Category: Lifestyle

Categories
Lifestyle

4 Swiss Items to Purchase on Your Zurich Shopping Trip

Don’t get us wrong, New York has its fair share of incredible stores and boutiques, with everything from homeware to fashion to ice cream and everything in between. However, there’s just something to be said about European stores that stock a vast an eclectic range of fascinating accessories, food, kitchen items, and clothing. A European vacation should never be too far away when you feel the need to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, which is why we wanted to shine a light on the shopping options available in Zurich.

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and contains an amazing mix of culture, nightlife, and scenery, but we are focusing on the shopping side. You’ll be glad to hear that a flight to Zurich can be completed in less than eight hours direct from NYC, which sometimes feels quicker than a car ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan!
We’ll highlight a few must-have Swiss things that you have to buy when you take a well-deserved vacation to Zurich. Great areas like Seefeld, Bahnhofstrasse,
Niederdorf, and Kreis Districts 4 and 5 are all worth a look, but here’s what you need to pick up on your travels.

 

Cuckoo Clock
What’s more interesting than knowing the time with an adorable cuckoo clock? While it’s true that we can see the time on pretty much any device, from the microwave to phone to laptop, it’s always nice to be old school with a real wall clock. Swiss cuckoo clocks look like a traditional wooden ski chalet, and while most have the typical bird popping out every hour, it’s also possible to have different designs such as St. Bernard dogs, flowers, or even people dancing. These clocks, as you might expect, feature impeccable craftsmanship and wonderful music, and can be small enough to fit inside a suitcase on the flight home.

It’s true that a cuckoo clock might not be for everyone, which is why we can also suggest the famous Mondaine clock at Zurich railway station. If you arrive at this train station, then it’s impossible not to notice this iconic clock. Created by Hans Hilfiker in 1940, this simple but elegant design is eye-catching and fits in any home. The clock also contains a somewhat unique movement, in that it will tick normally for 58 seconds, then stop for two seconds and continue. Don’t ask why, but people seem to love it for this reason. It still displays the correct time, so don’t worry about any malfunctioning!

 

Swiss Chocolate
What kind of a visit to Zurich would it be without trying all the delectable chocolate available there? We’re not talking about a melted and squashed Mars Bar from your bag, but instead, a tasty, handmade chocolate that is simply a party in your mouth. You can’t go wrong with anything freshly made from Lindt or Sprungli, but honestly, there are dozens of artisan chocolate shops all over Zurich that sell anything from truffles to milk chocolate and even white choc. Whatever your fancy in chocolate, there’s something for you, but don’t forget to try the macaroons and marzipans as well, as these types of delicacies are hard to find in the U.S. A gift box with a delicious range of chocolates is never a bad present to bring back to someone at home (maybe one for yourself as well).

 

Swiss Watches
It sounds wacky, but the Swiss have been involved in the art of timekeeping for over 500 years! Wristwatches are somewhat newer, but the sophisticated designs and incredible inner workings of Swiss watches can’t be beaten. From Rolex to Omega to even Swatch, pretty much every watch brand you know comes from Switzerland. Bahnhofstrasse is famous for many luxury brands in fashion and accessories, so it’s a good place to check out your new dream watch. Of course, a lot of these watch brands are available practically all over the world, but it feels somehow right to buy one from where it all began. Find a model that fits your style and budget and roll with it.

 

Raclette Maker
Naturally, the Swiss take their cheese as seriously as their chocolate! It goes without saying that they’ve devised all sorts of wonderful contraptions to help enjoy the hundreds of delicious cheeses made in Switzerland. One such invention is the Raclette maker. Raclette is a type of Swiss cheese that is full fat (better to have on your cheat day) and is finely melting for the meal. This type of cheese has been eaten in Switzerland for nearly 700 years, and the idea of the meal is to cook meat (or vegetables if you’re a vegetarian) and potatoes on the upper electric grill, then use the sliding devices under the heat to melt the great cheese. You can then pile everything onto a piece of baguette bread or just eat alone.

The melting cheese is not only yummy to eat and a wonder to smell, but the entire experience is meant to be enjoyed with others at the table. The Raclette maker brings out good times and everyone can cook at their own pace with several sliding plates able to be stored under the grill. Trust us, you won’t regret this purchase. At this point, your suitcase is probably about to burst, but we think there’s enough room to fit all those wonderful Swiss items on your flight back to New York.”

Categories
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
Beauty Culture Featured Health Lifestyle Uncategorized

An Interview With The Chin Twins!

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

All photos by Nigel Barker.

