Heathy eating at West Palm Beach’s new Pura Vida
By Rachel Galvin
Photos by Lauren Gnazzo
(Gnazzo Group)
Fresh, simple, sustainable and locally-sourced– Pura Vida and its healthy eats offer something perfect for the new year and those seeking a fresh start. Their new West Palm Beach location is their 6th location. They already are open in the Miami Design District, Edgewater, South Beach, Coral Gables at the University of Miami and in West Avenue in Miami Beach, with plans for expansion elsewhere in places like Aventura, Bay Harbour and Las Olas.
So what is Pura Vida? Here, you can expect an array of all day breakfast items of the healthy variety, as well as superfood smoothies, fresh juices, flavorful salads, wraps and bowls. If you are vegan or eat gluten-free, they have items for you as well and they use all local and organic ingredients whenever available. And the atmosphere is centered around wellness.
The brand was created by Chief Executive Officer Omer Horev in 2012. His wife Jennifer is the chief brand officer.
“We are so excited about the debut of our West Palm Beach location, especially in such a walkable area like Rosemary Square,” states Omer. “This marks Pura Vida’s first cafe outside of Miami and a huge milestone for the Pura Vida brand. We have always had big plans in the works for expansion, and it’s great to see those come to fruition, while continuing to positively impact the local economy.”
Jennifer adds, “At Pura Vida, we pride ourselves on providing a welcoming space, where visitors can enjoy healthy and nourishing dishes, sourced from the highest quality ingredients. This year, our brand has shown how strong and resilient we are, and we can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors of West Palm Beach, and the surrounding area into our space to experience what we have to offer.”
Want a taste of the pure life? Check out Pura Vida!
Pura Vida West Palm Beach is located at 460 S Rosemary Ave., Suite 186, in West Palm Beach, FL. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Delivery/ pick-up available through the Pura Vida Miami app.
For more information, visit www.PuraVidaMiami.com.
Art in Motion
Artist Laurence Gartel’s new toy
By Rachel Galvin
A cosmic creation, psychedelic designs, painterly patterns…. every shift of a SHASHIBO Art Cube makes a new artistic shape. Similar to a Rubik’s cube and yet completely different, the cube creates 70 different shapes. The cube utilizes magnets to make each shape snap in place and hold its position. Highly addictive, manipulating this puzzle is akin to using a fidget spinner—your hands can’t seem to stop making new formations.
This dynamic new toy was created by none other than “the father of digital art,” otherwise known as artist Laurence Gartel. He may be a Ft. Lauderdale resident, but this world traveler doesn’t let grass grow under his feet. The pandemic did not stop his muse.
Last September, the process began to make this new invention. He was commissioned by Fun in Motion Toys and, with the help of a German mathematician, he made it come into being and be distributed all over the country. As of this article, he has already sold half a million of them.
plus all of this!
It was synchronicity and fate it seems when you hear the story of how it all began. He was driving from Boston to the airport and having a discussion about his mother and some of her New Age friends, and talking about her belief in the healing properties of magnets when he received a call from a former student he had not heard from in a long time from the days of when he used to teach at the Palm Beach Photographic Center. She said she had a project for him… get this… it involved magnets. But the synchronicity did not stop there. When he went to meet with the mathematician and others from the toy company, on top of the Empire State Building, every one was introducing themselve,s and when it came to his turn, his response was a little different. He said, “I am Laurence Gartel and I see 11:11 everywhere.” Now, that was certain to stir up a conversation. But, the magic of the moment came when the mathematician asked him to take a selfie soon after; the time on the phone? 11:11.
He said he had told a friend of his about always seeing the number combination (something that a lot of people say happens to them) and the friend recommended a book on the topic. From there, he learned that the number basically means God. So to him, seeing it reveals a Constant Consciousness, a connection with something beyond. So the project seemed divinely inspired.
