tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7513286532423162652024-02-19T03:17:15.611-06:00It's Always A New Day For An Everyday WomanA journey through life with a woman whose view of the world is "every day you wake up, it is a good day -- a new day -- so enjoy it and make the best of it." So come along for the ride and share my thoughts, my feelings and my experiences. It's always a new day every day!Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-7219867018555126492012-09-13T16:31:00.001-05:002012-09-13T16:31:32.496-05:00The Big Apple: Day 5, Leaving NYC --There's No Place Like Home<i style="background-color: lime;">[Sidenote: As you know, it was almost a year ago -- October 2011 -- that I went on this trip, so I figured with the one-year anniversary coming up, I'd better darn tooting get my butt in gear and get this posted. So here it is. The last stop in my big adventure.</i>]<br />
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I can't believe it! It is actually Day 5 and it is time to go home. This has been such a wonderful, memorable trip for me, that it is almost too hard to put into words -- oops -- except for the (probably) thousands that I have already shared with you already! LOL!<br />
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Well, what would this journey be if I didn't include one more post -- so let's giddy-up and take it home, folks!<br />
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Getting up what we thought was early enough to catch an 8:00 flight sometimes isn't necessarily early enough. Did I mention I went to bed at 2:00 last night (this morning)? I got up at 4:30 and laid there for a few minutes. Then by 5:00 figured I had better hit the shower. I was going to try to do some packing last night - well, we all were but we were just too plain tired. It has been a wearing week. I have kept everyone up late at night by me just being up; I got everyone up earlier than they are accustomed to by getting up early and turning on the light (even if just to read) or go on my computer; and, poor Casey, has had to work through all this, too! Not to mention that Nika is probably sick of being confined with me in the gotta-keep-going mode that I shifted into once we landed in NY. Good thing when we got home last night that I had Casey run and get me some OJ to have by my bed. I certainly didn't want to have to hit our wetbar -- too expensive! But I suffered another low this morning -- not good timing, but, I'm sorry, sh_t happens!<br />
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Yep, and it sure did this morning. I was running around trying to pack and get everything together, making sure we (I) didn't leave anything behind ... chargers, clothes, shoes, shoes, (did I mention shoes?). When I finished getting ready in the bathroom, I literally pushed everything into my toiletries bag and then we were shoving shoes into anything that would hold them. Ugh!@!<br />
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We loaded up (yes, I am not being slight here when I say loaded up --- Casey and Nika will attest to that -- poor things). We are headed downstairs to catch a cab and drat, I'm afraid I'm going into a low again. I told Casey to run across the street quickly while we hailed a cab -- okay, we had to have a SUV cab -- so he could grab me some orange juice. I was extremely afraid that during our ride to the airport, we would get stuck in traffic and I would start to bottom out. So we needed to take the time now.<br />
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The cab ride to the airport seemed to go quickly. We paid the cabbie, jumped out, unloaded and here is where I get extremely lost. Once we enter the airport terminal, I’m not sure where to go. Casey and Nika have been here dozens of times, so I’m leaving this part up to them. I’m just following behind. Earlier this week, Casey did some finagling with our seats, so we ended up with seats in the emergency exit section. I didn’t quite know what that meant but they seemed happy, so I was, too. <br />
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Next, we bolted off to the TSA checkpoints. At O’Hare, I had sailed through with flying colors. I was hoping for the same this time through, too. As we got in line, I realized that I hadn’t pulled out all my diabetic supplies which I had done in O’Hare. I was starting to panic a little thinking I was going to cause a problem and delay us. Casey started saying quickly take off your shoes and put them in the bins, give me your IPad and laptop and we’ll put those in here, too. Nika and Casey both said don’t worry about your jewelry because Nika never takes her’s off and she never gets stopped. Okay, again, I am just here to listen and keep moving the line forward, especially when we had a group of big guys behind us who looked (and sounded) like they were off to a weekend trip to Vegas. I didn’t want to be stomping on their parade. <br />
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Everything went through fine ... that is until I started walking through. Beep! “<i>Step back ma’am and walk through again.</i>” Beep! Oh crap! “<i>Ma’am, please come over here so we can give you a full body cavity search</i>.” Okay, no, they didn’t quite put it that way, but that was what was rolling around in my mind. Casey and Nika were quickly slipping their shoes back on, gathering up our stuff (again, mostly MY stuff), snickering a little while watching me beginning the pat down. All the time I was thinking the underwires in my bra and imagining having to strip that off in front of everyone – yes, I know, wild imagination. I was sure they would make me go behind some x-ray machine while I was taking it off and so all the world could watch from the other side ... yep, still wild imagination. A very nice, female TSA worker started working her way down through, carefully patting me down. After she was done and while I was explaining to her that this was my second flight on a first-time flying experience, she whispered to me “<i>I thought I would tell you that it was your necklace that set it off</i>.” Couldn’t help it but my evil eye popped out and immediately went to my traveling companions! They, of course, thought it was funny. Not funny enough, though, if we were going to miss our flight. So off we flew with our luggage weighing us down (okay, again, yes, mostly my luggage as we each had a carry-on bag). That doesn’t include, of course, the three checked bags which were all mine. <br />
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Once we were on the airplane, Casey and Nika settled in for sleepy time. Not me. I was going to savor these moments as best I could. And, on this return trip, I was doing it with plenty of leg room. Now, heaven forbid that something would happen, and I would have to be “in charge” of the emergency exit. But the leg room sure was nice. I was able to twist and turn, and stretch the whole trip. The return trip did, however, have another first for me. Using the airplane bathroom. I drank quite a bit of coffee which I was afraid of doing because my bladder does not bode well with coffee but it is a necessity so we ... pardon the pun ... go with the flow. This meant I now had to "pay the piper" and witness first-hand the horrors of what I was told from others about “don’t use the airplane bathroom!” From “it’s too cramped,” “you’ll get claustrophobic,” to imagining getting sucked into and stuck on the toilet – yes, I was a little phobic about this next adventure. Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I didn’t get stuck, I didn’t get sucked in and I didn’t go manic from being enclosed in a broom closet big enough for a mop and two brooms. <br />
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All in all, the flight back just wasn’t too bad. I got “felt up” in front of God and everyone, had a potty break that didn’t go terribly wrong and was able to stretch out and nod off for a couple minutes, too, all the while taking in the scenery from down below and up above whenever there was some. <br />
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Once we landed at O’Hare, we caught a cab, loaded it up and headed back to Casey and Nika’s apartment where my car had sat for a few lonely days. The kids were tired and I know longing for another nap and I, too, just wanted to get home. So, I said my good-byes, thank you’s and love you’s, jumped in my car, hooked up my GPS and set out for the Wisconsin countryside. Getting to Casey’s apartment always seems like it takes longer than when I leave. Chicago was kind to me on my return trip and didn’t make me wait on the freeways. I made it as far as the Belvidere Oasis rest stop and knew it was time to fuel up the car and my body. I am one who usually only drinks coffee in the morning. (Remember my mention earlier that it goes right thru me!) But I needed caffeine, so I went inside and got a large Starbucks to go. I knew it would last me quite awhile which was good to keep me awake. But no matter how much caffeine you have, sometimes you just need to move around a little more or the stagnant position you are sitting in makes you sleepy. When I realized that I had missed my turnoff at Rockford, I took the next one at South Beloit. Once I had driven through that burb and was in the country, I pulled over, got out and walked around the car a couple times. Yes, it was 2:00 in the afternoon and I was tired. I jumped back in and got to the other side of Monroe before I had to repeat the same act.<br />
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Here, is when I clicked my shiny red shoes (okay, not shiny, but they were red slip-on tennis shoes!), and repeated, “<i>there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.</i>” Before I knew it, I was pulling in the driveway. I was tickled to see Bob, Pongo, Wolfie and the cats and they all greeted me graciously, too. Bob, of course, was wondering what foreign country I had traveled to and it seemed like I had only been gone a few days so how could I come home with all this luggage. Men -- they just don't understand what women need to have with them so they are prepared at all times. <br />
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I have to say -- it is fun to travel, it’s fun to fly, it’s fun to see and experience new adventures, but yes, Auntie Em, there’s no place like home. <br />
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-1432464044749533962012-09-13T16:29:00.003-05:002012-09-13T16:29:28.642-05:00The Big Apple: Day 4, Part 6: SoHo Shopping and Dinner in Little Italy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika, me and Casey at <i>Il Picolo Bufalo</i> in Little Italy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The final part of my last day in New York City is about to come to a close. What better way to top it off than shopping and Italian dining. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After leaving the American Museum of Natural History, Nika and I hopped back on the subway and headed back to the hotel to freshen up. There we met Casey, just finished with work, and off we went to my next big adventure – shopping at Soho and 5th Avenue – and then dining in Little Italy. <br /><br />I have to say that Casey was certainly right when he kept instructing me to not, not, not pack much for clothes, etc., when I made my trip to New York. He said the shopping was out of this world. I strongly (in my mind) disagreed, thinking that the prices would be "out of this world" and that I would find nothing. Huh! Well, let me be the first to confess -- I was wrong, wrong, wrong!!! He kept telling me that we would head out to Soho to do some shopping and that I would be fascinated with what I would find. Okay, again, I was wrong, he was right! <br /><br />When we stepped off the subway at Spring Street I immediately fell in love. <br /><br />Trendy shopping, it's cobblestone streets and cast iron buildings. SoHo is called the heart and soul of New York City. And with its prominent place in being the backdrop for many movie locations, fashion shoots, and one of the best places in the city to catch a glimpse of famous stars, many of whom live in SoHo, I can certainly see why. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SoHo is shorthand for south of Houston (pronounced "how-stun"). It is the first official acronym given to a neighborhood in NYC. The official historical district from 1973 together with Houston to the north, is north of Canal Street, and between West Broadway and Crosby Streets. The history of SoHo dates back to the early 1600's when it was just grassy meadows where Indian Tribes settled. This neighborhood has gone through many drastic changes over the years to get to what it is today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We strolled down the streets of SoHo taking in the many shops and storefronts while browsing about inside to find some great deals. We did some haggling with street vendors and with ethnic shop owners. I snagged a Coach purse, some (5) shoes, some gifts, some clothes. While we were “negotiating” on a price for my Coach purse and a Louie Vitton purse for Nika, a group of guys gathered close by to anther street vendor located next to our salesman. I think he was thinking the same thing we were – something might be brewing and neither he nor us wanted to be witness to or in the middle of whatever transpired. It worked out well in our favor, as his expression was continuously, “hey, you are killing me here” all the while aware that a storm might be brewing to his right. But, he has never dealt with a Wisconsin girl who has learned Garage Sale Haggling 101 from her mother. They have never published the book, but it is lessons you pick up when you are young and handed down from generation to generation – you might be embarrassed to see your mom do it, pledge you would never, ever do the same thing, would never, ever attend a garage sale, let alone be caught dead “bargaining” on a price – but yet that day comes and the next thing you know, you look in the mirror and, yes, you've grown up and you are looking, acting and sounding just like your mom trying to snag a deal. Man, those genes certainly don’t fall far from that family tree, do they!</span><br />
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new short rainboots</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Casey and Nika had both forewarned me that haggling was allowed. I told them to step back and let Momma into the front line with her assault rifle. I was going to snag a deal, come hell or high water. In this case, it might be a neighborhood (or gang, for that matter) brawl, so either the vendor or I was going to have to kneel down to the other. I was determined it was not going to be me, and I triumphantly walked away the victor for both Nika and myself. The guy didn’t know what hit him! Huh! I am told that is may be why they pack up shop and go running when they see (or hear) a Wisconsin girl coming down the street! Hah!</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having pulled off enough deals to satisfy my shopping craving (well, that and I was being told we were going to have to start shipping things home if I didn’t stop), and the fact that my feet were starting to hurt for all the walking that day, a mutual decision was made that it was time to get some grub. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Loaded down with packages, we strolled off to Little Italy to have dinner. Eccentric Little Italy in New York City was once the energetic home of most of NYC’s Italian population. Now it is the top tourist destination in Manhattan. The narrow cobblestone streets, located on Mulberry Street between Broome and Canal Streets, lay beneath decades-old fire escapes lined with Italian restaurants. It is said that these cosy restaurants serve up some of the best Italian food outside of Italy.</span><br />
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Two pairs of brown heels, my black/white shoes and my furry (ugg-like) boots.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We were headed for <i>Il Picolo Bufalo</i> - a quaint, little Italian restaurant with fantastic food, where Casey had eaten before a few times and remarked at the start of my visit that we had to go there. This place labels itself as the "Taste of Naples in New York -- in the Heart of Little Italy." And it certainly did not disappoint. It truly was fine authentic Italian cuisine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After stuffing our bellies, it was time to think about heading back. Since my feet were now thinking they needed a vacation and, as I said, we were loaded down with packages from our shopping excursion, I made the executive decision that we were not going to try to take and juggle all this stuff on the subway (okay, maybe I was a little frightened about taking all my "priceless" treasures on the subway), so we hailed a cab and off we went back to our hotel. The original plan, of course, was that we would try to do one of two things at this point -- go up the Empire State Building (too many packages to carry up that) and/or carriage ride in Central Park (it was raining, so we nixed that idea, too). Life is so hard when you have so many options, but dang it, my feet were hurting from so much walking, and since they were protesting (quite loudly, I might add), we figured it best to head for home (or, in this case, our hotel).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some chocolates I picked up for Bob at the Willy Wonka store in Times Square.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We arrived back at the hotel, saved from the rain by taking the cab ride, and I began unpacking my "finds" for the evening. As we got ready for bed and I rummaged through my purchases, then crawled into bed with my laptop to download the pictures I had taken that day plus make notes of the adventures we had taken, too, that day, I reminisced about the day. I got to do a lot of shopping. I got to do a little wheeling and dealing on prices. This was fun. It was almost like not even being away from home – somewhat akin to garage saleing in Wisconsin! Ha! You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but ... you can't take Wisconsin out of the girl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, here we are. The last night of my big adventure. I have to say it -- what a perfect ending to a perfect trip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But now it is time to get some ZZZZZs because in the morning "<i>I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane.</i>"</span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-32754258656703182872012-09-13T13:53:00.001-05:002012-09-13T13:53:25.028-05:00Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins: A Whole Lot of Goodness<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Times have been tough as of late. The world around us seems to have fallen into a deep, deep hole of despair. With the recent nearby fire claiming lives, the aftermath of truth spilling out of the depths of hell from that, the bombings overseas, all the unnecessary killings, sometimes we need to seek the comfort of something more familiar. I am not saying that we need to replace it with food, but sometimes a little sweetness never hurts. So I say, let’s try to kill off the iniquities of this world with one bite of savory sweetness at a time. I’m going to start with these banana and chocolate chip muffins. </div>
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When my son, Brady, had his recent ACL surgery, I stopped in to sit with him while his girlfriend Jenne was at work. On the second day after surgery, she had made some banana and chocolate chip muffins for him to eat since he had to take all these pain meds and needed something in his stomach. Brady offered one to me and I have to say that I was totally pleased at how moist and delicious they were. I asked Jenne for the recipe which she gave me with a little sidenote -- that she changed up the recipe a little by adding in some whole wheat flour and flaxseed. </div>
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When I pulled out the recipe the other day, I decided to change it up even more using all whole wheat flour and flaxseed. All in all, I think it would be great either way. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zinjWiMOAo19M89ibI7Tm-sswexdOqGpZVqbsJepFIzS5QMalQ8ihX4em3f3210BRJmXSxeCMWu5zokWlh9qsQ1hg8FnruQKPCGQ_6KoBNnYW9sxblZRHSAkBhi-_LgFHfIschOseZ_u/s1600/m1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zinjWiMOAo19M89ibI7Tm-sswexdOqGpZVqbsJepFIzS5QMalQ8ihX4em3f3210BRJmXSxeCMWu5zokWlh9qsQ1hg8FnruQKPCGQ_6KoBNnYW9sxblZRHSAkBhi-_LgFHfIschOseZ_u/s640/m1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The ingredients</span></td></tr>
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Hmmm, you're saying, did she just say flaxseed? Yes, flaxseed. It has been titled one of the most effective plant foods on Earth as there is some evidence it may help decrease the risk of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes and may reduce the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses (such as Parkinson's disease and asthma) by helping to block the release of certain pro-inflammatory agents. Studies have indicated that flaxseed may have a protective effect against breast, prostate and colon cancers. But, it should be used in the form of ground or milled flaxseed as your body is better able to digest it versus whole flaxseed which passes through your intestines undigested and hence provides no health benefits. <br />
<br />Flaxseed is high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and lignans (which act as antioxidants). The Institute of Medicine has established that an adequate adult daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids would be between 1.1 to 1.6 grams a day. One tablespoon of ground flaxseed provides 1.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. You can use flaxseed in baking, such as cookies, muffins and other baked goods by substituting it for the eggs and/or oils/butter; or you can add a teaspoon to hot/cold breakfast cereal, a teaspoon to mayo or mustard for sandwiches or a teaspoon to an 8-oz. yogurt. However, it should be noted that it’s use is not recommended for pregnant and/or breast-feeding women. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ-lZt5agvIT1i-WGe1qYVaM2panuxo2bg3JZ4pQx2qJH9JqyjiPuxumWyNazkD-IKobnk1n97SyG4exn8BUdlzMIkAh4SwiQuCbfgfsYnAso0P0s-shmI0q0o8s18Yp-Q1iGEpazE8J0/s1600/m3batter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ-lZt5agvIT1i-WGe1qYVaM2panuxo2bg3JZ4pQx2qJH9JqyjiPuxumWyNazkD-IKobnk1n97SyG4exn8BUdlzMIkAh4SwiQuCbfgfsYnAso0P0s-shmI0q0o8s18Yp-Q1iGEpazE8J0/s640/m3batter.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mixing the Batter</span></td></tr>
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As I mentioned above, I ended up using all <u>whole wheat</u> flour instead of white. Now, don’t be confused here, as I am saying I used whole wheat flour not <i>wheat</i> flour. The difference - wheat flour (or white flour, enriched flour, etc.) is the when the whole wheat is harvested, all the nutrients are removed, and then a few are added back in. Fundamentally, wheat flour is white flour. <u>Whole wheat flour</u>, on the other hand, is just as it states – whole wheat with all the nutrients left in. <br />
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In this recipe you can use some of each if you like, or all white or all whole wheat. In some recipes the 1:1 ratio doesn't quite hold up as you may have to add some more liquid for whole wheat substitutions. Items baked with whole wheat flour tend to be denser and healthier. The good news is that ¼ cup of whole wheat flour counts as 1 ounce in the MyPyramid.gov Grains Group. For a 2,000-calorie diet, the daily recommendation is about 6 ounces; ¼ cup of whole wheat flour has 15% of the daily recommended amount of fiber. <br />
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When you consider whole wheat flour vs. white flour, the major difference is the nutritional value. Most of the essential fibers and nutrients are absent in white flour while whole wheat flour has more fiber and more nutrients. The bottom line is that whole wheat flour is healthier than white flour and should be integrated into your regular diet. <br />
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But if you want to "come over to the dark side" a little at a time, a good rule of thumb would be to use 1 part whole wheat flour for every 3 parts white flour. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of flour, use ¼ cup whole wheat flour and ¾ cup white flour. Then once you have adjusted to using whole wheat, you can increase the ratio as time goes on. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6byG4isSXjJHuUN3CuHS-wp1T00Q2bHdBpfyU1fMiOF4s6apoMz_uBhmiVKaiu-YUvV6kpq5L7TSyDl73MgWiA9nqqkJcsXLoYnip2m007nNH6tu7OIORGJiDAQjwVB7G_kDrF3tQoqr/s1600/m4scoop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6byG4isSXjJHuUN3CuHS-wp1T00Q2bHdBpfyU1fMiOF4s6apoMz_uBhmiVKaiu-YUvV6kpq5L7TSyDl73MgWiA9nqqkJcsXLoYnip2m007nNH6tu7OIORGJiDAQjwVB7G_kDrF3tQoqr/s640/m4scoop.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used my tablespoon scoop for just the right amount of batter in each muffin hole.</td></tr>
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Whichever way you decide to go -- with the flaxseed or without -- whole wheat flour or white flour -- this recipe is delicious either way. <br />
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I do need to give some kudos, though, to Jenne's Aunt Marsha. The original recipe appeared in the latest <i>Primrose Church Cookbook</i> as Banana Bread. The banana bread, as is, I have to believe would be just as fantastic. So, there you have it -- you can have your bananas with your chocolate and still be eating healthy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UaiOfdZsMY4UK8zddH0RL4cj22lVFRljqIf1amBJ4BBpmRqe8btkiEc0YzTc9C2hmyeIX6nVrXusgSnsjnw9O1gdUlWGHK8O2GVIOFYhmMC4wld199u7WWcOAKRBD_SsEkFhlqBUbpBK/s1600/m5final.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UaiOfdZsMY4UK8zddH0RL4cj22lVFRljqIf1amBJ4BBpmRqe8btkiEc0YzTc9C2hmyeIX6nVrXusgSnsjnw9O1gdUlWGHK8O2GVIOFYhmMC4wld199u7WWcOAKRBD_SsEkFhlqBUbpBK/s640/m5final.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The delicious end product!</span></td></tr>
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Below you will find the original recipe. If you substitute ground or milled flaxseed, make sure you read the label on the package. It will direct you on how to do the substitution. For the directions below, I yielded a dozen muffins that were decent size (not overly huge, and not small, but just right). Enjoy!<br />
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The original recipe:<br />
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<u>Banana Bread</u><br /><br />1/2 cup butter, softened<br />2 eggs<br />1-1/4 cup flour<br />1/2 tsp. salt<br />1 cup sugar<br />3/4 cup mashed bananas<br />3/4 tsp. baking soda<br />Optional: Nuts or chocolate chips (mini’s are good too)<br /><br />Mix all ingredients together well. Add nuts or chocolate chips at the end. Pour into a sprayed loaf pan or muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees F.<br /><br />**If you double the batch and put in muffin tins, you will yield about 30.</div>
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Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-16753540673013547022012-08-28T10:01:00.000-05:002012-08-28T10:01:21.946-05:00The Big Apple: Day 4, Part 5, 3rd Portion of AMNH - Dinosaurs<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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This portion of our little adventure into the museum was absolutely dynamite!! It was so neat to be able to get up close and personal with the remains of so many historic pieces of past. Let's not dawdle. Keep the line moving ... as our next stop will be in the fourth-floor halls which include the <u>Hall of Vertebrate Origins</u>, <u>Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs</u>
(recognized by their grasping hand, long mobile neck, and the
downward/forward position of the pubis bone, they are forerunners of the
modern bird), <u>Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs</u> (defined for a pubic bone that points toward the back), <u>Hall of Primitive Mammals</u>, and <u>Hall of Advanced Mammals</u>. These you will find just as interesting, too. So, if you are not yet bored, next up . . . dinosaurs. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5krZTOJI7xivc5sH3oDC2GbFnDiT7uWgPi49BOHcaRNrbQ08V2ivqC84ChEqj9xNb1GsrC6Xw-ifkiCK-xBuitakSpSDTh6R6csZvaKgZcKk1j2bgV2hB1qZj6Sz782jwTX54UyMOQB8b/s1600/mast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5krZTOJI7xivc5sH3oDC2GbFnDiT7uWgPi49BOHcaRNrbQ08V2ivqC84ChEqj9xNb1GsrC6Xw-ifkiCK-xBuitakSpSDTh6R6csZvaKgZcKk1j2bgV2hB1qZj6Sz782jwTX54UyMOQB8b/s640/mast.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Mammut</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Mammut:</span> This particular skeleton is one of the most complete mastodon skeletons ever found in North America. It was discovered by workers digging for peat fuel near Newburgh, New York. After uncovering the skull, they dug further and found the rest of the skeleton standing upright, just as it must have sunk into the bog centuries ago. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDTZHjQoSvxjk46FCE8rZP6mfm24vjmiNK3gxYEfbnFPSWy5wnWX3xHVMWVIeKrgNY7K550sxugBsGpBBAkV0pVRsJDTzqTw7tUZtXpUpLfWj9hsuTyYpCMuRipGOB6DExcCofsA65nrT/s1600/gomp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDTZHjQoSvxjk46FCE8rZP6mfm24vjmiNK3gxYEfbnFPSWy5wnWX3xHVMWVIeKrgNY7K550sxugBsGpBBAkV0pVRsJDTzqTw7tUZtXpUpLfWj9hsuTyYpCMuRipGOB6DExcCofsA65nrT/s640/gomp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gompotherium</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Gomphoterium</span>: An early relative of the elephant that lived in Texas about 10 million years ago, and like others in this tall, short-necked group of mammals, it probably used its tusks to protect itself and to reach for food. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNEcqmgR_Rk4c9bySG7zkVe5s0uiY2XXjTrSPclfptrcKHrvPujZyXOAQRI2UFrLkvZfiVwx68DjLZ4OP3gkr1l95QrGumvdBb9b5jjP43ago_fEj9EA2OqE-MdBpYaj20_3Rue2Xshxv/s1600/irish+elk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNEcqmgR_Rk4c9bySG7zkVe5s0uiY2XXjTrSPclfptrcKHrvPujZyXOAQRI2UFrLkvZfiVwx68DjLZ4OP3gkr1l95QrGumvdBb9b5jjP43ago_fEj9EA2OqE-MdBpYaj20_3Rue2Xshxv/s640/irish+elk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Irish Elk</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Irish Elk</span>: This <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Irish Elk display was so cool. The antlers were huge and simply amazing! </span>For your information, during the last Ice Age, the Irish elk (related to the living red deer) was widely diffused in Europe as far east as southern Siberia but it survived the peak cold period which occurred around 20,000 years ago. Following that, the Irish elk slowly became restricted to Europe, and ultimately to Ireland, 11,000 to 10,000 years ago. Representing the last populations of this breed of deer, abundant remains of this species have been found in the peat bogs in Ireland. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xlUDgAZ4bN3BFxEhy4UeUHuHd0NprEB_F7We0OIc6Da6L0sLqK823VVBVN2ttxtTTjrix7BsUNxyYHjQ5xmfZBRO0CuEJeP1trtA2_nwH5_Z6f59G6z3nkJjOIoBUFQiOVNmxAbk8lcY/s1600/slth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xlUDgAZ4bN3BFxEhy4UeUHuHd0NprEB_F7We0OIc6Da6L0sLqK823VVBVN2ttxtTTjrix7BsUNxyYHjQ5xmfZBRO0CuEJeP1trtA2_nwH5_Z6f59G6z3nkJjOIoBUFQiOVNmxAbk8lcY/s640/slth.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Megalonyx Wheatleyi</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Megalonyx wheatleyi ("great claw")</span>: About 9 million years ago, before the Isthmus of Panama had formed, megalonychid ground sloths crossed from South America to North America. Megalonyx wheatleyi was the result of almost 8 million years of sloth evolution on this continent.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjKEC-AT-d_15j9CHLWb8kQsTjwsN-DI-VQ3GHrcMnJ8dVRPkDSLlGoYNjn6G2e1QIq8upLtpwAjNefacneNqpZaLHdvxSjCZvcAoSO9_OJYVcwBGe7Q1d4q4kTDzHxjQFs-xOFobNzBL/s1600/smil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjKEC-AT-d_15j9CHLWb8kQsTjwsN-DI-VQ3GHrcMnJ8dVRPkDSLlGoYNjn6G2e1QIq8upLtpwAjNefacneNqpZaLHdvxSjCZvcAoSO9_OJYVcwBGe7Q1d4q4kTDzHxjQFs-xOFobNzBL/s640/smil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smilodon</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Smilodon:</span> The enormous canine teeth of the saber-toothed cat are its most obvious feature, but not all carnivores have them. The most distinguishing evolutionary feature of this group of mammals is found further back in its mouth -- a pair of scissorlike teeth on each side that are used for slicing meat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbAL2NJWNQrOExmF9cCj7UhlF5NfQYc7Pp3JgGeIb5tZPz0Szp8o4HvymtI116t2OooWBjJfhFEn41GQv_OYKQ97UI_h9vQnIubo73CvkjfC0653lTW2o72mwQ_eU_KOaHzf9OrJsQ-qa/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbAL2NJWNQrOExmF9cCj7UhlF5NfQYc7Pp3JgGeIb5tZPz0Szp8o4HvymtI116t2OooWBjJfhFEn41GQv_OYKQ97UI_h9vQnIubo73CvkjfC0653lTW2o72mwQ_eU_KOaHzf9OrJsQ-qa/s640/me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What's a trip to someplace special without having your picture taken with your newest friend!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHiHz8I0EABKkryT0PJYgWbTFdaYNh3tIOdkq1CsYtur-lE6QYvq9xuGuC7tMzZwgFQdNHxCZH8PNOfF-DOiyrh-lp9g0Evv2xVBLf5t_9UzvkRcxJf9hs6-qtgRCcOOl4FB0_S9PXpw5/s1600/tri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHiHz8I0EABKkryT0PJYgWbTFdaYNh3tIOdkq1CsYtur-lE6QYvq9xuGuC7tMzZwgFQdNHxCZH8PNOfF-DOiyrh-lp9g0Evv2xVBLf5t_9UzvkRcxJf9hs6-qtgRCcOOl4FB0_S9PXpw5/s640/tri.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Triceratops</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: red;">Triceratops</span>: Triceratops, which literally means "three-horned face", is one of the most recognizable of all dinosaurs. It bears a large bony frill and three horns on its large four-legged body, and imploring resemblances with what we now know as the rhinoceros.</span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">I have to say that you gotta love the triceratops -- think <i>Cera</i>, the little triceratops in <i>The Land Before Time</i>. I loved to watch this movie with my sons when they were little and to this day, I still enjoy it immensely and could watch it over and over again. Thus, possibly began my love of and curiosity with dinosaurs. Do you remember it? The scheme concerns a young orphaned Apatosaurus (Longneck) named <i>Littlefoot</i> whose mother was killed by a Tyrannosaurus (Sharptooth). He goes on a journey in search of an oasis, the Great Valley, to escape the impending drought. Along his way he accumulates four juvenile companions. And how can we forget them! There is <i>Cera</i> the Triceratops (Three Horn) who always seems to hold a chip on her shoulder, feels a need to prove herself and is in search of her own kind; <i>Ducky</i> the Saurolophus (Big Mouth/Swimmer) who is quite the blabbermouth and also the depressed child of the bunch but soon is able to abort the funk he has fallen into; <i>Petrie</i> the Pteranodon (Flyer) who suffers from a fear of flying; and <i>Spike</i> the Stegosaurus (Spiketail) who they happen upon when he is hatching. A tale of determination sprinkled with danger, bravery, tears, joy and fortitude, it is a definite much-watch flick, if you haven't seen it!</span></div>
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<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rexy</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Tyrannosaurus: </span>Also known as T. Rex, the Tyrannosaurus was by far the largest carnivore of its time. A carnivore, T. Rex was one of the largest known land predators, measuring up to 40 feet in length, up to 13 feet tall at the hips, and up to 7.5 tons in weight. They possessed large and powerful hindlimbs, but their forelimbs were small, although remarkably strong for their size. <br />
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As long as we are mentioning flicks, once again I ask you -- do you remember
the movie, <i>Night at the Museum</i>? (Well, duh, I've talked about it a lot in my NY posts since that is where are at and the Museum of Natural History is where
that movie takes place.) Anyway, now do you remember the <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Tyrannosaurus</span> </span>skeleton
nicknamed <i>Rexy</i> who behaves like a dog? Meet <i>Rexy</i>, above. I loved that
character -- he was ferocious until Ben
Stiller would throw something for <i>Rexy</i> to fetch.<br />
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Unfortunately, we
didn't go through every display, which if you will recall in the movie there was <i>GumGum</i>
(Easter Island Head display voiced by Brad Garrett), and <i>Teddy Rossevelt</i>
played by Robin Wiliams, among many others. </div>
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And for good measure ... here is one more ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6_yHQJSNMAHQv_KTdOhIrqwdsAAuFpKXHeXkpOaYmVJOTdNEPyV7t1YZzdUcAlmeVydZfT2_Z9LfLlcdQHWV7WaB0lSJ9-TA3enHsIkH5WwZiuH_dUyy1oCWBi4G40u50nVV31RQ91jo/s1600/steg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6_yHQJSNMAHQv_KTdOhIrqwdsAAuFpKXHeXkpOaYmVJOTdNEPyV7t1YZzdUcAlmeVydZfT2_Z9LfLlcdQHWV7WaB0lSJ9-TA3enHsIkH5WwZiuH_dUyy1oCWBi4G40u50nVV31RQ91jo/s640/steg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stegosaurus</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Stegosaurus:</span> It was noted on a board at the Museum that there is still a continuing debate about the Stegosaurus in that scientists' opinions differ on whether its front legs splayed out to the side or were held straight up and down when the animal walked. To illustrate these two possibilities, the adult skeleton is show with the front limbs sprawled out and the juvenile is mounted with the legs more erect. </div>
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Now the funny story about our trip to the museum, or at least this specific part of the museum. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika and I were taking a long peek at a display beside <i>Rexy</i>, with our backs to <i>Rexy</i>. As we turned to start walking past <i>Rexy</i>, we both heard quite a loud escape of ... gas ... yes, a fart! Unfortunately, we both thought the same thing – the other person did it. We glanced at each other quickly and realized, hysterically, that it wasn’t the other and then immediately turned to the side to see a man standing next to <i>Rexy</i> appearing quite pompous and totally unaware that we had heard his little flatulence escapade which at the time seemed to ring throughout the hall. In essence, I am sure that it wasn’t that loud; just loud enough for our ears and enough for the two of us who by now were getting a little tired from the day trip thus far, that we were tickled to the bone with laughter. We hastily retreated from this end of the hall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now if you think I may be turning this into a little bit of a vulgar ending to this post, please first consider a couple things. The English word fart is one of the oldest words in the English vocabulary. The word is also used as an endearment. But what may be most telling of what we heard is akin to the fact that in 1929 Thomas Wolfe had the phrase “a fizzing and sulphuric fart” cut out of his book, <i>Look Homeward, Angel</i>, by his publisher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, in this case, too, it that may describe it very well ... fizzing and sulphuric. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Either way, it was too much for these two tired little spectators to handle and fearful of making a scene ourselves, unlike what our one-man band just accomplished, we did the only thing we could at the moment . . . we ran. </span></div>
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-81618019657528688222012-08-19T10:15:00.001-05:002012-08-19T10:15:59.748-05:00Texas Brownies -- Legal or Illegal?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that I am back from getting my oil changed and a little coffee time at the Viking Café, I think it is time for some baking. Bob has been complaining for the last two days that he has no chocolate in the house, so I’m thinking Texas Brownies with a little coffee. That will definitely quell his craving for chocolate, but as for the coffee, I’m not talking a cup of coffee to go with the brownies. I’m talking coffee in my brownies. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxhm8Aw_vy_0IK_lxYSH9q04APaT1zss9Axl9P_JAzOVfBRSjFCBOHfZr0-2lH9gZ1VzbtRKvFguN9-l3IIhV099o9fwhz2aZTOIqFZK13h2iAgbLCVu73DuwaAIkEE839tSVjEGhnjen/s1600/DSCN5209.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxhm8Aw_vy_0IK_lxYSH9q04APaT1zss9Axl9P_JAzOVfBRSjFCBOHfZr0-2lH9gZ1VzbtRKvFguN9-l3IIhV099o9fwhz2aZTOIqFZK13h2iAgbLCVu73DuwaAIkEE839tSVjEGhnjen/s640/DSCN5209.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Did you know that coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate? It does! If you really want to magnify the chocolate flavor in something, there is a simple trick you can use with almost any recipe. The secret ingredient is coffee (or espresso if you have that on hand). A few tablespoons of very dark coffee along with the liquids in your recipe will amplify the chocolate flavor without giving it a coffee taste. If your recipe does not call for coffee, just be sure to subtract the amount of coffee or espresso being used from the overall liquids in the recipe. But if you don't want to mess with proportions in the recipe, you can also dissolve one or two tablespoons of espresso powder into the liquids to get the same effect. In this case, there is no second guessing on the proportions because it is part of the recipe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now have you ever wondered why you crave coffee in the morning or a chocolate candy bar makes you feel good when your mood is melancholy? A 2010 study from Ohio University enlightens us on why certain foods affect your moods.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Different foods stimulate different regions of the brain, releasing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that promote well-being. However, the radiance created by chocolate and coffee isn't just caused by caffeine, but also by a rush of dopamine that triggers the brain's pleasure receptors. Chocolate also releases a form of opiate that causes that relaxed feeling, along with a small amount of a substance kindred to marijuana. With all that pleasure jammed into a chocolate bar, it's a miracle the chocolate isn’t regulated by the federal government! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is reported that the downside of the brain is that it always wants too much of what is bad for the body, like sugar, to articulate with other neurons and is apparently particularly ravenous for it in the morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With this recipe, you can help those greedy cravings. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7s_Vqfs86BQ0v9RoKIDUGqjRwzS-ffRT_gRwnI-a1YX7qUD46jI0hVZ7drhwPdKDIqa-iplK7HhrPTLPEsPJEjlM7AapaCsBVQKUILd6h1ENtCAdAtw9KEvocBGOYfT5Znhygr3BU8Lg/s1600/DSCN5197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7s_Vqfs86BQ0v9RoKIDUGqjRwzS-ffRT_gRwnI-a1YX7qUD46jI0hVZ7drhwPdKDIqa-iplK7HhrPTLPEsPJEjlM7AapaCsBVQKUILd6h1ENtCAdAtw9KEvocBGOYfT5Znhygr3BU8Lg/s640/DSCN5197.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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First, let's get out our butter. You can use cold butter, because it has to be melted. While I drop two sticks in a pan, I'm heating up 1 cup of water in the microwave for about 60 seconds. Because of this recipe, I always have instant coffee on hand. Just a small jar to keep on hand will do you, unless, of course, you're an instant coffee drinker, then you should have some on hand. If not, brew some coffee or make these brownies in the morning while you are having your "cup of joe." </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKtSEBsOeXS20vfA9zAtqachQGa9Wh8gX4k00FMIJ-Nz33ybBmbmLSV6QbyT7hf33FZfNIuWQald2q7wVf2OqP2rs-4JfTzKI9C1P68HiW9DFZGoYH03JyHh_jaADjDBCHhgdXTopwzkW/s1600/DSCN5201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKtSEBsOeXS20vfA9zAtqachQGa9Wh8gX4k00FMIJ-Nz33ybBmbmLSV6QbyT7hf33FZfNIuWQald2q7wVf2OqP2rs-4JfTzKI9C1P68HiW9DFZGoYH03JyHh_jaADjDBCHhgdXTopwzkW/s640/DSCN5201.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Two teaspoons into the hot water and stir, then dump this into the melting butter and add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (I will confess I use a heaping 1/4 cup). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the meantime, I have placed two cups of flour and two cups of sugar into my mixing bowl. If not sifting my dry ingredients, I always try to aerate them. In this case, I am just taking my whisk beaters and whisking through the flour and sugar to place some air into them. Simple, fast and easy to do. With the butter melted and the rest of the ingredients coming to a boil, I take the pan off the burner and pour it into the flour/sugar mixture. Turning on the beaters, I then add my baking soda and vanilla. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Next I prepare some buttermilk. I don’t keep buttermilk on hand, but if you do, it is 1/2 cup. For my substitute, I simply pour just shy of a 1/2 cup of milk into a measuring cup and then add about 2 T. of cider vinegar. (When I was questioned once about whether you should use white vinegar or cider vinegar, my philosophy is if you are baking or cooking I always use cider vinegar. If cleaning, I use white.) Anyway, this creates the same effect as buttermilk. I dump that into the mixing bowl and now my batter has sufficiently cooled so that I can add in the eggs. Remember, never add eggs to a hot mixture or they will turn to scrambled eggs and, sorry, we are not serving them this morning! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mix on high speed until combined and then pour it into a greased jelly roll pan (17x11). Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until they test done in the center. I generally set my timer for around 16 minutes to make sure they don’t burn around the edges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, while the brownies are baking, it's time to prepare the frosting. This will be poured over the brownies as soon as you take them out of the oven so no need to cool the brownies first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I use the same pot that I used for the first stage of the brownies – no need to dirty another pan if one does not have to. In it goes 1 stick of butter, 1/4 cup of cocoa and 2 (heaping) tablespoons of cocoa. Make sure to stir this often and once this comes to a boil, turn on low. Add in 3-1/2 cups of powdered sugar, whisking it as you go and then 1 tsp. vanilla. The frosting will show small lumps of powdered sugar but that is okay as it adds to the character of this delight. As soon as the brownies are done, immediately pour the hot frosting over the brownies and smooth out. It will set quickly. </span><br />
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There you go, simple, easy, and, once you take a bite or two or three, yes, I’m thinking – possibly illegal. Hey, what can I say ... the brain wants what the brain wants! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>TEXAS BROWNIES</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cups flour</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
2 cups sugar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1 cup (2 sticks) butter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1 cup strong brewed coffee</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1/4 cup dark, unsweetened cocoa</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1/2 cup buttermilk</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1 tsp. baking soda</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><u></u><br />
<u><span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Frosting</span></u><span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 cup (1 stick) butter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
2 T. dark, unsweetened cocoa</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1/4 cup milk</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
3-1/2 cups unsifted powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
1 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
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<u><span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Directions</span></u><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
(1) In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar.</span><br />
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(2) In a heavy saucepan, combine butter, coffee and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling.</span><br />
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(3) Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
(4) Mix well on high speed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
(5) Pour into a greased 17x11 jelly roll pan.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
(6) Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until the brownies test done in the center.</span><br />
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(7) While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring.</span><br />
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(8) Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until the frosting is smooth.</span><br />
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(9) Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of the oven. Cool.</span><br />
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</span>Enjoy!</span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-73604721930693939572012-08-01T20:06:00.000-05:002012-08-01T20:06:09.864-05:00Life Is...Succulent (so are these Baby Back Ribs!!)[<i>Side note: I told you I had some posts waiting to be published, so here is one from Memorial Day -- the day our big walnut tree in the backyard blew over from the storm that came through late in the afternoon. Enjoy!</i>]<br />
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Speaking of downed tree ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W7K5xTaMvhuzZ8RBo-YQWNlfyh4bJVVh388eGuHFIdQf3x2u2gduXR-uqRcjA4z0bWr24PJIuBQ2Qwfm6pxt4SAHKaDHvP0n1rC_VqYnvXljx-P4uraZ_R1rHPdQaY1gkqUj-eFUb8T-/s1600/t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W7K5xTaMvhuzZ8RBo-YQWNlfyh4bJVVh388eGuHFIdQf3x2u2gduXR-uqRcjA4z0bWr24PJIuBQ2Qwfm6pxt4SAHKaDHvP0n1rC_VqYnvXljx-P4uraZ_R1rHPdQaY1gkqUj-eFUb8T-/s640/t.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut Tree Blown Over and Pulled Up By The Roots and All!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life is what you make it. This year on Monday, Memorial Day, I decided to make it ... succulent. I am talking Slow Roasted Baby Back Ribs with a Bourbon Glaze. My mouth starts to water every time I think about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is not a recipe that you can throw together and eat an hour later. We are talking a few hours here. It is, however, easy to make, but patience has to be your virtue and I guarantee you the pay off is well worth it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0Pi2Tz7Junw6x5Pf9cRwDQOrvbjLgScrzy_1yEXxQaaEb2xoqPoS1torRX8yYdmbsrRMhsHZuOmLIQYdZOaxsZYoSnjH0lzWA8EU6goV2qw4IqWgQ-W_Zgqje0Sp6UlNU6U4fjzcbNWe/s1600/DSCN4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0Pi2Tz7Junw6x5Pf9cRwDQOrvbjLgScrzy_1yEXxQaaEb2xoqPoS1torRX8yYdmbsrRMhsHZuOmLIQYdZOaxsZYoSnjH0lzWA8EU6goV2qw4IqWgQ-W_Zgqje0Sp6UlNU6U4fjzcbNWe/s640/DSCN4205.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dry Rub on the Ribs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At 7:00 a.m. I got the meat out of the refrigerator -- two whole slabs of pork baby back ribs -- rinsed them off, patted them dry and laid them each out on on a jelly roll pan that I had placed a long strip of aluminum foil on (long enough to have about two inches left on each end. Next I began to put together the dry rub. This is simple and easy to do. Five minutes max and you are generously sprinkling it over one side, patting the dry rub in and turning each over to do the same on the other side. Once the dry rub is on, I covered the top of each with aluminum foil and placed them in the refrigerator (on their pans) to rest and soak in the dry rub.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Putting on the braising liquid</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since I had lots of work to do outside, making the time go by in between pampering the ribs, was no problem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I pre-heated the oven to 250 degrees and started mixing up the braising liquid. An hour later, I took the ribs out of the refrigerator and placed it on the counter. I unfolded the top of the foil to expose the long slab of ribs. Next, I took the braising liquid and poured half over each slab, carefully lifting up the ribs from the foil while doing it so that some went underneath the ribs, too. Once this was done, I prudently folded up the foil to make packets to keep the liquid in and placed them in the oven to slow-roast for 2-1/2 hours.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Coming out of the oven after a slow roast and ready for the grill</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I went back outside and tended to my gardens and planted some pots with annuals. Time flew by and before I knew it, it was just about time to take the ribs out of the oven. I went inside and washed up and started mixing up my bourbon glaze. Once completed and my 2-1/2 hours of slow roast time were up, I took the ribs out of the oven and placed them on another pan. I decided to cut each slab into two sections which was just easier to handle when placing on the grill, etc. They already smelled delicious. Now they needed a little extra special touch.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Putting them on the grill</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Off to the grill we went. I fired up my gas grill, lighting my front and back burners on a low to medium heat. Next I took my brush and started swabbing the glaze on one side (a spoon can be used just as easily). Once I had one side done on all, I placed each on the center part of the grill rack, glazed side down, and begin swabbing the top side. I closed the grill and let them grill for a good 7-8 minutes, then turned them over to let the other side grill.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQUPgGdLx-LVsRLi5Ol9XTYv9wE139sfv1fufxda_Kkq_OtfOqgCZMYzGj1EGfUx5f8NtdcvLuY2Qu2j6YSjiX5v9IVvZmEbC_ov6OCgo_b7Av04hy_GvQYD8jt6ondRKHxwoDR2wjrKK/s1600/DSCN4208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQUPgGdLx-LVsRLi5Ol9XTYv9wE139sfv1fufxda_Kkq_OtfOqgCZMYzGj1EGfUx5f8NtdcvLuY2Qu2j6YSjiX5v9IVvZmEbC_ov6OCgo_b7Av04hy_GvQYD8jt6ondRKHxwoDR2wjrKK/s640/DSCN4208.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5-Cheese Creamy Garlic Baby Red Potatoes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the meantime, I set the table, took out of the oven my 5-cheese creamy garlic baby red potatoes that had been baking for a couple hours to let them rest, grabbed my cut up fruit and a tortellini salad leftover from Sunday, some dinner rolls and everything was ready to go by the time I went out to take the ribs off the grill. They had just the right grilled touch to them and I couldn't wait to get to it. By the time I took them inside and let them rest for about 5 minutes, we were ready to plunge in. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ready to come off the grill and into our mouths!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And believe me, these ribs did not disappoint. They had just a nice tinge of of sweetness and spiciness. My hubby does not go for spicy, and these are not. Now, if you wanted to, you could definitely switch this a little bit and go for more of a barbecued flavor instead of the bourbon glaze. Either way, these tender ribs are ready to be eaten however you want to serve them up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have included the recipe below, which is a combination of a few different recipes I found, all put together to my likes. Enjoy!! </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Slow Roasted Baby Back Ribs with a Bourbon Glaze</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 whole slabs pork baby back ribs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">DRY RUB:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">8 T light brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 T kosher salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 T chili powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp chili powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp Caribbean Jerk Seasoning (if you don’t have–use 1 extra tsp chili powder)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp ground thyme</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp onion powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BRAISING LIQUID:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup white wine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 T white wine vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 T Worcestershire sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 T honey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cloves garlic, chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BOURBON GLAZE:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">8 T honey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 cup bourbon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 tsp white wine vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 T Dijon mustard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1-1/2 T molasses</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1-1/2 tsp soy sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1-1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp chili powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">DIRECTIONS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preheat oven to 250 degrees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Place each slab of baby back ribs on a piece of aluminum foil. Sprinkle each side generously with the dry rub. Pat the dry rub into the meat. Refrigerate the ribs for a minimum of 1 hour. In a microwavable container, combine all ingredients for the braising liquid. Microwave on high for 1 minute. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Place the ribs on a baking sheet. Open one end of the foil on each slab and pour half of the braising liquid into each foil packet. Tilt the baking sheet in order to equally distribute the braising liquid. Fold up the aluminum foil around the ribs. Braise the ribs in the oven for 2 1/2 hours. Take out of oven after 2-1/2 hours and place on grill. Brush with bourbon glaze on both sides. Turn once to grill each side for total of 10-15 minutes.</span> </span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-76103027484469224372012-07-30T20:54:00.001-05:002012-07-30T20:54:46.400-05:00Sunday Dinner: Tipsy Chicken Breasts and Triple Cheese Bread<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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When I was growing up, Sunday dinner (lunch) was a big thing. At home on my childhood farm, Sundays usually meant we may have visiting relatives from the city (Madison). So we were always prepared, just in case, which meant a bigger than usual meal. Sometimes, those old habits never die.</div>
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It is Sunday and I have to figure out what is on the menu for today. After contemplating this early morning quagmire, I decided against beef and am going with chicken breasts. Now to format my entire menu and decide what to do with the chicken breasts. </div>
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At last year’s 1st Annual O’Connor Girls Luncheon, one of the breads we were treated to was a cheddar bread which came from Bake UR Own. Since that time, I have been in search of a recipe similar to that or something I can make into my own to serve the same purpose. This recipe popped up and now is the time to try it. What I like to do with recipes which I find or maybe after tasting a particular food I adored, is to either take the recipe (or create a recipe) and create something similar and “make it my own” where I can twist and turn it a little, add this or that, more to my liking. I have had a recipe for a couple weeks for Triple Cheese Bread which I
wanted to try and thought this would be the most opportune time to jump in and see if it is what I am searching for. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgViapDDZdn85JDf_kDZnsJtprAmAuPEma8LU5U7MCBekU2Yx2IBchdcoIi8LMo-fczl1csu88AZfvJLuiIVXstJHpB6bVdWpqbeuozEX7THQRjn1Oih_dOJUod9VI4rTekNnjvePFuGx/s1600/DSCN4895.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgViapDDZdn85JDf_kDZnsJtprAmAuPEma8LU5U7MCBekU2Yx2IBchdcoIi8LMo-fczl1csu88AZfvJLuiIVXstJHpB6bVdWpqbeuozEX7THQRjn1Oih_dOJUod9VI4rTekNnjvePFuGx/s640/DSCN4895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The ingredients are added to the bread machine</span></td></tr>
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I pulled out the bread recipe and my bread maker and set off to get that started. Since this isn’t exactly a one-hour prep-and-ready-to-eat type thing, it needs to be started early in order to be ready for lunch. I have included the recipe below and shared some preparation pictures. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUe8eCWWKndrxldrWMmkB6DB6myfGI47bQlS03dnBHEiMWMQt1RfJ2ZVaYsLotIO6H6wS13GJk5oPLarEhPS4sUgmrL1tBnrgAVdSCjPn5q1b8mH_WXX6eRFt1JSnviHbgEs9hgP6_luh/s1600/DSCN4900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUe8eCWWKndrxldrWMmkB6DB6myfGI47bQlS03dnBHEiMWMQt1RfJ2ZVaYsLotIO6H6wS13GJk5oPLarEhPS4sUgmrL1tBnrgAVdSCjPn5q1b8mH_WXX6eRFt1JSnviHbgEs9hgP6_luh/s640/DSCN4900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The bread maker setting put to "Dough" and now we just let it do its job (for 1 hour and 20 minutes)!</span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIRtkodDspEbhbwLpuiE3pJNVZ8lTsAKFzhxVCSOanmnegEEXlUq20WeoiCJ_rdkc27z8JfRW1YXKIfHzDUzbS1ndeUeM08iRygScXFvtHQ1IzjH4AYzRWhksZJ9DQEXzzL0FOOsnxVA8/s1600/DSCN4902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIRtkodDspEbhbwLpuiE3pJNVZ8lTsAKFzhxVCSOanmnegEEXlUq20WeoiCJ_rdkc27z8JfRW1YXKIfHzDUzbS1ndeUeM08iRygScXFvtHQ1IzjH4AYzRWhksZJ9DQEXzzL0FOOsnxVA8/s640/DSCN4902.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We're out of the bread maker and onto a floured (glass) cutting board to start the hand-kneading process</span></td></tr>
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When the bread maker had completed its initial mixing and kneading, I pulled the dough out and plopped it onto a floured cutting board. The kneading by hand starts now. Time to roll up the sleeves! Eight to ten minutes of hand-kneading may seem like a long time, but it is nothing compared to if we did it all by hand. It is easy to wile away those small minutes once you get into a rhythm.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJCuz-ohLoLkX-CJynC3qlKQ5EL8MVCljNx-FeXK3X_FM0L1EbbRt-ocN40iW7s-GMHAF0LG1fM8j_HyiNN-aLfY_VnPywWetELIQ55RYoHam3msdJf3StesxXsrTTnMtuksg18RDLzcp/s1600/DSCN4910.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJCuz-ohLoLkX-CJynC3qlKQ5EL8MVCljNx-FeXK3X_FM0L1EbbRt-ocN40iW7s-GMHAF0LG1fM8j_HyiNN-aLfY_VnPywWetELIQ55RYoHam3msdJf3StesxXsrTTnMtuksg18RDLzcp/s640/DSCN4910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The dough is put in a bowl to rise some more</span></td></tr>
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When I'm done kneading, into a greased bowl it goes and then gets covered with a warm, wet towel so it can raise some more. Once doubled in size, I can take it out. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXR3cr-9o3kgf_tU8GYAjHT0WfU1FJGGeViRltpOszEdntAqNWFYHG6tvm7UTpgswaocxvkf57CBqqqOiG5ApLnxBBRjVVD11eSkmO7GIK9dPXovO0u2KNHuVyouqgSl6ZrHvFGoBy73M/s1600/DSCN4911.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXR3cr-9o3kgf_tU8GYAjHT0WfU1FJGGeViRltpOszEdntAqNWFYHG6tvm7UTpgswaocxvkf57CBqqqOiG5ApLnxBBRjVVD11eSkmO7GIK9dPXovO0u2KNHuVyouqgSl6ZrHvFGoBy73M/s640/DSCN4911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Here we go to a parchment-lined baking sheet to raise some more before going into the oven</span></td></tr>
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Setting the bowl of dough next to the stove/oven gives the rising process a little extra help. As it is just about doubled in size, I am able to take it out of the bowl, deflate the mound, and cut it into quarters, then each quarter into thirds and fold them over into balls. Placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet, it is then covered with a greased piece of wax paper and off to sit next to the stove/oven again to raise some more. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIpWqaU57VObKT2SzsE29tGBZJio0_Gvu_ooSV7twwM3rqWwQwNYTd_jwfKZRaAQaoFhWx11Y3nYiCu_806u5JITNkbqjd_POHci0t_9Q-BNwnxI8qabTB5jPcqsjLzvg_zmtX2GxPhtD/s1600/DSCN4915.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIpWqaU57VObKT2SzsE29tGBZJio0_Gvu_ooSV7twwM3rqWwQwNYTd_jwfKZRaAQaoFhWx11Y3nYiCu_806u5JITNkbqjd_POHci0t_9Q-BNwnxI8qabTB5jPcqsjLzvg_zmtX2GxPhtD/s640/DSCN4915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Triple Cheese Bread (Rolls)</span></td></tr>
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And here we have the final product! See the flecks of cheddar cheese! It is ohhhhh, so good, but, I confess, not quite there for what I am searching for. Oh, well, I guess, I'll have to keep searching and practicing! (I enjoy practicing!)</div>
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Now, let's hop back to the rest of the Sunday's menu. We are doing mashed potatoes, steamed veggies (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower which will be seasoned with some garlic powder and parsley) for a touch of color to our plate and Chicken Breasts in a Garlic White Wine Cream Sauce. </div>
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The chicken breasts are fairly simple and (just for you) I have included that recipe below. I've peeled the potatoes, put the veggies in the steamer basket/pot and both are placed on the stove to start their road to yumminess. This also helps create a little more heat to give a little extra boost for the rolls in rising. Let's now get started on those chicken breasts. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64DK7Kn2JQIGopMEzLV5jpB_PWeHKj3PYdxXHJi4RyemYgDlXnbT9k6elPUmR5s1snDhDQvT38ynrP6lC9Tk1cwuUoAktsPvtEBStb5pJn-r6LLk_ZIY-6rrZVzabqA5rc91blYeX77Xt/s1600/DSCN4904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64DK7Kn2JQIGopMEzLV5jpB_PWeHKj3PYdxXHJi4RyemYgDlXnbT9k6elPUmR5s1snDhDQvT38ynrP6lC9Tk1cwuUoAktsPvtEBStb5pJn-r6LLk_ZIY-6rrZVzabqA5rc91blYeX77Xt/s640/DSCN4904.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine, Worcestershire Sauce and Butter -- a few of the chicken ingredients</td></tr>
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I've placed four chicken breasts into a frying pan with a little extra virgin olive oil and seasoned them. Once they have started to brown on both sides, I add in some butter and the diced onions and minced garlic. I have to confess (again!!!??!!) that I also added some Rotisserie Chicken seasoning to the chicken breasts. (I can't help myself -- it is my new-found friend in the kitchen!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJQ9pY_MvAbKE7w0P1Gn0WOje5cArS9EgdaIXnfLPo68t3BMu5Ae8I44jkM0FsvnVcAiyIdHeYJ-aUTrL308QbmYhwb6ojsygNA1AOtZKM4qEdwqG_Z73zdAmF87AnMOR3o4mMZfKruA_/s1600/DSCN4905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJQ9pY_MvAbKE7w0P1Gn0WOje5cArS9EgdaIXnfLPo68t3BMu5Ae8I44jkM0FsvnVcAiyIdHeYJ-aUTrL308QbmYhwb6ojsygNA1AOtZKM4qEdwqG_Z73zdAmF87AnMOR3o4mMZfKruA_/s640/DSCN4905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Browning the chicken breasts and sauteing the garlic and onions</span></td></tr>
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When they have browned slightly, I add the wine, let it reduce a little (or as I like to consider it, when I feel the chicky has enjoyed enough of its mid-morning cocktail hour), it is time to add the cream. Because I want to keep this warm and yet cook them a little more, no more cook top; it is off to a 325 degrees oven but not before I top each off with some shredded Romano cheese. (What!!! More cheese??!! Come on! I was born and raised on a dairy farm, and since my hubby and I still dairy farm -- did you expect anything less? haha!) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNIjk60bWRUQ-PuFvOCcpiXfNf3_GeOxbQasaI1qAyAMfPmg6vrakzCQMf1otHkl2vwxr2VR7NwVn-AiFSn95QrWjE202TTjVFftW1LXEKMF88YaQH1MmxrlRjjSDYa9QKWrqUou-yyGv/s1600/DSCN4907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNIjk60bWRUQ-PuFvOCcpiXfNf3_GeOxbQasaI1qAyAMfPmg6vrakzCQMf1otHkl2vwxr2VR7NwVn-AiFSn95QrWjE202TTjVFftW1LXEKMF88YaQH1MmxrlRjjSDYa9QKWrqUou-yyGv/s640/DSCN4907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Breasts Drunk with White Wine are Now Ready to Head to the Oven</td></tr>
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As everything else comes together, I've tucked the rolls into a bread basket and finished the gravy. I just have to take the chicken out of the oven, mash the potatoes, and pull the veggies out of the steamer.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScCG6Vvbh5K5UDsfvoi1nSdkhOKprzXQ6nJ1ejPndmY50W28Q6YuRM-O3VdCOv804rDn4J7t0zjb6R7eD6SCHNnWk6vz21IExHgd_hDydTswqSiFI5TxhtQNpWlcArAKG6F3opTX3NRW5/s1600/DSCN4914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScCG6Vvbh5K5UDsfvoi1nSdkhOKprzXQ6nJ1ejPndmY50W28Q6YuRM-O3VdCOv804rDn4J7t0zjb6R7eD6SCHNnWk6vz21IExHgd_hDydTswqSiFI5TxhtQNpWlcArAKG6F3opTX3NRW5/s640/DSCN4914.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Everything is all set to go . . .</span></td></tr>
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The only thing left to do is plate it up and enjoy another Sunday dinner (lunch)! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mRvKK-doBRARbKi7Vh8FCH73p6NhXK87PhbXXe7MSb-cC0yB60kz05sTjnoM5wGVhLBb4KgHA4DcV4SPg-aiMNx_eM3LgQdhyphenhyphen0C5ZvMNXJ0JCTt27nkCZasS4hAQSbcMNoKIe6R4wZS-/s1600/DSCN4921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mRvKK-doBRARbKi7Vh8FCH73p6NhXK87PhbXXe7MSb-cC0yB60kz05sTjnoM5wGVhLBb4KgHA4DcV4SPg-aiMNx_eM3LgQdhyphenhyphen0C5ZvMNXJ0JCTt27nkCZasS4hAQSbcMNoKIe6R4wZS-/s640/DSCN4921.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Did you forget? I'm the butter gal; Bob gets the gravy.</span></td></tr>
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I hope you get a chance to try these recipes and enjoy them as much as I did (and will some more in the very near future)!</div>
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Here are the recipes for the chicken and the rolls:</div>
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<div style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><u>Chicken in Garlic White Wine Cream Sauce</u></b></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b> </div>
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4 boneless skinless chicken breasts </div>
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2 tablespoons olive oil </div>
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1/2 cup onions, chopped </div>
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3 minced garlic cloves </div>
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5 -6 fresh mushrooms, sliced (I didn't have any mushrooms on hand so didn't use them)</div>
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1/4 cup butter </div>
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1/4 cup white wine </div>
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1 dash Worcestershire sauce </div>
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1 pint cream ( heavy or light) </div>
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salt and pepper </div>
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1 teaspoon basil </div>
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1 teaspoon parsley </div>
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<b>Directions</b></div>
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*Lightly brown both sides of chicken in olive oil. </div>
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*Add onion, garlic, mushrooms, and butter and saute about 4-5 minutes until onions start to become translucent. </div>
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*Add wine and Worcestershire sauce and cook an additional 2 minutes. </div>
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*Lower heat and add cream, salt, pepper, basil, and parsley. </div>
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*Too high of heat will cause the cream to curdle. </div>
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*Simmer on low 20-25 minutes until done. </div>
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<div style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><u>Triple Cheese Bread</u></b></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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3/4 cup water</div>
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2 tsps. Yeast</div>
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3 cups flour</div>
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2 T. sugar</div>
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1-1/2 tsps. salt</div>
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</div>
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2 T. butter, soft</div>
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</div>
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½ cup shredded cheddar cheese</div>
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½ cup cottage cheese (or if no cottage cheese on hand, use sour cream)</div>
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese</div>
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<b>Directions</b> </div>
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Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water. Add the remaining ingredients and mix and knead by hand, in your mixer, or in your bread machine on the dough cycle to make a soft dough.</div>
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Turn onto a floured board and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled. About 45 minutes.</div>
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Deflate the dough, form it into a 9" log and place it in a greased 9x5 loaf pan. Cover loosely with greased plastic and let rise until the bread domes an inch above the rim of the pan. </div>
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If making dinner rolls, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape into rolls. Place the rolls on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with greased plastic and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes or so.</div>
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Bake the risen dough in a preheated 350 F oven for 20-25 minutes for rolls; 30-35 minutes for a loaf.</div>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-5761081481314487182012-07-29T10:55:00.004-05:002012-07-29T10:57:57.026-05:00Tonight It Is Chicken Alfredo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>[First off, I have to apologize, that I am breaking my own rule as far as posting something new before I finish my NY trip. Obviously, I haven't finished the last of my posts regarding that, but here goes a new one off that subject. I have a few sitting and waiting for me to post and I need to get on with them and finish up the The Big Apple trip when I can. Hope you enjoy! The New Day Everyday Woman Has Returned to Her Roots!]</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What’s fun about coming home at night after a grueling day at the office and one of the first dilemmas you face is, what’s for supper? When you are the supper-maker, it falls on your shoulders to figure it out. A lot of the time when I am stumped, I will unfortunately ask my husband what he wants. I usually, I’m sorry, I always get the same answer – I don’t care. But he does. He will moan, make faces – much like a 6-year-old when told he has to eat his spinach before he can have some ice cream -- and then say "again?" Okay, well at least I made the first step in asking him. He will tell you he would eat pizza every night, but truly admittedly he won’t – unless it is Rocky Rococo’s. Consequently, I’m left to the task of answering the age-old question. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be that as it may, even though I am arm-loaded with a vast library full of cookbooks (I’m not kidding here either – I have more than 120 hardcover recipe books, plus many, many soft cover cookbooks, AND my own collection of large binders, sorted by food type, which contains probably 1,000+ recipes), I still have problems trying to get creative on any given night. I have tried the route of planning, cooking on the weekend and then pulling it out to serve like I had cooked all day long ala June Cleaver; but the pretty picture just isn’t that pretty in reality. My hubby is picky, although he will say he isn’t, and to be perfectly honest, sometimes I’m not in the mood for whatever is planned for that evening. So, instead I capitulate to my yearnings to decipher what it should be tonight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The other night, after some contemplation and not much time, it was Chicken Alfredo. Sometimes I will have some leftover chicken to use for this recipe, but it just so happened after a recent trip to the store, I had picked up a package of deli-roasted Oscar Mayer chicken breast pieces. This is one of the easiest ingredients to use for Chicken Alfredo. The rest is up to you on how you want serve it. Egg noodles seem to be a big staple in my house. My husband tends to like them better than fettuccine noodles, angel hair, etc. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyusPU9A6eJbz4JQtlSxncj-QN0egQ7sg7_kziPrR4gJewBrNBwfmd23X8xSESFyqCjXJ21f89zwfQDvy4NBTqvW0h8TEv_q9sqytcmU55XIJy_gVJHSZ5inPRn8TILF7aurL1EVAxOcF/s1600/Chick+Alfredo+7-26-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyusPU9A6eJbz4JQtlSxncj-QN0egQ7sg7_kziPrR4gJewBrNBwfmd23X8xSESFyqCjXJ21f89zwfQDvy4NBTqvW0h8TEv_q9sqytcmU55XIJy_gVJHSZ5inPRn8TILF7aurL1EVAxOcF/s640/Chick+Alfredo+7-26-12.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will confess to you now, unless I am forced to measure out pasta, when it comes to my recipes, they are usually measured by handfuls, or jar full. My pasta when bought is then opened and placed into containers for storage. And that is how I tend to know how much to put into any given recipe.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this case, I put on a large pot of water, salted (hmmmm....good tablespoon), brought to a boil and then dumped in about 4 good handfuls of noodles. As that was cooking, I placed a small frying pan on the stove, turned to medium heat, added about a tablespoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and then placed the whole package of deli chicken pieces in to warm. Any larger pieces, I cut down to size. Next eventually turning the heat to medium low. After the noodles were cooked, I placed them in a colander to drain (do not rinse!). Using the same pot, I placed the butter and cream cheese to melt over medium low heat; then began adding the cream/milk and other ingredients. Once okay to taste, I placed the noodles in to coat and then added the chicken; placed in a serving bowl and then sprinkled with paprika.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One side note to this recipe – I sometimes use real garlic, taking cloves and mincing them and then sauteing in EVOO. In this case with lack of time, I use the garlic powder which is a big, big staple in my kitchen for fast recipes.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Total time spent for this meal – 30 minutes. Not bad for timing and until the end, I wasn’t slaving over the stove making this either. Below is my alfredo sauce recipe. Enjoy!
