(Long Island, N.Y.) Trendsetters and fashionistas came to give their support this holiday season at the American Apothecary Toy Drive for Toys for Tots. The fundraising event “Got Snow” was held at Bowery Wine Co.13 on East 1st street in lower Manhattan.

Some may think American Apothecary is perhaps one of the coolest new clothing companies here in Manhattan with a fashion mission.

This hot new clothing company consists of a line of T-shirts that brand reproductions of ads for turn of the century remedies that are now illegal. American Apothecary’s creative team consists of Co-Presidents Jeremy Sziklay and Matthew Kronenberg, Head Designer Anastasia Fokina and PR Director John Thompson II.

American Apothecary is an avant-garde T-shirt company showcasing remedies that are no longer available because they are now illegal and/or exceptionally dangerous. Cocaine, heroin and cigarettes were not always feared and controlled substances. In fact, in the early 1900’s cocaine was widely used in toothache drops for children, heroin was used as a painkiller and cigarettes were offered to asthmatics for instant relief.

By placing vintage medicine labels on the finest cotton shirts, American Apothecary is commenting on how our perceptions of these and other once legal but now taboo substances have drastically changed over the last 100 years.

After absorbing quite a bit of knowledge at the District Attorney’s office, Jeremy Sziklay decided to incorporate his wisdom and parlay it into a clothing company. He decided to use the fashion industry as the vehicle to establish a strong provocative statement about the way business is presently done in our society while educating the consumer. “So much of fashion is just superficial,” he declares, “I wanted to create fashion with a purpose, to create a conversation.”

On his quest for picking the right people to work on his team, he met Artistic Designer Anastasia. Anastasia has a history in the arts and once owned an art gallery in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Her credentials are significant enabling her with artistic roots in designing the company’s innovative aesthetic.

Ms. Fokina believes that every designer should have some kind of knowledge of the arts to be creative and to get a real sense of what people want. “I think every designer should have some kind of arts education so they can know how to express ideas. When designing you really have to listen to what people want, you have to fulfill someone’s vision with your capability.”

Matthew Kronenberg decided to embark on a new career in fashion after being laid off from a real estate development firm. “I wasn’t really happy with what I was doing anyway. About a month after he was laid off from his firm, Jeremy approached him about coming on board. Matthew had known a lot of people who’ve had problems with prescription drugs and so it really hit home. “It hit home for me personally because I had a bunch of different surgeries from sports injuries and anytime I’ve been prescribed any kind of pain killer I didn’t take it, but being that I had these bottles with all these pills my friends were coming up to me asking if they could have them and I was like they were prescribed to me so chill out,” he confessed.

John Thompson II is the public relations expert that was intrigued with the company’s packaging and the box the T-shirts came in. That alone was the creative force in him becoming part of the team. He continues to seek innovative ideas on marketing the brand.

The company uses 100% pima cotton when manufacturing their soft and well made T-shirts. The box the T-shirts are packaged in is a witty article of art constructed from recycled paper.

Americans Apothecary’s mission is to educate people to become more aware about the products they use every day. Ten percent of their profits from their t-shirts sales are donated to drug outreach programs.

Their “Got Snow” charity benefit for Toys for Tots Foundation certainly proved that you can be a little naughty and still donate for the Holiday Season. Attendees and guests brought in over 250 toys which of course were donated to Toys for Tots. The United States Marine Corps Reserve was also on hand to help collect the toys for the children whose parents are economically challenged and cannot purchase them gifts for Christmas. Guests poured in with countless toys and were greeted with a night of fashion, live music and an open bar. For drinks, American Apothecary teamed up with Bowery Wine Co. to provide the nights signature drink the “White Horse,” a white wine spritzer. Fashion Designer Loris Diran made a special surprise appearance donating a “Barbie” for the charity event.

American Apothecary is the perfect relaxed attire for ladies and gentlemen that have discerning taste in quality apparel and adores making a bold declaration.

For more information about American Apothecary, visit www.a-apothecary.com.

Long Islanders celebrated New Year’s Eve in grand style at the lavish newly opened Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, New York. Guests enjoyed a five course dinner created by co-owner celebrity Chef Todd Jacobs. His acclaimed cuisine has been enjoyed by many influential personalities, including Billy Joel, Christie Brinkley and Colin Powell.

A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, Jacobs spent six years running the kitchen at the American Hotel which received the very well respected Di Rona Award under Todd’s supervision. Previously he worked as Chef Poissonier at Maurice Restaurant and Garde Manager at Le Regence. Both establishments reside in New York City. Jacobs has been a guest chef at the James Beard Foundation and has received wide acclaim for his cooking, as well as his ability to provide guests with a unique dining experience.

Before taking over the title of Executive Chef and Co-owner of the Allegria, Todd was owner of the acclaimed Atlantica and Tierra Del Mar in Westhampton Beach.

During our interview on New Year’s Eve Chef Todd described the robust, yet sophisticated American cuisine which relies largely on locally grown and organic ingredients, a component of his award-winning, ‘close-to-door’ philosophy. “Guests at Allegria will enjoy the sensational cuisine Todd Jacobs has been serving up in the Hamptons for the past several years,” stated Allen Rosenberg, Owner and Founder of Allegria Hotel & Spa. “We have no doubt Atlantica will be the star of the South Shore dining scene for many years to come.”

The cuisine at the Atlantica draws on seasonal flavors with dishes from the “Sea” consisting of Pan Seared Local Sea Bass with Chili Lime Beurre Blanc served with Steamed Local Asparagus and Hand-Cut Fries or the Charbroiled Organic Scottish Salmon with Lemon-Caper Vinaigrette accompanied by Oven-Roasted Plum Tomatoes, Steamed Organic Greens and Black Barley.

Other culinary creations featured under the menu’s “Earth” section include Roast Sliced Breast of Long Island Free-Range Duck with Leg Confit complemented by Oatmeal Stout Drizzle, Sautéed Spinach, Forest Mushrooms and Sweet Potato Puree, as well as an all-natural and farm-raised Pan-seared Peppercorn Crusted Cedar River Farms Hanger Steak Sliced with Green Peppercorn Cream and served with Sautéed Local Organic Vegetable Medley and Roasted New Potatoes.

Guests can also enjoy Stir-fry Organic Vegetables, Greens and Wild Mushrooms in a Crisp Root Basket with Ginger and Soy as well as the Crisp Tempura-battered Crab Cake with Organic Carrot Purée Tatsoi, Scallionsi and Crisp Rice Noodles. Salad selections also feature traditional greens with a twist such as the Endive Radicchio and Local Organic Arugula with Toasted Walnuts and Gorgonzola Cheese and the Local Organic Mesclun and Crisp Endive with Organic Cherry Tomatoes, Dijon Vinaigrette and Fresh Chives.

On New Year’s Eve I enjoyed dining on the specially prepared Filet Mignon. One of Todd’s signature dishes at the Atlantica Restaurant in the Allegria Hotel.

Dessert classics include Crème Brûlée and Banana Cream Napoleon with Warm Chocolate Sauce. These desserts will be sure to satisfy sweet cravings along with Homemade Ice Cream and Assorted Cookies. For the more health conscious, a Spa Fruit Plate composed of Mango, Pineapple, Raspberries, Fresh Strawberries and Grapes are also available on the menu.

Marketing Director Laura Vivonetto confessed that she has been working with Chef Todd for seven years and is part of his catering team which also oversees room service and all catering for events. The hotel’s grand ballroom accommodates 200 guests and the oceanfront location provides romantic opportunities for weddings on the beach and special celebrations under the stars.

The stylish 143-seat Atlantica Restaurant is situated off the main lobby and offers dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the two-mile-long boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean. Marine and beach decor throughout the restaurant collaborate indoor with outdoor space and provide guests with a sense of dining al fresco creating an exclusive ambiance and breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and dramatic sunsets.

The hotel’s stunning modern Art Deco Hollywood L’onda lounge, which means “the wave” in Italian lies adjacent to the restaurant and offers outside terrace service. A large, double-sided fireplace draped in over the top mirrors, 24-seat communal table, and circular bar made from glass mosaic tiles establish the lounge as the quintessential setting for waterfront play or cocktail parties. A casual dining venue, Jack’s on the Rocks, located at the roof-top spa offers lighter selections, salads and sushi, as well as organic juices and fruit smoothies.

I also had the chance to chat with Owner Allen Rosenberg whose vision was to create this fabulous luxury hotel. “To me it was a project of the heart. I walked into the building and I saw the vision. It was an old age home with low ceilings and no view of the ocean. I fell in love with the project. I didn’t know much about the hotel business but figured it was a no lose opportunity. There is nothing from Brooklyn to the Hamptons,” revealed Mr. Rosenberg.

In addition to creating an oceanfront luxury hotel, the chief of the Woodmere-based Alrose Group is also counting on the continuing building development and resurrection of Long Beach where there were once derelict homes and rundown apartment buildings. Now Long Beach residents are enjoying high-end condos, expensive restaurants and trendy boutiques, redefining much of Long Island’s only seaside city.

Although there are million-dollar condos surrounding the Allegria, named after Rosenberg’s deceased mother, it still is raising the neighborhood’s quality of upscale living.

The hotel also features 400-thread-count sheets and 800-gram-weight Turkish towels. The lavish accommodations are on a par with world-class hotels such as the Ritz Carlton. Occupancy starts at $449 a night in the summer and $179 off-season.

For more information on this exquisite hotel please visit www.allegriahotel.com.

(Long Island, N.Y.) This past week the holiday season continued with two wonderful Christmas Events. The ladies of Frank Public Relations kicked off their Christmas event at 99 John Street, right in the heart of Wall Street, New York.

Frank PR is a boutique public relations agency specializing in entertainment including films, restaurants, non-profits and events. The firm was established by Clare Anne Darragh and Lina Plath formerly of New Line Cinema (Time Warner) in October 2008.

Ms. Darragh and Ms. Plath have worked in the film business for more than fifteen years on a broad range of movies from major box office hits to significant independent features. They have outstanding relationships with entertainment media including film critics, feature writers, bloggers, personal publicists, managers and agents. Both ladies have a rich history of promoting films at prestigious film festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, Berlinale, IDFA, Venice and the Hamptons Film Festival.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Lina Plath and Clare Anne Darragh from Frank PR at their 2010 Christmas Event

Their mission is based on the common sense approach that the strategy and execution of a national publicity campaign express honest and straightforward communication to their clients and media.

For more information please visit www.frankpublicity.com

Patrons, customers, clients and celebrities enjoyed Costume and Fashion Designer Michele Savoia’s annual Holiday get-together at his chic’s men’s shop, The House of Savoia.

Savoia The Tailor has been designing and tailoring custom built clothing and costumes since 1984 for the music, sports, motion picture, Broadway, HBO and television industries. Savoia’s designs have been worn on the Red Carpet from the Grammy’s to the Emmy’s. Savoia’s work has been featured on “Sex and the City” and Actor Chris Noth “Mr.BIG,” Actor Dominic Chianese “Uncle Jr,” “Soprano’s” and “Analyze This” Actor Robert DeNiro have all worn his carefully crafted designs.

Savoia acquired his knowledge of tailoring from his Sicilian grandfather’s workshop. From 1978 through 1982 Savoia worked directly with Bill Kaiserman on all aspects of design through final production. He was also in charge of coordinating and communication between the many licensing agreements that the design house established.

His interest and creativity are extensive and colorfully broad. His talent as a designer is showcased in his men’s shop which opened in November of last year. At the entrance visitors immediately see a vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle which he rebuilt as well as the layout. Savoia is also responsible for furnishing and designing the interior of his exclusive men’s custom made boutique.

His specialty men’s shop is located at 147 Essex Street in the trendy part of lower Manhattan. This high-end men’s boutique has a masculine feel. The shop is furnished like a men’s club with an executive office in the rear for clients, a vintage pool table, a stocked bar at the back and dressing rooms on the left. Although the setting and backdrop is completely unique, the shop is reminiscent of Marc Guyot in Paris. Both establishments embody the look and feel of a private men’s club from the first half of the 20th century.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Fashion and Costume Designer Michele Savoia at the House of Savoia

Customers are surrounded by merchandising triumphs. The biggest deal is the custom fabric room. As a part of the overall House of Savoia experience Michele has designated an area for fabric books and select vintage fabric bolts. The House of Savoia is dedicated to exquisite fabrics, attention to detail and excellent custom made garments including a menswear topcoat with classic details like a curly lamb trimmed collar creating an elegant coat standout. This classic design is seldom seen today.

His men’s shop has a wonderful library and collection of books and magazines on men’s clothing, film and sundry related topics. If you judge a tailor strictly by his historical collectibles, Savoia ranks on top of the charts. Volumes by Bruce Boyer, Flusser, vintage copies of Esquire from the 1940s, Ian Kelly’s and Nick Foulkes’ biographies of Beau Brummel and Count d’Orsay are included in his vast collection of publications. All in all The House of Savoia has the best library of any men’s shop or tailor that I have witnessed.

