Letter from the editor

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Christmas trees, mistletoe and presents.

Chanukah menorahs, dreidels and more presents.

Kawanza candles, drums and still more presents.

Office parties, cocktail parties and family gatherings.

Plus family, friends and tons and tons of food and drink.

These are a few of our favorite things in December but it’s enough to make even the most conservative celebrator feel stress.

So to help you cope, we’ve come up with a fantastic package of stories to guide you through the season of celebrations.

First, be sure to read “Handling the Holidays” which offers practical advice on ways to get through even your most nerve-racking moments. And while most New Yorkers celebrate with family and/or friends, for many city dwellers this month’s revelry can leave them feeling pretty blue. In “One Is The Loneliest Number” Psychotherapist Robert Schwalbe shares some thoughts on how to not be left out in the Big Apple.

Next, beyond socializing, holiday time signifies reaching out to help others. We feature two articles presenting different views on the topic. “Light Up Your World” looks at how you can become a beacon during these bleak times. And in “The Season Of Kindness,” the author ponders man’s cruelty to others in our universe and wonders why the charitableness we feel this month can’t carry over to the other eleven.

On a lighter note, Thrive visits with “The Carol King.” Ron Clancy of New Jersey has been collecting Christmas music for decades. You’ll be surprised by what he’s found and amazed by his determination to catalogue his massive undertaking.

For the chef and the brew lover, ThriveNYC has two taste-tempting treats. Check out “Crazy About Chestnuts,” they’re not just roasting on city street corners! We have some delicious recipes for your holiday meals. And beer drinkers will rejoice with the flavorful suds now on the shelves. Read “Spice is Nice” about some of the season’s best beers – which also make great housewarming gifts.

Always practical, we can not overlook year-end money management and for that we turned to our financial expert, Smith Barney’s Michael J. Jappell, who gives us a 2008 tax guide in “Making A List, Checking It Twice.”

There’s much more this month so take some time out to relax and revive yourself with this month’s Thrive NYC.

Be sure to make time for family, visit friends and check in on a neighbor who might be alone.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Community Media!

Janel Bladow
Editor