in (so ixnay on the seven cute buttons and three annoying zippers) and slip out again. Really, that’s how I roll. Make it easy and make me look killer at the same time.

This was the concept I was going with the day I popped into Marshall’s to find a dress for an upcoming event. No drama. No buttons. Just something that would transform me into Jessica Alba right quick. I did find a cute little number with one zipper and a decent plunge line, so I was actually excited to try it on.

As I headed toward the dressing room, my eyes caught sight of a woman coming out in a dress almost like the one in my hand. Only hers was better. This woman glowed. As a matter of fact, she glowed in a way that made me smile at the sheer beauty of a woman. I mean, she looked amazing. (Yes, the italics are for emphasis, but it’s necessary because it’s true.) Have you ever seen Dolly Parton in the movie “9 to 5?” She looked like that: voluptuous, beautiful and confident. I actually stopped to drink her in for a moment. Her smile lit up the archway of the dressing room behind her. She twirled around in front of the threeway mirror to catch her every angle. Without realizing it, I heard myself say, “Wow. You look amazing.”

“Thank you!” she said with a bright smile.

And then her mother, in a matter of nano-seconds, ripped the confidence out of her heart and stomped all over it: “You would look better if you lost a few pounds.” Everything in that moment stopped. I felt the heat in my face rise. I heard the canned music above my head screech to a dead halt. I saw the woman’s face change. And I heard my mouth open again.

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AUGUST 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

“I think you look incredible. Honestly. Don’t change a thing. You look perfect just the way you are. And I mean that.”

She looked up at me and flashed that glowing smile that once again lit up the archway of the dressing room. “Thank you,” she said again. “I think you’re right.”

The heat dissolved from my cheeks and the canned music started up again. Short of blue cartoon birds circling her head, this woman was picture perfect. And I’m pretty sure, in that glowing moment, she knew it.

As I walked past her and her mother — who was now sitting quietly on a nearby bench with her eyes fixated on the floor — I felt redeemed. I even liked myself a whole bunch more when I tried on my button-free dress. Jessica Alba who? I didn’t criticize the lumps and the imperfections.

I didn’t curse the boob-sagging gods. Instead, I smiled. I smiled for the woman, for me, and for every man and woman that struggles with body-shaming in this overly critical culture we live in.

I decided to buy the dress, shame-free. And when I walked out of my own little dressing room, the same woman that had been criticized by her mother was in front of the three-way mirror again, glowing in a brighter light as she modeled a different dress. She winked at me, a gesture that I interpreted as, “Thank you for giving me my voice back.”

You’re welcome, lovely lady. You’re welcome. And thank you for giving me back mine.

Joleene Moody is a creative coach and comedic, transformational speaker and author residing in Central New York. Want to book her to speak at your business or organization? Visit her at joleenemoody.com.

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cuse ::NEW IN THE

“Our rings reflect our commitment to social change.” — Jordan Dudden

“If you do not have

a good wine to use, it is far better to omit it, for a poor one can spoil a simple dish and utterly debase a noble one.”

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JULY 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

change cuse

::NEW IN THE

NC

KEYS TO

BY KATHARINE OSBORNE I PHOTO BY GERARD H. GASKIN

Jordan Dudden is someone who wants to make a difference in the world, as well as create products that people love. The recent Syracuse University grad has, impressively, already developed a well-known product and brand.

The 22-year-old founded JoJo Rings her senior year at Syracuse University, while majoring in communications design with a minor in architecture. In the fall of 2014, she took an elective course in jewelry making and metalsmithing. For a final project, the students were asked to make two metal rings. Jordan had a bunch of old keys saved at her grandmother’s house, and when she passed away, she decided to use them for her project. Her professor encouraged her to go for it and to see what she could come up with. She experimented and, eventually, created a double- and a single-finger ring made out of recycled keys.

She continued to make the rings for herself and wore different ones each day. People began to stop her on the street to compliment her creations.

So in January 2015, Jordan launched her business, JoJo Rings. Nest 58, located in Jordan’s hometown of Skaneateles, immediately took an interest in her product and became the first location to carry her rings.

Today, Jordan’s recycled rings can be found in cities all over New York State including Syracuse, Camillus, Fairport, Homer, Sackets Harbor, Rochester, Ocean City, Ithaca, Vestal, Auburn and Hamilton.

different sizes, so everyone wears them on different hands and fingers.”

She went on to explain that her favorite component of her business is when she finishes designing a new batch of keys. “I like to see them all and try them on,” she says.

A CUSTOM NAME FOR CUSTOM RINGS

The name JoJo Rings is special to Jordan. She babysits for her cousin, whose children have given Jordan the nickname, “JoJo.” Jordan appreciates the meaning behind her business name. “It’s cool to be able to have something that is meaningful to you,” she says.

JoJo Rings also offers custom-made rings. If you send in a special key, JoJo Rings will make a personal ring for you. One customer sent Jordan her 1970 Ford Mustang key. Another client sent Jordan the key to her family’s lake house before they sold it. “It’s fun to make rings that people have a connection to,” she shares.

THE FUTURE OF THE BRAND

Because business has been a lot better than Jordan expected, she’s been seriously contemplating the future of the brand. In fact, she’s had interest from large, national retailers. This has given her some perspective and the realization that she needs a solution to mass-produce uniform rings economically. Jordan says she would need to streamline the process of making rings to about 150,000 at a time.

AN UNEXPECTED CAREER PATH

Jordan has also been thinking about the possibility of incorporating cuffs or bracelets, also made out of recycled keys, to the brand — and maybe even necklaces. A few people have requested hand-stamped, personalized keys, which is another service she’s considering for the future.

Now that the rings are doing so well in New York, she is looking to expand JoJo Rings’ market by contacting boutiques in each state. Jordan is very excited to announce that, most recently, JoJo Rings are now available in 10 states including Georgia, Nebraska, Arkansas, New Jersey and South Carolina. She strives to reach out to even more stores and, as of today, her rings are sold in more than 24 boutiques across the country.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Jordan always had a love for fashion, but she never expected it to become a career. “I can’t even sew,” she laughs. But she does have a love for art, which she attributes her inspiration to.

Although JoJo Rings is going strong, the business has yet to be lucrative enough for Jordan to survive off of. Upon graduation, Jordan’s communications design professor at Syracuse University offered her a position at Stressdesign, a graphic design company located in the King and King Architects building on Jefferson Street. “It’s really nice to be able to do both,” she says. “My boss is really supportive.” Jordan works Tuesday through Thursday at Stressdesign, while Mondays and Fridays are dedicated to JoJo Rings.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JORDAN

“My days change from day to day,” says Jordan. She is either bringing stores new inventory, designing new rings or reaching out to more stores. Jordan explains that every day is different, but she is always putting her all into the brand. She spends most of her time in the SALT Makerspace, a nonprofit organization that empowers people to explore their creativity. Jordan creates each ring individually and each batch of rings usually takes about three to four hours. She also makes wooden display stands — each of which is engraved with a JoJo Rings logo — for the boutiques that sell her rings.

“Everyone really likes that each of the rings are unique and you can always wear more than one,” explains Jordan. “The rings come in all

“Key to Change” has been JoJo Ring’s slogan from the beginning. With each ring purchase, Jordan donates $1 to a nonprofit organization. And each month, Jordan chooses a different organization to donate to. “A lot of people donate keys to us so I like being able to give back,” she notes.

So far, Jordan has made donations to the Food Bank of CNY, Vera House and Habitat for Humanity. In May, she worked with the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation. In fact, during this time, the Boeheims gave Jordan a handful of old keys from Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome and other on-campus facilities. She sold them as special, limited edition keys on her website.