Careful attention is always paid to every garment Michele Savoia creates. From the paper to the cashmere, Savoia does and oversees it all. The staff at House of Savoia does not send paperwork off to some far-off location to “interpret” a client’s measurements. Savoia takes your measurements, cuts your paper pattern based on his measurements and lays out the fabric you choose.

Savoia meticulously goes over every inch of the cloth double checking for imperfections. He traces the pattern onto the cloth and then cuts your garment himself!

Personalities that attended the holiday bash included Burlesque Star Brooklyn Baby Doll, Motorcycle Expert Copper Mike, Actor/Photographer Luigi Scorcia and Frank Gulemmo who works with the entertainment industry renting vintage cars for movie sets.

Brooklyn Babydoll has been an established burlesque and pinup star for at least ten years and has worked with numerous photographers including Greg Theakston, Bunny Yeager, Vincent F1 Photography, Viva Van Story, Rose Callahan, Clayton Cubitt (Siege), Mark Swenney and countless others!

The Brooklyn Babydoll is a tried and true pin up girl and ultimate glamour queen.

Her credits include: Tease ! Magazine, Varla Magazine, Atomic Pinup, 11211 Magazine, Metropop Magazine, UK Rock and Roll Magazine, Custom Machines Magazine (Spain), Stop Staring! Clothing, Starlite Lingerie, CBGBs Broads on the Bowery Show, Penelope Tuesdaes Femme Fatale show, The Brooklyn Psychobilly Festival Pinup Art Show, Instant Glamour Accessories (myvintagehut.com), Gothfox Designs Pasties, SP Fanzine (featured pinup), Street Voice UK Music Magazine (featured pinup) and Javas Bachelor Pad Magazine.

You can visit Brooklyn Babydoll at www.brooklynbabydoll.net.

In addition to her website, you can also reach her through at www.myspace.com/belissimababydoll.

Luigi Scorcia is a Brooklyn-born New Yorker. He studied photography in Atlanta, Georgia where he received his Bachelor of Arts in the Visual Arts. A New York based commercial photographer, he currently has a studio on the Bowery where he photographs portraits. He has worked as a nightlife photographer for the Miami Herald’s Night Life section in the 90s with Tara Salmon. Mr. Scorcia has also photographed celebrities on South Beach, photographing for Ocean Drive Magazine, Fort Lauderdale’s Sun Sentinal, and Fame Night Life for photographer Patrick McMullan. Mr. Scorcia’s work has appeared in the Village Voice, the New York Post and many music magazines. His clients include MTV and Bravo. He has photographed such events as the Los Angeles and Tompkins Riots and the 9/11 Tragedy. Mr. Scorcia’s photos have been published internationally in many magazines.

As an actor he recently has worked on two independent films “We Own the Night” in 2007 and “Couples” in 2008 and has appeared in countess TV shows including “Ugly Betty.”

For more info please visit http://luigiscorcia.com

I also had the pleasure at Michele Savoia’s Holiday bash to interview Copper Mike who established Gravesend Cycles in Lindenhurst, New York on Long Island.

Gravesend Cycles is the shop of master builder Copper Mike Cole, a lifelong motorcycle rider and craftsman originally from Gravesend, Brooklyn. Copper Mike founded Gravesend Cycles in order to follow his dream in creating authentic, handmade bikes using high-performance components and flawless detailing. Combining the best of vintage and contemporary elements, Copper Mike constructs each motorcycle from the ground up. His creative process is open-ended, always evolving and uncompromising in terms of quality.

Gravesend Cycles’ inaugural build was a bobber with an eye-popping skin. Known as Precious Metal, this one-of-a-kind motorcycle was designed with a variety of precious metal finishes: Platinum leaf, 14-karat-gold accents, and of course Cole’s trademark copper. Determined to ride in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in mid-August, Copper Mike worked continuously from spring through summer straight through the 110-degree heat in the shop to complete Precious Metal in all its glorious detail. The result was an extremely refined build that spoke for itself launching Gravesend Cycles into the public spotlight.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Burlesque Star Brooklyn Baby Doll, Copper Mike and Frank Gulemmo at the House of Savoia

Motorcycles have always been a part of life for Copper Mike. His passion for bikes started when he was a young teenager. Copper Mike wasted no time in hitting the street at age 18 and rapidly gained experience in many different aspects of the bike world. By working in various shops as well as for himself, he learned how to restore and rebuild classic vintage bikes as well as customize new builds. After buying in as a partner in an existing shop for several years, he eventually felt the need to go fully independent, thus Gravesend Cycles was established.

One of Mike’s early bikes, a ’39 Knuckle with hand-beaten copper tins named the Coppa Choppa, gave him his industry name of “Copper Mike.” The hand sculpted, hammered, and brazed copper is perfectly proportioned on the rigid frame with contrasting contemporary rims establishing him as a true craftsman and bike designer with this vision as an inspiration. Another of his signature bikes, Heavy Metal, is a cool and inexpensive example of a raw metal bobber stripped to its bare necessities to illustrate and highlight its mechanical perfection. This bike was built seemingly on sheer sweat and ingenuity-no frills, no paint, no budget-using found parts collected through swap meets and take-off parts.

Copper Mike delivered another strong punch with Gravesend, a 1972 Harley shovelhead modified to accept 1940s cylinders and cylinder heads. It was named in honor of Copper Mike’s hometown, Gravesend, Brooklyn. This famous bike was not only a statement in its own right but it fiercely crystallized and defined his inimitable style of bike building: vintage, contemporary and handmade. Matching the burnished tones of the copper-plated frame, signature paintwork comes in matching metal flake with graphics on both sides of the oil tank depicting the Brooklyn Bridge and the “Gravesend” legend across the face of the fuel tank.

In addition to being a creative, perfectionist builder, Copper Mike has the innate ability and talent to see a client’s vision and bring it to reality. The bike he calls Lucky 13 was born as a blend of another bikers dream combined with Mike’s bobber style, talent and vision of red translucent metal flake and a Harley EVO motor.

Copper Mike has stayed true to his roots but his work has also earned him a worldwide reputation. His bikes have been featured in exhibitions in France and Monte Carlo and he has built custom bikes for several European and Russian clients. These clients commissioned the custom Gravesend bobbers in signature copper finish with vintage Harley motors after viewing the bikes on exhibition in St. Tropez and Monte Carlo in 2008.

In 2009, Gravesend Cycles was included in the grand opening of a new motorcycle showroom in St. Tropez, France and was featured in various summer exhibitions in Europe. Gravesend Cycles also participated in the Daytona 2009 Limpnickie Lot, a showcase of the most innovative choppers and bobbers.

(Long Island, N.Y.) The Thirteenth Annual Food Allergy Ball was held this year at the prestigious Waldorf on Monday, December 6, 2010. The Food Allergy Initiative philanthropic leaders joined together at the event to raise funds to support the organization and to honor individuals who have committed so much of their time to the cause. The evening’s proceeds benefited the Food Allergy Initiative’s research activities and educational programs. The Food Allergy Initiative main focus is effectively treating and raising awareness of life-threatening food allergies.

The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) presented the FAI Legacy Award to Kathy Franklin in recognition of her longstanding commitment to FAI. Ms. Franklin has been a passionate advocate for FAI’s mission of education, research and advocacy helping countless families navigate the challenges of living with potentially fatal food allergies.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Chairman and Founder Sharon Mann of the Food Allergy Foundation at the Food Allergy Ball and Journalist/Author/Commentator Aliza Davidovit about her new book “The Words That Shaped Me” at the Waldorf Astoria.

Celebrity Renowned Chef/Restaurateur Tom Colicchio received the FAI Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Colicchio co-founded Gramercy Tavern and later went on to create Craft restaurants. He has been head judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and has received many accolades for his work including the 2010 James Beard Outstanding Chef Award.

Sharyn T. Mann and Todd J. Slotkin were the Gala Dinner Chairs. David Koch was the Corporate Dinner Chair. Benefit Dinner Chairs included Abbey and Steven Braverman, Patricia and James Cayne, Nina Rennert Davidson and Mitchell Davidson, Judi and Joe Flom, Mary Richardson Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Roxanne and Dean Palin, and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff and David Wolkoff.

The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for food allergies affecting more than 12 million Americans. Founded in 1998, FAI is the largest private source of funding for food allergy research. Since its inception the organization has contributed more than sixty-five million dollars toward research, clinical activities to improve diagnosis and treatment, public policy initiatives, and educational programs. The Food Allergy Initiative’s mission is to raise awareness among schools, health and child care workers, and members of the food service and hospitality industries.

FAI supports basic and clinical research worldwide. FAI-sponsored research seeks to find a cure and improve clinical treatment, including anaphylaxis and chronic diseases of the skin and gastrointestinal tract caused by food allergy. The FAI Medical Advisory Board comprises leading experts in the field. It also identifies and recommends the most promising studies for funding and ensures that all research is rigorously reviewed.

By funding multi-disciplinary programs involving allergists, immunologists, pediatricians, internists, gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and patients, FAI seeks to improve the identification and treatment of people at risk for food allergies.

Over the past 10 years the incidence of food allergies has been increasing in developed countries worldwide. In the United States more than twelve million people suffer from food allergies of varying degrees of severity including four percent of children under age 18 and three percent of the overall population. There is no cure and no therapy to prevent anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Only emergency treatment can control a reaction that is already in progress.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Co-Chair Abby Braverman and Barbara Winston Socialite and Daughter-in-Law of the famous jeweler the Late Harry Winston at the Food Allergy Ball at the Waldorf Astoria.

A food allergy develops when the body’s immune system becomes misdirected and attacks normally harmless food proteins. Although any food can cause an allergy, eight foods cause 90% of all reactions: peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pecans, etc.), eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is strict avoidance of the food that causes the allergy.

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, and potentially fatal allergic reaction. Food allergies are the single leading cause of anaphylaxis outside of the hospital setting. For some people, even a tiny trace of the wrong food can trigger an anaphylactic reaction. People with food allergies must always be vigilant. Dangerous trace amounts of problem foods may be found in poorly labeled processed foods, on cross-contaminated utensils or manufacturing equipment. It can even be carried on another person’s hands or transmitted through a kiss. The foods that most commonly cause anaphylaxis are peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. Every year food-allergic reactions account for some 125,000 emergency room visits.

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is the only medication that halts the symptoms of anaphylaxis. People at risk should always wear medical identification jewelry and carry self-injectable epinephrine. Available by prescription, epinephrine must be given as soon as possible to hold off symptoms which enable time to get to an emergency room for more care.

Who Gets Food Allergies:

• Food allergies affect children and adults of all races and ethnicity, and can develop at any age.
• Children of parents with any type of allergic disease (eczema, asthma, environmental allergies or food allergies) are particularly at risk.
• More than 6.5 million Americans are allergic to seafood and over 3 million are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.
• The number of children with peanut and tree nut allergies tripled from 1997 to 2008. Teens and young adults with these allergies appear to be at an increased risk for severe allergic reactions.
• Food allergy can be responsible for chronic diseases such as eczema and can stunt growth in infants and children by damaging the digestive system.

To educate the hospitality industry about food allergies and cross-contamination, FAI funded the creation of the first Food Allergy Training Guide for Restaurants and Food Services distributed nationwide by the National Restaurant Association.

Acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs who have worked with FAI to train their staff include: David Bouley; Daniel Boulud (Daniel);Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Per Se); Emeril Lagasse (Emeril’s); Sirio Maccioni (Le Cirque); Danny Meyer (Union Square Hospitality Group); Drew Nieporent (Myriad Restaurant Group); Jacques Pépin, Alain Sailhac, and André Soltner (The French Culinary Institute); Marcus Samuelsson (Acquavit), and Alex von Bidder and Julian Niccolini (the Four Seasons).

The Food Allergy Initiative recently announced its endorsement of comprehensive food allergy diagnosis and management guidelines released by an expert panel sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). FAI, the largest private source of funding for food allergy research in the U.S. is in the process of underwriting the publication of the long-awaited guidelines as a special supplement to the December 2010 issue of the prestigious Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The guidelines are also available online.

“The Food Allergy Initiative is proud to underwrite the publication of this landmark document, which will be distributed to thousands of healthcare professionals nationwide,” said Mary Jane Marchisotto, Executive Director of FAI, who also served on the coordinating committee. “Food allergy is a major national health concern, particularly among children. Almost a quarter of all emergency room visits now involve children under age five, and in a national survey, elementary school nurses identified food allergy as a larger problem than diabetes. We hope these guidelines will become the standard of care for all medical professionals who treat food allergy, enabling us to save lives as well as much-needed costs in our healthcare system.”

Every minute of every day people with life-threatening food allergies have to worry about those tiny amounts of peanuts, milk, eggs or other food allergens that could be lurking in whatever they eat. Every 15 minutes one child is rushed to the emergency room because of life-threatening food allergies. The numbers are staggering; twelve million Americans including three million kids are affected by food allergies. Peanut and tree nut allergies have tripled in children over the past 11 years.

Still the federal government spends only about $26 million a year on food allergy research, far less than other important diseases. There are no medications to cure or control food allergies but more federal funding could help advance many promising studies that are getting the world closer to a cure.

To learn more on how you can support this cause please visit www.faiusa.org for additional information.

