Friday, December 31, 2004

TCS Ads ~ 2004


FEATURED EVENT
For sexy ballet with inspired music go to the Chamber Dance Project’s events!
            June 4, 2004 - Tarrytown Music Hall - 7:30 PM. $30 general admission and $125 with         pre-performance artist talk at 6:45 PM and post performance reception with artists.
           
            June 8, 10, 11, 2004 - Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St, 8:00 PM. $30 general             admission and, on June 8 only, $125 with pre performance artist talk at 7:15 PM and        post performance reception with the artists.

As Lisa Jo Sagolla in “Back Stage” said, “Characterized by a sophisticate combination of elegant sensuality and quirky stutters of movement, Diane Coburn Bruning's ballet-based choreography is passionate and original.”

Friday, August 06, 2004

Courtney Pulitzer's Cyber Scene ~ 8/6/04

* Silicon Alley Reunion Update: for info: email: courtney@pulitzer.com


If some of you remember BroadwayJim.com, James Sosnicky's blog-before-they-were-called-blogs, then you'll be excited to hear he's back at writing about his life experiences. This time it's at www.iraqorsomething.com, since he's been serving our country in Baghdad since May 2003. James has an interesting history...was born in Baltimore, Maryland, grew up in Virginia, California, and Colorado and went to school at West Point and Hertford College, Oxford (MBA).

Militarily, he's been a tank platoon leader in the 1st Infantry Division and now been on active duty in the Middle East ever since.  In January 2004, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. As a civilian, he's worked as a country music disc jockey in Frederick, Maryland and for The New York Times and The Village Voice in New York City. See all his witty, worldly, wonderful writings at: www.iraqorsomething.com, www.broadwayjim.com, www.oxfordjames.com or email him at: sosnicky@hotmail.com.

"Lovesounds," that's how musical marvel Christoph Nahrholdt closes his emails. And it's an appropriate closure for someone who's so full of Life, Happiness, Peace, Joy and Love. He and his musical creations radiate a glow that's infectious. I was "infected" two weeks ago when MindArrays' Tery Spataro hosted a lovely intimate concert at the lovely Irish restaurant Druids in Hells Kitchen on July 23rd.

While he usually performs on a piano, this night his choice accompanying musical instrument was the accordion. The accordion is my new favorite instrument! Christoph's love songs were enchanting and this was just the first stop on his National Tour. Other stops include Minnesota, Arkansas and Oregon. To find out if he'll be in a town near you, email him at: nahrholdt@gmx.de.

[PS. This is the same Christoph who also worked at Bertlesman during "the day," in case you were wondering.] See all the fabulous wacky photos of Christoph, Tey, systems BMOC Manos Megagiannis (www.manos.com), comedian Gary Welz, artist and poet Pam Riding and savvy consultant Hsiaoping Jao at: http://public.fotki.com/tery/evening_with_christ/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------HIRING: Michele Warther    is looking for an advertising sales manager for an online product

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes it's nice to have friends in the entertainment business, and sometimes you just get lucky.... Four "lucky" recipients of some free tickets to a comedy show on Wednesday, July 28th at the Laugh Lounge on Essex Street included yours truly, Tery Spataro, Lydia Sugarman and "Trend-setter" George (guys – the new thing is flip-flops with your suit, no kidding!)

I say "lucky" in quotes because the show we witnessed was a raunchy riot. We were front and center and two of us got picked on! It was the Greg Wilson's Stand-up|SMACKDOWN!—a comedy battle between four comedians. They were all funny (with the exception of one who really just looked completely lost on stage), but they were all, also obsessed with a particular part of the male anatomy and the attractions and frustrations with the female sex. (Oops, did I say "sex?")

Two "heavyweights" were "Doomsday" Dan Naturman and Buddy "The Iceman" Bolton. For future show, check out: www.thegregwilson.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Seeking investors? Well, beware their investment doesn't go sour. The Dow Jones reported that Actress Nancy Stafford Myers recently won $274,000 in an arbitration case against Janney Montgomery Scott LLC for investing her money in stocks, bonds and loans to an Israeli startup that went belly-up.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKE ACTION: The Center for Judicial Accountability, Inc's Co-Founder and Coordinator is now in a DC jail serving a SIX MONTHS sentence. This was handed down on June 28, 2004 by DC Superior Court Judge Brian F. Holeman on a "Disruption of Congress" charge, in flagrant violation of her First Amendment rights, so as to prevent her from exposing judicial corruption.

The Court imposed this harsh sentence upon her, unprecedented in any free speech case and contrary to the recommendations of the US Attorney and Court Probation Services that there be NO jail time. Equally unprecedented and even more vindictively, it ordered the sentence to commence "forthwith," denying a stay pending her appeal and setting no bail.

