Week of October 12 to October 18, 2010

TECH

On the Run with Nike
The new Nike+ GPS App allows runners to use their iPhone to visually map every run while tracking pace, distance, time and calories-burned as well as stay motivated with instant feedback during and after each run from athletes like Paula Radcliffe and Lance Armstrong, and comedian Tracy Morgan!
The app also connects runners around the world or just down the street through www.nikeplus.com, the largest running community in the world with more than 3 million members. The Nike+ GPS app for iPhone allows runners to:

Run Anywhere: From indoor to outdoor, track to treadmill, this new app combines the power of GPS technology with an accelerometer to map and track a run from anywhere. Even if the GPS signal is not available, the accelerometer will allow the user to continue to track pace, distance, time and calories-burned.

Map Your Runs: GPS technology allows runners to keep track all of their routes including a breakdown of pace and distance at different points during a run. Runners can even tap the screen during a run to see their current location. Challenge Yourself: The “Challenge Me” feature allows runners to challenge themselves to run farther, faster, or longer than a previous run already logged. The app will also track run history to be able to personalize challenges.

Stay Connected: Runners can wirelessly connect with www.nikeplus.com after each run to instantly save the run and share it with friends via the site, Twitter, or Facebook. In addition, they can view their progress on goals, participate in running challenges and download coaching programs.

Stay Motivated: Runners receive motivating messages from top athletes and celebrities when specific customized goals are achieved, challenges are won, or when a personal best is achieved. Runners can also tap the iPhone screen to receive in-run feedback.

The Nike+ GPS App is available for $1.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch at www.itunes.com/appstore. The Nike+ GPS App is compatible with the iPhone and iPod touch although the app will function only through accelometer technology on the iPod touch.

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SHOPPING

Shop for the Cure: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October, many brands will inspire shoppers to show their support for breast cancer awareness with this year’s must-have accessory item.

The 2010 Payless Breast Cancer Awareness charm bracelet benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leading breast cancer advocacy organization. The nation’s largest specialty footwear retailer is proud to once again offer its Embrace the Cause bracelet in all its stores beginning Oct. 1 and online at Payless.com® starting this week for just $2 – an accessible price that enables more people to get involved and has raised more than $3.6 million since 2004 for the cause.

Payless will donate 100 percent of the net profits (at least $1/bracelet) of bracelet sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, helping to support breast cancer research and community outreach programs. Over the past seven years, the Payless Embrace the Cause program has raised more than $3.6 million in the fight against breast cancer and Payless is proud to be a member of Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s “Million Dollar Council.”

The limited-edition charm bracelet features three elastic pink bands embellished with several “floating” silver-toned balls, linked together by a dangling breast cancer awareness ribbon charm. To buy the bracelet, consumers can visit all Payless stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico beginning Oct. 1 or shop www.Payless.com beginning this week.

Beginning last week, Payless also began offering the "Sierra" all-pink sweater slipper in select stores in the U.S. and Canada. The Sierra is a scuff-style slipper, co-branded Airwalk and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and features a plush and cozy pink faux fur lining with a cable knit upper also trimmed in faux fur. The slipper is offered in women's and girls' sizing and retails for $19.99 and $17.99, respectively. Payless will donate $2 per pair sold to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

According to the American Cancer Society’s 2010 facts and figures, an estimated 207,090 cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur in the United States this year alone. One woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States. For more information on breast health or breast cancer, contact Susan G. Komen for the Cure at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or visit www.komen.org.

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TELEVISION

Norte A Sur
Young American Latinos today are known for being explorers, creators, challengers, tearers-down and builders-up. Like every generation of American youth, they are questioning the “what is” and looking for the “what should be”. For them being a pioneer is a mixture of their culture, style and music. They are influenced by the world’s cultural landscape and authentic distinctions of their own. The question is: Where we can find these modern day Latino pioneers?

This fall, Levi’s invites you to ‘Go Forth’ through the lens of the Norte A Sur, Una Ruta...5 Experiencias show where viewers will get a chance to join five modern day pioneers traveling along the Pan-American Highway to discover more about themselves and their roots. The journey will be broadcasted on Discovery en Español from September 25 through November 27, 2010. Throughout the journey these modern day pioneers will make local stops to engage with the Real Work of communities and explore different cultures through the fields of art, music, design and fashion.

