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

Merry HOLIDAYS from the most Fantastic Jewelers in the World!!

The New York Times...

...has ruined my day!

Somewhere in the NYTimes is a profile on my boss... why did this happen right before Chritsmas. Today i should be at a funeral but instead i have to count his pennies and slash his zero's. 

back later...

Sailing the High Drifts

So much SNOW...

it's so wonderful here in the city.. the streets are clear but the tree's are still dusted with natures powdered sugar, the sugar like ice glistened a blinding sun today.

i'm so exhausted with shopping and working that i can't think of a single coherent thought to write about at length right now. i spent most of the day running errands and wrapping more presents for Mrs. B and Mr. S... i also got some personal shopping in as well; books, shirts, scarves etc. The Holiday Market at Union Sq was bustling with last minute shoppers and newly weds taking an evening stroll.. by the way... today was with out a doubt (besides scientific law) the shortest DAY ever! at two pm the sun was almost gone. That is one of the worst things about winter.. no SUN! but i do LOVE MY SNOW!!

Snow, snow, gently drifting to the ground, 
For when winter comes, snow will come as well,
Snow is the messenger of winter,
From skiing to toboganning to making snowballs.

Snow, snow gently drifting to the ground,
Falling in the form of unique white snowflakes,
A pure natural blanket,
Sparkling under the sun.

Snow, snow, gently drifting to the ground
TREASURE THIS GIFT BEFORE IT MELTS! !


   

NY Blitz Blizzard

SNOW!

The flakes swim through the air as if they were sea monkeys in a child's fish tank. As the day opened i sat polishing the silver and putting away the fine bone china from the night before. Mr. S's party went off without a hitch, albeit with the grace and etiquette that i endowed upon it. When i arrived from the office i was happy to find the caterer in the kitchen basting the goose and stirring the soup. A staff containing three other service personnel were cleaning the living room and counting the glasses. With the smell of all things holiday in the air i set about checking the place settings, starting with the recounting the glasses...[LESSON: the glasses can number up to five and are placed so that the smaller ones are in front. The water goblet is placed directly above the knives. Just to the right goes a champagne flute; In front of these are placed a red and/or white wine glass and a sherry glass.] Moving onto the centerpiece, i took a seat and began to inspect, [these chairs are the most comfortable pieces of furniture i have ever sat in while eating, covered in cream damask silk from England and tufted in the back] i just want to melt into them in the same fashion as the snow does on the streets outside... Gold vases spewing fresh white roses and violet calla lilies; they are placed wrong, thus i then spent 25 minutes realigning them all with the crease in the table cloth and spacing them one salad plate width apart.

Mrs. B, in her classic black sleeveless dinner dress, and her 23 carat emerald necklace which sparkles like the turrets of Oz; gracefully floats around the dinning room complimenting my color choices and then whisks away to the parlor (probably to sneak a cigarette). Johnathan, the chef for the night, is now slicing the bread and basting it with olive oil and crackling some pepper over them. Around the kitchen i see nothing but the perfection of what will be the evening, the silver is shinning the crystal is sparkling and.. and... JENNY! Blonde and beautiful she might be, but who on gods green (and polluted) earth uses the double oven door as a mirror, her lipstick [red as blood] has now been blotted onto 4 paper towels and still looks trashy..

YET! By the end of the night everything was a success... i'll fill you all in on Monday, when i can breathe?

Role Model...

In the proper fashion i wrapped Christmas presents all day long... for my boss. 

Let us call him "MR. S"

Every year Mr. S, purchases a truck load of presents for his four sons, his wife and his four grandchildren. He does NOT purchase any for his daughters in law and his one grandson (he's an infant). I trudged out into the cold to buy "GENERIC" wrapping paper (they're Jewish but celebrate Christmas instead).. Five stores later i still hadn't come across Mr. S's choice of paper. As i was getting myself a latte i saw in the window of Duane Read exactly what i'd been looking for. I spent $15 dollars and came back to the office. 

I just cleaned off the remains of all the paper and stacked all the gifts in size order (a MUST for Mr. S) and am now trying to relax my stiff back from those horrible chairs. 

I would like to point out that the presents look perfect... so perfect that even Bree Van de Kamp would be proud... oh Bree where are you when i need you.. dinner still isn't ready because i haven't been home to check on the caterers... Mrs. B (Mr. S's wife) is a magazine publisher and is far from able to cook with her busy schedule. Most nights she does cook for the three of them (herself, Mr. S and young Master B-S) but tonight with the whole family coming over there isn't enough time in the minute to prepare and plate and decorate for them. So i ask you again BREE where are You?? (please don't be dead after the plane hit the house)

Back story on Bree:

Born in December of 1962, Bree Hodge is a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (she is Presbyterian), the conservative Republican widow of Rex Van de Kamp, ex-wife of Orson Hodge. She lives at 4354 Wisteria Lane | Fairview, Eagle State USA. She has one daughter Danielle who is married and has a son. She also has one gay son Andrew who is engaged to a doctor. 

Bree is one of the most fantastic characters i have ever come across. Besides her rare faults she is by far a fantastic role model. Yet a bit naive at times.

All in all... i still have an entire day ahead of me that doesn't include SLEEP.

Life Lesson...

Due to circumstances not yet known, a beloved employee of our company is newly single. As tears stream down her face all i can do is stand and stare. The relations that exist in our office a very tight. Coming from a comforting and loving family i myself wanted to hug her and tell her that all will be well. She's boarding the jet in 2 hours to fly home for the holidays, one less person in tow; for what sake though.
As we age and as we grow as people our perceptions of the world and the people in it change. We stop liking pickles and start drinking coffee. Our favorite color jumps from primary blue to dock blue with a tint of smokey grey. Cheesey crushes blossom into infatuation and then into true love. Smiles stay smiles but the smirk portray's devious idea's or uneasy shyness.
As i watch her get into the town car, black as night and idling in the icy wind, she turns to us and waves, a tear frozen to her cheek...

All for the sake of what... LOVE?

Once upon a Time...

Many years ago, when i was just six months old i spent most my days in the arms of my grandfather. At fifty-five years old, he was a stout man with a honorable handshake and loving smile. Every morning he would call my mother and ask her to bring me over; he would hold me and rock me and sing Greek lullabies to me. Diapers... that was my grandmothers job, which she then put to my godmother. 

As i look back now at old photo's and ancient home video's from the 80's i cry, i cry because my grandfather is gone, he died in 1985. He didn't hold me when i hid from my father; he didn't teach me to roast the Easter lamb, he didn't see me graduate high school and he didn't kiss me goodnight when the closet monsters hunted me. Then again if he hadn't passed away, i most likely wouldn't be the man i am now. I'd be Better.