CJA seeks supporters to organize a national protest and a volunteer army to pull it through this inconceivable crisis. Mail to Elena Sassower: Inmate #301-340, CTF, 1901 E Street SE, Washington DC 20003, cc e-mail to CJA. http://www.judgewatch.org

Friday, July 23, 2004

Courtney Pulitzer's Cyber Scene ~ 7/23/04


* Reunion Year Kicking Off
As mentioned in last week’s edition, activity is brewing around a Silicon Alley reunion. I wanted to let you know that in the coming weeks, I’ll be spear-heading some efforts related to this. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, please let me know. Some events we’ve (that’s me and my trusted friends) been thinking of are anniversaries commemorating the first meeting for WWWAC, Webgrrls, NYNMA and MOUSE.

What other major Silicon Alley events can you name?

What was the seminal event that really marked a beginning of “Silicon Alley” and the web-internet-technology-new media industry here in New York?

Let me know! Email:courtney@pulitzer.com


* In the past few days the news centered around the 9/11 attacks has been increasing. Recently I read another alarming account, which was on WomenWallStreet.com. Tucker Goodrich is usually my supplier of really good jokes, however, last week he sent me this link: http://www.womenswallstreet.com/WWS/article_landing.aspx?titleid=1&artic
leid=711. It is about terrorists making a bomb on an airplane from innocuous parts that can get through security individually. Bomb parts were brought into the airplane in a McDonald’s bag and instrument cases. Her last sentence says it all: “…if 19 terrorists can learn to fly airplanes into buildings, couldn't 14 terrorists learn to play instruments?”

READER RESPONSE:
Mark Hurst has a solution to "information fatigue.” He states “are people still talking about that? The cure has been known for years: Bit Literacy.” Bit Literacy (http://www.goodexperience.com/blog/archives/000027.php) is about limiting the bits of information that invade our lives. Managing Email (http://www.goodexperience.com/reports/e-mail/email-report-goodexperience.pdf) is a how-to about limiting and controlling the influx of emails. Check it out!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Ezic, Inc., a high performance digital payment processing company, announced that the newest version of its Digital Payment Platform includes expanded IP Swipe (Swipe-over-IP) functionality capabilities. This new expanded capability eliminates the need for separate POS terminals or separate phone lines for data exchange to occur. Data from a standard card reader is automatically entered into the correct fields in the Ezic system for easy processing. The merchant achieves the full benefit of high-speed Internet based transaction processing at card-present interchange rates. (www.ezic.com).

* How many pairs of eyeglasses do you have lying around in your dresser drawers? 2.5 billion people around the world who need glasses can't afford them. Your old glasses can help them see, read, work. Glasses For Humanity can get your glasses to those who need them. Please go to: www.GlassesForHumanity.org/e-flier.htm

* I always thought of David Friedensohn as a big star, and he's shining again as the newly appointed CEO at UPOC Networks, which does mobile messaging applications. Previously David was an executive at Prodigy and chairman and CEO of SonicNet, Advaya and BigStar Entertainment.

Friday, July 16, 2004

Courtney Pulitzer's Cyber Scene ~ 7/16/04


            It’s summertime in the city and while there are no shortages of events, this gal has been taking it easy…

            Well, taking it easy since July 8th, which was my arbitration against my divorce attorney. Yes folks, you heard right. Not only did I pick a bad apple for a husband, but I also managed to get the most incompetent law firm on the West Coast. How’s that for luck! Anyway, the lawyer I dealt with (the nice guy) left the law firm and I was left to finish the miserable affair with Mr.-Screw-the-clients-I-don’t-care-if-I-do-have-four-cases-already-pending-in-Arbitration!!!!

            In any case, I bulldozed over that guy, which reminded me I let the sot (my ex) get away far too easily.

            Sigh. Okay. Now that I got that off my chest, I’ll reveal the fun, happy, exciting things I’ve been doing in my free time.

            You know that phrase, “time flies…” Well, a few people have remarked to me how it has been a decade since the first stirrings of the internet “industry” in New York began to pop, gurgle and spurt into a frenzy. “Ten Years?!,” you exclaim. Yes, 10 years! And in these moments of shocking nostalgia, the second comment I’ve heard is invariably that “we should have a reunion!”

            Since NYNMA has gone the way of the Industry Standard, WWWAC is planning something soon (so stay tuned). To get things started, Roz Goldfarb & Associates hosted a networking party to reconnect, inviting guests to “party like it’s 1999” on July 13th at the Black Door.  Our hosts, Jessica Goldfarb, Rita Armstrong, Lori Schwab and Ben Finkel were as effervescent and gracious as when we last saw them. Upon arrival, I felt like I was at my own private surprise party—each familiar faces I saw from a prior dot-com life was another moment of joy. The club itself was vaguely familiar, having been there before went it too, was something else.

            The room buzzed with energy of people catching up after years of plodding in their respective fields. Deborah Schultz was beaming as she told us about her new one-month project in San Francisco with some super groovy famous people. *stay tuned for the skinny!