Today, he is busily promoting his SHASHIBO art cubes as they sell like hotcakes. The individual cubes are available on the Fun in Motion website (www.funinmotiontoys.com) and also at Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com. But it is his Limited Edition that really is a collector’s item. It includes four cubes in the beautiful keep-able box, as well as a certificate of authenticity, and some more information on the artist himself. He is only selling 2021 of them. The Limited Edition sells for $299. The Limited Edition Collector’s art box is only available on his website –www.gartelshashibo.com.
Of the cubes, he said, “It is art you can touch. You go to a museum, you can’t touch the art. This is the reverse of the art world. We want you to touch and feel the experience.”
SHASHIBO art cube.
Gartel knows a lot about the art world. He has been an integral part of it since the 1980s. He gets remembered for teaching Andy Warhol how to use the Amiga computer. He garnered the most attention, however, when he created the first digital art cover for Forbes Magazine in 1989. You can also see Gartel in the one of the “Think Different” ads, a campaign he was involved in with Apple and his work on the popular ABSOLUT GARTEL for the Absolut Vodka campaign. He has worked with the likes of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. He has designed many items from cigar boxes to his popular car wraps. His work has been shown all over the world in huge exhibitions, and he has been asked to speak at countless conferences and events. His unique style was even the official artwork for the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
Like his art cube, Gartel is always in motion and no matter which direction life takes him or in what form it manifests, he is always creating. He has spent much time during the pandemic not only creating some new pieces of digital art, but also working on three 50-page encyclopedias that encompass his life’s work, for a total of 500 pages of artistic creations and stories.
Find out more about Gartel and his newest creation at www.gartelshashibo.com
Mira Lehr’s Planetary Visions
By Rachel Galvin
As fragile as ice, ready to burn, touched by the elements, tethered together … the forms and lines intrinsic in artist Mira Lehr’s most recent collection is both deeply rooted in the natural world and inspired by transcendence. Entitled “Planetary Visions from Spaceship Earth,” her new exhibition now on display at Rosenbaum Contemporary, a fine art gallery in Boca Raton, until Jan. 16 captures a sense of urgency, of Earth’s vulnerability and symbiosis. Her considerable pieces take over the once blank walls filling them with a wash of color and shapes, as well as lines burned into the canvas and paper scorched at the edges.
Her “What this Earth Does Not Remember I and II” shows off a map, perhaps reminiscent of the Dymaxion map created by architect and futurist Buckminster Fuller, who she once worked with (more on that later). In the piece, the map shows burnt lines spiraling throughout topped with words, a poem talking about nature. To create the lines, fuses are affixed and lit. Also used is Japanese burnt paper, which is layered on the canvas. Both media are utilized in a lot of her pieces. The ever-present theme seems to bring about the idea of the world being on fire, so slowly burning, we don’t know we are being consumed… and, from afar, the interconnectedness of us all is obvious, as well as our ephemeral nature; the ticking time bomb keeps ticking and the need for change is all the more urgent. Her “Mystic Silence That Cannot Engage” uses deep reds and oranges, the quality looks a bit like a forest fire. Other pieces of hers have a cooler color palette reminiscent of the arctic, perhaps a reminder of the polar ice caps melting slowly…
This reporter had a chance to talk with Lehr about her process and the unique media she employs. The concept of using gunpowder, she said, was inspired by an artist she saw at the Guggenheim using it once. It was her studio assistant who brought the idea of fuses to her attention. She works on canvas or a piece of board, in addition to making mobiles and other three-dimensional pieces. She says she utilizes Japanese paper ‘because it is strong but transparent. It doesn’t break apart. It is strong as steel but beautiful and fragile as paper.” She cuts some of the paper into pre-cut shapes in different colors and keeps them like a “vocabulary of collage shapes,” so when she needs them, she can reach in and pull them out to add to any new work. Then, she uses a torch or cigarette lighter to burn them. She also uses acrylic and other media in her works. She adds words using ink or charcoal.
