BRIDGED

For those of us who LOVE to bike ride..
Went South on the Hudson River path on Sunday. Pedaled to the Village and walked along the Christopher Street peir which was as crowded as Jones Beach in August. Then went all the way to Battery Park. Took a Left turn and headed for City Hall Park..Crossed that and got on the very steep incline to the Brooklyn Bridge.
I made it about 2/3 the way Up..then had to walk the bike along the wooden boardwalk high above the congested traffic and very noisy and vulgar motorcycle group burping and belching and roaring its way across to Manhattan.
My friend Kel and I did the trip and we both had to navigated carefully through the hoards of people walking and strolling and taking pictures...and the other cyclists.
We dodged them beautifully and managed to see a spectacular view of the East river north and south. The Manhattan Bridge to our left was in all its glory as well.
It was 90 degrees and those ubiquitous plastic water bottles were heaped into every trash can. Most cans were overflowing with them. The worst thing was that along the bottom of the fence was a trail of these bottles wedged into the space between the fence and the boardwalk. That lined a great deal of the pathway. I pity the cleanup people. But if the same homeless guys on my block hit that bridge they would have enough cash from the returns to buy a house in the Hamptons!
Once on the Brooklyn side of the bridge we hit DUMBO where friends were selling at an indoor flea market. We said a quick hello and then headed back.
We found an entrance to the bridge that was about three sets of a bout 15 steps and it got you right to the bike path without having to go another mile tot he lower incline of the mouth of the Tillary St entrance. SO we cut off a lot of very nasty uphill peddling.
The trip back across was less difficult and the view was again a lure of pleasure.
We retraced our path up the Hudson and this time ended near the FRYING PAN BARGE on about 30th St. We parted company and I took a walk along the newly opened pier at about 25th St. A Goose was standing guard over his lady while she sat on her eggs.
He was easily agitated when anyone came too near him although we were on the outside of a police barrier and well over 15 or 20 feet from the lady Goose. Nice to see Chivalry abides well and hearty even in a silly Goose.
I headed home soon after that and rested and met friends for a very good but expensive dinner at LA BOTTEGA on 9th Ave. we sat outside and the weather was still warm and balmy. Aside form the outrageous cost of what it takes to eat out in NYC it was a delightful evening.
I swear.THEY HAVE UPPED THE PRICES SINCE THE RECESSION HAPPENED..It is ABSURD and NASTY.
Less than half a chicken on a slab of steamed Spinach was $21..cocktails starting at $11 FOR WINE! BY THE GLASS!
They did make a terrific Grilled Octopus salad for $9 that is worth it.
We cannot afford to do this very often . What used to cost about $30 to $40 per person now cost easily $60 Plus!
They have raised my Health Insurance Premiums by $30 more a month and God knows what they will do with the Subway as the MTA is screaming a Billion or more in deficit.
This country is in a bind and they are charging MORE for LESS and people are losing Jobs daily. Unemployment hardly covers any of this IF you are lucky enough to get a claim going.
And I found out the Unemployment is NY is $405 Plus a $25 increase visa Obama, so $430. THEY TAKE 10% TAX out of that so you don't really get that..BUT NEW JERSEY gets $560 Plus $25 SO $585 is their top. THAT is closer to being a help than the actual $387 New Yorkers get. HOW CAN THAT BE? But there you are.
And the new CHELSEA ENCLAVE building across the street from us on a Non Profit Tax abated land ( It is a Seminary) is asking ONE to FOUR Million for its not even completed "luxury" condos. Meantime the DeNiro Ultra high end Real Estate Offices that took up two of the Commercial rental stores in our building had to close up and leave like a thief in the night. One night it was there. Next afternoon a few lamps and desks and debris were left in an empty space. The Day before the board with pictures and prices was touting OUTRAGEOUS sums for apartment spaces that a Compact Car would have trouble backing into!
In prior years an apartment was said to have 3 rooms if it had a Living room Dining Room and Bedroom..Kitchens and Bathrooms weren't considered "ROOMS" Now if you count those you are paying for a 5 ROOM apartment..God knows what they consider a foyer nowadays.
Anyway..We and frienmds are managing to hold our own even with work and jobs being either hard to get or seldom hiring.
We are also reading that the Banks are holding back from the market many more properties that are foreclosed in an attempt to keep the pricces inflated. Sellers KNOW this and are boosting their prices to meet that.
SO anyone buying beware! Prioces are likely to fll even more inthe coming months once this nonsense is uncovered publically enough to embarrass the Banks into TRUTHFUL behavior.
Now we have to add SWINE FLU to our daily romp through this congested and confined city.
Stay healthy and RIDE A BIKE. I highly recommend it.
Enjoy the glorious weather.
XXX

