Smart Fashion Day Puts AI Fashion Tools on Display at NYFW

NY Weekly Staff 2 on September 14, 2026

Smart Fashion Day brought AI and machine-learning startups to New York during New York Fashion Week, using a three-hour Midtown event to spotlight tools for fashion, retail, e-commerce and production. Organized by TechEmbassy with Smart Fashion Council, the program offered a closer look at how emerging technology is being applied to specific industry workflows.

Key Takeaways

  • Smart Fashion Day ran at Adelphi University’s Manhattan Center at 529 Fifth Ave.
  • Event materials advertised 10 selected AI and machine-learning fashion-tech startups for the pitch program.
  • CERRET, Spur and Atelier were among the startups publicly named ahead of the event.
  • The program took place during the official Sept. 10-15 New York Fashion Week calendar but was not part of the CFDA’s official runway and presentation schedule.
  • McKinsey reported that 71% of merchants in a December 2025 survey said AI merchandising tools had produced limited or no effect on their businesses so far.

Smart Fashion Day shifted part of the fashion-week conversation toward the systems behind producing, testing and selling fashion products.

The program was organized around startup pitches, industry feedback and networking. TechEmbassy’s event materials said participating companies were working across design, product development, personalization, merchandising, digital commerce, customer experience, sizing and fit, supply chains and circular fashion.

The timing placed the program inside a crowded week for New York fashion. The CFDA’s official Spring 2027 schedule ran from Sept. 10 through Sept. 15 and included 70 runway shows and designer presentations in its preliminary calendar. Smart Fashion Day occurred during that period as a separate technology-focused event in Midtown Manhattan.

Smart Fashion Day Puts Fashion Operations at the Center

Rather than center the program on collections, Smart Fashion Day focused on software, connected products and technology services aimed at operational problems.

Fashion Week Online listed the event from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, alongside a day that also included Aisling Camps, Vettese, Monse and Bach Mai. That schedule placed the technology event within the broader fashion-week activity without making it part of the CFDA’s official designer calendar.

The broader NYFW backdrop also included the first official fur-free season for brands appearing on the official CFDA schedule. The CFDA said its fur-free policy went into effect for the September 2026 season, adding sourcing and material requirements to a week already shaped by production, merchandising and brand operations.

Smart Fashion Day organizers said the pitch competition would feature 10 selected AI and machine-learning startups. The event page also listed a $25,000 AWS credits prize for the winning company, supplied through TechEmbassy’s cloud partner.

As of Sept. 15, the public event page reviewed for this article continued to describe the prize but did not name a winner. No winner is identified here without a public source confirming the result.

Three Startups Show the Range of Fashion Technology

CERRET, Spur and Atelier were among the companies publicly identified before Smart Fashion Day, and their products illustrate how widely fashion technology can extend beyond design software.

CERRET describes its products as connected safety jewelry. Its website says a wearer can use a bracelet to alert trusted contacts and share live location information through the CERRET app. The company lists silver, gold-plated and rose-gold options and says its products are designed in Geneva.

The company’s product documentation states that users can add trusted contacts and send an alert using a discreet button on the bracelet. CERRET presents the product as both jewelry and a connected personal-safety device rather than as a conventional fashion accessory alone.

Spur develops autonomous quality-assurance tools for websites. The company says its agents can plan, execute and report software tests, a function applicable to retail teams that regularly update digital storefronts and e-commerce systems. Its website currently features a session involving Vuori’s lead automation engineer, giving the product a direct fashion retail use case.

Atelier addresses the production stage between a design concept and manufacturing. Its platform describes tools for analyzing garment components, preparing material specifications, evaluating costs, matching designs with manufacturers and generating production documents. The company also presents a manufacturing network spanning multiple regions and product categories.

New York has also hosted digital fashion events that combined physical fashion with digital presentations and technology. Smart Fashion Day took a different approach by emphasizing business processes such as e-commerce testing, manufacturing preparation and connected products.

Retail AI Adoption Tests the Pitch Behind New Tools

The event arrived as retailers continue to test where AI can produce practical gains rather than remain an experimental layer.

McKinsey reported in January that 71% of 114 merchants surveyed in December 2025 said AI merchandising tools had delivered limited or no effect on their businesses so far. Another 61% said their organizations were either not prepared at all or only slightly prepared to scale AI across merchandising.

The research pointed to fragmented technology systems, inconsistent data and uneven adoption as major barriers. It also identified possible applications for agentic AI in pricing analysis, assortment diagnostics, vendor-material preparation and performance monitoring.

Those findings add context to the types of products placed in front of attendees at Smart Fashion Day. Automated website testing, manufacturing documentation and connected wearables address different business problems, but each is tied to a defined task rather than a broad promise about AI.

McKinsey’s wider 2026 fashion outlook also identified agentic AI and operational efficiency among the themes influencing fashion executives during the year. The research framed AI alongside issues such as consumer behavior and business operations rather than treating it solely as a creative-content tool.

The distinction is relevant during a fashion week still centered primarily on designers and collections. The CFDA’s preliminary September calendar featured 70 runway shows and presentations, while Smart Fashion Day operated beside that schedule as a separate forum for companies working on the infrastructure around fashion and retail.

CERRET’s connected jewelry, Spur’s e-commerce testing agents and Atelier’s production tools do not address the same part of the market. Their inclusion under one program instead showed the breadth of products now being described as fashion technology.

