S: is for the social consciousness of science

Its not every day you meet someone who's wearing a dopamine necklace, but then it's not every day you meet someone like Dr Lizzie Burns. She's a scientist, artist and maker of jewelery. Can you guess what this painting is? Its a new HIV Vaccine by artist Dr. Lizzie Burns. Inspired by the research team at the University of Oxford’s Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. Scientists are testing a new kind of HIV vaccine based on DNA. Containing small sections of HIV genes designed to provoke a strong immune reaction as well as dead pox viruses to boost the immune response. The vaccine of DNA-bearing particles(gold/purple) are fired through the cell surface by compressed helium, along with inactivated pox viruses (purple balls), to boost the immune response. The white blood cell is given growth messages (pink) while the vaccinated cell is sentenced to death (black).

Lizzie wanted to show the similarities between men and women. In both cases the development of our reproductive systems is triggered by the release of a single hormone (GnRH) from the base of our brains which in turn release further hormones (FSH and LH). These hormones act on the gonads (pale green) to stimulate secretion of sex hormone: testosterone from men’s testes and estrogen from women’s ovaries. These superimposed outlines of the two models (Burns and her partner) show how sex hormones influence male and female characteristics. It makes learning science so much more interesting when you can relate it to an artist rendering that breaks it down to color.
This is a blood clot. Children are Lizzie's real target she is determined to cross the boundary between art and science. When she peered into the secret beauty of the cancerous cells a laboratory in Oxford, she decided to paint them."It's an irony that cancerous growth looks so fascinating under the microscope with the birth of each new cell."It is a F.A.C.T. that the things that can kill us can be scary but through this kind of inspiration we can be encouraged to learn the F.A.C.T.S. and improve the quality of life.

T: Is for Trivia from the Los Angles Times

I have been writing about my increasing concern over illegal immigrants in New York and the increasing of rights for them and the decreasing of rights for those of us who are becoming displaced. These F.A.C.T.S. are from the LA Times. I wonder what they are for NY city. It's time we opened our eyes.

1. 40% of all workers in L.A. County ( L.A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This was because they are predominantly illegal immigrants, working without a green card.

2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.

3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.

4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.

5. Nearly 25% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.

7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.

8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.

9. 21 radio stations in L.A. are Spanish speaking.

10. In L.A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L.A. County ).

Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but 29% are on welfare.

Over 70% of the United States ' annual population growth (and over 90% of California , Florida , nd New York ) results from immigration.

The cost of immigration to the American taxpayer in 1997 was, (after subtracting taxes immigrants pay), a NET $70 BILLION/year, [Professor Donald Huddle, Rice University ]. The lifetime fiscal impact (taxes paid minus services used) for the average adult Mexican immigrant is a NEGATIVE number.

29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens.

Did you know that immigrants from Mexico and other non-European countries can come to this country and get preferences in jobs, education, and government contracts. It's called affirmative action or racial privilege. The Emperor of Japan or the President of Mexico could migrate here and immediately be eligible for special rights unavailable for Americans of European descent.

Corporate America has signed on to the idea that minorities and third world immigrants should get special, privileged status. Some examples are Exxon, Texaco, Merrill Lynch, Boeing, Paine Weber, Starbucks and many more.

Did you know .. that Mexico regularly intercedes on the side of the defense in criminal cases involving Mexican nationals?

Did you know .. that Mexico has NEVER extradited a Mexican national accused of murder in the U.S . in spite of agreements to do so? According to the L.A. Times, Orange County , California is home to 275 gangs with 17,000 members, 98% of which are Mexican and Asian.

According to a New York Times article dated May 19, 1994, 20 years after the great influx of legal immigrants from Southeast Asia , 30% are still on welfare compared to 8% of households nationwide.

A Wall Street Journal editorial dated December 5, 1994 quotes law enforcement officials as stating that Asian mobsters are the "greatest criminal challenge the country faces." Not bad for a group that is still under 5% of the population.

I remember hearing about the immigrants that came through Ellis Island They wanted to learn English. They wanted to breathe free. They wanted to become Americans. Now, far too many immigrants come here with demands. They demand to be taught in their own language. They demand special privileges ... affirmative action. They demand ethnic studies that glorify their culture.

It is a F.A.C.T. that America is based on being free and was meant to be open, but when does it end? Where do we go when America speaks another language we don't know? Where do we go when our health care system is only for the rich and the illegal? Where do we go when we are no longer welcome and are hated in our own country? We need to know these answers and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is about caring for yourself and others

Fall is finally here, which means dry skin, brittle hair and my biggest problem, chapped lips. We have lots of places to go, people to see, family events to attend to and parties galore. This column is dedicated to places and treatments I recommend.

