Living The Life of Riley in New York City

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Organic Success, The Holstee Way

The Holstee Manifesto

To be honest, I don’t remember where or how I discovered The Holstee Manifesto. What I do remember is the way it opened my eyes, awakening me from a mid-life slumber. A simple declaration scattered with life altering statements: Do what you love. Travel Often. Share your passion. Stop overanalyzing. Life is short.

Crafted on the steps of Union Square, brothers Mike and Dave Radparvar along with friend Fabian Pfortmüller wrote their definition of success. The three partners express it wasn’t a business plan, more so a life plan, but it’s metamorphosed into all of those things and more. Its organic success mirrors the principles that makeup Holstee’s environment and community. It’s obvious the moment you step through their doors. From employee bike credits to staff prepared healthy lunches, Holstee practices what it preaches—Lifestyle design with a conscience. I sat down with co-founder Mike Radparvar at the Holstee office in Dumbo, and we chatted about all things Holstee, the message, the growth, and the future.

Life of Riley: Shared more than 500,000 times, and viewed online 60 million times, and counting, The Holstee Manifesto resonates with so many. Why do you think people connect with it?

Mike Radparvar: We were really surprised to see how well it resonated. When we wrote the Manifesto it was for ourselves. We said let’s write down something that can be a definition of a successful life. Let’s write our own definition. There are so many different ways that everyone is telling you what you need to be successful or you’re not successful until you have this.

We thought, we’re starting a new company and a kind of lifestyle and a framework to play in. And so we needed our own definition of success. So we sat down in Union Square, and we all decided to write down different elements that were important to us. The things that came out of that mini brainstorm were reminders that we’re not financially driven: Be open to new ideas, travel, share what’s important, always being open about what your passionate about and pursuing that.

We recently had quit our jobs, and I think that because it came from a deep place inside of us, it was very human emotions we were thinking about. It was not specific to a certain organization or a demographic. This was just like in life, what things are important. And those things hold true no matter where you come from in life, no matter what language you speak, no matter what age you are.

Riley: Was The Manifesto’s success unexpected?

Radparvar: If anyone would have told us when we wrote it what would happen, we could never have guessed it.  It’s taken on a life of its own. We’ve been totally blown away by that.

Dave Radparvar, Fabian Pfortmüller, and Mike Radparvar

Riley: That was 2009. Do the founders still live by those original words?

Radparvar: That is something we’re trying to make a point of every day. It is the basis of how we are building our company.  It’s the basis of what we’re doing, the products we’re designing, and it’s the common thread between our products and the lifestyle they encourage.

Riley: Explain more about that idea of products encouraging a lifestyle.

Radparvar: If you were to look at our shop, there are no specific product categories on our site. It looks like a mash up of a lot of different products—we have a water bottle, a bag, a belt, a tee shirt, a poster. After someone relates to those products a little more you begin to see the thread of not so much what those products are but the type of lifestyle they encourage.

Anytime you buy anything you’re voting with your dollar and you’re sending a signal to someone somewhere all the way up the supply chain saying do more. I totally approve of this, and this is how I’m showing it. That is a very powerful way to drive change—people understanding what is the impact of how they’re spending money.

Riley: Holstee has been experiencing amazing growth. As you bring new people on board, can you tell readers how you select the ideal employee?

Radparvar: Every new hire is a big deal to us. We take it very seriously. It’s like bringing someone into your family. We want to build something long term with our employees. Every single person on the team can change the dynamic. We look for someone who is not afraid to do anything. Open-minded. Interested in creating positive impact through good design.

Riley: Speaking of family. I noticed your mom’s comment on a recent blog post, which I thought was pretty cool. Has your family been supportive in this venture?

Radparvar: At first our parents were a little cautious of our quitting our jobs.

The recession was getting worse. The company I worked for was laying off people. My mom was really happy I didn’t get laid off and the next week I was telling her I was planning on going in and quitting. But I think we flew under the radar because my sister was getting married in a couple of weeks. So all the attention was on her.

There was a little bit of ‘are you sure this is a good idea?’ We just explained how this was important to us. We had been setting aside money. And we told her this is what we’re going to do now for the next few months. When you really think about it and say what’s the worst thing that can happen to me in the next 2 to 3 months, all of a sudden you’re free to take some risks. When you’re in a position to take a calculated risk like that, a smart risk, you almost have a responsibility to do so.

Now our parents are our biggest supporters. Anytime we post anything on Facebook our mom’s the first one to like it. Her Facebook profile has been the Manifesto for the past two years.

Riley: Your site is uniquely diverse. Do you keep that in mind when you create or promote products? Or does it organically happen?

Radparvar: It kind of organically happens, now that there are so many great companies with a kick ass purpose.

Riley: I know from our last interview that you’ve been working on the product story. What exactly does that mean? And how will it impact the end user?

Radparvar: Looking forward we want to do something that helps build the story of the products you buy. The yarn came from this place and the button came from this place . . . Building a platform.

A lot of the products we have probably traveled more than most people have traveled in their lives. And they come from more places and have been touched by more hands. There’s such an incredible story of how they got to where they are. If we really knew the story, from raw material to its current state we’d have more respect for that plastic bottle.

Riley: What can we expect in the near future for Holstee?