Smart Fashion Day ultimately placed that range of tools in front of fashion and retail professionals at a time when the industry is still evaluating where AI can be integrated effectively. Its relevance came less from a single technology category than from the operational questions the participating companies were built to address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Smart Fashion Day in New York?

Smart Fashion Day was a Sept. 14 fashion-tech pitch and networking event organized by TechEmbassy with Smart Fashion Council. It focused on AI and machine-learning applications for fashion, retail, luxury and e-commerce.

Was Smart Fashion Day part of the official NYFW schedule?

No. Smart Fashion Day took place during the official Sept. 10-15 New York Fashion Week calendar, but it was not listed among the CFDA’s official runway shows and designer presentations.

Which startups were connected to Smart Fashion Day?

CERRET, Spur and Atelier were among the startups publicly named before the event. Their products cover connected safety jewelry, automated website testing and fashion production workflows.

What prize was announced for the pitch competition?

The event page said the winning startup would receive $25,000 in AWS credits through TechEmbassy’s cloud partner. The public event page reviewed on Sept. 15 did not identify the winner.

Why is AI adoption relevant to fashion retailers?

Fashion and retail companies are testing AI across merchandising, e-commerce and other operational workflows. McKinsey found that 71% of merchants in its December 2025 survey said AI merchandising tools had produced limited or no effect on their businesses so far, indicating that adoption and implementation remain uneven.

Behind the Sirens: How Paula Doherty-Whitman Is Giving a Voice to the Families Behind the Badge

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

When a public-safety professional answers a call, the person responding is usually the one the public sees. The uniform, the vehicle, the lights, and the sirens all signal someone stepping forward when others need help.

What often remains outside that picture is the family waiting at home.

Spouses, partners, and children can experience their own uncertainty, responsibility, pride, and sacrifice while supporting someone whose profession routinely places the needs of others first. Their contribution may not be visible at the scene of an emergency, but it is part of the reality surrounding a life of public service.

For Paula Doherty-Whitman, that perspective comes from more than three decades of firsthand experience within the fire-service world. As a fire wife and author of the Amazon bestselling memoir Lights, Sirens and Sacrifice, she has made it a central part of her work to give greater visibility to the people behind the badge.

The Part of Public Service Most People Do Not See

Public recognition naturally tends to focus on the individual performing the service. The firefighter, officer, paramedic, or other professional is the visible representative of that commitment.

But the demands of public-safety work do not necessarily end when the professional returns home.

Families live alongside the schedules, uncertainty, responsibilities, and emotional realities that can accompany the profession. They can experience the pride of knowing someone is serving the community while simultaneously carrying concerns that are difficult to explain to people outside that world.

Doherty-Whitman’s perspective highlights this less visible dimension of service without taking anything away from the people wearing the uniform. Instead, it expands the picture.

The badge represents one person’s role. Behind it can be an entire family navigating what that role means for their shared life.

Giving Families Permission to Recognize Their Own Experience

One of the important functions of storytelling is allowing people to recognize themselves in experiences they may have struggled to articulate.

For public-safety spouses and families, that recognition can matter. The experience of supporting someone in a demanding profession can feel isolating when people outside the community do not fully understand its particular challenges.

Doherty-Whitman’s memoir draws from her own experience to give those realities a voice. Lights, Sirens and Sacrifice explores the love, pride, sacrifice, uncertainty, and resilience that can exist within a public-safety family.

The goal is not to portray these families only through hardship. Pride is part of the story. So is love. So is the knowledge that the person they care about has chosen a profession centered on serving others.

The complexity is what makes the experience worth understanding.

Supporting the Family Strengthens the Badge

Doherty-Whitman’s central message can be expressed simply: when the family is supported, the person serving is supported as well.

That does not mean families should be viewed merely as extensions of a public-safety professional. Their experiences have value in their own right.

It means that a healthier understanding of public service includes the people who help make life outside the uniform possible.

Recognition can begin with something straightforward: acknowledging that spouses, partners, and families are also navigating the demands associated with the profession. Listening to their experiences can create greater understanding within departments, communities, friendships, and families.

From Private Sacrifice to Shared Understanding

Doherty-Whitman’s work also demonstrates why personal stories can have significance beyond the individual who lived them.

A memoir can preserve experiences that might otherwise remain private. More importantly, it can create a point of connection between people who share similar lives and those who have never experienced them.

That connection can help public-safety spouses realize that their experiences are not invisible. It can also help people outside the community understand why supporting the family behind the uniform matters.

After more than 30 years within the fire service world, Doherty-Whitman brings a perspective shaped by longevity rather than observation from a distance.

Seeing the Whole Picture

The public may see the lights and hear the sirens when a call comes in. A family may experience the quieter moments before and after them.

Both are part of the story of public service.

Recognizing the people behind the badge does not diminish the heroism of those who serve. It creates a fuller understanding of what service can require from an entire family.

Through Lights, Sirens and Sacrifice, Paula Doherty-Whitman gives that often-overlooked experience a place in the conversation. Her message is ultimately one of recognition: the families behind public-safety professionals matter, their experiences deserve to be heard, and supporting them can strengthen the people who serve.

