Aidala for New York
On January 9th, 2017 some of the best legal minds in New York headed to Red Hook to join leading trial lawyer Arthur Aidala at The Liberty Warehouse as he revealed his hopes and ambitions for his future political career.
The celebration, and fundraiser, provided Mr. Aidala an opportunity to bring together the closest people in his life to disclose his thoughts on what direction he is heading, following his filing of formal paper work with the State Board of Elections to start an exploratory committee for run for office.
Midway through the event, the band closed their set with a rousing performance of DJ Khaled’s ‘All I Do Is Win’ in front of a long wall projecting a moving image of the American flag, as Arthur’s Law Partner, the Honorable Barry Kamins introduced Harvard Professor and famed attorney Alan Dershowitz to the stage.
Mr. Dershowitz then introduced Mr. Aidala by saying, that “Arthur crosses political lines and reminds me of Mayor La Guardia in his ability to reach both Democrats and Republicans alike.” He joked around saying, “I am working with Arthur to teach him Yiddish. So far Arthur has only learnt one word – Gelt. This is also known by Italians as Soldi, or by Brooklynites as Moolah! I am hoping to raise a lot of Gelt for Arthur as, and I mean this seriously, every dollar raised is a dollar for Brooklyn, for New York, for the United States of America.”
Mr. Aidala then came to the stage as over 400 guests cheered and applauded the Italian-American Brooklyn-born and raised lawyer. He expressed how overwhelmed he was by huge turnout considering he had not declared what office he was seeking. He thanked his wife and law partner Marianne E. Bertuna for “allowing Arthur to be Arthur” and spoke about how “being the Brooklyn District Attorney is a lifelong dream. At my core is a desire to make the world a better place — especially now I have a ten-week-old son and a ten-year-old son.” He also made clear he has ruled nothing out, including a run for New York State Attorney General. “I love being a lawyer, I am exploring being able to serve in that capacity on a larger scale.” He concluded by saying, “I want to obtain results for everyday folks, and to support common sense ideas” as the audience broke into cheers and he exited the stage.
About Arthur L. Aidala Esq
Born and bred in Brooklyn, Aidala is one of New York’s leading trial lawyers and is the Founding Partner of Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins. Arthur and has been an on-air legal analyst for over fifteen years and has appeared on FNC, FOX5, NBC, NY1, MSNBC and CNN, as well as WINS, WCBS, and WABC radio. His most high profile trials include NFL player Lawrence Taylor’s (New York Giants) sexual misconduct case, the NYC Crane Accident of 2008 and the infamous Brigitte Harris sex abuse case. Aidala was the 100thPresident of the Brooklyn Bar Association (BAA) and served as President of Columbian Lawyers Association of New York City. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, and has two children.
Attorney Aidala for New York
The Bridge Between Entertainment & Politics
With the election we’ve been living through for the better part of a year and now with incoming President Elect Trump the lines have been blurred between entertainment and politics. Trump, love him or hate him, is an entertainer.. made apparent by his latest press conference which even CNN called “Raw & Detailed”.
I think we’re in for quite the ride for the next 4 years and should brace ourselves for the impact of a presidency that becomes a focal point of the entertainment world.
Here are a few of the latest quotes from celebrities on President Elect Trump.
The Optimist Ben Affleck
“I didn’t get to watch the entire news conference although what I did see of it, I was quite entertained by. I think it will be an entertaining four years,” he said at the London premiere of his latest directorial effort “Live by Night”
Fearful Chris Messina
“I think we’re all a little scared and we’re going to take deep breaths. Meryl Streep said it best the other night at the Golden Globes. I don’t think anyone can be any more eloquent as her. Yeah, I was sad today. Obama said goodbye. We’re going to miss him,” Messina said.
The Forward-Thinking Aaron Sorkin
“America didn’t stop being America last night and we didn’t stop being Americans and here’s the thing about Americans: Our darkest days have always — always — been followed by our finest hours.” — Aaron Sorkin, in an essay to his daughter
The Survivalists
The Ever Eloquent Meryl Streep
“This instinct to humiliate, when it’s modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody’s life, because it kinda gives permission for other people to do the same thing,” she said. “Disrespect invites disrespect, violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose.”