“I create every day,” she said. “My whole house is a studio. When I am not in the studio, I am conceptualizing, getting ideas. I draw ideas. When I make [the art], ideas are spinning in my head. I never pre-draw [the actual work]. Sometimes, what I end up with is different from what I started with. It is intuitive. It is a growing entity that makes you listen and watch, and be a partner with it.”
She said some pieces she can get finished within a week. With others, she struggles, ends up exhausted, puts them away and takes them out later and, in a flash, the answer will come to her and she will know what to do with it. Sometimes, the answer never comes and is never resolved.
A lot of her pieces in the new exhibition were done during the pandemic. Because it is a global crisis, her pieces are more about what is happening than where. She found that her pieces now are less analytical and more intuitive, and spiritual, as if inspired from another place.
After seeing her pieces, Lehr says she hopes that people will “walk away with a feeling of peacefulness, calm, poetry, seeing something in a new way … reaching their soul.” She adds, “My obvious wish is that they love the environment and care about it and hope to make it right again.”
She said she wants people to know, “I work sincerely. I am never influenced by what is hot. I work from spirit and what is honest.”
More about the artist
Mira Lehr was born in New York, moved to Chicago and then moved to Miami at age 10, only to return to New York to go to boarding school and later attend Vassar college in Poughkeepsie, NY. She comes from a family with an artistic bent. Her father was a musician and her mother’s brother and cousin were fine artists.
“I always drew,” she said, “portraits of my friends… They would buy them for $1.”
Lehr added, “My parents didn’t encourage me. No art lessons. I did it on my own. I went to college. They did not have major in studio arts then. Studio art was not scholarly enough. I studied art history.” She pointed out that Linda Nochlin was one of her teachers, a feminist art historian who has had books written about her.
She continued, “When I got married, New York was the center of art abstract Expressionist movement. I was right there. I had to move back [to Florida] because of family matters. She was apprehensive about the move. From what she could see, there was no art scene down here. She explained, “Women artists were not recognized. They were thought of as dilettantes in the art world. Nobody paid attention.” She decided to work to change that and set up a co-op that would last 30 years and bring in women artists, classes, etc. This year marks the 60th anniversary of its founding.
Many ask her about her work with futurist, theorist, architect and more, Buckminster Fuller. When he did his “World Game” in 1960s, she applied to participate and was one of two artists who were among those who joined him in working on solutions to the world’s problems. She said, “I saw the ad in the Saturday Review. I had always admired him. He took me and I think 25 others. He did not want specialists. He wanted artists, philosophers, scientists… no one vested in one thing. We worked together one summer surrounded by his [Dymaxion] world map, his inventions and geometry. He inundated us with his talk and brilliance. It changed me. I came out having so much more respect for human beings and what they are capable of. I realized that with more effort, we could do more with less… and not relying on politics to make it happen.” She added, “It is a profound feeling. Man is meant to be a success on the planet.”
What solution did they find? “One of the big no-nos is the use of fossil fuels, polluting the air. It is going to be our downfall,” she said. “We searched for other sources of energy–tidal, solar, laser, etc.”She finds it interesting how now people are starting to utilize alternatives for energy now.
“I anticipate if we get through the pandemic and local things that are happening, we will be much more efficient on the planet. There is an enormous amount of waste that goes on. I don’t think we will be back to where we could have been. But I do think we can stop [climate change] from progressing,” said Lehr.
When not creating, the artist spends time in her home in Miami Beach. She enjoys reading and is a science-buff. She is a widow and has four children, and seven grandchildren. “When I was 18, and during my marriage years, I spent time with my husband and children. I managed to have it all,” she said. Now, that her children are gone out of the house, Lehr said she can focus on herself again. “I feel like I am 18 again.” She also mentioned she has a new book coming out called “Arc of Nature, 2nd edition.”
Her new exhibition is at Rosenbaum Contemporary art gallery, located at 150 Yamato Road in Boca Raton until Jan. 16. Her collection is only one of the many pieces on display, which are constantly changing. They are open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also tour the exhibition virtually by going to their website at www.rosenbaumcontemporary.com.