In June, Jordan donated to David’s Refuge — a nonprofit bed and breakfast for parents and guardians who care for children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions — and in July, she donated to CNY Pride. “I really like donating locally right now, but when the company gets bigger, we’ll also have an opportunity to donate to larger organizations,” she explains. So far Jordan has donated several thousand dollars to these charities. This month Jordan will be donating the proceeds to The Salvation Army.

When I asked Jordan what she really wants everyone to know about JoJo Rings, she concluded with this: “Our rings reflect our commitment to social change.”

For more information on JoJo Rings, visit jojorings.com, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/jojo.rings, or follow @jojo_rings on Twitter and Instagram.

::FAB

finds

FASHION ICONS

18

Locals are always surprised to learn that Syracuse has a fashion scene.

Well, the proof is in the clothing.

Central New York is home to an array of stylish boutiques, Syracuse Fashion Week — which features five days of different runway styles each spring and the well-attended Syracuse Style fashion show in the fall — and Syracuse University’s School of Design.

Fashion icons regularly roam the streets here, too. SWM Editor Alyssa LaFaro decided to feature six of them here to share their fashion stories. Here’s what they revealed.

JULY 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

creative

3

fashion icons

::FAB FINDS

1. LORRAINE KOURY Owner, Boom Babies

Her story: Lorraine Koury’s love for fashion stems back to her passion for vintage clothing. “I was thrift shopping in high school, mixing Victorian blouses and ’50s party dresses with my ’70s elephant bells and platform heels. It was then that I learned to recognize and appreciate good fabric, excellent cuts and designs that still set the standard for good style.”

Her style: A mix of Lucille Ball, a little Lauren Bacall and a dash of Olive Oyl. “I like comfortable, casual clothing that mixes classic, retro and boho with an occasional punch of fun.”

Her go-to items: A black turtleneck in winter or a black tank in summer paired with a great belt and boots.

“You can add anything to this basic outfit: your favorite sweater, a blazer, earrings or a cuff.”

2. ANTHONY GRENGA model and concrete mason

His story: Anthony Grenga began modeling in his early 20s at a Syracuse fashion event. He loved it and began spending time around a lot of new, budding hairstylists who were really into fashion. His group of friends grew differently. “My father was always a nice dresser, too. He always said, ‘You can buy cheap, but don’t look cheap.’”

His sense of style: Urban classic. “I mix styles from the ‘20s with today’s clothing — I like suits and ties, but I also like to wear skinny jeans tucked into my boots.”

His go-to items: A brown pair of Robert Wayne wingtip shoes and a tailored, lightweight, navy blue two-piece suit.

3. CHLOE SCHNELL model and budding designer

1

Her story: Chloe Schnell fell in love with fashion when she was just 10 years old, watching back-to-back episodes of “Project Runway.” She started modeling two years later. “I told myself that if I became tall enough to be a high fashion model, then I would. But if I didn’t, I’d be a designer. I’m 5-foot-6, so fate decided.”

Her sense of style: Edgy and artistic. “I like playing with silhouettes and volume. I try to make things interesting and keep my aesthetic a little out there.”

Her go-to items: A pair of black, creeper style Dr. Martens. “The two-inch platform gives me the height I’ve always aimed for, and the chunkiness gives me a nice stance that says, I’m not messing around.”

4. JEFFREY MAYER

Associate professor of fashion, fashion history and textiles at SU’s School of Design His story: Vintage films gave Jeffrey Mayer his first introduction to the fashion world. “At a young age, I became fascinated while watching old movies on television. I quickly realized that there was a history of fashion and began learning as much as I could about historic style.”

His sense of style: Reinterpreted classics.

His go-to items: A black, wool turtleneck and a well-cut jacket.

5. SHERIDONNA WILSON-BEDEL fashion designer

Her story: A fashionista since the age of 5, Seridonna Wilson-Bedel grew up in Kingston, Jamaica. In 2009, she graduated from Bryant & Stratton College with an associate’s in occupational studies/graphic design. A professor there inspired her to apply to the fashion design program at SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. “And the rest is history. Fashion is my true calling. My mom is a seamstress, so it’s in my blood.”

Her sense of style: Sophisticated, sexy, edgy. “I love to leave just a little to the imagination.”

Her go-to items: Black fitted blazer, black belt, a fitted knee-length dress with a flare or blouse in a bold summer color or print, and black, tuxedo-inspired tailored pants.

6. ERIC NEILSON Professional hockey player

2

His story: Eric Neilson never paid attention to fashion — until this year. “For whatever reason, I wanted a custom suit. So I went in to the Mr. Shop and Projex 214. Today, instead of wearing a t-shirt, I wear a collared shirt and a nice pair of shoes.”

His sense of style: Adventurous. “I like trying new things, new combos. I like color schemes. I used to wear a lot of gray, back, white. Now I like reds and greens, oranges and pinks.”

His go-to items: A 3/4-length baseball shirt, a black and blue button-down shirt and a pair of gray denim pants. “Those are my go-tos for being casual and going out.”

6

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FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR ::WISE

Maria Rizzo

Owner/Operator, Maria Rizzo Art

rowing up in Italy, Maria Rizzo found her “aha” moment of wanting to become an artist/entrepreneur at age nine. Her teacher, who was also an artist herself, told her that she could be an A+ student if she would just apply the same dedication and talent to her homework rather than her drawings. From that moment forward, she knew she wanted to make a living as a professional fine artist. For the past five years, Maria has been living this dream and specializes in acrylic painting on canvas, which she executes using a skillful and polished technique.

In the early stages of the business, Maria was facing some challenges, including high price points, lack of an e-commerce website and could not accept payments by credit card. Determined to succeed, she decided to invest in herself as an artist and entrepreneur and hired a business coach to help turn things around. “Once I learned the ABC’s of running a business, I started shifting my mindset to be more client-focused.”

Investing in herself taught her how to discover what makes her unique as an artist and soon she was able to diversify her product line, accepting all forms of payment and selling online.

Not so long ago, Maria faced the greatest challenge of her career when her husband, also an entrepreneur, was seriously injured in an accident at work. Already a stay at home mother of two young boys, Maria was now faced with the emotional and exhausting challenge of managing the household, supervising her husband’s recovery, and working on her business. At one point, Maria wasn’t able to sustain her family with her business alone and was considering finding another job. Her family made sure she didn’t give her dream up. After their support and encouragement, she again invested in herself by working with a business strategist who helped her find purpose again and a way to stand out from the competition. Business and family are both thriving once again, and Maria’s vision is to become an expert in acrylic painting and also in business strategies for creative people.

“I love the challenge of being an entrepreneur,” says Maria. “There is nothing like setting goals, achieving them and getting closer to realizing your dream.”

PHOTO BY ALICE G. PATTERSON PAGE DESIGN BY ISCA DESIGN STUDIO

women

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wise words of wisdom…

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Women in Creative Businesses Roundtable Discussion

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“Time for Time Management” Women in Business Against All Odds Roundtable August 27, 12:00 - 1:00PM

A PROGRAM OF THE FALCONE CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Call (315) 443-8634.

SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: JULY 2015

21

words ::IN HER OWN

22

JULY 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

words

::IN HER OWN

IW

[CUT TO THE chase]

BY PATRICIA HURLEY DEFERIO & MICHELE ERBLAND SHANNON

we got in person. We’re both busy people, and we just wanted to be able to cut to the chase where dating was concerned.

A story of two women, lasting friendship and the world of dating

And thus the kernel of an idea was formed.

In 1976, we were both 16 years old and excited to start our first real job at Friendly’s Ice Cream. Bonded by snazzy gray uniforms and hairnets, we became fast friends. Even in high school we had a knack for creativity that often involved inventing crazy scenarios and pretending to be other people. This knack would prove useful in the future. Our friendship carried us through college, marriages, children and even divorce. We did not always communicate when life got in the way, but, as with any friendship, with a solid foundation we were able to reconnect a few years ago without missing a beat.

