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Earlier this week, I attended a launch party for Hamptons Acupuncture founder Shellie Goldstein’s new book “Your Best Face Now.” Of course, I got the book autographed, and am looking forward to reading it and learning about Shellie’s “Do-It-Yourself Acupressure Facelift.”

The party was held at SPiN, the premier ping pong social club in New York City and other cities in the U.S. I heard that Co-Founder and ping pong propagandist Susan Sarandon stopped by, but I think she may have been on the other side of the room and I didn’t catch a glimpse. Besides, this is New York City, and after living in the area for eleven years I’ve learned  that accosting celebrities just isn’t done here. You give them their privacy and their space as much as possible.

Many of the guests were family and close friends of the author, which made it a particularly warm and pleasant evening. I met a lot of very nice people who were there to support the author and were really happy for her and proud of her achievements. Shellie and I are both consultants for NYR Organic, the social selling division of certified organic skincare UK brand Neal’s Yard Remedies. Shellie’s book recommends the Palmarosa facial wash and the Rejuvenating Frankincense Firming face mask. NYR Organic was very happy to support the book launch by providing several items for the evening’s raffle.

SPiN Co-Founder, Franck Raharinosy stopped by (I definitely saw him!) and told us about  Spin’s charity Hope North Uganda, a 40-acre refugee community and educational center in northern Uganda for orphans and former child soldiers. The proceeds from the spirited raffle and auction held at the book launch went to Hope North.

Another wonderful thing about the evening was discovering the rich, melodic voice of jazz and blues singer Catherine Russell who performed live with an acoustic bass and electric guitar accompaniment. Couldn’t help noticing the bass was scratched up: the musician and his instrument are clearly seasoned and well traveled.

While I don’t have actual video of their performance at the party, I did find this lovely video of Ms. Russell performing “Inside this Heart of Mine:”

May 5, 2012 correction and update: I was under the incorrect assumption that Hope North was the recipient of the raffle, as written in the post above. Actually, the auction raised $1,050 which was divided between two worthy causes: the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and the Maroantsetra Area Development Association.

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen has been a symbol of hope and compassion in the Chelsea section of Manhattan since 1982. Housed in the landmark Church of the Holy Apostles, the Soup Kitchen serves well over 1,200 hot nutritious meals on average each and every weekday, including holidays. Anyone who comes to their door is welcome—without question or qualification.  Susan Sarandon, Spin founder, generously donates time to this organization and introduced Shellie Goldstein and Hamptons Acupuncture to this special place.

The Maroantsetra Area Development Association (M.A.D.A.) was founded in 2010 by former Peace Corps Volunteer Maya Moore along with a group of individuals dedicated to sustainable development in Madagascar. Franck Raharinosy, Spin founder, is on the Board of M.A.D.A. and it is a cause dear to his heart.