            Amanda Richman of Zentropy/McCann, Ellen Auwater, Laura Auerbach and Claire O'Brien all bopped around and caught up with each other and others. Steve Messer of the successful company Linkshare gave me some great pointers on where to go for my spa vacation. Rob Steir of Mindforce consulting is still making things work with his business and Chris McCarthy of Local Magic and Nancy Jaffe of Wunderman were both full of stories and adventures to tell. Other guests that mingled, musing down memory lane were Evan Orensten of Rockwell Group, Josh Rubin of upoc, Digitas’s Ricki Goldhamer and Consuela Ruybal and the elegant Audrey Fleischer of Ogilvy. The Talented Mr. Davis, Owen Davis, that is told me of his new adventure, Petal Consulting, while Ms. Tery Spataro and I snacked on some crudite.

            The musings around a reunion are getting louder, so stay on the list so you and your cyber-friends can come to the big Dot-Com Homecoming ’04. Before departing of this vein, you must check out Professor David Kirsh’s Creative Destruction site. http://www.creativedestruction.org/ Come on, you know you’ve got something for him! Give it up!


OTHER NEWS WORTH NOTE:

* That flashy and fabulous Michael Tchong is at it again! Trendscape, a research and consulting firm that provides provocative and insightful reporting on trends affecting business and lifestyle, will host a gathering of leading marketers for a half day of education, entertainment and networking opportunities. INVENTrain will explore trends defining success in today’s marketing environment and present attendees with a unique view of the future. INVENTrain premieres on Sept. 10, at Studio Z in San Francisco. (Trendsetters.com)

* The fashionista Vivian, of “Vivian Lives,” has gone on vacation, but before she did, she managed to squeeze out the third novel in her trilogy “'Vivian: The V Spot'” and redesigned her website! (vivianlives.com)

* Tired of getting endless emails inviting you to events you have no interest in attending?! Me too! So I went online to EventMe.com and fine-tuned my profile so I get only the events I’m really interested in. The Detering brothers have totally revamped the website added a lot of new event categories and other options and have begun offering their service in many other U.S. cities, too.  Update your profile at http://EventMe.com so you don't miss out!

* Announcing WWWAC's new Web Developers Roundtable - informal sessions where Web pros can talk about development related issues. Thursday, July 29th, 2004 at 6:30pm. Barnes & Nobles Cafe at Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, 212-253-0810, FREE. Look for big Geek at a cafe table with a Web Dev Roundtable sign.  :)

* Congratulations to Kevin Werbach, who just joined The Wharton School as Assistant Professor in the Legal Studies Department.

* If you missed Tony Perkins’ webcast for AO2004: The Innovation Summit, which took place at Stanford University, check out the webcast on their website. www.alwayson-network.com

* Did you know about “Information Fatigue Syndrome?” Here are some stats:
49% are unable to keep up with information flow
43% have trouble making important decisions because of data overload
38% waste substantial amount of valuable time trying to locate needed information
33% suffer from stress-related health problems brought on by too much information
For more about this alarming new social epidemic, check out: http://www.trendsetters.com/trendscape/index.html

* Susan Polis Schutz, the poet & BlueMountain.com founder spoke to NOW Members about their rights (or lack thereof) under a potential GOP second term. Ms. Schutz and her husband founded and built Blue Mountain Arts into a successful greeting card company and sold its offshoot Bluemountain.com during the height of the Internet boom.  She has written and autobiography titled, Blue Mountain: Turning Dreams Into Reality, which will hit the bookshelves this fall.

* Interested in streaming media? You must check out Dan Rayburn’s “Streaming Media Newsletter” www.StreamingMedia.com

Sunday, July 04, 2004

TCS Intro ~ 7/2/04

Independence Day.

We celebrate our freedom. We celebrate our nation's struggle and triumph over being bound to political and religious laws, taxes and other shackles from another nation.

This year I celebrate a personal independence on many levels.

And while many in our world cannot celebrate independence the way we can, and while we struggle with questions of what's right and how far should we be involved across political and religious boundaries, there are also many within our own country who are also not as free as we are.

And so charities were created so those "more fortunate" can help those "less fortunate." There are many organizations that have extensive fund-raising and support networks. And then there are those smaller organizations that do just as valuable work, but do not have the funding resources.
Enter "Charity Network" stage left. Charity Network raises funds for charities that are too small to run their own fundraiser.

So while you're celebrating your independence from poverty and ignorance, why not come out and help organizations that are trying to help others achieve the same.

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Sugar party

In a blink, skip and hop, I jaunted over to a very sweet spot-Sugar, on Church Street. NYC TV was celebrating their one year anniversary on June 24th in true NY-style. There was the red-velvet rope, the guest list and the tough-guy bouncers on the outside, and the pulsating music, the free-flowing cocktails and the crush of hot professional bodies on the inside.
I squirmed my way to the back and then back again to the front. And on my way I chatted with NYC TV general manager Arick Wierson and NYC TV director of business development and operations Trevor Scotland. NY1 reporter/producer Elizabeth Gerst is also on deck, as the director of program development. Ms. Gerst is an award-winning broadcasting veteran, who honed her skills as a producer and writer at CNN. Currently you can see NYC TV on Cable channels: 74 and nyc.gov/tv
Happy Sunny Days Everyone!

