The 2011 Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Gala
Last Wednesday evening, I hosted the fourth annual gala for the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai. As in past years, the gala was held in the spacious and beautifully decorated clerestory at our offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in Manhattan. At the Martha Stewart Center for Living, we are revolutionizing the way we care for older adults. We want to extend not just the life span, but also the health span, so that old age can continue to be a rewarding and productive life stage.
As an honor at the gala, we have established the Living Award. With this award, we seek to recognize an individual over the age of 65 who continues to have a positive impact on the public good, not just despite their age but also because of the wisdom and experience that comes with it. This year’s honoree was the legendary Clive Davis, who has helped to shape the modern music industry into what it is today. I share with you these photos of the gala.
Part of the gala was an auction with proceeds benefiting the Center. Many items are available to bid on here until November 30th.
1 This was the speakers' podium at the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Fourth Annual Gala.
2 The tables were set in keeping with the Center for Living’s signature color of green.
3 Green accent lights set the mood.
4 This fabulous installation was designed by one of the talented staffers on our Weddings magazine, Erin Furey, and the artist Wade Kavanaugh. All of the materials were donated by 'I Love Lucite' (310-966-0740).
5 We took the Center for Living’s signature color, green, and introduced a little CD-like flash, in honor of tonight’s music industry honoree.
6 Setting up the bar area
7 Pom Wonderful donated the juice for the Pomtinis, as well as the arils, or pomegranate seeds for garnish.
8 The Pomtini is made with pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, and vodka and is garnished with pomegranate arils.
9 The food for the gala was from restaurateur extraordinaire Danny Meyer’s Hudson Yards. Here I am with Chef Michael Romano and Danny Meyer.
10 Hors d'oeuvres for the evening included endive leaves topped with salmon.
11 And seared lamb on a wafer
12 And steak frites - tender beef served on a crispy potato chip
13 And also fig topped with prosciutto mousse and pistachio
14 A great photo of Susan Magrino
15 Carole and Ralph Robbins of SavATree, my arborists
16 With newlyweds Geri and Charles Koppelman
17 With Naomi De Manana, Erin Furey, and Jean Graham
18 Joaquin, an adorable Cocker Spaniel one of the volunteers in the Center's Pet Therapy Program, comforts our patients while they are waiting for their doctor. His human companion is Diane Maguire.
19 Dr. Audrey Chun - Assistant Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
20 This amazing gentleman, Bert, is a 100-year-old patient at the Center for Living! He came with his daughter, Patti.
21 With Martha Stewart Weddings' Darcy Miller (in the great gold necklace), Joan Solotar (in striped skirt) and friends
22 The PetSmart crowd
23 With Marco Maccioni, whose family owns Le Cirque
24 Posing with Betty Wright Landreth and Jim Lebenthal
25 With Jim Budman - photographer/entrepreneur
26 With Stephen Shwarzman - co-founder of the Blackstone Group
27 My friends Douglas Newhouse and Holly Banister
28 NY1 reporter, Budd Mishkin, interviewing Clive
29 With Barbara Davis - philanthropist
30 Margaret Chan and husband, Dr. Albert Siu - the Ellen and Howard Katz Professor and Chairman of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
31 The guest of honor for the evening was the legendary Clive Davis, a Grammy winner and major figure in the music industry.
32 Posing with Clive Davis and Denise Rich - songwriter, socialite, philanthropist, and political fundraiser
33 With my PR team - Jeanne Meyer, John Weiss, Nicole Sutliff, Susan Magrino, and Kelly Galvin
34 Alina Cho - national correspondent for CNN as well as a contributor to American Morning on CNN/US and her mother, Kim
35 My friends Alan and Debbie Grubman - Alan is an entertainment lawyer.
36 Clive Davis and Matt Lauer greeting each other
37 Clive being asked what's on his holiday playlist
38 Sitting down for dinner
39 First course - Pan-Roasted Hen-of-the-Woods Mushrooms with Sorrel and Sweet Onion, Smoked North County Bacon and Fromage Blanc, served with Sullivan Street Bakery Breads and Vermont creamery butter
40 The entrée - Pan-Seared Wild Striped Bass with Hazelnut-Meyer Lemon Beurre Fondue and an Autumn Vegetable Ragoût
41 Dessert - Malted Mousse with Milk Chocolate Sorbet and Sea Salt, Flourless Chocolate Cake and Crisp Rice
42 There was also an assortment of French macarons and chocolates for each table to share.
43 After welcoming our guests and after speaking a bit about the Center for Living, I was pleased to introduce the Center's Dr. Albert Siu.
