wagmag December 2011 by Westfair Business Journal

december 2011

Lucie Arnaz: Gotta love her Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t she sweet?

Celebrating our makeover winner

Honey of a couple

Distilling new spirits

naughty

Wilde boy of poetry Alex Dimitrov channels Oscar

The many sides of Robert Cuccioli

or nice

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december 2011

NICE AND ELEGANT

Model Judith LeGall strikes a regal pose at Saks Fifth Avenue in Stamford on a Baroque-style leopard-print chair provided by United House Wrecking in Stamford, for WAG’s nice theme. Her elegant ensemble, styled by Saks, features a knitted mink scarf by The Fur Salon, $1,500; an Aidan Mattox gown, $375; and Marco Bicego earrings, $1,980, all at Saks. “This year, it’s all about fur. This knitted mink scarf has no lining so it makes it very movable… and warm,” said June Laben of The Fur Salon at Saks. "The dramatic tulle gown with its cinched waist, embroidery and gold details – all ’40s references and so girly,” said Saks personal shopper Susan Peyser.

NAUGHTY OR NICE 12 14 18 22 24 26 30 32 34 38

DANCE FEVER ISN'T IT BROMANTIC? BAD TO THE BONE NO HYDE-ING BEHIND JEKYLL HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS SWEET CHARITY GAME FACE THE QUEER POETS’ SOCIETY At home with martha ’TIS A GIFT TO BE SELFLESS

42 The ADVENTURES OF NEW LYANNE 49 WE LOVE LUCIE 54 DESTINATION: INDULGENCE 57 MAG MAN 62 PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ 64 NEAT, NOT SWEET 66 PARTY GIRL 68 time to celebrate Photograph by Anthony Carboni Cover photograph by ©David Bravo

速

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11/16/11 12:30 PM

december 2011

Features

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We wonder: What is the nicest – or naughtiest – thing you’ve done this year?

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Michael Cacace, an attorney at Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, is on the nice side of our “Naughty or Nice” theme. He’s wearing a “timeless” navy Brioni suit of wool and cashmere with narrow rope stripes, $5,395; with a 100 percent cotton dress shirt by Charvet, $495; and a 100 percent silk woven stripe tie, $215 –– fashioned and set at Richards in Greenwich. And of course, this stylish gent has his Baccarat decanter nearby.

8 Meet the visitors 10 Editor’s letter

Photograph by Anthony Carboni

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Greenwich Hospital is not only the most highly recommended hospital* by patients in all of Connecticut… but in the Tri-State area, too. That’s just a winning start. Because, over the past few years, Greenwich Hospital has been awarded many prestigious awards and accolades. Some of which include:

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PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dee DelBello FOUNDING PUBLISHER Mary Ann Liebert MANAGING EDITOR Bob Rozycki EDITOR Georgette Gouveia ART DIRECTOR Caitlin Nurge DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY David Bravo SENIOR STAFF EDITOR Kelly Liyakasa CLASS & SASS COLUMNISTS Martha Handler • Jennifer Pappas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Anthony Carboni • Ryan Doran • Bob Rozycki MEDICAL SPECIALISTS Dr. Michael Rosenberg • Dr. Erika Schwartz FEATURES ADVISER David Hochberg

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All news, comments, opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations in WAG are those of the authors and do not constitute opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations of the publication, its publisher and its editorial staff. No portion of WAG may be reproduced without permission.WAG is distributed at select locations, mailed directly and is available at $12 a year for home or office delivery. To subscribe, call (914) 694-3600, ext. 3020. All advertising inquiries should be directed to Susan Barbash at (914) 358-0746 or email sbarbash@ westfairinc.com. Advertisements are subject to review by the publisher and acceptance for WAG does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service. WAG (Issn: 1931-6364) is published monthly and is owned and published by Westfair Communications Inc. Dee DelBello, CEO, dd@wagmag.com Michael Gallicchio, Chief Operating Officer Marie Orser, Chief Financial Officer

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, who contributed the piece on her friends Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill, is well known in the arts community as the founding executive director of the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts in Mount Kisco and a longtime violinist (now retired) with the New York City Ballet Orchestra. Besides private teaching, Bira studies ballroom dancing with Yuri Tsarev at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bedford Hills. She and her husband, Joseph, a violinist, live in Goldens Bridge.

Lucie Arnaz, pictured at home, makes a point with WAG reporters. Photograph by Bob Rozycki

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editor's Letter Georgette Gouveia

For the very special month of December, we at WAG have had great fun making our list and checking it twice to tell you who’s been naughty or nice. If there’s a nicer woman than our cover girl Lucie Arnaz, we’ve yet to meet her. The child of showbiz royalty, Lucie grew up as America’s daughter, displaying each week in our living rooms the comedic chops and spirit of mom Lucille Ball and the musical gifts of dad Desi Arnaz. She opens up to our gal about town Kelly Liyakasa about her parents, her career and life in Weston with equally talented hubby, Laurence Luckinbill. What can we say? We love Lucie. But there’s lots to love in this issue, as our beloved Waggers have been busier than Santa’s elves. Zoë Zellers has been shopping for richly textured tights and sequined shoes as well as trying on naughty/nice party makeup (with home stylist Patricia Espinosa) so you don’t have to. Zoë’s also been playing fairy godmother to our makeover contest winner, Lyanne Augustyn, who unveils the sexy woman inside these pages. We continue our Celebrate Naughty or Nice tour with Zoë’s classy/sexy looks for guys and gals and Patricia’s nice bedroom and naughty boudoir. Of course, it is possible to be naughty and nice. Just ask our wheelman Ryan Doran, who plumbs the rugged refinement of Bond, James Bond in his piece on the Aston Martin. Or talk to house goddess Mary Shustack, who chats with Greenwich party planner Brett Galley about the elegantly extravagant events she’s conjured and Mark Kramer of Susan Lawrence catering in Chappaqua about his sinful offerings. When we say naughty, we don’t mean really bad, of course. We mean baaaad – sexy, playful, with a little edge. I have an email conversa-

OOPS

In the article “Divine Grace” that appeared on page 24 of the November issue of WAG, the name of the organization Falun Gong was misspelled. Apologies to Shen Yun Performing Arts, the subject of the article, and to our readers. – The Editor

10 MKTG17925_DERRIC.indd 1

tion with rising poet Alex Dimitrov, who’s Wilde about Oscar and the literary salon. Patricia faces off with hockey enforcer Trevor Gillies, who reveals a softer side as well as his decorating tips. Kelly goes tête-à-tête with The Cookery’s devilish David DiBari and rakish vodka/nightclub magnate Charles Ferri, while Mary breaks bread with theater star and Westchester fave Robert Cuccioli, who certainly taught us a thing or two about blending naughty and nice in Broadway’s “Jekyll & Hyde.” Oh, but we do love our bad boys, don’t we? In a piece on the b.b. phenom, we round up the usual suspects – the Byrons, the Brandos – and the unusual ones, like magnetic Mariusz Kwiecien, The Met’s current Don Giovanni. And we introduce readers to the publishing world’s newest naughty-nice phenomenon, romance novels and digital fiction written by and for women interested in some guy-on-guy action. It’s a little gift for us ladies.

6/21/2011 4:15:03 PM

Photos: Johanna Weber

“my favorite annual

holiday tradition”

Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8PM

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Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage

John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey Wish You a Swingin’ Christmas Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor Essential Voices USA, Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor The New York Pops annual holiday concerts are one of Carnegie Hall’s most festive traditions. This December, jazz power couple John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey swing seasonal favorites from the era when Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney ruled the airwaves.

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Dance fever Celebrate the beat and move your feet By Georgette Gouveia In Euripides’ “The Bacchae,” the Greek god Dionysus – he of the ebony tendrils and grapebearing ways – seeks revenge on his Theban cousin, King Pentheus, for the family’s disrespectful treatment of the god’s mother, Semele. (Oh, those mama’s boys.) And Dionysus does so in a way that inverts the mother-son relationship and brings everyone full circle. Just as Semele was destroyed so Dionysus might live, so Pentheus will be inexorably drawn to the Bacchae, or Maenads – the god’s ecstatic, dancing female followers – and be unwittingly torn limb-from-limb by his own entranced mother, Agave. Talk about a hard night of partying. “The Bacchae” encapsulates the paradox and push-pull history of celebration. However we might virtuously try to resist the spiked eggnog, the extra smidge of gingerbread with that soupçon of whipped cream, the indiscreet buss under the mistletoe, the conga line that makes us look like fools on YouTube, the toes nonetheless get to tapping and the lips get to smacking. We’re like Scarlett O’Hara, feet flashing under her widow’s weeds. Turns out Scarlett may have been hard-wired to do so. In her kinetic book “Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy,” Barbara Ehrenreich explains that humans have been celebrating up a storm before history and language. Some 10,000 years ago, our ancestors made masks, painted themselves with red ochre, grabbed sticks and branches and shook their booties. They even took 12

the time to record the festivities in cave paintings of stick figures accompanied by animals – the party snaps of the Paleolithic era. Five thousand years later, the Mesopotamians, Chinese, Israelites and especially the Greeks would perform dances, both formal and frenzied, that seemed to have more to do with spirituality and hunting than with sex and fertility. The Hebrews and the Romans – who were not quite

“The Bacchae” encapsulates the paradox and pushpull history of

celebration.

as loosey-goosey as the Greeks, despite their orgies and Saturnalia (a precursor of the secular side of Christmas) – tried to put the kibosh on kicking up the heels. Wouldn’t want to get the rabble too aroused, would we? Ultimately, the late-medieval Church succeeded in banning dance from worship in its pew-less cathedrals, even though Ehrenreich draws some provocative parallels between Jesus and Dionysus (charismatic leadership, transcendent ritual, ecstatic female following). Nevertheless, joy will out. No dancing in the aisles? Well, then, take it to the streets. And thus, Carnival – the period before Lent culminating in Mardi Gras, or Fat

Tuesday – was born, with its parades, floats, masquerades, feasts and, at least from Hollywood’s perspective, trysts. The decadent aspect of Carnival is played for laughs in the delightful “Casanova” and assumes a more sinister air the brilliant “The Wings of the Dove,” based on Henry James’ novel of duplicitous love. While both films are set in Venice, Carnival and Mardi Gras are also key aspects of the cultures of New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, where less is definitely more when it comes to costuming. Ehrenreich’s chapters on Carnival reveal a familiar pattern in the history of celebrations. Someone suppresses an occasion. Someone else finds a new avenue for it. It’s as if “Footloose” were playing over and over again. Is it any surprise that the 1984 charmer is back as a remake? Gotta dance, as the song says. “Dancing in the Streets” cleverly connects the dots between Dionysian ritual and the orgiastic rock concerts of the 1960s and ’70s as well as the agony and the ecstasy of sporting events. Others don’t need a U.S. Open win to break out the bubbly. They’re making up their own rituals to mark special occasions in their own lives or meaningful dates, like Nov. 30, which is not only the feast day of St. Andrew and the birth anniversary of Mark Twain and photojournalist/filmmaker Gordon Parks but the anniversary of the unearthing of an important statue of Pharaoh Rameses II. It’s all in “Chase’s Calendar of Events,” an annual guide to 12,500 occasions in 194 countries. Kind of comforting to know, isn’t it? Right now even as you read this, there’s a party somewhere. n

Ten Days to Celebrate

OK, so you missed the 10th anniversary of the unearthing of the statue of Ramesses II in Egypt (Nov. 30). There’s still plenty to celebrate in December: Dec. 1 – National Tie Month begins. Go ahead, tie one on. Dec. 2 – Anniversary of the patenting of the safety razor (in 1901). Just in the nick of time. Dec. 7 – Birth anniversary of Marie Grosholtz Tussaud, alias Mme. Tussaud (born in 1761), the woman who gave new meaning to the phrase “waxworks.” Dec. 10 – National Day of the Horse. We salute the four-legged creatures everywhere. Dec. 16 – A twofer: On this day, Jane Austen was born at Steventon, Hampshire, England (1775), and Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany (1770). Crack open your copy of “Pride and Prejudice.” Conduct your CD of Beethoven’s Fifth. Dec. 21 – Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, begins! Light the first candle of the menorah. Spin the dreidel. Enjoy those latkes. Dec. 25 – Merry Christmas! (Also Happy Birthday, Bogie and Cab Calloway.) Dec. 26 – Kwanzaa –the eight-day African-American festival of harvest and family unity – begins, so Happy Kwanzza!. (Also Happy St. Stephen’s Day and Boxing Day. Give a gift to someone who performs a service for you.) Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve. Break out the bubbly. Cut yourself a slice of Junior’s cheesecake. Pop Fred and Ginger’s “Top Hat” into the DVD player. Celebrate making it through another year. (Source: “Chase’s Calendar of Events 2011.”)

The love that once dared not speak its name is now the fastest-growing segment of romance and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s written by and for women. Here, some sensual selections from Carina Press, a digital first imprint from Harlequin.

beyond bromantic Male romance – heat between the lines By Georgette Gouveia

ere’s a parlor game to play at an adult holiday party. Grab your iPhone or iPad. (Come on, you know you brought it.) Type in the name of your favorite male actor or athlete, followed by the words “fan fiction” or “slash.” Now open a file for a present that you may find naughty or nice. Or you might want to consider as stocking stuffers some of these titles by Carina Press, a new, digital-first imprint from Harlequin – works like “The Gladiator’s Master,” “Dark Edge of Honor” and “Spice ’n’ Solace.” Here’s an excerpt from Carina Press’ recently published “Muffled Drum” by the pseudonymous Erastes that’s set against the steamy, stifling backdrop of an army encampment in 19th-century Bohemia: Rudolph’s mouth grazed Mathias’s ear. The curls artfully arranged beside it tickled his nose. He spoke quietly so only Mathias could hear, well aware that his batman and an entire army were on the other side of their canvas walls…. Warmth generated between them everywhere they touched, skin and cloth. A moment stolen from days of marching and madness, a center of heat between them, in sharp contrast to the chill morning wind, which whuffed the canvas of the tent. Mathias stirred, his arms locking more firmly behind Rudolph’s back. “Tomorrow. Even now I can’t quite believe it...” Welcome to the world of male/male romance fiction, a

sub-genre of the erotic romances released by such imprints as Carina and Running Press. M/M romance is also a subgenre of fan fiction, stories created on the web that revolve around characters originally developed in novels (Harry Potter, “Twilight”), movies (“Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings”) and TV series (“Star Trek,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). More specifically, this kind of fan fiction is known as slash, so-called for the mark (/) that goes between the names of the beloveds. Besides slash about fictional characters like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, there’s RPF (real person fiction) slash. Here the fictional personae of contemporary celebs as diverse as “Sherlock Holmes” costars Robert Downey Jr./Jude Law; friendly tennis rivals Novak Djokovic/Rafael Nadal; and Olympic BFFs Ryan Lochte/Michael Phelps declare the love that formerly dared not speak its name, giving new meaning to the words “chemistry,” “doubles” and “preliminary heat.” Surprised? Shocked? Titillated? Well, hold on for the biggest jolt: These are works written by and for females ranging from teen princesses to golden girls. And while they can span what Carina Press Executive Editor Angela James calls “sweet heat” to erotica – in other words, a PG to a hard R – they are hotter than the proverbial hotcakes when it comes to the all-important hits and bucks. Male/male romance fiction is the fastest-growing subgenre of the multimillion-dollar romance industry, says

Ogi Ogas, co-author (with Sai Gaddam) of the recent “A Billion Wicked Thoughts,” a delicious exploration of what the Internet tells us about the differences between male and female desire. In terms of slash, which uses disclaimers, warnings and the fact that it is not for sale to avoid lawsuits and copyright infringement, the picture is equally impressive – some two million stories seen by 40 million to 70 million pairs of eyeballs, Ogas says. (The larger category of fan fiction contains five million to 10 million stories viewed by 100 million surfers.) Literature, of course, has a long tradition of historical fiction (Irving Stone’s Van Gogh-inspired “Lust for Life”), homages (Jean Rhys’ “Jane Eyre”-prequel “Wide Sargasso Sea”) and roman à clefs (Truman Capote’s scandalous “Answered Prayers”). Credit, though, our post-feminist, gayfriendly, digital age for the female-driven M/M phenomenon, which draws on these earlier literary traditions: “The Internet itself has been a revolution for women,” Ogas says. “Before, sexual content was for and by men. With the Internet, (women’s erotica) exploded.” The Internet provides both male and female writers with a fluid intellectual assembly line – a research center in the form of search engines, unending subject matter, a voracious 24/7 fan base and now, a publishing arm. But it offers women something more – the anonymity that

They’ll be

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Jane Austen and the Brontës used to find a place in a male world. “There’s privacy and security,” Ogas says. Still, opportunity is not the same as desire. Why would a woman want to write and read about two men having sex? (It may not be such a provocative question: Women, after all, drove the box office for “Brokeback Mountain,” which was based on a story by a woman, Annie Proulx.) “It’s like asking why women are interested in vampires or Harry Potter,” Carina Press’ Angela James says. “Just like men find it hot to see two women together, women find it hot to see two men together.” Ogas agrees. “When women read romance novels, they’re interested in the male character, a strong, masculine man who reveals a softer side.” With M/M romance, “you’re doubling your pleasure, doubling your fun.” Gender and sexuality expert Wendy McKenna, a psychologist who is a professor at Purchase College, however, sees this in another light. The girl-on-girl sex in male pornography is fulfilled only by the advent of a male participant, she says. In m/m romance, there’s no female partner: “It’s not as if Paul Newman turns to Robert Redford and says, ‘Darling, everything would be perfect if we had a woman.’” Ogas counters by saying that what men are responding to in lesbian porn is not the ultimate presence of a man but the visual cues. What many seem to agree on is that M/M romance is about control. “Women enjoy a dominant man, but they don’t want a submissive woman, which you get in some romance,” Ogas says. “(M/M fiction) is a safer way to explore dominance and submission without putting the woman in danger.”

Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. attend the premiere of "Sherlock Holmes." Photograph courtesy of Soul Brother/Contributor

“In the real world, power is in the hands of men,” McKenna says. “Here’s a chance for the women to create a world where they are in charge of what men do, and because it is not just about sex – the way (gay and straight) porn is – they are in charge of where the men go and what they wear and say. It’s a drama they write, produce and direct.” Because of this, James says, M/M romance is sensual rather than just sexual. Think of it as a road trip, she says: The men want to get to the destination. The women want to stop and enjoy the journey. The result is some very good writing, says James, a fan of fiction inspired by the short-lived sci-fi series “Firefly.”

Indeed, slash about Downey/Law, Djokovic/Nadal, Lochte/Phelps is often amusing, tender, sensuous and heartfelt. And something else besides – freeing. “Both men and women have a natural interest in what it would be like to be on the other side,” Ogas says. The newest fiction craze lets the female writer and reader bridge the divide in the nicest naughty way. n

Sites for further reading Fanfiction.net • Adultfanfiction.net • Archiveofourown.com • Livejournal.com

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Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien, starring in The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” thinks you need to be a little bit good to be bad. 18

Bad to the bone Scoundrels, knaves, rogues and rebels through the ages By Georgette Gouveia In the 1953 movie “The Wild One,” Marlon Brando stars as Johnny Strabler, the blue-jeaned, leather-jacketed, peak-capped leader of The Black Rebels Motorcycle Club, who vrooms into the sleepy and appropriately named town of Wrightsville, Calif., looking for trouble. “What are you rebelling against, Johnny?” one of the town nymphs wonders, perhaps not so innocently. “Whaddaya got?” Johnny snarls in reply. Ooh, the bad boy, such a rebel with or without a cause, right? A staple of cultural history from the ancient Greek epic to Baroque art, from Romantic poetry to ’50s’ Method acting, the bad boy archetype abounds. Google “bad boy,” and you’ll get close to 92 million results. The bad boy is a driving force particularly on reality TV and such supernatural shows as The CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” in which Ian Somerhalder holds sway as Damon, the no-goodnik, bloodsucking older bro of goody-goody vamp Stefan (Paul Wesley), in their eternal pursuit of the inviolate Elena (Nina Dobrev). It’s all bad news for wary fathers, good news for teenage girls (and notso-secretly, their mothers). When it comes to the bad boy, beware of ancient Greeks bearing gifts, namely Homer’s “The Iliad,” which introduces us to one of the earliest bad boys, the antihero Achilles. A king in his own right and the Greeks’ best fighter in the Trojan War, Achilles should be coasting to victory and a hero’s homecoming. But no, no, he has to choose a short, glorious life over a long, merely distinguished one; show up the incompetent boss, King Agamemnon; and then go into a fit of rage over the loss of best bud Patroclus, nearly costing the Greeks the big “W.” And don’t even get us started on the heel thing. Not surprisingly, the spirit of Achilles imbued one of the most gorgeous bad boy turns in the 1950s, Montgomery Clift’s Robert E. Lee Prewitt in “From Here To Eternity” in which Clift utters the ultimate Achillean line: “A man don’t go his own way, he’s nothing.”