“Call me Drama” Drake Insta’s his Facemash of Potus
Drake (aka #Champagnepapi) pays tribute to President Barack Obama by posting the famous meme of his face mixed with the president’s. To be fair, it’s mostly Obama’s face with Drake’s hair.
The Canadian posted with the photo a caption :
“As a Canadian that calls America home for part of the year I will always carry your words and the memory of your time in office with me as inspiration. Big up yaself O.
” – Drake
Winter, the season of the Hot Toddy
Wondering what you should do the next time you’re snowed in….
Make your own Hot Toddy. This is a drink made typically with a spirit base, water, spices, some type of sugar, and it’s served hot. This amazingly yummy cocktail dates back to British colonial era. Of course, the British did not actually invent this drink, but copied and reinvented the drink from another culture, Hindi. The Hindi drink is called Tari, which was made from the fermented sap of the various varieties of toddy palm, hence the name. The British were crazy about their “new” invention, and at this time drank it cold. Across the border in Scotland, the Scottish also had their version of a toddy, and their’s was a “hot toddy” which was originally a cold remedy. They made it with whisky, hot water, honey, and spices such as nutmeg or clove.
Eventually, the drink spread to colonial America, specifically the South. Plantation owners slightly altered the recipe to include rum, spices, and locally available sugar, and most importantly served it hot. Legend states that during the Revolutionary War, colonists would use toddies as liquid courage, drinking round after round to get up the nerve to fight.
So now that we’ve covered the history lesson on this drink, it’s time to get drinking. Just like any cocktail, there are a million ways to make a Hot Toddy, which means you can customize it exactly to your specific taste preferences. This drink is perfect in small and large batches, making it a perfect drink to serve for your winter parties.
1. The Classic Hot Toddy
1½ ounce brown liquor such as brandy, whiskey or rum
1 tablespoon honey
½ ounce lemon juice
1 cup hot water
Lemon wedge, cinnamon stick and star anise, for garnish (optional)
Combine the first four ingredients into the bottom of a warmed mug. If desired, garnish with the lemon, cinnamon stick or star anise.
2 ounces hot water
1½ ounces Bourbon
½ ounce Amaro Abano
¼ ounce maple syrup
3 dashes Bar Keep Baked Apple Bitters
Cinnamon stick, to garnish
Combine all ingredients except garnish in a snifter glass. Stir well, and garnish with cinnamon stick.
2 tablespoons refrigerated hot buttered batter
(For the Hot Buttered Batter)
1 cup dark brown sugar
4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1½ teaspoons nutmeg or mace
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon salt
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate in an sealed air-tight container for up to two months. Makes 8 servings.
6 ounces boiling water
1½ ounces Tanteo Cocoa Tequila
1 tablespoon light cream (optional)
Fresh grated nutmeg and cinnamon, for garnish
In a hot beverage mug, combine hot buttered batter with boiling water, stirring well until dissolved. Add in Tequila and cream. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh grated cinnamon and nutmeg.
3 ounces ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
4 ounces steeped Gold-Tipped Assam Black Tea
Chai Spices (per serving, 3 crushed cardamom pods or ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder, 1 slicefresh ginger, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 cloves)
1 ounce heavy cream
Combine the liqueur with the hot, steeped tea. Add the Chai spices and allow to sit for 2 minutes. Strain the liquid, reserving cinnamon stick for garnish. Add the heavy cream and serve.
1½ ounce Brandy
½ ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water, stirred to combine)
Lemon wedge
Orange slice
Cinnamon stick
4 ounces hot brewed Chamomile tea
Grated nutmeg (optional)
Add the first five ingredients to mug. Top with the Chamomile tea, and garnish with grated nutmeg, if desired.
2 ounces spiced rum
1 ounce Montenegro Amaro
½ ounce lemon juice
¼ ounce Demerara sugar syrup
Dash of Regan’s Orange Bitters
4 ounces hot water
Combine all ingredients except the garnish into a coffee mug. Garnish with an orange peel.