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u><strong>Alfredo Sauce</strong></u>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">½ cup butter, melted
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 pkg (8 oz.) Cream cheese, room temp. (or put in a microwave for 1 minute)</span><br />
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2 cups half-and-half (or I used skim milk to reduce the fat)
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 T. garlic powder (or 2 garlic cloves, minced, sauteed)</span><br />
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½ tsp. Black pepper
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp. Perfect Pinch Rotisserie Chicken seasoning </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">salt to taste</span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-44752918242778208502012-06-27T18:30:00.000-05:002012-06-27T19:01:13.679-05:00The Big Apple: Day 4, Part 4, 2nd Portion of AMNH -- Ackley Hall of South African Mammals<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
We have left the reptile hall (<i>not that I did or wanted to spend much time in there -- my least favorite creatures!</i>) and are heading back to the Ackley Hall of South African Mammals. While we are visiting this Hall, I thought it might be fun to give you some fun facts about some of the animals, not all, but a few. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzGffz-BIxjdQT75KDJbvq0GFsv6iCoN5Z05qw-aV24tHbx1wyOeli5MirLFOmrw96QfKioliCwYnoFGMnFWwLeyXmjOW5r3F__E50XK6m8R063xRm5DImmKtVbuUVbZEcnTvSLm9zZY6/s1600/2-elephant.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzGffz-BIxjdQT75KDJbvq0GFsv6iCoN5Z05qw-aV24tHbx1wyOeli5MirLFOmrw96QfKioliCwYnoFGMnFWwLeyXmjOW5r3F__E50XK6m8R063xRm5DImmKtVbuUVbZEcnTvSLm9zZY6/s400/2-elephant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Elephant Display</td></tr>
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One of the displays that I truly loved the most had to be this first set of pictures -- the <span style="color: red;">elephants</span>. It was so neat how they had them displayed. So proudly walking in line as if they were doing a migration journey. As you walked around this huge display, you see the care and detail with which they took to capture the large mammals in action. And so cute was the way the little one had his trunk wrapped around the larger's (I assume Momma) trunk.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNxrwzIOFrqyCCrZCN87I6iQIYLM-3fGGCGAfTDVk2cHRakVxw_q3GssbaBm4gYQQoDSv1oI8ceNAvp2zLHH3fkbr3Qommyxbg3wsFRGkFLxswR2bLBcjofjkVP4wWY7BfnrF4voU2vDV/s1600/2A-elephant+herd.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNxrwzIOFrqyCCrZCN87I6iQIYLM-3fGGCGAfTDVk2cHRakVxw_q3GssbaBm4gYQQoDSv1oI8ceNAvp2zLHH3fkbr3Qommyxbg3wsFRGkFLxswR2bLBcjofjkVP4wWY7BfnrF4voU2vDV/s320/2A-elephant+herd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Display</td></tr>
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Since I loved this display so much, I thought I would share some fun facts about elephants. As they are the largest living land animals on Earth, their gestation period is 22 months which is longest of any land animal. They typically live for 50-70 years. A calf typically weighs 230 lbs. at birth. An adult normally weighs around 230 lbs; the largest male (every recorded) weighed in at 24,000 lbs. They are considered a symbol of wisdom in Asian cultures. Elephants are famous for their memory and intelligence.</div>
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Their trunks are used for drinking as they suck water up into the trunk (approximately 15 quarts) and then blow it into their mouths. They also use their trunks for social interactions such as greeting each other by entwining their trunks, like a handshake, caressing during courting and mom/child interactions, or in play-wrestling. They will also use their trunks to defend themselves. It is also relied upon for its highly developed sense of smell. An elephants skin is inordinately thick (1 inch). They can swim well, cannot trot, jump or gallop but have two gaits – a walk and a swifter walk comparable to running, of which is normally about 8 mph but have been reported to reach up to 25 mph. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjjaZ9Dsn4d949DFgJufB3z_RYgmII0OesWyIirBE1dLKKDSlEkcnmvhsF1JZr5ntsz3psQz6HlJ9XJzLc_6iQd5lIvSiNYhtyv2EAplkL1XItfH01RIel_GDdmVaNKkLbgOG0LYrLxJK/s1600/2B-elephants.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjjaZ9Dsn4d949DFgJufB3z_RYgmII0OesWyIirBE1dLKKDSlEkcnmvhsF1JZr5ntsz3psQz6HlJ9XJzLc_6iQd5lIvSiNYhtyv2EAplkL1XItfH01RIel_GDdmVaNKkLbgOG0LYrLxJK/s320/2B-elephants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Living in a very structured social order, the males and females' social lives are different. Females spend their time in family groups consisting of mothers, daughters, aunts and sisters, led by the eldest female, while males live a solitary life. While the females interact with other families or clans, they remain enormously aware of which localized herds are related and which are not. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Next up, the famously-decked-out-in-stripes zebra. </span> </i></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Zebras</span> are part of the African equids (horse family) species. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds. The common plains zebra is about 50–52 inches at the shoulder with a body ranging from 6–8.5 feet long with a foot-and-a-half long tail. With males slightly bigger than females, a zebra can weigh up to 770 pounds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgQNnK9M6JWna6gq4-6vrkdx6EtSSGi6QmtX2OB4dUyciv-onGaObAwOgGbXI9AU3CW8ix41YwPyxjXH3zLiFWERyV5QSwqM5d_0M2fTTV8KaI1qDYT6Ersk4RQjCv0Mv6_7Em_GsMut1/s1600/3-zebra.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgQNnK9M6JWna6gq4-6vrkdx6EtSSGi6QmtX2OB4dUyciv-onGaObAwOgGbXI9AU3CW8ix41YwPyxjXH3zLiFWERyV5QSwqM5d_0M2fTTV8KaI1qDYT6Ersk4RQjCv0Mv6_7Em_GsMut1/s400/3-zebra.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Zebras have excellent eyesight. It is believed that they can see in color. Along with an acute sense of smell and taste, they have excellent hearing, and can turn their ears in almost any direction. Like horses, they sleep standing up, and only sleep when neighbors are around to warn them of predators.</div>
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Zebras communicate with each other with high pitched barks and whinnying. Grevy's zebras make mule-like brays. A zebra's ears signify its mood. When a zebra is in a calm, tense or friendly mood, its ears stand erect. When it is frightened, its ears are pushed forward. When angry, the ears are pulled backward. When surveying an area for predators, zebras will stand in an alert posture; with ears erect, head held high, and staring. When tense they will also snort. When a predator is spotted or sensed, a zebra will bark (or bray) loudly.</div>
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Have you ever heard of a koodoo? The <span style="color: red;">kudus, or koodoo</span>, are two species of antelope: Lesser Koodoo and Greater Koodoo. Here are some interesting facts about koodoos. Male koodoos live a solitary life and can be found in bachelor groups, leaving only to mate. As is always the case with males (haha!), dominance plays also plays a part in the lives. It is not long-standing, but to display his sway, he will make himself look big by making his hair stand on end. Also intriguing about the males is when they have a face-off, they will lock their horns in a competition to determine the stronger puller but sadly sometimes two competing males are unable to unlock their horns and, if unable to disengage, will die of starvation or dehydration. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzC494O-Y1SxyQM139GJlBSM7JG-JVqBM7jV8U3DDEgl3M_st6k-4Eb3P-HUVwmYIqeBFU_SYgJvGYJuwdYApE9D7F0ZfpMg6MRbaWCiNxG7EyFQyQpxCxPCFYD39AeDuoL9iPs4xC2K6/s1600/5-koodoo.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzC494O-Y1SxyQM139GJlBSM7JG-JVqBM7jV8U3DDEgl3M_st6k-4Eb3P-HUVwmYIqeBFU_SYgJvGYJuwdYApE9D7F0ZfpMg6MRbaWCiNxG7EyFQyQpxCxPCFYD39AeDuoL9iPs4xC2K6/s400/5-koodoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Pregnant females will leave the herd to give birth to a single offspring which she will leave lying hidden for four to five, coming back only to nurse. The calf will then start having intermediate meetings with its mamma and at 3-4 months of age will be with its mother constantly. </div>
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And the last little tidbit about koodoos; the koodoo horn, a musical instrument made from the horn of the kudoo antelope, is sometimes used as a shofar in Jewish ceremonies, mainly at Rosh HaShanah, to announce the beginning of holidays; or in Biblical times to signify the start of war. </div>
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Who can't be amused by these next amazing creatures! The<span style="color: red;"> giraffe, <span style="color: black;">noted for its extremely long neck and legs stands at 16-20 feet tall with an average weight of 3,500 lbs. for males and 1,800 lbs. for females. </span></span>The males in this mammal species establish their social rankings through "necking", which are combat bouts where the neck is used as a weapon. The dominant male is the one who gains mating access to females.</div>
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With its front legs slightly longer than its hind legs, a giraffe has only two gaits: walking and galloping. While galloping, it can reach a speed up to 37 mph. The long neck results from a disproportionate lengthening of the cervical vertebrae, not from the addition of more vertebrae which largely takes place after birth, as mom giraffes would have a taxing time giving birth to babies with the same neck proportions as adults. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YY7hZ3cIRoQAAqd5Ll6KYjdpB9LDCEv9e_lOVsTqd23INo5ZW_aXA8e-jqm9b7zB_RX6x5MK7CzCz7keuZpSjx-9LAZTWCV3lnUxj8Q2Pdnjiq-I-lLNrgo02E9IRc0fedWNZkU4o8a9/s1600/6-okapi.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YY7hZ3cIRoQAAqd5Ll6KYjdpB9LDCEv9e_lOVsTqd23INo5ZW_aXA8e-jqm9b7zB_RX6x5MK7CzCz7keuZpSjx-9LAZTWCV3lnUxj8Q2Pdnjiq-I-lLNrgo02E9IRc0fedWNZkU4o8a9/s400/6-okapi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okapi</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Now, the <span style="color: red;">okapi</span>, bears striped markings impressionistic of zebras, instead of its cousin, the giraffe. Their striking horizontal white stripes on the front and back legs, are thought to possibly help young follow their mothers through the dense rain forest and may also serve as camouflage. With their body shape similar to the giraffe, without the extremely long neck, okapis have very long (approximately 14 inches), flexible, blue tongues that they use to strip leaves from trees and with which it can also wash its eyelids and clean its ears (inside and out). I guess they certainly don't need a Q-tip! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Like the koodoo, the okapi males are also solitary animals coming together only to breed. Not social animals, they prefer to live in large, secluded areas. To mark their territory, besides urine marking, the okapi has scent glands on each foot that produce a tar-like substance which allow them to communicate to others "no trespassing." </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dRvovqQRyt3Jsut0ZSWAzoK60ohrgemOl_INGdH-FC4IFZ5EYLhX9irtLYYMnt6KoJYpP1kQs0BUlBUA22hspMsZ_CPC107SOMN0rNQfRgxdPAjBw-UheN3Fog0MxYF7KpoB-ePcewTz/s1600/7-gorilla.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dRvovqQRyt3Jsut0ZSWAzoK60ohrgemOl_INGdH-FC4IFZ5EYLhX9irtLYYMnt6KoJYpP1kQs0BUlBUA22hspMsZ_CPC107SOMN0rNQfRgxdPAjBw-UheN3Fog0MxYF7KpoB-ePcewTz/s320/7-gorilla.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gorilla</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Gorilla</span> time: Gorillas are considered to be the closest relative to humans besides chimpanzees. On average, human genes differ only 1.6% from their corresponding gorilla genes. Silverbacks (adult males) range in height from 5'5"– 5'9" and weigh in at approximately 310–440 lbs. Females, on the other hand, are about half the size of a silverback averaging about 4'7" tall and 220 lbs. Largely a herbivore, it is known that gorillas rarely drink water because they consume succulent, or water-retaining, plants, especially those with the morning dew on them. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FwTbaG4COAstRNJ7IyB09jHT7wHkYByZ1CFjb7MMRMdB6BzWpCFVCm514PakWguER1zKUGo8VUlHrru9e91xybNHaEBFbfUFXZ_GnxLYub1ffuWS2MSi-LfYJGIed7GI_77GnsURT5Ae/s1600/8-gorilla.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FwTbaG4COAstRNJ7IyB09jHT7wHkYByZ1CFjb7MMRMdB6BzWpCFVCm514PakWguER1zKUGo8VUlHrru9e91xybNHaEBFbfUFXZ_GnxLYub1ffuWS2MSi-LfYJGIed7GI_77GnsURT5Ae/s320/8-gorilla.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Gorilla</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Impala</span> (below): The impala, a medium-sized antelope, is thought to be plentiful with numbers of up to two million in Africa. They are on average around 3 feet tall weighing about 88-188 lbs with females slightly smaller at around 66-110 lbs. What I find unique about the impala is that while they stay near water in the dry season, they can go weeks without drinking if there is enough green coarse vegetation. Leopards, cheetahs, lions and wild dogs prey on impala. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAX5ptTw1dOVYAG0vWs7aHCT2qnSqSDPltxQZPoHMYyGTesvdG8c3BlfHqVXSmOpDjsnBCgEgiy7IJ88biRx1Ri_DH_F_w9MrEoB7voWJSf-cEHQevXL3DtpkM2yzMyDsAa9G3QOXcFq1/s1600/26-impala+deer.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAX5ptTw1dOVYAG0vWs7aHCT2qnSqSDPltxQZPoHMYyGTesvdG8c3BlfHqVXSmOpDjsnBCgEgiy7IJ88biRx1Ri_DH_F_w9MrEoB7voWJSf-cEHQevXL3DtpkM2yzMyDsAa9G3QOXcFq1/s320/26-impala+deer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Impala</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Females and their young will form herds with numbers up to 200 individuals. Similar to what I have seen on TV documentaries about lion prides, adult males will establish territories and while females will seek out territories with the best food resources, territorial males will round up any female herds that enter and chase away any bachelor males that are following; even sometimes chasing away recently weaned males. Very domineering, a male impala will try to prevent any female from leaving his territory. However, if food resources are low, as during the dry season, territories will be abandoned as herds have to travel farther in search of food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Leopards, cheetahs, lions and wild dogs prey on the impala. However, the impala has an incomparable defense technique wherein if they are frightened, the whole herd will start to leap about to confuse their predators. To escape these predators, they can reach running speeds of up to 56 mph, can jump spans of more than 33 feet and 9 feet in height. When escaping and to keep their herd together they perform a high kick of their hind legs, in which they release a scent from the glands in their heels. What marvelous little idiosyncrasies Mother Nature has bestowed on some of her creative works! </span><br />
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<i style="color: #38761d;">Let's now travel from a smaller creature to a couple of more magnificent girth. </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilffx6KXQkLnH6y48L5YapwNyfGXVQ7RUTKN0-RPU5fbBJ9DTcCUC3pPIvyUsNM93P9dSQ5QcbsvkD-B-vHbOd9IoFcMhwzeF2jBWtPnrtbCHCZj6T2H4jNL-XZTiir9jQ0raS9DkBCWdH/s1600/27-white+rhino.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilffx6KXQkLnH6y48L5YapwNyfGXVQ7RUTKN0-RPU5fbBJ9DTcCUC3pPIvyUsNM93P9dSQ5QcbsvkD-B-vHbOd9IoFcMhwzeF2jBWtPnrtbCHCZj6T2H4jNL-XZTiir9jQ0raS9DkBCWdH/s400/27-white+rhino.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">White Rhinoceros</span></td></tr>
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The <span style="color: red;">rhinoceros</span>: Did you know that there was such a thing as a white rhino and a black rhino? Well, there is, so let's explore some of the differences; or are there any? The black rhino is smaller than the white rhino and has a pointed and prehensile upper lip, which it uses to grasp leaves and twigs when feeding, rightly adapted for browsing. The white rhinoceros has square lips used for eating grass, conversely adapted for grazing. The black rhinoceros can also be distinguished from the white rhinoceros by its size, smaller skull, and ears; and by the position of the head, which is held higher than the white rhinoceros, since the black rhinoceros is a browser and not a grazer. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">White rhinos -</span>- The white rhinoceros is the largest of the five species of rhinoceros and the world's largest land mammal after the three species of elephant. The largest white rhino ever recorded weighed in at 9,900 lbs.! The color of the body ranges from yellowish brown to slate grey. Its only hair is the ear fringes and tail bristles. Its ears can move independently to pick up sounds but it depends most of all on smell. The olfactory passages which are responsible for smell are larger than their entire brain. The white rhinoceros has the widest set nostrils of any land based animal. White rhinos are divided into two sub-species: northern and southern. The northern white rhino is virtually extinct with, as of 2011, only five known living on this entire planet. In 2008, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008, the southern white, on the other hand, <b></b>was estimated to have 17,480 living in the wild, making them the most abundant subspecies of rhino in the world.</div>
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<i>Okay, so here is an icebreaker line to use at parties. What is a herd of rhinos called? A crash! </i>White rhinoceroses live in crashes of up to 14 animals (usually mostly female). While most adult males are solitary, lower ranking, or subordinate, adult males will congregate, often in partnership with an adult female. I've spoke in this post about other dominant males, marking their territory and mating of different animals. Another new, or somewhat used system, dominant rhino bulls also mark their territory with excrement and urine, but with a little twist. They will lay their feces, or dung, well defined piles, sometimes as many 20 to 30 of piles to notify passing rhinoceroses that this is his territory. Another manner of marking their territory they employ is before urine spraying, the adult male will wipe his horns on bushes or the ground and scrape with his feet. The kicker -- they do this around 10 times an hour while patrolling their territory. The same ritual as urine marking except without spraying is also commonly used. The territorial male will scrape-mark every 98 feet or so around its territory boundary. Lower ranking males do not mark territory. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftEwlm5fOMULf58qgGSxY2nkinWa7uy2snt5IBtBbrAhwVmARvUSTRcxjG-fER8R5yAdC-16hNLX5Y3faKTRBtPjdiJKf4aOOVH_7wc4BV5r3gPk7n_E-oaTA_t3gOiy1fQN9FPQx2CkU/s1600/28-black+rhino.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftEwlm5fOMULf58qgGSxY2nkinWa7uy2snt5IBtBbrAhwVmARvUSTRcxjG-fER8R5yAdC-16hNLX5Y3faKTRBtPjdiJKf4aOOVH_7wc4BV5r3gPk7n_E-oaTA_t3gOiy1fQN9FPQx2CkU/s400/28-black+rhino.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Black Rhinoceros</span></td></tr>
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And what about the <span style="color: red;">Black Rhinoceros</span>? They are differentiated by their narrow pointed mouth (in contrast to the white's wide mouth). Although it is referred to as the black rhino, it is actually more of a grey/brown/white color in appearance. </div>
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There are four recognized subspecies of the black rhinoceros: South-central, South-western, East African, and West African. However, in November 2011, the IUCN declared the Western Black Rhinoceros extinct. The entire black rhinos species have been pushed to the brink of extinction by illegal poaching for their horn, and to a lesser extent by loss of habitat. A major market for rhino horn has historically been in the Arab nations to make ornately carved handles for ceremonial daggers called <i>jambiyas</i>. The horn is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is said by herbalists to be able to revive comatose patients, cure fevers, and aid male sexual stamina and fertility. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4St_C3ZtwGrBxqTn7bLaa3WP0NtEDomWiXgAo_fb-Esz-tUE1DbyIvJobnoi8a-EDBOt7anjpGgvwRkmA9zmGi4XKdDCr3ZGBtJa_VMcgzhdmtvvgBeFVQMRptsLiXkSAVMv6uu1nY5H6/s1600/29-white+tailed+colosus.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4St_C3ZtwGrBxqTn7bLaa3WP0NtEDomWiXgAo_fb-Esz-tUE1DbyIvJobnoi8a-EDBOt7anjpGgvwRkmA9zmGi4XKdDCr3ZGBtJa_VMcgzhdmtvvgBeFVQMRptsLiXkSAVMv6uu1nY5H6/s320/29-white+tailed+colosus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Black-and-white colobuses</span><b>: </b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This herbivorous species of monkey eats leaves, fruit, flowers, and twigs. As for their habitat, they can be found more in higher density logged forests than in other primary forests. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Colobuses live in territorial groups of approximately nine individuals, based upon a single male with a number of females and their offspring. Newborn colobuses are completely white. And you have heard that it takes a village to raise a child? Well, in the colobuses' neighborhood allomothering appears to be going on. This means that members of the troop other than the infant's biological mother care for it.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It seems are races are a lot closer in things than we realize. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One
other thing, colobuses are important for seed dispersal in the forests
which they accomplish through their sloppy eating habits as well as
through their digestive system. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ostrich</span></td></tr>
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A "trip" to South Africa wouldn't be complete if we didn't touch on one more animal - the <span style="color: red;">ostrich</span>. </div>
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The Ostrich is one of two species of large flightless birds native to Africa. It has a distinctive appearance with its long neck and legs, and with the fastest land speed of any bird, it can run at maximum speeds of 43 mph. Other “records” the ostrich has set are that it is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any living bird. Their eyes are also said to be the largest of any land vertebrate. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpK8SAjbel0jyyh0573c9nFDoCUjebzV4e_HuuDoK0vU2D-B50jn_NXArb7vfUAbyGDdmBJ99nOezfexHSoGEHb7cCZxeL44fh1q_5QzBuY6qvM31vGtLLEXI8TUbYRVwggpq8fbzugMmm/s1600/bost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpK8SAjbel0jyyh0573c9nFDoCUjebzV4e_HuuDoK0vU2D-B50jn_NXArb7vfUAbyGDdmBJ99nOezfexHSoGEHb7cCZxeL44fh1q_5QzBuY6qvM31vGtLLEXI8TUbYRVwggpq8fbzugMmm/s400/bost.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Baby Ostriches and Ostrich Eggs</span></td></tr>
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Mating amongst ostriches is a death-defying act, literally! Territorial
males fight for a harem of two to seven females, and these fights, which
usually last only minutes, are usually a fight to the death match as they
can easily cause death through slamming their heads into opposing
males. If threatened, an ostrich can be considered a flight or fight
creature. It will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground
or run away, or if cornered it will kick with its powerful legs. An
average ostrich will weigh around 140-290 lbs. The males are mostly
black with white primary feathers and a white tail. Females and young
males, on the other hand, are greyish-brown and white. <br />
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At maturity, males can reach from 5'11" to 9'2" in height, while females
range from 5'7" to 6'7" and can reach an age of 40-45 years. One other fact, contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in sand. </div>
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This will now conclude our tour of some of the South African animals found in the Ackley Hall of South African Mammals. I hope you enjoyed learning a little about some of these mammals along the way. </div>
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Our next stop will be in t<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">he fourth-floor halls which include the <u>Hall of Vertebrate Origins</u>, <u>Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs</u>
(recognized by their grasping hand, long mobile neck, and the
downward/forward position of the pubis bone, they are forerunners of the
modern bird), <u>Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs</u> (defined for a pubic bone that points toward the back), <u>Hall of Primitive Mammals</u>, and <u>Hall of Advanced Mammals</u>. These you will find just as interesting, too. So, if you are not yet bored, next up . . . dinosaurs. </span></div>
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-49875031852071589632012-06-07T18:30:00.000-05:002012-06-11T10:51:34.866-05:00The Big Apple: Day 4, Part 3: AMNH -- Reptiles<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: red;">Where to start, where to start? <span style="color: black;">Oh, yes, continuing the tour, we are back in the Upper west side of Manhattan. First, as you can see below, we got off the subway at the underground entrance into the American Museum of Natural History. This is such a quick and easy way to enter. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNdjG5BpcJrPoUd6i2Mfb5V1n3JX-F1NUtgXIVqeZ9LxFriUsyUo2j_sQU4qWaX3JPI2eh-nmhZUguzZQYBvqP9xfKVAFyVea1g7mjN4tm16TUYetFvA9lHNbmtdeARZsSgyoguUaFF6L/s1600/1-museum+ent.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNdjG5BpcJrPoUd6i2Mfb5V1n3JX-F1NUtgXIVqeZ9LxFriUsyUo2j_sQU4qWaX3JPI2eh-nmhZUguzZQYBvqP9xfKVAFyVea1g7mjN4tm16TUYetFvA9lHNbmtdeARZsSgyoguUaFF6L/s640/1-museum+ent.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: blue; text-align: center;"> Subway entrance </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Even though when we came back on this fourth day of my great adventure, we started out in the South African animal section, I think we will start in the reptile section (get that over with !!) and then head to the African animals.</div>
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I will only show you a few of what we saw -- some of what I would declare to be the most interesting ones. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREmlLNI-IaCVdv9ZBwcZ7eJc-kUw8YDMHzikdQy4VaJuC3cCJfvIihCJ7cYB1R13mXRVsMjGhGGVO-YXdsZhPa3JmJm0rE-mKrzwkNx4prTIXk6LCB_V9twQ42NViT50fV-GaLwGsw5AI/s1600/9-alligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREmlLNI-IaCVdv9ZBwcZ7eJc-kUw8YDMHzikdQy4VaJuC3cCJfvIihCJ7cYB1R13mXRVsMjGhGGVO-YXdsZhPa3JmJm0rE-mKrzwkNx4prTIXk6LCB_V9twQ42NViT50fV-GaLwGsw5AI/s320/9-alligator.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DhslHjCIHeu9KB5ZGDrCJQReh7l9YwZHD4ns2GTV60aViVchyphenhyphenCqBy7IDtsDh7qVvuqTG9te5WCQjNg7c_o93LYNdl7ZFLoMJSLmdQvpVAHbrG4jPUkQXiBOJ_JDcWiO_IZLeKPzwNVGP/s1600/10-tortoise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DhslHjCIHeu9KB5ZGDrCJQReh7l9YwZHD4ns2GTV60aViVchyphenhyphenCqBy7IDtsDh7qVvuqTG9te5WCQjNg7c_o93LYNdl7ZFLoMJSLmdQvpVAHbrG4jPUkQXiBOJ_JDcWiO_IZLeKPzwNVGP/s320/10-tortoise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tortoise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGjjTnoA4KY5VH7lpf8Ax7TD2oTaIEUXx8QaXaatGDe2pPg_FGI3u3QZBTaTB97sqyZqSguDJSrXqbJdTJO9xTo3xxfPvGGZaMOMjvlRHI7IB4dhF1UZyPyP2cljdMs19-bXwpzntCYDC/s1600/11-japanese+giant+salamander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGjjTnoA4KY5VH7lpf8Ax7TD2oTaIEUXx8QaXaatGDe2pPg_FGI3u3QZBTaTB97sqyZqSguDJSrXqbJdTJO9xTo3xxfPvGGZaMOMjvlRHI7IB4dhF1UZyPyP2cljdMs19-bXwpzntCYDC/s320/11-japanese+giant+salamander.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Salamander</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The Alligator</span> -- Frightening? Heck yes! Even though it is dead and/or stuffed, I am glad it was in a glass case because with those jaws open, it is still very, very intimidating no matter what! </div>
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<span style="color: red;">The Giant Tortoise</span>: Often reaching enormous size—they can weigh as much as 660 lbs. and can grow to be 4 feet long. Giant tortoises are among the world's longest-living animals, with an average lifespan of 100 years or more. A zoo Australia is reported to have a giant tortoise that passed away in 2006 at the ripe old age of 176 years. But, not to be outdone, amazingly, a long-lived Aldabra giant tortoise named Adwaita died at Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata, West Bengal, also in the year 2006. Brought to the zoo in the 1870's, it was thought to have been around 255 years old when he died. Because these tortoises were caught and killed for food
in such large quantities, they became virtually extinct by 1900.
Giant tortoises are now under strict conservation laws and are
categorized as threatened species.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLbaUkhrYP3PTbOIKW3UFrKhsiligVuPN3azZr7XfTkhcFWnSktKAqMLTvtl4TBqID6brrElA4orXVD6LlrmEPXrK2pZv8QOeTZyt9QkzeLIxlbRNmTA-KxGNBoGpV_fwRNwUbw6Dfsv2/s1600/12-komodo+dragon+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLbaUkhrYP3PTbOIKW3UFrKhsiligVuPN3azZr7XfTkhcFWnSktKAqMLTvtl4TBqID6brrElA4orXVD6LlrmEPXrK2pZv8QOeTZyt9QkzeLIxlbRNmTA-KxGNBoGpV_fwRNwUbw6Dfsv2/s320/12-komodo+dragon+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Komodo Dragon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TxisTMGILpu1os_ndfkrxJd7vhNQK6I3vR_Bo9gdIpqB3BBf6Sqot6FS49f4YY262D5cFUwUr_q_uc-e056-_R3lBZKdBjMnV6DdgkXv3J8QE2eoKXC_vbgl2R_Qn9JDNZe6e7DksPzy/s1600/14-komodo+dragon+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TxisTMGILpu1os_ndfkrxJd7vhNQK6I3vR_Bo9gdIpqB3BBf6Sqot6FS49f4YY262D5cFUwUr_q_uc-e056-_R3lBZKdBjMnV6DdgkXv3J8QE2eoKXC_vbgl2R_Qn9JDNZe6e7DksPzy/s320/14-komodo+dragon+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding time for the dragons</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The Giant Salamander:</span> Not the prettiest looking creature, giant salamanders are large aquatic amphibians who can be found in brooks and ponds in China, Japan and even eastern United States. </div>
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They have been known to reach a size as great as 6 - 1/2 feet in length.
Not getting into the age record books as much as the giant tortoise, Chinese Giant Salamanders have lived as long as a respectable 75 years in captivity. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">Komodo Dragon</span>: As long as we are on the subject of ugly, here is another unattractive creature -- the Komodo dragon. A large species of lizard, Komodo dragons are found in the Indonesian islands. Although captive specimens often weigh more, an adult Komodo dragon from the wild usually weighs around 150 lbs. With a tail as long as its body, the largest known Komodo measured over 10 feet in length and weighed in at a whooping 370 lbs.</div>
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The feeding habits of Komodos are peculiar, to say the least. Largely a carnivorous animal, it is shown at left feeding on a wild boar. Carrion [carcass of dead animals] are the main diet of the Komodo, but since they tend to be the largest animal in the area, they feed on mostly anything. They are said to be able to smell a dead or dying animal from as far away as 2.5 miles. With their loosely pivotal jaws, flexible skull, and expandable stomach, they are known to swallow whole its smaller prey, up to the size of a goat; but swallowing can still be a long process – 15 to 20 minutes to swallow a goat. A Komodo dragon may attempt to expedite the process by slamming the carcass against a tree to force it down its throat, sometimes ramming so forcefully that the tree is knocked down. While swallowing larger prey, to prevent suffocating while swallowing, it breathes using a small tube under the tongue that connects to the lungs. After sometimes eating up to 80 percent of its body weight in one meal, it will drag itself to a sunny location to speed digestion, since the food could rot and poison the dragon if left undigested for too long. Because of their slow metabolism, large dragons can survive on as little as 12 meals a year. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLN1hkaUENzkPTJz6lNi90HK0QYXlqKqUqsmLxFDNczP_GkqMQDT3J9t_zjPG96Yohg6LjQ1hA8DOK_qcpUN1YY-R9jTUWLuML9fgFg7RMB_Gn5juBxMNNnMdvbhxLakMsNnrh16xxdoe/s1600/15-leatherback+sea+turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLN1hkaUENzkPTJz6lNi90HK0QYXlqKqUqsmLxFDNczP_GkqMQDT3J9t_zjPG96Yohg6LjQ1hA8DOK_qcpUN1YY-R9jTUWLuML9fgFg7RMB_Gn5juBxMNNnMdvbhxLakMsNnrh16xxdoe/s320/15-leatherback+sea+turtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Leatherback Sea Turtle</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Leatherback Sea Turtle</span>: Leatherbacks are the largest of all living sea
turtles. With a large pair of front flippers that power the turtles
through the water (which are absent claws, by the way), their flattened fore limbs are
adapted for swimming in the open ocean. The front flippers can grow up
to less than nine feet in length. Adult leatherbacks average 3-1/2 to 6
feet in carapace (shell) length, and 6 to over 7 feet in total length and
can weigh 550 to 1,500 lbs. The largest ever found was on a beach on
the west coast of Wales and measured just about 10 feet from head to tail,
including a carapace length of over 7 feet, and weighed 2,020 lbs.
(Yep, just a little guy!!!) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOGgiW3RYEaH232lLiMjYniGO33qLaLkSDhd_kJVma62QPTRo-n-twZhDewJHYs4iqk7y3mu1Nk14llzN5kIDsY7-vzGLH0gsGPST5RzeEqKJXheEI5v0xTkMXikHo1QCOvOqhzzF-pa7/s1600/17-surinam+toad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOGgiW3RYEaH232lLiMjYniGO33qLaLkSDhd_kJVma62QPTRo-n-twZhDewJHYs4iqk7y3mu1Nk14llzN5kIDsY7-vzGLH0gsGPST5RzeEqKJXheEI5v0xTkMXikHo1QCOvOqhzzF-pa7/s640/17-surinam+toad.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Surinam Toad</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Surinam Toad:</span> Yes, I know -- he had you at ... hello!! Eeeks! I am sure you will see this in your dreams tonight. [Onward ... just try not to think about it or look at it again -- hard, isn't it! And it didn't help that I made this picture extra large -- I'm bad!] </div>
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Let's find out what these bad boys are all about! The Surinam Toad's natural habitats are subtropical /tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical / tropical swamps, swamps, and freshwater marshes so we won't find them in our back yards. Yea, yea, yea, that is all fine and interesting but what I mostly wanted to bring to your attention about this unique species is its remarkable and, may I say, quirky reproductive habits. To attract the female, the male toads produce a sharp clicking sound by snapping a bone in their throat. Together the partners rise from the aquatic floor while in amplexus and flip through the water in arcs. [Amplexus is a form of acrobatic copulation wherein a male amphibian grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process and at the same time or with some time delay, he fertilizes the female eggs with fluid containing sperm.] Anyway, back to this dance ... during each arc, the female releases 3-10 eggs, which get embedded in the skin on her back by the male's movements. After implantation the eggs roll over the mother's back and sink into the skin and form pockets over a period of several days, eventually taking on a honeycomb-like appearance (which you see here in the picture above). The larvae develop through to the tadpole stage inside these pockets, eventually emerging from the mother's back as fully developed toads, though they are less than an inch long. Kind of neat, huh? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZHORjvV62Sfs-l0yFhZws_DrnMtwtJ7Td8VpVEO52t8-w-LsFQL1HMbpZIb3jmP1vb_nAyY1BU6InSdQo5aBg2bUFMO_ni37evmE6FjcvYL4nsJCfILaVYWFlx4-MD7h3K_txRwlIv8e/s1600/19-skink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZHORjvV62Sfs-l0yFhZws_DrnMtwtJ7Td8VpVEO52t8-w-LsFQL1HMbpZIb3jmP1vb_nAyY1BU6InSdQo5aBg2bUFMO_ni37evmE6FjcvYL4nsJCfILaVYWFlx4-MD7h3K_txRwlIv8e/s320/19-skink.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skink</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Skink:</span> And, if that wasn't bad enough to rattle your dreams, next up we have the <span style="color: red;">skink</span>. With about 1200 different species, the skink is one of the most diverse branch of the lizard family (gecko being the most diversified). From Australia, this skink at right (Tiliqua rugosa) is a ground-foraging omnivore, feeding on a wide variety of insects, flowers, fruits and berries. It can store fat in its tail which, during dry periods when food is scarce, it will depend upon. </div>
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Okay, as many may know, I am not very fond of creepy, crawly things nor am I welcome to entertaining the thought of even peeking at a slithering reptile. But, feeling a little safe in the confines of the Museum and comforted by the fact that these are dead, stuffed exhibits, I felt somewhat superior in my depth of courage to be able to view, let alone take a picture of this next subject. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzR22lZKoLNFECHHWoqe1fPhIKKeqPPn9Z0Dq6YC3N8jC1_yZzFAmEpp1EsbXNpwj2qTKikv_oCAYeCkK4AopkmTWBGD3UCZJwxJ3pfffu4XSZBrjAe3hPbnt0WdQEHCwve3q91XnxawZ/s1600/21-reticulated+python.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzR22lZKoLNFECHHWoqe1fPhIKKeqPPn9Z0Dq6YC3N8jC1_yZzFAmEpp1EsbXNpwj2qTKikv_oCAYeCkK4AopkmTWBGD3UCZJwxJ3pfffu4XSZBrjAe3hPbnt0WdQEHCwve3q91XnxawZ/s400/21-reticulated+python.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reticulated Python</td></tr>
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The <span style="color: red;">reticulated python</span> (referring to its color) is a species of python found in Southeast Asia. Adults can grow to 23 feet in length but normally average <u>only</u> (!!only??) 10–20 feet. They are the world's longest snakes and longest reptile, and like all pythons, are non-venomous constrictors who are normally not considered dangerous to humans. But beware, in case you plan to be in Southeast Asia and go out in search of a playful snake, they are powerful enough to kill an adult human. Although attacks are only occasionally reported, this species is among the few snakes that have been fairly reliably reported to eat people, although only a few cases where the snake actually ate (rather than just killed) a human appear to be authenticated. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEeAM3v6tiygS7nHTpYLTOKSPMorjy-9xPR_kptEPGJtZmDD4nVO9ut9SiA40oix-tNiW9V-Qs4ACxqVDQ59BkWbChovJYFAulzqJXnp4K50FjnkIbAfrR_-vWJGf0zShyhto-wPKq8eb/s1600/23-snakes+courting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEeAM3v6tiygS7nHTpYLTOKSPMorjy-9xPR_kptEPGJtZmDD4nVO9ut9SiA40oix-tNiW9V-Qs4ACxqVDQ59BkWbChovJYFAulzqJXnp4K50FjnkIbAfrR_-vWJGf0zShyhto-wPKq8eb/s320/23-snakes+courting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Courting Snakes</span></td></tr>
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Snakes, of most any species, just like humans, have their unique and intricate ideas of courting. As witnessed <i>at right</i>, these snakes form a dance, if you may, that brings thoughts to mind of music playing in the background that make the rumba courtship begin. </div>
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Now just, when I gave you some soothing thoughts of snakes, here I have proved once more that I am as nasty as a snake since I may aid in evoking horrible, nightmarish dreams. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpaBWrlZw_ncmZuWPTEGkOO1frgAPCfV5xyBN9xap4uhTf2wlvMyycb-s7DjrcuqLMHQwea1Fy_W2D_aedjI_d0bTs-55RxNrOhx0-2TMPUZMSGqHmrP_MHokkAj5VxsExHuS9NDkaDCO/s1600/24-snake+cut+open+to+see+young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpaBWrlZw_ncmZuWPTEGkOO1frgAPCfV5xyBN9xap4uhTf2wlvMyycb-s7DjrcuqLMHQwea1Fy_W2D_aedjI_d0bTs-55RxNrOhx0-2TMPUZMSGqHmrP_MHokkAj5VxsExHuS9NDkaDCO/s400/24-snake+cut+open+to+see+young.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Inside of a Pregnant Snake</span></td></tr>
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This picture (<i>at left</i>), lucky for you, is not one of the worst pictures I took, but I thought I would share it. It is a cut-open section of a snake "with children." Yes, those are tiny little snakes inside that momma snake -- all just waiting to crawl out. Now, the thoughts of all this little snakes slithering out of momma and wriggling about . . . sends shivers up my spine -- ghoulish, simply ghoulish! </div>
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I am stopping there for today. In my next post, we will jump right into the African Animal exhibits. After that, we will be off to the the fourth-floor halls which include the Hall of Vertebrate Origins, Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs, Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs, Hall of Primitive Mammals, and Hall of Advanced Mammals. </div>
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But, for now, let's part with your last sights being that of the inside of the pregnant snake up above. Haha! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Yep, still as nasty as a snake, I am! </span></span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-70773205529502119662012-05-30T17:50:00.000-05:002012-05-30T17:50:15.140-05:00The Big Apple: Day 4, Part 2 - Ellis Island<div style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Continuing</span> on with Day 4, we have climbed back on a ferry, left the Statue of Liberty and are now heading to Ellis Island. As the waves are splashing against the sides of the ferry and the misty rain combined with the spray from the harbor water flings about, the eerie sensations of Ellis Island approaching us sends shivers down my spine. It is hard to imagine all the immigrants who have sailed these waters seeking refuge and a new life in America -- not knowing what they will find, if anything. Will they make it through the "golden gates" or will they be turned away? A long trip for many, for sure, even when they may not know the outcome. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqNyd-KGlnmwOWWV2oSRANCIjgysPYGo988NE_TARAlmb1eiX_7Jt40DSiMYovytcK0t5F_TYH2J8DSA2Y_H69JIQ-_2i0-qWUU7l2h4tpmAOcqE2LObyvLERRJOgQvEjCP41gqgdGKoX/s1600/ellis+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqNyd-KGlnmwOWWV2oSRANCIjgysPYGo988NE_TARAlmb1eiX_7Jt40DSiMYovytcK0t5F_TYH2J8DSA2Y_H69JIQ-_2i0-qWUU7l2h4tpmAOcqE2LObyvLERRJOgQvEjCP41gqgdGKoX/s320/ellis+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Hospital Building on Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Former Detention/Quarantine Buildings on Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZnISCxCT_ymQWBHRYWKjp5AhNCgewkovvy-y-cNpGFFn47AZw1UhHA9zsO-tovNGlEhpiSEhVR0qkm9ewQavPwcggqxQFl0-3VN6guV4qQZHAtIq2IfprzUvunuZZ777CHXQlNF9G8-S/s1600/ellis+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZnISCxCT_ymQWBHRYWKjp5AhNCgewkovvy-y-cNpGFFn47AZw1UhHA9zsO-tovNGlEhpiSEhVR0qkm9ewQavPwcggqxQFl0-3VN6guV4qQZHAtIq2IfprzUvunuZZ777CHXQlNF9G8-S/s320/ellis+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Former Hospital Building on Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The outside facade of the Main Immigration Building</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWeI1zakdBG2aKflpRVeiMx4Xplz1Ec03eVxUc5nT1nT4kvBQZCQtUPBxA9Bcf3-1xEEWdFddkp_Ws7c4cs4uYxAVAcWHTw96bqCwIv07jSWMozu-ECrXYyWTPiUKzpADxAdhdonoQzaR/s1600/ellis+outside+facade+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWeI1zakdBG2aKflpRVeiMx4Xplz1Ec03eVxUc5nT1nT4kvBQZCQtUPBxA9Bcf3-1xEEWdFddkp_Ws7c4cs4uYxAVAcWHTw96bqCwIv07jSWMozu-ECrXYyWTPiUKzpADxAdhdonoQzaR/s640/ellis+outside+facade+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bell Tower on the Main Building at Ellis Island which is now the Immigration Museum</td></tr>
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<b><u>Ellis Island</u></b>: Ellis Island is an island in New York Harbor and was the gateway for
millions of immigrants into the U.S. as the nation's busiest
immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was
greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934. Considered the chief gateway into the United States during the 1892-1924 era, Ellis Island has had over 12 million immigrants enter through its doorways. At present, over 100 million Americans trace their ancestry to the immigrants who crossed this island before dispersing throughout our country. Now the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, following restoration in the 1980's, the main building reopened as a symbol of this nation's immigration heritage. Its exhibits tell the tale of Ellis' role in immigration history, and a still broader context of four centuries of immigration to America.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Immigration Inspection Station: </span> In the 35 years before Ellis Island opened, over eight million immigrants arriving in New York had been processed by New York State officials at Castle Garden Immigration Depot in lower Manhattan, just across the bay. The Federal Government assumed control of immigration on April 18, 1890 and Congress appropriated $75,000 to construct America's first Federal immigration station on Ellis Island. Artesian wells were dug, and landfill was hauled in from incoming ships' ballast and from construction of New York City's subway tunnels, which doubled the size of Ellis Island to over six acres. While the building was under construction, the Barge Office nearby at the Battery was used for immigrant processing.</div>
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The first federal immigrant inspection station, an enormous three-story tall structure, with outbuildings containing all of the conveniences thought to be necessary, opened with celebration on January 1, 1892. Three large ships landed on the first day and 700 immigrants passed over the docks. Almost 450,000 immigrants were processed at the station during its first year. On June 15, 1897, a fire of unknown origin broke out and destroyed the wooden structures on Ellis Island. No one died, but most of the immigration records dating back to 1855 were destroyed wherein approximately 1.5 million immigrants had been processed at the first building during its five years of use. Plans were immediately made to build a new, fireproof immigration station on Ellis Island. During the construction period, passenger arrivals were again processed at the old Barge Office. </div>
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As I witnessed the beauty of this building firsthand, designed in a French Renaissance Revival style, the present main structure (Museum) is built of red brick with limestone trim. When it opened on December 17, 1900, officials estimated 5,000 immigrants per day would be processed. However, the facilities proved to be able to barely handle the flood of immigrants that arrived in the years just before World War I. By the time it closed in 1954, twelve million immigrants had been processed. The peak year for immigration at Ellis Island was 1907, with 1,004,756 immigrants processed with an all-time daily high on April 17, 1907, when 11,747 immigrants arrived. After the Immigration Act of 1924 was passed greatly restricted immigration and allowing processing at overseas embassies, the only immigrants to pass through the station were displaced persons or war refugees. </div>
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Generally, those immigrants who were approved spent from two to five hours at Ellis Island. Arrivals were asked 29 questions including name, occupation, and the amount of money carried as it was important to the American government that the new arrivals could support themselves and have money to get started -- between at least $18 and $25. Those with visible health problems or diseases were sent home or held in the island's hospital facilities for long periods of time. More than three thousand would-be immigrants died on Ellis Island while being held in the hospital facilities. Some unskilled workers were rejected because they were considered "likely to become a public charge." About 2% were denied admission to the U.S. and sent back to their countries of origin for reasons such as having a chronic contagious disease, criminal background, or insanity. [I will discuss this more below in "Medical Inspections."]. Rightfully so, Ellis Island was sometimes known as "The Island of Tears" or "Heartbreak Island" because of those 2% who were not admitted after the long voyage. The Kissing Post is a wooden column outside the Registry Room, where new arrivals were greeted by their relatives and friends, typically with tears, hugs and kisses.</div>
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<b><u>Ellis Registry Room</u></b>: <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The Registry Room at Ellis
Island is huge. Can you imagine all the immigrants coming through
this? Ellis was a little emotionally confusing for me when I think back
to my ancestors coming over and how crowded these rooms and ships would
have been. Glancing around you can almost get a sense of the magnitude of emotions that would be inside this large hall on any given day. Especially, in the earlier years. Nearly every day for over two decades from 1900-1924 the Registry Room was filled with new arrivals waiting to be inspected and registered by the Immigration Service officers. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Me in the Registry Room (or Great Hall) at Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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On many days over 5,000 people would file through this space. For most immigrants this great hall epitomized Ellis Island. Here they encountered the complex demands of immigration laws and an American bureaucracy that could either grant or withhold permission to stay in the U.S. The Registry Room itself, as you see it above, has been restored to its appearance in the 1918-24 era.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk4HqWvQ72pxdkHPtM0on8-cBH4MlLw8LMs7kP9GpERs76IhT7_mqMl7ZCzF7OnGDIPuuwFi89EoDPL-Gwi899nDhkIUYBz7iAMCtez099Bnz4WBZk9C3Pd9kx8HQUuYk-clay4myPhOs/s1600/paths+of+immigration.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk4HqWvQ72pxdkHPtM0on8-cBH4MlLw8LMs7kP9GpERs76IhT7_mqMl7ZCzF7OnGDIPuuwFi89EoDPL-Gwi899nDhkIUYBz7iAMCtez099Bnz4WBZk9C3Pd9kx8HQUuYk-clay4myPhOs/s400/paths+of+immigration.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: red;">Detention and Deportation Station:</span> After 1924, Ellis Island became primarily a detention and deportation processing station.</div>
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During and immediately following World War II, Ellis Island was used to intern German merchant mariners and enemy aliens - American civilians or immigrants detained for fear of spying, sabotage, etc. Some 7,000 Germans, Italians and Japanese would be detained at Ellis Island. It was also a processing center for returning sick or wounded U.S. soldiers, and a Coast Guard training base. Ellis Island still managed to process tens of thousands of immigrants a year during this time, but many fewer than the hundreds of thousands a year who arrived before the war. After the war immigration rapidly returned to earlier levels. </div>
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The Internal Security Act of 1950 barred members of communist or fascist organizations from immigrating to the United States. Ellis Island saw detention peak at 1,500, but by 1952, after changes to immigration law and policies, only 30 detainees remained.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Records:</span> A myth persists that government officials on Ellis Island compelled immigrants to take new names against their wishes. In fact, no historical records prove this. Federal immigration inspectors were under strict supervision and were more interested in preventing inadmissible aliens from entering the country (for which they were held accountable) than in assisting them in trivial personal matters such as altering their names. The inspectors used the passenger lists given to them by the steamship companies to process each foreigner. These were the sole immigration records for entering the country and were prepared not by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration but by steamship companies. The Americanization of many immigrant families' surnames was for the most part adopted by the family after the immigration process, or by the second or third generation of the family after some assimilation into American culture. However, many last names were altered slightly due to the disparity between English and other languages in the pronunciation of certain letters of the alphabet.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Medical Inspections: </span>To support the activities of the U.S. Bureau of Immigration, the U.S. Public Health Service operated an extensive medical service at the immigrant station, called U.S. Marine Hospital Number 43, more widely known as the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital. It was the largest marine hospital in the nation. The medical division, which was active both in the hospital and the Great Hall, was staffed by uniformed military surgeons. They are best known for the role they played during the line inspection, in which they employed unusual techniques such as the use of the buttonhook (ouch! or maybe it is more like ewwww!!!!) to examine aliens for signs of eye diseases (particularly, trachoma) and the use of a chalk mark code. Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes. The bacteria that causes trachoma spreads through direct contact with the eyes, eyelids, nose or throat secretions of infected people. Trachoma is very contagious and almost always affects both eyes. Signs and symptoms of trachoma begin with mild itching and irritation of the eyes and eyelids and lead to blurred vision and eye pain and left untreated, can lead to blindness. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Symbols were chalked on the clothing of potentially sick immigrants following the six-second medical examination. The doctors would look at the immigrants as they climbed the stairs from the baggage area to the Great Hall. Immigrants' behavior would be studied for difficulties in getting up the staircase. Some immigrants entered the country only by surreptitiously wiping the chalk marks off, or by turning their clothes inside out.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4D68G4SbTvioosURWdHtlS8hTqaUQ5e1N6ouzHwtX95A5zmF7NecySFapzgtj6eDfa5trku1wpsUlcd_DtWs7y2wr_rXXmES9gILuhP1scN3QjBYDqd9dDTWBVPV8DWjmlKtCfvkIKnX/s1600/contagious+disease+hospital+sign.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4D68G4SbTvioosURWdHtlS8hTqaUQ5e1N6ouzHwtX95A5zmF7NecySFapzgtj6eDfa5trku1wpsUlcd_DtWs7y2wr_rXXmES9gILuhP1scN3QjBYDqd9dDTWBVPV8DWjmlKtCfvkIKnX/s640/contagious+disease+hospital+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The symbols used were: B – Back; C - Conjunctivitis; CT – Trachoma; E – Eyes; F – Face; FT – Feet; G – Goiter; H – Heart; K – Hernia; L – Lameness; N – Neck; P – Physical and Lungs; PG – Pregnancy; S – Senility; SC – Scalp (Favus); SI – Special Inquiry; X – Suspected Mental defect; and X (circled) – Definite signs of Mental defect. <i>Pardon the pun, but . . . talk about having a "mark on your back." </i></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Immigration Museum:</span> As I stated earlier, the wooden structure built in 1892 to house the immigration station burned down after five years. The station's new Main Building, which now houses the Immigration Museum, was opened in 1900.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLRMYc8G_ZAM8ijRY0cbd6V6ZR4FCh17GPgllOewElt7CRagXFQPDJwNdAqkHuFAkxRdWHrIjBPejM-9rXgiv9X05DPDdp2-eBWd-kAuWY0XQpwzcin-t-eEOo2tTT9VZx8XZ4708do5G/s1600/immigrant+pic+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLRMYc8G_ZAM8ijRY0cbd6V6ZR4FCh17GPgllOewElt7CRagXFQPDJwNdAqkHuFAkxRdWHrIjBPejM-9rXgiv9X05DPDdp2-eBWd-kAuWY0XQpwzcin-t-eEOo2tTT9VZx8XZ4708do5G/s320/immigrant+pic+1.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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After the immigration station closed in November 1954, the buildings fell into disrepair and were all but abandoned. Attempts at redeveloping the site were unsuccessful until its landmark status was established. In October 1965, Ellis Island was proclaimed a part of Statue of Liberty National Monument. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places one year later in October 1966.</div>
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The building reopened on September 10, 1990. Exhibits include Hearing Room, Peak Immigration Years, the Peopling of America, Restoring a Landmark, Silent Voices, Treasures from Home, and Ellis Island Chronicles. There are also three theaters used for film and live performances. As part of the National Park Service's Centennial Initiative, the south side of the island was to be the target of a project to restore the 28 buildings that have not yet been rehabilitated.</div>
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The "Wall of Honor" outside of the main building contains a partial list of immigrants processed on the island. Inclusion on the list is made possible by a donation to support the facility. In 2008, the museum's library was officially named the Bob Hope Memorial Library in honor of one the station's most famous immigrants. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is awarded annually at ceremonies on the island. </div>
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The exhibits in the Museum also portray and give voice to the immigrants
themselves. Each of their stories is unique and bears witness to the
courage and determination that enables men and women to leave their
homelands and seek new opportunities in an unknown land.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4ccd5HCVovAXrv6fCTuWa4-bTBDn0ePyOXkOF_ugRh814RGQDlzi4cIlAJLumc_I4F8haQ0EZpoKPAozSWG6nWV9PFn7h9wCzkfTB3530tcIW8N8U9RzlUdnbuJpR9y7uItbWyHPQERw/s1600/ellis+layout+1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4ccd5HCVovAXrv6fCTuWa4-bTBDn0ePyOXkOF_ugRh814RGQDlzi4cIlAJLumc_I4F8haQ0EZpoKPAozSWG6nWV9PFn7h9wCzkfTB3530tcIW8N8U9RzlUdnbuJpR9y7uItbWyHPQERw/s320/ellis+layout+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layout of Ellis Island</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Southside:</span> Many of the facilities at Ellis Island were abandoned and remain unrenovated. The entire south side, called by some the "sad side", of the island is off-limits to the general public. The Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital operated from early 1902 to 1930. The foundation Save Ellis Island is spearheading preservation efforts. The New Ferry Building, built in the Art Deco style to replace an earlier one, was renovated in 2008, but remains only partially accessible to the general public. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">Restrictions</span>: Here is a summary of the restrictions placed on immigrants entering the Ellis Island: </div>
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1875 - first federal immigration legislation bars convicts, prostitutes, and coolies (Chinese contract laborers). </div>
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1882 - Chinese immigration is curtailed. Lunatics, idiots and person unable to take care of him/herself without becoming a public charge are excluded. <span style="color: #cc0000;">(</span><i style="color: #cc0000;">Idiots -- really??</i><span style="color: #cc0000;">)</span></div>
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1885 - Contract laborers are excluded. </div>
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1891 - Paupers, polygamists, the insane, and persons with a loathsome or dangerous contagious disease are excluded. <span style="color: #cc0000;"> (</span><i style="color: #cc0000;">Now why ever would you restrict the insane? LOL!</i><span style="color: #cc0000;">)</span></div>
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1903 - Epileptics, professional beggars, and anarchists are excluded. <span style="color: #cc0000;">(</span><i style="color: #cc0000;">I bet the anarchists really liked being put in the same category as a professional beggar!</i><span style="color: #cc0000;">) </span></div>
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1907 - Imbeciles, the feeble-minded, tuberculars, persons with physical or mental defects that could affect their ability to earn a living, and children under 16 unaccompanied by their parents are excluded. Gentlemen's Agreement between the U.S. and Japan curtails Japanese immigration. <span style="color: #cc0000;">(</span><i style="color: #cc0000;">hmmm...imbeciles...now I wonder how they were terming that at that time...imbecile as in dunce? or imbecile as in retarded? if it was dunce, there are quite a few politicians that could fit that bill right now!)</i></div>
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1917 - Literacy test enacted. Virtually all immigrants from Asia banned. </div>
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1921 - Temporary quotas limit admissions to 3% of each nationality's representation in the 1910 census. An annual ceiling of 350,000 is placed on immigration. </div>
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1924 - Admissions from each country are further reduced to 2% of each nationality's representation in the 1890 census. An annual ceiling of 165,000 is placed on immigration. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This quota system was to be replaced in 1927 with a national origins system limiting immigration to 150,000 per year and assigning quotas based on each nationality's percentage of the total population in the 1920 census. This restrictive policy was not changed until 1965. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2KX91tvkx9LdwIvsa85pgx_kEHXVu2_RYgZ1UDMKEHxj07GcvqMFjaKAaZ0Ue4l2PrJfR_nUsXdSF2nddZ_b8yXwv7OjI-ppGLoUxjOm6lliYzv334rff5gTdZD6u0Mnwq1-Zrn1dpDg/s1600/wi+german+musicians+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2KX91tvkx9LdwIvsa85pgx_kEHXVu2_RYgZ1UDMKEHxj07GcvqMFjaKAaZ0Ue4l2PrJfR_nUsXdSF2nddZ_b8yXwv7OjI-ppGLoUxjOm6lliYzv334rff5gTdZD6u0Mnwq1-Zrn1dpDg/s640/wi+german+musicians+pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was one of hundreds hanging in the Museum and, of course, I found it hit home -- it is a band of German musicians practicing at a picnic in Madison, WI, in 1897</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkJKn9BKkGFonp-BcrcEio9-sZa7Ko3moQ-r0y91i3-MDGYoNfqFJPf7iG9SyMStO4ZyYdv8_nJDKOvCncSXh4O5qLMLSCgpKR_lhMqYH0ZRXj3UMU1lg4A8ds1Nghvz9mO_E2522tntY/s1600/annie+moore+statue.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkJKn9BKkGFonp-BcrcEio9-sZa7Ko3moQ-r0y91i3-MDGYoNfqFJPf7iG9SyMStO4ZyYdv8_nJDKOvCncSXh4O5qLMLSCgpKR_lhMqYH0ZRXj3UMU1lg4A8ds1Nghvz9mO_E2522tntY/s320/annie+moore+statue.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Annie Moore</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b><u>Annie Moore</u></b>: On January 1, 1892, Annie Moore, at the young age of 15, became the first immigrant to enter the U.S. through the new Ellis Island Immigration Station. Ten days earlier, Annie and her two brothers left County Cork, Ireland, and sailed in steerage class on the steamship Nevada. As was much the case during this time period, their parents had come over a few years earlier. Upon her arrival, she was greeted by then U.S. Immigration Superintendent John Weber who gave her a $10 gold coin to commemorate the occasion. Three years later, Annie married, through the years had several children and at age 47 died from a brain aneurysm. </span></div>
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The last person to pass through Ellis Island was a Norwegian merchant seaman by the name of Arne Peterssen in 1954.</div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>The Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital </b></u>was a hospital that operated on Ellis Island from 1902 to 1930. The abandoned buildings were made part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument by proclamation of President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. While the monument is managed by the National Park Service as part of the National Parks of New York Harbor office, the south side of the island remains off-limits to the general public. Efforts to restore the hospital buildings and others on the island are being made by government partner Save Ellis Island.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Background: </span> Three times previously in the nineteenth century, the United States had suffered a devastating cholera outbreak, each originating abroad. As a port of entry, Ellis Island was poorly equipped to handle the threat. Its two-story wooden dispensary had neither the staff nor the laboratory to contain a disease as deadly as cholera. In 1892, believing he had no other choice, Dr. W.T. Jenkins, the Port of New York's health officer, ordered the Moravia to anchor offshore until the outbreak was contained. Five days later, two more "death ships", the <i>Rugia</i> and <i>Normannia</i>, steamed into the harbor, and they, too, were ordered to anchor offshore. Dr. Jenkins warned that anyone — passenger or crew member — who tried to leave the quarantined ships would be shot. More than a thousand passengers were stranded on the ships, and they begged to be let off, fearing that infected passengers put them at risk. Their plea was denied. Over the next several days, additional cases broke out, killing most of the infected passengers within a day. Not until nearly three weeks had passed were the passengers finally allowed to disembark. It was unclear if the inadequacy of the medical facility at Ellis Island was partly to blame for the additional deaths. Health authorities could not easily dismiss the possibility that if the arriving passengers might all have lived if they had been immediately removed from the ships and quarantined at a safe medical facility.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4ccd5HCVovAXrv6fCTuWa4-bTBDn0ePyOXkOF_ugRh814RGQDlzi4cIlAJLumc_I4F8haQ0EZpoKPAozSWG6nWV9PFn7h9wCzkfTB3530tcIW8N8U9RzlUdnbuJpR9y7uItbWyHPQERw/s1600/ellis+layout+1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4ccd5HCVovAXrv6fCTuWa4-bTBDn0ePyOXkOF_ugRh814RGQDlzi4cIlAJLumc_I4F8haQ0EZpoKPAozSWG6nWV9PFn7h9wCzkfTB3530tcIW8N8U9RzlUdnbuJpR9y7uItbWyHPQERw/s320/ellis+layout+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layout of Ellis Island</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The issue of how to protect the health of both the nation and the immigrant would hover over Ellis Island for the next decade. Its medical facility was not equipped to handle anything but routine illness. When the wooden infirmary caught fire and burnt to the ground in 1897, the problem intensified. A makeshift hospital was established in an old house on Ellis Island but it was small and ill equipped. Passengers with infectious diseases like measles, diphtheria, and favus were shuttled to neighboring hospitals, which increasingly refused to take them. (Favus is </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">is a disease usually affecting the scalp, appearing in honeycomb shape,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> but occurring occasionally on any part of the skin, and even at times on mucous membranes. Discovered in 1829, it was sometimes confused with leprosy but wherever infected and healed, it would leave the skin void of hair.) </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although New York's indigent hospital remained open to immigrants for several years to come, even it eventually stopped taking them. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa3W6hv-tQUbRLSI0el5mW4NRRnwcLAAP4H2nhv6R9pNnwCqKAQ7g1G56PhoYZNyiO38fXaOnuQz6Ej7jOGiaZ68IKVxDqitNz9eJJCA_5HYZgZ5wiyNe9MGjiGds3Tzj8iUq8X7U_fyW/s1600/ellis+layout+3.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa3W6hv-tQUbRLSI0el5mW4NRRnwcLAAP4H2nhv6R9pNnwCqKAQ7g1G56PhoYZNyiO38fXaOnuQz6Ej7jOGiaZ68IKVxDqitNz9eJJCA_5HYZgZ5wiyNe9MGjiGds3Tzj8iUq8X7U_fyW/s320/ellis+layout+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layout of Ellis showing the Main Building, etc.</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Marine Hospital Service had been founded in 1798 to care for American merchant seamen. In 1903, in recognition of its expansion into the wider areas of quarantine and infectious disease control, its name was changed to the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital Service both of which served Ellis Island Hospital. The medical department at Ellis Island remained under the dual authority of the Marine Hospital Service and the Bureau of Immigration until 1903. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In his first State of the Union message, President Theodore Roosevelt proposed a change in immigration policy that would thrust the medical facility at Ellis Island into national prominence. Roosevelt said that America should open its gates to the able bodied while barring the entry of the weak and the infirm. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although the new policy applied to all points of entry, of which there were more than three dozen, Ellis Island was the key. Because of its location in New York Harbor, it handled more arrivals than all the others combined. The numbers were staggering. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bgkab5yEIMP81qkGVyLtX7YIIXNHYZ8XvsCl1c7Jf7d1OKphj5EbXeszjU0DRAydzPDdJJkWcg3VLOaxnl0ta6wv9tKBBVKAO0v0vri1QONQLzLks659Yn9QL3QMgL1U4JWojnS-A8e_/s1600/ellis+layout+4.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bgkab5yEIMP81qkGVyLtX7YIIXNHYZ8XvsCl1c7Jf7d1OKphj5EbXeszjU0DRAydzPDdJJkWcg3VLOaxnl0ta6wv9tKBBVKAO0v0vri1QONQLzLks659Yn9QL3QMgL1U4JWojnS-A8e_/s320/ellis+layout+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Angle of the Layout of Ellis</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Recognizing that Ellis Island would need strong leadership if it was to institute a more thorough screening process, President Roosevelt turned to </span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a Wall Street lawyer who also happened to be a friend and a fellow veteran of the Spanish-American War, </span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">William Williams. An odd choice for an Ellis Island commissioner, as he was a millionaire whose roots traced to a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The immigrants, on the other hand, were new to America, and most of them were dirt poor. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In his first directive as commissioner, Williams sought to curb Ellis Island's barbaric reputation stating that the immigrants should be treated with kindness and civility by everyone at Ellis Island and that harsh language nor abusive handling would be tolerated. However, a lawyer by training and a stickler for the rules, Williams had no particular affection for the new arrivals and insisted that immigration law be strictly applied -- meaning all able-bodied persons, BUT only those who were able bodied, would be allowed entry.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfCDldzpLDkCAMRYb-x06ZvNLd4DbgcBNGYC8GhU_Y6MK55KlCA-vRJh3FJwTNiL8c1hW8CS1V3PxP2Sa1W3_BrETOJc9rfA_od64MLum7AH6j58MaO7XA1VeZcOPo1IbktHLzoqkc421/s1600/ellis+layout+5.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfCDldzpLDkCAMRYb-x06ZvNLd4DbgcBNGYC8GhU_Y6MK55KlCA-vRJh3FJwTNiL8c1hW8CS1V3PxP2Sa1W3_BrETOJc9rfA_od64MLum7AH6j58MaO7XA1VeZcOPo1IbktHLzoqkc421/s320/ellis+layout+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Yet Another Angle of the Layout of Ellis</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Right after taking the commissioner's job, Williams saw that a more rigorous inspection process would require a state-of-the-art medical facility. With William's goal seeming out of reach, even if he could convince Congress to appropriate the money for a hospital, Ellis Island had no vacant land on which to build it.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Expansion of Island</span>: At the time tons of rocks were being excavating to build the New York City Subway, Secretary of Labor and Commerce Metcalf, announced that they were about to build a hospital, but first needed to build an island on which to place it. With the excavating going on, there was, in fact, so much fill available for land reclamation that two new islands were built next to the existing Ellis Island. Designated simply as Island No. 2 and Island No. 3, they were precisely sited. The Surgeon General of the United States defined the location of the island that would house the infectious disease hospital with an outside limit of 410 feet from the present island and 200 feet of clear water space between the two islands, it would be amply sufficient to insure freedom from danger or contagion according to modern ideas of hospital construction. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0p_NNnXCRi_2lRLDkKFFni71HpNu7Xo1HvVreBuVfAdsmwA8vZ-OnfKDguT2O84sXRi_WDrz_r9OrhI8JxQSPa1weCBr_ESq16fuSiuSHUQTZ5f2-Zrox2x9_ZrpH3LrMyyB5YgTPYFi/s1600/ellis+layout+6.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0p_NNnXCRi_2lRLDkKFFni71HpNu7Xo1HvVreBuVfAdsmwA8vZ-OnfKDguT2O84sXRi_WDrz_r9OrhI8JxQSPa1weCBr_ESq16fuSiuSHUQTZ5f2-Zrox2x9_ZrpH3LrMyyB5YgTPYFi/s320/ellis+layout+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more angle of the layout of Ellis Island</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Construction</span>: The first hospital in the Ellis Island complex — the General Hospital — opened on Island No. 2 in 1902. Connected to the main island by a 200-ft gangplank, it had 120 beds, making it larger than most city hospitals of the era. Even so, Commissioner Williams immediately complained to Washington officials that the new hospital's size was utterly inadequate. The General Hospital eventually would expand to 275 beds — more than three times the size of the typical city hospital. It included four operating rooms, a delivery room, and a morgue. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After two mentally ill patients committed suicide in the general hospital, the Psychopathic Pavilion was built. It was charged with housing "idiots, imbeciles, feeble-minded persons, insane persons, and epileptics." According to an Ellis Island doctor who helped design it, the Psychopathic Pavilion would make possible the "humane and efficient treatment to those immigrants who, during the voyage to America, become the victims of acute mental disorders." Soon after it opened, however, the psychiatric hospital became a center of controversy, as it was a place where innovative mental tests were developed, yet, unfortunately, also a place where ideas about the mental inferiority of Italians, Slavs, and Jews thrived.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">During Williams’ second term as commissioner, the third and largest medical facility opened — the 450-bed Contagious Disease Hospital. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Opening in 1911 and located on Island No. 3 and more than 400 feet from the main island, the Contagious Disease Hospital was the world's most advanced hospital of its kind. It boasted a mattress autoclave (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> instrument used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam) </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> that could sterilize entire beds, an eight-cadaver refrigerator, an autopsy amphitheater that enabled visiting physicians and medical students to study the pathology of exotic diseases, and a sophisticated diagnostic laboratory staffed around-the-clock by a senior physician. </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAsjbJVsEsEBLIzYab9xSH8SiCk-093EVRgvZ5ZyaZWbEXRE0YqAVy-B4P7VtlpD5YSjqEhlbMg4DGXPt01NcGs_slyGhGPk9zR8bPAeKWHvayyFksPaNuFdBHG3koslmBQuwV6Z_-eC2/s1600/ellis+layout+sign+1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAsjbJVsEsEBLIzYab9xSH8SiCk-093EVRgvZ5ZyaZWbEXRE0YqAVy-B4P7VtlpD5YSjqEhlbMg4DGXPt01NcGs_slyGhGPk9zR8bPAeKWHvayyFksPaNuFdBHG3koslmBQuwV6Z_-eC2/s320/ellis+layout+sign+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It had eighteen wards, each built to house patients with a particular disease. There were, for example, separate wards for whooping cough, measles, scarlet fever, favus, and diphtheria, and two wards each for trachoma and tuberculosis. The wards were connected by a central corridor that was nearly two football fields in length, with the doors to the wards staggered so that air from one could not easily enter another. Built to a size that provided the exact cubic feet of air prescribed by the health guidelines of the time, each ward was ventilated by banks of windows, maximizing the flow of air between the interior and exterior, while minimizing the flow between wards. It also had its own laundry where approximately three thousand sheets and towels were washed and dried there each day.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When fully completed, the hospital complex also included nineteen other buildings. Heat, light, and power for the hospital were furnished by the power plant on the first island. Sewage flowed, by gravity, into New York Harbor. The kitchen served two-thousand meals a day prepared by its own cooking staff. All told, three hundred people worked in the Ellis Island hospital complex, about a third of them medical doctors, nurses, and orderlies, many of whom lived in staff housing on the island. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Inspections:</span> Each day at Ellis Island, nearly two thousand new arrivals climbed the most fateful staircase of their lives. A uniformed officer of the Public Health Service stood at the top landing, watching intently. As the passengers scaled the steps, lugging their suitcases, he looked for the slightest indication of poor health. Upon reaching the top, they were handed a medical card and directed to the left or right, depending on whether they were being processed in the registry's south or north hall. Once there, they stood in line until it was there turn to come forward, each step studied by a uniformed doctor who then examined the scalp, hands, eyes, and throat.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The inspection process was like an assembly line. Every ten seconds or so, another passenger was instructed to step forward. As indicated above, a chalk mark was swiped across the clothing of anyone suspected of disease. It was said that even the turns in the inspection line had a purpose. They used to like to have passengers while in inspection line make two right angle turns, which served to bring the light on both sides of a passenger's face. The turns also helped bring out imperfections in muscular coordination which may be the product of some infectious disease.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Immigrants who could afford first- or second-class passage and therefore presumed fit to become Americans went through a speedy inspection line that included a cursory medical exam. Close scrutiny was reserved for the poor passengers that traveled in steerage and were presumed headed for factory jobs. Roughly one in five of these arrivals was pulled out of the line for a fuller medical examination. Seventeen conditions, ranging from problems of the eyes to weaknesses of physique, could result in detention. "Class A" conditions, which included trachoma, were cause for deportation. The process could be unnerving. </span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2ioXyWYOsMXQStHm_tATYlNLHR0fmR352yaLjCk0Qpw55B5h9ILlhhc2wu16WswUZCPa5PjamNpMt86mNIicEqxYoE5wOJQYjL3xo6I_NL6E_3bAqK29R0qXboY45E3wLuDqhnZi_dcg/s1600/ellis+layout+sign+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2ioXyWYOsMXQStHm_tATYlNLHR0fmR352yaLjCk0Qpw55B5h9ILlhhc2wu16WswUZCPa5PjamNpMt86mNIicEqxYoE5wOJQYjL3xo6I_NL6E_3bAqK29R0qXboY45E3wLuDqhnZi_dcg/s320/ellis+layout+sign+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Immigrants with infectious diseases like measles, mumps, diphtheria, and whooping cough were sent to the Ellis Island hospital for what was usually a short stay. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The medical inspection at Ellis Island was conducted by order of Congress. Diseases that scarcely get passing notice today were life threatening in 1900. Measles was easily spread and could be fatal. Life expectancy in America was only 48 years of age for whites and a mere 33 years of age for blacks. The PHS physicians at Ellis Island were "guardians of the gate" — the nation's first line of defense against immigrant-borne illness. Even so, disease slipped through. When polio broke out in the Italian section of Brooklyn, frightened residents blamed it on a recent immigrant. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fifteen years after Ellis Island opened, growing opposition to immigration led Congress to expand the Public Health Service's authority, requiring it to weed out the weak and the unemployable as well as the sick. The new list of excludable conditions included "likely to become a public charge" — meaning someone who had little hope of finding a job. It was a Class A condition — cause for deportation. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As medical doctors, the PHS physicians were sworn to heal the patient. As uniformed officers of the Public Health Service, they were obliged to identify the medically unfit. The available evidence, though largely anecdotal, suggests that most PHS doctors adhered to the strictures of the law while showing leniency when possible. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While walking out from the fortresses of Ellis Island, I feel haunted by the information, sites and feelings of apprehension, fear, excitement, disappointment that the immigrants were faced with once stepping foot on the island. The eeriness seems embedded within its confines -- many secrets of its past never to be known. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiCo_1cn9A8Gb9NM4OonIMaDObp-t4HPTrZSvBVFd6mnYbibP_gEaG0veTi3SADlD6omp3O7W9pU5FLdOjyuhMVnZrRGfwVSbTsHw79xCGx9R2Uj1hZh9peLC0IIXSHWnwwX4PNjcQYbe/s1600/departing+ferry.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiCo_1cn9A8Gb9NM4OonIMaDObp-t4HPTrZSvBVFd6mnYbibP_gEaG0veTi3SADlD6omp3O7W9pU5FLdOjyuhMVnZrRGfwVSbTsHw79xCGx9R2Uj1hZh9peLC0IIXSHWnwwX4PNjcQYbe/s320/departing+ferry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our departing ferry - Miss Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">As we are now departing