Downtown had the opportunity to talk with Cristen and Kimberly Chin about their new show: The Chin Twins! The show follows Cristen and Kimberly as they show us how to cook some of their favorite family recipes while they teach us how to love life and stay balanced in such a crazy world! From visiting local shops and restaurants to learning natural beauty hacks, The Chin Twins has something for everyone! Read on to see what they have to say about their new show, the importance of food and family, and much more!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://gnw.ca0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ChinTwins-Sept-2019-2.jpg” title_text=”Maxim Australia” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

You both practice yoga. How did you start? How has it helped you during the pandemic? Do you have any tips or advice for beginners?

Kimmy: We grew up dancing. We’ve always used our bodies as an art form. We did ballet, tap, jazz, point. And we were pretty athletic. We were swimmers. We tried to do diving; it didn’t quite work out. 

It began with a Bikram studio. And that’s the very hot, pretty regimented type of yoga. We started out being drawn to the physical practice of yoga. It deepened after we became parents, when we became pregnant. We did prenatal yoga, Mommy and Me yoga, with our babies. Yoga has evolved with us as we’ve aged. 

And then we both did our teacher training. We wanted to share it with other people, so we both teach, we both practice. 

Crissy: The pandemic was a huge shift. I for one love to go into studios; I feed off the energy of all the other yogis in the room, and I love breathing together or flowing together. Everything just came to a halt. 

It was a forced change to our practice, but it did deepen it in a different way. That is one time I needed yoga the most just because of the anxiety and the unknown, having two kids at home trying to do homeschooling. Yoga shifted, and it was amazing the way you can find what you need from your practice under different circumstances. You find ways to carve out a space in your home. It was a struggle, but I think it deepened my relationship with yoga. My practice is definitely more restorative, more calming; I go to it for that. 

Kimmy: There’s just so many types of yoga, and yoga can meet you wherever you are. The best advice is don’t try to compare yourself to anybody else, even when you start in a classroom because yoga looks different to everybody. Yoga can be doing things mindfully, it can be meditation. There are so many different classes and styles. Just keep searching and find where you fit. 

Crissy: Try as many different styles as you can until you find one that suits you, and that might change. Just keep an open mind. And that suits all points of your life like being a student, being a mother. That’s a healthy way to approach all things in life. 

And I think that’s also why Kimmy and I created this show, The Chin Twins, to introduce some of the more lofty, complicated yoga philosophies in a more day to day way. Ways to use everyday activities in your home to kind of emulate these larger yogic principles. That’s really what the show’s about. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://gnw.ca0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ChinTwins-TDN-Phil-2022.jpg” title_text=”ChinTwins-TDN-Phil-2022″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

How do you use food to stay connected with your family?

Crissy: It’s a human, primal desire to be able to care for people, and food, for us as mothers, definitely plays a role in that, for caring and nourishing. And connecting, to gather, to commune. 

Kimmy: When you’re cooking, when you’re nourishing, you’re putting a little bit of heart into your food and sharing it with your family. In the show–we filmed it all in Woodstock where Crissy lives–we went out and embraced the community like little local shops, and that also strengthened the community. 

Crissy: I love to explore different cultures through food. So my friends and my family will have a themed night, like it’s Moroccan Night and we’ll have the tajin out and the couscous, so I love using food to broaden and teach. 

Kimmy: Like when we’re having Italian Night, I put on Italian bistro music. You bring Italy to you, especially during the pandemic. Everybody got so experimental. I think it was Christmas Eve and I said, “Let’s go get snow crab legs.” We’ve never had that! We were just trying to bring the world to our kitchens because we couldn’t get out and travel. 

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://gnw.ca0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ChinTwins_66_Logo.jpg” title_text=”ChinTwins_66_Logo” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

In the episodes that have aired so far, you visit quite a few local shops in Woodstock, NY like Harana Market and Three Turtle Doves. What do you love about shopping local, and why is it important for you and for us to support local stores in our communities? 

Crissy: Small businesses got hit so hard during the pandemic, and they struggled to stay open and keep the foot traffic going, and, as Kimmy mentioned we haven’t been traveling as much, so I really feel like I’ve reconnected with my small town. And not that I didn’t appreciate them before, but every little community…there’s so many treasures in our own backyard. It’s amazing to be able to visit them and to really sit and hear their stories. I go in and out of shops everyday, and it’s nice just to connect with the owners. It’s really special to be able to share that with our audience. It’s a real gift that we can go and help share that with the world. 

