2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore: ShareSaveCommentLifestyleForbesLifeCoastal Cool: How This Gen-Z Founder Created His Brand At 12ByMeggen Harris Holden Bierman as a young child selling his goods The first thing that impressed me about Bierman was that he blindly reached out to me a few weeks back through Linkedin to introduce me to Coastal Cool and his entrepreneurial journey I was so impressed with how articulate and driven he was that I wanted to share his story of how he went about creating his brand at twelve years of age for any other aspiring entrepreneurs—particularly the younger up and coming ones “A lot of people look down on my generation,” Bierman tells me “I think this perception really started with COVID We were all stuck at home and social media was the only real way to stay connected.” While many of Bierman’s friends used the unusual circumstances surrounding COVID to goof off “Not having school made it easy to lose drive We weren’t being held to high standards of performance and people got used to it Some of my friends never got out of the COVID loop.” In contrast Bierman got motivated by the newfound time in his schedule “I felt very wealthy in terms of the time I had on my hands and looking back I am so grateful I decided to use it wisely.” When Bierman tells me more about his childhood it becomes apparent that he was always destined to become an entrepreneur “I started little make-shift shops in my bedroom and sold his items at yard sales in my neighborhood,” shares Bierman COVID came while Bierman was in the middle of 6th grade where he had to finish out the school year virtually “I noticed that e-commerce was booming during this time for both existing and new brands and created a business plan to present to my parents It was probably the worst presentation I have ever created My parents sat silently as I walked through my vision I think they were kind of shocked I did this they were both on board and wanted to help me do this the right way.” “He has been like this since he was three years old,” explains Bierman’s father Jeff when I inquired about what they did to produce such an impressive young man “Holden has always been able to speak with adults I was playing sports—not launching a business.” Jeff jokingly tells me that he hopes that one day his son will hire him full time Stephanie she adds that Holden has done this all on his own “I may have fifty percent ownership of the company on paper But he does it all himself including the website Some people think he comes from a wealthy family who has bankrolled Coastal Cool This is all him and on top of that he is also a straight A student in all honor classes.” I wanted to know what Bierman had learned about himself and business “One of the biggest things I have learned about business is that it isn’t what you know but it is the people you know that makes a difference these people will take you with them on their success journey Another thing I learned is there is no harm in cold outreach It’s amazing to see what you can do on your own without spending marketing dollars Free networking is always a good place to start.” While Bierman originally thought his business would be the biggest in the space soon after launch he quickly realized that businesses take time “It took four years for me to get where I am now I don’t think people realize how much work and dedication starting something new takes particularly my generation that gets everything immediately I can pay fifty cents more and get something I ordered the same day Holden driving around with his goods for sale it is amazing to see that despite his age Bierman has accomplished something that most adults can’t do It takes courage and fortitude to be an entrepreneur and I commend Bierman for what he has accomplished thus far I know I will be on the sidelines admirably watching to see what this exemplary young man does in the future There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here One day after the mass shooting incident at Michigan State University in February a University of Florida (UF) student called the UF Police Department (UFPD) concerned about a classmate who was researching guns and ammunition Instead of just police responding to the call a trained behavioral health specialist was also dispatched “Our clinicians and officers spent three hours with that person to really flesh out why he was searching what he was searching,” says Meggen Sixbey assistant director of the Behavioral Services Division of UFPD and a co-responder they learned that he was in fear of his own safety [due to] things that were going on in his own life.” the situation could have escalated quickly or ended differently and the student may not have received appropriate help Due to widespread concern around mental health and fears of escalation caused by law enforcement response partnerships between police and behavioral health specialists are growing across higher education campuses Experts see this collaboration as a way to aid the most vulnerable by connecting them with needed resources and support Collaborations differ campus to campus based on institutional needs dispatch counselors directly to the scene with police officers others do not involve immediate on-site clinician response to dispatch situations “Even the best law enforcement officer with an abundance of mental health and crisis intervention team training is still an officer When you can bring a mental health worker to the scene it can shift the dynamic and allow for a noncriminal approach to a noncriminal matter.”  The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus works with both municipal and campus police to provide mental health support services to students University case managers help officers on the scene when there is no perceived imminent danger Additional support is provided by the Campus Assessment which is a common type of program at colleges and universities The goal is to reach students before their situation becomes critical The CARE Team reviews referrals for urgent mental health support among students and connects them to campus resources such as case management and additional counseling services each situation is evaluated based on the NABITA Risk Rubric a tool used in triaging mental health concerns with an interdisciplinary team approach associate vice chancellor for student affairs “Often the situation is determined not to be a threat but really just someone who is struggling and needs help,” she says and get them the help they need without having to escalate to a police intervention Our campus police have the same philosophy.” New programs expand mental health services in dispatch situations with projects being introduced at Johns Hopkins University UF’s program launched in July and is the first in the nation led by a campus police department which contacts clinicians when there is a mental health component or an individual whose property was stolen It’s essential to decriminalize mental health or mitigate criminal offenses in such calls It’s also important to de-escalate situations with clinically trained professionals to help reduce hospitalizations The UF team is looking for more effective ways to enhance efforts to assist underrepresented individuals because the relationship between these communities and law enforcement has historically been strained a circumstance highlighted by recent social justice activism and political attention paid to policing UF is conducting focus groups to see how underrepresented communities on campus view the program Preliminary feedback points to possible changes in police uniforms where officers would wear a pin or patch to identify themselves as Crisis Intervention Team trained which means they have received mental health instruction to guide interactions Individuals surveyed also showed interest in making the clinician the lead responder instead of an officer This model was used successfully a couple of months ago A faculty member of color called regarding a Black student who made a concerning statement about suicide and left the classroom abruptly The caller didn’t want police to go to the student’s home because they were aware he had experienced past interactions with law enforcement but the caller still felt a wellness check was warranted the clinician was able to strategize and lead the interaction They found that the fears the instructor had regarding the student’s mental health were not present and that he was thankful for the tailored response especially to underrepresented populations is simply because it provides an additional resource which is an alternative to law enforcement response,” Sixbey says it can shift the dynamic and allow for a noncriminal approach to a noncriminal matter.”● This article was published in our April 2023 issue and website in this browser for the next time I comment a University of Florida (UF) student called the UF Police Department (UFPD) concerned about a classmate who was researching… Contact Us | Send Flowers Little Chute | Freedom: 1-920-788-3321Kaukauna: 1-920-766-2099 Meggen and Peter Lane Taylor are house people. They're fascinated by anything and everything to do with houses. And the older the houses, the better. The couple's affection for real estate and historic architecture spills into other parts of their lives. When they travel, they want to stay in vintage hotels or in restored private homes. They want to visit historic properties. Not long ago, they had one of those light-bulb moments: Why not marry the two interests? The result is FindEverythingHistoric.com, a new website specializing in real estate, design and travel destinations for the legions of fellow historic-property enthusiasts that the couple believe are out there. In an edited interview, they talked about how their passion for older homes led them to believe they should create the site. Q Tell me how you came to create this site. We had sort of a eureka moment when we recognized that we couldn't find the site that was geared toward people like us. Q Maryland is known for its history. How did living here inform your research and decision-making? Meggen and Peter Taylor: Cities like Baltimore, Easton and others in the Mid-Atlantic are full of revitalizing historic districts and downtown neighborhoods. They're attracting young people who want walkable streets, new business startups and entrepreneurs, and areas that were once "distressed" are now up-and-coming travel hot spots. One day it just hit us that there's an entire historic lifestyle playing out all around us. Meggen Taylor: We started thinking about how we got married in a historic house, our vacations are in historic hotels, and we always rented historic homes. It's in our fiber. Peter Taylor: After the eureka moment, we realized this wasn't just about real estate -- it's a lifestyle. There are millions of people like us who want to stay in historic hotels or stay in a restored cottage. It's a natural segue. Meggen Taylor: We're including anything 50 years of age and older. We decided to start with homes built no later than 1965. We love midcentury design, and we know lots of other people do, too, so we set that as the starting point. Q Do you have any favorite historic sites or places on the Eastern Shore? And, of course, we have the travel component. Subscribers can post information about their historic restaurant, spa, winery or hotel, or even their historic retail or renovation businesses. We're concentrating now on reaching out to historic hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants, and we're expanding into Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Q What has been the response of Maryland real estate agents to posting listings on your site? Is Maryland well-represented? Q Why would someone choose to buy a historic property over, say, one that was built in this century? Q So who are house people, anyway? Can you define who they are? Q Can you tell us about your home in Easton? I imagine it's historic, right? Meggen and Peter Taylor: Of course. We love the juxtaposition of modern design mixed with historic architecture, and our house in Easton is the perfect example. Our Gothic Revival brick cottage retains original period details like vintage hardwood floors, woodwork and six-over-six windows. But it was impeccably renovated with a modern gourmet kitchen, radiant floor heating, and energy-efficient systems. We're both middle children, so is it any surprise that we want the best of both worlds? people held without a felony conviction are eligible to vote—but confusion and a long list of logistical complications often stand in their way 2018 ShareSave When Meggen Massey learned that she would be able to vote in the 2016 presidential election She had always thought of herself as a voter but when she arrived in jail in