TALKING POINTS: Secret millionaires; musical stress reduction for entrepreneurs; more

Is That An American Apparel Ad Or a Balthus Painting? {Fast Co Design}

Many of the clothing retailer’s ads look an awful lot like the provocative nudes of the French modernist. Who’s pervier, Dov Charney or Balthus?

Hey, Entrepreneurs: Pick up the Guitar! {Huffington Post}

It’s important to remember that launching and building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Finding ways to stay energized, focused and motivated through the highs and lows of startup life is vital for success. Preparing yourself for the long term game can make all the difference in the world. Your well-being, success, relationships, productivity and employees’ enjoyment and enthusiasm all depend on your ability to stay creative and avoid burnout. Given that my pre-startup formal training was in music, I’m a big advocate in seeking an escape from the daily pressures of entrepreneurial life by picking up a musical instrument.

A New Website Selling ‘Extraordinary Experiences’ is the Latest Trend in Luxury {Global News}

Sure, you could buy that flat screen TV or logo-studded designer handbag. But wouldn’t it be a bit more exciting to have a private dinner cooked for you by celebrated chef Tyler Florence?San Francisco tech entrepreneur Trevor Traina certainly thinks so, which is why he’s launched IfOnly.com, a website where you can buy encounters with stars in the culinary, sports and entertainment world, with part of the proceeds going to charity.

In Philly, a University City Cafe Caters to Creative Thinkers {Philadelphia Business Journal}

University City Science Center is going through unprecedented growth. Entrepreneur-and-business owner Keith Leaphart, owner of the graphic design-and-printing firm Replica Creative, has responded with a new cafe to serve the burgeoning neighborhood.

What Happens When Your Neighbors Turn Out to Be Secret Millionaires? {Huffington Post}

Pro tip: Always be nice to the neighbors. You never know when one of them will turn out to be a multimillionaire. That’s the lesson of the story of the Magowans, a pair of elderly twins from Connecticut who lived in a modest house, working middle class jobs — and died with an estate worth close to $10 million.

Next American City launch party, Wed June 17

I generally don’t post about new work I’ve had published until the work in question is actually available on the newsstand, but because Next American City is hosting a rather unusual launch party for its upcoming issue 23, I figured it would be alright to break from tradition just this once. I’ll keep the solipsistic part brief: In issue 23, I have a relatively short front-of-the-book piece in the magazine’s Buzz department. It’s about a new rails-to-trails style bike path in Detroit, and it was developed, of course, as part of the long and ongoing effort to revitalize the city.

By the way, if you haven’t seen Next American City in awhile (it can sometimes be tough to find), issue 23 is the one you’ll want to come back for. According to what I heard at the last editorial meeting for freelancers and contributing writers, this will be the magazine’s very first perfect-bound issue. It’s also going to be a full eight pages thicker, and I believe those extra eight pages are being used to introduce some sort of creative or experimental new feature.

At any rate, here’s the information for the launch party. The admission price gets you your choice of a one-year subscription to the magazine, or a Next American City T-shirt. How can you not?

Next American City is throwing a party at The Royal Theater, one of Philadelphia’s historical and architectural landmarks, and you are invited! We’ll even provide the hard hats! Come join us as we celebrate the launch of Issue 23 with food, drinks and great conversation. Publisher and editor-in-chief Diana Lind will re-cap highlights from the issue, which is packed with features including a profile of Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker, an examination of air quality in American cities, and a debate about the value of convention centers. Interviews with a young environmental justice activist, a forward-thinking web entrepreneur, and an urban theorist round out the issue.

JUNE 17, 5:30-7:30 PM
ROYAL THEATER
1524 South Street, Philadelphia, PA

Admission is free for subscribers. Admission for non-subscribers is $15 in advance or $20 at the door and includes a one-year subscription to the magazine and free entry to all NAC events.