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for breaking news visit www.qns.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 • The Courier SUN 47 Broadway and Celebrations Michelle Anderson (center) with Assemblyman Nick Perry, Councilman Mathieu Eugene and others Greatness Gets Greater Victoria’s Secrets Great Food and Friends Dynamic $1500 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION THE INVISIBLE WAY TO SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY STRAIGHTEN TEETH Third Generation Dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 I admit I loved seeing “Holiday Inn,” especially because one of the scenes had the actors needing to advertise their theatre hotel in The Courier. What enticed me to see the show at Studio 54 of the Roundabout Theatre Company was the magic name of Irving Berlin. I’ve always adored the music of a man whose genius created 1,250 songs, with 25 tunes reaching No. 1 on the pop charts. How moving is his “White Christmas” (considering Berlin was a cantor)? He also penned “Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” which was his first major international hit, performed in 1911! “Holiday Inn” has many of his genius songs woven into and performed around the story of an actor who leaves the bright lights of show biz to live in Connecticut but can’t escape his destiny as a song-and-dance man. He turns his farmhouse into a musical playhouse only open on holidays. It’s a must-see experience that director and co-writer of the book Gordon Greenberg brings to life with an extraordinary ensemble who brought the house down with a smashing dance routine tapping while jumping ropes. My favorite performer was Bryce Pinkham, who dazzled me with his voice and dancing. It’s the moment that makes great theater and took my breath away! I had seen “The Book of Mormon” a few weeks ago after years of wanting to see what all the hype was about. What a disappointment — no memorable score and the story had my mind wandering — a bad sign! But “Holiday Inn” left me singing — a good sign! Summer is for Reading Books Sitting on my night table has been Dave Kerpen’s book ”The Art of People.” I’ve known Dave for years and he is one likeable guy who has built his business being an entrepreneur, author and reality TV personality. I like his direct approach of offering “11 Simple People Skills That Will Get You Everything You Want.” It’s a book packed with brilliant ideas that have enhanced me both professionally and personally. In the back of the book are pages of inspirational quotes that I send daily to my staff and children. Here’s one of my favorites: “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” – Author Doug Larson. And Ernest Hemingway said, “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” After all, it’s not a great day if I haven’t learned some- Having received my master’s degree over a five-year period at Brooklyn College, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the school. So when I was invited to the official introduction of its new president Michelle Anderson, I was delighted to attend. For a decade, she had been the dean at the CUNY Law School and saw it through its move from Flushing to a grand, stunning new home in Long Island City. I remember interviewing her on her appointment to the school and finding a playpen in her office. I loved that she embraced her motherhood and found a way to have a professional life, too. After all, I started our media company in my living room around my four children! We both found a way to make our lives work for us. It was my delight to dine at Vivaldi with old friend and mentor state Senator Toby Stavisky celebrate her victory in the primary last Tuesday. It wasn’t an easy race because her district is 80 percent Asian and a Korean candidate ran against her. She won because she has been loyal and helpful to her constituents and they didn’t forget her on Election Day. Then my friend Linda DeSabato celebrated her birthday last week so it was catch-up time to get personal hugs. The food is as good as ever. The warm, spacious dining room was filled with people enjoying their dinners as we did. As a daily special, I chose a salad presented on a bed of baby lettuce with fresh corn, baby tomatoes and little balls of mozzarella cheese with two slices of avocado set up to look like a party dish. It tasted as good as it looked. My favorite dish is their octopus cooked crispy and juicy and set on a bed of garbanzo beans. My veal Milanese entrée, topped with radicchio, onions and tomatoes, was such a big portion that I had to take half home! Dessert there is not to be missed. The special occasion cake of whipped cream-covered chocolate cake was mouthwateringly delicious. Try Vivaldi. You too will love their food, superb service and warm atmosphere. They are open every night but Monday. Victoria SCHNEPS-YUNIS vschneps@gmail.com tweet me @vschneps Members of the cast of “Holiday Inn” State Senator Toby Stavisky and Linda DeSabato Vivaldi’s salad tasted as good as it looked!


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