In the same building is RFA Decor, which has plenty of pieces to choose from for interior decorators and those seeking originals, prints and more. Many pieces can even be modified as needed to best fit a space (such as changing a color…or even adding something else to the painting). In addition, they sell mirrors and do framing. Find out more at www.rfadecor.com
Highclere Castle Gin launches in Florida — a spirited talk with its CEO
By Rachel Galvin
The majesty of purple, the sophisticated design– the tall and stately bottle alone signifies an air of nobility and class. But it is the smooth flavor inside a bottle of Highclere Castle Gin that signifies an unparalleled refinement. This award-winning super-premium gin is created from botanicals found on the ancient estate known world-wide from its appearance in the TV show and movie “Downton Abbey.” The gin is also crafted in England’s oldest gin distillery using one of the oldest working copper gin stills. The brand was born from a partnership between the 8th Earl & Countess of Carnarvon with American entrepreneur and co-founder of Onyx Spirits Company Adam von Gootkin.
The gin utilizes botanicals grown on the estate, including juniper, lime flower, orange peel and a touch of lavender. The herb garden from which these botanicals come was planted originally back in the 9th century by the Bishops of Winchester. The Carnarvon family has lived in the estate since 1679 when gin first came to England.
Highclere Castle Gin was first launched back in 2019 with the mission to be the finest gin in the world and it has lived up to its lofty goals bringing in award after award.
Asked how the brand came about, Von Gootkin said, “About five years ago, I was hyper committed to a brand that was genuine, so real and so noble in its mission, and grand in its pedigree.” It was about that time that he was introduced to the TV show “Downton Abbey,” which his wife watched, and a PBS special telling more about where it took place. “I learned about the castle and working estate,” he said, and he thought it would make a perfect home for what would become Highclere Castle Gin. He had emailed the Earl and Countess right away with the concept and he received a call back, and, two weeks later, was on a plane with his wife to work on building the brand.
Von Gootkin has a long history in the spirits business. His family had been in the industry since the 1800s and his grandfather had run a speakeasy on the Connecticut River during Prohibition, prompting him to co-create his own speakeasy tasting room too and the first whiskey in New England. His moonshine was the official spirit of the 2012 Grammys. With the success of that brand under his belt, as well as a book – “Living Proof: Onyx Moonshine’s Journey to Revive the American Spirit,” which discussed his unique approach to traditional business principles – Gootkin was ready for more. Now, he could use his knowledge in a new way.
He said he has found that most liquor brands are created in the board room by marketing professionals, devoid of history, purpose or authenticity. He was ready to change that. He built a small but effective management team to take on this new brand. He said when building his team, he looked for “passion, common sense, and people who share the commitment to be the best we can be.”
On one of his trips, he started exploring another brand as well, Highclere Castle Cigars, which were created in 2017. He noticed the long-lived tradition in high class households of the gentlemen leaving the dining room to retire for a cigar, a tradition now that also includes ladies. Cigars seemed like a perfect accompaniment to the gin. He worked with a good friend, a world-reknowned cigar blender, Nicholas Melillo, of Foundation Cigar Company. He said, “I knew he had access to special tobaccos. I asked ‘Would you be willing to create what they had in the 1920s?’” When Nicolas agreed, they all pitched in together, along with the castle archivist to look over invoices from what was bought in the past and spent hundreds of hours and trips throughout the jungles of Central and South America to try different types of tobacco until they found just the right blend. He did the same when creating the gin, looking over old records and researching to find just the right formula.
He likes the idea of being involved in every aspect of business with his brands. “It is a unique world. One day, you are a farmer, the next day you are wearing a tuxedo launching a brand.”
His advice for people starting a business? “Hire the very best people you can find. Keep your team close. Your team is an extension of your vision. You need people that really get the business. They are hard to find. We all have great ideas. Execution is hard. You have to be obsessive about following through. Have goals. Without them, you can’t do anything.”
