PR Newser: Playgirl and Playboy make matching 'celebrity' PR moves

by Joe Ciarallo

Both Playgirl and Playboy are getting aggressive with "celebrity" PR maneuvers this week. Marge Simpson will appear nude in Playboy's November issue to celebrate The Simpson's 20th Anniversary.

Meanwhile, Levi Johnston, ex-boyfriend of Bristol Palin and father of Sarah Palin's granddaughter will appear nude in Playgirl. Will the PR push around these covers lead to increased sales? Time will tell. It's certainly already leading to increased buzz.

Former Playgirl editor-in-chief Nicole Caldwell, who is still working with the publication on some special projects, tells PRNewser, "Levi Johnston is the best and brightest thing to come out of the Palin campaign. It's a pleasure to go from the straight-talk express to the hot jock undressed. The shoot is tentatively scheduled for the first week of November, and I'm just sorry I won't be there to see this beautiful man in person."

Johnston, who is training six days a week to prep for the shoot, is also looking into reality shows (of course), his publicist Tank Jones told the AP.

[Originally posted on PRNewser Oct. 8, 2009]

Spotlight On... Gowanus Canal Conservancy

By Nicole Caldwell

The Gowanus Canal has a logic-defying reputation for being as repulsive as it is enchanting. Tagged with nicknames such as Lavender Lake and Perfume Creek (neither due to lovely hues or pleasant smells), you wouldn’t think much could live in or near this dirty little estuary, which stretches from Gowanus Bay on the New York Harbor to Gowanus, an industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn a mile and a half east.

Yet against all odds, this purple-hued water—Gowanus Canal Conservancyused as a virtual toxic dumping ground for industry along it well into the 1960s and beyond—has stolen the hearts and imaginations of people intent on saving it. New developments and shopping centers seem to spring up overnight along the canal. Property values climb despite debates over whether the pollution in this Brooklyn waterway causes asthma. There are documented accounts of fishermen catching striped bass and Atlantic silversides in the murky, badly polluted canal.

Read the rest of this article here.

[Originally published in the September 2009 issue of The Leaflet]

Getting There

“Everything you are against weakens you.

Everything you are for empowers you.”—fortune cookie


A few months ago, I read The Bell Jar and felt relieved that, at least, I was in better shape than Sylvia Plath’s character. A crazed electro-shock patient: This was my litmus test for sanity and coping.


Then, the veils began to lift (they really do always lift, as annoying as that adage about “giving it time” is). Drives in convertibles. Beach-sitting. Boardwalk-strolling. A sunburn that makes your flesh tingle. Writing again. The feeling that some part of you is waking up from a very long slumber. Expansion, expansion, expansion. Kayaks on lakes that look like mirrors. Carnivals. Parades. The Better Theory. Bonfires.


The biggest challenge I faced: learning to extricate myself from these attachments I form. It is so hard to let go—to grieve as you would over a death. Why usher that in?


Because, silly girl. If you get yourself healthy, health will follow.


But it’s a bear to figure out. It’s thinking with your heart and then trying to apply logic to it. It’s no longer making excuses ("Change! Outlined goals! The problem’s been recognized!”) and seeing your subtext when you speak (“Come back! Come back!”). It’s learning all of that, and seeing where there is disease, and figuring out a way to move forward without anger or hostility or resentment. Everything—and everyone—I am for, empowers me. So, I decide to root for those who would hurt me. I wish them the best, I blow them kisses, I throw them flowers and smile and say, simply, “I love you. And I have done all I can.”


True empathy—true love—is knowing when someone is better off without you.


The sense of being strong and doing what is right felt good; even as it became increasingly difficult. That knot in my belly! My growing disconnect. A burdensome sense that I’m too far ahead now; these last months reconnected me to the woman I always wanted to be: independent, unafraid, giggly, excited all the time. I’d been so worried; made timid by the possibility of sliding backward. Unhinged by all these dreams.


I did all this for you, and you still __________.

I made these changes like you asked, and you turned around and __________.

The scorecard perpetuated itself (most behaviors are quite easy to predict). And then, silence (but not always).


Travel opened up. Nigerian headpieces in church vestibules with empty wine bottles and giggling girls. Hotel bars shaped like living rooms with fishing bait available behind the counter. Speed boats down creeks. A Chevy truck on the open highway. The north, the south, the sensation of seeing something completely new.


I stop sometimes and whisper to myself, “Thank goodness it’s you. I really missed you a whole lot.”


I may actually be realizing the life I have always longed for.

Daring to Bare: Your Big Apple guide to naked New York

By Nicole Caldwell

The New York Post last July covered a recent surge in New York City's nudist culture. It seems that beyond the city's vast repertoire of adult novelty stores, gentlemen's clubs, and mature entertainment, there's an increasingly mainstream undercurrent of people who just assume less really is more—at least, when it comes to clothing.

