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Raffle Winner. . OMG, it’s ME!

30 Jan

 

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Yes, I won a raffle. When I went to Hoda Kotb’s book signing recently, I entered the raffle to win a piece of jewelry from Jennifer Miller in Palm Beach. Miller’s designs are a favorite with Hoda. The designers are stunning, and the price points range from $5 to $5,000 and more. I won this fabulous cuff. In the photo (below) Nicole, a Jennifer Miller salesperson, and my friend, Lori, who I met at the signing, (center) are with me pointing to my newest piece of jewelry. Hoda wears this exact piece on her book cover.

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Thanks Jennifer Miller!  I’m feeling lucky!

Hanging with Hoda

10 Jan

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Hoda Kotb is fun, gregarious and talented. After all, she is an anchor on the Today show. I had the opportunity to meet her in at a  book signing in Palm Beach at Jennifer Miller Jewelry. Her latest book,  “Where We Belong: Journeys That Show Us The Way,” features inspiring and compelling stories of everyday people and celebrities who find their purpose in life.

I went with my friend Jill Rosenstein, (far left). Not only did Jill  and I stop by, but so did the Broadway star Tommy Tunes. Hoda and Tommy took a cute selfie.

hoda and tommy

Holiday Cheer for the Homeless

23 Dec

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At this time of the year, there are wonderful stories about helping the homeless. My daughter-in-law shared a link from Upworthy about The Empowerment Plan. Motowner Veronika Scott (above) founded The Empowerment Plan. Veronika, who struggled with addictive parents, created a coat that turns into a sleeping bag. After sharing it with the homeless on the streets of Detroit, she realized they wanted jobs just as much as coats. She is employing them in the city. Her story is not new and can be found on many national sites, but needs to be shared. Here is a link to her inspiring narrative.

Spread the holiday cheer anyway you can!

Taubman Art Collection Up for Auction

25 Oct

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Sotheby’s has the honor of auctioning a prized Motown icon’s art collection on Nov. 4th. It’s the personal collection of A. Alfred Taubman, the shopping mall magnate.  Peruse the three Sotheby’s  catalogues here and you will view a treasure trove of art spanning many art periods and artists from Dali to Degas to Modigliani (above.) The sale is valued at more than $500 million. The Detroit News reports that the proceeds of the sale will pay the estate taxes with the remainder funding the A.Alfred Taubman Foundation.

I had the opportunity to interview Taubman for Style magazine, which is no longer in publication. He was gracious, interesting and passionate about art and architecture. His philanthropy is boundless leaving a legacy at the University of Michigan, Detroit Institute of Art and College for Creative Studies to name a few. I’m certain his Foundation will continue the path of generous giving to the arts, education and medicine.

 

 

 

My DC Visit: Family, the Pope and a Congresswoman

5 Oct

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I just spent two weeks in DC with my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in the Capitol Hill area. DC is so exciting, and the city was frenetic with the Pope’s visit. No, I didn’t see the Pope, but for those who saw him, it was inspiring.

I stopped by U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell‘s office. As always, Debbie, who represents the 12th District in MI, is one of the most gracious, charitable and knowledgeable woman I know. She is an advocate for many important causes including American manufacturing and women’s health.

She and Rep. Candice Miller just introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October 2, 2015 as National Manufacturing Day. “Manufacturing is the heart and soul of the American economy, supporting 17.6 million good paying jobs and contributing more than $2 trillion to our economy in 2014 alone. On National Manufacturing Day, we recommit to keeping manufacturing in this country and supporting the working men and women who continue to fuel American innovation.”

Yes, Debbie saw the Pope. Here is what she said. “Pope Francis has inspired and renewed many Americans with his words and actions during this past week. For me, he reinforced the importance of being a member of a community and the responsibilities we all have to the common good. He reminded us that faith isn’t just acts of charity, but the responsibility we have for action to help others.”

Amen.

 

Key to the Cure 2015

10 Sep

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Key to the Cure is a nationwide four-day charity shopping event at Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks partners with local breast cancer research teams for a kickoff party with plenty of  food, fashion and makeup. The kick off party is not to be missed. It’s the perfect girls night out.

This year I’m part of the Key to the Cure 2015 committee (see photo above by Tracey Benson Photography) that benefits the Comprehensive Cancer Program at Jupiter Medical Center in Florida. Since the event is nationwide, google your city and Key to the Cure to find your event.

In my location, the host to Key To The Cure is Michael DeSio, Vice President General Manager of the Palm Beach Gardens Saks. (He is guy in the photo.) The Palm Beach Gardens’ 17th Annual Key To The Cure event is on Wednesday, October 14. For more information call The JMC Foundation Office 561-263-5728 or register online at the Jupiter Medical Foundation.

Motowners, the event in Detroit is Thursday Oct. 15. Ina Levinson is the the Vice President General Manger at the Somerset Saks. For more information, visit this site.

Every year a fashion designer creates a unique T-shirt modeled by a celebrity. This year the designer is Jason Wu and the celebrity ambassador is Julianne Moore. This photo is in the new Saks catalog, and the T-shirt can be purchased.

This is a great cause and a great event! 

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Fat-Free Ices for Charity

21 Aug

 

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It’s a snow cone for charity –thanks to Mitch Albom, writer, columnist and philanthropist. He recently opened  this “cool” store Detroit Water Ice Factory, where all the profits go to charity. Mitch is modeling this after Paul Newman’s concept of donating all the profits back to charity.  Some of the colorful flavors include: Motown mint and the chips, Corvette cherry and Honolulu blue raspberry.

 

This is all part of Mitch Albom’s S.A. Y. Detroit’s Charities. I personally visited the S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic helping Detroit’s neediest a few years ago.

 

All good things for Detroit. Thanks Mitch!

 

Photo credit: Eat Detroit, via Instagram

Tax-Free Shopping

11 Aug

 

 

Back-to-School-Deals

Yes, that’s correct, but it’s only in a some states.  And it’s usually tied to back-to-school shopping. There’s a complete list of states and what they offer on the website Passion for Savings. It’s clothing and school supplies.

Hey, Motown — Let’s get this in Detroit and Michigan!

So proud of my Motown friends who participated in NCJW’s Back 2 School Store providing 400 Detroit school children with the necessary tools for success.

 

 

Artists Believe in Detroit

17 Jul

 

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Have you noticed how many national newspapers and magazines are highlighting Detroit as the place to move?

Today’s New York Times article, “Ready for a Renaissance,” by Melena Ryzik interviews artists about Detroit’s public art spaces. The story also mentions the generous grant from the John S. and James. L. Knight Foundation.

Last week the  New York Times wrote about Brooklyn artisans moving to Detroit.

Go Motown!

Photo of Detroit artist Robert Sestok at his outdoor studio space behind his home. Photography by Laura McDermott for The New York Times

Motown is Booming

2 Jul

 

Here is a post from the Wayne State University Facebook page featuring an article from the Wall Street Journal. Motown was recently in the London Times too. Yes, Detroit is a great destination for visitors.

From Midtown to the Riverfront, our city is booming.http://on.wsj.com/1Gwqdez via The Wall Street Journal

The best places to eat, sleep, shop and explore in the Motor City, with expert advice from fashion designer Tracy Reese, impresario Wayne Brown, ‘Rehab Addict’ host Nicole Curtis and chef and restaurateur Dave Kwiatkowski.
WSJ.COM|BY TRACIE MCMILLAN
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