I don’t know about you, but I am still reeling over Halloween. It was such fun this year. As always, 121st Street between Lenox and 7th Avenue wins the prize for gathering the most trick or treaters. Every house on the block welcomed parents and kiddies of all ages and disguises and greets them with candy, candy and more candy, all safely wrapped of course. Costume of the year had to be that of a little 10-year-old boy dressed as rapper Rick Ross. He had a pillow stuffed across his tummy, the full beard and dark sunglasses. He even gave the peace sign as he stopped to pose for photos.
Along the downtown 5th Avenue scene, Bergdoff Goodman invites the public to the unveiling of the 2014 Christmas window Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. I love the Christmas windows. I just wish they had a little color in them, in the foreground, instead of in the background serving hot chocolate. While you’re there, pop inside to the 3rd floor to view the 2015 spring collection of Emillo Pucci. It’s to die for!
Van Cleef & Arpels’ windows are closed, as the “Fairytale is in progress.” Tiffany’s is ready for Christmas. Several huge snowflakes, adorned with a sparkling jewel in the center of each, are draped along the outside of the building. It won’t be official, though, until the huge snowflake is strung across 57th Street.
On 57th Street, artist Ruun Van Empel has a fascinating exhibit at 57 Stux Gallery. Check out www.stuxgallery.com for a preview.
A line of shoppers who wanted to be the first to experience the new Alexander Wang for H&M collection was wrapped around the block. Huge black shopping bags with a logo of the same could be seen for miles. I even saw a few a happy shoppers with their bags of goodies, uptown.
The Greater Hudson Valley NY Chapter of the Links hosted their 10th Annual Ladies in Hats Luncheon, with a packed house, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. The variety of hats ranged from outlandish to sedate. I was somewhere in between, although I did purchase a hat that I might have to go to London, England to wear, where outlandish is the norm.
The program began with a welcome from luncheon Chair Brenda L.G. Smith, Ed.D., followed by a rousing video presentation of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” featuring all of our heroes and sheroes who took us through the storm over our years on these shores, ending most appropriately with our fearless, dedicated, classiest, smartest, most thoughtful and compassionate leader, President Barack Obama.
Invocation and blessing of food was performed by Chaplain Cora Sarjeant Wilder. Master of ceremonies was the incomparable radio personality Lenny Green, host of “The Quiet Storm.” The Honorable Nita M. Lowey, 17th Congressional District, N.Y., and the Honorable Andrea Stewart Cousins, 35th State Senate District, N.Y., gave their greetings, and Karla G. Jones Penn, chapter president, gave remarks.
On the lunch menu, perfect for the fall season, were baby field greens, with dried cranberries and maple balsamic dressing, adding a nice flavor; breast of chicken smothered in apple puree cream sauce, garnished with apple slices; and sweet potato hash with zucchini strings.
Following were special remarks by Eastern Area Director Dianne S. Hardison, with a special presentation made by Robin Williams, chapter vice president of programs. This year’s Hats Off Award honorees were Erika Irish Brown, senior vice president, Global Human Resources, Bank of America; Harold P. Freeman, MD, chairman emeritus and founder, Ralph Lauren Center for Care and Prevention; and the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center. Accepting the award for the MTVNHC was Carole Morris, founder and CEO.
Among the members in attendance were Janice Dye-Owens, Regina Darby and Mary Redd (We miss your summer parties, Mary). Among the 600 guest in attendance were Peggy Murrain, Thelma Dye-Holmes, Barbara North, Marcella Maxwell (happy birthday, Marcella).
The Greater New York Chapter, Links, Inc. Community Partnership, in conjunction with MetroPlus Health Plan will host the “Medicare and Managed Long-Term Care” seminar Nov. 17. With the spotlight on seniors, the event will take place at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging at Hunter College, with Jean Callahan, Esq., director of the center, and Dr. Marcella Maxwell, co-chair of the Greater New York Chapter of the Links Inc., Health & Human Services Facet, hosting. The seminar promises to be an informative guide to understanding Medicare, Parts A, B, C, and D, with discussion on when and how to join and how to choose a plan.
Thursday, Nov. 20, Pa’Lante will host its annual benefit gala, “Imagine: A Diamond in the Rough.” This year’s awardees are Bertha Lewis, founder of the Black Institute; Joan Griffith-Lee, director of Columbia Community Service; Juan Ignacio Ros, chief of staff for Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa; and tenant attorney John Gorman. The awardees are individuals “Who have made significant and exceptional contributions while achieving enormous success in their profession careers,” according to organization spokesperson, Elsia Vasquez.
Pa’Lante seeks to work with local tenants, landlords and developers as they mediate to reach amiable solutions for affordable housing. The event, which is to be held at the Alhambra Ballroom, 126th Street and 7th Avenue, at 7 p.m., will be hosted by Assemblyman Keith Wright.
The “Dance Theatre of Harlem Sunday Matinee” series kicks off Nov. 16 at 3 p.m., with company performances, guest artists and “dancers on the verge.” Hosts, former prima ballerina, now company director, Virginia Johnson, and executive director, Laveen Naidu, will greet invitees, and the company will perform excerpts from Darrell Grand Moultrie’s “Vessels” and Balanchine’s “Tschaikovsky Pas De Deux.” Also on the program is a solo performance by Ingrid Silva, choreographed by Da’Von Doane, of the new works “African Waltz” and “Hummel Variation,” with gospel jazz vocalist, Petualah Beckles.
Happy birthday to Tony James, Obie McKenzie, Rita Butler, Kayla Chambers and Viola Palmer.
Until next week … kisses.