Whether you've perfected the art of changing in public without a speck of skin showing; or drop trow anytime you're in a sauna or locker room, you may want to turn your adventurous side over to the nude events happening in and around New York City every day.

For as long as summer lasts, head over to Geocities for a comprehensive list of nude beaches in the area. Or, if you're into meditation and relaxation, pay a visit to Naked Yoga NYC in Midtown. You can also get a listing of non-sexual naked yoga classes throughout the week from Yahoo Groups.

If you’re more into being the voyeur, check out Naked Comedy Showcase on the first Saturday of every month at The People's Improv Theatre in New York (click here for tickets).

Those of you who will spring on any opportunity to let it all hang out with relish a Clothing-Optional Dinner. And if you don't mind sweating without any, ahem, support, have a go at naked hiking. Just promise to pack some bugspray.

[Originally published at Examiner.com]

How to Give Yourself a Massage

Nothing beats a great massage with a reputable therapist. But there’s also nothing saying you can’t give yourself a little pick-me-up anytime you’re stressed or sore.

The next time worldly stresses, exercise, or an uncomfortable night’s sleep catch up with you, here are some basic ways you can unwind on your own.

*First, set up your room for your massage. Turn the lights down, light a candle, and make sure distractions are kept to a minimum.

*Sit on the floor with your legs crossed on a carpet, rug, or mat for padding.
As with any stretching or yoga position, breathe deeply. Start out by taking 10 very slow, long breaths. In through your nose, hold for a few seconds, then out slowly through your mouth. As you do this, take mental inventory of where you feel tense or sore.

*Your feet, which together have a whopping 14,000 nerve endings, are a great place to start. Apply pressure to the soles with your thumbs, then rub hard with your palms. After the bottoms of your feet feel looser, go back to applying pressure along the arch of your foot and at the tips of each of your toes.

Read the rest of this blog here.

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog.]

Spotlight On... Bank of America Tower

One Bryant Park at 42nd Street

Projected completion date: 2010

By Nicole Caldwell

Skyscrapers have been called many things; but for the first time, Manhattan’s second-tallest will also be known as the country’s greenest.

The soon-to-be-completed Bank of America Tower, located at One Bryant Park in Midtown, boasts 2.1 million square feet and 52 stories of the greenest architecture in the United States—and possibly, the world. As the first skyscraper to strive for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED “Platinum” designation, the space was designed to reduce potable water and energy consumption by 50 percent; utilize 50 percent recycled material in the construction phase; and to acquire half of all building materials from within 500 miles of the site.

It’s not an easy undertaking, or cheap. The building in 2004 was estimated to cost $1 billion; this June, The Durst Organization developers secured a $1.3 billion loan to allow the construction to be completed. The building is co-owned by Durst and Bank of America, representatives of whom declined to comment for this piece.

Read the rest of this article here.

[Originally published by Clean Edison]

Walking in a Techie Wonderland

Newly renovated Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a geek's paradise
By Nicole Caldwell

They say New York City has the most of everything; but there still aren’t a whole lot of places where you can practice open-heart surgery, program a robot, research nanotechnology, and animate cartoons under the same roof.

Or, there wasn’t—until the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (SWTL) parked its headquarters at 550 Madison Ave. in 1994. Since then, the interactive, totally free learning center has continued to grow and change to appeal to an ever-shifting market of 8- to 14-year-olds (literally and at heart) with a soft spot for technology.

“Our most popular new exhibits are our Robot Zone, where visitors can learn the basic elements of programming a robot,” said Lisa Davis, senior director of communications and public affairs with Sony Corporation of America, “and our Dance Motion Capture experience, where visitors can see their very own dance moves performed by a Sony-animated character in real-time through the use of markerless, motion-capture technology.”

The lab underwent a year-long renovation, completed this summer, which brought 14 additional interactive exhibits to the facility’s already-daunting repertoire. The construction added two floors, 6,200 square feet, and a host of new experiments and exhibits to tinker with. All renovations were made with green technology in mind; as Sony is now pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for its building.

“The multi-million dollar investment we’ve made in this facility reflects Sony’s ongoing commitment to education and the communities we serve,” Sony’s CEO, president, and chairman Sir Howard Stringer said in a prepared statement. “The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a manifestation of ‘Sony United’ in every sense. Bringing our content and technology together in this educational environment has enabled us to create a compelling and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.”

More than 200,000 people pay a visit to SWTL annually. With no price tag to stop in, the lab is a perfect destination for a few minutes before or after the musical you’re in Times Square to see; or a several-hour exploratory adventure for you and your kids.

