As we close out summer, we celebrate unforgettable moments and inspiring voices—from just being named one of Long Island’s top women-owned businesses, to a sun-soaked wine tour on Long Island’s North Fork and a powerful showcase of women over 40 in “A Salute to the Power of Women.” We spotlight Geraldine “Jerry” Leo, who planked her way into 100, and explore Jeffrey Gibson’s thought-provoking sculptures outside the Met. Plus, don’t miss the Affordable Art Fair in Chelsea, the Brooklyn Book Festival’s 20th anniversary, and the vintage charm of the Bus Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s a week of creativity, connection, and celebration across NYC and beyond.

Thank You to Long Island Business Press

We’re honored to be named one of Long Island’s premier women-owned businesses, helping shape the region’s future. This recognition celebrates innovation, resilience, and community impact—and we’re proud to stand alongside so many trailblazing women. Huge thanks to Roni Jenkins, our founding partner, and longtime collaborators Valerie Smaldone, Debbie Zipp, Kim Selby, Randie Levine Miller, Anne Akers, and all our brilliant contributors coast to coast. READ MORE.

A Toast to An Unforgettable Day

Sunday, September 14 marked our fifteenth wine trip, and it was one for the books—and the wine glasses! Our journey through the beautiful vineyards of Long Island’s North Fork was filled with sunshine, laughter, and the kind of memories that linger like a good Cabernet. From the moment our buses departed NYC and Hicksville, the energy was electric. Tomatoes (and yes, a few tomato-loving guys too!) came ready to sip, savor, and celebrate. Check out our photos!

Oct. 28. A Salute to the Power of Women

Join us for an unforgettable event celebrating fierce, funny, and fearless women over 40. Presented by The Three Tomatoes Publishing, this curated showcase features live readings of original prose and poetry, captivating art, and soul-stirring musical performances. From love and loss to reinvention and resilience, these voices will move you—and maybe even ignite your own. Readers: Valerie Smaldone, Carol Ostrow, Laura Patinkin; performances by Randie Levine Miller, Merrill Stone, Karen Nason, and Steve Schachalin.  this is more than a show—it’s a movement. GET THE DETAILS.

Art That Stares Back

Outside the iconic Fifth Avenue facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, four monumental bronze sculptures now stand in quiet, powerful dialogue with the city. Created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Jeffrey Gibson, the installation—titled The Animal That Therefore I Am—is part of the Met’s 2025 Genesis Facade Commission and will be on view through June 9, 2026.

Each sculpture depicts a native animal: a deer, a coyote, a squirrel, and a hawk—species found both in Central Park and the Hudson Valley, where Gibson’s studio resides. But these aren’t just representations of wildlife. They’re philosophical provocations, inspired by Jacques Derrida’s writings on the gaze of the animal and the human tendency to overlook non-human consciousness.

Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, crafted these works using driftwood, hides, and textiles before casting them in bronze. The result is a fusion of animate and inanimate, tradition and abstraction, Indigenous worldview and urban monumentality. Covered in patinated patterns that evoke beadwork and textiles, the sculptures invite us to reconsider our place in the natural world—not as stewards above, but as peers within.

As Gibson puts it, “This lack of respect reflects a loss of empathy,” reminding us that art can be both beautiful and deeply unsettling in its truth.

Whether you’re strolling past the Met or reflecting from afar, this installation is a must-see—and a must-feel.  LEARN MORE.

Spotlight on Long Island Women: Meet Geraldine “Jerry” Leo

Andrea Peponokis introduces us to the amazing Geraldine “Jerry” Leo, a 100-year-old Bay Shore resident who marked her milestone birthday with a five-minute plank. Her inspiring story celebrates strength, resilience, and joyful aging on Long Island. READ MORE.

2025 Bus Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Start your engines, Brooklyn! On Sunday, September 21, the New York Transit Museum and MTA New York City Transit invite you to the 2025 Bus Festival—a free, family-friendly celebration of New York’s surface transit history. From 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Brooklyn Bridge Park, visitors can climb aboard vintage buses, explore the evolution of NYC’s fleet, and meet the people who keep our city moving.

This year’s lineup includes iconic vehicles like “Betsy,” a 1931 double-decker, and Bus 3100, one of the first air-conditioned transit buses in the country. Expect hands-on activities for all ages, photo ops with the Manhattan skyline, and surprise guest vehicles that promise to steal the show.

Advance registration is encouraged (and enters you into a raffle for a free Museum Family Membership!), but not required. The event runs rain or shine, and accessibility accommodations are available. Whether you’re a transit buff, a history lover, or just looking for a unique day out, the Bus Festival is a can’t-miss moment in motion. Learn more and register here

Affordable Art Fair NYC – Fall 2025 Edition

Art for all, right in Chelsea.  From September 17–21, the Affordable Art Fair NYC returns to the Starrett-Lehigh Building with its signature blend of creativity, community, and collectability. This fall edition features over 85 galleries and 450 artists from around the globe, showcasing thousands of original contemporary artworks—paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs—all priced between $100 and $12,000.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, the fair offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where discovery is part of the experience. Highlights include the Affordable Art Fair Fellowship Program, spotlighting emerging talent, and a special focus on works under $1,000 for those looking to start their collection without breaking the bank.

Located at 601 West 26th Street in Chelsea, the fair is open through Sunday, with family-friendly hours and donation-based entry options. It’s a vibrant, inclusive celebration of art that proves affordability is a strength—not a compromise. Explore the full program and get tickets

Brooklyn Book Festival – 20 Years of Literary Magic

Brooklyn’s biggest book bash turns 20!  From September now–22, the Brooklyn Book Festival celebrates two decades of storytelling, ideas, and literary connection with more than 140 events across all five boroughs. As New York City’s largest free literary festival, BKBF brings together over 500 authors and 250 publishers for a weeklong celebration that’s as diverse and dynamic as the city itself.

The festivities include:

• Children’s Day (Sept 20): Storytimes, crafts, and author meet-and-greets at Brooklyn Commons
• Festival Day & Literary Marketplace (Sept 21): The East Coast’s largest outdoor book market, plus panels with literary icons like Marlon James, Joyce Carol Oates, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Alison Bechdel

Centered around Brooklyn Borough Hall and Columbus Park, Festival Day features three outdoor stages and five indoor venues packed with conversations on fiction, poetry, comics, banned books, and more. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just book-curious, this is your chance to discover new voices, meet favorite authors, and celebrate the written word in all its forms. Explore the full schedule and plan your visit