Moby talks Crystal Meth v. Veganism & Elysabeth Alfano Launches 'Awesome Vegans', a New Podcast/Vlog

 

Awesome Vegans: A New Podcast/Vlog by Elysabeth Alfano Awesome Vegans is a new podcast/vlog by Elysabeth Alfano. Known for her in-depth and intimate interviews with celebrities and influencers as featured on PBS's WTTW,  WGN Radio, NPR's WBEZ, the Chicago Sun Times, and Huff Post, Elysabeth brings her insight, humor and acumen to a new series of conversations. Awesome Vegans will highlight the celebrities, influencers, musicians, comedians, authors, artists, doctors, politicians, athletes, chefs, movie directors and entrepreneurs who are championing the benefits of a plant-based diet for people, animals and the earth.  These eye-opening, informative and empowering discussions will help us to take back our health and the health of the planet.  As Elysabeth notes, "If we change what we eat, we change the world!" Sample topics and discussions will be how each guest built their career and what lead them to support plant-based living, what they eat in a day, their exercise routine, tips for healthy recipes, tips for staying mentally and physically healthy, and what progress they are making in the plant-based space either for their health, the healthcare system, the welfare of animals or the health of the planet.  Listeners can subscribe to Awesome Vegans on iTunes and on  her Elysabeth Alfano YouTube Channel. Other outlets include Google Play, Stitcher,  Soundcloud and TheDinnerParty.tv/Podcasts. Awesome Vegans episodes one, two and three are currently available with new episodes arriving every Thursday. Episode 1: Ethan Brown, CEO and Founder of Beyond Meat on YouTube and iTunes.  Episode 2: Olympic Cyclist, Dotsie Bausch on YouTube and iTunes. Ep 3: Moby Awesome Vegans host Elysabeth Alfano joins incredible, Grammy-nominated artist, MOBY for an intimate conversation in his backyard.   The two discuss everything from his newest album, "Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt", from which 100% of all profits benefit animal organizations, pancakes v. making music, going vegan v. crystal meth, his life’s work for animals, who should go vegan and his predictions for the future. Regarding the rising costs of healthcare and environmental clean-up, Moby said, "Trillions of dollars are being spent to fix the problems caused by animal agriculture." View this clip here. Listen to the podcast here, watch the full interview here. For specific clips, see below. Vegan v. Crystal Meth: Click here. Making Music v Pancakes: Click here. Moby on Who Should Go Vegan 35 views

35th Annual Taste of Chicago will feature 73 Restaurants and Food Trucks - 26 NEW, July 11-15 in Grant Park, FREE Admission

 

 

MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES CITY’S 38^TH ANNUAL TASTE OF CHICAGO RESTAURANT LINEUP OF 73 VENDORS

The number of restaurants includes 26 NEW vendors representing a 63% increase from 2017

 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the lineup of 73 restaurants that will participate at the 38^th Annual Taste of Chicago – the world's largest free food festival – this July 11–15 in Grant Park. Showcasing Chicago’s diverse culinary scene, this year’s list of 38 five-day vendors, 22 pop-up restaurants and 13 food trucks will offer Taste-goers an endless variety of more than 300 menu items to suit every palate.

“Taste of Chicago brings together renowned restaurants from across the city to offer visitors and residents the opportunity to sample some of the greatest food in the world,” said Mayor Emanuel. “With both new restaurants and long-time favorites, it will be clear this summer why Chicago is the global culinary capital.”

Taste of Chicago is excited to welcome 26 newcomers to the event in 2018–as well as the return of two long time favorites Buona Beef and Original Rainbow Cone. The new food vendors include 8 five-day restaurants, 15 pop-ups serving for one to two days and 3 food trucks. They are as follows:

Arun's Thai Restaurant
Aunty Joy's Jamaican Kitchen
Esperanza's Kitchen Delights
Garifuna Flava: A Taste of Belize
Output Lounge & Sports Bar
Premier Rollin BBQ
Turtle's Bar & Grill
Yum Dum
Aloha Wagon
Bee Nana LLC
bettyBOT Shop
BITES
Blackwood BBQ

Chiya Chai Café
Classic Cobbler
Get Off The Couch Catering
Grill City (Seafood City)
Josephine's Cookin'
Papa Luke's Gravy Balls
So Forking Great
Sun Wah Barbecue Restaurant
These Wingz?
Wood Fire Counter
CheSa's Gluten Free Food Truck
Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp
Sausagefest

This year a record-breaking number of applications were received from vendors across the city and beyond (Australia!), representing a wide variety of cuisines. The Pop-up program is proving to be as popular as ever with a 114% increase of new pop-up vendors in the 2018 event versus 2017.  

