SHARED EXPERIENCE UNITES TWO LONG ISLAND TEENS
IN FRIENDSHIP AND FIGHT AGAINST PANCREATIC CANCER
Teen-Organized Fashion Show Fundraiser Expected to Raise $150,000 for Research

BETHPAGE, NY–Becky Broxmeyer and Sophie Koppelman Fritz are two Long Island teens joined by fashion, friendship, and a shared determination to help change the face of pancreatic cancer, America’s fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths and the deadly disease that took the lives of their loved ones.

In 2008, sixteen year-old Roslyn Harbor resident, Sophie Koppelman Fritz, lost her grandmother, affectionately known as “Mommom,” to pancreatic cancer. In 2010, Muttontown resident Becky Broxmeyer’s father, Mark, was also lost to the disease. Sophie and Becky were acquaintances at Friends Academy in Locust Valley. The friendship blossomed after the teens learned of their common experience with the disease. They also learned they shared a flair for fashion, as well as the determination to ensure their loved ones’ lives were not lost in vain. Together, they created Fashion 4 the Cure, a mother-daughter fashion show, featuring casual couture, to help raise urgently needed dollars for pancreatic cancer research.
The event will take place on Wednesday, April 6 at Engineers Country Club on Glenwood Road in Roslyn Harbor. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6:30 pm, followed by the fashion show at 8 pm. Long Island-based designer, Christina Makowsky, will dress the adults. Teen clothing has been donated by TopShop. Also included in the evening will be a silent auction. Prominent local business leaders, sponsors and individuals are expected to attend.

Net proceeds from the event will benefit The Lustgarten Foundation, the nation’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. With an overall survival rate of just five percent, pancreatic cancer is a disease with no prevention, no early tests and, unless detected in its early stages, no cure. The Lustgarten Foundation works to advance scientific and clinical research related to the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer. One hundred percent of all donations received by the Foundation go directly to pancreatic cancer research.

Said Kerri Kaplan, Lustgarten Foundation Executive Director, “All of us at The Lustgarten Foundation are extraordinarily grateful to have the support of such lovely and determined young ladies in the fight against pancreatic cancer. A family-oriented fashion show is a wonderful tribute to their loved ones, and holds the potential to raise more than $150,000 for urgently needed research.”
Event co-organizer Sophie Koppelman Fritz said, “Having lost my beloved grandmother, best friend and favorite shopping companion, “Mommom” to pancreatic cancer at age 14, I learned too soon the devastating impact of this disease. I am honored to team up with The Lustgarten Foundation, knowing “Mommom” would be proud of my efforts to take a stand against pancreatic cancer.”

Said co-organizer Becky Broxmeyer, “My father’s battle with this disease was a formidable but private one. I intend to be as loud as I can in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Fashion 4 the Cure combines a fun-filled activity with an important cause – bringing public awareness of the urgent need for research into this deadly disease.”

To purchase tickets and learn more about Fashion 4 the Cure, visit www.lustgarten.org/fashion4thecure
About The Lustgarten Foundation
The Lustgarten Foundation, based in Bethpage, New York, is America’s largest private foundation working solely on pancreatic cancer research. The Foundation provides critical support in the search for better diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic cancer, and to date has provided more than $38 million to the world’s most prestigious medical and research centers. To learn more, visit www.lustgarten.org.

Photographed on Top: Becky Broxmeyer and Sophie Koppelman Fritz

Jac Vanek at Bloomingdales Roosevelt Field

WHO: Jac Vanek, Founder and Creator of Jac Vanek Clothing & Accessories

WHAT: Hang out with Jac in-store and have her help you select one of her designs from her new t-shirt collection at Bloomingdale’s Roosevelt Field’s bouTEEque department. There will also be a live DJ and photobooth for you take some pics with your friends. With your Jac Vanek tee purchase, customers will receive an exclusive signed poster. One per customer, while supplies last.Contact 516.873.2873 to RSVP.

