Rambling

As the age of man turns the world births and murders great in great circumstance. All the world is nothing but a place where creation is undermined by death and despair. All the suffering is caused by man, nay nature… the nature of which man endures. No matter the place in which you stand, or from either hill top that you sit and stare, the world is ever changing ever dying.. yet forever ALIVE. In the whispers of the leaves and the creaks and squeaks of the expanding bark, as the water dips and splashes while the fish swim beneath. All the world is alive, down to the little iron nail that has been forced into the blank of a porch, no matter the object life is within. Ask any philosopher and they will tell you… how can we ever know if a pebble has a soul…

The Junior Committee of

the Wildlife Conservation Society

invites you to

An Evening at the

Central Park Zoo

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Central Park Zoo

Fifth Avenue at 64th Street

Drinks, Dining, and Dancing

9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Cocktail Attire

For further information about this event or WCS's Junior Committee, please contact

Anna Doherty at 718.741.1635 or eveningatcpz@wcs.org

Co-Chairs Elizabeth Belfer Christopher Leach Amanda Starbuck

with the assistance of the 2010 Junior Committee

Ticket Information

Eagle Ticket: $350

Includes one VIP Gift Bag

Flamingo Ticket: $250

Includes one VIP Gift Bag

Macaw Ticket: $225

Owl Ticket: $175

**Available through May 31 ONLY

Thank you to the following companies for your support:

Aerosoles ~ Amanda Pearl ~ Bakery on Main ~ Bliss ~ Catherine Ledner

Completely Bare Spa ~ Dutch Door Press ~ Eatwhatever ~ Exhale

Jim’s Organic Coffee ~ LAMA ~ LARABAR~ MCC Theatre

Michael Andrews Bespoke ~ Sharp Electronics ~ Skin TheraP

VerdeRocks ~ Victory Cup ~ Your Dreams Life Coaching ~ Zhena’s

Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010

Time: 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Recipe Thursdays!

Greek Spinach Pie!! from the Yaiyai!!

Depending on the size of your pan, use the smaller or the larger amounts where indicated. I make it in a 11" x 16" pan and use the larger amounts for the cheeses and eggs.

1 1/2 lbs. fresh spinach or 3 pkgs. frozen chopped spinach
1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil
3 large onions finely chopped
1 bunch scallions
3/4 to 1 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 to 1/3 cup water
1 tsp. salt
2 T. flour or 1 tsp. cream of wheat
3/4 to 1 lb. feta cheese, crumbled (= about 2 1/2 cups)
1/4 to 1/2 lb. cottage cheese (= 1/2 to 1 cup)
6 eggs
dash of white pepper
1 lb. fillo
1/2 lb. butter (may need a little more)

If using fresh spinach: wash the spinach well and chop very fine. Chop scallions and add to spinach. Sprinkle with a little salt and mix. Let this stand 1/2 to 1 hour. Then squeeze the water out.

If using frozen chopped spinach: Thaw and squeeze water out of spinach.

Saute onions lightly in the olive oil until tender. Add the spinach and scallions and the water, the parsley, dill and salt. Cook a few minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Take off burner and sprinkle flour or the cream of wheat over the top. Mix and let this cool.

In a large bowl beat the eggs. Add the feta and cottage cheese and white pepper. Add the cooled spinach mixture and mix well.

Melt the butter. Brush the bottom of your pan with melted butter. Place half of the fillo sheets into the pan brushing each sheet with melted butter. Overlap the last 4 sheets and drape over the sides. Spread the spinach mixture evenly and fold overhanging sheets over the filling, brushing each with the melted butter. Cover with remaining fillo, buttering each sheet. Score the top with a sharp knife or razor blade into 2" square pieces (or whatever size you want). Sprinkle very lightly a few drops of water over top of pita.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes until golden brown.

Solving Kids’ Cancer: Spring Celebration

The Solving Kids’ Cancer first annual Spring Celebration Event was held on Wednesday, May 12th in the Powerhouse space at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City with a total of $400,000 raised for the charity.

The event was hosted by Solving Kids’ Cancer co-founders John London and Scott Kennedy, who were joined by guests including, Fredrick Anderson, Nigel Barker, Liliana Cavendish, Janis Gardner Cecil, Gabby Karan De Felice, Diandra Douglas, Douglas Hannant, Marcia Gay Harden, Carolina Herrera, Russell James, Donna Karan, Nanette Lepore, Sonja T. Morgan, Kevin Navayne, Lyss Stern, Jill Stuart, Maria Helena Vianna, and Bonnie Young.

