I spent 21 hours in the Queens Public Television (QPTV) studios this past week interviewing almost all the candidates for City Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President and City Council. I know many people don’t care about politics, but now more than ever we must all pay attention and make a date with ourselves on September 15 to vote in the primaries.
In our edition today, we are printing profiles of all the candidates for these offices in our “Guide to the Primaries” special section. On the invitation from QPTV Executive Director Dan Leone, I had the privilege to act as moderator for the debates. Happily, for our audience all the candidates showed up except Mark Green, who is running for Public Advocate; Melinda Katz, running for City Comptroller; and Julissa Ferreras, running for the City Council seat previously held by Hiram Monserrate. She was his chief of staff.
Being who I am, knowing I would be on TV required lots of preparation. Fortunately for me, Pete Davis, my political reporter, and staff had prepared the questions and studiously called, emailed and communicated with the candidates. My job was to look and sound good.
The search began for me to find a red outfit because my producer/director, the talented and professional John Collins, had designed a set with politically-correct red- white-and-blue American flags and backdrop, so my mint green jacket would not work.
I did find a wonderful red Escada jacket on sale at Syms. The store is my husband Stu’s favorite, but I rarely find anything there for me. We had gotten a mailing that they had a super sale on Escada clothing (one of my favorite designers that I rarely buy because of the price). The jacket I found had an original price tag of $1,600, but Syms’ price was a “steal” at $250. The problem was that it needed tailoring, but I figured it was worth it to own a singular and stunning red suit. I did get lots of compliments, so I felt the investment was worth it.
Then, the next challenge was making sure my hair and makeup were right for the bright lights. My talented stylist, Marisa at Christie & Co. Salon • Spa in Bayside, gives me magical haircuts. I wake in the morning, wash my hair and barely need to blow it out. Every hair falls into place. Therefore, for my “prime time” appearance I knew I could count on her to make sure every hair was in place. Since I had to be at the studio early in the morning, before the makeup artist Lisa Pietrocola was in, Marisa did my makeup one morning and Lori did it the next day. What amazed me was how she had layered and powdered my eye shadow so well it stayed on until the next day. A great makekup tip is to layer, powder, shadow, powder, shadow. For us women who have long days, it helps to find ways to look fresh from morning to night.
On one of the three days, the cameraman said he had a friend who did the makekup for the “Good Morning America” staff for years. I couldn’t resist calling Ana and she too gave me some great tips to looking good. She shared with me a great product called PERFECT that makes lines on your face disappear. She also shared a web site that shows you how to do facial yoga; she swears by it, because since she began doing the exercises, the drooping skin under her chin has firmed up. Listen, it’s worth trying!
We live in the greatest country in the world. Use your privilege and vote September 15. And watch me moderate the debates on QPTV. Go to www.queenscourier.com for air dates and times.
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