When two old friends come together, conversations naturally turn to life events. We were divorced, middle-aged and thoroughly frustrated with the prospect of finding love on an online dating site.

At first, Pat said she did not want to try online dating. Eventually, she thought at the very least, she should try it out just to see what the experience would look like. Forty-five minutes later, after many questions, an uploaded picture selected to show off her best features, and numerous profile drafts, she hit “submit” and waited for what she was sure would be a gaggle of handsome, age-appropriate men to choose from.

Instead, she received a message: “Sorry, we were unable to match you.

We are sure you are perfectly lovely, but sometimes this happens.”

Daunted, and sure that there was some mistake, she reentered the site a second time with a different sign-on and got to the page where she thought it said, “How many years were you married,” and to which she replied “30.” After re-reading she realized it asked, “How many times were you married?” Realizing her mistake and all that it might have implied she quickly changed the response to “1,” finished the profile and hit “submit” again.

The reply was the same! How could that be? Was there not even one guy out there that she was good enough to date?

She discovered a button that she could click that stated that this particular site would not match people whose status was separated, not divorced. Well, why wasn’t that the first thing they tell you? The site could, at least, give users a warning that, when “separated” is selected, to stop and return only after the ink on the final decree is dry.

The two of us commiserated about the profiles; too long to read, too long to write. We worried over the pictures — the high school photos, or the ones of just their cat or dog, or those that were non-existent. “Long walks on the beach” and “romantic dinners” described as perfect dates. We wanted to know where were the sweats and popcorn movie nights? When we finally got brave and agreed to meet someone for coffee, what we saw online was not always what

Fast-forward to fall 2014 — the kernel is now a full-blown concept for an app that will simplify the dating process. The two of us divided up the dating sites and, together, spent countless hours navigating them, trying and dismissing certain features while looking objectively at what we would like to see in a successful dating site.

The “Cut to the Chase” premise revolves around eliminating the more onerous aspects of online dating, like lengthy profiles and outdated photos, and replacing them with icons, real-time photos and many other features borrowed from social media, designed to promote actual interaction with the prospective dates so that you need never leave your couch until you are sure. We contacted a locally formed app development company called Designli, founded

by Joshua Tucker and Keith Shields, both of Syracuse, and discussed the premise with them.

Armed with wireframes and a boatload of enthusiasm, wit and ideas, we pitched our concept to Seth Mulligan of the CNY Tech Garden and were invited to be part of the Tech Garden Affiliates.

This affiliation has led naturally to many great contacts with other startups, such as Venture Technica (also of the Tech Garden) and 325 Productions, which filmed our video spots.

We laughingly say to absolutely anyone who will listen that our financial goals are to: “Make three billion, with a ‘b,’ dollars — one for Pat, one for Michele and one for charity because we are not greedy!” While this goal is a lofty one, the sentiment is sincere. We want to partner with a local organization and share some of the money we make with this Syracuse-based charity. The challenge of developing an app in our 50s and seeing it come to fruition is already more than we could have hoped for, so giving back to something worthwhile that does so much for the community is really an honor and privilege.

What’s next for two longtime friends? For two women who were not sure what a tweet was or exactly what to do with it, we are learning about the world of online dating, social media and technology with the rest of our team: Rob Ringham, tech consultant; Casey Frank, social media; Patty Maio Mullin of PMM Designs, graphics; Katie Deferio, marketing and promotions; and Casey Callaghan, screenwriter/video spots. It’s said that people invest as much in the team with a startup, and this team is money in the bank. Life is too short not to try and go for what you want. So we plan to cut to the chase.

For more information on Cut to the Chase, visit cuttothechaseapp.com, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/cuttothechaseapp or follow @Cut_2_Chase on Twitter.

man ::FASHIONABLE

Long Live

Rock‘n’Roll

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Entertainment Director Scott Sterling is 2015’s Fashionable Man

BY ASHLEY M. CASEY I PHOTO BY STEVEN J. PALLONE Scott Sterling is getting the band back together. The Dinosaur Bar-B-Que entertainment director is reuniting with his high school band mates from “Thrust, the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll experience,” as their business card read in 1977. While 38 years have passed since Thrust strummed its first chords, Scott and his rock ‘n’ roll threads haven’t changed much.

“I don’t dress that different from when I was 20 — less high heels,” Scott smiles. “They expect that I’m still going to be the same, so I have to deliver.”

Clad in stovepipe jeans, a porcelain skull ring and a T-shirt that mashes up Frankenstein’s face with the Misfits logo, Scott very much looks the part of the quintessential rocker. Some key pieces in his closet are velvet jackets, lots of leather and plenty of accessories. “I like a good belt. I like a good hat,” he says, gesturing to his weathered black cowboy hat. “Love a good scarf.”

Scott says his fashion sense was shaped by the glamorous, androgynous rock stars he idolized as a teenager in the ‘70s. A musician since age 8, and a member of various bands since age 13, young Scott modeled his sound and look after acts such as Aerosmith and the New York Dolls.

“It was very much about not just how things sounded, but how things looked,” he says. “Playing in a band and playing guitar, you weren’t supposed to look like everybody else.” Since his family moved about once a year due to his father’s job, Scott wasn’t like everybody else. Never being able to stay in one place long enough to fit in, Scott decided he’d stand out instead.

“I was either going to be me, or I was going to be a guy in a box,” he says.

“I had to constantly reassert myself in different environments.” Even now,

Scott finds himself in some pretty far-out places. Thanks to his friend Tony Todd, star of horror franchises “Candyman” and “Final Destination,” Scott has found more fashion inspiration at horror conventions, such as blood-spattered scarves and other macabre accessories.

When he’s not rubbing elbows with horror icons, Scott’s day job — which frequently extends into the twilight hours — is booking shows at the Syracuse and Rochester Dinosaur locations, which he’s done for 17-½ years. He’s the house sound engineer in Syracuse, and he’s helped select staff for the Troy, Buffalo and Chicago locations, too. He continues to play guitar in his spare time for blues star Johnny Rawls and Brother Num of the reggae band Burning Spear.

In addition to his musical and cinematic influences, Scott draws his style from the ladies in his life. In fact, Scott’s first exposure to the fashion world was through his mother, Alex Sterling, who served as business editor of Seventeen magazine in the 1950s. “Andy Warhol used to drop off his shoe drawings for the magazine to my mother — he drew fashion adverts before he was well known,” Scott recalls. “So fashion was everywhere in my childhood.”

His daughter, Jessica, and his girlfriend, whom he calls “Miss Jeanine,” like to pick up items that they think fit Scott’s style. “They’re both very musicoriented, fashionable women,” he says.

As for future fashionable men and women, Scott advises those building their closets to “feel free.”

“Don’t let anybody or anything sway you from … making your statement,” he says. “You’ve got few choices in this life — run with the ones you have.”

::SHIFT+CONTROL

::COVER

story

Michelle DaRin Fine Art Jewelry

::COVER

story

CS

Color,Culture&Couture

BY ALYSSA LAFARO I PHOTOS BY CHRIS SZULWACH

Allen felt I would be well-suited for fashion and jewelry making.”

Michelle DaRin excavated her closet, in search of the vintage pieces that are close to her heart. A silver sequin hat with a matching tube top from the 1970s. A silk, mustard yellow, V-neck butterfly top. A vintage-inspired green lace jumpsuit. And her prized possession — her mother’s pink, silk, hand-embroidered and beaded jacket, adorned with two dragons on the back. “My dad was really into buying some outrageous items for my mom,” she tells me, as she digs for another piece to show off. “He was born in Greenwich Village, so we were always there shopping.”