But Achilles was a source of inspiration as well for artists in the Italian Renaissance and in the Italian Baroque period, which produced a genuine bad boy – Caravaggio. Portrayer of leering, lubricious, low-rent boys and a murderous street fighter, Caravaggio was equally skilled with a paintbrush and a knife. The Baroque period also saw what is believed to be the first published account of one of literature’s great bad boys – Don Juan. Since 1630 when

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And that is the thing about the bad boy: All his attractive rules-breaking bravado wouldn’t be worth a damn if somewhere underneath there didn’t beat a great heart that makes him vulnerable and worthy of redemption.

Tirso de Molina published “The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest” in Spain, Don Juan has had myriad incarnations, including “Don Juan DeMarco,” with Johnny Depp as a sensual psychiatric patient who liberates Brando’s world-weary shrink, and Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” which has been revived by The Metropolitan Opera this season with a new production starring Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien. One of the greatest “Don Juans” is an epic poem created by a man who could’ve given the devilish Don a run for his money – Lord Byron, who with bad-boy BFF Percy Bysshe Shelley put the capital “R” in Romantic poetry at the 19th century’s dawn. Leaving a legacy of debt, scandal, liaisons with both sexes and even an incestuous affair with his half-sister, Byron was in the famous words of one lover, Lady

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Mojca Erdmann and Mariusz Kwiecien Courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera

Caroline Lamb, “mad, bad and dangerous to know.” But an artist and a muse nonetheless. In her book “Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence From Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson,” critic Camille Paglia suggests that Emily Brontë channeled Byron to create Heathcliff, the charismatically heathenish, demonically self-possessed antihero at the heart of “Wuthering Heights.” Even bad-boy Byron, however, was ultimately a self-sacrificing do-gooder, dying in pursuit of Greek independence in 1824 at the ripe old age of 36. And that is the thing about the bad boy: All his attractive rules-breaking bravado wouldn’t be worth a damn if somewhere underneath there didn’t beat a great heart that makes him vulnerable and worthy 20

of redemption. (Think James Dean in the 1955 film “Rebel Without a Cause.”) Kwiecien, The Met’s current “Don Giovanni,” said as much himself when he told Opera News that in presenting the Don “we have to give not only lots of devil, we need also some angel. I don’t think that if any woman would meet on the street a man without this soft, sugar-ish thing … no woman would go with that man after two minutes … it has to be dangerous, but it has to be also sweet and honey-like.” And so Ian Somerhalder’s Damon on “The Vampire Diaries” is becoming more sympathetic this season, perhaps in the way of all great TV villains. But just as bad boys need a little good to be truly bad, good boys have a bit of bad in them as well.

One of the most notable good boys on the tube is Jamie Reagan, a key character on CBS’ entertaining albeit insufferably noble “Blue Bloods.” Jamie, played by Will Estes with an enchanting sweetness that belies a steely will, is so noble that despite having a degree from Harvard Law School, he enlists with New York’s Finest after his brother Joe is killed in the line of duty. Their older brother, Danny (series star Donnie Wahlberg), is always riding the rookie, calling him “Bambi” and reminding him he’s “not in Cambridge anymore.” But Jamie is not above bending the rules when it comes to investigating a network of rogue cops single-handedly or helping a damsel in distress. Maybe the good boys are the real bad ones. n

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No Hyde-ing behind Jekyll Broadway star lives in the moment By Mary Shustack Photograph by Carol Rosegg

obert Cuccioli isn’t one to sit around and wait for things to happen. “You make your own projects,” he says. And that’s just fine for the actor and singer best-known for originating the title – and dual – role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in Broadway’s “Jekyll & Hyde.” The production, based on the 19thcentury Robert Louis Stevenson novella, opened in 1997 and brought Cuccioli not only an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award but also a Tony Award 22 nomination.

It was also his last time in a Broadway show. “Would I like to be back there? Absolutely, but I haven’t been idle.” And that is an understatement. Cuccioli, you see, has never stopped working, whether it be on stage or screen,

television or concert hall. In early November, for example, he did a workshop of a new musical called “The Piper” for the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York and toward the end of the month took part in “Jacques Brel Returns” at the Triad, also in Manhattan.

In between, he graced the stage of the White Plains Performing Arts Center as part of “Broadway Swings!” – another in a series of musical events he is cultivating. “It’s easy and it’s fun, and they pay you,” he says with a smile. “I’m not going to lie to you.” And Cuccioli’s long been a favorite at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, dating back to his 1992 debut as the star of “Phantom.” “From that moment on, they’ve become kind of family,” he says, having returned often to the Elmsford stage, reprising the “Phantom” role, starring in “Nine”

and even directing Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde.” He just can’t get away from the guy, right? “I like complex characters, and if they’re not, I make them that way. Sometimes complex means the darker ones, which is OK.” Cuccioli has also challenged himself by tackling Shakespeare, which he has been performing since 2000. He also teaches master classes, even though he says it felt “a little weird” at first. “You really don’t realize what you know.”

School days

Cuccioli, if you don’t know, had a roundabout way to his career. When he was a student at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset – which the boys and girls attended in separate buildings – he was invited to participate in a play at the girls’ school. They needed, he says, “warm male bodies.” “I said ‘Why not?’” An athlete whose activities included track and swimming, he was soon involved in the new boys’ drama club. “It was always a lark,” he says. “I was going to be a corporate lawyer.” Indeed, Cuccioli went on to study finance at St. John’s University, dipping into the stage in both his freshman and senior years. By that time, he was getting rave re-

views – and plenty of encouragement. “That’s when a light bulb kind of went off,” and he saw performing as a career path. Still, he began what would become three years of financial consulting for E.F. Hutton. After all, he says, he had that “sheepskin.” “I paid for the damn thing, I might as well use it.” He became involved with the Light Opera of Manhattan, working on Wall Street by day and singing in the chorus by night. As a repertory company, there was always another show being prepared. “After about one and a half years, I couldn’t do it anymore,” Cuccioli says, then devoting himself to performing. He got roles in the touring company of “Camelot” that starred Richard Harris and then made his Broadway debut as a replacement in “Les Miserables.” Having grown up in the metro area – he now lives in Manhattan – Cuccioli says he may have had a bit of an edge. “It wasn’t too hard to just be here. I really feel for the kids that come from other states.” He also tried to pursue his career in Los Angeles for a time, but “it was too much of a struggle.” And, he felt, there was no real need. “All of my work comes out of New York. This is my base, definitely.” He’s been on “Baywatch” and “Sliders” and in an indie film called “The Stranger.”

He also appeared in the Woody Allen film “Celebrity,” which found him “just standing on the sidewalk and talking theater” with fellow actors Kenneth Branagh and Alfred Molina.

On the homefront

Cuccioli has performed several times over the years with his longtime girlfriend, actor Laila Robins. They appeared together in “Antony & Cleopatra” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, in “Macbeth” for the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and in “Fiction” at the McCarter Center in Princeton, N.J. “We work well together,” he says. And they play well. Cuccioli says the holidays work out perfectly. They spend Thanksgiving with his family (he has three older sisters), then travel to “the tundra” for Christmas, as Robins returns home to Minnesota.

And now

Like any veteran actor, Cuccioli isn’t always sure of his next role, though he shares that in March he will begin performances of “1776” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. “It’s odd,” he says. “There’s a desire for security, but it’s also that feeling of ‘Oh my God, I’m locked up with something else. What will I be missing?’” In the meantime, Cuccioli is preparing

to record his first CD. “I wanted my first album to not be musical theater.” Instead, he will offer up a selection of standards. “I love the usual suspects,” he says, mentioning Johnny Mercer, Cy Coleman, Sammy Fain, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Fans can participate in the project, as Cuccioli will be using Kickstarter, an online funding platform for entrepreneurs.

A bit more fame

And if that CD is a hit, maybe Cuccioli will be recognized even more. When asked if New Yorkers seem to know who he is, he says he does notice people staring sometimes, though he’s decided it’s because “they think I’m Chris Noth.” Cuccioli takes it all in stride. He doesn’t “feel pressure to try and recreate” the whole “Jekyll & Hyde”-era fame. “I’m not someone who needs to live in that past.” He appreciates those who enjoyed his work then. He appreciates those who enjoy his work now. “People know you as a certain commodity … You always have to redefine yourself,” he says. “It’s a constant work in progress.” And we can’t wait to see what he does next. Keep up to date on Cuccioli’s projects and performances by visiting robertcuccioli.com. n

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House of the spirits A honey of a couple

inspire brand of distillery, liquor line By Kelly Liyakasa Photographs by Bob Rozycki Down a steep, gritty street in the industrial section of Port Chester, Ed and Laura Tiedge run a little “Wonka factory” churning out spirits instead of sweets. And though the story skirts Roald Dahl’s mad science, it has every bit as much of the hope and realized dreams. Laura Tiedge, wife and sounding board to Comb Vodka founder Ed Tiedge, unapologetically acknowledges her role in running the family operation, StilltheOne Distillery, one of Westchester’s first since Prohibition. “I would say I have the ironic role of working as a senior director of healthy living at the Rye YMCA and being the chief tasting officer here at the distillery,” says Laura, an eclectic individual who sports pearls at her throat, a rubber Livestrong band around her wrist, a black buckled shift and closecropped locks. “I think the important thing, speaking on behalf of us as a couple, is that this is the happiest I’ve seen him since he was in the Marine Corps.” Ed says “military” the minute you meet him – meticulous, unwavering and so commanding about his product that you happily taste his Comb 9 Gin straight at 10 a.m., even if you’re a hard-liquor lightweight and even if you forgot to eat breakfast that morning. “You’re a journalist, right? Gin comes with the territory,” you tell yourself, eyes watering. Strong as it is, you admit, it’s full-bodied, it’s smooth and better yet – you’re standing where it’s produced. “It’s not a matter of throwing any old thing into the tank and hoping for the best,” Laura says. “It’s choosing the right ingredients and being particular about it. The gin, we call it Comb 9 because it took nine recipes before I said, ‘This is it.’ You’re choosing all different botanicals and trying to figure out how they interact with each other.” The base of StilltheOne-distilled products is orange blossom honey, which comes delivered in 3,200-pound plastic totes. “Vodka was our starting point, because if you’re going to make ice cream, you have to make a good vanilla first,” Ed says. “Vodka can be a little technically Laura 24 and Ed Tiedge toast each other and their distillery.

challenging to make but is still the biggest market.” The distillery houses four fermentation tanks where 1,000 pounds of honey will be mixed with 350 gallons of water. Yeast is added and so begins a two-week fermentation process. At the end of that time span, the concoction will be about a 12-percent alcohol wine, or mead. Stainless steel temperature control tanks coddle the substance to ensure maximum quality. “We like to have a nice, happy yeast that doesn’t produce any byproducts that don’t taste good,” Ed explains. “This we’ll use as input to the still. We spend a lot of time on the fermentation side trying to make something that tastes good going in.” Distillation is the next step in the process, when alcohols and flavors in the wine are extracted to become the spirit for Comb Vodka and Comb 9 Gin. This takes place in a 200-gallon tank made entirely of steel and copper that the Tiedges imported from Germany. “When it comes out of that still, it has to come off at 90-percent alcohol,” Ed says. “It also separates it through there. The heads contain the higher alcohols that have kind of a solvent smell. So you discard them. That’s what gave moonshine such a bad name. As a professional distiller, you take all the bad-tasting stuff out and concentrate on the middle third,

which is what you use for your distillate.” It’s then diluted with water to about 80 proof and then bottled at 40-percent alcohol. “Smaller American distilleries making vodka now are taking a cue from European tradition,” Ed says. “They don’t strip everything out of it. Most vodka today is made from corn and wheat and after it’s distilled, they run it through a charcoalfiltering process, so what you’re basically buying is ethanol and water.” Ed himself learned the European way of distillation through a lucky accident. After transitioning away from corporate

finance at the onset of the recession, Ed began frequenting distilling conferences out west. “He came back feeling really excited that he could do this,” Laura says. “So I said, ‘If you’re going to do this, a lot of this has to come out of savings. You gotta get rid of the toy’ – his Porsche.” After posting an ad for his prized automobile, Ed serendipitously heard from a gentleman in Switzerland who expressed an interest in buying the car – and also owned a distillery in Cognac, France. He invited an eager Ed to apprentice with his

master distiller for six weeks. “It was 2008, we were in the middle of getting our experimental licensing and the process just takes such a long time,” Laura says. “Ed moved around visiting all the different distilleries … and I think one of the big takeaways from that is it’s all about your ingredients. It’s all about how you treat your ingredients.” StilltheOne, inspired by the couple’s 20-plus years together, was born. Today, more drinkers – including women – are trending toward having their well-distilled vodka straight, Laura says. And yet, she adds, “One thing that’s really nice is all the restaurants and mixologists we work with almost treat the vodka and spirit as an ingredient. More and more, we’re seeing restaurants that we’re in have it on their drink menu where they create a signature cocktail using the spirit.” StilltheOne will be doing signature gins with Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills. Iron Horse Grill in Pleasantville paired a menu with the Tiedges’ products on a special tasting night. Comb can also be found in Chef Jean Georges’ restaurants. “With our retailers, we will have tastings at their retail locations to try and sell our products,” Laura says. “There’s nothing like meeting the distiller and the distiller’s family to personalize it.” The website is combvodka.com. n

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Sweet charity Connie Milstein finds a delectable way to do good By Mary Shustack Connie’s Bakery & General Store is a hidden treasure, not only where it lies but what lies within. Philanthropist Connie Milstein created the warm and cozy space in 2005 along one of Mount Kisco’s downtown walkways. Complete with wood floors and an array of decorative baskets, the store not only offers a wealth of fresh baked goods, homemade gourmet treats and a well-curated selection of handcrafted gifts for all ages, but also trains those who have faced barriers to sustainable employment. Stop by this month and pick up a tin of cookies or a batch of cupcakes, a lattice-topped fruit pie or perhaps even the classic bûche de Noël. And while you’re having your goodies wrapped, browse among the scarves and soaps, candles and ornaments, toys and pet items, jewelry and kitchen wares. It’s hard not to find something to bring home. And the icing on the signature cupcake? Every sale helps the effort since the profits – 100 percent of them – are donated. “You can be extra naughty here, because the profits are going to charity,” says Simeon Manber, the executive pastry chef, reeling off a list of specialties ranging from cupcakes frosted with authentic Italian buttercream to a pear-cranberryginger pie. “Somebody once said ‘Calories don’t count, because everything is going to charity.’” We like the sound of that. The globetrotting Milstein, an attorney, entrepreneur, senior business executive and countess (she’s the Countess de La Haye Saint Hilaire), was not on hand when WAG paid a recent visit – “chief cupcake” Deena Plotka gave us a tour – but Milstein did indeed take a few moments to fill us in on both the venture’s history and the sweet treats in store for this holiday season.

“The rewards are endless. One of my favorite stories is about a young woman who was one of the first graduates of our training program and is now back at Connie’s Bakery as the assistant pastry chef. She is just one of our success stories. “And I love hearing from the people whose lives have been touched by Connie’s Bakery. I recently received a letter from a child who had drawn a picture of his house with new windows, and that picture is a wonderful reminder of the difference we make.”

Would you address the issue of philanthropy in today’s economy? Connie Milstein with executive pastry chef Simeon Manber. She founded Connie’s Bakery & General Store in 2005.

How would you sum up the atmosphere of the business during the holiday season – hectic, exciting? “All of the above and more! We have amazing and very loyal staffers who take great pride in their work. Their wonderful attitudes and great team effort help to keep the stress level low since it does get hectic during the holidays. “Our gift baskets, gift tins and handmade gifts come with their personal touch and, of course, our message of giving back. One of the things that keeps us going are the calls and emails from gift recipients across the country thanking us and expressing their genuine gratitude about receiving a gift that gives back to others.”

For someone unfamiliar with Connie’s Bakery, how would you explain its essence? “I like to think of Connie’s Bakery & General Store as grandma’s kitchen – a place that is warm and cozy with yummy treats, but more important, a place that nourishes the soul of a family, offering support and guidance to everyone who is part of the family. “Our family is the community, and I am so proud of the jobs we create, our training program for those who face barriers to sustainable employment and the incredible charities we support … organizations like the Family Resource Center of Peekskill, which put new windows 26

“It’s unfortunate that the downturn in the economy has lessened what some can give. But philanthropy can come in all shapes and sizes. The model for Connie’s Bakery is based on our profits, which means the more we sell, the more we give back. So this holiday season we encourage people to buy holiday gifts from Connie’s Bakery and with one gift, you will really be giving two gifts – first to the intended recipient and then again to one of our nonprofit charitable partners.”

Are there any “must-have” treats for the season — anything especially sweet (or perhaps “sinful”)? in some of its homes, or the Westchester Children’s Museum, which expanded its Museum Without Walls campaign.”

Has the effort followed the path you had hoped? “I am thrilled with our success and look forward to much more in the coming years. When I started Connie’s Bakery, I wanted to build a socially responsible company, and I had three goals: I wanted to create jobs to help boost the

economy; I wanted to help people who struggled finding sustainable employment; and I wanted to help people who helped the community. “It’s seven years later, and the truth is I would consider Connie’s Bakery a success if we helped just one person. But the fact that we have helped over 30 nonprofits makes me want to keep going!”

“Our executive pastry chef Simeon Manber and his team make amazing holiday brownies, old-fashioned cookies and biscotti that we pack in decorative tins for the holidays. Our recently relaunched website (connies.org) showcases our selection of gift baskets that contain unique gifts and treats – no cookie cutter baskets at Connie’s Bakery!”

What is the most rewarding part about it?

Connie’s Bakery & General Store is at 41 S. Moger Ave. in Mount Kisco. Call (914) 242-2014 or visit connies.org. n

wear

Holiday looks Naughty

Zoë wears MAC Studio Sculpt foundation, Studio Finish concealer, Mineralize Skinfinish, and Cubic blush with party-ready Pink Nouveau lipstick, magenta lip liner and Funtabolous Dazzleglass lip gloss. Her eyes pop with blue-brown pigment, Constructivist Paint Pot eye color, eye shadows in Typographic, Fig. 1, Brown Down and Shroom colors and Blacktrack Fluidline on the upper lid, Practice Makes Perfect on the lower lid, No. 34 lashes and Haute & Naughty mascara (how apropos!) She’s wearing a necklace of feathers in silver and 18k gold, $26,000. The classical dolphin drop earrings are in 18k gold with palladium and South Sea baroque pearls, $8,750, provided by jeweler Reubin Simantov. Patricia wears MAC Studio Sculpt foundation and moisture-cover concealer with va-va-va-voom Viva Glam 1 lipstick, Vino lip liner and Spanking Rich Dazzleglass. Her eyes seduce with tan pigment eye shadows in Sketch and Nylon with a copper sparkle finish, Rich Ground Fluidline, No. 36 lashes and False Lash Extreme Black mascara. She’s wearing a feather necklace in silver, 18k gold and pink gold, $5,200, provided by jeweler Reubin Simantov.