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CHELSEA MAGNOLIA - BACCARAT AT PLAZA

PEDDLING

SPRING HAS SPRUNG !!
At least for a few days!! Yesterday(Saturday) was outstanding. I went on a bicycle marathon up the Hudson from Chelsea to 125th St! I am told that is about 6 miles round trip. It felt great!
By the time I got home around 6:15 the temperature was 77 degrees!!
I used to live on 94th and Riverside Drive and on Tiemann Place which is one block south of 125th and Broadway.
The neighborhoods are very changed, very upgraded and very appealing.
It was a sort of Trip to Bountiful by Bike!
Many memories wandered along the path with me once I got off the River Bike path and onto the streets.
The bicycle path along the Hudson was beautiful most of the way and I was reminded of past peddlings.
I have had 3 bicycles robbed but have always loved the freedom of having those 2 wheels more than having a car.
When I lived in Greenwich Village I had a bike and rode along the river before it had paths. In those years the West Side Highway was an elevated rusty relic. The Highline reminds me a bit of it in style.
It was closed and rotting and the roadway was pitted with weeds growing between the blond cement slabs. But it was a decent ride and away from traffic below. It was also an odd sort of Time Machine feeling. Like you were rolling along above the past beneath you.
But truly you were on the Past as it was already a roadway being demolished above certain streets north of the Village.
I am thinking above 23rd but I can be mistaken.
We were able to use it for a long time without the city interfering. There were less cyclists in the city in those years I believe.
I remember riding it even after a section collapsed with some cyclist or pedestrians on it. But I can't always get my facts in too much order at this point in time.
Anyway..the new path along the river North is terrific and the Southern route to Battery Park is also a good ride.
The Trees along the path were in White and Pink full-blown blossom and the sunlight on the river was a welcome accompaniment.
There were hoards of people walking and strolling and skating. Many playing basketball, tennis and other games. People reading quietly on benches and lying on the grass. Boys and girls and boys and boys walking hand in hand and side by side.
All in all a very New York day. People really enjoying the city and the outstanding weather.
Central Park last Sunday was beautiful as well. But it was a colder day.
Anyway..I rode past the Monumental memories of my Upper West Side past. Notably the Riversdie Church, whose tower is encased in scaffolding..unfortunately, the Soldiers and Sailor's memorial which stood proudly and beautifully amongst the budding branches of surrounding trees and bushes, and the majestic Romanesque glory of Grant's Tomb. That building looks in need of care and they had the steps blocked off so all one could do was go up to it and admire the architecture but not go inside.
The old neighborhoods were redolent with memories from times past for me and that involved the wonderful mates and pals that I shared those places with and I remembered the dreams and enthusiasm we all expressed in a city that was ,to us at that time, FULL of opportunities, wonders and adventures.
I had a large Frie escape outside my bedroom window at 45 Tiemann Place and would sleep out there or read and rest listening to music.
My roommate and College pal David Cromwell (then David Burrow) and I shared a 2 bedroom place on the upper 6th floor and had an unobstructed view from that fire escape. The rent was around $94 dollars a month!!
LOVELY. Elton John singing THIS SONG'S FOR YOU , Laura Nyro wailing a glorious ELI'S COMIN or a plaintive BILLY'S BLUES, Carole King having the EARTH MOVE UNDER MY FEET...and my favorite from both those wonderful lady musicians; UP ON THE ROOF. I think I prefer Laura Nyro version as it, to this day, reaches something deep inside anyone who has lived in a large city and fces all sorts of frustrtions pursuing their dreams.
On the ride home I took a path that was actually for walking and strolling and was accosted by a policewoman in an electric cart who said it is a $50 fine for riding..I was actually not peddling just coasting with my feet on the ground.
I thanked her for her concern and information and took a few pictures along that path and then headed for the bike path parallel.
I passed the Intrepid and the Helicopter landing pads and the Circle Line boats and saw the Norwegian Cruise ship sliding down the Hudson to a festive splashing voyage.
People in this city get so happy and friendly when the days are as bright and beautiful as yesterday. I know I felt that.
My legs and butt however are sore today. =0-)
Int eh balmy evening of about 70 degrees--
We went to a gathering at a friend's new apartment in Styvesant Town near the Peter Cooper Village. Lovely apartment
but the rent is about a couple of thousand plus a month and I thought of that $94 dollar place uptown so many years and miles away.
It was such beautiful night we walked back to Chelsea from there. A long walk but easily done on such a night.
It is days like yesterday that make it worth living here.
I wish us all more days like that ahead and
of course health, peace and JOBS for those of us who are in pursuit of same.
With this weather and the joy it evokes we should all find the way through happier and easier ..
faster and more fun if you are PEDDLING.