When he is not working, he might be relaxing with a drink made with Highclere Castle Gin, of course. He feels the gin is great enough to stand alone, not needing to be mixed with something else; but, of course, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Add an orange peel or wedge to bring out the orange notes. Make a gin and tonic, a Negroni, a Martini, or one of his faves, a “British 75,” made with simple syrup, champagne, fresh lemon juice and lemon garnish.
Although Von Gootkin loves his business life, he also knows the importance of family. He has two little ones at home, age 1 and 3.
“Before COVID hit, I was on the road more than home. I like being with customers. Starting any business takes heart and soul” he said, but you have to spend time with your family too, and have an effective team behind you.
He also stays balanced by not only spending time with family and friends, but also running, doing meditation and practicing Yoga. “You can’t take any business too seriously. Have fun along the journey. Keep healthy and work hard,” he said.
He originally launched the brand here in Florida on Amelia Island. They were invited to be the primary gin at the Concourse D’ Elegance there before COVID-19 hit. Then, everything shut down. So, now they are relaunching in the state, looking at places like Naples, Ft. Myers, Vero Beach and also will be coming into Palm Beach, and elsewhere.
He said you can find Highclere Castle London Dry Gin at ABC Liquor stores (or on their website) but also suggested that people should ask for the brand when they are at restaurants so that they will start ordering it there as well.
Due to COVID, they have also had a few virtual cocktail parties to introduce the brand and the history of Highclere Castle and the family who lives there. They have proved quite popular. They have included the butler showing off some gin recipes, and there are also plenty of funny stories and anecdotes with Lord and Lady Carnarvon while giving a tour of the estate. The next one is Dec. 18, 4 p.m. EST on their Facebook Live. Find out more about Highclere Castle Gin by visiting www.highclerecastlegin.com.
Bvlgari Hotel & Resort to open in Miami Beach
By Rachel Galvin
Known as being a jeweler that caters to the stars, the Bvlgari brand signifies sophistication and glamour. They have taken that sense of style into their hotels and resorts. They already have locations in several hotspots, including Milan, London, Dubai, Bali and Shanghai. Now, they are expanding their reach into other places, including Miami Beach. They plan on opening there in 2024. It will be the 11th property in the collection. The hotel & resort will be located at 100 21st Street and will be their first spot in the U.S.
The Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel will do the restoration of the 1950s Modernist locale. It will include 100 rooms, most of them suites. It will also have an outdoor pool, spa, fitness facilities, as well as a restaurant and bar from Chef Niko Romito.
Of the new opening, Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin has this to say “We are particularly proud to have secured such an extraordinary location for the new Bvlgari Hotel in Miami. This will be our first property in the United States which is a key market for our Brand and we are delighted to add the vibrant and glamorous Miami Beach to our Collection. We are convinced that the Bvlgari Hotel Miami, to be opened in 2024, will represent an irresistible Roman Jeweler Hospitality, a unique ultra luxury experience in the American upscale hotel market.”
Bvlgari has a long history, beginning near the end of the 19th century when Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari opened his first workshop in Rome. Opting for something unique, he was inspired by the beauty around him and chose bold designs and unusual color combinations, employing exquisite craftsmanship in his creations.
His handiwork drew the eye of the elite through the years. Stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn were among the brand’s sycophants on-screen and off. Today, socialites and fashionistas flock to the brand when seeking a sense of elegance and quality.
To find out more about the Bvlgari brand and their hotels, visit https://www.bulgarihotels.com.
Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is upon us. Although there will be less entertaining this season, there are sure to still be plenty of presents!
Looking to send something sweet this holiday season? Nothing delights like chocolate and Hilliards Chocolates have plenty to choose from. Expertly presented, each item is a taste sensation. Wanting something refined? How about Almond Toffee Crunch? What about refreshing? You can’t go wrong with the creamy textured flavor of peppermint bark. They even have craft beer chocolates, including caramels and brittle, as well as seasonal specialties, fudge, truffles, mints and more. Whether you want some beautifully boxed items or a whole gift basket, they have plenty from which to choose. The family business originally began in 1924 in Massachusetts and continues their tradition all these years later. For more information, visit http://www.hilliardscandy.com.
