Get Bubbly With Seasonal Offerings At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale At Troon North

Celebrate the upcoming holiday festive season with a variety of bubbly offerings at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Enjoy bubbles by the glass at the Onyx Bar & Lounge, a specialty in-suite menu of bubbly drinks and scented bath salts, and celebratory dinners in the signature Talavera restaurant, all offered as part of the Cocktail Quarterly program in conjunction with fellow Four Seasons properties around the world.

“Bubbles and celebration go together perfectly,” says Director of Food & Beverage Bryan Feigenbaum. “This season, there is no need to wait to open that special bottle, as we are offering a selection of top-tier sparkling wine and Champagne by the glass at Onyx Bar & Lounge. Additionally, special pairing dinners in Talavera show just how well bubbly can complement food.”

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Talavera Restaurant’s popular the Mashup Series will take a decidedly festive turn with the focus on Champagne and caviar. Chef Mel Mecinas and guest Chef Josh Hebert of Posh will host the four-course dinner featuring Champagnes expertly paired with each course.

Attendees will enjoy special surprises at each course that play off each label’s unique story. The cost for the evening is USD 120, not inclusive of tax and gratuity, and reservations are recommended. The price for the dinner includes a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. Additional Champagne pairings will be offered for USD 75.

Wrap up 2015 with a “pop” with a New Year’s Eve bash hosted by Veuve Clicquot. Appropriately named Let’s Veuve, attendees can expect to dance the night away with a live DJ, while enjoying a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot in addition to complimentary passed hors-d’oeuvre. Guests who book suites over the holiday will receive two complimentary tickets to the event and a bottle of Veuve as a welcome gift. Additionally, groups who dine in Talavera after 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve will receive complimentary admission into the coveted event. The Veuve Clicquot New Year’s Eve party will start at 9:30 pm and the cost of admission is USD 75.

Onyx Bar & Lounge will feature a Bubbly Bar throughout the season, offering top-tier Champagnes by the glass, many of which are normally offered only by the bottle. Offered in 3- and 5-ounce pours, featured Champagnes will include Dom Pérignon, Chandon étoile Rosé, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and Krug. Guests who opt to enjoy the entire flight of Champagnes will receive tasting notes and a specialty pairing from the culinary team, and will be entered to win a complimentary ticket to the Veuve Clicquot New Year’s Eve party. The flight of Champagne will cost USD 65 for a selection of three.

The Spa will feature Bathtime and Bubbles, offering suite guests a way to enjoy the bubbly cocktail of their choice in the privacy of their casita guest room, while indulging in an aromatherapy bath in the Resort’s deep soaking tubs. Available exclusively in the suites, the Bathtime and Bubbles menu offers a variety of in-room packages, including crafted sparkling wine cocktails paired with aromatherapy bath salts, and specialty house made sweets to enjoy after the relaxing soak. The cost for a Bathtime and Bubbles package is USDS 35 and will be offered November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. Guests may choose to upgrade their selection with a half or full bottle of Veuve Clicquot for an additional USD 44 and USD 66, respectively.

For dining reservations, call 480 513 5085.

11th Annual Film Independent Forum Announces “Trumbo” as Opening Night Film

Filmmaker Keynote With Film Independent Fellow Jon M. Chu

Lynn Shelton In Conversation With Illeana Douglas To Close Forum

Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and LA Film Festival, announced today that the 11th annual Film Independent Forum will open with Bleecker Street‘s Trumbo, directed by Jay Roach, written by John McNamara, starring Bryan Cranston, Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, John Goodman, Diane Lane, Michael Stuhlbarg and Helen Mirren on Friday, October 23. The film will be followed by a Q+A with director Jay Roach (Game Change, Meet the Parents). Also announced today, filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Step Up 3D, G.I. Joe Retaliation, Jem and the Holograms, Now You See Me 2) will give the Filmmaker Keynote on Saturday, October 24. In addition, the Forum will close on Sunday, October 25 with director Lynn Shelton (Humpday, Your Sister’s Sister, Touchy Feely, Laggies) in conversation with Illeana Douglas (Easy to Assemble, Ghost World, Grace of My Heart).

