I can’t think about anything else to write about today except for the devastating fires in Southern California. This tragedy relates to real estate, as so many have lost their homes.

While I am reluctant to compare it to anything else, I am reminded of 9/11 as if it were yesterday. One of the most important things that happened to me then (and I assume I am not unique in this) was the outreach I received from dozens of friends and family members across the country—and even overseas—checking to make sure I was okay and that everyone I knew was okay.

That support felt incredible. Over the past few days, as I’ve felt hopeless and helpless about this atrocious disaster, I remembered that feeling and decided to start reaching out to everyone I know in LA County. My list isn’t extensive, but it was enough to keep me busy for a good part of the day.

I spoke to a realtor friend from Pasadena—a very special person. She spent 20 minutes with me on the phone (for which I was grateful) and shared her situation. She had been gearing up for the busy spring selling season but learned that 11 homes she was preparing to list had burned to the ground. Three or four of her active listings were also gone. Clever and resourceful as she is, she took action: ripping out the mature landscaping around her home to protect against potential flames. Her block was spared—though, tragically, her neighboring blocks were not.  

Another close friend, a therapist and very special himself, told me he has spent the past four days dealing with trauma triage and helping low-income clients secure shelter and safety.

As I write this newsletter, at least five active blazes are burning in the LA area, and over 153,000 residents remain under evacuation orders. While talks of recovery may seem premature, they are an inevitable part of this process as we all hope and pray for containment.

Recovery is vast and varied. Recovering from a natural disaster can take years, depending on the extent of the devastation. The emotional toll is also profound, leaving people with fear, confusion, grief, or even trauma after events such as losing a home—or simply being evacuated. 

Food, new clothes, bedding, and toiletries can make a huge difference to individuals and families struggling in the aftermath of these fires.

The resilience of the residents will carry the day. With the help of federal and state governments, private contributions, and the fearless work of firefighters and public interest workers, this tragedy will come to an end, and the recovery process will begin.

Speaking of public contributions, here is a list of humanitarian and nonprofit organizations assisting with on-ground recovery efforts. 

This list is by no means exhaustive but provides some options:

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)

• CORE said it is supplying emergency protective equipment, cash vouchers and helping with resource navigation.

American Red Cross

• The Red Cross said it is working to provide safe shelter, food, emotional support and health services to those affected by the fires.

How to help: Donate on redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

• United Way focuses on longer-term recovery efforts and is working with community partners on the ground.

How to help: Donate on United Way's website.

The Salvation Army

• The Salvation Army works with government and non-profit agencies to provide food and necessities to survivors and first responders.

How to help: Donate on Salvation Army's website.

In addition to the above, Charity Navigator and GuideStar provide information on nonprofit groups and aid agencies, and they can also direct you to reputable ones.

You'll also be able to cozy up at The Lodge: the covered, outdoor après-themed area where you can order festive cocktails and delicious food. 

Consider attending two exciting events currently mounted at The Lodge as well: Winter Dance sessions, where the city's top dance instructors will help you hone your skills on the dance floor, and We Met at the Lodge, speed dating events and singles mixers that will bring you a step closer to meeting your special someone.

Keep in mind that Bryant Park's Winter Village by Bank of America will be up and running through March 2, so plan your visit in advance.

Two weeks after actor Bradley Cooper broke the East Village with lines around the block for his new Philly cheesesteak concept, Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks, the brick-and-mortar space remains closed, with only a couple of trash cans and a sandwich board occupying the narrow Avenue A storefront.

“Nothing yet?” remarked a passerby. “I’ve been checking every day.”

The pop-up will announce its next opening on Instagram some time this week, a spokesperson wrote via the platform, without providing their name. They did not clarify if that opening would be another pop-up, or a long-term opening of the store.

Not announcing regular hours upfront is normal for restaurants that might face unexpected delays or other complications, according to Rick Camac, dean of restaurant and hospitality management at the Institute of Culinary Education.

“With Bradley Cooper's name, and Angelo's thought to be the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia these days, there's no need to rush an announcement,” Camac wrote in an email, referring to the popular South Philly pizzeria and sandwich shop whose owner has joined forces with Cooper on Danny & Coop. “The day they announce their opening, there will be lines ready to get a cheesesteak.”

The pop-up ran from Dec. 20 to 22. Cooper returned to the kitchen, with fans lining up to catch a glimpse of him in a white kitchen apron as he stayed largely behind the scenes.

The leading man in “Maestro” and “A Star is Born” previously stepped onto the cheesesteak prep line at the restaurant’s food truck in Greenwich Village in December 2023 and in Las Vegas in April.

The new East Village restaurant will largely be run by Angelo's proprietor Danny DiGiampietro’s team and family, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

New Yorkers who missed the pop-up last month have been confused about when it will open permanently, taking to social media to suss out hours or an opening date. Questions to DiGiampietro and the business went unanswered.

“Does anyone know if Danny and Coop’s is open daily and/or the hours?” one user wrote on Reddit, prompting several responses about how nobody knows more.

“Just know Bradley is not gonna be their permanent cook moving forward,” another user replied.

We’re taking it as a good omen for 2025, that just a few weeks after the New Year, stargazers will be able to see the next planetary alignment illuminate skies.

This planetary parade will include six of our solar system’s planets in alignment, including: Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus. And the phenomenon will be visible to the naked eye! Well, sort of…

Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter will be discernible without aid. However, for Neptune and Uranus, you’ll likely need a strong telescope to sort them out in the sky.

Before we go further, let’s get into what a planetary parade or alignment really is. A planetary alignment transpires when multiple planets in our solar system appear to line up from the perspective of Earth. Note that this phenomenon is technically an illusion as the planets aren’t truly aligned but just appear so from their respective orbits. The last planetary alignment occurred in August 2024.

The 2025 planetary alignment will come into view around January, 21, 2025. But unlike, the astonishing supermoons or aurora borealis that were a one, possibly two-night wonder in NYC, New Yorkers will be able to view the planetary alignment through nearly the entire month of February.

According to NASA, you’ll be able to find Venus and Saturn in the southwest, Mars in the east, and Jupiter overhead. These are the planets that will be visual to the naked eye. To view Uranus and Neptune, two planets that will also be in alignment, will require a telescope to view.

Condo | Midtown East

An impressive 3 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath, half-floor condominium with open exposures to the east, north and west and ceiling heights over 11′. A parking space and storage are included when you rent this exceptional residence!

A 13′×10’6″ Foyer leads to a Living and Dining area nearly fifty feet in length featuring two Foster + Partner designed floor-to-ceiling bay windows overlooking the East River and United Nations. From the north exposure of the Dining Area there are also exceptional city views.

A large windowed kitchen features a center island, breakfast bar, white lacquer cabinetry by Varenna, honed absolute black granite countertops, and top of the line appliances by Miele and Sub-Zero.

The Manhattan skyline provides a cinematic backdrop to the spacious primary bedroom. The primary bath features Sivec white marble and teak finishes and is outfitted with a Kohler Ironworks soaking tub, stall shower. Bedrooms 2 and 3 have open views and well appointed en-suite baths. There is also a striking powder room with a custom designed Corian basin and slab marble floors.

The ultimate global address, 50 United Nations Plaza is an 88 unit full-service 

condominium with Resident Manager, 24 Hour Concierge, Doorman and Porters. Amenities include gated landscaped motor court, valet parking and on-site parking available for purchase. Managed by the Wright Fit, the Fitness Center features a 75 foot swimming pool, sauna, steam and massage rooms and a state of the art gym. In addition there is a Conference Room and Children’s Playroom.