Give the gift of inspiration to someone who appreciates style this season. The irreplaceable Iris Apfel has a book that would be a great addition to the bookshelf or coffee table of anyone who appreciates fashion and design. Apfel, now age 99, a style icon and interior decorator, is known for her one-of-a-kind fashions, eclectic flair and infectious energy. She has been featured at the Met, created her own makeup and jewelry line, styled a Barbie, was in an Emmy-nominated documentary made about her life, had her own coloring book, as well as this 2018 book titled “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon”, which includes 180 full-color and black and white photos and illustrations, along with her witty and candid anecdotes about her life, musings and more. Published by Harper Collins, the book is available at www.Amazon.com and a bookseller near you.
Bring a little beauty into someone’s life by getting them a SHASHIBO art cube. In the comfort of their own home, they can create their own artistic vision by manipulating the psychedelic imagery of none other than legendary artist Laurence Gartel. The artist who taught Andy Warhol how to make digital art has also been the official artist for the 57th Grammy Awards, Newport Jazz Festival, Monaco International Film Festival and more. His new art cube has been nominated as “Toy of the Year” by the Toy Association. He has already sold over 80,000 cubes and they are available in 500 Barnes & Noble locations and specialty toy stores around the country. He just announced a limited edition collector box set too. For all the details, visit www.gartelshashibo.com.
Smooth and refined, Highclere Castle Gin is a great gift for those seeking a higher standard when it comes to their spirit selection. From its sophisticated bottle to its lush citrus-forward flavor, it is steeped in history. This gin, crafted from a blend of botanicals grown on the ancient estate is the winner of 15 international platinum, double and triple gold awards. The brand was developed out of a partnership between the 8th Earl & Countess of Carnarvon, who live at the estate, and American spirits entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin. It was produced in England’s oldest gin distillery, dating back to the 1800s. Ask for it at a restaurant or liquor store near you, or purchase it online at www.HighclereCastleGin.com.
(on runway at Palm Beach Swim Week, 2017)
Five years ago, Sharon Tatem started her company, Sharon Tatem, LLC, with a collection of silk scarves using prints from the fine art collection she has created over the last 35 years. Since then, she has brought her designs into other fashions, utilizing silky lycra material, including tops, leggings, capris, tank tops, crop tops, swimwear, hoodies, handbags, kimonos and more. Her fashions have graced the runway at the Palm Beach Swim Fashion Show, Fusion Fashion Show, Dada and Palm Beach resort fashion Show. Using Art Deco sensibility and pastel colors in most of her pieces, her collections make a unique gift for the fashionista who has everything. She also has her artwork, pillows, hats and other pieces available as well. See the Sharon Tatem fashions and more at http://www.lalalace.com.
–By Rachel Galvin
Film Review: “The Glorias”
By Rachel Galvin
Gloria Steinem– you love her, you hate her but you are likely to know her name. The activist who is known for her work in advocating women’s rights and beyond, and starting Ms. Magazine, is the topic of this biopic called “The Glorias” based on Steinem’s book called “My Life on the Road”, and this film, directed by Julie Taymor and Sarah Ruhl, takes you on quite the trip… sometimes it is more like an acid trip… but a trip down memory lane to be sure.
So, the thing about this film is that it jumps … It jumps between time periods, between different Glorias… well, the same Gloria, but at different age ranges. Each has its own angst and issues with which it finds itself battling. And, sometimes, they talk to each other… in black and white…
And then, there are those acid trip moments when a seemingly normal interaction is happening and then reality falls away and takes us into some rabbit hole we are not sure we will escape. A conversation between Gloria and a chauvinistic interviewer becomes a whirlwind of Glorias and images of a demonic looking wrapped up nun, an enticing Playboy bunny version of Gloria, the other Glorias too… They all watch as the man spins into the air trapped in a tornado out of the Wizard of Oz, complete with a witch on a broom… If that isn’t trippy enough… What about the cover of Ms. Magazine’s first issue’s Hindu Kali God coming to life in full animation or a younger Gloria suddenly having a man throw knives at her in a circus type atmosphere. These are just a few of the wild asides this film takes you on. It certainly keeps you awake.