"Taste of Chicago showcases the city’s stellar culinary scene by uniting a diverse set of restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups,” said Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association.  “The Association has been a part of Taste since its inception, and we’re proud to welcome visitors to beautiful Grant Park year after year. It’s a time-honored summer festival that truly captures Chicago’s hospitable spirit and exciting range of culinary offerings.”

All 75 vendors will offer signature items, as well as the popular “Taste Of” portions priced at $3.00 or less, allowing guests the opportunity to sample an even greater variety of items. Many will also include healthier selections as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options. Admission to the Taste of Chicago is FREE, and tickets for food and beverages can be purchased in strips of 14 tickets for $10. Whether craving the robust flavors found in ethnic cuisine, epicurean delights, sweet treats, classic Chicago dishes – and more – Chicagoans and visitors won’t want to miss this year’s Taste!

NEW! Taste Oasis

The new Taste Oasis will offer Taste goers the opportunity to enhance their festival experience with access to an air conditioned lounge in Butler Field offering tasty bites, a private cash bar, music, refreshing water and much more. Classic cocktails created by CH Distillery include an Old Fashioned and Grey Hound. Day passes for this exclusive area are $50 and can be purchased at tasteofchicago.us. Also included in the cost are “Taste bites” prepared by Washburne Culinary Academy will be served Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Taste Oasis will be open throughout normal Taste of Chicago festival hours, but it’s particularly a great spot to hang out before and after the Petrillo Music Shell concerts.

 

Concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell

Taste of Chicago will also present a diverse mix of national and international artists at nightly concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell that include Brandi Carlile, Juanes, yasiin bey & Talib Kweli are Black Star, The Flaming Lips and George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic—plus the best of Chicago’s local music scene on the Bud Light Stage. Tickets for the seating area at the Petrillo Music Shell start at $18 and are on sale now at the Taste website, tasteofchicago.us. As always, admission to the Taste of Chicago is free, as is lawn seating during the concerts.

 

Arts and Family Programming
Taste of Chicago will present an assortment of local cultural programming that includes the Artist Garden featuring live painting by local artists, Chicago SummerDance with live music & social dancing on Buckingham Fountain Plaza (NEW this year), Kids Eat Chicago presented by Chicago Parent, the March of the Puppets daily musical procession through the festival grounds, pop-up performances by local artists in various locations and more.

CH Vodka Cocktail Lounge plus the Beer and Stella Rosa Wine Gardens

The CH Vodka Cocktail Lounge will offer mixology specials to enjoy by Buckingham Fountain. The specialty cocktail menu during the Taste of Chicago will include CH’s Fresh Ginger Mule, Tropical Rum Punch, Raspberry Lime Ricky, Bourbon Pineapple Smash and other specialty drinks. The Beer Hall and Stella Rosa Wine Gardens will offer additional scenic areas on Buckingham Fountain Plaza for Taste goers to enjoy unique beers and ciders from around the world and an array of wine varietals including Bodega Sangria, Stella Rosa, Mariella Rose and Maddalena from the Riboli Family Wine Estates.

Lifeway Foods Taste Kitchen

The Lifeway Foods Taste Kitchen dishes up a full menu of cooking demonstrations by local and national chefs on Buckingham Fountain Plaza. New this year, the area will feature a different theme each day. Highlights include, Chef Kevin Hickey of Duck Inn on Wednesday, July 11 during Chicago Neighborhood Day representing Bridgeport. Executive Chef and Bravo Top Chef Season 15 Winner, Joe Flamm of Spiaggia will be featured on Friday, July 13 as part of the lineup for Pairing Day. On Sunday, July 15 the Emmy Nominated Chef, Jeff Mauro–Food Network's "Sandwich King"–will be hosting Sandwich Smackdown Day featuring friendly sandwich showdowns with two chefs battling it out for sandwich supremacy. The full schedule of Chef demonstrations will be announced in June.