Although she had an obvious passion for jewelry making, at the time, Michelle felt art education was the path for her. “My husband was an English teacher, and I figured we’d be on the same schedule,” she admits. But while pursuing her master’s at Syracuse University, she began working with a local jeweler and itched to get back into some metalsmithing and sculpture classes. She took a class with Roger Mack, a sculpture professor that Allen recommended she get into contact with. One class influenced her to dual major — she received her M.S. in art education and an M.F.A. in metalsmithing.

Like most young girls, Michelle spent her childhood raiding her mom’s closet. But unlike many of our mother’s closets, the Staten Island native would find names like Diane von Furstenberg, Whiting & Davis, and Albert Nipon — all major fashion designers trending during the 1970s. This, she admits, along with the popularity of Aubrey Hepburn and movies like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” helped define the wardrobe she’s built today.

But, perhaps, even more important than Michelle’s passion for fashion is her love for accessories — specifically, her affection for jewelry. “I was in love with some of the jewelry my mom had: a large necklace from Israel, another from a trip to Montreal.”

Today, each of Michelle’s vintageinspired outfits is perfectly paired with vibrant statement earrings, necklaces, bracelets and literally a handful of rings, all of which are Michelle’s own creations. Michelle DaRin Fine Art Jewelry, founded in 2003, rocks every Syracuse Fashion Week event, the tables of local festivals and the windows of well-known mom-and-pops like LillieBean in Cazenovia, Heidi’s in Fayetteville and Industry in Armory Square.

An artist above all else, Michelle calls her earthy creations “wearable art.” Each piece, created using a variety of techniques like welding, resin casting, enameling, forging, electroforming and etching, is a colorful mini sculpture inspired by nature. Rocks and minerals like magnesite, carnelian, and agate adorn rings and necklaces; casts of religious icons like Ganesha, Lakshmi and the Virgin Mary dangle from rosary-like chains; and materials like leather, copper and bronze give it all a rustic feel.

A LOVE FOR METAL

“I loved metal right away,” says Michelle of working with the artistic medium. She attributes some of this love to Allen Mooney, the sculpture teacher she had while majoring in sculpture at SUNY Cortland. “He was this California, Dennis Hopper dude with a California accent and crazy little mustache,” she recalls. “And although SUNY Cortland didn’t have a jewelry making major, I found some jewelry tools kicking around the studio. Once I started working with metal I immediately liked it.

“Once I started taking the metalsmithing classes, I fell in love,” she explains. “That’s when I decided to do the M.F.A. I remember going to see Roger, and he said doing the M.F.A. was the only way to really learn so much and get that intensity to the point where it sticks. Then, when I started making jewelry I thought, Oh yeah, this is really where I need to be.

It involved both metalsmithing and sculpture — I was always kind of back and forth between the two anyway.”

Michelle’s education sets her apart from other jewelers. “That was the great thing about studying sculpture and metalsmithing at the same time,” she explains. “I learned a lot of things most jewelers don’t, like how to cast resin on a large scale, welding, forging, etching, electroforming, and how to cast aluminum, bronze, silver and gold.

Those are all things that might work into a piece for me.”

EVERYTHING VINTAGE

Michelle’s love for metal is even more obvious in her choice for an art studio — a 1964 Airstream trailer that sits on her seven acres of property in Jamesville.

“I didn’t want to work in the house. I didn’t want to have a torch in the house,” she admits. “My husband suggested I get an old trailer to work out of.” Although it’s “on loan” from a family friend, Michelle says she hopes to eventually purchase one to call her own.

Everything about Michelle feels vintage — even her car, a 1991 silver Volvo 240. “It has 190,000 miles on it, but I just can’t get rid of it.”

And upcycling is a trend within her home; her walls are insulated with recycled denim. “It actually keeps the house warmer than other types of insulation,” she tells me.

ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

Like most creative types, Michelle finds inspiration from other artists who have come before her. She admires the work of Joseph Cornell, an artist and sculptor known for his boxed assemblages — shadowboxes containing “found art” fashioned into 3-dimensional, collage-like creations. “I’ve always loved boxes and creating little worlds,” says Michelle. “I think I do that with my jewelry, too.”

story ::COVER

Abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, known for his bright paintings featuring rectangular fields of color and light; the latex-, fiberglass- and plastic-laden sculptures created by Eva Hesse; and the large-scale sheet metal installations of Richard Serra all tickle Michelle’s creative senses. “I also love the work of Louise Borgeouis, this tiny little French woman who’d create larger-than-life steel sculptures,” she explains. Nicknamed “Spiderwoman,” Louise was recognized for her spider sculptures, the largest standing more than 30 feet tall.

And, to no surprise, Michelle finds inspiration in the fashion world, specifically Italian designer Miuccia Prada.

“She is great with color and texture. I feel like those two elements are really big in jewelry. Feathers, leather, enamel, stones — those are some of my favorite materials to use.” Texture plays an important role in Michelle’s own designs, and she finds herself admiring jewelry from various cultures. “I love Egyptian jewelry — all the gold and lapis and turquoise — and the squash blossom necklaces created by the Native Americans. Those cultures would use the jewelry as part of a ritual, or ceremony and were very much a symbol of power. They had meaning, like a talisman.

And if that’s something that doesn’t come

across in my own work, well, I would l it to.”

STANDING OUT FROM TH CROWD

For many years, Michelle traveled do to New York City to sell her wares at Young Designers Market. Magazine edit frequented the market to find content their publications. In 2009, an editor fr DailyCandy discovered Michelle’s work a featured her in the magazine. The magaz ended up releasing a book and promote on the “TODAY Show” along with so of Michelle’s Jewerly. “That was aweso because other magazines began to exp interest,” remembers Michelle. “I met edit from Lucky, Elle and Vogue magazines.”

Other publications have also highligh Michelle and her jewelry including

like

HE

own the itors for rom and zine ed it ome ome press itors

hted

Bridal Guide, Where Women Create, Women’s Wear Daily and W Magazine.

She’s also been featured locally on Syracuse.com, LivableCNY.com and by the Syracuse New Times.

Although Michelle could have very easily ended up in a market like New York City, Syracuse gives her the opportunity to be a big fish in a small pond. “I love that it is easy,” she says. “Jamesville is beautiful, and I need to be surrounded by nature. New York City will always be home, but it’s over-stimulating for me on a daily basis. It’s less overwhelming here.”

SILVER AND GOLD

Twelve successful years in the jewelry business under Michelle’s belt begs the question: What’s next? “I’d like to get to a place where I’m using more silver and gold to create some really high-end pieces,” she shares. “But with my same sensibility. I feel like there isn’t a lot of jewelry out there like that. I’m not interested in high production. There was a time I thought that was the road I wanted to go down, but I’d almost prefer to make really special pieces using expensive metals.”

Ultimately, she’d love to have her own design house, where she could create designs for things like shoes and other clothing without actually having to extend the effort into making the product. “I love making jewelry, but I don’t think I need to make everything,” she says. “There are times when I have great ideas for clothing and shoes. I’ll see a pair of vintage shoes and know I could rework them into a shoe I could sell today. I would love to do that, similar to Prada. She has shoes, bags, clothing. A fashion design house that does a little bit of everything.”

For more information on Michelle and Michelle DaRin Fine Art Jewelry, visit michelledarinjewelry.com, like her page on Facebook at facebook.com/ MichelleDaRinJewelry or follow @MichelleDaRin on Pinterest.