“My personal favorite installation is our Animation Studio,” Davis said, “which allows visitors to explore basic animation techniques, create and animate a character, or design a computer-generated environment. I think the best part about the lab is that it’s free! It is Sony’s way of giving back to the City of New York.”

The Sony Wonder Technology Lab, located at 550 Madison Ave. at 56th Street, is free and open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 12-5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.sonywondertechlab.com.

[Originally published in Times Square Chronicle]

Office Yoga: De-stress at your desk

Sitting—whether at work, home, a ballgame, the park, subway, or car—is wreaking havoc on your body.

Sitting still slows your circulatory system by pooling blood in your legs and feet; increases pressure on the springy part of your spine that absorbs shock; and slows your metabolism. That, along with ergonomic problems associated with staring at a computer screen for long hours and typing on a keyboard all day, and it becomes clear: A sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health.

A regular massage schedule can help ward off short- and long-term effects of cubicle life. But to give you an extra edge, we tracked down two yoga experts for some easy moves you can do while sitting in your chair.

Read the rest of this article here.

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog.]

A Massage A Day: The benefits of scheduling regular rub-downs

You can stop thinking of that once-a-year trip to the spa as a luxury—experts agree getting massages as often as once a week can be beneficial to your health.

The Touch Research Institute in Miami, the first facility to scientifically study the effects of massage, definitively found massage reduces the stress-associated hormone cortisol in the body; increases serotonin, heals pain (including that from childbirth, chronic fatigue, and burns), and improves flexibility and circulation.

Keep up that sort of treatment on a weekly, monthly, or even a several-times-a-year basis, and you’re looking at improved overall mental and physical health.

Read the rest of this blog here.

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog.]

Wonderful Water: Are you getting enough?

Drinking water after a massage is a great way to increase the benefits of your treatment after you’ve left the table. You may be thinking: What’s so important about having extra water on a day you’ve done little more than lay still and relax?

You may be surprised to know that a massage has a similar physiological effect on our circulatory system as exercise. The act of kneading a person’s musculature releases water, metabolic toxins, lactic acids, and electrolytes—all of which can be dehydrating. Keeping hydrated on a daily basis, as well as before a massage will make your muscles more pliable, allowing your therapist to give you greater results. And drinking a glass or 2 of water after a massage will help your body sweep out the metabolic toxins you’ve released. Both Deep Tissue Massage and Swedish Massage increase circulation, which helps send nutrients as well as toxins out of your muscles and into your bloodstream.

A simple rule of thumb is to hydrate yourself in the hours leading up to and following a massage, even if you don’t feel thirsty. You’ll get more mileage out of the massage itself, and feel deeper, longer-lasting results. Your body will thank you!

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog]

The Best Sex Shops in New York City

By Nicole Caldwell

Babeland

This bicoastal chain has made masturbation and prop-aided sex mainstream, with workshops, classes and even a monthly “Babeland Brunch,” featuring free coffee, muffins and sex talk. Babeland’s brightly lit Brooklyn location includes a diaper-changing table and aisles wide enough for strollers. For prudes still shy in spite of the store’s überfriendly staff and mid- to upper-class clientele, it offers private shopping by appointment—or delivery within three hours for $30. 94 Rivington St at Ludlow St (212-375-1701, babeland.com) • 43 Mercer St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-966-2120) • 462 Bergen St between Flatbush and Fifth Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-638-3820)

DeMask
This boutique caters to rubber fetishists, dominatrices and anyone who loves to get all tied up. Headquartered in Amsterdam, The 1,300-square-foot Manhattan branch of this Amsterdam-based company is a cornucopia of impeccably constructed rubber lingerie, bodysuits, pants, collars, whips, masks—even leather-suspension body bags. Such high quality doesn’t come cheap, though: A standard rubber harness with external dildo starts at $185. Expect an intimidating atmosphere if you’re uninitiated, and heaven on earth if you are. 144 Orchard St at Rivington St (212-466-0814, demask.com)

Read the rest of this article here.

(Originally published in Time Out New York, June 29, 2009)

Spotlight On... Solar One

By Nicole Caldwell

Stuyvesant Cove Park is a green space resting atop 1.9 acres of Manhattan waterfront that once held a concrete factory. The native plants and grasses stretching lazily along the East River at 23rd Street attract and sustain native bird species and butterflies; and offer a fitting backdrop to New York City’s most cutting-edge green space: Solar One.

The building—and park—is maintained by a nonprofit of the same name striving simply to “empower people of all ages with the vision, knowledge, and resources to attain a more environmentally sound and sustainable future.” It’s a microcosm for what Solar One’s next big project, Solar Two, could be for all of New York City when it’s constructed on the same space and becomes the first self-standing, carbon-neutral, net-zero energy structure in the five boroughs.

Read the rest of this post here.

[Originally published in Green Edge NYC's The Leaflet, July 2009 issue]