​Twenty What​: Define your decade

Twenty What, May 2012

Whoever said youth is wasted on the young was jealous. Wedged between student loans and real life, this generation of young professionals needs to believe in itself, not in the cynicism of the public’s negative labels. With fearless optimism and an unapologetic mindset, Twenty-What is here to lead the way with lifestyle and career advice. When life hands you lemons, start a lemonade franchise and retire young.

Check out the magazine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and WordPress!

Love,
The Art Director

NOTE: Twenty What is a magazine created in the graduate Spring 2012 magazine management course for the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

BALDWINSVILLE POLL WORKERS FUNCTION AS BIPARTISAN TEAM

By Gerilyn Manago

Beneath the fluorescent lights of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church gymnasium, Democrat and Republican poll workers sat side-by-side. This Baldwinsville polling site in the Town of Clay was decorated with green and yellow championship banners. Voters and volunteers moved among the bleachers and backboards.

At the District 41 table, Republican Sally Godlewski, 67, and Democrat Helen Baird, 63, chatted over a book of bound ballots and lipstick-stained coffee cups. The women were paid $10 an hour to work the polls and their 15-hour shift began and 5:30 a.m.

“I needed to get involved,” Godlewski said. This is the North Syracuse resident’s first year working on Election Day. She cast her own vote via absentee ballot because she was not assigned to work her own polling station.

Godlewski and Baird, who just met this morning, chatted like old friends. When a voter approached their table, Baird checked him off the rolls and Godlewski explained the ballot to him. Despite different political affiliations, they functioned as a team.

Election Day is a nice time to catch up with old friends, Baird said. She’s known some of the other poll workers for three years now. Godlewski  ran into an old neighbor from 20 years ago.

The polling site manager estimated 11 percent of registered voters—or approximately 400 people—from the Town of Clay will vote in tonight’s election. Baird agrees that “this is the slowest” of all the years she’s volunteered. But her time hasn’t gone to waste.

“It’s nice to see parents showing their children the voting process,” she said. “There’s a girl who just turned 18, so tonight was her first time voting. One day, she’ll realize how important it is.”

Permalink: http://www.dia-cny.com/electionday/?p=3608

LEAVE THE STYLING TO THE PROFESSIONALS

The Elle November issue is a glossy magazine nod to Tinseltown, acknowledging the starlets and icons who make everyday women laugh, cry and sometimes even curse – because we want to look like them. Well, most of them.

Last Monday, I opened my mailbox, pulled out the November book (while subconsciously praying for the Jennifer Aniston cover) and almost cursed. I held in my hand the Women in Hollywood issue with . . . Barbra Streisand looking up at me.

Don’t get me wrong. Streisand accomplished so much as a singer, producer, director and actress. But why is she dressed so unstylish? I immediately searched for theculprit stylist — “Photo: Art Streiber; styled by Ms. Streisand.”

Well, at least she wore black.

But what is Barbara hiding under all those layers? The collared shirt, sweater, boyfriend blazer, three strands of grandma’s pearls and the beret are too distracting; I don’t have the energy to gush over the one thing I liked: the cap toe pumps.

I wish I received one of the other eight Women in Hollywood (all of which were professionally styled) covers. To make the list is such an honor; why did Creative Director Joe Zee allow Barbara to dress herself?

—Gerilyn Manago 

Permalink: http://magcrit.syr.edu/?p=644

AVOID THE WRAPPING; READ HARPERSBAZAAR.COM

The Harper’s Bazaar September issue is the fall fashion bible — EiC Glenda Bailey’s annual gift to womankind. But now that I’m a recipient of this particular treasure, I’m reminded how very true it is that it’s better to give than to receive.

If you’re searching for a cover story, save yourself some time – go online.

The issue is 2 pounds of glossy pages filled with sophisticated-yet-accessible fashion trends. Readers must flip past 69 pages of Chanel, Prada, Cover Girl and other ads before reaching Bailey’s welcome note. Then there are an additional 110 pages filled by the likes of Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein before the table of contents. The FOB is buried in 180 pages of advertisements. By this point, even the most serious readers wonder if they’ve accidentally skipped some editorial content: When will I reach the feature on cover girl Lea Michele?

While I’m happy for Harper’s Bazaar and its Hearst Magazines overseers, I beg them — make the TOC, at least, easier to find. Or else your worst nightmare will continue to unfold: When it’s easier — much easier — to find what we’re looking for online, we’ll go there first, and only.

—Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://magcrit.syr.edu/?p=405

FAIRYTALES BEGIN AT REBECCA’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

AUGUST 2011

Established: 1986

Two decades ago, Rebecca’s Bridal Boutique at 306 South Main St. #3 in North Syracuse opened as a labor of love by Rebecca’s mother. But three years ago, Kristin Mingolelli bought the popular shop while pregnant with her second child. Despite the change in ownership, Rebecca’s Bridal Boutique is still a labor of love.

In addition to the family atmosphere, women are also attracted to the small boutique for its large selection and ability to customize dresses, Mingolelli says. For her, she especially loves the relationships fostered with her brides.

“I get to help other brides make their dreams come true,” Mingolelli said. “It’s so much fun working with a bride, and her putting on a dress and then the tears start to come. Or you see the goose bumps go up their arms.”

“We’re such a small boutique that our brides become family for us. So, I love it because I see these girls at Wegmans or whatever, and we can stand there and have an hour conversation … I just love working with the people. It’s so much fun.”

Address: 306 S Main St, North Syracuse, NY 13212, USA
Click for more information.

By Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://starthere.serramedia.com/content/fairytales-begin-rebeccas-bridal-boutique