Radparvar:  We’re looking into milling our own paper. We are letter pressing a lot of posters and cards. We’re cautious about the types of paper we’re using. We’ve built a very strong relationship with those we’re sourcing them from. If we do our own milling, then the options really open up—Paper made from tee shirt scraps, jeans. People could send in their jeans, or we could work with a large company that makes jeans and take their dead stock.

Riley: Okay, I’m just gonna ask: How does it feel to be so cool?

Radparvar: It’s kind of surreal. So many people know the Manifesto.

People come over to our place for dinner, and we have the manifesto in a frame when you first walk in. And they say, oh the Manifesto, you’ve got that too.

And we say actually wrote it. And they’re amazed. If we’d ever tried to create something with the intention of it going crazy it never would have. It’s because we wrote it for ourselves, and it came from a very real place—people connect with it. You have to just do it and do what feels right.

Fabian, Mary, Dave, and Mike

To learn more about Holstee and their eco-friendly products, visit www.Holstee.com. You can also connect with Holstee on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Posted by  |  May 22, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized, Profiles, NYC | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Changing Course

by Guest Blogger Tracy Kaler

I went to work for the last time today. My final commute to New Jersey–I am certainly happy about that. What will I do tomorrow? That is the question.It’s never easy changing routine, even if it’s welcome change. But I do have an agenda.I will go to Alvin Ailey for my dance class.
I will spend time with my dog and cat.
I will buy an iPhone—finally.
And I will write–something.

God-willing, I will continue to write and I will not look back.
And I will probably watch “The View”.What will I miss? People and a paycheck.
But I will focus on the positive. I still live in the greatest city in the world, and the possibilities are endless.The future is my own.

Tracy Kaler is a columnist/freelancer for Metro.us, a contributing editor for The West Side Rag, and writes for small businesses. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Mike, a neurotic Chocolate Lab, Bogey, and a food-obsessed cat, Mimi.  Tracy’s also working on her first book. You can read more about Tracy’s New York adventures on her blog Tracy’s New York Life.

Posted by  |  May 18, 2012 | Categories: Authors, NYC, NYC Places, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Behind Closed Doors

This wasn’t the first time my 14-year-old daughter Jordan and I fought about closed doors and, similarly disrespect. In fact, we’d done it so much that my “the door is coming down” speech had grown stale and expected—practically inaudible to astute teen ears. Each time she tried to close the door mid-lecture, my anger swelled. Night after night, she ignored my husband, Bill, and my calls for dinner, requests to put the dishes away or feed the dog. It was as if she were no longer a part of our family. Where did we go wrong?

As Bill and I took turns yelling, I noticed for the first time how Jordan looked at me—a stare of disbelief that said: you don’t get me and I don’t get you. I didn’t understand. The three of us had always shared such a wonderful and unique family dynamic. Jordan was our only child and we were—not to be cliché—the quintessential three musketeers. So why did Jordan hate us now?

Continue reading article at New York Family Magazine.

Posted by  |  April 26, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

The Flavor of Portugal: Alfama Restaurant

An authentic piece of Portugal shines right in the middle of Midtown Manhattan near the corner of East 52nd and 3rd Avenue. After spending a decade in the trendy West Village, Alfama, named for the oldest district of Lisbon, has relocated and settled comfortably into Midtown East, recreating a unique dining experience, which offers the best of both worlds—modern flair surrounding treasured tradition.

Accompanied by a passionate, dedicated staff, owners and partners Tarcísio Costa and Miguel Jerónimo provide hands-on management with attention to detail, every little detail. From weekend brunch, featuring freshly baked breads and pastries, to weekday express lunch that includes a delicious sandwich—tuna on house-made focaccia with roasted bell peppers, onions and parsley with a piquillo aioli, steak sandwich with Monterey jack caramelized onions and bell peppers, or the pulled pork sandwich—a soup of the day and a choice of green salad or homemade Portuguese potato chips (to die for chips that should come with an extremely addicting warning), Alfama strategically juggles a variety of culinary hats.

I discovered Alfama during the holidays and admit I’ve become quite a fan. Sampling much of the menu and visiting during different times of the day and night, including Wednesdays for Fado night, I’ve tried to capture the overall vibe of the place. And I am confident enough to share with you the sum of its allure . . . duality. Fine dining that feels comfortable. Menu options that juxtapose the exotic with the basic. A mixed crowd of East meets West, old friends meet new. A relaxed atmosphere dripping with verve. Recently I met with Costa, who gave me a tour of the restaurant as we discussed the key ingredients to Alfama’s success.

Life of Riley: The restaurant décor is as unique and wonderful as the food. Can you give us a little background on all of it?

Tarcísio Costa: Our design and décor, although modern, are totally Portuguese. The glass mural with a world map in the main dining room is not just a decorative map but a map of the Treaty of Tordesilhas dating from 1494, when Portugal split the world in half with Spain. The oil paintings are by Isabel Pavão, a contemporary Portuguese artist who’s based in New York, but has her work hanging in prestigious galleries in Oporto, Lisbon and Paris, France. 

LOR: Do you find it challenging being one of the few Portuguese restaurants in the city?

Costa: It is a blessing and a curse to be us! I say that because there aren’t that many Portuguese restaurants in the city, so people who are not familiar with Portuguese cuisine don’t really have a point of reference as to what our cuisine is all about. This presents an opportunity to win them over and to hopefully have them fall in love with Portuguese food and wine.