Explore / Learn More and Connect with Paula Doherty-Whitman

Book: Lights, Sirens and Sacrifice

Website: Paula Doherty-Whitman

LinkedIn: Paula Doherty-Whitman

Instagram: Lights, Sirens and Sacrifice

Facebook: Lights, Sirens and Sacrifice

What Equitable Distribution Really Means in New York, According to JoAnn Coughtry

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

“Equitable distribution” may be the most misunderstood phrase in New York divorce law. People hear it and picture a clean split down the middle of everything a couple owns. That’s not what it means, and starting a divorce with that assumption baked in tends to produce unrealistic expectations and stress nobody needs.

Albany divorce and matrimonial attorney JoAnn Coughtry has spent more than 37 years guiding families through this process, and correcting that one assumption is often where she starts. Once you understand how New York actually identifies and divides property, the decisions ahead get easier to face.

Equitable Does Not Mean Equal

New York is what lawyers call an equitable distribution state. The term comes from the state’s Domestic Relations Law, and it directs courts to divide marital property fairly, not automatically in half. Fair and equal aren’t the same thing.

In some marriages, an even split is the fair result. In others, a court may decide one spouse should walk away with more, or less, because of what actually happened in that marriage.

This catches a lot of people off guard, partly because a handful of other states follow a community property model that leans toward 50/50. New York doesn’t. The goal is fairness measured against the facts of the marriage, not a formula stamped onto every couple. Two divorces that look nearly identical on paper can end with very different property outcomes for exactly this reason.

Marital Property Versus Separate Property

Before anything gets divided, a court has to sort what a couple owns into two buckets. Marital property generally covers the assets and debts either spouse acquired during the marriage, no matter whose name sits on the title—the family home, retirement accounts, bank balances, a business started after the wedding. Separate property generally means what a spouse owned beforehand, plus inheritances, gifts from someone other than the spouse, and certain personal injury awards. Separate property usually stays with the spouse who owns it.

The line between the two is where much of the real work happens. With decades spent untangling exactly these questions, JoAnn has seen how quickly the categories blur in practice.

Separate property can turn partly marital once it’s mixed with joint funds. The growth in a separate asset’s value during the marriage may also be up for division, depending on how that growth happened. An inheritance deposited into a shared account. A premarital home both spouses paid to maintain and improve. These are the ordinary ways the boundary erodes over time. Establishing where that boundary sits and documenting it is often the single most important step in a distribution dispute.

How New York Courts Decide What Is Fair

When a couple can’t reach an agreement, New York law hands judges a list of factors to weigh. The length of the marriage. The age and health of each spouse. What income and property each brought in, and what each contributed along the way, financially and otherwise, including the work of a spouse who stayed home raising children.

Courts also look at each spouse’s future financial picture, whether spousal maintenance is being awarded, and whether either spouse wasted or hid assets.

Having spent nearly four decades handling these cases across New York, JoAnn will tell you no single factor controls the outcome. Judges weigh everything together, and that’s exactly why preparation and careful documentation pay off. A spouse who can clearly show what they brought into the marriage, what they contributed during it, and what the household finances really looked like stands in a far stronger position than one relying on memory.

Where Equitable Distribution Disputes Commonly Arise

The hardest fights in equitable distribution usually aren’t over a savings account. They center on assets that are hard to value or hard to characterize.

A closely held business is a frequent flashpoint. Spouses often disagree sharply about what it’s worth and how much of that value is marital. Retirement accounts and pensions demand careful handling, frequently through a separate court order, so they can be divided without triggering taxes or penalties nobody had to pay. Real estate, stock options, and commingled bank accounts raise the same kinds of questions.

Financial fluency does heavy lifting here. Because she pairs a law degree with a background in accounting, JoAnn reads tax returns, business statements, and investment records directly instead of leaning entirely on outside experts.

That combination, built into her matrimonial practice at Coughtry Family Law, lets her pin down what truly belongs in the marital estate and what doesn’t, which is often the gap between a fair settlement and an expensive one.

What JoAnn Coughtry Wants New Yorkers to Understand

For anyone starting this process, preparation beats panic. Gather financial records early. Learn the difference between marital and separate property. Set realistic expectations about what a fair outcome looks like. Equitable distribution exists to produce a result that reflects the marriage as it actually was, not a mechanical division blind to the details.

Clients who go in with clear information and steady guidance tend to move through it with far less anxiety. If you search “JoAnn Coughtry Law” online, the throughline across her nearly four decades of practice is a steady, methodical focus on getting both the financial and the human sides of a case right. That is the approach she brings to every equitable distribution matter, whether it is straightforward or deeply contested.

JoAnn Coughtry is a divorce and matrimonial attorney in Albany, New York, with more than 37 years of legal experience practicing at Coughtry Family Law. She holds a degree in accounting in addition to her law degree and previously served for 25 years as an Assistant Public Defender. Her practice covers divorce, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, equitable distribution, and post-judgment enforcement.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and legal procedures may vary depending on the facts of each situation and may change over time. The information discussed regarding equitable distribution, divorce, and family law in New York should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney. Individuals facing divorce or property division matters should consult a licensed legal professional who can evaluate their specific circumstances and provide appropriate guidance.

Smart Mobility Starts With Reliable Mercedes Navigation Data

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

Smart mobility is often described through autonomous systems, real-time traffic and connected infrastructure. Yet every advanced feature still depends on a less glamorous foundation: accurate information about roads, addresses and legal connections. A Mercedes navigation system can only calculate an offline route from the database available to its exact COMAND, NTG or MBUX environment. Maintaining that foundation is a practical step toward reliable mobility.