Blinking Eye Media


Businesses these days can disappear in the blink of an eye, but Blinking Eye Media seems to have staring, er-staying, power. And to celebrate their longevity, they hosted a lovely Multi-Media Happy Hour, with Echelon Photography, on Thursday, June 24th in their studios at 515 Greenwich Street.

Over drinks and hors d'oeuvres film, television, creative and photography types all mingled while perusing the spacious loft and terminals set up displaying the two firms' works. Blinking Eye executive producer Robert Hura was one gracious host who introduced me around. I met Donnelly Mechanical Corp's Dino Mangione, who also participates in the American Business Networking association with Robert.

Next door, in Echelon, spectacular views of the sparkling Hudson River kept guests glued to the old-commercial building's windows. Echelon director of marketing and publicity Claire Bahn introduced me to founder Gordon Gooch and some studio supporters. Not only does Echelon offer traditional photography services, but they even have an "Online Dating Picture" package! http://www.echelonphotography.com/serv_profile_pics.html

Friday, June 18, 2004

Courtney Pulitzer's Cyber Scene ~ 6/18/04


ONLINE EVENT:
What: Get Jones outta jail!
When: Before June 22nd Tuesday. by Jerry's Kids the morning of June 23rd
Why: Fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Association
How: Contribute via cash, check or credit card Payable to “Muscular Dystrophy Association” Do not send credit card info thru the mail. Call Paul Jones at v919-962-7600 or mail to: Paul Jones, 406 Morgan Creek Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
How much: Every time we reach $600 MDA sends a kid to camp. All contributions, usually about $25 or $50, are welcome.

Paul Jones (http://www.ibiblio.org/pjones/) needs your help! He’s trying to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and if he doesn’t reach his goal, he’ll be locked up in the Carolina Inn! Don’t jail him for too long, ‘cause he says the wallpaper would even offend Oscar Wilde.

            Greetings one and all! Since it’s been a slow week for me “cyber-wise” we’re sinking into the lowest form of reporting, Celebrity Sightings, in addition to some pertinent reports!

            Between sightings at Cipriani’s and the Cub Room,     the Diva’s were definitely down with downtown. Ms. Paris Hilton, in a slinky black dress, black strap-y sandals, hair up in a pony-tail, kept her gaze downward as she glided towards Downtown Cipriani.

            A few days later No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani trotted past us, sheltered from the drizzle by her umbrella-carrying assistant and her bodyguard, and slipped into the Cub Room before three teenagers could catch up with her.

            Opera stars were gathered onstage while New Yorkers, known and unknown, covered the Central Park’s Great Lawn with blankets and picnic’d on Wednesday, June 16th during the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Madame Butterfly.

            Hartnick Consulting president Kate Hartnick Elliott gathered a menagerie for the festivities, which included Thomas Preti Caterers’s  Business Development director Jessica Alton, New School Communications director George Calderaro, CMP Media’s Call Center Events Show Director Joy Cerequas and her friend Thompson Custom Events’s Rachel (www.thomson.com). 

            Former professional opera singer and Morgan Stanley Private Equity VP Vanessa Adler provided us with blow-by-blow notes during the production while Telosphere principal Alex Struminger, magazine-istas Stephen Sobel (Food and Wine Magazine) and Felicity (More Magazine) and Karen Hartnick (teacher at The Buckley School) all enjoyed the fine fare, conversation and entertainment.

            The hostess, Mrs. Hartnick-Elliot, filled me in on some of her professional goings-on, which includes consulting with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, PACE: Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement and HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) USA.
            Meanwhile, back to the diva’s--Downtown Cipriani’s also was host to Mariah Carey, as reported by Ms. Tery Spataro of Mind Arrays. Ms. Spataro also sent in a report about World Trade Week, which started Monday, May 17th. The World Trade Institute of Pace University and US Department of Commerce kicked it off with a splendid breakfast. Hosting the event was US Department of Commerce Senior International Trade Specialist Anastasia Xenias
and World Trade Institute Executive Director Donna Sharp.

            It was an information-filled morning with a special keynote given by Port Authority of NY and NJ strategic analysis and industry relations, Port Commerce Department GM Peter Zantal.

            Other speakers included:
            NYS Department of Economic Development International Director Gerry Shaye
            NYCEDC Assistant VP Gabrielle Riera
            NYC & Company VP Domestic & Global Tourism Rhianna Quinn Roddy
            Manhattan Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Ploeger
            The Direct Marketing Association Government Relations SVP Charles Prescott
            USAID Global Trade Network bizdev Manager Peter Fleischman and
            Thailand Board of Investment Economic Counselor Vasana Mututanont.

            Among the 150 attendees, there were about 50 international consulate members attending, which made for some very important networking opportunities!  I also spotted Harris Salat, MARMS CEO Lou Giacolone, US Dept of Commerce, US Commercial Service International Trade Specialist Shakir Farsakh and NYSDED International Trade Specialist Peter Constantine.