We visited Tinker Taco, which I go to all the time, and I love their tacos. But I had never watched him make them by hand. And he really starts with the kernels of corn and soaks it and grinds it and presses it. 

Kimmy: It’s nice to appreciate what’s in your own backyard. And when we support our local businesses, they really look out for us too. The community, if we need something, they’d be the first ones to bring food to your house. And you know where your food is coming from. 

Crissy: It’s important to know where that tortilla came from! And now it makes me want to go and make my own at home. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://gnw.ca0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/32A9346.jpg” title_text=”_32A9346″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

The first episode talked about staying grounded and having a solid foundation, and we saw that one of the ways you do this is by cooking. What are some other ways you have found to stay grounded? 

Crissy: Outside of the physical practice of yoga, it’s just taking a break. Stopping. Sometimes we get very caught up in the to-do list or the kids or whatever is happening. Just take time for yourself. It’s very helpful in staying grounded. And surround yourself with grounded people.

Kimmy: Something easy no matter where you are is your breath. It’s probably the easiest tool anybody can use to ground themselves. You can be in an airplane, in the grocery store waiting in line, driving…just taking a long, deep breath…there’s so many simple breathing techniques. Your breath is the quickest, easiest way to ground yourself. 

Crissy: Or taking a walk in nature. Just taking a walk connects you with the solid foundation, the ground.

Kimmy: Or music. And what ground me might not work for you. You kind of find that, what does it for you. 

Crissy: There is such a thing as being too grounded. Like if your root chakra is overly active, then you’re sluggish. You’re not motivated; you feel stuck. There’s being in tune with your energy centers, and your mood just helps you know that you’re too grounded, that you need to elevate. Finding tools in your tool kit that help you find that balance. It’s a journey. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://gnw.ca0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Shot001_679.jpg” title_text=”Shot001_679″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

What helped you most during the pandemic, and what advice do you have for people who are struggling to build a solid foundation in their lives?

Crissy: Sometimes you have to tune it out. Turn off the news. Be aware but don’t leave it on in the background. You have to carve out time where you’re safe in your environment with your family. Or doing things that you enjoy, and that bring you creativity. Don’t let the outside world bog you down to a point where you can’t hear yourself anymore. 

Kimmy: I think a big thing that can bring peace to people is surrendering. As humans, we feel safe when we’re in control, or when we think we’re in control. But really we’re not in control of anything at all, especially the big things happening all over the world. So being okay with not being in control, which is just surrendering. Trusting the universe. And that’s a practice. 

Crissy: Anxiety is with us all the time. We have to surrender or find ways to assert control over how we deal with things, how we process it. Pick out something small. What can I do on a small scale that is going to help? There are little things we can do.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://gnw.ca0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ChinTwins-TDN-Phil-2022-29.jpg” title_text=”ChinTwins-TDN-Phil-2022 29″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

Do you have any funny twin stories for us?

Crissy: When we were little–this is an example of how Kimmy and I, to this day, will tag team and get the job done and use our strengths to enhance the others weaknesses–we went to a Catholic school and wore uniforms. And our teachers were nuns, older nuns, that didn’t have great eyesight. So on days where there were two tests, I would study for math and Kimmy would study for history, and then she would take both history tests and I would take both math tests. And we never got caught!

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

The Chin Twins airs Wednesday nights at 9/8c on The Design Network. To watch the episodes that have aired so far, check out The Design Network’s YouTube Channel!

 

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Categories
Business Fashion Lifestyle NYC Uncategorized

New York-Based, Woman-Owned, Bay 2 Swimwear Sale Celebrates Int’l Women’s Day

New-York based, woman-owned Bay 2 Swimwear offers an elegant, minimalist style.

Photo: Ally B. Martin

New Yorker Jillian Bardo recently her unveiled her Bay 2 Swimwear line at a pop up at The Rockaway Hotel.

A former lifeguard at Riis Park, Bardo sought to develop an elegant, minimalist style line of swimwear that is New York made. She launched Bay 2 Swimwear in Nov. 2021, offering both two piece and single piece suits, ranging XS-XL. Pieces can be mixed and matched.

Photo: Lourenso Ramautar

“The ocean has always been my happy place. I constantly found myself searching for the ideal swimsuit—one that looked great and stayed put in the waves. I love swimwear and was often disappointed by my purchases that turned out to be made of uncomfortable fabric, see through when wet, or just not conducive to activity. This search eventually led me to create Bay 2 Swimwear, a unique line inspired by my experiences living and working on the beaches of New York City and the East Coast.  All of the swimsuits are designed with double lined luxe fabrics that flatter and support all body types and inspire confidence without sacrificing comfort.  The suits are sustainably designed and produced in New York City.” 

