*I rolled on, the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time/
There’s something good waitin’ down this road,
I’m picking up whatever is mine…
This issue represents our 5th anniversary, and while it may not be a 50th, or even a 15th, given the environment of the last few years, our five might be worth ten.
People often ask me how we got started. Sometimes, you just wind up where you’re supposed to be. My first introduction to publishing was in poetry—hardly related. In the early 90s I got involved in some Internet start-ups. One thing led to another…to another and I wind up on this beautiful little sandbar of ours. As a newcomer, I was surprised the region was lacking a title celebrating the best of life here. Before I knew it, I was writing a business plan.
In the years since, we’ve held pretty true to our mission (not to mention broken a few rules). And we’ve been rewarded with your subscriptions and advertisements.
Along the way, we’ve been trusted with some of the most sensitive stories to face the region—Broadwater, NYRA, heroin, to name a few. We’ve also had access to some of the biggest names in entertainment: Russel Simmons, Harper Simon, Robert Redford, Martin Scorcese… And we’ve been able to deliver the most compelling, award-winning coverage of arts, music, culture and lifestyles on the Island. But what makes us tick is the biting reality of our approach, the impeccable standards of our team and the level of interaction with you, our readers and advertisers. Ok, so we have a pretty good time, too. And then there was a funny thing with the mob, the Christmas scandal, Starbucks getting mad at us… Did I mention we broke a few rules?
This issue is no different. Our sailing piece by award-winning sportswriter Jason Molinet profiles Dawn Riley, the America’s Cup winner who’s brought a first-class sailing organization to Long Island—think you might be up for a lesson out of Oyster Bay? Our music coverage includes interviews with Maroon 5 and Keane, two bands playing our local stages this month. We have two fashion segments—Camp, which covers the styles that will transition you from summer to fall and our bi-annual Fall Fashion Preview, shot live at Fashion Week. And this, our annual Art & Design issue, also includes our Artist VIP List. Our List features the top talents in visual arts emerging across the Island. In previous years, we’ve heard from VIPs that the prestige has brought collectors, commissions and gallery owners to their doors. An important addition this year is the Student VIP. Previous years’ VIPs donated works to be sold in a show we mounted and the proceeds funded the scholarship and the student recipient was awarded $1000. The list starts on page 66—meet the visionaries and this rising star on the pages following.
As usual, details of our monthly cover party can be found in this issue, but there are some not so usual details to note: We’re celebrating two milestones with two parties. The first is a bash at Carlyle on the Green on August 4, a fitting anniversary venue since Carlyle’s Steve Carl hosted our launch party. Long Island Pulse guests get free access to the party and all the festivities of the evening—join us for some birthday cake (details on pages 4-5). The second is a very Hamptons Sunday afternoon. On August 15, we’re hosting a croquet game at Southampton Inn (see page 15). Never played before? Don’t worry, come out anyway, you’ll have a good time learning the rules. And maybe, like your favorite local publication, breaking some rules, too.
*Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads,
-nAda
*Running Down a Dream, Tom Petty