44 Dr. Albert Siu read a touching letter from a patient about how the Center for Living enriches lives.
45 Center for Living's, Dr. Audrey Chun, presented me with quotes from patients at the center. My favorite is 'Meditate, eat good foods, and live a life of purpose. Don't get fat.' Emiliano, 84
46 Our auctioneer was Tash Perrin, Senior Vice President at Christie’s, where she is the head of the estates, appraisals and valuations department. Here she is egging on bidders during the auction.
47 A trip for 4 to the Martha Stewart show, including lunch in the greenroom and being in a special segment with Martha on the show, started a bidding war.
48 Pitch three songs to Clive Davis in NYC was very popular.
49 There was also a silent auction.
50 A Tory Burch bag set was a hot item.
51 Dinner in the private room at the exquisite En Japanese Brasserie
52 Founder's Favorite Holiday Gift Box from Harry & David—Royal Riviera Pears, apples, cheese, pepper and onion relish, Moose Munch snack, truffles, cookies and more, plus a signed copy of Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts cookbook.
53 An elegant diamond pendant from Kwiat's Contorno Collection—18k white gold with .51 carats
54 A six week internship at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
55 Clive with the group from North Shore LIJ Health System
56 Dr. Audrey Chun was interviewed by Alice Park, Health and Wellness Editor from Time Magazine.
57 Ben Martin of Isilon and Steve Rollins, VP of Corporate Technology at MSLO
58 With Nikki Haskel - diet advisor and Art Garfunkel - singer-songwriter
59 With friends Mary Tedesco and Muffin Dowdle
60 Introducing Clive - I was thrilled to honor Clive with our Living Award and I thanked him for being such a wonderful example of healthy, active living—and for filling our lives with music!
61 Art Garfunkel gave Clive Davis a thumbs up.
62 We watched a video narrated by radio personality, Casey Kasam, about Clive's career and all the artists he discovered.
63 Clive graciously accepted the honor and introduced the wonderful Jennifer Hudson.
64 Jennifer was only supposed to sing two songs, but she added a third and sang Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah.'
65 Jennifer was superb and it was such a treat for the gala guests.
66 Jennifer signed my book.
67 Jennifer, Clive, and me
68 Like so many fabulous artists, Clive played a large part in launching Jennifer's career as a musician.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, that is a good thing all of you are doing.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 21st, 2011 at 1:20 am
Two words for you, Martha...
GORGEOUS DRESS!!!!!!!
Posted by: Vicki Powell | November 21st, 2011 at 9:06 am
What important work being done at the Martha Stewart Center for Living. Martha, you looked radiant in that dress! Green is definitely your color.
Posted by: Cindy F | November 21st, 2011 at 9:50 am
Hi Martha, OMG! The more I see postings about your Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai, the more I wish I lived near there so I could get such wonderful, healthful care by your fantastic doctors and nurses! I'm 74 now and pretty healthy, but if I needed help I'd definitely go there! Your Mother was so lucky to have been there when needed! This latest Gala was tremendous! I love everyone of these stunning photos and comments! How great to have the Gala in your beautiful Starrett Lehigh building-it was beautifully decorated and the food was delicious! How marvelous to see so many of your wonderful friends-they all looked so happy and so did you! You looked so beautiful and Clive Davis looked so handsome and happy to be honored!! How great to see Jennifer Hudson and I'm sure everyone loved hearing her sing! My favorite photo was #67! Thanks so much for sharing! Thanks also for letting us know that Ghenghis Khan won another Dog show-fantastic Chow Chow! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 21st, 2011 at 10:51 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this wonderful blog! Looks like lots of fun! You rarely wear your arms out! You look so nice with them out! The dress was too cute!
