S: Is for the rights of Children

On Wednesday I wrote about Flirt cosmetics and promised a column on the charity it was benefiting. Children's Rights is a national organization advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children in the U.S. Since 1995, the organization has used legal action and policy initiatives to create lasting improvements in child protection, foster care and education. Their goal is to ensure that every child who is abused or neglected, invisible and voiceless, receives the treatment and care he or she needs, and grows up in a permanent and loving home. You would think in this day and age we wouldn't need this but we do.

In the early twentieth century, movements began to promote the idea of children's rights and required recognition. However, the first effective attempt to promote children's rights was the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1923 and adopted by the League of Nations in 1924. This was accepted by the United Nations and updated in 1959, and replaced with a more extensive UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

Yet still far too many children are abused and neglected and then go on to be further abused and neglected by child welfare agencies not set up for their protection. No matter what the root cause - poverty, homelessness, adolescent parenthood, parent substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc. The government is legally responsible for protecting children from the moment abuse and/or neglect is reported and throughout a child’s stay in foster care. In 2003, more than 3 million children in the U.S. were reported victims of abuse and neglect. Of the reported cases, 900,000 were substantiated. Currently, nearly 525,000 of the children who are abused and neglected live in foster care. Children linger in foster care. The average stay of is 31 months. Sixteen percent have been in foster care for five or more years. Approximately 20,000 age out of foster care every year, without a connection to a caring adult. Many still need support and services. This statistics are staggering. To find out more log onto www.childrensrights.org

I have been advocate for the rights of Children for a very long time maybe because I was once one of those children. My life looked perfect until you lived it. I have seen this issue from every angle and know it needs to be addressed. Children's Rights is addressing the issues and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for the Theatre

Last Sunday the most prestigious awards for the achievement of excellence in theatre were passed out. For the most part none were a surprise. Best actor in a musical was expected to go to Raúl Esparza for his brilliant portrayal of Bobby in "Company", instead in went to the incomparable David Hyde Pierce for "Curtains". Theatre like everything else is political. "Company" won best revival and "Curtains" was written by the beloved John Kander and Fred Ebb along with broadway favorite Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood). This was the last show written by this famous duo as Fred Ebb died September 11, 2004 while working on the show. By giving David Hyde Pierce the award it guaranteed this show would have a run. It does. "Company" had already planned it's closing for July 1st. Raul won the Drama Desk and the Outer Critic awards for his sensitive portrayal. I have known Raul for a very long time so it was sad to see him not get this coveted award. When one is an actor from the time you know this award exists you picture yourself in the mirror excepting it. That dream stays with you.

The most coveted ticket on Broadway is for the hit sensation "Spring Awakening" and it is no surprise that it took home a total of 9 awards. This ground breaking show about repressed sexuality is innovative and speaks volumes. If that isn't enough enticement to see this here's the synopsis: It’s Germany in 1891, and teenagers are discovering their sexuality. Wendla is confused when her mother says that babies come from a woman loving with her whole heart, and nothing more. Moritz hasn’t slept in days. His grades are slipping, and all he can think about are his long nightmares--and women. Hanschen is a shining example of the German male, who loves studying with Ernst. Martha is hiding a secret. And Melchior Gabor is sick of it all. The music to this show is a combination of traditional and pop and when you discovered the effects that repression has on the human psyche you will not be able to stop talking about it or listening to it.

I am thrilled that "Grey Gardens" won 3 Tony's. Hurray to Christine Ebersol
for Best Actress in a musical, Mary Louise Wilson for Best Supporting Actress in a musical and for Outstanding Costume Design William Ivey Long. My vote for best producers Randall L. Wreghitt and Edwin W. Schloss.

When people tell me theatre is dying I have one thing to say to them 6.2 million people watched the Tony's. Theatre will always live and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for the Firt of Vanessa Minnillo