Nice

Zoë wears Laura Mercier foundation primer, tinted moisturizer in nude, under eye concealer No. 2, universal setting powder, rose petal blush and Face Illuminator. On her eyes, she’s wearing wheat eye basics, mahogany brown cake eye liner, primrose sateen and burnished sateen eye colors, long lash mascara and finishes the look with Bare Beam lip glacé. She’s wearing a titanium, diamond, and multicolor sapphire necklace, $115,000, and marquise-shaped pink spinel and diamond earrings, $9,600. Jewelry provided by Betteridge Jewelers Inc. Patricia wears Laura Mercier foundation primer, tinted moisturizer in bisque, undercover No. 3, universal setting powder, rose bloom blush, wheat eye basics, sandstone sateen and topaz luster eye colors, black violet eye pencil and black long lash mascara. Her lips glisten with Potpourri lip pencil and the popular Babylips lip glacé. She’s wearing an 18k yellow gold and diamond briolette chain necklace, 21carats total, $19,750; 18k white gold and diamond briolette chain necklace, 14 carats total, $39,500; and 18k yellow gold faceted pear-shaped sapphire slice and diamond earrings, diamonds weighing approximately 2 carats total, $12,500 (by Mimi So). Jewelry provided by Betteridge Jewelers Inc. Photography by Bob Rozycki • Models: Zoë Zellers and Patricia Espinosa • Naughty makeup by MAC Cosmetics artists Logan Juliano and Jillian Ingenito at Bloomingdale’s in White Plains • Nice makeup by Laura Mercier artist Anna Grillo at Bloomingdale’s in White Plains • Hair by Stephanie Arrocha and Kathie Doherty at Jaafar Tazi Salon in Greenwich • Shot at 42 The Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester in White Plains

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Game face

Trevor Gillies’ icy demeanor melts outside the hockey rink By Patricia Espinosa

here are bad boys and then there are bad boys. When it comes to sports, it doesn’t get more bad-ass than hockey players, especially if you’re an enforcer like Trevor Gillies, whose main job is to check – and often fight – the opposition. Considered one of the toughest guys on the ice, this Canadian lefty is 6’3” and 227 pounds of solid muscle. At 32, the veteran has been with such NHL teams as the Anaheim Ducks and is now in the New York Islanders’ organization, which includes the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with him at the Bridgeport Arena, where he’s currently a left wing with the Tigers, and was surprised to find what lies beneath that tough-guy exterior.

ed. To answer your question, I guess you could say I am a sensitive guy, though I don’t like to admit it. “My wife, she’s more of the get-on-thekids type. But I’m more of the good guy. They come snuggle up to me when they’re in trouble. I’m definitely a lot softer on the inside than I may appear.”

Do you consider yourself a bad boy or just a misunderstood, sweet, sensitive guy?

“I’ve done a lot of crazy things. You’d have to YouTube those moments, because they’re definitely out there. I’ve been suspended quite a few times. I paid my penance, paid my fines, had my suspensions. The main thing for me is, they can take the money away or whatever they want, but at the end of the day, I have a job to do and I take pride in being one of the best hockey enforcers in the world, or at least I’d like to think so. It’s a very humbling job: You could be on top of the world, beat one of the toughest guys in the game one

“You know, I’m a happily married guy and father of two, who lives a fairly normal life outside of the game. I take pride in once the helmet is done up, I’m a totally different guy that does whatever it takes so that my teammates can run freely and be protected. Yeah, sometimes there are fights, but it’s not something I do with reckless abandon, you know, go smash a guy’s head. It’s not like that. It’s calculat30

There’s something sexy about a bad boy that many women can’t resist. I bet you have a lot of Puck Bunnies chasing you around. “That’s a pretty wild question you got there. It’s fully loaded, for sure. No, I’m happily married. My wife’s been my rock. I’ve been with her for 10 years. Sorry to all the Puck Bunnies, but this bad boy is taken.”

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done on the ice?

night and you could lose the next night. You have to be willing to do it night in, night out for your teammates. It’s a pretty unselfish thing.”

You’ve spent a lot of time in the penalty box for your bad behavior. How many concussions and broken noses do you think you’ve given in the span of your career? “I don’t know the exact calculation. You’re gonna take some, you’re gonna give some. Let’s just say, I’ve given a whole lot more than I’ve received. I’ve had two concussions, broken my nose five times and had over 400 stitches on my face. Yeah, there’s definitely some injuries. But you actually get injured more from playing hockey than the fighting aspect, because most of the guys that do fight are trained, they’re prepared. It’s not like cheap shots. They know what’s coming. You get hurt more from hits and sticks.”

Hockey fans are perhaps the most notorious of all. What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve seen a fan do at a hockey game? “There are a lot of cool things that fans do. In the NHL, you’ve got those guys that like to cover themselves with green paint, dress in all spandex like the Blue Man Group and do crazy dances. They’re pretty entertaining, that’s for sure.”

Do you get heckled a lot? Because I’ve been to a few hockey games and have heard lots of heckling. “Yeah, I do. The way I look at it is when they stop heckling you or stop saying your name, that’s when you need to worry, because you’re probably not doing anything effective out there. That’s probably when you need to pack it in.”

As an enforcer, you’re suppose to be the tough guy on the ice throwing punches and checking the offenders. But do you ever just want to give someone a hug? “Oh yeah, I’m a hugger. On the ice hugging? No, never a hug on the ice! Out of my eight groomsmen, I’ve fought six of them on the ice. We play for the crest on the sweater and for that jersey. They’re all my best buddies. But when you’re on the ice, you try to knock each other out. You’re not trying to hurt them badly. You’re trying to win. You give your team the spark they need to win the game. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about. We get paid to bare-knuckle brawl. But we can separate it.”

You’re known for your bad boy behavior on the ice. Are you as naughty off the ice too? “Jeeze, you’ve got some wild ones. Yeah, I can be a little naughty with my wife. That’s what you’re suppose to do, right? Spice it up.”

Kip Brennan of the Springfield Falcons fighting with Trevor Gillies. Photograph by Rich Stieglitz

It might surprise your fans to know that you do have a nice side. Tell us about your charity work with children. “I’ll do anything for charity. I donate money to the Islanders Children’s Foundation charity. I go see cancer patients and kids

in hospitals – anything. They know I’m always down for whatever I can do to help.”

Since I usually cover the home decor beat, I’m just wondering what’s your personal style like?

“Well, I drive a bad-boy car. It’s a classic black Chevy Bel Air. In fact, all my cars look tough. But really they’re just fun to drive. “We just bought a home in Augusta, Georgia, where my wife’s from, so that I

can have my man cave, put all my hockey stuff up there, a nice black leather couch and big screen with surround sound, my poker table, and it will be just the man room. The rest of the house, I leave to my wife.” n

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Alex Dimitrov, who holds a master’s degree in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, is founder of Wilde Boys. Photograph by Star Black.

TheAlex Queer Poets’ Society Dimitrov’s Wilde Boys takes its inspiration from Oscar By Georgette Gouveia Alex Dimitrov, founder of Wilde Boys – a roving salon of self-described queer poets – is anything but. Indeed, he is a most disciplined young man, working full time and sculpting his poems on Saturday, understanding that in the end, a writer doesn’t choose writing. It chooses you. Still, is it just the poet in us that sees a bit of a rebel with a cause? Could it be the Byronic looks and black garb? Or maybe it was the way he described the founding of Wilde Boys in the Nov. 3 New York Times piece: “I invited the cute gay poets right away. I sort of had a list of gays that I wanted to come, and some of them that I wanted to sleep with.” When would he have found the time? This winner of the Stanley Kunitz Prize for younger poets from The American Poetry Review, has had – or will have – poems published in The Kenyon Review, Yale Review, Slate, Tin House and Boston Review. Plus, his first book of poems, “Begging for It,” is due from Four Way Books early in 2013. We’re just glad he had a moment to answer our emailed questions and share a poem about December and love. 32

And isn’t that what we’re all thinking about this time of year?

After reading the delicious piece in The New York Times about Wilde Boys and its roving poetry salons, I have to admit that you are truly a Wilde Boy. What is the Wilde-est thing you’ve ever done? “Well, I’m actually pretty disciplined. I try to read and write as much as possible, and there is never enough time. The wildest thing I’ve ever done is probably being a poet in a culture that makes you feel crazy for having to be an artist. Because it’s not really a choice.”

How did the group get started? “I sent around an email to several young poets, some I knew and some I didn’t, who were in MFA programs in New York – Columbia, NYU, New School, Sarah Lawrence. I basically said, ‘Hey let’s have a serious discussion about poetry and aesthetics while drinking cocktails.’ Somehow, it worked out.”

Wilde Boys has a definite gay identity, but I

suspect that your audience is much wider. Please comment. “I’m not sure what a ‘definite gay identity’ means or is. I prefer the word ‘queer’ to the word ‘gay’ always. The salon includes queer men and women. Trans men have attended before. My friend Angelo Nikolopoulos has done drag at the salon – I’m pretty open to all kinds of queerness.”

Obviously, the name is an homage to Oscar Wilde, but with your dark looks and garb, I’m thinking Lord Byron. “Oscar Wilde is my patron saint. Anyone who goes on trial for gay sex is a hero of mine. And I love so much of his work. Maybe his sensibilities didn’t lead him to dressing in all black all the time, like I tend to prefer, but I’m very fond of his fashion and flare. It’s inspiring.”

Is it just me, Alex, or is the world once again mad for poetry? It seems everywhere I turn there’s a poetry slam or workshop. “I think the world never stopped caring about poetry. And why should it? It’s an art that really speaks to and

celebrates the individual, the interior, the visible and invisible in our lives and the nature of reality. I would be completely lost without poetry, which is so much bigger than all of our fears and ambitions.”

“Oscar Wilde is my patron saint. Anyone who goes on trial for gay sex is a hero of mine. And I love so much of his work. Maybe his sensibilities didn’t lead him to dressing in all black all the time, like I tend to prefer, but I’m very fond of his fashion and flare. It’s inspiring.” At the risk of asking a poet a not very poetic question, do you have a favorite poem or poet, something or someone you turn to for inspiration?

res, looking at his snapshots and short writings. Susan Sontag and Roland Barthes are huge influences. The feeling/ thinking writers is what I call them. Marcel Proust. The visual artists Sophie Calle and Marina Abramovic. All the reading and looking I do shows up in my poems in one way or another, maybe not directly, but sometimes that happens too. Reading and personal experience – history and the personal – that’s really the architecture for many of my poems. And I’m also interested in really quiet, interior poems, like ‘Darling,’ which you’re printing in this issue.”

How, where and when do you write? “I work 9:30 to 5:30 every day, so it’s difficult. For the past two years, since graduate school, I’ve been writing every Saturday, from around 10 in the morning until 5 or 6 in the afternoon. That’s when most of my poems happen. There’s a lot of stopping and starting in writing a poem. And in between that stopping and starting, I read. So my Saturdays are a kind of playground for my mind. Hopefully, something that surprises me happens.”

“My friends inspire me – the poets Marie Howe, Dorothea Lasky, Anne Carson. Dorothea Lasky’s ‘Black Life’ is the book I’ve recommended to everyone at parties in the last year. It really reminds you that we are alive and that we are going to die and that we should go out and feel everything while there is still time. Marie Howe’s ‘What the Living Do’ is another one of those transformative books. I constantly go back to it and recommend it to everyone.”

Tell us about the book.

What else inspires your poems?

How will this Wilde Boy be spending the season of celebrations?

“My reading inspires my poems immensely. Lately, I’ve been reading essays on the visual artist Felix Gonzalez-Tor-

“My first book, ‘Begging for It,’ is coming out from Four Way Books in the spring of 2013. My whole life is in that book. There’s childhood poems, New York poems, love poems, poems about America, poems about poems –it’s basically everything that’s happened to me. It took about four years to write and it’s been the most difficult and worthwhile thing I’ve ever done, so I’m very excited to share it with people.”

Darling

By Alex Dimitrov

The days fall out of your pockets one after the other. Soon you’ll need a new jacket with tougher leather and seams no one has felt. Soon you’ll bring the old books into your bed and sleep easy and alone. It must be December again. This must be the part of the story where you refuse to say how the bodies you’ve walked toward continue walking in you. With heavy black boots in a calm procession of darling and honey – they walk up and down the narrow streets of your heart.

“Trying to get as many dates as possible.” n

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at home with Martha By Mary Shustack

hen it comes to entertaining, you just know Martha Stewart has it all under control. No matter the season. No matter the occasion. No matter the style. On the one hand, it can be frustrating to think you’ll never have her skills or savvy. But on the other, it can be oh-so-inviting to delve into her wealth of knowledge. In this season of good will, we are choosing the inspiration route. And what better glimpse into Stewart’s flair for the festive than her latest book, “Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations” (Clarkson Potter, $75)? First off, be sure you’re feeling strong. This coffee-table publication is a hefty tome of more

than 430 pages. As you flip through it, though, you’ll simply fall deeper and deeper into Stewart’s world. And that’s a good thing. Her Bedford farm, a glorious spread judging by the photos, is the heart of many of the book’s celebrations. But readers also travel with Stewart to her homes in the Hamptons and Maine as well as places in between. This time of year, you might find yourself first turning to the Christmas sections – and you won’t be disappointed. There are elaborate themes and sumptuous vignettes, not to mention the recipes for lovely dishes ranging from bucatini with brown butter, capers and anchovies to cream puffs with warm chocolate sauce,

both featured on a menu served at a preChristmas dinner party where former American poet laureate Billy Collins was the special guest. But the book – a generous holiday gift to be sure – takes the reader throughout the year as well. Some sections are devoted to holidays (think food to follow an Easter-egg hunt or a classic Fourth of July barbecue); others, to the everyday events that simply bring about the chance to share a meal. And the meals certainly range from the elaborate to the simple, from classic flavors to daring tastes. Whether it’s the garden salad with artichokes and tuna, here served during a luncheon for Bedford farmers, strawberry sorbet whipped up for a peony garden party or boiled lobster tails with English salad cream and cilantro-parsley pesto, the dishes are designed to tempt. And the table settings are equally impressive. Who wouldn’t want to be the lucky girl honored with the pale lavenderand-seashell themed bridal shower in Maine or sit down to a Christmastime dinner at Cantitoe Corners, Stewart’s Bedford home, and be surrounded by an array of green dishes, Peking glass, Limoges and Depression glassware? They’re seasonal, sophisticated and just plain sharp.

Readers are brought along as Stewart dines on a yacht in New York Harbor or her boat off the coast of Maine or creates meals served in unexpected settings, from a carport to a stable, where she hosted a Halloween-themed benefit for Historic Hudson Valley. Throughout, the reader is encouraged to mix and match. Set a table the way you want or serve selections from two different events. The book illustrates what Stewart has done, but doesn’t insist on things being one way. For those who love to entertain, as Stewart clearly does, it’s a treat to hear more about her thoughts on table decorations, tips on flowers and even the tidbits of local history she shares. Those who delight in vintage finds and antiques will also find plenty to admire, from the charming oldfashioned ice cream soda glasses scored in a Sag Harbor antiques shop to the garden ornament featuring a putto holding a fish, which Stewart describes as a find picked up on a long-ago trip to Alabama. Overall, the book encourages the imagination. It was back in 1982 when Stewart came to prominence with the release of “Entertaining.” Her journey since, and all she has learned, is artfully summed up in this latest effort that may end up being another classic. n

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’Tis a gift to be selfless Choose carefully and thoughtfully

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n O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi,” a young husband and wife – poor but very much in love – make special sacrifices to buy the beloved the perfect present. The typically ironic O. Henry ending reveals that the sacrifices themselves render the gifts useless. And yet both the husband and wife are happy with their gifts, because they know they come from the heart. And so, O. Henry concludes, “…let it be said that of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest.” But what about us? Are we like these wise modern Magi? Or are we more likely to buy a gift we’d like to have or reward ourselves for gift-giving with a little something glittery for our very own? “Sort of, ‘One for you and one for me,’” Marian Goodman says with a laugh. In 35 years with Bloomingdale’s, Goodman, now the company’s vice president of personal shopping, has seen it all – the wow gifts and the many not-so-happy returns. And she has some cogent advice along the lines of O. Henry. Hint: It’s not about you. Or rather, it is about you, and just how selfless you can be. “I think it needs to be about the receivers,” Goodman says in an interview from her Manhattan office. “It’s much nicer, more appreciated if you think about what they want. If you think about what they want, it’s less likely the gifts will be returned.” A great gift doesn’t have to be expensive. “I think it’s the thought behind it. It really has to do something for the person, like monogramming a robe, which makes it so much nicer, or a cashmere throw in a favorite color.” For many, receiving a gift that keeps on giving makes it doubly meaningful. This year, Bloomie’s is featuring celebrity ornaments whose proceeds go entirely to the Child Mind Institute in Manhattan for youngsters with psychiatric and learning disorders. Participants include Tory Burch, Donna Karan, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Al Roker. Or you might want to buy Kim Kardashian’s ornament and show solidarity with her at this trying time. (Kim, Kim, how could you marry a guy and not know he wanted to move to Minnesota?) Ah, but we digress: Back to gifts that widen the circle of selflessness. Bloomie’s also has its Little Brown Bear by Gund, with $5 from every sale going to the Child Mind Institute. It’s bear-y sweet. So a gift must be personal. Except when

it can’t be. And that’s because each gift really reflects a relationship. A lacy Parisian bra for your boss? Probably not going to be the right move, particularly if you don’t know his cup size. On the other hand, unless the Dyson 400 is your spouse’s idea of the Holy Grail, a vacuum cleaner is not going to keep the spark in the marriage. To avoid the sticky wicket of the receiver re-gifting your gift and thus the whole thing winding up like a “Seinfeld” episode (No. 98 to be exact, “The Label Maker,” from Season Six), Goodman advises becoming an active listener and not just at holiday time. That way, you are clued in to what others like and can grab it as you go through the year. Of course, it helps to be in the stores, and here the ladies have it over the guys. “Most women like to shop,” Goodman says, “and men don’t shop too frequently.” Still, both sexes can take advantage of Bloomie’s complimentary personal shopping by calling (800) 431-9644. It is O. Henry ironic that Goodman’s hubby is one spouse with no need of her services. She remembers the Christmas he presented her with a bathrobe. “He told me to try it on, which I thought strange, and to put my hands in the pockets. There was the most gorgeous pair of earrings, the end of the end.” A variation on O. Henry as it were, a gift within a gift. “That,” she says, “is what made it fun.” For more, call Bloomingdale’s in White Plains at (914) 684-6200 (general information) or 684-6252 (personal shopping) or visit bloomingdales.com. n

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The tights stuff Stick your stems into these exciting gam huggers Story by Zoë Zellers Photographs by Hillary Bushing

Go Baroque with Nordstrom’s posh burnout floral-print tights in black ($16).

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et’s face it: Legs make up a great portion of the body. This model-reporter’s definitely more than 50 percent leg – and lovin’ it. So are executives at leg-wear companies who are reporting a dramatic sales shift, with tights, leggings and sheers up by at least 10 percent. Thanks in part to the economy, tights – which offer luxe for less – have graduated from the rank of accessory to a presence unto themselves. Trends like really-mini skirts, asymmetrical hemlines and slits also place volumes of emphasis on what’s going on with the leg, inviting ladies to go beyond basics and have fun with the season’s adventurous patterns and textures, rainbow colors, shine and crystal embellishments. Indeed, fishnets are so elaborate that they have achieved artisan crochet status. All the more reason, then, to flaunt those gams with richly textured and lady-chic tights and sheer hosiery. Some can offer serious warmth like Falke’s durable, ribbed Sensual Touch Tights ($79), or, for the extra

It’s all in the details with deep burgundy rib tights spotted with understated sparkles by Hue ($13.50), available at Nordstrom.