Elizabeth Grae is a celebrity make-up artist. Her specialty is a total make-over and eyebrow shaping. They say the eyes are the mirror to the soul and with Elizabeth's expertise you will gain the confidence to gaze unabashed. Elizabeth lives in Greenwich Connecticut but does home and office visits. To book an appointment call 917 359-4472

Need to get your body in shape with your own personal yoga teacher or nutritionist? The best person I know is Jennifer. Not only has Jen brought herself to optimum health she can do the same for you. Jen also does corporation wellness programs so if you are looking for the perfect pick me up for your office contact Jen at 917 669-6702

For discounts at top NYC Spa's log onto www.spa-nyc.com and check out the specials.
Right now they are having 50% off treatments that will make your body purr.

Beauty comes from within. Here is a way to become beautiful from the inside. curcioprojects is pleased to continue its support of non-profit organizations improving the lives of children. On Nov 8 join Anne Curry, Vanessa Williams, Soledad O'Brian and Hoda Kotb for Hearts of Gold at The Puck Building. A Fashion show with silent and live auctions with two donated photographs by friend and famed photographer, Patrick McMullan. For info and tickets call: 206-1461

Nov 14 100 Women in Hedge Funds for iMentor takes place at Cipriani on 42 Street for cocktails, dinner and auction. www.100womeninhedgefunds.org, www.imentor.org.

If we don't take care of ourselves we can not give to others and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: is for art that releses us.

On Thursday Gagosian Chelsea located at 555 West 24th Street from 6 to 8 pm presents The Remix Paintings of German artist Georg Baselitz. Baselitz confronted the visceral realities of history and the human and cultural tragedies of a world in turmoil. "What I could never escape was Germany, and being German." says Georg. The Remix paintings are radical transubstantiation's, part-caricature, part ghost. The spontaneity with which they are executed gives rise to things in the past, present, and future. Remix also has to do with a mature artist's meditations on time, presence, failure and possibility. This is the first time that this work will be shown in the U.S. You can see it till December 22.

Ever since I met Johniene Papandreas I have been a fan of her work. Johniene transformed a design career in New York theatre into a business designing Corporate Theatre and Events before returning to fine art. Her large-scale paintings were recently featured in the Los Angeles Times announcing the prestigious 2007 ASID Greystone Mansion Design Showcase. I am fascinated with subtext. Reading between the lines and tuning into the unspoken. My portraits are of imagined, damaged, passionate, and hidden selves. Expressions captured in a moment, thoughts private, unobserved, before the retreat, before the walls go back up. Guided by past Masters who were passionate in their revelation of the human condition, Johniene seeks out the souls that populate their paintings. The complex expressions, hidden agendas, and faces stripped of artifice, laid bare by ecstasy. Lifting them out of their place and time she take them as models. I listen carefully and translate. Your eyes meet theirs. Something seems familiar, you connect, and across the centuries spirits speak.

I have always longed to have an apartment large enough that just one of her pieces could dominate the room. For me they are like dream catchers or Dorian's mirror and we could all use someplace to hide the recesses of our souls and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for finding the joy in your friendships

Friendships are a gift from the universe that expand our lives and make us grow. Sometimes people come into our lives to help us and sometimes it is so we can help them. It isn't till the end that we find out the truth of why somebody was in our lives and why we were in theirs. I have always been blessed to have a diverse group of friends. They have gotten me through many harsh and trying situations and have always been there for me unconditionally. I am not always the best friend but I am a loyal one. Friendship is like a garden you have to tend it, water it, feed it and prune it and when the seasons have passed you see the fruit of your labor and realize it was tending you. I give you famous quotes to ponder. May you be blessed by the friendships in your lives.

"In good times, in bad times I'll be on your side forever more, that's what friends are for."
- "That's what friends are for"

"I get by with a little help from my friends."
- John Lennon

"At the shrine of friendship Never say die, Let the wine of friendship never run dry." - Les Misérables

"Let's make a resolution. I'll drink to that. Let's always stay friends. Friendship is thicker than blood...That depends...Depends on trust. Depends on true devotion. Depends on love. Depends on not denying emotion..."
-Rent -

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

"Every person is a new door to a different world."
- from movie "Six Degrees of Separation"

A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway."
- Jerome Cummings

"A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails."
- Unknown

"Some people come into our lives,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never the same."
- Unknown

"Each friend represents a world in us,
a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anaïs Nin

"I can trust my friends. These people force me to examine, encourage me to grow."
-Cher

"It's the friends you can call up at 4am that matter."
- Marlene Dietrich

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
- Mother Teresa

"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity."
- Kahil Gibran

"Never shall I forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
- Ludwig van Beethoven

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."
- Helen Keller

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

It is a F.A.C.T. we are in a time of connection, which is odd considering all the mis-communications. We all have faults, idiosyncrasies and flaws that make us unique, special....human. Let us cherish and learn from all those that cross our paths.