The update process is not difficult, but it rewards precision. Model and year are not always enough because production changes, optional equipment and regional configurations can alter the installed platform. The owner needs to identify the system first, then compare a map product by complete code, coverage and installation requirements.

Smart does not have to mean permanently connected

A connected service can respond quickly to congestion and temporary closures. Stored maps provide continuity when reception disappears, data access is restricted or the network is overloaded. Intelligence comes from combining these strengths rather than creating total dependence on one connection.

The factory screen also has stable power and a position designed for the cabin. It can integrate with audio and instrument displays. Those ordinary qualities reduce distraction and make the system useful even when a phone is available.

The road network is a digital model

Navigation stores more than pictures. Road segments include direction, class, permitted turns and connections. Addresses and destinations are indexed for search. A routing engine evaluates that structure according to distance, expected speed and driver preferences.

A new junction or restriction changes the model. Permanent changes accumulate until an older database produces noticeable detours. Updating refreshes the model, although it cannot predict incidents that occur after publication.

Mercedes system generations require exact matching

COMAND, Audio 20, NTG 5.5, NTG 6, NTG 7 and MBUX belong to different technical contexts. Similar screens do not establish compatibility. Production month, equipment package and original market can matter as much as the badge on the vehicle.

Record the software and map versions shown in the menus. Photograph existing media after shutdown and preserve the entire part number. If the system cannot be identified confidently, obtain confirmation before choosing a product.

Regional configuration follows the vehicle

An imported Mercedes may retain navigation settings from its original sales market. Current registration and menu language do not automatically change the required data package. European and North American media may look alike while using different coverage and validation.

For cross-border travel, check transit countries and alternatives. A broad regional title should be supported by a country list. Smart planning considers where the vehicle may need to go after a diversion, not only the ideal route.

Use a compatibility matrix

Create columns for system generation, vehicle production period, complete product code, current software, original region and desired coverage. A candidate should pass every critical column. Release year and price can then distinguish the remaining options.

Mercedes-specific navigation solutions can be compared through Mercedes navigation media from Navi World. Use the matrix against each listing and ask a focused question when information is missing. The safest answer refers to the exact vehicle and exact product.

Data provenance supports reliability

Some media is validated or associated with a vehicle during first use. Used products are not automatically transferable. Unofficial copies may contain incomplete files, incorrect regions or modified structures. Physical readability on a computer does not prove suitability for the car.

Clear specifications and support create more value than a low price with an uncertain origin. Keep the description and confirmation until testing is complete. Digital components deserve the same traceability as physical parts.

Map data is not infotainment firmware

Maps describe geography; firmware controls the unit and its features. A new card does not automatically add phone projection, and a firmware package does not necessarily contain current roads. These layers may interact, but they should not be confused.

Do not install unrelated software to overcome an incompatibility. If a map specifies a minimum version, follow vehicle-specific documentation. General instructions for another NTG generation can create more problems than they solve.

Smart cities add legal complexity

Urban mobility includes low-emission zones, delivery windows, restricted streets and digital registrations. A map may know a road without knowing whether a particular vehicle is allowed to enter. Official city information remains essential.

Save the legal parking approach rather than only a central address. Check height limits, charging access and entry hours. A connected future still requires drivers to understand local rules.

Parking is part of navigation

The journey does not end at the building coordinate. Large venues, offices and hotels have specific garages and entrances. Store the correct gate and one alternative. This prevents the final kilometer from becoming the most stressful part of the trip.

Live availability may change faster than the map. Confirm important parking shortly before arrival and follow event traffic instructions. The stored database supplies structure; current operations decide access.

Electric mobility raises destination standards

An electric driver needs more than the location of a charger. Connector type, speed, payment, opening hours and recent reliability matter. Verify critical charging stops through a current source and identify an alternative within realistic range.

The vehicle map remains useful for reaching the area and understanding detours. Combining stable geography with live charger status demonstrates the layered approach at its best.

Install as a controlled change

Park safely, shut the system down and maintain stable power. Handle removable media by its edges, insert it without force and never format or reorganize files. Allow the unit time to validate the data.

Keep the previous working media. A controlled change always preserves a rollback reference until validation is finished. Some products may become associated with the vehicle after activation, which makes careful selection even more important.

Testing should cover ordinary tasks

Confirm current position, search for a known address, calculate a familiar route and force one safe recalculation. Add a road built after the previous edition and several destinations within the required region. Note results instead of relying on a general impression.

Repeat startup more than once. An intermittent card-reader issue might not appear in a single session. Comparison with the old working media can distinguish a physical problem from incompatibility or data quality.

Route preferences shape the output

Avoidance of tolls, motorways, ferries or unpaved roads can create a surprising route. Review preferences after service, a battery change or a long trip with unusual settings. The database may be correct while the chosen policy is no longer appropriate.

Compare distance and direction with another source while parked. Large differences are useful clues. Correct settings before deciding that a new map has failed.

Live information completes the picture

Traffic, parking availability and charging status change faster than an offline publication cycle. Connected services are valuable for these conditions. They work best on top of an accurate base map rather than as a substitute for one.