            Wednesday's seminar, "Growth In The New World Economy," hosted by Pace University’s World Trade Institute held an impressive and very distinguished panel and moderator, discussing critical issues in world trade today. Chaired by Donna Sharp, they talked about how the US imports more than it exports. So entrepreneurs and business owners--consider the world as your customer!

            US Dept. of Commerce Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade Timothy Hauser made some meaningful comments regarding international trade that struck a nerve with me.  With all of the news focused on outsourcing and loss of jobs there is no safety net policy for the US worker. I walked away thinking the only way to correct the situation is to balance out the trade.

            Kay Wilke gave an impressive overview of trade in her keynote speech at the International Commerce Awards Luncheon. In the “Safety and Security At Home and Abroad” session Richard Cooper said we are living in the "New Normal". Shakir Farsakh moderated “Managing Financial Risk in Transitional Economies.” I spent the day listening and making notes on doing business internationally, ending with a session on marketing and branding internationally and learning about the issues surrounding US perception. I encourage everyone in business check it out at: http://www.worldtradeweek.com. Because there is enough business to go around the world--we should take advantage of it.






ANNOUNCEMENTS
WWWAC listmom emeritus Josh Masur has left Heller Ehrman after five years and joined the Palo Alto, California office of Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP .  His practice remains centered on intellectual property litigation and general business litigation for technology companies, with emphasis on issues surrounding computer software and networks, as well as mass and interpersonal communications in both new and traditional media.  You can reach Josh at jmasur@mayerbrownrowe.com or 650.331.2053.

More celebrity news: Bono’s baby, http://www.theonecampaign.org, launched the week of May 17th and J. Tayloe Emery of DATA (Debt, Trade, AIDS, Africa) reported they signed up over 10,000 people on the petition. He’s also getting into the VC game! Bono will also reportedly be a managing director at Silicon Valley 'venture buyout' firm Elevation Partners, launched by former Silver Lake Partners co-founder Roger McNamee.

FIND/SVP Partners with Empire Media to Launch Find.com. U.S. businesses are throwing away billions of dollars in lost time due to ineffective and deficient research tools, according to a new study released today by FIND/SVP (OTCBB: FSVP), a leading provider of business research, advisory, and consulting services.  In fact, 84 percent of respondents feel that Web searches take longer than they should due to poor results, costing businesses an estimated $31 billion in wasted time.  To solve the issues related with this critical business function, Find.com, a next-generation, true business search engine designed to meet the search demands of business professionals.

Trendscape (Trendsetters.com), a research and consulting firm that provides provocative and insightful reporting on trends affecting business and lifestyle, will host a gathering of leading marketers for a half day of education, entertainment and networking opportunities. INVENTrain will explore trends defining success in today’s marketing environment and present attendees with a unique view of the future. INVENTrain premieres on Sept. 10, at Studio Z in San Francisco. Tickets are available for $395 beginning today, at INVENTrain.com. Tickets purchased after July 2 will be $495. Sponsorships are still available. For more information, call 800-WAY-COOL.

Friday, May 28, 2004

Courtney Pulitzer's Cyber Scene ~ 5/28/04


            A new trend in marketing is what I would call All-Encompassing Marketing.  It surrounds you and transports you all while promoting a brand. Let’s take a look at, for example, Target. A few years ago they teamed up with sister-store Marshall Fields and took over a lovely home for sale in Tribeca. Furnishing it from top to toe, they showcased how one could do so too with ease and all from their stores. Then there was the Ebay apartment, on Sutton Place no less, where each designer transformed a room with everything bought on Ebay and within a budget I’m sure they weren’t used to. Target is at it again with it’s Bullseye Inn in Bridgehampton, Long Island. And you can’t get more trendy than the Hamptons can you?

            The lovely, friendly and very knowledgeable ladies from Kaplow Communications escorted journalists from Manhattan via charter buses. During our leisure-trip we watched an Indie show and enjoyed snacks, water and games from our goody bags. As we approached the historical home, circa 1811, and former antique store, the Bullseye Inn was the quintessential picture of Quaint, complete with flashing red spotlights and white Target logos projected on its exterior.

            Walking up the driveway we could check out one of the two new Mercedes-Benz “smart cars” (also covered in Target logos). When these hit the Target stores in 2006, they’ll be scootin’ off the assembly line for sure!  Next to the cars was the famous Target dog, also with the trademarked red logo around his eye, welcoming guests.

            After checking-in we were escorted to the front porch, which led out to the tent-covered front lawn where guests dined at a raw bar, a gourmet “soup-shot” station and ice-cream cart. Delicious-looking male waiters whisked white platters of delectable savories--mini burgers, oyster ‘po-boys’ and “a log of ants” (raisins in peanut butter on celery!)--to tempt you too.

            The lawns were sprinkled with beds, tables and chairs decorated with panache that created perfectly pleasing places to plop down.

            Kaplow PR senior vice president Tina Haskins, in a lovely aqua trench coat with blue-hued dress and shell earrings that echoed the night’s theme, gave several of us a tour. All the rooms were created by design partners Cynthia Rowley and Ilene Rosenzweig, Rachel Ashwell, Isaac Mizrahi, Sean Conway, Amy Coe and Liz Lange.