The challenge is if they come in with pre-conceived notions of what the food should be instead of accepting what it is. The best example is when we explain salt cod to people. Many times they assume it will be salty, because the word salt is in the name. Or they assume it is like fresh fish. Well, it is not! Salt cod is a hearty, meaty fish that can sometimes smell quite strong—it may have a pungent smell, but that is just the nature of the fish. It is a cured fish and there is nothing wrong with it. Traditionally, the Portuguese enjoy their salt cod with a medium to full-bodied red wine.

LOR: Explain the Flavor of Portugal.

Costa: Alfama offers a unique insight into the world of Portuguese flavors, starting with the olive oil – Esporão, from the Alentejo in Southern Portugal. Not only is it the olive oil the chefs use in the kitchen, but we also serve it at the table to accompany the bread we serve, which is baked on premise. We have our own bakery and once again, some of the breads we serve are traditional Portuguese breads such as Broa, a dense corn/wheat peasant bread, pão de bico, which is the equivalent of a baguette, and our own focaccia with shallots and mushrooms.

As for the food, salt cod, being a staple of the Portuguese table, is always present on our menu, as well as grilled octopus, and our Mariscada Alfama, a rich seafood stew made of lobster, mussels, clams, shrimp, monkfish and baby potatoes in a lobster wine broth. Also, when they are in season (May through October) we have our sardines flown in from Lisbon twice a week. They are grilled, served whole over roasted bell peppers, garlic, onions and olive oil with a sprinkle of sea salt. Another typical dish we serve is our Frango no Churrasco, a Portuguese-style barbecued Piri-Piri half chicken served with our homemade potato chips and salad. Piri-Piri is an African-based chili that provides a lovely amount of heat, but it is not too spicy, so it does not “kill” one’s palate. Speaking of spice, one misconception I’d like to clear is that a lot of people assume Portuguese food to be spicy. Well, it is not!  Typical condiments used in Portuguese cooking are garlic, onions, cilantro (very commonly used in salads and in fish stews, especially in the Alentejo region), coarse salt, bay leaf, thyme and, of course, the delicious olive oil.

LOR: Any other unique ways that Alfama stands out?

Costa: Our wine list, comprised of about 99% of Portuguese wines, sets us apart. There are only three non-Portuguese white wines on the list.

LOR: Speaking of wine lists, New Yorkers love their Happy Hour. What can we expect at the Alfama bar?

Costa: Happy Hour is a thing of familiarity. Besides good drink and food, it’s about feeling the vibe of a place, feeling comfortable there, recognizing familiar faces . . . it’s like ‘Linus’ blanket’ for after work. At Alfama we offer Sagres, Portuguese beer on draft and wines at half-price (beer for $3 and wines for $5), plus complimentary in-house cured olives and our crunchy potato chips sprinkled with fresh garlic and parsley. The chef also sends out a few amuse-bouche for guests to try from time to time.

LOR: Normally I prefer wine to cocktails, but I love your Portuguese Margarita. What’s the inspiration for creating these signature cocktails?

Costa: My signature cocktails, most inspired by Portuguese history or current events, are infused as much as possible with Portuguese liqueurs, wines and spirits. Also, the names of the cocktails are for the most part in Portuguese or related to Portugal. For example, Bairro Alto is the name of a bohemian neighborhood in Lisbon; and based on that I created a “Portuguese Margarita.” Oh well, we all know there is no such a thing, as the Margarita is a tequila-based cocktail and it’s typically Mexican. But being that Bairro Alto is an area where one goes out with friends to go barhopping and there are clubs and cafés where people gather until the wee hours of the night, I thought it’d be an appropriate name. What makes our margarita Portuguese is the use of a blackberry liqueur from the islands of the Azores. I recently created a cocktail with Ruby Port, which is something VERY Portuguese, as Port can only be considered Port if it comes from Portugal, from the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. I decided to call it “Port of Call,” a play on words, but the ingredients highlight two very Portuguese flavors: Amarguinha, a traditional Almond liqueur from the Algarve, the Portuguese Riviera, where there are lots of marinas with private yachts and sail boats, Ruby Port, fresh lemon, vanilla-flavored vodka and an orange peel. It’s a refreshing cocktail, which I hope will provide the palate a seaside escape.

LOR: You definitely see the behind-the-scene collaboration at Alfama. Tell us about the team.

Costa: We are like a small family at Alfama and as such we each have our responsibilities and hold each other accountable. We all want success for one another.  During daily staff meetings, we talk about specials, new cocktails and/or wines, menu changes, service – what’s good, what’s not, what needs to be improved and how we are going to go about it.

Denise Costa is the manager and in charge of these meetings. Miguel Jerónimo, my partner, is the overall operations manager. I am in charge of the wines, spirits, our cocktail program, and I try to be on Twitter and Facebook as much as I can to promote Alfama.

Francisco Rosa, our executive chef, and Carlos Arriaga, our chef de cuisine, are both Portuguese and as such, they “drive the culinary bus” in terms of controlling the food costs, menu development, seasonality of ingredients and training their kitchen on traditional Portuguese cooking.

Not sure what to order on your first visit to Alfama? Here are my top picks:

–The Grilled octopus with smashed potatoes, garlic, onions, sautéed broccoli rabe and olive oil. It’s always tender, savory,and grilled to perfection.