Be the cat’s meow with Forever21’s black and brown leopard-print opaque tights ($6.80), available at Forever21.

indulgence, Wolford’s cashmere-silk tights ($240). But in reality, it’s all about the fashion statement – modern, sexy fishnets; bold animal prints; lacy trims; patterned meshes in bold stripes, florals, bows, hearts, polka dots, you name it. With options ranging from nice to naughty, style mavens can score sweet with leg wear in all price points at many stores. Wolford, again, does Baroque lace tights in black or purple exceptionally well, ornamenting them with a delicate floral pattern ($55). Italy’s Emilio Cavallini reigns as one of the hottest hosiery designers with diamond-print tights, a variety of plaids and argyles, geometric two-color optical sheer tights (a true illusion) and sheer tights with twining lotus flowers, all between $20 and $25, available at emiliocavallini.com. He’s even designed unisex tights with stars, skulls, horizontal stripes and checkers ($27). Or you can be a wild thing at the office holiday party in Urban Outfitters’ giraffe-print tights ($14) or Commando’s zebra-print tights ($36). Looking to add a festive splash of color to the

Layer up with Betsey Johnson’s racy, lacy hot pink tights ($25) on top of DKNY’s black opaque tights ($14.50), available at Nordstrom.

little black dress? The Versace for H+M line offers pop-star worthy, neon-bright, floral-print leggings, while Donna Karan, Hue and Urban Outfitters have opaque tights in eggplant, pumpkin, berry and watermelon colors, all for under $20. Who said winter has to be dull? But it’s not all about pattern, texture and color. Perhaps single-handedly, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has brought back nude tights. Once dismissed by upper-tier fashion editors, then forgotten by the masses, avant-garde flesh-toned hosiery is 2011’s comeback kid. You know that tights can play the wild and trendy role in the ensemble. But here they can also be practical. Need extra support? Scope out Spanx’s In-Power Line Super Shaping Sheers ($26), Donna Karen’s Signature Ultra Sheer Control Top ($18) or Wolford’s Tummy Control Hose ($52). Whether you go nude, so to speak, or layer on the glitz, tights, leggings and assorted hosiery are a smart way to add character to the closet this season and show off what your mama gave you. n

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WAG’s makeover contest winner reveals her rediscovered self Story and photographs by Zoë Zellers

“I look like me, only 12 years younger,” Lyanne Augustyn says enthusiastically after her five-month transformation odyssey, courtesy of WAG’s makeover contest. It was made possible with the help of four sets of local fairy godmothers and godfathers, who addressed all her “problem areas” – Advanced Dentistry of Westchester in Harrison, Paulo’s Atelier Hair Salon in Bedford Hills, Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco and SkinCentre Advanced Medical Aesthetics in Hartsdale. But Lyanne also worked hard to make changes that will long benefit not only herself but her husband, John, and their 21-month-old daughter, Corinne. Over an egg white omelet with spinach and feta (hold the hash browns) at City Limits Diner in White Plains, Lyanne talks about lessons learned, keeping up her routine positive and why she feels “like the luckiest girl in the world. This is every woman’s dream.” With this 44-year-old’s post-makeover glow radiating from the in-

Lyanne’s premakeover shot.

side out, Lyanne truly looks like a woman who has regained control over her life. Her makeover story started when she submitted a contest application that was something of a plea for help. (See our July issue.) In 2008, the Bronxville resident lost her job as a senior account executive in direct-mail marketing in Manhattan, where she’d climbed the corporate ladder for 18 years, eventually managing more than $2 million.

“So I was completely devastated and called my best friend while I’m sitting on a box in my office. This was August and I was getting married in December… I didn’t know what to do.” Despite the blow, Lyanne forged ahead with a new life that now embraced a husband, who’s able to support the family with his general contracting business, and a baby produced in midlife. All this meant less time for mom, giving up “buying two, three fab-

ulous handbags a year,” getting used to creating her own daily schedule and coping with new personal and financial stress. Needless to say, between her recently limited budget and the baby weight she struggled to lose, Lyanne’s wardrobe and confidence slacked. As she wrote on her contest application: “I feel as if I have lost the original Lyanne and I need help finding her.” Fast-forward just a few months and Lyanne is 15 pounds lighter, several shades blonder, much more energetic and just joined the Saw Mill Club to keep up her makeover fitness routine for good. “I feel so much more confident. I went to a family outing last weekend and I have to tell you, I just love people saying, ‘Oh my God, you are just melting away. You look amazing.’” With a wide, white smile, Lyanne leans in to tell her little secret: She weighs less and is more confident than she was on her wedding day. How many of us can say that? Read how she did it, then flip to page 44 for our makeover goddess’ big reveal.

Saw Mill Club

“When we first sat down to discuss her goals, she said to me, ‘I want to uncover me again,’” says Heidi Michaels, who worked as Lyanne’s life coach. “That set the stage for us to de-clutter and uncover.” They started by de-cluttering her mind and “removed words like should and have to and replaced them with coulds and want tos.” They also worked on better organizing Lyanne’s time and physical environment for herself and her family. Most important, Lyanne is proud that she’s learned to set aside time to work out and has her daughter sleeping on a regular, earlier schedule and in her own bed.

Lyanne’s nutrition therapist, Amy Peck, says Lyanne was initially convinced that “I was the food police and that the diet would be the hardest part of the WAG makeover.” Today, however, Lyanne’s eagerness to share diet tips and determination to stay away from fettuccini Alfredo show a complete mental (and physical) turnaround. “She had a typical overweight eating pattern with little or no breakfast, a small lunch without fruit or vegetables, skipped or carb-based afternoon snacks building up to huge portions of a highfat dinner laden with cheese and creamy sauces and topped off with a few glasses of wine and something sweet.”

Nutritional therapist, Amy Peck

Mervyn Tugendhaft, Lyanne’s master trainer

Now Lyanne is big on breakfast, she’s strategic about grocery lists, limits herself to a bottle of wine a week, drinks lowfat chocolate milk as “the perfect recovery drink after a hard workout” and has discovered healthier alternatives (“Swiss chard and gazpacho were hits!”). Peck adds: “Our mantra was progress, not perfection and along the way we had a lot of laughs together.” Mervyn Tugendhaft, Lyanne’s master trainer, says, “She is a great individual who

deserved being the WAG contest winner.” Yet in the beginning, he says, “she was very much excuse-driven and tried to negotiate when I asked her to do certain exercises.” Climbing stairs and punching boxing bags became easier with her “tremendous improvement in strength, stamina, balance, coordination and mindset.” He successfully taught Lyanne a key rule: “If you don’t have time, you make time,” which she continues to apply through her decision to join the Saw Mill Club.

Kenneth Magid, DDS

Colorist and stylist Yasin Yartasi

Advanced Dentistry of Westchester “Looking at her, there wasn’t a lot that she needed,” Kenneth Magid, DDS says. “But when a patient ages, his or her teeth get older too.” Lyanne went to Magid for bleaching and to correct a chip in her tooth. As Magid explains, “There are different cases of patients with aging teeth coming in for bleaching. There are people with yellow teeth, which take bleach fine. Then there are people with brown teeth, which are OK

to bleach. And then there are people with gray-tinted teeth and bleach does not work well at all. Fortunately, Lyanne’s teeth were yellow and bleached nicely with Zoom Advanced. It’s a onetime thing you can do once a year,” making Lyanne’s future cosmetic dental upkeep easy and relatively inexpensive. He added, “When a person is confident in their smile, they present themselves completely differently.”

Paulo’s Atelier Hair Salon Colorist and stylist Yasin Yartasi showed Lyanne what a difference a good haircut and refreshing, maintained coloring can make. She went lighter and shorter, giving her a muchneeded update and youthful edge. Yartasi wanted to go even shorter, but “being able to put my hair up in a ponytail

to workout is important” to this newly enthusiastic gym rat. Her above-theshoulder length locks fall elegantly to strapless gowns or plain-white Ts (especially when those tresses are blownout by Crystal Haviland). And yet, her new hairdo is totally manageable and unintimidating.

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After a consultation, Joseph Sozio, MD created a skin-care plan to address her “facial wrinkles, folds, under-eye puffiness and skin pigmentation issues that detracted from her appearance.” He used Restylane to smooth out folds and creases, Dysport to correct lines like her crow’s feet, Juvederm to correct “the slight downturn of her lips, a common issue as we age due to gravity and collagen loss,” subtle lip augmentation “to restore fullness and definition,” plus a series of skin rejuvenation and exfoliation techniques. It’s an expensive habit to upkeep regularly, says Lyanne, but she feels and looks so much younger. See for yourself.

Skincare specialist Joseph Sozio

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Gilded age glory Scarborough couple closes latest chapter on historic home Story By Mary Shustack Photographs By Bob Rozycki, Tim Lee And Colleen Roth

The tour

Nancy Rush still recalls one morning nearly 30 years ago when she and her husband were riding around after church. They came upon a sprawling Scarborough expanse anchored by a stately mansion. Though vacant and neglected, the property still shared more than a hint of its past glory. “We found this hidden treasure,” she says. Little did the Rushes, then living in a 1929 Tudor in Ossining, know that they had also just stumbled upon their future. Nancy, Warner and their four children, then ages 9 to 17, would be the first family to move into the restored Gilded Age mansion known as Beechwood. A major restoration in the early 1980s carved the onetime home of American banker and philanthropist Frank A. Vanderlip into three “mansionettes,” separate homes under one roof. The property also includes nearly three dozen townhouses that, with the mansion, form a secluded community of sorts. Now, as the Rushes retire to Florida, a new owner will have the chance to experience life in a National Register of Historic Homes’ property filled with both rich period details and stylish modern amenities.

While its history remains a vibrant element of Beechwood’s attraction, the home itself more than holds its own with five fireplaces, egg-and-dart molding, textured wallpaper, window seats, original lead-glass windows and hardwood flooring. Rooms on the main floor exude contemporary elegance and period charm. The formal living room is introduced by an elegant rotunda and filled with distinctive moldings, herringbone-patterned flooring, a fireplace, French doors that lead to the grand terrace and pocket doors that open to the charming study, or den. There, upholstered walls, built-in bookcases and a grand fireplace invite you to settle in and glance out over the terrace, also accessible by French doors. “The family always relished sitting out here,” Warner says. Pass through a butler’s pantry/wet bar area to enter the modern kitchen, which features a bright breakfast room. Just past the kitchen is the formal dining room, original to the mansion and just as majestic, with a coffered ceiling dotted with carved rosettes. It’s been the place for many a Rush family gathering, especially Christmas dinners that often seated more than 25 guests. “We had a table here, a table there,” Nancy says. The second floor is equally impressive, starting with a gallery that opens out onto a wraparound porch also accessible from the master suite. That spacious room is anchored by a grand marble fireplace opposite a wall of custom-fitted closets. The adjacent bath has not only twin sinks but also a spa tub. The second floor is rounded out by family quarters, while the floor above features a skylit bedroom so big it could be a small apartment, complete with bath and laundry room. Climb up the staircase for one of the home’s showstoppers – a widow’s watch wrapped in windows. It’s a perch ideal for a recreation room, sleeping porch or studio (and, Warner shares, the rumored retreat of Narcissa Cox Vanderlip). “We used to catch the sun up here with a couple of lounge chairs,” he says. The home is rounded out by a lower level complete with a finished family room, terrazzo floors, exposed brick, multiple storage rooms and space for an additional bath or wine cellar.

The grounds

Set within 34 park-like acres originally designed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the mansion overlooks a large lawn, pagoda, pergola, swimming pool and tennis court. It was the ideal setting to raise a family, says Warner, who spent his career in the radio business. “It was safe. You knew where the kids were. They were either on the tennis court or in the pool or playing in the yard. It was like a country club.” Both Nancy and Warner share tales of children (and now grandchildren) playing and entertaining friends over the years. It was granddaughter Katie, Warner says, who best summed up the property’s attraction. “She said she could go out in her pajamas and walk the dog.” And Warner agrees. “The beauty of living on the grounds is you feel it belongs to you.” And that feeling is only magnified once you step inside.

The history

The core of Beechwood dates from the 18th century, though a major wing was added during the 1890s under the ownership of railroad magnate Henry Walter Webb. The Vanderlip era, though, is the property’s most storied.

BEECHWOOD at a Glance • Scarborough • 4,663 square feet • .113 acre set within 34-acre estate grounds. • Bedrooms: 4. • Baths: 3 full, 1 half. • Amenities: Alarm system, balcony, walk to train, close to shops, deck, eat-in kitchen, fireplaces, master bath, patio, powder room, skylight, tennis court, views, walk-in closets, seasonal river views. • Price: $1,995,000.

Nancy and Warner Rush

Vanderlip, who served as assistant secretary of the Department of the Treasury under President William McKinley, bought Beechwood in 1906 and moved in with his wife, Narcissa Cox Vanderlip, a noted suffragist. Architect William Welles Bosworth’s expansion at the time included a grand ballroom, library and rotunda, which today remain accessible to Beechwood residents. That golden age of the mansion saw many a notable make a visit as well. Perhaps most famously, the Wright Brothers landed a plane on the property. But guests also included Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Ford, Annie Oakley and Sarah Bernhardt. “Isadora Duncan danced for them in the formal gardens,” Warner says, noting that the Ringling Brothers circus even made an appearance. “What do you do next for a kid after you do that?” he adds with a laugh.

Moving on

The Rushes once hosted members of the Vanderlip family, sharing memories and hearing more of its history. “They had 51 rooms in this house, 100 servants at the turn of the century,” Warner says. It was a treat to hear about the home’s past but also share what it meant to the Rushes as well. “It was just a different kind of home,” Warner says of his family’s tenure in a place so imbued with history. And in the end, the Rushes’ life at Beechwood has added not only a chapter to the mansion’s history but their own family’s as well. As Warner says, “This was more than a home to us.” For more information, contact Marilynn Sternschuss at (914)762-7200, ext. 313 or (914) 282-7893. n 47

whims

Razzle dazzle ’em Shoes to shine on the cocktail-party circuit

Multi sparkles Jimmy Choo peep toe, $745; black sparkle Christian Louboutin, $595.

Jimmy Choo pump, $1,295; Prada jewel clutch, $2,100; Rene Caovilla sandal, $1,095.

Silver Jimmy Choo peep toe, $695; Jimmy Choo wedge, $595; dark silver Jimmy Choo pump, $750.

By Zoë Zellers Photographs by Bob Rozycki Pumps – sexy and serious – are perhaps the most outrageous and extravagant platform in a season that is all about shimmer. The sophistocrat will slip on a pair of Rene Caovilla sandals ($1,095) for a refined finish to party wear. Check out WAG’s makeover winner Lyanne Augustyn, wearing Manolo Blahnik’s Swarovski crystal-detailed Art Deco-styled pumps ($1,595) on page 42. They’re so couture that Cinderella might wish she’d had a pair of these babies to enchant her Prince Charming. You’ll need to be swathed in rich textures (think velvet and fur) or jeweled colors to carry off the glam of such an eye-popping accessory. Or the lady-chic lover might pair Jimmy Choo’s gem-studded pump ($1,295) with Gucci’s striking sleeveless scarf dress in potent cognac, which features a V neckline, orchid and scarf-twist details and a gathered A-line skirt ($1,795) for the nicest of seasonal festivities. Now, for the upscale bad girl: She’ll no doubt opt for a pair of dark silver Jimmy Choo pumps ($750) and show them off – along with a lot of leg – in a lacy Gothic cocktail dress like Nanette Lepore’s plum-colored “Have a Fling” micromini ($348). Or the über-flirt might punctuate Dolce & Gabbana’s pink lace strapless dress ($2,195) with Jimmy Choo’s multisparkle peep toe ($745) to turn the throng emerald with envy. She can also tap into her Naomi Campbell-bad with Christian Louboutin’s oh-so-sexy black sparkle heels ($595) to accent a leopard satin Dolce and Gabbana number ($2,175), black tights, minimal earrings for stunning contrast, understated makeup, a strong lip and pulled-back hair. She’ll be guaranteed to be Page 6 material in this. All merchandise available at Neiman Marcus and at neimanmarcus.com. n

We love lucie (and Larry’sBy Kelly notLiyakasa so bad, either) Photographs by ©David Bravo

“She

is a flawless, thoroughbred theatrical animal.” Actor Larry Luckinbill is referring to his riveting wife, Lucie Arnaz – a woman he has shared his life with for the past 31 years. The all-American (okay, half-Latin) daughter of television royalty – Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz – has a vibrant presence that is all her own. “She has been doing this and doing it with the best all her life,” Larry says. He is the calming counterpoint to the fiery performer who ushers you into her Weston home with “There’s coffee in the kitchen. Help yourself.” Before Weston, there was Los Angeles and Katonah and London somewhere in between for a run in “The Witches of Eastwick.” But before Katonah was New York City. Hit rewind. It’s 1979. Lucie was performing in “They’re Playing Our Song.” She lunched at Joe Allen on 46th Street in Manhattan with fellow actor and friend Marilyn Redfield, who urged her to say hello to the “actor’s actor” that was Laurence Luckinbill. The stage was set for the classic "meetcute," when two love interests cross paths for the first time in a production. At the time, Luckinbill was in Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two” on the Great White Way. He had come out of a terrible divorce, Redfield told Lucie, so “just say hi.” Lucie was an organizer for the Matinee Idles, a group of Broadway actors who met between shows on Saturdays. “I’d call up dressing rooms all over Broadway shows, and some days there’d be 15 to 16 people from different shows. I thought, ‘Maybe he’d like to do that.’” Fortunately for Larry, Lucie had been down on her luck in the love department. “The kind of people I had been seeing while I was Cinderella at the ball on Broadway were very handsome, young, stud-like twinkies,” Lucie recalls. “Very handsome, stud-like twinkies that were really not interested in having a serious connection with anybody. But I was having a very good time with the stud-like twinkies… and wasn’t looking to find anybody.” She pauses and leans forward in a rocking chair next to her fireplace.

“Which – isn’t that what they say? – is when you find him.” Luckinbill was everything any “interesting man” ought to be. She was initially intrigued by him, not attracted. “He had the chocolate brown corduroy pants and a brown and gray soft flannel woolen shirt and one of those brown hunting jackets with the patches,” she gushes. “A chocolate brown cap and a pipe and a book and a dog and a rocking chair and a fire…yeah, that’s what I saw.” The wood-burning fire in her living room today crackles in sync with her story. “I remember sitting in the audience at ‘Chapter Two’ and thinking, ‘Wow, just one time, let me be on stage with an actor as good and as realistic as Larry Luckinbill,” she says. “He got all the jokes, totally believed what he was saying….But you can’t tell him all this, head gets too big. But he can’t hear too well, so it’s probably all right.” When the stars first met, Lucie refused to take the rebound-girl role. Larry dated a few people and “I went off and had a lovely affair with someone, too.” When they both came to their senses, they sealed the deal in 1980. The duo first performed the play “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” as newlyweds. “When we first got together, I knew from looking at him he’d be this magnificent actor… but with plays. I had been doing the ‘Here’s Lucy’ show for many years, so I’d come prepared, knew all my lines, knew my blocking and knew you’d get this thing done, and it wasn’t brain surgery,” Lucie says. That’s when the “humiliation factor,” or as she calls it, “the HF” came in. “We’d go on stage and Larry would ask a million, freakin’ questions, ‘Where do I sit? Where do I go? Why do I do this?’ and I was sooooo embarrassed,” she says. “But around two-anda-half weeks (of rehearsal) he’s flawless, knows all his lines, we’re about to open, have our tech rehearsal, and I have a breakdown.” Questions and an artist’s insecurities flooded Lucie’s mind. “I realized, that if you don’t figure this stuff out right in the beginning, you’re going to question, ‘Why the hell am I doing this?’” she says. “You had to get it right.” Larry agrees that it was a challenge to perform together in the early years. “The material we were doing was not easy,” he admits. “Even ‘Social Security,’ which is a comedy by Andrew Bergman, is a layer of complexity, and it’s hysterically

Lucie Arnaz, at a glance

Theater credits include: “They’re Playing Our Song,” “Lost in Yonkers,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Grace and Glorie,” London premiere of “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Once Removed,” “A Picasso,” “Seesaw,” “Whose Life Is It Anyway?,” “Social Security,” “My Own and Only,” “Wonderful Town,” “Master Class,” “Cabaret,” “The Guardsman,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “I Do! I Do!” “Educating Rita.” Television and film credits include: “The Lucie Arnaz Show,” “The Black Dahlia,” “The Mating Season,” “Here’s Lucy” and “The Jazz Singer.” Production credits include: Emmy-nominated “I Love Lucy: 50th Anniversary Special,” and 1993 Emmy Award-winning “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie.”

