The Boulevard April 2008

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Publisher’s Letter

Spring Awakening

In 1989, I fell in love with the great American film Field of Dreams. Although the movie told a baseball story, it was so much more. The real story was about having big dreams, overcoming fear and adversity, and ultimately living your dreams. The inspirational film starred Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones and had many touching and memorable scenes. Even today, I vividly recall one very inspirational line from the film: “If you build it, he will come.”

I thought about that line many times as I began my journey to introduce The Boulevard magazine to the Long Island marketplace. The Boulevard’s journey took time, perseverance and an unconquerable belief that it could be done.

In less than two years, we were able to create an exciting new magazine with a large new readership and exciting client base. "If you build it, he will come" became my reality and allowed me to live out my dreams. The Boulevard is now one of the most talked-about lifestyle magazines on the East Coast. We are reaching more than 180,000 people on Long Island and growing with every issue.

Our April/May issue features Law & Order: SVU’s Tamara Tunie, musical artist Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows, fashion expert Tim Gunn, America’s bad boy Chuck Zito, Broadway’s next comedic genius Norbert Leo Butz, Hawaiian Tropic Zone’s Vegas opening, The deSeversky Center's storied Gold Coast history, haute cuisine dining at the Muttontown Club and the world-class Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia.

I’m also pleased to introduce some great new additions to our team. John Lilley, guitarist from the famed band The Hooters, takes on a rock star's getaway to Vieques. Jonathan Clarke, NY’s classic rock DJ is contributing a music column and Joe Gannascoli, who played Vito on The Sopranos, will be checking out Long Island’s restaurant scene.

Now in our second year, The Boulevard is always the road best-traveled.

Angela Susan Anton

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Design

NYIT’s deSeversky Center’s Fabled History By Barry Kay

Photos by Tina Guiomar

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YIT’s De Seversky Center and its magnificent 270-acre grounds are a treasure trove of Gold Coast History on Long Island.

The original mansion was built in 1916 and named White Eagle by its owner, Alfred I. DuPont, noted businessman and philanthropist.

The estate was built at an estimated cost of $1.1 million, or approximately $22 million if it were built today. White Eagle adjoined Harbor Hill and the famous home of Clarence McKay. Nearby estates at that time included the estates of Harry Payne Whitney, Otto H. Kahn, J. Pierpont Morgan, Thomas H. Hitchcock and Elbert H. Gary.

White Eagle was designed by architect and nearby neighbor Thomas Hastings of the prestigious firm of Carrere and Hastings.

The Parlor Room Hastings had previously created Nemours, the DuPont estate in antiques from Europe purchased by Wilmington, Delaware. Carrere society decorator Charles of London. and Hastings were responsible for In the early 20th century, a designing the New York Public Library, new breed of American aristocrats the Frick Mansion, the Lunt-Fontanne Theater, the Forbes Magazine Building such as the DuPonts and the Coe family were searching for a style to and the Cathedral Church of St. John define their wealth and good taste. the Divine.

Charles of London fit their bill, having White Eagle was constructed come from a noted British family of of red Caledonian brick with white art dealers who knew what “old world” marble trim. The exterior featured meant. two Corinthian pilasters flanking Old English style became a pedimented entrance and blind popular in the U.S. and Charles lunettes in relief over the numerous of London’s Fifth Avenue office French windows. There were 29 thrived and excelled at defining servants on staff and their quarters it.

He published a folio titled were effectively hidden by a high brick Elizabethan Interiors that chronicled wall and plantings. The elegant and the development of decorative art dramatic east-facing garden included th th from the 15 to the 17 centuries. a concave loggia said to be modeled His photographs and illustrations of on that of the Villa Madorma in Rome. manor houses in England that he had The rear of the mansion overlooked decorated became the definition of a balustraded terrace and large the new Elizabethan style. natural pond, which exemplified the White Eagle was ultimately 18th century Regency style famous put up for auction in 1921 and sold throughout England. White Eagle to Henry Phipps on behalf of Amy was furnished with rare and unique Phipps Guest, the wife of Fredrick

Guest, who was the Minister of Air Services for Great Britain. The Guests renamed the house Roslyn Manor but later changed it to Templeton, the name by which it is best-known.

The house remained unchanged until 1927 when Mrs. Guests’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Phipps sold their Fifth Avenue townhouse. They gifted their daughter and her husband with their white Carrera marble entrance hall and matching marble staircase from the townhouse, and Thomas Hastings installed them at Templeton.

The house was passed on to Winston Guest and his wife CZ Guest in 1959.

Templeton was famous during this time for its spectacular Gold Coast parties which often included Salvador Dali, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Truman Capote.

Ultimately, in 1967, Templeton was auctioned off to NYIT and renamed The DeSeversky Center.

At that time, two extraordinary, oversized Carrera urns from Pembroke, the Del Mar Estate, were www.boulevardli.com

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Design

deSeversky exterior: Now

Photo by Jason Feinberg

installed in the front courtyard. The film Arthur starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli utilized the entry hall, reception area and ballroom as a backdrop.

Today, The De Seversky Center is one of the metropolitan area’s premier conference and dining facilities. The mansion provides a perfect setting for weddings, business meetings, seminars and other occasions. Under the guidance of Robert J. Rizzuto, director of dining services, The De Seversky center is experiencing an amazing renaissance.

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With more than 20 years of culinary and hospitality experience, Mr. Rizzuto has directed the renovation and refurbishing of the priceless mansion rooms, walls, floors, artwork

and furnishing. Once again a new generation can vicariously experience the glories of one of Long Island’s most beautiful Gold Coast mansions.

This article is adapted from the book entitled North Shore Long Island Country Houses 1890-1950 by Paul J. Mateyunas, which was invaluable in providing history and background for this article. A comprehensive and highly detailed history of the Gold Coast Mansions on the North Shore of Long Island, his beautiful table book is available at Libraries and sold in all major bookstores and online at Amazon.com

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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The Living Room

Carved Wood Eagle detail on hallway table

Master Bedroom

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Design

The Estates at Green Field Awaits the Artist

By Maria Galgano

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he Estates at Green Fields in Old Brookville is a blank canvas ready and waiting for the artist's vision to materialize. If one were capable of falling in love with the beauty and gracefulness of a home, this shingle and stone Hamptons Colonial would be your soulmate. The 8,500 square foot gem located on Long Island’s famed Gold Coast exudes character, integrity and grandeur. The fundamental elements include barn-style wide plank flooring, elongated windows, 17-foot-high ceilings and a stone fireplace that gives off the energy that makes for the back drop of great style. A canvas such as this paired with imagination is what gives decorating its charge.

Every house has a character that wants to be expressed.

The stunning sprawl of this home is the grand foyer, open and airy with direct garden views.

Entering the living room, envision an elegantly pale palette of butter yellow, clotted creams and antique whites.

These colors complement the natural sunlight that is every designer's dream.

The fireplace has a sleek convex gilt and black lacquered mirror hanging between two bronze 19th century candlesticks above the inlaid marble mantel. Dramatic draperies fall in luxurious silk puddles on the floor with oversized tassel tiebacks in a monochromatic style. A neutral simplistic sofa sits between two neoclassical gilt chairs with Louis XVI-style accent tables.

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Typically the heart of the home, the kitchen would be equally suited to traditional or contemporary tastes. The design reflects the latest look in materials in today’s luxury kitchens. The gracious mix of white and walnut cabinetry, granite countertops and sealed limestone floors give this masterpiece a timeless appeal. Picture a handsome table in a dark wood finish and delicately carved Queen Anne legs for a rustic French appeal.

Around the table are several upholstered chairs, with crisp curtains and a charming valance behind it. An area rug under the dining table with an oval medallion and floral accents makes an imperial statement for this regal setting. The oversized island has three to four swivel counter stools with intricate metal scrollwork backs and subtle suede cushions.

Lastly, indulge in the lavish master bathroom suite complete with private spa with sauna and steam. The richness of dark cherry crown moulding and wraparound wainscoting is a fabulous contrast to the marble floor with radiant heat. Visualize leaf and scrollwork Venetian mirrors with vine etching above the his and hers vanities.

Simple yet elegant accessories such as apothecary jars, aromatherapy candles and soft Egyptian cotton towels in shades of classic sage and terracotta would be all the finishing touches this self-pampering room requires. www.boulevardli.com

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ZAGAT SAYS BURTON & DOYLE IS: “Handsome and luxurious…mouthwatering cuts, backed by an impressive wine cellar and gorgeous décor.”

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Fashion

Oleg Cassini Couture Sun A fabulous new collection of sunglasses handmade in Italy.

The Oleg Cassini Signature in gold is set into the frame of these glamorous glasses, evoking the ‘Jackie Look’.

The shaped frames are handmade with exquisite detail, and the lenses give complete UV protection.

When Oleg Cassini designed for Jacqueline Kennedy (as First Lady), he developed a collection of fashion sunwear, innovative at the time, he was quoted as saying, Sunglasses will become the ultimate accessory, as important as shoes, bags, etc. He sent a selection to Jackie, and, the rest is history.

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The Oleg Cassini Black Tie Tuxedo

Jet Setter Sumptuous silk crepe de chine teamed with rich satin charmeuse sets the keynote for the Oleg Cassini Black Tie Tuxedo.

The jacket is shaped and easy with a ‘Bespoke’ look menswear tailoring, worn with its own silk ‘jean cut’ pants and a sensual silk charmeuse tank top all done in a rich Jet Black.

www.boulevardli.com

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Fashion

Oleg Cassini Jeans Couture

Rhythm & Blues The Cassini Confetti pattern jean set features (an all over geometric print combining shades of mauve, denim blue, navy and pink on silk chiffon and stretch denim with clear sequins hand-stitched for added sparkle).

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Oleg Cassini Couture Evening

Chartreuse, a combination of brandy and aromatic herbs is the inspiration for the color of this pleated silk chiffon Oleg Cassini gown.

The vividly dramatic gown is shaped to the body and curves to a wide floor length skirt.

Oleg Cassini perfected the one shoulder signature look with his designs for Jacqueline Kennedy as First Lady.

“The dress is an envelope for the body�...Oleg Cassini

www.boulevardli.com

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Fashion Night Moves Beauty and sophistication combine in Oleg Cassini’s signature one shoulder evening gown.

The fabric is a ‘body hugging’ silk jersey in rich matte black with hand stitched shiny jet black stones all over the bodice and asymetrical waistline. The floor length skirt is narrowed to the body for drama.

“Simplicity is Perfection” ... Oleg Cassini

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A love affair that never ends.

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A Jewel of a Store on Main Street

O

ver the past few years, the Sands Point Shop on Main Street in Port Washington has grown to become a onestop shopping boutique for residents of Long Island’s esteemed North Shore. From great jewelry designs, both custom-made and by designers, to the largest selection of Longchamp handbags and accessories on Long Island, to stylish watch brands, glassware, leather accessories, and sterling silver gifts, it will be hard to leave the store empty - handed.

Their exciting merchandise includes: Ralph Lauren Polo

Fabulous styles for men, women, and children, including Polo golf and tennis collections

Barbour Fine British country apparel for men, women, and children

Mauri Pioppo Designs that celebrate the essence of the woman who wears it through the Love Letters collection Skilled artisans at work: Located on premises is the manufacturing facility, employing talented artisans who are able to create any piece of jewelry to please a customer’s individual desires.

Tumi Shop a wide selection of fine luggage pieces from Tumi, a true companion for any traveler

Dunhill London Featuring great gifts for men, including cufflinks, desk accessories, travel accessories and writing instruments

Charriol Items include the esteemed Celtic Noir collection featuring 18kt white gold, black cable and diamond designs

Heidi Klum Jewelry Made famous by one of America’s favorite models, Heidi Klum Jewelry manufactured

by Mouawad showcases her signature clover design with 18kt gold and fine stones

TechnoMarine Their Colored Ceramic watch collection features a rainbow of shades with or without diamonds

Fine Glassware Simon Pearce offers beautiful hand-blown glass made right in Vermont, while Salviati glass styles are classically Italian.

Longchamp The largest selection of Longchamp handbags, luggage, and small leather goods on Long Island

www.boulevardli.com

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Fashion

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W

hen Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame started his teaching career nearly 30 years ago, he was so terrified to speak in front of a room full of students that he had to stand against a wall just to keep from falling over because his knees shook so badly. “I thought this was either going to kill me or cure me and I am not going to let it kill me,” says Gunn, who is best known as the poised on-air mentor to the designers from the hit Bravo show Project Runway and for his bold catchphrases “Make it work!” and “Carry on!”

Gunn knows firsthand how to make it work and to carry on. As a young boy growing up in Washington, DC, Gunn described himself as a problem kid and a terrible introvert, which stemmed from a debilitating stutter he had suffered from for most of his childhood. Through years of therapy, Gunn eventually overcame his stuttering problem and gained self-confidence and today serves as an inspiration to all of his students and colleagues, encouraging them to follow the motto he has lived by: “Make it work!” and “Carry on!”

As one of the most admired figures on television Gunn is truly having the time of his life. Besides Project Runway, he is also host of his own reality show on Bravo, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, a show in which Gunn gives advice to the fashion-challenged, and author of the book A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style.

Earlier in the year, Gunn made his acting debut, playing a reporter for the ABC television series Ugly Betty.

It was an experience he truly enjoyed and one that he compared with taking a kid to Disney World. “I have never worked on a big budget show, so just the scale of the crew was staggering to me, as was the whole scale of the set. It was the only time I did scripted television and I have such respect for the actors. I am not an actor, for sure," he laughs.

“I loved it!”

It was just last month, Gunn hosted the Academy Awards for the Today show interviewing all the A-listers on the red carpet. He also appeared on Oprah and her new show, The Big Give, donating 500 pairs of shoes to the Henry Street Settlement, one of their causes on behalf of Liz Claiborne. And most recently, was featured on the NBC reality show The Biggest Loser: Couples, providing fashion makeovers for the contestants.

For the 54-year-old Gunn, who had contemplated retirement when he turned 50, he is amazed at the stunning twist of events his life took when Project Runway contacted him while he was still the acting chair of the department of fashion design at Parsons. “It has been the most phenomenal, phenomenal path and a very serendipitous one. That is why I say to people all the time, young people in particular, never make assumptions about what lies ahead for you … you just don’t know,” says Gunn enthusiastically.

Gunn truly is having the time of his life and it

shows. In 2006, People magazine named him one of the sexiest men alive, a surprise even for the normally shy Gunn, who doesn’t mind poking fun at himself. “It was totally surreal. I thought, 'What is wrong with them. Are they crazy?'” he declares.

When Gunn is not offering his fashion and style wisdom on the air he is doing it in the boardroom as chief operating officer at Liz Claiborne Inc., a position he has held since March of 2007 and one that he calls his most challenging professionally. Working alongside Bill McComb, chief executive at Liz Claiborne, the duo is striving to put Liz Claiborne on the map as a company that not only knows the pulse of fashion, but also as a leader in product and design. Working at one of the nation’s largest apparel companies, Gunn’s day-to-day duties include overseeing a number of brands – DKNY Jeans, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand Jeans, Kate Spade, Jack Spade, Liz Claiborne Apparel, Claiborne (the menswear line) and Cesar Rodriguez (this brand actually walked the red carpet).

“When I came here a year ago the company was in a very, very different place, including structurally, in a very different place,” says Gunn. “I’ll use Liz Claiborne the brand as an example. We had jewelry happening in one place. Handbags happening elsewhere. We had apparel happening, yet again, somewhere else, and none of these silos were talking to each other so you had product being developed that wasn’t for the same customer. We’ve taken these silos apart. All of those parts are now under the same creative director so there is a cohesiveness being brought to the brand.” Gunn also leads a team of 275 people that he describes as “extraordinarily talented” who are all working together to create what he calls "irresistible product." In fact, much of what Gunn accomplishes at Liz Claiborne often mirrors what he does in front of millions of viewers each week. “I am a mentor to the designers. I am a sounding board. I am a therapist. I am a truth-teller. And I am an absolute advocate for the designers and their needs at the executive level,” says Gunn, who just celebrated his one year anniversary with the company last month. “I am thrilled to be here. I look forward to many more years to come."

Before joining Liz Claiborne, Gunn had spent 24 years at Parsons The New School for Design serving in a variety of roles including admissions director, associate dean and department chair of fashion design. As department chair, Gunn was credited with invigorating a curriculum that had not changed since 1952. Under his leadership, the department strengthened its position as a leader in fashion design education in America and as one of only a handful of leading programs in the world.

Although Gunn is no longer at Parsons, he still has a title Honorary Chair of the Department of Fashion Design - and a scholarship in his name endowed by Liz Claiborne.

With auditions for season five of Project Runway www.boulevardli.com

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Fashion underway, Gunn looks back with fondness at 2004, when the show first began. “Never in a million years did I think the show would be this popular,” says Gunn, who calls it “…gritty, daunting and demanding … you have to love it!” “I thought it was great fun doing season one. I thought that this is a chapter that will be behind me and I will just carry on with other things. I never dreamed this could be a cultural phenomenon.”

Gunn explains that he easily could have cast two more seasons from the number of quality people

with a whole new set of designers, the question that begs to be answered, though, is how do the designers truly perceive Gunn? Intimidating? Critical? Or just plain fierce?

Gunn pauses, then sums it up. “As an ally. As a confidante, of sorts. I mean, most of them…there are those who have an antipathy for me ... and as someone they can trust.”

And for all those Project Runway fans who are wondering what happened with all the designers from season 4, particularly, the final five: Christian, Jillian, Chris, Rami and even Sweet Pea, Gunn still keeps in touch with them. “We are very close. I am lucky to know them. They are an inspiration for me and I learn a lot from them.”

That being said, how does Gunn manage to do it all ... do it all so well ... and do it with such finesse?

“There are times I feel like I am one hair shy of a psychotic breakdown,” admits Gunn, laughing out loud. “For instance, today I am all over the city and it requires synchronization where if anything goes wrong, it throws the whole schedule off.”

However, Gunn wouldn’t change a thing. “I pinch myself everyday because I am the luckiest guy in the world.

The wonderful thing about what I do is that I don’t have to be anyone else other than me.”

Points from the Master of Fashion

who showed up for season four. “We never had such a consistently high level of designers in terms of point of view and in terms of quality of execution. I said it at the beginning of the season [that] any one of the 15 designers could have won the entire season. I had never said that before.”

As Gunn prepares for a new season and working 26

On Feb 29, Tim Gunn was the honored guest at Nassau Community College. Dressed in a black pinstriped suit, crisp, white tailored shirt and classic red tie, Gunn looked positively stylish. After signing copies of his book, A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style, he spoke to an audience of apparel design students, faculty, administration and industry guests about all things fashion.

Some of the topics he discussed included his love and respect for American designers; his favorite Project Runway challenge (season one: episode one); what fashion means to him (“For me it is the barometer gauge of our culture. I am a big champion of the semiotics of clothing, that the clothes we wear sends a message to the world on how we want to be perceived and how the world will accept us. And I really believe that we are ultimately responsible for how we dress.”); and who his fashion icon is (Cary Grant).

Gunn, who has worked in academia most of his life, told the crowd, “You can never take the teacher out of me,” and offered some valuable words of advice to students entering the workforce and to anyone, for that matter. After the event, the chairperson and faculty from the apparel design program presented him with a citation from Nassau County proclaiming “Tim Gunn Day” as well as sterling silver cufflinks from Tiffany engraved with the words: “Make it work!” Gunn was surprised and moved, and said he was "farklempt" by the act of kindness.

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“ Make it Work”

His advice included: Treat everyone as if they are going to be your next boss.

It is better to always look a little overdressed for an interview than underdressed. It shows respect.

Love, passion and drive are what a person needs to survive on Seventh Avenue.

Whatever circumstances are presented to you, take the high road.

Be the best you can be. It is a constant audition.

It’s all about you.

Knock their socks off.

Be confident. Do your homework.

www.boulevardli.com

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Profile

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Profiles

A

s I sat down in the back corner of a restaurant on 9th Avenue on a freezing day, my eyes met Tamara Tunie’s as she rose to shake my hand. I couldn’t break her gaze – her warm smile, while normally inviting and charismatic, was obscured by the vivid image I had of her as a possessed woman in the movie Devil’s Advocate. I had been drawn in in a similar fashion during that blockbuster in which she starred with Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves. The viewer is enticed by her electrifying sex appeal when suddenly she turns and snarls into a satanic and grotesque skeleton face.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” she asks me in a friendly way – though clearly bothered by my intent stare. “I am waiting for you to turn into a demon,” I replied with brutal honesty wrapped in humor. She burst into good-natured laughter and I told her that particular scene made me leap out of my seat in the movie theater as people around me shrieked. She nodded and said that she didn’t know how scary it would be or what it looked like either until she saw it in the theater on the night of the premiere. The computer-generated graphics of the devil face scared her out of her wits as well.

And so began our lunch. I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with Tamara, an actress for all seasons that has starred in major motion pictures, daytime and nighttime television, Broadway theater and now is at the threshold of a new era in her artistic journey - directing her first feature film. This is a woman that has done it all, done it twice, and done it with excellence.

I didn’t quite know where to start to dissect her lengthy and comprehensive canon of work, so after getting the all-clear on that demon thing, I simply asked her what she’d been up to and we began discussing her infectious excitement about directing her first film. The public likely knows Tamara best for her role in the cast of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, but all that is likely to change as her first feature film is released sometime this summer. See You In September is a comedy about a New Yorker who, after going through separation anxiety with his therapist, forms a support group for people rejected by their therapists.

“Ten years ago or more I was having a conversation with a famous actor/director and I said I would like to direct some day; then I forgot about it. Two years ago my business manager was working on a script very loosely based on his life and he wanted to develop it into a screenplay and he kept bugging me about it saying, ‘You should direct my movie.’ I told him I wasn’t a director and after about a year of nudging I was down on my brother’s 150-acre cattle farm outside of Nashville, Tennessee and when I go down there it’s so peaceful and so quiet and there is nothing to do. The static of living in the city eventually fades away and I heard this voice say, ‘Direct Joe’s movie’ and I said, ‘Ok!’ I called him and said, ‘I will direct your movie’ and that was it.”

And so the team got down to work. Her personal business manager, Joe Cilibrasi, is the writer of See You In September and several associates from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit joined her in making the film, including the director of photography Harlan Bosmajian and camera operator Tom Weston. Tamara went through all the hard work and challenges endemic to making an independent film - raising money, fluctuating contracts 32

and deals, 20-hour days and those lonely ambiguous moments where all you have to run on is your collective faith in the project.

“Last July we started pre-production on the film and all the terrifying stories you hear about independent filmmaking are absolutely true! To live through it interests your mettle and when you come out on the other side you feel like you can take on anything. There were many challenges, and to make a long story short, we are in postproduction right now and about three weeks away from finishing,” she said with a look of satisfied relief. I asked her why she had the bravery to step into the director role and the confidence that she could handle a whole movie by herself.