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PASSOVER/EASTER -CABARET CARES AND A TAXING DAY

Hi..
I attended Raissa Katona Bennett's CABARET CARES benefit concert at the Beechman room at the Westbank Cafe this Monday evening.
I went because my friend's neice had a friend, Noah Galvin, singing in it.
My partner Jeff and I wanted to support our friend's neice Tessa and her friend.
We knew nothing about the charity or the benefit.
What we got was an evening filled with extraordinary talent and loaded with heart.
I had worked with Raissa a while ago and was charmed by her wonderful voice and intense joy and verve.
She applied all that into this wonderful evening.
The ladies and gents that sang and performed were outstanding.
I was blown away by the dynamic levels that were parading in front of us and delighted by discovering singers and talent I never would have known.
We were so pleased when Noah opened his beautiful voice and soared into the musical stratosphere. It gave me great satisfaction to see someone that young and that talented.
And that Professional!!
That was the key to the evening. It connected to the audience and kept us enthralled and engaged.
When Raissa told me it was thrown together I was stunned. BRAVA Raissa and all involved.
The evening was balanced with great humor, syle and sensational singing.
The evening was a grand success; From the Zany antics , amazing vocals and humorous original songs written by SUNSET BLVD colleague Rosemary Loar, the twisted fun of ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE delivered flawlessly tongue in cheek by Kristin Huffman to the poignant and heartfelt renditions by Tanya Walker Davidson, Candy Benge and Maureen Hamill along with a grand fun sparring turn of GLITTER AND BE GAY by Raissa and Candy that left us in hysterical laughter; we couldn't have asked for more!
All that was topped off by some wonderful and talented gents who did comedy, sang and took us to some terrific stories of hearing impaired problems and pet perfect purrings.
This is a show that should be performed more and should be shared with a wider audience.
I certainly will be there again!!
Break the Leg and ALL THE BEST to Raissa and her wonderful dedication to this charity and to DAMN GOOD PERFORMING!!

They are doing a TUDOR CITY concert tomorrow April16th at 6PM
GO GO GO.