For the week of March 7-March 13, in support of International Women’s Day, Bay 2 will be donating 20% of proceeds from sales to Girls Inc. Foundation.

In June, Bardo will unveil Bay 2’s Summer 2022 line, that will include environmentally-friendly suits, made from recycled fabrics.

For more information, visit bay2swimwear.com

Categories
Art Culture Lifestyle Living NYC Theater

Signs of the Times

Broadway SIGNs.
SIGNmation showcases deaf talent with Broadway SIGNs. Photo by Steve Thornton.

Broadway SIGNs.
SIGNmation showcases deaf talent with Broadway SIGNs. Photo by Steve Thornton.

DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING AUDIENCE MEMBERS recently gathered at Off-Broadway’s Triad Theatre for Broadway SIGNs! theatrical showcase R-E-S-P-E-C-T!, featuring song, dance, storytelling, and more. In the front row, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters voiced for deaf artists as they took the stage. Hosted by Mervin Primeaux-O’Bryant, the show featured performances by artists of all backgrounds, from Broadway’s Treshelle Edmond and Amelia Hensley, to ASL rap performer and ASL instructor Gabriel Silva, to Sunshine 2.0, a performance troupe debuting from Rochester’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Broadway SIGNs! productions offer collaborations for deaf artists and Broadway talent to promote ASL and deaf culture in the performing arts. The showcase is a regular event, pulling together performers from the deaf and hard-of-hearing performance community. SIGNmation was founded in 1990 by Jo-Ann Dean, inspired by a stage door encounter with Tony-winning deaf actress Phyllis Frelich in New York City.

“She invited me to Deaf West Theatre,” explains Dean. “Upon meeting incredible deaf and ASL artists, I sought a way to bring ASL intomainstream culture, to give artists a platform and to promote the visibility of ASL on stage, in theatre, and in film, and champion accessibility to the arts.” Dean is now a coproducer on A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet starring Alex Wyse, Ben Fankhauser, and Bryonha Marie Parham with book and lyrics by Wyse & Fankhauser. As the story goes, two nobodies dream of writing one hit song for everybody, sung by one aging diva.

The musical comedy lead producer Cody Lassen has opened doors to new producers and welcomes some of Broadway’s first ASL-interpreted performances for the musical. Dean and SIGNmation welcome Wall Street to sponsor accessibility as stages reopen.

Edmond, 31, who has performed in Broadway productions of Spring Awakening and Children of a Lesser God, was given her own day of recognition in 2016 by the City Council of Los Angeles, which designated September 28 as “Treshelle Edmond Day.” This year, she performed a one-woman show in New York City called “Light Up Within,” which follows her journey to find her identity.

“It means the world to me that I was provided a platform to perform in American Sign Language,” she says. “I love that SIGNmation believes in culturally-accessible content for arts, theatre, film, and television to make sure everyone is included.”

Gabriel Silva, who performed Empire’s “Chasing the Sky” at the showcase, is also a father and teacher with the Sign Language Center, an educational program owned and run by Alan Roth and taught exclusively by deaf instructors. It is also a sponsor of Broadway SIGNs!

“I never planned to teach,” he says, until Roth saw him perform and asked him to teach one class. “One class became two, and then three and four. It was like a new undiscovered talent that I didn’t know I had.” But Silva remains a performer first and foremost, including in LA with Dean’s ASL Cabaret. This year marked his first Broadway SIGNs! performance. “I always knew I was talented,” says Silva, “but I wasn’t sure how to show the world. SIGNmation has given me a platform to grow as an artist and opportunities to meet and collaborate with other deaf artists.” He continues, “I’m forever appreciative for Jo-Ann and everything she does for us as a community.” DT

For more information, visit signmation.com

RESOURCES

SIGNmation

signmation.com

A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet

reginacomet.com

Sign Language Center

signlanguagecenter.com

New York Deaf Theatre

newyorkdeaftheatre.org

Hands On

handson.org

New York Metro RID

nycmetrorid.org

Categories
Business Featured Industry News Lifestyle News NYC Travel

Governor Hochul Announces MTA Board

DOWNTOWN’s board member Elizabeth Velez was named to the board of MTA,  along with Janno Lieber as Chair and CEO of the MTA Board.