The Taste of Chicago has seen a surge in popularity since it was shortened to five days and new elements added, including the Taste Oasis private lounge, pop-up restaurants, food trucks, chart-topping musical acts and cultural programming. In 2017, Chicago's iconic festival served culinary delights to 1.6 million visitors. Additionally, up to 3,000 people were employed by Chicago restaurants and vendors, and more than 600 artists and performers were hired to entertain Taste-goers over the five-day festival. The event contributes an estimated $106 million annually in total business activity to the Chicago economy.

Taste of Chicago is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in coordination with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which manages food and beverage operations. The festival is sponsored in part by 93XRT, Bud Light, CH Distillery, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Tribune, CLTV-Chicagoland’s Television, Communications Direct, Eli’s Cheesecake, IL Lottery, Lifeway Foods, Pepsi, Shoreline Sightseeing, Southwest Airlines and WGN-Television.

The 38th Annual Taste of Chicago is July 11–15 in Grant Park with hours 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Wednesday–
Friday, and 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the FREE admission festival, visit tasteofchicago.us. To plan your trip to Chicago, visit choosechicago.com. Join the conversation on Facebook at Taste of Chicago and follow us on Twitter, @TasteofChi (#TasteofChicago) and Instagram, @ChicagoDCASE (#TasteofChicago).

Illinois Restaurant Association
Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. The Association manages the food and beverage portion of Taste of Chicago for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Visit illinoisrestaurants.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

39 FIVE-DAY RESTAURANTS

Arun's Thai Restaurant–NEW
4156 N. Kedzie Ave.

Aunty Joy's Jamaican Kitchen–NEW
1217 W. Devon Ave.

Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont Ave.

Billy Goat Tavern
1535 W. Madison St.

BJ's Market & Bakery
8734 S. Stony Island Ave.

Buona Beef–WELCOME BACK!
613 N. McClurg Ct.

Caffe Gelato
2034 W. Division St.

Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
300 W 26th St.

Chicago's Dog House
816 W. Fullerton Ave.

Churro Factory
2214 S. Wolcott Ave.

Connie's Pizza
2373 S. Archer Ave.

Dia De Los Tamales
939 W. 18th St.

Doom Street Eats
Available at Markets and Festivals

Esperanza's Kitchen Delights–NEW
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive


Franco's Ristorante
300 W. 31St.


Frannie's Café Inc
623 S. Wabash Ave.

Garifuna Flava: A Taste of Belize–NEW
2518 W. 63rd St.

Gold Coast. Dogs
225 S. Canal St

Iyanze
4623 N. Broadway

Kasia's Deli
2101 W. Chicago Ave.

La Bomba Restaurant
3221 W. Armitage Ave.

La Mexicana
4171 S. Archer Ave.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
805 S. State St.

O'Briens Restaurant & Bar
45 E. Riverwalk South

Original Rainbow Cone–WELCOME BACK
9233 S. Western Ave.

Output Lounge & Sports Bar–NEW
1758 W. Grand Ave.



Porkchop
1017 S. Delano Court East

Premier Rollin BBQ–NEW
Available for Catering

Ricobene's on 26th Street
252 W. 26th St.

Robinson's No. 1 Ribs
225 S. Canal St.

Star of Siam
11 E. Illinois St.

Texas de Brazil
210 E. Illinois St.

The Eli's Cheesecake Co.
6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.

Turtle's Bar & Grill–NEW
238 W. 33rd St.

Tuscany
1014 W. Taylor St.

Ukai Japanese Restaurant
1059 W. Belmont Ave.

Vee-Vee's African Restaurant
6232 N. Broadway

Yum Dum–NEW
Available at Markets and Festivals

24 POP-UP RESTAURANTS

Aloha Wagon–NEW
1247 S. Western Ave.

Bee Nana LLC–NEW
Available at Markets and Festivals

bettyBOT Shop–NEW
7100 S. South Shore Dr.

BITES–NEW
3313 N. Clark St.

Blackwood BBQ–NEW
307 W. Lake St.



