On Thursday, Mar. 9, 2017, the 14th Street Y will host its 2017 PURIM Gala at the Angel Orensanz Foundation — located at 172 Norfolk Street — with cocktails at 6:00 PM and dinner and entertainment slated to kick off at 7:00 PM.
Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. Celebrated with feasts, drink and revelry, it celebrates standing up for what you believe in and calls us to honor others through giving gifts and charity.
The 14th Street Y 2017 PURIM Gala will feature one-of-a kind live art and performances: Purim, as told by acclaimed acrobatics company Cirque-tacular, a special performance by children from the 14th Street Y After School, live music by the Bridget Robbins Trio, body art by Sheila Jordan and more. Specialty food and drink will be offered, including aerial silks-acrobat champagne service; a Purim cocktail designed by The Surf Lodge’s own mixologist; sweet treats from Dylan’s Candy Bar and custom hamantashen and other baked goods by noted Manhattan and Brooklyn bakeries Colson Patisserie, Mah Ze Dahr Bakery, Orwashers and Zucker Bakery. The event will also feature exclusive artwork from the 14th Street Y’s innovative arts fellowship program LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture, children in the 14th Street Y’s early childhood programs and more. Festive Attire is encouraged.
This year’s Gala’s honorees are legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll, entrepreneur Don Peebles, and three lifetime members of the Mission Society’s Board of Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley, whose family has supported the Mission Society for four generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and, LTC Francis W. Kairson, Jr.
Co-chaired by Mission Society’s board members Jean Shafiroff — Gala Chair for the previous two years and a former Mission Society Gala honoree — and Katrina Peebles, the benefit will support the Mission Society’s programs and services that help youth and families in our city’s most underserved communities.
Beth Stern & friend / Photo:
Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com
Beth Stern & Friend / Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com
Beth Ostrosky Stern first achieved prominence as an actress and model in the late 1990s. That success helped Beth transition into careers as a television host and a best-selling author. Beth’s first book, Oh My Dog: How To Choose, Train, Groom, Nurture, Feed, And Care For Your New Best Friend — which reached #5 on a New York Times Best Sellers chart — widely-showcased her passion for animals. Now, beyond hosting annual events like the Kitten Bowl and the Hero Dog Awards on TV, Beth is known as one of the top animal rights activists out there.
On Dec. 12, Beth will be hosting Beth Stern & Friends’ Bash For The Bulldogs! at The London NYC Hotel. Attendees are set to include rapper and actor Ice-T, reality TV star and entrepreneur Coco Austin, Talk Stoop host Cat Greenleaf, movie producer Jason B. Hurwitz, and best-selling author Jill Rappaport. The event will include live jazz music, buffet dinner, cocktails and wine donated by Chatham Imports. Sponsors include Bulldog Gin and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, while items have been donated by novelist Patricia Cornwell, Staci Gruber, The RTA Store and The Honest Kitchen for a live auction. Tickets can be purchased at www.longislandbulldogrescue.org; proceeds will benefit the New York-based Long Island Bulldog Rescue.
Long Island Bulldog Rescue founder Laurette Richin arranged for Downtown to speak with Beth. No word if Beth’s beloved Howard will be attending this year’s event at this time. However, Beth can be followed on Twitter and Instagram via @BethStern.
You first became known for your work as a model, but now you are mostly known for your work as a host and a spokesperson. Was there a particular assignment or event that first let you showcase your personality?
Beth Stern: I have been involved in animal rescue my entire life. I was modeling in New York when I was asked if I would walk in a fashion show for a North Shore Animal League event and I didn’t leave the runway until every animal was adopted. I’ve been doing commercials my entire life and over the years have hosted several TV shows. It’s extra special when I can combine my passion for animals with speaking engagements or TV shows that promote animal adoption and rescue.
And what inspired you to become so involved with animals in the first place?
BS: I’ve been an animal lover since I was born. It’s in my blood. My entire family always rescued our pets and we also saved injured wildlife. Growing up my family had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hermit crabs and chickens. We treated our pets as family members.
Is it ever challenging to be associated with animal-related causes? Or do you find it to be less taboo these days?
BS: I am very proud of the work I do to help bring awareness to animal causes. My husband and I foster cats and kittens, and I’ve heard I’m making the whole “crazy cat lady” stigma different! Go ahead and call me crazy if I’m helping to save lives and find homes for homeless animals in need!
How would you describe the upcoming Bash For The Bulldogs to someone who hasn’t attended it before?
BS: This is my favorite event of the year. It’s a magical room full of animal lovers, especially bulldog lovers! Bulldogs are everywhere! Guests bring their own bulldogs and there are always adoptable ones walking around or fast asleep in the middle of the noisy, crowded venue. It always makes me laugh. I always end up on the floor making out with all of the bulldogs!
Bash For The Bulldogs gala aside, what is coming up for you? Will you be hosting this year’s Kitten Bowl?