Larry Luckinbill and Lucie Arnaz

funny. But you have to really know who these people are and why that’s funny.” While Lucie has honed her nightclub routines, documentary production work and television and movie performances, it is the live theater that is the cornerstone of her career. “I like the high-wire act,” she says. “The create it, prepare it, learn it, know it, then toss everything out of the way, pull up the curtain and let me do it. I don’t know if it’s the pressure or the excitement… of proving that you know what you’re doing and nobody else can save your ass.” There’s the softer side of Lucie, in her salmon-pink velour pants, cowl-neck top and chandelier earrings of pink and crystal. Then there’s the animal Larry referenced, with flashing eyes, spunky highlighted hair, bright smile, throaty laugh and flailing hands. “I remember seeing ‘Lost in Yonkers’ with Mercedes Ruehl and I wrote Neil Simon a letter and said, ‘This is the one,’” Lucie says. “He’s so prolific … I was dissolved in tears watching this play. It’s kind of a funny character, Bella, and it has a lot of humor until it doesn’t and it’s a very important and dramatic play, really.” During the Broadway run of the play, Lucie would take over the role of Bella – the fragile child-woman in a dark, dysfunctional immigrant family – an experience

that underscores her belief in the importance of childrearing. A child psychologist in California once told Lucie – mother of three, stepmother of two – to ‘spend 15 minutes each day alone with each child… alone.’” “He said, ‘You don’t understand, it makes them feel worthy of love,’” she says. “I started to cry and it seems like almost every horrible scenario where these people turn out to be ax-murderers, you can trace it back to these people not feeling worthy of love. Something in their childhood told them, ‘You’re nothing.’” That was the catalyst in raising her own children. But as a couple, Larry and Lucie had been living a show-biz life that made parenting a bit more complicated than usual. “My mother had passed away (in 1989), we were going to stay in California for two years and we ended up staying for four years, just going through ‘that’ when a parent dies,” she says. “Going through their estate, it’s one thing. But when Lucille Ball is your parent and she dies, it’s a whole other thing.” Katonah, where Larry and Lucie subsequently made their dream home, meant public school for some of their brood, more time together, “and it really made a big difference. “I had thought I was doing it differ-

A portrait of her mom hangs in her home office.

ently,” she says, her voice the softest it’s been this interview. “I was born the year the show went on the air. She’s (Lucille Ball) getting bigger and bigger. They’re hiding her behind lampshades. She has me in July and she starts filming the ‘I Love Lucy’ show, so it was like, ‘Bye.’” She swings her arms as if she’s passing a bundled baby. “There were lovely people at home who could take care of me.” It was her grandmother, Dede Ball, who barred Lucie and brother Desi Arnaz Jr. from sweets and to this day, “neither of us have had a cavity.” She throws her head back and opens her mouth as proof. “They (her parents) would come home on weekends, we’d have summers at Del Mar Beach and that was lovely. But there was a lot of them not being there, so when I had my kids I was really trying hard, because here we are again, two actors doing two different shows.” Lucie is clearly self-aware and introspective, especially about her husband. “Probably the moment I fell in love with him (Larry) was during a conversation about characters, and I never say this – God strike me dead – but I compared something to Lucy and Ethel,” she says. “And he goes, ‘Who?’ I said, ‘You know, Lucy and Ethel.’ And he goes, ‘Oh, I did not watch that show growing up.’ It was like, ‘I always heard there were people like you. What spaceship did you land on?’ I just loved that he didn’t care.” The couple lived together for years in Katonah until 2007, when Lucie credits New York state and county taxes with sucking the life out of the actors’ existence. Weston became home because of its closeness to Lucie’s nice “Cuban cousin” and proximity to gigs in New York City and goings-on in Westchester. Art fills the Connecticut home: “Stuff we liked, stuff her dad gave her and we didn’t collect with any eye to anything ex52

cept what we liked,” Larry says. Luckinbill points to a painting depicting a poor immigrant turned welcome guest in Joe’s Clam Bar. “It’s a genuine, Depression-era works project, which is not germane to this article, but it’s just spectacular,” he says, mentioning that, he, too, is a writer, with works in Esquire and Cosmopolitan magazines under his belt. “I love Depression art, not depressive art, but I like how people made their way.” For the performers, it is about doing what feels right and what is comfortable. Like filling their home with the sounds of son Joe Luckinbill’s guitar and smooth growl. Or stashing Hemingway on all shelves. Actually, stashing books by all authors everywhere. “This is only one-third of it, the rest we’re giving to the Westport Library,” Lucie says. She stores hundreds of photos in scrapbooks – of her family, of her life, of her parents. “My whole career is in here.” The next leg of her career takes her to Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency hotel in New York City, where Lucie will perform five shows Jan. 5 through Jan. 8. “They’ve lowered their cover for me,” she says. “A lot of actor/chorus people like to come see my show and it will be a little more affordable for them.” This is what’s most important to her – sharing her art. The same holds true for Luckinbill, who is happy to share some of his own wisdom with this writer. “Someone once told me to get rid of the ‘BW’ (beautiful writing) and just tell the story.” You make a mental note to rein in your adjectives – or at least, to try. Because when Larry Luckinbill gives you advice, it’s coming from Lucie’s “actor’s actor – the kind everybody wants to be.” Visit her at luciearnaz.com. n

Jill Clayburgh, Lucie Arnaz, Larry Luckinbill and Alan Menken

Lovin’ Lucie By Bira Rabushka

Lucie Arnaz and Larry Luckinbill have been my friends for nearly 20 years. The first time I met Larry, he was coming up the stairs at the old schoolhouse in Goldens Bridge – the first home of the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts. I was so excited to meet this celebrated actor. As he came to the top of the stairs, he said, “Do you know why we decided to live around here? Because of this arts center.” The ice was broken and I knew that I needn’t be intimidated. We spent four hours talking about the center, the community and the many ways that he and Lucie could become involved. The warmth and the interest have stayed with me until this day. At the end of the “meeting,” he invited me to come to New Haven to attend Lucie’s performance. “I’d like you to see what she does.” I’d never seen her and I did not know what to expect. I knew she was a star, but was she a comedian/singer/ dancer like her mother or a musi-

cian like her father? She was all of the above, and more. Whether she’s onstage or talking with you in the lobby, Lucie grabs your attention with her eyes, her voice and her warmth. As a friend said to me, on a scale of 1 to 10, she is an 11. She became a coach at NWCA, training, inspiring, and giving of herself. Lucie and Larry appeared at some of the center’s benefits, delighting the audiences with their scintillating performances. Lucie recently told an aspiring cabaret singer, “When you sing a song, you have to tell a story.” Yes, Lucie is a storyteller. Whether she talks about her parents or sings with the great musicians who appear with her, she captures you. Her involvement with the art center and with the community is part of her story. She cares deeply about people and about the arts. Her sincerity is what makes her so unique and so special – as a person and a performer. Like we said about her mother, “I love Lucie!”

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Destination: Indulgence With a few lighter options Story and Photograhs by Kelly Liyakasa

aybe it was the spirit of the season that moved me or a subconscious urge to go to opposite extremes, but I decided to take the liberty of planning the perfect night out for the glutton – and the grazer – in all of us. Admit it: There are days when you want the grease and the grit that only a rustic and raucous “gastropub” affords you. Then there are days when you want the white tablecloth, the squeaky clean and the organic green. Here’s to the perfect night out – with one guilty and one guiltless (OK, lesser guilty) option. Then keep reading for an exclusive survey of indulgences.

Committing sin at The Cookery

There is nothing naughtier – dare we say, Hannibal Lecter-ous? – than calves’ brain ravioli drizzled with truffle oil. But at The Cookery, that’s merely where the fun begins. There’s the coronary detriment of the Buttery Salty Potatoes and the spicy goodness of a meat-laden Easter Pie (Pizza Rustica to be exact) with hot-pepper marmellata. A night out at this little chestnut – appropriately located on Chestnut Street in Dobbs Ferry – is like a culinary explosion of atomic proportions. It’s so good, it’s baaaad. It’s so decadent, it’s divine. So decadent, in fact, that chef/owner David DiBari admits that even he must revert to clean-dieting every so often. DiBari cut his teeth at Windows on the World, Mario Batali’s Babbo and David Bouley’s Danube before a stint at Zuppa in Yonkers. Now, with his very own river-town endeavor, DiBari picked up a prized distinction as the youngest chef in Westchester to receive The New York Times’ “excellent” rating. DiBari took a break from manning the pass-through to talk about his Cookery as a formidable nightspot and to pose for a few pictures for WAG. Here are excerpts of our conversation:

What’s the naughtiest thing on your menu? DiBari: “Depending on what day of the week it is, it could be grilled beef tongue, it could be the soft fatty tissue of the bone Chef David DiBari 54

Cocktail author and lifestyle expert Colleen Mullaney shares her favorite naughty and nice drink options.

Sticky tortina: Warm date cake (that also comes in pumpkin) topped with creamy vanilla gelato. Master Cleanse:This drink kicks you into shape by combining citron vodka, maple syrup, lemon juice and cayenne pepper.

Stickabutta pie: The name hints at the main ingredient in this sinful treat that comes accented with pecan crust. Teabagged: A naughty take on a Long Island Iced Tea that combines iced tea-flavored vodka and bourbon with mint and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

marrow that’s roasted, because there is nothing sexier than soft fatty tissue from the femur bone.”

Chef Peter Kelly does a mean roasted bone marrow. I’ve seen him breaking bread here. “Peter’s not only a patron, but a really great friend who’s been a mentor to me for a long time, so he likes to come here after hours with his crew and just hang out with us and we feed him and it’s just a good time.”

Any other career mentors? “I wouldn’t even call them career mentors, I call them man crushes. I have a

man crush on David Chang, who’s Momofuko Ssäm Bar, Milk Bar… he really is very creative with his food and uses very simple things. He really knows how to attack the palate.”

Is eating out the new going out? “Yeah, because eating out is everything. It’s entertainment; it’s an energy; it’s everything. It’s a way to fulfill yourself physically and mentally. Food is sex.”

Is gastronomic suicide the point here? Death by good food? “No, we have gastronomic perversions. That’s what we call them. You notice where all of this is going, right?”

Naughty option: Chocolate Heaven. Nice option: Holiday Sparkler. Photographs courtesy of Jack Deutsch

Looking to go light when you’re out? Mullaney says:

• “Prosecco as a go-to holiday drink is perfection. Remember, with Champagnes, Brut’s have less sugar content, so less calories.” • “I love a vodka soda with a splash of any kind of juice that’s lighter in calories.” • “Spritzers cut the calories in half.” 55

Freshen your senses at Fig & Olive

When you’ve cleaned up from a night out at the sensory overload that is The Cookery, scoot on over to Scarsdale’s Fig & Olive, where you’re promised extra virgin olive oil instead of butter and fresh flavors of the French Riviera. In a contemporary 4,000-squarefoot space, a menu created by Executive Chef Pascal Lorange features Mediterranean-inspired items like zucchini carpaccio and grilled branzino with a fig and 18-year-old balsamic vinegar glaze. Ludo Barras, Fig & Olive’s director of events and public relations, told me the restaurant is introducing some great holiday treats and concoctions, like the Fig & Walnut julep, which combines Four Roses bourbon (Makers Mark can be used as an alternative), St-Germain elderflower liqueur, lime juice, Taylor Tawny Port, simple syrup, muddled black figs, mint leaves, slices of fig with grated walnut and one sprig of mint. But if you want to go lighter, opt for the Fig & Olive cucumber cosmo, which mixes vodka and St-Germain with cucumber puree and fresh lime juice. At least you can say you drank your veggies and had your vitamin C. There’s also a fantastically light dessert option for dieters, the green apple sorbet, and a dessert platter designed to share. n

Executive Chef Pascal Lorange

Cucumber cosmo

Green apple sorbet

Fig and walnut julep

What's your naughty indulgence?

“No. 1 is the legendary L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn (my hometown). I go for the whole deal, the pizza, the spumoni, and the people: There’s nothing better. But when I can’t get to Brooklyn, I love Sal’s Pizza and Walter’s hot dogs, both in Mamaroneck, my two favorite things to eat (even though I try to maintain a healthy diet most of the time).” – Brandon Steiner, sports memorabilia magnate

“The Trump Burger at Trump Grill in Trump Tower is fantastic, and so is the Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger, which was featured on ‘Oprah.’” – Donald J. Trump, real estate mogul

“The S’more Soufflé at One If By Land, Two If By Sea in the West Village is one of my favorite decadent holiday treats. The toasted marshmallow crème anglaise and the graham cracker ice cream with a delicious after-dinner drink makes for a wonderful winter night out at this 18th century restaurant with their twinkling chandeliers and crackling fireplaces. You almost forget that you are dining in New York City.” – David Tutera, celebrity wedding planner, designer and Port Chester native

“I love cheese and a big ol’ glass of wine at Vintage 1891 in Larchmont or the swordfish at Ruby’s (Oyster Bar) in Rye.” – Colleen Mullaney, lifestyle expert and cocktail author extraordinaire

“At Peppino’s in Katonah, the classic tartufo, a combination of vanilla and chocolate ice cream in a chocolate shell with a cherry, with a glass of ruby port. Of course, at the Lincoln Lounge in Mount Vernon, the Italian-style fried dough with confectioners sugar is a big-time indulgence, too.” – John Cirillo, sports marketing maven

Magman David Hochberg is mad about magazines By Georgette Gouveia “I’m a magazine junkie,” says David Hochberg, who as an artists’ agent and former spokesman for Lillian Vernon has spent a lifetime caring about what people say in print. “I can never get enough of them.” So isn’t WAG lucky to count this busy man-about-town as our very own features adviser? Not that we were angling for compliments when we caught up with him recently. Still, we were pleased with his progress report on the mag. “I love the party pictures (in WAGwatch),” says Hochberg, whose business takes him to many evening events. “That’s always the most fun. It’s always nice to read about someone you know. “I also love that you get information (in WAG), but not too much.” Apart from the usual suspects – Vanity Fair, The New Yorker – Hochberg appreciates a publication like The Week, which delivers today’s politics and culture in a breezy manner. But he also likes Miller-McCune for its thoughtful investigative reporting and the Christian Science Monitor magazine for imaginative trend pieces, like the one about

making siding out of tree bark. Early in his career, Hochberg was paid to know what such publications said. Or rather, he was paid to know what publications said about his mother, mail order pioneer Lillian Vernon, who in 1951 started the company that still bears her name. “Her two brilliant niches were mail order and personalization – taking a product and putting a customer's name or initials on it,” says Hochberg, the younger of her two sons. (Big brother Fred is chairman of the ExportImport Bank of the United States, whose Manhattan home was recently the setting for a salon featuring up-and-coming poet Alex Dimitrov. (See related profile.) The Hochberg brothers grew up as the sons of a working mom in an era when most mothers didn’t work. “I didn’t know any different,” David Hochberg remembers. “My context was my working mother. She had a good system.

Her home office included a TV. Even if she were working, we were together.” In 1978, he joined the company as national sales manager of the wholesale division, becoming vice president of public relations seven years later. “The good thing about being in the family at work was that I had amazing access to information and could get it for a journalist,” he says. “And it was a very tangible, quantifiable job. Others could see the results.” Hochberg remained in the post until 2005. “I wanted to be my own boss,” he says. Plus, as a night owl who loves exploring new restaurants, the thought of working out of his Manhattan apartment or Katonah cottage whenever he wanted to really appealed to him. Today, Hochberg represents such artists as painter and muralist Tova Snyder, whose rooftop scenes of medieval walled villages

are part of “Italy: From the Villages to the Grand Canal,” through Jan. 1 at the Schoolhouse Galleries in Croton Falls. Hochberg says he prefers representational art, which has been back in vogue since the late-20th century, to abstraction, which is still popular in New York City, birthplace of the Abstract Expressionists. “I don’t like art that needs a mission statement.” As for Lillian Vernon, the company has been sold three times since 2003 and is now based in Colorado. But Lillian Vernon the woman is still a vibrant part of WAG country with homes in Greenwich and Manhattan. Her support was instrumental in turning an 1836 Manhattan townhouse, remodeled by architect Stanford White, into the home of New York University’s Creative Writing Program. Since 2007, the Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House has been a mecca for readings and salons. Vernon also maintains an active social life, sometimes lunching with executives who worked with her. “People – especially women – appreciate the opportunities she gave them.” n

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Sky-high social circle More ups than downs in Ritz’s vertical neighborhood By Kelly Liyakasa Photographs by Bob Rozycki

Thomas Lemler, Rodney Arbona, Suzanne Klein and Toni Zinzi.

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To borrow a phrase from Restaurant 42, “It’s different up here.” Many come to The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester in passing – on a business trip, for a party, or a quick meeting in the luxe lobby lounge. But there’s a whole other side to the glass towers that anchor the White Plains skyline. There are the people who live this luxury 24/7. They’re elegant, educated and they expect the best. They come from all walks of Westchester society – the divorcée, the married couple looking to downsize, the social butterfly. “These are people who are looking for a lifestyle,” said Marge Schneider, executive vice president of Cappelli Enterprises, developer of Renaissance Square, which houses the Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester. “It’s a whole different world.” Carmen Schuller, a warm and bubbly Romanian beauty, who owns a successful dental practice in New York City, thinks nothing of opening her door to virtual strangers and inviting us into her sundrenched oasis. Champagnes and cheeses adorn her marble island and sophisticated guests chitchat on Italian leather couches. “Coming out of a divorce and having my freedom and being able to express myself, I wanted comfort as much as possible,” Schuller said. “It wasn’t a horrible divorce. We were married long enough, the kids are grown and we had a 5,000-square-foot house on one acre of

land. Anyone who has a huge house, 99 percent of the time it requires hard work.” Carmen’s crew – all Ritz residents – back her up. “It’s like a luxury assisted living,” gushed a blonde Suzanne Klein, dramatically wrapped in a scarf of cerulean. “It’s everything you can want.” “I was ready to make a change after living in a house so many years,” added Estelle Cohen, a petite, witty woman who has probably broken her share of hearts. “Most of all, I enjoy the owners here. They’re social, low-key, considerate and caring.” There is some irony in living a low-key life in an over-the-top atmosphere. But within Schuller’s glass house, it is remarkably peaceful. A member of the waitstaff and a general manager from Restaurant 42 wheel in a cart of concoctions from chef/owner Anthony Goncalvez, who created tapas restaurant Bellota in honor of his Portuguese upbringing. “This is what happens when you live at the Ritz,” Schuller said. “You call and they bring it right up.” You see, parties are the norm here. But they’re of an understated extravagance. Never stuffy. Always a suite full of fun. Before I leave, I have an invitation to a mid-December brunch. “The draw of living in the Ritz is the fact that it’s so service oriented,” Schneider said. “You can have great food in the restaurants, you can go to the spa, you can go work out, you can go to the media room and watch a movie. There’s just nothing you can’t do recreationally here.”

Holiday party tips from Ritz girl Carmen Schuller • Save on spirits. “Champagne is beautiful, and a decent bottle of Champagne is about $36. If you’re going to have a group of people come, why not Prosecco? A decent bottle of Prosecco is $16, so right then and there you go half.” • Have a restaurant help you. “You can do a lot of your own food. But for your main course or your most important course, order it from a place like 42, so you have a beautiful presentation. You did most of it, but the crown glory is done by an amazing chef like Anthony of 42.” • Use your abode as the venue. “Living here, to someone like me, is very helpful. I used to have parties in restaurants in places like this. But now I have parties at home. I save a lot of money by being here.”

Cinnamon sugar pastries

Champagne courtesy of Carmen Schuller. Food courtesy of Carmen Schuller, Bellota at 42.