–Portuguese style barbecued Piri-Piri half chicken served with Portuguese potato chips and salad. The best barbecued chicken I’ve ever had–a huge portion that’s juicy and sweet complemented nicely by the fresh, crispy salad and those amazing chips.

–A traditional sweet cream mousse layered with a crumble of “Maria” cookies served with lemon curd and Madeira-poached prunes. The combination of such interesting flavors of sweet and tart from the prunes and curd literally make your mouth water. A beautiful dessert.

Tarcísio Costa, Alfama Restaurant

Visit Alfama’s website to view the menu, including special holiday menus, at www.AlfamaNYC.com. You can also follow Alfama on Facebook and Twitter.

Posted by  |  April 11, 2012 | Categories: NYC, NYC Places, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

The Art of Reading

 We started thinking, what would the world be like without physical books. And how would we want to keep those pieces of the physical reading experience alive.

~Todd Lawton, Out of Print

The year was 1984. Second graders Todd Lawton and Jeff LeBlanc met for the first time and became fast friends, sharing many common interests, but most particularly a love for books. Fast-forward to 2010, and the long-time friends took their love of books to the next level by starting Out of Print Clothing, a company based on a project encouraging people to talk about books.

Today, Out of Print, located in the heart of New York, works closely with authors, publishers and artists for their ever-expanding collection, which now includes iPhone cases, totes, greeting cards, and shirts for the entire family. The Out of Print tees cover an impressive bookshelf, featuring beloved literary works—The Great Gatsby, Lolita, Fahrenheit 451, Invisible Man and Moby Dick. And with celebs like Margaret Cho and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea sporting their shirts, the staff is excited to see where they’ll show up next.

I spent some time recently at the Out of Print office and must admit I feel honored to be the first writer to do an in-house interview, bragging rights for the year. Todd and I sat down to chat about the company’s start, the tedious creation process, and of course, their fabulous fans. We all have a story to tell, and here Out of Print shares their story of keeping the physical reading experience alive with books, art, passion, and giving back.

Life of Riley: How did you and Jeff become business partners and decide on this specific business?

Lawton: We met in second grade, hence the 1984 on the logo. The business incubation stage took a little longer than most companies. We’ve always had a good interest in books. We’ve always wanted to start a business. And we’ve always wanted to use that business to do good. We think we’re doing good through raising awareness about books. Getting people talking.

LOR: What’s the Out of Print mission?

Lawton: We started out as a project to get people talking about books. It was when things were changing so fast with the way people were reading. The experience of reading was going from being this paper tactile kind of experience where you had the smell of the book and these great covers to a digital format, which has its own benefits like increasing the ease of reading.

We started thinking, what would the world be like without physical books. And how would we want to keep those pieces of the physical reading experience alive. Our focus landed on the great book art. It’s something in the digital age that has a much different meaning. When you look at a cover that’s been on the shelves for decades communicating what that book’s about compared to a thumbnail image on a website, the impact originally intended becomes lost.

We thought about how to make a statement with books. How do we celebrate great books and great book art? We thought that the ideal conversation starter would be a line of graphic tees that give a certain fashion to being bookish. We started to reach out to different publishers, artists and authors and found out a lot of people were interested in supporting this mission.

LOR: In a short amount of time, you’ve built quite a collection.

Lawton: When I look at the collection I’m really blown away by the canon that’s represented.

LOR: What’s the process of selecting the next book and the cover art?

Lawton: It’s funny, because we’re actually going through that right now. It is a process. When we first started out, it was just a guess, because we didn’t have feedback from anyone. Now we receive requests from our customers. We keep a list, and it’s massive at this point. We use that list like a guide.

We can’t just say, oh that’s a great book we should put that on a shirt. We have to go though the research and rights process. As many books as we’d love to have on our shirts, there are only so many that we can do. That’s the most important part of the process.

The other part: we look at the art. Is this cover attractive? Does it say something that’s in with our brand? We have some random covers that struck a chord in us. We thought it was an interesting statement or fashion piece or refreshing to see something you wouldn’t expect out there. It’s something that people react to and want to wear.

LOR: There’s also a really great philanthropic element to Out of Print.  Can you talk a little about  Books for Africa?

Lawton: This is a great part of the business. We feel it’s helping people who really need it in the communities that value the books. It’s helping them achieve a better life. We did a lot of research. When we came across Books for Africa, we really liked what they were doing.  They operated extremely efficient. Their mission is to supply schools and libraries with the books that are needed. They collect those books from partners, publishers with overstock, and schools changing editions. These books are just continuing to have a life beyond their shelf life.

LOR: How does it work?

Lawton: You buy a tee, and we donate a book. 220,000 books and growing—it exceeded our expectations. We want to do more. We’d love at some point to say we’ve helped to donate a million books.

LOR: What stores carry Out of Print?

Lawton: We work with different independent bookstores like Strand Book Store, McNally Jackson, Powell’s, Vroman’s, The Tattered Cover, and college bookstores. We also work with a lot of boutiques. I like the way we have a foot in both worlds, bookstores and fashion boutiques. It’s two different audiences, and they don’t always cross over, but in this case they’re interested in the same thing.

We continue to appeal to stores that are doing things a little different, in a creative way. On the fashion side they’re really attracted to the story, but also the visual nature of the art; it’s stand alone in a lot of cases.  If you took the title away, you’d still say wow, that’s really cool. Then when you put the title, the author and the story in it has more meaning.