Elite Professional Networking Group and Gloria Cressler hosted a “Fabulous” Christmas Event at the Pearl Lounge in Chelsea, New York on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. Attendees mingled with corporate sponsors, models, singers, celebrities and VIP Guests.

Entertainment was provided by Singer/Songwriter Brendan Coskerry.

Brendan Croskerry was born on July 24, 1985 in St. John’s Newfoundland on the east coast of Canada. At the early age of five his parents enrolled him in the local Canadian Conservatory of Music. The first few years of musical training and lessons were grueling. By the age of 13 Brendan started experimenting with other instruments including guitar bass and drums, developing the fundamentals of sound. In 2005 the release of his debut solo album “Tapas EP” proved to be Brendan’s first serious project. The genre was easy listening and took its name from the Spanish tradition of eating small delicacies and appetizers from a succession of bars. Each song on the CD reflected the diversity of tapas typically enjoyed in a soirée. In 2005 Brendan received a scholarship to study at the Universidad de La Rioja, in Logroño, Spain.

TV Host Cognac Wellerlane interviews Canadian Singer Songwriter Brendan Croskerry and Fashion Designer Richie Rich at the Pearl Lounge in Chelsea, New York.

Integrating quickly into the music scene, he formed an international band La Casaloca with a violinist from Germany and a soul singer from Venice, Italy. The multinational band created a strong bond within the international student population that year. During this time Brendan met producer Miguel Ángel Andrés and Paulino Lorenzo from the Contactados label. “Superman is on Holidays”, his first commercial release was featured on the international selling compilation albums Disco Estrella and Supermodelo in 2007. Both compilations reached number one in Spain enduring a total of 8 weeks in the number one spot.

In 2008 he released his debut album “Goodbye Harrier”, produced by Leroy Quintyn of the independent Spanish label Contactados Factoría Musical.

Brendan has recently signed a contract worldwide with the Italian label Just Entertainment and continues to write music and entertain fans in Europe and the United States. To find out more please visit his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/brendancroskerry.

During the event Entertainer Marla Mase and world renowned Musician Tomas Doncker stopped by to chat with me.

Marla Mase is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from New York City. She has written and continues to write plays, monologues, poems, solo performance pieces, erotica, blogs and songs which have been performed by her and other actors around Manhattan. She is known for her balls-to-the-wall performance style and her no-holds-barred honesty. Her most recent show “A Brief Night Out (BNO)” a kick-ass rock-n-roll musical that tells the story of a middle-aged woman who is having an affair, falling apart at the seams and busting with a sexy brand of anxiety. The musical is fast becoming an underground sensation. The CD soundtrack of the show, co-produced and co-written with Tomas Doncker is going viral across cyberspace and is getting downloaded daily. BNO has been workshopped at The Duplex, The Barrow Street Theatre, The Delancey Bar, and The Laurie Beechman Theatre and is currently looking for a permanent home to live in.

Marla’s play, “The Canarsie Line” directed by Kathryn Rossetter ran at The Bank Street Theatre in New York City to sold out audiences in 2002 and was invited to the Edinburgh Theatre Festival. Her play “Man/Woman” was workshopped at the Abingdon Theatre in 2004. She is a regular performer in Carolyn Kitay’s Variety Show, Kitay Kitay and the Wonderfuls and she is a frequent performer of her songs at benefits, mixers, and clubs in New York City.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Singer and Playwright Marla Mase and Musician Tomas Doncker – renowned guitarist & recording artist at the Pearl Lounge in Chelsea, New York.

Marla has her MA in writing and performance from NYU. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and is the owner of PARTYpoopers.com and partySWANK.com where she has produced over 2,500 events for eighteen years. Marla’s second CD “SPEAK” is scheduled to be released in Spring 2011.

For more information on Marla Mase please visit www.MarlaMase.com.

Tomas Doncker is the co-writer of music, producer, and musical director of “A Brief Night Out.” Tomas found himself amongst the ranks of New York’s groundbreaking musical elite. He has played in such groups as James Chance and the Contortions, James White and The Blacks, Defunkt, Latin-groove-meisters Konk, and New York’s absolute first hip-hop group, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Joints (featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Arturo O’Farrill).

Tomas has amassed performance and recording credits with a diverse list of musical luminaries including: Bootsy Collins, Ivan Neville, Yoko Ono, Amp Fiddler, Bonnie Raitt, folk-pop-diva Morley, Japanese saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, Grammy winner Prince Charles Alexander’s City Beat Band, along with spoken word pioneer Sonya Sanchez. In 2009 Tomas released the highly anticipated collection of songs with Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa entitled, “The Mercy Suite.” His Global/Soul CD “Small World Part 1 – Deluxe Edition” has been selected by BDG/Sony/Red for worldwide distribution. The CD featured performances by Bill Laswell, Gigi, Selam Woldermariam, and Martha Redbone.

For more info please visit www.tomasdoncker.net.

I also had the chance to chat with Actor/Director Alberto Bonilla. Alberto Bonilla is originally from Mesa, Arizona. He was born in Mexico City and his family is from Honduras. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1973 for a better quality of life and more opportunities. Although being raised in the United States his whole life, Alberto became a United States citizen in 1999 while attending Rutgers University.

Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane interviews Actor/Director Alberto Bonilla at the Pearl Lounge in Chelsea, New York for the Longislandexchange.com.

Alberto received a BA in Theatre at Arizona State University. He also studied at The British American Dramatic Academy in Oxford, England. He continued his studies at Rutgers University and Mason Gross School of the Arts receiving an MFA in Acting under Maggie Flanagan and William Esper.

At the event my celebrity guest for the evening was Fashion Designer Richie Rich formerly from the Brand “Heatherettes.”

Designer Richie Rich was born in California as Richard J. Eichhorn. He was an avid ice skater with a strong ambition to pursue the Olympics. On the music stage at the 1992 Folsom Street Fair, Richie Rich performed singing a song he had written called Go-Go Dancer. Soon after that he moved to New York City for fame and fortune.

In the mid 1990’s Rich was a staple on the New York City club kid scene and made a cameo appearance in James St. James’s club kid film Party Monster. Branding his name further he teamed up with handsome Western based Traver Raines and established the defunct fashion label known as “Heatherette.”

The brand is no longer in existence but Rich continues to brand his name and himself. He recently launched his new label in September 2010 and signed on with The King Collective to produce a new line called Pop Luxe. The collection was one of the first to be shown at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week At Lincoln Center and featured Ellen DeGeneres.

In November 2010, Richie produced a limited edition t-shirt to benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation.

Rich continues to be a fashion icon and is in the process of creating his new website richierichworld.com and will be showing his collection in February 2011 during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Corporate sponsors for the event included:

HSBC Bank (40th & 5th Avenue), Quest Magazine And TV.com, www.brumosracing.com “TRG” The Racer’s Group, Stockton Inn (New Jersey), Chef Frederig, Egon Gronau & Company, Chef Uwe Scherk, Chef Rudi Fers, AbakaHoldings.com, Emperors Brand, Vias Imports, Oak Beverages, House of Burgundy LLC, Niche Imports, Wide World Wines Inc. Casa De Vino, Global Fine Wines, Sonu Water,Cameron Graphics, Anthony’s Exclusive Limo & www.logoweardirect.biz/gcressler32 (logo Embroidery for Polo Shirts, Ball Caps & other Promotional items.

(Long Island, N.Y.) The Brits were the big winners at the 38th International Emmy Awards. Great Britain received five International Emmys on Monday, November 22nd at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Actress Helena Bonham Carter and Bob Hoskins received the famous gold Emmy statuette for the top acting awards as British TV productions received five International Emmys on Monday, including two for the BBC drama, “The Street.”

Bonham Carter did not receive any formal training in acting. In 1979 she won a national writing contest and used the money to pay for her entry into the actors’ directory Spotlight. She made her professional acting début at the age of 16 in a television commercial. She also had a part in a minor TV film “A Pattern of Roses.”

Bonham Carter made her film debut in the K. M. Peyton film, “A Pattern of Roses” before appearing in her first leading role in Lady Jane. She is best known for her portrayals of Lucy Honeychurch in the film “A Room with a View,” Marla Singer in the film “Fight Club,” Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter film series, her Oscar-nominated performance as Kate Croy in “The Wings of the Dove,” her BAFTA-nominated performance as Enid Blyton in “Enid,” her Golden Globe-nominated performance as Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd:” “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” as well as her other collaborations with Tim Burton, her domestic partner since 2001.

Her first starring film role was as Lady Jane Grey in “Lady Jane” in 1986 which had mixed reviews. The story reflected the troubled life of England’s nine-days’ Queen from her troubled adolescence and arranged marriage to her ill-fated accession and subsequent execution. Her breakthrough role was Lucy Honeychurch in “A Room with a View,” which was filmed after “Lady Jane” but released beforehand.

British Actress Ruth Wilson received the award for Helena Bonham Carter who was unable to attend.

Ruth is an English actress, perhaps best known for her performance in the title role of “Jane Eyre.” “Jane Eyre” is a 2006 television adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 novel of the same name. This four-part BBC television drama serial adaptation was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One. Wilson’s performance in “Jane Eyre” earned her four nominations for Best Actress awards in 2007, from the Broadcasting Press Guild, BAFTA television awards, Satellite Awards and the 2008 Golden Globes. She also came second in a BBC viewers’ poll for Best Actress of 2006. In 2006 through 2007 she filmed the second series of “Suburban Shootout,” a new Marple mystery for ITV, and Stephen Poliakoff’s BBC television drama “Capturing Mary” as the young Mary. From July 23rd through October 2009 she appeared as Stella in the Donmar revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” On November 15, 2009 AMC Television and ITV premiered the 2009 TV miniseries remake of “The Prisoner,” in which Wilson played the Village doctor, “Number 313.” Starting on BBC1 on December 6, 2009, she played “Queenie” in an adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Small Island, which also aired in the United States on PBS in 2010. Her more recent achievement has been starring as Karin in the Almeida Theatre production of “Through a Glass Darkly,” an adaptation for the stage of Ingmar Bergman’s Oscar-winning 1961 film this past summer.

CEO Rupert Murdoch surprised guests and nominees when he presented the honorary International Emmy Directorate Award to Simon Cowell.

“When I think back over 10 years, I can genuinely say I’ve had the best time I’ve ever had in my life,” revealed Cowell, who abandoned his “American Idol” judge’s seat previously this year to brand an American version of his hit British singing competition “The X Factor” soon to be launched in the coming year on Murdoch’s Fox Network.

“Whoever said fame, money, success will destroy you — completely wrong,” said Cowell. Cowell went on to say as he accepted the award thanking all his colleagues, “On behalf of the people who’ve worked on the shows with me and made my shows successful.”

Simon Cowell is an A&R executive, producer and star of the highest rated television shows in the world. His discerning eye for talent and candid remarks have made him a household name as viewers devotedly tune in to watch him as judge on “The X Factor,” “Britain’s Got Talent” and “American Idol.” In 2002 he founded his UK-based media and entertainment production company, Syco, which has become a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2010. With Syco, Cowell was responsible for developing two of the biggest hit TV formats in the world, in “The Got Talent” and “X Factor” franchises. He is also the first producer to simultaneously have the number one program in the United Kingdom and the United States as “Britain’s Got Talent” and “America’s Got Talent” topped the television charts in 2008. “Got Talent” is Europe’s leading entertainment and is now airing in over 40 countries. “The X Factor,” having recently completed season six was awarded ‘Entertainment Show of the year’ by the 2009 National Television awards. Cowell’s shows can be seen in more than seventy countries around the world and Cowell recently announced that he would be launching “X Factor” in the USA on Fox in the autumn of 2011. In 2009, Cowell recently was named number one in Hollywood Reporter’s Top 50 Most Powerful in Reality TV, and one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Entertainers of the year. With his own record label, Syco Music, Cowell is responsible for some of the biggest acts of the last decade including Leona Lewis, Westlife and Susan Boyle. Over the last 15 years his acts have achieved sales of more than 150 million albums and Cowell has had more than 100 number one records. The last series of “Britain’s Got Talent” reached record viewing figures of 20 million and runner up Susan Boyle became a YouTube phenomenon and wowed audiences across the world. She has since sold over 8 million copies of her album, ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ with Syco Music worldwide making her the fastest selling female debut artist of all time. Cowell has been on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in the US and the Radio Times, GQ and NME in the UK. He was also amongst the highest ranked on the Forbes ‘TV Faces’ list.

The 38th International Emmys was hosted by American Actor Jason Priestly.

Mr. Priestly is an accomplished actor, director and producer. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series “Beverly Hills, 90210,” a primetime drama created by super producer Aaron Spelling. In 1993, he earned his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series for his portrayal of Brandon. He also directed nineteen of the show’s episodes. Although known mainly for his work in television, Jason appeared in a few film roles, including “Tombstone,” “Calendar Girl” and “Love and Death on Long Island.” In 2000, Priestley appeared on stage in the London production of “Side Man,” the Tony Award-winning play by Warren Leight. On July 15, 2007 he returned to series television as one of the lead males in Lifetime Television’s comedy-drama “Side Order of Life.” In August 2009, Priestley directed and co-produced all 12 episodes of the web-series “The Lake,” on The WB.com. Jason is currently filming with his old co-star, Luke Perry, for the Hallmark Movie Channel “Original Goodnight For Justice,” a TV western.