Los Angeles County with an arson charge some of her fellow detainees told her that she had lost that right I’m never going to be able to vote again.” the founder of the women’s-reentry program A New Way of Life Reentry Project and a group of voter-registration volunteers Massey was able to request and cast a vote by mail ballot It’s reasonably common knowledge that most states prohibit people incarcerated for a felony conviction from voting Twenty-two states also bar people on parole and/or probation and 12 impose various sanctions that continue post-sentence But those restrictions rarely apply to people held in jails who are usually either awaiting trial or serving time for misdemeanor offenses who filled out her ballot before she was convicted and sentenced Read: Polls for prisons The exact number of people in American jails who are legally permitted to vote is unknown but it’s safe to say that Massey is far from alone a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota who has studied what he refers to as “practical disenfranchisement,” posits that “a good portion” of the U.S which makes pinning down an estimate of the voting population inside especially difficult it’s hard to know what portion of those eligible voters are not voting because they are unaware of their rights or because their rights are being denied Skinner protects the right of certain inmates to vote in elections without interference from government But the Court left it up to state and local jurisdictions to decide how exactly to comply with the law “There is no national organization that is the anchoring institution to ensure that residents that happen to be in jail on Election Day never lose their voting rights,” Nicole Porter who leads state and local advocacy at the justice-reform group the Sentencing Project Ongoing efforts to help potential voters in jail register or request voting materials “are very grassroots conversations,” she said I spoke with people running voter registration and access programs in county jails in California “a lot of the work has been focused on trying to expand rights to [disenfranchised] people in tough states “But it calls into question that we don’t really know what’s happening in jurisdictions where people have the right to vote.” The chief reason for that obscurity is that the process for voting in jails varies widely: from state to state detainees have to submit a voter-registration form and an absentee or vote-by-mail request people in jail are considered “specially qualified”: They don’t have to register to vote before casting a ballot though the relevant town clerk has to believe that the would-be voter’s legal residence is accurate Other states and counties allow voters to list their place of residence as the jail itself a former staff attorney at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law who led voting efforts in the Cook County Jail explained that Illinois voters can check a box on their registration form to identify themselves as homeless voters provided that they include the address of a recognized shelter Mbekeani-Wiley worked with the county election authorities to ensure that detainees could identify the county jail as their shelter I asked her if she knew what was happening in the rest of the state “That would be up to the election authority within that jurisdiction.” How quickly cases awaiting trial or other court processes are resolved (and therefore how swiftly people leave jail) varies That complicates matters for people doing voter-registration work inside because a detainee they’ve signed up might not be there come Election Day And some jurisdictions have an extra layer of complexity: Ex-detainees have to re-register to vote once they’re out of jail Nitty-gritty legal and policy differences aside one dynamic was universal across the states and counties I examined: A local sheriff’s support could make or break a voter-registration drive or ballot-request program Take Illinois: Mbekeani-Wiley said that access to both registration and the ballot itself is not consistent statewide That was one of the key reasons she advocated for a recent bill in the Illinois state legislature that would have required every sheriff and county election authority in the state to come up with a way to enable voting from jail It also would have required sheriffs to share voting information with people being released from jail and it would have made the Cook County facility an official polling location a Democrat who has overseen the jail since his election in 2006 “It’s beyond tortured as to why a citizen of [another] county in Illinois should have less of an opportunity to vote than someone in Cook County,” he told me Ultimately, though, HB 4469 didn’t become law. After a contentious debate on the assembly floor, Republican Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed the bill in August “Every citizen eligible to vote should be able to exercise that right and I fully support this expansion of access to the democratic process,” he wrote this legislation also mandates that the Department of Corrections take part in voter registration and education efforts that exceed the legitimate role of law enforcement The question of the “legitimate role of law enforcement” is not a new concern in the push to do voter registration and education programs in jails meaning that the person with significant authority over the voting process in jail—not to mention the conditions of detention in the first place—could also be on the ballot The possibility of a conflict of interest was one of the concerns raised by New York state in the O’Brien case but it was thoroughly dismissed by Thurgood Marshall in his concurring opinion “[I]t is hard to conceive how the State can possibly justify denying any person his right to vote on the ground that his vote might afford a state official the opportunity to abuse his position of authority,” Marshall wrote that’s not to say that a sheriff doesn’t have real power in structuring how people vote and how they get the information that shapes those decisions Dart oversees what gets broadcast onto televisions in the jail’s living units Then there are the logistical hurdles presented by a voter registration or education program a former prison guard who now leads a voter-rights effort in Houston called Project Orange suggested that his knowledge of correctional-safety protocols helped persuade officials at the Harris County Jail to permit a registration drive he laid out a program structure designed to minimize potential challenges for corrections officers Two selling points: The volunteers would all be vetted and trained by the county and they’d be in and out of the jail in a short window of time Some sheriffs have expressed concern about having the staff capacity to support voting programs particularly in smaller facilities outside major cities Dart said that the real challenge was sorting out how exactly to orchestrate moving whole tiers of people to and from where the early-voting program was administered I can see where maybe that would be an issue But it’s more of a speed bump,” he explained “It’s just going to be tricky because you’re so small you just have four correctional officers and one sergeant.” what makes or breaks a program is supportive personnel “They’re the ones that actually implement,” Mbekeani-Wiley said “You can have leadership saying ‘We want to do this,’ but it can fall completely apart if the people actually charged with the task of implementing the policy are not on board.” She noted one crucial moment in particular when correctional officers in the Cook County Jail go person to person asking if they want to meet with voter-registration volunteers—it could be the first exposure detainees have to the idea of voting Perhaps the biggest practical hurdle to in-jail voting is the one Massey ran into in L.A who has been organizing voter-registration drives in jails as part of the Ballots Over Bars initiative in Massachusetts recalled interviewing a formerly incarcerated man who had been involved in prisoner’s-rights work for years—and telling him that his assumption that lifetime parole barred him from the ballot box in Massachusetts was wrong Nearly every voter-registration advocate that I spoke with had a similar experience where detainees hadn’t realized that they were eligible to vote nearly all of them pointed to the publicity around Florida’s voting-rights-restoration amendment as a major point of misunderstanding voters in the state will consider a state constitutional amendment that would restore the vote to people who have completed their sentence Florida disenfranchises felons for life unless they successfully argue their case to the governor and the state clemency board Garrett Epps: The ‘slave power’ behind Florida’s felon disenfranchisement a policy director at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice said that many people mistake the Florida law for a national one because it’s on the national news “Florida gets a lot of attention in the media … so people here are like ‘Oh I heard on the news that you can’t vote if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony,’” he said It’s not just detainees who don’t realize that they’re eligible to vote; corrections departments and even voting authorities can also be confused a member of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts who helped detainees request ballots in 2016 described several cases where town clerks weren’t clear on whether they could accept ballots from people held in jail and had to check with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office Organizers have added training sessions for public servants and officials to their repertoires. In L.A. County, the board of supervisors passed a motion last February that created a countywide voter-registration initiative for people with criminal records who leads the ACLU of Southern California’s registration efforts in the L.A one of the key aspects is training sheriff’s deputies and relevant community groups to understand California’s eligibility requirements and to be able to assist people in filling out a registration form the researcher from the University of Minnesota says that because the jail population skews younger many detainees have never cast a ballot before and are unfamiliar with the regular voting system Youth and inexperience with voting can create more technical barriers in the registration process Mbekeani-Wiley said that she regularly worked to register 18-year-olds who didn’t know their own Social Security numbers And if some of the felony-rights-restoration campaigns knowing exactly who is eligible to vote could get even more complex as detainees and officials play catch-up with an evolving status quo Not all would-be voters are as excited as Meggen Massey was when she discovered that she had retained her voting rights while in jail who runs A New Way of Life Reentry Project in L.A says that she sometimes finds “individuals who have completely lost faith in the system” in her registration visits I asked her if she had ever thought about voting while she was behind bars “I cut off everything emotional,” she replied Mbekeani-Wiley and Lim both point detainees to the parts of the ballot that have direct effects on the criminal-justice system ‘You can vote for judges,’ and that is something that sparked a lot of people’s interest … People who are defendants know who the good judges are,” Mbekeani-Wiley said the voter-education options inside jails are limited; many detainees face the challenge of figuring out who and what to vote for without access to a computer which she said provided only the most basic information about what she’d be voting on She asked her mother to send her printouts of the information she needed could you look up this proposition that’s going on on this ballot?’ and ‘Can you look these people up so that I know exactly what their positions are and their history?’” the number of people who vote from jail is typically modest Durrel Douglas said that 29 people out of the 662 they registered ended up casting a ballot in this year’s primary elections the voting population inside jails could have considerable electoral impact “There are 17,000 people incarcerated [in the L.A jail system] and over 10,000 who are actually eligible to register,” she says Which direction would such an election swing who has researched how different felon-voting laws in Florida might have affected the outcome of the Bush-Gore presidential election in 2000 says it’s “not straightforward” to determine how the jail population might vote But he did add that “the jail population tends to be very low income and is drawn disproportionately from communities of color,” characteristics that tend to skew Democratic But if the actual numbers of people voting from jails are small Mbekeani-Wiley called it “a glimmer of hope in a very trauma-filled environment”: “You get to demonstrate that you participated in the political process and you’ve exercised power despite being in such a powerless place.” The practical disenfranchisement of voters in jails is another chapter in what Nicole Porter called the “long history of undermining voter participation in the United States,” and especially of denying or discouraging people of color from voting That includes some of the first felony-disenfranchisement laws which were part of a host of post-Civil War restrictions aimed at preventing newly enfranchised African Americans from voting It’s no wonder that the myth that people who are behind bars can’t vote is hard to shake—and why any single vote from jail is remarkable “It’s something their ancestors have fought and died over,” Mbekeani-Wiley says A practical societal dimension exists here suggests that voting correlates with lower recidivism rates but he does believe that voting is a positive experience “I don’t think it’s some magical act of pulling the lever or filling in the little dot on the form that transforms the individual,” he says “It’s more that voting is an expression of identification with the community and standing shoulder to shoulder with your fellow citizens.” That’s how Meggen Massey seems to look at it Because she’s on parole after serving her sentence But she will be again once her parole is up “Now if we can get it to where I can serve for jury duty—that would be great They took her from West Hudson Hospital in Kearny to their family home at 56 Hamilton Ave Her funeral details will be scheduled in the near future most generous person anyone could ever meet Whether they saw her on her nightly walk on the Hudson-Bergen line being dragged up West Bennett Avenue by Bella at the law office where she dedicated all of her adult life as a law librarian and bookkeeper or at the various hospitals where she volunteered — first as a teenaged candy striper to an adult who helped admit patients to the emergency room The girls got together every chance they got having dinner at local restaurants and never missing a Christmas grabbag When “the big man joined the band” on Hamilton Avenue Bethie and Marty spent their evenings re-enacting “Chopped.” They made delicious dishes and those that needed improvement Bethie was famous for her troughs of fruit salad and infamous for her stuffed mushrooms In addition to their fondness for cooking Bethie and Marty shared a love of classic rock and traveling Bethie saw Kath and John as heroes and made certain to always highlight their very best qualities none of these adults could hold a candle to her “six-pack” — two nieces and four nephews — Meggen Baughman Kyle Guenther and Ian Guenther were the recipients of countless meals Mary Beth is also survived by her great-nieces and great-nephews by whom the six-pack felt vaguely threatened — Teddy George and Jayne worshipped their great-aunt Mary Beth will be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know her please celebrate Bethie’s generosity by making a donation to your favorite charity Relatives and friends visited at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com Curcio was a member of the Marine Corps League West Hudson Detachment and held many offices on the national  She was in the Military Order of the Devil Dog Fleas Past National Big Flea and Past National Regent 99 American Legion Auxiliary in Kearny and served on the committee for the Chapel of the Four Chaplains at St Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church where he married Krystyna and settled in North Arlington He worked as a mechanic for NJ Transit for many years Charles was an active member of the Knights of Columbus 3428 in North Arlington and served in the Honor Guard at Our Lady of Czestochowa in Harrison an expression of sympathy or to read his complete obituary he lived in North Arlington for the past 14 years Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home A funeral Mass was celebrated at Stephen’s Church He was a big Dallas Cowboys and Yankees fan When you hear a song by The Beatles think of Brian He was a two-time Coach of the Year for the NJIC Meadowlands Division as well as Harrison School District’s Teacher of the Year His love of sports manifested into his career as a physical education instructor at Washington Middle School in Harrison his dear sister Katelyn Dayock (her husband Rich) his nephew Carter and niece Kayla who were the light of his life kindly consider a donation to the Harrison Education Foundation spent her last four years in Nebraska with family She enjoyed a long fulfilling career of over 27 years as a crossing guard in Harrison and enjoyed being on several bowling leagues during her life She maintained a steady 170 average and was part of a league championship team on the Kearny Lassies League at the North Arlington Bowl-O-Drome She also bowled on the Knights of Columbus mixed league at the Yeagers Bowling Alley in Harrison with her spouse James (Jimmy) for many years Ronnie was well loved by all who knew her and who always made herself available to help anyone who needed a ride or assistance with anything She spent many years volunteering in Holy Cross School which often flowed over to helping out in the church or rectory Her life was filled with helping others and she had a huge heart Helen and John Bennett as well as 11 sisters and brothers Olivia and Evelyn Breitkreutz and several nieces and nephews A visitation and funeral service took place at the funeral home and her interment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mulliganfh.com who grew up in the Arlington section of Kearny Ruth was the daughter of the late John William and Josephine Agatha (Eagleson) Whitla A graduate of Montclair State Teachers College she taught at the Morris Township Junior High School and the Ranney School Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years Christopher Bobbe (Richard Chen) and Sarah Bobbe (August Lindgren-Ruby); Jack Also surviving are nieces Kathleen Rodda Hirsch (Robert) of Owls Head and Elizabeth Rodda Hannaman (William) of San Diego California; sister-in-law Joan Whitla of Williamsburg Virginia; nephews Randall Whitla (Mary) of Leicester Massachusetts and Andrew Whitla (Ruth) of Shakopee Minnesota; numerous grand-nieces and -nephews and several lifelong friends A memorial service will take place at a future date at St Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email Please use this form even if you've subscribed previously using one of our 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Our online archive goes back to 2013 — and by clicking here please contact the Kearny Public Library at (201) 998-2666 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page ShareSaveLifestyleForbesLifeHow Speaking With A Spiritual Medium Helped Me At A Professional CrossroadsByMeggen Harris ShareSaveThis article is more than 5 years old.“I have always been a spiritual medium. I just didn’t know what ‘it’ was called when I was a kid,” explains Erika Gabriel of her gift “When I was like six or seven years of age my family moved into a new house where I kept seeing this little boy I later came to find out that a little boy had drowned on the property  This was the first memory of ‘it’ and the beginning of my lifelong journey of seeking spirituality and connection to god.” After exploring becoming a minister over a decade ago Gabriel began to study energy medicines including Reiki when she decided to see a spiritual medium herself “The medium told me that I was a medium and that I was receiving messages from spirits She wasn’t actually telling me anything I didn’t already know I lived in a little bungalow on Melrose in Los Angeles people started knocking on my door asking for readings,” Gabriel tells me of how her career as a medium began “I would love to work more with law enforcement  My spirits have told me to work on more missing child cases and I hope that I get to One of the most painful things in life is ‘not knowing’ what happened to a loved one I feel so blessed to be able to help law enforcement and the families that way The number of family members looking to see if their loved one killed themselves or overdosed is horrific.” Gabriel has come to know that we all are connected to spirit and that we each have our own unique divine spirit team made up of angels and loved ones who have crossed over to the other side I knew I wanted to know who I was talking to and how to do this and stay sane I knew that I had a lot of work to do,” explains Gabriel I connected with Gabriel a few weeks ago at the suggestion of a friend of mine who knew I was at a professional crossroad I am about to launch a new start-up and I had found myself getting in my own way I wanted to connect with Gabriel to learn a little more about her I am elevating my energy up to meet spirit in the middle so that I can tune into your team and share those messages with you,” Gabriel tells me when I ask her if she is psychic and what the difference is in her work as a medium  “That isn’t to say that sometimes a psychic predicative message about your future might be shared Your guides will bring forth messages that will serve you now in your life.” What resonated with me most in my conversation with Gabriel was her ability to see multiple perspectives Even if she didn’t agree with a line of thinking Since god was already woven into our conversation I asked Gabriel what her thoughts were on religion and the fact that gifts like hers have often been looked at historically as heretical “First and foremost I don’t subscribe to any one religion,” states Gabriel “I wrote a book that has not yet come out about the things that I have learned from talking to dead people and one chapter is dedicated to religion Religion means so much to so many people and I respect that and never judge religious views—even if they don’t believe in what I do or are against it Gabriel and I talked a bit more about various topics and by the end of the call I had a date for my reading which turned out to be on my birthday a little earlier this month  My assignment was to have three to four questions to ask my guides if the reading didn’t naturally present the information I was seeking On the day of the reading and I have been questioning whether or not I have the tools to be successful One part of me wanted to know if I was on the right path while the other side wasn’t sure if I was going to like what ‘my team’ had to say to me Woman hand holding herb bundle of dried sage smudge stick smoking More negative energy and purify living spaces at home in rooms I am usually quite guttural in my responses in life One could say I have very well honed survival skills I have been reminded that all choices have consequences circumstances have kind of reined in my natural urge to leap in life without getting my head involved there has been a little twang of a feeling deep down that I have been trying to ignore telling me that in fact I am about to flower Then I tell myself that I’m crazy for thinking those thoughts in the first place I realize that exploring my true potential actually scares me and other self-sabotage lines of thinking that I was experiencing professionally were arising from old traumas that I never dealt with I simply packed them away nice and neatly and thought I could move on and that would be that carrying unresolved stuff spills out eventually The only way to get to the other side is to go through it she performed a ritual of her own for our protection by lighting a white candle and burning sage “Are you ready for your reading,” she asked me As she closed her eyes to connect with my team “I am excited for this reading and on your very special day too,” she says much to my relief “You have a lot of spirit animals all around you Does the phoenix resonate with you,” she asks “I often say that people have tried to squash my light through the years and I am still here and that in many ways “I can see that you have died many times and each time you have risen from the ashes like a phoenix with a burst of energy in fact jumping at me to tell you that this isn’t one of those times at all  You have not died and you are not about to rise from the ashes Gabriel’s words on behalf of my team struck me to my core In fact you need to organize your tools so when you need specific ones you know where to find them,” she continues to tell me After giving me a little insight about my various spirit animals Gabriel asked me if I had any specific questions Of course I was curious about my new pop-up hotel company that I will be launching soon with my husband and business partner As Gabriel was asking my guides what they thought of the new business she appeared to get a little