“As an actor who pays attention when I came to the table, as a first time director I actually had a lot more information about the process than I thought I had,” she shared. “Rob Marshall (Chicago) is a good friend of mine and I asked him for advice. He said the key to making a really good film is surrounding yourself with a great team and letting experts be experts and let them do their job. I had a great team; everybody brought their A-game and I was blessed and honored to be working with these people and for a small budget movie it looks like a big movie.”

See You In September has been submitted to the film festivals and is in discussion with distributors. Something Tamara chose to share with The Boulevard which isn’t in any of the promotional documentation yet is that there is a cameo in the film by her close friend and box office superstar Whoopi Goldberg, who plays the therapist.

And as Tamara refers to herself as an “actor who pays attention,” she isn’t kidding. Tunie plays forensic medical examiner Melinda Warner, M.D. on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. It’s a role that she has played for no less than 123 episodes in eight seasons. I asked her about what type of research she does for the role and she revealed that there is fairly extensive preparation that goes into each and every script. She has her own Physician’s Desk Reference and other medical books in which she looks up the exact names, pronunciations and pathologies of every scenario.

Neil Baer, a producer of the show, is an M.D. and she has frequent and informal meetings with a real life woman medical examiner who works for the City of New York. Her training for this role, however, began long ago as a little girl growing up in a funeral home in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Tamara grew up in a family of morticians and she and her brothers and sisters all assumed various

“As a New York actor to have a series that shoots in New York is a dream come true. There is nowhere else in the world where you can star in a daytime drama, star in a nighttime drama and star in a Broadway show. I have always been from the ‘anything is possible school’ and even though I was doing As the World Turns, I insisted that I do other things. There was a time when I was doing the soap and NYPD Blue. I flew back and forth to LA. I just kept working.”

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responsibilities in the family business. She knows the smell of formaldehyde well, routinely witnessed embalmings and did hair and makeup on deceased individuals. While the business of the funeral home and the interaction with bereaved families were a far cry from the crime capers outlined in the plots of Law and Order, that familiarity with being around the deceased did help her develop the character of Melinda Warner.

“I grew up in a funeral home. Both my parents are morticians and I knew what went on in the morgue. As we got older we all helped in the home one way or another. I didn’t embalm anyone, though I certainly saw it done. I have done hair and makeup for a deceased person.

What I really came away with was a profound respect for the dead. A real reference and real respect for that shell that used to be someone,” she explained. I asked her how much of that experience directly related to her character. “Her [Melinda’s] top priority is always the victim, what’s happened to them, dealing with the victim’s family. This is what I saw with my parents, that there was a level of professionalism where you are somewhat removed but you are still being compassionate and available.

It’s an interesting fine line to be ‘part of it but not part of it.’ Melinda gets particularly fired up when there is a child on the table because she has a child. It’s been fun to play this role because of my upbringing.”

I asked Tamara which episodes among the 123 in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit were the best examples of the definition of the character of Dr. Warner. I was looking for the “quintessential Melinda” after our discussion of how deeply rooted some of the connecting traits were.

She gave me two examples. One was the episode titled “Harm” which aired last October, in which the ethics of government-sanctioned torture are explored and Dr. Warner is instrumental in initiating legal action against another doctor who aided in a torture situation against a suspected terrorist. Another is an episode in which, after a hightension hostage standoff involving a kidnapped child with leukemia, Dr. Warner leaves the dramatic conclusion to pick up her daughter.

Tamara felt the “all in a day’s work ending” was demonstrative of the strength and resolve that she sought to bring to the character of Melinda.

Despite the high profile and

enormous portfolio of her work with Law and Order, Tunie’s scope of work as an actress extends into many other areas. For 10 years and 61 episodes she has played the role of Jessica Griffin on As The World Turns. It’s unusual for an actress to have roles in both daytime and nighttime television. It’s more unusual for them to do both well.

Tamara’s roster as a movie actress lists some of the biggest films of the last 20 years including Wall Street directed by Oliver Stone, City Hall, Devil’s Advocate, The Peacemaker and Eve’s Bayou, for which she did the narration. She

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“I think growing up in a steel town near Pittsburgh and seeing my dad always working and my mother always with a job or two - you just did it..it was normal. We would clock crazy hours at acting school in Carnegie Mellon and it just became natural to me.” played the character of Alberta Green in the 2002 season of 24. She won a Tony Award as a co-producer for the Duncan Shiek Broadway musical Spring Awakening.

But it was on the set of As The World Turns that Tamara would develop the relationship with the person she considers her acting mentor and artistic guide – actress Billie Allen, who played her mother in the soap.

“Billie Allen – she is a brilliant actor/director and is like my New York mom. She played my mother on the soap and we bonded immediately and whenever I am seeking advice or talking about anything, she is right there and she has done it all. She is everything you would want in someone you would look to as a friend, so she is a mentor,” she says with great reverence.

Tamara’s relationship with her own mother is very close as well. She shared many stories about her mother teaching by example when she was a little girl – whether it was opening their home to other children who needed a temporary place to live or single-handedly diffusing a brewing gang fight at her local high school. She credits her mother with much of her character-building and proudly lauds the foundation that her mother has been for her.

“I am the clone of my mother and I say that with all pride – that includes her work ethic, her activism and her philanthropy,” she exclaimed.

Our discussion turns to growing up in the Tunie household in the ’60s and ’70s, and her love of music.

Tamara was a musical theater major at Carnegie Mellon University and has a beautiful singing voice she intends to one day work into her mainstream work, as virtually all of her professional acting has been non-singing dramatic roles. She loves great music though, and we share an affinity for the same time period and many of the same bands.

“My taste is very eclectic. On the way down I had Tears for Fears on my iPod and I like everything. I have a bit of hip hop, Tony Bennett, Broadway cast records, Maroon 5, Zeppelin, U2 … you name it. R&B, rock, jazz, pop and rap,” she says as we spot-check each other’s iPods. She recalls her brother blasting Iron Butterfly and his velvet blacklight posters – that eternal rite of passage for any ’70s teen.

Once again, her mom is credited with keeping the home musical and exposing her to the popular music of the time as well as the classical greats. Her musical tastes run very deep, partially because of the music that was in her home as a young girl and partly because of her exposure to jazz at young age. “I had my first experience with jazz in public school in Pittsburgh. It was a Coltrane album when I was in sixth grade. I am very active in supporting Save The Music because when I was in grade school and played instruments, I know that those programs reinforced and were the foundation for the rest of my academic studies 34

and I don’t feel that you should pay for private school to study these things.”

Tamara married jazz vocalist Gregory Generet, who is currently finishing his debut CD, and the two enjoy a musical immersion about town uncommon to most musical aficionados.

For ten years Tamara has been on the board of the charity Figure Skating in Harlem, a non-profit program for girls ages 6-17 that promotes academic excellence through the discipline of figure skating. It’s the only program of its kind in the world. Tamara is a founding member and hosts the gala each spring where famous figure skaters spend an evening performing and skating with the girls. “I was looking for a program in my community that serviced girls and had an artistic bent and I met the founders and I signed on immediately and it’s 10 years later. Our girls that have completed the program and gone on to universities are brilliant women who have a self-possessiveness that they otherwise might not have had. Our program teaches the girls how to fall down and then pick themselves up in life,” she explains.

The decision to work with the figure skating program is borne out of personal conviction as well a recognition for some of the great public school programs she enjoyed as a child that have been long cut from school budgets nationwide. “I think about when I was a kid and what was afforded to me through state and government programs and how it’s all gone. I realize that we as individuals need to take up the slack. We have a generation of kids being bombarded with all kinds of images they want to emulate and we need to give them alternatives that allow them to grow into adults where they contribute to the country and become great parents and learn how to give back. When the girls see me on television and then they see that I am there for them working on the program, it’s incredible.”

Tamara is also very active with the Children’s Aid Society of New York.

To describe Tamara Tunie as an actress for all seasons would still be understating her enormous scope of talent and range. As important as the characters she has originated is her internal moral compass which compels her to be a beacon of hope and strength for those needing to draw inspiration. It’s a responsibility that goes along with the lofty heights of celebrity she’s achieved, and after spending five minutes with her it’s obvious that she understands that responsibility better than anyone. I told her that The Boulevard normally chooses its cover subjects by who we think has a clear sense of the social obligations that coincide with being so gifted. She left me with this thought: “I am from a working class community in Pittsburgh and my goal was to be a working actor. The fact that any celebrity has come along with it is icing on the cake. I get bored talking about myself and I don’t find me that interesting. So the reason I do interviews and go on TV is to talk about these important things. If my celebrity allows me the platform to vocalize these kinds of things, so be it.”

See You In September should be available this summer. I had made it though our lunch without my subject turning into a demon. Actually, quite the contrary – I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with someone who brings a little bit of heaven to the arts and to her community.

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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Cover Fashion:

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Photographer:

Patrick McMullan Assistants: Jason Smith and Nick Hunt The Boulevard Magazine Angela Susan Anton, Jason Feinberg, Tina Guiomar, Kristen Anton

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Patrick McMullan, Anette Lian-Williams, Angela Anton, Kristen Anton, Tamara Tunie, Maureen Aronson, Liz Martinelli, Marissa Avasso, Nick Hunt Bottom Row: Tina Guiomar, Jason Feinberg, Robert Rizzuto.

Photo by Jason Smith

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profiles

An Unforgettable

Name for

Broadway’s Next Comedic Genius

By Barry Kay 38

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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L

ife is all about choices, and Norbert Leo Butz seems selected for him. Norbert is one of 11 children in a very to have made a wise choice when he turned down close middle-class Catholic family with very traditional the lead in Young Frankenstein to star in Is He values. His father and brothers and sisters would have been Dead?, a farce written by Mark Twain. Butz plays mortally offended with any name change. a brilliant but undiscovered and unrecognized starving We then discussed whether or not his involvement artist Jean Francois Millet living in Paris in 1846. Deeply in with comedy and farces could change in the future by debt and unable to give away any of his beautifully painted taking on more dramatic roles. Loving the theater and the “masterpieces,” Millet is at his wits’ end, hiding from his range of parts available to him, Norbert did not discount creditors while starving in his loft studio. His close group of the possibility of moving into other areas. In fact, since Bohemian friends convinces Millet that by faking his death, he burst onto the theatrical scene and won a Tony for his paintings will soar in value. After his friends agree that Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and critical acclaim for his parts in Millet can reappear as a new and different persona, Millet Rent and Wicked, Norbert has also appeared in movies, “dies” and disappears from a life of poverty and despair. with supporting roles in Dan in Real Life with Steve Carell, He shortly thereafter re-emerges as Millet’s imaginary and Juliette Binoche and Dane Cook, as well as Be Back by madcap twin sister, who also happens to be a widow.

Five, and Noon Blue Apples. Norbert related that he loved It is at this point in the play when Norbert Leo Butz’s working on Dan in Real Life, but movies are more static zany, over-the-top physical comedic talents appear, and and involve less physical movement than his work in the takes this dated play to new and dizzying heights. The tour theater. He said that he is most comfortable doing physical de force is accomplished nightly with the collaboration of comedy with lots of movement. He chooses parts in the director Michael Blakemore and playwright David Ives, who theater, movies and TV based on the adapted Mark Twain’s original script. Although the casting, quality of the script as well as the physical nature of the sets and play are perfectly coordinated, it is Norbert who role. makes this old chestnut into an amazingly funny and lively Norbert’s theatrical aspirations began early on in life as Broadway hit. In truth, Mark Twain, a brilliant author, died he came from a musical family where singing and dancing never having written a successful play until Is He Dead? was were part of their daily routine. He sang in the church choir, resurrected in 2007. appeared in school plays and tried out for everything and I had the opportunity to interview Norbert after thoroughly enjoying the show and his hilarious cross-dressing antics. Although our interview lasted less than an hour, I was able to learn a great deal about the very funny but complex man who is Norbert Leo Butz.

I could not resist asking Norbert about his highly unusual name and asked him if, in fact, it had really helped him be noticed among the thousands of other aspiring actors.

Norbert’s reply was straightforward and honest. He said that he would never change the name his Bridge Regan as Cecile Leroux, Michael McGrath as Agamemnon Buckner “Chicago”, Norbert Leo Butz as Jean-Francois Millet, and Jenn Gambatese as Marie Leroux father had specifically www.boulevardli.com

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Profile

anything he could in high school and college. Much has been made of Norbert’s amazing physical comedy talents, which he has exhibited in virtually all his roles.

In real life, Norbert is a devoted son, brother, husband and father and leads a conventional home life with his wife and two children.

His onstage persona is everything his real life is not; on stage he is wildly manic and frenzied.

Fortunately for theatergoers, he is most secure when he is acting in very physical roles. Parts that involve movement and dancing have garnered him critical acclaim and provide him with the physical and emotional release he loves and apparently requires to balance his life.

I then asked him where and how he is able to find the energy to perform and bounce, dance and run around the stage dressed in period women’s costumes with corsets, long dresses, wigs, etc.

His formula is simple: in order to play the demanding role of Millet in Is He Dead? Norbert keeps in shape by eating sensibly, exercising and relaxing after his strenuous activities on stage.

Norbert was on his way to take his wife and kids out for the day and my last question for him was what advice he would give to those interested in a theatrical career. As he walked out the door he said, “Tell them to volunteer for everything involved in the theater.” It took many years for Norbert to become a star, and basically it came down to loving his craft and paying his dues.

Norbert Leo Butz is a comedian whose talents are reminiscent of the days of Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman. His love of satire, slapstick and fun has given him a unique niche in the theatrical world. As they say, the world loves a clown!

Norbert Leo Butz as Jean-Francois Millet (as the Widow Tillou)

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an ull

Pho to by Pa tric

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profiles

Chuck Zito America’s

Bad Boy

By Barry Kay 42

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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W

hen Chuck Zito passed me in the lobby of a major resort hotel, I immediately called out his name and struck up a conversation.

Being an avid fan of the highly successful HBO Series Oz, I felt like I was talking to a friend. Chuck has weathered good looks and is physically imposing, even in a casual suit. He wears a gold chain around his neck with a gold boxing glove hanging from it, a special gift from his good friend Sylvester Stallone.

After discussing his role on Oz and his highly publicized run-in with martial arts actor Jean Claude Van Damme, we went our separate ways. As luck would have it, the next day we ran into each other again in the hotel elevator, and this time I asked Chuck to sit for an interview for The Boulevard.

Our interview took place in his celebrity suite at the hotel, which was on one of the top floors and had a commanding view of the city below.

Chuck’s life story could easily have been the lyrics from a

at the young age of 5 years old, enough boxing to handle himself in a street fight. When Chuck was 12 years old, he fought in his first ring fight at the South Side Boys Club in New Rochelle, New York.

Chuck went on to compete in many local tournaments.

He entered his first New York Daily News Golden Gloves competition in 1973.

He also fought in the Golden Gloves in ’75, ’76 and ’77, but did not turn professional like his dad. That year, he married his high school sweetheart Kathy, and adopted her daughter Lisa. After working odd jobs in a boatyard, roofing and construction, he went to school for air-conditioning and refrigeration, and became a refrigeration mechanic for Finast Supermarkets. He also found a new passion when he built his first Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Chuck was inspired by the Photo provided by Chuck Zito mystique, notoriety and fame of the Hells Angels, after watching Sonny professional boxer and leading welterweight contender in the ’30s Barger and Jack Nicholson in a and ’40s with more than 200 fights movie theater at the age of 12.

He later developed a friendship to his credit, fighting under the with the Angel’s New York City name Al LaBarba. His dad wanted president, Sandy Alexander, to make sure that Chuck Jr. would himself a professional boxer and never be bullied and taught him, famous song: “I’ve looked at life from both sides now.” Chuck Zito was born Charles Zito Jr, in 1953, in the South Bronx, New York, the son of Charles Zito Sr. and Gloria Frangione Zito. Charles Sr. was a

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Profiles

stuntman in the movie industry.

Sandy and Chuck met at the Gramercy Gym in 1979 and shortly thereafter, Chuck became a member of the Hells Angels New York City. He quickly became vicepresident and later the president of the Hells Angels Nomads. He remained a member for over 25 years.

Chuck told me of his lifelong belief in physical fitness and how it led him to become involved in martial arts. Chuck now holds black belts in six different martial art disciplines.

His martial arts skills became the vehicle for him to become a success as a celebrity bodyguard.

In 1980, Chuck met and talked to actor Robert Conrad’s bodyguard and became convinced that the bodyguard business would be his ticket to fame and fortune.

He founded Charlie’s Angels Bodyguard Service, referencing his Hells Angels affiliation. Chuck was able to find clients while working as a bouncer at Café Central on 74th and Amsterdam in New York. The café was a famous hangout for actors, actresses and models. Bruce Willis bartended and it was frequented by John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Joe Pesci, Cher, and Liza Minelli. Chuck’s business developed slowly until he was hired by Liza. She quickly recommended him to her celebrity friends. Chuck’s famous clients included Liza Minelli, Sean Penn, Cher, Charlie Sheen, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Pesci, Eric Roberts, Charles Bronson, Pamela Anderson and Mickey Rourke. His work as a bodyguard led him into stunt work and acting.

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In 1985, Chuck, “Hollywood’s bodyguard of choice,” was touring with Jon Bon Jovi in Japan. At the height of his newfound success, his past caught up with him and federal agents arrested Chuck in Japan.

After spending six months in a Japanese prison, he was extradited back to the U.S. His longtime relationship with the Angels and his knowledge of the club made Chuck a prime target in the investigation of the Angels. Chuck refused to testify against any of his Angel friends and clients.

His punishment for silence was losing the one thing he cherished most … his freedom. Originally sentenced to 10 years, he served time from 1985 to 1991 in a series of federal prisons.

In 1991, after his release from prison, Chuck began the long climb back to success trying to recapture his life and work. In 1998, Chuck was offered the role that turned his life around in the HBO series Oz. Chuck portrayed Chucky Pancamo, a physically intimidating Italian inmate with mob connections. Oz had a strong following and good ratings on HBO, but its extreme violence and uncompromising reality never gave it a chance for syndication.

Chuck has since continued his career as a celebrity personality working in professional wrestling, boxing and MMA with figures such as Hulk Hogan, Arturo Gatti and Chuck Liddel. In 2002 Chuck co-authored Street Justice, an autobiographical novel of revenge and justice. He is actively promoting his screenplay adaptation with the hope of

starring and producing the screen version along with some of his celebrity clients.

Chuck is a friend and frequent guest of Howard Stern and hosts Chuck Zito’s View on Sirius Channel Howard 101. Chuck Zito’s life has been a whirlwind ride on the wild side. He came from the tough streets of the Bronx and Brooklyn to the set of Oz. He lived an “outlaw life as a member of the Hells Angels,” and spent six brutal years in federal penitentiaries.

People who know Chuck Zito admit that he is brutally honest and uncompromising in how he lives his life. To some, he will always be remembered as a latter day outlaw, but to many he is the last of a dying breed of men with an unfailing sense of right and wrong.

Our interview concluded as Chuck was on his way to the airport, but even in a compressed time frame was totally fascinating, as Chuck talked of a life that few could have experienced and still survived. I came away impressed with Chuck’s stoic demeanor and candor.

On April 16, 2007 Chuck said on his radio show

on Sirius that he was no longer a member of the Hells Angels. To this day Chuck still has a home in New Rochelle, and is in the process of writing his second book Angel and the Bad Girl.

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profiles

W

hen Maureen Mangan from the Long Island Children’s Museum sent me her upcoming events for The Boulevard, something caught my eye. It was the words “Blue Man Group,” one of my favorite stage performances of all time. LICM was opening Blue Man Group - Making Waves, a new traveling exhibit running through May 4 in Garden City. I thought it was a great thing for the museum, although at that point I didn’t grasp the actual concept of what was going to be created. An invitation to opening day of the Blue Man Group exhibit was decidedly an opportunity not to be missed. This was my first visit to LICM but my fourth time seeing the Blue Man Group (twice in Las Vegas, once in NYC). I was expecting almost an improvisation of their script. What I found was nothing less then awesome.

The Blue Man Group is a theatrical performance started in New York in the late 1980s. It blends music, comedy and yes, education. While the performance includes some incredible background music, the highlights of the show are the uniquely-designed percussion instruments made from PVC piping. At the center of the show are three blue human-like men, dressed in black, that have a childlike curiosity about them. They explore things on stage while creating art and music in a very different way than most of us are used to. The theater was dark, lit only by black lighting that caused the PVC instruments to glow. Then the powerful sound of drums, guitars and keyboards with a thick, deep bass just punched its way into you and moved the room. The theater was filled with wideeyed children, dancing in their seats with smiles as big as life, not knowing what to expect. Then … there they were: three very blue, human-like yet alienistic beings strolling about curiously, mimicking and expressing themselves with the dual-arm salute to their young audience.

46

Following the performance, the Blue Man Group greeted the children outside the theater and no one failed to take advantage of the photo op. The Blue Men, who always adapt to their environment, squatted down so they were the same size as the kids. We were then led to the Blue Man Group exhibit. As you entered the room, you entered a different world, the world of the Blue Men. In most museums, you are not allowed to touch.

At LICM, it’s essential to touch and interact with the exhibits. BMG's instruments and lights were set up in a design similar to the show, but this time, it was a science exhibit of sound and lights. There were instructions on how to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the Thongophone, or you could play the Tubulum. Soon the Blue Men joined the audience in this incredible playground for children and the child inside all of us.

I had the opportunity to speak with Phil Stanton, co-creator of the Blue Man Group, about a trend that has been affecting school districts around the country. Every time a budget cut is inevitable, what gets cut are creative programs such as art and music. Stanton said, “One thing that brought the three of us together, the one thing we shared in common, is that we all felt a little betrayed by the school system that forces you into a vocational education - not that arts education can’t be vocational - but one of the essential qualities of being human is creativity and curiosity and when our educational system doesn’t strive to keep that alive for no good reason almost, it’s just sad when that disappears, because that cuts into the core of who we are as human beings." He continued with passion, "I do think that keeping creativity alive can be an effective part of being a vocation or lifestyle. So why would we want to cut that short? It’s really about being an investment into our future. I think we would like to infuse education …

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Profiles

Phil Stanton Co -Founder of Blue Man Group

keeping that alive no matter what age you find yourself or what form of education you have.”

Phil met co-founders Chris Wink in 1986 and Matt Goldberg shortly thereafter, and the three of them have enjoyed a very creative and close friendship since.

What started out as simply entertaining friends by talking about magazine articles and excerpts from books turned into an educational experience from which the Blue Men emerged. Walking around Canal Street in NYC hearing sounds from PVC piping and noting its similarity to 1,000year-old bamboo percussion instruments fascinated them and seemed the perfect blend to create a tonal melody versus straight percussion. Soon they were constructing instruments in Chris’ apartment.

Once they knew what they had, they wanted to inspire creativity and keep alive a childlike curiosity.