It has been a few since I sat and wrote a Hello to all.
Have been busy and also been determined to get back to the Gym. I have to now as I have been diagnosed with High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure. JEZ!! I am told that also is a part of the 15 + pounds I have gained over the years.
So I bought a bike and went to the gym Monday.
Now if the WEATHER would actually SPRING forth then I would be out and biking along daily.
So I guess I am TAXING myself as my actual TAXES are being scrutinized now in the IRS stream. I hope it all is for the good!
We saw some theatre. OUR TOWN which we thought a manipulation and not innovative was a disappointment.
We found that most thought it revolutionary. I found it not at all to my liking.
Thought it put the audience away from the piece and it was not as engaging or intriguing as I thought it should be. I admire Deconstruction of material. But this was a disengaement of it.
That's my feeling.
We left after the Second Act. We were told the THIRD Act really made the first two Acts mean something.
I am curious and NEVER walk out of a show. But when I saw that the same Director did THE ADDING MACHINE musical at the Minetta Lane Theatre last season, people walked out of that in the first half hour and I didn't, I realized I was not alone in my take on this very celebrated man's work.
I was also NOT a fan of John Doyle's deconstruction , and to my eye, disorganized version of SWEEENEY TODD.
If you had no prior knowledge of the story of SWEENEY TODD you didn't get the story..It assumed you brought your knowledge into the theatre,,WRONG. you didn't get taken through the tale. I had no idea of OUR TOWN in stage form..I know and love the wonderful film. What I got was a treatment that had nothing to do with the charm, style, wisdom and Americana evident in the film. This show was more about the sparse and minimal idea of theatre. The audience actually intruded into the cramped acting area. As for the period 1901..It ws nowhere in view or in essence.
Pantomime was ubiquitous. The audience was privy to Mrs. Gibbs frantic actions in her invisible kitchen pantry; cooking and compiling ingredients and using phantom kitchen tools with the alacrity of a juggler on speed.
So the audience was willing to suspend the use of Props as well as scenery. However then we go to Mrs Webb's kitchen.
- Mrs Webb brings out an actual colander and pot full of actual green beans which she, and the agile Marcel Marceau-like Mrs Gibbs, actually snap and clean. So much for the suspension of props and pantomime.
There was contemporary clothing and contemporary schoolbooks..(again not pantomimed)
and a general casual contemporary approach to the acting. There was an atmosphere of in your face defiant "WE DARE YOU" to not think this is REAL and innovative!
Needless to say I felt this configuration a misfire and mistreatment-- more Thorny than Wilder.

We went to the METROPLITAN MUSEUM on Easter Sunday.
It was a Sunny beautiful day. But very cold. Walking through a Central Park that was struggling into Spring we were surprised to see so many people along the paths and roadways. Especially after the News had said so many people left the city for the Holiday.
The Met was also full of culture seekers of all ages. So, many young kids. Some of them sprawling on the floors of exhibit rooms and being frowned upon not only by the Museum Guards and the patrons but also the glaring Portraits hanging grandly on the walls.
We saw some amazing Art and some inspiring works.
My grandfather painted. He was self taguht and although I never met him, I had seen his oil paintings in my Aunt's house.
I inherited a couple of paintings. One was of an Italian Peasant woman leaning over a fountain and drinking from the dripping spout. I remember it well as I took a school trip to the Met when I was a kid and saw the same picture he painted hanging in the Museum
It was a full length version of the picture my Dad's Dad painted.
I returned it to my cousin Diane after her Mom, my Aunt passed away. She wanted it for her grandkids. It was a special thing and although I hated to part with it I felt it was better served in her hands.
Casually walking through the Met on Sunday I stumbled upon the Orignal Work. I have included it in the accompanying photos.
It was painted by French Painter Leon Bonnat in 1875. It is called A ROMAN GIRL AT A FOUNTAIN.
Go see it if you are ever in the Met.
We wound up having Easter Dinner at 9PM at REGIONAL THAI on 22nd and 7th Ave. With friends Oscar, Jeff and Wayne. Not a Ham, Bunny or Colored Egg in sight!!
My friends had Family Dinners and Seders and all sorts of sumptious feasts.
I have had many of those over the many years. It was kind of fun to quietly sip a Lemongrass Ginger Martini and indulge in Vegetrian Spring Rolls and Shrimp Dumplings.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.
XXX
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