giddy “This is such a cool reading,” she tells me in excitement “Often times I am delivering delicate news You are getting ready to explode not just professionally and I am excited for you and for your journey.” You create beautiful things together,” Gabriel continues He is so devoted to you and you are such a great team.” She then asks my guides whether there are any major stumbling blocks with the business and they say no “This business can literally become as big as you and your husband can handle and you will definitely end up overseas.” But the validation was exactly what this gal needed regardless of what the outcome of the future is—and for that I am ever grateful ByMeggen Harris ShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") 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.font-size{font-size: 26px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 0.8);} .bg-body{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}Pistola Once thought only to be worn after work and on weekends denim is proving itself to be an elevated wardrobe staple that when styled properly can take you from the office to a night out on the town “Women want denim that stands out and IS the statement piece,” explains Jacci Jaye a NYC-based stylist whose roster of clients include Rent the Runway and many others in addition to being the founder of Wall Street Stylist The biggest trends she is seeing this year are classic and retro styles of the 70s and 90s with modern edits “We’re seeing everything from classically tailored flared leg denim Denim on denim is also a huge trend this season.” Jaye continues to tell me that the standouts for the season that are most on trend are wide legged “The brands to watch are Pistola (in my opinion this brand that does the best job capturing all of the trending styles) I love seeing new designers entering the space here are three brands that I think hit it out of the park with a multitude of style offerings and quality that will keep you on trend no matter where your day takes you If you are petite, you already know the plight. You purchase a great pair of jeans and then must get like a foot cut from the length before you can wear them. This is one of the reasons I opt for cropped jeans. So, when I came across Nelle Atelier a new brand that caters to petites 5’ 4” and under my curiosity was piqued “The reception has been amazing,” Madeleine Cohen who founded the brand in 2023 tells me on a call when I ask her how the brand has been received “I think people just assumed that 50% of American women would just continue to put up with clothes that don’t fit them consumers' expectations are shifting.” Cohen points to new silhouettes that move away from the skinny jean but in the end thinks that it all comes down to personal preference “On a macro level we are seeing the younger demographic gravitate towards the baggier jeans They are excited about the new trends with fit as the focus—so we are hyper-focused on catering to them.” “The barrel is huge right now,” continues Cohen Volume isn’t the most flattering for our customer Our Lily jean is our take on the trend with petite proportions in mind hugging the hips and tapering in at the ankle.” The brand’s best seller is their wide leg style But there is a time and place for a skinny jean—like during winter when you need to tuck it into a boot Alix Earle just dropped one and it sold out immediately As for what petites can expect next from the brand “Denim was the hardest nut to crack from a fit perspective We are focused on outfit building and the entire wardrobe.” modern approach to denim — one that combines trend-forward designs and accessible pricing,” Na tells me over a call the market felt divided: many brands either leaned too far into budget-friendly low-quality options or were priced out of reach for the everyday consumer we've been offering denim that speaks to the contemporary woman who values both style and substance.” Na continues to explain to me that what truly makes Pistola standout out from other premium denim brands is their unmatched fit we take pride in our remarkable value without compromising on quality Unlike many other luxury and premium brands we intentionally maintain lower internal margins so that we can offer denim that’s both high-end in terms of quality and more accessible in terms of pricing “Wide legs are dominating” Na shares about the current trends “It’s truly an exciting time for denim especially as women are embracing new fits more than ever we were willing to suffer pain for the look Women want to buy something that fits and moves with them throughout the day.” “We're focusing on modernized straight legs and bootcuts for the colder months California-based brand, Rüdes Denim offers premium denim that’s sustainable and comes in a variety of washes and styles designed to contour and accentuate the female form who is also the brand’s CEO and co-founder and Creative Director “Our jeans are meticulously crafted in Los Angeles using premium Italian fabrics ensuring exceptional quality in every style and fit,” shares Rüdes over email US-made product that empowers women and strengthens community.” Rüdes comes from a denim legacy and represents the third generation in the industry who was a visionary and innovator behind iconic brands like Jean St where he earned the title ‘The Jumpsuit King,’ and later NYDJ Tummy Tuck Jeans in 2003,” explains Rudes “His pioneering spirit inspires Rüdes Denim We carry forward his creativity and the iconic ‘Rudes Fit’ building a brand rooted in empowerment and connection.” Another key differentiator for the brand is their sustainable and ethical manufacturing principles “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do,” Rudes tells me “With few brands still manufacturing in the U.S. American-made jeans at an accessible price point At $218 domestically made denim may seem expensive and durability compared to overseas produced denim at a similar price Ethical production ensures fair labor conditions adding significant value for many customers.” I asked Rudes what women can expect in upcoming seasons we're putting a fresh spin on the classic skinny with our George Relaxed Skinny-a style that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and structure.” Some of Rudes’ customers had apprehension about the comeback of the skinny jean but Pelayo and Rudes assured me that their interpretation offers a modern update “It's all about blending timeless favorites with innovative ShareSaveBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereLifestyleForbesLifeElevate Your Interior Spaces With Design Tips From Sustainable Decor Brand, Pom Pom at HomeByMeggen Harris ShareSaveThis article is more than 4 years old.Cozy nights at home have taken on new meaning with the pandemic Now that summer is coming to an end and life indoors will become the norm what better time to invest in décor that will elevate your space and have you loving it even more Enter Pom Pom at Home sustainable home décor brand known for their ‘lived-in elegance’ aesthetic a textile brand with this ‘lived-in’ elegant look wasn’t readily available  Most other textile companies at the time were very formal,” CEO and Creative Director we curate the designs for our brand with a sense of calm and comfort in mind The touch and hand feel are truly what sell our products.” Pom Pom at Home grew out of LA-based retail furniture and accessories store where Leiaghat was importing antiques and vintage textiles from Europe there was a constant demand for vintage linens  I saw this gap in the market and the growing need and seized the opportunity in launching my own line,” explains Leiaghat Pom Pom at Home has focused on textiles that have a ‘vintage feel’ at an accessible price point  “Linen fibers lend themselves best to this look and growing up in Belgium where linen is a very common fiber and part of our heritage Pom Pom at Home was created in the fall of 2007.” linen requires significantly less fertilizer and water than other plants used for fibers and lasts longer than other textiles due to its durability Pom Pom at Home offers alternative fibers to gives customers a range of product looks and feels “Although linen continues to be our main focus and what we are known for throughout the years we have expanded our brand by adding other fibers such as cotton we are able to curate a variety of products hand loomed linens and textured throws,” continues Leiaghat The brand works with manufactures around the globe including Portugal and the United States—all with the focus on delivering the highest quality products at the most competitive price “I pride myself on my relationship with each of our manufacturers and have personally visited each of our factories to ensure product control and fair-trade practices,” states Leiaghat now with COVID-19 my travels have been put on hold but our long-time relationships with these factories ensures our production continues normally.” Leiaghat’s inspiration comes from her surroundings “Although we are California-based and known for our subtle color palettes each of our pieces lends itself to be used in any type of home whether it’s a romantic house in California or modern loft in New York,” she tells me “We believe this attraction to the brand and textiles stems from our initial inspiration with consumers looking for both elegance and comfort.” Pom Pom at Home started strictly as a business-to-business based brand on the traditional trade show circuit The brand is currently in over 1200 independently owned and in many instances family-owned small businesses Pom Pom at Home can also be found at e-commerce partners like Anthropologie and Lulu and Georgia—as well as many others we can not only reach consumers directly but aid our brick and mortar partners with the imagery and sales tools to ensure their success.”  Relationships are important not only with the brand’s partners but most of Leiaghat’s family that are located here stateside are involved in the business Leiaghat goes on to tell me that everyone at headquarters and beyond is treated like family “I only have two children and most of our family is back overseas so we tend to be a very close-knit group,” shares Leiaghat. “My husband and I are the creative backbone of the company My brother-in-law manages all warehouse operations helped me found the company and he is able to constantly modernize all of our operations and make sure that our digital marketing is as effective as possible is our CFO and is able to bring his business background to streamline our company financials The pandemic has given Pom Pom at Home’s business an uptick both with its direct-to-consumer and e-commerce partners across all categories of the brand “With everyone spending time in their homes their spaces are becoming more multi-use than ever it's the first time they are working remotely or having their child attend school from home there are many changes happening within the home and interiors to account for this shift Our brand appeals to those looking to bring in that calm aesthetic but with comfort and functionality that lends itself to these changes.” Internal operations also changed to include policies for social distancing cloud-based software that allows for remote working and efficient workflows COVID-19 made us reassess the benefits of being a family business and the incredible team that we have who are determined loyal and like family to us,” Leiaghat tells me “We have also invested in video production in order to keep current with our digital marketing and provide fun and informative videos throughout the remainder of the year.” I wanted to know what kind of design tips Leiaghat would share so that anyone can achieve an elegance in our homes that is comfortable and stylish ShareSaveCommentLifestyleForbesLifeLeman Mercer: The Next GenZ ‘It-Girl’ Brand Is A Tribute To ManhattanByMeggen Harris will have the fastest growth in spending power estimated at $12 trillion by 2030 and overtake Baby Boomer spending by 2029 This digitally native generation likes to do their research rather than impulse buy with most purchases occurring online with social media heavily impacting choices They are also driven by social and environmental causes and look for brands that take a stand on these issues and are willing to pay a premium for it a recent McKinsey survey showed that 49% of their GenZ respondents were willing to pay more for a product that was sustainable we are now starting to see more and more GenZ founders creating their own brands that align with their values and filling this market gap and Daily Drills have gone viral because they aren’t pandering to GenZ—they are GenZ and they know what they want One of the latest GenZ start-ups poised to be the next “it-girl” brand for this upwardly mobile generation is New York