Author: Downtown Magazine

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Lifestyle Living NYC Pets

Many Employees Quitting Jobs at Workplaces That Are Not Pet-Friendly

A recent poll has been carried out among employed pet owners, and the results show that people are making huge changes based on their pets. This seems to have come about partly because of the pandemic when people became used to being around their pets all the time and working from home with their pets with them as their companions throughout the day.

The survey was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Vetster, which launched a National Pet Day initiative on April 11th. This would involve employers giving their employees a day off to raise awareness of the increasing importance of having pet-friendly workplaces. The results of the survey have surprised many and have shown just how reliant people have become on having their pets as their companions even during the working day.

What the Survey Showed

The survey showed a number of interesting facts about pet owners who work, and this is something that could end up changing workplaces in the very near future. According to the survey results:

·         Close to two-thirds of pet owners have left a job to find alternative employment at a pet-friendly workplace

·         More than two-thirds of employees would be prepared to take a pay cut in order to work in a pet-friendly workplace

·         48 percent of workers said that they were more productive when their pet was around

·         46 percent of pet owners said that their pets helped them to make new friends at work and break the ice

·         Nearly 40 percent of pet owners said that their pets helped them to avoid burnout

Top-rated vets in New York are now hoping to raise awareness of these issues with the National Pet Day initiative, and it could help to change the way employers operate in relation to pet-friendly workplaces.

It was also discovered that 71 percent of the 2,000 people who took part in the survey said that they would find it more beneficial to work in a pet-friendly office now compared to before the global pandemic.

According to the data, cats and dogs can help to provide increased comfort and relaxation to workers. Rodents were found to help break the ice while smaller pets such as rabbits and ferrets were found to help owners in terms of productivity.

Many people were also keen to point out that taking their pets to work helped them to make friends more easily, and this is something that can contribute to teamwork. Around 80 percent of respondents also admitted to feeling less anxious when their pet was present.

Many Benefits Highlighted

Officials from Vetster have pointed out that there are many benefits that can come from workers being allowed to take their pets to work. This includes the creation of a more positive culture at work and the ability to improve mental health among workers.

It also means that pet owners can continue to benefit from working with their pets around rather than having to go back to leaving their pets behind all day. 

Categories
Culture Entertainment Uncategorized

NJ industries on the rise

Andres Ayrton Pexels

At the moment, New Jersey has one of the fastest-growing economies in the US. There are a lot of different businesses that are managing to grow quickly due to the unique commercial landscape that the state offers. We’ve taken a look at some of the biggest growth industries within the US right now, so if you’re considering a career change, then this is the place for you to check. 

Online gambling

This is a sector that covers a lot of different areas. With so many different aspects of the online casino business, online gambling has been able to grow quickly within NJ since it was legalized. One of the first areas where growth is taking place is with websites that cater to online casinos. This can be seen on a site such as time2play.com, which offers a lot of assistance for players who want to get into playing at online casinos. 

However, it’s not just this area that is growing quickly. Software development has also seen rapid expansion within the state. Because online casinos games are hugely popular, there has been an increase in demand for the games. In consequence, developers have had to take on more staff to cater to the demand, which has helped to lift the software development industry. With NJ being a hub for coders and graphic designers, it means that a lot of companies have popped up offering casino games to sites. 

Finally, the online casinos themselves have also multiplied quickly. Since they are mainly linked to brick and mortar venues, it follows that the casino industry, in general, has expanded. These sites have been able to increase their revenue without significantly increasing their expenditure. This is because an online casino doesn’t cost as much to operate as does extra space in a brick-and-mortar venue. So, more players can be catered for without having to lay out more on bills and staff wages. 

Online gambling is perhaps the fastest growing industry within NJ and could even be argued to be the fastest-growing industry in the US in general.

Financial businesses

This is an industry that has experienced a big rise over the last year or so. Part of this is due to an increase in female-owned businesses appearing within NJ, and these new businesses require financial help in order to operate efficiently. As such, the financial sector has seen a sudden boost. 

It’s not just in terms of investing, either – accountants have also seen more business coming their way. This has helped a lot of new business owners to get on their feet quickly. Accountancy is one of the lesser-considered industries within finance, but it’s an extremely vital function for a company that wants to be successful. 

The popularity of crypto investing has also had an impact on this area. Many people are looking to invest in cryptocurrency in order to get a handle on the next big thing. While the abrupt gains in the market don’t happen as often as they did at the start of the boom, there are still a lot of people who are looking to invest and trying to make money from the sector. Crypto has helped the financial industry continue growing over the last few years and is likely to keep the trend moving upwards as long as the market is still viable.

