As of January 27, 2011 the army is 348,857 women strong!!! SIGN UP!! SPREAD THE WORD!!! There is still 651,143 recruits left to go!!! ........ To get more information click on the banner to go directly to Army of Women's website.
The summer officially transitioned into fall, September 22nd, 2010, the autumnal equinox. But don't go running to get your flannels on. It's still flip-flopping, bermuda-shorts time in NYC. At 84 degrees those precious A/C's are still cranking on high and not ready to go into anyone's closet, basement or garage until Summer 2011.
Many NY'ers are tired of Mother Nature dishing out hot plates and ready for something a bit more cool but she controls the elements of the weather kitchen, so there's nothing one can do but get out and have some fun! Before you know it autumnal equinox will pass the baton to winter solstice and we will all be seeking the comfort of Swiss Miss as we await the coming of spring.
In our city's once upon a time there were farms and farm gardens galore. Even children got into the action through our public schools as result of the efforts of Frances (Fannie) Griscom Parsons (1850-1923), the city's first female park administrator.
1908 Parks Annual Report: Children tending De Witt Clinton Park Farm Garden.
While there are only a few farms left in NYC dating back to the late 1600's, such as The Queens County Farm Museum, Wycoff Farm, Red Hook Farm, NY'ers are proof that the bond between man and nature is strong and cannot be broken by skyscrapers and concrete. Over the last decade the farm and farming gardening momentum has gone from a horse trot to ING Marathon speed. Once abandoned lots and even warehouse rooftops are serving now as beds for oases sprouting everything from fancy organic greens to grapes.
With all the farm and farm gardening going on surely there must be some fun after the hard work of harvest. Those toiling and not have a great selection of activities to enjoy in the coming weeks; Fall Festivals, Beer Fests, October Fests, Street Fairs and more.
Still need some help getting into a Fall, Harvest state of mind? Maybe Neil can help.
Fall Festivals (most start and end from about 11AM-6PM)
Saturday September 25th Broadway Autumn Fair(on Broadway from Waverly Pl.- 14th Street)
Sunday September 26th Lexington Avenue Fall Festival (on Lexington Avenue from 34th - 42nd Street)
Friday October 1st Grand Central Fall Festival (on 43rd St. from Lexington - 3rd Avenue)
Saturday October 2nd Union Square Autumn Fair (on Broadway from 17th - 23rd Street
Sunday October 3rd N.Y.C. Oktoberfest (on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Sunday October 10th Eighth Avenue Autumn Festival (on 8th Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street) Saturday October 23rd Union Square Fall Fair (on Park Avenue South from 17th - 23rd St.)
Sunday October 24th Times Square Autumn Carnival (on Broadway from 47th - 57th Street)
Candles. Life. That is what my buddy Ms. S and I chatted about during lunchtime on Wednesday. She was asked by a member of her congregation to prepare a birthday tribute, message to commemorate the special day. It was about candles, hardships, ones triumphs, personal and spiritual growth through struggles faced, gemmed by scripture, etc. And sacrifice. In order for a candle to issue light, a sacrifice must be made by the wax. It melts away until nothing remains, holding the wick in place, housing the burning flame safely for man to hold. If fuels the flame and protects the wick from burning too quickly. It makes the light last as long as it can. Candles are simple but amazing systems of light.
Ms. S and I talked about how we get light from others, through sharing thoughts, feelings, counsel, comfort. Sometimes it's just being there, being positive. And how after feeling a new from the light we receive, it passes on. Naturally, without thought, as the heart beats, as the lungs breathe to sustain the body's life. A positive domino effect, which steams from the smallest gestures at times. Her candle message inspired by a friend who helped her choose a motif and saying for the birthday card. Her sharing of the message she prepared and how it came about inspiring me.
Haiti's Earthquake
Twenty hours earlier, January 12th, 4:53PM a 7.0 earthquake, 13km (8.1 miles) deep, struck the nation of Haiti. In a few short minutes, the time it takes to get your morning coffee, pick up a sandwich, wrap, pizza for lunch, or afternoon snack for tea time, the foundations supporting the people, infrastructure of the poorest nation in the northern hemisphere was wrecked unmercifully.