To make the performance educational, BMG added subliminal undertones that touch on science, technology, information, self-consciousness and of course, music, all in a comedic and childlike fashion. The addition of fluorescent paints, creative lighting and themes has led BMG to a high point of success and growth spawning two albums (the Grammy-nominated audio and the latest CD/DVD 48

complex) as well as the Complex Rock Tour Live (coming to the Nassau Coliseum in May). As popularity continued to grow, so did BMG’s career, resulting in their being made the faces of Swatch watches and appearing in commercials as the non-speaking spokespeople for Intel’s Pentium 3 and 4 Processors. They are currently appearing in TV ads for the LA Dodgers.

The Blue Man Group performs in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando. Outside the US, they have performed in Germany (Berlin, Oberhausen and Stuttgart) and Japan (Tokyo). Each theater is different, which allows the BMG to explore new creative ideas.

Essentially the second two-thirds of the show varies per location. At LICM, the stage was much smaller in depth but close to the width of the Astor Place Theater in NYC. No problem for the Blue Men; they adapted with ease.

The next stop for the Blue Man Group exhibit is Seattle; however, the theatrical show performs at the Astor Place Theater Tuesday through Sunday with three shows on weekends and one or two shows on weekdays. The Blue Man Group has been making waves for 20 years. Maybe it's time you became a part of the experience.

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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Photo Gallery

The Boulevard

The Boulevard Cover Party Benefits Bailey’s Cafe at the Carlyle on the green February 25, 2008 Photos By: Tina Guiomar

Jay Leno Cake

by Taste of Home

Kymbali Craig and Stephanie Siegel of Bailey’s Cafe

Rick Kubick, Gina Glickman, Steve Carl, and Angela Susan Anton

Kristen Anton and Linda Perotti 50

Gabrielle Ross performs

Patricia Donnelly and of Ronald McDonald House, Tom Harris, Trish Skinner, Karen Bonnet , Lisa Mirabile

Linda Cox and Lisa Abbey, Co Owners of Salon Blue and Spa 190

Robin Frank and Michael W. Stanco of Prudential

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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3/25/08 5:59:38 PM

Gina Panzarino, Glenn Sullivan, Effie Gicas

James and Gina Rocker

Stephanie Siegel and Kymbali Craig of Bailey’s Cafe, Angela Susan Anton and the Bailey’s Cafe kids

Gina Glickman speaks about The Boulevard Magazine along with Bailey’s Cafe, Dina Lohan, and Angela Susan Anton

Francis J. Leik of Long Island Film Festival Kyle Chaikin, Amy Kaufman-Gillies, with Angela Susan Anton Josh Freidman, Victoria and Kevin Goodman and Jason Feinberg

Bailey’s Cafe performs a skit

Paul Kaiser, Ray Kirschenheiter, and Erik Feinberg with the KJOY Money Pit

Hank & Connie Schwartz, Karen Loeffler, and Ed Cortez

Bailey’s Cafe, Angela Susan Anton, and Jason Feinberg present the Jay Leno Cake www.boulevardli.com

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3/25/08 6:00:01 PM

Photo Gallery Miss America Pageant

The Miss America Pageant Live At Planet Hollywood Hotel, Las Vegas January 26, 2008 Photos By: Tina Guiomar

Clinton Kelly of TLC’s What Not to Wear

Mark Steines and Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson Runner Up Miss Tennessee Grace Gore

The Miss America 2008 Pageant starts off with a dance routine

Swimsuit Competition

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Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund answers a quickfire interview question

The New Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund

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3/24/08 4:50:51 PM

Hawaiian Tropic Zone Grand Opening at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas January 26, 2008 Photos By: Tina Guiomar

Celebrity Chef David Burke and Angela Susan Anton

New York Hawaiian Tropic Girls

Lisa Rosenfield, Lisa Powers, Linda Aboody

“Little Steven” and Maureen VanZandt

Randi Riese, Denise Riese, Angela Anton

Cori and Sandy Goldfarb

Mark and Lauren Bloom

Kenny Horowitz, Jared Horowitz, Raymond Aboody

Dennis Scott, Rebecca DiPietro www.boulevardli.com

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3/24/08 5:13:34 PM

Photo Gallery Patrick McMullan

The Cinema Societyand Nicole Miller Host a screening of “Married Life” tribeca Cinemas, NYC

Photos by Patrick McMullan

Helena Christensen

Nicole Miller

Candace Bushnell, Lindsay Price

Morgan Freeman

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Ira Sachs, Patrica Clarkson, Chris Cooper, Rachel McAdams

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3/24/08 5:25:53 PM

The Alzheimer’s Association 16th Annual “A Night at Sardi’s” Beverly Hills Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA

Photos by Patrick McMullan

William Shatner

Victor Garber

Kristen Bell

Jean Louisa Kelly

Portia de Rossi

Gabriel and Jason Alexander www.boulevardli.com

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3/24/08 5:54:44 PM

Photo Gallery Patrick McMullan

HBO Hosts NY Premiere of John Adams Photos By Patrick McMullan

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Sophie McKenzie Smith, Tom Hopper

Tom Hanks

Colin Callender

Clancy O’Connor

Zeljko Ivanek

Tom Payne

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3/24/08 9:38:07 PM

Around the Town MGM Grand at Foxwoods…

North America’s Largest Casino to Unveil Next Generation

By Ilena Ryan n November, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, announced a $55 million renovation project that will blend the guest experience between the soon-toopen MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods proper, bringing new dining experiences, a luxury retail corridor, 825 guest rooms and suites, a spa, performing arts theater, casino and four restaurants, in addition to meeting and convention space and an ultra-hip lounge that will open when the project is complete in May of 2008.

“Since 1992, Foxwoods has been one of the most successful gaming establishments in the world ... we plan to bring a new level of service and amenities to our guests as well as set new standards in resort casinos,” said Barry Cregan, president, Foxwoods Resort Casino. “We’re excited to unveil the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods,” he added.

MGM Grand’s casino will feature slot machines and table games, with two high stakes gaming areas separated from the main casino. A bar in the center of the casino will feature a fireplace complete with a large, central lit vortex and two circular-shaped ultra lounges that can be rented out for private functions.

The new 4,000-seat performing arts theater will offer state-of-the-art acoustic capabilities and theater-style seating that assures every guest has the best seat in the house. Intimate in scale and elegant in décor, the theater will be perfect for the many different acts it will house.

Guests of MGM Grand will delight in new dining experiences including chef David Burke’s David Burke Prime, a steakhouse that offers more than 5,000 bottles of premium wine, chef Michael Schlow’s Alta Strada, a restaurant blending traditional Italian flair with modern elegance, and Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, featuring steaks and seafood while celebrating flavors of seasonal ingredients. These venues will be joined by more casual eateries such as New York’s famed

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Celebrity Chef David Burke Selections from David Burke Prime and Burke in a Box soon to open at Foxwoods 58

MGM Grand at Foxwoods soon to open in May of 2008

Junior’s Cheesecake, The Market Place at MGM Grand, and the Gelato Café.

MGM Grand at Foxwoods will feature luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites with cutting-edge technology. All accommodations will feature convenient amenities and be outfitted with the most up-to-date electronic capabilities with many different types of rooms and suites to choose; from Deluxe Guest Rooms to Chairman Suites, there is something for everyone.

A new level of luxury, wellness and pampering will greet guests at the MGM Grand’s spa with 12 treatment rooms and a distinct array of massages, body treatments and facials.

Additional amenities include a swimming pool surrounded by eight cabanas, which will feature flat screen TVs, mini-bars and indoor/outdoor seating.

Guests of Foxwoods will enjoy a luxurious shopping experience with an array of high-end boutique shops. Stores include Bvlgari, Chopard, Judith Ripka and Rolex, Dunhill, Bally, an authorized Apple Re-Seller, and the MGM Logo Store.

Friedmutter Group, an award-winning design, architecture and master planning firm based in Las Vegas and New York City, is overseeing the design of the renovation project, which includes re-designed public spaces and retail facades as well as new restaurants and nightlife options. As described by Brad Friedmutter, founder and chief executive officer of the Friedmutter Group, “The concepts and designs we’re introducing to Foxwoods Resort Casino will redefine the property, establishing a new, higher level of service, hospitality, excitement and energy.”

For more information about Foxwoods Resort Casino, call 1-800-FOXWOODS or visit www.foxwoods.com.

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3/27/08 1:41:43 PM

Diamonds Are for Planned Parenthood 75th Anniversary Gala May 2

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o celebrate the 75th anniversary of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County, the women’s health agency will present its annual gala, this year aptly themed Diamonds Are Forever. The sparkling event will be held Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park. Tickets are $200. Enjoy martinis (shaken, not stirred), dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions.

For reservations, call 516-750-2662

Planting Fields Arbor Day Festival Planting Fields will celebrate national Arbor Day with a weekend-long festival on Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be activities and entertainment for children and adults including storytelling, nature crafts, family concerts, a plant sale, tree plantings with Smokey Bear, educational displays, wildlife program with the TR Sanctuary, children's tree climbing, plant clinic, free tours of Coe Hall and much more. Cost is $15 per car. Don't miss this annual festival where learning about our natural world is always fun!

Planting Fields Receives Grant for Underserved Students The CW-11 Care for Kids Fund has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Education Department of Planting Fields Foundation for the foundation’s school programs, which enable 64 classes, or 1,600 students, from 10 low-income Long Island school districts to attend the Sensational Seeds Program at Planting Fields Arboretum this spring.

Among the districts able to participate are Brentwood, Central Islip, South Country (Patchogue), William Floyd (Mastic), Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Westbury, Copiague, and Wyandanch. The grant covers the cost of bus transportation and the registration fee for each student in grades 2 – 5 in districts that generally do not have funds for such expenses. More than 3,000 students are enrolled in the foundation’s spring educational programs.

For information about this program, contact Elisabeth Alberty at 516-922-8676 or ealberty@plantingfields.org.

Planting Fields Foundation is a non-profit public foundation founded in 1949

by William R. Coe to assist in preserving his 409 acre former estate Planting Fields. The foundation’s mission includes the education and enrichment of visitors to Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park and the preservation of this premiere Gold Coast estate. The Park is listed on the on the National Register of Historic Places. Planting Fields Foundation works in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Long Island Region.

Join Smokey the Bear at Planting Fields Annual Arbor Day celebration

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is located at 1395 Planting Fields Road between Chicken Valley Road and Mill River Road, three miles north of 25A in historic Oyster Bay, New York.

www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 1:16:16 PM

Around The Town

Mill Neck Family to Host Spring Swing Golf Tournament

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he Mill Neck Family of Organizations will host its second annual Spring Swing Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, May 19 at the Brookville Country Club. The event will benefit Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, the Mill Neck Manor Early Childhood Center and Mill Neck Services for Deaf Adults.

Entries are limited to the first 25 men’s, ladies’ or mixed foursomes. For an entry fee of $295 per person, guests will enjoy brunch, a practice session, golf challenges and a BBQ on the course. Cocktails, a Champions Dinner, raffle prizes, a silent auction, golf contest awards and honoree recognition will follow the tournament. Golfers may register a foursome for $1,100. Don’t play golf? Register for dinner only at $85 per person.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

To register for golf, sign up for dinner only, or to sponsor the event, contact Nancy Leghart at 516-628-4243.

Aspiring Actors, Singers and Dancers Invited to Open House at Long Island High

School for the Arts

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tudents interested in attending a specialized high school devoted to the arts can learn about special effects, take a dance class, sit in on a jazz improv, write a creative vignette, sing a soulful song or sketch a live model while attending an open house at the Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA). Scheduled for Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event invites students and parents to tour the school, meet staff members and teachers, and participate in an array of activities representative of the opportunities the school offers. The school allows students who are interested in pursuing careers in television, movies and theater a chance to study with practicing professional artists.

“The Long Island High School for the Arts is for teenagers who are dreaming of making movies, performing at Carnegie Hall, dancing professionally or directing plays,” said Principal Ava Favara.

Part of the public school system, LIHSA is conveniently located at a state-of-the-art facility in Syosset where students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to attend either a half- or full-day program. Teens who exercise the half-day option spend part of the day at LIHSA and the remainder of their time in their home district completing academic requirements. Students who elect the full-day option complete all criteria for obtaining their Regents diploma at LIHSA. Alumni of the program have landed starring roles on Broadway and in national touring companies. They can also be found working as technicians for Cirque de Soleil and at Lincoln Center. Over 98 percent of the school’s graduates continue their education and pursue college degrees; last year’s graduates earned over $8 million in scholarships and grants.

For details on the open house, contact Principal Ava Favara at 516-622-5678 or visit www.lihsarts.org for more about the school’s programs.

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3/27/08 1:46:01 PM

Enjoy the Spring Splendor of Old Westbury Gardens April 26 10 a.m.

Plein Air Oil Painting Pratt Institute Art Instructor Bart Deceglie is teaching a series of painting classes, beginning April 26. Registration and prepayment is required. $200 (series of four classes, April 26-May 17); $150 for Old Westbury Gardens members.

May1-4 Spring Plant Sale Purchase select annuals and perennials, including the gardens’ signature varieties. Gardening demonstrations by staff and members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau County Horticulture Program.

Planting projects for children.

April 27 2:30 p.m.

Books in the Ballroom: Harbor Hill: Portrait of a House Architectural historian and noted lecturer Richard Guy Wilson is providing a presentation and book signing.

May 3-June 15 Orchard Hill Designer Showhouse at Old Westbury Gardens Leading designers and decorative artists turn Orchard Hill, the former residence of Peggie Phipps Boegner, into a decorating masterpiece in the gracious tradition manner of the house itself.

Gala Preview Party will be held on May 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. Call for reservations.

Old Westbury Gardens 71 Old Westbury Road Old Westbury 516-333-0048 www.oldwestburygardens.org

Photos by Vince Kish www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 4:35:59 PM

Around The Town

Tilles’ Swing for Kids Tournament to Honor Michael Dubb eal estate executive Michael Dubb is the honoree for Swing for Kids, the annual golf and tennis tournament devoted to supporting arts education programs offered by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. The tournament was founded by Peter Tilles, who continues as the event’s general chairman. To date, more than $2 million has been raised through the tournament. The 17th annual outing will take place on June 9 at Meadow Brook Club in Jericho and The Creek in Locust Valley.

Mr. Dubb is particularly esteemed in the philanthropic community and is especially supportive of organizations that serve children. Honors for his service to the Long Island community include the prestigious David Award. He has also been honored by the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, the American Cancer Society and the Family Service League.

For information about Tilles Center’s Swing for Kids, or to receive an invitation, call 516-299-3825.

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At the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts April Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats $20

Saturday, April 12, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Hillwood Recital Hall

Steve March Tormé 7:30 p.m., $40 9:30 p.m., $30

Sunday, April 13, 3 p.m.

Hillwood Recital Hall Music at Hillwood

Tokyo String Quartet

Caroline Stoessinger, artistic director, host, pianist $40

May and June

Friday, April 18, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 3, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Hillwood Recital Hall

Long Island Masterworks presents The Canadian Brass $80, $65, $45 For tickets that include post-concert reception with the Canadian Brass, call LI Masterworks VIP line at 516-759-9694

John Pizzarelli Bucky Pizzarelli

Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m.

May 31 through June 15

Edward Villella, artistic director $75, $60, $40 (Seniors $72, $57, $37) Performance PLUS! Event

New Location: Eisenhower Park Presented on Long Island in association with Tilles Center for the Performing Arts Call the box office at 516-299-3100 for further information and ticket reservations.

Miami City Ballet

Friday, April 25 7 p.m., Hillwood Recital Hall, $5

A Master Speaks Edward Villella

7:30 pm, $45 9:30 pm, $35

The Big Apple Circus in Celebrate!

Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org, in person at Tilles Center’s box office or by telephone at 516-299-3100 or 212-307-4100. The box office is open Monday-Saturday 1-6 p.m. There is a service charge for telephone and Internet orders. There are no refunds or exchanges on single ticket sales. For the most up-to-date information, call 516-299-3100 or visit tillescenter.org.

Programs at Tilles Center are supported in part by the New York State Council on the Arts. Long Island University’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is located on the C.W. Post Campus, Route 25A in Brookville.

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3/27/08 1:48:37 PM

NCMA to Honor Cuchels, Janco-Tupper at June 14th Ball assau County Museum of Art is thrilled to announce that Dr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Cuchel and M. Patricia Janco-Tupper of the Citigroup Private Bank have agreed to be the honorees of this year’s Museum Ball. The ball committee chairs, Julie Rinaldini and Meredyth Smith, assure that the June 14 event will be an outstanding success. Sharon Cuchel and Julie Rinaldini are members of the museum’s board of trustees while Meredyth’s husband, H. Brooks Smith, is president of the board. For information regarding serving on a ball committee, call 516-484-9338, ext. 16; for advertising opportunities in the ball journal, call ext. 19.

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NCMA Presents Spring Exhibits and Events NCMA Exhibits

Main Galleries Through May 4

Pop and Op

Pop and Op is a celebration of the psychedelic era of the '60s, a time when artists fashioned a new look for American art. Pop and Op artists captured the times and the nation’s new spirit with bold, color-saturated works that were like nothing ever seen before. Pop and Op includes works by such greats as Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, Tom Wesselmann, Jim Dine and the dizzying effects of the optical artists such as Vasarely, Briget Riley, and Al Held.

Second Floor Galleries Through April 27

Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic

Works by Walter Wick, author/illustrator of the I SPY series, includes many of his drawings and dioramas as well as threedimensional installations from his books. Also on view are photographs and drawings from Wick’s other extraordinary books. Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic features props from Wick's books, among them his hard-to-find objects and photographic explorations of magical mirrors and other amazing illusions that offer delights for children and adults alike.

May 18 through August 10

Iris Apfel: Rare Bird of Fashion

Over a half century, Iris Barrel Apfel has demonstrated a style of dressing that constitutes nothing less than an artistic exercise. This exhibition, drawn from Apfel’s closets, drawers and shelves, reflects her adventures in bazaars, thrift shops, flea markets, fashion houses and handicraft workshops that have created a singular look – one marked by fantasy, exoticism and, most of all, whimsy and humor.

NCMA Events Sunday, April 13, 3 p.m.

Circus Minimus' The One-Man Circus-In-A-Suitcase

Watch as a whole circus world emerges from a suitcase in a fast-paced, fun-filled collaboration between the circus characters and the audience.

Saturday, April 26, 3 p.m.

Masters of Op and Pop

Franklin Hill Perrell Franklin Hill Perrell, the chief curator of Nassau County Museum of Art, compares and contrasts the Pop and Op movements Sundays, April 13, 20 and 27; May 18 and 25; June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1 p.m.

Family Sunday at the Museum

Plan the weekend around a visit to the museum. Each Sunday NCMA offers a 1 p.m. docent-led family walk-through of the exhibition followed by supervised art activities for the whole family.

Call the Nassau County Museum of Art for information on tickets for individual events. Nassau County Museum of Art is located at One Museum Drive in Roslyn Harbor. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Docent-led exhibitions tours are offered each day at 2 p.m. Tours and Family Sundays at the Museum are free with museum admission. Admission to the main building, the Arnold & Joan Saltzman Fine Art Building, is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $4 for children; includes admission to the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum. Members are always admitted free. Certain events carry an additional charge. There is a $2 parking fee on weekends (members free). The Museum Shop and Red Room Gallery are open all museum hours. Call 516484-9337 for current exhibitions, events, days/times, fees and directions or visit nassaumuseum.com. www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 1:47:18 PM

Tuning In with WLIW21 New York Public Television WLIW21 New York’s diverse programming schedule is a destination for viewers of all ages, featuring public television favorites from PBS KIDS to celebrity chefs in the kitchen, enhanced by a rich local public affairs lineup.

Upcoming highlights:

New Tricks Tuesdays at 8 p.m. beginning April 1 A new mystery series follows a team of retired detectives reinvestigating unsolved crimes under the supervision of Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman), a detective whose career is on the line after bungling a hostage situation. Trying to adapt to 21st century police tactics while dealing with a tough boss isn’t easy, as the team discovers with plenty of comic results.

Dennis Waterman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam also star.

Amanda Redman and Dennis Waterman star in New Tricks.

Photo by Sven Arnstein, Wall to Wall.

Carrier Sunday, April 27 through Thursday, May 1 at 11:30 pm Thursdays at 8 pm beginning May 1 For the first time, a television miniseries explores the high-stakes world of life aboard a nuclear aircraft carrier. Filmed aboard the USS Nimitz - home to more than 5,000 Navy personnel and 85 military aircraft - the real-life drama follows a core group during their six month deployment to the Persian Gulf from May to November 2005. Hold onto your seats as participants, including the admiral of the strike group, fighter pilots and young sailors navigate personal conflicts around their jobs, families, faith, patriotism, love, rites of passage and the war on terror. Following the success of the New York War Stories project last fall, viewers are urged to share their stories of life at sea, in the Navy or on aircraft carriers at www.wliw.org/carrier.

Leaving Long Island May 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 pm WLIW’s new, exclusive three-part series examines why young professionals are leaving Long Island in record numbers. The series also demonstrates how the community is coming together to find ways to stop the exodus and ensure that this demographic can continue to live, work and raise their families on Long Island. Includes a town hall meeting taped at Hofstra University featuring students, recent graduates, journalists, academics and policy shapers.

Major Justin Knox served as a captain and F-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232), also known as “The Red Devils,” during the deployment featured in Carrier.

Photo by Jeff Dupre/Carrier Project

Beyond the TV set:

Visionsof.org — Seeing is believing!

Visionsof.org is your online destination for WLIW’s acclaimed VISIONS aerial series. Watch video from tours of Austria, Italy, New York Puerto Rico and other destinations. On the Visions of Austria mini-site browse photos, try authentic Austrian recipes, download screensavers, hear music, learn everyday German phrases and more.

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3/24/08 9:01:49 PM

The Orchard Hill Designer Showhouse at Old Westbury Gardens Benefiting

Old Westbury Gardens America’s Foremost Designers Decorate the Former Home of Peggie Phipps Boegner

Open Every Day May 3rd – June 15th, 2008 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Open: Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th 2008 Children under six, infants, strollers and pets not admitted. No tickets sold after 4:00 pm

Admission $30.00 Includes admission for the day at Old Westbury Gardens For information on the Showhouse, please call 516-333-0908 or visit us at www.orchardhilldesignershowhouse.com The Showhouse is located at Orchard Hill at Old Westbury Gardens 71 Old Westbury Road Old Westbury, New York

Sponsors – No. 9 Thompson • Daniel Gale Real Estate Produced by The Hampton Designer Showhouse Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with Old Westbury Gardens

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3/25/08 7:12:44 PM

LifeStyles Sid Jacobson JCC Auction for Social Service Programs Benefits All Long Islanders

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ore than 620 guests attended the 13th Annual Auction for Excellence on Saturday, Feb. 2 to lend support for Sid Jacobson JCC’s social service programs. The JCC’s unique programs bring resources to families with special needs throughout the year. The evening was filled with energy and excitement and the crowd was delighted when celebrity auctioneer, Dave Price, weather anchor and feature reporter of CBS News’ The Early Show took the stage and together with professional auctioneer, Robert Strauss, auctioned off some truly unique items. In excess of $900,000 was raised through live and silent auctions.