The International Emmy Directorate Award was presented to Lorne Michaels by “Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon and a surprise assistant “30 Rock’s” Alec Baldwin.

Jimmy Fallon is currently hosting the NBC hit “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Previously he was best known as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1998 to 2004. He started playing the guitar at age thirteen. This musical talent would later pay off as he would go on to mix comedy and music in contests and shows and later can be seen in stretches on “SNL”. Fallon’s impersonations helped land him on “Saturday Night Live” as a featured player in the 1998-1999 season, and he was promoted to full cast member in the summer of 1999. Fallon left “SNL” in 2004 and began pursuing a film career. Fallon has appeared in “Taxi,” “Anything Else,” “Almost Famous,” “Fever Pitch,” “Band of Brothers,” “Doogal,” “Factory Girl” and “Whip It.” In 2002 Fallon released the comedy album The Bathroom Wall. Rolling Stone praised the album’s songs calling the album the “second-best Prince parody ever, after Beck’s ‘Debra’.” In 2007, Fallon wrote the song “Car Wash for Peace” and donated all proceeds to charity. He occasionally does stand up comedy at the Comedy Club in New York City. He also hosted the MTV Movie Awards for numerous years and hosted the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards this past September.

Michaels is the creator and executive producer of “Saturday Night Live,” a show that reinvented comedy on television and launched a generation of major film and TV stars. In addition to his weekly duties on “SNL,” the most Emmy-nominated series on television, Michaels is executive producer of NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and the Golden Globe, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedy “30 Rock” starring Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan. Over the last thirty five years, “SNL” and “30 Rock” have won numerous Emmy Awards. “SNL” has been honored twice with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 1990, 2008 and “30 Rock” also received a Peabody Award in 2008. Michaels has personally won 13 Emmys as a writer and producer in television. Michaels was inducted into the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2004 he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In 2008, he was named one of Time Magazine’s “Time 100” – a list of the most influential people in the world, and additionally was honored by the Museum of the Moving Image in 2009 which recognizes two leaders in the entertainment industry annually whose vision and innovations have dramatically influenced the moving image. He has produced numerous motion pictures including “Baby Mama,” “Mean Girls,” “Wayne’s World,” “Tommy Boy,” “Enigma” and “Three Amigos” which he produced and co-wrote with Steve Martin and Randy Newman. His previous television credits include: “The Kids in the Hall,” “Night Music,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” as well as specials with Lily Tomlin, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, The Rutles, Flip Wilson, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Randy Newman, Neil Young and Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park. Michaels began his career in Toronto where he attended the University of Toronto and worked as a writer and producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In 1968 he moved to Los Angeles and worked as a writer for NBC’s “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” and other television series until he left in 1975 to begin “SNL” in New York. In 1979, Michaels founded the New York based production company Broadway Video Inc.

38th International Emmy Award Winners included are:

ARTS PROGRAMMING

The World According to Ion B. – WINNER
HBO Romania / Alexander Nanau Productions
Romania

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
Bob Hoskins – WINNER
The Street
ITV Studios for BBC
United Kingdom

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS

Helena Bonham Carter – WINNER
Enid
Carnival Film & Television for BBC
United Kingdom

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

Shaun the Sheep – WINNER
Aardman Animations / WDR & WDR mediagroup GmbH / BBC
United Kingdom

COMEDY

Traffic Light – WINNER
Kuperman Productions / Keshet Broadcasting
Israel

DOCUMENTARY

Mom and the Red Bean Cake – WINNER
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)
South Korea

DRAMA SERIES

The Street – WINNER
ITV Studios for BBC
United Kingdom

NON-SCRIPTED ENTERTAINMENT

CQC – WINNER
Eyeworks Cuatro Cabezas SA
Argentina

TELENOVELA

My Love – WINNER
Plural Entertainment Portugal
Portugal

TV MOVIE/MINI-SERIES

Small Island – WINNER
Ruby Films in association with AL Films / Northern Ireland Screen for BBC, co-produced with WGBH Boston
United Kingdom

For more information on the 38th International Emmy Awards please visit www.iemmys.tv

Joan Collins, The “Dynasty” diva and still fabulous at seventy-seven has been wowing audiences with her one-woman show at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency from November 16 through the 27th. In “One Night With Joan” Ms. Collins shared her past with intriguing stories and secrets of her celebrated career as one of the world’s most glamorous celebrities. Ms. Collins brought to the stage her engaging wit and frankness that turned her two memoirs Past Imperfect and Second Act into New York Times best-sellers.

When the act premiered in England, the Times of London hailed Joan as “riveting,” “endearing” and “a terrific storyteller.” She recently received the “Best Actress Award” in the New York International Film Festival for her portrayal in the film Fetish and is currently penning her latest publication, The World According to Joan.

I decided to attend the show and sat with my press photographer at a corner cabaret table sipping champagne and dining on an elegant delicious dinner. Sitting to my right was TV Host and Historian Robert Osbourne from Turner Classic Movies TCM Network and sitting front row was Fur Designer Dennis Basso and Actress Brook Shields.

Ms. Collins is a Golden Globe winner and Emmy-nominee who possesses talent and star quality that has transformed her around the world. Ms. Collin’s career began in the 1950’s and continues to flourish. She has come to define what it means to be a living legend. More recently in recognition of her contributions to the arts, culture and charitable causes, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II honored Joan Collins with an O.B.E. title in 1997 making her an Officer of the British Empire.

Ms. Collins has appeared in more than sixty feature films and dozens of television series including her famous role of Alexis Carrington on Dynasty, one of the most highly rated television dramas of all time. Her novels and memoirs have sold over 50 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 30 languages. She is a regular diarist for The Spectator and a contributor to The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Times and Harper’s Bazaar. On stage, Joan Collins has performed on Broadway, the West End, and in national tours in the UK and North America. She is recognized world-round as a fashion maven of timeless beauty and is a brand ambassador and spokeswoman for top cosmetic, health and beauty companies.

She has worked with many professional actors including: Richard Burton (Sea Wife); Paul Newman (Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys!); Bob Hope and Bing Crosby (Road to Hong Kong); Bette Davis (The Virgin Queen); Gregory Peck (The Bravados), James Mason and Dorothy Dandridge (Island in the Sun); Robert Mitchum (Big Sleep), Edward G. Robinson (Seven Thieves), Sir Nigel Hawthorne (The Clandestine Marriage); and Kenneth Branagh (In the Bleak Midwinter).

Also a humanitarian Ms. Collins is devoted to the well-being of women, children and families. She participates, contributes and gives her support to celebrity causes that include finding a cure for breast cancer and empowering children with learning disabilities.

Ms. Collins is married to Theatrical Manager Percy Gibson and they live happily between their homes in Los Angeles, London, New York and the South of France.

For more information please visit www.joancollins.net

(Long Island, N.Y.) The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) was proud to announce that the 28th Annual Princess Grace Awards Gala took place on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at Cipriani located at 42nd Street in Manhattan. The Awards ceremony and Gala included the presentation of twenty one awards to emerging artists in theater, dance and film as well as the Prince Rainier III Award presented to Movie Star Denzel Washington and his lovely wife Pauletta Washington.

The 28th Annual Princess Grace Awards Gala was presented in the presence of Her Royal Highness Caroline Princess of Hanover. The evening was co-chaired by Bonnie Pfeifer Evans. Presenting Sponsor for the Gala is Hermès; Platinum Sponsors include: The Charles Evans Foundation and Noelle and Dick Wolf; and Crown Sponsor Lily Safra.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is a not-for-profit publicly-supported foundation headquartered in Manhattan and was established more than twenty-five years ago by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in honor of his wife, movie star and Princess Grace Kelly. The foundation’s mission mirrors Princess Grace’s achievements in her lifetime. The foundation supports emerging artists in theater, dance and film through the awarding of scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships.

Since its beginnings the foundation has bestowed more than six hundred fifty awards totaling more than $7 million in grants. This year, PGF-USA honored movie star Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta Washington with the Prince Rainier III Award in recognition of their outstanding careers and philanthropic endeavors. In addition to their distinguished professional accomplishments, Denzel and Pauletta Washington have been devoted to numerous philanthropic causes for more than twenty years. This is the first time a couple will share the Prince Rainier III Award honor which was inaugurated in 2005 by the PGF-USA board of trustees in recognition of the man who helped begin the foundation. This award is presented to eminent artists who have not only been highly successful in their careers but who have made significant humanitarian contributions to their fields.

More recent honorees include Mikhail Baryshnikov (2005), Twyla Tharp (2006), George Lucas (2007), Glenn Close (2008) and Mandy Patinkin (2009). These individuals have all received this honor which includes a grant of $25,000 to the philanthropic organization of their choice.

Past recipient of the Awards for theater, dance and film are eligible to win the Foundation’s Princess Grace Statue Award. This year, Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro was honored for her outstanding achievements.

Ms. Shapiro received her first Princess Grace Award in 1996 while working with Steppenwolf Theater Company. In addition to a $25,000 unrestricted cash gift, these awardees are presented with a bronze statuette of Princess Grace created by the Dutch artist Kees Verkade. To date, fifty-three artists have received this award.

Celebrated artist Alex Soldier, known for his mastery of fine jewelry and precious miniatures, has designed an object d’art to symbolize the Princess Grace Awards for the second year.
The Award symbolically combines the three art forms lauded by the Foundation: theater, dance, and film by using precious metals and jeweled Swarovski crystal accents. The sculpture is designed for each recipient to wear as a broach, a special reminder of their award for the world to see. The sculpture presented to the Prince Rainier III Award recipient is a larger version of the broach and demonstrates the interconnectedness between the art forms. The elegant gala began with cocktails, followed by an opening act featuring past Princess Grace Award winners in dance or choreography. The dance troupe performed a myriad of diverse dance styles, specially created for the 2010 Gala.

Supporters and guests enjoyed a three-course dinner catered by Cipriani 42nd Street. A special speech by Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover following the Awards presentations and finally dancing to DJ Clockwork in the Chapel Room. At the Gala guests also had the opportunity to contribute to the foundation by bidding on an extensive collection of unique silent auction lots including travel packages, jewelry and accessories. All auction proceeds will benefit Princess Grace Awards to advance its mission of providing crucial support to emerging artists in America.

“We are extremely pleased to be honoring Denzel and Pauletta Washington, as well as Anna D. Shapiro, for their incredible professional achievements and for their dedication, inspiration and generosity to the community,” revealed John F. Lehman, Chairman of the Board of PGF-USA and Princess Grace’s cousin. “These honorees are the true embodiment of Princess Grace’s vision of giving back to the artistic community she loved so much. We are humbled and moved by their achievements.”

Each year, the Foundation presents the Princess Grace Awards to artists who show excellence and promise in the areas of theater, dance, and film. Students are eligible for scholarships while emerging artists working in companies qualify for apprenticeships and fellowships. A playwriting fellowship is available for individual artists, which includes a residency at New Dramatists in New York City, and the opportunity for representation and publication by Samuel French, Inc. In addition to these, the Foundation also gives honorable mention grants to applicants through Honoraria.

The 2010 Princess Grace Awards winners (listed below) represent 20 colleges, universities, and not-for-profit theater and dance companies throughout the United States. The Awards winners exemplify both classical and experimental artistic disciplines and, while still considered emerging talent, already show exceptional promise in their areas of expertise. The Foundation’s support assists their theater and dance studies, helps pay their artistic fees at non-profit theater and dance companies and helps support their thesis film projects. In addition to the Awards, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA extends general operating monies to companies hosting an Awards winner. The 2010 Princess Grace Awards winners are:

Theater and Playwriting

• Andrea Assaf – Theater Fellowship, Gant Gaither Theater Award, Pangea World Theater
• Charlotte Brathwaite – Theater Scholarship, George C. Wolfe Award, Yale School of Drama
• Shana Cooper – Theater Fellowship, Robert & Gloria Hausman Award, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
• Tom Gleeson – Theater Fellowship, Fabergé Theater Award, Arden Theatre Company
• Virginia Grise – Theater Apprenticeship, Pierre Cardin Theater Award, Playwrights’ Arena
• Adam Pinti – Theater Scholarship, Grace Le Vine Award, Arizona State University
• A. Rey Pamatmat – Playwriting Fellowship, New Dramatists Inc.