Viewers of Discovery en Español will get the chance to be part of the journey through the online community at www.norteasur5enruta.com where, among other things, they can see the travelers’ status updates, make their own comments, send pictures and video, and virtually experience the travelers’ journey. Fans can also interact with the travelers through a dedicated Norte A Sur, Una Ruta... 5 Experiencias Facebook page and even share their own visual journey by posting their favorite pictures on the Norte A Sur, Una Ruta... 5 Experiencias Flickr site.

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APP
Recently launched, the new PayPal app has some great features that are so helpful in everyday use!

• Donations: Choose from over 23,000 charities in the U.S., UK and Canada and instantly make a contribution. Don’t know where to start? Search by keyword to find foundations that support your passions, or search by location to direct your funds to a local charity.

• Send Money: Sending money with the PayPal app is easier than going to the ATM or mailing checks to friends and family you may owe money to, or want to add a little doe to their pockets. All you need is the recipient’s e-mail address or mobile number and they will get a message telling them their cash is ready. They can then log in or sign up for a PayPal account to withdraw the money. This is great to use when splitting the check of a meal, a vacation, a present, etc.

• Split the check: Don’t waste another hour in the restaurant splitting the check down to the very last penny. Conveniently calculate costs and tip with this great function.

• Collect money: Easily collect money from your friends when you take the brunt of the bill. They will receive a notification telling them what they owe you so you can get your money back in your pocket!

• Set reminders: In addition to using this feature to manage your PayPal accounts, it is great for recurring payments, like paying rent or paying off those daunting, but necessary, credit card bills.

• Bump: This one’s really the best of both worlds…fun and effective! Users tap iPhones or Android phones, and funds are quickly transferred between their PayPal accounts with a token “bump” to seal the deal.

• Mobile Express Checkout: PayPal Mobile Express Checkout (currently in beta) makes it easier people to shop from their phones. Take impulse purchases to the next level and instantly shop online from your mobile device. With Mobile Check Capture, skip the hassle of inputting all of your shipping and credit card info every time the shopping bug strikes. With just a couple of clicks and a confirmation your wants (and needs) are yours!

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SPA

SPA WEEK
Its Spa Week again! This year for the 13th edition of the Fall 2010 Event day, medical and resort spas will continue to offer 2-3 of their most exclusive services for the discounted price of $50 each. Spa Week’s Fall 2010 Event will take place October 11th – 17th.

Without further ado, here are our Top 5 Spa Treatment Trends for the Fall 2010 Event:

• Fighting Allergies - Sinus massages, breathe-easy facials and cold and flu bath salts are just a few of the spa services being featured this upcoming Spa Week. New treatments using Eucalyptus, humidifiers and Lymph drainage movements are just a few of the techniques being used to assist in allergy relief.

• Bikini Glamour - Vajazzling made its sparkly splash at the Spring 2010 Event, when bedazzling your bikini became the hot new standard in girly glamour. Bikini/Bum Facials and post-Brazilian waxing rituals such as Airbrush painting and Vattooing are now the latest in bikini adornment.

• Sleeping and Dreaming - A good night’s slumber with proper REM cycles can be just as rejuvenating as a spa treatment, so one of the hottest trends emerging in the industry is a dream-worthy mix of the two to promote better sleeping patterns. Some of these treatments being offering during the Fall 2010 Event include a Stress Solution Facial, Private Yoga Session and Meditation Calmquest Treatment.

• Lash Extensions - Eyelash length, thickness, volume and darkness have gone way up on the beauty priority lists of women now more than ever. While new drugstore and professional lash volumizers continue to crowd the lash-enhancing market, the Fall Spa Week event is poised to give women more professional lash-extending options than ever before.
  

• Instant Inch Loss - The spa is becoming a go-to place to get almost instant, weight-loss results in addition to providing long term benefits. Colon Hydrotherapy is becoming more popular as a quick, easy cleanse, and new med-spa services like the 7E Treatment and Ionithermie give immediate results by targeting muscles with waveform technology.

