Taking care of your skin goes way beyond simply finding a cleanser that rids of your blemishes or stacking up on moisturizers, especially in the dry months to come. Educating yourself on skin health and the dangers of skin cancer in general is important for every man and woman to know, but doing so may often be overlooked.
Fortunately, last month The Skin Cancer Foundation held its Champions For Change Gala where the event helped spread awareness concerning skin cancer and “honored ‘Champions’ for exceptional achievement in skin health, including public education about sun protection and skin cancer prevention.” The foundation is the only global organization that is dedicated to “the prevention, early detection and the treatment of skin cancer” through providing education and awareness to the public.
Olympic gold medalist and TV host, Summer Sanders, and Dancing With The Stars professional Witney Carson were the speakers of the night who both shared their experiences with melanoma.
Both women called on The Skin Cancer Foundation for providing a support system for them during their experience with skin cancer and will use the foundation to further educate individuals and save lives.
“Let’s support the foundation’s mission and be champions for changing behaviors so that we can ultimately save lives,” Sanders said.
Even if you’re not a lucky individual who scored an invite, with events such as The Skin Cancer Foundation gala, it’s easy to get educated on how to take proper care of your skin year-round. The gala is just one tool to help spread awareness and celebrate individuals who are making renowned advancements in the skin health field.
Tamás Szebeni, owner of Duran Sandwiches, went from shooting the Hungarian version of American and British entertainment shows like X Factor, Dancing With The Stars, and Big Brother to operating a quaint sandwich shop in Gramercy.
Today, he still does voiceover work for Master Chef from his New York City apartment, but dedicates most of his time to running Duran, whose visually-petite and masterful creations that can be seen from down the block.
The petite, open-faced sandwiches are remarkably less common here than in Europe, but people are digging the chance to create their own tiny smorgasbord of several tiny sandies.
Photo courtesy of Duran Sandwiches
These include variety of meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan selections layered with Duran Cream. Some of these include Spicy Hungarian Salami, Hot Pepper Egg Salad, Smoked Salmon with celery root puree, farmer’s cheese, egg and tomato, the vegan Avocado Smash, with tomatoes, onion and lime juice, and the Sundried Tomato, with a blend of fresh and sundried tomatoes and the unique addition of dates for an earthy sweetness.
For fall, their new arrivals are Pumpkin Spice sandwiches made with fresh pumpkin purée, mascarpone cheese, fresh ginger, nutmeg and either Chili pepper topped with red beets and sprouts, or cinnamon topped with golden beets, sprouts and pumpkin seeds
“Each sandwich is handmade like a piece of cake,” said Szebeni. “After four months of practice and hard work, everyone knows how to make them.”
Duran Sandwiches is located at 62 Madison Avenue and 27th and open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Geraldo Rivera has been in the spotlight for well over 40 years as one of television’s top reporters. The New York native was arguably the first broadcast journalist to interject personality into his interviews and coverage, as he has always been known to be on the scene and in the faces of those he has questions for. In turn, Geraldo’s success crossed over into writing best-selling books and hosting several long-running talk shows on both radio and television.
Downtown caught up with Geraldo for some Q&A about his life both on and off-screen. More info about his various appearances — much of which for Fox News — and charitable endeavors can be found at www.geraldo.com.
Geraldo and wife Erica / Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images
What do you wish more people knew about Geraldo Rivera?
GR: That I am the same tough guy compassionate journalist I was when I started a half century ago — actually 1970 — but that I have evolved and grown with every generation. And how folks relate to me depends on when they tuned in. I’m relevant to the Baby Boomers with Eyewitness News, Generation Xers with the Geraldo talk show, Rivera Live and the syndicated specials, and the Millennials with shows like Dancing With The Stars and The Apprentice: Celebrity Edition.
Do you have an accomplishment you’re most proud of?
GR: That would be during my time as a reporter for WABC-TV in New York, where I exposed the deplorable conditions at the Willowbrook State School for the mentally-retarded, the population now called the developmentally-disabled. Our journalistic and financial crusade, which is on-going is to provide these people a more dignified life.
You were involved with reality television way before people realized that reality TV was a normal concept. What inspired you to break the fourth wall so early on in your career?
GR: I would say my biggest technical or style contribution, aside from being the first rock and roll newsman, has been to make reporting more up close and personal. This used to be a profession where journalists were mere spectators, aloof from the scene of an incident — whereas I become part of the story. I cried with people who cried, I laughed with people who were laughing, and I managed to relate in a way that hadn’t been done previously, and that also made it easier for people at home to relate.
Is there anything you haven’t yet accomplished but still hope to?
GR: To get an interview with President Obama before he leaves office. I have tried to get one for the past eight years, but he is ducking me because I work for Fox News, which he hates. As a lawyer admitted to practice at the Supreme Court, I would also like to argue a case in that important venue.
What’s coming up for you career-wise? Any upcoming events you can talk about?
GR: I am writing a war memoir, so right now my priority is to finish that first draft and see it published. It will be my eighth book. Unfortunately, it has become enmeshed in the recent Fox News upheavals.
When not you’re busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
GR: With my five children and three grandchildren, and my wife Erica, of course. We love to head out on the ocean in our boat or to take a trip to our silly little island off the south coast of Puerto Rico.
Having been all over the world for work many times over, what is it that keeps you local to Manhattan?
GR: Being born in Manhattan, this is where I feel most at home. Both my professional and personal life is rooted here. I have spent so much of my time here that I feel like “Mr. New York.”
Finally, Geraldo, any last words for the kids?
GR: Be cool, stay in school, don’t get married too young, work hard as if you love your job, and love and respect your partner.
With a global health kick in full force, many couples are on the search for a healthy and romantic way to celebrate Valentines Day with their loved one. Most people question this new idea, because Valentines Day is often associated with five star dining, chocolate covered strawberries, and endless wine. This year, there are several dance studios offering Valentines Day events. DOWNTOWN’S CEO/Publisher and avid dancer, Grace A. Capobianco, says “It’s an incredible sport and a great way to meet new friends and experience the time of your life,” so why wouldn’t you consider it this Valentines Day?
While men tend to resort to heart-shaped boxes of candy, jewelry and flowers, time spent with a significant other is what really matters. Lower Manhattan couples are finding healthy and romantic ways to spend date nights and special occasions. Research shows that the timeless art of ballroom dance strengthens a couple emotionally and physically, making their hearts as healthy as possible.
Dance means romance. Dance is not only the key to communicating love to your partner, it allows for quality time, acts of service, physical touch, and words of affirmation. This art calls for couples to work together, requires intimate physical content, and gives couples many opportunities to complement and appreciate their partner.
While embracing your partner, you can also lead a healthier life. Studies show that dancing continuously for 30 minutes has the same impact on weight loss as walking, swimming, or cycling. At the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona, Italy, medical researchers conducted a study that proved that people with heart failure who began to waltz regularly improved their heart, breathing, and quality of life more than those who resorted to cycling, walking, or running. Social dancing is the best medicine for a couple looking to strengthen their relationship and heart.
The Downtown area, as well as NYC as a whole, is home to the best of the best when it comes to dance studios! Some of our favorites are Dance Sport, owned by instructor Paul Pellicoro, Stepping Out, owned by George Qiao, Dance With Me, owned by Dancing With the Stars’Maksim Chmerkovskiy. So if you are looking for inspiration for this Valentines Day, give the gift of dance!