Broken English Taco Pub
75 E. Lake St.

Chiya Chai Café–NEW
2770 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Classic Cobbler–NEW
Available for Catering

Get Off The Couch Catering–NEW
Available for Catering

Grill City (Seafood City)–NEW
5033 N. Elston Ave.



Hakka Bakka Indian Kati Rolls
1251 W. Fullerton Ave.

Josephine's Cookin'–NEW
436 E. 79^th St.

Just Salad Chicago
135 S. LaSalle St.

MAD Social
1140 W. Madison St.

Papa Luke's Gravy Balls–NEW
Available at Markets and Festivals

Pork & Mindy's
1623 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Seoul Taco
738 N. Clark St.

So Forking Great–NEW
Available for Catering

Sun Wah Barbecue Restaurant–NEW
5039 N. Broadway

These Wingz?–NEW
Available at Markets and Festivals

Warm Belly Bakery
1148 W. Monroe St.

Wood Fire Counter–NEW
131 N. Clinton St.

14 FOOD TRUCKS

American Glory Food Truck Chicago
Auntie Vee’s
Aztec Dave's Food Truck
Beavers Coffee + Donuts
CheSa's Gluten Free Food Truck–NEW
Da Lobsta
Giordano's
Harold's Chicken
La Cocinita Food Truck
Lawrence's Fish & Shrimp–NEW
Sausagefest–NEW
The Fat Shallot
The Lifeway Kefir Shop

Chicago Riverwalk Summer Season Starts This Weekend (Chicago, IL.)

 

Chicago Riverwalk Season Celebration May 18-20 DINING, ARTS, TOURS + FAMILY FUN See the Weekend Schedule Don't Miss! Pyrotechnic Waterfall Display Friday, May 18, at 8:15pm STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events | 78 E. Washington St., 4th Fl., Chicago, IL 60602

Over the Influence Gallery Presents: Aaron Moulton Group Show Titled 'An Homage to Hollis Benton' (Los Angeles, CA.)

 