Philanthropist & nightclub impresario Amy Sacco and comedian, actor Seth Herzog, of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, served as co-auctioneers for the live auction which featured an unique opportunity to sponsor an innovative and first of its kind pediatric cancer therapeutic trial. The duo rallied the guests to raise the evening’s goal of $165,500 with the SKC board promising to match the money dollar for dollar in order to launch the trial.

The event also featured a silent auction with a painting by renowned artist Brian Farrell of his of his interpretation of Solving Kids’ Cancer and their mission titled “Spring Flight” and a private art lesson in his NY Studio. Variety Cruises generously donated an 8-day cruise for two to Greece and Turkey.

Alexander Dexter-Jones, from the Dexter-Jones/Ronson musical dynasty, guest DJ’ed for the night. For the benefit’s conclusion, attendees were treated to a special performance by three time Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin.

The evening sponsors included Credit Suisse Prime Services and SuttonBrook Capital Management.

Photos by Patrick McMullan

Recipe Thursdays

We will be starting a new routine on the blog.. RECIPE THURSDAYS, every week i will share with you a meal that cooked during the last seven days. ENJOY!!

BRAISED LAMB SHANK

Braising lamb is a long process, but one that you can do without spending all day in the kitchen. Lamb is also a great alternative to the traditional beef roast or chicken. Take the time with it and you'll be rewarded with a fabulous dinner, plus, you can take leftovers and re-purpose that meat.

Things You'll Need:
Medium piece of lamb (preferably on the bone)
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
Chicken or beef stock
Carrots
Celery
Onions
4 cloves of garlic
2 bay leaves

Part 1

Place the lamb in a very hot, oiled pan. Sear the lamb on all sides.

Part 2

Prepare the pan for the oven. If you're using different pans for the browning and the braising, deglaze the browning pan with your braising liquid. Add a little flour to thicken the sauce. Move your lamb into the braising pan and rough chop onions, celery and carrots for the pan. Add the vegetables and spices. Cover the lamb with the liquid, both with the bits from the browning and additional liquid, if necessary.

Part 3

Braise the lamb. Cover the pan and place in the oven at 250 degrees. Cook for 3 hours. Check the tenderness of the ribs before serving. They should fall apart easily.

Part 4

Plating. By using a cous cous as a base on the serving dish you will be able to present the lamb in a more classic way. Place the lamb atop the cous cous then pour some au jus around it and garnish with rosemary and mint leaves.

The CRI Young Philanthropists Council is hosting an intimate dinner for young and charitable professionals committed to making a difference in the fight against cancer. Funds raised from the dinner will support the Cancer Research Institute and its mission to bring new, immune-system based cancer treatments to patients.

Held Sunday, May 23rd in New York City's charming West Village, the multi-course dinner will feature a locally sourced, seasonal menu prepared by talented Chef Matt Downes.

Seating is limited for this intimate event, and registration in advance is required.

RSVP by May 15 to Anita Schmidt at 212-688-7515 or
events@cancerresearch.org to purchase tickets or make a contribution.

Date
Sunday, May 23, 2010

Location
Tela Design Studio, 31 Little West 12th Street, NYC

Time
Cocktails 6:00 p.m., Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Featuring
A specially crafted four-course locally sourced, seasonal dinner
prepared by Chef Matt Downes
(formerly of Broadway East and Pure Food & Wine)

Choice of wine or beer pairing by
T. Edward Wines and Brooklyn Brewery

Dessert by Steve's Craft Ice Cream

Price
$150 per person, space is limited

RSVP by May15 to Anita Schmidt at 212-688-7515 or
events@cancerresearch.org to purchase tickets or make a contribution.

Parkinson's Disease Foundation

On Thursday, April 29, 2010, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation and its Young New Yorkers for the Fight Against Parkinson's committee are hosting Celebrate Spring with music by DJ Brenda Black. Join hundreds of young New Yorkers for a night of cocktails and dancing. All proceeds benefit PDF's research programs.

The idea for Celebrate Spring was initially conceived by G. Pennington Egbert III, his sister Melissa Egbert Sheehan and their close friend Georgina B. Schaeffer. The three, whose fathers both lived with Parkinson’s disease, joined together to create the Young New Yorkers for the Fight Against Parkinson’s committee – a group of nearly 100 New Yorkers dedicated to advancing a cure for Parkinson’s.

