Heidi Klum

A glowing Klum arrived at the launch decked in Dolce and Gabbana. Written by Eila Mell, the newest coffee table must-have is composed of 100 independent conversations and 1,000 images. The hardcover commemorates a television series that gave light to the design genius of nine seasons worth of hidden gems.

Capturing highlight moments of seasons aired to date with personal updates from former contestants, the book also includes an intro written by the executive producer and host herself.  Fall in love with the series all over again with this fun summer read.

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By Magdalena Burnham

Lifetime’s series The Client List was just renewed for a second season and the popularity of the show, which follows Riley Parks (Jennifer Love Hewitt) as she starts work at a massage parlor where sexual favors are being offered, got me thinking about my favorite hookers from TV history. These are the on-screen prostitutes that have held my interest the most over the years.

Saffron from Firefly (Christina Hendricks)

Sure, Inara was a bigger character, but when it comes to the “Companions” in the Firefly universe, my heart belongs to Saffron. The episodes where we got to see Saffron seduce and manipulate her way around space were the most entertaining of the series and the show gets major props for introducing the world to Christina Hendricks.

Darla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Julie Benz)

In the 16^th century, Darla was a true entrepreneur who managed to get rich off her prostitution. Sure, she also got syphilis, but then she turned into a vampire and had eternal youth and health. Darla 2, World 0.

Hunter Montgomery from Queer as Folk (Harris Allan)

Occasionally Queer as Folk used Hunter as an excuse to reach new levels of preachiness, but overall he was a welcome addition to the cast because there’s truly no other character like him on television. Forced into gay prostitution at an early age, Hunter was HIV positive and emotionally scarred for life. Watching him discover his heterosexuality, learn to trust Michael and Ben and try to fit in at high school made for some great storylines. Best of all, he used his street smarts to bring down a corrupt chief of police. Impressive work, kid.

Andrew van de Kamp from Desperate Housewives (Shawn Pyfrom)

Andrew always had a troubled relationship with his mother Bree, but it reached its crisis point when he seduced her boyfriend and she responded by driving him out to the middle of the highway and abandoning him. The little scamp bounced back by resorting to prostitution before he eventually returned to his mother and continued being the sneakiest and snarkiest kid on Wysteria Lane.

Laurie from The West Wing (Lisa Edelstein)

I love to remember that the very first moments in The West Wing didn’t give us President Bartlett or any political elements, but instead focused on Rob Lowe’s character accidentally sleeping with a prostitute. That’s called putting your best foot forward. Even though Laurie was only in five episodes, her wit and charm made her one of the most memorable characters of the entire series. The fact that the incomparable Lisa Edelstein portrays her doesn’t hurt.

Nate Archibald from Gossip Girl (Chace Crawford)

Nate basically became a prostitute by accident and was completely against it once he finally figured out what was happening. He was being paid to sleep with a woman whom he was already happy to be with, but he just couldn’t look on the bright side of this circumstance. I admire that integrity.

By Beth Mellow

Downtown New York City, with its matrix of trendy neighborhoods, is no stranger to celebrity sightings. You don’t have to stray too far into Soho or Tribeca to stumble upon a well-known actress, a venerated singer or a titan of business. But along these avenues, streets and alleys can also be found a different kind of notable: a top-performing gymnast, a football player consistently covered by the New York Post, a Juilliard-trained musician, an award-winning video game designer and a singer/thespian who has appeared on Lifetime and ABC Family—none of whom have graduated from high school yet.

These are the remarkable talented tweens and teens who work or study below 14th Street. They are defined not only by their prodigy-like skills but by an intense drive to succeed in their chosen fields. As Dr. Susan O’Doherty, a New York-based psychologist who works with artists, explains, young phenoms possess certain characteristics: “A kid can be gifted and lazy or gifted and driven. For some, the dream is just that, while others pursue it aggressively.” These youngsters are pursuing their dream with vigor.

For all articles, please go to:
The Juilliard Virtuoso, Lydia van der Swaagh
The Turning Point for Jesse Manning
Searching for Downtown Prodigies: The Talented Ms. Filsoof
The New, Fresh Face of Gaming
William Solomon is a Lion on the Field
A 12-Year-Old Future Olympian

Are you a Downtown parent looking for a summer camp for your child? New York Family magazine can help. The publication will run a series of Camp Fairs in the coming weeks to help parents make informed decisions about which camp is “the perfect fit” for their child. At the fairs, New York Family and the American Camp Association-NY (ACA-NY) bring more than 60 camps to parents and provide previews of the summertime experience that can have a positive impact on campers. For more information or to pre-register for any of the scheduled fairs, visit newyorkfamilycamps.com. (Those who pre-register will not only receive a gift bag at the fair but will also qualify to participate in a raffle that includes a chance to win a Camp Trunk from Lesters or the grand prize of a family trip).

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011
Upper West Side
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
33 Central Park West (betw. 63rd & 64th Sts.)

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012
Upper East Side
St. Jean Baptiste School
173 E. 75th St. (betw. 3rd Ave. & Lexington Aves.)

Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012
Downtown
Grace Church School
86 4th Ave. (betw. 10th & 11th Sts.)