Now in its 11th year, the Film Independent Forum is the pre-eminent conference for independent filmmakers and content creators in Los Angeles. Off-the-record conversations with working filmmakers make this the must-attend fall event for filmmakers and industry professionals. If you are anywhere near production or close to entering the festival circuit, join your peers for a weekend of solution-driven strategies, success stories, and opportunities to connect one-on-one with working artists and industry pros.

The 2015 Film Independent Forum takes place October 23-25 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, CA. (For a full schedule of events, speakers and to register, visit FilmIndependent.org/Forum.)

“I couldn’t think of a better film to kick off the event than Jay Roach’s Trumbo. It fits exactly the spirit of the Forum: the idea that artists should ‘stick to their guns’ to tell stories that matter to them,” said María Raquel Bozzi, Film Independent’s Senior Director of Education. “I am thrilled to have Film Independent Fellow Jon M. Chu, from the 2002 Project Involve class, return to our fold to share his accomplishments and incredible journey in his Keynote; and to close the Forum with a special conversation with Lynn Shelton, a filmmaker who has managed to create a career path that is truly her own. She will be joined by the multitalented Illeana Douglas, who will soon launch a series for Turner Classic Movies titled Trailblazing Women.”

Film Independent Forum Logo (PRNewsFoto/Film Independent)

Previously announced, Blumhouse Productions Founder and CEO Jason Blum, along with members of his team will participate in an Executive Conversation. Additional panelists include producers Miranda Bailey (The Diary of a Teenage Girl), Nina Yang Bongiovi (Dope, Fruitvale Station; Partner, Significant Productions), writers Bridget Bedard (Transparent, Mad Men), Wendy Calhoun (Empire), Sonay Hoffman (American Crime) and Dana Calvo (Narcos), Josh Braun, Co-President of Submarine Entertainment, Submarine Deluxe and Jessica Lacy, Head of International & Independent Film at ICM Partners, to list a few. The Forum will take place during the weekend of October 23-25 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles.

At the Forum, Film Independent will present the Sloan Producers Grant, which provides a $30,000 production grant to a Film Independent Fellow accepted into the Producing Lab that is developing a narrative film with a scientific, mathematical and/or technological theme. The Producing Lab is one of Film Independent‘s highly selective Artist Development programs. In addition, Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television will host a reception during the Film Independent Forum to celebrate documentary filmmakers.

The 2015 Film Independent Forum is presented by Indiewire. Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsors Directors Guild of America, SAGindie, Indiegogo, Netflix, Singani 63 and Principal Sponsor Montana Film Office.