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BY JILL BURRESS | PHOTOS BY BRANDON VICK

Mmmm…milkshakes...I’m dreaming of a thick, frosty, double chocolate milkshake! I mean think about it, have you ever had a milkshake that upon taking your first sip you thought to yourself, “It’s okay, but not delicious?” Well, I have thought that and been disappointed to the point of bringing it back and telling them that it’s just not delicious. Is that offensive? I don’t think so. I’m making a decision for my body to be responsible and deliberate about my eating. I don’t know how many times I have taken a bite or a sip of something and put it down and said, “It’s not worth the calories!”

So, while we are on the subject, why not do an honest assessment of our eating habits. Do we put calories in our body if the bite or sip is “just not delicious?” How about two bites? What are we sacrificing by eating the whole thing? Do you know that, in France, desserts are eaten in small portions and people walk most places? What has happened to our society? America…land of the free. Free to be overwhelmed by gigantic portions and feel compelled to eat everything we see. I know. I did it for years! So, what is the trick to living a life of healthy discipline? How do we go to a party and see the most amazing looking brownies and not eat at least three of them? (Did I mention, I love chocolate?!) Well, I can only speak for myself, but throughout my years, I have learned the art of discipline and I love to encourage others to experience the same feeling of freedom from food and apathy. Yes, I said freedom. I’m talking about the freedom to have the ability to eat something, but also having the power to say no. You have that same power and, if you haven’t discovered it yet, you have that discipline inside YOU! I don’t know about you, but I find it overwhelming to see so many different opinions on weight loss and diet that, if I was trying to choose a path to losing weight and getting fit, I’d be hard pressed to know which way to go. You see, almost 20 years ago, I graduated from college with a degree in Educational Interpreting for the Deaf.

After just a couple years of college, I was weighing much more and looking significantly different than I did when I started, if you know what I mean. For two years, the cherry pie and high-carb meals in the dining hall called my name. I was feeling very unhealthy and not happy with what was happening to my body! To my benefit, I met a woman named Inez who worked as an Aerobic Instructor at a local gym. She encouraged me to give her class a try. When I showed up, I felt so out of place…like the last kid picked for a neighborhood game of kickball. I giggled at myself when I looked in the mirror, as I was less than graceful. If the class went right, I was going left. But, you know what? The weight started coming off.

Phew, I was back to my pre-college weight. For years, I would go to classes at the gym on and off , but I never felt like I had achieved what was an ideal fitness level for me. In other words, there was something missing…

It all started about eight years ago. I had lost much of my pregnancy weight from my second child and I was pretty thin, so that means

I was healthy, right? Not so much. I realized I was a far cry from healthy when I went hiking one of the high peaks in the Adirondack Mountains and thought I was going to collapse out there. One of the hikers with us decided on that trip that he was going to go for Crossfit Certification and start a class for free at our church. This was the start of my disciplined fitness life and I am so thankful for it.

My encouragement to you is not to just look for the latest diet plan or workout fad because eventually something will throw you off; you will be back to your old habits. What we need is an allencompassing life of discipline! Try this for a start…next time you go to the store, buy only food that you know won’t beset you. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can buy your favorite snack and not want to sit and eat the whole box. Also, why not plan ahead?

Premake your meals,; make five salads on Sunday and keep them in the fridge for the week. This way, you don’t have to grab something in a hurry and regret it later. Eat healthy snacks and frequent, small, high-protein, low-carb meals. Shoot for eating something every three hours. Your body will burn more this way and you will feel better. Do this consistently, every week, every month…you may think it’s boring, but I’ve come to learn that my body looks and feels better when I feed it right consistently, so I keep it up.

When we are disciplined in one area of our lives that spills over into every area of our life. So often people ask me how I continue to look this way and have so much energy when I am almost 40 years old and have had two children. People think I must work out every day for hours and hours, right? Not at all. In fact, most weeks, I work out less than four hours a week. That’s doable, right? It is possible because when you are eating right, you don’t have to work out excessively to stay in shape. When you have established healthy eating habits, your body will work for you. But know this, if you want to be fit, look and feel great, it requires a lifestyle of continuous discipline. Therefore, having a meticulous lifestyle of fitness is not about who can diet the most, it’s about making consistent choices day after day, month after month, year after year. I truly believe that life is about being disciplined in all areas of life with our body, soul and spirit.

I love my life! I am truly blessed physically, mentally and spiritually.

I follow Jesus and read my Bible daily. He blesses me with a desire to live right, eat right and be the best physically, mentally and spiritually I can possibly be. The Bible says, “Life is like a vapor, it’s here for a moment then it’s gone.” I want to leave a legacy of an active healthy lifestyle for my children and to live life to the fullest.

So far, so good.

Jill Burress is a full-time Speech-Language Pathologist at NTID/RIT along with another full-time schedule of “randomness.” She is passionate about inspiring women to be the best they can be! Find her on Facebook and check out the free fitness classes available at Victory Church at discovervictory.com.

LOCAL

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BY TRACIE LONG, AVOCADOUGH It’s that time of year again; a time to support buying local, meet the producers of your food, and get some great deals on fresh produce.

The large selection of locally grown produce in Syracuse allows food connoisseurs to experiment with vegetables and recipes they may otherwise be unfamiliar with — or, add to the recipes you already know.

Take lasagna, for example. This family favorite comfort food can easily be adapted to include zucchini, eggplant, basil and garlic purchased from the local farm stand or farmers’ market.

VEGETABLE LASAGNA

Ingredients: 2 large zucchini, ends trimmed off 1 medium eggplant, ends trimmed off 1/4 cup egg substitute 3/4 pound non- or low-fat small curd cottage cheese 1 tablespoon basil 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 clove of garlic, minced or grated 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated 4 cups marinara sauce 1/2 pound reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Lightly spray three baking sheets with cooking spray (this may vary depending on the size of zucchini and eggplant).

2. Slice the zucchini and eggplant into long, approximately ¼-inch thick pieces. Use a handheld mandolin and use the thickest setting. Note: If you cut the zucchini and eggplant too thin, they will burn and/or dry out when roasting.

3. Place the zucchini and eggplant in a single layer on the baking sheets.

Spray the vegetables with cooking spray (optional sprinkle of Italian 34

AUGUST 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

seasoning). Roast for 8 minutes and then remove the pans from the oven and flip the zucchini and eggplant pieces. Place the pans back in the oven and roast for an additional 6-10 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the oven and set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, mix egg substitute, cottage cheese, basil, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella.

5. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce along the bottom of a 9- by 13inch pan to prevent the eggplant and zucchini noodles from sticking to the pan. Place eggplant over the sauce, overlapping them slightly, to make a layer. Cover the eggplant with one-third of the cottage cheese mixture and then spread a quarter of the marinara sauce over it. Repeat layering until three layers have been formed.

6. Create one final layer of zucchini and/or eggplant (it will vary depending on the size of the vegetables). Put the remainder of the sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil.

Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and the mozzarella cheese melts. If you like the cheese darker and crispy, you can always throw the broiler on high for a few minutes but keep an eye on it!

8. Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

BONUS:

Grab some beets while you’re at the market and make use of having that oven heated to get a jump start on your next meal! Wash them and chop the greens off (which you can use in a smoothie or juice), spread a little oil on them, wrap them in foil and roast them at 400ºF until soft when you squeeze them. Throw them in the fridge and re-heat as a side dish, or cut them up to throw in a salad.

Tracie Long is the founder of Avocadough, a bakery that creates all of its confections using avocados and other all-natural ingredients with no preservatives. For more information on Tracie or her business, visit avocadough.com.

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BY SAMANTHA MCCARTHY I PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORE

The natural, health food trend has reached Syracuse People all over Syracuse can’t stop talking about the hot new restaurant in town — CORE. “We believe that the food you eat determines how you feel, how you look and, most importantly, how you perform,” reads the restaurant’s website. “Whether you’re an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, or you just want to feel great every day, what you eat is everything.”