Transport

Transport is one of the largest industries within NJ. In fact, one of the biggest spending within the state recently has been on transport and the infrastructure that is required to improve logistics. The authorities understand that good transport links are critical in making the state successful. A significant portion of the funding that is needed to undertake expansion and reconciliation of the transport sector is due to online gambling which has helped to provide a healthy boost to the overall tax revenue in NJ. 

The endeavor has seen a lot of new transport innovations take place within NJ, especially linked to improving mobility for people. As such, it has driven employment in the state and helped people to get jobs. This in turn makes NJ an attractive state for workers to move to, as there are a lot of jobs available. It might not be sustainable forever, but as the state currently has a remit to improve transport in the state, it looks like it is a long-term plan that should help to push the economy of the state above that of the national average. 

Categories
Beauty Featured Health Uncategorized

British Invasion For Men

British Invasion For Men

by Sean Capobianco | Mar 26, 2022 | Grooming | 0 comments

British M, is one of Korea’s top luxury salon hair brands.  It is known for its innovative technology and commitment to the environment and a healthier world.

Great news, it is OK if she used your products, the morning after. British M products are gender-neutral, eco-friendly, recyclable, and made from sustainable resources with no animal testing. So far so good.

British M products have been known to be used by celebrity stylists including those in the high-powered Korean music and entertainment industries.  Let’s see what this masculine guy from Florida thinks!

I consider myself a well-rounded groomer, I believe in staying in shape, and opening doors for my date. I love to cook, that’s thanks to my Grandmother, who believed men too should know their way around the kitchen.

Too many men fail to recognize the importance of personal hygiene, staying in shape, showering, and being well-groomed. Don’t just slap on any cologne, or grab your brother’s hair products, and for some guys, you know who you are, showering when you think you need it, is out of the question.

Be sure to look for quality over quantity, stop using poor-quality hair products, filled with chemicals, they can cause harm by affecting your scalp and hair follicles. Do your research when it comes to picking hair care products, trust me, ingredients & formulations matter.

No more using the combed shampoo, conditioner, if you shop for the least expensive products you’ll get what you pay for.

BRITISH M Airy Wave Cream

After sampling British M products over the last 2 weeks, here’s my review. I was not thrilled with the scent from the Wave Cream but felt it offered moisture to my hair, especially with living in Florida, my hair tends to get dry. It was easy and flexible to work with.

BRITISH M Dandy

The British M. Dandy paste was one of my favorites. It offered volume and held my hair firmly in place without causing a sticky residue.

BRITISH M Kombucha Shampoo

The Kombucha shampoo is of good quality, the scent it’s sweet but offers a natural smell, definitely unique and masculine. I’m not a fan of over potent fragrance, it tends to fight with our cologne.

BRITISH M Kombucha Mask

Their Kombucha Mask, I enjoyed, the scent, not too overpowering again, a fresh clean scent. After the mask treatment, I did notice the difference in my hair.

BRITISH M Urban Matte Clay

The matte clay reminded me of professional barber styling wax. I like the sculpting results it gave my hair an all-day hold. The scent was fresh and not overbearing.

All in all, I give British M’s product a 7 out of 10, reasonably priced, you can purchase on Amazon and I was cool with the results.

Sean Capobianco Men’s Grooming Editor

Check back to see more of my reviews!

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Categories
Dining News NYC Uncategorized

Smorgasburg Returns to WTC Fridays, Beginning April 1

Operating hours will be Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then, the market’s outpost at Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill, follows on April 3, and run Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Smorgasburg’s Williamsburg market will reopen in June.

Vendors you can find at Smorgasburg WTC include Bona Bona, Carlitos Barbecue Tacqueria, Duck Season, Maos Bao, Ring Ding Bar, Rooster Boy NYC, Wood Fired Edibles, and more. (subject to change.) Bring your appetite!

For 2022, the market reopens with 20 vendors to WTC for the first time since 2019, increasing to 30 over the summer as workers and tourists return to Downtown Manhattan. 
Also starting in April, a new partnership with Uber Eats launches at the New York/New Jersey locations (World Trade Center, Jersey City, Prospect Park. Williamsburg will join in June). As the official delivery partner of Smorgasburg, Uber Eats will elevate the eater experience this season by introducing ways to get the best of Smorgasburg more quickly and easily. With Smorgasburg Pickup, for the first time market-goers can avoid lines by ordering for pickup in the Uber Eats app—from every vendor—and notified when their order is ready. The Smorgasburg experience is also available from home, as simple as ordering from any restaurant.

Categories
Dining Featured Living NYC Restaurants Uncategorized

BROOKFIELD PLACE WELCOMES BACK ITALIAN DINING AT PARM

Brookfield Place is one of downtown’s go-to locations since its redesign after 9/11. The 14-acre, 5-building complex on the Hudson River is home to some of the world’s most innovative companies and one of New York’s most celebrated experiential, culinary, cultural, and shopping. DOWNTOWN’s Founder, Grace A. Capobianco, recently had the pleasure of visiting the newly redesigned Parm Brookfield Place, created by renowned chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, and restauranteur Jeff Zalaznick.