The 13th Annual Auction for Excellence Committee

Tammy Rosenbaum; Michael Rosenbaum, JCC board member; CBS News’ Dave Price, celebrity auctioneer; and Susan Bender, JCC executive director

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Rita and Frank Castagna and Angela Susan Anton, publisher of Anton Community Newspapers

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3/27/08 1:52:06 PM

Heckscher Museum of Art Cinderella Ball & Benefit Art Auction

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he Heckscher Museum of Art’s Cinderella Ball & Benefit Art Auction at Oheka Castle raised $140,000 to support the Heckscher’s educational programs. The event’s honoree was Edward G. Shufro, longtime supporter, benefactor, and friend of the Heckscher Museum. For 22 years, serving as chair of the Finance and Collections Committees, he worked diligently to preserve and increase the museum’s investments, and was instrumental in securing many of the important acquisitions made during this period. Mr. Shufro’s dedication and stewardship have resulted in significant growth and advancement of the museum during his tenure.

Honoree Edward Shufro and family. At top are Jennifer and Nicholas Shufro, Joyce Mitchell, Joan and Ronald Silverman, Laura and Bradley Sacks, and Jennifer and Gregory Shufro. At bottom are Robert Goldrich, Ed and Marlene Shufro and Brian Rice.

Photo by Michael Krasowitz

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3/31/08 4:27:59 PM

Lifestyles Events

nuBest salon and spa raises funds for Gift of Life International Photos By Tina Guiomar

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uBest salon and spa rocked Manhasset with a fabulous charity fashion show, raising more than $30,000, as well as awareness for Gift of Life International. The highlight of the event was the presence of two children who owe their lives to the Gift of Life organization. Ali Khadim, 12, from Iraq, and Lileth Cargua, 6, from Ecuador, smiled as nuBest salon and spa owner Michael Mazzei thanked his staff and clients for their love and support for this worthy cause. More than 275 people were wowed by models dressed by Hirshleifer’s. Pearl East donated the delicious food.

Michael and Donna Mazzei

Violet and Marco Mazzei with Alaine Fitzgerald

Louise Fishmen; Leslie Gross, Board Member of Gift of Life; Robbie Donno, Chairman of Gift of Life

photo provided by nuBest

Michael Mazzei; Lileth Cargua, recipient from Ecuador; Robbie Donno, Chairman of Gift of Life; Ali Khadim, recipient of the Gift of Life program

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Fashion Show gown provided by Hirshleifer’s

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3/27/08 3:44:14 PM

Long Island’s Film Window on the World!

423 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY • 631-423-7611

• Celebrating 35 Years in Huntington • Featuring the best in International and Independent movies, Classic Revivals, Documentaries, Filmmakers and Stars In Person Starts April 4 From Italy

MY BROTHER IS AN ONLY CHILD Starts April 4 From Israel

JELLYFISH Special Preview Screening Thursday, April 24 at 7:30pm

UP THE YANGSTZE In Person: Filmmaker Yung Chang Starts April 25

YOUNG @ HEART Anything But Silent Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30pm

SEVENTH HEAVEN (1927) Live Organ Accompaniment by Ben Model Creativity: An Eternal Mystery Thursday, May 15 at 7:30pm

VAUDEVILLE ON VITAPHONE Guest Speaker: Trav S.D., Author of “No Applause, Just Throw Money”

Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org to join our mailing list, and see our program schedule page 069 HairColor_CinemaAd.indd69 69

3/26/08 2:25:19 PM

Lifestyles Events

Bowling For K.I.S.S. Classic Benefits Mid-Island Y JCC K.I.S.S. Center

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early 200 supporters and friends of the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center in Plainview turned out for a strikingly special night on Saturday, Jan. 12 to support programs and services for children and teens with special needs and their families. Held at AMF Syosset Lanes, the JCC’s second annual Bowling for K.I.S.S. Classic raised more than $18,000 to benefit The K.I.S.S. Center (Kids In Special Services). The evening began with a video showcasing The K.I.S.S. Center’s exceptional programs and dedicated staff. Participants then enjoyed a delicious dinner provided by Del-Mir Caterers followed by several games of bowling. The evening concluded with the drawing of a fabulous array of raffle prizes.

Ann and Ken Adler and Bonnie and Cliff Eisler and friends at the Mid-Island Y JCC’s Bowling for K.I.S.S. Classic.

Sue Schwaber Tregerman, JCC assistant executive director; Ruth Jeifa, JCC president; Amy Cantor, Bowling for K.I.S.S. Classic co-chair; Ann Dorman Adler, Bowling for K.I.S.S. Classic co-chair and JCC board member; Joyce Ashkenazy, JCC executive director. Photo(s) by Amy R. Manheim

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3/27/08 2:09:34 PM

Mercy Ball Raises Funds for Emergency, Trauma and Express Care

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he 71st annual Mercy Ball, held on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, raised more than $140,000 for Mercy Medical Center. More than 400 people attended the glittering black-tie event sponsored by the Friends of Mercy, a 72-year-old organization of men who volunteer their time and efforts to support projects that advance the medical and surgical care provided to Mercy’s patients. The proceeds from this year’s event will support the medical center’s emergency, trauma and express care facilities, which provide around-the-clock urgent care for both adults and children.

Most Reverend Paul Walsh, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre is pictured with Janet Starr, LCSW, CASAC,recipient of the Sister Mary Nadine Casey, CIJ, Award and members of the Congregation of the Infant Jesus.

Stephen McLoughlin, 2007 pres. of Mercy Ball award recipients Janet Starr, LCSW, Reverend Paul Walsh, is flanked by Dr. Alan the Friends of Mercy Medical Center, D. Guerci, pres. and CEO of Mercy Medical CASAC; Robert A. Brancato, Sr. with chairman Dr. Jan Albert Koenig Center and Nancy B. Simmons and John E. Ryan, Esq.

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Curran Sr.; Dr. & Mrs. Robert Curran Jr.; Dr. Perry Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Leder; Mr. and Mrs. Francis X. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. John Stein and guest; and Dr. and Mrs. Xenophon Xenophontos, president Joyce and Rockville Centre Councilman Anthony Santino and guest. of the Mercy Medical Center medical staff. www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 3:49:28 PM

Lifestyles Events

Plumm Boutique Valentine’s Day Makeover February 7, 2008 Photos By Tina Guiomar

Don Scoca, Sam Assemi, Shapour Ejlal, Ali Ayromlou

Robin Kahn, jewelry designer; Marie Trybun, Plumm Store director, Maria Giardina, manager of jewelry department

Barman Sharifi, owner of Aqua Blue and Ross Asario, owner of Brivo

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Marie Tryban, Plumm Store Director and Richard Kaplan, owner of Plumm

Plumm Store at the Americana Manhasset

Plumm makeup artist works her magic.

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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3/24/08 5:30:59 PM

INN to Celebrate 25th Anniversary at INNkeepers Ball

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he INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) will commemorate its 25th Anniversary at the 2008 INNkeepers Ball on Thursday, May 8. Beginning with a single soup kitchen, the INN’s volunteers and staff now provide meals at 19 soup kitchens across Long Island. More than 8 million meals have been served in the last 25 years. Additionally, in 1985, in response to the need for emergency shelter, the INN began a program and to date, 150,000 children, women and men have received services. The INN also operates a program of long-term, low-income housing. For information about the INNkeepers’ Ball, call Rob Kammerer at 516-486-8506, ext. 190.

Harry DiSimone, Dan Smith, Jean Kelly, Rob Kammerer, Michael Brennan and Paul Brennan

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3/27/08 2:11:18 PM

Lifestyles Events

New Island Hospital’s

Sunshine Ball Breaks All Records

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ew Island Hospital held its annual Sunshine Ball at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Saturday, Feb. 9, with a record-breaking attendance of almost 500 people. The evening began with a cocktail hour, beautiful raffle baskets, silent auction and sales, then moved to the grand ballroom for dinner, dancing and presentations to the honorees. The hospital honored Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Fox & Friends, and anchor of Fox Sports News, with its Community Leadership Award. Physician honorees were Stanley Rabinowitz, MD, director of the department of medicine and member of the medical board and Edward Gross, MD, director of anesthesiology, and member of the medical board. Proceeds from the event will purchase lifesaving critical technology for the hospital.

Honorees Brian Kilmeade: Edward Gross, MD: Stanlet Rabinowitz, MD

Gross Family (l-r): Daniel, Dr. & Mrs. Gross, Evelyn Glenn, Caroline

Senator Kemp Hannon: Aaron Glatt, MD, president & CEO: Brian Kilmeade,: Edward Gross, MD: Stanley Rabinowitz, MD: Jack Howlett, chairman of the board: Legislator Joseph Saladino

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Emergency Room Physicians Oreste Bruni, MD and Danielle Ferrara, MD

Legislator Joseph Saladino on the drums

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3/24/08 9:48:55 PM

Morton’s Hosts Fabulous Charity Event For CCFA

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he Fourth Annual Charity Event for Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America hosted by Morton's in Great Neck welcomed more than 400 guests and raised a record-setting $210,000.

Pictured from left are CCFA's Susan Gomberg; Morton's Sales and Marketing Manager Barbara Rodriguez and General Manager Bill Cassidy; CCFA's Edda Ramsdell; honoree Michelle Fried Raphael; and Gary Sinderbrand, Chairman of the Board-elect of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.

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Lifestyles Events

Spring Into Fashion Luncheon Raises Hope and Funds for DRI

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iriam Shiff and Addy Fritzhand were honored at the 10th annual Spring Into Fashion Luncheon by the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) on Feb. 7 at Carlyle on the Green. The friends, who started the fundraiser for DRI a decade ago, were honored for their years of service at the event, which raised more than $214,000. The event drew more than 350 people for an elegant luncheon, auctions and prizes, plus a fabulous fashion show, courtesy of Mitchells/Marshs.

The program included presentations by Honorary Chairman Senator Craig Johnson and the Diabetes Research Institute’s Gary Kleiman.

Model from Marshs.

Rina Weinbrom, Addy Fritzhand (LI Region board member, honoree, past co-chair of fashion show), Doreen Peykar (2008 Spring Into Fashion cochair), and Miriam Shiff (LI Region board member, 2008 Spring Into Fashion honoree, past co-chair of fashion show).

Pret a porter sponsor the Damaghi family: Haley Damaghi, Doreen Peykar (chair) and Nazy Damaghi.

2008 Spring into Fashion honorary chairperson Senator Craig Johnson with former chairman of the board, LI Region, DRIF Barbara Hatz.

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2008 co-chair Rina Weinbrom, at left, presents a plaque to LI Region board member and 2008 Spring Into Fashion couture sponsor Roberta Waller. Sponsorship was given on behalf of Roberta and Bruce Waller and family and Roberta was on hand to accept the plaque

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3/27/08 2:13:39 PM

THE MUSEUM B ALL J 14, 2008 UNE

One Night Only!

An Elegant Dinner Dance at the Beautiful Frick Estate, Now Nassau County Museum of Art THE MUSEUM BALL / SATURDAY, JUNE 14 Honoring

Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Cuchel M. Patricia Janco-Tupper Ball Chairs

Mrs. Luis Rinaldini Mrs. H. Brooks Smith Information: (516) 484-9338, ext. 19 ncmaball@nassaumuseum.com

World-class Art & Sculpture Nature Walking Trails Art Classes & Lectures Family & Children’s Events

NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

ONE MUSEUM DRIVE, ROSLYN HARBOR, NY 11576 / 516.484.9337 / NASSAUMUSEUM.COM

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3/25/08 7:27:16 PM

Lifestyles Events

Harborfields SEPTA Dances For Love

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or the fourth consecutive year, the Harborfields SEPTA (special education PTA) Valentines Day Dinner Dance was a smashing success. The gala fundraiser, Dance for Love, was held on Feb. 8 and drew a record crowd to Oheka Castle for an elegant and fun-filled evening. Proceeds from the evening benefit programming for children with special needs. Many dignitaries and elected officials were on hand to recognize the Harborfields SEPTA, including Senator Carl L. Marcellino, pictured presenting an official proclamation.

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3/27/08 2:18:37 PM

LICADD Hosts Annual Peter Sweisgood Breakfast

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ore than 400 guests gathered to honor Suzanne Boylston Cusack, co-founder and codirector of Veritas Villas, Inc. at the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (LICADD) 18th Annual Peter Sweisgood Breakfast. The 2007 Humanitarian Award was presented to Ms. Cusack in recognition of her decades of contributions to the addiction field, including the delivery of critical education and rehabilitation services to the community. It was especially fitting that the award presentation was made by another giant in the field, Adele C. Smithers, president, the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, Inc. In addition, Assemblyman Saladino from the 12th District presented a prestigious award in recognition of the newly appointed LICADD board chair, Curtis Webster.

LICADD board chairman Curt Webster, honoree Suzanne Cusack and Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino.

Board of Directors of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Leadership Council member Candace Dellecona.

Honoree Suzanne Cusack and Jim Cusack, co-directors Veritas Villa, Inc.

Vice-chair Adele C. Smithers and honoree Suzanne Cusack. www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 2:16:26 PM

Lifestyles Events

American Heart Go Red For Women Luncheon A Great Success

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ore than 800 people, mostly women, from all over the Long Island, attended the hugely successful 7th Annual American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The event encouraged all to love their hearts, take charge of their cardiovascular health and share the life-altering and life-saving information of the day with women they know. The color red was everywhere from women’s suits to men’s ties and the Go Red For Women luncheon raised more than $350,000 for the American Heart Association and was supported by national sponsors Macy’s and Merck.

Check presentation from Go Red For Women National spon- The 2008 American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon sor Macy’s with luncheon emcee, WNBC anchor/reporter Car- honorees: Matilde Reyes; Jean Cacciabaudo, MD, FACC; and Deborah ol Anne Riddell; luncheon chair Cheryl Korman and Macy’s Tascone, RN, MS representative, Kristen Esposito.

Members of the American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon committee

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Keynote speaker, author and survivor Kathy Kastan

Photos by Bill Moseley, BBA Photography

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3/24/08 9:58:08 PM

American Culinary Federation Long Island Chapter 15th Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner Dance Photos by Tina Guiomar

Ed Molina receives his award for Chef of the Year from Christopher Neary

Michele Neary, Rich Rosenman, Megan Neary

Keith M. Greenstein of W.S. Deutsch & Sons and Len Oliva of Ciao Baby Restaurant

Nicholas Mazard of Architecture Aromatique

Dominick concocts a cantaloupe martini

Jana Raphael volunteers for the ACF Scholarship Foundation raffle www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 2:57:46 PM

Vents open and close Automatically

7 inch dashboard Touch Screen

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aguar has unveiled the new XF and it is unlike any of its predecessors. In a bold move, Jaguar departed from its retro design and produced a new, edgy, sportier luxury sedan.

The XF, which replaces the S-Type, has been completely redesigned in both its exterior and interior. The three models (Luxury, Premium Luxury and Supercharged) offer engine options with 4.2L V8s and optional supercharger, and horsepower ranging from 300 to 420 with a six-speed automatic transmission. In the interior, the audio systems range from a standard eight-speaker plus subwoofer 320w system with single slot CD up to a 13-speaker B&W 440w surround sound system with a six-disc changer and SIRIUS Satellite radio.

The seven-inch dashboard touch screen encompasses audio, Bluetooth telephone, climate and navigation controls with an optional rear camera display.

The XF carries the new JaguarDrive selector, which is a dial-like knob that recesses flush with the center console when the car is off and rises up when the car is started. Gone are the days of the “stick� shift.

The new Jag boasts a ton of new features that are commensurate with other luxury cars or new to the luxury market. Since the XF replaces the S-Type, it is priced moderately at around $50K for the base model.

You can check out the new XF at Great Neck Jaguar or your local Jaguar dealer.

For more information, check out www.jaguarxf.com.

JaguarDrive Selector www.boulevardli.com

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Lifestyles Events

Jaguar of Great Neck Introduces New Jaguar XF 2008 January 23, 2008 Photos by Tina Guiomar

Bobby Bass, Eric Bentov

Sy and Sondra Goldman, John DeRocco

The New Jaguar XF

Atmosphere

Greg Schneider; Tony Anton, Great Neck Jaguar GM

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Norma Mauro, Florence Lipsman

Jack Weidinger, Freeport Jaguar GM; Jerry Rubin

Harvey and Donna Eysman

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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4/2/08 11:15:43 AM

Prudential Green Fields Estate Party The boulevard, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Daniel Gale Sotheby’s Host Open House at Estates at Green Fields Photos by Tina Guiomar

Mollie Grossman, Bob LeFever

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Fred Hakimian, Shayan Hakimian, Raymond Hakimian, Judith Leohawski, Angela Susan Anton, Milla Stanco, Moses Hajibai, Jason Feinberg

Donna Civitello, Gerry Lepkanich, Michael Stanco, Barbara Kirnos

Hampton Colonial Kitchen

Bob Madey, Chris Madey

Raymond Hakimian, Vanessa Hakimian, Shiva Hakimian, Deborah Hakimian, Shayan Hakimian

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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3/26/08 3:03:30 PM

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3/26/08 3:00:23 PM

Wine & Dine

Vine Speak

By Heather Muhleman

How Merlot Can You Go?

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he Merlot grape has gotten a bad rap. In a certain wine-focused movie, the main character – who we believe to be somewhat of a wine snob – despises Merlot and has no qualms about making sure the audience knows it. So now, drinking Merlot is seen as uncool. Sorry, Merlot lovers.

But does a movie have to define what we drink and enjoy when it comes to wine? Absolutely not! Especially when it’s a drink you really like. I happen to love Merlot. My tastes have definitely changed over the years of drinking wine, but Merlot has always been a nice staple in my wine collection (especially the Marilyn Merlot, because it’s just kind of funky).

The Merlot grape can be used as a blend or in varietal wines and usually produces wine that has a medium body with hints of berry, plum and currant. It softens up other harsher grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. In the 1990s, it surpassed the Cabernet Sauvignon grape as the most widely planted red wine grape in the world.

The history of Merlot is still somewhat recent since the name Merlot has only been in history books for the last 200 years. Meaning “little blackbird,” Merlot began in Bordeaux, France in the mid 1700s, named for either the deep color of the grape, or the fact that blackbirds loved to feast on them – the jury is still out. It is now the most widely planted grape in the entire Bordeaux region and the third most planted in all of France. For those doubters: Château Pétrus in the Pomerol region of Bordeaux makes some of the rarest and most expensive wine in the world…almost entirely from the Merlot grape.

When California got hold of it around the late ‘70s, it was primarily a varietal wine until a local winemaker wanted to bring it back to its roots as a Bordeaux-style blend. It took off and in the mid-’70s, Merlot was hot.

Merlot was so in demand that California started to overplant and overproduce Merlot. With that, the quality of the California Merlots went down which ultimately led to people disliking Merlot and the line from the movie, “I’m not drinking any f@*#*$ Merlot!”

Merlot can be deemed the “generic red” (I prefer the “darling red”) but that is mainly because it is softer than the bolder reds that red wine drinkers prefer. Merlot is lush, smooth and fruity and is a perfect starter wine for those moving from sweeter rosé and whites to red wines. It is sweeter and lighter than most reds and brings in the softer, lighter oak of the Bordeaux style.

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This grape is very popular in Long Island’s wine country, making up 30 percent of the overall acreage. In fact, Merlot is the most widely-planted grape in the region and has become its signature variety. In 2004, five wineries in the area established the Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) “dedicated to the advancement and quality in the production of our Merlot wines” according to the website.

The group, Raphael, Pellegrini, Sherwood House Vineyards, Shinn Estate Vineyards and Wölffer Estate Vineyards, has created a unique blend with grapes from each winery to make Merliance, an artisan wine that showcases the complexity of the grape and the terrior of the island (which is incidentally very similar to Bordeaux). This wine is still young, but represents what good Merlot can be. As Long Island is on the colder side, this makes for complex and fruit-driven Merlots that “sparkle” more than those from a warmer climate. In 2006, the first Merliance was bottled to rave reviews. The Merliance wine is mostly sold at the tasting rooms of the participating wineries for $35. The group also holds educational programs regarding Long Island’s Merlot and is dedicated to researching this grape.

So don’t be afraid to like Merlot just because some movie said it was boring. Merlot has amazing character and taste. It’s okay to like a wine that lots of people like.

It’s okay to drink the “generic” wine. As long as you like it and want to drink more - that is the goal of the winemaker.

Cheers to good wine!

Some excellent Long Island Merlots: LIMA’s 2004 Merliance ($35 per bottle) - A bit spicy with a hint of tobacco. Dry with cherry, plum and cedar characteristics.

Bedell Cellars’ 2005 Reserve Merlot ($48 a bottle and you must call for delivery) – Huge tannis with blackberry, coffee and graphite notes. Has a long finish with a slight vanilla tone from the oak.

Sherwood House’s 2002 Merlot ($25 per bottle) – Full-bodied with a bit of spicy, peppery-ness.

Pindar’s 2003 Merlot Reserve ($18.99 per bottle) – Big and rich with black plum, and black cherry flavors.

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3/31/08 11:25:50 AM

A Sit Down with Joey G

by Joe Gannascoli Joe Gannascoli was a chef in New York and New Orleans, owned restaurants in Brooklyn, has pasta sauces and olive oil in supermarkets and a cookbook out called A Meal To Die For. Since playing Vito Spatafore, Sr. on The Sopranos, he continues to work in film and TV and is currently working on a show called FoodFellas for TLC. Check out his website: www.joesoup.com

Brooks and Porter Steakhouse Rating: Serves it up in Style

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rooks and Porter Steakhouse, named after one of the first locomotives on Long Island, is one of the newest steakhouses to grace Merrick Avenue and was brought to Long Island by the owners of Hudson and McCoy. It boasts a traditional steakhouse vibe and a busy, happening crowd. We got there early for our 8 p.m. reservation on a Saturday night, but weren’t seated for 45 minutes, which was understandable given that the place was new and packed.

The restaurant seats about 140, with an upper level that seats around 30. It features an appealing long wood bar with television screens above it for sports fans. Notable is the raw bar, which boasts a tiled wall resembling the ocean. We waited for our table at the bar and found it slightly uncomfortable, due to tables placed directly next to the bar, which made it a tight and uncomfortable squeeze when anyone passed.

We were seated at our table and had to admire what a good-looking place this was, ideal for going out for any event. The décor is a cream-walled and dark wooden theme, with huge framed mirrors adorning the dining room walls, standard for many steakhouses, but elegant nonetheless, and the dress code was casual to dressy.

