Annual Pre-season Coat sale @ City Opera Thrift shop --New York

City Opera Thrift Shop's pre-season coat sale begins August 1st. Save 25% on all and winter coats from an array of top designers including Burberry, Zara, Ralph Lauren, Bill Blass, Jones NY, Banana, DKNY, Calvin Klein, and many more....

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 10a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday 10a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday 12p.m. – 5 p.m.

The City Opera Thrift Shop is located at 222 East 23rd Street. Call (212) 684-5344 for more information.

Be "in the know" about all the latest sales, new items, and events at City Opera Thrift Shop! Email thriftshop@nycopera.com and include your name and email.

Chocolate bar opening ---New York

I was one of the lucky ones to attend the Chocolate bar opening in East Village last week with plenty of chocolate, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, iced liquid chocolate and bubbly of course! Lots of people, music and, what else, chocolate - an evening to remember for the chocoholics! They say a picture is 1,000 words, so have a look at the pictures - no more comments from my side!

So if you look for new "locales" in East Village, relax with an iced liquid chocolate at the new location of the Chocolate bar at 127 East 7th Street between 1st & Ave A. The website is also fun: http://www.chocolatebarnyc.com/

In the meantime, eat more chocolate....

Tillies opening reception ----New York free

The Rural Haiti Project is a U.S. based youth leadership organization that aims to empower children to become leaders and builders of their communities by conducting programs for low-income, at-risk children in rural areas of Haiti. The project fosters children's civic, social and intellectual development and promotes community engagement and development.

The Project explores creative ways to engage children at an early age to create and understand their own visions, to identify the positive aspects of their communities as well as recognizing the problems that their country faces. The Rural Haiti Project started in 2006 with a summer workshop entitled "Imagine your Environment" in Sibert, Plaine du Cul de Sac. Local horticulturists, teachers and specialist on reforestation were invited to share their expertise.

James-Herve Sabin has a Bachelor of Architecture from New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Architecture From Pratt Institute. He attended planning courses on infrastructure of cities in developing countries at Columbia University. James-Herve has worked with the NYC HPD developing housing prototypes, housing research and urban design.

For more information, visit http://www.ruralhaitiproject.org/.

Opening Reception: Thursday, 7/24 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Tillies Of Brooklyn

248 DeKalp Avenue, Brooklyn, 11205

emg vs I-Heart designer sale ---New York free

emg will be taking over I Heart with the vintage digs!!! Along with the vintage sale, all of I Heart spring merchandise will be 30% off. That's right.....ALL OF IT! So come get some great deals on I Heart merchandise and find some hot new vintage finds as well!

*Opening Reception*I Heart vs. EMG

Sunday, July 20th

262 Mott St., 3pm-6pm

Refreshments provided

A few examples...

rompers! $25-37.50

70's highwaisted light denim shorts $25

80's Koos van den Akker patchwork skirt/top set $68

80's Marimekko-print tunic $42.50

80's mesh open-toe flats $25

70's light blue sleeveless cotton jumpsuit- perfect for summer nights! $37.50

70's yellow wedges $27.50

Hanae Mori flower print silk dress $45

70's dior sunglasses $145

Book reading at Clay ----New York free

Paragraph is honored to host a reading with novelist Daniel Wallace and short story writer Anthony Schneider at Clay, followed by a wine and cheese reception at Paragraph. Free and open to the public.

Daniel Wallace is the author of Big Fish, hailed by Publisher’s Weekly as "a refreshingly original debut," and described by Brightleaf as "Gabriel Garcia Marquez meets Rowan and Martin." His most recent novel, Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician, which Library Journal called "a masterly novel about love and illusion, friendship and sacrifice," is just out in paperback. His children’s book, Elynora, was recently published in Italy, and his illustrations will be featured in a book by George Singleton coming out this fall called Pep Talks, Warnings, and Screeds. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Anthony Schneider, a master of the short-short, has been published in McSweeney’s, The Reading Room, The Believer, Details, BoldType, and Mid-American Review. A Pushcart Prize finalist, his fiction has been included in the anthologies The Encyclopedia of Exes and The Literary Insomniac. His tightly woven stories contain revelation upon revelation. He is also, the author of Tony Soprano on Management, which has been published in six languages. Raised in South Africa, he now lives in New York City.