Dance and Choreography

• Kyle Abraham – Choreography Fellowship; Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp
• Craig Black – Dance Scholarship; The Julliard School-Dance Division
• Ashley Jackson – Dance Fellowship, Chris Hellman Dance Award; Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet
• Rachel M. Meyer – Dance Fellowship; Dominic Walsh Dance Project
• Andrea Parson – Dance Fellowship; Northwest Dance Project
• Brett Perry – Dance Fellowship; Trey McIntyre Project
• Victor Quijada – Choreography Fellowship; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
• Andrew J. Wojtal – Dance Scholarship; California Institute of the Arts

Film

• Jessica Anne Bardsley – Film Graduate Scholarship; School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Mike Gibisser – Film Graduate Scholarship; University of Illinois, Chicago
• Laura Kraning – Film Graduate Scholarship, John H. Johnson Film Award; California Institute of the Arts
• Sara Newens – Film Graduate Scholarship; Stanford University
• Willie Williams – Film Graduate Scholarship; University of Southern California

Honoraria

• Lorianne Arden – Film Honorarium; Vassar College
• Chris Bryant – Film Honorarium; Chapman University
• Devan McGrath – Film Honorarium; Columbia College Chicago
• Javi Aitor Zubizaretta – Film Undergraduate Scholarship, Cary Grant Film Award; University of Notre Dame

2010 Special Project Awards and Works in Progress Residencies

Special Project Awards and Works in Progress Residencies at the Baryshnikov Arts Center are grants available to past Princess Grace Awards winners to show continued support. The 2010 Special Project Awards and Works in Progress Residencies are:

Special Project Awards

• Carlos Armesto
• John Fiege
• Michael John Garcés
• Zach Horton
• Kara Manning
• Benjamin Russell
• Uri Sands
• Works in Progress Residencies
• Jim Findlay
• Andrea Miller
• Chi-wang Yang

Denzel Washington is a two-time Academy Award-winning actor who recently made his return to Broadway where he appeared opposite Viola Davis in August Wilson’s “Fences,” earning him his first Tony Award. Mr. Washington’s accomplished artistic career spans more than 30 years. It includes numerous awards for acting and directing on both stage and screen. In 2004 Denzel Washington was honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his years of support of the youth organization and was presented the Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award, the highest honor the BGCA given to volunteers at the annual President’s Dinner. He has been a spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1994.

Mr. Washington’s wife Pauletta Washington is an accomplished actress and musician whose undying passion for music started at an early age. Her education included the Julliard School in New York City. Beautiful as well as talented, Pauletta was the first African American to capture first runner-up in the Miss North Carolina Beauty Pageant. Pauletta’s generosity of spirit has led her to support numerous charities including The Brain Trust, Crystal Stairs and the Rape Center in Santa Monica. Pauletta has always taken a hands-on approach to any group she’s lent her name to, involving herself one hundred percent. As a result of Pauletta’s dedicated work on behalf of The Brain Trust, in 2004 The Pauletta and Denzel Family Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience was established at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. As recognition of her outstanding volunteerism, Pauletta has been honored by the Women in Film and by the California Governor’s Conference for Women. In May 2003 Pauletta was awarded the most prestigious “Mother of the Year” award from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Anna D. Shapiro is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and the recipient of a 1996 Princess Grace Award. She has been affiliated with Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago since 1995. She has served as the original director of the New Plays Initiative, later joining the artistic staff as Resident Director, Associate Artist and, since 2005 is an Ensemble member.

Some of the celebrities that attended to give their support included: Recording Artist Ashanti, Broadway Producer Paul Canaan, Broadway Actress Viola Davis, Realty TV Star Sonja Morgan, Broadway Actress Tovah Feldshuh, Actor David Schwimmer and Emcee Maggie Rodriguez, “The Early Show” co-host.

For more information on how you can participate, support and contribute to The Princess Grace Foundation please visit www.pgfusa.com.

On Thursday, November 11, 2010 Long Islanders enjoyed a pre-holiday shopping experience at Saks Fifth Avenue at the Walt Whitman Mall.

There was a special Fur Fashion Presentation on the first floor with gorgeous models showcasing glamorous furs accompanied with chocolate cocktails and special treats followed by jewelry designs of Valentin Magro Trunk Show. Celebrity Jewelry Designer Valentin Magro made a special appearance to his loyal fans and clients.

Valentin Magro’s exquisite designer jewel collection is known for its unique and flowing designs as well as superb quality of material and workmanship. Nature is a predominant theme in his pieces featuring flowers, animals, leaves and objects from the sea. These incredible works of art are often created of carved materials such as coral, amber, turquoise, rock crystal and chalcedony. Beautiful gemstones and other exotic materials are paired with textured gold or platinum providing interest, dimension and movement to his jewelry brand.

In his youth, Valentin apprenticed under and worked for some of the world’s most highly recognized jewelers in New York including Tiffanys & Co., Harry Winston and David Webb before starting his own design house. Today he is well known for his successful custom design business as well as his repertoire of luxurious jewels.

Mr. Magro is willing to work with special clients to create their own vision and style from a classic diamond ring to an extravagant jewel embellished necklace.

For more information on Valentin Magro’s collection please visit www.valentinmagro.com and to shop for his exquisite jewels please visit www.saks.com/waltwhitman.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Manhattanites enjoyed a cocktail reception and product launch on November 4, 2010 at Bazzèo NY Loft Showroom located at 6 West 20th Street, New York, New York.

Bazzèo, ODA Architecture, Dwell Media and their design partners invited their upscale clients, interior designers, fashion aficionados and media to attend an exclusive event for the launch of their fall/winter 2010 new product lines.

Guests enjoyed the newest and hottest trends in sustainable cabinets and interior designs showcased in the newly redesigned Bazzèo showroom in Chelsea, the hottest part of Manhattan.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Owner and Architect Ana Sternberg at The Cocktail Party Launch at Bazzèo Loft to promote and the launch of Bazzèo, the first eco-centric, contemporary kitchen collection

The chatter of engaging conversation, cocktails and product information made the event a huge success.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Architect and Owner Ana Sternberg of Bazzèo New York Loft. Ms. Sternberg expressed that their products are made in the USA, not something you hear very often these days and it is even rarer to hear the words green, contemporary, kitchen and Made in the USA in the same sentence. That has changed with the launch of Bazzèo, the first eco-centric, contemporary kitchen collection made in the USA. Manufactured at their factory in Secaucus, New Jersey, Bazzèo is committed to seeking out and integrating products and materials that are not only earth-friendly but made in the USA whenever possible.

At bazzèo the reduction and elimination of waste has always been a fundamental manufacturing element. With computerization of the manufacturing process and OTM (On Time Manufacturing) practices, their factory controls the environment used in production and has eliminated the need to stockpile and warehouse large quantities of raw materials. It is also a standard practice to recycle all wood cuttings and sawdust. In addition, bazzèo partners use only controlled growth forests for its veneers and solid wood doors.

By managing production and waste properly, the company becomes more aware of the environment and their obligation to the world at large.

At bazzèo their staff believes that the modern definition of luxury is “personalization” and so each bazzèo kitchen is designed in coordination with the architect, interior designer, developer and/or homeowner, thus creating a unique environment that reflects the client and their individual needs. Bazzèo offers the client a world class product manufactured in the United States. Their products offer an unlimited palate of sizes, finishes, and features to create an environment that will truly reflect the lifestyle of the individual and their kitchen and bath decors.

For more information please visit www.bazzeo.com.

Premiering in Manhattan at Big Cinemas 239 East 59th Street was the critically acclaimed film “Deceptive”, An Angelique Monét Production. “Deceptive” was written and executive produced by Angelique Monét, President and founder of Greta Joanne Entertainment.

The film Deceptive was written, executive produced and stars multi-talented Actress/Singer Angelique Monét. Ms. Monét is the former Ms. Black South Carolina and the world’s only actress ventriloquist. The film was directed by the two-time award winning Roderick Giles and also executive produced by award winning playwright Edgar Chisholm.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews The stars at the Movie Premiere “Deceptive” starring Angelique Monet

Ms. Monét is one of the few female theatrical distributors through her firm AM Releasings/Greta Joanne Entertainment. After premiering in New York, Ms. Monét will present the film to Accra, Ghana for a theatrical release engagement. This establishes the first United States Company to ever have a release in Ghana. The film will also have engagements in Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, London, and Paris.

The star studded cast includes Shiek Mahmud-Bey from films such as “Nightfalls on Manhattan” and “Buffalo Soldiers” along with Angelique Monét, “East New York” Jas Anderson from “Brooklyn’s Finest” and Meah Pace from the TV show “R U the Girl.” “Deceptive” also premiered at Marchedu Film during the prestigious Cannes Festival in France and received the Audience Choice Award at the Hamptons Black International Film Festival 2010.

The film was a collaboration of twist and turns highlighting Ms. Monét’s talents as an actress and writer. The synopsis of the film involves a highly successful record producer Jay Walker excellently portrayed by Actor Shiek Mahmud-Bey who believes he has it all: a beautiful wife, success, friends, fame and wealth. His life takes a dramatic turn when he signs a new female artist to JRuby Records. A dramatic twist develops from this love triangle bringing deception, lies and betrayal.

Angelique Monét is one of the hardest working women in entertainment. In the midst of filming her reality TV show and planning to complete the production of her second film ‘Engaging,” she launched her own theatrical releasing company, AM Releasings and established her first feature film “Deceptive” as the companies’ opener.

Ms. Monét starred in her own one woman Off-Broadway production “Multiple Me,” staged Theatre Row in New York City. Her children’s television show, “Gracie and Angel,” aired on Dove Communications for a full season. Moving behind the camera, Angelique became a Segment Producer/Hostess for NBC’s Videomax later performing similar work for ABC and CBS. Her first interview television show “NY Connection” was syndicated on the Time-Warner cable network. She interviewed entertainment pioneers such as Public Enemy, Dougie Fresh, Curtis Blow, DJ Red Alert, Ludacris, Raekwon, Charles Stone III, Tyson Beckford, Sheik Louch, Damon Dash, Wayne Wonder and Baby Cham. Deciding to broaden her talents she branched out to acting in feature films. Angelique was cast in the supporting role of “Von” for York Entertainment’s East New York, starring Remy Ma and Killah Priest. Her first directorial debut, a short film “Bittersweet” went to Cannes Film Festival SFC in 2005.

Angelique Monét heritage is a mixture of African-American, Latin, Native American, and Irish. In November 2008 Angelique founded the Hamptons Black International Film Festival (HBIFF). Her latest project “Engaging” has created a buzz in the Latin community. The stellar cast includes Chiko Mendez, Guy Richards, Tito Puente Jr., Ángel Salazar, Jayquan and Willie Panama. The cast has been interviewed on Telemundo, The Miami International Film Festival Red Carpet Event and Your Entertainment Ticket (talk show).

For more information on this beautiful actress and filmmaker please visit www.gretajoanneentertainment.com.

On November 4th I attended the theatrical release movie premiere for “Vito Bonafacci” starring Actor Paul Borghese.

The synopsis of the film involves Vito, portrayed by Actor Paul Borghese, having a fatal heart attack as he is exiting the front gate of his stately home. Upon death his mother confronts him making it clear, via a lengthy diatribe, that his existence was one of the material realms of sensual gratification, money, power, status and pleasure. His consequence is being condemned to hell and eternal death. Eventually we discover that this death experience was a dream. This greatly disturbs Vito precipitating him to seek the truth relative to life’s purpose and the afterlife. Vito has periods of contemplation and dialogue with the housekeeper, barber, gardener, and his wife in search of answers. He often ponders is there such a place as heaven? Does Hell exist? Am I a good person? Vito’s soul searching includes a flashback to his youth listening to his grandfather speaking to him about eternity. The film takes you on a spiritual journey. The film was beautifully written by John Martoccia; a first time filmmaker and director.

Mr. Borghese’s off-Broadway acting credits include William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Arsenic and Old Lace and stage performances with the Italian American Repertory Company. He has appeared in films such as “Air Boss I & 2,” “Belly,” “Summer of Sam” and “Keeping it Real” with Stephen Baldwin. His television credits include “As The World Turns,” the ABC mini-series “Witness To The Mob,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” an appearance in the award-winning hit HBO series The “Sopranos,” and he plays a recurring roles on both NBC’s “Third Watch” and also “Law and Order:SVU.” He has most notably portrayed New York Yankee baseball hall of fame Yogi Berra in the HBO original film “61*” which was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards and won several. “61” was directed by Billy Crystal. Paul recently played roles in the independent feature films “Death By Committee,” “For Whom the Drum Beats,” “Transamerica” that starred “Desperate Housewife” Felicity Huffman , and “Little Manhattan” that starred “Sex and the City’s” Cynthia Nixon.

Mr. Borghese is a current member of (SAG) Screen Actors Guild, (AFTRA) American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, (GIAA) Guild of Italian American Actors, (AIVF) the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers, (AAAA) the Associated Actors and Artistes of America and is a (DGA) Directors Guild of America applicant.

A seventeen year entertainment industry professional, Mr. Borghese is President of PADRINO PRODUCTIONS which is a division of the ten year old Independent Images, Inc. He has extensive experience not only as an accomplished director, producer and distribution executive, but also as an actor. By 1990, Mr. Borghese had an active producing and/or distribution role in some of the almost two-dozen feature films he was in. Production projects included George Romero’s “Document of the Dead,” Beatle George Harrison’s “Wonderwall,” “Fatal Secret” starring David Carradine, “A Time to Remember” starring Donald O’Connor, “Prisoners of Inertia” starring Amanda Plummer and John McGinley, “Destiny to Order” starring Michael Ironside, and “Fright House” starring Al Lewis and Lady Terminator.