City-based, ready-to-wear label Leman Mercer Founded this past spring by childhood friends the brand offers chic pieces that are both timely yet timeless with a sense of playful elegance that are built around Katz’s fast-paced life in the city I recently sat down with the duo on a video call to learn more about them and the making of their brand She doesn’t conform to trends or care what others think about her style,’ Katz tells me when I ask how they define the brand “Leman Mercer is polished and self-possessed Our clothes are proper and mature enough for a 25-year-old professional woman but also lively enough to let her remain young and fun.” Katz goes on to tell me that they see other brands trying to remain relevant by designing for the trend of the moment “It results in a bit of fashion monoculture We are actively rejecting this by designing fresh and fun pieces that also remain timeless.” Price has a consumer brand and ecommerce background “I built a sauce business for a Miami-based Jamaican restaurant chain for two years before leaving to start Leman Mercer I’ve also consulted for the loungewear brand Jambys and a celebrity brand incubator that spanned several verticals,” shares Price Despite Katz’s lifelong passion for fashion her abilities in math and science led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Cornell University followed by a career in technology consulting The pivotal moment for Katz was two years ago when she lost her father who she tells me was an eternal optimist who always encouraged her to find a way to merge her passion for fashion and business “I knew I needed to take control of my happiness I had a typical yet atypical Facetime with Kyle and told him that I wanted to be my own boss he suggested we should start a fashion brand It made sense since collectively we were always talking about fashion and shopping at vintage stores.” the pair launched their first collection at a one-day pop up at Soho at No Standing NYC Katz’s favorite vintage store she has been shopping in since it opened and really didn’t want to get our hopes up - but we were honestly so blown away with the success we saw that first day which is like one piece every four minutes - it was honestly such chaos,” Price tells me “We actually oversold two styles - our Carmine Corset and Bella Skirt - and that’s when we knew we had something Carmine and Bella are still our best sellers and we just restocked them for the fourth time in five months.” The brand is a tribute to New York starting with the name “Leman” is an old English word for lover and “Mercer” hailing from the old garment district we knew from the start that we wanted every part of the brand to happen in Manhattan from the conception We found an amazing garment district pattern maker named Elizabeth who we lovingly refer to as our ‘fashion mom’ to help show us the ropes and styled all of the pieces wearing all of the hats,” shares Price Sourcing and making things in New York are not the fast or inexpensive way to launch a brand so I wanted to find out the thought process behind these choices “We never even considered being fast fashion We don’t believe in it and would rather shop vintage for the thrill of the find” explains Katz “We pay 30% more and that is just for sewing The fabric is also more expensive.” Price quickly adds “Don’t even get me started on the price of the buckles for the fall collection—they are twice as much as other sources.” Katz continues to share with me that her generation is seeking authenticity “People don’t just buy into clothes anymore As our friends rise up in the workforce and have more disposable income high-quality garments that will be as stylish a decade from now as they are today.” When I ask her what makes a GenZ “it-girl” fashion brand she explains to me that it is about defining who you are and who you aren’t and sticking to it and With Jéan as examples of brands that are doing it the right way.” Leman Mercer’s first collection offered evening wear that is both elevated and comfortable The second collection focused on where the Leman Mercer girl spends her summer with beach-to-streets designs in 100% silk “Our fall collection keeps in mind that our girl is back on the streets of NYC and ready to hit her stride,” Katz tells me and she will continue to design for herself first We’ll still likely release three or four collections a year but our brand will evolve as the Leman Mercer girl evolves We don’t plan on being a brand that our shoppers grow out of ShareSaveCommentBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereLifestyleForbesLifeA Transplant’s Perspective On Where To Dine And Dance In MiamiByMeggen Harris Miami has so much to offer when it comes to its vibrant food and music scene I was eager to explore its seemingly endless hospitality experiences that showcase the melting pot of flavors and sounds that make “Magic City” including an amalgamation of Latin America From family-owned Cuban cafes serving up authentic ropa viejas and mojitos to Michelin-starred restaurants redefining modern Mediterranean cuisine sampled the best bites and imbibed the most inspired libations Miami has to offer (and yet still have more places to visit) it can be a little overwhelming to know what is worth the visit and what isn’t—and believe me there are some notable places that don’t deliver on the hype Whether you are visiting or live here and want to expand your horizons I rounded up some of my favorite destinations in Miami and Miami Beach that are definitely worth the visit if you want to satiate your stomach then move your body on the dancefloor By far, one of my absolute favorite dining experiences here in Miami is LPM Located in the Brickell neighborhood tucked away in a quiet nook near the bay this French-Mediterranean restaurant offers a classy ambiance that is understated and a mouthwatering menu inspired by the flavors of the French Riviera LPM has several locations around the world including London that opened in 2007 and Dubai Arjun Waney also founded famed Japanese restaurant Zuma (with a location not far away from LPM in Brickell) “We decided to enter into Miami following Zuma’s success since the market was still very raw of international and high-quality restaurant concepts There was a gap in the market that needed to be taken,” shares Nicolas Budzynski we see the concept going from strength to strength and growing It seems LPM has been embraced for being different.” I have eaten at LPM numerous times since I have lived here—sometimes months apart What I appreciate and have come to expect is the consistency with the food and service I don’t think you can go wrong ordering any of the dishes this establishment offers its guests I particularly love their gnocchi and Chilean Sea Bass But one suggestion I would make is try out the Tomatini cocktail “My approach was to treat the tomato as what it is—a fruit,” explains Jimmy Barrat which can also be found on the tables of every LPM The use of white balsamic vinegar was to support the sweetness with some sour It’s seasoned with salt and pepper and a touch of sugar to elevate the flavors and bring a long finish.” Just be careful when drinking these They go down incredibly smooth with little taste of alcohol the impact can be a bit deceiving—until you stand up that is his second restaurant here in the Miami area located in South Beach this venue definitely leaves an impression for all of the right reasons Stepping into Lucky Cat is like being transported to a modern The space has a moody feel that’s dimly lit and adorned with Japanese-inspired design elements It features an open kitchen where you can watch your meal being masterfully created and a bar lounge area that is ideal for a pre-meal cocktail or after dinner aperitif Ramsay opened up a second location because he is a fan of the city I’ve been coming for years and seen incredible diversity of restaurants continue to grow and thrive,’ he tells me over email He goes on to tell me that the reason Lucky Cat is distinctly different from the competition is that it isn't simply a sushi restaurant “It’s a restaurant that offers a culinary journey through cities and countries I’ve been to in Asia I’ve put everything I tasted and learned into the dishes here The sashimi is some of the freshest I have ever tried which was surprising for me since I don’t particularly love duck and proved to be another reminder for me to keep being adventurous in trying new foods Chef and his team also highly recommend the Egg Fried Rice and the Zanmai Omakase as must-have dishes I love Miami Beach EDITION Hotel’s Matador Room Matador Room is a world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten concept that offers his interpretation of Caribbean and Latin and South American cuisines with a seasonal menu of small and large plates in a space that evokes the glamour of private supper clubs from the 40s and 50s While I think there is always a reason to visit both the bar and restaurant the restaurant recently launched a female chef partnership series called “HER KITCHEN” that brings together leading women in the food and beverage industry that will pick back up this fall that is definitely worth checking out ‘“The Miami Beach EDITION is committed to elevating women in the food and beverage industry through impactful events like ‘HER Kitchen’ We launched this dinner series to inspire and connect women in Miami’s hospitality scene fostering innovation and collaboration,” says Maile Gamez Director of Culture & Entertainment at The Miami Beach EDITION The EDITION’s Matador Bar is also worth paying a visit either as a pre-dinner cocktail destination or for a nightcap The drinks are phenomenal and on certain nights the bar has live music Director of Bars for The Miami Beach EDITION tells me her inspiration (similar to Chef Jean-Georges) comes from her travels “I'm fortunate enough to have some incredibly talented friends from all over the world It's these experiences and friendships that dictate the incredible flavor journeys that these cocktails (literally) bring to the table,” shares Delgado about her drink creations that each have a story linked back to her network of peers Located near Lincoln Road in the heart of Miami Beach MILA Restaurant is a beautifully designed restaurant that offers an award-winning menu of food that merges the flavors of the Mediterranean and Japan overseen by Michelin star chef MILA delivers a unique experience that stimulates all of the senses from the warm unique and beautifully presented craft cocktails and perfectly executed food served in just the right portions The venue has a partially covered roof deck where there are scheduled performances by trained dancers in true Miami fashion Chef Michaël Michaelidis tells me over email that he thinks the Shawarma Wagyu Gyoza made with Japanese wagyu is the one dish guests shouldn’t miss when they visit “It's the perfect bite and a fan favorite we sold over 220k pieces last year!" I personally love the Dover Sole with yuzu kosho butter which is also on the premise of this multi-floor property on a different floor from the restaurant It is an intimate space with an eclectic crowd that plays music that will move you and even has karaoke some nights “MILA Lounge is a multi-sensory space that offers a transportive and exclusive nightlife experience,’ Hugo Milochevitch Artist Director for Riviera Dining Group tells me of how we would describe the guest experience One thing I noticed when I moved to Miami is that the sky will consistently blow your mind with its ever changing landscape of fast-moving storm clouds and spellbinding sunsets that deliver jaw dropping colors even when the sun is technically already down One of the best spots to enjoy the city’s sunsets is Baia Beach Club located in the Mondrian Hotel in south beach the beach club positions its guests in a prime location to enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of Miami’s colorfully lit downtown buildings and beyond it is also a great venue for happy hour which runs from 5-7 pm “Our Sundown Social Happy Hour offers a perfect blend of specialty cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired light bites,” shares Frank Petitto Director of Food and Beverage at Mondrian South Beach “Guests can enjoy carefully crafted cocktails Located in the Little Havana neighborhood on the famed Calle Ocho, Ball and Chain has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to 1935 with the likes of Billie Holiday “Ball & Chain pulsates with Cuban and Latin rhythms offering over 80 hours of free live music every week,” shares co-owner Guests can enjoy Cuban cuisine and signature cocktails like Ball and Chain’s World-Famous Mojito Ball & Chain is more than just a venue—it's a cultural gem.” ‘What truly sets Ball & Chain apart is our vibrant community of guests,’ continues