Events That Matter

By W.A. Muller

South Beach Group's Riviera Hotel Hosts Alexandria Hilfiger's Debut "Melting Water" Collection for an Art Exhibition and High Tea

South Beach's latest hotel addition, Riviera South Beach Hotel opened its doors to Alexandria Hilfiger's newest collection "Melting Water" on Thursday, December 5, 2013. Known as the "artist to watch" at this year's Art Basel showcase, Alexandria presented the modern collection at a private high tea.

Accompanied by live jazz performed by the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, guests at the invite-only event were treated to the first look at Alexandria's collection. The exhibit resided around the bamboo-lined, ground-floor pool at the Riviera South Beach Hotel, where it was placed on display for the following two days for viewing by hotel patrons. Pieces were available for purchase, with a portion of the sale proceeds going to the Lyme Research Alliance—a non-profit organization to raise awareness for Lyme disease (which Hilfiger herself contracted 22 years ago).

Alongside a traditional high tea menu of finger sandwiches and a selection of baked novelties, guests sipped on a selection of beverages from sponsors Bonito Mezcal, Früzen Ice, Peroni Beer, Pamplonne, and Perrier® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water. Guests were also treated to an exclusive gift from RumbaTime, the Delancey, a unisex watch and the latest release from the popular NYC-based accessory brand, as well as cosmetics from Smashbox and magazines from as if.

Among those in attendance of the exclusive viewing included fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and wife Dee Hilfiger, singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, actress Gina Gershon, singer-songwriter Alex Young, artist Marc Quinn, singer-songwriter Mike deLease, DuJour Magazine's Jason Binn, as if Magazine's Tatijana Shoan, South Beach Group's Alan and Nathan Lieberman, philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Früzen Ice and Bonito Mezcal CEO Hana Bisceglie and many more.

rivierahotelsouthbeach.com

GAEL GREENE, NEW YORK'S LEGENDARY "INSATIABLE" RESTAURANT CRITIC, AUTHOR AND CITYMEALS-ON-WHEELS CO-FOUNDER CELEBRATES HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

The culinary and philanthropic communities joined Citymeals-on-Wheels stalwarts and just plain foodies tonight to cheer the legendary restaurant critic Gael Greene over the more or less harrowing hurdle of her 80th birthday.

Greene, who managed to write seven books including two erotic best selling novels and a memoir between meals, started her journalism career at the New York Post in 1957, after a brief dalliance at United Press. Her memoir "Insatiable: Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess" documents the 40 year revolution in dining, how New York and, therefore America, fell in love with food.

The usually anonymous critic melted even the icy hearts of restaurateurs she chewed out when she co-founded Citymeals-on-Wheels more than three decades ago with the beloved American chef James Beard.  Since its creation, the charity has delivered more than 47 million nutritious meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers.

Among those at the Big Birthday bash were Kathleen Turner, Hasty and Jacques Torres, Gail Sheehy, Deana and Stephen Hanson, Fran and Barry Weissler, Drew Nieporent, Andre Soltner, Alain Sailhac, Margo and Jimmy Nederlander, Ninah and Michael Lynne, Ruth Finley, Zarela Martinez, David Rockwell, Tren'ness Woods-Black, Karen Page and Andrew Dornenberg, Michael Tong, and Judy and Stanley Zabar.

Her charity has been feeding and caring for older New Yorkers since 1981. Citymeals-on-Wheels (citymeals.org) supplies a continuous lifeline of nutritious food and human company to our city's homebound elderly. Citymeals works with 33 community-based meal centers to deliver over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals to 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors. Last year, more than 12,000 volunteers provided over 55,000 hours of volunteerism. One hundred percent of donations from the public goes toward the preparation and delivery of meals for our most vulnerable neighbors. Citymeals, a 501 (c)(3) charity, has a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and meets the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance Standards.

The Junior Society Hosts A Holiday Party, Benefitting New York City Mission Society Annual Holiday Toy Drive at Pilotage Fun & Hobby

New York City Mission Society's Junior Society hosted holiday cocktails to benefit their annual holiday toy drive at Pilotage Fun & Hobby, Tuesday, December 3, 2013.

Comprised of young professionals in the New York City Area, the Junior Society supports the mission, vision and values of New York City Mission Society through hands-on outreach, innovative networking and unique fundraising opportunities. As the next generation of philanthropists, including Melissa Berkelhammer, Brooke Laing, Antonella Lemos, Cole Rumbough, and Liz Shafiroff, they support the New York City Mission Society's goal to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in the city's most underserved communities. Deeply devoted to the cause, Jean Shafiroff will serve as the honoree for their upcoming benefit gala on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

With the toy drive event, this year sponsored in part by MarieBelle New York, Baked by Melissa, Insomnia Cookies, Bonito Mezcal, and Früzen Ice, guests had the opportunity to support the toy drive while holiday shopping, as 20-percent of each purchase made was donated to New York City Mission Society.

Guests dressed in festive seasonal attire enjoyed holiday cocktails, cookies, chocolate, and cupcakes, while shopping and playing with the many interactive toys of pilotage, ranging from electronic helicopters, airplanes, and cars.

Joining the Junior Society in support of their annual toy drive were Martin Shafiroff, Roy Kean, Maggie Norris, and Stanley and Leah Rumbough, and many more.

fun-and-hobby.com

nycmissionsociety.org