These recipes courtesy of WineMag
Lynx Hit The Slopes in Colorado
Skiers (and snowboarders) in southern Colorado might get an extra special treat this season.. a fluffy and exotic, tufted pointed ear’d lynx sighting.
Lynx are an endangered species with only 50-250 Lynx estimated to be living in the Colorado area. “Wildlife officials don’t know exactly how many live in Colorado because they are so hard to find.” said Joe Lewandowski, a spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The medium-size cats have tufted ears, short tails and broad paws that work like snowshoes, letting them walk across powdery snow. They can grow to nearly 3 feet long and 30 pounds.
One of the rare beautiful creatures strutted across a ski run at the Pergatory resort in Southern Colorado last week. Another pair was sighted on the side of a Colorado highway just two weeks prior.
More about Lynx online:
— Colorado Parks and Wildlife lynx page: http://bit.ly/2iJ25BL
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife lynx page: http://bit.ly/2b1FyMP
- https://apnews.com/9c1439096d4a4e739b254153f577c4df/Ski-run-surprise:-Lynx-stroll-past-crowds-in-rare-sightings
Restaurant Week, Winter 2017 Edition
Restaurant week is back! So mark your calendars from January 18th through February 5th. Participating restaurants offer three-course prix-fixe menus specially priced lunch and/or dinner, usually $25 for lunch and and $38 for dinner. The official restaurant list will be posted on January 9th, and we will be sure to post it here.
Did you know that if there is a restaurant that you want to participate in restaurant week, but hasn’t announced by January 9th, you can suggest it the restaurant’s manager and have thing submit this form.
Yes, you will need reservations to ensure you are seated at the restaurant.
2016 – Year of the Mega Divorce
The Year the Love Died
Record Settlements, No Prenups
Divorce Attorneys and Founders of the Garden City based law firm Geffner Kersch, Alisa J. Geffner and Carolyn D. Kersch, give the lo-down on “the year the love died” with 2016’s biggest splits.
Two of 2016’s mega divorces don’t come with a prenuptial agreement attached and it could end up costing certain parties upwards of $500 million.
Geffner Kersch, a lawfirm based in Garden City, NY knows all too well how quickly love can die. Alisa J. Geffner, partner at Geffner Kersch, says “We have seen a surge in people requesting prenuptial agreements prior to marriage because couples are now recognizing that marriage might be a chapter in their life, and not their entire life.”
Prenups aren’t just for the uber-rich Alisa’s partner Carolyn points out , so if you find yourself in the engagement-seat it might be worth an appointment, and conversation, with your lawyer.
And now, a roundup of 2016’s MEGA Divorces
- Bill Ackman and his wife Karen Ann Herskovitz are the latest to join the fold with a divorce that’s rumored to break the record for one of the largest divorce settlements. Without a prenup, Bill’s wife Karen could walk away with 50% of his $1.65 billion dollar fortune. Most of these assets were amassed during their 24 year marriage, and are presumably considered marital property pursuant to New York’s Equitable Distribution law.
- Bruce Ratner is soon to be a divorcee after his wife, Dr. Pamela Lipkin, filed for a divorce from the Real Estate Magnate rumored to be worth $400 million this year. His soon to be ex Dr. Lipkin is also rather successful as a NYC plastic surgeon. This divorce will likely stay low key with both parties respectfully asking for privacy.
- Harry Macklow reportedly cheated on his wife Linda with his Frenchie GF for a few years and now she’s asking for a divorce. Sans prenup, Harry Macklowe’s divorce from his wife Linda is likely to get ugly after 57 years. But before things can really heat up, lawyers have to figure out how much the billionaire real estate mogul is really worth. Their art collection (which Linda curated) alone is estimated to be worth $1Billion.
“This just goes to show that while Hollywood couples and wealthy socialites may be forced to expend far more to make the split, it is still a small price to pay for freedom and happiness.” says Carolyn Kersch, Partner at Geffner Kersch.