Carmen Schuller, Suzanne Klein, Estelle Cohen and Toni Zinzi

By way of restaurants, there’s Bellota, 42, BLT Steak, the lobby lounge with theme nights and wine-tastings and a thing called room service, of course. There’s an upscale Diana Heimann Jewelry Salon, rooftop pool and 10,000 square feet of meeting space.

“It’s just very convenient,” said Toni Zinzi, impeccably draped in black and pearls. “My husband and I bought our apartment the first week, before they even advertised. We used to live in the Crestwood area of Yonkers… White Plains is like a little city. I can walk to the bank.

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Neat, not sweet Club owner/vodka maker endeavors for smooth taste Story and Photographs by Kelly Liyakasa

harles Ferri thinks massliquor production is the worst scam known to modern man. Harsher words have been spoken, but this Dutchess County native turned New York City/ Hamptons nightclub magnate is not shy about his distaste for commercial vodka products. Somewhere in France, mass-selling spirit execs are laughing at unwitting consumers, he says. Ferri recently took the time to chat with me about his premium Star Vodka line and doled out drinks to glamorous guests at a recent shindig at Cheers, an upscale wine and spirits store in Scarsdale. Here are excerpts of our conversation:

What made you say, “vodka?” Ferri: “Well, after my fifth bout with getting out of Alcoholics Anonymous, I finally decided to create my own product…No! I’m just joking. (Laughs) Poor me. Poor me. I have to drink this vodka all the time, right? The thing is this: I went from banking to owning a few prominent nightclubs in the Hamptons and Manhattan, and what I felt the one thing that wasn’t done right was spirits, especially vodka. I felt like vodka was all about mixing flavors to cut the real taste. No one wanted to show their cards. No vodka company wanted to say, ‘Hey, drink me straight.’ It shocked me, because I prefer to drink it straight, but I couldn’t. It’s horrible. Most of these brands are horrible. They’re completely horrendous. So my mindset was, ‘There’s got to be a market for this – people who are tired of mixing.’ You drink this (Star Vodka) and there’s like 60 calories. I went on this long bout for a year searching. The whole where, why of the business. I’m blessed we figured it out and now have a loyal fan-base that said, ‘This is different. I can drink vodka straight and not get a burning sensation in my throat.’”

How did you take a concept into production? “We started in the Hamptons and what I’ve always tried to do is partner Star Vodka with elite brands, one being Ferrari-Maserati of Long Island and Manhattan. We do a lot of events together with ultra luxury brands. I thought of Larchmont (where Ferri first partnered with James DeThomas, 64

Charles Ferri, founder, Star Vodka

owner of Cheers) as a very high-end area. We started in the Hamptons, partnered with a private jet company, then we moved to Manhattan and focused on affluent markets, affluent venues and restaurants. Coming up to Westchester, I said, ‘Let’s start with Larchmont,’ and Scarsdale was a wonderful area to be part of and little by little, we’re adding these new towns throughout Westchester because we’re really growing Star Vodka organically. It’s really word of mouth, limited production before you can allow other people to have it. I’m from upstate New York … I think the Westchester market is a wonderful market to be a part of.”

You’re not a mixer. How do you take your vodka? “Personally, I love throwing a green

olive in, or a lime or a lemon. It’s very versatile, but the great thing about Star Vodka is you don’t have to over mix it, (while with) the majority of other vodkas, you really have to cut the bite.”

company. With everything going on in the world, this country needs to support itself.”

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“Oregon. There are two regions of the country that, to me, had the best water source. Water is obviously the foundation of any kind of spirit. So I looked at the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. Those two regions are the best as far as water. Unfortunately, in the Northeast there was nothing as far as a distillery is concerned that I felt could have Star Vodka, so I found something up in Oregon. They use Cascade mountain (range) water, naturally filtered through lava rock. I said, ‘Mother Nature purifies water, let’s purify Star Vodka again five times through lava rock.” n

“It’s being sold now by the celebrity – who’s sticking their face on it and everybody’s jumping in the game, adding their face to it and adding flavors that add artificial sweeteners to a product that should be pure. My theory is, if you want something flavored, go to a mixologist who will give you fresh fruits, not something sugar-filled. I want to stick to the purity of actual vodka. I want a fresh cocktail. I’m finding other people like myself. We’re thinking differently. And I can’t drink another vodka cranberry, because the stuff is so potent. This is an American

Well said. Where in the states do you make Star Vodka?

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Tony Bennett sang at a private party held in Memphis.

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Party girl For Brett Galley, celebrating is serious stuff By Mary Shustack Brett Galley can party with the best of them. After all, she’s been doing it for years. Now don’t go thinking she’s just another frivolous party girl. Galley is actually the director of special events for Hollywood Pop Gallery/Le Pop Nouveau. It’s an event planning and production company with offices in Greenwich, Manhattan and London – and a clientele that spans the globe. With roots that date from the late 1980s, the company has seen party trends come (family celebrations endure) and go (“At this point, Moroccan is played out.”) Talking to Galley is a bit like hopping into a speeding limousine that’s going to hit the night’s best events one after the other. It’s a pace, Galley admits, that gets even quicker this time of year. “We’re privy to the most outrageous, in a good way, luxurious events. That’s not to say we don’t still book children’s parties, because we do.” Of course, the more elaborate the party, the better the story. And Galley has plenty of those. There was the Greenwich fundraiser for the upcoming Summer Olympics in London that drew not only revelers, but also athletes, including Apolo Ohno, Shawn Johnson and Lolo Jones. Then, there was the elaborate five-day getaway to Mexico that not only marked a client’s 50th birthday, but culminated in a concert featuring Seal. There was also the time that Galley had to wait anxiously through a snowstorm for Katy Perry’s flight from Los Angeles so the star could sing at a surprise birthday party, held at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, for a pair of local sisters. “We opened the curtain on the stage. They thought she was a lookalike. She brought the sisters onstage and they were in tears.” Such moments are what it’s all about, Galley says. “I’m so glad I can help capture that moment in time.” 66

Hollywood Pop Gallery coordinated a debutante “coming-out” ball at the Celeste Bartos Forum at the New York Public Library.

She’ll never forget securing Tony Bennett to give a private concert for a 90-year-old philanthropist, an event held in Memphis. “It was very touching, because his whole family and friends had flown in.” There was also another memorable event, when a company in the airline industry held a party in a hangar. It was decorated with a nod to the past – think 1930s/’40s – and to the future, conjuring outer space. If that wasn’t enough, “We flew an airplane into the party.” Nothing, it seems, is too outrageous. The company is known, too, for its holiday parties creating a winter wonderland complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Victorian carolers, “Nutcracker” ballerinas, live reindeer and Hanukkah games. The staff can put it all together by drawing on a pool of talent that ranges from acrobats to comics to performers that have included Lionel Richie, Bon Jovi, Olivia Newton-John and Adam Lambert. They entertain a client list, Galley says, that embraces individuals (Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Robert De Niro) and entities (American Express, the New York Jets, the Big Apple Circus).

The company follows a dramatic approach: “Whatever you can imagine, we can create.” It’s been that way from the start. Brett Galley was in art school, studying to become a dealer, when she and her mother, Joyce, an artist who specialized in portraits, teamed up to open an art gallery. “We used to say ‘We’re a little bit of Greenwich Village in Greenwich.’” The gallery was eventually transformed into a specialevent site and finally, a party-planning headquarters. Early days – “This was the years before the Internet,” Galley reminds you – were spent tracking and booking acts. With the addition of an in-house design department, “it really took off… Before I knew it, it snowballed into this much bigger company.” And it’s still growing. In February, the company is going to relaunch its Gramercy Park office in Manhattan with a special event at The National Arts Club. It’s also about to introduce a series of high-end European candy stores in the area while also further diversifying by representing emerging singer-songwriter Caroline Jones. It all helps keep things fresh, Galley says, the same way travel keeps her on the cutting edge. “I like to see what’s going on in Paris, what’s going on in Japan.” And as she has worked with her own mother, Galley is already anticipating her own 7-year-old daughter, Ava, becoming part of the family business. “She’ll be running it in no time,” she says with a laugh. Until then, the Hollywood Pop Gallery will continue to offer customized service as staffers meet with clients to discuss every aspect of an event from its far-reaching theme to its smallest details. “What you need to do is you need to know your client.” And your audience. “In the world that we’re in, you can’t keep repeating,” Galley says, noting many people attend the same events. Treating each client as an individual is also key.

President Barack Obama and Ron Howard at a fundraising event held in Greenwich.

Lionel Richie

“If someone’s conservative, we’re not going to give them a drag queen.” She might have waitstaff that’s ready to do more than serve hors d’oeuvres, though. “All of a sudden, at the middle of a party, they do a dance or a flash mob.” It comes down to creating a memorable event that fulfills a client’s wish. One wealthy man, she says, likes old-fashioned parties

that recall a simpler era, so his occasions have included an old-time carnival theme. “He’d rather have that than all the caviar in the world.” As Galley stresses, it’s not always about pushing boundaries. “It doesn’t have to be outrageous. We do really beautiful, elegant events as well.” No matter, there is something common to all the company’s events. “We try to do things that are different, having a joie de vivre.”

And everything that helps Galley create a memorable event, can translate to your own party. “What I’ve learned is what makes a great party is the people that come to it. There’s nothing more important than people’s time, family or friends.” And that’s the heart of a good party, no matter the season. Contact Hollywood Pop Gallery/Le Pop Nouveau at (203) 622-4057 or hollywoodpop.com or lepopnouveau.com. n

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grand or quiet, it's time to celebrate By Mary Shustack

pend any time talking with Mark Kramer and you’ll likely come away hungry. It’s not unusual, since the executive chef, creative director and proprietor of Susan Lawrence in Chappaqua has a way with words … a mouth-watering way. We sat down with the man behind the famed gourmet-food destination on a recent afternoon to talk about trends in holiday parties and menus and of course, Kramer had it all in hand. He walked us through – oh, so deliciously through – two approaches to holiday entertaining, a nod to today’s trends, and left us more than ready to shimmy into our holiday best, grab one of his custom-designed hostess gifts (read his journal on the shop’s website for some spoton and often hilarious tips) and head out the door. Of course, when you’re the host, it takes a little more than that. You can hire Kramer and his staffers for your event or simply stop by Susan Lawrence and select from the tempting options. The truly ambitious may even take one of Kramer’s signature cooking classes. These days, Kramer says, there are two “opposite extremes” in the world of entertaining. People, he says, are either splashing out on the grand-scale event or going the intimate route, holding a homespun gathering filled with

simple touches. Both, as he clearly demonstrates by weaving together current plans with past party experiences, have their attractions. When it’s time for the all-out fete, Kramer says it often includes an outdoor heated tent complete with a ballroom filled with 100 or even 200 guests. A horse-drawn sleigh might carry guests from the parking area up to the tent. There, draped fabrics in rich holiday hues add texture, while lights in trees help create a “winter fantasyland.” This extension of the home will further come to life with a live band playing jazz standards against the backdrop of gleaming silver serving pieces set amid holly, evergreens and gilded fruit. “You have this kind of (Luca) della Robbia garland effect,” he says, referring to the Italian Renaissance sculptor. Dining selections, he continues, then follow suit with an emphasis on the “fairly extravagant,” which might translate into a robust main course of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding accompanied by a truffle Bordelaise sauce. It all adds up to a night that’s rich, decadent – and not as popular as it has been, Kramer adds. “The parties that are really appropriate for our Christmas times are these really wonderful, casual, more homespun parties… I would feel lucky to get invited to one

of these.” The attraction, he says, is tied to the season’s pace. “It’s such a hectic time and people need kind of a stressfree evening just to relax and unwind with friends.” That doesn’t mean skimping, though, as his description clearly demonstrates. In this scenario, guests are welcomed with a roaring fire, evergreens scenting the air and a crimson-hued pomegranate-blood orange martini. “To greet the guests with that particular cocktail just kind of sets the mood.” They might, he says, choose instead an eggnog or hot mulled cider. Waiters in casual bistro dress circulate, allowing “the hosts to feel like they are guests in their own home.” “People love passed hors d’oeuvres,” Kramer continues, with options ranging from French-onion soup dumplings to oyster po’boy sliders on grilled brioche with remoulade to fontina and sea-salt tater tots served with bacon-horseradish dipping sauce. “The minute people see those tater tots, they flip out. It’s so much fun.” Miniature Wiener Schnitzels, the latest inspiration from Kramer’s frequent trips to Austria, are also served. The trays would echo the more casual atmosphere, his vintage copper serving pieces being decorated with holly nosegays.

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Mark Kramer, the executive chef, creative director and proprietor of Susan Lawrence.

“It really says Christmas.” Indeed, whole vignettes echo still lifes, transforming a home into something Kramer calls “very magical.” The offerings would continue with cedar-planked salmon infused with fennel pollen and accented with lavender, Tupelo honey and rosemary, paired with beef short ribs “braised for hours in dark beer and aromatic spices.” Side dishes would include whipped parsnips with a little truffle essence (or “heaven,” as Kramer says), heirloom baby carrots served with cranberry butter and Susan Lawrence’s signature winter kale salad, which Kramer says “has a cult following.” The salad, which features pine nuts, currants, lemon, Parmesan cheese and olive oil, would be joined by a savory Parmesan “monkey” bread, a retro-inspired favorite that guests pull apart to enjoy. Hope you saved room for dessert,

which Kramer calls “my favorite part” and you’ll see why. Think it’s hard to choose between the traditional bûche de Noël decorated with marzipan or a gratin prepared with heirloom apples? Then you don’t want to even think about the chocolate-cheesecake truffles, “beautiful” Christmas cookies and chocolate pots de crème served in demitasse cups with peanut-butter whipped mouse and sprinkles of peanut brittle. Actually, you probably do want to think about those. After all, a holiday party is a special occasion, one to savor and enjoy with a little help from Kramer and Susan Lawrence. “A little imagination goes a long way – and we do all the work for you… It’s a joy to bring that happiness.”

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11/9/11 2:59 PM

wares

Passionate red makes for a naughty boudoir.

Little Jordan relaxes in the nice bedroom.

Making your bed … and luxuriating in it

e spend one-third of our lives in our bedrooms, so why not turn that space into the boudoirs you’ve always dreamed of? Take inspiration from this holiday season by treating yourself to a bedroom makeover. To refresh your bedroom, first start with a neutral palette and add layers of color with fabulous accessories. For the makeovers, I selected a bedroom in an Old Greenwich home with latte-colored walls, textured crème-colored wall-to-wall carpet and a king-size bed upholstered in a sumptuous chocolate brown, soft fabric with gold nail-head details and simple white bedding. The beauty of a neutral bedroom is its versatility. Depending on your mood or the season, you can create alternative looks without having to repaint or buy new furniture. As they say, the devil is in the details. Next, I scoured the area to find the best stores with the most exquisite accessories, from art to pillows to lamps and faux fur throws. Each store offered its unique look

Pillows from Mis En Scene, $175.50, $229.50 and $324.

Styling and story by Patricia Espinosa Photographs by ©David Bravo

and each was incredibly helpful. Indeed, a few of the stores I worked with offer interior design services, such as The Drawing Room, Pimlico and Rinfret. In keeping with our December theme, I decided to create two looks – a “naughty” boudoir and a “nice” bedroom.

Naughty boudoir

For the naughty makeover, I added a little spice by “Bringing Sexy Back” (as Justin Timberlake would say). Bold colors and striking art were used to create a dramatic effect. Mis En Scene provided the red and black linen embroidered pillows as well as the Danielle Procaccio painting on the wall. The scale of Rinfret’s tall mercury glass lamps helps balance the oversized art and provides shimmer. Pimlico’s silver and beige cowhide rug echoes the silver branch candlesticks and lamps in the room. Rinfret’s faux native fox throw along the foot of the bed completes the opulent look. Indulge in guilty pleasures as you sip a little bubbly, light some candles and slip on Patricia Gourlay’s black

Candlesticks from Pimlico, $250 pair

silk charmeuse lace nightie and Soleil’s leopard kittenheeled slippers.

Nice room

More than just a place to catch some shut-eye, the bedroom can be a welcome respite after a stressful day, a place to escape and recharge the body and soul. For some, that means a space that is calming and cozy. For the nice makeover, I chose pastel pink and rose with beige and taupe colors to create a softer layer to the tans and browns of the room. The bed is adorned with oversized rose and white pillows, taupe-colored dotted and pleated pillows and a pink and beige houndstooth pillow, all by The Drawing Room. Richard’s Hermes “H” blanket adds another cozy layer to the mix. The Drawing Room’s lattice white table lights flank the bed. Luxuriate in Patricia Gourlay’s pink silk charmeuse pajamas, which are not only gorgeous but comfy, too. And the room’s most precious accessory of all, little Jordan, adds a sweetness that is unmatched. n

Hermes wool cashmere blanket from Richards, $1,250

Hellen Sanchez black silk charmeuse lace chemise, $315.

Andres pink silk charmeuse pajamas, $495.

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wayfarer

City of gold At this time of year, all roads lead to Jerusalem By Cappy Devlin

Praying at the Wailing Wall. 72

A Hasidic family praying at the Wailing Wall.

erusalem, the 3,000-year-old “City of Gold,” is sacred to the world’s three great Abrahamic religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism. And you can be sure that many of the faithful will be visiting it in the coming weeks as Hanukkah overlaps the Christmas season this year. Hanukkah is the story of the Jews’ triumph over the Syrian-Greeks and the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem. After the Temple had been cleansed and the priests were ready to light the Temple menorah, they could find only one jug of oil that was fit to use. Though it was only enough for one day, it miraculously lasted eight. That is why Hanukkah is eight days long. This year, it goes from sundown Dec. 20 to sundown Dec. 28. Often called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah every night. Families get together to feast and play games. Potato pancakes, or latkes, are a special treat, as are Hanukkah doughnuts. Hanukkah gelt (money) is traditionally given to children, who might also receive a present for each day of the festival. The Christmas season – which begins with Christmas itself Dec. 25 and culminates in the feast of the Epiphany Jan. 6 – is both a deeply religious and secular tradition. Bethlehem, where Jesus is said to have been born, is the site of the Church of the Nativity, which is ablaze with flags

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is the site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial.

and decorations every Christmas. On Christmas Eve, natives and visitors alike crowd the church’s doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by a solitary horseman carrying a cross astride a coalblack steed. Then come the churchmen and government officials. The procession solemnly enters, and an ancient figure of the Holy Child is placed in the manger. Deep winding stairs lead to a grotto where visitors find a silver star marking the site of Jesus’ birth. Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door, and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star is set up on a pole in the square as well, symbolizing the star that guided shepherds and the Magi alike to the place where the Holy Child was born. Jerusalem is a city of overwhelming emotions, one that promises a religious and spiritual experience as well as the excitement and pleasure of savoring archaeological sites, arts offerings, ancient architecture and gastronomic delights. Your discovery of Jerusalem begins at the Mount of Olives for a spectacular view of the city. Then enter the gates of the Old City to the Jewish Quarter. Walk along the Cardo, the colonnaded main street of Byzantine Jerusalem. At the Davidson Center, you can see a fantastic computer imaging presentation of the Temple

Always the

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The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

Mount 2,000 years ago. Jerusalem’s heart is the Old City, which is surrounded by a wall and divided into four quarters – Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim. Inside the walls are the holy sites of the three major religions: the Wailing Wall, and the Temple Mount, holy to the Jews; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to Christians; and the Dome of the Rock, to Muslims. Its golden dome shelters the rock from which the Prophet Mohammed ascended to Heaven. For Jews, it covers the holiest spot on Earth, the last remaining trace of the wall that enclosed and supported the Second Tem74

ple on the Temple Mount. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the holiest Christian site in the world. It stands on a site that is believed to encompass both Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb (sepulchre) where he was buried. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been an important pilgrimage destination since the fourth century. You can retrace the steps Jesus took on the Via Dolorosa to his Crucifixion through narrow alleys and souks to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Jerusalem has many other sites to

see such as the Abell Synagogue at the Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden; Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust; and in the evening at the Citadel Museum, a “night spectacular” of sound and light. In the heart of Israel stands the ancient Old City of Jerusalem measuring just one square mile. Like the rest of this golden place, it is a reminder of what the Talmud tells us, that “ten measures of beauty descended to the world,” and that “nine were taken by Jerusalem.” n

Jerusalem, the 3,000-year-old “City of Gold,” is sacred to the world’s three great Abrahamic religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

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wheels

Licensed to thrill No need to be a spy to 'Bond' with Aston Martin By Ryan Doran Photographs by Bob Rozycki

very man has within him the ability to be tough and tender, edgy and elegant, rough and refined, part “Ahnold” Schwarzenegger and part Cary Grant. It’s on the razor’s edge, balancing human decency – and perhaps equal parts human vice – that the most coveted male icons

live. In Ian Fleming’s novels, that balancing act has been embodied by one of the most refined rebels of all time – James Bond – and his automobile of choice, a deep gray Aston Martin.

