John Catsimatidis went from rags to riches to become the CEO of the Red Apple Group where he began his meteoric rise to billionaire status as the founder of the Gristedes supermarket chain in New York City.   As a child immigrant from very modest beginnings, he struggled to learn English.  He worked at a Sloan’s Supermarket without a pay check where he had to hustle for tips.  He went on to own one small grocery store and turned it into a sprawling empire. He has gone on to be wildly successful in other industries including real estate, energy, sports and media as the owner of WABC Radio in NYC. His book is How Far Do You Want To Go: Lessons from a Common-Sense Billionaire. If you ever dreamed of hitting the Lotto, dream on…or learn the blueprint from this book on how to get to the top…the very top.

Here are excerpts from the riveting, exclusive interview:

Eli Marcus: Tell us what life like was like growing up in West Harlem, John?

John Catsimatidis: Well, it was a mixed community. I was in West Harlem by City College.  I went to PS 192.  We had Irish.  We had Hispanics. Dominicans.  Blacks.  Italians.  Greeks.  We had almost everybody.  We all played together.  We all had a good time together.  There was no such thing as prejudice and there was no such thing as crime.  It was a great melting pot.

Eli Marcus: What inspired you to write this book and what are the main takeaways you wish for our audience to learn from reading it?

John Catsimatidis: I wanted my kids and grandkids someday to know where they came from.  I want them to have respect for their forefathers.   The other aspect is to help make a difference in young kids.  You know who is buying this book?  A lot of grandfathers.    A lot of grandmothers for their grandkids. A lot of fathers, mothers for their kids.  We are hoping that it will make a difference in these kids’ lives.   That was very important to me.  Someday if I have grandkids that they know where their origins are from.  I remember before my dad passed away that we sat down and wrote everything down. The 1860’s.  About his great grandfather, about his grandfather.  So it makes a difference.   We did a DNA test.  I’m 28% Italian. 60% Macedonian Greek.  6% Jewish.  The definition of my 6% Jewish is either one of my great grandmothers or great grandfathers was Jewish.  That’s what 6% means.

Eli Marcus: John, what do you believe are your secrets or not so secret principles that have enabled you to build not only a successful business empire but a very successful personal life as well?

John Catsimatidis: My parents taught me never to do anything to shame the family name.  My father worked two jobs to never have to go to his brothers to shame himself on asking his two brothers.  He worked Monday thru Friday as a busboy.  The reason he worked as a busboy is that he didn’t speak English properly.

Eli Marcus: What is your idea of common sense that you allude to in the subtitle of your book?

John Catsimatidis: How to do the right thing. It’s not about being a Democrat.  Not about being a Republican.  I was Bill Clinton Democrat.  I ran his campaigns in the New York area for quite a few years.  I started as a Democrat.  I helped run Jerry Nadler’s campaign for Borough President against David Dinkins.  Since my daughter married a Republican, we wanted to have peace around the Thanksgiving table.  When I ran for Mayor, I ran as a Republican liberal.

Eli Marcus: In the book, you say that you were insecure in public School.  It’s hard to believe that John Catsimatidis was insecure. 

John Catsimatidis: Well, with a name like Catsimatidis, there were not many Catsimatidis’s around.  People were always cutting their name short.  There is no such thing as a Pappas.  It used to be a bigger, longer name.  We never cut down our name.

Eli Marcus: What role does collaborating with others play in your life and do you have a prime example that comes to mind of a particularly mutually successful collaboration that stand out to you?

John Catsimatidis: I believe in communications.  I believe in talking.  Whether it’s Democrats or Republicans I believe that everybody, they should all sit down with each other.  We work very closely with other radio stations.  We’re syndicated in over 250 stations around the country. Our stream can be heard in 50 states, 173 countries.

Eli Marcus: Can you tell us what is the sink or swim theory you learned from your cousin in Greece when you visited there?

John Catsimatidis: I didn’t know how to swim. Forget about it.   I’m the kid from Harlem.    We didn’t have any swimming pools or go to the beaches much.  So we were on the dock on the island I was born.  We went there to spend two weeks.  My cousin taught me how to swim.  He threw me off the pier! What is the ole expression?  Sink or swim!

