My grandmother’s name was Jennie Levine. She came to the United States in the late 1800s, most likely to the Lower East Side of Manhattan where she learned to be a seamstress. This past weekend, we spent some time enjoying Manhattan and paid a visit to the Tenement Museum. We visited the apartment of – coincidentally – Jennie Levine and her fam …
Last Friday, I participated in Career Day at a local middle school. A close friend is a teacher at the school and runs the program. She asked me to talk to the students about practicing law. What an interesting experience – for me. In preparing what I wanted to talk about, I had to step back and think about how to explain what I do, why I do i …
Are you a resolution-er? I know Shawn’s thoughts on resolutions. I read his blog. Most years, I have a top 10 list to start the year, but for 2025 I am taking a different approach. It hasn’t even fully crystalized yet. Rather than general resolutions, which I think of as goals, for 2025 I think I am going to focus on the people in my life a …
As we end 2024, I am reflecting on what a year it has been in Gotham. So much change in a good way – new groups, new friends, new events. Yet as we keep doing this thing called Gotham, so much stays the same. Since the very beginning of Gotham time our motto has not wavered – it is better to give than receive, but what goes around comes around. …
I read an article recently about the value of smiling to be an effective salesperson. The premise of the article was that success is driven by a positive attitude and conveying that positive attitude in the sales process – not only to a prospective purchaser but to everyone along the way from introduction to close. What do you think? Does a …
I know we all talked about Halloween last week but I needed to share this heartwarming story. Each year in my neighborhood, we have fewer and fewer “trick or treaters”. Maybe the neighborhood is aging, I’m not sure. This year a group of adorable youngsters dressed as goblins and ghouls came by to scare and leave with a treat. They each polite …
In the course of making a new business acquaintance, I was asked to describe my practice philosophy. What a great question, I thought to myself. I don’t recall having ever been asked that question in a networking context. The answer, I quickly concluded, revealed more about me professionally than my answer to the standard, “what do you do?” …
We have entered a very exciting baseball playoff season for our NY teams. In that spirit, I had a super fun conversation with my aunt this weekend. I learned that she was a huge Brooklyn Dodgers fan and spent many an afternoon in the mid-1950s at Ebbets Field. With crystal clarity, she recalled watching exciting games with family and friends, …
I have to admit, I am a bit of a news junkie. I will read, watch and listen in multiple modes and medium. Sometimes though, I feel like I have to turn it all off. Just for the chance to take a breath and absorb everything happening in the world around us, I sometimes need to refrain from my ordinary and just listen to music. Frankly, that do …
Have you noticed? Felt it in the air? We are on a roll! I am all charged up because of our Bring-A-Guest meeting yesterday. Were you there? I promise -- you should not miss the next one. You may recall that BAG was a pandemic child, born of a membership committee brainstorm to create a virtual party of connecting. Cost of admission, brin …
Imagine if that were a real question in conversation rather than just an expected exchange of pleasantries. We all say it, sort of like muscle memory. But are we really asking the other person to share how they truly are in that moment? Perhaps they just had a difficult conversation with a family member. Or maybe they are worried about the stabi …
Yesterday we celebrated an annual Gotham tradition – our Golf Outing. Norman and the Golf Committee outdid themselves again this year – with a little help from their friends on the day of the outing. The event was flawless and filled with long-time Gotham members, new members and new friends. I know – I took a survey at dinner. I hope you wil …
When each of my children started college, I joined the school’s parent Facebook page. I always found the page to be full of useful information and mostly, a supportive community of parents trying to help their children have the best experience they could in school. Posts ranged from where to find the best meals, closest supermarkets, how much …
Have you signed up yet for our annual Bob Formica Golf Outing? There is still time. If you know me at all, you know that I am not athletic. I mean, really, not athletic. Just ask, I will share a story or two. But every year, I go out on the golf course once for our outing and I wouldn’t miss it. I learned that being part of the day continue …
I don’t like saying goodbye to my children. They both live too far away – and they both enjoy coming home which I like very much. Visits home now are usually extended and filled with concentrated family time, so much talking til late at night and food – let’s not forget the food. [Last time my son and his girlfriend were up to visit, I referr …
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