An Homage to Hollis Benton Curated by Aaron Moulton Over the Influence Los Angeles Exhibition Dates: May 25 – June 24, 2018 |Opening Reception: May 24, 2018 from 6-9 PM    Over the Influence Los Angeles is proud to present this unprecedented homage to Los Angeles gallerist Hollis Benton in his show titled An Homage to Hollis Benton. In 1980 the Hollis Benton Gallery opened its doors on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Architect Michael Graves gave the architectural concept pro bono. Decked out in chrome, marble surfaces, and harsh accent walls; it was a loud bullhorn for the day’s visual culture. In its nearly ten-year run the gallery broke all the rules for selling out and became an aspirational pioneer in the process. Hollis Benton was a brash British collector with family connections to Hollywood. He bought Memphis furniture, Patrick Nagel paintings, and Robert Graham sculptures. His scene was never part of the mainstream art world of Los Angeles and for him that made him a maverick. In 1979, thanks to Benton’s long friendship with Hugh Hefner, the artists Patrick Nagel and LeRoy Neiman both began collaborations with Playboy magazine. It would rocket their fame making them voices of a generation. For nearly a decade both artists would paint multiple exclusive images for every issue of Playboy. Neiman became the Playboy Mansion’s artist-in-residence. Benton presciently understood the potential for getting his artists’ work into print, on television and in film. Sylvester Stallone’s appreciation of LeRoy Neiman’s paintings would land Neiman a bit part as the ring announcer in Rocky III (1982). Patrick Nagel’s work made the cover of Duran Duran’s Rio album, was set design for David Copperfield and became an advertiser’s dream. The gallery would furnish movies with artworks to backdrop scenes in classic films like Wall Street and Less Than Zero (both 1987). Director Martin Brest made the Hollis Benton Gallery the focal point for his 1984 hit Beverly Hills Cop. When Eddie Murphy enters the gallery a solo show of LA artist Don Sorenson’s “Greek Temple” paintings can be seen on view. In the film’s deleted scenes Benton himself plays a small role as a posh collector at an opening. Exhibitions that were important to the gallery’s legacy are referenced throughout this homage presentation at Over The Influence. Among them is Benton’s 1987 hit “Slippery When Wet: Fresh Painting Now” which placed late works of Patrick Nagel among Don Sorenson, James Havard, Robert Yarber and LeRoy Neiman. “Videodrome: Art, Consciousness and the Cathode Ray” (1988) was his effort to explore media-driven artworks presenting Mark Mothersbaugh, Trent Harris and Vuk Cosic amongst other artists. His long relationship to Memphis artist Peter Shire is made tribute in the artist’s large chandelier work hovering above Shire’s own version of the famous table seen in Beverly Hills Cop. This exhibition mixes in a survey of contemporary artists from Los Angeles and afar whose work synchronizes with Hollis Benton’s legacy. In 1989 amid financial trouble from the Black Friday Crash, Hollis Benton suddenly shut his doors. He would die months later from a drug-related heart attack. He’s buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery a few hundred yards from Michael Jackson, a long-time collector of both Neiman and Nagel. The storied gallery was later converted into a shoe store; many of the gallery design elements were left intact. This tribute to his legacy is a celebration of Los Angeles and the 80s as well as art worlds past and parallel: a hagiography. Hollis Benton is that low-hanging fruit that hindsight discovers in nostalgic avant-gardes. Participating artists: Kathryn Andrews, Dan Attoe, Mike Bouchet, Ellen Carey, Vuk Cosic, Bret Easton Ellis, Cayetano Ferrer, Clement von Franckenstein, Sayre Gomez, Robert Graham, Trent Harris, James Havard, Gregor Hildebrandt, Alex Israel, Paa Joe, Matt Johnson, Lazaros, Joep van Liefland, Erin Morrison, Mark Mothersbaugh, Patrick Nagel, LeRoy Neiman, Ry Rocklen, Ed Ruscha, Anja Salonen, Camille Schefter, Max Hooper Schneider, Peter Shire, Don Sorenson, Alexis Smith, Mungo Thomson, Andy Warhol, Jennifer West, Jonas Wood, Robert Yarber. About Aaron Moulton Aaron Moulton is a curator based in Los Angeles. He was the Creative Director at VENUS LA and previously the in-house curator at Gagosian. Prior to his arrival in Los Angeles he was the Senior Curator for the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art in Salt Lake City. He was founder of the exhibition space FEINKOST in Berlin. He was editor for Flash Art International in Milan and worked as an editor for a variety of exhibition catalogues in addition to working as an arts journalist around Europe and America. About Over the Influence Launched in 2015, Over theInfluence Hong Kong has served as a unique platform in Asia for an ambitious exhibition program of internationally acclaimed artists. The inaugural program of Over the Influence Los Angeles boasts a strong selection of local and international artists including Ron Arad (UK), Nobuyoshi Araki (JP), Alexandre Farto AKA Vhils (PT), Invader (FR), Kathryn MacNaughton (CA), and Cleon Peterson (CA), along with a curated series of group exhibitions. Location Over the Influence 833 E 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

Join us Thursday for Cocktails at the Chicago Chop House and May 31st for Cocktails with the Blonde (Chicago, IL.)

 

Hello  , You are invited to the following event: After Work at the CHOP Event to be held at the following time, date, and location: Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CDT) Chicago Chop House 60 West Ontario Chicago, IL 60654 View Map Attend Event Share this event: Network and Mingle at the BEST After Work Event in May Sponsored Wine and Cocktails from 6-8pm Great Raffle and Passed Amazing Appetizers from the Head Chef  Share this event on Facebook and Twitter. Cheers, Ladies Night Chicago and Chicago Chop House Save the Date of May 31st for "Cocktails with the Blonde" Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ladiesnightchicago/

Top 10 Real Estate News >> Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis & Taylor Swift

 