Date: Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Reading: Clay, 25 West 14th Street
Reception: Paragraph, 35 West 14th Street

DWR event ---New York free

Inside the Designer’s Studio: Ran Lerner

Thursday, July 17, 7–9pm

In 2003, Ran Lerner established Ran Lerner Design, Inc. as a venue for his witty and functional design concepts in lighting, furniture and home accessories. Integrating innovation and accessibility, he’s designed products for MoMA, Bloomingdales and the Conran Shop, among others. DWR and the Industrial Designer s Society of America (IDSA) are pleased to welcome him to the Tribeca Studio, where he’ll give a presentation on his work and design approach. A $15 suggested donation will be given to IDSA. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP to tribeca@dwr.com.

Salad Days III‏ ---New York free

This summer, Artists Space continues what has become a biennial tradition with the third installment of Salad Days. Initiated in 2004, this eclectic group exhibition presents ten New York-based artists, each chosen by an independent curator, at a particular point in their careers that could be aptly described as their “salad days.” This open-ended exhibition platform continues to showcase a promising group of emerging artists and curators alike, often being their first New York-based exhibition, providing the opportunity to present their work to a broad audience.

Salad Days III, organized by Amy Owen, Director of Exhibitions, also includes a roster of related performances and film screenings, providing multiple outlets for the presentation of new work.

Performance Program: Wednesday, July 16, 6 - 8 p.m.
Video Screening: Wednesday, July 30, 6 - 8 p.m.

Artists Space

38 Greene St. 3rd Fl, NY 10013

email: info@artistsspace.org

phone: 212-226-3970

web: http://www.artistsspace.org/

Word for Word Author Series in Bryant Park ---New York free

Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m., until August 20

The country’s most celebrated authors and celebrities speak about their recent successes and their thoughts on being a writer. This summer is the fifth anniversary! Book sales will be provided on-site by Mobile Libris.

Location: The Bryant Park Reading Room located on the 42nd Street side of the park - under the trees - between the back of the NYPL & 6th Avenue. Look for the burgundy and white umbrellas.
Bryant Park phone number: 212-768-4242

Schedule of Author Appearances

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Michael Ian Black, My Custom Van (And 46 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face)

Hosted by: Amelie Gillette, Staff Writer at The Onion
Rev up for comedian, actor, director, blogger, and co-creator of comedy favorites The State and Stella, Michael Ian Black, as he presents his debut collection of hilarious irreverent essays.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Joyce Carol Oates, My Sister, My Love: The Intimate Story of Skyler Rampike

Hosted by: Otto Penzler, publisher and editor of mystery fiction and proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop
Bestselling author Joyce Carol Oates is back with a dark, wry, captivating saga on a murder - inspired by an unsolved American true crime mystery.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Jonathan Miles, Dear American Airlines: A Novel

Hosted by: Andy Battaglia, The Onion A.V. Club New York City Editor
New York Times cocktails columnist, Jonathan Miles, soars with the story of a stranded airline passenger – and his letter of complaint that goes awry. A margarita blend of outrage, wicked humor, vulnerability, intelligence, and regret, Dear American Airlines gives new meaning to the term "airport novel" and announces the emergence of a major new talent in American fiction.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

“Go Green”

Panel Moderated by:

Andrew H. Darrell, Environmental Defense Fund Vice President of Living Cities Program
Lori Bongiorno, Green, Greener, Greenest; A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of Your Life

Diane MacEachern, Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World
Mark Spellun, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Plenty Magazine
Christie Matheson, Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style
Think Green! Go Green! Stay Green! Join a host of experts – and the 200 Plain Trees surrounding Bryant Park - for a special conversation on how to love livin’ the green.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Tommy Chong, Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography

Hosted by: Josh Gilbert, Director of the Documentary, AKA Tommy Chong
Actor, comedian, musician, Tommy Chong touts his latest book venture. Keenly insightful and utterly candid, Chong provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of one of the most popular comedy teams of all time.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Samantha Hunt, The Invention of Everything Else

Samantha Hunt takes us back in time with a magical historical-novel bridging history, electromagnetism, and a special pigeon in Bryant Park. The Invention of Everything Else luminously resurrects one of the greatest scientists of all time, Nikola Tesla, while magically transporting us to an early twentieth-century New York City thrumming with energy, wonder, and possibility.