LOR: Are you only in the U.S.?

Lawton: We’re starting to show up in different countries. We’re in some stores in Japan. We work in the UK. We hopefully are going to be in France soon. Even countries that don’t read in English are picking up these shirts . . . I guess they’re titles that mean a lot to them as well.

LOR: What are your thoughts on the constant changes in the book world?

Lawton: I think we can continue to be that nostalgia element for some readers out there. I personally like the paper reading experience. I hope it doesn’t leave us entirely.

LOR: I really love the creativity of asking your fans, What’s Your Story? It’s a great way to engage.

Lawton: It wasn’t our idea. It was our fans’ idea. They just started sending in pictures. From there we asked them to send in photos of them wearing the shirts, like Fahrenheit. They responded, staging photo shoots and all. It’s very cool to see how much this community wants to share their love of books. And how we’re a small piece in helping them do that.

www.OutofPrintClothing.com

Chuck Mazzone, Todd Lawton, Jeff LeBlanc, and Teri Anatra

Posted by  |  March 29, 2012 | Categories: Authors, Literature, NYC, NYC Places, Poetry, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Some KIND of Wonderful

Tiffani Thiessen at Little Sisters of the Assumption

Families at Little Sisters of the Assumption (LSA) in East Harlem received a special act of kindness this past Friday when Baby Buggy, KIND, and actress and mom Tiffani Thiessen delivered diapers and other essentials. A Baby Buggy partner since 2004, LSA has been providing family health services for more than fifty years.

“What we love about LSA is their focus on the holistic health of the family,” says Baby Buggy Executive Director, Katherine Snider. Working diligently with a network of community-based organizations, Baby Buggy distributes new and gently used essentials, providing for families throughout the United States. Founded in 2001 by Jessica Seinfeld, the nonprofit has donated more than 5.4 million items to families in need. Partnering with KIND became an important way to incorporate the Baby Buggy motto: Love. Recycled. This initiative was a simple reminder to do a kind thing and give back.

As part of the KINDMovement, thousands of New Yorkers accepted Tiffani’s challenge to do the KIND thing in support of Baby Buggy. “The website response, people wanting to do kind things, was overwhelming,” says Thiessen. “It’s nice to know that maybe the world is moving in a better direction and people really are wanting to be a little kinder in our communities.”

Each month KIND challenges and encourages people to do random acts of kindness. If enough people participate, KIND offers its own act with a little help from friends, partners like Baby Buggy.

“They have this initiative once a month, and we thought for Baby Buggy the most perfect fit was doing a KIND thing for a parent in need, because that was the genesis of Baby Buggy,” says Snider. As a nonprofit, Baby Buggy is extremely careful about choosing organizations to partner with, and they immediately saw KIND’s messaging as spot on. And when they needed a spokesperson, or more precisely, a spokesmom, Tiffani, mom to two-year-old Harper and longtime friend of Baby Buggy, proved to be the perfect fit. “I know how hard it is to raise a kid and how expensive it is to raise a kid,” Thiessen says. “When you’re a mom, your perspective definitely changes. I’ve known about Baby Buggy for quite some time. So it was exciting to know when I was a mom that I could actually bring something to the table, and it’s been really nice to work with them. “

Posted by  |  March 26, 2012 | Categories: In the News, NYC, NYC Places, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Splendor of Life in Long Island City: Blue Streak Wines

Wine


stirs the Spring,

joy grows like a plant,


walls, boulders,

fall


abysses close up,


song is born.


Oh, thou, jug of wine, in the desert

with the delightful woman I love,

said the old poet.

Let the pitcher of wine

add its kiss to the kiss of love.

—Ode To Wine, Pablo Neruda

The Wall of Wines at Blue Streak Wines & Spirits

Wine, a word associated with love, travel, passion, and celebration is, as Neruda laments, “the earthly splendor of life,” and I couldn’t agree more. Not to suggest that I’m an aficionada or anything so glamorous, but my husband and I enjoy trying unique wines from all over the world, providing us both with a metaphorical journey to beautiful places like Turkey, Italy, Africa, and Hungary. So it made sense to go behind the scenes and learn more about Blue Streak Wines & Spirits, the company delivering, for free, beautiful wines to my front door the past year.

Blue Streak’s inception proves just as romantic as the wine itself. Before the store was even a gleam in his eye, owner Stephen Spiller and his wife traveled to Majorca while vacationing in Spain. The trip turned life changing, after the couple sampled extraordinary wines. “We tasted these Catalonian family wines, and my wife turned to me and said why can’t we drink these wines in New York?” Stephen remembers. “She said, you’re not working; why don’t you open a wine store?”

It was true. Two years after relocating from LA to New York City in the name of love, but then that’s a story for another day, Stephen had been unable to find a job as an attorney. He thought, why not? Upon their return to New York, all the pieces fell into place. Spending hours walking up and down the streets in developing Long Island City, Stephen contemplated opening a store next to the subway, easy access for commuters on their way home, or in the areas where people actually lived.

“When I came down to the river, which I thought was fabulous, and saw this high-rise and this store area, which was an empty shell, I thought maybe the idea of having a store near where people lived would be a better idea. “ Stephen says. “I contacted the owners and they had no plans for the store at the time so I made my pitch.”