Drivers should confirm legal restrictions and critical services through current official or operator sources. A smart system combines stable map structure with timely operational facts.

Privacy belongs in mobility planning

Favorites, recent destinations and synchronized accounts can reveal personal routines. Store only what is useful, use a nearby public point instead of an exact home address when appropriate and review which data leaves the vehicle.

Before selling or transferring a car, remove personal profiles, devices and destinations. Keep non-personal compatibility records so the next owner can maintain the system responsibly.

Business fleets need version control

A small fleet should track vehicle, navigation generation, product code, map edition and update date. Test one vehicle before rolling the change out to configurations confirmed to be identical. Similar appearance is not enough.

Ask drivers to report specific locations and messages. Structured evidence reveals whether a problem is local data, a shared setting or one vehicle. It also helps prioritize updates according to operational impact.

A backup plan makes technology calmer

Keep an offline phone map for the destination area, a reliable charging cable and written booking details. This is not a rejection of integrated navigation. It is a layered system in which no single failure ends the journey.

Good redundancy reduces pressure. When a device behaves unexpectedly, the driver can reach a safe place before investigating. Mobility becomes resilient as well as smart.

Update frequency should follow evidence

Every release is not essential for every owner. Frequent international travel, rapid local development and old coverage strengthen the case for an update. One stable local route may not.

Review the current edition, planned journeys and known discrepancies. Buy when a compatible product solves a real need. Smart maintenance is selective, documented and timed before the journey.

Frequently asked questions

Does MBUX always use the same map package?

No. System generation, region and vehicle configuration still matter. Confirm the exact requirements.

Can live traffic correct an old road network?

It can improve timing and incident awareness, but permanent roads and connections still depend on the base map.

Will new map media add smartphone integration?

Not by itself. Mapping data and infotainment features are different technical layers.

What information is most useful before ordering?

Vehicle production period, system generation, software version, complete existing code, original market and desired coverage.

In Summary

Smart mobility begins with reliable foundations. Accurate Mercedes navigation data supports integrated guidance, while connected services add timely context. Neither replaces the need for precise compatibility.

By identifying the platform, comparing complete specifications and testing the result, an owner can make the factory system more dependable. The process is careful rather than complex, and it protects both the technology and the journey.

What Really Happens When Life Is Over?

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

By: Elowen Gray

When life as we know it on Earth ends, humanity faces the ultimate, inescapable question: what happens next? Speculation abounds across cultures and history. Some assume that physical death marks absolute non-existence, that we turn to dust and fade into memory. Others imagine floating endlessly as energy in the cosmos or returning in a continuous cycle of reincarnation as another creature entirely. Yet, human longing and instinct continuously push back against the idea that this brief existence is all there is. Scripture offers a clear and profound answer to this universal query: life after death is real, conscious, and eternal, leading ultimately to one of two final destinations.

For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the end of earthly life is not a tragic conclusion, but the doorway into an unimaginable inheritance. The Bible describes Heaven not as a vague, shadowy realm, but as a place of breathtaking beauty, tangible majesty, and vibrant existence. Biblical passages paint vivid pictures of the New Jerusalem featuring streets of pure, transparent gold, gates carved of solid pearl, and a crystal-clear river carrying the water of life. Yet, far beyond its physical grandeur, Heaven is defined by what is completely absent: there is no sickness to weaken the body, no grief to break the heart, no crime or injustice, and no death. It is a superior reality marked by total peace, perfect restoration, and unending joy in the immediate presence of God.

However, the Bible also speaks with complete honesty about a far more sobering reality. In Revelation 20:11–15, Scripture describes the Great White Throne Judgment, a momentous occasion when all of humanity must account for their lives. At this final tribunal, those who relied on their own moral achievements, self-righteousness, or the mistaken assumption that everyone automatically goes to Heaven will stand before God. The Bible indicates that books recording every deed, word, and secret thought will be opened. While many strive to live a “good life” by human standards, moral effort alone is fundamentally incapable of clearing the debt of human sin before a perfectly holy God.

The most critical record opened on that decisive day is the Lamb’s Book of Life. Scripture clearly declares that anyone whose name is not recorded in the Book of Life faces the “second death”, an eternal, conscious separation from God and His goodness in the lake of fire. God takes no pleasure in the condemnation of any soul, which is precisely why He provided a merciful way of escape through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.

You do not have to leave your ultimate destination to chance, nor do you have to live in perpetual fear of what lies beyond this physical life. Heaven is not reserved for the spiritually perfect, but for the humbly forgiven. By repenting of sin and turning in faith to Jesus Christ, you can have complete assurance that the moment your earthly journey ends, your eternal life in paradise begins.

To help this life-changing path, How Do I Get to Heaven? By Susan D. Gifford, Ph.D., and Eddie Gifford serves as an essential, practical guide. Born directly out of years of active counseling ministry, this book is thoughtfully crafted for readers of virtually any age from ten-year-old children to mature adults. It walks readers step-by-step through foundational spiritual truths and the practical steps used to guide new believers into a personal relationship with God. The book equips you with the clarity and confidence needed to walk boldly in a new faith with Jesus Christ as your Redeeming Lord. If you want to be sure of your eternal future and build a lasting, vibrant relationship with the Savior, this resource offers a clear starting point for your journey..