Panelists for the 2015 Film Independent Forum include:
Miranda Bailey, producer, The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Hend Baghdady, producer, Stone Quackers, Lucas Bros Moving Co, The Andy Milonakis Show
Bridget Bedard, writer, Transparent, Mad Men
Debra Birnbaum, Executive Editor, TV, Variety
Jason Blum, Founder & CEO, Blumhouse Productions
Nina Yang Bongiovi, producer, Dope, Fruitvale Station; Partner, Significant Productions
Josh Braun, Co-President, Submarine Entertainment, Submarine Deluxe
Wendy Calhoun, writer, Empire
Dana Calvo, writer, Narcos
Lisa Kleiner Chanoff, Co-Founder, Catapult Film Fund
Jon M. Chu, director, Step Up 3D, G.I. Joe Retaliation, Jem and the Holograms
Wendy Cohen, President, Picture Motion
Forest Conner, Data Scientist, VHX
Mercedes Yolanda Cooper, Director of Marketing, ARRAY
Dennis Dortch, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, BLACK & SEXY TV
Illeana Douglas, actor, Grace of My Heart, Ghost World, Easy to Assemble
Alex Fumero, Director of Programming & Development, Fusion
Laura Gabbert, producer/director, City of Gold
Elena Greenlee, producer, Manos sucias
Kirk Hamilton, Vice President of IndieWorks, a division of Business Affairs, Inc.
Sonay Hoffman, writer, American Crime
Marc Hofstatter, Head of Film, Indiegogo
Olivia Humphrey, CEO, Kanopy
Azazel Jacobs, writer/director, Doll and Em
Mette-Marie Katz, Director of Sales, XYZ Films
Simon Kilmurry, Executive Director, IDA
Danielle Kramer, Talent & Development Executive, JASH
Jennifer Kushner, Director of Artist Development, Film Independent
Jessica Lacy, Head, International & Independent Film, ICM Partners
Angela Lee, producer, Songs My Brothers Taught Me
David Magdael, President/CEO, David Magdael & Associates
Nicole Malek, Community Manager, Seed&Spark
Paula Manzanedo-Schmit, Vice President, Film Finances, Inc.
Márcia Nunes, producer, Manos sucias
Paul O’Neill, Business Development, Premiere Digital for Quiver
Tommy Pallotta, writer/director, Last Hijack
Nicole Papincak, Esq., Associate Attorney, Business Affairs, Inc.
Martha Pierce, Director of Audience Development, ATTN
Neha Potalia, Manager of Social Media at Broad Green Pictures
Felicia Pride, Director of Independent Film, Tugg
Jay Roach, director, Trumbo, Game Change, Meet the Parents
Couper Samuelson, Head of Motion Pictures, Blumhouse Productions
Lynn Shelton, director, Humpday, Your Sister’s Sister, Touchy Feely, Laggies
Amanda Shuckman, Social Media Strategist
Rahdi Taylor, Film Fund Director, Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program
Terri Taylor, Head of Casting, Blumhouse Productions
Michael Tringe, Co-Founder, CreatorUp
Michele Turnure-Salleo, Director of Filmmaker360, San Francisco Film Society
Evette Vargas, Creator, Dark Prophet
Emily Verellen, Senior Director of Programs, The Fledgling Fund
Lois Vossen, Independent Lens Executive Producer, ITVS
Femke Wolting, writer/director/producer, Last Hijack

Topics for this year’s panels are:
Viable Films: Your Budget Vs. The Market
Market Report: Documentaries
Five F#@*Ups And How To Fix Them
Doc Case Studies: Measuring Impact, Sponsored by Netflix
Gatekeepers And Enablers: Documentary Funders, Sponsored by Netflix
Television: The Writers Room
Your Film + Your Audience: Marketing & Distribution Clinic
Interactive Documentaries, Sponsored by Netflix
Conquering The Web: One Episode At A Time
Social Media Tools: The Nitty Gritty Details
New Media: POV And Film Independent Story Hackathon

For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum or to purchase a pass, visit FilmIndependent.org/Forum or call310.432.1213.

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. The organization helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.  For more information or to become a member, visit www.FilmIndependent.org.

Movado Announces Exciting New Collaboration, Putting a New Spin on The Legendary Museum Dial Watch, with Influential Industrial Designer Yves Behar

The Movado Group announces the launch of the new MOVADO EDGE WATCH COLLECTION, developed in collaboration with world-renowned industrial designer Yves Behar and his design firm fuseproject. Uniting the talents of two of the most important industrial designers of the last 70 years: Nathan George Horwitt and Yves Behar, Movado has brought a dynamic new level of design innovation and sophistication to the legendary Museum Dial.

“I met Yves at the Aspen Ideas Conference in 2013 and we immediately connected through our deep appreciation of design,” said Efraim Grinberg, CEO and Chairman, Movado Group. “The idea of looking at Horwitt’s original Museum Dial concept through Yves Behar’s design-focused vision was a compelling prospect for Movado and we are extremely proud of the result. The Movado Edge collection offers a stunning new interpretation of Movado’s iconic signature – it is so distinctly and uniquely Movado, we decided we did not need to include the logo on the dial.“

A brand long identified with Modernism and closely associated with the performing arts, Movado has achieved a proud 134-year history of design excellence and innovation. Movado has been a major supporter of New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, Movado has supported the Miami International Film Festival, Miami City Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Pacifica, and the Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum.

Movado’s legendary Museum Dial was created in 1947 by artist/designer Nathan George Horwitt. Stark and striking, the iconic dial has no numbers. It is defined only by a solitary gold dot at 12 o’clock, symbolizing the sun at high noon, while its simple moving hands suggest the daily rotation of the earth on its axis. This conceptual, groundbreaking dial is one of the most acclaimed watch designs of all time, and one of the most important of the 20^th Century. Horwitt’s original design was accepted into the permanent collection of MoMA in 1960.