“Top 10 Real Estate News”
“Cal Ripken Jr.'s Baseball Home Streak Ends”
After over 30 years, Cal Ripken Jr. has sold his 24-acre suburban Baltimore home with baseball diamond.  Ripken put the home on the market in 2016 at $12.5 million following a divorce from his wife of 29 years. After almost two years without a sale, Ripken decided to go the auction route. In addition to the baseball diamond, the 21,890-square-foot home includes six bedrooms, 15 baths, home theater with box office and candy counter, a 10-person spa, pool, indoor basketball court, batting cage, training room and locker room. The auction sale price has not yet been released.
“Prince's Island Mansion Going To Auction”
The late rocker Prince owned homes all over the world including a mansion with a purple driveway in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The 10,000-square-foot home on five acres with a 200-foot private dock and views of two private beaches will be going to auction on July 12th. The home went on the market soon after Prince died in 2016 at $12 million, but did not sell.
“Maine's Last Gilded Age Mansion”
One of Maine’s last Gilded-Age mansions is for sale at $15.5 million.  The 15,000-square-foot East of Eden was designed by Guy Lowell in 1909 - a blend of Beaux Arts and Mediterranean Revival style. It was one of the few old homes in Bar Harbor that survived a 1947 fire that destroyed most of the town. In 1980, East of Eden was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Lego Family's Florida Horse Farm Sold”
One of the most famous trademarks in the world, Lego has generated great wealth for the Danish family of Ole Kirk Christiansen who invented the toy, originally made out of wood, in the 1930s.  His great grandson just sold their Wellington, Florida equestrian estate for $5.9 million. Wellington is the hot spot for Florida polo families including Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg and Bruce Springsteen. It is located just west of Palm Beach where many of the polo families retire to their Florida luxury condos and mansions.
“Taylor Swift Sells Beverly Hills Cottage”
Almost as busy with her real estate investments as she is with her music career, Taylor Swift recently sold one of her Beverly Hills homes for $4 million. She bought the three-bedroom home in 2011 for  $3.55 million. Taylor owns a number of noteworthy homes including movie producer Samuel Goldwyn’s historic Beverly Hills mansion she purchased in 2015 for $25 million and one of New England's prettiest beach mansions she bought in 2013 for $17.75 million. 
“DiCaprio Buys Moby Tudor”
Environmental activist and celebrity Moby has sold his 1920's L.A. Tudor to Leonardo DiCaprio for  $4.9 million. The five-bedroom home is located in the Loz Feliz neighborhood near where DiCaprio grew up.  DiCaprio is another celebrity home collector with homes in Palm Springs, Malibu Beach, Belize, New York City and L.A.
“Bruce Willis Sells Central Park Apartment”
Bruce Willis has sold his Central Park apartment for $17.75 million - just three years after purchasing the residence from Milwaukee Bucks owner Wesley Edens for $16.995 million. Although Willis told the WSJ that he considers himself an 'Upper West Side guy....since the '70s,' Willis sold the 6,000-square-foot apartment because he was not spending much time there. Willis also owns a home in nearby Westchester County he bought in 2014.  
“New York Buildings Dump Trump Name”
The Trump real estate brand seems to have lost its luster in New York City where the President's name has been removed from several buildings including the luxury hotel Trump Soho - now known as the Dominick. Trump Place is a condominium building on New York's Upper West Side that has carried the Trump name since it was built in 1998 but was recently approved by a New York judge to drop the  name. Local real estate experts say that the Trump name may be adversely affecting rentals and sales.  No word on whether Trump Tower, where the president keeps his two-story Manhattan penthouse home, might also change its name.
“America's Most Expensive Mansion Is On Sale”
A new Southern California home with alligator-upholstered elevators was for sale at $250 million but has recently been reduced to $188 million. Designed for a billionaire who would only have to bring their toothbrush, virtually everything else is supplied including furnishings, walls of curated art, a $30 million collection of exotic cars, two fully-stocked champagne-and-wine cellars, and a massive candy wall in the game room. But that’s not all. For two years, the developer will provide a personal chef, a masseuse and five other full-time employees. Plus a helicopter, ten VIP guest suites, 21 luxury baths, three gourmet kitchens, five bars, and 270-degree views reaching from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean beaches of Malibu. The price reduction drops the home to the #3 spot for pricey American homes.
“John Kerry's Nantucket House Sold”
A 1920's home where former Secretary of State John Kerry and wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, were married in 1995 and Teresa owned since 1982 has sold for $17.5 million. The five-bedroom was listed in 2016 for $25 million. The couple recently purchased another home on Martha's Vineyard for $11.75 million.
Visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com for more historic, spectacular and celebrity homes and real estate news.