“We’ve been fortunate to work with both Elizabeth and Janno, a perfect pair to ensure the continued success for MTA, and we are excited to see what the future holds for our public transportation system. We wish them the best in their newly appointed positions,” says DOWNTOWN’s publisher and founder,  Grace A. Capobianco., 

Governor Hochul today announced Janno Lieber has been nominated to serve as Chair and CEO of the MTA Board and Elizabeth Velez has been nominated to serve on the MTA Board.

“As Governor, my first duty to New Yorkers is to ensure that those who serve our state are experienced, committed, and ready to tackle the challenges we face,” Governor Hochul said. “Janno is leading the MTA forward with expert management and vision, and Elizabeth will bring a wealth of invaluable knowledge and expertise to our challenges together. These are strong, competent leaders who will help steer the MTA through this critical time. We will continue to make appointments that ensure our transit system delivers for riders.”

“I am honored and grateful to be nominated by Governor Hochul, who has been a supporter from day one of a smart transit system that serves all New Yorkers. I look forward to working with the governor, her team, and our partners in the legislature to ensure that subways, buses, and commuter railroads continue to be an engine fueling the region’s economic recovery,” Janno Lieber said. “Elizabeth Velez has a deep understanding of the value of transportation to New Yorkers, will be an excellent addition to the board and I’m eager to work with her on important issues facing the MTA, including a historic capital program that will modernize and expand the transit network and provide enhanced equity and accessibility to New Yorkers in the years ahead.”

“I am thrilled to be nominated by Governor Hochul to the MTA Board,”  Lieber said. “The MTA is a crucial connection point for New Yorkers throughout our city. With the impending influx of infrastructure dollars, the MTA is central to not only improving essential transportation but also to create opportunities both in workforce and procurement that affect our communities.”

Janno Lieber will be nominated to serve as Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board. He has been Acting Chair and CEO since July 2021.

Janno Lieber photo by MTA

In his role at MTA Construction and Development, Mr. Lieber oversaw the agency’s $55 billion five-year capital program, including State of Good Repair investments in infrastructure and facilities of New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels. He is responsible for upgrades to signals and other major systems, system expansions, and mega-projects such as East Side Access, the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway, and the Third Track expansion of the Long Island Rail Road mainline. He is also responsible for upgrading and professionalizing the MTA’s project management capacity and for integrating real estate planning and economic development into MTA infrastructure projects.

From 2003 to 2017, Mr. Lieber served as President of World Trade Center Properties LLC, where he was responsible for managing all aspects of the Silverstein organization’s efforts to rebuild the World Trade Center site, including planning, design, and construction issues; business, financing, and legal matters; and public affairs, government, and community relations.

Earlier in his career, he held positions in the administrations of President Bill Clinton and NYC Mayor Ed Koch and worked as an attorney in private practice.

Elizabeth Velez will be nominated to serve on the MTA Board. She is currently the President of the Velez Organization, a second-generation construction firm started in1972 by her father, Andrew Velez.

 

Elizabeth Velez photo by Velez Organization

 

To her credit are hundreds of projects which have come to fruition under her direction, including over 600 units of housing made affordable by state and federal grants in the Bronx and Harlem, and over ten billion dollars of significant educational, healthcare, and large-scale projects throughout New York.

She is a Trustee of Boricua College; an accredited private institution serving primarily Latinas through three campuses in New York. She serves on the advisory boards of numerous New York City and New York State agencies, industry non-profits, and groups supporting mentorship and scholarships for youth. She is a member of the Board for Catholic Charities and the New York City Police Foundation. She is currently serving as a Commissioner of the New York City Property Tax Reform Commission. Following Hurricane Maria’s disastrous landfall, Elizabeth was appointed to the NY Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery & Rebuilding Committee, the NY Memorial Commission for Hurricane Maria, and has spearheaded numerous workforce and economic development programs – including a satellite corporate office in Ponce Puerto Rico. On the international front, Ms. Velez is Co-Chair of Iran 180 – an organization that advocates for human rights and the end to Iran’s nuclear threat. She is a contributor to media outlets such as Matter of Fact TV with Soledad O’Brien, Fox News Latino, The New York Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, El Diario, La Prensa, Hispanic Business, ENR, City & State, and Crain’s New York Business, and most recently, DOWNTOWN Magazine.

She is an outspoken advocate for diversity and empowerment of women and a sought-after speaker on women’s leadership and work/family balance issues. In addition to numerous awards and recognition, Ms. Velez was recognized by City & State as one of the “Manhattan Power 50“.

Help us in congratulating both Janno Lieber and Elizabeth Velez.

Reposted from https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-nominations-mta-board