Ellis Island after an overload of information and emotions, it is time
to get on our ferry -- Miss Ellis Island is picking us up.</span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Once we arrived back on dry
land at Battery Park, Nika and I grabbed a bite to eat at one of the
local food vendors who were situated in Battery Park. </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Situated right next to this vendor was haunting statue,"The Immigrants."</span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGcMsIqazSqRJa1_fLV902Sn1KyIvyDmF9BQOtzwdlTSTBsDBndsS49CiqZFEHjrXdKJjPVdkO0IPftgJFwkTqy5_F3kDKGgdrjctZ1MHcwy5mTetT4EdeSoj_zxFoMZuF-ev44JEoX2Q/s1600/battery+immigrant+memorial+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGcMsIqazSqRJa1_fLV902Sn1KyIvyDmF9BQOtzwdlTSTBsDBndsS49CiqZFEHjrXdKJjPVdkO0IPftgJFwkTqy5_F3kDKGgdrjctZ1MHcwy5mTetT4EdeSoj_zxFoMZuF-ev44JEoX2Q/s320/battery+immigrant+memorial+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The Immigrants"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPlui_5Kg53g0iuVdQtADBy8-KP4hHqSzH64MxkuTvo-SLlG1ZkGDhaBBtwL4ie4PyMLNpHW5qd9HQJ0vmHylWRcUF3ALaGsVH59z4hkFqP_dbvNty-FK5ehHaRNpA3nXfW4ZwnfMUESv/s1600/battery+immigrant+memorial+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPlui_5Kg53g0iuVdQtADBy8-KP4hHqSzH64MxkuTvo-SLlG1ZkGDhaBBtwL4ie4PyMLNpHW5qd9HQJ0vmHylWRcUF3ALaGsVH59z4hkFqP_dbvNty-FK5ehHaRNpA3nXfW4ZwnfMUESv/s320/battery+immigrant+memorial+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "The Immigrants"</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b style="background-color: yellow;"><u>Immigrant Memorial at Battery Park</u></b><span style="background-color: yellow;">:</span> "The Immigrants"</span> celebrates the
diversity of New York City and the struggle of immigrants in this
heroic-sized bronze figural group. The sculpture depicts figures of
various ethnic groups and eras, including an Eastern European Jew, a
freed African slave, a priest, and a worker. Standing together, the
members are connected through their pose. The rough surface of the
bronze not only accentuates the extreme emotion, but generalizes the
features allowing them to represent no individual in particular.</div>
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The piece was donated by Samuel Rudin who commissioned
the sculpture in the early 1970's, intending it to be installed near Castle Clinton as a memorial to his parents, who, as it is noted on the plinth,
emigrated to the United States in the late-19th century. Although
sculpted in 1973, it was not placed in its initial home in front of
the Castle until 1983. It has since been moved to the northeast of the Castle. </div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">[On another quick note, I spied one of the Grayline Tour buses that we had taken in the preceding days and thought I would snap a picture for you to see, below.]</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpGhV65AOzoriW6mhNYe_izCDey2gRvSScATXExTAF0lwBvLGqDfNV_I2qt8r4wEfsLUtuRHlezgC3bWtYA-ACxK8f4QsttNIM6-niv2nl_MAuB3fdG5WCfWPkUbTi_aDemnZlGfd4kXP/s1600/gray+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpGhV65AOzoriW6mhNYe_izCDey2gRvSScATXExTAF0lwBvLGqDfNV_I2qt8r4wEfsLUtuRHlezgC3bWtYA-ACxK8f4QsttNIM6-niv2nl_MAuB3fdG5WCfWPkUbTi_aDemnZlGfd4kXP/s320/gray+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">One of the Grayline Tour Buses</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcxeeazzVlEOKdRorRRtxhVJmZZcX26HAW3e7QBan8X1Ma9_fYdhvcG_HkD7FBboM3CUEOf2prESoh4vfwpqIesteci7597_pRfWN2yPQ7i9HilFi7cYwPukUK772Zz3BWZRNNFCVXccz/s1600/mariachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcxeeazzVlEOKdRorRRtxhVJmZZcX26HAW3e7QBan8X1Ma9_fYdhvcG_HkD7FBboM3CUEOf2prESoh4vfwpqIesteci7597_pRfWN2yPQ7i9HilFi7cYwPukUK772Zz3BWZRNNFCVXccz/s320/mariachi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marriachi Band Performers on the Subway Train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TZ6MCEeagMpw6Or6zmN0vXtEVFsjAi-8rK1mozKwfkx_V12MuA1w43gmgDI3QoJQfEQ64ptmbgpXyyHTpUNxesWBeeNYwBOjpaU2EgpaL_XCdjzYowuuMvPKfLU8zR-yrLBm7gkvML3t/s1600/mimes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TZ6MCEeagMpw6Or6zmN0vXtEVFsjAi-8rK1mozKwfkx_V12MuA1w43gmgDI3QoJQfEQ64ptmbgpXyyHTpUNxesWBeeNYwBOjpaU2EgpaL_XCdjzYowuuMvPKfLU8zR-yrLBm7gkvML3t/s320/mimes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mime Performers at a Subway Station Platform</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHTXdtYfevijK4zEKh5znIjhGu3mflSw1UlcnhXtzeSB0YfmuwcL2VrydIovwpIqvoNLkMOjeh-_d3JWGXOV4PZSLPFWAq2miE98uX4IYKqkRTo7OgeJW96aRg3o3uTKQQdy4yVxVazZs/s1600/mimes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHTXdtYfevijK4zEKh5znIjhGu3mflSw1UlcnhXtzeSB0YfmuwcL2VrydIovwpIqvoNLkMOjeh-_d3JWGXOV4PZSLPFWAq2miE98uX4IYKqkRTo7OgeJW96aRg3o3uTKQQdy4yVxVazZs/s320/mimes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mime Performers - I think they were doing "Thriller"</td></tr>
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As we were heading off to the subway, we passed by another vendor who was parked right before our entrance. I found a couple things that I wanted to get -- souvenirs for others, so I am glad now that I picked up my NY sling bag at the Statue souvenir shop -- makes easier to carry everything! </div>
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<u style="background-color: yellow;"><b>Subway Entertainment:</b></u> Once we hopped on our train before changing to another, while we were sitting there right before the doors closed, our next form of entertainment entered. It was a 3-person mariachi band. They were really good and it was fun to listen to. Nika had mentioned that she was surprised that they were actually on the train playing. Apparently, <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">the singers and musicians
who play in STATIONS are performing legally, and you should feel free to
encourage their talent with financial contributions. On the other hand,
those who perform on-board TRAINS are breaking the law, and know it,;
they also know it is illegal to ask actively (as opposed to passively)
for contributions. In many cases they are little better than roving
shake-down artists, and some are aggressive enough to be considered
extortionists. Until they come across a police officer who will summon
them and eject them from the system (unless they are scofflaws, in which
case they will be arrested), they should NOT be encouraged with money. </span></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have found out since that many of these terrific performers are from a program called Music Under New York. They compete for top locations (Times Square, Penn Station, Grand Central, 14th St, etc ), and over 100 of them usually perform with the MUNY banner. Everything from Chinese dulcimer to classical violin to barbershop singing to Haitian folk music to anything else you could imagine.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They really represent the diversity of NY residents! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They often sell CD's so you can have a real good souvenir of NYC.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">FYI, the athletic break dancers are usually at the 34th Street Herald Square station. Apparently, that station always has a lot of excellent performers, singers, bands, etc.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, this is it. We are hopping on another train and then heading over to finish our tour of the American Museum of Natural History. All that fresh air and smell of the seawater is making me tired. I need to get inside and warm up. We will have a big night ahead of us after the AMNH tour, too, as we are heading to SoHo to do some shopping. But, for now, we are off to see some treasures. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hope you enjoyed your tour and informative guide through Ellis Island. It may be a lot to learn but I think it is good for everyone to know a little more about Ellis Island. Because for most of us, it was a piece of the beginning of our heritages. </span></span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-66754177652066893742012-04-18T17:14:00.002-05:002012-04-18T17:14:42.289-05:00The Big Apple: Day 4, Part 1: Battery Park to Statue of Liberty<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good morning all! It is Friday, October 14, 2011 -- Day 4 in New York City. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our initial plans have changed from day to day but since we are on the last full day of being here, our first priority is to head out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then we plan to do the rest of the
American Museum of Natural History and next go off to Soho for shopping (once Casey returns from work), dinner at Little Italy and if it isn't pouring rain like it was last night when we returned from the Comedy Cellar, we
will do a carriage ride in Central Park. One hour at a time and we will
see how the plans change today! I'm in a low right now so I'm waiting to
ride it out before I hit the shower. Catch you all in a few! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The huge wine bottle in Lindy's window</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are showered and ready to roll so Nika and I went next door to enjoy a somewhat-leisure breakfast. All of our breakfasts so far have been hurry up and eat by grabbing something at our hotel's continental breakfast, but today, I thought let's change it up and stop and smell the roses for a moment. In this case, it was breakfast next door at the famous Lindy's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="background-color: cyan;"><u>Lindy's Restaurant</u></b>: Lindy's Restaurant- the famous Broadway delicatessen renowned for serving up the best New York Style Cheesecake to well known mobsters and mafia hit men and Hollywood legends alike throughout the early twentieth century. This place had all the glitz, glamour and dark history to make it a fixture of all things New York City.<br /><br />The original restaurant was closed in 1969 but in 1979, a new "Lindy's" was opened to continue serving up the same great deli food and world famous cheesecake. It remains one of the top must-see restaurants for visitors to Manhattan. We had breakfast there and it was, as many reviews have noted, high-priced, but what we each wanted to order contained a lot of food, so our outstanding waitress advised that Nika and I could split an order which would make it enough food for her to eat and enough carbs for me plus still get our beverages of choice. After wiping our plates clean and steeping ourselves in enough coffee, we were off to catch the bus. Grayline Express bus, that is. But stop the bus! We finally figure out that we are probably going to miss the Express bus, so figured since I am now adept at riding the subway and we don't want to wait another hour for the next one, we might as well hope a train out to Battery Park instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We jump on the subway, again, right next to our hotel and the restaurant and switch trains wherever the hell it is that Nika tells us to get off and on at. I just sit and let her figure this part out. Once we arrive at Battery Park (our entrance to jump on the ferry
to head out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty), we take some
time to gently tour the grounds. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiHZ6ld5H-En8Uagr5darzAHfEYqK8AB3soNL2v6ECERlvbBHbK6QMAu3JyerjwLfZ0qrRaSRRyyiJcDxQH4IyfuQtLPXSOE-XC3GnwtomWKUjCKmfoSrlVTQTBOKwVsaHHpL3vxZjxew/s1600/fake+lady+liberty+and+me.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiHZ6ld5H-En8Uagr5darzAHfEYqK8AB3soNL2v6ECERlvbBHbK6QMAu3JyerjwLfZ0qrRaSRRyyiJcDxQH4IyfuQtLPXSOE-XC3GnwtomWKUjCKmfoSrlVTQTBOKwVsaHHpL3vxZjxew/s320/fake+lady+liberty+and+me.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ok! I couldn't help myself!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="background-color: cyan; color: black;"><u>Battery Park</u></b>: Battery Park is a 25-acre public park located at the Battery, the southern tip of Manhattan Island, facing New York Harbor. The Battery is named for artillery batteries that were positioned there in the city's early years in order to protect the settlement behind them. At the north end of the park is Castle Clinton, the often re-purposed last remnant of the defensive works that inspired the name of the park; Pier A, formerly a fireboat station; and Hope Garden, a memorial to AIDS victims. At the other end is Battery Gardens restaurant, next to the United States Coast Guard Battery Building. Along the waterfront, ferries depart for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and there is also a New York Water Taxi stop. The park is also the site of the East Coast Memorial which commemorates U.S. servicemen who died in coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean during World War II, and several other memorials. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>Bust a Pose</u></b>: Of course, there are also the little oddities that you find at Battery Park, too. Take, for instance, Miss Lady Liberty standing about seven feet tall, begging tourists to have their picture taken with her (actually he -- on stilts). I fell victim (yes, I had to pay to have her cozy up to me for a picture) but it was all for my personal New York experience, as you can see from the picture above. By paying her you get the luxury and having her drape you with a flag and the honor of holding her torch. (And, yes, again, all I got out of that was the picture!!) Gullible? always! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzS6eWiQlzyCqZNahtD0sKJ-mpjEuEfAWpuJslVsB6Csrg9GlmDH6vDsHc0sL4fX9RJXa0ddfs61i5PO94Ke8NFlmKh47mKRnG95ntsv-WHyNsIVH8s51ej064eO7VDqdCuhuDl5NnyVq/s1600/veg+garden+battery+prak.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzS6eWiQlzyCqZNahtD0sKJ-mpjEuEfAWpuJslVsB6Csrg9GlmDH6vDsHc0sL4fX9RJXa0ddfs61i5PO94Ke8NFlmKh47mKRnG95ntsv-WHyNsIVH8s51ej064eO7VDqdCuhuDl5NnyVq/s320/veg+garden+battery+prak.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Urban Farm at Battery Park</span></td></tr>
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<u style="background-color: cyan;"><b> The Urban Farm</b></u>: Amongst the skyscrapers that outline and form a circle around Battery Park, the most unimaginable thing we would find is a garden. But there it is, as pictured at right. Students from eight city schools and a number of community groups use the space which include approximately 80 organic vegetable plots. The Urban Farm came about after Millennium High School's Environmental Club requested permission to plant a vegetable garden in the park. The one acre farm is fenced off by donated bamboo poles. </div>
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<u style="background-color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Hope Garden</b></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> in Battery Park is a memorial garden dedicated to AIDS victims. The garden has also served as a temporary September 11 memorial, housing The Sphere, which was damaged in the attacks. The garden has also been used as a site for environmental demonstrations since it is a tourist attraction. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_Zt3h3SAhRix33WoaSPzL8Qr1Po2PK18l8oe6-K30hykfa3Nt0z0VHCRxvV1Qw9mJ2xc6usWbDrumVUCNN1rhMt_foqFyIPP50Ai6PyZvQFK9vw9hyphenhyphenbojaSQPVq9kNMbvDqQm8cFXdod/s1600/911+war+memorial+battery+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_Zt3h3SAhRix33WoaSPzL8Qr1Po2PK18l8oe6-K30hykfa3Nt0z0VHCRxvV1Qw9mJ2xc6usWbDrumVUCNN1rhMt_foqFyIPP50Ai6PyZvQFK9vw9hyphenhyphenbojaSQPVq9kNMbvDqQm8cFXdod/s320/911+war+memorial+battery+park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Sphere </span></td></tr>
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<u style="background-color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The Sphere</b></u><span style="background-color: cyan; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Sphere is a large metallic sculpture now on display in Battery Park, but which once stood in the middle of Austin J. Tobin Plaza, the area between the World Trade Center towers in Manhattan. After being recovered from the rubble of the Twin Towers after the September 11, 2001, attacks, the artwork faced an uncertain fate, and it was dismantled into its components. Although it remained structurally intact, it had been visibly damaged by debris from the airliners that were crashed into the buildings and from the collapsing skyscrapers themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Six months after the attacks, following a documentary film about the sculpture, it was relocated to Battery Park on a temporary basis—without any repairs—and formally rededicated with an eternal flame as a memorial to the victims of 9/11. It has become a major tourist attraction, due partly to the fact that it survived the attacks with only dents and holes. The Sphere is 25 feet high and cast in 52 bronze segments. The artwork was meant to symbolize world peace through world trade, and was placed at the center of a ring of fountains in Tobin Plaza, and was designed to mimic the Grand Mosque of Mecca in Kaaba. It was set to rotate once every 24 hours. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI3NmHMybI3eRvauJ0DvvJwBAnjOSV29PpZ5tF0jAXRCWIF83GBr4zJEqOHgRlqkNNRK7DzqU_jEuIUB8JhD8f7QTqcX9pxRamKTUz_Na8fNiLyhyphenhyphenZYuESwj9hFCEKh8eHV5fkPA2zWj0/s1600/castle+clinton.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI3NmHMybI3eRvauJ0DvvJwBAnjOSV29PpZ5tF0jAXRCWIF83GBr4zJEqOHgRlqkNNRK7DzqU_jEuIUB8JhD8f7QTqcX9pxRamKTUz_Na8fNiLyhyphenhyphenZYuESwj9hFCEKh8eHV5fkPA2zWj0/s320/castle+clinton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Castle Clinton</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan; color: black;">Castle Clinton:</u> </b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">or Fort Clinton, once known as Castle Garden, is a circular sandstone fort now located in Battery Park. It is perhaps best remembered as America's first immigration station (predating Ellis Island), where more than 8 million people arrived in the U.S. from 1855 to 1890. Over its active life, it has also functioned as a beer garden, exhibition hall, theater, public aquarium, and finally today as a national monument. Originally known as West Battery, it was renamed Castle Clinton in 1815, in honor of New York City mayor Dewitt Clinton. It is the departure point for visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.</span> <br />
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<b style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>American Merchant Mariners' Memorial:</u></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
As we walk through the doorway of Castle Clinton and out the back area
we find ourselves heading toward the shoreline to the metal line
dividers set up to guide us to Pier A where we will depart. Just before
we start to snake through the lines, we find the American Merchant
Mariners' Memorial. Dedicated in 1991, this haunting memorial stands on a
rebuilt stone breakwater in the harbor and displays a bronze figural
group and boat which are based on an actual historical event; during
World War II, a Nazi U-boat attacked a merchant marine vessel, and while
the mariners clung to their sinking vessel, the Germans photographed
their victims. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfkz6aZ3ndYoYxzTUHBKzA7WO-6cLI4LhRLNn2RAxLrrf3YAriUVFCwjauxoRUrhplTIwlg8BsuO6x9uVUk5UQVroa3t5DNe4Tv-fOKPDsH1swG9EYHJhLBggjFB989PT-rMcmjsZ7JXy/s1600/merchant+marine+memorial.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfkz6aZ3ndYoYxzTUHBKzA7WO-6cLI4LhRLNn2RAxLrrf3YAriUVFCwjauxoRUrhplTIwlg8BsuO6x9uVUk5UQVroa3t5DNe4Tv-fOKPDsH1swG9EYHJhLBggjFB989PT-rMcmjsZ7JXy/s400/merchant+marine+memorial.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">American Merchant Mariners' Memorial</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When the idea was first conceived, it was meant
to commemorate the thousands of merchant ships and crews which were put
into military service since the Revolutionary War. In World War II
alone it is estimated that 700 American merchant ships were lost, and
6,600 mariners gave their lives. As
is depicted in the photo at right and creating an emotional dynamic,
depending on the ebb and flow of the harbor’s tides, the one figure
(whose hand you see coming up out of the water), struggling beside the
boat, is submerged each tidal cycle. When viewing the monument, it
brought tears to my eyes. As I said, it is very emotional to see with
the water lapping up and over the struggling hand in the water.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGCuueYIhQiRYoLiwwkEJmIMTuwOvHox3nBwYhiBHQqi3pz7cbiYZm9AyA9J8ZgrlDCasr6llFvRqLgu_Vrjm58dD8nq74Uim0Urdod4jBTJ9vpymagfu1cF5HRHrsDAF-8bMRtV2VwPB/s1600/jfk+sign.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGCuueYIhQiRYoLiwwkEJmIMTuwOvHox3nBwYhiBHQqi3pz7cbiYZm9AyA9J8ZgrlDCasr6llFvRqLgu_Vrjm58dD8nq74Uim0Urdod4jBTJ9vpymagfu1cF5HRHrsDAF-8bMRtV2VwPB/s320/jfk+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once inside, we are herded into a gathering space where eventually we
form two lines to start our departure to the ferries. It is at this
point that one can somewhat possibly imagine what it must have felt like
to be an immigrant in the days before when hoards of those seeking a
better life in America were herded into ships to descend upon the soil
of New York City. The lines that formed to head out onto the loading platform were interspersed with inspiration phrases such as pictured at right from President John F. Kennedy and, and below, from Benjamin Franklin. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hTvio7h0rLeKiFNXYlThEiM4tRwAoRWcTQ1dY2fNxIwcxd5qilgRiaal7UfPE-Ct9SbfcvUuoJ_XgRZQRIS712UG8ZpqeSO_0352bi1l66tQlJQzfVz3oN1plw8xywMzXCFjHvspZWDQ/s1600/ben+franklin+sign.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hTvio7h0rLeKiFNXYlThEiM4tRwAoRWcTQ1dY2fNxIwcxd5qilgRiaal7UfPE-Ct9SbfcvUuoJ_XgRZQRIS712UG8ZpqeSO_0352bi1l66tQlJQzfVz3oN1plw8xywMzXCFjHvspZWDQ/s320/ben+franklin+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once we are safely aboard our ferry that will take us first to the Statue of Liberty, we are able to gaze out into the New York Harbor waters to see other ships that pass by as we catch up to speed. </div>
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<u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Staten Island Ferry</b></u><span style="background-color: cyan;">:</span> Off in the distance I spy a Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry service operated by the New York City Department of Transportation that runs between the boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tU-w7iQHGgGTTh4Rj-r0INHKb1Alm8yyYdupT1TnWiGth2cAH4HBLbI3R8kFzwDDlqV6w-PZpyI7_MzT_zTwW3IRCMvMyzsNHOPiT9coQXVhqjj3J6HagdBCU2S1B22kq2PpynKapqy3/s1600/staten+island+ferry.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tU-w7iQHGgGTTh4Rj-r0INHKb1Alm8yyYdupT1TnWiGth2cAH4HBLbI3R8kFzwDDlqV6w-PZpyI7_MzT_zTwW3IRCMvMyzsNHOPiT9coQXVhqjj3J6HagdBCU2S1B22kq2PpynKapqy3/s320/staten+island+ferry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Staten Island Ferry's "Kennedy Class"</span></td></tr>
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There are eight ferry boats in four classes currently in service. Shown at right is one known as a “Kennedy class,” which was built in 1965. Each boat can carry 3,500 passengers and up to 40 vehicles, is 297 feet long, 69+ feet wide, with a draft of 13 feet, 6 inches. A draft is the depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded. The keel is the main structural member of a ship, running lengthwise along the
center line from bow to stern, to which the frames are attached. They also have a weight of 2,109 gross tons, service speed of 16 knots (which is a little better than 18 mph), and engines of 6,500 horsepower (for all you horsepower nuts). </div>
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Next I catch the sight of another vessel in the water. It is a shipping boat owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJJDYAiSdR-4Mci51bec0-H4MLmrMHlJxkN0i5Tg20kGVktVVT5Tl5l-iGuda-WqJTSxixYagEXCeYYg_Gz5Ucoph_eEF6CZn7yfAnxesXR1JJa6CBxezVVMQtrNpXbmQdWXtplH2Mv6i/s1600/wallenius.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJJDYAiSdR-4Mci51bec0-H4MLmrMHlJxkN0i5Tg20kGVktVVT5Tl5l-iGuda-WqJTSxixYagEXCeYYg_Gz5Ucoph_eEF6CZn7yfAnxesXR1JJa6CBxezVVMQtrNpXbmQdWXtplH2Mv6i/s400/wallenius.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics</b></u>
is a privately owned Norwegian/Swedish shipping company, established in
1999 and co-owned by the two shipping companies Wallenius Lines and
Wilh. Wilhelmsen.<br /><br />The company offers a range of logistics
services, including supply chain management, ocean transportation,
terminal handling, inland distribution and technical services. It is one
of the world's largest companies in the transporting of rolling
equipment; automobiles, heavy machinery (mining, construction, farming
equipment), yachts, trains, power stations and others. Headquartered in
Oslo and Stockholm, it has main regional offices in New York, Tokyo and
Sydney. Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics received the
distinguished Norwegian American Trade Award for 2008 from the
Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyq1ml_WiNtI_t7oTnie3GHj8K1eQoC84w0-ZwUN2TGcbpRqYROF0sBx3UFcz3Hp22dL-NK9snEpasdzvP9dXwQ0ZWXwRs8yNx7oQeUyd_eYSv6qI-6d-X66K-zTRMMkTnAF4GMrKBkAb/s1600/staten+island+from+distance.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyq1ml_WiNtI_t7oTnie3GHj8K1eQoC84w0-ZwUN2TGcbpRqYROF0sBx3UFcz3Hp22dL-NK9snEpasdzvP9dXwQ0ZWXwRs8yNx7oQeUyd_eYSv6qI-6d-X66K-zTRMMkTnAF4GMrKBkAb/s320/staten+island+from+distance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Partial view of Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then out farther in the harbor waters, I see <u>Ellis Island.</u> It is captivating to see, set apart off in the waters. The thought of it somehow reminds me of Alcatrez Island in California. I am not sure if it is the facade of the buildings or what. It looks ominous. We'll talk more and see more of Ellis Island in my next post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then not to damper the mood too much at the start of our aquatic journey, I spied the real Miss Lady Liberty off in the distance standing proud and awaiting our boat to dock. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1JvAppdy28JALGX_ttpUdAvxo3ofoB8TMhZLATro6CBu5PTycIDmq1YThvrSrDTkA0Utl6nvxVwdM8xNsqdLkWTV89_uRsYGsrcegdHsHDmr2wmyzdyijm-HLrDcznD6wQvPePWt3tjE/s1600/SOL+from+distance.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1JvAppdy28JALGX_ttpUdAvxo3ofoB8TMhZLATro6CBu5PTycIDmq1YThvrSrDTkA0Utl6nvxVwdM8xNsqdLkWTV89_uRsYGsrcegdHsHDmr2wmyzdyijm-HLrDcznD6wQvPePWt3tjE/s320/SOL+from+distance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Statue of Liberty Off In The Distance</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As we began our approach to Fort Wood, located on what is now known as Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty hangs her hat (or torch, in this case), I would be remiss if not to first mention a little about Fort Wood and its home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Fort Wood</b></u> was a star-shaped fortification on Bedloe's Island (now known as Liberty Island). Its walls were used as the distinctive base for the Statue of Liberty. It is named in honor of Eleazer Derby Wood. Wood was an American Army officer in the War of 1812, and a graduate of West Point who became the first graduate of West Point to die in battle. He was greatly admired by the Army's commanding general Jacob Brown who commissioned a monument in his honor at West Point and also Fort Wood on Liberty Island.<br /><br /><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Liberty Island</b></u> is the small uninhabited island in New York Harborbest known as the location of the Statue of Liberty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the island has a land area of 14.717 acres, which is the property of the federal government. Liberty Island is located in the Upper New York Bay surrounded by the waters of Jersey City, New Jersey, but its built portions and docks fall under the jurisdiction of the City of New York. The historical developments which led to this construction created the rare situation of an exclave of one state, New York, being situated in another, New Jersey. An exclave is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">strip of land that belongs to a political entity but that is not connected to it by land</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. The island is operated by the National Park Service, and since 9/11, is guarded by around-the-clock patrols of the U.S. Park Police Marine Patrol Unit. Liberty Island is 2000 feet (600 m) east of Liberty State Park in Jersey City and is 1-5/8 statute miles (2.6 kilometers) southwest of Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Public access is permitted only by ferries from either of the two parks, Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in Jersey City. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmaIvgaUajWcpJsH3yQWq48dp7UXzrav2Aa8Ztvdv89QXeJ10q9dS0OLEg5z88d9wU4kSZLLBIDvuzHk5FjFIH1irtoiguAy026GEVPFnceRsSR1ee_wPG5tIYRg_AhPTXNymPqhd5G9q/s1600/Fort+wood+monument.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmaIvgaUajWcpJsH3yQWq48dp7UXzrav2Aa8Ztvdv89QXeJ10q9dS0OLEg5z88d9wU4kSZLLBIDvuzHk5FjFIH1irtoiguAy026GEVPFnceRsSR1ee_wPG5tIYRg_AhPTXNymPqhd5G9q/s640/Fort+wood+monument.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-OUQ6ORruDbrdx-NO3mCzZUZnfkij_1euuF1Kc0DcQaBjIbOAZjWJ027o_OEmuiZzyNKTWW_59yllfVqizN6W5ixBwFSsIB53ZVnZgstjpvQ8H9BRplCqi616Q_zOOnNrrhhU-lreCKW/s1600/SOL+1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-OUQ6ORruDbrdx-NO3mCzZUZnfkij_1euuF1Kc0DcQaBjIbOAZjWJ027o_OEmuiZzyNKTWW_59yllfVqizN6W5ixBwFSsIB53ZVnZgstjpvQ8H9BRplCqi616Q_zOOnNrrhhU-lreCKW/s320/SOL+1.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A hot topic of boundary disputes or border wars, The Statue of Liberty itself is claimed as a symbol by both New York and New Jersey. It is a tug-of-war of sorts as everyone from the two states try to lay claim to this grand lady. She was featured on New York license plates from 1986 through 2000 and on a special New Jersey license plate celebrating Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The Statue is also seen on the New York State Quarter. The national monument was the symbol of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, still used by the Raritan Valley Line. (The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal is nearby).<br /><br />Though it is uninhabited, the United States Geological Survey includes it as part of New York's 8th congressional district. Both New York City and Jersey City have assigned the island lot numbers. Utility services, including electricity, water, and sewage, to Liberty and Ellis Islands are provided from the New Jersey side. Mail is delivered from the Battery. </span><br />
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As we walk around Fort Wood in order to catch the various glimpses of Miss Liberty as she proudly shows off her green-covered drapings, we find there is more to see there than just the Lady herself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv88FXzRk-PXDfGrT3pgIelh2ZXxXxtf5IyhcICbP2v8eCxnFJMWakq8enxX7AhJMGXwrswPsxdzRa9DnHsGJy6FAP2EUtj5wVJn_PQWAU0x0TpS21dAOwmnwjn9kRHqWKSjU61oP-sz6N/s1600/WTC+tree+grove+monument.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv88FXzRk-PXDfGrT3pgIelh2ZXxXxtf5IyhcICbP2v8eCxnFJMWakq8enxX7AhJMGXwrswPsxdzRa9DnHsGJy6FAP2EUtj5wVJn_PQWAU0x0TpS21dAOwmnwjn9kRHqWKSjU61oP-sz6N/s400/WTC+tree+grove+monument.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is, for instance, the <u><b>World Trade Center Memorial Grove</b></u>. The plaque, at right, that sits in front of the group of trees notes that they were dedicated to those who lost their lives in the events that transpired on 9/11. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY4-OQ7jvaodqbdFWHIsuhTJgd8mGPUpNCoSGnDhBYEwmJFYrf2IqN7khIIzAsdw3V4ubF2F9QLCuPfMPq1nctROiIALksnIMa_SmiRso3xSxwokEDvavu2OA6Uh9V_uSVOUHez1tJ_YX/s1600/liberty+bike.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY4-OQ7jvaodqbdFWHIsuhTJgd8mGPUpNCoSGnDhBYEwmJFYrf2IqN7khIIzAsdw3V4ubF2F9QLCuPfMPq1nctROiIALksnIMa_SmiRso3xSxwokEDvavu2OA6Uh9V_uSVOUHez1tJ_YX/s400/liberty+bike.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1JvAppdy28JALGX_ttpUdAvxo3ofoB8TMhZLATro6CBu5PTycIDmq1YThvrSrDTkA0Utl6nvxVwdM8xNsqdLkWTV89_uRsYGsrcegdHsHDmr2wmyzdyijm-HLrDcznD6wQvPePWt3tjE/s1600/SOL+from+distance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Also, for now at least, there is the <u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Liberty Bike </b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The famous “Liberty Bike” built by Orange County Choppers and featured on the popular Discovery Channel / TLC television series “<i>American Chopper</i>” is currently on exhibit (began October 2011) at the Statue of Liberty throughout 2012 in celebration of her 125th Anniversary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This motorcycle is entirely plated in copper that was preserved from the centennial restoration of the Statue of Liberty National Monument through an exclusive agreement with The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., under direction of The National Park Service / US Department of Interior.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The “Liberty Bike,” like the Statue of Liberty, is a work of art formed from copper and iron. There are many design features on this special motorcycle that were inspired by Miss Liberty, such as: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The shift lever is crafted from a section of cable that once carried electrical power to her torch</span>. T<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">he handle bar design was inspired by the spikes in Miss Liberty's crown. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The "DaVinci" designed carburetor is fashioned to resemble Lady Liberty's torch and lights up when the bike is running</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From start to completion this bike took only four and a half weeks to complete.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACc9fhXv9TDLqbcWRDEnUy8EvChdn_tNEEygHmxuybGgblp3_kzh8gxb0G9IHBc4WNMEqVQZOisJk8iTdGk7xY5wuCO30u3e8_aHt2r_J0rvz2iAw0sWIDXgaSnWKOpNEo8TfvG7ubdCw/s1600/me+and+televiewer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACc9fhXv9TDLqbcWRDEnUy8EvChdn_tNEEygHmxuybGgblp3_kzh8gxb0G9IHBc4WNMEqVQZOisJk8iTdGk7xY5wuCO30u3e8_aHt2r_J0rvz2iAw0sWIDXgaSnWKOpNEo8TfvG7ubdCw/s640/me+and+televiewer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Manhattan Skyline</b></u><span style="background-color: cyan;">:</span> And, another added feature of Liberty Island is the chance to see the Manhattan Skyline. The skyline, which you can see in the picture above can be viewed through viewfinders on Liberty Island so you can focus up a little closer. You can see the haze from the rainy mist and fog settling in around the skyline. It can also be seen, somewhat in the picture below of Nika, who is all cuddled up in her blanket she brought along. Although it was a fairly nice day out, the air temperatures dip somewhat when we are out in the watery boundaries of Manhattan. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxXHaE6asiUqVSqowo7eTMsURhVP8_M3cs7P8aQAExyN0SHnGr2InF3YR1e4gHOhRzWLqG7CmP_lXKKnqr0WaFx1Wi9f_tV2kUOBdaeI2x4wIC2WFGDyZd96y8WdYMTXQUzY5tUZ5N3mL/s1600/nika+all+wrapped+up.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxXHaE6asiUqVSqowo7eTMsURhVP8_M3cs7P8aQAExyN0SHnGr2InF3YR1e4gHOhRzWLqG7CmP_lXKKnqr0WaFx1Wi9f_tV2kUOBdaeI2x4wIC2WFGDyZd96y8WdYMTXQUzY5tUZ5N3mL/s400/nika+all+wrapped+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The placard recognizing the Manhattan Skyline reads, "In 1886, the Statue of Liberty standing on her pedestal, stood taller than any other structure in New York City. At 305 feet, 1 inch, it exceeded even the Brooklyn Bridge, which had been completed three years earlier. However, the Statue was soon surpassed in height by the forest of tall buildings which today gives Manhattan its world-famous skyline." </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIs9FTazlOVcHdvvKM5tDu3NkHCfSbfHIKzI3ZTzyOzXB4cX5ZmuLEOKzEgFwp9n1pcHE3rnt3nOnRM9_Ao_yRdlUI08gkA5iG7t8tOX0_1gxeLRQZm4Ak_g-QmB3T7xwfq9p9Vvcb5fe/s1600/rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIs9FTazlOVcHdvvKM5tDu3NkHCfSbfHIKzI3ZTzyOzXB4cX5ZmuLEOKzEgFwp9n1pcHE3rnt3nOnRM9_Ao_yRdlUI08gkA5iG7t8tOX0_1gxeLRQZm4Ak_g-QmB3T7xwfq9p9Vvcb5fe/s400/rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Rock from Norway:</b></u> Also there is the rock that reads" This stone from the mine that produced the copper in the statute of liberty was brought with the sailing ship "Sorlandet" as a gift to the US of America from the Citizens of Karmoy, Norway. 7/4/1986"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Statue of Liberty:</b></u> Now that I have touched on almost everything else on the island, I suppose it is time for me to get around to talking about the main attraction -- Miss Lady Liberty herself. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A
gift from
France, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886,
designated as a National Monument in 1924, inscribed as a World Heritage
Site in 1984 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986. The
Statue of Liberty, also known as "Liberty Enlightening the World" is
a titanic neoclassical sculpture of a robed female figure representing
<i>Libertas</i>, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tablet (known as a "tabula ansata") on which is inscribed the
date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. With a
broken chain laying at her feet, she has become an icon of freedom and
of the United States. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: cyan;"><b>Statue of Liberty:</b></u> I suppose it is time for me to get around to talking about the main attraction -- Miss Lady Liberty herself. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A gift from
France, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886,
designated as a National Monument in 1924, inscribed as a World Heritage
Site in 1984 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986. The Statue of Liberty, also now known as "Liberty Enlightening the World" is a titanic neoclassical sculpture of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tablet evoking the law (known as a "tabula ansata") on which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. With a broken chain laying at her feet, she has become an icon of freedom and of the United States. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3oyD3hP9epSTtWWhXbYGpR5DvlgyKEdYR4THmgtSr6GkF1ULElxoMM6UgaRln4ABZ3zRPnKkvsMAk_P2vHAmCdUiDoxgj1YCmXczOWrKtkFRMeKX4V8I0nkl6f7-rCqQVcxmaUoKy9Ix/s1600/sol+between+fingers.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3oyD3hP9epSTtWWhXbYGpR5DvlgyKEdYR4THmgtSr6GkF1ULElxoMM6UgaRln4ABZ3zRPnKkvsMAk_P2vHAmCdUiDoxgj1YCmXczOWrKtkFRMeKX4V8I0nkl6f7-rCqQVcxmaUoKy9Ix/s640/sol+between+fingers.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">You Said How Big?</span> As you already probably know so much about Miss Liberty, I thought I would share a few other details about her which you may find interesting. Let's talk about her physical attributes. Even though she may not look so collassol in the picture above (between my fingers), did you know that she, herself, is 151 feet, 1 inch tall? With the foundation of the pedestal that she so proudly stands on, we come in at a whopping total of 305 feet, 1 inch (from ground level to the tip of her torch); from heel to the top of her head - 111 feet, 1 inch. The length of her hand is 16 feet, 5 inches; her index finger is 8 feet, 1 inch long; her head from chinny-chin-chin to the top of her cranium is 17 feet, 3 inches. The thickness from ear to ear is 10 feet; the distance between her eyes is 2-1/2 feet; her nose is 4 -1/2 feet long; the thickness of her waist is 35 feet; the width of her mouth is 3 feet; her tablet is 23'7" long by 13'7" wide, and 2 feet thick. The weight of the copper used in the statue is 60,000 pounds or 30 tons, while the weight of the steel used in this statue is 250,000 pounds, or 125 tons. If you think that is a lot, here is the grand slam – the total weight of the entire statue is 450,000 pounds, which translates into a stellar 225 tons. Now, if there was ever somebody who needed to lose a little around the middle!!! (I’m not feeling so bad right now – okay, I know, not exactly apples to apples). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSBFsGmQ3Bon-aNTLHCj0kYHsVaEpsDmqHAIoFCCptYissb1g-RmTbFAkoakk1Mp_VDusyMSD53n53PIF3jVf_4oYjMmYb4WHbFweUOdAFnvVDCH0YBQYnpc2E8MQhUtG4jMiOLe3GoZS/s1600/nika+me+SOL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSBFsGmQ3Bon-aNTLHCj0kYHsVaEpsDmqHAIoFCCptYissb1g-RmTbFAkoakk1Mp_VDusyMSD53n53PIF3jVf_4oYjMmYb4WHbFweUOdAFnvVDCH0YBQYnpc2E8MQhUtG4jMiOLe3GoZS/s640/nika+me+SOL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">A Little Inner Makeover:</span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was announced earlier last year (2011) that the Statue of Liberty National Monument would be undergoing a $27.25 million renovation</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> that would includes safety and other critical facility renovations. This, of course, began in October -- right before we visited. Two years prior to that they had just reopened the crown to visitors, which had been closed down since the 9/11 attacks. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They plan to install code compliant stairways within the monument, update mechanical, electrical and fire suppression systems, replace the elevators, and rehabilitate restrooms. The improvements will also allow for increased visitor access to the monument, including the pedestal and the museum. All good, but not for us since we were then unable to go up into the Statue. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Approximately 3.5 million people visit Liberty Island each year, but, before the project began, only a small percentage actually secure a reservation to enter into the monument and scale to the top. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With approximately three groups ascending the crown per hour, an average of 240 visitors climb to the crown each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Webcams at the Statue of Liberty:</span> In October of 2011, it was announced that The Lady would now also be known officially as "Liberty Enlightening the World." Why, you ask? Well, beginning then she could actually be called "Liberty Enlightening the World Wide Web" thanks to a series of new web cams placed around her torch. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTuNDE0KCZu5VAG8a9r1iP87JM2RsvYANJ8idexBQr0AWP3UBDSVaN4lgNzO40yqKQI4ROTrCwpbj7QlAkS6AlZ23q06R56A0Db4vVbhyJrPLTmgdzr266y_O8M1WDIHTc1xKeMZt6Oe_/s1600/me+and+SOL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTuNDE0KCZu5VAG8a9r1iP87JM2RsvYANJ8idexBQr0AWP3UBDSVaN4lgNzO40yqKQI4ROTrCwpbj7QlAkS6AlZ23q06R56A0Db4vVbhyJrPLTmgdzr266y_O8M1WDIHTc1xKeMZt6Oe_/s400/me+and+SOL.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, besides rainy it was also windy!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Several remarkable views will be just a touch of a mouse away. On clear days, three cameras will provide unobstructed panoramas and live views of the famed New York City skyline, along with a front row seat to watch views of the majestic Hudson River and ships in New York Harbor. And that's just looking out. The two remaining cameras provide truly unique views with one provideing a ultra wide-angle interactive view of the famed golden torch and the final camera looking downward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Using today's technology, you can now go online and </span>see views from her torch, her crown and even see a panaromic view of the skyline. Wow! Just go to <u>http://www.ellisisland.org/TorchCam/</u> and click on "Torch Cam," "Crown Cam" and/or any of the other views that are listed. </div>
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<br />Now, onto the question that I know is just eating at you.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Why
is She Green? </span> The answer is the air. As I have previously described to you, her "skin" is made of copper,
and when copper is exposed to oxygen in the air, it undergoes a chemical
reaction known as oxidation. The reaction causes fine crust or film
to develop that is usually green in color. This layer actually protects
the original metal underneath. With copper and bronze, this natural
process is called patination (<i>i.e.</i>, you know you have heard or said
"something has a nice patina"). It took nearly 30 years for The Lady
to turn from her original copper color to the green you see in the
pictures here. On our sightseeing excursions around New York City, we have witnessed this process on other buildings, too, where bronze metals were used for roofing and/or ornamentation and through the years the caps on the buildings or their little decorative trinkets have turned green (with envy)! </div>
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Alas, there wouldn't be a place in New York City to see if it didn't sell something, too. And, Liberty Island is no different. It has its own souveneir shop where we made our way through and I did just minor damage. One of my finds was a Statue of Liberty Barbie doll which I purchased for my niece/goddaughter, Kailey, for Christmas. Nika also spied a New York sling bag for me. It was something I had been looking for on our trip. More to carry, but I am getting used to that. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq15Qcru7F-HTStuLKh61hvzK8XNQvRBU_awhKTKW4pUE2UMQ-7gqXacWRRv9UHnQY8wOGG43gqFjv60sWDbHJF04brvaGeZMLXpYilipIbV5ps-Sw_YL8v9o8p0lxqHB9h5gN0ltNib1/s1600/our+ferry.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq15Qcru7F-HTStuLKh61hvzK8XNQvRBU_awhKTKW4pUE2UMQ-7gqXacWRRv9UHnQY8wOGG43gqFjv60sWDbHJF04brvaGeZMLXpYilipIbV5ps-Sw_YL8v9o8p0lxqHB9h5gN0ltNib1/s400/our+ferry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Ferry we are going to catch to go to Ellis Island</span></td></tr>
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Okay, we've done the tour of Liberty Island and its famous inhabitant. It is time to say goodbye, so off we go to catch the next ferry in time to head on over to Ellis Island. Part two of our aquatic adventure is about to being. This boat trip isn't over yet, folks.</div>
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But before I leave you, I can't help myself -- I have to do it one more time, but this time from the ferry.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvyjoQscbQKoX3rUr_1ZDwEl5KQa0YMoCk3jR5IJ0m18251YbFbz9JmS3Xc5r6RY2uTTPEx2806AMlxnve26NSspPHQlVV-VI9RnjpwPeAClqHhr65vSewF-tA3Wa-PBVeF3G5sMmrgpA/s1600/sol+between+fingers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvyjoQscbQKoX3rUr_1ZDwEl5KQa0YMoCk3jR5IJ0m18251YbFbz9JmS3Xc5r6RY2uTTPEx2806AMlxnve26NSspPHQlVV-VI9RnjpwPeAClqHhr65vSewF-tA3Wa-PBVeF3G5sMmrgpA/s320/sol+between+fingers+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay, I'm done doing that now</span>!</td></tr>
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[Next post -- we're off to Ellis Island.]</div>
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<br /></div>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-11129498821966395772012-04-16T14:07:00.000-05:002012-04-16T14:07:36.087-05:00The Big Apple: Day 3, Part 6: Dinner (Irish Pub) and a Show (Comedy Cellar)<br />
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Okay, so here we are, we have now just left the Museum and we have to jump on the subway and quickly head back to the hotel to freshen up. Also, I have to plug my camera in to recharge it. While at the Museum my battery went dead and, of course, I forgot my backup battery at the hotel! DUH!! Since we are back<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> at our room just chilling for a few moments, I thought I should take a picture of me taking a pic of Nika and share that with you! Haha! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsFp779_UFGWStaujRdFSXortiUmswiB92W5aw8sTcavsNcShVwC-sN-zAnxjfhWX9pd-Ht26E3QdcTlXbYsSb2LmVJ3LUXfjjOW3CaMi8CQ2POE0nAvYCGPBV4iSy6R5kod2D1BejO7j/s1600/nika+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsFp779_UFGWStaujRdFSXortiUmswiB92W5aw8sTcavsNcShVwC-sN-zAnxjfhWX9pd-Ht26E3QdcTlXbYsSb2LmVJ3LUXfjjOW3CaMi8CQ2POE0nAvYCGPBV4iSy6R5kod2D1BejO7j/s400/nika+hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling in the Room</td></tr>
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Getting back to the hotel at virtually the same time as Casey -- as this was Casey's first time at this hotel since Nika and I changed hotels early that morning when he left for work -- we got ready
and then went next door to The Irish Pub for a great supper (while watching the Brewers game on TV). </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>The Irish Pub:</b></u> Located right next door to our hotel, at 837 7th Avenue, The Irish Pub was established in 1939 and sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. They offer a wide variety of foods from the traditional Irish pub fare to classic American dishes and consider themselves a premier sports bar with many TVs and two 100" big screens. At first, we were seated in the window which was a very narrow counter situated along the front or street-side of the bar. It was packed in there at the time. We told our hostess and waitress that we would love a table if one became available. We had no more than sat down and she came back for us and seated us right where we could watch the big game -- well, big game to us at least, since it was Game 4 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of the National League World series playoffs in which the Brewers were playing the Cardinals. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We were a little skeptical about cheering too loudly because New York had
just lost out in their series and we didn't want to disturb any mourning
that might be going on. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With the series beginning on the 9th of October, the Brew Crew was in Game 4. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mlYQsoRgj1RgWK34lQjHL8xf8bcKRqb4gb4ZXfKyWNkN1TvYGltFRJ_KUCvexff5u4OniMw0zCROWAiGJPqlDxt7z0vm1Et-laDVBwa38Lr_QxZC9CEooO2_aJJXmEc7WHGxPGSScz7b/s1600/kc+kiss+nika+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mlYQsoRgj1RgWK34lQjHL8xf8bcKRqb4gb4ZXfKyWNkN1TvYGltFRJ_KUCvexff5u4OniMw0zCROWAiGJPqlDxt7z0vm1Et-laDVBwa38Lr_QxZC9CEooO2_aJJXmEc7WHGxPGSScz7b/s320/kc+kiss+nika+eating.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey and Nika at The Irish Pub</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Game 4:</span> To refresh your memory of Game 4, here is a quick recap. Brewers starter Randy Wolf kept Milwaukee from falling into a 1–3 series deficit, by throwing seven innings, and striking out six batters. Bernie's Brew Crew then scored two runs to tie the game in the 4th inning, with Hairston hitting an RBI double to score Prince and then Betancourt followed up with a single to score Hairston. We then scored another run in the 5th on a single by my hero Braun, and another run in the sixth, thanks to the Cards Thierot's error. Wolf, along with relievers Rodríguez and Axford finally shut the Cardinals down to even the series at two games apiece and guaranteeing that the series would end in Milwaukee. </div>
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<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RWnK4l0zXsJrkLKb0kQdgAia372GWxNVh0-Zd2Vt0tXeFV3dF2uWud5C01HZ0nHD8AcJ16XVKlkh_1u4kM55jiiOVI4cnUsyvfCeYmjqajaSkj3wVHdy8MOu2Miru-P9n8R_TK5eYdxe/s1600/me+eating+by+myself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RWnK4l0zXsJrkLKb0kQdgAia372GWxNVh0-Zd2Vt0tXeFV3dF2uWud5C01HZ0nHD8AcJ16XVKlkh_1u4kM55jiiOVI4cnUsyvfCeYmjqajaSkj3wVHdy8MOu2Miru-P9n8R_TK5eYdxe/s320/me+eating+by+myself.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Me At the Irish Pub with my Imaginary Hubby</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: red;">Back to the Irish Pub</span> -- At right, I spoofed for the camera with my arm around my
imaginary hubby -- yea, I suppose I could have brought a cardboard cutout
of Bob and put him next to me, but it would have been extra baggage charges on the plane! hahaha! As for my meal, I had the fish and chips and it
was so good. This was a indeed a legitimate Irish pub because all the wait staff had
true Irish brogues, which was so fascinating to listen to.</span></div>
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After finishing our meal, we jumped
on the subway for the second time (actually it would be the third) that day and off to Greenwich Village
to the Comedy Cellar for a 10:00 p.m. comedy show that included 6
nationally known comics (who all live in the NY City area or burbs).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypkj3_EpxGx9oPSOSLcUkn75uvTDHNFi89dnB7_Jm16CPau1Sts_Vt_Oafz1_DBJytGTd9wYqUM36cZ3C6eAC_jQsoWzwFK61nizW5aNzOrD4-BMQpjG53lO5l4tCQWLptWWTSnanno4q/s1600/kc+me+on+subway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypkj3_EpxGx9oPSOSLcUkn75uvTDHNFi89dnB7_Jm16CPau1Sts_Vt_Oafz1_DBJytGTd9wYqUM36cZ3C6eAC_jQsoWzwFK61nizW5aNzOrD4-BMQpjG53lO5l4tCQWLptWWTSnanno4q/s320/kc+me+on+subway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Casey and Momma</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u style="background-color: orange; color: black;"><b>The New York City Subway</b></u> is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit. It is one of the oldest and most extensive public transportation systems in the world, with 468 stations in operation (421, if stations connected by transfers are counted as single stations); consisting of 209 miles of routes, which translates into 656 miles of revenue track; and a total of 842 miles including non-revenue trackage. In 2011, the subway delivered over 1.640 billion rides, averaging over 5 million rides on weekdays, over three million on Saturdays, and over two million rides on Sundays. </span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br />The New York City Subway is the seventh busiest rapid transit rail system in the world in annual ridership, after Tokyo's, Moscow's, Beijing's, Shanghai's, Seoul's, and Guangzhou's (f/k/a as Canton, China) rapid transit systems, and the busiest in the Americas. It is one of the four systems in the United States, along with portions of the Chicago "L" system, PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson in New Jersey), and PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation), to offer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. </span>Crime rates have
shown variations over time, with a drop starting in the 1990's and
continuing through today.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkwHaW8t-UFK-Xy8QKA_zsV_oeewS9EpXxd7NJJaMyaLsEXmPZX-ph45IvjvCQ2mzfqJD6hZPAyEEFYhLk8ZBrNIaU4gonH-ikkbE7rI_CzNHLuGT_ht-puuzHE5UaaFqO4aM04Jn8R1I/s1600/three+of+us+on+subway.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkwHaW8t-UFK-Xy8QKA_zsV_oeewS9EpXxd7NJJaMyaLsEXmPZX-ph45IvjvCQ2mzfqJD6hZPAyEEFYhLk8ZBrNIaU4gonH-ikkbE7rI_CzNHLuGT_ht-puuzHE5UaaFqO4aM04Jn8R1I/s400/three+of+us+on+subway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All Three!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Photographing</span>: After the 9/11 attacks in New York, the MTA was extremely wary of anyone taking photographs or recording video inside the system and proposed banning all photography and recording in a meeting around June 2004. However, due to strong response from both the public and from civil rights groups, the rule of conduct was dropped. In November 2004, the MTA again put this rule up for approval, but was again denied, though many police officers and transit workers still confront or harass people taking photographs or video. <br />
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On April 3, 2009, the NYPD issued a directive to officers stating that it is now legal to take pictures within the subway system so long as it is not accompanied with suspicious activity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIymSEJPH6LZN60p7mJ_b3vYe5UN1qvi6MVDjNAkIrzoNpPPttBEskJmYKEFil_gHXrrUeMFXE1bmqaIkm8f4snle_fyMt4u4eXHDBaTm04XonF1GsHfaMf0cneyqCiu396O2mFaXO6ADZ/s1600/nika+me+on+subway.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIymSEJPH6LZN60p7mJ_b3vYe5UN1qvi6MVDjNAkIrzoNpPPttBEskJmYKEFil_gHXrrUeMFXE1bmqaIkm8f4snle_fyMt4u4eXHDBaTm04XonF1GsHfaMf0cneyqCiu396O2mFaXO6ADZ/s320/nika+me+on+subway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika and me</span></td></tr>
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Litter accumulation is a perennial problem in the subway system. In the 1970's and 1980's, dirty trains and platforms, as well as graffiti were a serious problem. The situation has improved since then, but the 2010 budget crisis has threatened to curtail trash removal from the subway system. Just the other night, I heard on David Letterman that the Mayor had issued a proclamation banning eating on the subway (supposedly because of the draw of rodents). Luckily, I <b>didn't</b> see any huge rodents!<br />
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We had to consult the large subway maps to determine which lines and routes we were going to take to get out to Greenwich Village. I am glad that Casey and Nika knew what they were doing, as I certainly didn't!</div>
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Getting on and off the subway was a lot easier than finding the Comedy Cellar itself. We exited the subway and then tried to get our bearings on where we were walking. We asked many people for directions but most didn't know where they were going either, so they were of little help -- probably all tourists like me! Finally, we found someone who sent us in the right direction.<br />
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As we approached the Comedy Cellar we saw there were two lines out front. I showed the person at the door our tickets and he told us to get into the line East of the establishment, which snaked around the corner, and we hopped in line. The other line out front which went in the opposite direction was the line for those seeking a free pass into the show. The CC distributes a limited number of free passes for shows taking place
Sunday through Thursday. If you are a local you just try to be the first ones there in hopes of snagging one. If you are a tourist, I wouldn't recommend it, because you run the chance the show is sold out and that everyone shows up for their tickets, and then you have wasted your time waiting in line. <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> People stand in long lines outside hoping to that
people will not show up for their reservations. If there is room for
these sold out events, then they allow those standing in line to come
in. But with a capacity of only around 80-90 seats, they get sold out
fast. </span></span><br />
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While we were standing in line, one of the comedians came out to entertain us while we were waiting. He worked his way down the line doing a few jokes and magic tricks. It helped pass the time, which wasn't really all that long as I think we were only in line less than a half hour. Once the ticket holders to the earlier show emptied out, we worked our way in and found the seats we wanted and felt comfortable with. First, they were close to the bathroom (that is, if you can call it a bathroom -- seriously, a one-seater shared by both sexes, that I have seen closets bigger than this!); second, we got end seats -- so we were not closed in; and third and most importantly, we were what we figured was out of reach for a comedian to pick on us! You do not want to place yourself in prime real estate reach of a comedian because you know that out of the three of us, one of us would be the target at some point or another.<br />
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Next, let me give you a few tidbits of quick info on The Comedy Cellar. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7CY5ki1Rj1OddtaO9aLHsDA2scgYVT5jAicXQ20utXHtJHaX8hKUfg2KzsKdy9xVm1A9UyKVR-KR0i4r_V_sxTUHd91TPcWsy9ez2EU3chMkLbJkO_6wdwWVv610YNNjsO8ONg3Mle1v/s1600/comedy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7CY5ki1Rj1OddtaO9aLHsDA2scgYVT5jAicXQ20utXHtJHaX8hKUfg2KzsKdy9xVm1A9UyKVR-KR0i4r_V_sxTUHd91TPcWsy9ez2EU3chMkLbJkO_6wdwWVv610YNNjsO8ONg3Mle1v/s640/comedy+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Comedy Cellar - the lit-up area is where the comedians performed</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>The Comedy Cellar</b></u> is a comedy club in Manhattan, where many top New York comedians perform. It was founded in 1982 by then standup comedian, and current television writer/producer Bill Grundfest. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village at 117 MacDougal Street, the upstairs portion is a restaurant called <i>The Olive Tree Cafe</i>, </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">where many of the comedians hang out after performing</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">. They share the same menu, kitchen, and staff. Many people eat at the restaurant before attending a show. <br /><br />The Comedy Cellar uses what is known as a "showcase format," as opposed to a headline format like most clubs. A show will consist of between five and seven comics performing sets of roughly 20 minutes each. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblqd3_MyP6_Nj0E1WbUarawY_xuow69UaoqWwtMdRxmtEdB_Ttc2epHAqUz1-gqma84T1MHQLMq717Ztan_tOb56WfJ_zWjmMK_E9USG80-tMREfYpNWOxiuu4NtwCgHvJmRShwkbuyLy/s1600/comedy+2.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblqd3_MyP6_Nj0E1WbUarawY_xuow69UaoqWwtMdRxmtEdB_Ttc2epHAqUz1-gqma84T1MHQLMq717Ztan_tOb56WfJ_zWjmMK_E9USG80-tMREfYpNWOxiuu4NtwCgHvJmRShwkbuyLy/s640/comedy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People Filing in To Find Seats at The Comedy Cellar</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Regular performers there include, and maybe you have seen or heard of some or all of these: Colin Quinn, <i>Opie and Anthony</i> co-host Jim Norton, Mitch Fatel, <i>SNL</i> star Darrell Hammond, Dave Attell, Louis C.K., Nick DiPaolo, Artie Lange, Dave Chapelle, and radio host Marc Maron. Also, some rising stars in comedy frequently perform, including Dov Davidoff, Robert Kelly, Sherrod Small, Keith Robinson, Gregg Rogell, and Ben Bailey. </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Each week consists of two shows a night on Sunday through Thursday, three shows each Friday, and four shows on Saturday. </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><i>The New York Post</i> regularly rates the Cellar as the best comedy club in New York. Musician John Mayer has also been known to dabble in a stand-up comedy performance there occasionally. We found out that there is always</span> the high probability of
unannounced drop-ins by the likes of Dave Chapelle and Robin Williams. <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Much of Jerry Seinfeld's 2002 documentary <i>Comedian</i> was filmed at the club, and it also can be seen in a 2006 Pepsi commercial starring <i>SNL</i> star Jimmy Fallon. </span><br />
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There is a two-purchase minimum per person. But they offer a
full bar with beer, mixed drinks and specialty cocktails, plus you
could also order something from the upstairs menu which features burgers
and wings or snack-type foods.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NcEiG8GDy6La83HBdRH6t62UjuZHl4tfg9QSaszRm2jbhyphenhyphenqm9cwJsXim6NWG4OkiR66DU93jK42gicDuQ_VPJCUL6FIHk4kq_SgE_yRUbXmTFXj6qOPJflT4H8FBx5irFDEUXAlDuWG7/s1600/comedy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NcEiG8GDy6La83HBdRH6t62UjuZHl4tfg9QSaszRm2jbhyphenhyphenqm9cwJsXim6NWG4OkiR66DU93jK42gicDuQ_VPJCUL6FIHk4kq_SgE_yRUbXmTFXj6qOPJflT4H8FBx5irFDEUXAlDuWG7/s640/comedy+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Comedy Cellar</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Continuing On About Our Cellar Experience:</span> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">I did mention before about the bathroom but the surroundings was that of a typical basement, with very low ceilings, dimly lit, and very, very </span>tight
quarters. You could tell from the mixture of the crowd that the majority were probably college-age regulars, but there were those, like me, in the middle age range and also couples who appeared to be out for date night. With the raucous atmosphere, you are taking your chances if you select this as your first-date night location, though. </div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">We couldn't take pictures
during the show but, as you can see from the pictures above, this shows our seats which were great. We were in the first row
right behind the front row which was fantastic because you could see the
comedian great, but yet you were not in the immediate front row and getting picked on
by the comedian! </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">A lot of politics and
talk of Occupy Wall Street plus good old racial talk across the board.