From Surviving on Empty to Stewarding Well: The Seven Pillars Behind Staci Wallace’s Approach to Health

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

Wellness advice is everywhere. People can find recommendations about nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and countless other aspects of health within seconds. Yet having more information does not necessarily make it easier to know what to do next.

For Staci Wallace, the challenge is not simply a lack of information. It is the absence of a framework that helps people connect the different parts of their well-being and make sustainable decisions about them.

That idea is at the center of Fueled: 7 Pillars of Optimal Wellness, Wallace’s eighth book. Drawing from decades of leadership, ministry, business, speaking, and personal transformation, Wallace presents a faith-centered approach to wellness that treats health as stewardship rather than another temporary trend.

Staci Wallace Sees Wellness as an Interconnected System

Health is rarely affected by a single decision.

A person may improve their nutrition while continuing to operate without adequate rest. Someone may exercise consistently while struggling with unmanaged stress. Another person may have strong spiritual practices while allowing demanding routines and environments to continually drain their energy.

These areas do not exist in isolation.

Fueled: 7 Pillars of Optimal Wellness brings them together through seven interconnected pillars: faith and spiritual fuel, food and nutrition, fitness and movement, rest and recovery, stress and emotional stewardship, hormones and body signals, and rhythm, environment, and accountability.

The framework gives readers a way to look at wellness as a whole and identify where attention may be needed most.

Moving Beyond the Idea of a Perfect Wellness Routine

One reason health changes can become overwhelming is the assumption that everything must change at once.

A person discovers a new nutrition strategy, exercise routine, sleep recommendation, stress-management technique, or wellness practice and suddenly faces a long list of things to fix.

Wallace takes a different approach.

Her framework emphasizes practical and sustainable action rather than perfection. Instead of attempting to overhaul every area simultaneously, readers can consider which pillar is creating the greatest strain and begin there.

That creates a more manageable starting point.

The objective is not to follow another rigid set of rules. It is to develop greater awareness of the factors influencing well-being and establish rhythms that can realistically become part of everyday life.

Seven Pillars, One Approach to Stewardship

The seven pillars provide different entry points into the same broader conversation.

Faith and spiritual fuel connects wellness to the spiritual foundation that informs Wallace’s perspective.

Food and nutrition addresses the practical choices surrounding nourishment.

Fitness and movement recognizes the importance of physical activity as part of an active lifestyle.

Rest and recovery gives attention to the capacity to pause and restore rather than treating constant activity as the default.

Stress and emotional stewardship bring attention to the internal pressures that can influence how people function and respond to life.

Hormones and body signals encourage readers to pay attention to information their bodies provide rather than simply ignoring it.

Rhythm, environment, and accountability consider the surrounding structures and relationships that can either support or undermine sustainable change.

Together, the pillars provide a broader lens through which readers can evaluate their current patterns.

Faith and Practical Action Do Not Have to Compete

A defining element of Wallace’s approach is the connection between faith and practical wellness.

Rather than presenting spiritual beliefs and everyday health practices as separate areas of life, Fueled brings them into the same conversation.

That means prayer and Scripture can exist alongside nutrition, movement, recovery, emotional awareness, accountability, and healthy routines.

For Wallace, this reflects a larger understanding of stewardship. Caring for health is not presented as an exercise in appearance or perfection. It is connected to the responsibilities people carry and the lives they want to live.

The result is a message intended to encourage action without condemnation.

From Health Information to Daily Decisions

The value of a wellness framework is ultimately measured by what people can do with it.

Information can explain what might help, but a framework can help someone decide where to begin.

That distinction is important for people managing demanding careers, families, businesses, ministries, and other responsibilities. They may already know that rest matters or that movement is beneficial. The challenge is translating that knowledge into decisions and routines that fit their actual lives.

Wallace’s approach focuses on that transition.

The goal is to move from simply knowing about wellness to practicing it through repeatable, sustainable choices.

Creating Space for Greater Strength and Wholeness

Fueled: 7 Pillars of Optimal Wellness ultimately presents health as something connected to purpose.

The body, mind, emotions, energy, and daily rhythms all contribute to a person’s ability to remain present for the responsibilities they have chosen or been entrusted with.

That does not require perfection.

It requires attention.

It requires recognizing what is draining capacity, identifying where change can begin, and taking practical steps toward healthier rhythms.

For Wallace, wellness is not simply about adding years to life. It is about bringing greater strength, clarity, peace, and purpose to the years people have been given to steward.

The first step may not be changing everything.

It may simply be identifying which area needs attention and deciding to begin there.

Explore / Learn More and Connect with Staci Wallace

Website: StaciWallace.com

Book: Fueled: 7 Pillars of Optimal Wellness
 Website: www.fueledbyfire.com/fueled

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Taking Care of Who’s Who in Hollywood is No Sweat!

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

How Beverly Hills celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov https://drnikolov.com/ keeps Hollywood’s hottest stars cool, dry and camera-ready from their armpits all the way down to their feet.

When you’re walking one of the worlds sexiest runways, performing under blazing stage lights or filming reality TV, there are plenty of things to worry about. Sweat shouldn’t be one of them.

That’s where Beverly Hills celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov comes in.

Known for performing plastic surgery on some of Hollywood’s A-list elite, Dr. Nikolov has helped keep some of the industry’s most famous faces looking youthful, refined and camera-ready. But beyond the operating room, he also offers a different kind of in-demand treatment, helping stars manage the everyday challenges that come with life in the spotlight.

