The Vista-based artist passed away last May at the age of 68 Writing by Rob Cavenagh Photography by Justin Negard Some children have fond memories of watching their parents in the kitchen or going to their workplace on days off of school. Yvonne Lerner, however, remembers doing her homework in her father’s studio, located approximately a quarter mile from their ...

Writing by Ava Fleisher Photography by Justin Negard This story begins when artist Mary Ellis was “very, very young.” An abstract expressionist painter and owner of Fifth Avenue Manufacturers, Ellis received support from those around her who could recognize her unique style. But throughout her childhood and adolescence, she struggled in school.  “I was told that I shouldn’t even apply ...

Writing  by Gia Miller Photography by Justin Negard When Ian Hendrickson-Smith (a.k.a. Uncle Cheef – a college nickname that stuck) was a high school sophomore in State College, PA, he rebelled against his parents by buying a saxophone. Already a serious musician, Uncle Cheef practiced the flute eight hours a day, and his grades were suffering. His parents told him ...

Writing by Amy Baker Photography by Justin Negard In the mid-1990s, jewelry designer Cynthia Ryan created her first Lunette ring while enrolled in a beginner’s jewelry-making course at the Fashion Institute of New York. Her professor was amazed. “What exactly do you do during the day,” he asked. “Your design is a different approach than most, more architectural and reminiscent ...

Writing by Gia Miller Photography by Justin Negard It’s a story we all know. A group of high school kids form a rock band. They play at school events and local concerts. They’re typically the “cool kids” or the rebels, and they haven’t given any thought to what will happen after high school. But we’d like to tell a story ...

Writing by Oscar Andy Hammerstein Artist V.L. Cox was born in Louisiana and raised in Arkansas. She’s best known for her work surrounding issues of human rights and equality, which has made her both a hero and a villain. In 2021, she left her life in Arkansas, fearing for her future. Today, she lives in Peekskill. Here’s part of her ...

Writing by Gia Miller In our March/April 2023 issue, we featured milliner Jackie Cicogna whose custom hats are works of art. Since that time, we helped her connect with a local celebrity, and she’s made some connections of her own. It’s been less than a year, and things have taken off. She made custom hats for several members of the ...

Writing by Ava Fleisher Photography by Justin Negard Envision, if you will, a hot summer day amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020. With the sun beaming down on the parking lot of Northern Westchester Hospital, healthcare workers flocked to a trailer where free lunches were served by Jason Charles and his family, who own what is ...

Writing by Gia Miller Photography by Justin Negard It’s hard work running a restaurant, much less two. But the Jewel of Himalaya owner is perfectly suited for it — he's worked tirelessly his entire life. When Tshering T. Lama was five years old, his parents enrolled him in a boarding school. He lived in a small Nepalese village called Solukhumbu, ...