That is what I love about these comedy shows (if you have thin skin you
shouldn't go) as this is a no-holds barred show. Every ethnic
group and race gets beat up along the way but it is all in good fun.</span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> If it is an African-American comedian, the Caucasian people are barbecued and served up on a platter, and vice-versa. </span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The Middle-Eastern descent gentleman in the picture above (the only one who is facing the camera) definitely picked the wrong seat. He was fodder for the comedians as they used him as their primary focus for Osama Bin Laden- and terrorist-type jokes. And, this was when there was a lot going on in the Middle East in the way of territorial-boundary wars, etc. There was also a couple in the first row who were picked on pretty heavily, too. Then there was the African-American woman with a pretty "heavy" chest, dressed a little too provocative, that also was a constant target. See -- picking your seat really is something you need to pay close attention, too. </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The comedians we saw were:
<u>Andy Hendrickson</u> - from <i>HBO US Comedy Arts Festival</i>, <i>Xm/Sirius</i>, <i>Great
American Comedy Festival</i>; <u>Moodi</u> - from <i>Comedy Central</i>'s "<i>Tough Crowd</i>",
<i>The Howard Stern Show</i>, "<i>Sopranos</i>", <i>Comedy Central</i>; <u>Lee Camp</u> - from Showt<span class="text_exposed_show">ime's
"<i>The Green Room</i>", <i>Comedy Central</i>'s "<i>Fresh Debate</i>", Contributor to <i>"The
Onion"</i>; <u>Sherrod Smal</u>l - writer and actor on the new TBS show "<i>Are We
There Yet"</i> which is produced by Ice Cube, "<i>Red Eye</i>" on Fox, VH-1's "<i>Best
Week Ever</i>", <i>Comedy Central</i>'s "<i>Tough Crowd</i>", <i>Showtime at the Apollo</i>; and
<u>Justin Silver</u> - from NBC "<i>Law and Order</i>" <i>MTV New Year Comedy Special</i>. I was totally surprised with Justin Silver, as I have seen him regularly on <i>Law and Order</i> and did not realize he did stand-up comedy. And then, of course, there was the host, </span></span>Ardie Fuqua,<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> who was just
hilarious, too! It was a super night of comedy and I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting New York City. </span></span> </div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">After our 10:00 p.m. show ended, it was announced that since we had already gotten tickets and were there, we
were being offered the opportunity to stay for the Midnight "Nasty"
show. Unfortunately, though, since it was already 11:45 p.m., it would have gotten too late for Casey since he had to go to<span class="text_exposed_show"> work the next morning. As those of us who weren't staying filed out, the patiently waiting line outside eagerly were ready to pounce on the empty seats. You have to be a die-hard fan to wait in line like that, especially in this case since it was raining outside. And here we were with no umbrellas with us either. So we made a mad dash to head to the subway for some shelter from the rain. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Once inside the subway, I found that there is always late night entertainment. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AxUs6fprrUXTpIV7RWaMIZTKcGHvQgfSmuQWuCJIjpUgb2EzvfYot36zg2tg_DFq1etRmVp31kqcY4FsJPpwg9w82buHdbvlRqSJw0z7RB7A4AqcKW2hDtSrrFEYruQbLlX900gBaYR5/s1600/subway+home+drummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AxUs6fprrUXTpIV7RWaMIZTKcGHvQgfSmuQWuCJIjpUgb2EzvfYot36zg2tg_DFq1etRmVp31kqcY4FsJPpwg9w82buHdbvlRqSJw0z7RB7A4AqcKW2hDtSrrFEYruQbLlX900gBaYR5/s640/subway+home+drummer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drummer in the subway</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: red;">Music In the Subway:</span> This guy, pictured above, was playing in the
subway on our way home back to the hotel (probably around 1:00 a.m.). He
was super and was also selling his CD's. He was what was labeled as a one-man
E-percussionist. Riding the subway, I found, can be very entertaining because it seemed there was always someone doing their musical thing along the way, whether it was this one-man band, a 3-person mariachi band that hopped on one car, or mimes that we encountered on one trek that pantomimed to the music.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">With the rain still coming down, it was a good thing that our subway exit was just on the other side of our hotel building. And, due to construction renovations to the facade of our hotel, there was scaffolding set up so we were able to walk underneath that to avoid the rain. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Once inside our hotel room, Casey was hitting the pillow pretty fast. I still had to download pictures to Facebook, as promised, so it was nearly 2:30 by the time I climbed under the covers. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">All in all, it was a great night for a dinner and a show! Day 3 of my New York Adventure finally closes. It has unequivocally been another satisfying day in The Big Apple journey. Time to turn in, so I say to you. . .Good Night All! Until tomorrow when we start Day 4. </span></div>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-12116487379374821242012-04-16T10:01:00.001-05:002012-04-16T10:01:27.768-05:00Easter Family Gathering 2012 -- Yes, It Is All Cracked Up To What It Is Supposed To Be<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Family holidays -- gotta love them! I do, I really, really do! I toil, bake, cook, clean, and run around like a chicken with its head cut off to host a holiday party (or any party for that matter), but I love, love, love doing them and wouldn't have it any other way. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLxC7BzFkZNy_ktdJXCrSbxTzLQtRW-kj2-YT0mxWZQZSuBv52GD4D5M4rblnvrTjTsXrmUgbIeljHABxcfscXvEmpJuZxVwFjmaQXub3QC3idGSUdSAcXrdgmry1IwePE3TuvDfXxpth/s1600/DSCN3903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLxC7BzFkZNy_ktdJXCrSbxTzLQtRW-kj2-YT0mxWZQZSuBv52GD4D5M4rblnvrTjTsXrmUgbIeljHABxcfscXvEmpJuZxVwFjmaQXub3QC3idGSUdSAcXrdgmry1IwePE3TuvDfXxpth/s640/DSCN3903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Centerpiece on my Kitchen Island</span></td></tr>
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This year, as it is every year for Easter (for over 15 years), I hosted my side on Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. The holiday is made bigger when my sister, Suzi and her family from Minnesota come down, because (due to the distance, obviously) they don't get a chance to spend every holiday with us. My niece and goddaughter, Kailey, is however, allergic to dogs. We have Pongo in the house and Wolfie outside. Due to her allergies, I always make sure besides vacuuming, that I shampoo all my carpets and wash all my throw rugs, to help possibly forgo any problems for her. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Friday Prep Day:</span> So, Friday brought shampooing carpets, besides the last minute tasks to getting ready. The tables were set -- this year since another set of good china had been added to my collection, everyone was able to sit down to a total coordinated effort. I know this sounds trivial, but to me I always am trying to coordinate all -- I'm very anal, if you haven't deduced that by now! Black tablecloths with Easter table runners, my white china trimmed in gold, gold chargers for the adults, clear goblets, my good silver and gold flatware, and gold and black cloth napkins. I took out my new and antique soup tureens to place on the tables, along with water pitchers, salt/pepper shakers and also grabbed water and milk pitchers from my collection that coordinated with the table settings. Once all the napkins were placed on each place setting, I was satisfied with the arrangements, but knew that I had one last minute item that would go on each plate -- that I would wait until my youngest niece, Tabba, to arrive to have her help me with. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23M-20KmLJPi8OnS1Diu__5oHERzYzItCNfO9mIQAo4WN2rlJmKRZB68HIpiyOzh8L-JwXlR8cTRZF6EEq9H9Pxd3WMnSKLUqzfT3oxdI3EE0C3RQQT_01oP-T3NW4nyYL9Q2mWhtUbqR/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23M-20KmLJPi8OnS1Diu__5oHERzYzItCNfO9mIQAo4WN2rlJmKRZB68HIpiyOzh8L-JwXlR8cTRZF6EEq9H9Pxd3WMnSKLUqzfT3oxdI3EE0C3RQQT_01oP-T3NW4nyYL9Q2mWhtUbqR/s640/table.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">What is left of my adult table setting after we got done eating. See the new upholstered chairs!</span></td></tr>
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I was up very, very early that morning, but still it seemed my day was slipping away rapidly. I still had to make the desserts, salads, jello, cupcakes, wash floors and the throw rugs. Plus, I had to get groceries. My initial plan was to go early in the morning, but I decided I didn't want to break up my day, meaning that once I got up I wanted to hit the floor running and sweating and didn't want to have to clean up and change to go to the grocery store. And the lawn needed to be mowed. Luckily, after serving up a quick lunch to Bob, he agreed to go out and take a whack at the lawn, which has always been my job to do. One less thing on my list. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoM7dEo_M-3Za-MtPi10NoG6cY_Rxd2mW4DVXxGJEjIZTGA68AsIf7UjI7g0HuVjBU3VPwgTMXpuHS1rHaJMhFsSn59kmCESvRV5w_7E29M92KcuWqq9dn0xXvtQr_JuGQ9U3rev1d6AP/s1600/inside+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoM7dEo_M-3Za-MtPi10NoG6cY_Rxd2mW4DVXxGJEjIZTGA68AsIf7UjI7g0HuVjBU3VPwgTMXpuHS1rHaJMhFsSn59kmCESvRV5w_7E29M92KcuWqq9dn0xXvtQr_JuGQ9U3rev1d6AP/s640/inside+eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">"Kids" Table - this was the centerpiece for their table which contained all the eggs for the hunt (alot missing now)!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Off to Get Groceries:</span> Now, by the time I had gotten all but the desserts made, it was already 6:30. I quickly cleaned up, changed and was on the road to Monroe by 7:00 p.m. With two quick stops (okay, they weren't necessarily "quick" but quick as I could get when I am running around), I had the Durango loaded up with groceries and a few other Easter fill-in treats for the baskets. My new find for this shopping trip was "Kinky Liqueur" which is a blend of distilled vodka, blood oranges, mango and passion fruit. I glanced at my clock in the car as I turned on the ignition and couldn't believe it was already after 8:30. My how time flies when you are having fun -- NOT!! I just simply don't really enjoy grocery shopping anymore -- especially when I am in a rush (which 99.9% of the time when I grocery shop, I am). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ-NBOocv61DvJNP13herwJLDdtVvaGdc_4uO7L19qDEceu_G62FWnA7Yqf9PMmBmF46ziICk1wIiD48oPOcpn8pCcq3CwGTyeqBD2q2j8dz8cQKy5-z7-_PfhqTofoXcGqE0grylvjZg/s1600/DSCN3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ-NBOocv61DvJNP13herwJLDdtVvaGdc_4uO7L19qDEceu_G62FWnA7Yqf9PMmBmF46ziICk1wIiD48oPOcpn8pCcq3CwGTyeqBD2q2j8dz8cQKy5-z7-_PfhqTofoXcGqE0grylvjZg/s640/DSCN3897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids' and Bob's Easter "Baskets"</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Late Night:</span> On the way home I called Bob and asked him to turn the oven on, as we were doing a rising crust oven pizza for supper. I figured that could bake while he and I unloaded groceries. With the groceries unloaded and a little supper under our belts, I shooed Bob off to bed so I could get down to some serious dessert-making. My goals: devil's food Easter cupcakes, Better Than Sex dessert and a new find -- Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake. The latter is the one I have never made before, which is always my personal challenge at each holiday; to find a new dessert and spring it on everyone. Of course, I hadn't quite read through the whole recipe before and so once I sat down with it to read it in detail, I found it was going to be a little more time-consuming that originally planned. With all the desserts complete, by 2:30 a.m., I pulled the finished cheesecake out of the oven. Now I had to let it cool down before putting in the refrigerator. I decided I needed to sit down on the recliner to maybe get in a quick snooze, so off to la la-land I went for one-half hour. At 3:00 a.m, I awoke to find that the cheesecake was sufficiently cooled down, at least enough to put in the refrigerator. Once done, off to bed I went, only to be awaken a little after 4:00 a.m. by a low. </div>
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I dragged myself downstairs and had a quick snack of some milk and cheese and guided myself out of the low; sat down in the recliner for a half hour to read, rest and recovery, and by that time Bob was up. Time for me to get up and rolling some more. By 5:00 a.m., I was able to start functioning again, so it was time to put together the other foods that needed to be baked, cooked, etc., and to get some more last minute laundry done. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My Easter Basket from Casey/Nika; Bob and I also got Easter candy from Brady/Jenne<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Unexpected Helper(s):</span> Later that morning with a few Facebook posts, my niece/goddaughter, Maci, decided she would come over to help me finish up getting everything ready. She said she would be over around 10:00, which was an hour before others were to arrive for appetizers. When she appeared, she brought four of my five littlest nieces along. Hmmm...not sure how much that is going to help? Faced with questions about this and that, I finally sent them to my "kids' entertainment drawer" and told them to grab the sidewalk chalk and they could go outside to play with that. Next thing I know, they are running back in because Wolfie (who loves anything that is not tied down), took off with one of the bags of chalk. They chased him but couldn't keep up nor could they find out where he dropped it at. Well, they still had one container to use. With Maci working hard, I left her with instructions of what to do next while I went upstairs to get ready. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Early Arrivals:</span> At 10:40, I heard voices downstairs and realized that my son, Brady, had arrived and also my sister, Suzi, her hubby Greg and littlest angel, Tabba. As is her nature, Suzi went right to work to help get the last minute things ready, and I called for Tabba to come upstairs so I could put her to work on her little task. Once we had our kiss-and-hug greeting over, I handed her packages of <i>Peeps</i> and gave her implicit instructions on what to do next. She was to place one <i>Peep</i> on top of every place setting, in the center of the napkin. Off my little "current 4-year-old, just-shy-of-a-few-days 5-year-old" went. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Tabba -- My Little "Peeps" Helper</span></td></tr>
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Once dressed, I came downstairs to find she had indeed done her job well. She had even rewarded herself with a leftover <i>Peep</i>. (I am told that giving sugar to children on the morning of a holiday is a forgiven sin! Okay, so maybe I made that up!! But when you come to Aunt Shari's house, I get to treat them to all kinds of goodies!) <br />
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My helpers, Maci and Suzi, were hard at it. Now here is the funny part. I can tell everyone appetizers are at 11:00, and no one shows up until noon. I think, even though my family will claim it is me, that they are all habitual latecomers. So, when sister Suzi and family showed up even before 11:00, I was surprised, but pleasantly thankful. I rewarded her by telling her cocktail hour had officially started.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A picture of some of the "hidden" eggs in the back yard</span></td></tr>
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Our family always does an Easter Egg Hunt, weather permitting, and I always let the little ones decorate their own baskets, pails or whatever I have designated for that year's gathering utensil. This year, I gave them yellow gift bags and had a box full of Easter stickers and markers for them to decorate their own. This keeps them busy them for a little while. So I sent them off to the living room to entertain themselves for a bit. </div>
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The rest of the gang slowly started arriving. The older and younger kids settled into the living room to set up a game of <i>Sorry</i>. After getting through some appetizers, punch and cocktails, it was time to eat. With others also bringing food and drink, feast we did. I am always so glad for the time that we can share as our big family gathers together. It is not only a time to gobble up food, but catch up with everyone, share their opinions, cackle a little, share remembrances -- that is what family time is all about.<br />
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Then it is time for clean up. We linger a little over an after dinner cocktail or two and slowly start to clean up from the feasting activities. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Serious game of cards - Golf</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Spoons</span>: The "older" and "younger" kids then cleaned off their table as once they are done eating, it signals time to play games. They next come in search of spoons to play a mad game of <i>Spoons</i>. I have learned through years with them playing <i>Spoons</i> and what could be considered trial-and-error, that they are no longer allowed to use my teaspoons. They need something with a little more gruff behind them because the teaspoons bend easily -- that is not to say they are cheap spoons. These are solid spoons, but a game of <i>Spoons</i> at my house with all the cousins gathered together involves the possibility that no one backs down when they grab a spoon and there is a good chance another person has attached their fingers to it, too. It means that sometimes (as in the case in point between Casey and Brady) someone might be yanked up and lifted across the table in pursuit of the winner of that specific spoon. (And past history has been that if they are using my teaspoons, they get bent. The rule now is tablespoons!)<br />
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Now, I can also claim from my own experience, that I am just as devoted to claiming a spoon and have yanked people off their chairs in order to win that spoon. When my Mother plays with the grandkids, she knows what she is in for, but she can be just as steely when it comes to vanquishing a coveted spoon. They also know there is a chance they will leave the battleground with battle scars such as scratched arms and hands, bruises from being knocked off your chair or skidded across the table. It runs in the blood, you can see it pumping through their veins, you can see it in their eyes -- we are all <i>Braveheart</i>s playing out Mel Gibson's character in our own quest for the sacred last spoon. One or two people will go down in each battle and be trampled under in the next ensuing game to finally become the victor in the end -- in my house it is not a sport for the faint of heart! Before each battle day, these minions pump iron to ready their muscles for the ensuing day's battle. At each gathering, the previous victor is marked with a "Scarlet V" and it is noted that they will be the first to go down. Chests are thumped, there are screams of failure and delight, and egos stroked and deflated. The tales of games past are relived only to be consumed by the newest game at hand where fresh stories are created to regale at the next gathering when again they converge in search of the highest honor -- the last person standing with a spoon in their hand! At the end of the day, though, the combatants shake hands and walk away from the table . . . usually only to gather up the cards for the next battle at hand -- a game or two of card games of different sorts . . . a little quieter but none the less competitive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue;">From young to older, the kids love their card games as much as they love playing Spoons</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Clean Up Duty:</span> While the kids are off vying for the imaginary golden belt, the adults find time to sit back and gab a bit. But dishes need to be done, so we are also stacking, clearing off, washing and drying the good china. My brother-in-law, Wes, always has two duties when he comes to my house. First, before the meal, if he is early enough, he carves the meat(s) for me. Second, after the meal, he also does scrap duty. We give him ice cream pails of the leftovers scrapped off the plates and he dutifully takes them outside to dump them over the fence. Our cats and dogs adore Wes. To them he is the Master of Scraps. The feline and canine animals around our farm know when it is a holiday or a party. Once they see the cars pull in, they know it is going to be a feast day and they will usually begin to gather on the front steps in anticipation. When the white ice cream pail comes outside loaded with scraps, you become the Pied Piper of O'Connor Dairy. Wherever you go, they will follow!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Wes; Strawberries and; Cream Cheesecake; Kinky Liqueur</span>-<span style="color: blue;"> Yes, that's my martini glass with some Kinky in it!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Easter Egg Hunt:</span> While we are cleaning up, the kids have now broken up into two groups. The older ones, who are the Easter Egg Hunt egg-fillers, and the younger ones, who are the patiently-waiting-seeking-to-get-as-many-eggs-as-possible hunters. The rain has held off, so that bodes well for the Hunt, but it is starting to sprinkle, so once the eggs are filled, the older kiddies head outside to plant them around the back yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhrXPmBX3Q2idB79klxqRKcvz4wOVspGVtdLohqoqGxJJwSN6OJcKVFPwGSlGVBm6nP_W58z8UjqM0KRJImx_KTpZQdjC1Qi08tFD0eMPLpvXVq45YQaQwy4ymVVwPybJyVnSL17hkU0E/s1600/DSCN3905.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhrXPmBX3Q2idB79klxqRKcvz4wOVspGVtdLohqoqGxJJwSN6OJcKVFPwGSlGVBm6nP_W58z8UjqM0KRJImx_KTpZQdjC1Qi08tFD0eMPLpvXVq45YQaQwy4ymVVwPybJyVnSL17hkU0E/s640/DSCN3905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The After-Math: Clean up means everything gets washed and set on the dining room table for me to put away in its appropriate spot or hutch.</span></td></tr>
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The five younger ones have to be threatened a few times as they jostle for a peak or two out the windows to figure out their own plan of action. Once we get them lined up at the front door, we decided that Maci had better grab Tabba and take her out first. One, so she can get a head start against the older girls, and two, so she doesn't get trampled by the stampede of sisters and cousins. It is all for yourself, if you drop it, you lose it; unless it is Tabba's and then it is off limits. One day she will have to apply that same courtesy to her younger cousins when they are able to run around with the rest of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6bCI3GqQkNN3fB0dpAPCNYuaW61kO8Izo8v2ZYlTn8cKsLHfsfR1zMhh5ZsIyPTJFwuLRLptqiMdYCBWsRyG0NnH71UbKVkLC2t4jE7mJdpyR-b0L-yg4_4Oj_c1Lh5nuZuLTJIq22yI/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6bCI3GqQkNN3fB0dpAPCNYuaW61kO8Izo8v2ZYlTn8cKsLHfsfR1zMhh5ZsIyPTJFwuLRLptqiMdYCBWsRyG0NnH71UbKVkLC2t4jE7mJdpyR-b0L-yg4_4Oj_c1Lh5nuZuLTJIq22yI/s400/DSCN3881.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Niece Kailey Picking Eggs</span></td></tr>
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Once the rain begins to fall a little harder and we have determined that all the eggs have been gathered, it is time to go inside to open up the treasures. I holler at the girls to head out to the living room where they can dump out their finds. That is the moment when Nika warns me that maybe this is not a good idea. "Why" said I. After some evil eyes given to her by me (my renown interrogation techniques), she finally spills the beans that maybe some of the egg contents are not suitable to be dumped onto the carpet. Oh, boy! This isn't the first year this has happened and it certainly won't be the last! Opening Easter Eggs from the Easter Egg Hunt can sometimes be filled with "little" surprises.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX81yY35iL4QamWsORwuUyi9sZiFWzMDWOLez-hmQxjZtOs8CW8VCMwmZh7BygQvI4BFwxqECXeS41Qa8Pb6mfGFUcxbNMReY3S8TkQ8h9LLo-pxNngiNCJ1t6j-rQR-Ev1h8wCH4ihgw/s1600/kelsey+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX81yY35iL4QamWsORwuUyi9sZiFWzMDWOLez-hmQxjZtOs8CW8VCMwmZh7BygQvI4BFwxqECXeS41Qa8Pb6mfGFUcxbNMReY3S8TkQ8h9LLo-pxNngiNCJ1t6j-rQR-Ev1h8wCH4ihgw/s400/kelsey+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Niece Kelsey opening her findings</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">What's In that Egg?</span> In years past, the older kids have found it amusing to throw some oddities into the mix by putting a few items into the eggs that you wouldn't normally find. This year there was a strawberry and a grape or two that found their way off the fruit tray into an egg or two or three, and besides opened empty candy wrappers, there were also a couple filled with . . . powdered sugar. Oh no! Did someone just say that little Tabitha found one of those and is opening it? Too late! As Maci was helping her, Casey decided to help even further and a puff of powdered sugar exploded out wherein those two decided it was time to shower each other with powdered sugar. Never mind the mess that it created everywhere else! Kids -- they never grow up! I was quickly able to put a kibosh to what could have been a powdered sugar bath by quite a few of the kids. Never a dull moment!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Nieces Brooke (L) and Autumn (R) with their eggs</span></td></tr>
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Aw www . . . just wouldn't be a holiday around our place without a few antics stealing some moments! But that is okay, because the kids grow up so fast . . . and then again . . . sometimes they don't.<br />
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-31229107223546113942012-04-12T15:11:00.003-05:002012-04-12T15:11:59.605-05:00The Big Apple: Day 3, Part 5: Start of American Museum of Natural History<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Continuing on with our adventure for the day... hmmm...where did I leave off. Oh, yes, now I remember! Nika and I got on the subway at our hotel and rode it a short ways (subway time) to get off at the American Museum of Natural History stop -- right outside the building on the lower subway level. This is so neat! I am now fascinated with subways. Did you hear -- this was my first subway ride, too!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, where exactly are we at? The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Never heard of it or not quite sure if you have? Well, let me give you a gentle reminder. I am sure you have heard of, and even seen, the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2006 film <i>Night at the Museum. </i>That movie was of the AMNH. Apparently, all the interior scenes
were shot at a sound stage in Vancouver, Canada, but exterior
shots of the museum's facade were actually done at the AMNH. Now you remember? Okay, then let's step inside and get cracking. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>American Museum of Natural History:</b></u> The American Museum of Natural History is located across from Central Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and is considered to be one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world. It is comprised of 25 buildings that are interconnected which house 46 permanent exhibition halls, research laboratories, and its renowned library.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And if that sounds like a lot, hang onto your hats, because its</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> collections contain over 32 million specimens! Although, only a small fraction of these collections can be displayed at any given time. It employs a scientific staff of more than 200, and sponsors over 100 special field expeditions each year.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Musk Oxen and Me</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In November 2011, <i>Travel + Leisure</i> magazine ranked AMNH seventh in its list of "the most-visited museums in the world" and fourth as the most-visited museum in America. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before we start our tour, a couple things. First, you need to know one specific term. Diorama. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Diorama--What is it?</span> The term "diorama" refers to a partially three-dimensional, full-size replica or scale model of a item for purposes of education or entertainment. <br />
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Miniature dioramas are typically much smaller, and use scale models and landscaping to create historical or fictional scenes. Such a scale-model based diorama is used, for example, to display railroading. Modern museum dioramas may be seen in most major natural history museums, such as AMNH. Typically, these displays use a tilted plane to represent what would otherwise be a level surface, incorporate a painted background of distant objects, and often employ false perspective, carefully modifying the scale of objects placed on the plane to reinforce the illusion through depth perception in which objects of identical real-world size placed farther from the observer appear smaller than those closer. Often the distant painted background or sky will be painted upon a continuous curved surface so that the viewer is not distracted by corners, seams, or edges. All of these techniques are means of presenting a realistic view of a large scene in a compact space. A photograph or single-eye view of such a diorama can be especially convincing since in this case there is no distraction by the binocular perception of depth.</div>
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Carl Akeley, a naturalist, sculptor, and taxidermist, is credited with creating the first ever habitat diorama in the year 1889. With the support of curator Frank M. Chapman, Akeley designed the popular habitat dioramas featured at AMNH, where he (Akeley) also has an exhibition hall named in his honor.<br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">Second term to know, is the cladogram.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
great fossil collections that are open to public view occupy the entire
fourth floor of the Museum as well as a separate exhibit that is on
permanent display in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, the Museum's
main entrance. The fourth floor exhibits allow the visitor to trace the
evolution of vertebrates by following a circuitous path that leads
through several Museum buildings. On the 77th street side of the Museum
the visitor begins in the Orientation Center and follows a carefully
marked path, which takes the visitor along an evolutionary tree of life.
As the tree "branches" the visitor is presented with the familial
relationships among vertebrates. This evolutionary pathway is known as a
cladogram.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To
create a cladogram, scientists look for shared physical characteristics
to determine the relatedness of different species. For instance, a
cladogram will show a relationship between amphibians, mammals, turtles,
lizards, and birds since these apparently disparate groups share the
trait of having 'four limbs with movable joints surrounded by muscle',
making them tetrapods. A group of related species such as the tetrapods
is called a "clade". Within the tetrapod group only lizards and birds
display yet another trait: "two openings in the skull behind the eye".
Lizards and birds therefore represent a smaller, more closely related
clade known as diapsids. In a cladogram the evolutionary appearance of a
new trait for the first time is known as a "node". Throughout the
fossil halls the nodes are carefully marked along the evolutionary path
and these nodes alert you to new traits representing
whole new branches of the evolutionary tree. Species showing these
traits are on display in alcoves on either side of the path. </span></div>
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And, the third thing -- let's just talk briefly about the history and makeup of the museum and how it came to be. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">History:</span> Founded in 1869 and prior to the construction of its current complex, it was located in the Arsenal building in Central Park. Among others, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., the father of the 26th U.S. President and a wealthy New York City philanthropist, merchant, and partner in the family glass-importing firm (where the Rockefeller family obtained their wealth), was one of the founders of the museum. To establish a natural history museum in New York was the dream of naturalist Dr. Albert S. Bickmore, who lobbied for years for its establishment. Backed by powerful sponsors, his proposal finally won the support of then-Governor of New York, John Thompson Hoffman, who signed a bill officially creating the American Museum of Natural History in April 1869. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Teddy Roosevelt, Sr., passed away just four years after construction began on the museum. The New York State Memorial to Teddy Sr. was completed in 1936. It stands as an overscaled Beaux-Arts monument in the Central Park West entrance. If you have seen the movie <i>Night at the Museum</i>, you will recall Teddy Sr. on his mounted stead (played by Robin Williams) and when inanimate was located in this entrance bearing his name. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Famous names associated with the Museum include the paleontologist and geologist Henry Fairfield Osborn; the dinosaur-hunter of the Gobi Desert, Roy Chapman Andrews (one of the inspirations for Indiana Jones); biologist Ernst Mayr; pioneer cultural anthropologists Franz Boas and Margaret Mead; explorer and geographer Alexander H. Rice, Jr.; and ornithologist (branch of zoology that studies birds) Robert Cushman Murphy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Exhibition Halls</span>: The Museum has habitat dioramas of African, Asian and North American mammals, a full-size model of a Blue Whale suspended in the <u>Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life</u>, a 62-foot Haida carved and painted war canoe from the Pacific Northwest, a huge 31-ton piece of the Cape York meteorite, and the Star of India, the largest star sapphire in the world. An entire floor is devoted to vertebrate evolution. The Museum has extensive anthropological collections: Asian People, Pacific People, Man in Africa, American Indian collections, general Native American collections, and collections from Mexico and Central America.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Akley Hall of African Mammals:</span> Since its opening in 1936, the Akeley Hall has been considered by many to be one of the world’s greatest museum displays. The hall is named after Carl Akeley, who was an explorer, conservationist, taxidermist, sculptor and photographer. He who visioned, designed and created the hall. Akeley led teams of scientists and artists on three expeditions to Africa during the first two decades of the 20th century, in which he and his colleagues carefully studied, catalogued, and collected the plants and animals that even then were disappearing. He brought many specimens from the expeditions back to the Museum, and used them to create the hall, with its twenty-eight dioramas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The dioramas replicate specific animals in specific geographic locations at a specific time in their natural habitats. What Akeley did was change the taxidermy practice of stuffing and mounting of the skins of animals which before then was where animal skins were stuffed with straw or wood shavings. He began re-creating the animal’s shape with outside structure made of wood, wire, and sometimes parts of the actual skeleton, then the tedious process of using clay to add on each muscle, tendon, and vein. When this was done, he prepared a cast of it, and fit the animal’s skin over the cast. What Akeley wanted to do and did do, was apply meticulous attention to everything having to do with that animal's reproduction down to the plants, background paintings and even the light in the dioramas which resulted in fantastically realistic, vivid reproductions of the world that he saw and wanted to preserve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Unfortunately, Akeley died in 1926 during his final expedition when he became ill </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">from an
infection while exploring the Kivu Volcanoes in his beloved Belgian
Congo, an area near to that depicted by the hall's gorilla
diorama</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. He was buried in Albert National Park (now Virunga National Park), the first wildlife sanctuary in central Africa, which he had helped to establish. The mountain location of his grave is near the scene depicted in the gorilla diorama in this hall. Since then, renowned
naturalists, artists, photographers, taxidermists and other Museum
personnel have carried on this tradition to create the great habitat
dioramas which can be found in halls throughout the Museum. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With the 1942 opening of the <u>Hall of North American Mammals</u>,
diorama art reached its climax. It took more than a decade to create
the scenes depicted in the hall which includes a 432 square foot
diorama of the American bison. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today,
although the art of diorama has ceased to be a major exhibition
technique, dramatic examples of this art form are still occasionally
employed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites:</span> The Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites contains some of the finest specimens in the world including <i>Ahnighito</i>, a section of the 200 ton Cape York weight, at 34 tons, makes it the largest meteorite on display at any museum in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The hall also contains extra-solar nanodiamonds (diamonds with dimensions on the nanometer level) more than 5 billion years old. These were extracted from a meteorite sample through chemical means, and they are so small that a quadrillion of these fit into a volume smaller than a cubic centimeter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Bernard and Anne Spitzer Hall of Human Origins:</span> Opened in February 2007, the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Hall of Human Origins, formerly The Hall of Human Biology and Evolution, and originally the "Hall of the Age of Man," at the time of its original opening in 1921. At that time it was the only major exhibition in the United States to present an in-depth investigation into human evolution. Many of the more famous displays from the original hall can still be seen in the present expanded format which include life-size dioramas of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Gems and Minerals:</span> The Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals houses hundreds of unusual geological specimens. It adjoins the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems showcasing many rare, and valuable gemstones. Amongst over 100,000 pieces are such celebrated exhibits as the <i>Patricia Emerald</i>, a 632 carat, 12 sided stone that is considered to be one of the world's most fabulous emeralds and was discovered in the 1920's in a mine in the Colombian Andes and was named for the mine-owner's daughter. Another on display is the 563-carat <i>Star of India</i>. The largest and most famous star sapphire in the world. it was discovered over 300 years ago in Sri Lanka. Also other notable specimens on display are a 596-pound topaz, a 4.5 ton specimen of blue azurite/malachite ore that was found in the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee, Arizona at the turn of the century; a rare, 100-carat orange-colored padparadschan sapphire from Sri Lanka, considered "the mother of all pads;" and the <i>Midnight Star Ruby</i>, a 116.75-carat deep purplish-red star ruby. Hmmm...I guess I have to think that Bob wouldn't be getting me anything like these for a gift! Besides, they would never fit on my finger!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Theft</u>: On October 29, 1964, the <i>Star of India</i>, along with several other precious gems including the<i> Eagle Diamond</i> and the <i>de Long Ruby</i>, were stolen from the Museum by several thieves. The group of burglars, which included Jack Murphy, gained entrance by climbing through a bathroom window they had been unlocked hours before the Museum was closed. The <i>Star of India</i> and other gems were later recovered from a locker in a Miami bus station, but the <i>Eagle Diamond</i> was never found. It is suspected that it may have been recut or lost. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jack “Murf the Surf” Murphy, a surfing champion, musician, author, artist and convicted murderer who was involved in the biggest jewel heist in American history at the AMNH, is now an ordained minister, working with inmates in the field of prison ministry. This heist was the subject of a 1975 movie, called <i>Murph the Surf</i>. The movie starred Robert Conrad, Burt Young, and Don Stroud (as Murphy).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Milstein Hall of Ocean Life:</span> The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life opened in 1933 and was renovated in 1969 and later again in 2003. In the first of these renovations the hall's star attraction appeared; the 94-foot-long blue whale model, which is suspended from the ceiling behind its dorsal fin. It was redesigned dramatically in the 2003 renovation: its flukes and fins were readjusted, a navel was added, and was repainted from a dull gray to various rich shades of blue. Other notable exhibits in this hall include the Andros Coral Reef Diorama, which is the only two-level diorama in the Western Hemisphere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Other notable
dioramas, some dating back to the 1930's have been restored in the
<u>Milstein Hall of Ocean Life</u>. The hall is a 29,000 square foot
bi-level room that includes a delicately mounted 94 foot long
model of a Blue Whale swimming beneath and around video projection
screens and interactive computer stations. Among the hall's notable
dioramas is the "sperm whale and giant squid", which represents a true
marriage of art and science since an actual encounter between these two
giant creatures at over one half mile depth has never been witnessed.
Another celebrated diorama in the hall represents the "Andros coral
reef" in the Bahamas, a two-story-high diorama that features the land
form of the Bahamas and the many inhabitants of the coral reef found
beneath the water's surface.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Fossil Halls: </span> Most of the Museum's collections of mammalian and dinosaur fossils remain hidden from public view. They are kept in numerous storage areas located deep within the Museum complex. Among these, the most significant storage facility is the ten story <u>Childs Frick Building</u> which stands within an inner courtyard of the Museum. During construction of the Frick, giant cranes were used to lift steel beams directly from the street, over the roof, and into the courtyard, in order to ensure that the classic museum facade remained intact and undisturbed. The predicted great weight of the fossil bones led designers to add special steel reinforcement to the building's framework, as it now houses the largest collection of fossil mammals and dinosaurs in the world. These collections occupy the basement and lower seven floors of the Frick Building, while the top three floors contain laboratories and offices. It is inside this particular building that many of the Museum's intensive research programs into vertebrate paleontology are carried out. These fossil halls are great and I can't wait to show them to you in more depth in an upcoming post(s)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Other areas of the Museum contain repositories of life from thousands and millions of years in the past. The <u>Whale Bone Storage Room</u> is a cavernous space in which powerful winches come down from the ceiling to move the giant fossil bones about. Upstairs in the Museum attic there are yet more storage facilities including the <u>Elephant Room</u>, and downstairs from that space one can find the tusk vault and boar vault.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Many of the fossils on display represent unique and historic pieces that were collected during the Museum's golden era of worldwide expeditions (1880's to 1930's). On a smaller scale, expeditions continue into the present and have resulted in additions to the collections from Vietnam, Madagascar, South America, and central and eastern Africa.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fourth Floor Halls: </span>T<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">he fourth-floor halls include the <u>Hall of Vertebrate Origins</u>, <u>Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs</u>, <u>Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs</u>, <u>Hall of Primitive Mammals</u>, and <u>Hall of Advanced Mammals</u>. I will share more information on these halls when we tour those in another post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Rose Center and Planetarium</span>: Founded in 1933, the Hayden Planetarium, connected to the Museum, is now part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, which is a six-story, glass cube containing the spherical Space Theater. The Space Theater </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">is an 87-foot illuminated sphere that appears to float, although it is actually supported by truss work. Beside the Hayden Planetarium, the 333,500 square foot facility also houses the Department of Astrophysics, and opening in February 2000, the Heilbrun Cosmic Pathway, which is one of the most popular exhibits in the Rose Center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Library:</span> From its founding in 1903, the Library of the American Museum of Natural History has grown into one of the world's great natural history collections. Its collections contain over 550,000 volumes of monographs, serials, pamphlets, reprints, microforms, and original illustrations, as well as film, photographic, archives and manuscripts, fine art, memorabilia and rare book collections. It's 55,000-square-foot space is sealed into five different conservation zones, ranging from the 50-person reading room and public offices, to areas more tightly controlled for humidity and temperature. Some of the items in its collection go back to the 15th century.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">In Popular Culture:</span> Several scenes in the 2004 movie <i>The Day After Tomorrow</i> were set in the Museum's halls. A scene from the biographic film <i>Malcolm X</i> was filmed in the Hall of African Mammals. </span><br />
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T<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">he AMNH is featured in the video game <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> where it is known as the Liberty State Natural History Museum. The AMNH appears as a Resistance-controlled building in the Sierra game <i>Manhunter: New York</i>, and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">portions of the Sony PlayStation game <i>Parasite Eve</i> take place within the AMNH.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now that I have sufficiently bored you to death by going through the history, etc., </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> let's get on to seeing some of what it holds and learning a tidbit or two about some of those. Let me say one more thing first, before going on. I wanted to share the above information with you so that you could </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">grasp the magnitude of this structure, all its floors and facility and its contents. It is enormous and mind-blowing to see. Okay, without further adieu, let's talk about the world's beasts and beauties. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vZR6KGg3pNV_N6ysz7EenNoqAuo8jmgUqgCx3CTbbqWr1VDqVKM-DtvpVmT_k5PUe2mwQnlXzRIzVvaQGDWr0n8OE10V3ifoSjMbNThvtNoq733cWyfo6JZnQ4yTg-7eG6ewZH8d9esF/s1600/yak+7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vZR6KGg3pNV_N6ysz7EenNoqAuo8jmgUqgCx3CTbbqWr1VDqVKM-DtvpVmT_k5PUe2mwQnlXzRIzVvaQGDWr0n8OE10V3ifoSjMbNThvtNoq733cWyfo6JZnQ4yTg-7eG6ewZH8d9esF/s640/yak+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Musk Oxen</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: black;">Musk Oxen:</span></u></b> These massive animals (pictured above) weigh around 900 pounds, are 6 to 8 feet long and can be up to 6 feet tall. Noted as social animals that tend to move in groups, live in the Arctic Tundra and can survive even if the temperature falls to -148̊F. Why are they called musk oxen? If you were stand very near to these, the smell of musk will fill your nose. This odor flows from the thick fur that swaddles their body. They have a short life span of 20-25 years. Their enemies are polar bears, arctic wolves and arctic fox. Surprisingly, they do not run away from their foes. In order to defend themselves from attackers, they form a circle with their outward horns facing the enemy. This fortress of musk oxen is impossible to break into. A powerful charge by a musk ox is enough to throw the enemy into the air. Musk oxen eat leafy vegetation but surprisingly do not chew their food. They swallow it just like water.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_nCk-a-kTTel5Zphdpo4lTOBZwBR2PTytQdtq40NdKvhlL81_xliPBQc0Ea0HqAbkdgv7r8FfBHmeORDalRPVG5b8D8-UNxp9FQtU_lB7NXeEpe11Ii_SFH4yx2bvLQOCTn28kg6Q8js/s1600/black+bear+5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_nCk-a-kTTel5Zphdpo4lTOBZwBR2PTytQdtq40NdKvhlL81_xliPBQc0Ea0HqAbkdgv7r8FfBHmeORDalRPVG5b8D8-UNxp9FQtU_lB7NXeEpe11Ii_SFH4yx2bvLQOCTn28kg6Q8js/s640/black+bear+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Black Bear</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Black Bear</u></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">: The American black bear, pictured above, is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, are found only in North America and have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability. Their diet consists mostly of plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, small mammals and carrion, but will occasionally kill young deer or moose calves. Black bears tend to be solitary animals, with the exception of mothers and cubs. The bears usually forage alone, but will tolerate each other and forage in groups if there is an abundance of food in one area. With a life span of only about 10 years, the black bear, although commonly known to hibernate, only does so depending on the weather conditions and availability of food. Some may not hibernate at all or only for a brief time. When females give birth, they will remain denned throughout the winter while males and females without young may leave their dens. Mating season for the black bear is summer with a gestation period of 63-70 days. Their litter size is usually 1-6 cubs, 2 being most common. Cubs remain with the mother for a year and a half or more, even though they are weaned at 6-8 months. With a height of 2-3 feet at the shoulders, a length of 4-7 feet from nose to the tip of their tail, males weigh an average of 150-300 lbs., while the females are smaller. Since, for instance, each individual Florida black bear population needs a minimum of 500,000 to 1 million acres of area to find food, shelter, and mates, habitat loss due to development is a major threat to their survival. The leading cause of bear deaths? Surprisingly, the answer is car accidents. </span><br />
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caribou</td></tr>
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<u style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Caribou:</b></u><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pictured above, the caribou, a member of the deer family, and although they may look like a deer, they are different in many ways. They are not shy, are capable of sleeping in water and are herd animals always on the move. They like to eat moss, lay in the shade and hate flies, which is one reason they are always on the move. They are identifiable by their long legs, large hooves and large antlers. Their size ranges from 4-5 feet, weigh approximately 500 lbs., and breed in the fall. Like the Musk Oxen, they are found in the Arctic Tundra areas of Russia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What is the difference between reindeer and caribou? Caribou are wild; if they are domesticated they are called reindeer. To prevent freezing in the Winter, caribou eat large quantities of food to increase their internal heat production. Also to conserve heat they have hollow hairs rooted in a thick layer of fat. They also prevent heat loss from their thin, long legs by having two circulation systems. The circulation through the legs is up to 50 degrees colder than the circulation system for the rest of their body. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dall Sheep</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Dall Sheep:</u></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Dall sheep, pictured above, have a broad habitat as they are subarctic as well as arctic animals. The most northern group of these animals live in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The alpine ridges, meadows, and steep, rocky slopes that have "escape terrain" are where the dall sheep live. The flock likes to rest and feed on these slopes. They are also there to keep away from predators because they can flee to the rocks easier than their predators, which include bear, golden eagles, wolves, and humans. Known for their magnificent curling horns, rams and ewes have a height of around 3 feet to the shoulder, with the rams weighing 200-250 lbs. and the ewes 110-150 lbs. They are the only wild white sheep in the world. The horns of a dall sheep, which are made out of keratin (same substance as our fingernails), </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> take eight years to reach full size</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. With lambs born in late May to early June and needing a protected spot to quietly birth their young, they will usually seek out rugged cliffs to keep away from predators. Once the dall sheep chooses a group to join, they never leave it. Like the caribou who also live in the arctic tundra, they have hollow hair which insulates their body, but also seek out south-facing slopes to get more sun. For rams, size does matter amongst dall sheep, but in this case it is their horns. The size of his horns determine his place in the ram hierarchy. The bigger the horns the older the sheep is. You can actually tell how old a dall sheep is by counting the growth rings on their horns, since their horns stop growing in the Winter. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Anteater</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Anteaters</b></u>, also known as antbears, and commonly known for eating ants and termites, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">are more closely related to the sloths than they are to any other group of mammals, even to the armadillos, their next closest relations. There are several species of anteaters, mostly all extinct, except for three that are still living: the Giant Anteater, the Silky Anteater, and the Northern and Southern Tamandua anteaters. Anteaters have an elongated snout equipped with a thin tongue that can be extended to a length greater than the length of the head; their tube-shaped mouth have lips but no teeth. They use their large, curved foreclaws to tear open ant and termite mounds and for defense, while their dense and long fur protects them from attacks from the insects. Anteaters are mostly solitary mammals prepared to defend their 1 to 1.5 square miles territories. Normally, they do not enter a territory of another anteater of the same sex, but males often enter the territory of associated females. When a territorial dispute occurs, they vocalize, swat, and can sometimes sit on or even ride the back of their opponents.They have a poor sense of sight but magnificent sense of smell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having the lowest body temperature of any mammal, fluctuating between 91–97 ̊ F, its daily energy intake from food is only slightly greater than its energy need for daily activities. A</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">n anteater
normally spends about a minute at a termite or ant nest before moving on to another
— and a giant anteater has to visit up to 200 nests to consume the
thousands of insects it needs to satisfy its caloric requirements. The anteater's tongue, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">attached to the sternum, moves very quickly flicking 150 times per minute,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is covered with thousands of tiny hooks called <i>filiform papillae</i> which are used to hold the insects together with large amounts of saliva. Swallowing and the movement of the tongue are aided by side to side movements of the jaws. Anteaters can be found as far north as South-eastern Mexico, in central America and as far south as Uruguay and in eastern Brazil. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bengal Tiger</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Bengal Tiger</b></u>: The Bengal tiger is native to the Indian subcontinent and in 2010 was classified as endangered. The total population is estimated at fewer than 2,500 individuals .</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bengal Tiger up close</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Bengal tiger's coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes ranging
from dark brown to black; the belly and the interior parts of the limbs
is white, and the tail is white with black rings. The males have a total length, including the tail from 110-120 inches, while females range from 94-104 inches, with the average weights at 488 lbs. for males and 308 lbs. for females. <br />
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Adult animals lead solitary lives, hunting individually and establish and maintain home ranges. Resident adults of either sex tend to confine their movements to a definite area of habitat within which they satisfy their needs, and in the case of tigresses, those of their growing cubs. Besides providing the requirements of an adequate food supply, sufficient water and shelter, and a modicum of peace and seclusion, this location must make it possible for the resident to maintain contact with other tigers, especially those of the opposite sex. Those sharing the same ground are well aware of each other’s movements and activities. A male tiger keeps a large territory in order to include the home ranges of several females within its bounds, so that he may maintain mating rights with them. Spacing among females is less complete as there is typically a partial overlap with neighboring females. They tend to have core areas where new animals become residents only as vacancies occur when a former resident moves out or dies. There are more places for resident females than for resident males.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Me Crouched Next to Giant Oyster Shell</span></td></tr>
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Now let's head over and look at some wonders under the ocean! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Giant Oysters</b></u> look just like ordinary ones, except that they are six feet in diameter and stand four feet high. They may be found in nearly any type of watery environment, although they are most often found in cold, shallow water. While giant oysters do not collect treasure, they do produce large pearls and occasionally sift other uncut gems from the sea bed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Combat</span><span style="color: red;">:</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Giant oysters are usually non-aggressive, but if hungry may snap at nearby creatures. Since they are protected by an extremely hard shell, the oyster may close up to increase its protection. When closed, a giant oyster may not attack. A giant oyster will close its shell when it bites an enemy, engaging a grapple. When attacked from a distance, a giant oyster closes its shell and does not open for at least 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now Standing Next to the Giant Oyster Shell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Gotcha!</span>: To use its improved grab ability, a giant oyster must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If the grapple is successful, the giant oyster maintains a hold on the creature and can inflict bite damage automatically each round. This grappling closes the giant oyster's shell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Feeling the Tremors:</span> A giant oyster is sensitive to vibrations in the ground and water and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything within 60ft.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2Q9WgGZkIe8zRa9YB9MqpalEpByM59p5aAoJtSp6lMhh4xvCLFegrMnv8HGKsNu88KuphM7n8qNzWKmprAbI5hF0EeFRBGJDpfixUIXK2GBNPSikPDry5QBvcvJFnA3uLPGc_I7eR7IK/s1600/squid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2Q9WgGZkIe8zRa9YB9MqpalEpByM59p5aAoJtSp6lMhh4xvCLFegrMnv8HGKsNu88KuphM7n8qNzWKmprAbI5hF0EeFRBGJDpfixUIXK2GBNPSikPDry5QBvcvJFnA3uLPGc_I7eR7IK/s400/squid.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Squid</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>Squid </u></b> have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squids have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles. They are strong swimmers and certain species can "fly" for short distances out of the water, have </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">highly developed sense organs, including advanced eyes similar to those of vertebrates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The main body mass of a squid is enclosed in the mantle, which has a swimming fin along each side. These fins, however, are not the main source of locomotion in most species. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Under the body
are openings to the mantle cavity, which contains the gills and
openings to the excretory and reproductive systems. At the front of the
mantle cavity lies the siphon, which the squid uses for aquatic locomotion via
precise jet propulsion. In this form of locomotion, water is sucked into
the mantle cavity and expelled out of the siphon in a fast, strong jet.