DATE/TIME: Sunday, December 12th, 2pm – 5pm

WHERE: Bloomingdale’s Roosevelt Field, BouTEEque, Y.E.S., Level 3

WHY: Jac Vanek is the 23-year old, cutting edge clothing and accessory designer and tastemaker whose inspirational and whimsical bracelets have become a phenomenon. Her collection has expanded to include t-shirts and sweatshirts, has been featured on MTV Style and the Today Show, and boasts high-profile celebrity fans such as Lindsay Lohan, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Lance Bass, and Steven Tyler.

Jac also believes deeply in giving back and works closely with many charities including Haiti Relief, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, PETA, the NOH8 Campaign, Invisible Children, and JustTell. Recognizing the importance of immediate customer input when designing her ware, Jac employs the real time power of the Internet and face-to-face contact with her customers to encourage those who have purchased her products to have a voice in her future bracelet and t-shirt designs. Jac’s rapport with her fan base, and the customer collaboration she encourages with those who believe in her, enables Jac to foster a “family relationship” with teens worldwide. Jac blogs regularly on her website, www.jacvanek.com, and her twitter handle is @jacvanek.

Bloomingdale’s is America’s only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store and a division of Macy’s, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 41 stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, and California. In addition, in 2010 Bloomingdale’s opened its first international location in Dubai and will open four US outlet stores. Be sure to follow Bloomingdale’s on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bloomingdales) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/bloomingdales), and for more information, or to shop any time, visit www.bloomingdales.com.

She’s Back and Better Than Ever

Contributed by Glenn of Man Over Board

After a ten year sabbatical, one of MOB’s favorite “In The Mood” songstress Sade (pronounced  shar-DAY) is back. And we proclaim better then ever.

In doing the preparation for this article it was necessary to tune into The View this morning to watch Sade sing her new single Soldier of Love. We included it below for your viewing pleasure. Being that it is youtube we hope it stays up for at least the next week before Sony takes it down. We also have included a link to her website to listen to it there or download it to your iPod.

One of the best things about having a magazine is you run across amazing writers, columnist and bloggers. Glenn of Man Over Board runs an online magazine that’s made for a man but is smart and sassy enough for a woman. From health to fashion to humor and news, Glenn is one of the highest ranked bloggers in the blogosphere and for good reason…his site is fantastic!  Glenn interviewed Designer Tristan Christopher and we’re happy to have him as a guest blogger on SpotonLI!  To read more  about Glenn please visit Man Over Board! -Christine Gerani

Interview with Tristan Christopher of Couture Tees

by Glenn of Man Over Board

MOB:Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from?  What are your general professional and non-professional interests?

TC: My heritage is native American and Caribbean inspired but I call home, my birth and resting, place Redondo Beach California. I aspires to be known as a philanthropist, compassionate, and loving individual. I strive to stay competitive  and competent in many challenging fields, a “renaissance” type character.  Professionally I am focused on creating residual income from various automated business primarily online and wholesales.

MOB: What does Fashion mean to you?

TC: Fashion to me is one of many modes of expression. Wearable art, simple, rAw, refined or elegant, it is a statement and testament to self.

MOB: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?

 TC: In grade school I often wore garb that was edgy, a talking piece, funky. The attention good or bad motivated me to mold myself from outside in as well as visa versa.

MOB: What was the first article of clothing you ever designed? 

TC: For a project in grade school I used my mothers scrubs. I mixed them with patch work to create what I thought was pajamas you could sport on the playground. Um, I looked silly, but nonetheless it carved a path for me.

MOB: How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

TC: All of our items are embellished by hand. Although simple, and repetitive, typically an item takes 3-20 minutes. It’s a pop-modernist meets commercial art, Warhol factory of sorts. Samples usually take three or four hours from Concept to conception.

MOB: Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.

TC: First I decide what canvas “articles of clothing” to use. Then I really feel out it’s geoMetry, color and style. Then I create the art using computer graphic software, paint brush, paints, dye, silk screen, foiling, embroidery, and more.