Unless you have been under a rock it was the photographs of Lindsay Lohan holding a knife against Vanessa Minnillo's throat that sent her to rehab. Best known for dating singer Nick Lachey ex-husband of Jessica Simpson, this former Miss Teen USA and American television personality from Entertainment Tonight has parried all this negative publicity towards a cameo in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. She also graces the covers of Maxim (she's #15), Shape and Lucky. The later is the 2007 July issue. The reason for the Lucky Magazine? She is the new addition to the "Flirt! Cosmetics" line, debuting in August which will be available at Kohl stores and www.kohls.com as well as www.flirtcosmetics.com.
Twice a year, Flirt enlists the creative talents of personalities from pop culture to express their unique sense of style and creativity in cosmetics. The Guest Creator may work on a new color, a new product, a new accessory or an entire collection. Vanessa Minillo along with her beau showed off her contribution at BIG DROP New York City in Soho (look for an article on that Monday)! Unveiling the new shades of lip gloss and eye shadow in her limited edition collection, these colors, packaging and pricing are sure to make this line a success. Done in two palettes one reflecting the Autumn tones and the other a Amethyst/Rose. I must admit I not only like them but would use them. The lip glosses are not as impressive as the colors seem just a little off. In today's competitive market you can not afford that.

Flirt is the second Beauty Bank brand to be announced. Beauty Bank under American Beauty is the sole provider for Kohl's newly created beauty department. Beauty Bank is a subsidiary of Estee Lauder. Estée Lauder is beginning to have a monopoly on the beauty and perfume world. I include all their brands: Aramis, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and bumble, Clinique, Daisy Fuentes, Darphin, Donald Trump The Fragrance, Donna Karan, Good Skin, Grassroots, Jo Malone, Kate Spade, Lab Series (a male skin care brand which is a spin-off from Aramis), La Mer, Kiton, MAC Cosmetics, Michael Kors, MISSONI, Origins, Prescriptives, Rodan and Fields, Sean John, Stila, Tommy Hilfiger and Coach Fragrances.

One of the best things about last nights event was a portion of the proceeds were going to Children's Rights (see Friday's column). It is nice to note that companies give back and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the art of "Sound Modulated Light"

Entranced by the physical properties of sound Edwin van der Heide creates experiences for an audience based on creative applications of "Sonology". The resulting experience is a scored laser show that's cinematic and hypnotic. The entire sequence of motion is based on two lasers, a formal constraint that allows the viewer a trance-inducing reset for the brain. Viewers are encouraged to pick up headphones and a dense metal box that contains numerous light sensors. When the box is pointed at one of the bulbs, the modulating light is transformed to a soundscape inside the headphones. Moving the box closer to the light source increases the volume and distorts the sound. What was a rather drab, empty space is suddenly infused with life, and each user becomes a DJ of sorts for his or her personal soundtrack. Van der Heide's brilliance lies with his ability to do justice to his abstract investigations. Laser Sound Performance brings some perplexing quality of our sensory experience to the surface. Musical language is the format used in the development and the result can either be an installation, a performance or an environment. Though his work is at the Estuaire Biannual 2007 in France, you can check out this inventive artist at www.evdh.net. See for yourself if his form of art doesn't bring you inspiration and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for fresh ingredients

I had been memorized that people were standing in line for ice cream so when my friend Caroline suggested we do it, I said why not. We needed to catch up anyway and the night was stunning. Located at 2165 Broadway between 76th and 77th GROM has moved in. Importing itself from Turin Italy, Americans are in for a tasty treat.

Grom is ice cream of the highest quality. Their principles are strict: only fresh fruit and when it is in season, no colouring or additives that are not natural. San Bernardo's mineral water is the base for the sorbets and high quality full-fat fresh milk for the creams. The eggs are from organic chickens and selections of the best cocoa and coffee's from central America round off the ingredients. The results are a quasi-religious experience. See if this wets your appetite. “High-grade Ecuadorian and Venezuelan chocolate, hazelnut paste from Piedmont, Italian and Madagascar vanilla,” ripe off the vines strawberries, melons, apricots, peaches, raspberries and figs.

Caroline ordered gianduja an intensely flavored roasted hazelnut and chocolate, which she paired with Tiramisu made with Ecuadorian chocolate and coffee. The aftertaste was like eating a piece of solid dark chocolate (not your typical chocolate ice cream). I tried cinnamon from Sri Lanka and Zabaglione with real Sicilian Marsala. If you are feeling a bit down… this is the perfect recipe for you! The cost of all of this perfection? A small cup goes for $4.75, about a dollar more than most other gelato brands. When I say small, I mean 5 bites . The large cup was a whopping $9.75. I can state that I was completely satisfied by the small cup and unlike other brands I was not bloated but completely sated. Will I be back? That depends on my will power and that is a F.A.C.T.