S: Is for Bountiful Sharing!

With those looming prices and the quality of fruits and vegetables lowering, here is a way to support the farming industry, help others and feed yourself delicious homegrown treats. Farm Share Ltd. works with local family owned farms to bring fresh organic crops to your table. The bounty is then driven to your doorstep. Talk about convenient with an assurance of organic and naturally grown produce you can trust. As you become a "member" of the farm for the season and you receive a delivery of your portion of the farm’s weekly harvest. As the season progresses, the harvest changes so you continue to taste and discover new food throughout. Farm Share also provide easy-to-follow recipes and a place for members to exchange recipes on their website. CSA brings a unique approach to bringing farms and families together for great food and support to small local farms and sustainable agriculture. Pledging in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation. Members also share in the risks of farming, including unfavorable weather or pests. By selling directly to a community of members who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, farmers gain some financial security in an uncertain time and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing. For the farmer, it means having the resources to buy seed and equipment and the time to do what they love to do – farm! For you, a whole season of great food and a direct connection to its source. Shares are designed for 1-2 adults who love vegetables or a family with small children. Vegetarian or larger families often purchase two shares. While quantity depends on what is being harvested on the farm each week, each weekly vegetable share generally includes 6-8 varieties and up to a half bushel of fresh vegetables, with many different delicious varieties including outstanding heirloom types not available in stores. Fruit shares contain 2-3 items each week. Vegetable Shares A weekly supply of freshly hand-harvested organic vegetables. Crops planned include heirloom tomatoes, arugula, beets, middle eastern cucumbers, summer squash, yellow fingerling potatoes, onions, garlic, purple carrots, snap peas, brussel sprouts on the stalk, leaf lettuce, eggplant and much more. Fruit Shares include sweet cherries, peaches, small and large plums, concord grapes, several varieties of crisp apples, juicy pears and more. The cost is $400 for 20 weeks and $550 for 22 weeks including all delivery charges. When you break it down that's $20 a week. To learn more log onto www.myfarmshare.com

With people losing their homes and their land here is a way to help others. Without farmers there is no fresh food and that would be a crime and a F.A.C.T. that would be hard to digest.

T: Is for Trees, Trees and more Trees!

A Forest Grows on a Brooklyn Landfill Planting a tree requires an act of faith. They take years, sometimes decades to reach their prime, but a tree can become a forest. Using plants native to the area, drought-resistant grasses, wildflowers and even cactus someday two Brooklyn landfills will become q place of life, not death. This is the brain child of John McLaughlin the DEP’s Director of Ecological Services. Once a landfill is capped, and covered with soil, methane gas and toxic ooze become harmful not only to the earth but to humans. If you put at least three feet of soil over a landfill’s plastic or clay cap, you can avoid decades of lawn care. You can restore a native landscape that will take care of itself. And you can even start planting…..trees! There is concern rainwater will get into the garbage and cause pollution problems in our waterways. The cost is also not cheep. Try $20 million for this ecological restoration of the Pennsylvania and Fountain Avenue landfills.

What makes global warming so dangerous with the cutting down of the rainforest the carbon from plants and animals, in the form of coal and oil, that has been buried for millions of years. Two German scientists have a solution: Fritz Scholz and Ulrich Hasse from the University of Greifswald idea: Planting forests, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by landfilling them. For the first time, humankind will give something back to nature that we have taken away. Environmental problems in principle, can be resolved in time. Disturbing soil, releases carbon, the scientists suggest using old mines for their forest landfills. The world would have to plant 3.8 million square miles of forest every year to counteract current global carbon dioxide emissions. That's bigger than the size of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). And the scientists themselves point out that it's equivalent to all virgin forests lost in the 20th century.

My suggestion is to implement these changes but lets all do our part. Buy plants and water them. They will give back to you so much more. Burn your paper and try and use less. Create art or other containers from your plastic, cans and other debre. Become and example and it is a F.A.C.T. others will look up to you.

C: Is for Clubs in the Sky!

Summer is coming and so is the heat. Below is a list of the new oasis that offer a place to get away even when your still stuck in the city. Have an affaire to throw, that needs to be chic and at the newest hottest place? Want to hand with the elite and be part of the beautiful people? Here are suggestions that not only do they offer rooms with a view but a cool way too pass away the night or day.

Opening Thursday, an oasis will sparkle at the top of the Empire Hotel, with an exclusive Vegas-style pool with cabanas and cocktail service. The Pooldeck is the only Upper West Side pool scene. The roof is split into two levels: the upper level for sunning and swimming, the lower for cabanas and cocktailing and both are for guests only. But don't let that intimidate you. Cash always speaks volumes. Those cabanas come stocked with a flat screen, wireless internet and a day bed. Or, take in the services of the newly opened Jeunesse Spa which offers massages on the rooftop, sun and a view along with your Swedish deep tissue rubdown. Views of Central Park, Lincoln Center, and the Hudson River from its exclusive perch will have you feeling suspended above some of the most beautiful and prime real estate NY has to offer. The restaurant below the Pooldeck by Jeffery Chodorow's is the next big splash, with a bar, bistro fare and some outdoor space of its own for a few drinks under the stars.

Next The Peninsula Hotel had gotten a makeover and will reopen in mid-May. Moroccan lanterns, and Venetian mirrors—inspired by a Shanghainese socialite are set to lure you to Salon de Ning. Housed on the 23rd floor of the 55th and Park establishment, this bar and lounge will feature a mix of decor, like Chinese daybeds and an indoor/ outdoor space. Salon de Ning will be open year-round and is sure to please.