And everything at CORE, located on the corner of Taft and Buckley roads next to Chuck Hafner’s Farm Market & Garden Center, is made from scratch. Owner Lisa Caveny and her team strive to offer a wide variety of healthier, all natural food to the area. “Healthy and all natural” does not necessarily mean that everything on the menu is more expensive. Fresh, in-season vegetables are, in fact, a more cost-effective option when preparing food. “We do spend more on labor because we are preparing everything from scratch, but we would rather pay a local employee to slice and dice as opposed to opening a bag or jar of factory prepared food that has been shipped across the country,” says Lisa.

All of the ingredients are natural and homemade right at CORE, including the dressings and specialty lemonades. The business tries, whenever possible, to buy local and use free-range chickens and grassfed beef when it’s available to them. The menus consists of a variety of bone broths, grains, greens and sides. Customers can order off the menu or customize their meal. Lisa, for example, likes the greens and ancient grains bowl. She can easily transform this vegetarian bowl — which features a warm quinoa and farro blend, shredded kale and arugula, tomatoes, corn, chickpeas, broccoli, shredded white cheddar and balsamic vinaigrette — by adding steak to it. The customer 38

AUGUST 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

for CORE

favorite is the ginger steak and rice noodle bowl with rice, noodles, grilled steak, shredded kale, carrots, cucumbers, scallions and miso sesame ginger dressing.

After moving back to Upstate New York 15 years ago, Lisa and her husband John, in 2009, opened Jolime Café on East Jefferson Street. Two years ago, they expanded with a second location at North Medical, 5100 Buckley Road. Although they were plenty busy with two restaurants in tow, Lisa still felt like something was missing. The industry was missing something.

She felt that fresher and more natural ingredients could bring more to the community. “We wanted to do something where people could customize their meal to their tastes; see the freshness of the product as they were having it made; and have it be filling enough to eat for either lunch or dinner — not just a salad place,” says Lisa.

The response from the community was “unbelievably positive, and we are completely overwhelmed at all the positive feedback,” explains Lisa. There were some challenges along the way for CORE and the overall business, but, since the restaurant is still quite new, keeping up with the demand has been the most recent challenge. For example, the lemon squeezer couldn’t produce enough to keep up with the popularity of the specialty lemonades. “We now have a huge standup squeezer to squeeze more than 10 gallons of lemon juice a day that we need for our lemonades and dressings,” notes Lisa.

For the future, Lisa hopes to open more locations in Upstate New York and beyond. And with the large amounts of positive support CORE has received from the Syracuse community alone, those goals are possible. Lisa concludes: “We want to offer customers fresh, healthy food at a reasonable price in a timely manner, in a cool environment.”

For more information about CORE, visit eatatcore.com, or like them on Facebook at facebook.com/eatatcore.

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GERALDEAN LANTIER

Owner, Skaneateles 300 & Pride + Joy

BY CATHERINE WILDE I PHOTO BY ALICE G. PATTERSON

For most people, the thought of science and upscale fashion don’t go hand in hand. But while Geraldean Lantier was working as a science policy writer at Georgetown University, she held a part-time job at a boutique and was inspired by various fashion trends she observed in Washington, D.C. Geraldean always dreamt of one day owning a boutique of her own and, today, she lives that dream 24/7.

Geraldean is the owner of Skaneateles 300, an upscale fashion boutique where customers can find everything from affordable jewelry and scarves to $500 dresses or wedding attire. The store turns 7 years old in August and Geraldean’s other business, Pride + Joy, a full-service baby and children’s boutique she owns in partnership with Kathleen Zapata, just celebrated its one-year anniversary in April.

Although they appeal to different ages, the two stores both convey Geraldean’s passion for people and fashion. When she and her husband left Washington, D.C., to be closer to family, she also left the world of science and became open to the idea of starting a store.

“It didn’t occur to me until I moved back here that the timing was right and this would be a good chance to start something. And the building I’m currently in was undergoing renovations, so I had the opportunity to get into the space I’m in now,” she shares.

After a lot of hard work and persistently cold-calling different showrooms, Geraldean found the specific lines she wanted to carry and gradually developed a following. She personally prefers a dressy casual style — something that is comfortable for running between stores and home. At her store, she loves that she has a wide range of appeal and items that a shopper of any age can appreciate. “One of my customers is in her 50s and her daughter is in her 20s, and they both can come in and find something they like,” she explains.

The idea of opening a baby store started with conversations between Geraldean and her friend Kathleen, who were both mothers at the time. The two would talk about cute baby outfits and ponder how nice it would be to have a shop locally where people could come and see the clothes, rather than shopping online for them.

Geraldean says Pride + Joy is now in the stage of fine-tuning what it offers so that people can find exactly what they are looking for.

With an array of products ranging from car seats to baby gifts and cute outfits, it’s easy for most shoppers to find exactly what they need. The store also has an online presence and now boasts a customer base stretching from New York City to Canada.

“People are drawn to babies and adorableness,” notes Geraldean.

“They sometimes walk in the door because they can’t walk by the windows without going in. There is a certain undeniable thing about babies most people can relate to.” At the time of Pride + Joy’s opening, Geraldean had 4-year-old twins and a 1-year old. She had yet to have children when she opened Skaneateles 300.

Geraldean admits that running the stores while juggling the duties of motherhood gives the whole experience a “different vibe,” but she says it is going well. She is encouraged by the momentum she (continued on page 46) SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: JULY 2015

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inspire

“Hopefully five years from now I’ll be fitting the president or Jay Z. Maybe Kanye will give me a chance.”

::SM

TARA DESALVO

Store Manager/Custom Showroom Director, Mr. Shop

BY PAIGE KELLY I PHOTO BY JAMES BASS

When you first meet Tara DeSalvo, store manager and director of the custom showroom at the Mr. Shop, it’s clear she’s passionate and well versed in business and men’s fashion. The menswear store — appropriately self-described as the original, upscale fashion center for Syracuse men — offers buyers custom suits and a great customer service experience. They can make anything from slim suits to tuxedos with black satin lapels, as well as custom shirts, sports coats, and custom ties imported from London, all monogramed if desired.

Tara says she’s drawn to menswear because suits are such a staple. They begin as a blank canvas and can transform into something special. She helps customers choose from hundreds of fabrics and many different styles — not to mention she also decorates, merchandises and dresses the mannequins. The Mr. Shop is both a retail store and custom showroom, which allows Tara, also the shop’s buyer, and owner Joel Shapiro to go to trade shows to find the newest trends. “We’ll be going to New York and Vegas to see what’s going to be in for Spring 2016,” explains Tara. “We have the capability of being able to cherry pick select items from that line to find what is appropriate for our market, for our customer and what we think is cool. We have our customers ahead of the game. They’re right on the style.”

Not only does Tara make sure the suits at the Mr. Shop are fashionable, but she makes sure every customer leaves feeling great.

Tara’s positive outlook translates into her goals at work. “It’s very important to be positive because the energy you bring is what reflects your personality,” she shares. “It’s what people remember the most about you.”

Tara helps create that positive energy for her customers with the products she sells. “Suiting is very important. Think of how long guys have been wearing them,” says Tara. “And when they wear a nice, tailored suit, they have a good energy and a great confidence about them. That’s what we supply here: that confidence boost and guiding them in how to dress to impress.” The customers stay engaged and let Tara know that they really do feel great. “I love it when I get emails from customers saying, ‘I got so many compliments this weekend.’

That’s the main thing. I want them to get compliments. I can’t make that happen; that happens on its own.”

