S: Is for speaking your truths

Referred to as a modern-day shaman, a Mother Teresa for the ‘90s and Hollywood’s answer to God Marianne Williamson is a voice in a sometimes silent world. A spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of the The Peace Alliance, a campaign supporting legislation currently before Congress to establish the United States Department of Peace, Williamson always speaks for Peace. Associated with the urban myth of Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration speech.It was Mendella who quoted Williamson. That was the quote I used in yesterdays column. The press has condemned yet failed to credit her for working with AIDS,cancer patients and the homeless on L.A.'s streets. The Centers for Living, is her organization dedicated to providing home-delivered care for people with life-threatening diseases. In 1989, she founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves home bound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area. Today, Project Angel Food serves over 1,000 people daily. Her debut novel A Return to Love starts "The journey into darkness has been long and cruel, and you have gone deep into it. What happened to my generation is that we never grew up. The problem isn't that we're lost or apathetic, narcissistic or materialistic. The problem is we're terrified." Having published 9 critically acclaimed books, four of which have had extended runs on the Times best seller list. In December 2006, NEWSWEEK magazine named Marianne one of the fifty most influential baby boomers. 1st known for her talks on A Course in Miracles, a step-by-step method for choosing love over fear. Marianne has been a popular guest on numerous television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, and Charlie Rose. Marianne's newest professional venture is her own radio show, airing on the new XM Radio block called 'Oprah and Friends'. Her passion now is worldwide peace. On February 3 – 5 of this year she lead the Peace Alliance, a conference in Washington DC campaigning for legislation to create a US Dept. of Peace. She spoke to sold out audiences with Joaquin Phoenix, Steven Tyler and Deepak Chopra lending their support. They reach a multitude arranging for over 250 meetings and conferences. Peace is a dynamic process of nonviolent social interaction that results in security for all members of a society. www.thepeacealliance.org is the website where you can join in and make a difference. Violence is a fire that is threatening to engulf us, and we need not stand by. After Katrina Williamson stated “Something very important is happening here. Something more than a hurricane, or the suffering of thousands who were neglected by their government during a time of great need. Most worldly occurrences reflect deeper truths. What is happening is a gigantic reckoning, as Americans are forced to come to terms with how very, very naked is the Emperor who we thought had such incredible clothes”. Iraq’s tragedy spanned “There is nothing strong about rushing into a unilateral war based on faulty intelligence, thereby squandering the resources necessary with which to take care of your own people; there is nothing protective about a government that apparently didn’t monitor events on the ground in New Orleans any better, in fact, less! The president prides himself on running the government like a well-run business. That of course makes him the chief executive. And if the government failed, then he failed. (In the Bush's Regine we are 3 trillion in debt with 2 wars and 2 more on the horizon would a Board of Directors keep him on as CEO with Cheney as Chairman or would they be fired by for lack of profitability and squandering resources?)
Fool us once, and maybe their tricks were dirty; fool us twice, maybe their PR was too good; fool us now, and perhaps we just deserve to be fooled. From war to hurricanes, the alarm bells of needless human suffering are going off everywhere. A nation who refuses to wake up at this point is in a dangerous slumber. The nightmares are upon us now. They will remain until our eyes are opened and we have awakened to the truth.”
As we end this week of people over 40 making a difference I urge everyone no matter what your age is to take an active part on what is going on, Use your voices and soon we can make a noticeable difference. And that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for the theatrical 40's

Continuing the week celebration of life over 40, it is the “Great White Way” that embraces this philosophy. Oh sure there are shows like “Rent” and “Spring Awakening” but the hottest tickets are “Grey Gardens”, “King Lear” and “The Year of Magical Thinking” all of whom star people over 40. This years Tony for best actress in a musical is expected to go to “Grey Gardens” star Christine Ebersole who at 59 has already received an impressive list of awards for her dual roles of Edith and Edie Beale. The production which she lends her soul to has been acclaimed on over 25 "Best of 2006" lists. Time Magazine recognized Grey Gardens and Christine as the #1 show and performance of 2006. Ms Ebersole’s co-conspirator veteran actress Mary Louse Wilson 83 add solid imagination and craft. At Lincoln Center The Public Theater’s production of Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear, continues the trend. Directed by Award-winning James Lapine 57 featuring Tony Winner Kevin Kline 60 and 3 time nominee Michael Cerveris 47 Lear boosts of Men at the top of their craft and still bringing it. To add to an already impressive list the legendary Stephen Sondheim 77, and Michael Starobin have created the music. On March 29th, Vanessa Redgrave 70 will star in the Broadway adaptation of Joan Didion's 83 acclaimed novel “The Year of Magical Thinking”. Winning the National Book Award in November 2005, director David Hare 70 will bring to life this one Women show. Highly anticipated and in a strictly limited, twenty-four-week engagement, this is a chance to see one of the world's greatest living actresses, who has been honored by Academy and Tony Awards and will be sculpted by an acclaimed force in this industry as both a director and a playwright. The magic doesn’t stop Raúl Esparza 40 is awing audiences in “Company”, The new show “Talk Radio” based on the film contains an array of actors all over 40 and strutting their stuff. Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy start previews March 12 in “Inherit the Wind” with an impressive supporting cast all over 40. To quote Marianne Williamson 55

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear; Our presence automatically liberates others".