“As a designer, it is both daunting and an exciting challenge to design for Movado, a watch brand that is both universally recognized as a modern pioneer, and at the same time accessible,” stated Yves Behar, Founder and Principal Designer, fuseproject. “The opportunity to stand out, to stand for something can be rare in watch design. The central idea of the Movado Edge design was achieved through the use of new materials, textures and three-dimensional construction – the dished shapes catch the light beautifully and have the effect of drawing the eye inside of the watch. As the user’s wrist moves, the design changes constantly, symbolically speaking of time as the indicator of change in our lives.”

Movado Edge (PRNewsFoto/Movado Group, Inc. (MOV))

Movado Edge renews the brand with a thoroughly modern aesthetic through a heightened industrial lens, characterized by a new, visually tactile form. Celebrating Movado’s industrial design heritage rooted in the Bauhaus movement, a synergy of art and design are revealed in the collection’s simplified, geometric forms. The dial reinterprets Horwitt’s original vision in three dimensions, with the signature dot emerging from the dial’s curved, newly textured landscape. Sculpted ridges that form around the edge of the dial suggest the sun’s rays, while subtly marking the minutes – a beautiful and purposeful design element. Fusing form, function and inspiration, this transformative new collection includes men’s, women’s and chronograph models on stainless steel link bracelets and black leather or rubber straps.

The Movado Group, Inc. also designs, manufactures, and distributes EBEL, Concord, Coach, HUGO BOSS, Lacoste, Juicy Couture, Tommy Hilfiger, and Scuderia Ferrari brand watches worldwide.

Neiman Marcus Presents The 89th Edition Of Its Legendary Christmas Book

The 2015 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book Features a Vast Selection of Fantasy Gifts Including an Iris Apfel for Bajalia Trunk of Accessories, A Dream Trip to India, Orphan Barrel Project, as well as a Surprise Fantasy Gift Only Accessible Via the Neiman Marcus App.

The 2015 Christmas Book was unveiled today by luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in Dallas. The 89th edition of this legendary book continues Neiman Marcus’s unmatched tradition of offering its customers a selection of spectacular and unique holiday gifts sure to make even their wildest dreams come true.

The 2015 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book Features a Vast Selection of Fantasy Gifts Including an Iris Apfel for Bajalia Trunk of Accessories, A Dream Trip to India, Orphan Barrel Project, as well as a Surprise Fantasy Gift Only Accessible Via the Neiman Marcus App.

The arrival of the Christmas Book is considered by many to mark the official start of the holiday shopping season. This year’s edition of the Christmas Book carries on the Neiman Marcus tradition of presenting a refined selection of items across a broad range of categories for everyone on your holiday shopping list. With a new collection of fantasy gifts certain to satisfy even the most indulgent appetites, the Christmas Book features exceptional and distinctive gifts and experiences, including an Arch Motorcycle & Ride Experience, Texas Guitar Trio Gift, Couture Diary, World View Exploration at the Edge of Space, and a tour of Italy with Ippolita & Artemest Craftsmen. This year’s featured car is the Neiman Marcus Limited-Edition Mustang Convertible.

The “His & Hers” fantasy gift tradition continues this year with the Ultimate Children’s Costumes in Mackenzie-Childs Trunks. The first time ever that the His & Her gift is for children.

For the first time ever, Neiman Marcus is offering a gift downloadable exclusively via the NM Shopping app, to unwrap the eleventh gift, download the NM app now.

First published in 1926 as a 16-page booklet, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book was initially intended as a Christmas card to the store’s best customers. Building on tradition through the years, the book has maintained its personal touch while evolving into a legendary source for alluring and mystical gifts.

As in previous years, Neiman Marcus will donate a portion of the proceeds from each Fantasy Gift purchase to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation which brings enriching art experiences to youth in communities nationwide.

“We’re excited to introduce the 2015 collection of fantasy gifts which continue the time-honored tradition of offering our customers the unique and high-quality items they’ve come to know and expect from Neiman Marcus.” said Jim Gold President & Chief Merchandising Officer of Neiman Marcus. “Each year we strive to exceed the expectations of our customers; hopefully they will agree that this year is no exception.”