Although the builders used the space for storing tools and equipment, Stephen envisioned his ideal wine store.  “I wanted it to be a comfortable atmosphere not intimidating.” In the end, he produced an award-winning design with that exact aesthetic that customers notice and appreciate.

The Brennans

“It’s very typical of certain places in Long Island City that really go the extra mile,” says Michael Brennan, a faithful Blue Streak customer. “We always come to this wine store because they care about which bottles they sell here.” And Michael’s wife, Marina, looks forward to the special offerings, like weekly wine tastings and the wine club.

Stephen credits the Blue Streak team as the anchor for cementing the store’s place as a Long Island City staple—the Cheers of wine stores. “I’m learning from them actually, and it’s fantastic.” Stephen says. “We’re lucky, blessed.” Just as all of the other parts of Blue Streak came together rather seamlessly, so did the staff element. “Those two guys are phenomenal,” says Stephen. “I can’t be without them now. Don’t let them know,” he admits with a hearty laugh.

Those two guys are James Lee and Rob Bralow. The first Blue Streak employee, James has been the “backbone” of deliveries and stocking. With a Sociology degree, James continues his education with a recent certification in Wine & Spirits Education. Blue Streak’s serious wine geek, Viticulture and Vinification Certified, Rob, worked in Public Relations and education before joining the team. “It’s not just about selling; it’s about teaching and introducing new things to people, expanding the knowledge level of the average person.” Rob says. “It’s those education moments that make my day.”

Blue Streak Wines & Spirits makes a point to give back to its beloved community by participating in special events like Taste of LIC, hosted by The Chocolate Factory as well as unique charity events at the store. “It’s a great way for us to really be in the community, “Rob says,” and find different ways to help out and be a part of where we are.”

www.BlueStreakWine.com

The Blue Streak Team: Rob, James, & Stephen

Posted by  |  March 22, 2012 | Categories: NYC, NYC Places, Poetry, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

A Brooklyn Retrospective

From a young age, Jerry Castaldo fell in and out of bad behavior, trying relentlessly to break away from the violence and bad influences in his life. In Brooklyn NY: A Grim Retrospective, Castaldo proves that our situations do not define us. Raw and honest, Castaldo’s story doesn’t hold back. Scattered with celebrity and influential New Yorker encounters, readers applaud Castaldo’s gutsy and relentless journey to entertainer success and to a healthier lifestyle. I  caught up with Jerry recently, asking questions about the book, his troubled past, and his thoughts on success, giving back, and of course New York.

Riley: Do you feel as if you’ve lived a hundred lives?

Jerry Castaldo: First off, thanks for having me talk about my book. Actually, I feel that I’ve lived three distinct lives, with the third one being where I am right now. I was a good kid, and then went the wrong way due to intense, violent peer pressure while growing up in NYC, and now I’m back to who I was at the beginning.

Riley: How does the New York you grew up in differ with today’s New York?

Castaldo: I really don’t think New York has changed much, except of course for the difference in a variety of ethnic groups living in what used to be neighborhoods with only one or two specific ethnic groups. For instance, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn was predominately Italian during the ‘70s and now there’s been an influx of Russian, Chinese and other different nationalities populating that particular neighborhood.

Riley: One of the best things you say in Brooklyn NY:A Grim Retrospective is in the opening: “I so desperately want people to see how a good person is basically good, regardless of where he or she may falter and go astray; and sometimes–but not always–that person can get back to the beginning. You feel like you’re back at the beginning in your life today. Explain that idea a little more.

Castaldo: Thank you for saying that. Again, to reference what I said earlier, yes, I am back to whom I was before I changed into that other person. Back then, it was not by choice, but to protect myself. I morphed into your standard Brooklyn “tough guy,” although it was all an act. I started to commit terrible crimes and became heavily involved in drinking and hard drugs. When I wanted to stop and go back to the old me, I couldn’t. I didn’t know how to and I wallowed in misery and horror for about fifteen years. I’ve been called a “cat with 9 or more lives” in many of the (Five-Star) reviews of my book on Amazon, because of the many near death experiences that I suffered. The “Death by Subway” chapter is probably the most disturbing chapter in the book, or so people tell me.

Riley: How has recognizing addiction changed your life?

Castaldo: Back then, I’d always recognized addiction as a negative thing in my life as well as other people’s lives, but that never propelled me into action, to get clean or anything. I just lived that life until I couldn’t’ take it anymore. Then I started to investigate what groups were out there that could help me kick. I never imagined that all these years later, my tormented existence would translate into a Top Rated book. It just blows my mind to see it number one on Amazon in five or more different categories, including Self-Help. This is just amazing to me, to see it number one in self-help. I never would have imagined this.

Riley: You sought out help and found a better way of living. Have you been able to pay it forward?

Castaldo: After years of trying to get sober and out of that lifestyle, always trying to do it on my own (which never worked), I reluctantly entered rehab multiple times. I then finally followed up the last time with intense group therapy, every single day, sometimes twice a day, for over a year. I now find myself often writing letters to people in jail at the urging of their relatives who have read my book. I take the time and make the effort because I do want to help others.

Riley: Without a doubt, you are a survivor. What advice can you give to others who struggle, whether with current economic times, job loss, etc.?

