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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
34 Alina Cho - national correspondent for CNN as well as a contributor to American Morning on CNN/US and her mother, Kim
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
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.
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.
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!
62 We watched a video narrated by radio personality, Casey Kasam, about Clive's career and all the artists he discovered.