            To quote Emeril Lagasse, all I can say is, “Bam!” The walls were bold! Bam! The merchandising was slick! Bam! It was all so bam fun! Brightly colored flower-and-dots wallpaper cascaded along the hallway walls, and to the left was a bold black and white Victorian-inspired garden room selling tureens, topiaries and other garden accoutrements.

            Upstairs Cynthia Rowley and Shabby Chic’s Rachell Ashwell mixed an intoxicating concoction of patterns and pieces. The dining room was a study in Floral. The sitting room – a study in Floral and Bullseye.

            Of course, the ladies (and men!) loved stepping into the bathroom where a most divine modern David lounged in an old-fashioned claw-footed porcelain bathtub filled with ping-pong balls. Upon questioning, he said, “they’re actually a bit massaging!”

            Our Princess-and-a-Pea snuck away from her eight-tiered Shabby Chic bed when we sauntered into the bedroom—perchance to catch some real winks?

            Even the pictures adorning the walls didn’t escape a Target bullseye.  Strategically placed, of course, was the “check-out” room, at the exit of the tour. What you couldn’t carry home could be delivered and the more “precious” non-Target items like chandeliers will be for sale on the last day of the Bullseye Inn’s existence, July 4th, in a tag sale.

            What you could carry home was an original Issac Mizrahi-designed bold yellow and pink polka-dotted canvas bag, filled with more goodies including a disposable camera and Target playing cards! Even guests like football star Boomer Esiason wasn’t cautious of the fashionable carry-all.


With a hot Presidential race ahead of us this year, here are two sites that can not only provide information, but fantastic tidbits to toss out as cocktail conversation at serious dinner parties!

Jim Harper of PolicyCounsel.Com, Privacilla.org and WashingtonWatch.com writes in that this site tracks federal legislation with a new angle: you get to find out how much new federal laws will cost you.  It’s been said that laws are like sausages: you’re better off if you don’t see them made — but at least you should be able to learn the price! Get all the gory details at: http://www.washingtonwatch.com

Curious about who gives what to whom? Check out FundRace.org where names, addresses and occupations of contributors and their amounts to presidential candidates are listed:
http://www.fundrace.org/moneymap.php


We all know networking is a key to generating business. Kate Hartnick Elliot of Hartnick Consulting commented in the recent “Crains NY” May 24, 2004 article, “Office suite talk pleases business” that “people tend to congregate” in those incubator-office-suites that cater as a stepping stone for professionals before having their own NYC-high-priced-rent-office. See all the benefits of these suites, and more of Kate’s comments at: http://www.crainsny.com/

Friday, May 21, 2004

Courtney Pulitzer' Cyber Scene ~ 5/21/04

*** It’s been eight years, but the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences hosted their 8th Annual Webby Awards online. From the personal, Best Personal Web Site: www.raku-gaki.com, to the professional Best Television: PBS.org, judges like David Bowie, Vint Cerf, Larry Ellison and yours truly voted on 30 categories. See them all at: http://www.webbyawards.com.

*** Charles Altschul, another judge in the Webbys, and whose stepsister is the former MTV v-jay Serena Altschul, was in town and on Saturday, May 15th over some sangria and paella I got a preview of his new series of panoramic photographs. If you're in New York this fall, you will be one of the lucky ones to view his Nature and Nudes. www.altschul.com

*** Prolific Paul Jones (http://www.ibiblio.org/pjones/Vitae.html) ventured forth with some inspiring news of innovations stemming from North Carolina. If you haven’t heard about Bo and Sita Lozoff from their The Human Kindness Foundation efforts, then you will now. First they started the Prison-Ashram Project in 1973 (http://www.humankindness.org/project.html), which has been bringing the concept of inspiring and encouraging prisoners and prison staff to recognize their depth as human beings, and to behave accordingly.  Their most recent campaign is to create a small biodiesel plant, which will be staffed by the ex-cons who have been released to the ashram. This old age, new age, local, international, small but direct organization has had some dramatic results that goes to show if you think global but act local, you can get things done! http://www.humankindness.org/

*** He went from a musical club to a musical club network but he always had his hands in politics. And now, our debonair Andrew Raisej is producing a conference examining the implications of internet technology on politics.  On Monday, May 24, 2004, netizens and politizens alike will converge at the New School for the Personal Democracy Forum (www.personaldemocracy.com). Sociate.com’s Jerry Michalski is programming this bi-partisan forum, which Rasiej (founder and executive producer of the Personal Democracy Forum) says, “will highlight how new interactive, highly motivated, and personal voter-to-voter relationships are remaking the rules of the electoral process, political action, and communication." www.personaldemocracy.com

*** Yee-haw! My favorite city, Austin, TX was voted the Best City for Relocating Families! See if your town made it on the list compiled by Worldwide ERC (also known as the Employee Relocation Council), Primacy Relocation and Sperling's BestPlaces.  http://www.erc.org/. PS. It's also the hottest town for WiFi! *note: I’ll still always love NYC though! (http://www.iloveny.com/)