Week of September 20 - September 27, 2010

"By all these lovely tokens


September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather

And autumn’s best of cheer."

- Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

I hope you enjoy this week’s GEMS and please feel free to share your own GEMS with us by emailing us at Gem@ulmedia.net.

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DRINK

WINE TASTING

It may seem a little premature to some, however, the holiday season is upon us. Soon we will find ourselves planning the Thanksgiving feast, the Nochebuena dinner and wondering what hostess gift we should bring along as we visit friends and family over the holidays. Why not take advantage of this chance to taste 70 wines including some ultra premium selections, a great oppor
tunity to preview extraordinary holiday wines, find gifts and sample excellent bottles for every day enjoyment.

Thursday, 9/23. Blue Streak Wines & Spirits. 4720 Center Boulevard, near Gantry Plaza State Park, LIC NY. (718) 706-9463. 8pm to 10pm. Ticket price: $45 (includes tastings of 70 wines).

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STREET FESTIVALS
SAN GENNARO FEAST

Think delicious sausage and peppers, fresh zeppoles and entertainment for the whole family by over 300 street vendors set up along Mulberry Street. The 84th Annual Feast of San Gennaro, is New York City’s longest-running, biggest and most revered religious outdoor festival in the United States.

Through Sunday, 9/26. The feast runs along Mulberry Street, between Canal Street (on south) and Houston Street (on north). It takes place east to west on Grand Street, between Mott and Baxter Street, and east to west on Hester Street, between Mott and Baxter Streets. Feast hours; Monday through Thursday, 11:30am to 11:30pm and Friday through Saturday, 11:30am to midnight. Free and open to the public.

LATIN GRAMMY STREET FESTIVAL

In celebration of the upcoming 11th Annual Latin Grammy’s, which will air on Univision on 11/11. The Latin Grammy street festival will feature live performances by Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oro Solido, Zion y Lenox, and more. Be sure to visit the Las Vegas kiosk to sign up for a chance to win a VIP trip to Las Vegas and attend the 11th Annual Latin Grammy’s. Sunday, 9/26. Boulevard East between 54th and 60th streets, West New York, NJ. Festival begins at 12 Noon. Free and open to the public.

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CONTEST

BEST OF NEW YORK

El Diario La Prensa, New York’s largest Spanish language daily newspaper is running a “Best of New York” competition, featuring the best Latino friendly restaurants, supermarkets, services and more. Help support these “Latino friendly” businesses and vote for your favorite picks by picking up a copy of El Diario La Prensa through 10/21, complete the entry form and mail it in. You can win a $500 cash prize and/or additional prizes. The “Best of New York” winners as well as the contest winners will be featured in El Diario on 10/29.

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CULTURE

CELEBRATE MEXICO NOW FESTIVAL

Is New York City’s first—and only—annual festival of contemporary Mexican art and culture. Encompassing cuisine, dance, film, literature, and music. Celebrate México Now has helped bring over 200 artists and projects to more than 60 of New York’s leading cultural institutions, proving that Mexico is overflowing with creativity in every discipline, and that New Yorkers from all backgrounds find these artists and their work invigorating, insightful and meaningful. Through 9/30. For more information and a complete listing of events, locations and time visit www.mexiconowfestival.org.

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TELEVISION

CACHAO “UNO MAS”

The Grammy-winning bassist Israel “Cachao” Lopez died in Coral Gables, Florida in March 2008, almost 90-years old. A maestro of legendary status on the world stage and ultimately considered one of the greatest Afro-Cuban musicians of all time, he had made his home in the United States for the past four decades. Coming from a family of classical musicians, he had formal conservatory training and held a seat in the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra for 30 years, performing under the direction of all of the legendary international conductors of the time – beginning at age 10!

American Masters pays tribute to the Father of Mambo in the series’ bilingual film, Cachao: Uno Más. Monday, 9/20. 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS. For more information visit www.pbs.org.