Consulting chef Vincent D. Michaels oversees the impressive and extensive menu. For appetizers, the sea scallops were nicely sized with a champagne roasted garlic beurre blanc on sticky rice beds. They were very good and cooked correctly, and came with three scallops. We also had the clams casino with diced slab bacon. The clams were chunky, served with peppers and onion and cooked just how we liked it, nice and tender. The crab cakes were tasty, served in a mustard champagne herb mayo and were covered in pankow Japanese breadcrumbs that were flavorful and crispy.

The soup of the day was a clam, corn, and crabmeat chowder, made with all Long Island ingredients. Even though it lacked some of the crab flavor I had hoped for, it

was still enjoyable. Next came the Ahi tuna, nicely seared with a miso glaze and roasted basil aioli. We also ordered a side of slab bacon, which was nicely crisped and full of flavor, and a chopped salad, which the waiter didn’t hear because of the cacophony. Instead, we were sent a house salad, so we later received a chopped salad that lacked dressing, but improved with vinaigrette after we got the waiter’s attention.

What do you do when you’re in a steakhouse?

You order steak, and that’s just what we did. For our main course, we ordered a porterhouse, which was cooked medium as desired, and came out tender and very tasty. The filet mignon was a nice cut and tender, cooked, once again, exactly as ordered. We also got a bone-in rib steak, which was a nice hunk of meat, as well as double-cut lamb chops and a veal chop Tbone which came with a wild mushroom demiglaze (using porcini and shitake mushrooms), a nice touch that complemented the steak. All of the meats were cooked exactly as ordered; nothing had to be sent back to the kitchen.

Even after all that food, Photo by Jason Feinberg we were ready for dessert and impressed with what we got. My personal favorite, the chocolate mousse, was served with raspberry coulis and slivered toasted almonds, a specialty of Chef Michaels. We also ordered a Belgianstyle chocolate layer cake made with Belgian chocolate, which was very rich, but cut nicely with fresh whipped cream. The cheesecake was a hefty slice, and the mixed berry platter was full of high quality, juicy berries.

Overall, Brooks and Porter is a busy, happening atmosphere and a nice place to spend a special occasion.

We all were impressed with the quality of the food and service, albeit with a few kinks, which is understandable in a new and busy restaurant. One thing I was extremely happy about: no one asked me if I was ordering Johnny Cakes. All in all, I’d give it 3 Bada Bings out of 4; it’s definitely a good addition to the Long Island steakhouses. www.boulevardli.com

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Wine & Dine

Champagne Dreams, Caviar Wishes Dining at the Muttontown Country Club

By Barry Kay

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uttontown is an upscale village in northern Oyster Bay Township and traces its name to the early English and Dutch settlers of the mid-1600s who found the rolling hills ideal for thousands of sheep that grazed there, providing mutton and wool. Around the turn of the century, wealthy families from New York City established large homes in Muttontown to join their friends as part of the Gold Coast. Grand and glorious estates were constructed, such as the 60-room estate called Knollwood erected by Charles I. Hudson, a Wall Street tycoon. Two other vast estates became the Muttontown Club, and Woodcrest, two of the North Shores premier country clubs and the village’s major private sanctuaries.

I was recently invited to the Muttontown Country Club by good friends who asked me to join them for Muttontown’s renowned Gourmet Wine Dinner. Prior to dining at the club, I toured the elegant old world clubhouse, and had a chance to survey the magnificent 18-hole, 6255-yard championship golf course. As I walked through the clubs’ many beautifully appointed rooms, I daydreamed about the many “Gatsbylike” parties that must have been hosted at this icon of the original Gold Coast.

The club’s wondrous winding staircases, dark wood paneled walls, crystal chandeliers, original art and inlaid marble floors are elegant without ostentation. Equally impressive is the men’s locker room, designed for both comfort and sophistication for golf and tennis players of all ages to relax, and enjoy a shower, steam, or quick workout in the weight room. The locker room also provides smaller interior rooms for card playing, massages and naps, as well as a TV room to enjoy sporting events and the news. An extra large bowl of colorful jellybeans is conveniently laid out in the front of the men’s locker room for members and guests to come and go with a sweet taste in their mouths.

Phil Schlitz, the Muttontown Country Club’s newly appointed interim general manager, is young, charming, and mature beyond his years. As general manager he is 90

entrusted with overseeing a small army of staff and seasonal workers, keeping club members happy, and having hands-on knowledge of all the jobs that make a club function flawlessly. Phil is assisted in his mission by a well-trained, highly competent staff.

An elite country club must also have a fabulous kitchen and highly acclaimed chef to keep its members satisfied and attract new members.

Muttontown is fortunate to have Executive Chef Anthony Giacoponello, a young, highly respected chef who makes sure the club’s cuisine is world class.

Gourmet night arrived and we drove up the club’s gracefully winding driveway to the mansion/clubhouse to be transported into another world of elegance and privilege. After valet parking our car, we were greeted at the door by Phil and led to an intimate cocktail party. We enjoyed some fruitinis and an array of delicious hors d’oeuvres and artisan cheeses and then proceeded to the dining room.

As we entered the darkly elegant old world dining room, we were greeted

by Andy Stockinger, the dining room manager, who led us to our table.

Each of the dining room tables had a magnificent tall bouquet of exotic fresh fragrant flowers, accompanied by fine china and silverware and adorned with crystal flutes and wine glasses.

For our first course, Chef Giacoponelloo offered us Ahi tuna tartare in a crispy wonton basket with

seaweed salad and topped off with wasabi sorbet. The wine was Martin Codax Albarino 2006 Rias Baixas, Spain.

For our main course we chose the pan seared char with truffled garanelli pasta, and herb roasted petite filet mignon accompanied by a cauliflower puree and potato galette with Bordelaise sauce. Both were cooked to perfection and a delight for the senses.

We shared our entrees and made our own fabulous “surf and turf” combination. We also sampled two amazing dinner wines: a Martin Codax Albarino 2006, Rias Baixas, with the char, and a Clarendon Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, McClaren Vale, South Australia.

Our gourmet meal was completed with a splendid dessert: petit banana cream pie and caramel sauce. Small cookies and imported teas and coffees were also offered as the meal came to a close.

There were many impressive aspects to our gourmet meal aside from the delicious gourmet food and wine. I was most impressed with the level of attention each member and guest received from the club’s knowledgeable, beautifully dressed wait staff. Our meal was made even more enjoyable by the friendliness of the club’s members and staff. During our meal, club members came by our table and welcomed us, as did Muttontown’s new president, Dr. Mitchell Mandel.

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Fine Cuisine on the South Shore

by Ruth Bashinsky Sage Bistro 516.679.8928 www.bistrosage.com ulio Velasquez never imagined when he came to America from El Salvador 15 years ago that he would be a chef. “I couldn’t even boil an egg,” he laughs.

Today Velasquez is a culinary master and one of the hottest chefs around. He is executive chef and co-owner with Onur Peter Oktas of Sage Bistro, a French bistro located in Bellmore, Long Island.

Sage Bistro has gotten rave reviews from not only the locals but from restaurant critics citywide. Zagat described his bistro as having “… exceptional cuisine francaise” and called it … “a surprising find on the South Shore” while The New York Times called it “…impressive… an inexpensive little gem.” “My partner and I chose Bellmore because the South Shore did not have a French bistro,” says Velasquez, who opened Sage Bistro in the summer of 2006.

“The people are very friendly and loyal and make us feel very welcome.”

So loyal, in fact, that Velasquez says some of his customers dine at his restaurant five to six days a week.

Traditional French fare is prepared in rich sauces and heavy creams but the charm of the Sage Bistro is that Velasquez creates dishes that are French with an American influence. Classics such as escargots, bouillabaisse and duck a l’orange are tailored for the American palette.

And although Velasquez explains that his cooking is not as heavy as conventional French cuisine, don’t be deceived; it is still French and that means lots of butter, cream and wine.

Velasquez, who never relies on recipes, creates gastronomy based on how he feels. Part of his inspiration comes from his days as a young boy growing up in Central America and eating very flavorful food. His savory and aromatic dishes are infused with a variety of herbs and spices. In fact, the pungent herb sage is a main staple in so many of his dishes, when it was time to name his restaurant, it only seemed natural to call his venue Sage Bistro.

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“I like full flavor. I don’t like bland foods and that is what I bring from my culture,” he says, adding that one of his favorite creations is his baked goat cheese strudel. “I love the combination of sweet (the cranberry and pear chutney) and sour (cheese and wine).”

His Mussels Provencal, Mussels Meuniere, Steak Frites and Sole Meuniere are some of his bestsellers.

And of course, his trademark French fries - roasted potatoes prepared with cream instead of olive oil.

And for those seeking lighter fare, Velasquez offers a variety of lower calorie dishes. His Sage Bistro Salad is one: his combination of tomato, feta cheese, artichokes and greens topped with a balsamic basil dressing is a favorite among patrons.

Velasquez, who attended the French Culinary Institute, remembers his early days as a dishwasher, eventually moving his way up to salads and then line cook, working with such renowned chefs as Michael Maroni of Maroni Cuisine, Matthew Hisiger of Panama Hatties and Pierre Lande of Bistro Cassis.

His first break came when he was offered the job of master chef at Calamari Kitchen, now Fiddleheads, located in Oyster Bay. He eventually moved to Cool House of Blue in Manhattan, then Enoteca in Locust Valley and then Bistro Cassis in Huntington before opening Sage Bistro. In mid-February, Velasquez opened up his second restaurant, Persil (which means parsley), a French brasserie located in Oceanside. And he is not stopping there. If more opportunities present themselves, Velasquez says he'll happily open more restaurants on Long Island.

“When I was training to become a chef, I always knew I wanted to have my own restaurant one day,” says Velasquez. “So many people talk about it but never actually do it. I am living the American dream.”

From the kitchen of Chef Velasquez

Pan Seared Scallops and Shrimp with Fricassee of Oyster Mushroom and Leeks Serves 4 12 sea scallops 12 jumbo shrimp 2 Portobello mushrooms, ground ½ pound oyster mushrooms, sliced ½ pound leeks, sliced 1cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons oil 1tablespoon truffle oil Salt and white pepper, to taste For the Fricassee Heat the oil in a wide sauté pan. Add the oyster mushrooms and sauté them for a few minutes, then add the leeks.

Cook for another two minutes, then add 1 tablespoon of butter and season with salt and white pepper to taste.

For the Sauce In a small saucepan, heat the ground Portobello mushrooms in oil, cook for three minutes. Add the heavy cream, reduced about five minutes, and finish it with one tablespoon of butter, truffle oil, salt and pepper to taste.

For the Scallops and Shrimp Heat the oil in a large sauté pan. Season the scallops and the shrimp, sauté them for a few minutes on each side. Serve immediately.

Presentation Cover each dinner plate with sauce.

Place a portion of the fricassee in the center of the plates, alternating the shrimp and scallops around the fricassee. Serve immediately.

www.boulevardli.com

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Wine & Dine

A Mother’s Day Tradition

By Robert Rizzuto de Seversky Center: 516.686.7675 www.nyit.edu/deseversky Gold Coast Caterers: 516.686.1440 rrizzuto@nyit.edu

O

n the second Sunday in May, American children of all ages treat their mothers to something special. It is the one day out of the year when children, young and old, try to show in a substantial way how much they appreciate their mothers.

If you are in the restaurant or floral industry, Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year. Have you ever stopped and thought about how this very special tribute to mom became a holiday?

England was one of the first countries to set aside a day to recognize mothers. In the 18th century, when many people worked as household servants for the rich, “Mothering Sunday” was reserved for them to return home to be with their mothers.

Though this custom stopped when the Industrial Revolution altered the working and living patterns of the people, one Sunday for mothers was established as a holiday in the 20th century.

In the United States, Mother’s Day did not become an official holiday until 1915. Its establishment was due largely to the perseverance and love of one daughter, Anna Jarvis. Anna’s mother had provided strength and support as the family made their home in West Virginia and Philadelphia, PA, where her father served as a minister. As a girl, Anna had helped her mother take care of her garden, mostly filled with white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower. When Mrs. Jarvis died on May 5, 1905, Anna was determined to honor her. She asked the minister at her church in West Virginia to give a sermon in her mother’s memory. On 92

the same Sunday in Philadelphia, their minister honored Mrs. Jarvis and all mothers with a special Mother’s Day service. Anna Jarvis began writing to congressmen, asking them to set aside a day to honor mothers. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day and a year later every state celebrated it.

On Mother’s Day morning some American children follow the tradition of serving their mothers breakfast in bed or give their mothers gifts they have made themselves or purchased. Adults often give their mothers red carnations, the official Mother’s Day flower. If their mothers are deceased they may bring white carnations to their gravesites. On her special day, family members do not want Mom to cook dinner.

I would like to offer you a few fun options to celebrate Mothers Day that are as simple as picking up the phone and calling me to reserve a table. On May 11, the deSeversky Center will host a jazz brunch with a wonderful selection of breakfast and lunch choices. There are many fun food selections for both adults and children to choose from.

Another option is to enjoy all the services that you would receive at the deSeversky Center in your home.

Gold Coast Caterers (a subsidiary of NYIT culinary services) has been recognized in the tri-state area for years for their off-premise catering to all types of social events that include weddings, anniversary parties, showers and brunches, to name a few.

Last but not least, why not get the children together and cook breakfast for mom? A nice, simple,

healthy breakfast prepared from the heart can mean a great deal and give mom the day off from the kitchen!

Vegetarian Omelet (serves two)

Ingredients: 1/2 onion, diced 3 oz olive oil 6 eggs, beaten (can substitute egg whites or egg beaters) salt and pepper to taste (optional) 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 3 oz pencil asparagus 4 button mushrooms, sliced thin 1/2 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (basil, chives and Italian parsley) 3 oz shredded Parmesan reggiano cheese

Preparation: In a sauté pan, heat 1 and 1/2 oz olive oil. Add the onions and sauté for three to five minutes. Add the bell peppers, asparagus and mushrooms, and cook for another two minutes. Remove and set aside.

Combine the eggs, fresh herbs, salt and pepper together with a whisk. In an 8-inch Teflon pan, heat the remaining olive oil and place the vegetables in to reheat. Once heated through, add the egg mixture. Allow the eggs to stiffen and pull the omelet back and let the liquid fill in and continue until it is just wet on top. Flip the omelet and cook for a few more minutes. Place the cheese on top, fold over and serve immediately.

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3/24/08 11:15:44 PM

If you’ve ever thought about joining a private country club but didn’t think you could afford it, think again.

The Hamlet Golf and Country Club in Commack, NY, is offering a limited number of family summer memberships at an incredibly low price.

The Hamlet’s new Family Summer Membership lets you enjoy all the club’s amenities for one summer season, including golf, tennis, an outdoor pool and the luxurious clubhouse facilities for dining and special events, and your dues are only $4,500.

Or, with a two-year Special Signature Individual Golf Membership, enjoy two seasons playing on The Hamlet’s 18-hole, championship PGA course.

Call 631.499.5200 for complete details or visit us at HamletGolfandCountryClub.com.

All promotions are subject to the by-laws, rules and regulations of the club.

Only available to new members of The Hamlet Golf and Country Club.

COMMACK, NEW YORK

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4/1/08 10:23:29 AM

Wine and Dine

The Reincarnartion of an Old Veteran

By Venus Quintana

I

n the fast-paced world that we live in, change is the only constant. Reinventions of old ideas and implementation of new ones are fundamental to the success of any business. As any restaurateur knows, diners are always in search of new trends and tastes; what once was new has now become old.

The eponymous newcomer, Bob’s Place in Floral Park, has taken this approach and successfully revamped its former self. It is the continuation of Gebhardt’s, a familyowned restaurant that originated in Queens in 1933. After 70 years in operation, this charming spot, known for its traditional German fare, closed its doors. In late 2007, a retransformation resulted in the opening of Bob’s Place.

The name reveals more than it suggests. The new, rather unassuming title unveils a cuisine that is both innovative and refreshing, with twists on American classics. Executive Chef Jeff Eutsler, who worked in some of the most acclaimed French restaurants in New York, executes a new American menu that celebrates every season, using only the freshest of ingredients. “Eastern European cuisine has begun to lose favor over more contemporary cuisines. Change was necessary to make our restaurant viable in the new century, “ Jeff explained.

For starters, we were treated to 94

a tasting of mouth-watering dishes.

The Tuna Tartare was a refreshing tower of ahi tuna, avocado, scallions and Persian lime, dotted with capers.

Portabella Antipasta was a stacked display of mozzarella, juicy sweet

tomatoes and red onion, topped with a pesto. Blue Point Crab Cakes were moist and flavorful, served with jicama salad and a lemon parsley aioli.

For entrees, the Thai Spice Shrimp and Sea Scallops melted in the mouth with Forbidden Rice in a lemongrass ponzu butter sauce. The Land and Sea was a sandwich-like stack of grilled filet mignon and shrimp, with a portabella crown, resting on a crispy potato cake, accompanied by a tarragon demi-glaze. Other items included a traditional Schnitzel dish, Braised Short Ribs and Red Snapper and Bay Scallop Francaise.

For a sumptuous end to an amazing dinner, we were dazzled with a gorgeous tasting sample of desserts - a glass overflowing with cotton

candy surrounded by a raspberry coulis, lemon gingersnap creme brulee and caramel turtle cheesecake all took our breath away. As an extra treat, we were presented with boxes of the most exquisite cupcakes, handmade by pastry chef Rick Sawiski.

The aestheticallypleasing cuisine is matched by the decor.

On entering Bob’s Place, one is drawn to the eyecatching dining room, full of architectural interest.

Beautifully beveled windows, set amidst dark mahogany and brick walls, and high ceilings give a sophisticated, polished look. An adjoining room at the far end of the restaurant, also used for private parties, showcases an arresting bluestone fireplace. With muted grey walls and cathedral-style ceilings, this room is perfect for a romantic evening out.

Owner Bob Manning and General Manager Dan Horsham, along with their fine staff, treated us to a most memorable dining experience.

Their vision and perseverance has undoubtedly put them on the path to success.

Bob’s Place 230 Jericho Turnpike Floral Park, NY 516-354-8185 Open for lunch, brunch and dinner www.bobsplacerestaurant.com

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Green on the outside, Green on the inside.

j\im`Z\ Y\kn\\e k_\ cfZXc m`ccX^\j Æ Xe[ cXk\i kf E\n Pfib :`kp% K_\ cXk\ Di% ;Xm`[jfe [\m\cfg\[ k_`j ZfeZ\gk `ekf ?Xdgkfe A`ke\pÆ fe\ f] k_\ dfjk jlZZ\jj]lc Ylj`e\jj\j fe k_\ <Xjk <e[ f] Cfe^ @jcXe[%

(631) 283-4600 (212) 362-8400 www.hamptonjitney.com

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4/1/08 10:45:30 AM

Travel Lore of Beds and Shipwrecked Portraits Inscribe Kennebunkport’s Charms

By Sara Widness

W

ho bedded with whom discerning Rob and his wife Leigh Maine experience of yesteryear. is inscribed in the lore who also own the Verandah House on The Kennebunkport that was a of Kennebunkport, Nantucket. fishing village in 1653 is a graceful Maine. For example, the town with a tiny commercial area The Captain Fairfield Inn (www. imposing Captain Lord Mansion was filled with boutiques and eateries. captainfairfield.com) is a member of built in 1812 to placate a not-amused The town achieved prominence the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport wife who was then forced to live in from 1766 to 1875 when it was a (www.kportinns.com). These are grand style next door to the Lord’s shipbuilding hub with 20 shipyards. intimate establishments that meld mistress.

Like the Nantucket whalers who made time past with the requisite amenities A year later, a Captain Fairfield and services of today, as will the soon- fortunes off the sea, fortunes were built his house across the street, equally amassed in Kennebunkport, to-open Cottages at Hidden Pond. went off to sea, and to placate his Kennebunkport’s new resort bills itself as evidenced by a symphony of stately lonely wife-left-home had his portrait homes in styles ranging from saltbox as flip-flop chic with 14 designerpainted in a far-away land. The portrait themed cottages with Frette linens to Federal to Greek revival, many was literally lost at sea when the ship with widow’s watch embellishments and screened porches that evoke a carrying it wrecked. Many years later, and some that flirt with Victorian. while still bobbing about, the portrait, sealed in a canister, was discovered and tracked back to Kennebunkport.

Today Captain Fairfield hangs in the parlor of the inn named after him, overlooking an Oriental rug that is a third of a very large masterpiece divided among innkeeper Rob Blood’s family when his great grandfather died. The carpet hues just happen to echo the Federal blue lavished on the room and echoes the brick sidewalk outside.

Guests who linger in comfort here now, as Fairfield’s family did then, anticipate creative breakfasts presented by young innkeepers Peter Tignor and Jennifer Anderson who are in training in preparation for owning their own place one day. They work with The Captain Fairfield Inn in Kennebunkport is particpating in the Arts in the Inns Festiveal in June 96

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Kennebunkport offers excellent boutique shopping.

Chefs are inspired to blend palates at the Arts in the Inns Festival

Many houses retain their original ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names, and reading them is like walking through time, with Elisha, Phineas, Burleigh, Horatio and Moses among them. The town offers a brochure for self-guided walking tours to enjoy this remarkable architecture.

Craggy promontories, miles of sand, sheltered waters, crashing surf and mysterious tidal beds and wetlands all invite exploring on foot or

bicycle, or seated with sketchbook in hand, or by boat, including day trips north to explore the trove of lighthouses dotting the Maine shoreline.

Kennebunkport, while just a few miles north of Ogunquit and Wells, is deficient in the plebian and working class traits of its neighbors. Instead it has the scent of lineage that mingles with Rugosa roses and the sea air, especially when wandering toward Walker Point, the enclave of the Bush family. There are opportunities for golfing (www.capearundelgolfclub. com), boating (www.rugosacharters. com), tennis, antiquing and full www.boulevardli.com

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Travel

In Kennebunkport, You Can Get There From Here.

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English tea, the latter served at The Tea Room of the English Meadows Inn (www.englishmeadowsinn.com).

In addition to numerous art galleries, there’s also a refined cookery thanks to, among others, Jonathan Cartwright whose culinary artistry brings cognoscenti to town yearround to dine at the White Barn Inn (www.whitebarninn.com), a Relais & Chateaux property.

Cartwright is one of three chefs headlined for Kennebunkport’s 4th Annual Arts in the Inns June 4 through 8 this spring. This is an annual pairing of palates with palettes that this year

teams Cartwright with Sam Talbot, pegged by the New York Post as one of Manhattan’s top 10 sexiest chefs, and with Rebecca Charles of New York’s Pearl Oyster Bar. They will create visual arts-inspired, entirely edible presentations over nearly a week as guests mingle in inns with resident artists. Chef Charles will also be available to sign her book, Lobster Rolls & Blueberry Pie: Three Generations of Stories and Recipes from Summers on the Coast of Maine. This charming anecdote of a Kennebunk of decades ago is spliced with recipes and photos and it would

be an ideal companion to have in hand while touring the region to retrace the author’s favorite haunts and beaches.

