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| On Sunday, January 27, The New York Public Library welcomed guests to its medieval-themed 2013 Family Benefit, A Quest for Adventure! Library President Anthony W. Marx and the Benefit Co-Chairs Katerina Alevizaki-Dracopoulos, Beth Kojima, Andrea Olshan, Daisy Prince, Tina Samii, and Amanda Waldron oversaw the transformation of the Library's historic Astor Hall, in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, into a wonderland for knights, princesses, wizards, and jesters. Families enjoyed live performances by WonderSpark Puppets and musical duo Rowan and the Rose, as well as arts and crafts, festive food, and, of course, animated readings. The annual Family Benefit raises critical funds to support services and programs for children in the Library's 87 neighborhood branches, which serve millions of children and teens every year. |
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| On Thursday, January 24, 2013, The New York Landmarks Conservancy held a reception to kick off its 40th Anniversary, at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, located within the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, at Bowling Green. Five hundred guests attended to honor the work of the Conservancy, which has helped to save thousands of homes, nonprofit and religious institutions throughout New York. In 1973, after the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House was left vacant, the New York Landmarks Conservancy worked with U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan to move the Museum of the American Indian into the building. The Conservancy began with large, single projects like the Custom House--the first building the Conservancy saved--and preventing the demolition of the historic Fraunces Tavern Block in Lower Manhattan. |
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| Throughout its 40 years, the Conservancy has grown and built an experienced technical staff, focused on financial assistance programs with a total of $40 million in loans and grants to more than 1,500 restoration projects totaling $1 billion. The Conservancy was created to go beyond advocacy and actually help restore historic buildings, and it’s the only group in New York that offers a range of assistance to achieve this restoration. Most recently it has given emergency grants to landmark non-profits and religious institutions damaged by Hurricane Sandy. |
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| The Conservancy is a respected advocate for preservation at all levels of government. It helped initiate the stabilization of buildings on the south side of Ellis Island; landmark the great public rooms of The Plaza, and serves as a leading proponent of Moynihan Station. Most recently, the Conservancy is fighting to protect landmark quality buildings near Grand Central that are threatened by the Midtown East Rezoning proposal. By saving homes, cultural, social and religious sites, and preserving neighborhoods, the Conservancy provides local jobs, promotes tourism and enhances New York’s quality of life. Hailed as a national model of enlightened and effective preservation, the Conservancy goes beyond the expected and sets new standards for the conservation of treasured landmarks, revitalizing architecturally significant structures and contributing to a “greener” City. For more information, visit www.nylandmarks.org. |
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| The Parkinson's Disease Foundation held its annual CARNAVAL at Slate (54 West 21st Stret) this past Wednesday evening. There was live entertainment by DJ Brenda Black, as well as Samba dancing and a silent and live auction and buffet dinner. They honored Peter Dorn, a longtime member of PDF's board and a creator of CARNAVAL. Co-chairs were Stephanie Goldman-Pittel, Sharon Klein, Amy Sole, Doug Stern and Jeffrey Zygler. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is the first national not-for-profit organization to focus on Parkinson's Disease. It was founded by William Black, founder of Chock Full O'Nuts. |
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Samba dancing ... |
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Mark Thompson, Barry Schmitt, Dianne Oplinger, and Travis Sittig |
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Lori Durakis, Kathy Titakin, Nick Titakin, Tom Durakis, and Joe Fontana |
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Samantha Pittel, Justin Pittel, Lisa Meyers, and Stephanie Pittel |
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DJ Brenda Black |
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| PDF works for nearly 1 million people in the US who live with Parkinson's, by funding scientific research while supporting people who live with Parkinson's by providing educational programs and services. |
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| On Tuesday January 29th over 40 environmentally-concerned New Yorkers gathered for the dinner launch of Urbangreenwalk, an organization dedicated to educating and inspiring the public on what they can do to have a less harmful impact on the environment. The dinner, at LOI restaurant, was hosted by Jessica Mezzacappa and Ellie Libby. Urbangreenwalk, the brainchild of founder Steven McClure, will create a museum-style video installation in the windows of such high-end fashion retailers such as Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Marc Jacobs and will highlight local not-for-profits making a difference in Green initiatives such as urban farming, solar power, and cleaning our waterways. Amongst those enjoying the delicious Green and Greek treats from Chef Mary Loi, who has cooked at the White House and won many awards for her fare were: Steven McClure, Jessica Mezzacappa and John Zieman, Melinda Hackett, Cricket Burns, Leslie Stevens, Ellie and Jim Libby, Leslie Barrett , Don Evans, Gene Norden, Susan Singer, Michael Stern, and Joyce Green. Urbangreenwalk's main event will start on Earth Day, April 20,2013 and be open to the public for the full week. For more information visit www.urbangreenwalk.org. |
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| This past Wednesday night at Alice Tully Hall they held the premiere of "House of Cards," a new series especially produced for Netflix customers. The series which is about the behind-the-scenes in Washington social/poltical life, is Netflix's venture into original programming. The series stars Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Gill and Mahershala Ali. |
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Photographs byPatrickMcMullan.com;Chris Jorda (The New York Public Library); David Dupuy/www.AnnieWatt.com (urbangreenwalk); Susan Scovill (The Academy of Notre Dame). |