Between 1990 and 1995 Mr. Borghese associate produced and served as casting director for five independent feature films including “Perfect Lies” and “New York Nights.” Oliver Stone and Columbia Pictures recognized Mr. Borghese’s talents as a filmmaker and hired him to contribute a montage segment in the Academy Award nominated, “The People vs. Larry Flynt.”

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Actors Paul Borghese and William DeMeo at the Premiere of “Vito Bonafacci” written and Directed by John Martoccia a first time filmmaker and director.

Mr. Borghese went on to write, produce and direct a feature-length film documentary, “The Canadian Ballet,” which screened at film festivals internationally and won numerous honors including Best Performance Arts Documentary at the New York International & Independent Film Festival, A Finalist Award at the Long Island Film Festival, Best Feature Length Documentary at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and the Director’s Achievement Award at the Narrowsburg International Independent Film Festival. The film screened at the Angelika Film Center, The Screening Room on Varick Street in New York City and at the Tribeca Film Center.

Mr. Borghese then co-wrote, co-produced and directed the feature film “Four Deadly Reasons.” This film was completed in 2002 and won the Back East Best Buzz Award at the Back East Picture Show Film Festival in Hoboken, NJ, The Low Budget Genius Award at the Silver Street International Film Festival, the “Best of Fest” feature film at the Putnam Valley Film Festival and it screened at the Los Angeles Italian American filmmakers Awards and at Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Film Center on opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival. Mr. Borghese recently completed directing a feature film he co-wrote the screenplay for, “Searching For Bobby D” (as in DeNiro). Although Actor Robert DeNiro never appeared in the film it received a great deal of publicity on Page Six of The New York Post. The strong ensemble cast included Carmen Electra, Sandra Bernhard, Kevin Dobson, Mario Cantone, Tony Darrow, Tyson Beckford and Robert Costanzo.

Mr. Borghese is presently working on his new project, the film “Goat.”

For more information on this versatile actor please visit www.paulborghese.com

The film “Vito Bonafacci” also features Actor William DeMeo who portrays Father La Golbo. For over a decade now, William DeMeo has been an entertainment industry professional. Mr. DeMeo has skillfully worked as a producer/writer and accomplished actor.

His first production project was the independent feature film “One Deadly Road” which he wrote, produced and portrayed a leading role in. The motion picture was distributed overseas, aired on pay-per-view television and was distributed nationally onto Home Video. The film was shot on 16mm color film.

William went on to write, produce, co-direct and play a leading role in the feature film “Wannabes.” The film was picked up by Artisan Entertainment and was released in theatres before its national Home Video/DVD release in 2002 including Blockbuster. William won the Best Actor Award for his performance in “Wannabes” at the New York Independent International Film Festival. The film also won the Best Director and Best Supporting Actor Awards at that festival. It was shot on 35mm film, as was William’s next film, “Searching for Bobby D” which he produced and co-wrote the screenplay with his director Paul Borghese.

In addition to the roles William has played in the films he has produced he has also appeared in numerous other feature films as well as on national television shows and in mini-series. He portrayed a young Carlo Gambino in “Boss of Bosses” and the character Al Pacino in “Analyze That.” He was also featured in “Hackers.” Mr. DeMeo appeared numerous times in the last three seasons of The “Sopranos” as one of Paulie Walnuts’ crew members, Jason Molinaro. Recently he played a supporting role in the independent feature film “For Whom The Drum Beats,” very well known actor Frank Vincent’s son in the feature film “American Woman,” a pick up artist in the television reality show pilot of “GEEK TO GUIDO” and a regular mob crew prankster member in the television reality show pilot “YOU GOT WHACKED; Gangsters and Pranksters.”

Mr. DeMeo is the screenwriter and lead actor in “The 6th Family” with Armand Assante and Ice-T, directed by Paul Borghese. This film begins shooting this summer.

He also plays the commentator “Frankie the Fixer” for the new TV pilot “Sitdown” With Vinny Pastore and Tony Darrow. In the show, people with disputes are brought in to a social club by William and Vinny and Tony decides the outcomes of the disputes.

For more information on Mr. DeMeo please visit www.williamdemeo.com

(Long Island, N.Y.) It was a mixed bag of tricks, treats and special events for Halloween week beginning with Gloria Cressler’s Cocktail Reception, International Trade,Cultural Fashion Show and Charity Gala held on Wednesday October 27, 2010 at the Austrian Cultural Forum in midtown Manhattan.

President’s & CEO’s of fortune 500 companies, international diplomats, designers, models, buyers, celebrities, royalties and members of the press attended this glamorous event hosted and produced by Ms. Gloria Consolacion T. Cressler, Public Relation and Event Planner from Gloria Cressler Enterprises & Elite Professional Networking Group.

Special celebrity guest was Race Car Driver David Donohue. Mr. Donahue is the son of the legendary Race Car Driver Mark Donohue. He is currently active in Grand-Am’s Rolex Sports Car Championship’s Daytona Prototype Class for Bromus Porsche. Mr. Donahue has won several endurance classics, including the Rolex-24 hour at Daytona and the 24 hours of Le Mans in France, as well as Championships in IMSA’s Supercar and CART’s Super Touring Series. He’s competed in IMSA, CART, NASCAR, and Grand-Am. Mr. Donahue holds a production car closed course speed record at just over 196mph in a Porsche Carrera GT.

For more information please visit www.grand-am.com

The fashion collection was presented by Lizzi London of London, England featuring models Cynthia Kirchner (Model for Victoria Secret), Model/Actress Denise Dietrichs (Top 20 for Victoria Secret Angel Tour) and Miss Russia New York Angelina Shipilina.

Lizzi London’s childhood passion for abstract art, influenced by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, led to her desire to observe visuals, manipulate materials and mold on bodies as an alternative to blank canvases and flat drawings. Her design collection features a diverse array of casual, chic, urban, cocktail, formal and the avante guarde. The inspiration of art truly lies within a woman’s necessity to accent her beauty from inside and out. This is captured from the influence and graceful movements of the exotic peacock. The vivid lines punctuated with structures, generous textures and volumes emphasize each individuals’ character. Lizzi London’s calculated designs with precisely detailed rhinestones, beaded sequins and knots in the rawest form produce techniques that highlight the endless creativity in art.

After the show I had the pleasure of interviewing Diane, Kimberly and Christina Scali, realty TV stars from the new Oxygen Realty TV Show, “Jersey Couture.” The show features their New Jersey Boutique Diane & Co.

For more than thirty-three years, Diane & Co. has helped the everyday woman learn that it is possible to look and feel fabulous. What makes Diane & Co. so unique is their desire to fulfill their customers’ expectations.

They treat each of their clients in a unique manner. Their approach to shopping is different and solely provides one-on-one customer service. When you enter their boutique, you will be greeted with a smile by one of their professionally trained consultants who understand your individuality. With listening ears, a keen sense of style, and a vision of perfection they will style you to your perfect garment limited only by your imagination.

At Diane & Co. you will only find the newest styles and trends in evening and formal wear. They carry extraordinary gowns, cocktail dresses and suits as well as Sweet 16, Bat Mitzvah and prom gowns. The boutique is a favorite among prom shoppers and has sold over 3,000 prom gowns to thousands of young ladies. Each of their prom clients are paired with the dress of their dreams. No matter if you want Princess or Sophisticated they have it all from over 100 manufacturers. For more information please visit Diane & Company Website.

Supporters came out to celebrate the New York Restoration Project’s Fifteenth Annual Hulaween Event hosted by Bette Midler on Friday October 29, 2010 at the Waldorf Astoria.

A highlight of this year’s Hulaween event was honoring United States Senator John F. Kerry. Senator John F. Kerry received “Wind Beneath My Wings” Award for his vigorous leadership in the national climate change debate. Included in his many environmental contributions, Senator Kerry co-authored the Senate’s comprehensive energy and climate change legislation, introduced legislation to improve standards for clean air and millions of dollars in funding to clean America’s waterways, harbors and drinking water. Senator Kerry has worked to strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Act. He has been a champion of protecting America’s National Parks and National Forests from pollution, excessive logging and overdevelopment while ensuring that endangered species are preserved for all Americans to experience. A vocal opponent of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for more than a decade, Senator Kerry is committed to ensuring future generations of Americans experiencing the national treasures.

Twelve time Grammy Award winning Singer-Songwriter Paul Simon performed at the event to a Halloween costumed audience. Comedian Judy Gold lent her “golden” touch as the evening’s emcee.

Proceeds from NYRP’s Hulaween gala support the non-profit’s greening initiatives including restoration of Higbridge Park and the organization’s fifty-five community gardens, youth environmental education program and its signature citywide tree planting program, Millions Trees NYC.

New York Restoration Project (NYRP) carries out Founder Bette Midler’s dream of a cleaner, greener New York City. NYRP restores, revitalizes and develops under-resourced parks and community gardens throughout the city’s five boroughs. The organization works tirelessly to ensure that every New York City resident, family and neighborhood has access to vibrant, green spaces. By providing enriching educational and community programming, NYRP also works to instill both individual and civic respect for nature and responsibility for contributing to New York City’s environmental sustainability.

NYRP adopted a bold Strategic Plan in June 2007 achieving the organization’s mission.

Focusing on four principal strategies, NYRP is drawing upon its expertise and commitment to excellence in horticulture, landscape design, community outreach and educational programming. In addition to becoming a leading advocate and partner in local greening and beautification efforts, NYRP further looks to become a model for other cities seeking to revitalize and restore neglected and under-developed open spaces.

Other celebrities that attended to give their support included Actor Gilles Marini, John McEnroe, Actress Marlo Thomas, Fashion Designer Michael Kors, Patty Smyth and Talk Show Host Phil Donahue.

For more information please visit www.nyrp.org

Last but not least on Saturday, October 30, 2010 I attended a special Halloween Saturday edition of the new Bloody Mary party hosted by Susanne Bartsch and Desi Monster at the new Hudson Hotel event space Good Units. The event was a fabulous bloody good time. Guest hosts Paticia Field and Slick It Up joined Susanne and Desi along with guest stars Joey Arias, Bunny Luv and Dee Dee Luxe. Music was by Johnny Dynell, Michael Magnan and DJ Will Automagic.

Susanne Bartsch was born September 19, 1951. She is a Swiss entrepreneur and infamous party promoter whose outlandish over-the-top monthly parties at the Copacabana in the late 1980s united the haute and demi-monde and made her an icon of New York nightlife. Ms. Bartsch’s name according to the New York Times was once the night life equivalent of a couture label, thanks to the numerous extravaganzas she created in cities from Montreal to Miami.

Ms. Bartsch was born in Switzerland and left her family at seventeen to relocate to London, where she became intimately involved with celebrities including Mick Jagger. In 1981 she relocated to Manhattan and opened a clothing boutique. Because of her love for the underground nightlife, she organized weekly parties at Savage, then Bentley’s and finally the Copacabana. Susanne created “Love Ball 1” in 1989 and was inspired by drag balls in Harlem. Susanne and her second husband, gym owner David Barton, have one child Bailey born in 1994.

She continues to be the queen of the nightlife here in New York City and has been featured on Page Six of the New York Post for her over-the-top antics at New York City nightclubs. As usual her parties are filled to capacity and are always shut down by the New York City Fire Department as a fire hazard.

For more info please visit www.susannebartsch.com

Celebrities that attended included celebrity hairstylist to the stars/radio host Colin Lively and cabaret star/actress Jori Jordon and fashion designer Count Vlad.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Jori Jordon who entertains the patrons with her provocative banana dance much the same way that the famous 1920’s star Josephine Baker did.

Jori was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, a small suburban town right outside of Chicago. She studied numerous forms of dance over a sixteen year period attending schools such as the Ben Verene Dance Center under the tutelage of Mr. Verene.

Ms. Jordon moved to Manhattan and began working as a dancer in music videos and on tours with many of the nation’s top Hip-Hop acts including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Pharcyde, Grandmaster Mele Mel and many others.

For more info please visit her new site www.jorijordon.com or jorijordon.blogspot.com

(Long Island, N.Y.) Long Islanders and Hamptonites enjoyed a fabulous evening At Gurneys Inn on Wednesday October 20, 2010. This was Gurney’s second annual Pink Event Girls Night Out. The evening included entertainment, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and salon pampering. Supporters enjoyed hair, makeup and skin care demonstrations, special salon promotions, psychic readings, a goodie filled gift bag and valet parking.

Gurney’s Event, Girls Night Out is a charity event that benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Their mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and transnational research at leading medical centers worldwide and to bring public awareness about good breast health. The BCRF was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, Vice-Chairman of The Estee Lauder Companies. Lauder’s first foray into breast cancer awareness was through an initiative by herself and Aleandra Penney, former editor of SELF magazine, to make the pink ribbon an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane interviews Spa Director Candice Monte and Radio Host Jonathan Landsman from Natural News Talk Hour at Gurney’s Girl Night Out Charity Event and Fundraiser for Breast Cancer for Longislandexchange.com

Since its beginning the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has raised over $237 million to support clinical and translational research at medical institutions across the globe conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will help lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime. BCRF currently funds 166 scientists across the United States and in Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe.