BS: Yes, I have been hosting Hallmark Channel’s Kitten Bowl for the past four years. We have an extra fun one planned for this Super Bowl Sunday! And the best part is that all of the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens all find forever homes after the taping. Yes, puppies and dogs will be making an appearance this year! I also am thrilled to co-host Hallmark Channel’s annual Hero Dog Awards as well.
Is there an accomplishment or credit of yours that you are most proud of?
BS: Fostering over 300 cats and kittens over the past three years. We’ve also fostered a sweet bulldog for L.I. Bulldog Rescue and found her forever home as well. Nothing makes me happier than helping an animal in need.
A lot of people became Beth fans a result of Howard. On a daily basis, do you encounter a lot of people saying “Bababooey” to you?
BS: No. People do stop me in the street and ask how my cats are doing, though! Howard and I have been together for over 16 years now.
When not busy with your work, how do you like to spend your free time?
BS: Howard and I are constantly busy with our six resident cats — three are special needs — as well as the foster cats and kittens we have at any given time.
Last week, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) hosted its 19th Annual Collaborating For A Cure Benefit Dinner & Auction at Cipriani Wall Street. Beyond marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation by noted oncologist Samuel Waxman, M.D., the event also made history in introducing the SWCRF Vince Camuto Memorial Cancer Research Program in honor of Mr. Camuto; the founder of Camuto Group passed away from prostate cancer in 2015. Louise Camuto, Chief Creative Officer of Camuto Group, accepted the honor in memory of her late husband. Downtown interviewed Dr. Waxman in advance of the event, who was in attendance among notables that included Jean Shafiroff, John Varvatos and Michael Nierenberg.
This year’s event was attended by more than 750 corporate executives, board members and their guests. It was hosted by Chris Wragge — co-anchor of CBS 2’s News This Morning — as master of ceremonies, and raised approximately $2.5 million for SWCRF cancer research programs. The money raised will support the Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer by reprogramming cancer cells and to deliver tailored, minimally toxic treatments to patients. The scientists funded by the SWCRF have made significant breakthroughs in cancer research, including identifying pathways to deliver novel therapies to treat cancer.
The evening was capped off by a full-length performance by Roger Daltrey of The Who. Daltrey, a regular supporter of cancer-related causes, played nearly every song by The Who that a classic rock fan would want to hear, as backed by a five-piece band that included guitarists Simon Townshend and Frank Simes, bassist Jon Button, keyboardist Loren Gold and drummer Scott Devours. For a handful of songs, the group was joined on-stage by singer/songwriter Willie Nile, who recently premiered a music video through Downtown. Daltrey and band closed the evening with an impromptu Johnny Cash medley, which highlighted Daltrey as a guitarist. Beyond Daltrey, other celebrity performers at SWCRF events have included Ziggy Marley, Train, Peter Frampton, Gregg Allman, Kid Rock, Steely Dan, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, and Counting Crows.
For more information on the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, please visit www.waxmancancer.org.
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.
Last week, the New York Public Library announced the celebrated artists and wordsmiths comprising its 2016 class of Library Lions — including humanitarian/activist Harry Belafonte, author/novelist Hilary Mantel, award-winning Spanish novelist Javier Marías, Wall Street Journal columnist and author Peggy Noonan, and Irish novelist, essayist and poet Colm Tóibín — will be honored at the annual Library Lions Gala on Monday, Nov. 7.
This year’s gala will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Truman Capote’s legendary Black & White Ball, and will feature a special performance by soprano and Library Trustee Jessye Norman. The event returns to the Library’s iconic Rose Main Reading Room after a two-year hiatus due to repairs and restorations. Lions will be the first event held in the space since its long-anticipated reopening.
In addition to getting an early look at the newly-renovated Rose Main Reading Room, guests in attendance will also have an opportunity to see a special collection of items representing Truman Capote and his iconic 1966 event, which will be on display, as well as select collection items from the 2016 Library Lions class — one that inspires them from the Library’s collections, and one that is directly connected to their body of work. Items that will be on display include: The Hunt-Lenox Globe from 1510, a printed broadside of the Declaration of Independence from 1776, a typescript of a W.E.B Du Bois essay on race relations, a William Butler Yeats manuscript, a draft of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn, and a composition notebook of Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball invite list.
For over 30 years, the Library has celebrated individuals who have made significant contributions to New York City and to the creative community at large during its annual gala. Previous honorees include Nelson Mandela, Elie Weisel, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Scorsese, Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith, Steve Martin, Ethan Hawke, Dave Eggers, and Anna Deavere Smith among many others. Alan Bennett, Judith A. Jamison, Maira Kalman, Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Gloria Steinem were last year’s Library Lions.
NYPL’s 2016 Library Lions Gala begins with arrivals and a cocktail reception at 7:00 PM, and continues at 8:00 PM with dinner, program and a performance by Jessye Norman. For ticket information and pricing, or for information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact librarylions@nypl.org.
