Iconic Victorian Duplex in Sewickley Undergoes Restoration

 A seasoned finance professional, Mark Izydore brings over four decades of experience as an accountant to CJ Consultants, where he serves as a co-manager, handling the firm’s daily operations. CJ Consultants, based in Jupiter, Florida, is a healthcare and financial advisory company. Mark Izydore is from a family with roots in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. The Izydores family purchased an iconic Victorian duplex in Sewickley and had it undergo a major restoration.

The Victorian duplex, constructed in 1895, stood on Broad Street in Sewickley, where Mark Izydore’s grandmother, Martha, once settled and established a nursery and grass-cutting business there. In 2018, the Izydores purchased the Victorian duplex and hired architectural designer Heather Wildman of Wilman Chalmers Design to spearhead the restoration project.

Many of the building’s original Victorian characteristics, such as the pocket doors and the leaded glass windows, were still in good condition and were saved. However, parts that cannot be restored were ordered or built. For instance, the mantels were ordered from the UK, while Ted Stevenson customized the bathroom vanities, kitchen cabinets, and dining room built-ins.

While the project honored the home’s historical character, it also contained modern amenities, such as the elevator, which runs from the basement through the third floor, where the master’s bedroom is located. There is also a sound-proof stereo room where Mark Izydore plays vinyl records using state-of-the-art speakers.

The restoration project took more than two years to complete. Today, the iconic Victorian duplex on Broad Street rises to its former glory.

Etiquettes to Observe at Wine Tastings

 Florida-based executive Mark Izydore obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting at Duquesne University. He serves as co-manager at CJ Consultants in Jupiter, Florida, a financial and healthcare advisory company. Mark Izydore enjoys attending wine tastings.

A wine tasting is an event where people taste and critically evaluate different wine samples. Wine is largely considered luxurious, so while events of this nature can be a little casual, they tend to have a sophisticated atmosphere. When attending one, you are expected to observe certain unspoken rules, many of which make the experience more enjoyable.

One important wine-tasting rule is to avoid wearing cologne. The subtle aromas of wine form a huge part of the experience, and wearing fragrances can be distracting and spoil this effect. Also, do not drink too much too quickly, especially if you are new to the experience. To enjoy the process, look at the wine, its color, and its appearance, swirl it, smell it to take in the aroma, and then take a gentle sip, savoring the taste.

Also, part of wine-tasting etiquette is to hold a glass by its stem and not the bowl. This is to ensure that the warmth of your hands does not affect the wine temperature and flavor. Your fingers on the bowl can also obscure your view of the wine's appearance, and this position may prevent you from swirling the wine as you should.

It is a good way to restrain your wine intake, especially when visiting other wineries or tasting a lot of wine in a day. You may also take some water in between. You should also be open to asking questions from the host or pourer about the background, techniques, or great pairings to go with the wine. This shows your interest and excitement.

Challenging the Dakar Rally Course in Saudi Arabia

 Mark Izydore is an established presence in the Florida entrepreneurial community who guides CJ Consultants and delivers coordinated financial and accounting services. Outside of his professional pursuits, Mark Izydore follows and reads automobile races featured in the Robb Report.

An early 2023 Robb Report article focused on the most recent running of the Dakar Rally Course. Spanning two weeks, the off-road endurance race takes inspiration from the grueling Paris-Dakar event, first staged in 1978, which took drivers across a varied terrain that ranges from mountains to deserts.

The 5,000-mile route of the Dakar Rally winds across much of Saudi Arabia, beginning on the Red Sea coastline and heading up through the rugged north before looping south through Riyadh and into the Empty Quarter. It ends with a 14th-stage finale at the city of Dammam on the Persian Gulf.

With the field including motorcycles, T5 trucks, and prototype racing cars, the 2023 Dakar Rally was made challenging by flash flooding that turned sand into heavy mud and necessitated a rerouting that lasted three days. One positive development surrounding the carbon-intensive event involved unveiling vehicles such as the hybrid RS Q e-Tron E2 by Audi, which promises to transform racing of the future.

Published: How to Age Wine

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