At the event I interviewed Spa Director of Gurney’s Inn Candice Monte who helped organize and coordinate the event. A combination of proper exercise, relaxing and therapeutic treatments, along with many indulgent beauty treatments at Gurney’s Salon de Beaute can provide visitors with an unforgettable experience. Their goal is to help you bring this experience home so that you continue to feel energized, healthy, and relaxed.

Ms. Monte is a big supporter and philanthropist towards The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Her goal was to raise funds at Girls Night Out to support, participate and contribute.

For more information on Gurney’s Inn please visit www.gurneysinn.com.

I also interviewed Radio Host Jonathan Landsman from Natural News Talk Hour. Owned by Truth Publishing International, Ltd., in Taiwan R.O.C., NaturalNews.TV was co-created by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger and the editor of NaturalNews.com. The site is designed to share valuable videos on health, green living, happiness, fitness, self improvement and other similar topics that help uplift people and contribute to a better world.

NaturalNews.TV is advertiser supported and its videos are served through data servers located in 16 countries around the globe.

For more information please visit www.naturalnewsuniversity.com.

Sponsors for the event included Easthamptonstudio.com, Enclaveinn.com and Sparkling Pointe Winery.

Michael Wudyka from Easthamptonstudio.com chatted with me about the importance of bringing awareness about breast cancer. Representative Diana Molvanie from Sparkling Pointe Winery, event sponsor, spoke about the benefits of drinking wine in preventing cancer.

The soul of Sparkling Pointe was born more than twenty years ago, when Tom and Cynthia Rosicki first met at a debutante ball at the Waldorf Astoria. Weeks later, with a bottle of Champagne they toasted their first date. Cruising the Chesapeake Bay on their honeymoon, still only months later, they stocked their boat with many vintages and types of champagnes and sparkling wines. Through the years, they became lovers of the romance and magic of champagne.

Sparkling Pointe Winery is an architectural beauty in the style of an elegant French Country Manor. From the soaring double-height tasting room, exquisite Venetian crystal chandeliers to the mesmerizing vineyard views and private VIP Bubble Room, this unique venue creates an effervescence in itself in shades of silver and gold that make this winery famous. This opulent venue dazzles the senses and celebrates all that the North Fork has to offer.

For more info please visit www.sparklingpointe.com.

The entertainment was given by DJ Serg.

Sergio Michilli, known to thousands in the NY metro area as DJ Serg, began his career at the age of nine spinning turntables his uncle gave him. He was born and raised in a predominantly Italian neighborhood in The Bronx, NY. Now the infamous DJ Serg rocks thousands of people and never skips a beat. From Arena Nightclub in New Rochelle to Roxy Nightclub in New York City DJ Serg can connect with any audience. He has knowledge of music and his dance floor that is beyond most DJs. The most unique DJ Westchester and The Bronx have ever seen; there is no music he can’t play.

Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane interviews DJ Serg – at Gurney’s Inn for Girls Night Out the Charity Event for Breast Cancer Awareness. Sergio Michilli, known to thousands in the NY metro area as DJ Serg, began his career at the age of nine spinning turntables his uncle gave him. Now the infamous DJ Serg rocks thousands of people and never skips a beat. Born and raised in a predominantly Italian neighborhood in The Bronx, NY. From Arena Nightclub in New Rochelle to Roxy Nightclub in New York City DJ Serg can connect with any audience. He has knowledge of music and his dance floor that is beyond most DJs. The most unique DJ Westchester, and The Bronx has ever seen; there is no music he can’t play.

From Hip-Hop to House, Reggae to R & B, Progressive Hard Trance to Tribal, DJ Serg knows the music. His style is different from any DJ you’ve ever heard. A constant listener and buyer of all current music, DJ Serg is the most versatile DJ known in the music industry. His talents and continual evolution have dutifully earned him the utmost respect of his peers and a worldwide reputation as one of the most prolific and influential forces in music. His talents have brought him to spin alongside the world’s greatest DJs (Little Louie Vega, Skribble, Johnny Viscous, and Hex Hector) as well as landing private parties for top celebrities like Derek Jeter (NY Yankees) and Frank Vincent (Good Fellas, Raging Bull) to name a few. When DJ Serg is on the turntables, he connects with the audience keeping them on the dance floor and awaiting his next move.

In the past few years his career as a DJ has brought him to the next step, producing and remixing. He has acquired a degree in engineering and producing from the Institute of Audio Research in Manhattan. Currently he is in his state-of-the-art studio with Fever producer Sal Abbatiello, working with such artists as Cynthia, Jonnie O, George Lamond, Nayasia, Reina, Kim Sozzi, Noel, and Angel of the Cover Girls. Along with this project he is putting the finishing touches on a few Progressive Hard Trance tracks, including his current unreleased remix of “L’Italiano”. DJ Serg is creatively and innovatively taking the dance music genre to the next level.

For more info please visit www.djsergentertainment.com.

Continuing with the theme of breast cancer awareness, I attended an event hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue on October 23, 2010.

Saks Fifth Avenue in Huntington was proud to present its annual event to support breast cancer, October 21st- 24th entitled Key to the Cure. The event took place at all Saks stores nationwide. Saks donated 2% of sales from Thursday to Sunday, a total of $500,000, to local and national women’s cancer charities. Saks Fifth Avenue will also make a donation of $375,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In addition, 100% of the sales from the Donna Karan designed tee KTTC tee shirt will go to their local charity partner, Babe Zaharias Memorial Events and the American Cancer Society.

In the men’s department on Sat Oct 23rd the event included:

* Halloween costume party 12-2pm with tons of stuffed animal raffle prizes
* Fashion Designer Robert Stock personal appearance and shirt signing from 1-4pm with a 2pm dad and son fashion show
* Robert Graham photo booth – Guitar hero contest to win a free pair of Diesel jeans from 12-5pm
* Drinks served in men’s department all day with complimentary mini-men’s facials from Art of Shaving 2-6pm.

During the event I had the pleasure of interviewing Fashion Designer Robert Stock from the Robert Graham Designer Label.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Fashion Designer Robert Stock the man behind the designer brand Robert Graham at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Walt Whitman Mall for the LongIslandExchange.com

By the time he designed the first Robert Graham Collection in 2001, Robert Stock had accomplished a great deal during his extensive career in the fashion business. Stock’s own story has been a journey that has taken him from a childhood in the Bronx to a highly successful career as a designer.

He formed his point of view at an early age taking his fashion cues from his father’s love for beautifully tailored dress shirts. As a young man, Stock favored Saville Row style, an influence that continues to resonate today in the Robert Graham line, with its impeccable quality, exquisite detailing and wry, subtle wink of British-inspired humor.

At a very young age Stock’s talent and eye landed him a partnership with Ralph Lauren – a fellow Bronx native whom Stock first met when Lauren was selling a tie and cologne line to the owner of the clothing store where Stock worked in the mid 1960’s. Stock ultimately ended up partnering with Lauren on his highly successful Chaps collections. It didn’t take long for the men’s wear industry to recognize Robert Stock as a rising star with abundant talent and potential. Always a sportswear designer with a penchant for woven tops, Stock single-handedly created the sand washed silk phenomenon and to this day his signature sand washed silk shirts are regarded as classics.

In 2000 Stock decided to take a challenge. With every collection looking as safe and uninspired as the next, he saw a big opportunity to design something fresh and unique and established the brand Robert Graham in 2001.

Robert Graham was founded in 2001 and is an American Eclectic luxury brand based out of New York City. The name of the company is an amalgam of its two founders, Robert Stock, the award-winning American fashion designer and Graham Fowler, an English textile designer who left the company in 2002 a year after its inception.

“I sense that the emotions I experience when designing Robert Graham products are similar to the emotions people have when wearing them,” says Founder and Designer Robert Stock. “Expressing yourself without reservation, without explanation, just feeling confident. Enjoying a life well lived. That is my vision for Robert Graham.”

Admirers have come to discover its witty, engaging and accessible sense of individuality. They enjoy wearing the collections as much as Stock enjoys designing them. It’s an attitude that carries through to the “Knowledge Wisdom Truth” label integrated discreetly into every garment. “Those three little words sum it all up,” Stock notes. “They are the essence of what I am looking to communicate.”

Along the way, Stock has received the coveted Coty Award and the Prestigious Cutty Sark Award for Leading American Men’s Sportswear Designer. He has also been honored by FIT at its annual Star Salute at the United Nations in 1995 and by YMA at its Annual Scholarship Fund Awards in 2000. Robert Stock is married with two children and currently resides in Connecticut.

Afterwards I interviewed jewelry designer Barry Brinker. Barry Brinker has been creating collectable gems for over twenty years. His background in design, architecture and art supports the unique perspective presented in his innovative jewelry collections.

Mr. Brinker is a part time resident of Hong Kong and travels extensively throughout Asia in search of the finest antiquities, pearls and rare gemstones. The brand is currently distributed exclusively through Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Starboard Cruise Lines. Additionally, private commissions are encouraged.

Mr. Brinker works in both sterling silver and 18k gold, designing four primary collections for both men and women each year. Numerous celebrity clients are fans of Barry Brinker Fine Jewelry. His memorable treasures have created a loyal following. with one’s first acquisition, they feel compelled to come back for more!

For more information about the designer please visit www.barrybrinker.com and for more information on how you can support, participate and contribute for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation please visit http://www.bcrfcure.org/.

(Long Island, N.Y.) On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and QVC once again joined forces for the 17th Annual QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale,” an annual gala and charitable shoe sale to benefit breast cancer research. Fergie appeared in the QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” public service announcement running in September and October issues of top fashion magazines. This year Celebrity Recording Artist Fergie is the face of this year’s call-to-action campaign and event.

Viewers tuned into QVC on Friday, October 15th from 7PM to 10PM EST for the charitable shoe sale of more than 100,000 pairs of shoes sold with net proceeds to benefit this vital cause.

In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness month, QVC, the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation, and the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) joined forces to raise money for breast cancer research and education. This year during the three-hour broadcast from QVC Studio Park (with footage from QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” in New York City), QVC featured thousands of pairs of designer shoes at half the suggested manufacturer’s retail price.

With more than a million pairs of shoes sold since the first benefit event in October 1994, QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” this year is expected to bring the cumulative total proceeds to over thirty four million dollars. Through funds raised from this event in past years, a groundbreaking nationwide network of prominent breast cancer research centers have been developed. Each of the selected facilities concentrates on finding a cure for breast cancer.

The beneficiary hospitals for 2010 are: the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Women’s Cancers Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Breast Oncology Program at University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Research Center of Washington University, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the John Wayne Cancer Institute Breast Center at Saint John’s Health Center.

This year the event was a tremendous success. The footwear industry and celebrities mingled and shopped in the designer shoe salon and Chaka Kahn performed to support the cause. The FFANY Jodi Fisher Humanitarian Award was presented to Sidney Kimmel, Founder and Chairman of Jones Apparel Group and Ron Fromm, Chairman and CEO of Brown Shoe Company, Inc. The FFANY Jodi Fisher Humanitarian Award is dedicated to the memory of Jodi Fisher who passed away in 2009 after a valiant battle with Leukemia. Jodi was the visionary Co-Founder of “FFany Shoes on Sale” an active advocate for this cause from it conception. Jodi’s passion and vision continue to inspire others and has left a tremendous legacy in the constant quest for a cure for breast cancer.

The 17th annual QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sales began with a reception at the Frederick P Rose Hall Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Celebrities that came to give their support included Actress Angie Harmon, Businesswoman and Model Ivanka Trump, Broadcaster Joan Lunden, Actress Doris Roberts, Soap Star Linda Dano, Figure Skater Johnny Weir, Cast of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Taylor Armstrong, Camille Grammer, Lisa Venderpump, Kyle Richards, Kim Richards and Adrienne Maloof, Recording Artist Chaka Kahn and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

In 1986 QVC, Inc. was established by Joseph Segel, an entrepreneur who envisioned an opportunity for a new kind of retail service built on technology. QVC, Inc. is guided by three customer-focused principles: Quality, Value and Convenience. In its first full fiscal year, QVC set a precedent in American business history for retail sales of a new public company.

QVC has become significantly larger than many established traditional retailers. Its’ merchandise mix is similar to that of a high-quality department store, featuring the best in beauty, fashion, accessories, jewelry, home innovations, electronics, music, sports and wellness. Each hour of programming is focused to address a specific interest attracting its own distinct demographic profile.

QVC’s programming reaches more than ninety-eight million United States households and more than one hundred eighty million cable and satellite homes worldwide. QVC became the first multimedia retailer to offer a native high-definition service, providing crisper, more colorful and detailed programming to its customers in May 2009.

QVC.com attracts more than six million unique visitors each month. QVC.com is setting the gold standard for online customer service and has received numerous honors and awards throughout its television history.

Lastly, QVC’s philosophy has always been to exceed customer expectations at every opportunity. QVC continues to draw an upscale, discerning and loyal customer base. The network has also attracted a growing list of the world’s most respected consumer brands. Through QVC, brand leaders such as philosophy, Dell and Bare Escentuals have established a way to reach an unprecedented number of new customers while sharing the stories behind their brand. QVC has become a powerhouse for many popular brands and the celebrities who endorse them.