It is a fragmented watch for sure. It is as if Gloria wrote about her life on sheets of loose leaf paper, threw it in to the air and someone just showed whichever piece of her life they picked up first, second and so on. Sometimes, it goes back and forth at a good pace; other times you wonder if it will ever return to another Gloria.
But although the format seems a bit unorthodox, it does not mean there are not some gems in there. The story of Gloria at every age is intriguing from her mentally ill neurotic mother to her doting dad, who struggles in his career, to her fellowship to India, to having an abortion, to her start in the women’s movement and beyond. Interestingly, this film’s venture into the women’s movement and fight for the ERA parallels the story told in “Ms. America”, a limited series on Hulu, except that story is told from Phyllis Schlafly’s POV, who was against the ERA and many things Steinem was for.
There are certainly plenty of high end actors in this film to watch, including Julianna Moore as the more mature of the Glorias. She fits the character to a tee and Alicia Vikander, who plays a younger version, works hard to try on the character. The other two Glorias are played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Lulu Wilson. Bette Midler plays US Representative and headstrong and sassy activist Bella Abzug. Timothy Hutton is great as the dad. Also look for wonderful performances from the likes of Janelle Monáe as Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Lorraine Toussaint as Flo Kennedy and Monica Sanchez as Dolores Huerta, among others. The various women’s roles such as these were much better served in “Ms. America” then in this film where they are relegated to secondary roles to Steinem, much like her face on the cover of Newsweek (talked about in the film)–much to her chagrin. Then again, this movie is about her and not just about the movement.
This movie should really appeal most to women who will find the stories touching and poignant, and applicable to their own lives in one way or another, and also will serve as inspiration.
It also showcases many of the issues that have plagued women through the years and how things have changed, and not changed since then. Gloria is shown to be not taken seriously as a journalist, propositioned by a boss, harassed for not being married; called a Lesbian, a sex symbol, a feminist and other labels. It shows the stigma of abortion, its dangers and the fight for pro-choice, how women’s voices were not heard. It talks about women of all races and their issues as well. It also points out that the ERA was never passed. These are just a few of the many points covered. This film is a great conversation piece to explore these issues further, perhaps between mother and daughter.
“The Glorias” is now available on Amazon Prime. For more info., visit https://www.thegloriasmovie.com/
Samsung’s New Foldable Phone
By Rachel Galvin
Can’t decide if you need a phone or a tablet by your side? Tired of carrying around both? Now, you can get the best of both in one with Samsung’s new Z Fold2, a foldable smartphone. It only runs $2000 and comes with perks like access to restaurants and golf clubs. This is their 2nd attempt to make a foldable phone.
“It’s definitely a luxury device,” said Drew Blackard, Samsung’s vice president of mobile product management in the U.S.
It will be available in stores Sept. 18. For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
Flamingo Las Vegas Partners with Fames Designer Jonathan Adler
Famed designer Jonathan Adler has partnered with Flamingo Las Vegas, using their 75 year history as inspiration. He has elevated some of the style elements throughout the resort, including an exclusive lamp, which was inspired by –what else?– a flamingo! Other elements he worked on include sculptures, mugs and even poker chip sets. His items are now available within the store or ordered by phone at 702-733-3361. He also added his keen sense of style to the newly-opened Bugsy & Meyer Steakhouse, designing a custom hand-beaded flamingo piece that took nearly 100 hours to make.
Photo credit: Todd Tankersley
“Flamingo Las Vegas is an icon – it’s impossible to think of Las Vegas without thinking of the Flamingo,” said Adler. “It was a thrill to be able to create a collection that combines Flamingo Las Vegas’ rich history with my favorite fresh, modern colors, patterns and the glamour of the city itself. Forget tiny shampoo bottles – these pieces are what you’ll want to stuff in your suitcase to take home.”