Bush “Dance the night away with the best salseros in town or join our free salsa classes and learn from the masters Ball & Chain isn’t just a place; it’s a piece of my heart and soul it took me a little while to check this place out and the energy of the music and other guests dancing is palpable—and contagious My friend and I had a blast and left soaking wet from dancing for a few hours I plan on taking one of the free dance classes Miami has a lot of venues to choose from if you want to dance. While I used to like the multi-floor clubs back in my younger days, these days I prefer smaller venues to get my groove on. One of my favorite lounges is Dante’s HiFi the first vinyl-only listening bar located in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood made only better by the records being spun—something this analog gal really appreciates “My curatorial approach is to make space for local Miami DJs while also showcasing established national and international DJs,’ explains Rich Medina We perform under the rules and regulations of analog record presentation on a high-fidelity sound system." But there are many other spots that are worth a visit Other restaurants that I love include Call Me Gabi (a perfect lunch spot) LT Steak & Seafood (the popover is to die for) and Lido Bayside Grill at the Standard Hotel (great food and drinks on the bay) For other dance options I would include Boho House (if you want to listen to deep house under the stars) ShareSaveCommentLifestyleForbesLifeNaomi Watts Talks Entrepreneurialism And Doubling Down On Destigmatizing MenopauseByMeggen Harris Sometimes my mind can be its own worst enemy with certain issues I choose to remain blissfully unaware by ignoring what I don’t want to give any legs to the one thing I have been avoiding is the inevitable change I am no doubt in the thick of as a woman in her late 40s—perimenopause Part of my avoidance comes from the fact that I still feel and look young and I am simply not ready to face the truth Most of my ambivalence comes from the horror stories that some of my friends have shared who are currently in menopause or have finally made it to the other side But the symptoms seem to be all over the map as does the intensity of them which means I have no idea how to set my expectations I recently caught up with Watts over Zoom to learn more about her new partnership with L Catterton a consumer-focused investment firm and what that means for the brand “Talking about menopause can really change how people see it,” Watts tells me and women have had to deal with it in silence and confusion we can demystify it and break down those old taboos making it easier for women to get the help they need and feel empowered during this next phase in their lives.” She shares that the foundation of her brand was based on her experiences as her hormones shifted But I would say the most unpleasant symptom I experienced was sleeplessness because that is connected to so many other issues Both conditions are treated based on the individuals’ symptoms.” who doesn’t have firsthand experience with the Stripes products continues to tell me that she commends Watts and others for helping to pave the way with products that may work synergistically with prescribed treatments like an estrogen cream or patch “The supplements may help certain symptoms but not the underlying issue of the lack of estrogen that contributes to bone and heart disease—the biggest killers for women Most of my patients have no idea they are experiencing a change Along with scaling direct-to-consumer and Amazon efforts Stripes will launch at QVC and in Canada later this year “This expansion helps to further normalize menopause and the hormonal changes that occur as women age by placing our products in reputable mainstream retail channels,” Watts explains “Our goals for the next few years include expanding our product portfolio to address even more symptoms caused by hormonal changes as women age increasing our presence in both domestic and international markets and continuing to build our community and educational resources especially in the context of menopause and aging ensuring that no woman has to go through this (natural) phase of life alone or unsupported.” With so many negative aspects swirling around about menopause I was curious if Watts had experienced anything positive to which she responds you let go of all of that fear and stigma and taboo and the truth is on the table in all the gory details Just like we have needed to connect at every stage of a woman's life you need conversations and a fountain of information about this time in our lives Now I openly share about what I’m going through with my peers And out of that has come strengthened friendships because we’re more authentic with each other.” Honesty is also Watts’ biggest business learning since she embarked on the Stripes journey “We went dark for a few months,” Watts shares “But the community we helped build stayed by our side People come up to me on the street thanking me for creating Stripes I've learned that authenticity—being true to our mission and values—and empathy—understanding and connecting with our community—have been instrumental in our growth and impact.” gets back to their punk-rock roots and helps shake up the whole narrative for the better 2012 at 6:54 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Ankeny Police Department has arrested a suspect linked to a department store robbery that occurred last month According to a media release issued by the Ankeny Police Department Richards of Des Moines in connection with a robbery that occured at the Ankeny Kohl's on Nov Richards allegedly shoplifted from the store and struck a store loss prevention officer twice with her vehicle while trying to flee the scene Richards was identified by several people following a press release of her photograph and vehicle was made public Richards is being held in Polk County Jail on charges of second-degree robbery and reckless driving See our earlier coverage of this incident: Ankeny Police Seeking Assistance in Identifying Kohl's Burglary Suspect Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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Math class included pie for students at Harbor Day School on Friday For about 200 students at the Corona del Mar campus it would be irrational to celebrate March 14 The date corresponds with the mathematical constant that defines the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter “It is completely irrational,” said HDS math teacher “because it’s something in our tame universe that can’t be tamed.” Mathematicians have been searching for thousands of years to find the end of the pi digit Computers have calculated the number out to 10 trillion digits The world pi recital record is 100,000 digits Despite evidence and witnesses of the 16.5-hour recital Guinness World Records hasn’t accepted his record and lists Chao Lu of China at the top with 67,890 digits who recited 4,030 digits as an eighth grader in 2012 With a little practice she could recite about 50 digits The sixth grader recited 3,000 digits last Friday beating her performance last year of 2,200 “That’s all,” she said quietly after she finished Grover set her record in just under 11 minutes “I’m feeling happy and relieved,” she said after the event because she didn’t have as much time to study this year The 12-year-old has been studying since October learning 100 new digits every weekend and taking a few breaks in between “It’s such a neat experience to see her work so hard and (achieve this)… She’s definitely earned it.” The young girl also dances and trains in Tae Kwon Do “She’s an amazing student and works really hard,” Nina Grover said memorizing 60 digits off of the sheet teachers provided They noticed that she could memorize the numbers pretty quickly she recited more than doubled her previous record “I like looking for patterns,” Karina Grover said and “it’s also a fun thing to do with my dad.” the father and daughter duo created an app The Grover family also includes two kindergarten boys who each participated in the competition as well and recited 174 digits Other participants included second grader Max Razmjoo He started practicing just a few weeks ago He remembered about 200 of them from last year “It’s so fun because I like to memorize,” and he likes math He has some advice for others who want to memorize pi: Work hard The school models their celebration after the Exploratorium event in San Francisco Students walk around the pi shrine just over three times while singing “Oh Number Pi,” in the tune of “Oh Christmas Tree.” They then quietly touch the shrine with two fingers before enjoying a slice of pie The school has been celebrating Pi Day for 15 years and started doing the recitation in 2002 “I’m just amazed that so many kids really want to try to push themselves,” Stockstill said sharpens their focus and gives them a sense of personal pride “and makes them feel good about themselves.” It’s also a different way to get the students interested in math memorization and competition and made it fun Log in to leave a comment Newport Beach Independent Newspaper Newport Beach Magazine Newport Beach Country Club Magazine Coastal Real Estate Guide (NB,LB, CDM) California Business Journal (partner) Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper Laguna Beach Magazine Laguna Beach City Guide On The Menu Laguna Beach Montage Magazine Monarch Beach Resort Magazine Pacific Coast Magazine (SoCal) Omni Escapes Hotel Magazine View our entire portfolio here ShareSaveCommentLifestyleForbesLifeElevate Your Style At The Barre And Beyond With These Seven Athleisure BrandsByMeggen Harris ShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 2 years old.It is funny how your wardrobe can change throughout your life I used to be in professional clothing almost every day when I had meetings With a change of career and then COVID making work-from-home my new normal I find myself wearing activewear almost daily with few exceptions I am always on the lookout for standouts in this ever-expanding category If your life is anything like mine and you are looking to upgrade your work-from-home look here are seven brands that will keep you moving stylishly throughout your active day wherever you may land “NEIWAI means ‘inside out’” shares founder “The brand is committed to creating a comfortable and nurturing lifestyle for every woman by providing high quality products that bring comfort and support to their daily lives We are best known for our launch of lingerie and have grown from there we have a deep understanding of the nearest and dearest items to a woman’s body and have brought these aspects into our active line which is mostly made from our proprietary ‘mousse’ fabric the side seams down the leg are unique and have a slimming effect The quality of the fabrics makes them incredibly comfortable while being supportive yet professional/formal enough for the office or drinks.” I always get compliments on it or am asked who makes it Not only are the styles unique with great colorways which I really appreciate living in Miami where it is perpetually hot and I am usually always sweaty who just launched their line of versatile bra styles a few months back “Our performance nylon that is moisture wicking + odor resistant also offers you stretch while featuring significant support for low impact workouts We also wanted to make sure that the seamless styles we created were ones that you’d want to show off in your everyday life We made cuts that would be flattering on all bodies where typical sports bras squeeze and bulge.” I love efficient multitasking. So, when I first came across the brand Emma Lou a few years back but all of brand’s bottoms have an integrated performance fabric technology that helps you perspire more around the waistline—something founder Emma Vollrath now calls a “Glow Band” I’ve done a bit of a rebrand on Emma Lou as I’ve evolved as a person and with that I’ve pivoted on what I’ve chosen to release and changed up the branding to represent more of who I am instead of what I thought I wanted Emma Lou to be,” Vollrath tells me “Our athleisure itself has become a lot more consistent with fabrics and logos quality fabric blend that everyone loves and works really well with the recycled thermoplastic in the waistband Vollrath shares with me that her spring/summer designs (that will drop imminently) took her out of her comfort zone I’m finally on the last round and am almost ready to go I have a better grasp on what I want Emma Lou to be so I’m excited to release new styles soon that will continue to take you from your workout class and beyond.” Most days I walk anywhere from 4-10 miles, so I am always on the lookout for sneakers that properly support my feet throughout the day. I was