This food and culinary happening includes by-reservation-only evenings of cocktails, intimate artist-inspired chef dinners in private homes and a sophisticated version of a Maine clambake. Proceeds from the event will benefit local cultural programs and help fund an art scholarship for a local high school student.

For festival ticket and lodging information, visit www.artsintheinns.com or call 207-423-9868.

Celebrate your bridal event with family and friends at The Inn At Fox Hollow… the perfect venue for all your pre- and post-wedding events.

• Five intimate banquet rooms to accommodate from 10 to 65 guests each • Customized menus prepared by our award-winning chefs • Elegant interior décor and exceptionally landscaped gardens - the perfect backdrop to enhance any photo The Inn is also the ideal location for baby showers, anniversary parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, family reunions and more.

Contact our Social Events Consultant at

(516) 224-8182 for event information or overnight accommodations, including luxurious bridal suites and group discounts.

(516) 625-1777 www.perfectweddingplanner.com

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7755 Jericho Turnpike Woodbury, NY 11797 (800) 291-8090 www.theinnatfoxhollow.com

3/27/08 4:01:42 PM

Travel

La Casita del Amor in Vieques, Puerto Rico

By John Lilley and Bob Lohrmann Photos

by John Lilley and Wanda Bermudez

T

wenty-eight years ago I walked off the stage of a sweaty rock 'n' roll club in Philly and jumped into my beat-up Plymouth Duster with my new boyfriend Bobby. We drove all night to New York, racing up I-95, excited about going to a little island in the Caribbean that no one ever heard of: Vieques. Along the way, we got lost, went to the wrong airport, and barely made our flight. Our first vacation together.

The flight down was like a party starting at 6:30am. In those days, you were allowed to socialize in the aisles and the fiesta was definitely back in the smoking section where we were seated. It was like a flying saloon with people standing, drinking, smoking, laughing and having a great time. At one point Bobby nudged me and pointed to a

100

pillowcase on the floor under the seat next to me. It was moving! When it crowed, I realized the guy next to me had a live rooster in a pillowcase as his carry-on bag.

Three-and-a-half hours later we landed in San Juan.

Everyone applauded. On the tarmac, the heat hit us like a sledgehammer. In 1980, the San Juan airport was openair and under construction. People peered through the cyclone fence, their fingers entwined in the wire, anxiously awaiting arriving relatives.

A 20-minute flight across the blue, blue water and we touched down in Vieques. Well, bounced down, really. The tiny airport was a long cinderblock shed with a corrugated tin roof. Chickens, roosters and a couple of stray dogs ran loose. Untethered horses tore at the grass and a couple of

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or m A l e d a t i s a La C

www.boulevardli.com

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Travel huge white Brahma cows chewed their cud. house down to the cement and replaced all the electric, Publicos waited outside the airport. We squeezed into plumbing and windows. There was a 10x8 foot sliding glass one of the back seats of the taxi-van with over-packed door that was boarded up the entire time. When they took suitcases and my guitar, smiling our friendly, semithe wood off I was in the kitchen and Bobby said, "Come apologetic gringo smiles at the locals. The guy next to us here and look at this." We stood there and looked out and was the guy with his pillowcases of prized roosters! At the it was as if the blue, blue ocean was in the house. It left us time I didn’t speak a word of Spanish and Bobby could just speechless. about say "left" and "right" and the name of our hotel: La The old name Sea Patch really wasn’t us. We decided Casa del Frances. on calling it the Love Shack or, in Spanish, La Casita del Our hosts Irving and Stacey greeted us warmly and Amor. The little house of love. The perfect romantic we began a vacation that would change our lives. In 1980, getaway on the beach. no one we knew had even heard the name of the island.

Vieques is about six miles off the southeastern tip The hotel was nearly empty. The beaches were spectacular, of Puerto Rico. It’s that tiny speck you see on maps of and still are. There were days when we were the only two the Caribbean next to St. Thomas and St. John. The US people for what seemed like miles. If we spotted a couple military had been using the island for many years as a off in the distance we’d feel like it was getting crowded. We place to stage maneuvers. There are many issues left never wanted it to change and we tried our best to keep it unresolved, but the Navy finally departed in 2003 and the a secret. island continues to search for its new identity. Vieques We began renting houses and as our finances has changed in many ways since we first discovered it but improved so did the houses we rented. In 1995 we stayed Vieques still is its own best-kept secret. in a spectacular villa on the top of the highest point of the The island is the definition of laid back. If you crave tallest mountain on the island. That year we’d brought the golf courses and casinos and shopping, this isn’t your checkbook with us. Bobby had the feeling people were island. The biggest decision you might make all day is discovering the island and that if we didn’t buy something which beach to go to or what restaurant to eat at that now, it was going to get out of our reach. night. Something happens when you arrive here. It’s like We looked at all kinds of places - properties that releasing a breath you didn’t even know you were holding. ranged from over-priced dumps in various states of A few years ago the restaurant scene started to take disrepair to affordable houses in crummy neighborhoods off. Today you can feast at a good local place or choose a where roosters crowed at dawn, at noon, and pretty much more expensive restaurant. If you like to cook, you’ll find all night long when the dogs join them. We became very everything you need at one of the grocery stores. There’s a sensitive to what we called "the rooster factor." produce truck just outside of Isabella.

One listing, "Beach house needs TLC" had an asking But really… it’s about the beaches. They’re still price that was slightly higher than our budget. We secluded. Sometimes you can go the whole day by convinced our reluctant realtor to show it to us. Every window was boarded over and crisscrossed with rusty security bars.

“The U.S. military had been using Inside was as dark as a cave. Cigarette the island for many years as a lighters dimly lit our way as we “inspected” the house. The ad was right, the house place to stage maneuvers.” needed a LOT of TLC, but it was secluded and on the beach (no rooster factor!).

The surrounding jungle covered most of the property but it was loaded with palm trees, bougainvillea, hibiscus and fruit trees. What really sold us was the ocean.

Ten large paces off the patio and you were in water!

We bought the house. I finished a tour in Europe and flew down to spend three of the hardest months of my life renovating the place from top to bottom.

Our contractor was flown off the island in need of a heart transplant within weeks of signing on for the job so I took over, my lists in one hand and my English/Spanish dictionary in the other. We stripped the

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yourself. We love Navio, but you’ll discover your own private beach that’s nothing less than perfect. Explore! It’s a small island. You can’t get lost.

One must-see is our famed Bio-Luminescent Bay, a body of water that glows in the dark. Book a tour on an electric boat or a kayak on a moonless night and you’ll see the luminescent outline of big fish, little fish, even manta rays swimming beneath the surface. If you’re brave (there’s really nothing to worry about), you jump into the inky black water and watch it explode with a zillion tiny stars. It’s like swimming in a sea of diamonds.

But Vieques isn’t Gilligan’s Island. There’s a lot to do if you get bored - get a massage or go to a yoga class, eat sushi, charter a boat for the day and see beaches you can’t drive to, scuba, snorkel and swim, have a wonderful lunch, check out the Malecon in Esperanza on the weekend, hire a guide who will bring horses right to the house for a daylong ride on the beaches. Being lazy is great but there are many adventures to make your vacation even better.

At La Casita, wild horses walk on our beach. A pelican family swoops down to catch fish. The coqui frogs sing at night, small lizards dart all over the place and the large iguana still hangs out in the tree out back making our neighbor's dog crazy. One morning we discovered a nest of sea turtles hatching in the sand off our patio. We frantically

scooped up the little guys and deposited them in the sea.

The ocean roars and occasionally a coconut falls and we go, ‘What was that?" We still have yet to hear a rooster crow.

For more information on Vieques: www.lacasitadelamor.com http://enchanted-isle.com http://bravobeachhotel.com/BBH_REST.html For Wanda Bermudez photos Visit: www.vieques-island.com/gallery/ John Lilley is the guitarist with the world-famous band The Hooters.

Getting Away From It All While Staying Close To Home

S

ometimes you need to get away from it all and indulge in a little R & R with the one you love. It’s not always an easy thing to do, but more and more folks on Long Island are discovering The Inn at Fox Hollow in Woodbury, the perfect place for a quick getaway near home.

The Inn is an upscale, all-suite hotel with luxurious accommodations and a broad range of amenities. Each classic private suite features a living room, full-sized bedroom, elegant bath and eat-in kitchen. But why eat in when the hotel also offers a fine dining experience at the awardwinning Rose Hunt Restaurant & Lounge?

Other special touches provided

by The Inn include a 24-hour fitness center, outdoor heated pool and hot tub, in-room massage therapy, and complimentary freshly baked cookies, coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino.

For guests who like to venture out, The Inn is located near various North Shore attractions, such as opulent Gold Coast mansions, arboretums, harborside restaurants and villages, and museums and shopping venues.

The Inn at Fox Hollow offers two romantic and budget-friendly packages. The Suite Romance Package offers one night in a luxurious suite, a chilled bottle of champagne, Belgian chocolates and a dozen roses. The Suite Surrender Package offers the same

features, plus dinner for two at the Rose Hunt Restaurant.

For more information about The Inn at Fox Hollow, call 800-291-8090 or visit www.theinnatfoxhollow.com.

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Travel

The Rittenhouse Philadelphia’s World Class Hotel

By Barry Kay

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he Rittenhouse Hotel is located in downtown Philadelphia, adjacent to the business district, premier shopping and restaurants. The 33-story luxury hotel overlooks historic Rittenhouse Square in one of Philadelphia’s toniest districts. The hotel features 98 guestrooms ranging in size from 450 to 600 square feet, the largest in the city. Aside from the beauty of the Rittenhouse, its fabulous location, and Lacroix, its haute cuisine restaurant, the hotel’s biggest asset is its ubiquitous, charming and dynamic vice president and general manager David Benton. David is the quintessential goodwill ambassador who views the hotel as his house and the guests as his family. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests often meet David at the concierge desk, where he offers them a flute of fine champagne and chocolatedipped strawberries as they check in. For families with small children, David produces his Treasure Chest, toys for their children to choose from as their “Welcome to the Rittenhouse” present.

David Benton’s work at the Rittenhouse is his passion.

It doesn’t surprise his staff to see the great lengths he will go to in order to satisfy his special requests. In fact, David has personally empowered each member of his staff to make sure guests are satisfied even if he is not there. On one recent Friday night, a sudden snow and sleet storm took Philadelphia by surprise and the staff at the Rittenhouse was concerned about the day’s events. There was a large fundraiser with 300 guests and a wedding party with 200 scheduled that evening. As evening approached a panicky bride was afraid that she would not arrive at her own wedding on time because of the horrendous weather.

To the rescue came David Benton in his SUV to securely and safely deliver the bride to the hotel in plenty of time for her extra special event. Whether it is an urgent bridal request or a request by a Far Eastern diplomat for Chinese food at 1 a.m., there is nothing that the Rittenhouse will let stand in the way to make their guests happy. Their empowerment and level of service makes the Rittenhouse stand out among the finest hotels in the world.

A seductive and alluring symbol stands in the courtyard of The Rittenhouse Hotel in the form of an Evangelos Frudakis bronze statue of an enchantress, gesturing as if to say, “Welcome to all who seek comfort!”

But unlike the sirens of Greek mythology, this one offers to make good on her promise of comfort, indulgence and pleasure in an environment of magnificent cuisine and skilled service.

Our review team pulled into the driveway and approached the overhanging portico protecting the entrance to the hotel. We were immediately surrounded by a flurry of uniformed attendants who greeted us warmly while opening the door to the limo. A handsome doorman in a fur-collared overcoat and leather gloves escorted us through the main entrance, past smiling bellmen each nodding a greeting. The lobby of the Rittenhouse is a combination of Italian marble floor, ornate Greco-Roman columns and dark wood panels and glass. We were greeted at the front desk by a staff that saluted us with a hospitable and warm “Welcome to our home.” A quick glance around the lobby produced a cozy feeling of actually standing in the vestibule of a large and stately mansion, which is punctuated with delicate hand-blown glass vases sinuously reaching for the ceiling with their thin elongated necks.

“Flowers are an important feature in making this hotel feel more like you’re in someone’s home,” says Benton. “It goes according to our team’s master plan of providing a gracious, comfortable setting for our guests, as if they were

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part of our family.”

Our review team’s room, although referred to as “standard,” in fact, resembled a junior suite in any other fine hotel. It was spacious and well appointed with a comfortable couch and coffee table, elegant writer’s table, and hi-speed Internet cable network available for complimentary use. Other amenities included large flat screen TVs, and a marble bathroom with oversized shower. The Rittenhouse is Wi-Fi equipped and Internet service is available from any room anywhere in the hotel.

The room’s walls were adorned with subtle earth tone wall paint and lovely framed works of art, and the floors were covered in beautifully designed fine carpeting the size of the room. The enormous, extra comfortable bed with pillow top mattress and 310-count sheets was sooo inviting after a long trip. All guest bathrooms are equipped with Aromatherapy amenities that revive, balance and relax. Of course, the ultimate deluxe surprise was a plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries dressed in tuxedoes of white and dark chocolate. Written in chocolate across the fine china plate was Welcome Back Mr. Buehrmann, addressed to the president and founder of Seven Stars and Stripes Inc. The Rittenhouse is also blessed with Lacroix, a top gourmet restaurant rated one of the best in the U.S. Chef Mathew Levin is reinventing fine dining in this city with daring ingredients and unorthodox cooking techniques.

He experiments with tastes and styles and offers a tasting menu of three to five courses, as well as an a la carte menu.

How about abalone with charcoal sauce? Also on the menu are beautifully prepared scallops with a sun dried tomato jam.

After touring the hotel and fabulous Rittenhouse “chocolate factory,” which would have made Willy Wonka jealous, it was time to present our world-recognized Seven Stars and Stripes hand-crafted Brass Award of Excellence to David Benton, Mathew Levin and the Rittenhouse. We then bid farewell to the fabulous Rittenhouse Hotel and David Benton, the true secret behind the success of this amazing hotel. David’s efforts and his wonderful staff have put the Rittenhouse in a league all its own.

www.boulevardli.com

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3/27/08 4:05:26 PM

Health Self-Esteem: How a Life Coach and Image Consultant Can Help Dr. Barbara Capozzi, D.O.

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New You Spring is here and it’s a great time to start anew.

If you had a New Year’s resolution that’s fading, maybe it’s time to renew it or change your plan of action. Just as blossoming flowers need water and sun, we too need a little nurturing as we prepare for new beginnings and change. Making successful personal change starts with two key elements: motivation and healthy self-esteem. Often, it’s easier said than done.

According to Webster’s, self-esteem means satisfaction and confidence in oneself; the value of oneself as a person.

Not egotism. Much has been written about high selfesteem and its role in happiness, a healthy lifestyle, and increased personal and professional potential. But while the market is flooded with self-help books and tools for self-empowerment, there is no substitute for one-on-one human interaction.

The Right Person A life coach and image consultant provides live personalized service that can help you to improve your life based on your individual needs. Whether you want to make a career change or simply put together a better wardrobe, this person can help you. While keeping the focus on you, they see things in a different light.

Meredith Applebaum, former producer for Donny Deutsch’s The Big Idea, is following her dream as a life coach and image consultant in New York City. Her goal is “to help clients improve some aspect of their life, so that they can be happier and more successful.” The process starts with a consultation to discuss the targeted area(s) you want to change. Together, you and she make your specific list, talk through goals, and plan how to realistically reach them. Typically, there are one or two follow-up meetings.

Utilizing her years of experience behind the scenes and on camera, Meredith knows how to help her clients recognize their personal talents and strengths. Her job involves accompanying clients for clothes shopping and to new haircut or makeup trials, in addition to referring clients to contacts to further their career. She calls upon her own experience as a producer and reporter to help those who will be on air or who need to do public speaking, etc.

Great tips she shares for those going on air are to think of the camera as one person, not as a huge audience, and to take a deep breath before speaking. She emphasizes visualization.

Wanting More Cheryl, a 45-year-old professional wedding planner states, “Like Valerie Bertinelli, every year I would make a resolution to myself that I would be getting it together.”

Recently, Cheryl made a major change and with the help of a nutritionist she lost 40 pounds. But that wasn’t enough for her. “I had never completed anything, and always found every excuse.” A poignant comment from her nutritionist that “maybe you don’t even listen to your own advice” led Cheryl to realize that the best present to herself would be to meet with an image consultant. She needed a professional to help her complete her new lifestyle. “I wanted to authenticate me, to find my style, and to have the image that I wanted to portray. I accomplished this 106

through Meredith’s counseling.”

Cheryl’s transformation evolved over three sessions.

The initial consultation identified likes, dislikes and goals.

Session two involved Meredith accompanying her to the right stylist. Venture three was a day of wardrobe shopping - which proved to be fun, enlightening and successful.

Why Not a Friend?

When I asked Cheryl why an image consultant and not a friend, she explained, “Working with an image consultant is about the realization of who you are, not by someone telling you, but by giving you the tools to help you find out what you represent. Friends can be kind - not as honest. I don’t want to dress like my friends or have their approval.”

The consultant’s professional knowledge and skill kept Cheryl open-minded. With Meredith’s encouragement she was willing to try different styles ranging from trendy to classic. The revelation was that despite the weight loss and having a new body, Cheryl was still in her old mindset when it came to fashion. She quickly trusted Meredith and grew confident that her recommendations were both appropriate and flattering.

The End Result Cheryl rates her experience with an image consultant as a “very positive one.” On a personal level, she has better communication and relationship skills. Her husband now views her as a stronger person. In her professional life, she is more focused and direct in her decision-making. She is proud that she now has a more polished appearance that helps her when negotiating with her clients and other business associates. She is more confident, has higher selfesteem, and is very happy. Cheryl is looking forward to working with her image consultant for her sequel, Season II: Spring ’08.

A Word of Encouragement Meredith believes that “we all have the ability to help ourselves; we often just need a little guidance, enhancement, or a little push. Everyone has the inner desire and drive, but sometimes we need a coach throughout periods in our life.” She credits Donny Deutsch for encouraging her to follow her dream!

Meredith’s goal is to help you be the person that you visualize when you imagine yourself happy and fulfilled.

Visit www.gotomeredith.com

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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3/27/08 3:01:20 PM

Skin Deep

By Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D. Deborah S. Sarnoff M. D. with offices in Manhattan and Greenvale, LI, is a pioneer in state of the art cosmetic dermatology, lasers and Mohs surgery for the treatment of cancer. An associate clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center and vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, Dr. Sarnoff has demonstrated her procedures on the Today show, 20/20, Good Morning America, Dateline and The View. Dr. Sarnoff is co-author of Beauty and the Beam and Instant Beauty; Getting Gorgeous on Your Lunch Break.

For additional information, call 516-484-9000 or visit www.cosmetiqueMD.com

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or more than 20 years, dermatologists and plastic surgeons have used a wide variety of lasers to remove wrinkles, unsightly blemishes, acne scars and the like – each with its unique characteristics and advantages.

From the hills of Tuscany to the shores of Long Island comes the new Ferrari of lasers that can dramatically improve the texture and appearance of the skin: the SmartXide DOT, affectionately known as the Smart Dot. What’s Hot About the Dot? Dot Therapy, known as Dermal Optical Thermolysis, delivers precise amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser energy. Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, where the entire canvas of the targeted area of skin is treated, the Smart Dot laser beam delivers light in a stippled fashion, ablating miniscule areas without damaging the surrounding skin.

The laser gently vaporizes the skin in a “polka dot” pattern, sparing the bridges of normal skin that lie in between the areas that are “zapped” by the laser. Think TV pixels and the paintings by the French Impressionist Seurat, who created forms and images with hundreds and thousands of pinpoint dots. The bridges of skin that remain untouched by the Smart Dot are the key to rapid healing, because the entire epidermis is not ablated by the laser. In many cases, instantaneous skin tightening is seen after a single session.

This remarkable, revolutionary procedure also stimulates your skin to produce its own fresh collagen (the main structural protein in the dermis) and as a result new, rejuvenated smooth skin is born.

No Fuss, No Bother Today’s Smart Dot provides all the benefits of the traditional CO2 laser, considered by many experts as the gold standard for laser skin resurfacing, without all the old negatives – namely, no need for anesthesia or IV sedation, no significant downtime, no extended redness nor prolonged discomfort.

Makeup can be applied one to three days after treatment; hence it is the perfect weekend laser rejuvenation procedure.

“X” Marks the Spot The SmartXide DOT produces dramatic results in the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars on the

face – it can also be used on almost any area of the body, including the hands, neck, décolletage, forearms and legs.

Smart Dot procedures are effective, quick, virtually painless, bloodless and well-tolerated, and may be combined with other therapies, such as Botox and fillers.

The Ultimate in Flexibility One of the distinct advantages of the Smart Dot is that treatments can be customized based on the amount of downtime you can afford. The laser offers the versatility of both deep and light skin resurfacing.

The therapeutic response depends on the power, depth of penetration, dot spacing, dwell time of each pulse, and on the number of passes a physician makes with the laser.

If you are considering any type of cosmetic laser procedure, it is important to be well-informed. Be sure to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who can guide you in selecting the safest and most appropriate option, including the very best of the lot … the amazing new Smart Dot! www.boulevardli.com

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Health

Fitness Corner

By Pam Polestino Fitness Professional 646.261.3350

Spring Into Fitness

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pring is upon us. We have taken off all our coats and heavy sweaters. We want to look and feel our best. A sound mind and a sound body begin and end with exercise.

Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle benefits more than just your body. Think about how you feel when you try on a beautiful dress or bathing suit - and you wish some things just looked different in that dressing room. It is a time when having a consistent exercise routine could have made a big difference in how you view yourself.

Fitness is a mind and body commitment that can completely change who we are. Exercise gives us more energy and can make day to day tasks easier because we become stronger. The more we work out, the better we can feel about ourselves. Making exercise a routine - like brushing your teeth - can make you feel full of life and very confident.

Those of you who are planning to “spring into fitness" should set small short-term goals. This will prevent a big letdown. Being realistic helps to boost your self-confidence and keep you motivated. For those of you who already have committed to fitness, shake up your workout by trying something new!

Reinventing who we are is an amazing strategy for getting better each and every day. There is always another level to reach and by constantly challenging yourself and your body, you can see and feel dramatic results both mentally and physically.

Many of my students have said that exercise is a huge stress reliever. Once we begin, the endorphins start flowing and we are determined to make it through yet another workout. When you see that you are changing your body, you feel a sense of accomplishment which makes you more confident. Most people who exercise regularly improve their posture, which also improves self-esteem No matter what form of exercise you choose, you can redesign your body and the way you feel about it. It only takes a few sessions to get that elated feeling or “exercise high.”

Here is a question from Lisa M. She asks, “Am I going

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to get too big if I begin lifting weights?” Lisa, that’s a great question! The answer is no. It is extremely hard for a woman to grow big muscles without being strong enough to lift really heavy weight. Lifting light weights in high repetition sets is an ideal way to strengthen, tighten and sculpt the muscles you already have. Once you begin to lose body fat around the muscles, you will be more defined. Lifting weights is so important – not for just looking good, but for building a stronger, healthier body.