To listen to the entire interview on The Motivation Show podcast, click here:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3NVmTDAvGbzooN8TCW7tuN.

Oh, bring on the heat! We got to try the new amazing UBAH HOT Pizza at Serafina. And we can say with ease it will sizzle your senses and make you soar with delight! If you like sexy, saucy, and spicy all served up in one dish this pizza was made for you!

“Real Housewives of New York” star and founder of UBAH HOT, Ubah Hassan, teamed up with  Vittorio Assaf and  Fabio Granato of Serafina Restaurant Group to launch  this incredible dish. Using a superb habanero infused san marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, finely sliced habanero and basil julienne, this divinely constructed margherita pizza is the one you will have on speed dial for deliveries or on you go to for lunch breaks at all 13 of Serafina’s New York City locations.

“Embracing gluten with gratitude, because honestly, pizza’s the reigning champ of mood-lifting eats!” said Ubah Hassan. “Whether it’s a solo munch session or a party with pals, no matter the temperature, the pizza vibe is HOT. And those primo ingredients at Serafina’s? They’ve turned me into an even bigger fan.”

Every bite is lovely and the spice is just right. Sometimes with innovative dishes like this the heat can overwhelm. But, here the carefully constructed balance pleases your taste buds and your appetite all at once. It’s not heavy – just super tasty and makes for a perfect meal.

Serafina Restaurant Group is known for high-energy dining, where you could find boldface names dining under the eye-catching yellow awnings throughout the world. Founded by Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato in 1995, the collection of eateries started with Serafina Fabulous Pizza on the Upper East Side. Following the success, the duo expanded across Manthan and into a global presence including its sister brands, Farinella, Brasserie Cognac and Tokugawa.

This partnership is a natural fit as Hassan is longtime friends of Serafina Restaurant Group owners Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato. Channeling her zest for life Hassan also created a hot sauce company in 2021 to elevate her healthy diet with African flavor. To pay homage to UBAH HOT, Hassan worked with the Serafina team to create a tomato sauce that included habanero peppers to spice up its flavor. To tie in her passion for healthy eating Serafina crafts their pizza dough with Italian doppio zero flour or “00” flour which is similar to a sough dough. The dough rests for 72 hours which results in a much lighter, crispier and easier to digest pizza. 

“Fabio and I met Ubah several years ago when she first arrived in New York for her modeling career. We were both mesmerized by wonderful personality and contagious energy. We talked about her passion for food for hours and about her dream to develop a super spicy habanero sauce,” said co-founder Vittorio Assaf.

Visit serafinarestaurant.com to find out where to try UBAH HOT Pizza today!

In celebrating its 125th birthday, Pepsi is opening a unique pop-up restaurant for a limited time in NYC.

The Pepsi 125 Diner will open at a location in Midtown Manhattan TBA on October 19 and remain open until October 25. The secret entrance promises to be “instagram worthy.” The Pepsi themed American diner will serve timeless diner inspired dishes alongside a vast selection of Pepsi inspired offerings.

This fascinating immersive journey will have you traveling back in time through every era of Pepsi and get a glimpse into the future! A 3-course meal will consist of delectable diner classics with an innovative Pepsi twist. Specially crafted cocktails and mocktails will also be available. This experience states it goes beyond food and drink but brings together the connection between Pepsi and the world of pop music and culture through spectacular performances and rare memorabilia.

The diner is open to all ages with a duration time of approximately two hours. Ticket prices are set to start at $50, this will include appetizer, entree, dessert, and unlimited Pepsi soft drinks.

Tickets went on sale to the public and were snatched up ASAP, however there is a waitlist at feverup.com.

In the ever-evolving landscape of television technology, OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TVs have emerged as a revolutionary choice, captivating consumers with their superior picture quality, slim design, and innovative features. 

OLED technology has redefined how people experience television, offering an immersive and visually stunning viewing experience that was once considered unattainable. This article will explore why buying an OLED TV is smart for those seeking unparalleled entertainment.

1. Exceptional Picture Quality

In contrast to conventional LED/LCD TVs that depend on a backlight for screen illumination, every pixel within an OLED TV emits its illumination. This phenomenon yields genuine black depths, as individual pixels can be deactivated, resulting in limitless contrast ratios.