*** Okay guys, you wanna know how to impress the ladies? You gotta be tough. As tough as nails! As tough as iron! The newest extreme sport? Extreme Ironing. That’s right. No more excuses that ironing is “women’s work.” Get out your ironing boards fellas and start rock-climbing, kayaking, bicycling and obstacle-coursing with your trusty Sears-special. It’s soon to be an Olympic sport and if you’re looking to try out, check it out on Memorial Day at 44th and Broadway in Times Square where the sport’s originator Phil Shaw will be ironing in a cherry picker. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/21/national/21iron.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Danielle Cyr is now Associate Counsel to Intralinks, a technology ASP to the financial community (www.intralinks.com).  And in her “downtime” for the past 15 months she has been Managing Director of KerryCore (young professionals) for John Kerry for President.

Some of you may remember my first (and best!) employee was an industrious young man on his way to medical school. Well, as of Friday, May 14th it’s now Ankur Shah, M.D.! Ankur is the brother of Sachin Shan, who’s project manager for Information Planning &
Management Systems, a consulting company in Sterling, VA. Ankur will begin his residency in Pediatrics at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women in Orlando, Fla. And ladies, he's still single ;)

Congratulations to Vikktoria Velasquez who went from Ms. Velasquez, consultant, to Mrs. Vikktoria Velasquez Cooper, Director of The Center for Workforce Development at the YWCA.

Felicitations to Judy Hernandez, a newly minted 3rd party recruiter at Adelantus, Inc.
judy.hernandez@adelantus.com

It’s Deee-Liteful, it’s deee-lovely, it’s D Magazine in Dallas! And this is where the deee-groovy Julie Blacklidge  is now working at dsceneonline.com, which just launched a few months ago. And she’s happy to report that the Web business is starting to pick up! They’re starting to get advertising dollars in and it just keeps getting better!

Not only is Yvette DeBow president of Women in New Media.org but, she’s also recently taken a new job as Director of Marketing for the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corp. Go Yvette!

CORRECTION
Emily Nuss is the new culture editor at New York Magazine, not the editor at the New Yorker.

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

ADV ~ WITI NY

WITI New York, Regional Network Event. Wednesday, May 19, 2004. 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Keynote speakers: Mary Lou Quinlan, former CEO of DDB ad agency and author will discuss her book "Where are the Women". Commentary by Linda Tischler, senior writer at Fast Company magazine who wrote a feature cover story in the February 2004 edition. Meeting sponsored by SONY and Northwestern Mutual.

Friday, May 07, 2004

Shakers & Stirrers -and- Bits & Bytes ~ 5/7/04


Conspiracy and collaboration are the themes for Alt Pick Magazine, published by Storm Editions, Inc. I got clued into this hip new pick from co-publisher and co-founder Juliette Wolf Robin. If this doesn’t whet your appetite, then check out their Second Annual AltPick Awards show, “Submit + Control.” If the meat-packing districts have gotten too bland for you too, then go to: altpick.com/awards for some titillating visuals!

Tristan Louis has informed us that TNL.net took a slashdot hit:
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/02/171243&mode=nested&tid=126&tid=137&tid=95 ... and survived! The story is here: http://www.tnl.net/blog/entry/How_many_Google_machines

Gigex has acquired two independent content companies, GameDAILY, a daily newsletter for interactive entertainment professionals and Gamerfeed.com, a destination site that provides news and resources for the (ahem) “hardcore” gaming community.  The new destination site is GameDAILY.com, and it’s all 100% FREE!

Congratulations are sent out to our fair and lovely Colette Ballou, who is a cette moment a Paris. Pourquoi? Parce que elle is engaged! (pardon my tres horrible francaise!) Ms. Ballou is the CEO/founder of Ballou Outsourced Public Relations, a company that helps high-tech companies that are entering new markets in Europe and the US with their PR. Living in Paris, formerly of SF & NYC, she had graced the offices of Edelman PR as a Veep and Audiobase as the director of PR. Her beau, the charmant M. Mathieu Lamotte is French, lives in Paris and is the co-founder of the competitive intelligence firm Insiders—and a very lucky man indeed!

Kevin Werbach  is gearing up for the next Supernova, which is June 24-25 in Santa Clara, CA. http://www.supernova2004.com/

Correction: Mary Lou Quinlan wasn't CEO of DDBNeedham, she was CEO of NW Ayer.