I don't want to comment much on the absurdities people in positions of high influence in political, religious and other arenas are spewing and feeding to others through various media. There is a nation of 9 million hurting next door to US!!! Body spewing blood like a broken fire hydrant, dying from starvation and disease. Politicking, pandering, and profiteering (not just monetarily), drinking in "ego" shots, on the blood of the victims of Haiti's quake. These are defective candles.
Pictures of Hope and Devastation
Top: Spanish rescuer with 2 year old Redjeson Hauston and father Claude at right. Boy reaching out for H2O (AP).
Bottom: Girl crying after the quake, picture by Tequlia Minsky, NY Times. Bodies (AP)
The world is filled with pain and suffering, but we CAN CHOOSE how to react. Bystander? Participant? Ostrich with head in earth? With compassion or empathy? What the world needs now is to get as many candles lit, passing light on and on, like an Olympic torch.
Neil Young's song "Light a Candle" conveys a beautiful message, fitting for the times we are living in, marking the dawn of a new decade in our human history. Following the lyrics and video clip are two others I found were a good compliment as today is Martin Luther King Day. One brought to my attention by my friend Mr. A (another example of passing the light), "Lean on Me," by Playing For Change (Peace Through Music) by a group of campers and volunteers at the Anaheim YMCA at Camp Fox in Catalina Island, CA, the second "Students remember 'I have a dream' speech," at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
As we reflect on our lives, in what has come to pass let's remember the little ones who will be the leaders and caretakers of the nation of Haiti. Who like our children have dreams we can help come true.
Light a Candle
by Neil Young
Instead of cursing the darkness,
light a candle for where we're going.
There's something ahead worth looking for.
When the light of time is on us,
we will see our moment come,
and the living soul inside will carry on.
It's a chance to give new meaning,
to every move we make,
through the caverns and the caves where we come from.
New York City Bites in so many ways and is so rightly renowned as The Big Apple. Shining all around like a big, sweet, red delicious apple. "Cu-ruunch!" Take a bite and have another. It is sweet, tangy, sour, bitter, fragrant, juicy, "Ohh so juicy," crisp, refreshing, invigorating-ALIVE! And, because such is life, such is reality, ying-yang, you gotta be on the lookout for the occasional worm who wants to take a bite of the big delicious before you do.
The population estimate for NYC in 2008 was 19,490* or 6.4% of the US population. When you throw into this amazing mix of people the travelers who visit for business or pleasure from the US and abroad, the commuters who come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester and Upstate to etch out their livings, and the other transients who come in hot pursuit of making it big (however defined), you now have over 20 million souls taking a bite of The Big Apple on any given day.
Think about it, over 20 million people coming to and passing through the city by rail, by air, by road, by sea 365 days of the year from the four corners of the world. Of course it is going to be noisy, it is going to be crowded and NYC will not sparkle with a Mr. Clean-Fabuloso-Windex-Pledge shine 24/7. But, when you put things in perspective, given its size (land area of 47,213.79 square miles with 401.9 persons per square mile)* and this amazing flow, while we all know things can be better (not just in NYC but everywhere) you have to admit NYC Rocks!!
NYC can and does dish among the best dishes literally and figuratively. The Big Apple hosts among the best live performances, shows and exhibits. It is home to the best restaurants, clubs, museums, concerts, universities, research facilities, hospitals and other organizations. The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Display, Thanksgiving Day Parade, Radio City's Rockets, ING Marathon and New York's Rockin' New Year's Celebrations draw record numbers.
Many movies and programs are filmed here. Many stories, poems, plays and songs have been written about the city, those who come here following their dreams and those who call it HOME. "Home sweet home!" "Hogar dulce hogar!"
In addition to sharing my musings of NYC, NYC Bites will offer a bite of this and bite of that- NYC News Bites and Video Bites and various links capturing a broad spectrum of interests and tastes diversity rich as the city.
Restaurant links are all of places I have been to and recommend based on price (you can get a good meal for around $20 or less per person), atmosphere (you can have a conversation without busting a vein from shouting) and good service (you will not be rushed out the door). For more places to eat check out Zagat http://www.zagat.com. I am a foodie. I love to dine out with family and friends, savor every moment and every bite, but sometimes we are in too much of a rush when the hunger pangs pound (check out "Nooks & Crannies" for places to get good quick bites and get lots of bang for your buck). "Buen provecho!" "Bon apetite!" "Enjoy!"
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