2. Perfect Blacks and Infinite Contrast

If you buy latest OLED tvs, you would first know that they are renowned for their ability to achieve perfect blacks. Since each pixel can be individually controlled to emit light or remain off, OLED screens can achieve a level of darkness that other display technologies simply cannot match. 

This attribute enhances the overall picture quality and contributes to a more immersive viewing experience, as it reduces the halo effect observed around bright objects on LCD screens.

3. Ultra-Thin Design

OLED technology enables TVs to be incredibly thin and lightweight. With no need for a bulky backlight, OLED TVs can be designed in ultra-slim profiles that add a touch of elegance to any living space. Mounting an OLED TV on the wall is a seamless process that makes it appear almost like a piece of art rather than a television. 

4. Wide Viewing Angles

OLED panels maintain consistent picture quality across wide viewing angles, unlike other display technologies. It means that whether you’re sitting directly in front of the TV or off to the side, the colors and contrast remain accurate, ensuring everyone in the room enjoys the same stunning visuals. 

5. Faster Response Times

OLED TVs boast faster response times compared to traditional LCD TVs. It leads to smoother motion handling, making them ideal for watching fast-paced action scenes, sports, and gaming. The reduced motion blur ensures that viewers can fully immerse themselves in the content without any distractions, and it’s a feature that gamers, in particular, can greatly appreciate.

6. Energy Efficiency

Since OLED TVs don’t require a backlight and can turn off pixels to achieve true black, they consume less energy when displaying darker scenes. This energy efficiency contributes to lower electricity bills and aligns with modern trends toward more environmentally friendly technology choices.

7. Future-Proof Technology

Opting for an OLED TV represents a strategic move towards future-proof technology. These TVs are adept at accommodating the evolving entertainment landscape, as the call for superior resolution and enhanced visual finesse shows no sign of abating.

OLED TVs seamlessly integrate with emerging technologies such as 4K, 8K, and HDR. This compatibility ensures you’ll experience the most cutting-edge content in its splendor.

8. Enhanced HDR Performance

HDR technology enriches television screens’ contrast and color precision, producing images that mirror real-life authenticity. OLED TVs demonstrate exceptional prowess in showcasing HDR content owing to their intrinsic capability to generate profound blacks and striking highlights concurrently.

9. Gaming Advantages

OLED TVs offer a smooth, immersive gaming experience with fast response times and impressive motion handling. In addition, achieving true black levels enhances the overall visual quality of games, adding to the realism and intensity of virtual worlds.

10. Aesthetic Appeal

Beyond the technical advantages, OLED TVs simply look stunning. Their sleek and futuristic design and exceptional picture quality make them a focal point in any room. Whether the TV is on or off, its presence adds a touch of sophistication to your living space.

The Unrivaled Advantages of OLED TVs

As the demand for higher quality and more immersive entertainment grows, OLED TVs stand at the forefront, redefining what’s possible and setting new standards for visual excellence. If you’re looking for a television that can truly bring your favorite movies, shows, and games to life, an OLED TV is undoubtedly a choice that won’t disappoint.

(Photo by Honor the Earth)

On Tuesday September 19, 2023, the Indigenous peoples took to the frontlines of the climate crisis on Turtle Island and took over Times Square painting a giant mural with the message, “No Green Colonialism; Land Back NOW!”

This mural came the day before the UN Climate Ambition Summit, where world leaders are expected to come together and make decisions around the climate crisis.

The Indigenous communities are organizing to push back on the Biden Administration’s push toward solutions to the climate crisis that threaten the lives of Indigenous people across Turtle Island, which they call “Green Colonialism.” “For too long, Native lands and communities have borne the brunt of harm from mining and other extractive industries. As the federal government moves to support clean energy development, this cannot come at the expense of clean water or Indigenous rights. This familiar assault on Native lands and communities is another wave of colonialism, and we will not stand by and allow our lands to be sacrificed,” Krystal Two Bulls,  executive director of the national Indigenous organization Honor the Earth said in a press release.

The mining projects violate treaty rights and threaten clean water and land in places such as Thacker Pass, Oak Flat , and the Talon-Tamarak mine near the Mississippi headwaters.

We should all be fighting this fight!