As a lifelong resident of Syracuse, Tara believes in buying local and boosting the economy here in Central New York. “Shopping local really increases our own market, and supplies jobs to our people that are working so hard,” says Tara. “These products are made with love.

You’re not getting it from a mass supplier.” A local designer custom makes the shop cuff links, tie bars and lapel pins for the Mr. Shop.

In Tara’s own closet, the clean, tailored look still applies. “Some days I’ll wear a blazer and feel like a corporate CEO woman, while other days I’ll wear a patterned pant. I like to be tailored. I think keeping my appearance clean and professional while still having fun with it is how I like to present myself.”

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JULY 2015 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

A few of Tara’s wardrobe staples include a little black dress, fitted blazer, pencil skirt, black capris and structured peplum top — a (continued on page 46)

::SM

“Never stop learning, growing and finding out what’s in your heart to share.”

inspire

LAURA MARINO Fashion Photographer

BY BRITTANY SPERINO HORSFORD I PHOTO BY JUSSARA POTTER

Douglas Everett said: “There are some people who live in a dream world, and some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.” Laura Marino — a hairstylist, makeup artist, designer and fashion photographer in Syracuse — is one of those people who uses her talent to invent dreamlike creations in a concrete world.

“My mind sees things through fairytale glasses,” she tells me. “I’ve always loved making things pretty. It gives me a healthy sense of accomplishment.

My heart sings when I see the look of joy on a client’s face.”

In high school, Laura attended BOCES and immediately began working in the beauty industry upon graduation. She worked in various salons and spas, cultivating her own style of makeup and hair artistry. After 12 years in the industry, she branched out on her own.

“I was blessed enough to design a studio in our house, so I could stay home with my two beautiful children,” she explains. “I use that private, comfortable space to really explore my creativity with hair and makeup. It continues today as I do hair and makeup for a portrait party business that we just launched this summer.”

After working in the beauty industry for 29 years, Laura expanded her business to include photography. “I got into photography by necessity,” she says. “I created a website to display my work, and I needed pictures. I did some cool before-and-after looks, but the high fashion looks I created were not being shown properly with my simple point-and-shoot camera.” Laura taught herself how to shoot with a DSLR camera.

“Just a few days in I thought, Wow, it’s so technical — the lighting, the posing and shutter-speed,” she admits. “So here I am a few years later absolutely blown away by what I am still learning and what I have accomplished.” Recently, Laura entered her work into the Professional Photographers Association of New York. She received blue ribbons for “Best New Entry” and “Court of Honor.” “The plaques are hung proudly in my studio, reminding me of how far I came from my point-and-shoot camera days just a few years ago,” she says.

Laura also designs and creates clothing pieces. She uses them in her shoots, and also offers wardrobe and accessory rentals. For Laura, normal doesn’t cut it. She designs with a vision that is shocking yet inspiring. “I may start with getting some odd vintage things from a thrift store to restructure into a new shape,” she details. “Then I start looking around the house and nothing is safe. My only investment was a sewing machine so I could sew things together, but that’s about it.”

Laura’s work has been featured in Syracuse Fashion Week, as well as her favorite magazine, Dark Beauty. “I submitted a series to Dark Beauty and was given a six-page spread in issue 23, titled ‘Wildlings.’

It blew me away to be featured in a national magazine of that caliber.”

With all of her success, Laura’s favorite part is giving back to the girls she styles. “I call it ‘beauty therapy.’ I had a hard childhood and lived on my own in high school with no family to rely on,” she says, honestly.

“To feel special, beautiful and important would have changed my life.

So now I love to take everyday girls and make them look like the cover (continued on page 46)

SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: JULY 2015

45

GERALDEAN LANTIER

TARA DESALVO

LAURA MARINO

has gained from the success of Skaneateles 300 and explains that having that business already established helped with the success of Pride + Joy. She lacked a following when she opened Skaneateles 300 and admits that starting a business like that is a huge risk. She attributes her success to knowing her market and staying attuned to her customers’ needs. She likens the whole experience to the field she left in Washington, D.C. “Women and retail is a science in and of itself. There’s a psychology there.”

wardrobe that allows her to easily transition from work to play. Although Tara loves to put together outfits from her own closet, her passion still lies with menswear. She believes that being a woman in the men’s fashion industry is good.

“Women are extremely intuitive, powerful people,” she explains. “We are naturally nurturing, so we can make sure someone feels comfortable. I don’t want to ever have someone leave here in something they don’t feel good in because then they’re not going to wear it.”

of Vogue. It does something amazing to their soul. It’s not all about the pretty image in the end. It’s about the process we go through to get there and the connection that takes place. The new self-image to look at is the cherry on top.”

Lantier says that, when she first left the field of science, she worried about finding meaningful work. But, today, she says she has found that by the feeling she gets when a customer leaves with a certain item that makes them happy. “I feel really rewarded with what I’m doing when I see somebody having a bad day come in needing that retail therapy,” she explains, adding that this is a real phenomenon. “If somebody feels uplifted by something as simple as picking up a bracelet with an interesting meaning or a sweater with a happy color, I feel that I’ve contributed to general happiness.”

When asked where she sees herself in the next five years, Tara and Joel already have ideas in motion. The Mr. Shop is soon-to-be launching an e-commerce website. Tara sees the shop growing beyond that. “In five years, we could have five different locations,” she explains.

“With the amount of growth we’ve seen because of the custom showroom, the possibilities are endless.” The Mr. Shop has a strong foundation with beautiful, quality products and passionate employees like Tara. “Hopefully five years from now I’ll be fitting the president or Jay Z,” she laughs. “Maybe Kanye will give me a chance.”

For more information about Skaneateles 300, visit skaneateles300.com or follow the store on Facebook at facebook.com/Skaneateles300. To learn more about Pride + Joy, visit prideandjoyshop.com or follow the shop on Facebook at facebook.com/ prideandjoyofskaneateles.

For more information on the Mr. Shop, visit mrshopsyracuse.com, like the them on Facebook at facebook.com/mrshopsyracuse, or follow @MrShopSyracuse on Twitter.

::SM

inspire

(CONT)

(CONT)

(CONT)

and

Laura herself suffers from social anxiety, which can be difficult for someone whose entire career is based off of her work being in the spotlight.

“I just do what I can and that’s where the connection with people comes into play,” she says. “It puts me at ease. I learned, spiritually, that there are little blessings in doing the things that are hard for you.

“Follow your heart,” she continues. “I used to get comments that there was no market for what I do here, but that didn’t stop me. I just photographed Miss Missouri, Mrs. New York and so many other talents. I have to be doing something right and remember: I am selftaught. Just find out what works for you. Never stop learning, growing and finding out what’s in your heart to share.”

For more information on Laura Marino’s work, visit lauramarinophotography.com.

PUPPY MILL AWARENESS DAY present

Bark-A-Que

A barbeque-style celebration of puppy mill survivors, their adopters and their brave journeys together.

WHEN: Sunday, August 16, noon to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Jake’s Grub & Grog, 7 East River Road Central Square, NY Enjoy vendors, a cash bar, live bands, raffles, pet adoptions and for just $20, an all-you-can-eat buffet with burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, vegetarian and vegan options, and more.

woman

:HEALTHY

read into your subconscious with

hypnosis

BY LINDA GILMORE

Many know that hypnosis has helped people lose weight and stop smoking. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Hypnosis helps people take the struggle out of making the changes they want — and it can improve their lives in countless ways.

People who seek help from a certified hypnotist typically want to overcome a problem they are experiencing. This ranges from anxious feelings and worries to various fears, as well as help for performance issues, pain management and more. Hypnosis can help people overcome physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual challenges.

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

The practice of hypnotism is thousands of years old. Doctors performed surgeries using hypnosis prior to the introduction of ether in the 1840s. The American Medical Association (AMA) officially approved hypnosis in 1958. Today, it is used for medical purposes, including dentistry.