Neiman Marcus is also thrilled to introduce “truly nm“ a curated collection of exceptional exclusive items chosen by us for our customers. The collection, consisting of pieces of extraordinary luxury, whimsical delight, and state of the art technology, is available online and in stores.

Among The Selection Of Fantasy Gifts In The 2015 Christmas Book Are Some Exceptional Items, Including:

Limited edition KRGT-1 Motorcycle Ride Experience from Arch Motorcycle Company.

ARCH MOTORCYCLE & RIDE EXPERIENCE Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger make up Arch Motorcycle Company, and the KRGT-1—hailed by one reviewer as “the Zen of motorcycle design“—is their first production bike. Framed of steel and aircraft-grade billet aluminum with carbon fiber fenders and front cowling, it has a 124-cubic-inch v-twin engine that produces 121 horsepower and matching 120 pound-feet of torque. This limited edition comes with custom race-inspired trim, performance suspension, and an exclusive two-day ride experience for two along the California coast with Reeves and Hollinger. Hotel and airfare to California included. With the purchase of the KRGT-1 Motorcycle Ride Experience, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. ($150,000; page 37)

Visit the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky for barrel hunting, tasting and creating unique Orphan Barrel variants to be hand-bottled and labeled exclusively for you and five bourbon-curious friends.

THE ORPHAN BARREL PROJECT The Orphan Barrel® project was started to share long-forgotten barrels of rare whiskey discovered in old rickhouses and distilleries. Each release is hand-bottled—and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. You and five bourbon-curious friends will visit the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, to go barrel hunting, tasting recently discovered bourbons and creating two completely unique Orphan Barrel variants to be hand-bottled with labels designed exclusively for you. You’ll receive 24 bottles each of the remaining stocks of eight different Orphan Barrel bourbons—including the variants created with you—along with a bespoke whiskey cabinet crafted in Kentucky to house the collection, barware, and a leather-bound book about your whiskey. With purchase of The Orphan Barrel Project, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. ($125,000; page 38)

This two-part adventure takes you and seven companions up 100,000 feet into space in a luxury pressurized capsule where you will experience 360 degree views of Earth.

WORLD VIEW EXPLORATION AT THE EDGE OF SPACE This two-part adventure begins in 2016 with a behind-the-scenes invitation to a World View test flight. The Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona, is home for three nights; spend your days with the flight’s chase and recovery team and tour Biosphere 2 with original crew member and World View CEO Jane Poyter. In 2017, you and seven companions will experience 360˚ views of Earth as a high-altitude balloon lifts your luxury pressurized capsule 100,000 feet above our planet. With purchase of the World View Exploration at the Edge of Space, Neiman Marcus will donate $1,500 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. ($90,000 per person; page 39)

You and three guests will join jewelry designer Ippolita Rostagno on a seven day art tour of Florence and Venice.

ITALY TOUR WITH IPPOLITA & ARTEMEST CRAFTSMEN Experience a side of Italy rarely seen by outsiders. You and three guests will join internationally acclaimed jewelry designer Ippolita Rostagno on a very personal seven-day privileged-access art tour of Florence and Venice. Ippolita will introduce you to acclaimed artists, visit local workshops, enjoy VIP museum tours and dine on authentic Italian cuisine. Parting gifts include special mementos from studio visits and a newfound appreciation for art history in the progress. With the purchase of the Italy Tour with Ippolita & Artemest Craftsmen, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. ($150,000; page 40)

This gift includes lunch and a styling session with 93-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel.

IRIS APFEL FOR BAJALIA TRUNK OF ACCESSORIES “More is more, less is a bore!” is the style mantra of 93-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel. Her souk-meets-haute-couture style earned her a 2005 Metropolitan Museum of Art retrospective. This Ikat-embellished trunk comes filled with accessories and vintage finds handcrafted by women globally and inspired by her own personal collection. Gift includes lunch and a styling session with Iris. With purchase of the Iris Apfel Trunk of Accessories, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. ($80,000; page 41)