Individual Ticket Prices starting at $150 

..a moment with Mary Giuliani

Hometown: NEW YORK CITY

Alma Mater: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY 

Occupation: CEO MARY GIULIANI CATERING & EVENTS

Relationship Status: MARRIED TO RYAN GIULIANI

Charities You Feel Closest To: MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF METRO NEW YORK (worked there for two years), G&P FOUNDATION, NEW YORK CITY OPERA & CITY OPERA THRIFT SHOP, BABY BUGGY & GOOD DOG FOUNDATION

Boards or Committees: MAKE A WISH & NEW YORK CITY OPERA

Recent Events You \'ve Been To: HIGH LINE OPENING honoring ED NORTON & FALCONES

Next Event On Your Calendar: DIVAS SHOP FOR OPERA on June 24th

Favorite Book of the Moment: THE ROAD TO WOODSTOCK by MICHAEL LANG

Favorite Restaurant: ANYTHING BATALI

Favorite Bar or Lounge: MY BACKYARD in WOODSTOCK

Item You Can \'t Live Without: MY BLACKBERRY & MY RECORD PLAYER

The Perfect Guy is:MY HUSBAND

Paris, London, Milan or NYC?: FLORENCE (lived there for a year)

Your Favorite Destination: ANYWHERE IN ITALY

Uptown or Downtown?: DOWNTOWN

Union Square or Central Park?: UNION SQUARE

Go-To Designer: MARC JACOBS

Shoes or Bags: MARC JACOBS

Most Dangerous Store: MARK JACOBS

Favorite Channel/TV Show: ANYTHING ON FOOD NETWORK and THE MONKEES

GOTO's Black-Tie

New York’s finest dolls and gents, including Lois Goodner, Paul Daniels, and Alyson Goodner put on the Ritz at GOTOs annual black-tie gala. More than 450 attendees gathered for Jazz and Gin at the famed Capitale in downtown Manhattan. Partygoers kicked up their heels to the musical stylings of the JC Hopkins big band and took a chance on casino games for special prizes. The event raised over $50,000 for scholarships to a vibrant summer arts camp for middle schoolers.

An Interview with Brie Bythewood

Hometown: I’m a New York City gal
Alma Mater: Emerson College, Boston, MA.
Occupation: Partner at La Cité Development, a real estate development firm …and I’m also a freelance writer
Relationship Status: Single
Charities You Feel Closest To: School of American Ballet/ UNICEF
Boards or Committees: Junior co-Chair The School of American Ballet’s 2010 Winter Ball / Young Patrons 100 Committee Member for Survivor Corps/ Board Member, Rich in Love
Recent Events You've Been To: The School of American Ballet’s Winter Ball, A holiday celebration at Asprey introducing the Chatwal Hotel NYC, Survivor Corps Masquerade Winter Ball in San Francisco, Governor Martin O’Malley of Baltimore and Former President Bill Clinton fundraiser, Central Park Conservancy luncheon, Evidence “On Your Toes” in the Hamptons fundraiser, The Silver Winter Gala celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Evidence dance company.
Favorite Book of the Moment: “Almost Moon” by Alice Sebold
Favorite Restaurant: Zuma (London)
Favorite Bar or Lounge: Speakeasy: The Raines Law Room, hands down! …Bar: Bookmarks at the Library Hotel … Lounge: STK and SoHo House
Item You Can't Live Without: My passport!
Your Favorite Date Spot: Central Park
The Perfect Guy is: Engaging, intelligent, thoughtful, successful, has a sense of humor and is taller than me in high heels.
Paris, London, Milan or NYC?: NY is home; Paris is my love affair.
Your Favorite Destination: Paris makes my heart skip a beat but Dubai makes my heart race. I don’t know which I prefer.
Uptown or Downtown?: Downtown
Union Square or Central Park?: Central Park
Go-To Designer: B Michael, of course.
Shoes or Bags: I’m definitely more of a “shoe” girl although my last two purchases were Gorgeous Khirma Eliazov bags and I’m kind of addicted.
Most Dangerous Store: Bergdorf Goodman’s but only with the assistance of my Personal Shopper PJ Matthews.
Favorite Channel/TV Show: I’m a news junkie so I’m usually tuned into ABC, BBC or CNN
Other Hobbies: I’m a writer at heart; it’s my one true passion. Baking is one of my favorite activities and I’m not a great artist but I do love to paint.
Fun facts:
* I love languages and have set a goal to be fluent in French, Spanish and Arabic in three years time. Thank you Rosetta Stone!
* I have the most adorable yorkie in the world named Rocco.
* I’m a sports fanatic… football (JETS!!), Formula One (attending the Montreal Grand Prix in June 2010) and hockey (Rangers)
* I enjoy jogging and pilates.
* The next goal on my lineup of physical activities: martial arts to learn swords :).
* I worked for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for nearly five years. It was one of my most humbling experiences.

Photo: Julie Skarratt