Parm’s original location opened in New York City’s Little Italy in 2011, offering classic Italian dishes. They are renowned for everything from their prized Chicken Parm, and homemade meatballs, to Rigatoni Carbone-dishes that the Michelin-starred chefs Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi ate growing up. Their goal has always been to make the best versions of recognizable dishes we’ve all come to know while remaining faithful to their history.

The newly redesigned space in Brookfield Place offers a light modern design, with an expanded bar with counter seating and tables. The menu has had some updates, but don’t worry, your favorites are still offered, and much more.

“My guest and I enjoyed experiencing everything on the menu during our visit,” says Capobianco.

Dishes from Parm

“Some of our fave starters, the Pizza Knots, are a must, perfectly cooked with pizza spices, garlic, and butter, served with a side of tomato sauce. Also loved the Fried Calamari with Italian green peppers, with a little kick, and Momma Maria’s meatballs. These delicious meatballs will have you wanting more; you can’t eat just one, no fillers, just fresh pork, veal, beef with their secret ingredients.”

Parm’s Mamma Maria’s Meatballs
Parm’s Pizza Knots

“We’re not done yet, on to the pasta dishes. We sampled the Penne Carbone, in a spicy pink vodka sauce, and Rotini Genovese, with basil pesto, and creamy burrata. This was a nice twist on pesto.”

Penne Carbone, with Spicy Pink Vodka Sauce.

On to the main course, a Skirt Steak Pizzaiola-grilled skirt steak, covered with roasted tomatoes and peppers. Their Lemon Garlic Chicken is served as a half organic chicken, cooked in a cast-iron pan covered in lemon, garlic, and parsley.

Parm’s Lemon and Garlic Chicken
Skirt Steak Pizzaiola

“Desserts. A bit of advice, remember when ordering to save room for dessert. We did not!”

“Leave the gun take the cannoli,” The Godfather.

“We savored the Gelato Sundae with pistachio, mascarpone, & cherry gelato topped with whipped cream & a pizzelle cookie, and Mario’s Cannolis, comes with 3 to an order, and the Nutella Brownie served warm with mascarpone gelato & Nutella caramel.

We were rolled out of Parm, with bags of leftovers to savor for the next few days. To be honest, it did not make it past our staff’s eyes.

Parm is not only a great go-to neighborhood restaurant but also for global visitors. You have the option of dining in and or ordering delivery or pop in for a takeaway.” For more information, visit parmitalian.com

Categories
Culture Music NYC

Westfield WTC, Sing for Hope, bring piano for public playing, to the Oculus

Photo: Westfield World Trade Center

Westfield World Trade Center has partnered with Sing for Hope to display a piano in the Oculus, painted by local artist Lance Johnson. The uniquely colorful piano, titled “Evolve” will be available for anyone and everyone to play, listen, interact with, and enjoy, from March 17 to March 27. At the conclusion of the piano’s public residency, it will be moved to a permanent home in a New York City school or community-based organization, where it will inspire lives for years to come.

In addition to the piano being open for the public to play, there will also be free and professional musical performances over the two weekends of its residency. Piano Soloist, Amir Farid, winner of the 2006 Australian National Piano Award, performs on March 19 and 26 from noon to 2:00 pm. The Sing for Hope Quintet will present performances of piano, violin, viola, and cello on March 20 and 27 from noon to 2:00 pm.

Local artist Lance Johnson poses with piano he painted, Evolve, as part of a project with Sing for Hope. Photo: Sing for Hope


The Sing for Hope Pianos program began in New York City in 2010. Today, it is one of the world’s largest annually recurring public arts programs, with more than 570 one-of-a-kind piano artworks in public spaces spanning from The Bronx to Beirut, and from Aspen to Athens. In addition to Westfield World Trade Center, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) will display pianos at Westfield UTC in San Diego, as well as Westfield Topanga and Westfield Century City in Los Angeles. 


“New York City is one of our world’s most inspiring, resilient cities, and we’re thrilled to work with URW to share hope and healing through these beautiful community instruments,” said Monica Yunus, Sing for Hope Co-Founder. Continued Sing for Hope Co-Founder Camille Zamora, “Music and art bring people together, and as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, the Sing for Hope Pianos continue to spread vital moments of joy, connection, and arts for all.”
“We are so excited to host Sing for Hope at Westfield World Trade Center,” said Diana Grasso, Vice President, URW. “As we continue welcoming commuters, office workers, and local residents back to the Oculus, the power and joy of live music will further enhance our guests experience as they visit, shop, and dine with us.”