Call Alisa and Carolyn from Geffner Kersch if you’re looking at prenuptial options or if sadly, you’re looking to call it quits.
www.GeffnerKersch.com
The Paper Factory Hotel Throws Never-Forget NYE Party
The Paper Factory Hotel in Long Island City has been rated by the New York Times as a “sophisticated experience”, by Esquire as the ” One of the 5 best new hotels in New York”, by Business Insider “One of the 13 coolest new hotels in New York” and many more.
If these ratings spark your curiosity even just slightly, then you must see what all the buzz is about, and what’s better than discovering the next hottest place on New Years.
The Paper Hotel invites you to spend the last of 2016 at their New Years Party RESET.
In collaboration with JunXion, the Long Island City hotel will feature 4 individual immersive environments to provide the perfect scenery and sounds for whatever mood you’re in. Eccentric entertainment including aerialists, burlesque dancers, 3D projection mapping, contortionists, fire artists, and magicians will wind their way throughout each space to excite and delight.
The Hideout will feature deep house music by The Get Down w/ Tasha Blank and more. The JunXion will have Global bass rhythms with artist including Thornato, Nova Zef & Pendulum People, 2Melo and more. The hotel’s restaurant, Mundo, will combine New Orleans brass with burlesque and sultry sounds by Big Village Little City, Broadway Brassy, the Brass Knuckles and more. The Rose Room will transport you with Tropical sounds from the southern hemisphere with artist including Geko Jones, Banginclude and more.
Though not mandatory, costumes are highly encouraged. Choose a mask of any kind, add feathers, vintage attire, pieces from our past, the 1920’s or future, pay homage to your favorite character of a specific time period and enter our celebratory time machine.
A special midnight moment by We are Midnight will be a highlight, while other secret delights will be intertwined throughout the evening.
Tickets are available starting at $40. Paper Factory Hotel is located at 37-06 36th St, Long Island City, NY 11101 and for more information visit their website at http://www.paperfactoryhotel.com/. 
You can purchase tickets online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/junxion-paper-factory-hotel-present-reset-new-years-eve-2017-tickets-29628041269.
Photographer Asked Celebrities To Reveal Their Public And Private Personalities In Intimate Double-Portraits
Photographer Andrew H. Walker had an idea to take one photograph of a celebrity with a private persona and one with a public persona. We don’t know which is what persona but the photographic juxtaposition is fun none-the-less. See the finished product here!
What if you knew how to act so well you could use mannerisms to become a different person? While looking at how these celebrities create two very different realities being side by side themselves we are encouraged to entertain the questions of who we are to the world and who others are beyond what we see day to day.
When these stars pull out their public personas are they drawing from critical self awareness, recreating an old character or a synthesis of several factors?
In which photo is Liev Schreiber being himself and who is he being when he is being his public self?
When I see Anne Hathaway looking quizzically at the camera I picture a spunky Andrea Sachs figuring out the fashion industry. I doubt her face looking down is her public face, I mean you have to make eye contact to be a celebrity.
I would have liked to see Robin Williams do this.
Here is a link to the photographer’s website: http://www.andrewhwalker.com
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You’re Invited — NYE Bash at HallMarc
Still don’t know where to celebrate New Years in the city? Well we’ve got a recommendation for you: Ring in 2017 at Chef Marc Murphy’s Hallmarc at Columbus Circle. The restaurant has seriously gorgeous views of Central Park and Columbus Circle, which you can gaze out at while listening to amazing beats by the hottest DJs including DJ Rosé, a New York it-girl DJ creating some serious buzz in the Manhattan social and event scene.
Your ticket will include bites and passed hors d’oeuvre created by Chef Marc Murphy, an open bar all night long, a photo booth to commemorate he last night of 2016, a midnight Champagne toast, an amazingly festive New Year’s eve decor and accessories and so much more!
Pictured is Chef Marc Murphy, who teamed up with his wife Pamela Murphy to open their 1st restaurant, Landmarc (Tribeca), in 2004. And now have Landmarc, Columbus Circle.
This venue is truly the place to go for an incredible and memorable New Years Eve. Oh and if you were wondering, our team will definitely be there.
Get your ticket here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-at-hallmarc-tickets-29838669263