I add this quote because if a society makes it seem that life is for the young just because it's said doesn't make it so. May this column inspire you, that whether you are 20 or above you make it a F.A.C.T. to live life to the fullest.

C: Is for the creativeness of Nicole Farhi

I had written most of the columns for this week except today's because I was stumped as who to write about. I had already committed myself to Women over 40 making a difference and after Nan Kempler who influenced a fashion industry but was a failure to herself.
I wanted someone like Tiffany who excelled as both a person and an artist. I had been sent an invitation to Vanity Fair & Nicole Farhi: A Celebration of Style at 202, 75 Ninth Ave. I did some research on Nicole and prayed this was the answer. It was. Since the early eighties Nicole has been a major name in England. She has influenced men’s and women’s clothing and her home furnishing lines have gained popularity here in the US. Uptown’s Nicole’s and downtown’s 202 are her two retail stores and restaurants. The food is delightful, try melt in your mouth lamb. Combining the old with the new, the comfortable with the tailored, Farhi has created a line that is excessable to all ages while retaining a beauty in her choices of color. I love when you mix pumpkin, damask rose and teal with a stark white, peach and sea foam green to create a spectrum that is universal. Her home goods mirror her clothing’s raw fabrics, natural hues and unstructured shapes. The antiques accumulated from her world travels are blended in. When visiting 202 I thought of all my friends who are refurbishing farm houses and wanted to immediately send them here to shop. Farhi is 60 and states she has no plans to slow down.“I don’t think I will ever retire,” she says. “My life is very full. Sixty is not an old age as long as the brain cells are working and the imagination flows.” Reminiscent of the old French Connection label I was not surprised but elated to learn the designs I adored and missed were Farhi’s. Attracting an enviably star-studded roster of customers David Beckham, Bill Nighy, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman are just a few of her admirers. Nicole's passion is also sculpting and is represented in the art scene as well. While waiting to talk to her a distinguished man introduced himself and in a instant I learned she is married to Sir David Hare, one of the most political playwrights of our time. Currently he is represented on B'way in "The Vertical Hour" and he is directing the soon to open "The Year Of Magical Thinking" with Vanessa Redgrave. I am a huge fan of Mr Hare having performed in "Plenty". He also wrote the screenplay for my friend Michael Cunningham's "The Hours". Nicole met David at the opening night of his play Murmuring Judges in 1991. "I helped the designer to dress the leading lady.” Nicole is down to earth, talented and the reason F.A.C.T. choose to admire and honor women who have things to contribute over 40 despite all he hype.

A: Is for the Museums that house great art

In route down 5th Ave I realized there were so many exhibits down Museum mile that I wanted to catch. We are so blessed to live in a city that boasts of a cultural haven and yet we rarely participate. Passing The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82nd I noticed that an exhibit of Nan Kempner was getting ready to close, since I had decided to dedicate my column to Women over 40 who have influenced us Tuesdays during March I am dedicating the A: To Museums that calm, incite and allow history to stay intact by the artists who influence their culture.
I was introduced to the Met by the children's book "THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER". On my first visit to New York I couldn't wait to see if the book had described this remarkable structure accurately. Many a dream was spent getting lost in this world. I was not disappointed. Since coming to the Met my favorite section has always been the Egyptian wing and my visit is never complete without it. Displaying over 36,000 objects spanning from 5th millennium AD to 400 BC. It is daunting, awing and miraculous. The tomb of Pernab 2381 BC during the rein of King David awaits. The collection of jewelry of Hatshepsut a female pharaoh and the piece d' Residence the Temple of Dendur 15 BC are must sees. I brought my friend Deven who had never experienced this and she was enrapt, but lets not forget the reason I was here...Nan Kempler
born July 24, 1930 and dieing last year at 74 she was a socialite, famous for dominating society events, shopping, charity work and fashion. Owning 362 sweaters, 354 jackets; and a collection of some of the greatest designers in the world including Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Gaultier to name a few. She acquired some 3,000 garments. This obsession began when she bought her first couture gown - a white satin sheath dress with a white satin mink-trimmed coat - in 1958, from the first collection of Laurent, who was designing for Dior. When exploring the costume institutes exhibit I was struck by the fact that she had to be Bulimic or Anorexic so when I got home I did some research and I discovered she inspired the novelist Tom Wolfe to coin the term "social X-ray" when describing, the skeletal ladies-who-lunch on the Upper East Side in Bonfire of the Vanities. Sadly to say I was not wrong. We are shaped by our parental voices and her father told her: "You'll never make it on your face, so you'd better be interesting." At 12 she was sent to a diet specialist after she was deemed to have put on too much weight and ordered to eat "sandwiches" where the bread was replaced by iceberg lettuce. Consoling herself by poring over recipe books containing forbidden rich food she shared her knowledge in books. Fashion was her God and she had to undergo several operations after she broke her hip, having tripped in her bedroom while wearing a pair of 8-inch John Galliano heels. Married in 1952 her relationship thrived on the understanding that she travel to all the fashion shows and bought extravagantly, while turning a blind eye to his infidelities. Claiming not to mind, in an interview by Vanity Fair, "as long as they're attractive". She caused a furore in print stating she loathed fat people. Where I went to discover a Women who shaped the pages of fashion I discovered a Women tormented and obsessed with never being good enough. Her final statement "I tell people all the time I want to be buried naked," "I know there will be a store where I'm going." This collection only holds relevance because of its mark on a industry that forces people to live up to an unrealistic measurement. I must admit I was lusting after a Gaultier coat but definitely I would rather be me than her and that is always a good thing to discover. Having experienced Nan and it being the last day of this exhibit I entered to the American wing to discover Louis Comfort Tiffany and what a joy! Born February 18, 1848 – January 17, 1933 he was an American artist and designer who is best known for his work in stained glass. Most often associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements he designed windows, lamps, mosaics, ceramics, jewelry, enamels and metalwork. I was surprised to learn he was also a painter. Using all his skills he designed his own 84 room house, Laurelton Hall, in Oyster Bay, Long Island. A major exhibit of Laurelton Hall opened at the Met in November 2006 and it runs until May 20th. If you have never discovered or had the chance to see this great artists work I suggest you run to the Met and indulge yourself in the exquisite artistry of this individual. Pictures, books and replica's do not do this work justice. He was truly a one of a kind light that comes around rarely. We have the chance make it a F.A.C.T. to witness for ourselves this mastery.