The direction of the siphon can be changed, to suit the direction of
travel. If you have ever seen any documentaries or even movies that depict squids, you would certainly remember this notorious movement. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Their skin is covered in chromatophores, which enable the squid to change color to suit its surroundings, making it a chameleon of sorts and practically invisible. The underside is also almost always lighter than the topside, to provide camouflage from both prey and predator.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWCA303kuwbj5ibHOmV4E8aJC-UjV640jlTqxVceUEBKUaJa7OOEa1Zo_xKiXg06QX85e-WkrACla4qzCznhtZetCIxvkMcdZHBCbIPFd4807s8ccR5p8dPq4ROpfJsSccUFjK6aYlP0-/s1600/manatee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWCA303kuwbj5ibHOmV4E8aJC-UjV640jlTqxVceUEBKUaJa7OOEa1Zo_xKiXg06QX85e-WkrACla4qzCznhtZetCIxvkMcdZHBCbIPFd4807s8ccR5p8dPq4ROpfJsSccUFjK6aYlP0-/s400/manatee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stingray</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Stingrays </b></u>are a group of rays, related to sharks. Most stingrays have one or more barbed stings on their tail, which is used exclusively in self-defence. The stinger may reach a length of approximately 14 inches, and its underside has two grooves with venom glands. The stinger is covered with a thin layer of skin, the integumentary sheath, in which the venom is concentrated. Now this is why they warn you to watch out for stingrays!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stingrays are common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the world. The flattened bodies of stingrays allow them to proficiently conceal themselves in their environment. Stingrays do this by agitating the sand and hiding beneath it. Because their eyes are on top of their bodies and their mouths on the undersides, stingrays cannot see their prey. Instead, they use smell and electroreceptors similar to those of sharks. They feed primarily on molluscs, crustaceans, and occasionally on small fish. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reproduction</span>: W<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">hen a male is courting a female, he will follow her closely, biting at her pectoral disc. He then places one of his two claspers into her valve. The female will bear live young in litters of 5 to 13. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stingray injuries</span><span style="color: red;">:</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stingrays do not aggressively attack humans, though stings do normally occur if a ray is accidentally stepped on. To avoid stepping on a stingray in shallow water, stones can be thrown into the water or a stick used to scare stingrays away. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma from the cut itself, pain, swelling, muscle cramps from the venom, and later may result in infection from bacteria. The injury is very painful, but seldom life-threatening unless the stinger pierces a vital area. The barb usually just breaks off in the wound, but surgery may be required to remove any remaining fragments.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU4IuSqKfQ208pZPHj4LMOcXmsSuNc3CivPQDOa9UE3pJ1G97AEFJVE1nNhFIG3xZ0Tm6g5Nn_CNAuXWPL1YyECGGPLgBFGFQ9gQNApnUk_2EFXA2MZusRpynhvGOK7F3hIHaZJ58LeSU/s1600/starfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU4IuSqKfQ208pZPHj4LMOcXmsSuNc3CivPQDOa9UE3pJ1G97AEFJVE1nNhFIG3xZ0Tm6g5Nn_CNAuXWPL1YyECGGPLgBFGFQ9gQNApnUk_2EFXA2MZusRpynhvGOK7F3hIHaZJ58LeSU/s400/starfish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starfish</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Starfish or sea stars</b></u>. There are about 1,800 living species of starfish that occur in all the world's oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian as well as in the Arctic and the Southern Ocean or Antartic Antarctic regions. Starfish occur across a broad depth range from the intertidal to abyssal depths (>6000 m).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Starfish are among the most familiar of marine animals and possess a number of widely known characteristics, such as regeneration and feeding on mussels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">What is unique about Starfish? </span>Most starfish typically have five rays or arms, which radiate from a central disc. However, several species frequently have six or more arms. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They possess a hydraulic water vascular system that aids in locomotion. The water vascular system has many projections called tube feet on the ventral (belly) face of the starfish's arms which function in locomotion and aid with feeding. Tube feet emerge through openings in the endoskeleton (or the internal support structure) and are externally expressed through the open grooves present along the bottom of each arm.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On the end of each arm or ray there is a microscopic eye, which allows the starfish to see, although it only allows it to see light and dark, which is useful to see movement. Only part of the cells are pigmented (thus a red or black color) and there is no cornea or iris. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay, it is getting late and it's time to head back to the hotel to change for our big night out. So there you</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">have it, for now -- a quick run down of the initial walk through on one small portion of this magnificent museum. Tomorrow when we come back and finish up, we will be hitting the best of the halls and you will have lots more to see and lots more to learn. Don't you feel like you have acquired a wee bit more knowledge compared to what you knew yesterday? Yes, I thought so. Me, too!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh, and by the way . . . no homework tonight, students. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"> See you tomorrow! Oops, almost forgot -- I will see you next when we head out to the Comedy Cellar tonight for a night of fun and raw comedy! Woohoo!</span></span></i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-87648651557529097042012-03-28T13:15:00.000-05:002012-03-28T13:15:18.348-05:00The Big Apple: Day 3, Part 4: MoMA<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="background-color: lime;">Can you believe it? Still on Day 3 -- hope you aren't getting too tired! My butt has been sitting on the Gray Line Tour Bus now for a few hours, so it is time to get our walking shoes on and what better place to start then to get our minds bent around some fantastic pieces of artwork as we head into MoMA -- the Museum of Modern Art. </span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxUbQthzqWKzsn_22kri5EygzFYz6w92vWq4OwZSKVXEYvPpDkGahCaaz2TEuBDUvs5PgTi9WFxEOfzsxC_5NcmrA2EB_4m3nqxp7SYnvhtJlNPhH-FF5FmqrCs5QTrogYLQ_UNL6Oyk-/s1600/moma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxUbQthzqWKzsn_22kri5EygzFYz6w92vWq4OwZSKVXEYvPpDkGahCaaz2TEuBDUvs5PgTi9WFxEOfzsxC_5NcmrA2EB_4m3nqxp7SYnvhtJlNPhH-FF5FmqrCs5QTrogYLQ_UNL6Oyk-/s320/moma.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sidewalk view as we approach MoMA</span></td></tr>
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<u style="background-color: orange; color: black;"><b>MoMA</b></u> is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. With over 2.5 million visitors a year, it’s collections offer an unparalleled overview of modern and contemporary art. So much so, that sometimes my mind was blown away by some of it and at other times my mind couldn’t really comprehend it (or more specifically why someone would create such a piece of art – but each to his own). Art is something like the saying about beauty – “<i>it is all in the eye of the beholder</i>” – and in this case, yes, the beholder, and yes, the creator. Some interesting facts to note are that MoMA’s library and archives hold over 300,000 books, artist books, and periodicals, as well as individual files on more than 70,000 artists. What I also find a little interesting, since we just got off the bus after touring Rockefeller Plaza – and we are still in the area – is its history. So let me share a little behind the scenes on this.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">History:</span> In 1928, the idea for MoMA was sprung primarily by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (wife of John D. Rockefeller Jr.) and two of her friends, Lillie P. Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan. (Remember – John Jr. is the creator of Rockefeller Plaza). Anyway, these three women (assigned various nicknames such as "the Ladies", "the daring ladies" and "the adamantine ladies") rented a small domicile in the Heckscher Building at 730 Fifth Avenue and opened its doors to the public on November 7, 1929. (The date is significant as it was nine days after the Wall Street Crash). Beginning with an initial gift of eight prints and one drawing, its holdings quickly expanded. Later in that month they had their first loan exhibition displaying paintings by such renown artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Seurat. </div>
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MoMA was first housed in six rooms on the 12th floor of the Heckscher Building, but due to its growth, within ten years moved into three temporary locations. Adamantly opposing the museum and to modern art itself, was Abby’s husband, John Rockefeller, Jr., and hence he refused to give money to this cause. She had to seek funds from other sources and thus the frequent shifts in location. John, Jr., eventually came around and ended up becoming one of MoMA’s greatest benefactors. In fact, he eventually donated the land for its current site. In 1939, Abby’s son, Nelson, was selected to become its president. He was the main instigator and funder of its expansion, publicity and new acquisitions. His brother, David, next joined the board of trustees in 1948 and took over as president when Nelson became Governor of New York in 1958. The Rockefeller family with is historic influence has still to this day maintained a close association with the museum. <br />
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Considered by many to have the best collection of modern Western masterpieces in the world, MoMA's holdings include more than 150,000 individual pieces in addition to approximately 22,000 films and 4 million film stills. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5Afq5JDZPLxdyAmdN5MZZPeFPgCss3p1etVFDGM9L1SlLp6K-jmAQ0Aqp0GqAcSQ7Gtl91OdpqXqRxbxyZz1RylL2k7a6ynF2McSUULVGagAXCVmVREeH6HM4ppbfXxQq38J4YYxIgRt/s1600/sum+of+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5Afq5JDZPLxdyAmdN5MZZPeFPgCss3p1etVFDGM9L1SlLp6K-jmAQ0Aqp0GqAcSQ7Gtl91OdpqXqRxbxyZz1RylL2k7a6ynF2McSUULVGagAXCVmVREeH6HM4ppbfXxQq38J4YYxIgRt/s320/sum+of+days.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sum of Days</span></i></td></tr>
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<u>"Sum Of Days"</u>: This was a somewhat weird gigantic display and we weren’t really sure what we were in for when we entered. But it was the first thing we came to so off into “something” we went. It is described as a complex, elliptical network of pathways through a structure of translucent white fabric. It is supposed to heighten your awareness of your surroundings. There are a series of microphones hung at various heights which records ambient noise; each day’s sound is combined with the previous days’ recordings and played back through several speakers inside the structure. While each new layer of audio is added, the oldest noises gradually diminish into whispers, pat of an auditory condensation that builds up throughout the duration of the exhibition. Musical performances take place in the structure periodically, adding another element to the audio dimension. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarvlJ8pkdzaMrHbcRtNL70Qg2b0uOSMf70RAGYFZXADRb0neBstmCbyYQ51nJyn9FYbT14RdFCnz64ZhimELKRsy7pw0vD9OiZ26ShTkxo3lAfs430xkQJ5kJHMWGcBZHs0Ml5UPz13C2/s1600/nika+walking+thru+sum+of+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarvlJ8pkdzaMrHbcRtNL70Qg2b0uOSMf70RAGYFZXADRb0neBstmCbyYQ51nJyn9FYbT14RdFCnz64ZhimELKRsy7pw0vD9OiZ26ShTkxo3lAfs430xkQJ5kJHMWGcBZHs0Ml5UPz13C2/s320/nika+walking+thru+sum+of+days.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika walking through <i>Sum of Days</i></span></td></tr>
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At first,I
didn't really get this huge display -- well, probably because we didn't
read about it until after we walked through it. When you first approach it and you see this huge billowing fabric hung from the ceiling with a series
of speakers and microphones<span class="text_exposed_show"> hanging down
inside the maze that you walked through (you can see them hanging down in the picture below), you are a little skeptical. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">But, remember, we are in the Modern Museum of Art -- the key word here being "modern" -- so we knew from the start that our trip through this kingdom of modern and contemporary art was going to be a little different than some of the typical art hung in your living room or on the walls in your office would be. Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore!</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"> Art --
it is so varied. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCUMaZBgPaQgtFjs1234ZlYDeQKEfIrLFbQJSBRQzur5I3yRpu40F4SpkqnndNZDyUsSMZYdaBD6fUJhFGHfXTF-UYOJHPLeUz-JFloqiH0A8VvpkzQ6ypT16rcVepOgLC7DIBAkbrDqI/s1600/sum+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCUMaZBgPaQgtFjs1234ZlYDeQKEfIrLFbQJSBRQzur5I3yRpu40F4SpkqnndNZDyUsSMZYdaBD6fUJhFGHfXTF-UYOJHPLeUz-JFloqiH0A8VvpkzQ6ypT16rcVepOgLC7DIBAkbrDqI/s320/sum+lights.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Inside </span><i style="color: blue;">Sum of Days</i></td></tr>
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Now as we proceed, I will remind you once again, that we are in a museum that contains contemporary art. And, as I said before art is varied, so keep an open mind. Having repeated that, the next exhibition we <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">went through was "Thing/Thought" which, once we entered and hurried through, I can honestly tell you that neither of us were too interested in it. It was just typed documents of people's thoughts. Onward...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23Nz2njFgwA7M8xCgFfK8PGXjs2XJiYlcJolal6kRP3UZPgOGgqbfBljF_g34xm-206ujqJZfCD8fpe7HpPJr9Tbd2zH15aHuPjfEI9DWg_X1eEAZ88hZqtQhMKAICwXp7rvqXrMAZnU_/s1600/thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23Nz2njFgwA7M8xCgFfK8PGXjs2XJiYlcJolal6kRP3UZPgOGgqbfBljF_g34xm-206ujqJZfCD8fpe7HpPJr9Tbd2zH15aHuPjfEI9DWg_X1eEAZ88hZqtQhMKAICwXp7rvqXrMAZnU_/s320/thing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sign directing us to Thing/Thought Exhibition</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And then we come to displays that definitely catch your eye, as did this whole wall in bright candy apple red and orange.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNJzXYTj2FpcXZRuMMdFJ2_Js0gGqMGILxTNJbMMp2OSMu7Efl9ZUtMO4BFXAHc88TEPoFRoZN5Hp3kQzMk6ymvbLuidq4opA_gxjE4HXZAgwusWtAYQC2qa31uF4Doplaccv9NOKaa4t/s1600/red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNJzXYTj2FpcXZRuMMdFJ2_Js0gGqMGILxTNJbMMp2OSMu7Efl9ZUtMO4BFXAHc88TEPoFRoZN5Hp3kQzMk6ymvbLuidq4opA_gxjE4HXZAgwusWtAYQC2qa31uF4Doplaccv9NOKaa4t/s640/red.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Next, we entered another modern art exhibition hall that contained, again, written words, on display. A little bizarre, a little interesting; we may have walked on, but there is something, sometimes, about written words that sort of grab your attention and make you think. You will see what I mean as you read the displays. </span><br />
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyR3wgiBG8H1gtbfvMMM_Uo-TSk8uos1XIcm_arN-ZVmR0aSl610xVnITwsfNye9j8Pg7L9BDUHZtc0E9k3saEBIJF0XqmHDpJzfo2w54UdTi69TbCEHq8GGqaGVUR5fTs3z-PeSKga4l/s1600/money+sleeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyR3wgiBG8H1gtbfvMMM_Uo-TSk8uos1XIcm_arN-ZVmR0aSl610xVnITwsfNye9j8Pg7L9BDUHZtc0E9k3saEBIJF0XqmHDpJzfo2w54UdTi69TbCEHq8GGqaGVUR5fTs3z-PeSKga4l/s200/money+sleeps.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Money Never Sleeps"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hmmmmmm . . . see what I mean! As we walked through, I couldn't help but take pictures of some of these displays. Again, sort of like reading a profound thought of the day. You see it, read it, then just when you think you aren't interested in it, you relay it to your own self. The same with these phrases of art. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HNFyJkwSLP3WGhkEz-UwdvwXK613y_V7cdnz0QLBzi5qCTrNSiZp6EcX2c9P87ML438hboZHzKir_XoroTDMHhvmxLeYTYwBhwt1TMV46HNyUJRnGziBOQhGx3PbMVFbMhE4y3hRMVqE/s1600/never+send.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HNFyJkwSLP3WGhkEz-UwdvwXK613y_V7cdnz0QLBzi5qCTrNSiZp6EcX2c9P87ML438hboZHzKir_XoroTDMHhvmxLeYTYwBhwt1TMV46HNyUJRnGziBOQhGx3PbMVFbMhE4y3hRMVqE/s200/never+send.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Never Send a Human . . ."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMZm4OxB63XGkjhS9z0XDfHoY-FJDf2nNpV5OnRWPLCCWburzktguf6DZTylXJgiJEydQo-W7Zb5wGTr4LMbc8pDTIRRRLtr69Jn3z-FfytWC0mtifuB4lElCRvTGiIZogaFT2FP8oBOV/s1600/nika+taking+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMZm4OxB63XGkjhS9z0XDfHoY-FJDf2nNpV5OnRWPLCCWburzktguf6DZTylXJgiJEydQo-W7Zb5wGTr4LMbc8pDTIRRRLtr69Jn3z-FfytWC0mtifuB4lElCRvTGiIZogaFT2FP8oBOV/s320/nika+taking+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika taking a picture through the artwork</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now this is something which I am more attune to as modern art. It filled the whole window. I couldn't help but catch a picture of Nika who was taking a picture of the outside through one of the circles. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDbQkNChLWmcazoqRXissuxJfUtQe6ygWiE3YQzCjaPezYG6YxMQPxLLklQC-CB68oqbt84Ev7Ee9bm3-bMuy9Hh1xA3SdTNhKaOFbtkYwa0NaQM2Mdg9s1RGNvUUXOwBix2U7DiH9ev7/s1600/911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDbQkNChLWmcazoqRXissuxJfUtQe6ygWiE3YQzCjaPezYG6YxMQPxLLklQC-CB68oqbt84Ev7Ee9bm3-bMuy9Hh1xA3SdTNhKaOFbtkYwa0NaQM2Mdg9s1RGNvUUXOwBix2U7DiH9ev7/s320/911.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After the frightening and devastating attacks of 9/11, t</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">here was a design contest held as to concept proposals for construction of memorials for the World Trade Center. At right is one of the concepts. There were many displayed, all very unique. I don't want to say that it was exactly eerie when you walked amongst these displays, but you could sort of feel that in the room. A definite feeling of sadness, maybe better described as more poignant. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The concepts behind each of these paintings that follow are probably only thoughts that each of us comprehend at the time of development. An artist sees or imagines something that begins the creative flow for the birth of a piece of art. For example, the painting <i>End of World</i>, below right, in this artist's mind, this is his/her conception of what the end of the world would be. My son, Casey, is an artist. His many paintings and drawings are profound in thought. Some I can conceptualize -- others I cannot. Again, as I said art in itself is varied. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKccKHfmoDxHWY4G_OrHV5P-N0xcTgt_l3o8tM9lupEa87jmNGkEcv0NiyIoZYojxCRVNRnkT-GNoE_MbyulvnYPMCf90BfVYRNHvLadFnCf5afSrjO9uXe8VapuNQMQVbQVTHFDRqFX1w/s1600/band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKccKHfmoDxHWY4G_OrHV5P-N0xcTgt_l3o8tM9lupEa87jmNGkEcv0NiyIoZYojxCRVNRnkT-GNoE_MbyulvnYPMCf90BfVYRNHvLadFnCf5afSrjO9uXe8VapuNQMQVbQVTHFDRqFX1w/s320/band.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfg2P7P9Ostui8ITOQGY-faG6IIXBQdvH5zBKe_9aabpM8o5HU-pGZOi_s5-xIHygqshigE6TXg4Ibo0_ejIHvR6f6zv2wFs6Er-Q5vFBhndUruvG7-DUdTbhwR3X7ndErv4RC_w3MbNw/s1600/end+of+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfg2P7P9Ostui8ITOQGY-faG6IIXBQdvH5zBKe_9aabpM8o5HU-pGZOi_s5-xIHygqshigE6TXg4Ibo0_ejIHvR6f6zv2wFs6Er-Q5vFBhndUruvG7-DUdTbhwR3X7ndErv4RC_w3MbNw/s320/end+of+world.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">End of World</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRPHc_xhBldakWruCcTHIC5TMawnpiM-mD_vUNMI6-Wsjc0hQSMzOf933L1DTVPbHxrKad60z-WOh5IWcd2tFjMzHOnG5wz4hIknj08kOTheaOs86BX817df05KDrSHlAL5x0GlrmbQw8/s1600/more+jumble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRPHc_xhBldakWruCcTHIC5TMawnpiM-mD_vUNMI6-Wsjc0hQSMzOf933L1DTVPbHxrKad60z-WOh5IWcd2tFjMzHOnG5wz4hIknj08kOTheaOs86BX817df05KDrSHlAL5x0GlrmbQw8/s320/more+jumble.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVZxk8PUMIIh6YdFK4wVFLPgZqh5_803xRbsstpQCUQp9onmBKrMf9F-dli3Tb1kCittnFZxOOhB2p38SXk4k98m8RnCQbW-zh5nUpYABsQG2Bw7zWcxyFq9ks_E53FH9Wgs8S9hHOdoh/s1600/red+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVZxk8PUMIIh6YdFK4wVFLPgZqh5_803xRbsstpQCUQp9onmBKrMf9F-dli3Tb1kCittnFZxOOhB2p38SXk4k98m8RnCQbW-zh5nUpYABsQG2Bw7zWcxyFq9ks_E53FH9Wgs8S9hHOdoh/s320/red+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This piece was human size</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuA1HO2i0rf1Wfv7ibA0lL5vzMGrtyOK6UU6p_zvXgUUt67TG8Ujar0YfVAabRg8I0ovqLg7QNdTq_EJGcAk93nc5PGm-U-UIPrpZ6_4zpOw6fIYRi_e4ZIJeA57Kyl7DT-im1x0qoG8_/s1600/table+top+fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuA1HO2i0rf1Wfv7ibA0lL5vzMGrtyOK6UU6p_zvXgUUt67TG8Ujar0YfVAabRg8I0ovqLg7QNdTq_EJGcAk93nc5PGm-U-UIPrpZ6_4zpOw6fIYRi_e4ZIJeA57Kyl7DT-im1x0qoG8_/s320/table+top+fan.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tabletop Fan</i></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What is this, you ask? It is a tabletop fan, I respond. The plug is huge, and I imagine that the blades (or at least one) has become twisted by some adverse event. But the concept is there -- distorted a bit by what the artist imagined it as -- a semi-abstract piece of artwork. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvix9njUqpjJd0VtYFPhCMCoR-0iMDx1L5uIVTMwUHE3hxP0upxgpW6FFr2t1UUP1j34ZJPiQiqgv7RQWm7xwjnpbT7BNqi2qrHacqCmQ5JukMbOwvXDDnYg3Tq8vWoUPmZVJUigBvR3CW/s1600/3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvix9njUqpjJd0VtYFPhCMCoR-0iMDx1L5uIVTMwUHE3hxP0upxgpW6FFr2t1UUP1j34ZJPiQiqgv7RQWm7xwjnpbT7BNqi2qrHacqCmQ5JukMbOwvXDDnYg3Tq8vWoUPmZVJUigBvR3CW/s320/3d.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3D Sculpture</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkqt4Asm4-2oQ5EzI-_nkp389H8y3qE3jWk5a3rSgj7N9Q5P9o20p-GJzcGaazHTjTedwjcGLDeM12AI2FB3ygJSKHm1OVIyzvBVmJhITBHfPNGCKGY9Y6pXJx2oWbmKtsH7IsYXdZR_b/s1600/guy+driving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkqt4Asm4-2oQ5EzI-_nkp389H8y3qE3jWk5a3rSgj7N9Q5P9o20p-GJzcGaazHTjTedwjcGLDeM12AI2FB3ygJSKHm1OVIyzvBVmJhITBHfPNGCKGY9Y6pXJx2oWbmKtsH7IsYXdZR_b/s320/guy+driving.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bigger than Life-size</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMoYdtE4AchX7UOmxfL3UHXp7HnB1koewcTgo84qlUqeZf8TphYrJrvnwx66VStprngwEw1plirGQPrfoK8FOSmFkZvTDMSjVZbKkkcReAHYKXcCwhGvqJLavvDZD32MVuw6LhW7dQPuG/s1600/red+paintbrushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMoYdtE4AchX7UOmxfL3UHXp7HnB1koewcTgo84qlUqeZf8TphYrJrvnwx66VStprngwEw1plirGQPrfoK8FOSmFkZvTDMSjVZbKkkcReAHYKXcCwhGvqJLavvDZD32MVuw6LhW7dQPuG/s320/red+paintbrushes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>I Still Use Brushes</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All of the displays shown above which I took pictures of, I found very interesting. I am not one too much for abstract art. Never cared too much for it when I took Art class (Sorry Mr. Schlumpf!) but again, each to his own. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What I find fascinating, however, is artwork like the <i>I Still Use Brushes</i>, above, which was created in 1969. </span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Can you figure out what this is? Under the glass it is all small red paint brushes and some red paint embedded in plastic in a box. How neat is that! It is so vibrant and appealing to the eye from faraway that you would not guess what it is until you creep up to it. Once you know the concept, you can see it in a different light. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now onto the semi-abstract nudes. Don't worry, these aren't rated X. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs4_U1Gb7xgE5QuT6h_g5rLczZNjQT993BeVSzygyg_UiwaOBtyNAA-t2_UrzXh3TX6tUnunIlEWgJsv9XbTJ8XP2b3EugWgOir3zWBIL2lDgKPE-mKTVSfz4x9YEZSxjpUVZchGmamCB/s1600/nude+3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs4_U1Gb7xgE5QuT6h_g5rLczZNjQT993BeVSzygyg_UiwaOBtyNAA-t2_UrzXh3TX6tUnunIlEWgJsv9XbTJ8XP2b3EugWgOir3zWBIL2lDgKPE-mKTVSfz4x9YEZSxjpUVZchGmamCB/s320/nude+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another Semi-Abstract Nude</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gjD3xSiHHnshkN0D1izpthBLKFMpSxTjzPAhB0Wxtea7PFdvx_0nZHFt58z-Lz9-TeKHRwKUgMMMkbprgux5VgxeT1E-PtaTHC6Dh1ouDa_mkK4awjr1VO8GYy1Pxc7OHqub6z3v9qIt/s1600/nude+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gjD3xSiHHnshkN0D1izpthBLKFMpSxTjzPAhB0Wxtea7PFdvx_0nZHFt58z-Lz9-TeKHRwKUgMMMkbprgux5VgxeT1E-PtaTHC6Dh1ouDa_mkK4awjr1VO8GYy1Pxc7OHqub6z3v9qIt/s320/nude+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Semi Abstract Partial Nude</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEZfgRALFW6_gTL9vPY-iyHtjhdM9BBPYeX1Ti1spva7KXE2yQbvkoqJg_qA25UcX0Vm0LCRp4VwKg71nO14AkzaxooQMUikXKPXm9Q_7HlfRi6rcyPkbPDHE-4mdoaQD7y2395jsRq2b/s1600/nude+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEZfgRALFW6_gTL9vPY-iyHtjhdM9BBPYeX1Ti1spva7KXE2yQbvkoqJg_qA25UcX0Vm0LCRp4VwKg71nO14AkzaxooQMUikXKPXm9Q_7HlfRi6rcyPkbPDHE-4mdoaQD7y2395jsRq2b/s320/nude+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Interesting Concept</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Semi-Abstract Nude</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18yadOqR8ESrMqbyN0t4aiD7GcB12sCLNupDQsFE_Lt9MuW8aG8q_S1qY28UKCFmLgmgg4XSf6Du64aWAQDNrA6UZkcQs6zYVW9acsqfSUwJa6Bc-foiZrGlA6kGDncrBBcxXAL9h4kkH/s1600/abstract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18yadOqR8ESrMqbyN0t4aiD7GcB12sCLNupDQsFE_Lt9MuW8aG8q_S1qY28UKCFmLgmgg4XSf6Du64aWAQDNrA6UZkcQs6zYVW9acsqfSUwJa6Bc-foiZrGlA6kGDncrBBcxXAL9h4kkH/s320/abstract.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Then after getting through the exhibits of the nudes which were basically all semi-abstracts, we headed into the exhibitions halls that had the abstracts, as depicted by the one to the right. I know I said before that I'm not one that is interested in abstracts, but I do, however, appreciate abstracts of certain designs and colors that catch my eye and this one most certainly did with the grays, blacks and beiges and the 3-d effect the shadowing accomplished. </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Unfortunately, this is kind of where things came to a halt. I received a phone call from my sister, Kristi, who was taking my mom to the emergency room. When someone starts out a conversation with you (especially when you are on vacation out of state) with a "I don't want to alarm you or freak you out, but. . ." it is never a good thing. My mom was having problems that they hadn't quite diagnosed but it was resembling things along the line of a stroke or heart attack. I felt helpless at this point and a little deflated. Plus, I guess I lost interest in continuing on through MoMA. I was promised that as soon as they heard something, Kristi would let me know and keep me updated. </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Now the story behind all this is that my mom really wanted to make this trip with me. But I was told by a few that maybe my first trip to New York City might not be a good time for my mom to go along. I was advised that there is a lot of walking that I would need to do, a lot of stair climbing (subways, etc.), so maybe the best thing to do would be to scope it out first and then on the next trip I would be better accustomed to what NYC offers to know what she would and would not be able to do. Maybe, at this point I was feeling a little guilty, but yet at the same time, a little relieved that she didn't come along, because what if this would have happened while she was on the trip. With mixed emotions swirling through my head, the mood was obviously broken to wrap my head around any more serious concepts of artwork, Nika and I decided to leave. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">As soon as we are outside, we decided to make a pit stop at the hotel so I can change shoes. Yes, I am not afraid to admit the next two things -- my feet are killing me and that is compounded by the fact that I also have to pee -- really bad -- which I didn't realize until we have left MoMA (obviously I was distracted enough by the phone call not to realize that until then). Thinking that I seriously am not going to make it back to the hotel in time, we search out my favorite "watering" hole -- MacDonald's! I am not talking "watering" as in getting a drink, but as in getting rid of some! haha! There really are no public bathrooms in New York City -- especially Manhattan, where we are. The easiest place to go in and out of quickly when searching for a bathroom we found was Mickey D's. If I have to buy something, that is fine because I can grab a bottle of water, but relief is all I want at the moment. Once found, we scramble in and out and then off to the hotel. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Along the way, I catch a picture of the Ziegfeld Theater. So, now I need to give you a little lesson on the Ziegfeld. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Ziegfeld Theatre</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b><u>Ziegfeld Theatre</u></b>: Originally built in 1927, the Ziegfeld Theatre is a Broadway theater located at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 54th Street in Manhattan, but was razed in 1966. The second theater which was designed as a single screen movie theater, opened in 1969.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The Ziegfeld was originally built for Broadway plays, but during the Great Depression, its usage changed to operate as a movie theater. In 1944 a showman, Billy Rose, bought it and once again changed its operation. NBC leased it for use as a television studio from 1955 to 1963. The Perry Como Show was broadcast from the theater beginning in 1956. And then in 1963 the Ziegfeld reopened as a legitimate Broadway theater. However, this was short-lived as in 1966 it was torn down to make way for a skyscraper, what is now known as the Alliance Bernstein building. <br /><br />The second theater was opened just a few hundred feet from the original, again as a single-screen move house. It is one of the last large-scale movie palaces built in the United States. Under different ownership, digital projection was installed during the 2000's and now today it is the largest single screen cinema in New York and still continues to be the site of film premieres and gala events. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Another tidbit: Ever heard of the Ziegfeld Follies? If not, the Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air. The Ziegfeld Follies were conceived and advanced by Florenz Ziegfeld. If you have heard of the follies and to answer the next question posed in your mind -- yes, the Ziegfeld Theatre was named for this famed Broadway enterpriser, Florenz Ziegfeld, who interestingly enough built it with financial backing from William Randolph Hearst. Now you know a little more about the famous Ziegfeld Theatre. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Okay, back to our journey at hand. My shoes are now changed, so we are going to hop on the subway to head off to our next plan of action -- the American Museum of Natural History. As it was now getting later in the day, we knew full well that we weren't going to be able to do the whole museum, but we thought we could at least get a start. The entrance to the subway to catch train that we need is conveniently right beside our hotel. Next, we are off to another first for me -- my first subway ride! Looking forward to this first, too! </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">I think I will stop here for the moment and let you catch a breath. My next post will be all about the next museum on our list. Well, it will be a start at least. It is a big, big journey, so it is a good thing we are only getting a small start on it. </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Until that next post . . . oops, hold the horses -- you were wondering about Mother?</span> A phone call from Kristi relays to me that she is fine. No major problems, which calms my racing mind and heart. Love
ya, Mother!<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-53060912080813203542012-03-27T17:38:00.000-05:002012-03-27T17:38:02.610-05:00The Big Apple: Day 3, Part 3: Kriser Dental to Rockefeller Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: magenta;">Well, here we are, still on Day 3 but finishing up on our bus tour for the day. At the end of the last post we found ourselves in an area of medical services, and that is exactly where we will continue today. First stop (or drive-by) is the Kriser Dental Center.</span><i><br /></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">NYU's Kriser Dental Center</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="background-color: orange;"><u>Kriser Dental Center</u></b><span style="background-color: orange;"> </span>- The New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is one of 14 schools and divisions at New York University. Located near Manhattan's Midtown area, currently it is well known for its strong clinical training, outstanding research ranking, and a wide and diverse patient pool. Founded in 1865 as the "New York College of Dentistry," It merged with NYU in 1925. NYUCD is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the United States. In 1987 New York University dedicated the David B. Kriser Dental Center. David B. Kriser, an industrialist and graduate of NYU Law School, was also a major benefactor of Beth Israel Medical Center and New York University (both of which you saw in the last post), where various medical services bear his name. Through the years, Kriser donated nearly $6 million to Beth Israel where its Department of Emergency Medicine is named in his honor. But more noteworthy here, is that Kriser donated $50 million for this building of what is now known and named in his honor as the Kriser Dental Center.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bellevue Hospital</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>Bellevue Hospital</b></u> - Founded in March 1736, Bellevue Hospital Center, most often referred to as "Bellevue," is the oldest public hospital in the United States. Located in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, Bellevue is famous from many literary, film and television references, and as the training ground for many of America's leaders in medicine. Affiliated with NYU's School of Medicine since 1968, Bellevue has been the site of many milestones in the history of medicine, from the establishment of the first ambulance service and first maternity ward, to Nobel Prize-winning cardiac catheterization laboratory. You should also note that if President Obama were in New York and needed medical attention, this is the hospital where he would be treated. </span><span class="hasCaption"> </span><br />
<span class="hasCaption"><br /><span style="color: red;">Marginally Crazy, Huh? </span> What is the first things that pops into your mind if someone uttered the word "Bellevue"? Hmmm...psycho? Bellevue has been portrayed in many films as a hospital treating patients with psychiatric problems. Rightfully so, because Bellevue is exceptionally well known for its psychiatric facilities. </span><span class="hasCaption">Since 1998 the building which once served as
the hospital's psychiatric facility has been used as a homeless intake
center and a men's homeless shelter. </span><span class="hasCaption">Another honor is that its emergency department has being named New York's #1 hospital in Emergency Care by New York Magazine. </span></div>
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<span class="hasCaption"><br /><span style="color: red;">Underprivileged:</span> As the original facility of New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation, it is open to patients of all backgrounds irrespective of ability to pay. More than 80 percent of Bellevue’s patients come from the city’s medically under-served populations. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">NYU Langone Medical Center</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>NYU Medical Center:</b></u> NYU Langone Medical Center is an academic medical center in New York City affiliated with New York University. It was named to the Honor Roll of U.S. News "Best Hospitals" in the nation for 2009-2010. The Medical Center is comprised of the NYU School of Medicine and three hospitals: Tisch Hospital, the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the Hospital for Joint Diseases. NYU Langone's motto is that it "treats the whole person and not simply the disease." </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: red;">Who is the Medical Center named for</span>? In 2008, Kenneth and Elaine Langone made a substantial donation, and the NYU Medical Center was subsequently named the NYU Langone Medical Center. Kenneth Langone is the chairman of the board of trustees. As a co-founder of Home Depot, Langone has used his success to contribute almost $150 million to various charities, focusing on universities, medical research and training, education, and helping children. While he has donated millions of dollars to a wide variety of charities, his most recent contribution was $200 million to the NYU Langone Medical Center.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nikas Brand Sidewalk Stands</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><b style="background-color: orange;"><u>Nikas Sidewalk Food Stands</u></b><span style="background-color: orange;">:</span> Had to have a picture of this stand in honor of
Nika. (See picture at right). Oh, and they have the best food there, too. We caught a bite
to eat at these a couple times during our walk abouts. Great sausages, mmmmm...making my mouth water the more I think about it!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our Best Gray Line Tour Guide</span></td></tr>
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<b><u style="background-color: orange;">Tour Guide:</u> </b>(Picture below, left). And of course, I would be amiss not to show you a picture of our tour guide for this day. We had dubbed him <span class="hasCaption">our best guide out of all of the ones we had on
the Gray Line tour. </span> During the initial start of our first day of our Gray Line tour, we had another terrific guide. Then we got off at the Guggenheim and when we caught the next tour bus, we both agreed we weren't as fond of this next guide. But this gentleman was a hoot!</div>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>Chrysler Building</b></u><span style="background-color: orange;">:</span> </span><span class="hasCaption">If you look below in the picture to the right, you will see the famous Chrysler Building heading up into the clouds. It is the one with the spiral on top. This Art Deco is located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Completed in May 1930, at a height of 1,047 feet, it was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was stripped of its title by the Empire State Building in 1931. After the 9/11 attacks and the destruction of the World Trade Center, it became, again, the second-tallest building in New York City until December 2007, when the Bank of America Tower's spire was raised bringing it to a height of 1,200 feet. The Chrysler Building was hence knocked into third position. It should also be noted that The New York Times Building, which opened in 2007, is exactly the same height as the Chrysler Building. Once One World Trade Center was built, however, both buildings were then propelled into 4th position.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D2ZvssWYioQrZaXLyV8r26XKHEKdF0dqLNyBf-UVHAueOa2-N7FP92DT1jU00vvTT7O7vPLk0eSoRoUc5j8Oq2TMwbNRDhjdzJwen-E1nmKGFV0evdr6phiFhbpdbd2ly5MlafPlSVVG/s1600/chrystler.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D2ZvssWYioQrZaXLyV8r26XKHEKdF0dqLNyBf-UVHAueOa2-N7FP92DT1jU00vvTT7O7vPLk0eSoRoUc5j8Oq2TMwbNRDhjdzJwen-E1nmKGFV0evdr6phiFhbpdbd2ly5MlafPlSVVG/s320/chrystler.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chrysler Building</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: red;">Original Construction and Completion:</span> This building was specifically the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation from 1930 until the 1950's. It was built and designed entirely for the car manufacturer but the corporation itself did not pay for its construction and never owned it. It the decision of Walter P. Chrysler to pay for it himself, so that his children could inherit it.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Architecture:</span> Considered a leading model of Art Deco architecture, the building is graced by many different areas of ornamentation. For example, the corners of the 61st floor are graced with eagles, and on the 31st floor, the corner ornamentation are replicas of the 1929 Chrysler radiator caps. It is also recognized for its terraced crown where the cladding is ribbed and riveted in a radiating sunburst pattern with many triangular windows. The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd6n8v7CbO3_pScdoe_Mz8vshhmIraQTiXQAzxR1Vp6QsvaBvEjzmAEDpScqkm5fvYQ34fVU5pzbJn0sOUFGgAedZfVWXQSzB7HkiDLbBunMt9lwox09Z3mxpZewA2s4u_jZ479xD20L5/s1600/un+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd6n8v7CbO3_pScdoe_Mz8vshhmIraQTiXQAzxR1Vp6QsvaBvEjzmAEDpScqkm5fvYQ34fVU5pzbJn0sOUFGgAedZfVWXQSzB7HkiDLbBunMt9lwox09Z3mxpZewA2s4u_jZ479xD20L5/s320/un+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Approaching the United Nations Building</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>United Nations</b></u><span style="background-color: orange;">:</span> </span><span class="hasCaption">Completed in 1952, the headquarters of the United Nations ("UN"), a
building complex built on 17 acres of land, is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan
overlooking the East River. </span><span class="hasCaption">In the picture at left, as we are a</span><span class="hasCaption">pproaching the UN, just inside the perimeter fence you will see all the different colorful flags which are in English alphabetical order for all of the 193 UN member states or countries, starting with Afghanistan and ending with
Zimbabwe, plus the UN flag. </span></div>
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<span class="hasCaption">Not only does the UN have its headquarters in New York City, but it also has three additional, regional headquarters or headquarter districts, which are located in Geneva (Switzerland), Vienna (Austria), and Nairobi (Kenya). The main headquarters in New York contains the seats of the principal arms of the UN -- the General Assembly and Security Council. Although it is in New York City, and part of the United States, the land used by the UN Headquarters is under the administration of the United Nations, but yet it is also subject to most local, state, and federal laws. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">The construction of the headquarters was financed by an interest-free loan of $65 million made by the United States government, and the cost of construction was also reported as $65 million. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Under Whose Law?</span> The site of the United Nations Headquarters has what is called "extraterritoriality status" which means it is exempt from the jurisdiction of local law. This affects some law enforcement where UN rules override the laws of New York City, but it does not give immunity to those who commit crimes there. What is crazy about this is that the UN Headquarters remains under the jurisdiction and laws of the United States, although a few members of the UN staff have diplomatic immunity and so cannot be prosecuted by local courts unless the diplomatic immunity is waived by the Secretary-General. I'm not real sure what exactly is considered under NY law and what isn't. </span><br />
<span class="hasCaption"><br /><span style="color: red;">Whose Dollar and Whose Language?</span> The currency used at the UN headquarters' businesses is the U.S. dollar. While English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, most of the daily communications within secretariat and the signs in the UN headquarters building are also in French and English. There are three working languages for the Economic and Social Council -- English, French and Spanish; while the working and official languages of the General Assembly number six -- Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. This surely keeps the interpreters busy there. But when you consider that the</span> European Union itself has twenty-three official languages, weeding it down to six at the UN headquarters is probably a major feat.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9D-rirqbS1TJBTlYhHLhiuh3JfrgVTOjm0dmAfTekmHnnKsSZGa6zpUbf67tbvDIC4xakEiB7X3uEAF494-sbs0srL8RMUa49S4tIexHRsVmMEa3TRI7KzQh1TZbKMI1tksq_kPE6Zq7/s1600/un2.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9D-rirqbS1TJBTlYhHLhiuh3JfrgVTOjm0dmAfTekmHnnKsSZGa6zpUbf67tbvDIC4xakEiB7X3uEAF494-sbs0srL8RMUa49S4tIexHRsVmMEa3TRI7KzQh1TZbKMI1tksq_kPE6Zq7/s320/un2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue in front of the UN Secretariat Building</td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: red;">The Complex</span>: The complex </span>includes a number of major buildings. While the Secretariat building is
one most usually depicted when features appear about the UN headquarters, the complex also
includes the domed General Assembly building, the Dag Hammarskjöld
Library (built in 1961), as well as the Conference and Visitors Center,
which is situated between the General Assembly and Secretariat
buildings, and can be seen only from FDR Drive or the East River. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some of the many flags flying at the UN Complex</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">The General Assembly building</span> holds the General Assembly Hall which has a seating capacity of 1,800. At the front of the chamber, is the rostrum containing the green marble desk for the President of the General Assembly, Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services and matching lectern for speakers. Behind the rostrum is the UN emblem on a gold background. To the side of the rostrum is a paneled semi-circular wall that tapers as it nears the ceiling and surrounds the front portion of the chamber. In front of the paneled walls are seating areas for guests and within the wall are windows which allow translators to watch the proceedings as they work. Each of the 192 delegations has six seats in the hall with three at a desk and three alternate seats behind them. This building is domed and stands five stories high. </span><br />
<span class="hasCaption"><br /><span style="color: red;">The Conference Building </span>faces the East River between the General Assembly Building and the Secretariat. The Conference Building</span><span class="hasCaption"> houses the security Council and the Economic and Social Council.</span><span class="hasCaption"></span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tall United Nations Secretariat Building</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption">The 39-story <span style="color: red;">Secretariat tower</span> houses offices for the Secretary General, the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Office of Disarmament Affairs, and the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management.</span></div>
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<span class="hasCaption">Construction of the Secretariat started in September 1949 and was completed in 1950. It completely overshadows the adjacent General Assembly building, which is actually the most important part of the complex. </span></div>
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<span class="hasCaption">The <span style="color: red;">Dag Hammarskjöld Library</span> was dedicated in November 1961. It is located next to the Secretariat at the southwest corner of the headquarters campus. Curious as to what is inside the library? It holds 400,000 books, 9,800 newspapers and periodical titles, 80,000 maps and the Woodrow Wilson Collection containing 8,600 volumes of League of Nations documents and 6,500 related books and pamphlets. </span></div>
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations</span></td></tr>
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<u style="background-color: orange;">The Sphere within Sphere</u> sculpture in front of UN Headquarters (pictured at right) is a bronze sculpture, by Italian sculptor, Arnaldo Pomodoro. The inner ball represents the Earth and outer ball represents Christianity.<br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><u style="background-color: orange;">Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building:</u> Ronald Brown was the United States Secretary of Commerce, serving
during the first term of President Bill Clinton, and was the first
African American to hold this position. He was killed, along with 34
others, in a 1996 plane crash in Croatia. On April 3, 1996, at the young age of 54, while on an
official trade mission, the Air Force CT-43 (a modified Boeing 737)
carrying Brown and 34 other people, including New York Times Frankfurt
Bureau chief Nathaniel C. Nash, crashed in Croatia. While attempting an
instrument approach to Cilipi airport, the airplane crashed into a
mountainside. Everyone aboard was killed instantly except for a flight attendant, who died while being
transported to a hospital. The final Air Force investigation
attributed the crash to pilot error and a poorly designed landing
approach. Speculations as to the circumstances surrounding the plane
crash that caused Brown's death include many government cover-up and
conspiracy theories, largely based on Brown having been under
investigation by independent counsel for corruption.</span><span class="hasCaption"> </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">Brown, raised in Harlem in a middle-class family, as a child appeared in an advertisement for Pepsi-Cola, one of the first commercials to be specifically targeted towards the African-American community. In March 2011 the United States Mission to the United Nations building was named and dedicated in Brown's honor. In the dedication ceremony he was eulogized as one of the greatest ambassadors that the American government ever had abroad. This 26-story building which is located across the street from the UN General Assembly, houses the United States delegation to the UN.</span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><b style="background-color: orange;"><u>Hope Statue</u></b>: A monument dedicated to Raoul Wallenberg entitled “Hope” can be seen on the traffic triangle of First Avenue (UN Plaza). (See picture at left). Wallenberg is widely celebrated for his successful efforts to rescue tens of thousands to about one hundred thousand Jews in Nazi-occupied Hungary during the Holocaust from Hungarian Fascists and the Nazis during the later stages of World War II. Unseen in this photo as the monument was still under construction, but there is a briefcase at the foot of a column, suggesting unfinished business. Each of the black pillars contains information about Wallenberg’s life and work; for example, one states, "<i>Displaying great daring and ingenuity, Raoul Wallenberg saved the lives of countless Hungarian Jews by placing them under the protection of the Swedish Government</i>." </span></div>
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<b style="background-color: orange;"><u>Turtle Bay</u></b><span style="background-color: orange;">:</span> Turtle Bay, home to the UN headquarters and the Chrysler Building, is a neighborhood on the east side of Midtown Manhattan. It extends between 41st and 54th Streets, and eastward from Lexington Avenue to the East River, across from Roosevelt Island. This neighborhood is significant to me as it is the home of fictional character "Stone Barrington" in a series written by Stuart Woods, one of my favorite authors. <br />
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Named in the 17th century, Turtle Bay was a shelter from the often harsh weather of the East River, and as a well-known shipbuilding site. In 1639, the neighborhood was originally a 40 acre grant given to two Englishmen by the Dutch colonial governor of New Amsterdam. After the American Civil War, the neighborhood was developed with brownstones. Then by 1868 commercial develop overtook it and it was packed with breweries, gasworks, slaughterhouses, cattle pens, coal yards and railroad piers. As with Five Points, an infusion of poor immigrants sent the neighborhood in decay. With huge industrial enterprises and power plants throughout, the district was showered with the heaviest soot fall in the city.<br />
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In 1918, a wealthy socialite, Charlotte Hunnewell Sorchan, bought up 11 row houses and within two years renovated them so that the individual back yards were arranged to a common garden area. This territory then became known as Turtle Bay Gardens. She then sold the houses to friends at cost, with
property restrictions that kept the commons secure. A revitalization of the area began. Celebrity residents since have included actors Katharine Hepburn, Ricardo Montalban and Tyrone Power, and composer Stephen Sondheim, among many others. <br />
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With the clearing of 18 acres of slaughterhouses for the construction of the UN Headquarters beginning in 1948 and then the removal of the elevated trains, this neighborhood was opened up for the construction of high-rise office buildings and condominiums. In 1957, the Turtle Bay Association was formed by residents and property owners in hopes of guiding the development to maintain the neighborhood's quality of life. The Association's efforts have resulted in more park and landscaping development, creating the neighborhood's tree-lined and relatively quiet atmosphere. One of the most well-known is the Katherine Hepburn Garden located in the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza which was dedicated in May 1997. It pays tribute to her lifelong love of gardening and her commitment to the park and the neighborhood. Hepburn moved to
Turtle Bay in 1932 and she brought with her
transplants of wildflowers from her parents Connecticut home to enjoy in her own backyard garden.
She joined the Turtle Bay Association in 1957, and for more than
thirty years was active in the fight for beautification and purification of the neighborhood and to stop the onslaught of high-rise buildings. <br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u style="background-color: orange; color: black;">When riding on top, </u>you have
to be very diligent that you also watch out for low hanging trees and
the stop lights. The picture at right illustrates how the trees will reach out and touch you and the stoplights are within
an arm's reach above your head. This is just a portion of the beauty of the trees in the Turtle Bay neighborhood.</span></div>
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In the picture below, left, you can see <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">some of the penthouse apartments who have gardens up high in the sky.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b style="background-color: orange;"><u>No Honking:</u></b> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">This is serious! A $350 fine
for honking. There are different areas where there is no honking allowed
(which in NYC there is a lot of honking going on!). Signs are posted by the</span> Department of Transportation, which is a result of a request
filed by the city's Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP"). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLQJ8N39dxS2T0leEwsvfNfMiSBkY8e4ydnhdnU6YxxPDpndVUD6c9lEF8V4CiAmDdqRkDTZLyULlMhyssq-3dYEokHJUGeTD6P6oYBpBKAIxQ5QnFrcPcYdYZ_eLXHNAyhHPR6RXMXye/s1600/penthouse.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLQJ8N39dxS2T0leEwsvfNfMiSBkY8e4ydnhdnU6YxxPDpndVUD6c9lEF8V4CiAmDdqRkDTZLyULlMhyssq-3dYEokHJUGeTD6P6oYBpBKAIxQ5QnFrcPcYdYZ_eLXHNAyhHPR6RXMXye/s320/penthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gardens in the tall high-rise buildings</span></td></tr>
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The DEP has stated that what usually occurs is they will go out into areas or neighborhoods and do a noise evaluation. If they feel there is excessive noise pollution in a given area, they will then install these No Honking signs.<br />
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In 2005, new laws were enacted by the NYC DEP to regulate the volume of noise for the general safety, welfare and comfort of the city's
residents.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">What are the Regulations?</span> New York banned
honking during traffic unless used to warn others of imminent danger.
Excessive sounds heard at 150 feet from other vehicles that are less
than 10,000 pounds are illegal. The measurement for trucks and
motorcycles is 200 feet. As you can see from my fuzzy picture, below, signs are posted and are hard to miss. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8mgwXrA2cRM3FwK_u86cgCbeeCeHs9pUTsrFX9GlN84DFTbhvmvz8F8hsKrayLp5vLSzlK14rl2ZLw0vUyH-6YGHThvlC5It49lzV_aXd-pMCzw6BLv3ZgeYYB4zMK2DKsHrUsvXfrEq/s1600/honk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8mgwXrA2cRM3FwK_u86cgCbeeCeHs9pUTsrFX9GlN84DFTbhvmvz8F8hsKrayLp5vLSzlK14rl2ZLw0vUyH-6YGHThvlC5It49lzV_aXd-pMCzw6BLv3ZgeYYB4zMK2DKsHrUsvXfrEq/s640/honk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">No Honking Allowed</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJargf5lSuqrSEQ7_VuIOzW49sRuFHOeXsxNiq6AyEIaAQw-zQumqKX8IemceBlXLQitM1fJyxbV79DSk6FxUCqSsN9ttiE1pezWe3WsKdMSbKWK3WjXba7360NEK2Vgo5ZAxAmZdfshto/s1600/waldorf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJargf5lSuqrSEQ7_VuIOzW49sRuFHOeXsxNiq6AyEIaAQw-zQumqKX8IemceBlXLQitM1fJyxbV79DSk6FxUCqSsN9ttiE1pezWe3WsKdMSbKWK3WjXba7360NEK2Vgo5ZAxAmZdfshto/s320/waldorf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u style="background-color: orange;"><b><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Waldorf=Astoria:</span></b></u><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span>On famous Park Avenue in Midtown <b style="font-weight: normal;">Manhattan</b>, the legendary <b style="font-weight: normal;">Waldorf-</b><b style="font-weight: normal;">Astoria</b> New York hotel sits beckoning travelers to usurp its old-world elegance and service.<br />
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The Waldorf=Astoria is a luxury hotel in New York. Having been located in two historic landmark buildings in New York City, the first on the site of the Empire State Building, and the present at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan. It is a 47-story, 625 foot landmark designed in the Art Deco style. The Waldorf=Astoria New York is a member of Hilton's Luxury and Lifestyle Brands along with Waldorf=Astoria Hotels and Resorts and Conrad Hotels and Resorts.<br />
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Being at the forefront of the hospitality and hotel industry, The Waldorf=Astoria was the first hotel to offer room service. And, no that is not a typo in the name above, as the Waldorf=Astoria is now branded with the equal sign o signify the equality between the Waldorf and Astor families. It also visually represents "Peacock Alley" the hallway between to two hotels that once stood where the Empire State building now stands today.<br />
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The modern hotel has three American and classic European restaurants, and a beauty parlor located off the main lobby. Several boutiques surround the lobby. A "hotel within a hotel" in its upper section is known as The Waldorf Towers, operated by Conrad Hotels and Resorts. It also has its own railway platform as part of Grand Central Terminal, which has been used in the past by such famed individuals as Franklin D. Roosevelt, James Farley, Adlai Stevenson, and Douglas MacArthur. In fact, an elevator that was large enough for Franklin D. Roosevelt's automobile provides access to the platform. Its name is ultimately derived from Walldorf in Germany and the prominent German-American Astor family that originated there.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Notable Occupants: </span>It's fame has been garnered by such notable occupants as: Gangsters Frank Costello, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and Charles "Lucky" Luciano who all once lived in the Waldorf-Astoria. In 1955, Marilyn Monroe stayed at the hotel for several months. Unfortunately, due to costs of trying to finance her production company "Marilyn Monroe Productions" (she was only being paid $1,500 a week for her role in <i>The Seven Year Itch</i> and was subsequently suspended from 20th Century Fox for walking out on Fox after "creative differences"), so living at the hotel became too costly and she had to move into a different hotel in NYC. This was also the childhood home for Paris Hilton. It is also the official residence of the United States' Permanent Representative to the United Nations is located in the Waldorf Towers.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Notable Event: </span>The investigation into the sinking of the Titantic in 1912 was held at the old Waldorf-Astoria. Eerily enough, John Jacob Astor IV, who built the Astoria Hotel, which became part of the old Waldorf-Astoria, died on the Titanic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF2Ut8leo-dk6f57Gmu09S90NiTASyGyHJiGpXMJ5na-DjEaAsPuLpuujY48QbzgDfnrUzIyNCOCnpM44nWQENL0n77rXK1qQbSEbnZlTc6t46AbVZGOWHKyXwoSy82m860aTeCkyCQAA/s1600/rockefeller+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF2Ut8leo-dk6f57Gmu09S90NiTASyGyHJiGpXMJ5na-DjEaAsPuLpuujY48QbzgDfnrUzIyNCOCnpM44nWQENL0n77rXK1qQbSEbnZlTc6t46AbVZGOWHKyXwoSy82m860aTeCkyCQAA/s320/rockefeller+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u style="background-color: orange;"><b>Rockefeller Center:</b></u> Rockefeller Center is a complex that consists of 19 commercial buildings encompassing 22 acres of land between 48th and 51st streets and 5th and 6th Avenues in the center of Midtown Manhattan. Built by the Rockefeller family, it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The Center was named after John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who leased the space from Columbia University in 1928 and went on to develop it in 1930. taking the development project on as the sole financier, he set it up with Columbia University on a 27-year lease, with the option for three 21-year renewals for a total of 87 years. He then negotiated a line of credit with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company while covering the ongoing construction expenses through the sale of oil company stock. Brazen at the time (1930), the initial costs, the initial costs were estimated to be $25 million. In this era, it was considered to be the largest private building project ever undertaken. Construction began in May of 1930 and the Art Deco style buildings were completed in 1939. Initially not wanting the Rockefeller name to be associated with the project, John, Jr., was finally persuaded to put the current moniker of on the project as the thought was it would attract far more tenants. Hence, Rockefeller Center was born. <br />
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In 1985, the university finally sold the land beneath Rockefeller Center to what is known as the Rockefeller Group for a whopping $400 million, but in the ensuing years through a series of buyouts it is now owned by Jerry Speyer (a close friend of David Rockefeller), of Tishman Speyer Properties, L.P., who together with the Lester Crown family of Chicago, bought it for $1.85 billion.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;">One Rockefeller Plaza:</span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">One Rockefeller Plaza, at 608,000 square feet, was originally the Time–Life Building. The exterior column piers are clad in limestone and the walls between consist of green-tinted glass with thin, facade-high aluminum mullions and window-covered mesh spandrels. The walls of the 197 foot long and over 16 foot high lobby make extensive use of patterned stainless steel paneling with gradual hue tinting. The ceiling is of glass with a maroon hue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;">10 Rockefeller Plaza:</span>Coming in at 288,000 square feet, it is the smallest in size of the six landmark buildings in Rockefeller Center. Originally called Holland House, then changed o the Eastern Air Lines Building, the notable <i>Today Show</i> studios are located there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;">30 Rockefeller Plaza</span>: Formerly known as the </span>RCA Building, now known as the GE Building but nicknamed
"30 Rock," it is by far the largest of the six coming in at a whopping 2.9 million square feet. 30 Rock is actually the centerpiece of the Center as it is
centered behind the sunken plaza. At the front of 30 Rock is the Lower Plaza, in the very center of the
complex, which is reached from 5th Avenue through the Channel Gardens
and Promenade. In 1936 on Christmas Day, the famous ice-skating rink was
finally installed and the popular Center activity of ice-skating began. </div>
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One cannot go on to the next buildings before first touching on <u>The Channel Gardens and Promenade</u>, which are an integral part of the Center. Beside being the site of the historic ice-skating rink and popular Christmas Tree, it is also home to a couple work of art which include the golden Titan<i> Prometheus</i> fountain which is flanked by the heroic-sized bronze <i>Mankind Figures of Maiden and Youth</i>. Created in 1933 by legendary artist, Paul Manship, the two 8-foot <i>Mankind</i> statues stand on the granite shelves on either side of the <i>Promestheus</i> fountain, which is meant to form a sculptural grouping that depicts Prometheus giving mankind the gift of fire.
The two partially nude figures, one male and the other female, each stand next to exaggerated reptilian
branches of vegetation symbolic of the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, Manship was initially not pleased with their placement and had them moved around a number of times, before finally ending up in storage for fifty years. In 1983, they were restored with a luscious brown patina and placed in the skating rink on new pedestals. During a 2001 restoration, they were moved to the top of the staircase, where they are indicative of an introduction of <i>Prometheus</i>. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">1240 Avenue of the Americas: </span>This was one one of the original buildings on the site not torn down. It has now been adapted as an annex building to 30 Rock. Therefore, it has been crucial to the accumulative square footage assumed by 30 Rock. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">50 Rockefeller Plaza</span>: Formerly the Associated Press Building and now known as the Bank of America Building, this Center building assumes square footage of 481,000. As it was originally built for the Associated Press, 50 Rock was also for many years the home to many news venues and journalists over the years. Apropos, is the giant, nine-ton stainless steel panel entitled “<i>News</i>” which hangs its hat above the building’s entrance. The design depicts the various forms of communications used by journalists in the 1930’s. <br /><br />50 Rock is the only building in the Center that was built out to the limits of its lot line, taking its shape from the initial Associated Press' need for a single, undivided, loft-like newsroom as large as the lot could accommodate. At one time, the building's fourth floor had over four million feet of transmission wire embedded in its conduits. That is a lot of wire! </div>
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Others include: the <u>Simon and Schuster Building</u> (f/k/a U.S. Rubber/Uniroyal Center Theatre located at 1230 Avenue of the Americas; the <u>GE Building</u>, officially known as 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and was originally the RCA Building, it is located at 1250 Avenue of the Americas; the famous<u> Radio City Music Hall</u> located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas; the former RKO Building, which is now known as the <u>American Metal Climax (AMAX) Building</u>, located at 1270 Avenue of the Americas; the former <u>Sinclair Oil Building</u> situated at 600 Fifth Avenue; the <u>LaMaison Francaise</u> at 610 Fifth Avenue; the <u>British Empire Building</u> at 620 Fifth Avenue; Palazzo d’Italia at 626 Fifth Avenue; the <u>International Buildings</u> located at 630 and 636 Fifth Avenue which come in at 1.2 million and 120,000 square feet, respectively. These are all managed by Tishman-Speyer, the co-owner of Rockefeller Center. <br /><br />The buildings west of Sixth Avenue are managed and/or co-owned by the Japanese-owned Rockefeller Group and they include: the <u>Time-Life Building</u> located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas; the <u>McGraw-Hill Building</u> at 1221 Avenue of the Americas; and <u>Barclays Capital Building</u> (f/k/a Lehman Brothers Building) is located at 745 Seventh Avenue .</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Underground Shopping</span>: There is also an underground pedestrian passage in which is filled by a series of shops and restaurants. This passage stretches from 47th Street to 51st Street, and from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue. Access can be gained in various places including lobby stairways in the six easily recognizable buildings, through restaurants surrounding the Concourse-level skating rink, and elevators to the north and south of the rink. The western Concourse entrance is also accessible through the 47–50th Streets subway station below Sixth Avenue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYS6iMU2g5WX8spYpz-xaVH9Ic4qXkERjhXTww8pbLaXsG-IOnZWEOvfI4fV8l8SA7CEGK3GSPg-dnElF4QecBuvxKOVOU-a5x-WGKOHRgTJgLpjSNVYqf__z4Rpc9EYP39K-81yhEBj3/s1600/rockefeller+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYS6iMU2g5WX8spYpz-xaVH9Ic4qXkERjhXTww8pbLaXsG-IOnZWEOvfI4fV8l8SA7CEGK3GSPg-dnElF4QecBuvxKOVOU-a5x-WGKOHRgTJgLpjSNVYqf__z4Rpc9EYP39K-81yhEBj3/s320/rockefeller+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prometheus at Rockefeller Center</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQCLpfLdk1_Y1_jnfhVhGksshRcA3npleNaRI0tTc9bghyphenhyphenSw9JI-WsnG6jk001nJ0WXAGjVpp9gk-3Aj-g-UqDKPfA5i_KDfMo3xvomLV2JGu_og5e1zPmj30CB4P0yjfuBiNznYvNNhJ/s1600/rockefeller+3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQCLpfLdk1_Y1_jnfhVhGksshRcA3npleNaRI0tTc9bghyphenhyphenSw9JI-WsnG6jk001nJ0WXAGjVpp9gk-3Aj-g-UqDKPfA5i_KDfMo3xvomLV2JGu_og5e1zPmj30CB4P0yjfuBiNznYvNNhJ/s320/rockefeller+3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="color: red;">Prometheus:</span> Paul Manship's highly recognizable bronze gilded statue of the Greek
legend of the Titan Prometheus sits proudly in the sunken plaza at the front of 30 Rockefeller
Plaza. Some sources cite it as the
fourth-most familiar statue in the United States, behind the Lincoln
Memorial, Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Flags:</span> Some
200 flagpoles line the plaza at street level which include various flags of United
Nations member countries, the U.S. states and territories, and also decorative
and seasonal designs are flown. During U.S. holidays, every pole carries
the Flag of the United States.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Skating Rink:</span> <span class="hasCaption">I was amazed that the skating rink plaza, itself, is a lot smaller than
you think. On TV it looks larger. The skating rink was up at the time of my visit, which you can see in the picture at right. It has room for 150 skaters at a time. During
other times of the year it is a cafe/eating area in which our tour guide
told us it has the worst food for outlandish prices. Haha! </span> <br />
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I have heard it been said that it wouldn’t be winter without a spin around this iconic rink which is a celebrated tradition in many New York City households.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUTrWW9Qz5VoDkgrxG6yT-qfjDE2JOv_zscLn6heGq3FfOzk3A-yiB1yTEppeQVzG_vUWfZaTkWLxleX5x_BD3NSa4FgVEmH9xDwDFKQzhdbcN2b6ch8x8bvbEzWPvBdwzu4CsMhcHdDJ/s1600/rockefeller+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUTrWW9Qz5VoDkgrxG6yT-qfjDE2JOv_zscLn6heGq3FfOzk3A-yiB1yTEppeQVzG_vUWfZaTkWLxleX5x_BD3NSa4FgVEmH9xDwDFKQzhdbcN2b6ch8x8bvbEzWPvBdwzu4CsMhcHdDJ/s320/rockefeller+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Center is also home to many works of art, some of which
have been controversial topics in the past. Today, Rockefeller Center is one of the world’s great crossroads, filled
with boutiques, fine dining, and home to the most famous ice rink and
Christmas tree on earth. With its cultural diversity, it is widely considered "<i>the true plaza of the
people</i>." </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ceHveMS8LasUewSCepsOCLyhz7o3oy3fCFWJcSU5rudtx6ZhJ_n6k2Oc1TKgycODlCZl_GypXfJXha5fNEU69MvjnmgEwYGuq5xPJDd1Nk6DbE-sKvJkHheR5cs8jnq3jCH12QkZv7-e/s1600/nbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ceHveMS8LasUewSCepsOCLyhz7o3oy3fCFWJcSU5rudtx6ZhJ_n6k2Oc1TKgycODlCZl_GypXfJXha5fNEU69MvjnmgEwYGuq5xPJDd1Nk6DbE-sKvJkHheR5cs8jnq3jCH12QkZv7-e/s320/nbc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rainbow Room at NBC Studios</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>NBC Studios: Rainbow Room Observation Deck</b></u> --</span> Even with the world between
two wars and the economic status of the country in a critical time, Rockefeller’s vision for the magnificent Center never staggered.
A prime example of that is the observation deck located in the Rainbow Room at NBC Studios. That and the Center itself were Rockefeller's gifts to Manhattan. The observation deck is a place for tourists and locals to view at the wonderment of the city. The famous Rainbow Room
club restaurant is located on the 65th floor of 30 Rock. While the Rockefeller family
office covers the 54-56th floors, this skyscraper is the also the headquarters of
NBC and houses most of the network's New York studios, which include: Studio 6A, former home of <i>Late Night with David Letterman</i> and <i>Late Night with Conan
O'Brien</i>, and current home of <i>The Dr. Oz Show</i>; Studio 6B, which is the home of <i>Late Night
with Jimmy Fallon</i>; Studio 8H, home for <i>Saturday Night Live</i>; plus the operations
of NBC News and MSNBC plus the local station WNBC. <br />
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The GE Building was constructed as a slab with a flat roof, unlike
most other Art Deco towers built during this era. Originally built in 1933, this is where the newly renovated observation deck, known as Top of the Rock, is located. The $75 million makeover of the observation
area was completed in 2005 where it now spans three floors (67th to 70th) and includes an exhibition detailing the Center's history. There is a 20-foot wide viewing area on the 70th floor. Again, this was something we didn't knock off as one of the "to-do" items on my list. Next time! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Famed Radio City Music Hall</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>Radio City Music Hall:</b></u><span style="background-color: orange;"> </span>
Radio City Music Hall, another iconic establishment that we didn't get a chance to visit, is an entertainment place that is nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation,
and for a time considered the leading tourist destination in the city. Its
interior was declared a city landmark in 1978. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: red;">History:</span> Located on 12 acres, it opened its doors to the public in shortly after Christmas in 1932 with an extravagant stage show featuring Ray Bolger, among others. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Bolger played the scarecrow in the original <i>Wizard of Oz</i>. Unfortunately, although meant well, the stage show was a flop, and the Hall returned to showing feature films. By the 1970's, changes in film distribution made it difficult for Radio City to secure exclusive bookings of many films and so this venue ended in 1979. Plans were made to convert the theater into office space, but a combination of preservation and commercial interests (including an irate commentary on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update given by John Belushi) resulted in the preservation of Radio City and in 1980, after a renovation, it reopened to the public. Currently, it is leased by Madison Square Garden Inc. With its total seating capacity of 6,000, the focus of Radio City is now on concerts and live stage shows. An integral part of its historic past is, of course, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular which is another </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> New York Christmas tradition since 1933. It features the magnificent women's precision dance team known as The Rockettes. </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The public areas of the Music Hall display many works of depression era artists. And, undoubtedly one of the most famous items inside the theatre has to be the Music Hall's "Mighty Wurlitzer" pipe organ which </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">contains 4,410 pipes, </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">is the largest theater pipe organ built for a movie theater. <br /></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: red;">Sports:</span> In 2004 in preparation for the Republican National Convention at the Madison Square Garden, Radio City hosted the WNBA's New York Liberty for six of their home games. The Rockettes performed at half-time. These games marked the first time Radio City had hosted a professional sporting event since the Roy Jones Jr. boxing match held in 1999. Radio City is also to be the site of the 2012 NFL Draft.</span></div>
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<u style="background-color: orange;"><b>CBS Studios:</b></u> The CBS Building in New York City, also known as Black Rock (for its dark granite cladding), is the headquarters of CBS Corporation. The building, opened in 1965 is located at 51 West 52nd Street, at the corner of Sixth Avenue (a/k/a Avenue of the Americas). The 38 story building is 490 feet tall and has approximately 872,000 rentable square feet.<br />
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Unlike other major skyscrapers in this section of midtown Manhattan during the 50's and 60's, the pillars are more dominant than the glass windows between them. CBS moved its TV news studios, to its Black Rock Broadcast Center starting with the CBS Evening News studio-newsroom in 1963.<br />
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<u style="background-color: orange;"><b><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"Looking Toward The Avenue" </span></b></u><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u style="background-color: orange;"><b>Statue:</b></u> The picture at right shows one of Jim Dine's sculptures collectively entitled "<i>Looking Toward The Avenue</i>" positioned in the small plaza on the east side of Sixth Avenue at West 53rd Street. The verdigris bronze renditions of Venus De Milo emerge from a water pool. Verdigris is a </span>common name for a green<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green" title="Green"></a> pigment obtained through the application of acetic acid to copper<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper" title="Copper"></a> plates. The installation consists of three over-sized grayish-green bronze Venus
de Milos swimming in wading pool depth fountains. The two smaller
ones, at 14-feet and 23-feet, stand toward the 53rd Street side of the
block, while the the isolated 23-foot tall figure stands towards the
52nd Street side. Installed in 1989, they are positioned in front of the former J.C. Penney building but what is currently known as the
Calyon Building, after the corporate and investment banking arm of the
French Bank Credit Agricole.<br />
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As we are heading up West 53rd Street, here is our next stop. It is<u><b> MoMA</b></u> - - the Museum of Modern Art. Time to duck in here and get our sophisticated looks on! So this is where I will end this post today.<br />
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What to look forward to in my next post of Day 3, Part 3 -- MoMA and we begin the Museum of Natural History. After that, Day 3, Part 4, will consist of heading back to the hotel room to freshen up, meet Casey, head to the Irish Pub next door for a bite to eat and then off to the Comedy Cellar. Still loads ahead for you to see and hear about. </div>
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And with that, I will now leave you with some other fascinating pictures from The Big Apple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_QQMqLvqf2oSfKStfKi73C-IvETWjSBFQF9hwRXAKnxWC5jjXiuZZRkL9JyZp3kSDJ2c-0pHHxsJyb4dph_xuWp2AOTBbTzKfiT0ukB2L81y2H9vua1nSH2ZoULDmH6MgDfF3F7k7mTF/s1600/fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_QQMqLvqf2oSfKStfKi73C-IvETWjSBFQF9hwRXAKnxWC5jjXiuZZRkL9JyZp3kSDJ2c-0pHHxsJyb4dph_xuWp2AOTBbTzKfiT0ukB2L81y2H9vua1nSH2ZoULDmH6MgDfF3F7k7mTF/s640/fountain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPLyZVcRD1aJOAVQDx1rf-SoX_4gZ7fVqMY0T4OSMXGG31jAwS-0-KpmypqiMmReCTqhy-OYuEtbWW_tWsz2MzUhfrSmleejnO6cdigQXxG-P17cnll-hCt97HTfVCHYkv8tDY-fNbMZm/s1600/pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPLyZVcRD1aJOAVQDx1rf-SoX_4gZ7fVqMY0T4OSMXGG31jAwS-0-KpmypqiMmReCTqhy-OYuEtbWW_tWsz2MzUhfrSmleejnO6cdigQXxG-P17cnll-hCt97HTfVCHYkv8tDY-fNbMZm/s640/pic.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3RoDD-ZqpP73pdvhsfxSm_30xtoXl548k6r6j9fHlvwcLk-nvNEFa6d2pvFe0vv078NoSsPHiJUPXMSznow1dYkFiTsyG2OAUsAG4_OA2nEFWyIMtKeGmcJUqkksMszS_g0Bkec3zB2P/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3RoDD-ZqpP73pdvhsfxSm_30xtoXl548k6r6j9fHlvwcLk-nvNEFa6d2pvFe0vv078NoSsPHiJUPXMSznow1dYkFiTsyG2OAUsAG4_OA2nEFWyIMtKeGmcJUqkksMszS_g0Bkec3zB2P/s640/pic3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Saks Fifth Avenue Store</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"> </span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-38740058949675458172012-03-21T16:41:00.001-05:002012-03-21T16:41:42.898-05:00The Big Apple: Day 3, Part 2: Washington Square to Veterans Memorial Hospital<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: cyan;">Guess What!?? I had a thought (watch out -- the walls will come crumbling down -- hahaha!) I started thinking that if you are not familiar with the boroughs and neighborhoods that I have described in New York City and Manhattan, I should give you a quick little lesson. First off, I have to mention that there are five boroughs in New York City. They are: Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. </span> </div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">Manhattan Neighborhoods</span>: My entire visit was spent mainly in Manhattan. Manhattan consists of many neighborhoods, which are not named according to any particular norm.
Some are geographical (the Upper East Side), or ethnically descriptive
(Little Italy). Others are acronyms. I mentioned in the last blog about SoHo, NoHo, TriBeCa, NoMad and DUMBO. If you are somewhat familiar with these new and upcoming neighborhood names but have never been given an explanation as to their meanings, here is a crash course. The name SoHo refers to the area being "SOuth of HOuston
(Street)," NoHo for "NOrth of HOuston Street," TriBeCa ("TRIangle BElow CAnal Street"), Nolita ("NOrth of Little ITAly"), NoMad ("NOrth of MADison Square"), and DUMBO ("Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass"), and Canal Street separates Little Italy and Chinatown. Then there is also Harlem (named after a city in the Netherlands -- Haarlem), and Alphabet City (comprised of Avenues A, B, C and D, to which its name refers). </span><br /><br />Some neighborhoods, such as SoHo, are commercial and known for upscale shopping. Others, such as Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, Alphabet City and the East Village, have long been associated with the "Bohemian" subculture. Chelsea is a neighborhood with a large gay population, and recently a center of New York's art industry and nightlife. Washington Heights is a vibrant neighborhood of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Chinatown has a dense population of people of Chinese descent. Koreatown is primarily a Korean business district, as few people actually live in the area. The Upper West Side is often characterized as more intellectual and creative, in contrast to the old money and conservative values of the Upper East Side, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States.<br /><br />To orient yourself geographically, in Manhattan uptown means north (more precisely north-northeast) and downtown means south (south-southwest). This differs from that of most American cities, where downtown refers to the central business district. Manhattan has two central business districts, the Financial District at the southern tip of the island, and Midtown Manhattan. </div>
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Here is a complete listing of all the neighborhoods in Manhattan. Hold onto your hats, folks! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Uptown neighborhoods consist of: Upper Manhattan, Marble Hill, Inwood, Fort George, Washington Heights, Hudson Heights, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, ViVa (Viaduct Valley), Morningside Heights (SoHa – south of Harlem), Central Harlem, Harlem, Strivers’ Row (Central Harlem), Astor Row (Central Harlem), Sugar Hill (Central Harlem), Marcus Garvey Park (Mt. Morris Historical District), Le Petit Senegal (Little Senegal), East Harlem (Spanish Harlem), Upper East Side and Lennox Hill (Silk Stocking District), Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, Upper West Side, Manhattan Valley (Bloomingdale District), and Lincoln Square (f/k/a San Juan Hill). </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Midtown neighborhoods are: Midtown, Columbus Circle, Sutton Place, Rockefeller Center (Radio City), Diamond District, Theater District, Turtle Bay, Tudor City, Little Brazil, Times Square, Hudson Yards, Midtown West, Hell’s Kitchen (a/k/a Clinton), Garment District, Herald Square, Koreatown, Murray Hill, Tenderloin, and Madison Square. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Neighborhoods between mid-town and downtown are: Flower District, Brookdale, Kips Bay, Rose Hill, NoMad, Peter Cooper Village (f/k/a Gas House District), Chelsea, Flatiron District (a/k/a Toy or Photo District), Gramercy Park, Stuyvesant Town (f/k/a Gas House District, Meatpacking District, and Waterside Plaza.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" />Downtown neighborhoods are: Downtown Manhattan, Little Germany, Alphabet City (Loisaida), East Village, Greenwich Village, NoHo, Bowery, West Village, Lower East Side, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, Lower Manhattan (financial District), Five Points, Cooperative Village, Two Bridges, TriBeCa, Civic Center, Radio Row, South Street Seaport, and Battery Park City. <br />
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Whew!! Got all that!<br />
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I figured that as long as I am mentioning these neighborhoods in my posts, along the way I should give little tidbits of history on them, too. Now that you are (or will be) much more informed about some of the New York City boroughs or Manhattan neighborhoods, let's head back on our journey.</div>
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Starting where I left off from Day 3, Part I, as we continue on our way through Greenwich Village, we are now coming into Washington Square. One sure sign you are in Washington Square is the Arch. (See below). </div>
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<b><u>Washington Square</u></b>: This park in Greenwich Village, popular with students (NYU is located close by) and residents, is one of the few green spots in the area. At the northern end of the park is the arch, built in 1789 to honor George Washington, and is referred to as the Washington Square. <br />
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At 9.75 acres, it is a center for cultural activity and the park's fountain area has long been one of the city's popular spots for residents and tourists. Wading in the fountain (see picture below, right) is popular among many. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Fountain in Washington Square Park</span></td></tr>
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While the Park does contain many flower beds and trees, little of the park is used for plantings due to the paving. It includes children's play areas, trees and gardens, paths to stroll on, a chess and scrabble playing area, park benches, picnic tables, commemorative statuary and two dog runs.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Beatnik Riot: </span>Since around the end of World War II, folksingers had been congregating on warm Sunday afternoons at the fountain in the center of the park. Tension and conflicts began to develop between the bohemian element and the remaining working-class residents of the neighborhood. The city government began showing an increasing hostility to the use of public facilities by the public, and in 1947 began requiring permits before public performances could be given in any city park. In the spring of 1961 the new Parks Commissioner refused a permit to the folksingers for their Sunday afternoon gatherings, because "The folksingers have been bringing too many undesirable elements into the park." What he was referencing when he stated the "undesirables" were was commonly termed as the beatniks. <br />
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On Sunday, April 9, 1961 folk music pioneer Izzy Young, owner of the Folklore Center (who had been trying to get permits for the folksingers) and about 500 musicians and supporters gathered in the park and sang songs without a permit, then held a procession from the park through the arch at Fifth Avenue, and marched to the Judson Memorial Church on the other side of the park. At about the time the musicians and friends reached the church, the New York Police Department Riot Squad was sent into the park, attacked civilians with billy clubs, and arrested ten people. The incident made the front pages of newspapers as far away as Washington D. C. The <i>New York Mirror</i> initially reported it as a "Beatnik Riot" but retracted the headline in the next edition. These tensions did not die down for some time. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Chess Matches and Film Fame:</span> The park was featured extensively in the 2007 film <i>I Am Legend</i>.