It was in 1962 that Sean Connery ... took to the wheel of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which gave way to the V12 Vanquish.

Our wheelman Ryan Doran taps into his inner James Bond while posing with the Aston Martin DBS at Miller Motorcars in Greenwich. 76

Agent 007’s affairs with high-end coupes have been as prominent as his dalliances with the Bond girls, but it is to the Aston Martin that he has been most faithful. That perfect fit has as much to do with the look of the coupe itself as with what that brand has built through the years. Originally, though, Fleming gave the still-evolving Bond a battleship-gray Bentley 4.5 Litre. Later in the books, the spy would graduate to a Mark II Continental Bentley. The literary version of Bond would only flirt with his true love in the “Goldfinger” story, in which he was issued an Aston Martin DB Mark III. Though Bond would return to his Bentley in following novels, the seed was planted for the spy’s lifelong affinity for Aston Martins onscreen, where he would truly become a man’s idea of a man (as opposed to a woman’s idea of a man – Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy, for whom “horsepower” is the decidedly four-legged kind). The Bond of the films has driven a number of autos, including BMWs, Lotuses, Citroëns, and, of course, has jumped from building, bus and helicopter into an even larger range of civilian and villain vehicles. It was in 1962 that Sean Connery, perhaps the gold standard in Bonds, took to the wheel of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which gave way to the V12 Vanquish. The

cinematic spy’s longest-running ride, however, has been in the DB series (DB5 and DBS), first seen in “Goldfinger” and later featured in “Thunderball,” “GoldenEye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies” and the 2006 remake of “Casino Royale.” It is rumored that Daniel Craig, who took over the role with “Casino Royale,” will find himself behind the wheel of the first production-ready One-77, the new Aston model, in the 2012 release “Skyfall.” In the Bond brand, finding the right car has been almost as important as handing the right star a license to kill. With the Aston’s heavy engine and more than 500 horsepower, the essence of Bond has been fully defined – at once out-of-reach yet still tantalizing to the everyman. Like the car itself. The Virage, Aston Martin’s base coupe, starts at $207,000. Still, the Aston has avoided the road traveled by Rolls Royce and, to a lesser extent, Bentley, those modern-day carriages for captains of industry. The Aston Martin has instead continued ripping around curves in its racing tradition, not afraid of testing its high-grade engineering. It’s even featured prominently in racing video games like the “Need for Speed” series. The Aston Martin is for the man who says, “Let’s play.” Bond can play with the best of them. Yet he also looks sleek in a tux – to the tune of almost $5 billion in box-office receipts over the course of 22 films. And that is why he and his Aston Martin coupe will continue to leave audiences shaken and stirred as the not-so-obscure objects of male desire. n

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wine&dine

Vintage gifts for the oenophile on your list By Geoff Kalish MD

hile the wide array of wine-related items should make shopping for gifts a pleasure, the spectrum of possibilities can be as overwhelming as buying wine itself. Moreover, many seemingly elegant choices – especially glassware and openers – are often quite impractical. What’s a Santa’s Little Helper to do? The following suggestions are bound to draw appreciative murmurs from the oenophiles who’ve been naughty in the nicest possible way this year.

READING

Books and magazines about wine make some of the best selections for novices as well as connoisseurs. The recently published book “Summer in a Glass: The Coming of Age of Winemaking in the Finger Lakes,” by Evan Dawson (Sterling, 2011, $20), offers an excellent perspective on upstate New York wines and wineries through stories about 13 individual winemakers. For far lighter reading, there’s Peter Mayle’s newest novel, “The Vintage Caper” (Random House, 2010, $15), a fast-paced story about theft, counterfeit wine and hubris that will provide a few enjoyable hours for anyone who has a wine cellar or is planning to start one. And Kevin Zraly’s classic book, “The Windows on the World Complete Wine Course (25th Anniversary Edition)” (Sterling, $35) is perfect for the newbie. Additional print considerations are gift subscriptions to a wine publication like the popular Wine Spectator (15 issues a year for $50) and/or Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (six issues a year for $75).

UNCORKING

With the choice of wine openers running the gamut from simple, all-metal “bartender-type” corkscrews at $4 each to more complex devices with showy mammoth ivory handles at more than $500 each, it’s difficult to know which will be most appreciated. From my experience, home use favors two widely available brands – the Screwpull and the Rabbit. Ranging roughly from $15 to $80, these openers are relatively “idiot proof” – with cork removal disasters a rarity with bottles from very old vintages. For a conversation-piece wine opener that really works well, there are the antiques brass- or pewterfinished Rogar and Legacy brands of corkscrews ($60$150), each featuring a simple lever mechanism and adorned with a grape vine design. (All the above items are available online, with a good range of choices available at The Wine Enthusiast retail shop in Mount Kisco.)

SIPPING

While many gift shops display shelves and shelves of wine glasses, much of what’s available is at cross-purposes – especially for the cognoscenti. For example, many goblets feature decorative tinted bowls. However, since one of the major aesthetic aspects of a wine is its color, glassware should be clear and colorless. Purists even avoid glasses 78

with bowls that are etched, deeming that the flashes of light created by the indentations are distracting when evaluating the clarity of older vintages. Moreover, stemware with thick, machine-extruded glass tends to force wine to the back of the palate, decreasing the perception of flavor by the anterior and mid-tongue areas. Also problematic are glasses with long, narrow stems, because they tend to break in the dishwasher or shatter when washed and dried by hand. For all but the most demanding connoisseur on one’s list, Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel carry a wide range of stemware with many serviceable glasses in the $4 to $14 price range. And for those on your list who consider anything but well-aged Bordeaux and Burgundy as picnic wine, choose stemware from the Austrian producer Riedel, which makes glasses with customized shapes for each type of wine. The inference here is that each type tastes best in a glass that accentuates certain aspects of its bouquet and flavor, such as fruitiness, acidity or depth of flavor. These glasses are available in the machine-made

Vinum series ($25-$30 each) and the hand-blown Sommelier series ($70-$110 each) at Williams-Sonoma, The Wine Enthusiast and at most of the Bed Bath & Beyond shops scattered around the region. Also of note, based on a large series of tastings conducted by Ed McCarthy (co-author of “Wine for Dummies” and the other “Dummies’” wine books), there’s no need to buy special glasses for sparkling wine, with a typical white wine glass offering as much (if not more) gustatory pleasure as fluteshaped stemware.

POURING

Finally, for the cellar-master who has just about everything, consider an Elsa Peretti carafe from Tiffany & Co. ($820), a Riedel decanter (from $26 to $415 each at The Wine Enthusiast) or a bottle or more of top-tier Champagne, from Dom Perignon ($150-$450) or Krug ($170-$500). A toast to you and yours for the happiest of holidays! n

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wise

Bullish on the glittery stuff By John Roque

Sometimes all that glitters really is gold. And at record highs, why not? I’m not surprised. Back on Oct. 31, 2001, when I was working at Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Inc., I wrote a bullish report on gold and gold stocks. At first, I didn’t have any great concept with respect to this. I just thought that amid the post9/11 turbulence, precious metal stocks were in a spot where investors could make money if they got involved. Just prior to publishing my report and for some time after, I met with anyone who I thought had been around during the last “gold rush.” (The gold market peaked in 1980). I did this to get a sense of what I might expect should gold become more than I imagined. I even got a chance to have lunch with Peter Bernstein. But I gotta tell you, though I had read two of his books (“Against the Gods: The

Remarkable Story of Risk” and “The of Gold.’ It didn’t read like an academic Power of Gold,” which I loved), it was a treatise. Rather, it read like a novel. Why little daunting for did you write it?” a technical analyst Indeed, in our topsyHe said, “Because (a stepchild of the I hate gold.” turvy environment, analytical world) I nearly choked this steadfast standard to contact this on my Spanish titan of finance. is more akin to what octopus carpacNot only was he King Ferdinand of Spain cio. I said, “I don’t a financial histo- meant when he said, understand.” rian, economist, “Get gold, humanely He said, “John, professor and for- if possible, but at all you’re a student mer fed research- hazards – get gold.” of statistics, aren’t er, but he had also you?” I said, been an Air Force captain and had worked “Well, I probably should’ve done better.” for the OSS (predecessor to the CIA). He nonetheless continued. “Let’s say Nevertheless, I persevered and he agreed that tomorrow I come to your apartment to meet me for lunch at Aureole, which and ring your bell and tell you we’re going in those days was on East 61st Street, be- to walk and explore the city of New York tween Park and Madison avenues. After for the day. Because it’s a nice day, you say, ordering, I said, “Mr. Bernstein … I have ‘Sure.’ But I tell you that there is a five perto tell you that I loved reading ‘The Power cent chance that you can get hit by a car.

You, John, being a good student of statistics say, ‘That means there’s a 95 percent chance I don’t get hit by a car.’ From a statistical point of view, that is the correct way to think about the situation. However, the ramifications of getting hit by a car are so grave and dangerous that you need insurance. That is the way to think about gold, John. It is insurance for your portfolio.” The rest of our lunch was pleasant, and the discussion lively. But I’m reminded of the lunch constantly as I notice “The Power of Gold” on my table at home. Since October 2001, I’ve been drawn to gold. You see, I continue to believe that gold remains more than insurance in one’s portfolio. Indeed, in our topsy-turvy environment, this steadfast standard is more akin to what King Ferdinand of Spain meant when he said, “Get gold, humanely if possible, but at all hazards – get gold.” n

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well

Meet Xeo: Santa’s little cosmetic helper By Michael Rosenberg, MD

Here’s something nice for the holidays to treat those naughty frown lines. It’s a new application that is about to be formally introduced to the United States. Already approved in Europe under the name Bocouture, this new treatment is called Xeomin, or Xeo, here. While the medication will be widely available in March, certain plastic surgery practices such as mine have already been given the product for preview. Xeomin is similar to its predecessors, Botox and Dysport, in that it inhibits the movement of facial muscles, such as the corrugator and procerus muscles that are responsible for frowning at the base of the nose (glabellar area). It also inhibits the frontalis muscle that contributes to forehead wrinkles and the orbicularis

oculi muscle, which does the honors for crow’s feet around the eyes. It is injected as an office procedure and the effect lasts three to four months. With pretreatment using a topical anesthetic cream, there is minimal discomfort from the injection. Unlike its predecessors, Xeomin is processed without any additives, just pure Botulinum Toxin type A. This may lessen the likelihood of a patient’s developing antibodies to Xeomin, which would prevent the treatment from working. Thus, in patients who have developed a “resistance” to Botox or Dysport, Xeomin may still be effective. Another difference is that Xeomin does not need to be refrigerated, which may aid in distribution of the product. Finally, there is hope that Xeomin will be less expensive for physicians to buy,

Dazzle Your Eyes for the Holidays!

which could translate into lower costs for the consumer. Although Xeomin is FDA-approved, the actual price has not been established since Xeo is not yet available to all physicians in the U.S. Xeomin is being marketed in the U.S. by Merz Aesthetics, the maker of Radiesse, a treatment used to restore volume loss in the face through calciumbased microspheres and gel. It fills out hollow areas on the cheeks and in the line between the nose and mouth (nasolabial fold). In addition, it differs from other fillers in that it acts as a scaffold along which the body can deposit new collagen, the structural component of skin. In many patients, the effects of Radiesse can remain up to one year after treatment. Both of these products, Radiesse and Xeomin, can be used at the

same setting and will work symbiotically to improve the appearance in separate areas of the face. By utilizing both products in conjunction, the facial plastic surgeon can mimic the effects of surgical rejuvenation without any of the downtime associated with surgery and at a lesser expense. Side effects of Xeomin are similar to those seen with Botox and Dysport, all of which are fortunately quite rare. Interested in meeting Xeo? Then come to WAG’s anti-aging event Jan.12 (5:30 to 8 p.m. at Manhattanville College’s Reid Castle in Purchase) and see a live demonstration. Judge for yourself if the hype meets the reality. For any questions please contact mrosenberg@plasticsurgeryweb.com. n

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Sexual fantasies stoke the young at heart By Erika Schwartz, MD

o borrow from the soaps, we often associate a rich sexual fantasy life with the young and the restless. While statistics are limited by the openness of those surveyed, overall they do demonstrate a consistent decrease in the number and frequency of fantasies with every decade of our lives. Think about it: Our sex hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in both men and women (in different proportions) – flood our systems at puberty, transforming boys into men and girls into women. With hormones firmly ensconced, the desire to have sex, to connect physically and to produce the next generation increases. In this complex and critical hormonal

dance, fantasy is a crucial factor the brain uses to ignite attraction and keep it alive. Who doesn’t remember or watch often amused as kids entering puberty fill their rooms with posters of gorgeous men and women. What do they do with them? They fantasize, of course. Often, these fantasies are benign and gentle. A mental fling with a celebrity, a movie star? Why not? It won’t hurt anyone unless you take it out of context and confuse your reality with the fantasy. Most people don’t. They use fantasy to spice up reality in times of need. Indeed, when we enter our 20s and 30s and have families and careers, sexual fantasies may often sustain flagging relationships and exhaustion. No wonder there is never-ending interest in celebrity

love life, provocatively dressed models, R-rated movies and pretty much anything with the word “sex” in it, even for the most repressed or staid adults in our society. But as we age, fantasies about naughty things and libidinous desires start to wane. This is particularly true in menopause and andropause, or male menopause (yes, it does exist). By the age of 70, only 1 percent of women say they have sexual fantasies. It may be a bit higher for men, but that might just be wishful thinking. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions as we are faced with sex and Internet porn addictions in older individuals, be they public figures or just average Joes. But the general downturn in fantasies and hormone production suggests a con-

nection between the two. Yet, are hormones the only reasons that we lose our fantasy lives? Maybe we are bored and have seen it all in the real world. Maybe we know reality is often better. Or maybe we need to seek new horizons. I find it reassuring when patients in their 50s, 60s and even later years find new partners and experience not only an increase in their fantasies, but also a surge in hormones. No medical explanation for this pheromone phenomenon exists, so I leave it to the researchers and to you to figure out the connection between fantasies and hormones, between new and old, between the passionate and the passionless, between being alive and not. For now, I think I’ll get back to my fantasies! n

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This year take lasting portraits that will be cherished for many lifetimes.

Real Life Portraits 701 Post Road Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 t/203.256.1722 www.davidbravo.com / email db@davidbravo.com

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Rye Brook Mayor Joan Feinstein and Patty Palmieri, founder, Lv2bfit

Living the ‘fit’ life

Miss Westchester 2011 Christina DeLeon

Stanley Nelson, filmmaker of the Emmy-award winning PBS documentary “Freedom Riders.”

Lv2bfit, a chic fashion fitness boutique specializing in active wear and couture accessories, packed its new Rye Ridge Shopping Center store late October for a grand-opening celebration with a live DJ, hors d’oeuvres from neighbor Buddha Asian Fusion and skinny cocktails for guests to sip. The best part of all? A portion of the proceeds was donated to breast cancer program “Women at Risk.”

Chelsea and Lawrence Kirwan

Yonkers City Councilwoman Patricia McDow

Mark R. Warren, associate professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education

President of Sarah Lawrence College Karen Lawrence

Let freedom ring

Sarah Lawrence College hosted a reception Oct. 27 for a month-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides of 1961, which included an exhibit in the Barbara Walters Gallery and remarks by college President Karen Lawrence. Works included renowned AfricanAmerican artists Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Chester Bloom and contemporary artists from Atlanta, New York City and Yonkers, including the sculpture “Liberté,” by Vinnie Bagwell, guest curator for the show. Photographs by Bruce Gilbert State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Alwin Jones

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Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia and Dr. Elaine Morganelli

Dr. Anne Angevine, co-director of Stamford Hospital’s Women’s Breast Center

Saks in the city

Dr. David Passaretti

Johnna Roca, breast cancer survivor, with her husband Chris and their daughters Isabella, Mikaela, Ariana and Natasha

Rosemary Strimavacius, Necessities’ founding President Maureen Lutz and Courtney Plumb

Shining shindig

Ridgefield’s historic Lounsbury House was the charmed setting for the recent “Shine a Spotlight” awards presented by Necessities Inc. and Shine Salonspa. Fairfield County Bank, Dooney & Bourke, Craig’s Fine Jewelry of Ridgefield and Baccarat of Greenwich lent their support to Necessities Inc., which began when Maureen Lutz, a breast cancer survivor, created the Necessities Bag, a tote of supplies designed to help women recovering from a mastectomy. 86

Saks Fifth Avenue at Stamford Town Square rolled out the red carpet for Stamford Hospital’s “Paint the Town Pink” fashion show recently. Breast cancer survivors and their families, city leaders, committee members and fashionistas enjoyed a dynamic runway show, part of a nationwide initiative raising funds and awareness for early detection and cures for women’s cancers. Photographs by Tim Coffey Photography

Alysa Robin Hantgan, Lauren Candela-Katz and Susan Yubas

All that glitters

The David Yurman boutique at The Westchester in White Plains treated shoppers with a fine taste to a private event benefiting the Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center in White Plains. Partygoers sipped cocktails, nibbled canapés and sampled Yurman’s timeless designs. Dr. Carolyn Coulture and her daughter

Liz Bracken-Thompson and Tricia Laine

CNBC’s Sharon Epperson

Alexandra Satine

Kathy Comelli, Annette Brown and Jan Adelson

This one’s for the girls

Hundreds of women turned out for Girls Inc. Westchester’s “Power of the Purse” gala at LIFE The Place to Be in Ardsley. It was a night to remember, with dozens of designers, pols, business leaders and news personalities, all banding together to tout the importance of financial freedom for young women. Photographs by Kelly Liyakasa

Designer Shell Roberts and her mother, Tina Roberts

Jean Chatzky

Pat Min Cohen and playwright David Henry Huang

A scene from “Chinglish”

Curtain call

The theater world was out in force at Manhattan’s Brasserie 8½ on Oct. 27 to celebrate the Broadway opening night of “Chinglish,” a play about miscommunication from the fertile mind of David Henry Hwang (“M. Butterfly”). Among the attendees was co-producer Dasha Epstein, a longtime Bedford resident. Actresses Christine Lin and Angela Lin

Jim Dale and his wife, Julie, with Dasha Epstein, center

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David and Madeleine Arnow, Susan and Larry Tolchin and Rory Worby, Frédérique Zacharia, Millicent Kaufman Linda Coffey and Laura Politi

Music in the air

Steven Ucko with Philharmonic principal horn player Peter Reit and his wife, harpist Alyssa Reit

New York state Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, MaryAnn Liebert and Hannah Shmerler

Eileen Endico and Susan Novogrodzki of Susan Blake Designer Jewelry

Before The Westchester Philharmonic rang in its winter season, music lovers gathered at Brynwood Golf & Country Club in Armonk for “The Power of Music,” a gala dinner supporting the symphony orchestra’s music education and performance programs. Photographs by Elvia Gobbo

Joshua Worby, executive director of the orchestra, and Martin Eltrich

Sandra Papari and Cindy Payne of Paulo’s Atelier Hair Salon

Sense-surround

Executive Chef Ethan Kostbar of Moderne Barn

Wendy Sklar and Lori Land, co-owner of Churchills of Mount Kisco

What do you get when you combine a chamber of commerce, a steakhouse, a jeweler and a gym? A Taste Of The Towns fundraiser for Support Connection. More than 350 people were treated to music, tastings, wine and samples in a feast for the senses at The GYM in Armonk where 50 vendors ranging from Moderne Barn Restaurant to Grand Prix New York set up shop one evening in October. Support Connection is a Yorktown Heights nonprofit offering free services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancers. Photographs by Kelly Liyakasa Scott Mason

Barbara Dixon, Timothy Caldwell and Teri Edelstein, acting director of the Neuberger

Lucille Werlinich, chairman, Purchase College Foundation; and Ken Tabachnick, dean, School of the Arts

Artistic affair

Helen Stambler Neuberger, chairman of the museum’s board of trustees; artist Dana Schutz and Helaine Posner, deputy director of curatorial affairs for the museum

Richard and Ellen Chassin

Key members of Purchase College and the Neuberger Museum of Art were on hand to toast the opening of “Dana Schutz: If the Face Had Wheels.” The exhibit, which runs through Dec. 18, blends fantasy and reality, humor and horror. Photographs by Harrison Edwards Inc.