For supermodel Meredith Mickelson, Dr. Nikolov uses Botox injections in her feet to help control excessive sweating. After all, navigating a runway in sky-high heels is challenging enough without slipping and sliding inside them. When you’re walking for names like Sports Illustrated and Gucci, every step counts.

Reality star Tom Sandoval has been on shows such as Vanderpump Rules, Special Forces and The Traitors learned his lesson the hard way and now has his own version of the Hollywood sweat solution. Dr. Nikolov treats his underarms with Botox to help keep those dreaded sweat marks from making an appearance while he’s performing under hot stage lights or filming.

It may not be Hollywood’s most glamorous beauty secret — but that’s exactly why Dr. Nikolov and his celebrity clients can have a little fun with it. These small, behind-the-scenes treatments can make a big difference when the lights are hot, the cameras are rolling and all eyes are on you.

From Hollywood’s armpits to its feet, Dr. Nikolov has become the go-to guy for keeping his famous clientele cool, comfortable and camera-ready no sweat!

Dr. Nicholas Nikolov, is a world renowned Bulgarian plastic surgeon and founder of The Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery, with offices in both Beverly Hills and Madrid, Spain. Dr. Nikolov was just elected as top five global leaders to the Los Angeles World Affairs board of directors. He is a mentor among his peers on staff of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Nikolov is the CEO and CMO of CellSound Aesthetics, a cutting edge non-invasive aesthetic treatment used for both body contouring and skin rejuvenation.

Social Media Has Changed the Way We Speak

NY Weekly Staff on September 14, 2026

There was a time when most conversations unfolded in relatively small circles.

People spoke across dinner tables, in classrooms, at workplaces, and within their communities. Disagreements certainly existed, but they were moderated by social norms and the presence of another person sitting across from them. Listening, responding, and reconsidering were natural parts of the exchange because conversation itself required participation.

Today, much of that landscape has changed.

Digital platforms have given people unprecedented opportunities to connect, share ideas, and build communities across the world. At the same time, they have also transformed the pace and tone of everyday communication. Opinions are often formed and shared within moments, often anonymously. Reactions can spread farther than reflection. Conversations that once unfolded between individuals are increasingly performed before audiences.

For Judy Selby, this shift raises an important question that extends beyond technology itself.

What happens when people stop speaking with one another and begin speaking primarily at one another?

Drawing on more than three decades as an award-winning attorney, certified performance coach, and bestselling author, Selby has spent her career helping professionals navigate conversations where words carry lasting consequences. While communication tools have evolved dramatically, she believes one principle has remained constant: the words people choose strongly influence relationships, trust, and the culture they create together.

Speed Has Changed the Nature of Conversation

Modern communication rewards immediacy.

A thought becomes a post. A reaction becomes a comment. A disagreement can reach thousands of people before either side has the opportunity to pause and consider what is being said.

Technology itself is not the problem.

The challenge is that speed often leaves little room for reflection. And anonymity may mitigate accountability.

Thoughtful conversations typically require curiosity, context, and the willingness to understand another perspective before responding. Online environments, however, can encourage the opposite. Immediate reactions receive attention more quickly than careful consideration, and certainty often travels farther than nuance.

Over time, these habits can begin influencing not only how people communicate online but also how they interact in everyday life.

Communication Is More Than Expression

One of the most significant shifts brought about by social media is the way communication is increasingly viewed as personal expression rather than mutual understanding.

People naturally want to share opinions, experiences, and beliefs. Yet meaningful conversation depends on something more than being heard. It also requires the ability to listen, ask questions, and remain open to perspectives that may differ from our own.

Selby believes intentional language becomes especially valuable in environments where disagreement is common.

Words have the ability to build trust or erode it. They can invite dialogue or end it before it truly begins. Even small choices in tone and phrasing influence whether conversations become opportunities for understanding or simply exchanges of competing viewpoints.

For leaders, parents, colleagues, and friends alike, that distinction matters far beyond the digital world.

Everyday Language Impacts Everyday Culture

Communication habits rarely remain confined to the platforms on which they begin.

The language people encounter repeatedly can more easily become the language they begin using themselves. Sarcasm becomes easier. Patience becomes harder. Public criticism may gradually feel more acceptable than private conversation.

These changes may not be intentional, but they can develop through repetition.

In Never Say It!: The Words That Hold You Back and What to Say Instead, Selby and her co-author Cris Cawley dive into how everyday language influences mindset, relationships, and behavior. The book encourages readers to become more aware of the words they choose, recognizing that communication shapes not only how others experience us but also how we experience ourselves.

That awareness becomes increasingly valuable in a culture where conversations often move faster than thoughtful reflection.

Choosing Intention in an Age of Instant Reaction

Digital communication is likely to remain a defining feature of modern life.

But much will depend on how people will choose to communicate on platforms .

Selby believes intentional language begins with recognizing that every conversation leaves an impression, whether it happens face to face, through a message, or before an online audience. Choosing words with greater care does not require abandoning honest disagreement or difficult conversations. It simply asks people to remember that communication is ultimately about more than expression or being “authentic.” Our words help to create relationships, communities, and culture.

Technology may continue changing the way conversations happen. The responsibility for how those conversations unfold, however, remains deeply human.

