NYC Life: Living Longer and Living Well in Every Corner of the City

Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

From the science of longevity to the joy of spring blooms, this week’s NYC Life celebrates the many ways we learn, gather, create, and thrive. This year’s Renewal Summit highlights resilience and the breakthroughs shaping longer, healthier lives. At the Guggenheim, Carol Bove’s retrospective reframes art history with wit and reverence, while Long Island’s Kathleen Quigley Caputo reminds us how purpose can transform a life. Across the city, Artexpo returns, rooftop cinema season begins, Keith Haring’s art cars roll in, and cherry blossoms unfurl their brief, breathtaking magic. Enjoy every second, Tomatoes!

The Science of Living Longer….

 

This year’s Renewal Summit will focus on resilience and longevity, and we have some amazing experts who will discuss the breakthroughs and science of living longer. I am excited to interview Dr. Dawn Mussallem, Fountain Life Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Dawn isn’t just a physician. She’s a force for change. She brings a deeply integrative, science-led approach to care, uniting advanced diagnostics, lifestyle medicine, and personalized strategies to help people move beyond disease… and into their fullest potential. You will also hear her inspiring personal story of resilience.

Roving at the Guggenheim

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes

The most interesting aspect of the Carol Bove retrospective at the Guggenheim, open through August 2nd, is the artist’s depth of knowledge and respect for all of the artists that preceded her, and impacted all of her creations. So many of the works displayed from over the last quarter century reflect and pay homage to many great artists, including Louise Nevelson, Sol Lewitt, Richard Serra, and John Chamberlain who are some of my favorites, therefore making Bove’s work, which was new to me, quite familiar. Bove deals directly with geometry and incorporates a wide range of materials from steel to feathers. She designated inviting areas of the museum as rest stations and play stations, making round chess tables available in the lobby.

Her fascination with the circle makes her show at the Guggenheim with its iconic Frank Lloyd Wright open spiral rotunda gallery, the ideal stage for her history to unfurl. The greatest surprise gift at this show is a Juan Miró mural from the 1960s painted on 190 ceramic wall tiles that has been covered since the museum curators felt this specific visual interfered with the museum’s exhibitions. Carol Bove carved her signature diamond shape into a window in front of it, again exposing us to the greatness that preceded her and us. That alone is worth the trip to see one of New York City’s best kept secrets temporarily revealed. Who knew?

Spotlight on Long Island Women

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponakis introduces us to Kathleen Quigley‑Caputo—a woman whose life took a breathtaking turn from corporate success to soulful service. After decades in commercial real estate, Kathleen followed a quiet inner pull that led her into ministry, healing work, and ultimately the creation of Hado Bear, a comforting companion for children facing illness and fear. Her journey is a testament to how purpose can bloom when we finally listen to the call within. READ MORE.

April 9-12. Artexpo New York

The 2026 Artexpo New York returns to Pier 36 from April 9–12 for its 49th year, bringing back one of the city’s most anticipated art events. This year, Redwood Art Group has curated another standout roster of more than 200 artists, galleries, and exhibitors, with a special emphasis on site‑specific installations that transform the pier into a living, breathing art experience.

A perennial favorite, the Discoveries Collection once again highlights emerging talent and accessible works priced at $3,000 or less — a thoughtfully curated gateway for new collectors and a chance to spot the next big names before they break. Whether you’re browsing, buying, or simply soaking in the creative energy, the fair offers something for every level of art lover.

For the full schedule of exhibitors, click here




June 17. Join us at the Triad for a Special Evening

Join Merrill Stone — the singing therapist — as she launches a lively new salon series blending songs, stories, and smart, soulful conversations. Each gathering spotlights fascinating people from both inside and outside the world of show business, celebrating the art of living, aging, and thriving with humor and heart. First up is acclaimed vocalist and 2026 MAC award winner, Marieann Meringolo known for her distinctive blend of jazz, cabaret, and contemporary music. Joining her is her brilliant musical director and pianist, Doyle Newmyer.