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CALL FOR PROPOSAL

NEW YORK FOLKLORE SOCIETY

This year, in collaboration with NYU’s Latino Studies and Latin American Studies Departments, we invite graduate students to present their work on Latino Folk Culture and Expressive Traditions. The NYFS seeks to encourage young scholars to continue their studies and become active contributors to the fields of folklore, ethnomusicology, anthropology and more.



Theme: Latino Folk Culture and Expressive Traditions

A cumbia group belting-out Colombian tunes at an outdoor cumbiamba, a Peruvian curandero diagnosing a patient through the use of animals, a Mexican family building a Diá de los Muertos altar in their home, a décima verse sung by a Puerto Rican jibaro—all of these are examples of Latino Expressive Traditions. While some of these forms have roots in African traditions and others have roots in Indigenous traditions, all are considered Latino Expressive Traditions or Folk Arts. These traditions speak to what Latinos say, believe, make, know and do—things that they first learned from their families and community.



The length and breadth of Latino traditions literally covers two continents; and transnational migration to major U.S. cities such as Miami, Chicago, San Antonio, Newark, and New York have ensured that the impact of Latino culture continues to be profound. We support papers which explore the topic of Latino Expressive Traditions from both the homeland perspective and immigrant perspective. We particularly encourage papers that address Latino traditions in New York’s tri-state area.



Students can cover any number of topics related to traditional performing arts, materials arts, vernacular culture, sacred arts, etc. as long as the research is with a particular Latino group. While attendees should be graduate students from any academic program, they do not have to major in folklore or Latino studies. Participants can be ethnomusicologists, anthropologists, historians, etc.

Submissions are due by Thursday, 9/30. For more information visit www.nyfolklore.org.

Week of March 16 – March 23, 2010

Welcome to the very first blog entry for GEM NYC!

ART: The Chicano movement invades the East Coast with an art exhibit titled "Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement", opening March 24th at El Museo del Barrio. The exhibit features 100 works in all contemporary media, and includes video, performance, and installation art by 27 artists and collectives.


PHOTOGRAPHY: Explore the Boogie Down Bronx through the lens of acclaimed South Bronx, born and raised photographer, Joe Conzo and his exhibit “The Bronx: Mi Barrio, Mi Orgullo” on view now through July 2010 at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College.


FOOD: Restaurateur extraordinaire, Jimmy Rodriguez delivers another crowd pleaser with Don Coqui, located in New Rochelle, NY. Dishes like Casuela de Marisco (seafood stew with lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari with coconut rice) and Pionono (ground beef wrapped in sweet plantains with pigeon pea rice)affirms why Don Coqui is referred to as the “shortcut to Puerto Rico”. For those of you hoping to sharpen your culinary skills, be sure to sign up for one of the weekly cooking classes.


A worthy mention goes out to the Brooklyn: Dine In Brooklyn promotion going on from March 15th through March 25th, and featuring over 200 Brooklyn restaurants offering a 3 course; $20.10 lunch and $25.00 dinner (does not include beverages tax or gratuity). Several GEM NYC blog staff favorites include Luz Restaurant (Latin American; brunch, lunch, dinner), Bogota Latin Bistro (Pan Latino; dinner) and Maria's Bistro Mexicano (Mexican; brunch and dinner).


BOOKS: The Park Slope Barnes and Noble gets a little Latin flavor with an appearance and book signing by Food Network star Daisy Martinez, “Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night: Bringing Your Family Together with Everyday Latin Dishes” on Thursday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m.


ONLINE PICK: Have a shoe fetish? You are not alone, check out MissMeanShoe.com, an online magazine devoted to women’s fashion footwear. Launched in July 2009 by Lizmarys M. Armiza, MissMeanShoe.com has become one of the top sites dedicated to shoes from Steve Madden to Christian Dior. Guys there is no need to feel left out, the recently launched MrMeanShoe.com is sure to satisfy the potential, if not established shoeaholic in you.


TELEVISION: HBO’s buzz worthy show “How To Make It In America” a.k.a the New York version of Entourage, will inspire you to fuel your hustle, maybe start your own business, and remember why AMERICA is the “land of opportunities”. Cast favorites include: Luis Guzman (from Carlitos Way and Traffic), Victor Rasuk (from Raising Victor Vargas), and Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi (Rapper).