Back in Baghdad


Some people have no fear. Or if they do, they shrug it off in the face of adventure and a purpose. And our dear Christopher Allbritton is back in Baghdad! The farewell affair was at the v-e-r-y swanky Dylan Prime in Tribeca on Friday, May 7th and he was surrounded the entire night by friends, fans and well-wishers. Among those were the charming “Tim,” a New Zealander correspondent with a rockin’ Kiss shirt. His friend Ann, who also studies Arabic with Chris’s teacher Amed, brought him along. Clive Thompson (writer for the New Yorker, New York Times et al) was especially dapper in his suit and tie and tres gentile as he ordered beverages for “Emily,” who was at the nervey mag Nerver and is now Editor at the New Yorker. Slate writer and Lulu Brooks-look-alike Michelle Goldberg and her prolific and generous husband Matthew Ipcar amazed me with stories of their trips (yes, plural) to Iraq. It was a lovely evening and we all wish Chris safe passages and much success with his writing endeavors. (http://www.back-to-iraq.com)

TCS Intro ~ 5/7/04


Greetings dear readers! I am happy to report that I am blissfully, giddily happy today. In fact, it started yesterday! Now isn’t that a lovely turn of events. It speaks to the value of going through a process, no matter how ugly and messy in order to get to the other side. Sometimes you doubt there’s sunshine and peace at the other side, but I can tell you – it’s true!

A LOT has been going on and I have a lot to say, but I will try to say it as briefly as possible.

For all those who can’t seem to get past a girl’s pretty face, take note. Gorgeous women DO have brains too! (At least the ones I admire.) Among which is the gloriously seductive Hedy Lamarr. Not only has this woman graced the silver screen, but she also invented technology that is one of the cornerstones of wireless communication! Facts like this, other technological inventions and her wily way of escaping from her abusive husband are all featured in an upcoming film about her titled “Face Value.” Now there’s a woman who was before her time!

Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Swedish Consulate IT Leadership Forum


The next day, May 5th, the ever-elegant-and-yet-cutting-edge Swedish Consulate was host to the 6th IT Leadership Forum on Communication Convergence. Consulate General Olle Wästberg rounded up the afternoon discussion on convergence of media, telecom and information technology before segue-ing into the refreshments hour.

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

MIT Sloan Club of NYC panel


The MIT Enterprise Forum of NY and MIT Sloan Club of NY gathered a panel to discuss the outlook for technology investing on Tuesday, May 4th at Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner’s offices. (www.mitef-nyc.org)

Friday, April 30, 2004

Are You GEL-ing?

Today marks the second annual GEL Conference, produced by Creative Good. http://www.goodexperience.com/gel/. Creative Good founder and president Mark Hurst has been crusading to make users experiences better on the web. And his efforts have been paying off! Today the conference is sold out—but check out the website for all the juicy info. Also take note of the “This Is Broken” website where people log in real and virtual “broken” items: http://broken.typepad.com/

Even The Worm Blogs

Blogging is nothing new, but it was news to me that a former Silicon Alley Reporter has now wormed his way into the Blogging world as, once again, his own self-professed expert. Please! At least Madonna *creates* trends, not just show up and all-of-a-sudden be in the midst of one. If you’re still a fan of this fellow, check out the next New York Bloggers event.

Cocky Bastard is a Hunk!

It's official! John Halcyon Styn IS a hunk! We know this from fellow concerned netizen Jodi L. Sax, who is raising money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
http://www.lawgirl.com/laf.shtml
http://www.lawgirl.com/webhunk.shtml

Good Links

Places I’ve been surfing this week (that you should too!):
- A link compliments of Jon Staenberg, the Superman of Venture Capital on the West Coast! www.subservientchicken.com/
- freshaddress.com
- fotki.com
- meetup.com
- fotolog.com
- honestea.com
- explodingdog.com
- gmail.google.com
- gothamist.com
- gawker.com – with personals!
- and the last day of judging for the 8th Annual Webby Awards: www.webbys.com
- Put a store with your logoed items on your website: http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=staenberg
- and the last day of judging for the 8th Annual Webby Awards: www.webbys.com

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Holistic Health, Meditation and "tuning"


There are 72 names of God, and each one holds a masculine and feminine aspect. The 72 feminine names are the keys of power that can help restore the Divine Mother energy to Earth.  And on this premise, I was intrigued enough to participate in Alok Holistic Health’s meditation and “tuning” on Wednesday, April 28th at the Organic Avenue’s offices on Ludlow Street. After inspecting the wares for sale (hemp clothes, rice cookies, candles and such), eleven of us were gathered, apparently on an “11” day, in a circle with arms outstretched and palms facing upwards. The room resonated with our deep, powerful voices, and afterwards some were transported to new heights of ecstasy, while I felt a bit ….. unaffected. The instructor promised me that over the next few days I would notice significant changes. Could this have subtly affected my spirits? Que sait?! If you’d like to channel these 72 powerful Goddesses yourself, check out: www.alokHealth.com!

Monday, April 26, 2004

NY Chapter of PM Forum


Marketers are always the first to get out and network, and the New York Chapter of the PM Forum hosted its inaugural cocktail party at the United Nations Plaza World Bar on April 26th featuring hors d’oeuvres to satiate the hungriest marketer!

Saturday, April 24, 2004

NYU Conference


A proliferation of panels! Business owners, entrepreneurs and the self-employed (you know who you are) had the chance to gather at NYU’s Conference on the same topic on Saturday April.24th. Keynote speakers were Big M Inc’s president Ken Mandelbaum and The Boston Beer Company brewer and founder Jim Koch.