Wed. June 17 | Triad Theater, NYC | Tickets $35 + 2 Drink Min. GET TICKETS NOW.




Rooftop Cinema Club Returns to Midtown

Rooftop Cinema Club is back in Midtown, bringing its signature blend of skyline views, cozy vibes, and crowd‑pleasing films to the Skylawn rooftop of the Embassy Suites on West 37th Street. The setup is exactly what New Yorkers love about this series: open‑air energy (with the comfort of an enclosed, heated space for spring), wireless headphones, and a rotating lineup of movies that lean into nostalgia, romance, and pure escapism.

April’s theme — “Don’t judge a book by its movie” — gives the season a literary twist. Adaptations like Pride & Prejudice, The Great Gatsby (2013), and Breakfast at Tiffany’s anchor the schedule, offering a stylish mix of classics and modern takes. For those craving something more emotional or high‑energy, the lineup also includes favorites like The Notebook, Crazy Rich Asians, and The Hunger Games.

Set against sweeping midtown views — including a perfect peek at the Empire State Building if you time your arrival just right — the experience feels more like a relaxed lounge than a traditional theater. With its heated enclosure, you get all the charm of rooftop movie‑going without the gamble of spring weather.

For showtimes and tickets, click here

April 10-19. Keith Haring’s Iconic Art Cars Roll Into NYC

Keith Haring’s iconic art cars are rolling into the West Village — literally. For the first time ever, two of Haring’s rarely seen vehicles — his hand‑painted 1963 Buick Special and the boldly graphic Land Rover Series III created for the 1983 Montreux Jazz Festival — are coming to New York City. “Keith Haring: In the Street” opens April 10–19 at Free Parking, a new 3,000‑square‑foot gallery tucked inside a West Village carriage house and home to the CART Department. The 10‑day exhibition celebrates the release of Keith Haring in 3D, the new book from Larry Warsh and Glenn Adamson, and marks the gallery’s debut show.

The cars feel like Haring at his most joyful and democratic — art meant to move through the world, not sit behind glass. Seeing them up close in a neighborhood he once walked feels like a full‑circle New York moment. GET THE DETAILS.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC This Spring

Cherry blossom season in New York City is brief, breathtaking, and one of the most beloved rites of spring. For a few short weeks, the city transforms into a canopy of soft pink blooms — drawing New Yorkers to parks, waterfronts, and even a few hidden corners to soak in the magic. From iconic landscapes to quieter neighborhood gems, here are the best places to wander, gaze, and snap those perfect spring photos.

🌸 Central Park

One of the city’s most iconic blossom destinations. Head to the Reservoir, Cherry Hill, Pilgrim Hill, or the Great Lawn for sweeping views framed by delicate pink blooms.

🌸 Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Home to the famous Cherry Esplanade and Japanese Hill‑and‑Pond Garden, BBG offers one of the most spectacular and concentrated cherry blossom displays in the city.

🌸 Roosevelt Island

The cherry trees lining the waterfront promenade create a dreamy tunnel of blossoms with postcard‑worthy views of Manhattan.

🌸 Little Island

This floating park brings a modern twist to cherry blossom viewing, with blooms tucked among sculptural pathways and Hudson River views.

🌸 Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

A Queens favorite with wide-open spaces, lakeside paths, and clusters of cherry trees perfect for a relaxed spring stroll.

🌸 Riverside Park

From the Upper West Side down toward the 70s, you’ll find stretches of cherry trees that create a soft pink ribbon along the Hudson.

🌿 More Hidden (and Worthwhile) Spots

  • Green‑Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn — Rolling hills, historic monuments, and unexpectedly stunning cherry blossom clusters.
  • Queens Botanical Garden — A quieter, more intimate blossom experience.
  • Randall’s Island — A peaceful waterfront walk lined with seasonal blooms.

 

The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato

Cheryl Benton

The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes. Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato

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