recently introduced to the new start-up brand, Hilma that launched this past fall and was founded by self-proclaimed “non-runner” Brooke Torres who came up with the concept after she signed up for her first marathon and tried on hundreds of pairs never being able to find the right fit experience with other shoe brands and personal preference.” When I ask Torres if other styles will be introduced in the future we’re seeing that our 3 fits are really resonating and in the near future will be launching new types of athletic shoes using our proven fit models.” I have to say that these sneakers are both stylish and incredibly comfortable I did find that I need to wear socks that came up higher than my typical no-show socks “Nubyen activewear is more than just garments Nubyen’s science-led products are created to be easily incorporate into your beauty & daily routine & deliver results from the comfort of your home,” explains founder/CEO Dr “We believe in sustainability & quality by using recycled polyester in our activewear fabrication & eco-print sublimation technology for our prints For us workmanship & excellence is at the core,” continues Rachel who shared with me that Justin Beiber is fan of the brand’s outwear “Our activewear prints have been selected with purpose & have meaning and you will find seams that accentuate one's physique in the right place Today there is so much pressure to look good and we get that It’s important to look and feel one's best as this helps with confidence in doing so we can excel in achieving our desired goals.” Nubyen releases two athletic wear drops a year (with clean beauty drops occurring more frequently) I love the cut and print of the set I chose and have gotten a lot of compliments wearing it out and about You'll find that our pieces are addictive and highly comfortable,” Rachel tells me “The feel of our fabrication and the overall aesthetic really help in transitioning from the gym to your day-to-day activities We believe in a 360-degree approach to beauty and that wellness what we consume and what we use on our bodies also affects our thinking & ability to achieve our goals.” The Farmer’s Market Global a newly founded athleisure brand founded by model and entrepreneur Adrianne Ho debuts with a collection of eight classic activewear and accessory styles including sports bras “Farmers’ markets represent the best of what the world has to offer That’s the simple ethos of The Farmers Market Global and quality products to improve the wellness of people’s active lives,” Ho tells me We’re reimagining timeless style for a performance-driven person The foundation includes the all-season pieces we want for ourselves before The technical details are also very important in our design without compromising style We are updating classic pieces for modern times with a clean and beautiful aesthetic!” I asked Ho what folks can expect moving forward “We will continue to tell stories through the product releases and explore the lifestyle/wellness nature of the brand We have a diverse and inclusive range of offerings right now with more to come A little something for everyone from locally sourced organic olive oil to stylish two-in-one five-inch shorts designed for compound lifting We want to get better every day at what we do and inspire people to live their best lives!” I am not a runner. But I started wearing HOKA sneakers a year or so ago and haven’t looked back I started with the Clifton 8 and had them in my sneaker rotation until I had zero tread left I was excited to see that there was a new version of the shoe The Clifton 9 delivers the perfect combination of soft and light.” “The Gaviota 4 provides the support you need the style returns delivering the same maximal cushioning and enhanced support but has been reworked with a plusher collar and tongue,” shares Broe After hoofing a fair amount of mileage in both designs my feet couldn’t be happier from a comfort and style standpoint When I ask what makes HOKA shoes so versatile Broe responds “While there are a variety of HOKA silhouettes that are made for road the brand also has many styles that are ideal for everyday wear — including the Clifton 9 and our new Transport X it’s important to provide yourself with the proper support you need for everyday activities which our signature cushion makes sure to do ShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 3 years old.I am a sucker for healthier-for-you desserts that actually taste good my inclination is to share the discovery with others who may be on the same quest Sweet Laurel founders: Claire Thomas (l) and Laurel Gallucci (r) I was recently introduced to Sweet Laurel a Los Angeles-based Paleo baking company founded by friends Laurel Gallucci and Claire Thomas and was blown away by the taste (and lack of aftertaste) of their cakes and cookies and the normalcy of the texture—something that usually gets wonky with ‘healthier for you’ ingredient alternatives “Claire and I both grew up in Santa Monica We became friends in our college years over our mutual love for baking We joke that we are basically 80 year-old ladies stuck in our 30s,” says Gallucci who has been making baked good since she was old enough to safely use the oven But after being diagnosed with an aggressive autoimmune condition she was put on a restrictive diet It did not take long for me to start missing cake brownies and all the baked goods that I used to make for fun and dairy-free.” One day Gallucci brought Thomas over a freshly made chocolate caramel cake created with only five ingredients “We started Sweet Laurel right then and there Claire saw the potential of the product and had a vision for the brand we see today Fast-forward to today and the ladies have a bustling e-commerce and wholesale business, a flagship store in Los Angeles, two cookbooks (Sweet Laurel and Sweet Laurel Savory) loyal following (with several celebrity fans) and are in the process of creating a variety of consumer packaged goods that can be shipped nationwide People could order from us if they were in Los Angeles and we would hand deliver them We made everything out of my tiny apartment Year one was a Cottage Law kitchen certified by the Health Department We grew out of that in a year and the second year we expanded into wholesale and leased or first commercial kitchen The duo’s first classes were offered for free and were attended by Jenni Kayne and Lauren Conrad for example “From there we gained popularity through word of mouth and genuine interest We had asked a friend in PR and she suggested we keep it like a secret garden where people feel like they’ve discovered a treasure.” Thomas adds or whatever we could find at the farmer’s market Sweet Laurel caters to people who have dietary restrictions But the brand is also a destination for those who want to indulge in desserts in a healthier way without sacrificing on flavor or suffering from a sugar coma—like myself “All of our baked goods and products are grain free We use a 5 core ingredient principle: almond flour Himalayan pink salt and organic eggs,” states Gallucci our best selling cake the last two years has been our Vegan Keto Chocolate Cake which ships nationally Our keto options switch out our maple syrup for zero-calorie We literally carry a brownie that is under 200 calories  “Sweet Laurel is a whole foods baking company healthful food with a body positive perspective It's about loving the food you eat instead of punishing yourself for craving it Most of the items are made with less than five ingredients and none of them are the wacky gums and stabilizers you'll find in most gluten-free or dairy-free products We love few things more than a perfect slice of cake The pair currently sells their infamous layer cakes nationwide directly on their website “We have seen a huge up-tick in sales throughout the pandemic and are investing time and energy into product development in response to sales trends We are excited to start launching new baking mixes and cookie dough flavors as well as shipping items like our cookies and brownies nationally we are looking to expand into the CPG space and launch our products nationally in grocery stores We want to reach as many people as possible whether we are shipping door to door or on the shelves of the grocery store.” While the brand has focused primarily on sweet baked goods with the recent launch of the pair’s latest book the duo has big plans to offer more savory products to the masses “We are currently planning to release items like pizza dough and bread mixes that would ship nationally and be part of our CPG launch I would love Sweet Laurel available in every marketplace whether it is COSTCO or Target—we want to be a household name and be top of mind when people think about grain-free baked goods,” shares Gallucci As a result we shifted our shopping process The grocery store is the one place that people still go to Getting into as many stores is a huge priority,” adds Thomas To get a little flavor for the brand at home below are four recipes—two that are savory and two that are sweet—directly from both Sweet Laurel books Double Dark Chocolate Cookies (Makes 3-dozen cookies) Sweet Laurel Double Dark Chocolate Cookies These double-chocolate cookies are our downfall A still-warm batch with melted chocolate chips and a glass of cold almond milk is pure heaven Good luck waiting for them to cool before devouring half a pan add the dry ingredients to the date paste mixture Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment Knead the chocolate chips into the dough and gradually form it into a ball Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes Place tablespoon-size scoops of dough on the baking sheet and gently press down to flatten to about 1⁄4 inch thick until the edges are set; then transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely Store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days Lemon Poppyseed Bundt (Makes one 9-inch bundt cake) That’s Laurel’s favorite line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding and this is one of Claire’s favorite recipes in the book If you have friends or family who side-eye grain-free baked goods this is the recipe to make for them—we doubt they’ll miss anything Lemon-scented with nutty notes of poppyseed this cake is the perfect complement to a cup of coffee and friends on a Sunday afternoon Generously grease a 9-inch Bundt pan with ghee and coat with arrowroot powder stirring well until a batter forms; then stir in the poppy seeds Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about an hour Invert the bundt onto a plate to release the cake NOTE: When we say “grease generously,” we mean it and the nooks and crannies that make Bundt pans so beautiful also provide the perfect opportunity for ruining your cake We’ve tried several different preventative methods and found that ghee truly does work best Trust us—we’ve earned our doctorates in reconstructive Bundt surgery try using a silicone Bundt mold for the easiest release 1⁄4 cup full-fat coconut milk or almond milk Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat Allow the glaze to cool completely before drizzling over the cake Perfect Sandwich Bread (Makes on 8 X 4 loaf) Line an 8 × 4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper letting the paper hang over the sides for easy removal for instance (about 80ºF is ideal)—until foaming and bubbling Let the mixture sit in a warm area for about 1 hour Fold the egg whites into the dough and pour the dough into the prepared pan until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and store on the counter for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months 1 recipe Rainbow Tortillas or store-bought grain-free tortillas ¼ cup Turmeric Salsa Amarillo store-bought salsa Add 1/4 cup of the avocado oil and 1 teaspoon of the salt and toss to coat Grease the grates with the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil (alternatively heat the oil over medium-high heat) and heat the grill to medium add the fish to the grill and cook for 5 minutes per side or until cooked through when there are grill marks on the fish Immediately assemble the tacos: Place the fish on the tortillas and top each with the spicy slaw and a squeeze of lime juice ShareSaveLifestyleForbesLifeMeUndies: How This Millennial Entrepreneur Is Revolutionizing The Underwear BusinessByMeggen Harris It never ceases to amaze me how entrepreneurs discover innovative ways to create new marketplaces or improve upon existing ones so you’d think that all of the bases would be covered by now But one bad underwear shopping experience for Jonathan Shokrian was the catalyst for him to launch MeUndies a lifestyle brand whose ethos is to produce the world’s most comfortable and sustainable underwear with a simple and fun shopping experience through