It was home to the protagonist, Robert Neville played by Will Smith. Washington Square
was used as a major part of the action, especially in the last scenes of the
film. Apparently, filming involved the closure of the park to make room for numerous
explosions and filming equipment. Built-in outdoor chess tables on the southwest corner encourage outdoor playing which includes, of course, lots of spectators. These tables were featured in the films <i>Searching for Bobby Fischer</i> (1993) and <i>Fresh</i> (1994). These tables in Washington Square form what is called Manhattan's "chess district," as the area around the park (Thompson Street, between West 3rd Street and Bleecker Street) has a number of chess shops, the oldest being the Village Chess Shop (founded in 1972), in addition to the playing location in the park. The Scrabble players at Washington Square park were featured in the 2004 documentary film <i>Word Wars</i>.</div>
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<u><b>New York University</b></u> (NYU) is a private, nonsectarian
research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is
situated in Manhattan's Greenwich Village neighborhood. Founded
in 1831, NYU is one of the largest private, nonprofit institutions of
higher education in the United States.<br />
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Did you think that NYU was just in New York? Think again. NYU is organized into 18 schools, colleges, and institutes, located
in six centers throughout Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, as well as
more than a dozen other sites across the world, with plans for further
expansion. Interesting to note: Some of the first fraternities in the country were formed at NYU.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Honors: </span> Among its past and present graduates and faculty, NYU counts 34 Nobel Prize winners, 3 Abel Prize winners, 10 National Medal of Science recipients, 16 Pulitzer Prize winners, 21 Academy Award winners, plus Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winners. That, my friends, is something to be worthy of advertising!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Cable Building</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>The Cable Building </u></b>: Opened
in 1893, The Cable Building served as a power plant for the city’s
growing cable car system—but its technology was obsolete just a decade
later. Now, it houses offices, the Angelika Film Center, and Crate
& Barrel. The Cable Building is located on the line that divides SoHo and NoHo, both neighborhoods in Manhattan. (See the follow-up on SoHo and NoHo below). <br />
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In 1893, The Cable Building marked the sudden
advent of a new technology, with giant basement rollers drawing cable
cars along Broadway from the Battery (Park) to 36th Street -- a $12 million
investment. Cable cars were first installed in New York
in the mid-1880's, a promising advance over the slower, begrimed
horse-drawn cars. But the city was divided into many surface-transit
franchises, and the smaller companies did not have the financing to
install cable mechanisms, making cable expansion lag, especially in the
choked city center, where construction issues also hampered progress. It finally took something like the giant syndicate Metropolitan Traction Company to raise the kind of money it took for the expansive change.<br />
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<u><b>SoHo</b></u>: As long as I mentioned SoHo, let's talk a little SoHo. SoHo is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan notable for being the location of many artists' lofts and art galleries, and also, more recently, for the wide variety of
stores and shops ranging from trendy boutiques to outlets of upscale
national and international chain stores. The area's history is an
example of inner-city regeneration and gentrification.<br />
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In the 1960's, the SoHo area was to have been the location of two enormous elevated highways consisting of two branches of the Lower Manhattan Expressway which would have connected the Manhattan Bridge on the east and the Holland Tunnel on the west. After many years of trying to push this through, this project was abandoned, and the city was left with a large number of historic buildings that were unattractive for the kinds of manufacturing and commerce that survived in the city in the 1970s. The upper floors of many of these buildings had been built as commercial Manhattan lofts, which provided large, unobstructed spaces for manufacturing and other industrial uses. These spaces attracted artists who valued them for their large areas, large windows with lots of natural light and low rents. Most were also used illegally as living space, despite being neither zoned nor equipped for residential use. This widespread zoning violation was ignored for a long period of time, as the artist-occupants were using space for which there was little demand due to the city's poor economy at the time.<br />
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In 2005, the construction of residential buildings on empty lots in the historic district was permitted. Beginning in the 1980's, with no enforcement of the new zoning laws by the City, the neighborhood began to draw more affluent residents. Due to rent protection and stability created by the 1982 Loft Law, in addition to the fact that many of the artists owned their co-ops, many of the original earlier artists remained despite the popular misconception that gentrification forced them to flee. Many residents have lived in the neighborhood for decades. SoHo's location combined with the appeal of lofts as living spaces, its architecture, and its hip reputation as a haven for artists all contributed to this change, creating a pattern which is now known as the "SoHo Effect" and has been seen in several cities around the United States. It has now also became a popular tourist destination for people seeking fashionable clothing and exquisite architecture.<br />
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SoHo's boutiques and restaurants are clustered in the northern area of the neighborhood, along Broadway and Prince and Spring streets. The sidewalks in this area are often crowded with tourists and with vendors selling jewelry, t-shirts, and other works, sometimes leaving no space for pedestrians. I can certainly attest to this phenomena when on Friday when we went shopping, I bought a Coach purse on the street from a vendor. SoHo is known for its commercialization and eclectic mix of different boutiques for shopping, including Prada, Bloomingdale's, H&M, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Victoria's Secret, Dolce and Gabbana, Urban Outfitters, Apple Store, J. Crew, and Calvin Klein. The southern part of the neighborhood, however, along Grand Street and Canal Street, still holds some of the feel of SoHo's earlier days. Canal Street at SoHo's south boundary contrasts with the former's posh shopping district in offering electronics and cheap imitation clothing.<br />
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<b><u>NoHo</u></b>: And, then let's not forget NoHo. This neighborhood is primarily made up of loft
apartments, which in turn makes it one of the most expensive and
desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan. Its small size and central
location also contributes to a high demand, again keeping prices high. Historically a haven for well-to-do families, in 1999 a good portion of NoHo was designated the NoHo Historic District by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. It was again expanded in 2008. The district contains early 19th century houses, 19th and 20th century institutional buildings as well turn-of-the-century office buildings. Many of its streetscapes, therefore, now consist of marble, cast-iron, limestone, brick and terracotta facades.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Charging Bull Statue (partially hidden)</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Wall Street and the Financial District</b></u>: Wall Street is the heart of the financial District in Lower Manhattan. Visit Federal Hall National Monument for a bit of early American history. George Washington was inaugurated on these very steps. It's right across the street from the famous New York Stock Exchange. Tours have been suspended since 9/11, but the building is impressive enough from the outside to make it worth seeing. Also in the area you can find the New York Federal Reserve Bank.<br />
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The picture at the (upper) right is n<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">ot a very good picture as I
was on the wrong side of the bus, but you can partially see the big bull
that hangs his hat on Wall Street. </span>One of the most iconic representations of the market prosperity is the Charging Bull<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charging_Bull" title="Charging Bull"></a></i> sculpture. It is meant to represent the bull market economy, the sculpture was originally placed in front of the NYSE but has subsequently moved to its current location in Bowling Green at the northern end. Bowling Green is a small public park at the foot of Broadway next to the site of the original Dutch fort of New Amsterdam. Built in 1733, originally including a bowling green (hence the name), it is the oldest public park in New York City and is surrounded by its original 18th century fence. Down at the end of Wall Street is the historic Trinity Church with its great Gothic Revival architecture. <br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">In the picture below, right, you will see Federal Hall to the right front and in the back is the Federal Hall Monument. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Wall Street</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>New York Stock Exchange</b></u>: The New York Stock Exchange building, located at 11 Wall Street, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. It is commonly referred to as the NYSE and is the world's largest stock exchange. In 2008, the average daily trading value was approximately $153 billion. Several other major exchanges have or had headquarters in the Wall Street area, including NASDAQ, the New York Mercantile Exchange, the New York Board of Trade, and the former American Stock Exchange. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Sun Building</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>The Sun Building</b></u>: The Sun Building at 280 Broadway, is located on the east side of Broadway. Now a seven-story building, its original five-story section was completed in 1846.<br />
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The former A.T. Stewart Store was one of the most influential buildings ever erected in New York City, as its style, materials, use, and location helped determine the course of architecture and commerce in the City. In 1846, Alexander Turney Stewart opened New York's first department store. As the first Italianate commercial building in New York, it established what would become the style of choice for hundreds of stores and warehouses erected through the succeeding decades. In addition, the store was the first major commercial structure faced with Tuckahoe marble, a material that would later become common on such buildings; it was innovative also in its use of imported French plate glass for the ground-floor windows. <br />
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In 1917, the New York Sun Newspaper bought the building, giving it the name by which it is referred to today. The City took title to the building in 1966 with the intention of demolishing it, as part of the then-planned Civic Center development. That plan was later set aside. In 1995, the City utilized a unique public/private initiative to begin to restore the entire building. The renovation was completed in 2002. Retail tenants had already moved into the first and second floors, and the City's Department of Buildings now occupies the upper-level floors.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Street Sign indicating the 9/11 Memorial</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>9/11 Memorial</b></u>: The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (branded as 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Memorial Museum) is the principal memorial and museum commemorating the September 11 attacks of 2001. The memorial is located at the World Trade Center site, on the former location of the Twin Towers destroyed during the attacks. The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation was renamed the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in 2007.<br />
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We did not get off at the Memorial. Unbeknownst to me at first, tickets to go inside the memorial are sold out months in advance.<br />
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The winner of the World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition was an Israeli-American architect whose design called for a forest of trees with two square pools in the center, where the Twin Towers once stood. In August 2006, the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation in conjunction with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began heavy construction on the memorial and museum. <br />
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A memorial was planned in the immediate aftermath of the attacks and destruction of the World Trade Center to remember both the victims and those involved in rescue. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is a non-profit corporation with the mission to raise funds for, program, own and operate the memorial and museum at the World Trade Center site. On September 11, 2011, a dedication ceremony was held at the memorial, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the attacks. The memorial officially opened to the public on September 12, 2011, while the museum will open one year later, on or around September 11, 2012. Three months after opening, the memorial has been seen by over 1 million visitors.<br />
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<u><b>St. Paul's Chapel</b></u>: <span class="hasCaption">St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church is a
historical church that's located near Ground Zero. This church was used
during the disaster as a safe haven for first responders who needed a
place to pray and sleep during the terrible events on 9/11. Although it is part of Trinity Church, it is several blocks away.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Cemetery at Trinity Church</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u><b>Trinity Church:</b></u> Trinity Church
(also known as Trinity Wall Street) is a
historic, active parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
Trinity Church is at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: red;">Cemetery: </span></span>There is a graveyard on the grounds where many wealthy and famous New
Yorkers are buried. It is the burial site of Alexander Hamilton, founding father and first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Narrowly escaping destruction from the World Trade
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIPRjE7tElaE6r8VVU_z2DY2mNtn2hYcmP8uc3EmprP7QeA9FfLXFRD3LM9fxdBfdKPGM7E_ERG_Y3LMgdXYHxuw3sqPPK_-xROzF8Q-Pz7Vw4x5NIg7ojqixTFN24tY-WflF2EjQEjPl/s1600/trinity+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIPRjE7tElaE6r8VVU_z2DY2mNtn2hYcmP8uc3EmprP7QeA9FfLXFRD3LM9fxdBfdKPGM7E_ERG_Y3LMgdXYHxuw3sqPPK_-xROzF8Q-Pz7Vw4x5NIg7ojqixTFN24tY-WflF2EjQEjPl/s320/trinity+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Trinity Church</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK7fMqMg8vhI0S5wu7O7W-_xeYUp0VdDh7XWbMhrgkwaOy-q0xWiUvAtYp_H1u_I80DIr4y7F9Hui6Mj_fJEFb2zUlAelB_g_Z15P71p8F2_D_tU9MlBIEYDxcLvmyjraTHkNB5DKmZD-/s1600/trinity+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK7fMqMg8vhI0S5wu7O7W-_xeYUp0VdDh7XWbMhrgkwaOy-q0xWiUvAtYp_H1u_I80DIr4y7F9Hui6Mj_fJEFb2zUlAelB_g_Z15P71p8F2_D_tU9MlBIEYDxcLvmyjraTHkNB5DKmZD-/s320/trinity+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Trinity Church</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_F_8ZJAKcQirDiDYwpszCyYQ2ys-jdT-daFZGI2G9cBd-lawU16K0JwvcHv895YPnZ5jzLVK6StCk0Rfbpa7MdlkFWhrqcYobieryUfe1-ySihVXpXmnamWjK9JL4XA5SPSmMq3NaFz_/s1600/treet+at+trinity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_F_8ZJAKcQirDiDYwpszCyYQ2ys-jdT-daFZGI2G9cBd-lawU16K0JwvcHv895YPnZ5jzLVK6StCk0Rfbpa7MdlkFWhrqcYobieryUfe1-ySihVXpXmnamWjK9JL4XA5SPSmMq3NaFz_/s320/treet+at+trinity.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tree Sculpture at Trinity Church</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: red;">Tree Sculpture:</span> </span><span class="hasCaption">On September 11, 2001, as the 1st Tower collapsed people took refuge from the massive debris cloud, inside the church. Debris from the tower collapsing knocked over a giant sycamore tree that had stood for nearly a century in the churchyard of St. Paul's Chapel, which is part of Trinity Church's parish and is located several blocks north of Trinity Church. Sculptor Steve Tobin used its roots as the base for a bronze sculpture that stands next to the Trinity Church.</span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Zuccotti Park</u></b>: </span>Zuccotti Park, formerly called Liberty Plaza Park, is a 33,000-square-foot publicly accessible park (Privately-Owned-Public-Space) situated beside One Liberty Plaza and originally created in 1968. The park was heavily damaged in the September 11 attacks and subsequent recovery efforts of 2001. The plaza was later used as the site of several events commemorating the anniversary of the attacks. After renovations in 2006, the park was renamed by its current owners, Brookfield Office Properties, after company chairman John Zuccotti. While we were visiting, in 2011, the plaza became the site of the Occupy Wall Street protest camp. During the demonstration, activists occupied the plaza and used it as a staging ground for their protests throughout the Manhattan Financial District.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BnTeZROaqLi-jElvRO-FmvQb9xk2HyqA6FMdz0hzk0pUdEPAuH7s9KYWz61zzU_gl9E-lDT6bf95f3VHsbpBJGYcY8TJPCT0R7j4Jg6M8cyeLblM66n0t26Q37NsB8J5A0o5wxA4F0M/s1600/liberty+park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BnTeZROaqLi-jElvRO-FmvQb9xk2HyqA6FMdz0hzk0pUdEPAuH7s9KYWz61zzU_gl9E-lDT6bf95f3VHsbpBJGYcY8TJPCT0R7j4Jg6M8cyeLblM66n0t26Q37NsB8J5A0o5wxA4F0M/s320/liberty+park.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue;">Joie de Vivre</span> </i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Statue At Zuccotti Park</span></td></tr>
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Zuccotti Park is home to two sculptures, including Mark di Suvero's <i>Joie de Vivre</i>, seen in the picture at left. <i>Joie de Vivre</i> is a French phrase often used in English to express a cheerful enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit. This bright orangish-salmon-colored statue certainly catches the eye!<br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Occupy Wall Street</u></b>:
Occupy Wall Street (OWS) is a protest movement
that began September 17, 2011, in Zuccotti Park, located in the Wall Street financial district. OWS was initiated by the Canadian
activist group Adbusters and has led to Occupy protests and movements
around the world and as you well now, even in Madison. The OWS protests are against social and economic
inequality, greed, corruption and the undue influence of corporations on
government—particularly from the financial services sector. Their
slogan, <i>We are the 99%</i>, addresses the growing income inequality and
wealth distribution in the U.S. between the wealthiest 1% and the rest
of the population. To effect change, OWS engages in "direct action" (such as the onslaught of ongoing protesting and encampment across the nation)
instead of petitioning authorities. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yjosf2QNRBq1HbnsBNnLFz17LrTAdFDobCYlqePZY5BMAzC1LiJF4BIEDP09tNxXeItex0ZeN_GBbPFK4EIddZwIKRhLwA0uOt7csP7RtwHRh7b4IWtyueBWzohksJtzvhGMqlc3UV01/s1600/occupy+1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yjosf2QNRBq1HbnsBNnLFz17LrTAdFDobCYlqePZY5BMAzC1LiJF4BIEDP09tNxXeItex0ZeN_GBbPFK4EIddZwIKRhLwA0uOt7csP7RtwHRh7b4IWtyueBWzohksJtzvhGMqlc3UV01/s320/occupy+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Occupy Wall Street" Protesters</td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption">"Occupy" protesters'
political slogan, We are the 99%, originally appeared on a Tumblr page
in late August 2011. It asserts that the "99%" pay for the
mistakes of the "1%". Paul Taylor of the Pew Research Center has been quoted as saying that the slogan is "a<i>rguably the most successful slogan since 'Hell no, we
won't go,'</i>" of Vietnam war era, and that the majority of Democrats,
independents and Republicans see the income gap as causing friction. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dkL7Wm5ijcsrThaCXezThNlB003mP09sABT9JxgWcAEYLdm6Kau9vG_nUSxT2AIvwliNsl00m3vqmvQvoYBxVIF7x5gM3aGXYT4Zt-zx-AuDRMSyJnycDeplBRNIrbJ1qO47_UiP39kI/s1600/occupy+2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dkL7Wm5ijcsrThaCXezThNlB003mP09sABT9JxgWcAEYLdm6Kau9vG_nUSxT2AIvwliNsl00m3vqmvQvoYBxVIF7x5gM3aGXYT4Zt-zx-AuDRMSyJnycDeplBRNIrbJ1qO47_UiP39kI/s320/occupy+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">More "Occupy" Protesters</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRvAxfEaBZtGRgdqOpyufspgq1Y81HjZxlIGCbl_I8ffqgHWb7aFPYh0aX4LFFRfTtier-h2xgmM7NoC1do-Wu9kD0eeZVQpZRJvWu_QBzjTZ7SB1HygBzQ4U2YKpze_erpzAKTYoueJx/s1600/protestors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRvAxfEaBZtGRgdqOpyufspgq1Y81HjZxlIGCbl_I8ffqgHWb7aFPYh0aX4LFFRfTtier-h2xgmM7NoC1do-Wu9kD0eeZVQpZRJvWu_QBzjTZ7SB1HygBzQ4U2YKpze_erpzAKTYoueJx/s200/protestors.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Throngs of Protesters</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House</b></u>: Throughout New York City, you will find many glorious buildings adorned with what is known as Beaux-Arts architecture. Beaux-Arts architecture is depended on sculptural decoration along conservative modern lines, employing French and Italian Baroque styles but in America the architects seemed to follow more of a Greek or Greek Revival path. Some of the highlights would be arched windows, noble and grand staircases, statuary and figural sculptures, murals, mosaics, along with classical balustrades, pilasters, garlands, and cartouches. <br />
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The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is one fine example of this. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it was one of the earliest designations of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for both exterior and public interior spaces. Designed by the prominent architect Cass Gilbert and constructed between 1902 and 1907, its lavish sculptures, paintings, and decorations by well-known artists of the time, such as Daniel Chester French, embellish the facade, the two-story entry portico, the main hall parallel to the facade, the Rotunda, and the Collector's Reception Room. It was built by the federal government to house the duty
collection operations of the port of New York. Today it houses the New York branch
of the National Museum of the American Indian. It sits on the site of the former Fort Amsterdam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5qyyVfQg8dYsyzbjzVxVw-jyUYBwruwJQvMMdRWei2Z03Vg5kh5ir3iTYpjO1VV_tjZ0RQpCbcrMvXlM2nKZy5ufhlnvJlxLwmI_nmeSdjXbIYoKAR4zjgsEzTbnZtPSnUj2mYigv2kb/s1600/alexander.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5qyyVfQg8dYsyzbjzVxVw-jyUYBwruwJQvMMdRWei2Z03Vg5kh5ir3iTYpjO1VV_tjZ0RQpCbcrMvXlM2nKZy5ufhlnvJlxLwmI_nmeSdjXbIYoKAR4zjgsEzTbnZtPSnUj2mYigv2kb/s320/alexander.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Sculpture at Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House</span></td></tr>
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The picture (at left) of the statue in front of the building is one of four that were placed at the front entrance of the Custom House, representing four continents - Asia, America, Europe and Africa. Daniel Chester French designed the sculptures of "Four Continents" in 1903 and they were completed and installed in 1907. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Africa</span>, pictured here, is located to the far right of the main entrance of the building. The figure in the center is shown sleeping on a chair of rocks. She is half nude, with fabric draped across her lower body with one elbow rests on the head of a lion, while the other rests on a crumbling sphinx. Her hair is in a long braid, falling over her shoulder. Behind her is another figure (hidden in this picture), almost completely covered in a long, flowing cloak. Only the figure's eyes are visible, and it is not possible to tell whether it is a man or a woman. The hand of this figure rests on a large jar.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Asia:</span> The sculpture of Asia has been seen to represent the place where the world's major religions began, with the serene tiger as a depiction of the dominating power of religion on even the most wild creatures.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">America:</span> In the sculpture of America, the torch is seen as a symbol of "liberty and enlightenment," and the corn represents prosperity. The kneeling man has been named Labor, and the wheel next to him is the "Winged Wheel of Progress".<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Europe:</span> In this sculpture, the imagery of the book and the globe has been described as representing Europe as the broadcaster of knowledge. The ship shows Europe's power on the sea, and the old woman behind the throne represents history.<br />
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If only I would have gotten a picture of the other three statues! To gaze at all the architecture on the facade of this building and take it all in, is absolutely breathtaking. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Battery Park</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>Battery Park</u></b>: Battery Park is a 25-acre public park located at the Battery, the southern tip of Manhattan Island facing New York Harbor. The Battery is named for artillery batteries that were positioned there in the city's early years in order to protect the settlement behind them. At the north end of the park is Castle Clinton, the often re-purposed last remnant of the defensive works that inspired the name of the park; Pier A, formerly a fireboat station; and Hope Garden, a memorial to AIDS victims. Next to the United States Coast Guard Battery Building at the other end is Battery Gardens restaurant . Along the waterfront, ferries depart for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and there is also a New York Water Taxi stop. The park is also the site of the East Coast Memorial (you will see this later in another post) which commemorates U.S. servicemen who died in coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean during World War II, and several other memorials. <br />
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To the northwest of the park lies Battery Park City, a planned community built on landfill in the 1970s and 80s, which includes Robert F. Wagner Park and the Battery Park City Promenade. Together with Hudson River Park, a system of greenspaces, bikeways and promenades now extend up the Hudson shoreline. Across State Street to the northeast stands the old U.S. Customs House, which I spoke about earlier. You will see (and hear) more of Battery Park later in an upcoming post, when Nika and I head out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4GVnrSgizNCbTjovG-Zw_bCE3oe2IzQLfOcOV3gwa9zTOXyMPGzU5eS6QmNE0KKP1dAgaL0nD5HVuCY8uFByhoVXWWfhAhnak7JlraqROgermxbXgBVY7Stpia79VpToOYbXvsOTH-G0/s1600/shrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4GVnrSgizNCbTjovG-Zw_bCE3oe2IzQLfOcOV3gwa9zTOXyMPGzU5eS6QmNE0KKP1dAgaL0nD5HVuCY8uFByhoVXWWfhAhnak7JlraqROgermxbXgBVY7Stpia79VpToOYbXvsOTH-G0/s320/shrine.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Shrine of St. Seton</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>Saint Seton Shrine:</u></b> <span class="hasCaption">Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton
(St. Seton) was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be
canonized (or declared a saint) by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity.<br /><br />In December 1959, Elizabeth was declared Venerable by the Sacred Congregation of Rites. A venerable is </span><span class="ssens">a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a
Roman Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees of
recognition for sanctity </span><span class="hasCaption">She was beatified by Pope John XXIII in March 1963, and canonized by Pope Paul VI on the 14 September 1975, making her the first native-born United States citizen to be canonized. [To be beatified means to</span> declare a deceased person to be among the blessed and thus entitled to specific religious honors.] <span class="hasCaption">As a condition for canonization, the Catholic Church requires that for a saint who has not been martyred, at least two miracles take place at his or her intercession. The Holy See, which is the</span> episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome<span class="hasCaption">, recognized that this condition was met when attributing three miracles to Seton's intercession: curing Sister Gertrude Korzendorfer, S.C., of cancer, curing Ann Theresa O’Neill of acute lymphatic leukemia, and curing Carl Kalin of encephalitis. Her feast day is celebrated as a memorial in the dioceses of the United States on January 4th. Elizabeth Ann Seton is popularly considered a patron saint of Catholic schools. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Staten Island Ferry Terminal</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Staten Island Ferry</u></b>: The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry service operated by the New York City Department of Transportation that runs between the boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island.</span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">The ferry departs Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal, South Ferry, at the southernmost tip of Manhattan near Battery Park. On Staten Island, the ferry arrives and departs from St. George Ferry Terminal on Richmond Terrace, near Richmond County Borough Hall and Richmond County Supreme Court. Service is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Staten Island Ferry is quite a reliable form of mass transit, with an on-time performance of over 96 percent. The Staten Island Ferry has been a municipal service since 1905, and currently carries over 21 million passengers annually on the 5.2-mile run.<br /><br />The five-mile journey takes about 25 minutes each way. The ferry is free of charge, though riders must get off at each terminal and re-enter through the terminal building for a round trip to comply with Coast Guard regulations regarding vessel capacity and the placeholding optical turnstiles at both terminals. Bicycles may also be taken on the lowest deck of the ferry without charge. In the past, ferries were equipped for vehicle transport, at a charge of $3 per automobile; however, vehicles have not been allowed on the ferry since the 9/11 attacks.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Can You Spare a Nickel?</span> For most of the 20th century, the ferry was famed as the biggest bargain in New York City. It charged the same five cent fare as the New York Subway but the ferry fare remained a nickel when the subway fare increased to 10 cents in 1948. In 1970 then-Mayor John V. Lindsay proposed that the fare be raised to 25 cents, pointing out that the cost for each ride was 50 cents, or ten times what the fare brought in. In August 1975, the nickel fare ended and the charge became 25 cents for a round trip, the quarter being collected in one direction only. The round trip increased to 50 cents in 1990, but then was eliminated altogether in 1997. The ferry ride is a favorite of tourists to New York as it provides excellent views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><u><b>Staten Island:</b></u> Although we did not go over to Staten Island, I thought I would give you a little information about it. (This will be for the next time I go to New York!) A borough of New York City, Staten Island is located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay. With a population of 468,730, Staten Island is the least populated of the five boroughs but is the third largest in area at 59 square miles. </span><br />
<span class="hasCaption"><br />Staten Island is overall the most suburban of the five boroughs of New York City. Historically, the central and southern sections of the island were dominated by dairy and poultry farms, almost all of which disappeared in the 20th century. Staten Island used to claim the largest landfill in the world. It was closed in 2001, then shortly afterward temporarily reopened to accept the debris from the September 11th attacks. The landfill is now in the process of being made into what will be New York City's largest public park. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkz6NQAhRtDCv85jVFyRgyeg51CNn3RpsS_5cVCz_FnQPVAnbkS-w6fvbShaI6UtQYun0LrcDQgf-Bc8u1B78cuT3iVHJVpyCqH8g4HFlbjArmcdmj1bDXx1EqtE3za6uUb6xHo3cmE0Nl/s1600/one+ny+plaza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkz6NQAhRtDCv85jVFyRgyeg51CNn3RpsS_5cVCz_FnQPVAnbkS-w6fvbShaI6UtQYun0LrcDQgf-Bc8u1B78cuT3iVHJVpyCqH8g4HFlbjArmcdmj1bDXx1EqtE3za6uUb6xHo3cmE0Nl/s320/one+ny+plaza.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">1 New York Plaza (home to Goldman Sachs)</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u><b>One New York Plaza</b></u>: 1 New York Plaza is an office building in New York City, built in 1969, and is located at the intersection of South and Whitehall Streets. It is the southernmost of all Manhattan skyscrapers.<br /><br />Notable occupants of One New York Plaza include Salomon Brothers, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley.</span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">We didn't get off at the Vietnam Vet's Memorial but here is a little info on that, too. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKewTENDbQuVfc0STq83JyBaimywfJmj38quWo-e4FJOK9dnoEIPOFssdvVRw13e-0bw9FMRwzETZxb_c4bl9ijySgE6d7y55-r1GRDpxuh9Em9RASk7z4osD2MLe86xJhy-m1dSryQLcW/s1600/viet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKewTENDbQuVfc0STq83JyBaimywfJmj38quWo-e4FJOK9dnoEIPOFssdvVRw13e-0bw9FMRwzETZxb_c4bl9ijySgE6d7y55-r1GRDpxuh9Em9RASk7z4osD2MLe86xJhy-m1dSryQLcW/s320/viet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Vietnam Veterans Memorial</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Vietnam Veteran's Memorial</u></b>: The Vietnam Veterans Plaza is New York City’s official Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 55 Water Street. A quarter of a million New Yorkers answered the call to serve during the Vietnam War. This memorial to their bravery and sacrifice recognizes their service and preserves the names and voices of a generation. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2Eoobc2hEBaut8uFYRD6KBwqLg3MpReQJ40UXJySt92nnwMvRpRHXx1GSuaDS5D1wxuYA_DdKwI2j1jwJtSjEfxXxlRIx0a4MiwXjh9GM-pJfFkMEBXe5Ogwlvn3QuQNczmzL-w0juV4/s1600/brooklyn+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2Eoobc2hEBaut8uFYRD6KBwqLg3MpReQJ40UXJySt92nnwMvRpRHXx1GSuaDS5D1wxuYA_DdKwI2j1jwJtSjEfxXxlRIx0a4MiwXjh9GM-pJfFkMEBXe5Ogwlvn3QuQNczmzL-w0juV4/s320/brooklyn+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Brooklyn Bridge</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Brooklyn Bridge</u></b>: As our tour bus took us by the South Street Seaport, I was able to capture a few pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge. It is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States.
Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan
and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. With a main span of 1,595.5
feet, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world from
its opening until 1903, and the first steel-wire suspension bridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslYpjk0A56GfWoyHqWh4Nf2fmtixPMMyqMVcNKjfz-SBZruiP6-Oats2ZfFfzXoE65FvyPNmSYLTCubkz_4isHJ-fLzVpbMZpZsJwgiHlhfWl4cl3S63AKAG8dkkOq90G2gOYSrhgp6fw/s1600/brooklyn+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslYpjk0A56GfWoyHqWh4Nf2fmtixPMMyqMVcNKjfz-SBZruiP6-Oats2ZfFfzXoE65FvyPNmSYLTCubkz_4isHJ-fLzVpbMZpZsJwgiHlhfWl4cl3S63AKAG8dkkOq90G2gOYSrhgp6fw/s320/brooklyn+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Brooklyn Bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="hasCaption">At various times, the bridge has carried horse-drawn and trolley traffic; at present, it has six lanes for motor vehicles, with a separate walkway along the centerline for pedestrians and bicycles. Due to the roadway's height of 11 feet and weight of 6,000 lbs. restrictions, commercial vehicles and buses are prohibited from using this bridge. Streetcars ran on what are now the two center lanes (shared with other traffic) until the elevated lines stopped using the bridge in 1944, when they moved to the protected center tracks. In 1950 the streetcars also stopped running, and the bridge was rebuilt to carry six lanes of automobile traffic</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vesDpd-ze2Y4Py9evaG50VNvWDys40MHQX1o2ZKZJZYku-nw2UYgZFftCtPMn55vfoBk0zvZ7391aoXn2Z6kjqnPPaes_F7sgyWe-GPXJW75jhl30fjgggniFpuEU7XNrHA4dwJ9EA3r/s1600/brooklyn+bridge+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vesDpd-ze2Y4Py9evaG50VNvWDys40MHQX1o2ZKZJZYku-nw2UYgZFftCtPMn55vfoBk0zvZ7391aoXn2Z6kjqnPPaes_F7sgyWe-GPXJW75jhl30fjgggniFpuEU7XNrHA4dwJ9EA3r/s320/brooklyn+bridge+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Brooklyn Bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="hasCaption"><br />The Brooklyn Bridge has a wide pedestrian walkway open to walkers and cyclists, in the center of the bridge and higher than the automobile lanes. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"> <b><u>Chinatown</u></b>: Manhattan's Chinatown is home to the largest enclave of Chinese people in the Western hemisphere and is one of the oldest ethnic Chinese enclaves outside of Asia.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcoqUBFO45JDj415sBkzZHea7cmPEMpzUIy1Jcz4evkPMKAkncVhw1ro6EZMuL7GU_ZEhDsyO2QTav4_8_BViwcyWpK-SKyIRUd278-SeLtWO6xUUiubPYkNsLm8SILxYUPJ3pvGwCw7j/s1600/chinatown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcoqUBFO45JDj415sBkzZHea7cmPEMpzUIy1Jcz4evkPMKAkncVhw1ro6EZMuL7GU_ZEhDsyO2QTav4_8_BViwcyWpK-SKyIRUd278-SeLtWO6xUUiubPYkNsLm8SILxYUPJ3pvGwCw7j/s320/chinatown.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Entering Chinatown</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption">Chinatown in Manhattan is both a residential area as well as commercial area. Many population estimates are in the range of 90,000 to 100,000 residents. One analysis of census data in 2011 showed that Chinatown and heavily Chinese tracts on the Lower East Side had 47,844 residents in the 2010 census, a decrease of nearly 9% since 2000.</span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">Chinese green-grocers and fishmongers cluster around many streets in Chinatown. The Chinese jewelry shop district is on Canal Street between Mott and Bowery. Due to the high savings rate among Chinese, there are many Asian and American banks in the neighborhood. Canal Street is filled with street vendors selling imitation perfumes, watches, and hand-bags. Tourism and restaurants are also major industries here. The enclave’s many restaurants also support the tourism industry with more than 200 Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood providing employment. </span><span class="hasCaption">Chinatown is also home to a number of large Chinese supermarkets. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><br />Factories are anther contributor to the economy in Chinatown, especially with the close proximity of the fashion industry that has kept some garment work in the local area. Unfortunately, most of the garment industry has moved to China but the local garment industry concentrates now on small volume, quick production and piece-work (meaning it is paid by the piece) that are generally done at the individual worker's home. Much of the population growth is due to immigration. As previous generations of immigrants gain language and education skills, they tend to move to better housing and job prospects that are available in the suburbs and outer boroughs of New York. However, the 9/11 attacks have caused a decline in business for stores and restaurants in this neighborhood. Ten years later, it still has not recovered from the falloff in business, which continued after the lifting of travel restrictions immediately after the attack. The attacks resulted in a decline in the number of garment factories, which at its peak employed 30,000 workers. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRjW7EbGwSO3U3Co00bviTDGQ4YqKryTutbBjEo-aDIWk2fNa-ehhn_svccrdTmKtp67TExRaABaorB0sGFf0VJJma90hkhIhvNFmaJmeFZtWVSN_H6gPfkVVSvrgn4PT9udlio6ZDudQ/s1600/canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRjW7EbGwSO3U3Co00bviTDGQ4YqKryTutbBjEo-aDIWk2fNa-ehhn_svccrdTmKtp67TExRaABaorB0sGFf0VJJma90hkhIhvNFmaJmeFZtWVSN_H6gPfkVVSvrgn4PT9udlio6ZDudQ/s320/canal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Canal Street, dividing Chinatown and Little Italy</span></td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><b>Now we are heading over Canal Street and into Little Italy. </b> Canal Street forms the main spine of Chinatown, and separates it from Little Italy. It also forms the northern boundary of the Tribeca neighborhood and the southern boundary of SoHo.<br /><br />Canal Street gets its name from an actual canal that was dug in the early 19th century to drain the contaminated and disease-ridden Collect Pond into the Hudson River. The pond was filled in 1811, and Canal Street was completed in 1820 following the angled path the canal had. The elimination of Collect Pond actually made the surrounding land even marshier, as the area had many natural springs that now had nowhere to drain. The historic townhouses and newer tenements that had been built along Canal Street quickly fell into disrepair, and the eastern stretch of Canal Street came within the range of the notorious Five Points slum as property values and living conditions plummeted. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">For your information, </span>Five Points was a neighborhood in central lower Manhattan which gained international notoriety as a disease-ridden crime-infested slum that existed for well over 70 years. Actually, the story behind Five Points is quite interesting, so if you will bear with me a moment, I will tell you the quick version.<br />
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<b><u>Five Points</u></b>: If you will recall the movie <i>The Gangs of New York</i>, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio, or if you read the book by the same name written by Herbert Asbury, you may be somewhat familiar with Five Points. The Collect Pond, which I briefly described above, was the main source of drinking water for the City of New York and freshwater fish. Beginning in the early 18th century, various commercial enterprises were built along the shores of the Collect Pond, in order to use the water. These businesses included a brewery, a slaughterhouse, a pottery works and numerous tanneries. The contaminated wastewater of these businesses flowed back into the pond, creating a severe pollution problem and environmental health hazard. A decision was made to fill in the pond. In 1811, the landfill was completed and middle class homes were built on this reclaimed land. However, the landfill was poorly done and the buried vegetation began to release methane gas, a byproduct of decomposition, and since the area was still in a depression, it lacked adequate storm sewers. The ground gradually subsided and houses shifted on their foundations, leaving some of the unpaved streets often buried in a foot of mud mixed with human and animal excrement and mosquitoes bred in the stagnant pools created by the poor drainage. Most middle and upper class inhabitants fled the place, leaving this neighborhood open to poor immigrants who started arriving in the early 1820's. This arrival was heightened by the sudden arrival of large numbers of Irish who were fleeing starvation due to the Irish Potato Famine. The Irish who had maintained a presence in the area since the 1600's, along with an onslaught of newly emancipated African-Americans (slavery ended in NY in July of 1827), this area was considered the original American melting pot, but was notorious for its a horrible combination of destitution factors such as sheer population density, disease, infant and child mortality, unemployment, prostitution, and violent crime. Five Points is alleged to have sustained the highest murder rate of any slum in the world. This infectious disease-ridden territory was besieged by cholera, yellow fever, typhus and tuberculosis which had plagued the greater New York City area since earlier eras. With its poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding and lack of simple healthcare, Five Points became an ideal breeding ground and transmission for these diseases. In June of 1832, an outbreak of cholera in Five Points spread rapidly throughout this crowded, unsanitary slum. <br />
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Not helping their dire situation was the fact that Five Points was dominated by rival gangs like the Roach Guards, Dead Rabbits and Bowery Boys. According to Asbury's book, police arrested 82,072 New Yorkers in 1862 and then in 1864, five police officers were murdered.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Dead Rabbits Riot:</span> One gang fight in particular I would like to point out. The riot began when the Dead Rabbits destroyed the headquarters of the Bowery Boys on July 4, 1857. The Bowery Boys retaliated which led to a large scale riot which waged back and forth on Bayard Street between the Bowery and Mulberry street. Further rioting occurred on July 5 and the two gangs going at it again on Bowery Street. Then on July 6 the Bowery Boys fought the Kerryonians (Irishmen from County Kerry) at Anthony and Centre Street. All of this fighting brought about widespread looting and damage of property by gangsters and other criminals from all parts of the city due to the disorganized state of the city's police force. It is estimated that between 800 and 1,000 gang members took part in the riots, along with several hundred others who used the disturbance to loot the Bowery area. It was the largest disturbance since the Astor Place Riot in 1849, and the biggest scene of gang violence, unsurpassed until the New York Draft Riots of 1863. Order was restored only by the New York State Militia, supported by detachments of city police. Five Points became the scene of many riots during those contentious years. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Slum Clearance:</span> Various charitable organizations and individuals made diligent efforts to attempt to improve the suffering of the poor in Five Points. The first valiant effort for clearing the slums of Five Points through demolition came in 1831 from merchants who maintained businesses in close proximity to the Five Points neighborhood. Slum clearance efforts succeeded in demolishing Mulberry Bend, one of the worst sections of the Five points neighborhood, which was turned into a park called Mulberry Bend Park, now called Columbus Park, that opened in 1897.<br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Little Italy</u></b>: Little Italy is a neighborhood in lower Manhattan once known for its large population of Italians. Today the neighborhood of Little Italy consists of Italian stores and restaurants. But as our tour guide explained to us, much of the neighborhood has been absorbed and engulfed by Chinatown, as immigrants from China moved to the area. What was once Little Italy has essentially shrunk into a single street which serves as a restaurant area but which has few Italian residents. The northern reaches of Little Italy, near Houston Street, ceased to be recognizably Italian, and eventually became the neighborhood known today as NoLIta, an abbreviation for North of Little Italy. Today, the section of Mulberry Street between Broome and Canal Streets is all that is left of the old Italian neighborhood. The street is lined with some two-dozen Italian restaurants popular with tourists and locals. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><span style="color: red;">Organized Crime:</span> What makes Little Italy famous or more note-worthy, though, is that the residents there have seen organized crime from the early 1900's. Powerful members of the Italian Mafia operated in Little Italy. For instance, Ignazio "The Wolf" Lupo (a Morello crime family boss operated in Little Italy from late 1890's-1920's); Michele "Big Mike" Miranda (a Capo in the Genovese crime family operated in the neighborhood from the 1950's into the late 1960's); Peter DeFeo (a Genovese crime family capo who operated an illegal Italian lottery in the 1960's into 1970's); Matthew "Matty the Horse" Ianniello (a Genovese crime family capo operated from his restaurant Umberto's Clam House in the 1970's); John Gotti (boss of the Gambino crime family operated from the Ravenite Social Club in the late 1980's into the early 1990's). If you ever get a chance to watch the <i>History</i> channel, do so as they recall many tales of the fortunes and misfortunes of some of the Italian Mafia's kingpins. </span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption">Okay, enough about all the neighborhoods; let's move on . . .now we are going past some of the hospitals and medical centers in the area. First up, Beth Israel Medical Center.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-UfL5aG7R_W9R46QF5UeYZhBVkDmNZpgziyy4rCYF_GzLinpckbod8mTrgZ-F94PAHvm62hmbjuAQJO3HXarKbZrn86FeMVzAahYte4lELCwXF1U4SkFimXvLvQaDClyjbZGSooRJMhu/s1600/israel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-UfL5aG7R_W9R46QF5UeYZhBVkDmNZpgziyy4rCYF_GzLinpckbod8mTrgZ-F94PAHvm62hmbjuAQJO3HXarKbZrn86FeMVzAahYte4lELCwXF1U4SkFimXvLvQaDClyjbZGSooRJMhu/s320/israel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="hasCaption"><b><u>Beth Israel Medical Center</u></b>: Beth Israel Medical Center is a 1,368-bed, full-service tertiary teaching hospital in New York City. Originally dedicated to serving immigrant Jews living in the tenement slums of the Lower East Side, it was founded at the turn of the 20th century. The main hospital location is the Petrie Division at First Avenue and 16th Street, and facing Stuyvesant Square. Other campuses included Beth Israel-Kings Highway Division in Brooklyn and Phillips Ambulatory Care Center at Union Square. It acts as University Hospital and Manhattan Campus for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The hospital is also a teaching hospital of St. George's University and the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing.<br /><br />Beth Israel Medical Center is a member of the Continuum Health Partners, a nonprofit hospital system that includes three other institutions: Roosevelt Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 2011, Huguette Clark died at the hospital at age 104. </span><span class="hasCaption">Clark, an heiress, recluse and philanthropist,
was the youngest daughter of former United States Senator and
industrialist William A. Clark. </span><span class="hasCaption">She left one million dollars to the hospital upon her death. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmrXb1WxQgzY23MpOxxThTpRi3yRiwgDyNWL0lD3Bo5vgjFGYx8E-2orUNTco9GUZ3toCacZjXcnvemamr67DGXUkszXjtI3_P0nWSTjtqCuyLkFtAIxmzDN0lQqh8XYVGcMJLe8N-Orp/s1600/vet+hosp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmrXb1WxQgzY23MpOxxThTpRi3yRiwgDyNWL0lD3Bo5vgjFGYx8E-2orUNTco9GUZ3toCacZjXcnvemamr67DGXUkszXjtI3_P0nWSTjtqCuyLkFtAIxmzDN0lQqh8XYVGcMJLe8N-Orp/s320/vet+hosp.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="hasCaption"><u><b>Veterans Hospital:</b></u><b> </b>The New York Campus of the VA Harbor Healthcare System provides inpatient and outpatient services services in internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, as well as emergency care. The facility has been at the forefront of clinical care and research for patients with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic. It is the only Veterans' Health Administration facility to house both a designated clinical care unit and research center for AIDS and HIV infection.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: cyan;">
<span class="hasCaption">Whew!!!! We aren't done yet on today's tour, but I should give you another break. We have a little more bus touring to do and then we are heading to MoMA and to get a little start on the Museum of Natural History. Plus, I get a phone call while I am at MoMA that makes my heart stop for a moment. </span></div>
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<span class="hasCaption">Until the next post... </span> <i>A presto Arrivederci</i>! (That is Italian for "see you later" -- thought I should throw that at you, since we are or were in Little Italy!)<br />
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<span class="hasCaption">Oh, but I shouldn't shun the Chinese since we just left Chinatown, too, so here we go, one more time -- </span>zai4jian4(再见.<span class="hasCaption"> </span> </div>
</div>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-65854399956133417072012-03-19T13:13:00.000-05:002012-03-19T13:13:24.500-05:00The Big Apple - Day 3-Part 1: Downtown Gray Line Tour (Times Square to Greenwich Village)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, good morning! It is Day 3, a new day with new adventures to tackle and conquer. Our big plans for the day originally started off with Casey heading off to work, Nika and I were going to move our stuff to a new hotel, then take off for the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty and do
the tours; then do MoMA (Modern Museum of Art), Rockefeller Center, St. John's Cathedral [maybe a little shopping
along the way]; then when Casey returns from work, do Madame Toussards Wax Museum, catch a bite to eat and then at
10:00 do a comedy show at Comedy Cellar. </div>
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But this morning has started out a little rainier than
we wanted. So, after eating breakfast, we switched hotels right away early in
the morning to the gorgeous Sheraton Towers-New York. Casey headed off to work
and Nika and I jumped on the Downtown Gray Line Bus. Note: Here is where our plans changed as we ended up taking the whole Downtown Gray Line tour
(originally heading to the Statute and Ellis Island but with rain the way it was, we will make that jaunt on
Friday instead). Now, that is why I love having a planned-out itinerary -- they are there for structure but can be easily molded to our desires (or Mother Nature's). And I had boldly loaded our's down, but it, again, was for structure. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Nika and I looking fresh after just boarding the Gray Line Bus</span></span></td></tr>
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We weren't that far, actually, from where we hop on the Gray Line Tour bus, so once we boarded and were seated, we snapped a before picture -- no rain ponchos and don't look to worn out by the weather -- yet!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><u style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Times Square Ball:</b></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The Times Square Ball is a time ball that has been lowered or "dropped"
from the flagpole of One Times Square nearly every New Year’s Eve since
December 31, 1907 in Times Square. The ball
(now in its sixth incarnation) is currently made by Waterford
Crystal. Since 2009, the ball remains on the flagpole over One Times
Square year-round, and is only lowered on New Year's Eve or removed for
general maintenance. Every December 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the ball
descends 77 feet over the course of a minute, coming to rest at
the bottom of the flagpole at midnight, where a sign lights up with the
digits of the new year, as the ball's lights turn off at the same time.
Fireworks are then lighted from the building to signal the arrival of
the New Year. A fireworks display in Central Park is usually visible
from Times Square. While the ball drops, several billboards in Times
Square count down into the New Year, most notably, the Toshiba (former
Discover Card) screens directly below the ball.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Times Square Ball @ One Times Square</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Every year approximately one million people gather in Times Square to watch the ball drop in person while it is watched on TV by over 70 million people in the United States.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />The first New Year's Eve celebration in what is now known as Times Square was held on New Year's Eve 1904. Through the years, the ball has been replaced or revamped six times. At present the sixth ball is 12 feet in diameter weighing 11,875 pounds. To accommodate the new ball, which is now displayed outdoors year-round, the flagpole atop One Times Square was rebuilt and enlarged, now rising 475 feet above Times Square.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Next, we are entering what is known as the Fashion or Garment District. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudki59wju95x9-Dyc8WAWxqX0pYp11H8y7tjy5WCRwJw-PBTeaIKoNuUTu16Fr1ZGGS0-szCJ8XXiirh59uSnTU-hu4Wggw59ARCCK99LIhs1DjrEltlmgQoEEjda67s6m7FrI4GAA1b3/s1600/fashion+district+1+button+needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudki59wju95x9-Dyc8WAWxqX0pYp11H8y7tjy5WCRwJw-PBTeaIKoNuUTu16Fr1ZGGS0-szCJ8XXiirh59uSnTU-hu4Wggw59ARCCK99LIhs1DjrEltlmgQoEEjda67s6m7FrI4GAA1b3/s320/fashion+district+1+button+needle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Button and Needle Statue in the Fashion District</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><u style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Garment or </b></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u style="background-color: yellow;"><b>Fashion District</b></u><span style="background-color: yellow;">: The Garment District, a/k/a the Garment Center, the Fashion District, or the Fashion Center, is a neighborhood located in Manhattan. The dense concentration of fashion-related uses give the neighborhood, which is generally considered to span between Fifth Avenue and Ninth Avenue, from 34th to 42nd Street, its nickname. The Garment District has been known since the early 20th century as the center for fashion manufacturing and fashion design in the United States, and even the world. Less than one square mile in area, the neighborhood is home to the majority of New York’s showrooms and to numerous major fashion labels, catering to all aspects of the fashion process–from design and production to wholesale selling. No other city has a comparable concentration of fashion businesses and talent in a single district.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Role in history</span>: New York City is arguably the fashion capital of the United States and the entire world because the industry based there generates over $14 billion in annual sales and sets design trends for the world. The core of the industry is Manhattan's Garment District, where the majority of the city's major fashion labels operate showrooms and execute the fashion process from design and production to wholesaling. No other city has a comparable concentration of fashion businesses and talent in a single district. <br /><br />The Garment District is home to a number of well-known designers, their production facilities, warehouses, showrooms, and suppliers of fabric and materials. Major fashion labels such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Liz Claiborne and Nicole Miller have showrooms, production facilities, or support offices located in the Garment District.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">How Did New York Get This Role?</span> New York first assumed its role as the center of the nation's garment industry by producing clothes for slaves working on Southern plantations. It was more efficient for their masters to buy clothes from producers in New York than to have the slaves spend time and labor making the clothing themselves. In addition to supplying clothing for slaves, tailors produced other ready-made garments for sailors and western prospectors during slack periods in their regular business.<br /><br />Prior to the mid-nineteenth century, the majority of Americans either made their own clothing, or if they were wealthy, bought tailor-made clothing. By the 1820's an increasing number of ready-made garments of a higher quality were being produced for a broader market. Continuing to grow, the production of ready-made clothing completed its industrialized profession transformation in the 1850's with the invention of the sewing machine. Needing thousands of ready-made soldiers' uniforms during the American Civil War helped the garment industry to expand further. By the end of the 1860s, Americans bought most of their clothing rather than making it themselves.<br /> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Close-up shot of the sign at Madison Square Garden</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Madison Square Garden</b></u>:
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially
as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City
borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd
Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station. Opening
in February 1968, it is the longest active major sporting facility in
the New York metropolitan area, and is the fourth incarnation of the
arena in the city. One Penn Plaza is located at its side. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Madison Square Garden Arena</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Current Titles:</span> Opening in February 1968, it is the longest active major sporting facility in the New York metropolitan area, and is the fourth incarnation of the arena in the city. One Penn Plaza is located at its side. And it is the third busiest music arena in the world in terms of ticket sales. As of the start of the 2010–11 NHL season and 2010–11 NBA season, the Garden is the oldest arena in the NHL and the second oldest in the NBA.<br /><br />In 1968, when the current Madison Square Garden opened after the Pennsylvania Railroad tore down the above-ground portions of Pennsylvania Station and continued railway traffic underneath, the new structure was one of the first of its kind to be built above the platforms of an active railroad station. It was considered an engineering feat but public outcry over the demolished Pennsylvania Station structure led to the creation of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. [You may have noted that previously through many of my posts about some of the buildings we have seen along the way, I have mentioned the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. That gives you a sense of the quantity of buildings that have historic value in the New York City area.]<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Present Operations: </span> The Garden hosts approximately 320 events a year. It is the home of the New York Rangers of the NHL, the New York Knicks of the NBA, and the New York Liberty of the WNBA, which are all owned by Madison Square Garden, L.P. -- the same owners as the arena itself. The arena is also host to the Big East Men's Basketball Conference Tournament. Other regular events include selected home games for the St. John's men's Red Storm (college basketball), the annual pre- and post-season NIT tournaments, the NBA Draft, the Millrose Games track and field meet, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and was also home to the 2004 Republican National Convention. It has previously hosted the 1976, 1980 and 1992 Democratic National Conventions, and for many years also hosted the NFL Draft. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Boxing and Concert History</span>: The Garden is also known for its place in the history of boxing. Many of boxing's biggest fights were held at Madison Square Garden, including the Roberto Durán-Ken Buchanan affair, and the first Joe Frazier – Muhammad Ali bout. Before promoters such as Don King moved boxing to Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden was considered the mecca of boxing. Many large popular-music concerts in New York City take place in Madison Square Garden. Particularly famous ones include George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh, The Concert for New York City following the September 11 attacks and John Lennon's final concert appearance (during an Elton John concert on Thanksgiving Night, 1974) before his murder in 1980. Elton John currently holds the all-time record for greatest number of appearances at The Garden with 62 shows. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Seating: </span>Seating in the Garden is arranged in six ascending levels. The first level, which is only available for basketball games and concerts, but not for hockey games and ice shows, is the "floor" or "court-side" seating. Next above this is the loge seating, followed by the 100-level and 200-level promenades, the 300-level promenade, and the 400-level or mezzanine. For hockey, the Garden seats 18,200; for basketball, 19,763; and for concerts 20,000 center stage, 19,522 end-stage. The arena features 20,976 square feet of arena floor space.<br /><br />Note: In the movie Rocky III, the rematch between Clubber Lang and Rocky Balboa is in the Garden. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One Penn Plaza</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><u style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>O</b><b>ne Penn Plaza</b></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">: One Penn Plaza is a skyscraper located between 33rd and 34th Streets, west of Seventh Avenue, and adjacent to Pennsylvania Station and Madison Square Garden. It is the tallest building in the Pennsylvania Plaza complex of office buildings, hotels, and entertainment facilities. Designed and completed in 1972, it reaches 750 feet with 57 floors. From its location on the west side of Manhattan, most south, west and north-facing tenants have unobstructed views of the Hudson River. One Penn Plaza is currently owned by </span>Vornado<span style="background-color: yellow;"> Realty Trust. It was previously owned by </span>Helmsley<span style="background-color: yellow;">-Spear Inc., and the building was sold by Leona </span>Helmsley<span style="background-color: yellow;"> and her partners for $420 million in the late 1990s. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">New York City United States Post Office Building</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>New York City Post Office</u></b>. I had to show you a picture of the James A. Farley New York City Post Office building. It fills up one whole city block -- it is massive! Built in 1912, the building is famous for bearing the inscription: <i>Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.</i> In 1982, the post office was officially designated The James A. Farley Building, as a monument and testament to the political career of the nation's 53rd Postmaster General. The Farley Post Office is home to "Operation Santa," made famous in the classic 1947 film <i>Miracle on 34th Street</i>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The side of Macy's Dept. Store</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Macy’s</b></u>: Speaking of massive, here is another one that takes up a whole city block. And what would be a trip to New York City without getting a pic of the world renown flagship Macy's. </div>
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It has produced the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City since 1924, and sponsored the City's annual Fourth of July fireworks display since 1976.<br />
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Originally founded in Massachusetts in 1843, Macy's moved to New York City in 1858. On the it's first day of business in October 1858 sales totaled US$11.08, equal to $297.09 today. From the very beginning, Macy's logo has included a star in one form or another, which comes from a tattoo that the founder Rowland Macy got as a teenager when he worked on a Nantucket whaling ship, the Emily Morgan. After expanding it now encompasses almost the entire block bounded by Seventh Avenue on the west, Broadway on the east, 34th Street on the south and 35th Street on the north, with the exception of a small pre-existing building on the corner of 35th Street and Seventh Avenue and another on the corner of 34th Street and Broadway. In 1978, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. The store has several wooden escalators still in operation.<br />
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The classic Christmas film <i>Miracle on 34th Street </i>(1947) is set in Macy's 34th Street flagship store. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHURqJmFsvv3ovmbxPnOpba1Jp_Aj-u7mR0fcXIE3X4AwH7JAKnYq2ykh9NFGBF4GYmD-pOgA46d8bygxKwv7_EJd_DnqbkEfjI5ppv390RFH2tvSR8kKX0PbpoSdhMFosexdvXzo4xV9/s1600/empire+state+bldg+bottom+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHURqJmFsvv3ovmbxPnOpba1Jp_Aj-u7mR0fcXIE3X4AwH7JAKnYq2ykh9NFGBF4GYmD-pOgA46d8bygxKwv7_EJd_DnqbkEfjI5ppv390RFH2tvSR8kKX0PbpoSdhMFosexdvXzo4xV9/s320/empire+state+bldg+bottom+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Close-up of the Empire State Building sign</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Empire State Building.</b></u>: Although I never did get a chance to tour the Empire State Building, I did get a couple pictures as noted at right and below, left. The Empire State Building
is a 102-story landmark skyscraper at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It
has a roof height of 1,250 feet and with its antenna spire
included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is
derived from the nickname for New York, the Empire State. Completed in 1931, it stood as
the world's tallest building for 40 years, until 1972 when construction of the World Trade Center's North Tower was completed. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001,
the Empire State Building reclaimed the position of tallest building in
New York (although it was no longer the tallest in the world). Once the
new One World Trade Center is completed, the Empire State Building will
once again be demoted to second tallest building in New York.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIttU8hA2NaY41BmngABty0tN2xt8gILMiDqlcDNWukeOfuizeSEFByvXo0swsuLIYpILjB4i9evZmq_JwVcLj9oy1GQt5mljQPSo-2ZNVPQ0fLWIJ7dObp7S1Y94Q56Y_5u8DGnM-3kk/s1600/empire+bldg+foggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIttU8hA2NaY41BmngABty0tN2xt8gILMiDqlcDNWukeOfuizeSEFByvXo0swsuLIYpILjB4i9evZmq_JwVcLj9oy1GQt5mljQPSo-2ZNVPQ0fLWIJ7dObp7S1Y94Q56Y_5u8DGnM-3kk/s320/empire+bldg+foggy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Empire State Building Lost in the Clouds</span></td></tr>
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Designed in the distinctive Art Deco style, it has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The building and its street floor interior are designated landmarks of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The Empire State Building is currently the third tallest skyscraper in the United States (after the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower, both in Chicago), and the 15th tallest in the world. It is also the fourth-tallest freestanding structure in the Americas. The Empire State Building is currently undergoing a $550 million renovation, with $120 million spent in an effort to transform the building into a more energy efficient and eco-friendly structure.<br />
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The site of the Empire State Building was first developed as the John Thompson Farm in the late 18th century. A stream ran across the site, emptying into Sunfish Pond, located a block away. Beginning in the late 19th century the block was occupied by the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, frequented by The Four Hundred, the social elite of New York.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Construction: </span>Excavation of the site began in January 1930, and construction on the building itself started symbolically on March 17, St. Patrick's Day. The project involved 3,400 workers, mostly immigrants from Europe, along with hundreds of Mohawk iron workers, many from a reserve near Montreal. According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction. The ribbon cutting took place on May 1, 1931. The construction was part of an intense competition in New York for the title of "world's tallest building". Two other projects fighting for the title, 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building, were still under construction when work began on the Empire State Building. Each held the title for less than a year, as the Empire State Building surpassed them upon its completion, just 410 days after construction commenced. With its opening coinciding with the Great Depression in the United States, much of its office space went without being rented. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Suicides:</span> Over the years, more than thirty people have committed suicide from the top of the building. The first suicide occurred even before its completion, by a worker who had been laid off. The fence around the observatory terrace was put up in 1947 after five people tried to jump during a three-week span. On May 1, 1947, 23-year-old Evelyn McHale lept to her death from the 86th floor observation deck and landed on a United Nations limousine parked at the curb. A photography student took a photo of McHale's corpse a few minutes after her death. The police found a suicide note among possessions she left on the observation deck: "He is much better off without me ... I wouldn’t make a good wife for anybody". The photo ran in the May 12, 1947 edition of LIFE Magazine and is often referred to as "The Most Beautiful Suicide". It was later used by visual artist Andy Warhol in one of his paintings entitled Suicide (Fallen Body). In December 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto the 85th floor and left with a broken hip.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">B-25 Empire State Building crash: </span> In the morning of Saturday, July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber, piloted in thick fog crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building, between the 79th and 80th floors, where the offices of the National Catholic Welfare Council were located. One engine shot through the side opposite the impact and flew as far as the next block where it landed on the roof of a nearby building, starting a fire that destroyed a penthouse. The other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft. The resulting fire was extinguished in 40 minutes. Fourteen people were killed in the incident; however, elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver survived a plunge of 75 stories inside an elevator, which still stands as the Guinness World Record for the longest survived elevator fall recorded. Despite the damage and loss of life, the building was open for business on many floors on the following Monday. A year later, another aircraft narrowly missed striking the building. <br />
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In February 1997, a gunman shot seven people on the observation deck, killing one, then fatally wounded himself. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Architecture:</span> The Empire State Building rises to 1,250 ft at the 102nd floor, and including the 203 ft pinnacle, its full height reaches 1,453 feet. The building has 85 stories of commercial and office space representing over 2 million square feet. It has an indoor and outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. The remaining 16 stories represent the Art Deco tower, which is capped by a 102nd-floor observatory. Atop the tower is the 203 foot pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, with a lightning rod at the very top.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Size Matters:</span> The Empire State Building was the first building to have more than 100 floors. It has 6,500 windows and 73 elevators; there are 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor; the base of the Empire State Building is about 2 acres; and it houses approximately 1,000 businesses. After the Pentagon, it is the second-largest single office complex in America, with about 21,000 people working there.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Movie and TV Fame:</span> Perhaps the most famous representation of the building is in the 1933 film <i>King Kong</i>, in which the giant ape climbs to the top to escape his captors but falls to his death after being attacked by airplanes. <i>MythBusters</i>, a Discovery Channel show, tested the urban myth which claims that if one drops a penny off the top of the Empire State Building, it could kill someone or put a crater in the pavement. The outcome was that, by the time the penny hits the ground, it is going roughly 65 mph (terminal velocity for an object of its mass and shape), which is not fast enough to inflict lethal injury or put a crater into the pavement. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8vgwggMVjtTKZj5MMeGz6DnHJXYZH39xbLSZx6o4HvBU6K_eq6Id-WXy6ie7_0bdCRZchaFrMxdDaMscN1n-z5T4Hi9LkKilqFyVQzaN-2-1js0xRGhEfMC-pWgAx0__5cQeEg3o4bSp/s1600/marble+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8vgwggMVjtTKZj5MMeGz6DnHJXYZH39xbLSZx6o4HvBU6K_eq6Id-WXy6ie7_0bdCRZchaFrMxdDaMscN1n-z5T4Hi9LkKilqFyVQzaN-2-1js0xRGhEfMC-pWgAx0__5cQeEg3o4bSp/s320/marble+church.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Marble Collegiate Church</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Marble Collegiate Church</b></u>: Founded in 1628, the Marble Collegiate Church, at right, is one of the oldest continuous Protestant congregations in North America. The congregation, part of the Reformed Church in America, is now located at 272 Fifth Avenue at the corner of West 29th Street in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan. NoMad is the moniker given this neighborhood meaning "north of Madison Square Park." So many of the neighborhoods in New York City are given nicknames, such as SoHo, NoHo, etc.</div>
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The Marble Collegiate Church was built in 1851-54 and was designed in Romanesque Revival style with Gothic trim. The facade is covered in Tuckahoe marble, for which the church, originally called the Fifth Avenue Church, was renamed in 1906. You will note throughout my visit to New York City, that I have taken many pictures of churches. The architecture is so impressive, that I wanted to capture as much of that as I could. <br />
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The building was designated a New York City landmarks in 1967, and in 1980 was added to the National Register of Historic Places.<br />
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Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, the noted author of <i>The Power of Positive Thinking </i>served as senior minister from 1932-1984. Under Dr. Peale's ministry, Marble's influence reached national levels and became known as "America's Hometown Church." On November 19, 1961, Lucille Ball married her second husband Gary Morton in the church. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDxEAGmvPBMXQtOXubTuMQkfehPCWTya3bTQUXMM9wn-leWS7WqxpINZWqBYsBi4yawPUHNNvi_RapifTbZM13vUmbn__F-fAdaf6B3hktgD-oKwTWw7ManRT_STQ6t1tLldiQOxOkbvX/s1600/museum+of+sex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDxEAGmvPBMXQtOXubTuMQkfehPCWTya3bTQUXMM9wn-leWS7WqxpINZWqBYsBi4yawPUHNNvi_RapifTbZM13vUmbn__F-fAdaf6B3hktgD-oKwTWw7ManRT_STQ6t1tLldiQOxOkbvX/s320/museum+of+sex.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Museum of Sex</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Museum of Sex</b></u>: Yes, ma'am, there is a museum of sex -- only in New York City could you find something like this! </div>
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What will I find there? First opening on Fifth Avenue in October 2002, and with a multitude of exhibitions and virtual installations, the Museum’s mission is to advocate an open conversation surrounding sex and
sexuality and is
committed to addressing a wide range of topics, while
highlighting material and artifacts from different continents, cultures,
time periods and media.<br />
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Located on Fifth Avenue the Museum’s permanent collection of over 15,000 artifacts is
comprised of works of art, photography, clothing and costumes,
technological inventions and historical written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved. Additionally, the
museum houses both a research library as well as an extensive multimedia
library and preserves an
ever-growing collection of sexually related objects that would otherwise
be destroyed and discarded due to their sexual content.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm-U_sGX56PuXuGtqszf-iSGv1H6tUrOfVJBMWuYRnNOWAfnSkL88YFnJssvC62d7GUsfFsRQHTB8DZrBqJVPvv-b3sf_h7WR8SdGFc5j8wAMDq4r0kSEqtQQK6Ky_VTbmJozFVfYcvbq/s1600/flatiron+bldt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm-U_sGX56PuXuGtqszf-iSGv1H6tUrOfVJBMWuYRnNOWAfnSkL88YFnJssvC62d7GUsfFsRQHTB8DZrBqJVPvv-b3sf_h7WR8SdGFc5j8wAMDq4r0kSEqtQQK6Ky_VTbmJozFVfYcvbq/s320/flatiron+bldt.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Flatiron Building</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>The Flatiron Building</b></u> (or Fuller Building, as it was originally called) is located at 175 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and is considered to be a groundbreaking skyscraper. Completed in 1902, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city and the only skyscraper north of 14th Street. The building sits on a triangular island-block formed by Fifth Avenue, Broadway and East 22nd Street, with 23rd Street grazing the triangle's northern (uptown) peak. As with numerous other wedge-shaped buildings, the name "Flatiron" derives from its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron.</div>
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The building anchors the south (downtown) end of Madison Square and the north (uptown) end of the Ladies' Mile Historic District. The neighborhood around it is called the Flatiron District after its signature building, which has become an icon of New York City. </div>
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What was so amazing is that as we were driving by, our guide noted where you can look at a doorway on the first floor (on the narrower end) and see right through to the other side.<br />
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZJQkJxv9TVZXCiYEloADXmCOEvbX03mUe3mZhXhV6-qtfCXawAEYZMZAzFXFPyL3ds8vuMbG4WTirTp7JZvQkNBOZia5dCTsq2pQBDdfzb4xEzQWIlDn6-y9bZll4TBwl2NzShPZ__xJ/s1600/union+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZJQkJxv9TVZXCiYEloADXmCOEvbX03mUe3mZhXhV6-qtfCXawAEYZMZAzFXFPyL3ds8vuMbG4WTirTp7JZvQkNBOZia5dCTsq2pQBDdfzb4xEzQWIlDn6-y9bZll4TBwl2NzShPZ__xJ/s320/union+square.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now Entering Union Square</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Union Square</u></b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">: Union Square is a public square in Manhattan.</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> It</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is an important and historic intersection, located where Broadway and the former Bowery Road, now Fourth Avenue, came together in the early 19th century; its name denotes that "here was the union of the two principal thoroughfares of the island."</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Union Square is noted for the equestrian statue of U.S. President George Washington, unveiled in 1856 </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and the first American equestrian sculpture cast in bronze</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. It was the first public sculpture erected in New York City since the equestrian statue of U.K. George III in 1770. Other statues in the park include the Marquis de Lafayette (dedicated at the Centennial, July 4, 1876), Abraham Lincoln (1870), and the James Fountain (1881 which is a fountain with the figure of Charity who empties her jug of water, aided by a child). A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the southwest corner of the park was added in 1986. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXLIh9YIoQAg457TMkj7kg6cAWPVuHJxD-PHVV6tpoiQcDs7iqnkso4OdmahleRuJjZ5OLZMOWSkrRE0lJcsRbARXVaIJiWY5vt3KayptUu_IKlq9S3MfVAmoy-MB92BCdiYAmO7eV4Gj/s1600/church+of+village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXLIh9YIoQAg457TMkj7kg6cAWPVuHJxD-PHVV6tpoiQcDs7iqnkso4OdmahleRuJjZ5OLZMOWSkrRE0lJcsRbARXVaIJiWY5vt3KayptUu_IKlq9S3MfVAmoy-MB92BCdiYAmO7eV4Gj/s320/church+of+village.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Church of the Village</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b><u>The Church of the Village</u>: </b></span><span style="background-color: yellow;">Church of the Village: The Church of the Village, located at 201 W 13th Street, follows the mission of the United Methodist Church. </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">Nothing</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">necessarily</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> note-</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">worthy</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> about this church, </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">except</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> its </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">architecture</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">. </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">Again</span><span style="background-color: yellow;">, I </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">am</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">consumed</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> with taking pictures of the old historic churches and buildings such as this one. </span> </div>
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<u style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Greenwich Village:</b></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Now heading in Greenwich Village, in New York often simply called "the
Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of
Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is
home to upper middle class families. Greenwich Village, however, was
known in the late 19th to mid 20th centuries as an artists' haven, the
bohemian capital, and the East Coast birthplace of the Beat movement.