Congratulations, Lisa! You won a personal training session. I am looking forward to meeting you.

As always, I would love to hear from you. Email me any questions at ppolestino@yahoo.com. If I use your question in a future article, you will receive a complimentary personal training session.

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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4/1/08 11:37:00 AM

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3/25/08 12:05:49 AM

Health

Health Watch

By Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum Director, Woman and Heart Disease Heart and Vascular Institute Lenox Hill Hospital, New York A Penny a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

M

y mother-in-law sent around a mass email extolling all of the benefits of hydrogen peroxide hidden from all by the medical community.

It ranged from teeth whitening to cleaning windows, and was clear on the surreptitious and sneaky behavior doctors had to maintain in order to keep all these secrets under wraps. I was appalled. It was so shocking to me and a bit unclear why it was all doctors’ faults that these touted benefits were not common knowledge. I assure you, nowhere, not in any textbook, did I ever read about how to keep my windows clean with hydrogen peroxide. I almost double-checked, just to prove it to myself. It was such a distrustful look at the medical community, revealing all the supposed hidden secrets, with the bottom line motive simply being money. I knew there was some mistrust on the part of patients when it came to pharmaceutical companies, and I have heard some people’s concerns about certain doctor’s motives. By and large, though, I believed that the greatest threat of conspiracy was on the part of the big drug companies whose motivation, as it sometimes appears to patients, is solely financial.

Many years ago, I met a 34-year-old guy in the emergency room. Thin, handsome and fit, he was having a heart attack.

He was rushed to the catheterization laboratory, where a new drug-eluting stent was placed in one of the major arteries of his heart, saving his heart muscle and saving his life. He was started on a slew of medications from aspirin to a statin, to not only reduce his cholesterol, but stabilize his plaque. He was given an anti-platelet medication, to keep his stent open and platelets from not clumping, he was given a beta-blocker and an ACE-inhibitor. And he had been fine, back in the gym, exercising, eating healthy, recently married and snorkeling on his honeymoon. About one year ago, something happened. He walked into my office with a glint in his eye. He had read a book where he was told of the conspiracy between doctors and pharmaceutical companies and he wanted to be taken off all of his medication, except the aspirin, because finally he read the truth. I showed him studies; we reviewed the data together. He stayed on his medication. I thought this was a young man who was angry with his disease, furious with his medicine cabinet and ready to feel “normal.” It never occurred to me that this is really what he thought. I never did realize that my profession was knee-deep in the conspiracy and was benefiting from it, until I received the email about hydrogen peroxide. And, yes, I was appalled. And, until recently, I have been totally confused.

I called my friend Cynthia, a pharmaceutical representative from a major pharmaceutical company, whose monies do go for advertising and for educating doctors, but also go to funding research and giving grants to not-for-profit organizations, all to promote health and education. I told

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her about this website, the memory of my patient and my recent shock. She, in turn, was completely perplexed by my ignorance. Many of us went to medical school to help patients. After the many years of schooling, debts, and sleepless nights, I assure you that without that motivation, it would be an almost impossible task. There are those who are less noble, as in any career, but this seemed unreal. Then, for me, a small bomb dropped. A cholesterol-lowering medication I had prescribed based on its properties of lowering LDL cholesterol had its results withheld from the scientific community for about six months before attempting to change the outcome of their studies. This shattered the glass on my pristine and noble practice. At least through my rosy glasses, I believed that science was science and that regardless of the outcomes, scientists, doctors and pharmaceutical companies shared their knowledge for the greater good. Cynthia then told me that some pharmaceutical companies bought generic brands of their drugs, and were, in fact, increasing the prices of the non-brand name of their drugs, so people would spend a little extra on the brand names. So, essentially the cheaper generics we were giving to our patients to save money weren’t much cheaper after all. I take this all very personally, I assure you. How could they lie to me like this? I never realized any of this.

But, then, all over the news is criticism and revocation of an ad for Lipitor, with Dr. Jarvik, the inventor of the mechanical heart, as spokesperson. There was an image of a man rowing down the water, and it was proclaimed that, in fact, that man was not him, as if this made any difference. It questioned his credentials, although all that was proclaimed was who he is and nothing else. The marketing company made a decision to use his voice and this image to promote their medication.

And, somehow this is the greatest controversy, and the one with the most ratings.

I don’t know why I take this all to heart. I, myself, have put my faith in the companies that help sustain what I do. I believe in the benevolence of people to work toward the common goal of taking care of our patients. I believe that PR companies help spread the message, and that pharmaceutical companies, although they have their more expensive brands, work towards getting our drugs available and affordable to everyone. And I believed that science was science, that this information was shared in a forum that reached across the world to be discussed and analyzed in order for us to better take care of our patients. Oh, yes, and the money.

Well, I have saved a little recently. All I do now is dump a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in a little water. Did you know it not only cleans windows and shines glass, but is an excellent disinfectant, too?

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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4/1/08 12:19:47 PM

Cosmetic Surgery Corner

By Stephen T. Greenberg, M.D.

Lose Inches and Cellulite Before Swimsuit Season

A

lmost all of us have a part of our body we would love to zap a bit of fat from. Even those of us who are close to our ideal weight often have problem areas that no amount of exercise and diet can help eliminate. These fat deposits are often just handed down to us from our parents or grandparents.

Women usually have the biggest complaints about their hips, thighs and buttocks. Men find that fat collects around the stomach and love handles. Excess fatty deposits can also form around the chin, the arms, the back, and even the knees and ankles. Some things are beyond our control – such as the body we inherit and the effects of age. It’s no surprise that liposuction is so popular; it allows you to take control of the uncontrollable, and it works!

SmartLipo is one of the latest technological advances in the liposuction arena. SmartLipo is a laser-assisted lipolysis procedure that delivers energy directly to fat cells, causing them to rupture and drain away as liquid. At the same time, the tissue and skin surrounding the area being treated is tightened. SmartLipo is ideal for the neck, jawline, arms, breasts, "bra fat," abdomen, "love handles," "saddle bags," inner and outer thighs and knees. It is an excellent complement to conventional liposuction.

Liposuction definitely works. You will lose inches and fat. Most patients usually lose one or two pant sizes after liposuction of the thighs, hips and buttocks. Just watch out for doctors who promise six-pack abs or the hips of a Victoria Secret supermodel. Although "body sculpting" has become a popular catchphrase to describe liposuction, in essence, liposuction isn’t about chiseling or carving out new abs! The best candidate for liposuction is at a normal weight with localized problem areas of fat.

While liposuction removes fat and inches and SmartLipo tightens the skin, neither system will completely eliminate cellulite. The New VelaShape Cellulite Reduction Treatment is the most effective method for eliminating cellulite. It is a nonsurgical procedure that can contour, shape and slim the body by improving cellulite in as few as four treatments. The secret behind VelaShape is that it is the first and only technology that combines powerful energies to reduce the volume and appearance of fat tissues. With this unique approach, you are able to treat multiple areas including abdomen, buttocks and thighs in

less than 40 minutes. The treatment is safe and effective for all skin types and colors and there are no reported short- or long-term health effects. Velashape feels like a warm deep tissue massage. The treatment is designed to accommodate your sensitivity and comfort level. It is normal to experience a warm sensation for a few hours post-treatment. Your skin may also appear red for several hours. Eighty percent of all women over the age of 20 have cellulite, regardless of size or shape. Cellulite occurs when fat cells in the deepest layer of skin become over-inflated from an increase in fat storage. The fat cells protrude up through the tissue causing dimpling or a "cottage cheese" appearance. VelaShape is the only FDA-cleared treatment that safely delivers heat into the fatty tissue to reduce cellulite and firm problem areas.

Dr. Stephen Greenberg is a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in Woodbury and Manhattan. For a complimentary consultation, call Dr. Greenberg at 516-364-4200. Email questions to docstg@aol.com, or visit www.GreenbergCosmeticSurgery.com

www.boulevardli.com

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Health

What You Don’t Know Can Kill Them By Diane Levitan

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erious health hazards for your pet are not just under your roof, but likely right under their noses.

Please make sure your pets are safe from exposure to these common household items

Xylitol: A commonly used sugar substitute found in many sugar-free candies, chewing gums, baked goods, and toothpastes — can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Many common brands that could easily be sitting in your pocketbook, on the counter or in a pocket (Trident, Carefree, Extra, Orbit, some sugar-free Hershey’s products and many other common sugar-free treats and toothpastes).

Even a very small amount can cause shock from low blood sugar and even death in dogs. Check the labels before you buy.

Liquid potpourri: No, you would not expect your pet to lick or drink this warm, fragrant liquid; however, it does happen, and when it does, there are serious consequences. The oils in the potpourri are strong detergents and oils that cause burning of the skin (especially the mucosal surfaces of the mouth, throat and stomach). It seems cats are not only more likely to lick it, but also more severely affected. Keep it out of reach!

Grapes and raisins: As few as five raisins or grapes could cause severe and potentially fatal kidney failure in dogs. No one fully understands what the toxic substance is, but it is not the seeds. Some pets are more susceptible to the effects than others but as yet there is no way to predict it. So, avoid these as treats and keep them out of reach!

Medications: Aspirin, Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), cough syrups, zinc oxide creams, stimulants (caffeine or medications for ADHD), herbal and other metabolic supplements are all potentially dangerous to your pets.

Lilies and other common plants: Very small amounts of lily ingestion can result in fatal kidney failure in cats. Dogs and cats get sick from eating household plants such as holly, poinsettia, azalea, rhododendron, dieffenbachia, oleander, cyclamen and yew. Signs can be vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system, and, in rare cases, death.

Macadamia nuts: Dogs have become dramatically ill from ingesting even a few! The nuts contain an unknown toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and even paralysis. However, most dogs recover within 48 hours of ingestion, fortunately, with or without treatment.

Diane Levitan, VMD, Dipolomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Hospital Director at the Center for Specialized Veterinary Care

Diane Levitan, VMD The Center for Specialized Veterinary Care 609-5 Cantiague Rock Rd. Westbury, NY 11590 516-420-0000 www.vetspecialist.com

Coins, especially pennies: Ingestion of any coins could result in intestinal blockage; however; pennies minted since 1983 are made of zinc and cause breakdown of red blood cells which, if untreated, will likely result in death.

Shoe polish/sealant: Read the label carefully - some products have extremely toxic fumes. Only treat boots or shoes out of doors and away from your children and pets.

The toxic fumes will cause irreversible lung damage to you and your pets.

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The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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3/25/08 12:00:22 AM

2 0 0 8

L I E

G O D S

A N D

G O D D E S S E S

Presented By

SAVE THE DATE You are invited to join Long Island Elite for our highly anticipated fifth annual charity masquerade! Celebrate with us on this truly lavish evening!

MASQUERADE COMMITTEE Event Chair - Dawn Strain - DJS Events Event Co-Chair - Tracey Anastas - Waldners Event Co-Chair - Stacy Sanders - Satty, Levine & Ciacco CPA’s PC

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Tina Altadonna – Satty, Levine & Ciacco CPA’s PC Mark Badami – National Network of Accountants Joshua Baron – CMYK Print Group, Inc. Amee Bay – EAC Nancy Cohen – National Foundation for Human Potential Meaghan K. Maul – OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Christine McCarton – Chernoff Diamond & Co, LLC Lisa Mirabile – Vertigo NY John Palumbo - Diebold Eric Penzer ESQ. - Farrell Fritz, P.C. Bobby Ross - Triple Crown Sports Tammy Severino - The Genesis School/Eden II Programs Dana Sharon - INET National Land Services, LLC Jennifer Wirth - Anton Community News Papers Stephanie S. Zipf - Great Date Now

WHERE & WHEN:

OHEKA CASTLE, COLD SPRING HILLS, NY THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH 2008 @ 6:30PM

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F O R I N F O R M AT I O N A N D S P O N S O R S H I P O P P O R T U N I T I E S , V I S I T U S AT :

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3/27/08 3:16:50 PM

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4/1/08 12:44:25 PM

B

ecoming a rock star may bring you worldly riches and the adoration of millions. But it won’t necessarily finally make you feel alright inside – or so says Adam Duritz, lead singer of superband the Counting Crows. I will take him at face value; he knows better than I. Duritz took time on a recent Friday afternoon to discuss this riddle with The Boulevard and the enigmatic singer of one of the world's most popular bands discussed the meaning and imagery behind the band’s new songs.

Counting Crows recently released their first studio record in five years, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, a few weeks ago. The album is a magnum opus of a masterpiece. Its 14 tracks hear the Crows at their best musically – tight and adventurous - pushing the limits of the rambunctious bar band sound that is their trademark.

What has always separated the Counting Crows from being just another bar band was the brutal honesty and raw passion in front man Duritz’s stirring lyrics and vocals.

“We toured on the road for a year while making Hard Candy and then toured another two years after releasing Hard Candy. It went on for a really long time,” said Duritz.

“Initially it was just one record. Saturday Nights was going to be the record. Sunday Mornings came about when my life started to change.”

And it's that “change” that is the defining overtone of this record and the detail on which I pressed Adam to elaborate. Surprisingly candid, Duritz opened up about his personal struggles with alienation and the isolation that comes with being an active rock star. While fame has been very generous to Adam and the rest of the Crows, it hasn’t solved everything for the songwriter, and he isn’t afraid to discuss it.

“I have spent a lot of my life being a creative guy, and obviously I am fine with being creative, but I would also like to have a happy life. At a certain point you think how many more songs to do I have to trade for people? It sure would be nice to stop trading,” he says in a deliberate and reflective tone. “I think I have gotten to the point where I love what I have done with my career and what I have accomplished. It seems really stupid to me to have succeeded in a one-in-a-million dream and not enjoy it. I feel like such a jerk when I think of myself that way. I just wanna grow up a little bit and at least learn to live with being me, otherwise what’s the point in being so lucky?”

This reflection is the thread found throughout Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings, an album whose sonic texture is as authentic and emotional as the ripping lyrics that wrap this exquisite volume of work. The album leads off with "1492," a driving, thumping rocker that on the surface playfully recounts Christopher Columbus’s philanderings by year. Easily a single, "1492" may be the song that sees the most airplay over the long-term from this collection, though "You Can Count on Me" is already in rotation on satellite radio. The second cut from the album, called "Hanging Tree," is equally infectious, as the swirling guitar vortex is the perfect complement to the lyrics

describing “this dizzy life.”

Duritz was the lead singer for San Francisco-based bands Mod-L Society and The Himalayans before he started Counting Crows. He recorded the first Counting Crows demo in 1991. Astute in music business, Adam started record label E Pluribus Unum in 1997, which was purchased by Interscope Records in 2000. In January of 2007, Duritz started label Tyrannosaurus Records. His creative business talents extend into moviemaking also, as he was executive producer of the films The Locusts (1997) and Burn (1998).

The success of the band has been unprecedented.

Counting Crows have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, starting in 1993 with the now iconic song “Mr. Jones” from the debut album August and Everything After. One of the most successful debut albums of any rock band, August sold over seven million copies. In the years since, Counting Crows secured no less than eight Top Five singles: “Mr. Jones,” “Einstein on the Beach,” “Rain King,” “Angels of the Silences,” "A Long December,” “Hangin’ Around,” “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Accidentally in Love.” The song “Accidentally in Love” earned the band an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe nomination.

Duritz is known for his intimate relationship with fans. He maintains a diary on AOL, a blog on the Counting Crows’ official website and responds to notes posted on the Counting Crows' message board. He doesn’t exhibit any self-important ego when talking about his band and his music, and it's this “anti-rock star” persona that may be the secret ingredient to his charisma. How else could a guy who is constantly dwelling on how bad he is feeling be so likeable? likeable?

www.boulevardli.com

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Music

The Boulevard Magazine was invited to shoot the Lakewood, NJ concert in August 2007

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This is a list of what I should’ve been but I’m not This is a list of the things that I should have seen But I’m not seeing you look at me So please won’t you look at me?

Cause I’m not seeing you look at me Oh, I will make you look at me…

Or I am not anything - From “Cowboys”

Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings could be two different records sonically – though thematically they are a perfectly segued set of thoughts. Half the record is straight ahead, rather hard up-tempo rock and the other half is more contemplative coffeehouse-style acoustic introspection.

The result is a journey from the chaos and destructiveness of what a Saturday night would bring to the starting-over recuperation that occurs on a Sunday morning.

“Saturday Nights is about falling apart and Sunday Mornings trying to get better, but a lot of trying to get better is just realizing how bad things have gotten,” shares Duritz.

Perhaps the Saturday song that is the quintessential indication of falling apart is the track “Cowboys” – another potential smash – in which he rants himself into a frustrated froth about the “things I should have been.” Anyone that has ever felt the slightest twinge of regret for the most minute thing will easily identify with this aural drilling.

More recuperation than redemption, the Sunday Mornings section of the record reveals the spectacularly beautiful “When I Dream of Michaelangelo,” which was the track I have been playing over and over again since receiving my advance copy of the album. A simple acoustic song, it calls up vivid imagery personifying the tortured painter creating his own masterpiece. I was eager to talk to Duritz about this song in particular, and we got into a lengthy discussion where he opened up about its meaning: “'Michaelangelo' I started writing a long time ago and I didn’t get very far. I always looked at that painting of God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel as Adam is reaching out to God but he can't quite touch him, and it only recently occurred to me that perhaps I had it all wrong in my head. It is probably that God just touched Adam and he came to life, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. But I was always obsessed with that concept that as an artist you are always reaching out for something divine, which is that really basic divine act. You are trying to makes something out of nothing,” he shared. “That idea of creating something from nothing is always an obsession for an artist where you are trying to always reach out and touch something divine and you never quite reach it. And the other problem is that you spend your whole life reaching out for exactly that and you don’t necessarily get to connect to other people. 'Michaelangelo' is about that – that aching need to connect with someone else and the total failure to do so. And you are just trying

with your arm outstretched.”

After such a thoughtful and cogent explanation, I asked Adam what the one thing was that he wanted people to connect with regarding this record and whether he felt he had “connected” rather than just reached. I asked this knowing the answer, completely confident that this record will both connect with current Crows fans and pick up armies of new ones.

“This is true. This is how I felt. You can like it or not like it but the bottom line is that it's true.” He mused. “It occurred to me, I wonder if there will even be big records anymore, but as long as people hear this, that's all that matters.”

Many people will hear this record. I would venture to say this will be one of the more important pieces of work of our age. As for authenticity, you would have to be a naked mole rat to miss the sincerity.

www.boulevardli.com

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“Writing songs isn’t medicinal, it's art. People confuse that a lot. Given a day where I feel bad or a day where I feel bad with a song at the end, I will choose B. But it doesn’t fix the day”.

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A

s I write my first column for The Boulevard, I realize I am one of those annoying people who speak and think in song titles. As soon as I sit down to write this column, my first thoughts are “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day, Jackson Browne’s “Boulevard,” Desolation Boulevard from Sweet. Hey, there’s even a NYC rock ’n’ roll band called Boulevard. Yup, I’m one of those dudes.

So why the heck do I do this anyway? Well, I can probably lay most of the blame for this annoying habit on my father, a somewhat legendary (and still active at an advanced age) old-school PR guy; he handled the Stones, Zeppelin, Donovan, CCR and even four guys from a once-small shipping village in the UK. He took our whole family (wife and five kids) in our station wagon (what’s a station wagon, anyway?) to see these lads from Liverpool perform at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. That’s right, I saw the Beatles play live, and yes, I did say Forest Hills Tennis Stadium (still there, by the way) in Queens, NY. The WMCA Good Guys (the very popular Top 40 AM radio station DJs at the time) were there - Harry Harrison, Jack Spector, “Dandy” Dan Daniel - all of them wearing yellow smiley-face sweatshirts on a late August night (this was way before the “Have a Nice Day” T-shirts of the ’70s came out and way before Forrest Gump coined the term). These were hot promo items that the station regularly gave away on-air.

Now, little did I know at that time that one day I, too, would be jumping onstage as a local radio DJ, revving up the crowd, announcing bands from the stage.

But, back to the Beatles concert. The only thing I heard was not the sound of the Beatles’ instruments or their silverthroated vocals, either. All is ever heard at that show was the sound of thousands of teenage girls screaming at the top of their lungs, a sound not unlike about a million locusts all scratching their hind legs in sync. See, the PA systems back then were not what they are today. The whole live concert production experience that we expect at concerts today was non-existent. Think of, say, bringing a boom box into Giants

Stadium, plugging a mic into it and starting to sing. That’s how bad it was. No one heard anything except girls screaming. But, I can say I was there. And Dad, over the years, took me to a million more concerts. Hence, I end up playing in a band, then working in the music biz, first as a PR guy (I am now a “recovering PR person”), but now as an on-air personality on Q104.3 radio. So thanks, Dad! The thing about being on the radio at Q104.3 is, since we are a classic rock station, we never play a bad song!

Which never sucks. And I like to think I do the same with the “new” music show I do on Q, Out of the Box, too. Which leads me to at least one recommendation for this month. If you don’t have it yet, get the new Black Crowes (and I actually did listen to the album before I wrote this review) album Warpaint. Sure, it is what you might expect from the band, a heavy influence of Stones, Faces, Dead…and it even sounds like the ghost of Graham Parsons who was a co-writer on some of the songs (Parsons is another guy from Georgia, just like the Crowes), but will someone please tell me what’s wrong with wearing your musical heart on your sleeve? Can we ask the same question of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant?

Mick and Keith? Steven Tyler and Joe Perry? Haven’t rock’s greatest composers borrowed from their musical influences for years and years, too? Heck, if we could interview Mozart, he would probably say the same thing.

Looking forward to: the new Weezer, Portishead, R.E.M., The Black Keys, Gnarls Barkley, The Breeders, Gavin DeGraw and Steve Winwood.

Until next time…

Jonathan Clarke is an on-air personality with Q104.3fm radio in New York City. For more information, visit q1043.com; keyword JC.

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Music

O

n a recent Friday The Boulevard tramped through the snow to the warmth of The Living Room, one of the last remaining venues in NYC to see great emerging music. We were there to catch Keith and Renee, a singer/songwriter duo from Winnipeg, Canada who were touring through New York that weekend in support of their latest release Revolution – a truly awesome record that mixes old school folk sensibilities with rock overtones and deep genuine lyrics. The 14-song collection is an extraordinary volume of work and may very be the album that brings Keith and Renee the international recognition they deserve after incessant touring for so many years.

Keith MacPherson and Renee Lamoureux play everywhere, and are constantly adding shows and hitting the road.

