Monday, February 18, 2013

Welcome to Zarsha Leo, Bar Restaurant and Sports In One


New Yorkers are well-known for their good taste and fun demeanor.  Now the bar/restaurant that best embodies those qualities, Zarsha Leo, is expanding to the outer reaches of New York, and the rest of the world.

“Expanding globally has always been a goal of mine,” explained Evan Burschkopf , CEO of the upscale, trendy restaurant bar. “There is no question that New York is my one and only home, but why should the rest of the world suffer without the fun and great food offered at Zarsha Leo?”

Always a favorite of denizens of the Big Apple, the great food, large beer and wine menu, and sports broadcasts on huge plasma screens is soon going to be available in some of the world’s major destinations. After branching out to Brooklyn, Burschkopf has plans to build a franchise in Buenos Aires, Oman, and some other locale in MENA. “It’s all good,” added Burschkopf.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Eye on Gloves: From the Roman Empire to NY Fashion Week



Gloves have been a fashion accessory for hundreds of years.  They were possibly first worn by cavemen as a protective layer when undertaking challenging tasks.  By the Roman era, gloves were made of linen and silk and were used to eat meat so that hands would remain grease-free and clean.  Thereafter, when archery gained popularity, leather gloves were used as essential clothing accessories.  Today, they  are not all that different especially given the amount of time that has transpired since that time.  Once the aristocracy and gentry began wearing them, they became a fashion statement.  And as Kings, Queens, Bishops and Popes put them on, they became a statement of wealth and power.

Gloves were also a feature of the movie ‘Lincoln,’ in which Abraham Lincoln complained of having to wear them, but, to please the convention (and his wife), he conceded.  While he did wear the gloves the night he died, at the end of the movie he actually made a point of not wearing them, leaving them at home since he did not like them.  The Shapell Manuscript Foundation has two letters in its possession, written by Lincoln, in which he used the phrase “in our hands” a few dozen times, twice vis-à-vis the Civil War. The fact that the movie showed how initially Lincoln did not wear the gloves when he went to Ford’s theater (where he met his death), seems to indicate that both in victory and his demise, he was finally able to be true to himself.

Gloves do not just have historical significance.  They still remain a notable fashion accessory today.  Indeed, just last week at the New York Fashion Week, Joseph Altuzarra’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection featured oversized fur gloves amongst other items.  Leather gloves also found a place in The Top Trends From New York Fashion Week Fall 2012 as being “the biggest accessory for fall.”  Padded gloves also had a place in Alexander Wang’s collection, with fur mittens/boxing gloves extending above the elbow.

Whether one loves them or hates them (as clearly Abraham Lincoln did), gloves have featured largely in the world of fashion over the years.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Free and Easy in New York City

See Movies for Free at MoMA

Want to avoid an expensive night at the movies with the kids? Try some family-friendly free entertainment in some of New York’s most exciting venues.

•    At the Museum of Modern Art kids are treated right. Come on Friday between 4 and 8pm for a free screening of some off-the-beaten track entertainment for kids under 16. Check the schedule to pick a movie that’s right for you and your family.

•    The Sony Wonder Technology Lab will please film lovers of all ages. The youngest can choose from such popular favorites as Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street and Elmo’s World while the crowd a bit older can enjoy a large selection of G and PG films with a proven track record. Tickets must be reserved two weeks in advance and any tickets not reserved will be available 30 minutes before show time.

•    The New York City Library has a whole host of free offerings for kids, from films to author talks and concerts. The Brooklyn Public Library often screens top-notch films completely free of charge.