Learn More

Judy Selby is an award-winning attorney, certified performance coach, athlete representative, and bestselling author of Never Say It!: The Words That Hold You Back and What to Say Instead. Through her work, she helps professionals communicate with greater intention, strengthen leadership, and build more meaningful personal and professional relationships.

Website: https://selbystrategies.com

Pete Davidson and Colin Jost Transform Their Staten Island Ferry Into a Floating Comedy Club at Pier 17

NY Weekly Staff 2 on September 14, 2026

Pete Davidson and Colin Jost will host a free, one-night-only comedy show aboard their decommissioned Staten Island Ferry on Thursday, September 17, at Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan. The 60-minute event, branded the “Snapple Island Ferry,” marks the first public entertainment use of the vessel since the two comedians purchased it at a city auction in 2022.

Key Takeaways

  • The Snapple Island Ferry comedy show takes place Thursday, September 17, at Pier 17, 89 South Street, in Lower Manhattan, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8:30 p.m.
  • Pete Davidson and Colin Jost will host the 60-minute show, which features six emerging comedians produced by The Stand Group.
  • The decommissioned John F. Kennedy ferry was purchased by Davidson, Jost, and comedy club owner Paul Italia for $280,000 at a New York City auction in 2022.
  • Admission is free, with a limited number of tickets distributed through daily online drops at 3 p.m. throughout September, capped at one pair per person.
  • The vessel, built in the mid-1960s, was the oldest ferry in the Staten Island fleet when it was retired in 2021 due to mechanical issues.

A $280,000 Impulse Buy Gets Its First Real Purpose

The backstory of the John F. Kennedy ferry has become part of New York City comedy lore. Davidson, Jost, and Paul Italia, the founder of The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club, purchased the vessel as part of an investment group at a city surplus auction in 2022. Davidson later acknowledged in a 2023 interview that the group had been under the influence at the time of the purchase, adding that he had no clear plan for the boat. The admission only added to the absurdity of two Saturday Night Live cast members owning a retired municipal ferry.

For nearly four years, the ferry sat without a defined public use, generating more headlines than revenue. That changes on September 17, when the vessel will be docked at Pier 17 in the Seaport District and outfitted as a functioning comedy venue for one evening. The Stand Group, which operates The Stand Comedy Club and is a partner in the ferry, is handling production.

Snapple Partners With Davidson and Jost on the Branded Comedy Event

The event is a collaboration between the ferry’s ownership group and Snapple, the beverage brand owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. Snapple is branding the vessel as the “Snapple Island Ferry” and positioning the night as a break from the grind of fall routines for New Yorkers returning from summer schedules.

Brad Smith, Vice President of Marketing for the Stills & Hydration Portfolio at Keurig Dr Pepper, said the concept connects Snapple’s identity with comedy in a tangible way. The brand described the event as an effort to bring its personality into the physical world through a timely and entertaining experience. Snapple will also distribute clips and content from the show across its social media channels for audiences who cannot attend in person.

The Lineup Features Rising Comics Alongside Two SNL Veterans

Davidson and Jost will serve as co-hosts for the night, with six yet-to-be-announced comedians filling out the hour-long set. The production team has described the lineup as a showcase for some of comedy’s fastest-rising performers, though specific names have not been released as of mid-September. The curation is being handled by The Stand Group, which has a track record of developing emerging talent through its Manhattan comedy club.

The show adds to a fall season that continues to position New York City as a hub for live performance. The return of The Rocky Horror Show to Broadway at Studio 54 is one of several productions reinforcing Manhattan’s draw for audiences seeking experiences that go beyond traditional venue formats. The Snapple Island Ferry fits that same impulse, turning a commuter vessel into something unrecognizable from its original purpose.

Free Tickets Are Available Through Daily Online Drops

Tickets for the event are free but limited. A small batch is released each day at 3 p.m. through an online portal, with each person allowed to claim one pair. The distribution method is designed to build anticipation throughout September while keeping the audience size manageable for the vessel’s capacity. No standby or walk-up options have been announced.

The ferry will be docked at Pier 17, located at 89 South Street in Lower Manhattan’s Seaport District. The venue choice places the event in one of the city’s more active waterfront entertainment zones, surrounded by restaurants, retail, and seasonal programming that draws foot traffic year-round.

FAQs

Is the Snapple Island Ferry a Permanent Venue?

No. The Snapple Island Ferry is a one-night-only event taking place on September 17, 2026. There has been no announcement regarding future recurring shows aboard the vessel, though the ownership group has previously discussed converting it into a permanent nightlife and hospitality destination.

How Much Did Pete Davidson and Colin Jost Pay for the Ferry?

Davidson, Jost, and comedy club owner Paul Italia purchased the decommissioned John F. Kennedy ferry for $280,000 at a New York City surplus auction in 2022. The vessel had been retired from the Staten Island Ferry fleet in 2021 after serving as a commuter vessel since the mid-1960s.

How Can Attendees Get Tickets for the Comedy Show?

Free tickets are released daily at 3 p.m. through an online portal. Each person may claim one pair. No purchase is required, and no standby admission has been announced. Fans are encouraged to follow Snapple’s social media accounts for updates on ticket availability.

Where Is the Event Located?

The Snapple Island Ferry will be docked at Pier 17, 89 South Street, in the Seaport District of Lower Manhattan. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m.

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