Castaldo: I’ve been sober now for twenty-one years, and have made a decent living as an entertainer, but I have seen a decrease in the amount of available cash that organizations have to spend on entertainment during the last 3 years of our economic downturn. As disappointing as this is to me and to all of us, I just need to stop and remember that I’m not addicted to drugs and alcohol anymore, my health is good and I have the ability to work and earn money in the future. So how could I feel sorry for myself? I do know, understand and sympathize with others who may be going through an even worse time economically, and I try in any way I can to help. A national Women’s organization wanted to book my show, even though they had more limited funds than last year, and I decided to take a pay cut because I didn’t want to turn them down. I’ve been doing this more and more over the last two years, but again, I want to help and I live and love to work.

Riley: What do you love most about entertaining?

Castaldo: I guess it’s just built into me. From a very early age I always loved creating something from an idea and then executing it in front of an audience. The reward was, and is, that I feel like I’m actually doing something to bring people out of their own world and into mine for a few minutes. And as much as a cliché as this may be, I want them to forget about their own life and problems for a while.

Riley: What projects are you busy working on now?

Castaldo: Ha, ha. I’m laughing because I just don’t stop moving. I continue to log hundreds of one hour shows per year, mostly in the northeast and some in Florida, but I’ve also been putting together acting scenes and monologues for a new acting reel that a New York City agent has asked me to compile. He read my book and wants to represent me now. I’ve just posted an acting scene from the classic Broadway stage play/film, “The Owl and the Pussycat” on You Tube and also on my Facebook page. Back in the ‘80s I’d done some acting and had garnered some decent reviews, so I’m happy to be doing it again.

Riley: I think your story could be a wakeup call for teens. Have you considered reading your book at events for troubled teens?

Castaldo: Yes, I’ve been asked to speak for many teen groups, and if I am not working and I can do it, I’m always there. When I was younger, my mom and aunt tried to have me committed to a rehab/psych ward in New York City and I resisted. Just last year, that same rehab center did a mass buy of my book, 50 copies, and made it required reading for their patients, right there alongside AA’s The Big Book. I’m told by workers that they’ll walk down the hallway of a wing and see patients sitting on the floor reading my book. That’s very rewarding to me.

Riley: All New Yorkers have their own version of their “New York.” What’s Jerry Castaldo’s New York?

Castaldo: My New York? I don’t hate New York or my old neighborhood in Brooklyn because of the terrible time that I experienced there. Everything that happened to me was brought on by my own bad choices and later by my physical and emotional addictions to drugs and alcohol. I never put Brooklyn down in my book. I do point out the negative influence I experienced in that particular “mob-run” neighborhood back then. If I had a choice, yes, I would have preferred to grow up out in the country someplace, but that doesn’t guarantee a perfect existence either. New York is a great place. Although I now live in the hills of western New Jersey and go into Manhattan only for auditions, meetings and entertainment. It’s a shame that back in the ‘70s they had a saying, “New York is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.” Uh oh, wait a minute, didn’t I just say that myself? Oops. :)

Jerry Castaldo has been performing for audiences ever since he started a band at age 12 while growing up in New York City. While playing guitar and singing in different groups, Jerry learned to incorporate bits of comedy into his act during his late teens. This helped him secure numerous assignments as a Master of Ceremonies in and around Manhattan.
From there, and through his 20’s, Jerry went on to successfully host and perform at countless affairs for social, civic and fraternal organizations, as well as hosting The International Beauty Show at The Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC. He was also the Master of Ceremonies and main performer for a national promotional tour for Revlon Inc.

To learn more about upcoming shows, visit Jerry at www.JerryCastaldo.com and connect on Facebook.

Posted by  |  March 2, 2012 | Categories: Literature, NYC, NYC Places, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

A League of Their Own: ZogSports Plays It Forward

ZogSports on Roosevelt Island

During the weekends, especially spring and summer, Roosevelt Island’s Fire Fighters Field, Octagon Field and Pony Field come to life courtesy of the Zoggers. Like a rare breed of exotic bird descending the fields in their colorful sneakers and occasional old-school knee-high socks, Zoggers congregate, strategize and ultimately play ball—be it kickball, dodgeball, football, or baseball. Styling team colored tee shirts with cool names like Catchers in the Rye and Purple Reign, the Zoggers, whether on the field or in the local Bar & Grill afterwards, make their presence known. They’re loud, really loud—laughing, talking, and cheering . . . nonstop. And it makes you feel good just being around it, little snippets of laughter sneaking in through open windows or tapping you on the shoulder while walking by on a sunny day. You begin to look for your favorite player or the most engaging team, high-fivers, and talk about the games later, as if you were a part of it all. I had to know more about this phenomenon. I asked around, did a little research, and discovered a wonderful back story as motivational as the Zoggers themselves.

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, ZogSports remains true to its original mission. “When I conceived ZogSports post 9/11 everyone was asking what they could do to give back,” says founder and CEO Robert Herzog. “I predicted that the whole kumbaya feeling wouldn’t last so I decided to integrate charity and social good into something people wanted to do anyway – play team sports, hang with their friends and meet new people. It worked. Getting teams to think about what charity they will play for and raising awareness is much more important than the $1.4MM we’ve donated. We strive to encourage social good and feel great about what we’ve accomplished so far.” Here’s a copy of Herzog’s letter to the ZogSports family on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th which tells his moving story.

ZogSports offers an impressive sports sampling with 4 different competition levels, creating an appealing and diverse community for everyone from the ex-college athlete to the New York artist. “Zoggers are fun, social New Yorkers,” explains Ali Chanin, Director of Marketing at ZogSports. “Most people that play in our leagues are young professionals in their 20s and 30s.”

