The Martha Stewart Center For Living at Mount Sinai Gala 2010

November 19, 2010

The Martha Stewart Center For Living at Mount Sinai Gala 2010

This past Wednesday evening, I hosted the third annual gala for the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai. It was held, once again, in the spacious clerestory at our offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in Manhattan and, I must say, that the room looked simply magical. After welcoming my guests, I spoke about the approaching “silver tsunami” - the 78 million baby boomers who will start turning 65 in 2011. The leading edge of that great wave is now upon us.

At the Center for Living, we are doing everything we can to address the medical, financial, and public policy challenges that this looming health care crisis represents. Our extraordinary team is working hard to fulfill our mission to provide the finest, comprehensive medical care for adults over the age of 65. It is not about aging. It is about living – living gracefully and healthfully with energy and enthusiasm even as we grow older. I hope you enjoy these photos of this spectacular event.

: Tom Borghese and Livia Cetti of The Green Vase developed these beautiful arrangements incorporating eucalyptus and dusty miller.

: Tables were set in a sophisticated green and silver scheme to accent the flowers.

: Stolichnaya generously donated vodka for cocktails – Stoli Wild Cherri, Stoli White Pomegranik, and elit by Stolichnaya.

: As darkness fell, guests began to arrive. This is the view from the 9th floor.

: Jim Lebenthal spoke of his optimistic outlook in life, at 82 he announced ‘I will still go out and buy Green Bananas and wait for them to ripen.’

: The live auction – Lydia Fenet of Christie’s was recently named one of New York’s Top Five Auctioneers.

: The entree was slow-roasted Bo Bo Farms chicken with cognac-peppercorn sauce, braised Swiss chard, and kabocha squash polenta.

: Dessert was an apple tarte tatin with creme fraiche ice cream and brown sugar caramel.

: In addition to coffee and a selection of teas, there were also yummy petit fours.

: The program for the evening

: A lighting specialist sets the mood

: The clerestory looked spectacular.

: The logo for the Center for Living – a bonsai tree

: The menu

: Another prize – a training session with Mary Tedesco, my personal trainer

: An auction prize from my Martha Stewart Pets line at PetSmart

: A great bag from Tory Burch

: A really great tool kit from the Martha Stewart craft line at Michaels

: 2006 Villa Antinori Rosso and 2009 Villa Antinori Bianco were generously donated by Marchesi Antinori.

: With Kevin before the event

: The theme was tied into ‘generations’ – family photos were displayed on the large screens – here I am with Alexis.

: With Alexis as a baby

: The chandeliers were were designed by Erin Furey – stylist with Weddings

: A delicious menu of cocktails, with spirits provided by Hendrick’s Gin and Stolichnaya.

: There is still time to bid! http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/martha/catalog_items?closed=1

: Stephen Rollins, Erin Furey, and Bernie Young

: A photo with Eli Wilner – the great frame dealer

: With our honoree, Alexandra Lebenthal

: Margaret Chan, Dr. Al Siu, and me

: Our friends at US Pharma Lab

: Carole and Ralph Robbins and me

: With Danny Meyer, restaurateur extraordinaire. His Union Square Events catering group created the dinner.

: The clerestory looked so magical. Do not use.

: The modern approach to check-ins – our event team, Buckley Hall Events did all on iPads! http://www.buckleyhallevents.com/

: With fashion designer Zac Posen

: With Terry Lundgren – the CEO of Macy’s

: Darcy Miller being photographed

: Posing with Kathy Staib and Ellen Deutsch

: Bert, who is going to be 100 years old and a Center for Living patient and his daughter, Patti

: Posing with honoree Jim Lebenthal and Betty Wright Landreth

: With Andrew Jenks and honorees Alexandra Lebenthal and Jim Lebenthal

: With Sirio Maccioni and Richie Notar

: With MTV’s Andrew Jenks, our special guest speaker

: Jill Joyner in our IT department demonstrated our new digital Martha Stewart Living issue for the iPad entitled Boundless Beauty, as well as our app, Martha Stewart Makes Cookies.

: Muffie Potter Aston and Alexandra Lebenthal

: My friend Memrie Lewis and me

: Ready to start mixing!

: My very good friend Jane Heller

: The Bonsai Trees were gifts for our honorees.

: Dr. Siu spoke about all of the new medical advancements at the Center For Living.

: Dr. Audrey Chun at the podium

: Andrew Jenks – host of MTV’s World of Jenks – He made an extraordinary documentary, HBO’s ‘Room 335,’ about his experiences residing in an assisted living facility for older adults in Florida at the age of 19.