The hypnotic state is most basically defined as a relaxed brainwave state that all people pass in and out of naturally throughout the day.

Beta is the wakeful, conscious state. The brainwaves slow down from beta to alpha, which is a more relaxed state. This is where daydreaming takes place, as well as lighter states of hypnosis. Below alpha is theta, which is an even deeper relaxed state. Theta is where deeper levels of hypnosis take place. It is also where meditation takes place and where athletes are “in the zone.” Below theta is delta, which is primarily the sleep state.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Typically, a motivated individual working with a hypnotist is guided into a purposeful state of hypnosis. The hypnotist is the facilitator of the process; it is up to the client to follow instructions and allow hypnosis to occur. Hypnosis begins with the hypnotic induction. This can be described as being guided into a very deep pleasant state of

both physical and mental relaxation. Once hypnosis is established, the hypnotist will deepen it. The next step is to give the client a series of beneficial suggestions intended to help the client achieve the desired goal. Finally, the client is guided out of hypnosis so she can continue on with the rest of her day.

The objective of hypnosis is to create change in the subconscious mind that matches the person’s conscious desire to do things differently.

Let’s look at an example of a person who wants to stop a bad habit such as smoking cigarettes. Most adults today know that smoking is unhealthy. Many smokers have tried and failed a number of times and by a variety of different means to stop smoking. During discussions with each client, the hypnotist obtains clues as to why stopping this habit has been difficult. These will be the various triggers that “make” the smoker light up. It’s also important to understand why the person wants to change. Is it for health reasons? Or to save money? Or perhaps it’s to gain freedom and take back control? Everybody has their own reasons. The triggers and the reasons to stop the habit are built into the hypnotic suggestions.

During hypnosis, the critical factor of the conscious mind is bypassed.

This allows the acceptance of suggestion by the subconscious or inner mind. When this happens, the change that a person is seeking can begin to occur for them. Some smokers are able to stop smoking during their first hypnosis session. Others who have not stopped after the first visit will usually have cut back on their need to smoke as many cigarettes as they started out with. The hypnotist will then work further to help the client succeed.

One of the great benefits of hypnosis is that it is all natural. It is a tool kids, teens and adults can use to significantly enhance their lives.

Linda Gilmore is an NGH Certified Hypnotist, instructor and coach.

She is the owner of Balanced Life Hypnosis located in Liverpool. You can schedule a free consultation by calling 315-254-0580. For more information, visit balancedlifehypnosis.com.

SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: AUGUST 2015 47

A Bit of

Skaneateles Summer Living!

36 years of lakeside dining

Large Selection of

Call for Reservations, Hours & Directions 607-749-3779 • www.theglenhaven.com

South End of Skaneateles Lake

14 East Genesee Street • Skaneateles, NY

Open 7 Days A Week, 315-685-7389

cause

::SHIFT+CONTROL ::FOR A GOOD

give

to others

BY HAYLEIGH GOWANS

Bringing nonprofits and donors together online “My motto is to have an attitude of gratitude,” explains Amy Caputo, creator and administrator for Give To Others, a website that facilitates the exchange of donations to nonprofit organizations in Central New York.

“It’s a better existence to live that way.”

Amy and her husband Todd Caputo, of the Sun Chevrolet dealerships, started the website in 2001 because they realized there were so many people who had various items to donate to local nonprofits, but weren’t sure how to go about doing it. “The idea just seems to make sense,” Amy continues. “It makes sense to give something rather than throw it away; it makes sense for the environment, too. It’s a great service for many people in the community.”

16

The website is free to use for charitable organizations, each of which must confirm their status as a not-for-profit company. In a craigslist-like fashion, potential donors can post items they have to give away. Nonprofits can browse these listings and contact donors if they are in need of an item.

Typically, organizations set up a time and day with the donor to pick up the items.

Alternatively, donors can browse a list of items local nonprofits are in need of, such as clothing, diapers, toiletries, hospital beds, vehicles or bedding, and can contact the nonprofit about donating them. “It’s a win-win for everybody,” Amy says of the website. “People are busy, organizations have a lot on their plate. It’s very user-friendly and people are ecstatic to have organizations be able to use things that they may have thrown out otherwise.”

that week. Currently, she is trying to encourage businesses to use the site when they have items they are no longer in need of, but are still in good condition.

Amy explains that, one time, a woman was aspiring to start a business from decorating flip-flops, but the idea fell through and she had more than 15,000 pairs of flip flops she didn’t need. The woman wasn’t sure what to do with all of them, so she contacted Amy. With the help of Todd and caravans owned by their dealership, they were able to pick up and distribute the flip flops to more than 15 local organizations. “I have so many instances and stories of how this website has brought items to people who need them,” explains Amy. “We’re a facilitator of goods and we want to make it easy on both ends.”

The Caputos fund the website out of their own pockets and are in charge of running activities within the website, which Amy says is close to selfsufficient.

Currently, Give To Others serves nonprofit organizations throughout Central New York, but there are big plans to take Give To Others to a national level, announces Amy. During the summer of 2015, they hope to launch a Give To Others website in Chicago as their “test run site” with Kaylea Nixon — former co-host of New Channel 9’s “Bridge Street” and friend of the Caputos — as the administrator for that city’s site. They are working with colleagues and friends they know around the country to find administrators for websites in other cities.

“Our goal is to take this national, in every major city in the United States.”

To find out how to apply as a nonprofit organization, or how to donate items, visit givetoothers.com.

Every Monday, Amy sends out an email to the nonprofit organizations, totaling more than 250, to give an update on which items are available SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM :: AUGUST 2015

49

GOTOCNYARTS.ORG Summer Film Under the Stars Series: Family Night -The Lego Movie August 6 Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse

Saturday Night Fever

ends August 12 Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Auburn

Skaneateles Music Festival August 12 - Sept 5 Around Cazenovia

Miracle on South Division Street August 12 - 22 Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cortland For more events from around CNY gotocnyarts.org

august 2015

EVENTS CALENDAR

MOLLY’S WISH BARK-A-QUE WHEN: noon to 5 p.m.

WHAT: Grab your pup and head over to the Molly’s Wish third annual BarkA-Que and Puppy Mill Awareness Day to meet puppy mill survivors and their adopters, and celebrate their brave journeys together.

WHERE: Jake’s Grub & Grog, 7 E. River Road, Central Square INFO: For more information, visit mollyswish.org.

16

6 to 7:30 p.m.

KEEP CALM & LATCH ON! WHEN: WHAT: Hosted by CNY Doula Connection, this free meeting will provide ex-

16

pectant and new parents with the knowledge and confidence to successfully start and sustain a satisfying breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

WHERE: Women’s Info Center, 601 Allen St., Syracuse INFO: For more information, visit cnydoulaconnection.com.

JEWISH HOME OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT WHEN: 11:30 a.m.

WHAT: Come out to Drumlins Country Club for the 33rd Annual Jewish Home Open Golf Tournament to help seniors continue to receive state-of-the-art care at Menorah Park of CNY. WHERE: Drumlins Country Club, 800 Nottingham Road, Syracuse INFO: For more information, visit menorahparkofcny.com/2013-golf-registration.

19

SUGARMAN LAW FIRM WISH BALL WHEN: 6 to 11 p.m.

sept. 12

WHAT: Celebrate 30 years of granting wishes in Central New York at this black-tieoptional event, which draws more than 500 people each year. Enjoy dinner, dancing, a silent auction, raffles and a presentation by a wish child.

WHERE: The OnCenter, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse INFO: For more information, visit cny.wish.org.

AUDI A3 1.8T PREMIUM FWD

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