The Fashion Footwear Association of New York has been bringing footwear manufacturers and retailers together for thirty years. They are a not-for-profit trade association representing footwear manufacturers from around the world and are prominent members of the New York fashion community.

The goal of their tradeshows, held in February, June, August and December, is to create one exciting marketplace in New York City, the fashion capital of the world. At these wonderful tradeshows manufacturers and attending retailers can efficiently buy, sell and develop business networks. Now is the right time to put FFANY’s unique combination of strategic alliances, insider knowledge, top quality service and determined resourcefulness to work for independent businesses. Fashion Footwear Association of New York offers many benefits to organizations. It’s an opportune time to be part of a group that puts independent businesses interest first. It is the organization’s pleasure to assist other growing businesses and give back to the communities that support them.

FFANY extends its mission by being committed to philanthropy and by “giving back” to its’ members and the footwear industry. Through the generous donations of its members companies and its’ vital partnership with QVC. Their charitable event “FFANY Shoes on Sale” has sold more than one million pairs of shoes.

For more information please visit QVC.com and for more information on FFANY Shoes please visit www.ffany.org.

(Long Island, N.Y.) This year The 18TH Annual Hamptons International Film Festival opened with “Barney’s Version,” a Sony Pictures Classics’ release. The film premiered at a special screening at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Oct. 7th as the opening night film of the festival. Hamptonites, media, filmmakers and celebrities all attended with much enthusiasm.

The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the Independent film – long, short, fiction and documentary – and to introduce a unique, varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to the public. The Festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all.

The Babelgum Animatron Animation Film Festival celebrates the very best in independent animated short filmmaking, and drew over 200 international submissions for its inaugural 2010 competition. Approximately ten films in each of four categories – Fantasy, Humor, Minis, and Real Life – were short listed and made eligible for cash prizes totaling $17,000. The Jury Award-winning films announced and screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival, can be viewed at www.babelgum.com/animatron and on the Babelgum mobile application (www.babelgum.com/mobile). Entries to the Animatron competition came from more than two dozen countries, including Albania, Taiwan, Greece, India, Spain, Russia, Romania, Poland, Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy, Brazil, the U.S., and the U.K.

Richard J. Lewis’ “Barney’s Version,” produced by Robert Lantos is based on the Mordecai Richler novel. The film stars Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, Scott Speedman and Bruce Greenwood. Giamatti is the titular Barney and presents a view of his life that is at times hilarious and at others, heartbreaking.

With humor, panache, drama and insight, “Barney’s Version” tells the beautiful and moving story of Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti), an incorrigible and cantankerous yet warmhearted Jewish television producer in Montreal. When details of an unsolved mystery resurface and cast a shadow on Barney’s past, he begins to trace the memories of both the good decisions and the missteps that have determined the shape of his life. Barney’s candid confessional spans four decades and two continents, and includes three wives (Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, and Rachelle Lefevre), one outrageous father (Dustin Hoffman), and a charmingly dissolute best friend (Scott Speedman). Adapted to marvelous affect from Mordechai Richler’s prize-winning comic novel of the same name, “Barney’s Version” richly illuminates the experiences of a gloriously portrayed Everyman and considers the little things that make up a life.

“We are so excited to open our 18th edition with a film as moving and powerful as “Barney’s Version”, said Executive Director Karen Arikian. “Director Richard J. Lewis does such an amazing job in capturing the essence of Mordechai Richler’s novel, while Giamatti’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary” adds Director of Programming, David Nugent.

At the red carpet premiere I had the pleasure of interviewing the Producer, Robert Lantos, who revealed that Giamatti was the only actor to portray this complex character.

In our interview Actor Paul Giamatti confessed that he received the script from his agent and he was submitted for the role, “All very standard procedure,” Giamatti announced.

Later that evening I attended the Opening Night Reception at Gurney’s Inn in Montauk and interviewed Filmmaker/Director Dennis Lynch about his film “King of the Hamptons.”

Dan Rattiner from Dan’s Papers is cast in the film and both Dan and Dennis were eager to chat with me on the red carpet about their latest project together.

This documentary involves a midlife crisis that hits Dennis Lynch. He’s turning 40, his career is floundering, his wife is pregnant, and his grandfather is suing him. Deciding to escape his troubled life, Dennis takes a Hamptons adventure with A-List Hamptonite, Dan Rattiner, founder of Dan’s Papers. What begins as an ordinary man’s quest to experience the extraordinary turns into a series of moments that teach us how to face life’s unfortunate situations, embrace future opportunities, and live for a greater purpose. Appearances by Billy Joel, Christie Brinkley, Alec Baldwin, Ed Burns, Chevy Chase, Mercedes Ruehl, and Kim Cattrall.

“King of the Hamptons” is Dennis Lynch’s first full-length film as a director and filmmaker. Currently, he’s Founder of TV360.tv, a digital media company that produces Internet videos called, REAL QUESTIONS. The videos appear on thousands of websites, including ABCNEWS.com, and generate 2.5 million plays monthly. He’s also the Founder of Midlifenetwork.com, a blogging network for mid-lifers.

Mr. Lynch’s entry into film and media was a result of his midlife crisis. Prior to that, he was a 5X college dropout who spent 20-years as a successful entrepreneur building businesses he didn’t love. His achievements have been written about in the NY Times, WSJ, Entrepreneur Magazine, Newsday, and USATODAY. He’s been featured on ABC, CNN, MSNBC and NEWS12. In 2000, Mr. Lynch won the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

He grew up in Hicksville, New York and is married to his high school sweetheart. Together they have four children and reside in East Hampton, New York.

The film “Fair Game” directed by critically acclaimed Director Doug Liman premiered Friday, October 8, 2010 at Guild Hall. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Liman at the Maidstone Inn prior to the film’s screening that night.

Doug Liman, the director behind “Bourne Identity” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” returns with a gripping, edge-of-your-seat political thriller. Academy Award-nominee Naomi Watts stars as Valerie Plame, an undercover CIA agent investigating weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. After her husband, Joseph Wilson (Academy Award-winner Sean Penn), publishes a controversial article in the New York Times, Valerie’s world falls apart. When her cover is blown, she and all her contacts must now fear for their life and figure out who they can trust in the twisty world of international politics.

Doug Liman has been acknowledged as one of the most vibrant and original voices in American film, with a solid track record of critically acclaimed features that includes “The Bourne Identity,” “Mr. And Mrs. Smith,” “Jumper,” “Swingers” and “GO.” For the small screen, Liman has directed several pilots and produced series such as THE O.C., which was his first TV show. Currently, he is producing COVERT AFFAIRS, an original series that will premiere on USA Network this summer. The director currently serves on the board of the Legal Action Center and is actively involved in the Arthur Liman undergraduate fellowship program.

The film “Miral” premiered at a special red carpet screening on Friday October 8, 2010 6:30PM at the United Artist Theater in East Hampton Theater 2. Celebrities that attended included Film Director Julian Schnabel and Actress Frieda Pinto from the Academy Award Winning Film “Slum Dog Millionaire.”

Miral is a little red flower that is commonly found on the side of the road; it is also the name of a young woman whose story illustrates the lived experience of the Israeli/Palestinian struggle. This special film was directed by Filmmaker Julian Schnabel from the film “The Driving Bell and the Butterfly.” The film depicts the celebrated novel by Rula Jebreal, a multi-generational story of Palestinian women whose lives are shaped by historic conflict. An intimate tale of loyalty, love and family is painted onto a pristine gorgeous desert landscape. The film “Miral” is an eye-opening drama as well as a transportive experience of breathtaking cinema.

Director Julian Schnabel, born October 26, 1951, is an American artist and filmmaker. In the 1980’s Schnabel received international media attention for his plate paintings, large-scale paintings set on broken ceramic plates. Schnabel has directed “Before Night Falls” (which became Javier Bardem’s breakthrough Academy Award nominated role) and the four-time Academy Award nominated “The Driving Bell and the Butterfly.” He has won a Golden Globe, as well as BAFTA, a Golden Palm, two nominations for the Golden Lion and an Academy Award nomination.

On Saturday October 9, 2010 The Chairman’s Reception was held at the home of Stuart Suna at 4:00 P.M. for red carpet interviews. Some of the celebrities in attendance included Actor Alec Baldwin, Actor Stanley Tucci, Susan Cohn Rockefeller, Niles Rodgers and Marcia Gay Harden. Filmmakers and supporters came to honor Filmmaker Ben Barenholtz. At the event I had chance to interview Master of Ceremonies, Actress Marcia Gay Harden, who expressed how proud she was to work with Mr. Barenholtz in her first film “Miller’s Crossing.”

The Hamptons Film Festival featured a special 20th Anniversary screening of the 1990 Coen Brothers gangster classic, with select cast and crew in attendance for a post-screening discussion. “Miller’s Crossing” is the story of two warring crime mobs in a corrupt, prohibition-era city. Tom Reagan, a respected loner with strong ties to the current boss, plays alliances across enemy lines when he makes a move that could turn him into a missing person. “Miller’s Crossing” is a masterful morality tale, teeming with irony and humor, and featuring a cast of amazing characters that only the Coens could dream into being.

A revered figure among independent filmmakers, Ben Barenholtz has been a key presence in the independent film world as an exhibitor, distributor and producer since the late 1960’s when he owned and operated New York City’s Elgin Theatre.

Ben Barenholtz’s innovative approach to the Elgin’s programming made it among the world’s most visionary and historically significant art houses. Barenholtz was the originator of the “All Night Show” as well as the “Midnight Movie”, launched in 1970 with Alexander Jodorowsky’s “El Topo” followed by John Water’s “Pink Flamingos.” At the Elgin, Barenholtz re-launched the films of Buster Keaton and all the while discovering independent films by young American directors working outside the mainstream. Early works by Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme found a home at the Elgin.

Barenholtz was also the founder of specialty distributors Libra Films and co-founder of Circle Releasing, and over the course of his career at these two companies launched many first films from the likes of David Lynch, John Sayles, Guy Maddin, the Coen brothers, as well as Jean Charles Tachella’s “Cousin Cousine,”which garnered three Academy Award nominations. Barenholtz began producing films in the 1980’s and became Executive Producer on the Coen’s “Miller’s Crossing.” His directorial debut was the documentary “Music Inn,” which will be followed up by the short, “PERCY” about jazz legend Percy Heath. He is currently developing Kurt Bursiek’s “Astro City.”

Past Industry Toast recipients:

• Wouter Barendrecht (2008)
• Ted Hope (2006)
• Bob Berney (2005)
• Marcie Bloom (2004)

The Hampton International Film Festival IndieWIRE Industry Toast was made possible with the support of German Films and the continued support from HIFF’s corporate sponsors which include Altour International and American Airlines among many others.

The Hamptons International Film Festival announced, “Our festival brought such a variety of films to our audience in the Hamptons and this year’s winners reflect the diversity of voices that we strive to highlight. As we continue to host more and more film lovers from around the world, we are grateful for the support of the Hampton’s community as the foundation of the festival”, says Executive Director Karen Arikian. “There has been a very special feeling around this year’s festival and we have the filmmakers to thank for that”, says Director of Programming David Nugent. Their films have delighted, charmed and challenged our audiences and we are honored that they shared their visions with us.”

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONGRATULATES THE WINNERS:

KING’S SPEECH
Audience Award Narrative
Award collected by director Tom Hooper

LOVE, ETC.
Audience Award Documentary
Award collected by director Jill Andresevic

MAMAS & PAPAS
Narrative Jury Winner
Zicherman Screenplay Winner
Awards collected by producer Jefe Brown

CIRCO
Documentary Jury Winner
Award collected by director Aaron Schock

MY SO-CALLED ENEMY
Conflict and Resolution Jury winner
Award collected by director Lisa Gossels

NEW MEDIA
Short Film Winner
Award collected by director J.J. Adler

BORN SWEET
The festival will accept the award on behalf of the filmmaker Cynthia Wade.

THE HOUSE OF SUH
Winner of the Investigation Discovery Award for Excellence in Journalism
Award collected by Director Iris Suh

NO TOMORROW
Winner of the Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice
Award collected by Directors Roger Weisberg & Vanessa Roth

THE BABLEGUM WINNING FILMS ARE LISTED BELOW:

FANTASY CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“This Is J03,” Once Were Farmers (U.K.)
Runner-up $500
“Noesis,” Sophie Klevenow (Germany/U.K.)

HUMOR CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“Pigeon Impossible,” Lucas Martell (U.S.)
Runner-Up $500
“Ant & Len,” Jon Marsh & Duncan Raitt (U.K.)

MINIS CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“Dog Judo: Meat Sprinkles,” Dave Anderson (U.K.)
Runner-up $500
“Knit’N’Purl,” Rhiannon Evans (U.K.)

REAL LIFE CATEGORY
Jury Award Winner $2,500
“Prayers for Peace,” Dustin Grella (U.S.)
Runner-up $500
“How to Animate,” Jordan Wood (U.K.)
Grand Jury Award Winner $5,000
“Coalition of the Willing,” Knife Party (U.K.)

For more information about the 2010 Festival, and to become a member, please visit the website at www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.