Ken Janssen, senior vice president and general manager of Flamingo Las Vegas, said, “We are grateful and thrilled that Jonathan Adler has lent his remarkable talent to Flamingo Las Vegas. Adler has focused his fresh and modern approach to style to creatively marry the classic Vegas appeal that Flamingo has embodied for nearly 75 years. We are certain our guests will appreciate his skillful design work in each hotel room and throughout the resort.”
Early last year, the resort completed a $156 million room renovation. The remodeled rooms have a contemporary feel and retro-chic vibe with hues of gold and pops of flamingo pink. One of the new elements was adding bunk bed rooms and one of the largest dedicated Bunk Bed Suites in the United States.
Film Review: “Words on Bathroom Walls”
Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions
By Rachel Galvin
(Some spoilers) When Adam (Charlie Plummer – not related to Christopher Plummer) discovers something is wrong with his eyes, he hopes he needs glasses. Unfortunately for him, bad vision is not his problem. It is something much more serious; and that isn’t the only thing wrong with him. The next to elude him is his sense of hearing. It isn’t that he is losing these abilities, but, rather, that he is seeing and hearing things that aren’t there. The voice in the closet taunts him. A sage burning, feather carrying sprite of a girl named Rebecca (AnnaSophia Robb) prances about preaching peace in love. A half-dressed slacker Joaquin (Devon Patrick) lounges about like “a best friend from the ’90s.” And a burly always-smoking bodyguard (Lobo Sebastian) threatens to take on every perceived threat with his baseball bat. This cast of characters in his head prevent him from focusing on his day to day schoolwork. He tried to tamp down the thoughts using his love of cooking to calm his nerves and his dream of attending culinary school. He breaks the fourth wall to address the viewer as he explains what has befallen him.
When the more terrifying imagery causes what is categorized as a psychotic break right in the middle of his science class, he finally finds out his prognosis – schizophrenia. His actions get him kicked out of school, cause his classmates to see him as some sort of freak and lead to him being enrolled into a Catholic school, even though he is not religious.
His doting mother (Molly Parker) is beside herself. A single mother since his father decided fatherhood was not for him, she plunges herself into research in search of a cure. But the bond between mother and son had already begun to break down when a new boyfriend, Paul (Walton Goggins), entered the picture, leading Adam to become more withdrawn.
Meanwhile, a seeming self-sure brainiac crosses his trail, Maya (Taylor Russell) a feisty girl doing all she can to do some side hustle in the form of selling her academic services and more. When his grades drop due to the conflict within his own mind, he seeks her out to be his tutor. But, from day one, he likes her as more than just an academic advisor. He later discovers she has a secret of her own too.
Now, he is faced with trying to cope with what is happening at home and the thought he might lose his new love interest if she ever finds out who he really is. He turns to the confessional and Father Patrick (Andy Garcia), who with a slight smirk deflects Adam’s sarcastic remarks and his declaration of being atheist to try to get at the heart of the matter and offer insight. But Adam does not tell him the whole story. The priest only finds out later when another dramatic incident occurs. Adam’s life is about to fall apart once again.
An unexpected twist leads to a heart-warming tear-jerking resolution with his family. He discovers by accident that only his self-acceptance can pave the way toward real recovery and, in the process, he can see the people who really are on his side and face his future. There is a scene near the end in which this change occurs that was perhaps a bit rushed.
This life-affirming story fits in the recent genre of teen romances that involve one or both people overcoming some sort of illness. Directed by Thor Freudenthal, this film, written by Nick Navela, is based on a book by the same name by Julia Walton. The film keeps you engaged from beginning to end with its humor, visual imagery and characters.
“Words on Bathroom Walls” will be opening in select theaters Friday, Aug. 21. For more information, visit www.wordsonbathroomwallsmovie.com.