F: Is for the fabulous of More

If most people were given one wish if you are over 39 your wish would be to go backwards in time. Instead of celebrating the trials and tribulations of your life, the lines and the wrinkles of time, we find ways to hide. If we are honest in this world we are judged by age and for a Women that means you are down hill at 39. I always thought God got it wrong. If we were born old and got younger by the year, Men would not look for trophy wives and or that younger girlfriend to make them complete. Women would not become insecure each year as to what would befall them, look for the newest plastic surgery to compete or fret that their job was going to over throw them for a newer cheaper employee. I for one am thrilled that a magazine like More exists. This magazine celebrates life and Women over 40. Life doesn't end it begins again and we are who we are by the things we have experienced. To kick off this philosophy for the 7th year More and it's editor and chief Peggy Northrop threw Wilhelmina's 40 plus model search. 42nd streets Ciprani hosted the event that was an electric blend of confident women and the Men who clearly appreciate them. Hors d'oeuvres of veal ravioli, carpaccio, and a host of mouth watering treats awaited as Bellini's were passed out to all of us who were there to honor these incredible Women. Ranging in age from 41 to 56 and selected from more than 16,000 entries in a nationwide search they strutted the fashions of Carmen Marc Valvo down a catwalk with an audience cheering them on. Awaiting three lucky winners a Wilhelmina modeling contract and a prize package worth more than $85,000. All 10 finalists were winners according to the comments of all those around me. Everyone had their own favorites but in the end it was Paula O'Connor, 41 an Oncologist from San Francisco, Steffi Jo Chapin, 42 Doctor of Optometry from Terra Ceia, Florida and Patricia Neville, 50 a sales manager for a clothing company and director of development for a women's shelter from Miami, Florida. And the winner is... Patricia who will be featured in June's issue. These 10 women all had one thing in common a lifelong dream of becoming a model. Dreams do not die because we get older they just get buried and for these Women unearthed. To quote Peggy Northrop "Women are catching up to men. Now we have all of this economic independence. There's a kind of confidence that comes when you're in your 40s and 50s, and men find that incredibly attractive.” To quote me "Beauty is ageless and it is in the confidence that radiates from knowing that". This contest just proves me right. March's cover model Angela Bassett was on hand to host this event and to share her confidence. Radiating that inner beauty. Supporting her, husband Courtney Vance. Their new book "Friends: A Love Story" has made headlines due to their celibacy before marriage. Vance recalls, "We knew this relationship was special so we decided to abstain from sex until after we were married." But Bassett reveals, "It wasn't easy. Actually, one night, I did beg Courtney to give in." At 48 Bassett is making waves, standing up for what she believes and "Gettin her Groove on". Sponsoring this event Garnier, Talbots, Baume & Mercier and ROC. I mention this because in the gift bag was a product from ROC that I have grown to love. Daily microdermabrasion cleansing disks. I have never used soap on my face it leaves me feeling like I grew a second skin and I never understood that. Water was always just fine, but my skin has changed. The dirt in the air has changed and water is no longer pure. These little pads get rid of all that while wiping away all the dried cells that just hang on and then replenish and moisturize. Along with the lotion from Townhouse my skin has a new lease on life. My column this week is dedicated to those who show us how to rise from the embers of what society deems is over the hill and to make it a F.A.C.T. that life doesn't end at 40 but begins.