And Zog takes care of everything. They find appropriate fields and provide the refs and the equipment, allowing teams to concentrate on the game at hand. Each team selects a charity of choice to play for and ZogSports donates a percentage of league profits to the winning teams’ charities each season. The final piece to the ZogSports puzzle is the social element. “We get the party started,” Ali declares. All of the leagues have organized happy hours after every game. Participants are able to not only hang out with their own team but have the opportunity to mingle with the other team as well—Zog’s version of the end of game handshake.

“Everyone loves Zog,” says Sophie Gorson.” I love the energy, the people, and playing a team sport. Sophie missed playing team sports and heard about Zog from a friend already in a league. Her experience allowed her the opportunity to get in a much-needed workout while becoming a part of a fun community. Favorite Zog sport? “I am particularly fond of dodgeball . . . great way to get some stress out after a long day at the office.”

Sophie and her fellow Zoggers

Jonathan Sosis needed a workout that didn’t include the same old boring gym routine. “I absolutely hate the gym so it made me feel better about having the diet of a nine-year-old.” His sports include football and kickball. The sense of community also drew Jonathan to Zog as he wanted to expand his circle of friends. “Everyone just relies on one another to show up and play each game,” explains Jonathan, “and then win or lose, we go off to the bars to just hang out and have fun.”

Because ZogSports is co-ed, the organization has seen its share of romances too. Zog believes that co-ed teams make the leagues more social. “While everyone likes to win, having co-ed leagues takes some of the emphasis off winning vs. losing and promotes people to play for the fun of the game,” says Ali, acknowledging that it also increases happy hour attendance. “I’ve overheard quite a few guys and girls encouraging their teams/opponents to go to happy hour because they wanted to meet someone they found attractive on the other team.” You might say that they’re the Love Connection of New York sports. Over 50 married couples have found love while playing on a ZogSports team.

With locations in New Jersey, DC, Hartford, Atlanta, and  soon Minneapolis, ZogSports is spreading the love. If you’re pumped and ready to join a team or sitting on the sidelines but interested in learning more about this inspiring organization, you can visit their website at www.ZogSports.com. Be sure to connect with them on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter for updates, cool photos, videos, and all things Zog.

Posted by  |  February 17, 2012 | Categories: Profiles, NYC Places, NYC | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Rapture In The City

Gold Rush 79 photo courtesy of John Jones & K-tel

The year was 1979, and the album, Gold Rush 79, a 2 LP set courtesy of the beloved compilation king K-tel, featuring an eclectic smorgasbord of hits from Peaches and Herb to Dr. Hook. Shaking my groove thing while knocking on wood, I became one with those albums, literally treating them like gold, perfecting record player needle moves, careful not to leave a single scratch. One song in particular stood out among others, and I played it nonstop like teens tend to do when music speaks to them—”Heart of Glass” by Blondie.

Lead singer Debbie Harry provided an edgy punk rock style I’d never witnessed before, and I couldn’t get enough . . . I owned all of her records, watched appearances on Bandstand, and simulated dance moves in homage to those hits—my generation’s anthems. With a mixed attitude of strength and indifference, Harry inspired girls everywhere to own it. She was the 80s teen’s version of Lady Gaga.  And as I experimented with parachute pants, punk hair, eyeliner, cropped tops, baggy jeans, and leg warmers, Blondie did the same, creating music with forceful lyrics, romantic tensions, and funky pops of hip hop and rap, including a Brooklyn shout-out to Fab 5 Freddy, introducing us all to a whole new world of music.

Today Debbie Harry remains relevant. Featured in French Vogue, Interviewed by Lady Gaga in Harper’s Bazaar, and working on the Occupy This Album collaboration with other celebrated artists, Harry doesn’t miss a beat capturing the spotlight. A sixty-something female icon, who looks every bit of 45, Harry still pushes fashion to the limit, inspiring new generations of women, as well as reminding her original groupies, like me, to embrace age and womanhood with confidence, determination, and a little bit of kick-ass attitude.

She continues performing and creating new music with Blondie’s latest album, Panic of Girls, released in September 2011.  ”Wipe off My Sweat” and “Love Doesn’t Frighten Me” speak to me and have become new favorites.  As I listen to Panic I can’t help but notice how Harry reinvents herself, a musical chameleon—mastered by a select few artists—holding true to her original voice, not shying away from experimenting with new sounds, but avoiding that all too familiar plea from retro artists to gain new followers or speak to a new generation . . .  Harry is simply making great music with longtime friends and keeping it real, Blondie style. And I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Harry joins another longtime friend and artist, Roy Nathanson, and his students, The Institute for Collaborative Education (ICE) High School Band, on stage at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on Thursday, February 2nd. Led by a teacher who is a celebrated saxophonist, a founding member of the Jazz Passengers, an actor, and poet, ICE strives each year to maintain their incredible and one of a kind music program. Thursday night’s event benefits ICE and its extracurricular programs. Your ticket purchase is a tax-deductible contribution. For ticket information, visit the ICE PTA blog. You can connect with Debbie Harry and Blondie on Facebook and Twitter.

Posted by  |  February 1, 2012 | Categories: Arts, In the News, NYC, NYC Places, Poetry, Profiles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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