Strolling over to Times Square and the Atelier building, Espace offers its uppermost floor and terrace. The Atelier Sky Lounge has a wraparound outdoor deck that offers views of the city and the Hudson River. The space comes with furniture and a small kitchen, service-elevator access, and audio and video capabilities. The Sky Lounge is available year-round, and is perfect for a summer wedding or that party that will have the social pages talking about for at least a week.

Last but not least is the Highbar, the indoor-outdoor lounge from Greg Brier (owner of Aspen and Amalia). Set to open in a couple of weeks Designed specifically for events, this rooftop space in Times Square will have an advanced sound system, a DJ booth, and technology that will allow companies to brand the space with logos and video. Highbar will hold 200 outside, with room for 75 in the adjacent indoor lounge. Look for several sponsored events to be taking place here.

In a city where real estate is "sky high" it is nice to know there are places that make those words seem soothing and that is a F.A.C.T. with a view.

A: Is for Art that Transcends the Page!

Art this week is the stuff of childhood memories. Starting on May 7th until September 1st Superman, Iron Man, Cat Women and others come to life in "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The symbolic and metaphorical associations between fashion and the superhero are explored in this compelling exhibition. Featuring movie costumes, avant-garde haute couture, and high-performance sportswear, it reveals how the superhero serves as the ultimate metaphor for fashion and its ability to empower and transform the human body. Who can forget Michele Pfeiffer in that unforgettable black latex suit and mask created by Syren and based on acclaimed costume designer Bob Ringwood's design, fit Ms. Pfeiffer like a second skin and gave her part woman/part cat character a strong, feline appeal. As Catwoman, she was able to kick box, jump, spin and perform astonishing acrobatics, always framed by the silhouette of her costume with its distinctive molded rubber stitches that accentuated her femininity and sophistication. Syren is one of the companies represented and is the leading latex high fashion house, whose been supplying custom latex and leather designs to the entertainment industry for over 15 years. Leading names in fashion such as Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Versace and many others show their creative side. Mugler, whose fashions often play off superheroine models takes center stage in "The Postmodern Body," with his frilled 1992 biker girl with built-in rearview mirrors and a thigh strap for a can of Bud. Mythology is also represented by Hercules who became Superman and the huntress Diana who became Wonder Woman. Approximately 70 ensembles will be featured, spanning the decades. Giorgio Armani embraces the world of the dominator and dominatrix.The concept of dual identity is so intrinsic to comic book stories.Though it is Superman's 70th birthday the caped crusader of 1938 looks vibrant and ageless in the portrait by Andy Warhol that opens the show and in the fashion versions of his blue unitard and enviably recognizable logo, as subverted by Moschino and Bernhard Willhelm. But it is the quintessentially American flag the costume of Captain America and Wonder Woman in the 1940s, that has most inspired. Dynamic and energetic this exhibition is imaginative and original and seeing the caped crusaders land in the Met is fantastical and that is a magical F.A.C.T.

F: Is for a Welcome Invasion!

On Tuesday fashionistas will be in full bloom checking out the new collection by Michele Negri a former model. He and his wife Patrizia Beltrami followed their passion and knowledge for fashion and started their own line in 1988. Opening their first boutique in Florence, Italy. Sophisticated styling along with fine tailoring has The Michele Negri line representing one of the best examples of classic Italian elegance. This unique team creates exquisite collections for both men and women without neglecting the philosophy of timeless Italian fashion. Their children have grown of age and have turned this into a family affair with their son recently opening a boutique right in the heart of the Upper East Side. The store’s stunning décor reflects its flagship store showcasing each and every piece from the collection. For the Spring/Summer they have designed a brilliant mixture of casual and fabulous evening wear. Stunning hand embroidered pieces in pastels and nautical pants and dresses will have you whipping out those credit cards. Bold linen trousers and finely tailored shirts make up the men’s collection. Delightful cocktail dresses and suits will have you humming and cooing about this Italian Invasion. Located at 1015 Madison Avenue between 78th and 79th Tuesday night is sure to have New Yorkers heading up town.

Now for the Spanish invasion that created one of the most beautiful stores I have ever seen. Pronovias is a store that will have every women who walks through it's doors wishing to get married just so they can wear the dress. These are some of the most
amazing gowns that are bound to capture every women's fantasy. From a sexy innocence, to the 50's, Maria Antoinette, Juliet, Holly Golightly or Elizabeth Taylor all these looks and more are captured. I loved the Manuel Mota dresses so elegantly crafted. At the opening of their first U.S. flagship store located at 14 East 52nd St. between Fifth and Madison, champagne and wedding dresses were in abundance. The store itself is so exquisitely laid out by architect Desirée Mas to show off the gorgeous gowns in the most luxurious of settings. I was there as they celebrate their grand opening with a “Flamenco Blanco” event to benefit New Yorkers for Children. These dresses were so elegant in their simplicity, so perfect and reminiscent of bygone era in fashion. As a matter of fact on the 5th floor the last collection supervised by Valentino, Valentino Sposa was showcased. The dresses are grouped into two's tied together with vines. On each floor window boxes hold the secrets of why this store will have women contemplating matrimonial bliss. Having done this exercise and swearing never to do it again, these dresses which I had envisioned back when I was 12 had me shockingly telling my best friend that I could be persuaded. Thank God I left the building and fresh air snapped me back to myself. All little girls dream of that perfect day, that perfect person and most importantly that perfect dress, it is a F.A.C.T. that at Pronovias the dress part can come true.