While the album was recorded with a full band, they travel as a singer/guitar pair falling somewhere between the folk prowess of Simon and Garfunkel and the Indigo Girls. They share the same total command of a room during their set, as Keith will playfully engage the audience with his natural penchant for humor and Renee plays the perfect straight woman. After joking or talking the two will launch into a fast, gripping song with the unique vocal harmony that happens when two musical soul mates are simply meant to sing with one another. After watching them for several years, and being blown away by their new record, it was

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time The Boulevard featured what we believe will be one of the more important acts in 2008. They answered interview questions via e-mail from the frozen Canadian prairie in anticipation of their return to New York in May. How is Revolution different from your first two records?

Renee: Every one of our records has been an evolution for us. We've changed so much from the first to the third album. When we were recording Simple Stuff (#2) our focus was very much about targeting radio, wanting that polished perfect sound, plus Keith and I were switching between lead vocals … with Revolution we wanted the exact opposite! This time in the studio it was all about capturing the real raw sounds, the crackles in the voices, lots and lots of harmonies - we wanted more of an organic feel - to have the true sounds of Keith and Renee … like what you hear in our live shows and I think we got exactly that!

Keith: Yeah, we spent the coldest week of the year in January at temperatures of -50 C recording live in the studio for this album. We flew Creighton (our producer) into Winnipeg and we literally spent the entire time making music and escaping the cold climate, which allowed us to stay inside and focus completely on the

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Keith: Thanks Renee, I am blushing. But in all seriousness, I am so grateful for Renee. We have known each other for so long and have grown together through all the ups and downs that the music business brings. We have celebrated our successes together and have also had huge fights getting lost in the middle of Nebraska. It is amazing when I think about how much life we have shared together and I am honestly so grateful for it all. I love how it feels when we sing together and write songs together. The creative pool just seems to open every time we get together.

Is there one Keith and Renee song that is the quintessential Keith and Renee tune?

Renee: When You're Gone Keith: Renee, that's our breakup song. You are going to depress all the readers. I would currently vote for Good Year or When You're Gone. album. I think it is our most honest and best recording to date.

How much writing do you two do on the road?

Renee: At one time I was writing every single day whether it was on the road or at home. But these days 'm finding [myself ] to be a little more choosy about the writing I do …

I like to make sure I'm inspired and what I'm putting down is meaningful. On the road, I always get inspired. I think it's from all the driving- there's a lot of dead time and silencethat's when the good stuff comes in- when you give it room to breath and let it do its thing!

Keith: I get a lot of my melodies and lyric ideas when I am on the road. Anytime I am inspired I call into my answering machine and sing it into the phone. It is worth the long distance charges.

I know you tour a lot. How many actual dates did you play last year?

Renee: Last year we were recording our album so we played about 100 shows all year but normally it's more like 200-250.

You have referred to each other as musical soul mates - is it fair to say there is some truth that it extends beyond music to a degree? (This is the quote where you both get to say something unbelievably sweet about the other one. If you would like to answer separately and then read each other's quotes in the finished piece, that is fine.)

Renee: I met Keith in 1997- my cousin thought we'd be a good singing pair- I guess she was right! Keith has challenged me so much through my musical career- he is one of my biggest influences. I think it's healthy to have a little of that competitiveness between us (I know I have it) … it definitely keeps me moving towards all my dreams. I never thought I would meet someone that gets the real me (he knows all of the good and the bad!). We're very different in some ways but then in other ways, so much the same … I am very thankful to have him as my partner- I love that guy!

Where exactly are you from in Canada?

Renee: Ile Des Chênes, Manitoba (small French town 20 minutes south of Winnipeg- 1000 people). Grew up on a farm all my life! My great grandpa built our house and my grandpa and dad grew up there - the Lamoureux have been there for over 120 years! (sorry- I went on a bit of a rant there!)

Keith: I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Although I call it Winterpeg, Manitscoldout.

Why is this gonna be a good year?

Renee: ’Cause everything is working out so beautifully just as planned! I'm blessed with an awesome life! Watch for us 2010, Dick Clark New Year's Eve Time Square- we'll be singing this song: This is gonna be a good year- just wait and see!

Keith: Yeah, we want to play our song Good Year in Times Square on New Year’s Eve during the Dick Clark Show. We want to raise the consciousness in the world and spread the message of pro-peace. This can be the year we (as a world) decide to choose peace and love for all.

Catch Keith and Renee: Friday, May 23. 7 p.m.

Location: The Living Room, New York, NY Buy Revolution on iTunes and www.keithandrenee.com Check out more on the band at www.keitheandrenee.com

www.boulevardli.com

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Art Section Art for a Cause Murals By Mitchell Schorr

By Tina Guiomar

I

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n the 1980s, New York City was flooded with Bohemian artists. It was a harmony of living and creating an art culture. At that time, Keith Haring, known for his graffiti art, filled the dreary gray walls of commercial buildings. Graffiti art beautified what was once uninspiring gray, bring life to the downtown neighborhood.

Unfortunately, graffiti art is not the norm of today, it has been replaced by commercialism, ads…bohemia is dead. But there is a resurgence to bring back that once glimmering spark of the public art.

The mural artists are today’s bohemians. Mitchell Schorr, a native New Yorker, wants to bring back public art in a way that not only beautifies run down areas but brings art to people who don’t have the opportunity to see it…children. The inspiration to create murals started when he was a 7-year-old boy, coming off the subway.

He became exposed to the graffiti art on the walls of the subway stations. It stimulated his eyes and gave him the foundation of inspiration that he uses today. He creates murals to get the same sensation of stimuli into the minds of the unexposed youth, to bring something positive and hopeful to their lives.

His mural work started fresh out of college, near his apartment on 42nd street. He saw a strip club wall and decided to breathe new life into the declining neighborhood. This idea to beautify New York continues with “A Day at the Races”, taking a city park wall and turning it into a 3 D horse race, adding a fresh look to the park.

Mitchell’s ideas are to “bring art and different landscapes to a community of children that don’t get the opportunity to visit outside of New York City.” He brings the ocean to New York City at the NYC Wagoner Pool, a public pool, with “A Day at the Schorr”. A 3-D view of the ocean waves was added to the once off white palette of the city pool ground, offering vibrant colors and a warmer

feeling. He continued further into childhood nostalgia with his Ice Cream truck series at the Pool Art Fair in Miami, FL. “ The people were able to interact with the work and also reminisce of better days as kids, when they used to be able to get free ice cream.” At the exhibit, guests were given free ice cream treats from the artist himself.

The work as a whole has one major theme, to bring life into the hearts of those who lack the sensation of happiness, to breathe life into the city, where commercialism seems to dominate every aspect of it. To educate the unexposed public about art. Schorr’s purpose is to have a child or adult “walk away with a positive feeling” instead of art and entertainment bombarding with negativity. To bring Bohemia back to city life.

Day at the Races, mural at NYC Parks Department

Future project at D & D Pools, Downtown Brooklyn

Frank Gifford Trading Card, oil painting

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From the Ice Cream Truck Series, “I Scream! You Scream!

We All Scream For Ice Cream” Miami Art Basel’s “Pool Art Fair”

Tecumsah Playground, New York - Bringing the Southwest desert to New York playgrounds Mitchell Schorr has a permanent exhibit at 520 Eighth Avenue, NYC and at the Fashion Center Space for Public Art and Design with his “Legends” series of one of a kind trading card oil paintings of football legends, like Frank Gifford.

Schorr is currently raising money to create another mural at the D and D pool in Downtown Brooklyn.

Inquiries to donate call 212.695.2910.

Go to www.mitchellschorr.com to view his portfolio. www.boulevardli.com

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Art Section

Within The Composition.. there is Life, Music, and History

By Tina Guiomar

A

s a fine arts student, I have always had a mentor who helped me refine my artwork. Lloyd McNeill had been my professor at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. He was my figure drawing professor for three years. As a teacher, he utilized his refined skills as an artist and implanted them in his students. This refinement can be seen in all of his work. Utilizing the space to create a composition has been embedded in my head since I was a student and is a prime foundation to his work.

Lloyd McNeill is an artist of many talents. He is a renowned jazz flutist, a painter, a poet and a photographer. In all aspects of his work there are two components that are constant: his Afro-American experience and the utilization of the space in the composition.

Growing up as an African-American, his experiences transpire through his work in “the humor, the music and the colors.” He had minimal exposure to African art but there is a prominent similarity “Pugilist”, to African art in his work, similar to Picasso’s cubist period … a deBlack and White Digital Composition fragmentation of the figures and the space, as in McNeill’s Pugilist composition.

McNeill’s compositions are lines and figures that interact with the space; every aspect of the space is utilized. He explains, “My sense of composition develops its shape, in a sense, from the needs of the expression, so that if I need movement, a composition that has movement relative to the direction I’m going in, then I’ll do that.”

During our conversation, he began drawing with a black ink pen in his sketchbook, creating a figure of a woman. He has this uncanny ability to have an “unconscious reaction to the moment that’s generated from somewhere, somehow.”

Spending time with Lloyd McNeill is always an educational experience. I am always left enlightened and with a new perspective to not just art, but life. His work is visually complex and has a musical liveliness, a similar feeling to when you listen to his jazz music or read his poetry. His many talents are all integrated. As an artist with years of experience traveling the world and teaching, his work has a visual refinement that conveys to the viewer that this artist is truly a master of his craft.

To View Lloyd McNeill’s Collective Works Vist www.lloydmcneill.com “The Repayment of the Muse” 4’ x 6’ Acrylic, 1988 124

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3/26/08 11:50:44 AM

Sports

reat moments demand interpretation by greatness. The spectacular needs explanation by sources on equal par. Then and only then can it be truly put into context. After one of the most exciting Superbowl games of all time, the world was buzzing with discussion about how the Giants managed to beat the undefeated New England Patriots. New Yorkers spoke of the game with a certain afterglow never before observed in modern sports history. For a moment, in the week after Super Bowl XLII, that feeling of unity transcended whether you were a Giants fan or a Jets fan or even a sports fan. New York had shown the world it could still kick some ass. It felt good. But out of all the fanfare and hoopla in the days after, few things compare to meeting one of the greatest Giants who ever played for lunch to talk about the game in a historic Giants’ haunt. Jason Feinberg and I sat down at old Giants’ hangout P J Clarke’s with football and broadcasting legend Frank Gifford on the Thursday after the Super Bowl for the ultimate armchair quarterback discussion.

Before we get into a discussion about our afternoon, let’s shed a little light on what makes Gifford a legend.

Frank Gifford played in the NFL for the Giants from 1952 to 1964. He played both defense and offense. He won the MVP award in 1956. He made eight Pro Bowls as a defensive back, running back and wide receiver. He scored 77 career touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. His entire career took place before there was such a thing as the Superbowl.

Immediately after retiring in 1964, Gifford went into broadcasting and for the next 27 years was a network sportscaster for CBS and ABC, and host of Monday Night Football and ABC Wide World of Sports, where he was the commentator for several Olympics, boxing tournaments, Evil Knievel's daredevil television specials and one of his favorite sports – skiing.

We were eager to discuss the game as well as his many years on the air, so I casually opened with an obvious question. I asked him what he thought of the Super Bowl.

“In the final two minutes I was watching my son more than the game. He is 17 and goes to all the home games.

He goes down in the tunnel before the game. It’s like the Romans and the lions. That’s the mentality you need for the

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Photo by Charles Bush

game. It’s fun to watch my son’s reaction,” he said. I asked what he thought the defining moment and the turning points were: “Eli’s (Manning) getting away from the sack and getting the ball in deep. He didn’t throw interceptions.

I think Bill Belichick is the best coach in football today – I wouldn’t question any decision he made. Remember, the Patriots only lost one game. That particular game was one of the most exciting things that happened in a long time in any sport.”

To hear someone who’s seen and played in as many games as Gifford say that this Super Bowl was one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting game in a long time was powerful assessment that seemed to sum up the general feeling that every person watching intuitively knew. We had just witnessed a game we likely wouldn’t see again for a long time. But Gifford’s perspective was

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so much broader in scope, and he had lived and worked through so many monumental changes in both football and broadcasting. I asked him what he thought some of the major differences were between when he started as an NFL player and the games now.

“The overall interest is the main thing. One day I realized the audience had really grown up around me - I remember going on the air for the Super Bowl XIX when Miami played the 49ers. Roone Arledge said to me ‘Stand

by Frank; we have a billion and a half people today … good luck - 3,2,1,’” he said laughing. Mortals would be intimidated by such a declarative, but Gifford was a pro in all respects. He had studied acting in college and worked in film while he was playing in the NFL. As he described to us, back then, playing pro football wasn’t really a full-time job, though hard to believe.

“I studied acting at USC, did a lot of stunt work, was in a lot of movies, did a lot of falls. When I was playing football, I would go out to L. A. in the off-season, and I had a contract with Warner Brothers. It helped me enormously when I got into television. Not everybody can do television

- it takes a bit of dramatic flair, and you need to create a situation where everyone is comfortable.”

When asked to mention any standout teams of the last 40 years, he reveals what football fans would call the usual suspects, such as Miami teams with Dan Marino in the 1980s, the 49ers with Joe Montana and the 1980 Steelers. When asked about memorable players and who we may never see the likes of again, he volunteers another answer fans may expect: Jim Brown, against whom he played many games. “He played in 1956, he had incredible numbers. I used to just watch him from the sidelines. There was nobody quite like him. We had to beat Baltimore three times in 1958 and to beat them you had to beat Jim Brown,” he said as Jason and I both nodded. When I asked him what team he thought was best ever, he replied immediately, “These Patriots.”

A lot happened in the air beyond football and sports, though. Gifford’s broadcasting career spanned three decades and many of the important world events happening around him wove their way into sports broadcasts.

Gifford was broadcasting the Olympics in 1972 from Munich when terrorists killed Israeli athletes. It was his broadcast team that fed the news to the American audience as events unfolded in real time.

Gifford was on the air with Howard Cosell in 1980 when John Lennon was shot; he described for us the minutes after getting word of the tragedy and deciding to make an announcement.

“We had an unofficial report from ABC news and were doing the MiamiChicago game. We were in a commercial break and we heard the news. We went to the next break and Howard said when we came out we were going to go with the story. You had this great icon and we didn’t know for sure he was dead; we had a report but we didn’t know. Roone (Arledge) finally came on and told him to go with the story,” he recalled. “John came to one of our games previously. He was fascinated with American football. Howard Cosell was planning to interview an actor at halftime and he turned around and there was John, so Howard said to me, “Gifford, you take the actor - I’ll take the Beatle.”

Gifford has been married to broadcaster and television personality Kathy Lee Gifford since 1986. They have two children - a son and a daughter. Frank goes to most of the home Giants games with his son, and still maintains a very close relationship with the owning families – the Marras and the Tisches. Kathy Lee and Frank are active philanthropists and have devoted considerable effort and treasure to a charity called the Association to Benefit Children, which seeks to provide a safe haven for orphaned youth.

“Kathy and I built a home for children on East 86th Street called the Association to Benefit Children. It’s founded and run by a saint that we met over 25 years ago.

She takes in children that are medically fragile or orphaned and takes care of them and gets them back on their feet www.boulevardli.com

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Sports and then gets them adopted. Kathy and I met her on a telethon. She was taking care of about eight kids at the time and had a vision of making it bigger. So Kathy and I built a home for her. Her name is Gretchen Buchenholz,” he describes, and reveals that he spends the bulk of his time working with this organization.

As our lunch came to and end, I couldn’t help feel a tremendous sense of privilege to have had the opportunity to have discussed the recent Super Bowl with someone who knew more about the game than most fans will ever

understand. This from a guy who told us that one of the main differences today than from when he played is that players train all year-round as opposed to the seasonal training he endured when pro football was considered a part-time job. That, and his observation that players today are bigger, faster and stronger than his teammates and opponents back in the 1950s. But greatness speaks for itself – Gifford was able to do as a 195-pound running back what most pro players today only hope to achieve. And that day, greatness had spoken again.

“Roone Arledge and our team believed in something that I think we’ve made a mistake in getting away from when you see so many talking heads today, which was what was happening on the field. What people are really interested in are the people. They are interested in the athletes involved and what they are all about and weaving that into your story was very important to him. He changed the whole tone of broadcasting, not just sports.”

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3/26/08 5:45:22 PM

Sports

March of Dimes Long Islanders walk

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alkAmerica, held at four locations on Long Island, raised $1,000,000 in 2007 to help save babies. The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: Prematurity, bith defects, and low birthweight.

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4/1/08 2:14:32 PM

Sports

Race Palace Is Sure Bet for a Winning Time

By Noel Michaels

T

here’s no such thing as a sure thing in the sport of horseracing, but when it comes to finding a place for your next great party, fundraiser, or fun night out, the Race Palace in Plainview is Long Island’s best bet.

Once hailed as “Long Island’s Best Kept Secret,” the word is out on the fabulous Race Palace, which is quickly becoming known as one of the area’s best party and entertainment venues, as well as a hub for non-stop racing and sporting excitement.

The Race Palace, located at the site of the former Vanderbilt catering hall and concert venue, has been recently transformed into a state-of-the-art three-story entertainment complex thanks to a multi-million-dollar makeover by Nassau Downs Off-Track Betting (OTB). The Race Palace features two restaurants and two bars in addition to a spacious and versatile party room and event space on the Race Palace’s top-floor mezzanine with an open floor plan overlooking all the action.

“The Race Palace is more of a posh atmosphere than people would expect,” said Nassau Downs marketing director Kevin Doolin. “You walk into the Race Palace’s swank art deco lobby for the first time, and suddenly you feel like you’ve been transported to Las Vegas. The complex is filled with character and decorated to be very warm and inviting.”

The first floor of the Race Palace is home to the highend Maxwell & Dunne’s Steakhouse and Bar, a magnet for the area’s affluent and professional clientele. Upstairs, however, is where the action at the Race Palace really heats up.

“You take the elevator upstairs and step out into another world,” Doolin says. “No matter if you’re a racing fan, a sports fan, someone who’s throwing a great party, or someone who’s out on the town for a good meal and a good time, the Race Palace truly has something for everyone.”

The Race Palace has worked hard to cultivate its Las Vegas-style atmosphere with the goal of appealing to a wide range of entertainment-minded people. The Palace features an eye-catching 120-foot video wall and hundreds of flat-screen TV monitors broadcasting the country’s best thoroughbred and harness racing, as well as live sporting events from New York and around the country. The casinolike main entertainment level also features a bar and a casual café with a full menu in addition to the horse races.

“Any bet you can make at the track, you can make at the Race Palace,” Doolin said. “Except here, unlike at the track and elsewhere in Long Island, you can do all of your wagering in a clean, fun, upscale venue that has set the industry standard for places like it around the world.”

The upscale surroundings make the Race Palace’s topfloor party room the ultimate spot for almost any kind of social gathering including retirement parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday parties, holiday parties, or Night at the Races group outings for companies and clubs of all sizes. In fact, the Race Palace has recently introduced its new Night at the Races packages that are a perfect

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option for those looking for the ideal spot to hold their next wildly successful fundraising event.

“Maybe you belong to Kiwanis or the Elks, or the Sons of Italy or B’nai B’rith. Perhaps you work on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or some other charitable foundation that needs some new ideas for its next function,” says Nassau Downs’ Night at the Races pointman Stephen Anchin. “Well I say, look no further! The Race Palace is the perfect setting for any kind of event, any time of the year.”

The Night at the Races program features a variety of delectable menu options for functions and fundraisers of all sizes. Lunch, dinner, and cocktail party options are available, and all menus offer a wide range of hot and cold appetizers, entrees, and multiple beverage options including an unlimited premium open bar.

If you do pay a visit to the Race Palace, or decide to host or attend an upcoming party there, you can be assured of having a great time whether or not you decide to place a bet. If you do choose to try your luck, however, the Race Palace always has a friendly team of customer service reps on hand to help out bettors of all experience levels. Either way, it's a sure bet you will have a winning time at the Race Palace.

If you are interested in finding out more about a Night at the Races at the Race Palace, please contact assistant marketing director Stephen Anchin at 516 572-2800 x.

190, or visit the Race Palace at 1600 Round Swamp Rd. in Plainview, right off the LIE at Exit 48.

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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Business Finance Navigating the Emotional Pitfalls of INvesting

By Larry Seiden

W

hat leads investors to act as they do? Although we would like to believe that all of our decisions are based upon sound judgment, it’s easy enough to conclude that emotions may play a role in the decision-making process. In fact, an entire academic field, behavioral finance, has emerged in recent years in an attempt to explain how emotions and cognitive errors influence investors and the decisions that they make.

The Current Roller Coaster Ride Of course, it’s not easy for even sophisticated investors to remain in total control of their emotions given the recent volatility in the markets. After all, the Dow Jones Industrial Average took but three months to jump from 13,000 to its alltime high of 14,000.41 on July 19—only to give everything back within three weeks. It’s only natural that some investors bolstered by the upswing have been made uneasy, to say the least, by subsequent events.

But as Warren Buffett has been quoted as saying: “You have to be able to control yourself; you can’t let your emotions get in the way of your mind.” Doing that requires recognizing the feelings that lead you to act in a certain manner.

Taking Your Emotional Pulse What are the most common emotional responses that can lead investors to make mistakes?

Acting rashly It’s easy to panic when you see the value of your portfolio fall precipitously. But all buy and sell decisions should be made calmly, based upon reflection and not upon a knee-jerk reaction. Neither hunches about where the market might be headed nor the casual advice of family or friends should play a role in maintaining your portfolio.

Avoiding action The converse is true as well. Have you ever made a sell decision in your head, yet failed to act upon it? Procrastination is a fairly common problem for investors—common enough that psychologists who counsel financial advisors have put a name to it: divestiture anxiety. Some behavioral finance professionals theorize that investors are affected deeply by whether their investments were bought for more or less than the current price. Selling brings on such emotions as pain, regret and even embarrassment—feelings that everyone seeks to avoid.

Giving Too Much Weight to Recent Market Activity It can be dangerous to draw conclusions based upon current events. Typically, says Robert J. Shiller, a notable figure in behavioral finance, people give too much weight to recent experience and extrapolate recent trends that are inconsistent with long-term trends and statistical odds. As a result, they tend to become more optimistic when the market rises and more pessimistic when it falls.

Seeking Safety in a Crowd The “herding” instinct is a strong one. It may feel wrong in one’s mind to deviate from group consensus. That reminder is an important one and a good way to wrap up this discussion: Your approach to investing has to be individualized and must reflect your personal circumstances and goals. Therefore, it is your own knowledge and interpretation of events and conditions, as well as the guidance of professional advisors that, in the end, will serve you best.

Larry Seiden is a financial consultant with Bethpage Financial Services, a division of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Larry will listen to your concerns and suggest solutions to help you define and meet your expectations.

Larry can be reached at 516-349-6774 Securities offered by and financial consultants registered with UVEST Financial Services, member FINRA, SIPC. UVEST and Bethpage Financial Services are independent entities.

Not NCUA Insured Not Credit Union Guaranteed May Loss Value Not Guaranteed by any Government Agency Not a Credit Union Deposit

134

The Boulevard • April - May 2008

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