Bloomingdale’s employees display their bracelets during “Ready, Set, Pink!”

Event honorees Steve Caspi, Harvey Rosenthal, Dominica Potenza and Jill H. Shore, MHA Board member

Thinking pink

To support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Bloomingdale’s White Plains hosted a “Ready, Set, Pink!” bash recently that packed a lot of pizzazz. Guests feasted on pink treats, checked out exclusive merchandise and received manicures that put their digits in the pink. Photographs by Getty Images/Bloomingdale’s

here's to 65

Arif Boysan, Bloomingdale’s White Plains general manager

Friends and supporters of The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) raised their glasses in celebration of MHA’s 65 years of service to Westchester this October. Raising $150,000 for MHA’s services, gala proceeds will support MHA’s direct services, which help children, adults and families.

Dorry Swope, Dr. Lucy R. Waletzky and Peter Felcher

Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson and Geoff Thompson

Into the 'Woods'

New York state Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and David Swope

Jan Blair, Legislator Mike Kaplowitz and Linda Cooper

Teatown Lake Reservation hosted “A Night in the Woods” in November at Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown. The yearly celebration raises vital funds for environmental education programs, land stewardship and advocacy efforts in regional conservation. 89

watch Award-winning night

The Westchester County Association’s annual leadership dinner and APEX Awards ceremony is so popular, there was even a waiting list this year. If you were among the nearly 700 to make it into the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown that November night, then it’s safe to say you had a glorious time. The speaker was Katherine Farley, senior managing partner of Tishman Speyer, who when she wears her artistic beret, serves as chairman of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. How perfectly New York. A delicious dessert buffet, which featured a chocolate river – and various treats designed for dunking – closed an elegant evening of networking and celebration. Photographs by Joe Vericker, PhotoBureau Inc.

Lawrence Otis Graham and County Executive Rob Astorino

Al DelBello and Renée Brown

Nicholas Pura, Kathy Havlik, Terri Eberle and Meghan French

Kevin McCarthy and Joseph Pizzimenti

Sandy Miller and Jody Rollins

Joel Lever and Erin Griffin

Chris Fisher, Brendan Meyer, Steve Condon and Erica R. Feynman

Judith Huntington, president, The College of New Rochelle

Phyllis Mooney and Angelina Bassano

Want to be in Wag Watch? Email pics and event info to KL@wagmag.com 90

Bill Mooney

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Garzona

wit wonders: What is the nicest or naughtiest thing you have done this year? “The nicest thing I did this year was attend my daughter’s wedding in October. October is always a crazy busy month at Support Connection. I spend a huge amount of time on outreach and publicity, with barely a moment to breathe. So having a joyous occasion like my daughter’s wedding just a couple weeks later was fantastic. She was so beautiful and so happy. It was probably the nicest thing I’ll do for many years!” – Barbara Cervoni director of services and communication, Support Connection Inc., Bedford Hills resident “I started off the year by summiting Mount Kilimanjaro New Year’s Day to raise 11,000 cans of food for the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless. I’ll be honest with you, it’s all been downhill from there.” – Timothy C. Donohue senior associate, CBRE and president, board of directors, Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless, White Plains resident “Just a few of the naughtiest things I’ve done this year: I put the time-out corner outside the front door. I let Ella walk into school barefoot, because I had to get in there to make coffee for PTA. I told the children that the new Swiffer I just bought was a toy for them to use.” – Jeanne Doorley mother of three, Cortlandt Manor resident “For me, it is about expressing thanks to my mate for making a great cup of French Roast coffee for me yesterday, or asking the bank teller how she is and listening attentively to her answer. Nice is not a grand sort of altruism like donating millions to relieve starvation in Somalia. It is these smaller ripples of care and connection. Am I being naughty when I swear profusely at the driver of a battered blue Toyota Camry who just cut me off at high speed on the Saw Mill Parkway? Not really. My string of foul words slipped out so easily and automatically, no premeditation involved at all.” – Leisha Douglas psychotherapist, Somers resident

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“The nicest thing I have done this year is get married to the perfect man for me! We saved the naughty part for our honeymoon in Argentina!” – Jennifer Jalil Feliciano reverse mortgage specialist, MetLife, Elmsford resident “As we were preparing for a wine-pairing one evening after the store had closed, we decided to open a bottle and test a few of our chocolates and gourmet treats. We sat in the middle of the store on the floor with our wine and our treats and before we knew it, we had sampled one of every single treat – be it chocolate, candy, gourmet and ice cream. One bite from each item and a bottle of wine later, we quickly scheduled a trip to LA Boxing in Mamaroneck.” – Maria Garzona, owners, Sweet Teez, Larchmont residents “The nicest thing I did was look up an old army buddy during a recent trip to Hawaii. When Marsha and I landed on Oahu, I looked up his name and sure enough there he was. I called and within seconds he remembered who I was. He called back to say that he and his wife would pick us up an hour later. When they arrived, they placed fresh flower leis around our necks and proceeded to take us on a tour of Diamond Head and the island. It was great to catch up after not having seen each other for nearly 40 years.” – Eli Gordon executive director, New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, Greenburg resident “I had a client who kept me on my toes 24/7. He just felt he was going to hold back any information or paperwork that was sent to him by the banks, landlord etc. – till the day he realized that it wasn’t any joking matter, and he was getting evicted that morning. …Long story short, I was able to sell his co-op and he was able to come out with a little something to rent an apartment. Three months later, he called to express his thankfulness for all I did, and told me that he was thankful that he did not lose his place and come out with nothing.” – Lillian Leone real estate agent, Keller Williams Realty in Scarsdale, Yonkers resident

Linder

“Nicest and naughtiest came together for me in one very special design project this year – a spectacular no-expense-spared spa bathroom for a lucky 13-year-old. I loved creating the ultimate bathroom that I knew would make this young girl feel like a princess. At the same time, it felt incredibly naughty – in an indulgent way – to be selecting gorgeous white marble, a spa-bubble massage tub with chromotherapy, and a shower with four adjustable body sprays for someone barely into the teens!” – Shelly Linder owner and designer, Shell Decor in Greenwich, Greenwich resident “The nicest thing I did this year was attend the Westchester Business Council’s ‘Rising Stars –Westchester’s Forty Under Forty’ ceremony and watch Chereese Jervis-Hill receive her award. Chereese is the president of Events to Remember, a successful event-planning business. I nominated her for the award because of the tremendous help she has given to Support Connection. I was so happy to see the smile on Chereese’s face as she received well-deserved recognition for being a business leader and a consummate professional.” – Katherine Quinn executive director, Support Connection Inc., Shrub Oak resident “The naughtiest thing I have done this year is drink a bottle of 1994 La Rioja Alta ‘Vina Ardanza’ Reserva...and didn't share it with anybody.” – Gretchen Thomas wine and spirits director, Barcelona Restaurant Group, Norwalk resident “The naughtiest thing I've done this year is not return emails or phone calls while on a 10-day vacation in southern California. I'm an arts consultant and had tried to clear my desk of all pending matters. I rationalized that in the old days, before the constant connectivity of the web, the world continued to run while people like me went on vacation. So, I acted like a surfer-girl and simply enjoyed the California sun. I did, however, read emails and listen to voicemails – just to keep abreast of any ‘art emergencies.’” – Sarah Bracey White executive director of arts and culture, town of Greenburgh, Ossining resident

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Compiled by Alissa Frey Contact her at afrey@westfairinc.com 91

when&where THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7 – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9

More than 35 specialty vendors display a range of one-of-a-kind items, followed by an evening wine and cheese tasting, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 5 to 7 p.m. tasting, Westchester Reform Temple, 255 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale. (914) 723-7727, wrtemple.org.

Live performances with food and drink specials and a portion of the proceeds benefiting Gilda’s Club Westchester, 7 p.m. doors open; 8:30 p.m. music starts, Paulie’s, 14 Marble Ave., Pleasantville. $10. (914) 644-8844, gildasclubwestchester.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 ROCKAPELLA HOLIDAY

JAZZY NIGHT

Jazz artist Brian Q. Torff performs with guest musicians, 7 to 9 p.m., Fairfield Arts Center, 70 Sanford St. $10. (203) 319-1419, fairfieldartscenter.org.

Vocalists perform a range of hits from jazz to hip-hop, 8 p.m., The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield. $52.50; $42.50 students (box office purchases only). (203) 438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 WHAT’S OPERA, DOC?

Taconic Opera performs Verdi’s “Nabucco,” 7 p.m., Purchase College Performing Arts Center, PepsiCo Theatre, 735 Anderson Hill Road. $15 to $57. (855) 886-7372, taconicopera.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 ALL THINGS NEXT CHARITY CONCERT

FAIRY TALE OPERA

The Purchase Opera Company performs “Hansel and Gretel,” in English, with a glimpse into what happens on and backstage, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 7, 8 and 9; 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Purchase College Conservatory of Music, 735 Anderson Hill Road. purchase. edu.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 COMEDY TONIGHT

Joel Chasnoff performs stand-up at an event hosted by The JCC of Mid-Westchester and the New Rochelle Jewish Coalition (NRJC), 8 p.m., JCC of Mid-Westchester, Bendheim Performing Arts Center, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale. $36. (914) 4723300, jccmw.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 NOT YOUR TYPICAL ‘NUT’

“Nutcrackereleven,” a production by the Purchase Dance Company, puts a different spin on a holiday favorite with creative choreography and costumes as well as multimedia magic opening the show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9; 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 11, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. $52.50, $42.50, $27.50; seniors: $47.25, $38.25, $24.75. (914) 251-6200, artscenter.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 SYMPHONY SOUNDS

The Westchester Chamber Symphony teams with tenor Donald Groves for songs and arias of Baroque composers, 8 p.m., Iona College, Christopher J. Murphy Auditorium, 715 North Ave., New Rochelle. $50; $40 seniors; $15 students. (914) 654-4926, westchesterchambersymphony.org.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 JUDAICA CRAFT SHOW

The 18th annual juried show features contemporary crafts by nearly 50 American and Israeli artists, 8 to 11 p.m. Dec. 10.; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Ave., White Plains. $8. (914) 946-8851.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 PARTY WITH THE FEZZIWIGS

Actors from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival read the “Fezziwig Christmas Party” from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Ridgefield Playhouse, with food, drinks and dessert by Bissell House Restaurant to follow, 5:30 p.m. performance; 7 p.m. lobby reception, 80 E. Ridge St. $50 performance and reception; $30 performance only. (203) 438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

A RARE VIEW

The “Presepio Napoletano” scene, complete with more than 200 historically accurate figurines that depict life in an 18th century Neapolitan village, is on view through Jan. 13 at the Westchester Italian Cultural Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; closed Dec. 24 and 31, 24 Depot Square, Tuckahoe. $10; $5 children and seniors. (914) 771-8700, wiccny.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 TREE OF LIFE

A holiday lighting reception to benefit Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester, featuring entertainment by The Quintessentials, a pop vocal group from Manhattanville College, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Hilton Westchester Rye Brook, 699 Westchester Ave. $250, $100, $50, $30, $20. (914) 682-1484, ext. 122.

Photograph by Ted Kivitt

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 HOLIDAY AND GOOD CHEER PARTY

Dancing, drinks and food from Stamford’s restaurants and caterers, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, 243 Tresser Blvd. $35. (203) 359-4761, stamfordchamber.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 HOLIDAY GALA

This performance by violinists Sean Lea and Yoon Kwon and the Bedford Chamber Ensemble includes a new violin concerto by ensemble music director and famed keyboardist Anthony Newman, 8 p.m., Saint Matthew’s Church, 382 Cantitoe St., Bedford. $40. (914) 522-5150, bedfordchamberconcerts.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 HANDEL AT THE QUICK

Greater Bridgeport Symphony performs Handel’s “Messiah,” 7:30 p.m., Fairfield University, Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, 1073 N. Benson Road. $40, $20. (203) 576-0263, gbs.org.

Ted Sperling, conductor. Photograph by Laura Marie Duncan

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 ‘NUTCRACKER’ AND TEA ’N’ SWEETS GALA PARTY

The Connecticut Ballet’s cast of 40 dancers performs “The Nutcracker,” Stamford Center for The Arts, 2 p.m. performance, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. party; performances continue through Dec. 23, The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford. $100 gala ticket (includes orchestra seating); performance only: $50; $35; $25, plus the SCA ticket surcharge of $6 per ticket. (203) 325-4466, connecticutballet. com.

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra performs holiday classics, featuring guest artists, 5 p.m., Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave. $40, $30, $20; $5 student with ID. (203) 956-6771, norwalksymphony. org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

A production featuring dancers from Greenwich Ballet Academy, along with Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky, principals from American Ballet Theatre, 7 p.m. Dec. 17; 2 p.m. Dec. 18, Greenwich High School, 10 Hillside Road. $50, $40, $25. (914) 305-4377, greenwichballetacademy.org.

THROUGH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 ‘LANDSCAPE PERSPECTIVES’

A reception and exhibit exploring a variety of impressions by six painters, 2 to 4 p.m., JCC of MidWestchester, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale. (914) 472-3300, jccmw.org.

Kelli O'Hara, soprano. Photograph by Jimmi Ryan

WINTER POPS

Westchester Philharmonic’s annual pops concert features Broadway’s Kelli O’Hara and Ben Davis, Purchase College, Performing Arts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Road. $25 to $85. (914) 682-3707.

THROUGH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22 HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW & SALE

Handcrafted pieces, including wooden Christmas ornaments, and collectibles, noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, Rowayton Arts Center, 145 Rowayton Ave. (203) 866-2744, rowaytonartscenter.org

Ben Davis, baritone

THROUGH MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012 ALL ABOARD!

Model trains snake through The New York Botanical Garden’s annual extravaganza, in its 20th year, which also spotlights horticultural replicas of such New York landmarks as the Chrysler Building and Yankee Stadium; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays (holiday hours vary); “Bar car nights” option with complimentary cocktails for adults, 7 to 9 p.m., Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17. $20; $18 seniors and students; $10 children (ages 2 to 12); holiday prices: $25; $22 seniors, $15 children (ages 2 to 12). (718) 817-8700, nybg.org.

worthy Outrageous and naughty nightlife TOBACCO & HOOKAH BARS BABEL HOOKAH LOUNGE 131 Avenue C New York, NY 10009 (888) 519-3721 babelnyc.com CASABLANCA HOOKAH LOUNGE 86 Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 255-0022 casablancahookahlounge.com CIRCA TABAC 32 Watts St. New York, NY 10013 (212) 941-1781 circatabac.com CRAZY CAFÉ HOOKAH LOUNGE 43 E. First St. New York, NY 10003 (866) 959-2166 cozycafenyc.com HASH 55 47 W. 55 St. New York, NY 10019 (212) 957-1899

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class&sass By Martha Handler and Jennifer Pappas

"Special thanks to Santa Dan and his elves at The Westchester"

I was feeling somewhat adventurous the other day, so I decided to get a jump on my Christmas shopping to avoid the last-minute feeding frenzy at the mall. It gets so crazy in there, everyone fighting for their turf and toys. It’s survival of the fittest and I’m not nearly as fit as I used to be. I remember hearing my mother whisper to a friend, M “I do all the work and the running around and jolly ol’ St. Nick gets all the credit.” Literal child that I was, I imagined she was hoofing it to the North Pole and moonlighting as an elf after tucking us in at night. as a former elf myself, I can honestly say that J Yes, it’s exhausting, especially when you have to stay up till 3 o’clock in the morning assembling bicycles and mini kitchens that have 2,000 parts to them. You might as well be putting together the Hubble telescope. But wait. No worries. They do come with the handy-dandy 25-page booklet of instructions to ease your pain. I have to admit though, that the look of shock and awe on their little faces on Christmas morning is worth it all – even if you’re looking at them through half-crossed eyes due to lack of sleep. Christmas craziness was a major factor in my deM cision to convert to Judaism. As a child I equated Christmas with guilt. I felt guilty for killing a tree, guilty for feeding Santa cookies and milk when doing so could cause him to have a heart attack (like our neighbor) and guilty for receiving presents when, according to Sally Struthers, “for just pennies a day...” I could be saving children in Third World countries. The only joyful moment of Christmas for me was running downstairs to discover the nearly empty water bucket I'd put out for Santa's

thirsty reindeer. I thought that was a true miracle. And now, as a Jew, I feel guilty for feeling peaceful during the holidays when everyone around me is crazed. Perhaps I need some therapy. is not something that I usually struggle with J Guilt during the holidays. Frustration and hostility are the two emotions that simmer beneath the surface of my seemingly calm exterior. I try to be jolly, it’s true. But there’s just always so much to do – and so little time to do it in. I understand that everyone is stressed. I am, too. But why are they so aggressive? Stop giving me the stink-eye. I’m morphing into Scrooge. The other day at the mall, I had a close encounter of the third kind. When I returned to my car, I discovered that “Snooki” had taken off half of my front bumper. She had tried, unsuccessfully, to parallel park in front of me. When I calmly pointed out the damage to her and asked for her information, she glared at me from behind her enormous shades and from beneath her enormous hair and spat... “You're in New Yawk. It's a fenda-benda. Get used to it!”...Bah Humbug, “Snooki!” Did you know that bah humbug literally means M “hoax?” And while I wish Snooki and those other reality “stars” were hoaxes, I fear they’re all too real. Thanks to the 2007 Writers Guild strike, we’ve digressed from well-written comedies to trashy, catty reality shows and in the process have exposed America’s dirty little secrets to the world. The digression is a bit like Christmas. How did we go from celebrating the birth of Jesus to a three-month shopping frenzy that includes sporting hideously ugly holiday sweaters, elves working 24-7 at the North Pole in defiance of child-labor laws and then cul-

minates with flying reindeer and a strange man sliding down our chimney flues in the dead of the night? know. All year long we train our kids not to talk to J Istrangers and then we try and stick them on some weird-looking, chubby guy’s lap at Christmas and expect them not to go bonkers. Meanwhile, the poor mothers are left completely stressed out trying to capture that “Kodak moment.” Oh by gosh, by golly, what we put ourselves through. Touché!

Wag Up: • Snow Globes! Whenever the holidays get me down, I log on to YouTube and watch “Pixar’s Knick Knack.” That ingenious (some might say horny) snowman just kills me. (M) • Those funny Christmas sweaters (sorry, Martha), especially the ones that light up and have bells on them. They crack me up. And I’ve never, ever, witnessed anyone being “Grinchy” while wearing one. (J) Wag Down: • Fruitcakes. I like that they’re soaked in spirits but there’s something really wrong about adding red and green “candied fruit” to anything you plan on ingesting. (M) • People, who after exiting a revolving door, stop abruptly on the other side, trying to decide where they want to go, oblivious to the fact that there might be other people still revolving around in there who will want to exit, too. I had to revolve myself around three times the other day before I got to get out. (J)

Email Class & Sass at marthaandjen@wagmag.com. You can also follow Martha and Jen on Facebook at Jennifer Pappas Wag Writer. 96

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