Posted by: KLBrown | November 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am
Thank you for extending your capable abilities to advance the quality of care for those who've come before us. I often tell my students that the measure of a society — and the individual — is reflected in how it cares for those who need it most. Thank you for emphasizing the strength and wisdom of an often unrecognized and untapped resource — our senior friends!
Posted by: Mary | November 21st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Hi Martha,
Everything looked amazing including your dress that most everyone here seems to also like. The auction items were great and all for a good cause. It looks like everyone was having an enjoyable evening. You give great parties! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 21st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Dear Martha,
Another wonderful year to celebrate your Center for Living! That chandelier that was made up especially for the event is beautiful!!! You can leave that up all year long now. I cannot get over how great Jennifer Hudson looks. She put a lot of hard work into herself, and it really paid off. You, as always, look absolutey FABULOUS!! That dress, the color, and style is perfect for you. I also loved to see your arms out as well for a change. My Gosh, you are in such terrific shape, better than most even half your age! Keep it up woman!!! Love, Kim in N.J.
Posted by: Kim in N.J. | November 21st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
I hope the auction results were fantastic in the money brought into the cause. Everyone there should have been able to walk away from the event feeling very good for what they contributed.
I loved the laugh you had on your face in picture 18. It is a laugh which makes people turn and join in the moment.
Posted by: Margie | November 21st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Wow, not only do you look gorgeous, you are accomplishing much and what a testimony for those of us who at 70 only golf and talk about our great lives. Thanks for teaching me that NY may also be a good place to grow old.
Posted by: ann | November 21st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
this is very inspiring to see Martha. Keep the inspiration flowing abundantly. Thank you for just being you. Love the Martha Stewart website!
Posted by: Drewry | November 21st, 2011 at 5:36 pm
What an inspirational event with a great cause. And..I have to say, Martha, that you look stunning in that dress! You should wear sleeveless more often, and that color looks great on you.
Posted by: Judy | November 21st, 2011 at 9:03 pm
thank you martha for bringing out the best in us...greetings from belgium.
Posted by: patrick | November 21st, 2011 at 10:16 pm
I thank you for your public service! I love the green on you...and I loved the design of the dress on you! A lovely evening...keep up the great work Martha!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | November 21st, 2011 at 11:15 pm
I love you for lots of things......but especially this!!!
A reaaallllly "good thing"!!! Keep the passion going!!
Posted by: susan | November 22nd, 2011 at 4:29 pm
What a great evening and for a great cais. You look amazingly gorgeous Martha loving your dress xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 23rd, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Hi Martha.
I absolutely love your style and respect the good you do for others.You are an inspiration to all.This year i was asked to serve on our local relay-for-life committee. I was honored to accept.
I will be helping set up and decorate tables and I was wondering if you had any ideas for centerpieces/favors.The supper not only honours those who are battling Cancer and Cancer survivors,it remembers those who have lost their lives.
I would greatly appreciate your expertise.thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Holly
Posted by: HOLLY | November 23rd, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Martha, I saw some photos of your event in the New York Social Diary today, and thought what a GREAT color your dress was. The double draped Grecian styled dress has a visually soft tactility, and is a classical shape with a modern vibe. Really smart and comfortable looking at the same time.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Posted by: Fred Gonsowski | November 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Martha, you looked lovely in the green dress!
Posted by: homer | November 24th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
What a lovely concept to honor someone who is not only contributing to the public good past a certain age but because of it due to all of the wisdom they've accumulated. Well done. You look like a knockout in all of these pictures. Your dress is magnificent!
Posted by: Karen | November 28th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Where was Dr. Brent? I love the Beekman boys and know you do too!
Posted by: Sue Ockerlund | December 6th, 2011 at 2:29 pm