What provided the initial attractive character of the community
eventually contributed to its gentrification and commercialization. </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Into the early 20th century, </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnT2i-VqTaR_DbGtcoVmf68SkOMPPHmaiaWjjcRbFZ4KK_7Uhj_0d_Yb42CpzhUbXQPpioYgBYZDJ1L-MG0b7XVHBMiobhVgBqyPMaRU0Kr8yCIweSo2lVc-M1HQFbv2csrAWTJ8GqFrtb/s1600/greenwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnT2i-VqTaR_DbGtcoVmf68SkOMPPHmaiaWjjcRbFZ4KK_7Uhj_0d_Yb42CpzhUbXQPpioYgBYZDJ1L-MG0b7XVHBMiobhVgBqyPMaRU0Kr8yCIweSo2lVc-M1HQFbv2csrAWTJ8GqFrtb/s320/greenwich.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Entering Greenwich Village</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Greenwich Village</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> was distinguished from the upper-class neighborhood of Washington Square – based on the major landmark Washington Square Park or Empire Ward in the 19th century.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Greenwich Village was also home to one of the many safe houses used by the radical anti-war movement known as the Weather Underground. In March 1970, however, their safehouse was destroyed when an explosive they were constructing was accidentally detonated, killing three Weathermen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In recent days, the Village has maintained its role as a center for movements that have challenged the wider American culture, for example, its role in the gay liberation movement. It contains Christopher Street and the Stonewall Inn, important landmarks, as well as the world's oldest gay and lesbian bookstore, Oscar Wilde Bookshop, founded in 1967. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (a/k/a "The Center") has occupied the former Food & Maritime Trades High School at 208 West 13th Street since 1984. In 2006, the Village was the scene of an assault involving seven lesbians and a straight man that sparked much media attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because of the extraordinarily high housing costs in the neighborhood</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> at the current time, artists and local historians mourn that the bohemian days of Greenwich Village are long gone and therefore, many artists have fled first to SoHo then to TriBeCa and finally Williamsburg and Bushwick in Brooklyn, Long Island City, and DUMBO. Current residents of Greenwich Village still possess the strong historic community identity and are proud of their neighborhood's unique history and fame, and its well-known liberal "live-and-let-live "attitudes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Greenwich Village is home to some celebrities, including many actresses/actors such as Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Uma Thurman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton, and Barbara Pierce Bush, the daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush; Thurman and Bush both live on West Ninth Street. American designer Marc Jacobs and current TV-talk show host Anderson Cooper live in the neighborhood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The historic Washington Square Park is the center and heart of the neighborhood, but the Village has several other, smaller parks: Father Fagan, Minetta Triangle, Petrosino Square, Little Red Square, and Time Landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Greenwich Village is home to New York University, which owns large sections of the area and most of the buildings around Washington Square Park. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnmG4IA8wdsmh179N8RvkAILGhcssQwl2Ggt-oO_n9H4PW1gDIQKas78sT3opq0QTwINr3FJsiICXrdjChCJa5kxW2NTZjMefE7DKmjpCsx-IXKPSPp77kjlqJXZ-FPLE0NzW4n9GVu-s/s1600/casey+flower+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnmG4IA8wdsmh179N8RvkAILGhcssQwl2Ggt-oO_n9H4PW1gDIQKas78sT3opq0QTwINr3FJsiICXrdjChCJa5kxW2NTZjMefE7DKmjpCsx-IXKPSPp77kjlqJXZ-FPLE0NzW4n9GVu-s/s320/casey+flower+shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Casey's Flower Studio</b></u>: Although nothing historic about this place, I had to capture a picture of it (1) because of it's name and (2) because I loved all the shops that we passed by that were encompassed by the flowers and plants. </span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS1HhMRr_x3_DZ7MTOzqQ4XB6HVoAmVX-EO3HEx7Gw-oX8RUvTRtP0z0O_kGcuhj2kuk_hvT7k_EJ2yxv-rrkax6y1ACIk2piUb5Zq3itDrMRHpeh5dkEEMtpoJRAC8Ka9lonAEzm489y/s1600/electric+lady+studios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS1HhMRr_x3_DZ7MTOzqQ4XB6HVoAmVX-EO3HEx7Gw-oX8RUvTRtP0z0O_kGcuhj2kuk_hvT7k_EJ2yxv-rrkax6y1ACIk2piUb5Zq3itDrMRHpeh5dkEEMtpoJRAC8Ka9lonAEzm489y/s320/electric+lady+studios.jpg" width="320" /></a><u><b> </b></u><br />
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<u><b>Electric Lady Studio:</b></u> Electric Lady Studio: Electric Lady Studios, (see picture below, left) located at 52 West 8th Street, in Greenwich Village, is a recording studio originally built by Jimi Hendrix in 1970. Hendrix spent only four weeks recording here, most of which took place while the final phases of construction were still ongoing. An opening party was held on August 26, 1970, the same day 26 American troops were killed in a Chinook helicopter crash in Vietnam. The following day Hendrix created his last ever studio recording: known only as "Slow Blues." He then boarded an Air India flight for London to perform at the Isle of Wight Festival, and died less than three weeks later.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JRCtU4cp_sqBU4kSMcLdedwbfddtxQko-L4xMdZvkd2_yaKi5Xvc7a6rIecDGJEAyyCH2ZfYGh7aJtFcNOWS_pFjzH4AZByEU91fPXBQ2zp55rXqyqWG5jDb7qpMLP_KcwhlOz9DnVb0/s1600/macdougal+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JRCtU4cp_sqBU4kSMcLdedwbfddtxQko-L4xMdZvkd2_yaKi5Xvc7a6rIecDGJEAyyCH2ZfYGh7aJtFcNOWS_pFjzH4AZByEU91fPXBQ2zp55rXqyqWG5jDb7qpMLP_KcwhlOz9DnVb0/s320/macdougal+street.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>MacDougal Street</u></b>: MacDougal Street is the street where the Comedy Cellar is located (which we went to) and which attracts many notable comedians. (See picture at right). On the corner of West 8th Street/MacDougal at 32 West 8th Street is the former location of 8th Street Books, where Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg first met. Jackson Pollock lived in Apt #9 in MacDougal Alley. At the corner of MacDougal -Washington Square North at 27 is the former residence of Matthew Broderick. Eleanor Roosevelt lived on the corner of MacDougal - Washington Square North at 29 after the death of president Franklin D. Roosevelt. The southwest corner of Washington Square Park, which flanks one side of MacDougal Street, is the site of many historic chess games as well as the film Searching for Bobby Fischer. Caffe Reggio, at 119 MacDougal Street, a coffeehouse since 1927, has been featured in many movies, including Godfather II. Many celebrities have been spotted or photographed in this location. In 1959, John F. Kennedy, at that time a presidential hopeful, made a speech outside the coffee shop. At 116 MacDougal Street used to be the The Gaslight Cafe, where Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and many others would read poetry. Bob Dylan lived there for a time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nQ2LHdRFVfoivFZubmnWWOKWBshB-TSayApG6UE-Hg-4UJPrWLbXLGBcRAzEOrYwlVRawAs8UgaUJz5ZXdQN3mz2ylCK5tI1SUQmlz9ZjWhIjl1UzLZ541aURHRFTMqRuPx2NkM9rWOj/s1600/nika+I+scarves+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nQ2LHdRFVfoivFZubmnWWOKWBshB-TSayApG6UE-Hg-4UJPrWLbXLGBcRAzEOrYwlVRawAs8UgaUJz5ZXdQN3mz2ylCK5tI1SUQmlz9ZjWhIjl1UzLZ541aURHRFTMqRuPx2NkM9rWOj/s320/nika+I+scarves+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Nika and I</b></u>: The rain was coming down in little mists and it was just enough that Nika and I finally donned our scarves. Nika is real good at being able to capture the pictures of ourselves at just the right angle on the first try. Me--when I tried I could usually only get part of our faces. Haha!</div>
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Well, today's tour is by no means over with yet, but I bet you are starting to wane a little from another jolt of information overload. So I will stop here for the moment. But, believe me, our day is not over yet, as we are only a little way into our big adventure for the day. Next up, on the Gray Line tour, we finish out our downtown bus tour by heading towards Wall Street, Battery Park, South Street Seaport, <span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">Occupy
Wall Street and more. Then we get off and go to MoMA (Modern Museum of Art) and start our tour of the Museum of Natural
History. Plus, we still have a big night ahead as we are heading to Greenwich Village for a late night at the Comedy
Cellar. </span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">So, for now, rest up those tired eyes -- we've got lots more to see.</span></div>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-49802357795756498842012-03-08T17:32:00.000-06:002012-03-09T15:46:15.085-06:00The Big Apple - Day 2 (Evening): Getting Totally Wicked<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has finally arrived! The Night! One of the most special nights of my trip. Tonight we go to see <i>Wicked</i>! Hang onto your pants, folks, I'm about to take you on a little ride to the Land of Oz. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qgFbtlZHNUarg5Lg4zvvzSm1KmhxN09sPwkcLaeMbNLvbHqCCYGgTRjsOy9fg4cpjtpbsx1gv75v9tJfU1ckQD0QZNMwzdiQeOJz4SsZYoTw7_Rmo8xDL9aDJnQmsC-xIt5oWH-d_iLz/s1600/3+of+us+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qgFbtlZHNUarg5Lg4zvvzSm1KmhxN09sPwkcLaeMbNLvbHqCCYGgTRjsOy9fg4cpjtpbsx1gv75v9tJfU1ckQD0QZNMwzdiQeOJz4SsZYoTw7_Rmo8xDL9aDJnQmsC-xIt5oWH-d_iLz/s400/3+of+us+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Casey, Nika and I at the start of our big night</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> After getting back from shopping we scurried around to get ready. Once the three of us finished getting all dolled up for our big night, we are scooting out of the hotel to round up a cab. In the cab and off we go to the infamous Gershwin Theater to our (well, at least my) first Broadway musical -- <i>Wicked</i>. Our cab ride is only about 15 minutes, and we could have walked it, but I have high-heeled boots on and Nika has high-heeled shoes, plus it is raining. Not time to think about exercise. It is time to think about comfort, warmth and not ruining our hair! After all, I am on vacation!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhU7n86CMwdaSkwBo-zc1lbjKijzH1qk6D-9-4hqQESzDzfL8uHzj0jm-qqLjsX6CJYB1NuOxKObxzL3V4ZQ-eyG2yU76iHxcQg08viLBBJuEAEYtNi6sZ1wX6usWqnL9Myy5sqD4AOli/s1600/our+usher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhU7n86CMwdaSkwBo-zc1lbjKijzH1qk6D-9-4hqQESzDzfL8uHzj0jm-qqLjsX6CJYB1NuOxKObxzL3V4ZQ-eyG2yU76iHxcQg08viLBBJuEAEYtNi6sZ1wX6usWqnL9Myy5sqD4AOli/s400/our+usher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our usher at the Gershwin Theatre</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here we are -- at the Gershwin Theatre. We've finally arrived and our astute usher has guided us to our seats. The seats I picked were perfect. Aisle seats with just the right height to be able to see down to the stage. I could have picked seats that were down below but, I was told, then you have to sometimes fight to see over heads and find yourself always looking up. And, our usher couldn't have been more nice. He joked with us and was happy to do his job. It made our big adventure even more fun. Looking around, I find that the inside of the Gershwin is magnificent. While we are here, let me give you just a little bit of information and history on the Gershwin.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sa_DkWfYepVBfPkyCASzEtttMHoDBBp6AWxeCwzYUvcwBj4UArl92RMdGakGFT9W6oCyOSZz62Ngx9WReUxn2wwgN7YaJKafMcV87QRNUGWin0gU-6AVgCXOx0_UVTsGHfi6OPkEfe_0/s1600/wicked-nika+&+I+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sa_DkWfYepVBfPkyCASzEtttMHoDBBp6AWxeCwzYUvcwBj4UArl92RMdGakGFT9W6oCyOSZz62Ngx9WReUxn2wwgN7YaJKafMcV87QRNUGWin0gU-6AVgCXOx0_UVTsGHfi6OPkEfe_0/s320/wicked-nika+&+I+before.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika and I after being seated</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Gershwin Theater:</b></u>
The Gershwin Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 222 West 51st
Street in midtown-Manhattan in the Paramount Plaza building. The theatre
is named after famed brothers, composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It
has the highest seating capacity of any Broadway theatre, with 1,933
seats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Gershwin is
situated on the lower levels of a towering office complex built at an
estimated cost of $12.5 million on the site of the historical Capitol
Theatre. It opened as the Uris Theatre in November 1972 (named for
the building developer) with the musical <i>Via Galactica</i>
starring Raul Julia. You may not have heard of that musical but you most certainly have heard of Raul Julia. No? Oh, just think for a moment. Hasn't come to you yet? Okay, now think Gomez Adamms of <i>The Adamms Family</i>. Yes, now I see the wheels turning in your mind. Unfortunately for the musical <i>Via Galactica</i>, the venue's start proved to be the first show to lose a million dollars and closed after only
seven performances. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The American Theatre Hall of Fame is located in the lobby. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetgBv82hCtbBPgut5qbOEBe9yUg59VFIZF9lQn-eOERfRooSeCQMnv34kPC5lxI7Eu8sfAcmbEHZ2EcPWLgoFADoZu1_GnSZ6XvfIW__Ueqq8KVPTra29SAJfr1qtpxXBWE5T-s9M4vAt/s1600/wicked-kc+&+nika+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetgBv82hCtbBPgut5qbOEBe9yUg59VFIZF9lQn-eOERfRooSeCQMnv34kPC5lxI7Eu8sfAcmbEHZ2EcPWLgoFADoZu1_GnSZ6XvfIW__Ueqq8KVPTra29SAJfr1qtpxXBWE5T-s9M4vAt/s320/wicked-kc+&+nika+before.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Casey and Nika</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Making history, <i>W</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">icked</i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> achieved the box office record for
the Gershwin Theatre. The production grossed $2,228,235 over eight
performances, for the week ending January 2, 2011. This was also the
highest grossing week for any musical in the history of Broadway theatre. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>And What, Pray Tell, Exactly Is Broadway Theatre?</b></u> Well, I am glad you asked. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Simply put, Broadway Theatre</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">, or more commonly known as </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Broadway</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">along Broadway, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and in Lincoln Center in Manhattan. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Broadway theatre district is a popular tourist attraction in New York. What do you think gets spent in a year for attendance to Broadway venues? According to a theatre rag called <i>The Broadway League</i>, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Broadway shows sold approximately $1.037 billion worth of tickets in calendar year 2010, compared to $1.004 billion for 2009. That, my friends, is a lot of dough! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I could have been saying "Scotty, beam me up" at this point as I was a beaming beacon from head to toe, so enthralled with the pure notion that we were now seated in the largest theatre on Broadway. Oh, what a moment! Oh, what a night! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And, lookee here -- do you see what Casey is holding in the picture above -- the playbill for <i>Wicked</i>. Cuddle up, because next we're going to talk a teeny, tiny bit about <i>Wicked</i>. In case you don't know the whole story about this musical, here is an appetizer. (Don't worry, I am not going to spoil the story for you by telling you anything too in-depth or ruining the ending). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86xy6kZY2VOqXume1kPCccnUW4J5Rw0QnHsGg7bdxOm-vMZ7kQ1UI5el588vpWAbSjr_TWH-g_DQniEmTHN1k3bqOQXijdqnvfxrlmDHbLmDGKwSRx5kw9bry7LfOGXIvUyEblLl72K6e/s1600/stage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86xy6kZY2VOqXume1kPCccnUW4J5Rw0QnHsGg7bdxOm-vMZ7kQ1UI5el588vpWAbSjr_TWH-g_DQniEmTHN1k3bqOQXijdqnvfxrlmDHbLmDGKwSRx5kw9bry7LfOGXIvUyEblLl72K6e/s400/stage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Stage and Set of Wicked Before the Opening Curtain</span></td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Wicked</i>:</span></b></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i>Wicked</i> is an award-winning (35 major awards including a Grammy Award and 3 Tony awards) musical about the untold story of the witches of Oz. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When Dorothy famously vanquished the Wicked Witch, we only heard one side of the story. In fact, i</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">f you think you know the Wicked Witch of the West, think again. Because l</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ong before Dorothy dropped in, there is a significant meeting of two other girls in the land of Oz. One, Elphaba (later better known to viewers of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> as the Wicked Witch of the West) was born with emerald-green skin, was smart, feisty and simply misunderstood. The other, Glinda, is beautiful, ambitious and popular. Her personality and character, who seemed to magically glide about, reminded me a lot of Reese Witherspoon. It tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely besties grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and Glinda the Good. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbw3PAjmREUosN-CFVGRhJ7j4S4UD6hE8Y1NOP5Kxzwl694st_9S6Oi7kfxHR9WILsoHQNlLnZ8RfzPjjz2Pvrfn9txK5mV6VUE-BCSxaLNULeM-xXdBHBKezGaRdEgR9RSpFMm2FJdM8/s1600/cast+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbw3PAjmREUosN-CFVGRhJ7j4S4UD6hE8Y1NOP5Kxzwl694st_9S6Oi7kfxHR9WILsoHQNlLnZ8RfzPjjz2Pvrfn9txK5mV6VUE-BCSxaLNULeM-xXdBHBKezGaRdEgR9RSpFMm2FJdM8/s400/cast+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Partial cast during the end of the musical</span></td></tr>
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In essence, what you have heard before in the story of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> is just the medial part of the long-told tale. <i>Wicked</i> is the actual beginning. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This musical tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but intense
friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz
University: the blonde and very popular Glinda and a misunderstood green
girl, Elphaba. What a sight the two together are!<br />
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Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship
reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them
fulfill their destinies as Glinda The Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the
West.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Let me tell you, it is a great story and I was so glad to view it in person. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmjFTbJ0PoiJZ486G7N_Tmg0zMw878efd3rwsWm6awEGTxAicXQn2m9dyz9aMKU2exZ9aHHz0-kAYLBb_5FY8_1nihQWrxw2VBdk_2sbvvu7bc-ExRtPwoz7GhZ5g6dsIFHvUXotjMNiB/s1600/entire+cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmjFTbJ0PoiJZ486G7N_Tmg0zMw878efd3rwsWm6awEGTxAicXQn2m9dyz9aMKU2exZ9aHHz0-kAYLBb_5FY8_1nihQWrxw2VBdk_2sbvvu7bc-ExRtPwoz7GhZ5g6dsIFHvUXotjMNiB/s400/entire+cast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The entire cast</span></td></tr>
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Above, in the picture to the left, the extra cast members who mill around during the production, come out to take a bow. Without them, the production would be but a blank slate. If you take a peak at the picture to the right, in the front row, you will see Glinda in the white and to the right of her is Elphaba (Wicked Witch). Yes, she really was green! Surely I can vouch that their beautiful voices filled the theatre with song and tale. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While I am thinking about it, as long as I mentioned the Wizard of Oz, above, did you know that this familiar story written by L. Frank Baum was first published as <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i> in 1900. That is over a decade ago! As you can see, this tale -- from the previously untold beginning -- is a favorite to be able to hang around that long and still be enchanting to young and old alike. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9Mgej2OremO0jckNYNbKWPh35-Ry8RmCR4c_sS5YtrwwHKbNnMbdyLy9uXPfyde4Y3rNftOptyf7c4IIU-irV3lc7J43TdqC1tadNO1uLEhuwr3x64i9fgwGj4bHXU5Ygfmgdf7VXuLW/s1600/kc+&+I+billboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9Mgej2OremO0jckNYNbKWPh35-Ry8RmCR4c_sS5YtrwwHKbNnMbdyLy9uXPfyde4Y3rNftOptyf7c4IIU-irV3lc7J43TdqC1tadNO1uLEhuwr3x64i9fgwGj4bHXU5Ygfmgdf7VXuLW/s320/kc+&+I+billboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Casey and I posing by the billboard outside the Gershwin</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCE61ceJaA4HSCtlDTtnIdsNZVeKAjfPUHOzb_m9uzEPgV7cGo4NmcYwzOV77EclnjEgh-ix_Viz97nQA1t36gK5Q-3dS4eoCcgNBA1bok1Okl7Ds0aESJ5hMx1JlMDFMBN-DYZ0xQAcm/s1600/kc+%2526+nika+billboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCE61ceJaA4HSCtlDTtnIdsNZVeKAjfPUHOzb_m9uzEPgV7cGo4NmcYwzOV77EclnjEgh-ix_Viz97nQA1t36gK5Q-3dS4eoCcgNBA1bok1Okl7Ds0aESJ5hMx1JlMDFMBN-DYZ0xQAcm/s320/kc+%2526+nika+billboard.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika and Casey striking a pose</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After
finding our way out of the Gershwin, I wanted to memorialize our
theatre-going follies by posing next to the billboard. This proved a
wee bit difficult as many others had the same thought. But, eventually,
we were able to sneak in to snap a couple pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Dinner:</span> Our original plan after leaving the theatre was to grab dinner at a swanky Manhattan dinner club. One of Casey's co-workers has some connections, so he made us reservations for 10:30 p.m. right after the musical. This restaurant was a reservation-only hotspot, with bookings hard to get and needing to be booked months in advance -- unless you have connections and know somebody who knows somebody. Unfortunately, we did not get out of <i>Wicked</i> until about 10:50. Thinking that we had blown the reservation, we figured we might as well mosey on back towards the hotel and catch something to eat right around there. [Little did we know until the next day, though, that Ron had changed the reservation to 11:00, calculating that we wouldn't make a 10:30 reservation.] </span></div>
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Off we headed to fetch another cab. As we were walking across the lot next to the Gershwin, we could see that there were limos and towne cars lined up all along the street. While assessing the view, suddenly, I was approached by a gentleman who asked if we needed a ride. More specifically, he asked if we wanted a limo ride. Huh!??</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcj8uvBKth5CqG5KcOUUJg3YAqb43CptDZ-Y_hIsg-kFc1BzYHJvD4WPDBNIi2Zpffn8-PvfYlLiCEgKdOsanV8f18st4w_3G3MprAkHanIVDUT5NcSy9IVckTfvPaAluLpZr-1hPh19r/s1600/limo+driver+shari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcj8uvBKth5CqG5KcOUUJg3YAqb43CptDZ-Y_hIsg-kFc1BzYHJvD4WPDBNIi2Zpffn8-PvfYlLiCEgKdOsanV8f18st4w_3G3MprAkHanIVDUT5NcSy9IVckTfvPaAluLpZr-1hPh19r/s320/limo+driver+shari.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Limo Driver - One of the Nicest New-Yorkers</td></tr>
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<u><b>Limo Ride</b></u>: My response? "You are too expensive for me." As Casey and Nika were following, I think they were getting a little chuckle out of our conversation. This gentleman then said, "where do you have to go." I had Casey give him the hotel name and he said that was do-able. $100, he said. What? Do I really have that look like I just dropped out Hicksville? Umm, whoa, big boy, that is exactly what I had in mind when I said, too-expensive-for-me. Then he came back at me with, for you, how about $75? Nope, and I kept on walking with him by my side like a little puppy. Then he uttered, "look, I'm not making any money sitting around. Tell me what you are willing to pay." I said, $20. Shocked, he replied, "man, you are killing me here" and I voiced, "well, I'm not willing to pay much more than that." So we haggled some more, he: $50; me: $25; he: $40; me: final offer and bottom line is $25. He finally retorted, "okay, we have a deal. You seem like nice people, so I will be nice enough to oblige." </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1PiEKrFDz_GmcYcjs6_URGcXEHn_STCRpdEXqOEc1WnIdnebHzaHId8TvEZNCZrEwcYkeCOvfK-vRGITKC6ZsJ0PWjdUGIH0TqwYKc3tzaEfkHoh5eYaP9yAe3O2Ri-ocQSO7rx6EQVV/s1600/nika+I+in+limo+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1PiEKrFDz_GmcYcjs6_URGcXEHn_STCRpdEXqOEc1WnIdnebHzaHId8TvEZNCZrEwcYkeCOvfK-vRGITKC6ZsJ0PWjdUGIH0TqwYKc3tzaEfkHoh5eYaP9yAe3O2Ri-ocQSO7rx6EQVV/s320/nika+I+in+limo+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nika and I hanging out in the limo</span></td></tr>
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I think that Casey and Nika were somewhat stunned as they were looking at me like "serious?" and Momma said, "yes, I am serious; this is my first trip to New York; my first Broadway musical/play; my first airplane ride; and tonight will be my first limo ride!" At first, they both were a little taken aback by the fact that this was my first limo ride. But, not just mine, as it turned out; it was also Nika's first, too. Now, the next step -- this black stretch limo was so perfectly spit-shined on the outside and if he was willing to bargain on a cheap fare, what were we in for on the interior of the limo. </div>
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They say that you can never tell a package by its dressing. Well, in this case, yes, you can. The immaculate, glistening, leather inside was a sight to behold. I was glad I made this decision. And our driver was so great, he said he would even drive around just a little bit, too. Now, you can't get much better than that. Who said New Yorkers weren't nice people?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWY28FwhSdengYKS3Qz6lg2vv17JMEK_H3hEcEtNY8umkBR55d1oAFXm7lx4qCM3xgx3_4UVBUvTJsugZKqcLtE7DKnoKnZoR-pq57ncsVWYsQ94G3DsZVij42KedNwVbBEjT7SqBUgeZ/s1600/kc+I+in+limo+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWY28FwhSdengYKS3Qz6lg2vv17JMEK_H3hEcEtNY8umkBR55d1oAFXm7lx4qCM3xgx3_4UVBUvTJsugZKqcLtE7DKnoKnZoR-pq57ncsVWYsQ94G3DsZVij42KedNwVbBEjT7SqBUgeZ/s320/kc+I+in+limo+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Casey and I Feeling Like Movie Stars</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>Late Night at the Deli:</u></b>
Back at the hotel and after missing our late night dinner reservations, we headed up the street to a local deli. What is so amazing is that the
delis in New York City stay open 24 hours a day. It is 11:30 at night and off we
go hunting up some grub. What an amazing buffet spread we find!
I can almost say that there is everything from soup to nuts -- literally, seriously! There are different kinds of salads, fixings for a tossed salad, soups, breads, hot casserole dishes, hot meats, desserts. There must have been at least 30 individual warmers, etc., holding foods. And then maybe I am off the mark some (on the low side). You help yourself to whatever you want, put it in containers, it is weighed and you pay by the pound. So we loaded up and grabbed some drinks, and headed back to the hotel to feast in our room. To walk away hungry from this enormous offering would be crazy. I fixed one of the biggest salads I have ever attempted to eat, plus to make sure I got my carbs, I grabbed some hot casserole-type foods and some bread and milk. But it is getting late, and Casey has to work tomorrow. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>Tonight's Curtain is Closing</u></b>: And it is a big, big night of firsts for me. My first Broadway play, and to experience it in New York, is extra, extra special. And my first limo ride. This trip is not even half way over with and I have been blessed with some many adventures, I am almost without words. (Okay, you know me, never without words!! haha!). Well, it is only the end of Day 2. It is getting late and by the time I finished posting my pictures from the day, it is going on 2:00 a.m. Everyone else is sleeping, so I best be heading off to dream land, too. We had three more days left in New York and I need to make sure I am well rested to handle all three head on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What's next? Day 3 is coming your way soon.</span><br />
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<br />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-46871049009903548682012-03-06T16:23:00.003-06:002012-03-06T16:50:35.053-06:00The Big Apple - Day 2, Part 3: (Columbia Law School back to Times Square)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here we are back again on the bus, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">trying to finish up Day 2's Gray Line Tour. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Well, as you know, Nika and I haven't gotten off, but I'm still breaking it down for you so it is less tiring on the eyes and brain). So far, it has been fascinating, and to think that we have a few more days in New York City to enjoy all the sights and have only gotten through a small portion. Onward!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">First off, let's start off with another intriguing statue. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAKta0x9uVjVieiqciMYlVqCAm6OA_8RA4djjSN0aa9rCBqTKJGQOFfMlmHBsxW0l2DD0Tir6kkGu6Fvx1yUqKifplijokx4edrTz8qEihr2-hgvK-F_ijHUlUdAqDwU5jpNfKwTPvciS/s1600/Bellaphoran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAKta0x9uVjVieiqciMYlVqCAm6OA_8RA4djjSN0aa9rCBqTKJGQOFfMlmHBsxW0l2DD0Tir6kkGu6Fvx1yUqKifplijokx4edrTz8qEihr2-hgvK-F_ijHUlUdAqDwU5jpNfKwTPvciS/s320/Bellaphoran.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bellerophon taming Pegasus</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>tatue of <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>ellerophon:</b></u> A large statue of Bellerophon taming Pegasus graces the facade of the Columbia Law School in Manhattan. Bellerophon is a hero of Greek mythology. He was considered to be the greatest hero and slayer of monsters before the days of Heracles, and his greatest feat was killing the Chimera, a monster that Homer depicted with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFZ7bj53gwIEYOP4McqTAPR0tZBBmmHNLc3iwjOiZxjGDRQw1mMO-v_ybTJOkkdmYhStvW5jDNRacKuXKWve9tLUxw-5zkV0w6oBz0zVgCmoq7Sb9KYydk-uQgQFR9AezR-mvH5yRMTp-/s1600/gw+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFZ7bj53gwIEYOP4McqTAPR0tZBBmmHNLc3iwjOiZxjGDRQw1mMO-v_ybTJOkkdmYhStvW5jDNRacKuXKWve9tLUxw-5zkV0w6oBz0zVgCmoq7Sb9KYydk-uQgQFR9AezR-mvH5yRMTp-/s320/gw+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue;">George Washington Bridge Over the Hudson River</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">G</span>eorge <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>ashington <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>ridge</b></u>: The George Washington Bridge (also known as the GW Bridge), is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan to Fort Lee, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge; and U.S. Route 46, which is entirely in New Jersey, ends halfway across the bridge at the state border.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Give Me Particulars: </span>This bridge has an upper level with four lanes in each direction and a lower level with three lanes in each direction, for a total of 14 lanes of travel. The speed limit on the bridge is 45 mph, though traffic is often slowed by congestion, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. There is a path on each side of its upper level that carries all the pedestrian and bicycle traffic. As of 2007, the George Washington Bridge has the greatest vehicular capacity of any bridge in the world, carrying approximately 106 million vehicles per year, making it the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - the bi-state government agency that owns and operates several area bridges, tunnels, and airports. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Getting It Built:</span> In October 1927, groundbreaking began for this bridge which was a project of the Port of New York Authority. When construction started the estimated cost of the bridge was 75 million dollars. The bridge was finally dedicated on October 24, 1931, opening to traffic the following day. Initially it was called the "Hudson River Bridge," but the bridge name changed in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. It is near the sites of Fort Washington in New York and Fort Lee in New Jersey, which were fortified positions used by General Washington and his American forces in his unsuccessful attempt to deter the British occupation of New York City in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. Washington evacuated Manhattan by crossing between the two forts. In 1910 the Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a stone monument to the Battle of Fort Washington. The monument is located about 100 yards northeast of the Little Red Lighthouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Size Matters: </span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When it opened in 1931, the bridge surpassed the Ambassador Bridge for the longest main span in the world. At 3,500 feet, it nearly doubled the previous record of 1,850 feet and held this title until the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. The total length of the George Washington bridge is 4,760 feet. The bridge was originally built to offer six lanes of traffic, but in 1946, two additional lanes were built on what is now the upper level. A second lower deck which had been proposed in the original plans, was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opening to the public in August 1962. The lower level has been nicknamed "Martha" (of course after George Washington's wife). The additional deck increased the capacity of the bridge by 75 percent, making the George Washington Bridge the world's only 14-lane suspension bridge, providing eight lanes on the upper level and six on the lower deck. The exposed steel towers, with their distinctive criss-crossed bracing, have become one of the bridge's most identifiable characteristics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">9/11: </span>Following the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, the Port Authority prohibited people from taking photographs on the premises of the bridge because of the fear that terrorist groups might study any potential photographs in order to plot a terrorist attack on the bridge. This has since been lifted. If weather allows, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day, as well as on dates honoring those lost in the September 11 attacks, the bridge flies the largest free-flying American flag in the world; 90 feet long and 60 feet wide, and weighs in at a whooping 450 pounds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Repairs: </span>In December 2011, the Port Authority announced plans to repair the bridge. For the first time, the vertical suspender cables will be replaced. The total bill for the repair is expected to exceed one billion dollars which will be paid for through toll revenue. If you are wondering how much a toll is on the GW, for a single car (not having an EZ Pass) it is $12.00 each time you cross. The EZ Pass for cars during peak hours (weekdays </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6-10 a.m., 4-8 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.) is $9.50 and all other times $7.50; but if you have a car pool discount EZ Pass (carrying 3 or more people) it is $3.50 any time. Even at these high rates, that is a lot of tolls to carry the weight of paying for the anticipated repairs!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa5_JejmQqbgGd11FZTmuL-QQwpFCilTfsSe0U8-31tPylMNwJexhyb9zVj9om4K3tflGGgJn9RMr9VhKIArxRCdKzMPNmKm8TYGM0tnzTzuywMAroYvu-tfwUNT8vQ_E4bcNwtRFgeDz/s1600/riverside+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa5_JejmQqbgGd11FZTmuL-QQwpFCilTfsSe0U8-31tPylMNwJexhyb9zVj9om4K3tflGGgJn9RMr9VhKIArxRCdKzMPNmKm8TYGM0tnzTzuywMAroYvu-tfwUNT8vQ_E4bcNwtRFgeDz/s320/riverside+church.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Riverside Church</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">R</span>iverside <span style="font-size: large;">C</span>hurch</b></u>: The Riverside Church is an interdenominational (American Baptist and United Church of Christ) church </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">located in Morningside Heights between Riverside Drive and Claremont Avenue and between 120th Street and 122nd Street.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It is famous for its elaborate Neo-Gothic architecture—which includes the world's largest tuned carillon. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It sports the title of being the tallest church in the United States and the 24th tallest in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Architecture:</span> The church was inspired by church designs from Spain and France. Construction was begun in 1927 and, following delays caused by a spectacular fire in the wooden scaffolding, held its first service at the main altar in October 1930.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The tower houses a carillon that John D. Rockefeller Jr. donated in memory of his mother, Laura Spelman Rockefeller. It was installed in 1925 with additional bells later. Its final complement of 74 bronze bells, which at the time was the largest carillon of bells in the world, includes the 20-ton bourdon, the largest tuned bell in the world. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9Zc8Vqn6fhvSFVAgolTkAtdGsBZnOMo42GMPckNK71LdOfaBV9ZcZjmNGYRLllon-JHQftaFicxprJ4CKeWm4pTELpxdlLrPVfsVmEugOfKsxzV1nfBfGlWZP3jqmeWILogerw6QbE_o/s1600/grants+tomb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9Zc8Vqn6fhvSFVAgolTkAtdGsBZnOMo42GMPckNK71LdOfaBV9ZcZjmNGYRLllon-JHQftaFicxprJ4CKeWm4pTELpxdlLrPVfsVmEugOfKsxzV1nfBfGlWZP3jqmeWILogerw6QbE_o/s320/grants+tomb+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Grant's Tomb</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluwVKPVWY_rYg8iO0IuXJUhlwRLL0TrHy3NSaO8fgDzPH8PEi0zMfueD1DvvJORzKdQAsvMGFv3JPoSZAsh_mQEEemBcnjlr_YZ3G631_bwERfb6J3dmQ9iGT1RnYaEtvsbhpXwzf-eJP/s1600/grants+tomb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluwVKPVWY_rYg8iO0IuXJUhlwRLL0TrHy3NSaO8fgDzPH8PEi0zMfueD1DvvJORzKdQAsvMGFv3JPoSZAsh_mQEEemBcnjlr_YZ3G631_bwERfb6J3dmQ9iGT1RnYaEtvsbhpXwzf-eJP/s320/grants+tomb+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Grant's Tomb (closer-up)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Grant’s Tomb</b></u>: On both sides you can see pictures of the mausoleum of Ulysses S. Grant (one father away and the other closer up). Financed by public contributions, the marble building is rendered in an eclectic classical style reminiscent of the Pantheon temple in Rome. Inside, it houses the black granite sarcophagi (</span><span style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone</span><span style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">) of Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Mosaic benches surrounding the tomb were are a community project intended to beautify the site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Together Forever:</span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Normally you would find war heroes buried in Arlington Park, but Grant insisted that he be buried here with this wife. Grant, our 18th President, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and his wife are, however, entombed here. Made of 8,000 tons of granite, with Massachusetts marble for the floors and fine Italian marble for the railings and trimmings, Grant's Tomb sits high above the Hudson River in the midst of a beautiful park. It was once one of the most popular attractions in New York City, although it rarely attracts much of a crowd today.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: blue;">The History of Grant's Tomb:</span> Ulysses Simpson Grant, a Civil War hero who was thought to be chiefly responsible for the defeat of the Confederacy, was perhaps the most popular American in his day. Although his eight-year presidency was marred by government corruption, Grant was nevertheless held in great esteem by millions of Americans when he died (of throat cancer) in July 1885.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before his death, the Grant Monument Association had been formed to raise funds for constructing a monument in his name and ultimately $600,000 in donations were received for the project. At the time, this was the most money that had ever been raised for a public monument. As his final resting place, Grant had requested that he be buried in St. Louis, Galena, Illinois, or New York City, rather than Washington D.C.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The monument was dedicated on April 1897. Although it pales in comparison to the original plans, the monument, officially known as the General Grant National Memorial, is still an impressive site and is the largest tomb in North America.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKo2sUDnZMVJsGO_AQDy6Jfknp_NDjn5GRt-eUmLQ-an-hzZt9xmsYB-4FKql6Y1u3vwfChK7GoZX4OLjiuGNXTizVsnuAEEuYeU9rUz4bejOSrdOcHTyXx1Ilh2xV_CWbGzPennNdFGh/s1600/125th+street+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKo2sUDnZMVJsGO_AQDy6Jfknp_NDjn5GRt-eUmLQ-an-hzZt9xmsYB-4FKql6Y1u3vwfChK7GoZX4OLjiuGNXTizVsnuAEEuYeU9rUz4bejOSrdOcHTyXx1Ilh2xV_CWbGzPennNdFGh/s320/125th+street+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>artin <span style="font-size: large;">L</span>uther <span style="font-size: large;">K</span>ing, <span style="font-size: large;">J</span>r. <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>lvd.</b></u><b>:</b> For your information, 125th Street is a two-way street that runs east-west in Manhattan, and it is considered the "Main Street" of Harlem. It is also known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As of 2011, former president Bill Clinton maintains an office on 125th Street.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEactoiG3bsLwj0OD8mcqG3E7xZ4uExDfGjr2VOCBORrPZQRaGEmu7NpwirWMS-_y0NYv8G9FoolqKVrRbC8OwhFgi1WXlTfYyyUi2iwy0s11W8M1hxcBLzftOM9-jMOtLJb8MIaUFra9t/s1600/apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEactoiG3bsLwj0OD8mcqG3E7xZ4uExDfGjr2VOCBORrPZQRaGEmu7NpwirWMS-_y0NYv8G9FoolqKVrRbC8OwhFgi1WXlTfYyyUi2iwy0s11W8M1hxcBLzftOM9-jMOtLJb8MIaUFra9t/s320/apollo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Apollo Theater</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>pollo <span style="font-size: large;">T</span>heater</b></u>: The Apollo Theater is one of the oldest and most famous music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with African-American performers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is located at 253 W. 125th Street in Manhattan, specifically in Harlem, one of the United States' most historically significant traditionally African-American neighborhoods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Through the Years: </span>The Apollo Hall, as it was known in the early years, was founded in the mid-19th century by a former Civil War General as a dance hall and ballroom. At the end of his lease in 1872, it was converted to a theater, which closed shortly before the turn of the 19th to 20th century. The name "Apollo Theater" lived after being purchased again in 1913-1914 when it was opened as a burlesque theater. It remained in operation as such until 1928, when it was repurchased and reopened many times later through out the years. Following the World War I era the Harlem Renaissance was occurring at the time and there was a Great Migration of blacks from the southern states, and in the mid-1930's it was opened with "a colored review" with all proceeds donated to the Harlem Children's Fresh Air Fund. The owner at the time, Schiffman's motivation for featuring Negro talent and entertainment was not only because the neighborhood had become Negro over a long period of gradual migration, but because colored entertainers were cheaper to hire, and Schiffman could offer quality shows for reasonable rates. There are precisely 1,506 seats in the Apollo Theater. For many years, Apollo was the only theater in New York City to hire black people. <br /><br style="color: blue;" /><span style="color: red;">Notable Appearances:</span> In November of 1934, the late Ella Fitzgerald made her singing debut at age 17 at the Apollo. It also became famous for launching the careers of artists such as Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Jackson 5, Patti LaBelle, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Ben E. King, Mariah Carey, The Isley Brothers, Lauryn Hill, Sarah Vaughan. Jimi Hendrix won the first place prize in an amateur musician contest at the Apollo in 1964. During an appearance at the Apollo in January 2012, President Barack Obama sang the opening line of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." It was also recently announced that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be playing the Apollo on March 9, 2012 in a private concert for Sirius XM. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-GIzyzt7_5reHX17j_1wxPeiWDpfFhD1JZE69IJoeezbk9atE4-vqQ_K_IIPdR2dYO-3_nZeZ_y4-tuC6AuwwpjexkBWgqIVTCNiKz529lDvdSRk-jIqDcLJQP66FheRMNEwyeuLEX7w/s1600/united+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-GIzyzt7_5reHX17j_1wxPeiWDpfFhD1JZE69IJoeezbk9atE4-vqQ_K_IIPdR2dYO-3_nZeZ_y4-tuC6AuwwpjexkBWgqIVTCNiKz529lDvdSRk-jIqDcLJQP66FheRMNEwyeuLEX7w/s320/united+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">United House of Prayer for All People in Harlem</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>T</b></u></span><u><b>he <span style="font-size: large;">U</span>nited <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>ouse of <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>rayer for <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>ll <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>eople in <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>arlem</b></u>: The United House of Prayer for All People (also known as United House of Prayer for All People of the Church on the Rock of the Apostolic Faith) (now that is a mouthfull!) is a Christian denomination founded in 1919. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">According to church literature and their official website, the United House of Prayer for All People has 131 places of worship in 26 states. The church has an estimated membership of 1.5 million. The church is known for its periodic mass baptisms by fire hose which started around the 1920s by the founder and also for its shout bands. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe44EVZvi-RxFjeZYQklFROvZ0dm-56TOtrm2GYFwVpq_iEcTxMJq2qiLo7BozZKDiQRIg4r3svl53R9dd6wdFKQeNmygrV7X9-d-SjCviWEIjaQ010C9V3kexbqeQdVuXJ47RjKBJT0e/s1600/unnamed+woman+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe44EVZvi-RxFjeZYQklFROvZ0dm-56TOtrm2GYFwVpq_iEcTxMJq2qiLo7BozZKDiQRIg4r3svl53R9dd6wdFKQeNmygrV7X9-d-SjCviWEIjaQ010C9V3kexbqeQdVuXJ47RjKBJT0e/s320/unnamed+woman+statue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Statue in Harlem</span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Statue at Right</b></u>: I am sorry to say that I cannot remember who the statue at right of the woman and child is. Nika recalls that it was dedicated to a woman who was a matriarch in New York for taking in or starting up a safe haven for abused women in relationships and/or for children who were born drug-dependent from drug-abusing mothers. All the research I have done and even calls to the Gray Line Tours to identify this woman have been futile. But for now, even though, I don't have a name to put to her face, she is still considered a hero. </div>
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5bOUT0nAHB5MM_QEmTvIkFQrNFhETx-4vB4JCYCKYySYjKfQxPFgpfXHsxR6bNY_Bgr-eOyt0NHo8rxHspdTXuQD2oQIxNjAV52_0oyDtcLRxEiz544A37-0SoOrwllqwkS8-vslZMX4/s1600/harlem+market+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5bOUT0nAHB5MM_QEmTvIkFQrNFhETx-4vB4JCYCKYySYjKfQxPFgpfXHsxR6bNY_Bgr-eOyt0NHo8rxHspdTXuQD2oQIxNjAV52_0oyDtcLRxEiz544A37-0SoOrwllqwkS8-vslZMX4/s320/harlem+market+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Malcolm Shabazz Outdoor Market in Harlem</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhvhHsVRWcqkGPZPvSGsV2bYLOqe6e6kN8X8XOZs5dFnWUtTtclWYAqx32ZENcfZPflGmuPvnOPGBaBYk2DzLwaBppDkkA0MxOUa7UimBZ9EohCa_O3uJStzsnmnBdBYAFMcTQHnK9NjN/s1600/harlem+market+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhvhHsVRWcqkGPZPvSGsV2bYLOqe6e6kN8X8XOZs5dFnWUtTtclWYAqx32ZENcfZPflGmuPvnOPGBaBYk2DzLwaBppDkkA0MxOUa7UimBZ9EohCa_O3uJStzsnmnBdBYAFMcTQHnK9NjN/s320/harlem+market+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Malcolm Shabazz Outdoor Market in Harlem</span></span></td></tr>
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<u><b>Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market</b></u>: (See pics at left and below) This colorful market with the mosque-looking structure, located at 52 W. 116th St. in Harlem, is full of fabulous traditional African crafts and textiles which include hair-braiding boutiques, urbanwear, large selection of carved wooden figurines, and handmade African-style clothes for men, women, and children. Occasionally Saturday is a giveaway day. I am told that it is the place to go with little money and that haggling is appropriate. It is open seven days a week, but apparently the amount of vendors selling on Sundays is a bit thinner, since Harlem is a very hugely religious sector, so many are attending services.</div>
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Just east of Malcolm X Boulevard, this outdoor soiree specializes in
colorful African goods. Vendors hail from countries like Senegal,
Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana hawk exotic pieces that are native to
their homelands. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., year-round.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCdRTY2WCUSRpUVvHzz5PJ6QRBLfH02NZjKhh2spIQ7ACUHuyN_4uGl1i-wU7ov4U44C0Zh9CMc6XUb2Ly3bkoe-3EDcDjyy1vQbGbEmQjboFto7WiHzSaCzQ1cGu01oTafKbAFE0LqEh/s1600/ellington+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCdRTY2WCUSRpUVvHzz5PJ6QRBLfH02NZjKhh2spIQ7ACUHuyN_4uGl1i-wU7ov4U44C0Zh9CMc6XUb2Ly3bkoe-3EDcDjyy1vQbGbEmQjboFto7WiHzSaCzQ1cGu01oTafKbAFE0LqEh/s320/ellington+closeup.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Duke Ellington statue</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvWCXXTnjRtEkA4hzRO419IBtgG69UGZeMaUKOvwk6YkIa55Z7bGdvHh9dFf88PQCEOZC0gxfsvVsN7F9e8GA4T9kLy9yTWaulEkordquMdNvqOtm6Q8gfBpOPNrmrWXTJ0IqFQ_2KJgV/s1600/ellington+far+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvWCXXTnjRtEkA4hzRO419IBtgG69UGZeMaUKOvwk6YkIa55Z7bGdvHh9dFf88PQCEOZC0gxfsvVsN7F9e8GA4T9kLy9yTWaulEkordquMdNvqOtm6Q8gfBpOPNrmrWXTJ0IqFQ_2KJgV/s320/ellington+far+away.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Duke Ellington Sta</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Duke Ellington statue</u></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">: (See pics to left above and right). A statue of Duke Ellington stands in Duke Ellington Circle, which is a shallow amphitheater at 110th Street and Fifth Avenue in Harlem, at the northeast corner of Central Park. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Description</span></span><span style="color: red;">: </span>This monumental piece unveiled in 1997, standing at 25 feet tall, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">depicts the composer, pianist and bandleader Edward Kennedy ("Duke") Ellington standing beside a concert grand piano, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">upon a base supported on the heads of nine nude caryatids, who are better known as The Muses</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. This statue is set within a multi-leveled semi-circular plaza at the gateway to Harlem --the community in which Ellington lived for much of his adult life and with which he is creatively associated.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What are The Muses:</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The supporting columns of the grand concert piano are nine nude caryatids depicting The Muses. A caryatid is a female-shaped supporting pillar;</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> a column in the shape of a draped female figure supporting a structure such as the porch of a classical Greek temple. In this case, these caryatids represent The Muses which, <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">i</span><span style="color: black;">n Greek mythology,</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature, science and the arts. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> They were considered the source of the knowledge, retold for
centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics
and myths. They are considered a compliment to a real woman who inspires creative endeavor.
Born the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, they personify knowledge and the arts, especially
literature, dance and music. It was
not until Roman times that the following roles were assigned to
them: <i>Calliope</i> -epic poetry (centered around a hero); <i>Clio</i> -history; <i>Euterpe</i> -flutes
and lyric poetry; <i>Thalia</i> -comedy and narrow-minded poetry; <i>Melpomene</i>
-tragedy; <i>Terpsichore</i> -dance; <i>Erato</i> -love poetry; <i>Polyhymnia </i>-sacred
poetry; <i>Urania</i> -astronomy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Significance and Association with Harlem: </span>The sculpture of Duke Ellington is the first monument in New York City dedicated to an African American and the first memorial to Ellington in the United States. A composer, orchestra conductor, and musician, Ellington elevated jazz to the top. The December 1927 opening at the Cotton Club which was the biggest of the Harlem speakeasies is what put the Duke Ellington Orchestra on the jazz map. With Harlem and the Cotton Club as home base, Ellington began radio broadcasts and recorded for American, English, and French labels. Duke was at his most creative</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> era from 1930-1942 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">, composing such classics as <i>Mood Indigo</i> and <i>Don't Get Around Much Anymore</i>. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Statue of Dr. Marion Sims</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u><b>Dr. J. Marion Sims Statue:</b></u> Dedicated in 1894, this bronze and granite monument
stands on the perimeter of Central Park in honor of Dr. James Marion Sims. A
renowned surgeon, Sims is regarded as the father of American gynecology. Sims’
work <span class="text_exposed_show">is credited for giving the field
status as a separate medical specialty, which all of us women can be truly thankful for today. He founded a hospital for women
in New York and then become president of the American Medical
Association. Celebrated while alive for his medical contributions, he has
since become a controversial figure for his use of slave women as
experimental subjects.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR8PEwkiVjuY9KBG4md9PTQlRt_gIMhVYIJHw4B3JH2EWiYXy2gO5e4IPZ10qzVpKhpNKfEoBZm20ObS-jtucAp2ldBhE768K0D3mMVmq4m36KxleWwcZjJ92gafFXp1vARkHMFQ4n-Vv/s1600/guggenheim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR8PEwkiVjuY9KBG4md9PTQlRt_gIMhVYIJHw4B3JH2EWiYXy2gO5e4IPZ10qzVpKhpNKfEoBZm20ObS-jtucAp2ldBhE768K0D3mMVmq4m36KxleWwcZjJ92gafFXp1vARkHMFQ4n-Vv/s320/guggenheim.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Guggenheim (to the right)</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: yellow;"><u><b>Guggenheim Museum</b></u> (</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: yellow;"><i>The picture at right shows the Guggenheim at the far right</i></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="background-color: yellow;">). Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (more popularly known as "The Guggenheim") is a well-known museum located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It is admired as much for its architecture as its art and it is one of the 20th century's most important architectural landmarks. The bright white exterior and glass-domed interior give the museum a modern, clean feel. Most noted here is the "Great Rotunda," which has played home to many exhibitions. It now has a ten-story tower; giving the museum extra space and it also contains a sculpture collection and a cafe overlooking Central Park . It is the permanent home to a renowned collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art and also features special exhibitions throughout the year. The museum opened on October 21, 1959, and from 2005 to 2008 it underwent an extensive renovations. Recently, it is undergoing, again, more extensive renovations and that is what was happening on the day we went there. Upon entering we found out that most (75%) of the architectural details of the interior of the building and its displays would not be on our tour, so we decided to skip this museum all together. </span><br /><br />The Guggenheim has become a cultural icon and can be seen widely throughout popular movies and television shows. It was featured in such greats as <i>Bye Bye Birdie</i>, <i>Men in Black</i>, <i>When in Rome</i>, and <i>Ugly Betty</i>; and prominently in <i>The International</i>, where a major shootout occurs in the museum. In fact, a life-size replica of the museum was built for this scene. The film, <i>Mr. Popper's Penguins</i> has a sequence where the penguins cause a disturbance entering the museum, wander to the top of the gallery structure and slide down the entire spiral structure to the ground floor. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTnsB279kN5g1-w6G_L_BooqAlssFOI1aIQLVc6hUM03Dgpsx0ks4EOTDvXla0T-lnLIflncQ474fsMMUX00SK0wB3hO3YumvqxTk4FCv8WhYVMmcMBhGYj6pQqFwvhyH75F9DSwHFZma/s1600/MoMA+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTnsB279kN5g1-w6G_L_BooqAlssFOI1aIQLVc6hUM03Dgpsx0ks4EOTDvXla0T-lnLIflncQ474fsMMUX00SK0wB3hO3YumvqxTk4FCv8WhYVMmcMBhGYj6pQqFwvhyH75F9DSwHFZma/s320/MoMA+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Metropolitan Museum of Art</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SkZ1qz1JzhyPWp_wnKiw5khEAofzUDVgsYhfLj0SR-5P36ICmsp8RSEBrhLMsYP9pRnPr2uiKYkuOd3EO2tGZ0BROS5LihXCr-rfwgc5kq8VEUV7tyEzKbujtVxJN6TNkOfeS8RZFjjY/s1600/MoMA+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SkZ1qz1JzhyPWp_wnKiw5khEAofzUDVgsYhfLj0SR-5P36ICmsp8RSEBrhLMsYP9pRnPr2uiKYkuOd3EO2tGZ0BROS5LihXCr-rfwgc5kq8VEUV7tyEzKbujtVxJN6TNkOfeS8RZFjjY/s320/MoMA+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Met </td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><b>Metropolitan Museum of Art</b></u><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">: I am told that any visitor to the "Big Apple" should spend at least a couple of hours at this vast museum. Although it was on our list of “to-see” places, unfortunately we were not able to fit it into our schedule. (</span><i style="background-color: #3d85c6;">See pics to left and below-right</i><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">).</span><br /><br />The Metropolitan Museum of Art (commonly referred to as “The Met”) is a renowned art museum located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile (5th Avenue and 82nd Street), and is one of the world's largest art galleries. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen departments. The Met measures almost 1/4-mile long and occupies more than 2 million square feet with more than 1.5 million square feet of exhibition space. It was founded in 1870 by a group of American citizens, who included businessmen and financiers, as well as leading artists and thinkers of the day, who wanted to open a museum to bring art and art education to the American people. It opened in February 1872, but was originally located at 681 Fifth Avenue<br /><br />European paintings on display include works by Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. The Egyptian gallery is considered unparalleled. It also has many displays of Asian art, sculpture, armory, and photography. During warm weather, the open-air roof garden displays contemporary sculptures. It also contains an extensive collection of American and modern art and maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art. It also houses collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world. </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-4Vbomo0Pj6LyVKW5MJ6KKfw3Ima9xIPxE9VsmqwHSh12yXB1acC5cXQBVF4fBdN8WKg4ZUl7aj5uHqrPMb8hb-6F6Co7OU1w4ahS-HQxTB1tLKaeh-fjsYTtpjUbWIR7owysx0yOwoD/s1600/tornado+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-4Vbomo0Pj6LyVKW5MJ6KKfw3Ima9xIPxE9VsmqwHSh12yXB1acC5cXQBVF4fBdN8WKg4ZUl7aj5uHqrPMb8hb-6F6Co7OU1w4ahS-HQxTB1tLKaeh-fjsYTtpjUbWIR7owysx0yOwoD/s320/tornado+statue.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The "Tornado" Statue</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u><b>"Tornado" Statue:</b></u> This statue was located at
the south part of Central Park just across the street from the Plaza
Hotel. The Tornado was a new commission that rose to more than 30 feet in height, but if you hadn't seen it in person before, you will not see it there again as it was only on display in Central Park until
February 19, 2<span class="text_exposed_show">012. It visualizes a densely packed storm system, rising to more than 25 feet and
features some approximately 100 distinct "clouds" made of inflated truck inner
tube tires securely individually to a steel structure. Inspired by high velocity winds and the raw power associated with the weather phenomena of tornadoes, it rustles in the wind creating a
dynamic, kinetic sculpture. </span></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><u style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><b>Central Park Carriage Rides:</b></u><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">
Horse-Drawn Carriages are a unique and wonderful way to experience the
beauty of Central Park. These horse and buggies can be found all year
round lined up along Central Park South between 5th and 6th Avenues. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G1R71Y9GyhIGGo3EgPtAtioZABsVrGs_z1TRwc9RuGw9R8E0uHH1HWqs5yYTw5WNPEwpwzpXS9Rlp6QH4Fy-JKDL2RpYZ3B2YPM2dqXe7l6OwPsVXoUtC-6Uhi_WicuClFzdd98esX0t/s1600/horse+buggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G1R71Y9GyhIGGo3EgPtAtioZABsVrGs_z1TRwc9RuGw9R8E0uHH1HWqs5yYTw5WNPEwpwzpXS9Rlp6QH4Fy-JKDL2RpYZ3B2YPM2dqXe7l6OwPsVXoUtC-6Uhi_WicuClFzdd98esX0t/s320/horse+buggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Horse-Drawn Carriages Lined Up by Central Park</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">In New York City, horses are a symbol of a bygone era before the convergence of cars, buses and trains. It was during this time that New Yorkers got around from place to place on horseback or by means of horse-drawn carriage. As a result and over time, horses became iconic to the history of Manhattan. New York City law restricts that no carriage may operate above 89 degrees or below 19 degrees or during Blizzards. Ride lengths range from 30 minutes to 3 hours. <br /><br />One of the items on our (my) itineary for Friday night was for the three of us to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park to experience its virtues. But the weather that night was nasty, rainy and a little chilly, plus with all our bags (okay, my bags) it would have been a little cumbersome. Another item to put on my to-do list on my next visit to NYC!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jose Julian Marti Monument</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><u><b>Jose Julian Marti Monument:</b></u> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Martí </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">, a
Cuban patriot, journalist and poet, fought for the liberation of Cuba
from Spanish rule and was an important figure in Latin American literature. The statue shows the moment when Martí was mortally
wounded in battle. </span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">In his short life of 42 years, José Julián Martí Pérez laid claim to being a poet, essayist, journalist, revolutionary philosopher, translator, professor, publisher, and a political theorist. Through his many writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain and is often referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence." Also fighting against the threat of United States expansionism into Cuba, he dedicated his life to the promotion of political independence for Cuba and independence for all Spanish Americans. His death was decreed as a cry for Cuban independence from Spain. Considered a liberal, he fought for the idea that it was unnatural for Cuba to oppressed and controlled by Spain. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Martí campaigned for the liberation of Cuba from Spain and was imprisoned by Spanish authorities in 1868. Fleeing to New York in 1880, he continued to advocate for Cuban freedom while in exile and organized the Cuban Revolutionary Party in 1892. Martí returned to Cuba in 1895, at the beginning of Cuba’s successful fight for independence. The monument depicts a reeling Martí after being fatally wounded while atop his horse during the 1895 battle at Dos Rios. Although the statue was completed in 1959, the political climate between pro- and anti-Castro elements in New York necessitated the delay of the monument’s unveiling until 1965. <br /><br />Created by sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, this was her last major work, at the age of 82, and it was presented as a gift to the Cuban government for presentation to the people of New York City. <br /><br />The piece is one of a trio of bronze equestrian sculptures representing Latin-American leaders that greet visitors to Central Park at the north end of Avenue of the Americas, which was named in 1945 at the suggestion of Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia to honor Pan-American ideals and principles. Following the renaming of Sixth Avenue, a new plaza was designed where the avenue meets Central Park, and the monument of Simon Bolivar (mentioned in my previous posts) was moved to the eastern side of the plaza and rededicated. A month later the statue of Argentine general José de San Martín (below) was unveiled on the west side of the plaza, and in 1965, the Marti monument was dedicated between the two earlier monuments. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPOFq4uoT_44sh5xmrPqzuwRmjek3rmhbwMWVNYD9-gNdG_FNFOo3J4zmkWR1O6pburOIKPYQXXxZ_IZ2dbXO9Q8eWrXZ83TqeE7rstWaGxvmbexRBr8MlCw3FpGH7QF_t91-W4hBHpd5/s1600/jose+de+san+martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPOFq4uoT_44sh5xmrPqzuwRmjek3rmhbwMWVNYD9-gNdG_FNFOo3J4zmkWR1O6pburOIKPYQXXxZ_IZ2dbXO9Q8eWrXZ83TqeE7rstWaGxvmbexRBr8MlCw3FpGH7QF_t91-W4hBHpd5/s320/jose+de+san+martin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">José<span style="color: blue;"> </span>de<span style="color: blue;"> San </span><span style="color: blue;">Martín Statue in Central Park</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <u style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><b>José de San Martin Statue</b></u><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">. Located in Central Park's Bolivar Plaza, this heroic bronze equestrian statue
depicts Argentine general </span>José<span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"> </span>de<span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"> San </span>Martín<span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">, who helped Argentina,
Chile, and Peru gain independence from the Spanish in the early part of
the 19th century. José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1v1iCCCXdYReoRv8iD-KudE8EufSx6CUz_y9X-wQi9Ln0yz-xtW2oIPIAGipfye9-fiqYU-hv8sAvKrd1iD-1Cllfr3lygGOCLMpWs8SJL4xLvXb4tVocJUeomYvllYhFUL_2rWMs_eZ/s1600/rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1v1iCCCXdYReoRv8iD-KudE8EufSx6CUz_y9X-wQi9Ln0yz-xtW2oIPIAGipfye9-fiqYU-hv8sAvKrd1iD-1Cllfr3lygGOCLMpWs8SJL4xLvXb4tVocJUeomYvllYhFUL_2rWMs_eZ/s320/rat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"You Dirty Rat!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Oh, oh, it is the <u><b>Giant Inflatable Rat</b></u>! Someone hasn't been nice! A ''rat contractor'' is an old
phrase in construction and can refer to an employer who is not
providing proper safety equipment, benefits or wages. When the union (in
this ca<span class="text_exposed_show">se, Construction and General
Building Laborers Local 79) gets a complaint, if the job site isn't one
the union is already monitoring, the union research department checks it
with the reports all contractors are required to file with the city.