Alan Klotz Gallery opening reception ----New York free

Alan Klotz Gallery presents: Terri Garland: Southern Discomforts

July 3rd- August 15th

Opening Reception for the artist: Thursday, July 10th 6-8pm

Terri Garland: Southern Discomforts comprised of some fifty photographs made over the past twenty years with "southern themes", including white supremacists, vernacular artifacts, post-deluge calamity, and family members of those who suffered racially motivated violence.

www.klotzgallery.com

511W 25th street, suite 701

New York, 10001

Fancy Food Show ---New York

The Fancy Food Show ended last week and took with it the pleasurable tastes in my mouth. 54,000 exhibitors came to New York to show off their products and new, thankfully, tastes. It was my first Fancy Show but not the last one. I attended only two out of the three days, and I had a lot of food! In an effort to try pretty much everything, even things I don't always eat, my stomach was full at the end of the day and all my senses satisfied. Here is an informative list that foodies or interested in food industry individuals will find interesting:

Wasabi is here to stay: Not only as the super spicy green sauce that accompanies our sushi but as an indispensable element of cooking success: now you can get wasabi wave with chocolate habanera, ginger wasabi Teriyaki marinade, Wasabi, ginger and lemon sauce and also chocolate bar with wasabi.

Hot and sweet tastes mixed together: candied ginger and pistachio, salted caramels with chili and pecan, Aztec Chili bittersweet chocolate tiles, cashews and peanuts coated with mango and papaya, are some of the sweet/hot products I personally tried and definitely recommend.

Peri-Peri sauce, my favorite: the well-known hot sauce that comes to us from South Africa. If you can’t take the extra hot peri-peri, you can opt for the mild or medium so no complains! I was particularly happy to find out that my favorite restaurant and peri-peri producer Nandos is also moving to New York. I couldn't hide my joy and the very friendly Nandos stand representatives, offered me a big jar of peri-peri sauce!

Gluten-free products: very powerfully present. Amongst others, I saw the Mary’s Gone crackers, gluten free cookies and crackers, wheat free ice-cream cones an even a luxury butter fudge with no gluten.

Flax seeds and oils together with avocado oil: flaxmax cookies, the whole wheat blend with flax, the exotic rice toast with Thai red rice and flax seeds and the heart shape flax oils. Except for flax seeds, avocado had a first class seat as well with plenty of avocado oil companies to offer generous tastings.

I was impressed with the chocolate made from coffee beans instead of cocoa. It was bitter as coffee but tasty and unconventional. So, if you don’t want your Joe liquid, you can now get it in the solid form of chocolate! Visit their site for more information if you like: http://www.acapelalfoods.com/

Some snacks pitched as good for you with very friendly names so they are unforgettable:
Foudshoudtastegood: snack chips (and very tasty indeed) and prescription chocolate!

Other amazing products I tried were: the Blackwell's organic raspberry sorbetto, an amazing refreshing sorbet made from raspberries, the salty butterscotch dessert sauce, and the hibiscus champagne!

Except for the trends and the new tastes, I had the chance to visit the country stands: I attended the reception at the Chilean stand, and visited extensively all following countries while eating their foods: Greece, Cyprus, Peru, Italy, France, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan and Spain. But my favorite was South Africa, an amazing presence with excellent tastes.

Finally, some food companies can't forget about the upcoming US elections so they try to make the most of it. In particular, the well-known hummus company Sabra presented sculptures of Sen. Obama, Hilton and McCain (I believe they were made of hummus!).

Yes, I had a lot of fun in the show. I can't wait for next year or I might even visit the one in San Francisco early 2009!

First Thursday DUMBO gallery walk July 3rd --New York

If you haven't done it, a walking tour at DUMBO's galleries the very first Thursday of the month is a must do. Different than Chelsea, definitely Brooklyn, it's fun and creative. For a list of participating galleries, visit: http://www.dumbo-newyork.com/index.cfm?objectid=99BD9266-3048-7098-AFE3D290A684CFFC. This Thursday's highlights are:

Farmani Gallery

Dan Wynn, Fashion Photographs

July 3 - August 21, Wed-Sat 12-6PM, Sun 1-6PM

Opening reception: July 3, 5:30-8:30PM

Showcasing black and white fashion images from the late Dan Wynn.

111 Front Street, Suite 212, DUMBO

http://www.farmanigallery.com/

Pochron Studios

Inevitable Failure: the impossibility of desire

Thursday, July 3rd, 6-9PM

The Blood Dumpster Artists Collective presents: "Inevitable Failure: the impossibility of desire", a multimedia group show exploring the fantasized and always unattainable desires from several young artists from across the country.

20 Jay Street, 11th Floor Ste. 1100, DUMBO

http://www.pochronstudios.com/

DUMBO's First Thursday Gallery Walk is sponsored by Two Trees Management and features area galleries and artists' studios open from 5:30 to 8:30 on the first Thursday of each month.