their online platform at the age of 25 with $400,000 of start-up funds raised from friends Shokrian set out on a mission to disrupt the way underwear is manufactured and purchased On track to sell 5 million units in 2017, Shokrian has tapped into a clearly underserved market. "Since launching MeUndies nearly five years ago,” he says “Our commitment to providing a best in class product with a world class e-commerce experience has remained the same We’ve shipped nearly 3 million pairs of undies and we're constantly looking for new ways to exceed our customers’ expectations.” One area where MeUndies squarely delivers is on comfort The fabric is luxuriously soft on your skin we were in search of a premium fabric that would hold up and that was unique When we handed out our first pair of (beechwood) underwear it was so soft people were literally rubbing it against their faces The Micro-Modal fabric that’s made from beechwood trees is three times softer than cotton It was an easy choice.” Another smart design choice made by Shokrian and his team is the waistbands The material doesn’t cut into your skin (or your figure) and lays flat against the contours of your body MeUndies has also resonated with consumers with their focus on responsible manufacturing from start to finish MeUndies are made from a carbon-neutral process that converts sustainably harvested beechwood pulp into fibers while simultaneously capturing excess chemicals and manufactured in some of the finest facilities in Los Angeles Yvon Choinard for paving the way for companies like his to design high performance apparel utilizing sustainable practices “MeUndies are good for the earth and comfy on the bum,” jokes Shokrian and has some exciting new product launches lined up for 2017 and beyond “We chose classic cuts that are timeless to start with We don’t want customers to feel overwhelmed with dozens of options We’re using the latest technology and stitching to ensure our products are the highest quality so it feels good each time a customer puts them on.” Bold & Adventurous) to make purchasing undergarments even easier and more convenient especially for those who can get a little complacent in this area “The subscription model works really well for underwear because people tend to have more underwear than any other article of clothing It’s something that we replenish frequently though many of us avoid this due to the unenjoyable shopping experience We also found that people didn’t have a strong brand affinity with any underwear brands and saw a huge opportunity for disruption,” shares Shokrian Subscribers are located in all 50 states and in 37 countries worldwide and account for roughly 25% of MeUndies’ overall business which has grown by 188% over the past year “Transparency with our program has been the key to our success Our messaging is upfront and clear and there are no confusing terms or contracts We’ve made an opt-in program that allows customers the flexibility to skip or change their plan directly online—no gimmicks.” You can keep your drawers fresh with new MeUndies and ditch the old ones as needed—genius On what he has learned on his journey to becoming the king of the most comfortable underwear in the world Shokrian tells me I’ve learned the importance of humility and to never become complacent Homes and Property | Home Page Few recognised the avuncular American chuckling with Naomi Campbell at one of the summer's most spectacular parties in St Tropez he seemed perfectly at ease among the guests aboard the motor yacht Lady Joy where Ivana Trump Joan Collins and 500 or so others partied to a Moulin Rouge theme Some may have wondered why certain guests seemed to hold the affable American in such awe He certainly seemed to be someone rather special - but who was he one of the world's most secretive billionaires Despite a vast business empire and a fortune that places him in the front rank of the super-rich Screened by bodyguards and a wall of corporate discretion he has been barely visible to the world at large quitting his fortress-like home above Lake Lucerne in Switzerland to spend a summer in the jet-set haunts of the Mediterranean After years of enforced exile from his home in America the elusive Rich - who once dodged US marshals sent to arrest him - has suddenly gone very public with Israeli model Bar Rafaeli (sans boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio) performing eye-catching moves on the dance-floor but in his own way he is no less a sensation Witness the allegation that he succeeded in buying a presidential pardon on the very day Bill Clinton left office The charge - which both he and President Clinton reject utterly - turns on a gift of several hundred thousand dollars made by Rich's former wife Her role in her former husband's life - even after their divorce - has been crucial aboard the Lady Joy three weeks ago that the world got the first glimpse it has had of Marc Rich for quite some time Surrounded by an art collection said to have few equals - Picasso Van Gogh and Miró are his favourites - he has The rambling mansion set behind high walls is rumoured to have a network of secret tunnels and Rich employs an impressive corps of security people the Alpine town where a population of 24,000 residents shares space with the offices of 10,000 registered companies in a coloured glass tower that lends Zug a touch of downtown Dallas RICH set up here in 1975 with his long-term business partner Pincus "Pinky" Green Rich was the dealmaker with a phenomenal knowledge of the commodities market Green was the logistics expert who was so good at making sure the ships arrived on time he was nicknamed The Admiral they dealt in anything the industrialised world needed Rich made first-class contacts with the Shah of Iran's export operation and began buying huge quantities of oil By 1976 his pre-tax profits were $367 million By selling wherever he could get the best price Rich virtually created the world's spot market in oil Investigators in the United States claimed Rich's company was dealing with Iran during the US hostage crisis when the country was considered an international pariah They also believed he was dealing with other rogue states including North Korea and Colonel Gaddafi's Libya drew up an indictment charging Rich with illegal oil trading and tax evasion Rich left his $10 million apartment on Park Avenue and boarded his private jet He already had a base in Zug and Switzerland was to become his home and centre of operations for the next 25 years Rich was born in Antwerp and was taken to the United States at the age of 12 when his parents escaped the Nazis He was already fluent in French and had no difficulty with German She is a highly successful songwriter and wealthy in her own right While Rich is described as manipulative and occasionally ruthless Denise is said to have an endearing naïveté "She has a childlike demeanour," said Patti LaBelle a friend and one of a number of artists who have had hits with Denise's songs delighted in the cultural opportunities of Europe's great cities and took a deep interest in the family collection Then she noticed her husband was taking an interest in a statuesque blonde called Gisela Rossi a widow who was almost 20 years younger than him Rich and Gisela would spend long hours together on the ski slopes - he is an expert skier and formidable tennis player - and 10 years after beginning her new life in Switzerland She and Rich were divorced amid sulphurous acrimony Denise moved back to New York with her three daughters andmade her home in a 28-room three-floor apartment on Fifth Avenue with a view of Central Park She also has a large house in The Hamptons and gossip columnists refer to the 160ft Lady Joy as her yacht There was a report that she received $300 million in her divorce settlement As Denise consolidated her reputation as one of New York's leading socialites - her St Tropez party became an annual affair and a very hot ticket - she was approached by a Washington lawyer called Jack Quinn Quinn had worked for the Clintons and had been engaged by Marc Rich's people to try to secure Rich a presidential pardon It was 2000 and Bill Clinton was due to leave office the following January Quinn asked Denise if she would help put Rich's case to the Clintons It is now generally accepted that she approached Hillary Clinton through her close friend Beth Dozoretz a hugely wealthy socialite who had given more than £1 million to the Democrats Bill Clinton was godfather to Beth's daughter Denise implored the president to pardon her husband She also sent a cheque for $450,000 to his legacy project a few hours before leaving the White House saying he was concerned about the "criminalisation" of charges against Rich and his partner Green suggesting the government might do better to pursue its claims in the civil courts Clinton's denial that there had been any quid pro quo did nothing to quell talk of a scandal A Senate inquiry was launched but when Denise and her friend Beth Dozoretz took the Fifth Amendment - which shields them from giving evidence that might incriminate them - it didn't go very far the most interesting question was not whether Denise had bought her former husband a pardon It was well known that she despised him after the break-up of their marriage There were suggestions that he made a significant improvement to her divorce settlement Despite a lifelong practice of keeping the press at arm's length she gave an interview to Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth When Orth was asked on television whether the presidential pardon had been a financial deal had been guided by her late daughter Gabriella "She thinks that her daughter is up in heaven as an angel speaking to her directly That's how she gets the music lyrics for the songs that she writes She absolutely denied any sort of quid pro quo ASKED why she thought Clinton granted the pardon who had this fabulous apartment where they could have all these parties and fund-raisers for himself and Hillary in their new home state of New York she had really come through for them so much She had given money and furniture to their house in Chappaqua Murmurings on Capitol Hill suggested Rich's powerful Israeli friends also gave their weight to the argument for a pardon He has been a major donor to Israeli and Jewish charities for years The internet is abuzz with stories - impossible to prove - that he was also an unpaid agent for Mossad with his contacts in the Middle East and Russia he could have been very useful if he had wanted to be it was acknowledged that former prime minister Ehud Barak was among powerful figures who asked Clinton to grant the pardon It did not presage a triumphant return to America selling off parts of his business and concentrating more and more on his charitable foundations She invited him to her St Tropez party and he seemed very much tp enjoy it After long years in the fastness of his Lake Lucerne eyrie Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Sign in Join now, it's FREE! Predeceased by his stepfathers Leo Bygrave and great grandparents Joe and Ethel Ridge More Spotlight > The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden a controversial onetime billionaire founder of the Glencore mining company The villa where he spent his last years on an estate overlooking Lake Lucerne is on the market along with a chalet in the Graubünden mountain resort The newspaper said Rich’s two daughters want to dispose of their father’s properties in Switzerland while liquidating a struggling real estate company he owned in Spain and selling a seaside home in Marbella Rich is celebrated for making a fortune in metals such as aluminum silver and zinc by cornering the market and in dubious dealings in oil He became a fugitive in Switzerland after being indicted in the early 1980s on charges of widespread tax evasion illegal dealings with Iran and other crimes On his last day in office in January 2001 President Bill Clinton pardoned Rich and its was later learned his wife (whom he later divorced) had made substantial donations to the Democratic Party in the US Rich attempted to sell his official residence It was widely reported that he had sought 100 million francs for the mansion with its sprawling grounds of 10,117 square metres Handelszeitung said property experts put the value of the 700-square-metre home at around 60 million francs His daughters are also looking to part with the St which has a value of around 50 million francs The villa in Marbella on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain is estimated at 10 million francs a British real estate entrepreneur who married Rich’s youngest daughter is instrumental in “streamlining” the late Rich’s portfolio which is said to be valued at around one billion francs Please log in here to leave a comment