And onto the job site goes the Big Rat. The actual decision to send out one of the gray, red-eyed, snarling rats
is usually made by Local 79's market development department. Since I work for a labor and employment (employee rights) law firm, all I can say is, best be
nice, you dirty rat!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky6wyjtvHRhbVE7JSUmZntO7rnhcthEgTq08luQxj8xzCRDDEqt2AG_8sgsbt0Yw70gt8xdHXxCaLLw-dDffMhHTWIX49JHREF-myc_G1TC8CsQofI8YlvIFhMFJxwvezyvSEkfMsC6Wu/s1600/playwright+tavern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky6wyjtvHRhbVE7JSUmZntO7rnhcthEgTq08luQxj8xzCRDDEqt2AG_8sgsbt0Yw70gt8xdHXxCaLLw-dDffMhHTWIX49JHREF-myc_G1TC8CsQofI8YlvIFhMFJxwvezyvSEkfMsC6Wu/s320/playwright+tavern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><u><b>Playwright Tavern</b></u>: The Playwright Tavern, located in the heart of the Times Square in the exciting Theater District, at 202 West 49th Street, </span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">offers up delicious Irish-American
cuisine. Serving New York since 1995, this three level Irish restaurant
and bar is a regular stop off for theater goers
before and after a Broadway or Radio City Music Hall show. It is also conveniently located just minutes from Rockefeller Centre and St.
Patrick's Cathedral.</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<b><u>Times Square</u></b>: As we are getting back to Times Square on
the end of this loop for today, I'm taking pictures of many of the
fabulous sights there. There is so many sights to see that it seemed as
though my camera crawled out of its case, lept out of my hand and
started clicking away. So I need to share some of these with you.</div>
<div style="background-color: yellow;">
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">One
of the places, which we didn't get to but is on my "next" list, was
Madam Toussard's Wax Museum. I was taken back by the unique structure
that houses this museum with its fanciful hands reaching out way up high
and way down low.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q8PlQftHl63sE0sFQuOg7odNo6uQ628JNxW0STf6IOqvH2ea4DrDQQLJzwEpbxjq_rXrqfTtGi54bRrPq_RrLSAHVrG3Lx-c9ddWFEK3jpnedKVrvNI1aT0qcieG-XeZ6_4tPCx-SMa9/s1600/m+and+m+hang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">+<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q8PlQftHl63sE0sFQuOg7odNo6uQ628JNxW0STf6IOqvH2ea4DrDQQLJzwEpbxjq_rXrqfTtGi54bRrPq_RrLSAHVrG3Lx-c9ddWFEK3jpnedKVrvNI1aT0qcieG-XeZ6_4tPCx-SMa9/s200/m+and+m+hang.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">M&M's World</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGm6SfzVWE7TLmNQDAaVe86_B8RVEyQPvp3PKIZHppNAGvINjOu4t0BPnNuJyE4plW4mIs7p62fsyYXueLMozGGZAUwFbIXOlerSaXUWFo6iaMCO0Mx2LUAQ_bEM6CJUWYP3Ods0IJOup/s1600/m+and+m+billboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGm6SfzVWE7TLmNQDAaVe86_B8RVEyQPvp3PKIZHppNAGvINjOu4t0BPnNuJyE4plW4mIs7p62fsyYXueLMozGGZAUwFbIXOlerSaXUWFo6iaMCO0Mx2LUAQ_bEM6CJUWYP3Ods0IJOup/s200/m+and+m+billboard.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">M&M's Electronic Billboard</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><b>M&M's World:</b></u> What is a trapse through Times Square without snapping a picture or two of the sign and billboards at M&M's World Store. M&M's World is a retail store that specializes in everything from M&M's candy to M&M's clothing. Opening in 2006, the New York City location within a 24,000-square-foot, three-level glass box. It includes a 50-foot-wide, two-story-high, "wall of chocolate", made up of 72 continuous candy-filled tubes.
M&M's World in Times Square is New York City's largest candy
store, and offers merchandise such as themed clothing, dishware,
watches, and piggy banks. Before it opened in 2006, nearly 13,000 people
lined up for the 198 jobs, which were in demand because of a more
generous health benefit package than is usually offered for an
entry-level retail job in New York. A tidbit of interest: In June 2011, M&M's World Store in London opened to the public and it has now been dubbed the world's largest candy store, at 35,000 sq. ft. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQkI70AFYVuNPpyXtq2rB3mt74xJ1TXLKQi964S_gq8TM2IsbitLVgC5Y3KC6gjdZzgA3LUEyEtBEghJITCVXXUZeW3zHces7U0U3Y8WksAQvhqevFLb0wrDvXicMjwZJr_zLHXgLaDYz/s1600/m+and+m+billboard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQkI70AFYVuNPpyXtq2rB3mt74xJ1TXLKQi964S_gq8TM2IsbitLVgC5Y3KC6gjdZzgA3LUEyEtBEghJITCVXXUZeW3zHces7U0U3Y8WksAQvhqevFLb0wrDvXicMjwZJr_zLHXgLaDYz/s200/m+and+m+billboard+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">M&M's Electronic Billboard</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>Madame Tussauds Wax Musuem</b></u>: I'm facsinated by this museum. It is totally funky from
head to toe. In this case,
there is one hand coming out the top which appears to be holding the
string to a yo-yo and at the bottom (street level) the hand there
materalizes to catch the spun-out yo-yo. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: yellow; float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80NLrQjBaUBJiZ2LeRuOFJRV0EdMWfsKpA9KHbTFtilipHm8hnO2N90uHYUZABdzPs4hn1rqpEbGFFU6cf8X0zDLAgBku7s3xDANKKTcPMvLCM6aWzcAdQt4pdHYPGhr4IKQRCYCokd76/s1600/madame+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80NLrQjBaUBJiZ2LeRuOFJRV0EdMWfsKpA9KHbTFtilipHm8hnO2N90uHYUZABdzPs4hn1rqpEbGFFU6cf8X0zDLAgBku7s3xDANKKTcPMvLCM6aWzcAdQt4pdHYPGhr4IKQRCYCokd76/s320/madame+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Madame Tussauds at street level</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: yellow; float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RAlTDM0Hx60ALRvkYCymTMUbi5m79oXFSxubxs1RMa4hF8FK8Mxwt-9bgg-JvNrCCyHuHLWEZrfv6UDg05PQ4Gydu6_3IuO0GirGIt3p9a058CxNI34W3RLEZgf0ZM3JjDjMFvo6gUk0/s1600/madame+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RAlTDM0Hx60ALRvkYCymTMUbi5m79oXFSxubxs1RMa4hF8FK8Mxwt-9bgg-JvNrCCyHuHLWEZrfv6UDg05PQ4Gydu6_3IuO0GirGIt3p9a058CxNI34W3RLEZgf0ZM3JjDjMFvo6gUk0/s320/madame+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Upper Hand at Madame Tussauds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So enchanting and c</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ool, isn't it! </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm fascinatingly infactuated!</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQcW07fjRnRXSdywNAxnSBUXYC2NfyTXgw75LrreYHDXPoWWl6-WieaKY67i3N6wHGOscCVQ49V1CwZcLqpCpV-tktPQ9iYaDX_Nbm1nIB_TEBEWdZylG_x90QaGdLKnvw-FbLf-YuNnZ/s1600/madame+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQcW07fjRnRXSdywNAxnSBUXYC2NfyTXgw75LrreYHDXPoWWl6-WieaKY67i3N6wHGOscCVQ49V1CwZcLqpCpV-tktPQ9iYaDX_Nbm1nIB_TEBEWdZylG_x90QaGdLKnvw-FbLf-YuNnZ/s320/madame+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Full View of Madame Tussauds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9vMat0DhfUdZEbW8isPxgqqXlY8uZ_KlY6uNWrjN-ywBZg8pJb-ViVKx5Ci7iR0JF4VhIDVCRoZeblXdRLTcycyCa7V_yWvRyxv85sJJAijuSniQqCdKqwKycE5RjwNJdrbsPNzsNc-p/s1600/madame+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9vMat0DhfUdZEbW8isPxgqqXlY8uZ_KlY6uNWrjN-ywBZg8pJb-ViVKx5Ci7iR0JF4VhIDVCRoZeblXdRLTcycyCa7V_yWvRyxv85sJJAijuSniQqCdKqwKycE5RjwNJdrbsPNzsNc-p/s200/madame+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lower Hand at Madame Tussauds</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpMtkL8hqnjYF3Omb7-98bTulN5wdL0Xr1eRQfHDEvTml24Rt5dqHMpET-3Tl-4t3ZMcsdgbRHW_iSFO9IDgdmQqdJXiM2SkdGmx8BuVyMn8XuXCtbo0rF6FfMn0bjEqcUppT1xHncfR1/s1600/Chevys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpMtkL8hqnjYF3Omb7-98bTulN5wdL0Xr1eRQfHDEvTml24Rt5dqHMpET-3Tl-4t3ZMcsdgbRHW_iSFO9IDgdmQqdJXiM2SkdGmx8BuVyMn8XuXCtbo0rF6FfMn0bjEqcUppT1xHncfR1/s320/Chevys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chevy's Mexican Restaurant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKydv8nJIiK0Jpc8Kxo9TkTNrhrHIjacfhMsVA6WGYpeyTwFvT3UUwwCKLLgSggLrGljikk1cUu9aJwbqvZcLyqSBEAZlAAXLXEhK6TwgGeaisrgChjVUy6LdkpoJPTlc71kkdZx37iGQC/s1600/villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKydv8nJIiK0Jpc8Kxo9TkTNrhrHIjacfhMsVA6WGYpeyTwFvT3UUwwCKLLgSggLrGljikk1cUu9aJwbqvZcLyqSBEAZlAAXLXEhK6TwgGeaisrgChjVUy6LdkpoJPTlc71kkdZx37iGQC/s200/villa.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Villa Pizza Man</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_04mJG3g3G1E5UEKNXGnqCFj8cVpxMrUaQe1n1i5ZPDMDkjj2BBLSLFPdNy5VJE6Y81lyQeCKXjizXKqPzwNSNs0-Ay5Fyc0LiRFQnpfO9zFxSU5fvM9OpCBbdTCHAMUmj2yhHNlqOC2M/s1600/new+amsterdam+theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_04mJG3g3G1E5UEKNXGnqCFj8cVpxMrUaQe1n1i5ZPDMDkjj2BBLSLFPdNy5VJE6Y81lyQeCKXjizXKqPzwNSNs0-Ay5Fyc0LiRFQnpfO9zFxSU5fvM9OpCBbdTCHAMUmj2yhHNlqOC2M/s320/new+amsterdam+theater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>More, More, More</u></b>: We are passing by a couple restaurants whose signage in front magnetize me. I won't try to clutter today's post up with much more clicks here and there. But don't you agree that the "Chevy's" sign and the "Villa Pizza Man" catch your attention, too!<br />
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<u style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><b>New Amsterdam Theater</b></u><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">: </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #3d85c6;">the famous New Amsterdam
Theater. Built in 1903, a</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #3d85c6;">t the time of construction, it was the largest theatre in New York with a seating capacity of 1,702. </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;">Along with one other theater, which was also built in 1903,
the New Amsterdam is the oldest surviving Broadway venue still in use today. It was
currently presenting the musical Mary Poppins. </span><br /><br />For many years, it hosted the famous Ziegfeld Follies. The Great Depression took its toll on the theatre business, and in 1936 the New Amsterdam closed, but reopening on a limited basis in 1937 and was soon converted to a movie theatre. It was purchased in 1982 but would not be completely rehabilitated until eight years later when in 1990, after a court battle, the State and City of New York assumed ownership of the New Amsterdam and many other theatres on 42nd Street. Disney Theatrical Productions signed a 99 year lease for the property in 1993. The theatre, which had recently been used as a filming location for the movie Vanya on 42nd Street, was in shambles; it would take several years and millions of dollars, to restore it to its original usage and grandeur. It was officially reopened in April 1997. In November 1997, after the premiere of the film Hercules and a limited engagement of a concert version of King David, Disney's stage version of The Lion King opened. In June 2006, The Lion King closed in The New Amsterdam Theatre and in November 2006, Mary Poppins opened.</span></div>
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<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nika Shopping in Forever 21, Times Square</td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b style="color: black;"><u>Nika Shopping</u>:</b> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">We are now done with today's
bus tour and Nika still needs to find a dress for tonight's <i>Wicked</i>.
Since it was still misty out, like drowned little mice, we left our rain
ponchos on and headed into Forever 21 to peer around some more.</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> Not working far from this store, Casey eventually caught up with us and helped Nika find a fascinating dress for our big evening out. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">So off to the hotel we go. Onward to get spiffed up and put our glamour on. My stomach is doing cartwheels at the thought of seeing my first Broadway play. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Now, I will sign off because I have to get dressed. The next post you will read will be all about <i>Wicked. </i>I can hardly wait! </span></div>
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<br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" />Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-55186102760326084212012-02-23T15:07:00.001-06:002012-02-23T15:07:43.885-06:00The Big Apple: Day Deux, Part 2 (The Dakota to Peace Fountain)<div style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">W</span>hew, so we made it through the first part of the second day's tour. Are you rested up and ready to set sail again? Now, without further delay, let's jump right back on the Gray Line bus and continue on where we left off from Day 2, Part 1. Here it is: Day 2, Part 2, starts now --- </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Dakota</span></td></tr>
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he <span style="font-size: large;">D</span>akota</span></u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>/ <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>trawberry <span style="font-size: large;">F</span>ields</u></b>: The Dakota </span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">building [at left] was the home of former Beatle John Lennon from 1973 on, and was the location of Lennon's murder by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980. As of 2010, Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, still has several apartments in the building. </span></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the film Rosemary's Baby, The Dakota is used for exterior shots of the apartment building where the couple lives, in the film their home was known as the "Bramford."</span></span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Close-up to the entrance to The Dakota</span></td></tr>
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Other n<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">otable residents of The Dakota include or have included: Judy Garland, Roberta Flack, Rosemary Clooney, Connie Chung/Maury Povich, John Madden, Joe Namath, Jack Palance, and Gilda Radner. </span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Residency Rejections</span>: Although historically home to many creative or artistic people, the building and its co-op board of directors were criticized in 2005 by former resident Albert Maysles. He attempted to sell his ownership to famed actors Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, but they were rejected. Maysles expressed his disappointment with the way the building seemed to be changing by telling The New York Times: "<i>What's so shocking is that the building is losing its touch with interesting people. More and more, they're moving away from creative people and going toward people who just have the money</i>." Even prior to this, Gene Simmons, Billy Joel, and Carly Simon were denied residency by the board. In 2002 The Dakota rejected </span></span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dennis Mehiel (well known as a </span></span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">corrugated-cardboard magnate and Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York</span>. [<i>Wikipedia</i>, The Dakota, 2012.]<br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="color: red;">Inside The Dakota Apartments:</span> The Dakota is square and built around a central courtyard. The arched main entrance is large enough for the horse-drawn carriages that once entered and allowed passengers to unload and yet stay sheltered from the weather. Many of these carriages were housed in a multi-story stable building built in two sections from1891–1894, at the southwest corner of 77th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, where elevators lifted them to the upper floors. The "Dakota Stables" building was in operation as a garage until February 2007, when it was slated to be transformed into a condominium residence. Since then, the large condominium building "The Harrison" occupies its spot. As of 2011, there is nothing visible to show that the stable building ever existed.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The general layout of the apartments is in the French style of the period, with all major rooms not only connected to each other in the traditional way, but also accessible from a corridor that allows a natural migration for guests from one room to another, especially on festive occasions, yet gives the service staff discreet separate circulation that offer service access to the main rooms. The principal rooms, such as parlors or the master bedroom, face the street, while the dining room, kitchen, and other auxiliary rooms' views are toward the courtyard. Apartments are aired from two sides. Some of the drawing rooms are 49 feet long, and many of the ceilings are 14 feet high; the floors are inlaid with mahogany, oak, and cherry. But interesting to note is that the apartment of Clark, the building's founder, some floors were inlaid with sterling silver.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Originally, the Dakota had sixty-five apartments with four to twenty rooms, no two being alike. These apartments are accessed by staircases and elevators placed in the four corners of the courtyard. Separate service stairs and elevators serving the kitchens are located in mid-block. Built to cater for the well-to-do, The Dakota featured many amenities and a modern infrastructure that was exceptional for the time. The building has a large dining hall; meals also could be sent up to the apartments by dumbwaiters. Electricity was generated by an in-house power plant and the building has central heating. Beside servant quarters, there was a playroom and a gymnasium under the roof. In later years for economic reasons, these spaces on the tenth floor were converted into apartments. The Dakota property also contained a garden, private croquet lawns, and a tennis court behind the building.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The Dakota was a huge social success from the very start (all apartments were let before the building opened), but it was a long-term drain on the fortune of Clark (who died before it was completed) and his heirs. For the high society of Manhattan, it became fashionable to live in the building, or at least to rent an apartment there as a secondary city residence, and The Dakota's success prompted the construction of many other luxury apartment buildings in Manhattan.</span></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>trawberry Fields</u></b>: Strawberry Fields is a 2.5-acre (10,000 m2) landscaped section in Central Park that is dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. It is named after The Beatles song "Strawberry Fields Forever." It was dedicated on what would have been Lennon's 45th birthday, October 9, 1985, by his widow Yoko Ono and New York Mayor Ed Koch. Yoko had underwritten the project.</span></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Molding Strawberry Fields:</span> The entrance to the memorial is located on Central Park West at West 72nd Street, directly across from The Dakota Apartments, where Lennon had lived and was murdered. The memorial is a triangular piece of land falling away on the two sides of the park, and its focal point is a circular pathway mosaic of inlaid stones, with a single word, the title of Lennon's beautifully famous song: "<i>Imagine</i>." This was a gift from the city of Naples. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Obviously, this became an international effort as countries from all around the world also contributed trees and that is memoralized by </span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a plaque located on a low outcropping of schist, a</span></span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">long a path toward the southeast, </span></span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">listing the nations which contributed to building the memorial. Yoko Ono contributed over a million dollars for the landscaping and for the upkeep endowment.</span></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Every year Ono marks the anniversary of John's death with a public pilgrimage to the memorial, and also by placing a single lit candle in the window of one of her apartments.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">Central Park West street sign</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text" style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>entral Park West:</u></b> Central Park West (sometimes referred to simply as CPW) is an avenue that runs north-south in the New York City borough of Manhattan, in the United States.</span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> As its name indicates, CPW forms the western edge of Central Park. It also forms the eastern boundary of the Upper West Side. It runs 51 blocks from Columbus Circle (at 59th Street, or Central Park South) to Frederick Douglass Circle (at 110th Street, or Cathedral Parkway). The gates into Central Park along its western edge are: Merchants Gate at 59th Street (see <i>Day 2, Part 1</i> post), Women's Gate at 72nd, Naturalists Gate at 77th, Hunters Gate at 81st, Mariners Gate at 85th, Gate of all Saints at 96th, Boys Gate at 100th, and Strangers Gate at 106th. Central Park West's expensive housing is a contender to that of Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> South of Columbus Circle, in Midtown, CPW becomes Eighth Avenue. North of Frederick Douglass Circle, in Harlem, it is alternately known as Eighth Avenue or Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Unlike many Manhattan avenues, CPW has traffic running in two directions. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="color: red;">Notable Residents of CPW</span>: Central Park West is the address of several famous residences, including The Dakota (<i>where John Lennon lived with Yoko Ono, who still resides there, and outside of which he was murdered in 1980</i>), The San Remo (<i>home to U2's Bono, Demi Moore, Diane Keaton, and Steve Martin</i>), The El Dorado, The Beresford (<i>home to Diana Ross and Jerry Seinfeld</i>), The Langham, The Century, 15 Central Park West <i>(home to Sting</i>), 41 Central Park West (<i>home to Madonna</i>), 455 Central Park West, The St. Urban, and The Majestic (<i>which was home to some of the former heads of the Genovese crime family, including Meyer Lansky, Lucky Luciano and Frank Costello. In 1957, Vincent "The Chin" Gigante shot Frank Costello in the lobby of The Majestic in a failed assassination attempt</i>).</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Built around 1930, most of these housing cooperatives replaced late 19th century hotels with the same names. Some, including The Century, The San Remo, and The Majestic, are twin towers. Other landmarks and institutions along its length include the New York Historical Society and the American Museum of Natural History. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The building located at 55 Central Park West is the infamous "Spook Central" from the movie <i>Ghostbusters</i> and who can forget seeing this building in that movie. The famed restaurant Tavern on the Green is located off of Central Park West, at 66th Street, within the grounds of Central Park.</span></span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">American Museum of Natural History</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"> <span id="goog_815746522"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <u><b><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>merican Museum of Natural History:</b></u> [<i>I will talk more about this museum later when Nika and I tour the inside in the coming days but this will give you a little insight into what we passed by]</i>. The American Museum of Natural History (<i>at right</i>), located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world. Located in park-like grounds across the street from Central Park, the Museum is comprised of 25 interconnected buildings that house 46 permanent exhibition halls, research laboratories, and its renowned library.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Its collections contain over 32 million specimens, of which only a small fraction can be displayed at any given time. The Museum has a scientific staff of more than 200, and sponsors over 100 special field expeditions each year. It is one of the stops on the Gray Line tour but we did not get off here at this point as we had planned a special trip there later in the week. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>T</u></span><u>heodore <span style="font-size: large;">R</span>oosevelt <span style="font-size: large;">s</span>tatue</u></b>: The statue of Theodore Roosevelt, standing on the John Russell Pope Central Park West Staircase leading up to the American Museum of Natural History was dedicated in 1940. The 10-foot tall bronze statue sits atop an over 8-foot high granite base. The work, which was acquired by the City of New York through a provision of the New York state legislature, depicts Teddy Roosevelt on horseback as both a hunter and explorer. He is flanked by the figures of two guides, one Native American and one African, meant to symoblize the continents of America and Africa. The Native American figure is marching forward wearing a feather headdress, moccasins and a long sarong around his waist. The African figure (which is hidden in this photo) is striding forward with a cloth draped over his proper right shoulder and a gun in his proper right hand. </span></span><span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. (the father of Theodore Roosevelt), was one of the founders</span></span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> of this museum</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> in 1869. </span></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For you movie buffs, notable about this museum is that the 2005 fantasy adventure-comedy movie "<i>The Night at the Museum</i>" </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">is based on the American Museum of Natural History, external shots of which were used in the movie. If you recall, Theodore Roosevelt was played by Robin Williams.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="background-color: lime;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>entral <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>ark</u></b><span style="background-color: lime;">: Central Park is a public park at the center of Manhattan, and was initially opened in 1857, on 843 acres of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the "Greensward Plan." Construction began that year, continued during the American Civil War, and was completed in 1873. Before the construction of the park could start, the area had to be cleared of its inhabitants, most of whom were quite poor and either free African Americans or residents of English or Irish origin. Most of them lived in small villages, such as Seneca Village, Harsenville, or the Piggery District; or else in the school and convent at Mount St. Vincent's Academy. Around 1,600 residents occupying the area at the time, were evicted under the rule of eminent domain during 1857. Seneca Village and parts of the other communities were razed to make room for the park. (If you are not familiar with the term "eminent domain" it is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property with an expected monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent. The property is taken either for government use or by third parties who will devote it to public or civic use or, in some cases, economic development. The most common uses of property taken by eminent domain are for public utilities such as putting in highline wires, highways, and railroads. Most common in our area on larger eminent domain acquisitions are expansion of highways but mostly recently installing underground oil pipelines running the span of a whole state. Some authorities require that the government body offer to purchase the property before resorting to the use of eminent domain.) </span><br />
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While plantings and the land in much of the park appear natural, it is in fact almost entirely landscaped. The park contains several natural-looking lakes and ponds that have been created artificially, extensive walking tracks, bridle paths, two ice-skating rinks (one of which is a swimming pool in July and August), the Central Park Zoo, the Central Park Conservatory Garden, a wildlife sanctuary, a large area of natural woods, a 106-acre billion-gallon reservoir with an encircling running track, and an outdoor amphitheater, and the Delacorte Theater (host of the "Shakespeare in the Park" summer festivals). Indoor attractions include Belvedere Castle (which has a nature center), the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and the historic Carousel. In addition there are seven major lawns, the "meadows", and many minor grassy areas; some of them are used for informal or team sports and some set aside as quiet areas. Central Park also has a number of enclosed playgrounds for children. The six miles of drives within the park are used by joggers, bicyclists, skateboarders, and inline skaters, especially when automobile traffic is prohibited (on weekends and in the evenings after 7:00 p.m.). A complete tour of Central Park was one of my planned sights during our time in New York City, hoping to catch a horse-and-carriage ride on Friday night. But as it turned out, the weather was nasty and time got away from us. I will tuck this one back in my pocket for another time. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">How Much Is It Worth?</span> In December 2005, the real estate value of Central Park was estimated to be $528,783,552,000 (that is, 528 billion dollars, people! Amazing!!!). Central Park is the most filmed location in the world with over 305 films having been shot within the park. Memorable films include <i>Hannah and Her Sisters</i>, <i>When Harry Met Sally</i>, <i>Remember Me</i>, <i>Home Alone 2</i>, <i>Kramer vs. Kramer</i>, <i>Enchanted</i>, <i>Mr. Deeds</i>, and <i>Serendipity</i>. </span></span><span class="commentBody" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">But, More Importantly, What Does It Cost to Maintain?</span> Designated
a National Historic Landmark in 1963, the park is currently managed by
the Central Park Conservancy under contract with the city government.
The Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, contributes 85% of Central
Park's $37.4 million dollar annual budget, and employs 80% of the park's
maintenance staff. The park, which receives approximately thirty-five
million visitors annually, is the most visited urban park in the United
States.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJhcIuC13PojjKgFHjMl_ni0G6OLjpsdrDHW12XIcojTXLhKdRok42iSqI5_7W0ohr0cfFDfDRBvL_0mZP4w85hlphNgFeFbrpGH7vFG7zPiX2OZvg8bapYfLfeN_ONph0XoH7UauLwEi/s1600/CP+boulder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJhcIuC13PojjKgFHjMl_ni0G6OLjpsdrDHW12XIcojTXLhKdRok42iSqI5_7W0ohr0cfFDfDRBvL_0mZP4w85hlphNgFeFbrpGH7vFG7zPiX2OZvg8bapYfLfeN_ONph0XoH7UauLwEi/s320/CP+boulder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="commentBody" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The boulders that couldn't be blasted away when the park was being made.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="color: red;">Central Park's glaciated rock outcroppings</span> [<i>see picture at right] </i>attract many climbers, especially boulderers; Manhattan's bedrock, a glaciated schist, (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">which are a group of medium-grade metamorphic rocks that are notable for their layered minerals), </span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">protrudes from the ground frequently and considerably in some parts of Central Park. The two most renowned spots for boulderers are Rat Rock and Cat Rock but others include Dog Rock, Duck Rock, Rock N' Roll Rock, and Beaver Rock. To give you a quick example of one of the boulders, Rat Rock, is roughly circular, about 55 feet wide and 15 feet tall with east, west and north faces that each present different climbing problems. As many as fifty a day boulderers congregate there. Bouldering, by the way, is the sport of climbing such large rocks.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> There are four different types of bedrock in Manhattan, two are exposed in various outcroppings in Central Park, Manhattan schist and Hartland schist (both are metamorphosed sedimentary rock); Fordham gneiss, an older deeper layer which does not surface in the park and Inwood marble (metamorphosed limestone) which overlays the gneiss are the others. I give you the names of these so you will understand more clearly when I talk next about their ancient history.</span> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="color: red;">A Wee Bit of History on These Amazing Boulders:</span> All of this may seem a bit uninteresting but you should read on as you will be amazed about the age of these rocks. Fordham gneiss, which consists of metamorphosed (changed-in form) igneous rocks, formed a billion years ago during what is known as the Grenville orogeny that occurred during the creation of an ancient super-continent. It is the oldest rock in the Canadian Shield, the most ancient part of the North American tectonic plate. Igneious rock is </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">formed through the cooling and solidification of lava. The Grenville orogeny is a prominent orogenic (mountain-building) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">belt which spans a significant portion of North American from Labrador, Canada to Mexico, as well as to Scotland. </span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Manhattan schist and Hartland schist were formed in the Iapetus Ocean during the Taconic orogeny in the Paleozoic era, about 450 million years ago. During this period the tectonic plates began to move toward each other, which resulted in the creation of the supercontinent, Pangaea. It is believed that </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cameron's Line, a fault zone that impedes Central Park on an east-west axis, developed during the Taconic orogeny, which </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">was a mountain building period that ended 450 million years ago and affected most of the region we know today as New England. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Various glaciers have covered the area of Central Park in the past, with the most recent being the Wisconsin glacier which receded about 12,000 years ago. Evidence of past glaciers are visible throughout the park in the form of glacial erratics (large boulders dropped by the receding glacier) and north-south glacial striations visible on stone outcroppings. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Ice Skating in the Park - A Novel Idea: </span>Constructed rapidly, by December 19, 1858, the man-made Lake in the Park was the first landscape feature to open for public ice skating. The ice skating mania in New York City had officially begun. In fact, for the first decade of the Park's existence, more people visited in the winter for the novelty of ice skating than in the warmer months. Notable is that on Christmas Day in 1859, Central Park reported over 50,000 visitors, most of them skaters.<br /><br />Initially, there were very few places to purchase reasonably priced skates, but by 1866 they had become an inexpensive buy in all the city's stores. However, times as they were and with modesty playing a big role, not all skaters were comfortable practicing the new sport. The western portion of the Lake was reserved exclusively for females and, aptly, became known as Ladies Pond. It was hoped that women and girls who felt either too shy or too proper to skate in mixed company could practice there without the stares of males. Ice skating thus became quite popular for couples as it was one of the only permissible ways for men and women to hold hands in public.<br /><br />To alert New Yorkers that the Park's ice was frozen, a ball was boosted to the top of a pole near the bell tower (now known as Belvedere Castle) and the downtown trolleys all hailed red flags as a signal that the ice in Central Park was ready for skaters. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Little Tidbits About Central Park</span>: Did you know that . . . Central Park closes at 1 a.m. and opens at 6 a.m., 365 days a year; over 38 million people visit it each year; the speed limit through Central Park is 25 mph; it has approximately 24,000 trees; it contains over 9,000 benches, which if placed end-to-end, would stretch for 7 miles; the property also consists of 36 bridges and arches; there are more than 275 species of migratory birds which have been sighted in the Park (which is a major stopping point on the Atlantic flyway); there are 21 playgrounds scattered throughout the entire park; and it also has a total of 52 fountains, monuments, and sculptures. Of Central Park's 843 total acres, which is approximately 6% of Manhattan's total acreage, its makeup also includes: 150 acres in 7 water bodies, 250 acres of lawns, and 136 acres of woodlands. Wow! A lot of facts to absorb about this park, but it enables you to try to grasp the enormousness of its being and what it encompasses within it. And so, now you know! The next time you (and/or I) go to New York and you visit Central Park, you can appreciate all that you will see inside its confines, because it is more than just a park, it is a transformation from people's homes to a majestic wonderland of many, many things to see. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt9YnkyP4VwrsXvNHQmMtGA9b7vkioUlxo-JDoHu_hSQhg-UFhe2MsKQuw8yjWpCw24k-EZF8sQZ120aW25uoY8TDv28Uio4pEfjvQrWwPagkThgOWqSipJxm78ayoqPizpu1Hx7RLH2a/s1600/church+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt9YnkyP4VwrsXvNHQmMtGA9b7vkioUlxo-JDoHu_hSQhg-UFhe2MsKQuw8yjWpCw24k-EZF8sQZ120aW25uoY8TDv28Uio4pEfjvQrWwPagkThgOWqSipJxm78ayoqPizpu1Hx7RLH2a/s200/church+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="commentBody"><b style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>hurches On the Tour:</u></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">
The amazing part of the Gray Line Tour(s) was seeing the beautiful,
beautiful architecture of the older buildings along the routes,
especially the churches. Some of the churches I was able to remember their names,
but others I was not and on some a little research helped me find out who they were. I fell so in love with these sights that I
snapped a few pictures to share. Many I tried to get as up close a shot as possible to show some more of the details. (<i>For a small sample, see pictures to the right and below left/right</i>). </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8MVUSSz8HlTLVTTUZ1oHIs0D5_dpM0FrY2MJ40fEPcX-3VQ_8UETJrE22wnX9r6rHQIhJ8JRqQvScy4p6el8vwhfT7x0beId1P81rfSFSosqUdFORwxri63Uc2M6uyYIyhm2q256KWuK/s1600/church+bell+tower+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8MVUSSz8HlTLVTTUZ1oHIs0D5_dpM0FrY2MJ40fEPcX-3VQ_8UETJrE22wnX9r6rHQIhJ8JRqQvScy4p6el8vwhfT7x0beId1P81rfSFSosqUdFORwxri63Uc2M6uyYIyhm2q256KWuK/s200/church+bell+tower+1.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX9hJnUCJWCH8l7MEW6HY-12tJiV1PWrRZ22VURxR8dEnevdmfWZpn8IN0O-pCconHZSQ-mVXrkl96b8WrugAX4gXlEcFIwS0ILMb_cUHavm0Heaso9OgQ_DH7-tfqkgB6QeNY3Fe5x3H/s1600/church+steeple+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX9hJnUCJWCH8l7MEW6HY-12tJiV1PWrRZ22VURxR8dEnevdmfWZpn8IN0O-pCconHZSQ-mVXrkl96b8WrugAX4gXlEcFIwS0ILMb_cUHavm0Heaso9OgQ_DH7-tfqkgB6QeNY3Fe5x3H/s200/church+steeple+1.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>est-<span style="font-size: large;">P</span>ark <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>resbyterian <span style="font-size: large;">C</span>hurch</u></b> at 165 West 86th Street at Amsterdam Avenue. (<i>See picture below, right.</i>) The West-Park Presbyterian Church, on the northeast corner of 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, was designed in 1890 . Built of reddish-brown sandstone, the Romanesque Revival building is noted for its tall tower on the corner that rises above the bell-shaped roof of the church. Adjoining the church is a chapel on West 86th Street designed by in 1884. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span id="goog_1111745106"></span><span id="goog_1111745107"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEZ_VQrPNANmrzdfxI7eqcpwA1utu4akiH5AIC1CQRBl_wAKBFvdirQpIMDvkacOyhuJpX693dh0s9fFit_9K-dgHO-5BAcfY3NwXcFFfmULcsHcFDctt5f4fYV7NhK_ENkZEwChPEqK_/s1600/West+Park+Presby+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEZ_VQrPNANmrzdfxI7eqcpwA1utu4akiH5AIC1CQRBl_wAKBFvdirQpIMDvkacOyhuJpX693dh0s9fFit_9K-dgHO-5BAcfY3NwXcFFfmULcsHcFDctt5f4fYV7NhK_ENkZEwChPEqK_/s320/West+Park+Presby+church.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">West Park Presbyterian Church</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By the end of the 20th century, the once-thriving congregation had dwindled to about 100 members, and the old buildings were in need of extensive repairs, an expense that the church could not afford. Then in March 2007, it was announced that the air rights over the church were sold to a developer who would raze only the 1884 chapel and build in its space a 21-story tower containing 27 condominium apartments, 50 rent-subsidized studio apartments for the elderly poor, and space for church offices and community space. In return, the developer would renovate the church, pay for most of the tower's construction, and also set up an endowment for the church. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Over the last few years, selling air space has become an enormous commodity to preserve the surrounding views from various buildings and landmarks.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKv8ZGMoEHoE7qWOKGix-PaSUjc9vQXoCD03NG9bcurONOWBH-z2Oucap03Pooh1LTDJUseFUbnMCGMFTR6DehKCZ4ddkIaryj8prfug4CzRuQsGGM_zX3ZDlCPnh3yoZU0-jP3FKNgqs/s1600/st+john+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKv8ZGMoEHoE7qWOKGix-PaSUjc9vQXoCD03NG9bcurONOWBH-z2Oucap03Pooh1LTDJUseFUbnMCGMFTR6DehKCZ4ddkIaryj8prfug4CzRuQsGGM_zX3ZDlCPnh3yoZU0-jP3FKNgqs/s200/st+john+1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Cathedral of St. John the Divine</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">C</span>athedral <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>arkway:</u></b>
Another bit of information about where we are at right now is that
110th Street, a street in Manhattan, is commonly
known as the boundary between Harlem and Central Park, along which it is
known as Central Park North and also as Cathedral Parkway. As you can
see by where we are heading to next, it is rightly nicknamed.</span></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he <span style="font-size: large;">C</span>athedral of <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>t. <span style="font-size: large;">J</span>ohn the <span style="font-size: large;">D</span>ivine</b></u> is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and is located (located between West 110th Street – "Cathedral Parkway" – and 113th Street) in Manhattan's Morningside Heights, the cathedral quibbles with Liverpool Anglican Cathedral the title of the largest cathedral and Anglican church and fourth largest Christian church in the world. [<i>See pictures above at left, and the three pictures next below.</i>] The inside covers 121,000 sq. ft., spanning a length of 601 feet and height 232 feet. The inside height of the nave is 124 feet; at 230 feet, it is the longest Gothic nave in the United States, In comparison, most of our homes’ ceilings reach heights of 8-12 feet. When you compare this, the inside of this church is at most almost 20 times the height of an average home room and the nave is ten times the height. Changing the light bulbs and dusting the light fixtures must be an incredible feat! Something I am glad I don’t have to do. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UWbu3RVC58L9D1NDUCawn8Wjyby7jgzh9le0vobfVJ4YykL-SptHh3LEhDXKTUGIvw6f8vw5xcb-gD8M44j0UY4B8q3uP7gzC1aW39Oyal4LuW6uhnTcMH2Iqc1WqbTSAXmf43pRXS9w/s1600/st+john+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UWbu3RVC58L9D1NDUCawn8Wjyby7jgzh9le0vobfVJ4YykL-SptHh3LEhDXKTUGIvw6f8vw5xcb-gD8M44j0UY4B8q3uP7gzC1aW39Oyal4LuW6uhnTcMH2Iqc1WqbTSAXmf43pRXS9w/s200/st+john+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Cathedral of St. John the Divine</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">St. John the Unfinished</span>: The cathedral, designed in 1888 and work begun in 1892, has undergone radical stylistic changes and the interruption of the two World Wars. Originally designed as Byzantine-Romanesque, the plan was changed after 1909 to a Gothic design. In December 2001, after a large fire, it was closed for repairs and reopened again seven years later in November 2008. It still remains unfinished, with construction and restoration a continuing process. Hence, it has been nicknamed St. John the Unfinished. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinywxrGdJsztC-R5jF2sztg_yidNY3ZQsQmDkE7RPShmINhoiupMXXuOUwfOIvpoUyKKSp0BaHoUEM0OeGzt2yJaIYF-657cxDZtcMCeTz3O9k6lYuhtqcEdzbFcnifw4yWDVp1KIHUx7U/s1600/st+john+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinywxrGdJsztC-R5jF2sztg_yidNY3ZQsQmDkE7RPShmINhoiupMXXuOUwfOIvpoUyKKSp0BaHoUEM0OeGzt2yJaIYF-657cxDZtcMCeTz3O9k6lYuhtqcEdzbFcnifw4yWDVp1KIHUx7U/s200/st+john+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Cathedral of St. John the Divine</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Construction History</span>: </span>I<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">n 1887 Bishop Henry Codman Potter of the Episcopal Diocese of New York called for a cathedral to rival St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. An 11.5-acre property, on which an orphan asylum had stood, was purchased for the cathedral in 1891. Construction on the cathedral was begun with the laying of the cornerstone on December 27, 1892, (known as St. John's Day -- see the connection!). The foundations were completed at enormous expense, largely because bedrock was not struck until the excavation had reached 72 feet. The walls were built around eight massive 130-ton, 50-foot granite columns, which came from Maine and were said to be the largest in the world. Transported to New York on a specially constructed barge towed by a large steam tug, the columns took more than a year to install. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaCPBlB7WJECqRPiwN2iFS5KSHVQPPwRQDDiqH5f968cLUPFaZYJ3q30AEw97IIXr4rbpXD5IeLQKugwuj3ckMLvzoq2eTPW8zVYrAg2AkZUohrY3lBOVVtx7o-vFZlDBTJ9PAksWqkdj/s1600/st+john+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaCPBlB7WJECqRPiwN2iFS5KSHVQPPwRQDDiqH5f968cLUPFaZYJ3q30AEw97IIXr4rbpXD5IeLQKugwuj3ckMLvzoq2eTPW8zVYrAg2AkZUohrY3lBOVVtx7o-vFZlDBTJ9PAksWqkdj/s200/st+john+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Cathedral of St. John the Divine</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></b> </span></span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In 1899, the first services were held in the crypt. After the large central dome was completed in 1909, the original Byzantine-Romanesque design was changed to a Gothic design. In 1911, the choir and the crossing were opened, and the foundation for Cram's nave began to be excavated in 1916. The first stone of the nave was laid and the west front was undertaken in 1925. A week before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Cathedral was opened end-to-end for the first time on November 30, 1941. Because of America’s subsequent involvement in World War II, which also limited available manpower, further construction on the cathedral was halted, also partially because the then-bishop felt that the church's funds would better be spent on works of charity. Because of the different parties brought in during the on and off construction of the Cathedral, it reflects a hodgepodge of architectural styles, with a Gothic nave; a Romanesque crossing under the dome; chapels in French, English and Spanish Gothic styles, as well as Norman and Byzantine; Gothic choir stalls; and Roman arches and columns separating the high altar and ambulatory. Still unfinished, in 1979, the bishop at the time decided that construction should be continued, in part to preserve the crafts of stone masonry by training neighborhood youths, thus providing them with a valuable skill. </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In
the 1980's, construction on the south tower resumed for some years in
which another 50 feet of height was added, this time in limestone rather
than the granite of the original construction. Work on the statuary of
the central portal of the Cathedral's western facade was completed in
1997. No further construction has been done since that time. <br /><br />In
the end seven chapels project from the ambulatory behind the choir,
each in an individual nationalistic style. The designs of the chapels
are meant to represent each of the seven most prominent ethnic groups to
first immigrate to New York City upon the opening of Ellis Island in
1892, the same year the Cathedral was begun. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;">The Great Organ:</span>
On December 18, 2001, a fire destroyed the unfinished north transept,
destroying the gift shop and covered the “great” pipe organ, with soot.
Temporarily silenced, and although not damaged, all its pipes and other
component parts had to be removed and arduously cleaned and restored to
prevent damage from the fire's amassed soot. Valuable tapestries and
other items in the cathedral were damaged by the smoke. In January 2005,
the cathedral began a major restoration, which was completed and the
cathedral rededicated on a November Sunday in 2008. A state-of-the-art
chemical-based cleaning system was used, not only to remove smoke damage
from the 2001 fire but also the dark patina of 80 years of smoggy city
air. Originally built in 1911, enlarged in 1952, and speaking on fifty
inches of wind pressure, it is among the most powerful organ stops in
the world. Now, hold onto your pants – the Great Organ is currently
valued at over eight million dollars! </span></span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfeYGB0_ndH-BZCq-hf3bZuieTPdqTcOQp4qEyS4BUL4if9_x9RUyiuPCBFPMXxv_SDkGa-KM8Rn1SfRtkmfGG9HR4IulMAlGhKjUC6hcj-pKhZQgU_9jmTB61uEbTYec7Js84Or8E3R6/s1600/peace+fountain+far+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfeYGB0_ndH-BZCq-hf3bZuieTPdqTcOQp4qEyS4BUL4if9_x9RUyiuPCBFPMXxv_SDkGa-KM8Rn1SfRtkmfGG9HR4IulMAlGhKjUC6hcj-pKhZQgU_9jmTB61uEbTYec7Js84Or8E3R6/s400/peace+fountain+far+away.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Peace Fountain</span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;"><u><b>T</b></u></span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><b>he <span style="font-size: large;">P</span>eace <span style="font-size: large;">F</span>ountain</b></u> (<i>Pictured at left.</i>) The Peace Fountain is a 1985 sculpture and fountain located next to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine created by a sculptor-in-residence at the Cathedral. The sculpture depicts the struggle of good and evil, as well as a battle between the Archangel Michael and Satan. It also contains the Sun, the Moon, and several animals. Although it is called a fountain, there is currently no water on the site. A plaque at the base contains the following inscription:</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> "</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Peace Fountain celebrates the triumph of Good over Evil, and sets before us the world's opposing forces—violence and harmony, light and darkness, life and death—which God reconciles in his peace</i>."</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> When the fountain operates, four courses of water cascade down the freedom pedestal into a maelstrom (which is a very large and powerful whirlpool with a considerable downdraft) evoking the early chaos of Earth. Foursquare around the base, flames of freedom rise in witness to the future. Ascending from the pool, the freedom pedestal is shaped like the double helix of DNA, the key molecule of life. Atop the pedestal a giant crab reminds us of life's origins in sea and struggle. Facing West, a drowsy Moon reflects tranquility from a joyous Sun smiling to the East. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CA6z9X5NX1QHOnu66DjqxCtCpMd9vma7_0h9G4sYKb8z1Jm8H9ZCSwZR-00DMP7cSYkoWGaiCF3M8PrK9sxYY8W1dsicAU1jKPMDzX1X_HcH58WIfBnrgS2WZSWQiigKchVOEY9pOrmL/s1600/peace+fountain+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CA6z9X5NX1QHOnu66DjqxCtCpMd9vma7_0h9G4sYKb8z1Jm8H9ZCSwZR-00DMP7cSYkoWGaiCF3M8PrK9sxYY8W1dsicAU1jKPMDzX1X_HcH58WIfBnrgS2WZSWQiigKchVOEY9pOrmL/s320/peace+fountain+close+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mid-section of the Peace Fountain</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nine
giraffes, which are considered among the most peaceable of animals,
nestle and prance around the center. One rests its head on the bosom of
the winged Archangel Michael, described in the bible as the leader of
the heavenly host against the forces of Evil. St. Michael's sword is
defeating his chief opponent, Satan, whose decapitated body plunges into
the depths, his head dangling beneath the crab's claw. Tucked away next
to the Sun, a lion and lamb relax together in the peace of God's
kingdom. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCHRlO3yaVRrKeAgCb-Vt6TrvHyBsV_8fDBmZI23alUht9vVCEC7neFZ8usMV-5jyRHn5jB0VKevopycdz6rd89IBQb_I6xJm9f-VJCimPZV5B2MiVWLa8hnLu3qSt4mDOXH5q-54to6Q/s1600/peace+fountain+upper+half.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCHRlO3yaVRrKeAgCb-Vt6TrvHyBsV_8fDBmZI23alUht9vVCEC7neFZ8usMV-5jyRHn5jB0VKevopycdz6rd89IBQb_I6xJm9f-VJCimPZV5B2MiVWLa8hnLu3qSt4mDOXH5q-54to6Q/s320/peace+fountain+upper+half.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Upper Portion of the Peace Fountain</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Surrounding the perimeter of the sunken plaza in which the fountain sits are plaques depicting various philosophers, thinkers and artists, most accompanied by a quote by that individual depicted. Despite the Fountain's association with St. John the Divine (a Christian cathedral) many of the luminaries depicted are non-Christian icons, such as Gandhi, Socrates, Einstein and John Lennon. Lennon's image is accompanied by some of his lyrics of from his song "Imagine."</span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wow, it doesn't seem like we got very far in this post, but believe me we did. We covered quite a bit of ground, and, okay, I know that you are probably getting tired from reading and your brain is on overload if you have tried to absorb all this information. For me, it is just another glimpse down my big adventure's paths. I hope you are enjoying this trip as much as I am and learning some very cool and interesting things in the process. I am going to stop here for Day 2, Part 2, and will begin to fill in the bits and pieces that will comprise Day 2, Part 3. Hopefully, I can fit all the rest of the afternoon's sights into the next part, because after that we are heading to "<i>Wicked</i>" -- oh yah!!!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: lime; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Au revoir, for now! (<i>That is French for "goodbye, take care"</i>). </span><span class="commentBody" jsid="text"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
</span>Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-50672893191263337232012-02-13T16:44:00.029-06:002012-02-15T16:52:15.402-06:00The Big Apple: Day Deux (2), Part 1 (Uptown: Hearst Tower to Hell's Kitchen)It is Day 2 of my big trip and have we got some sights to see today. This is actually the first full sightseeing day, so we need to start packing in plenty of adventure with a capital "A" for today.<br /><br />As you will recall from my post about Day 1, the day before I snagged two passes, one for Nika and one for me (since Casey would be at work during the day), to do the Gray Line Tours. I didn’t quite know what to expect so this, in itself, was going to be an adventure. After seeing Casey off to work, Nika and I snatched food from the complimentary breakfast in our hotel (what a feast they had!), showered and got ready to head out. We stopped at the front desk to print out the voucher for the Gray Line Tour. Grabbing my camera and small shoulder bag (this was quite a feat for me to pare down my usual large purse to a small one, but I did it), and off we went like a couple of characters from the Wizard of Oz setting out to find the Great Wizard himself. And, really, we were! As we were heading out during the morning rush of people swarming the sidewalks, we toddled along arm-in-arm – she the worldly Brooklyn girl, and me the hick with the big eyes taking in any and every sight along the way. Even on these walks, the camera is never in its case. It is posed and ready to snap a pic at any moment. So with umbrella in our intertwined hands, camera in another and coffee in the third appendage, we're off to find some "treasure."<br /><br />Our destination: the Gray Line Visitor Center located at 777 8th Avenue at 47th Street. Here we would exchange the voucher for our boarding passes. As I relinquished control to Nika to get us to 8th at 47th, my camera never stopped clicking at the sights around me. This may be my only chance to ever get there and I was going to make the most of taking pictures to savor at later dates.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WXk4-QDp4AXsOJe9g7OuF1dfhPCqziqafQ3TRc1palb4XkK7IKSl15ly3ZXBq2DNDatzGaE-g8ys_uHkyowWP_iPQcHPC6RLsx7_myYDl_l3Iqr55wQFos1fJs0r_1j0UvpFNrHPiXMU/s1600/gray+line+tour+map.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WXk4-QDp4AXsOJe9g7OuF1dfhPCqziqafQ3TRc1palb4XkK7IKSl15ly3ZXBq2DNDatzGaE-g8ys_uHkyowWP_iPQcHPC6RLsx7_myYDl_l3Iqr55wQFos1fJs0r_1j0UvpFNrHPiXMU/s320/gray+line+tour+map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709017046144533682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Gray Line Tours:</span> Once we arrived at Gray Line Tours Visitor Center, we next had to decide which tour we were going to take today. The package I purchased included three days of tours for the two of us, and each ticket included entrance to three sites. [<span style="font-style: italic;">The picture at left shows the map and what all the tours cover.]</span><br /><br />Looking back now I will say there is no better way to travel than to have a carefree transfer waiting for you upon arrival to navigate you through the New York traffic where you can hop on and hop off at any stop. Acquainting myself (ourselves) with New York City with an unrivaled Gray Line sightseeing tour was one of the best ideas. We found that no where else could we experience the incredible architecture of many of New York’s main attractions, in a short period of time.<br /><br />Today, we decided to do the Uptown Loop Tour. The brochures told us the duration of this was a 2-3 hour loop (without any stops). The stops on this loop included Central Park West, Lincoln Center, Dakota Apartments, American Museum of Natural History, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Grants Tomb, Apollo Theater, Harlem Market, The Museum Mile, Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum, Central Park and Fifth Avenue.<br /><br />Uptown loop, here we come. We headed outside to jump on the next double-decker bus that was leaving. As we had discussed while inside at the visitor center, today’s adventure would have to be timed just right. That night we were going to see the Broadway play “Wicked” at the Gershwin Theater, so we figured we would have to be back to the hotel between 5:00 and 6:00 at the latest in order to get ready and head out to the play in time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I-NcpfymBRbUpsn_pqy0k4XpQ0ZDYxnPFpd4gUhyphenhyphenHg21kXWDbvAe4wG_-PtDROE6dIc-vCe_I4SFU2enkmerQ3u7W30MeiqmlpqU2-wfDxwBQu4ee7cSIq19exrq-n5WxWi2A8XLcmEs/s1600/Nika+rain+slicker.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I-NcpfymBRbUpsn_pqy0k4XpQ0ZDYxnPFpd4gUhyphenhyphenHg21kXWDbvAe4wG_-PtDROE6dIc-vCe_I4SFU2enkmerQ3u7W30MeiqmlpqU2-wfDxwBQu4ee7cSIq19exrq-n5WxWi2A8XLcmEs/s200/Nika+rain+slicker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709019244988275298" border="0" /></a><br />Onto the bus we climbed and immediately headed up to the top of the open double-decker bus. It had started raining slightly -- more of a heavy mist -- so we were given and donned some fashionable rain slickers. [<span style="font-style: italic;">See picture at left of Nika modeling our fashionable attire; as you can see in the picture, everyone was wearing them so we weren't the only alien-looking people on the bus.]</span><br /><br />Now, let’s start our tour. As we go along, I intend to give you information about some of the sites we saw. Our guides on each bus filled us in with tons of information and it makes each sight all the more exciting to know all the information behind the sight/building.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgobcGmqtWufOv8DBQG8tix3-qznWFQr4ZzgcrVMa6yBQgY5Wa5KNl6fkhEyU8KpCpaojttdwPdORjxiKAQJVH-5BYDCRvRDpr7d0Qbkd_fwDbb8g1kShRy1HfUojAh-EQAIj_OVUjvYbe/s1600/hearst+tower.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgobcGmqtWufOv8DBQG8tix3-qznWFQr4ZzgcrVMa6yBQgY5Wa5KNl6fkhEyU8KpCpaojttdwPdORjxiKAQJVH-5BYDCRvRDpr7d0Qbkd_fwDbb8g1kShRy1HfUojAh-EQAIj_OVUjvYbe/s200/hearst+tower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709020250984588370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Hearst Tower</span>: First up, the Hearst Tower. [<span style="font-style: italic;">See pic at left.] </span>The city's first new energy-efficient tower constructed in 2006 over the original six-story preserved Hearst Building originally constructed in 1928.<br /><br />Hearst Tower, located in Midtown Manhattan at 300 West 57th Street, is another example of the new breed of green design skyscrapers in New York City. It is a glass and steel construction skyscraper which rests on the base of the original 1920's Hearst Corporation Building. Hearst Tower is easily identified by the dramatic interlocking triangular glass panels. Interesting note: It was also the first skyscraper in New York City to be awarded the coveted Gold LEED Certified rating by the United States Green Building Council.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">40 Wall Street (a/k/a The Trump Building)</span> [<span style="font-style: italic;">Sorry, I thought I had taken a picture of this historic building, but didn't find one. I will, however, tell you about this iconic sight.]</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">History:</span> 40 Wall Street is a 70-story skyscraper; originally known as the Bank of Manhattan Trust building, and also known as Manhattan Company Building, it was later known by its street address when its founding tenant merged to form the Chase Manhattan Bank and today is officially named the Trump Building. The building, between Nassau Street and William Street in Manhattan was completed in 1930 after only 11 months of construction. Its pinnacle reaches 927 feet and was very briefly the tallest building in the world, soon surpassed by the Chrysler Building finished that same year. [Make note here that throughout describing some of the larger buildings in New York City, I will mention the status of height boasting rights -- who is tallest then/now/when.] Because this building has so much history, I wanted to share all the interesting facts about it with you.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Construction:</span> Construction of the Bank of Manhattan Building at 40 Wall Street began in 1928, with a planned height of 840 feet, making it 135 feet taller than the nearby Woolworth Building, completed in 1913. More importantly, the plans were designed to be two feet taller than the Chrysler Building, which was in an apparent competition to be the world’s tallest building. In order to stay ahead of the race, the architects of 40 Wall Street changed their originally announced height of 840 feet or 68 stories, to 927 feet or 71 stories, making their building, upon completion in May 1930, the tallest in the world. However, this triumph turned out to be short-lived.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Chrysler Building Competes</span>: Uptown at 405 Lexington Avenue, the Chrysler Building developers were in the works to top 40 Wall Street. By October 1929, tycoon Walter Chrysler used his secret weapon to win the race to the top; a 125-foot (38 m) stainless steel spire was clandestinely assembled in the Chrysler Building's crown and hoisted into place, bringing it to a height of 77 stories, or 1,048 feet (319 m). Once completed on May 28, 1930, the Chrysler Building surpassed 40 Wall Street as the tallest building on the earth, fulfilling tycoon Walter Chrysler's dream.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Taking It To The Papers:</span> Upset by Chrysler’s victory, Shreve & Lamb, consulting architects of 40 Wall Street, wrote a newspaper article claiming that their building was actually the tallest, since it contained the world's highest usable floor. They pointed out that the observation deck in the Bank of Manhattan Building was nearly 100 feet above the top floor in the Chrysler Building, whose surpassing spire was strictly ornamental and essentially inaccessible. However, such trivialities became a moot point when the Empire State Building was completed eleven months later in 1931, becoming the world’s tallest building at 1,250 feet (380 m) in both of those categories.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1946 Airplane Crash Into 40 Wall Street</span>: On the evening of May 20, 1946, a United States Army Air Forces C-45 Beechcraft airplane crashed into the north side of the building. The twin-engined plane was heading for Newark Airport on a flight originating at Lake Charles Army Air Field in Louisiana. It struck the 58th floor of the building at about 8:10 p.m., creating a 20 by 10-foot hole in the masonry, and killing all five aboard the plane, including a WAC officer. Fog and low visibility were identified as the main causes of the crash. At the time of the accident, LaGuardia Field reported a heavy fog that reduced the ceiling to 500 feet, obscuring the view of the ground for the pilot at the building's 58th story level. Parts of the aircraft and pieces of brick and mortar from the building fell into the street below, but there were no reported injuries of any of the estimated 2,000 workers in the building, nor anyone on the street.<br /><br />This crash at 40 Wall Street was only the second of its kind in New York City's history, the first being when an Army B-25 bomber struck the 78th floor of the Empire State Building in July of the year before. The cause of that crash was also fog and poor visibility. The 1946 incident was the last time an airplane accidentally struck a skyscraper in New York City until October 11, 2006, when a small plane carrying New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle slammed into a 50-story condo building on Manhattan's Upper East Side.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1982 Purchase by Marcos</span>: In 1982, Joseph J. and Ralph E. Bernstein purchased 40 Wall Street and were later found to be acting on behalf of Ferdinand E. Marcos, the late President of the Philippines. When Marcos was removed from power and his assets in the United States were frozen, the building was placed in limbo. [Of course, you have to recall his widow, Imelda Marcos who is often remembered for symbols of the extravagance of her husband's political reign, which included her collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. My hero!!! haha! Okay, so I am a long way from catching her, I only have 100 pairs.]<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1995 Purchase by Trump:</span> In 1995, after years of neglect, 40 Wall Street was bought by Donald Trump and later renamed The Trump Building. He planned to convert the upper half of it to residential space, leaving the bottom half as commercial space. However, the cost of converting it to residential space proved to be too high, and it remains 100% commercial space. He tried to sell the building in 2003, expecting offers in excess of $300 million. Such offers did not materialize, and Trump still retains control of the building. In 1998, the building was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The tower is the tallest mid-block building in New York City.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4C7pH-onjM3qLOcEaJUYZdcohONRXcP4g3af6qxchdqm5Ib2innVLakUFX_lJilcAW3UD2vH5dnfarfrC48FW-dCBFBbdrX_y2CLdQCBfuaQ1xwsORYFmf73mBWjsEZNxB9IowVZJiTUO/s1600/full+columbus+statue.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4C7pH-onjM3qLOcEaJUYZdcohONRXcP4g3af6qxchdqm5Ib2innVLakUFX_lJilcAW3UD2vH5dnfarfrC48FW-dCBFBbdrX_y2CLdQCBfuaQ1xwsORYFmf73mBWjsEZNxB9IowVZJiTUO/s200/full+columbus+statue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709029853295673586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Columbus Circle: </span>Columbus Circle, named for Christopher Columbus, is a major landmark and point of attraction in the borough of Manhattan, located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South (West 59th Street), and Central Park West, at the southwest corner of Central Park. It is the point from which all official distances from New York City are measured. The name is also used for the neighborhood a few blocks around the circle in each direction. To the south of the circle lies Hell's Kitchen, also known as "Clinton", and the “Theatre District,” and to the north is the Upper West Side.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">History:</span> Completed in 1905 and renovated a century later, the circle was designed by Wm. Eno as part of Frederick Law Olmsted's vision for Central Park, which included a "Grand Circle" at the Merchants' Gate, its most important Eighth Avenue entrance.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXjSccZVFYx74ORinyyq2Dxhc3YglEefIWYr1QZ8qBfDybq4ssfB3QygNY_ll-CwaOcXWWuGQWavwTMwXGkFTsw51LZwevWrSRmmiznAgLQr6yZWvlOMVfCEmz56J4jWF8iCKpEdvdt6S/s1600/columbus+close+up.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXjSccZVFYx74ORinyyq2Dxhc3YglEefIWYr1QZ8qBfDybq4ssfB3QygNY_ll-CwaOcXWWuGQWavwTMwXGkFTsw51LZwevWrSRmmiznAgLQr6yZWvlOMVfCEmz56J4jWF8iCKpEdvdt6S/s200/columbus+close+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709038343995119298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Columbus Statue:</span> [<span style="font-style: italic;">See up-close pic of Columbus statue at left.</span>] The monument at the center of Columbus Circle was erected as part of New York's 1892 commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing in the Americas. Constructed with funds raised by Il Progresso, a New York City-based Italian-language newspaper, the monument consists of a marble statue of Columbus atop a 70-foot granite rostral column decorated with bronze reliefs representing Columbus' ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. Its pedestal features an angel holding a globe.<br /><br />Renovations to the circle completed in 2005 included new water fountains, wooden benches, and plantings encircling the monument. The inner circle measures approximately 36,000 square feet and the outer circle is approximately 148,000 square feet.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Time Warner Center</span>, [<span style="font-style: italic;">which I describe more fully further down], </span>the world headquarters of the Time Warner corporation, is located on the west side of Columbus Circle on the site of the old New York Coliseum. The complex also hosts the Shops at Columbus Circle, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New York City studio headquarters of CNN and the Mandarin Oriental, New York hotel. On the north side of Columbus Circle is the Trump International Hotel and Tower, with its noted steel globe. This building had been an office tower, the headquarters of the Gulf + Western conglomerate, which was stripped to its steel skeleton and reclad in a new facade.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Merchant's Gate:</span> On the northeast lies the Merchant's Gate to Central Park and is dominated by the USS Maine National Monument, a gorgeous and imposing edifice of marble and gilded bronze, which was built in 1913 as a memorial to sailors killed aboard the battleship USS Maine, whose mysterious 1898 explosion in Havana harbor precipitated the Spanish-American War. [<span style="font-style: italic;">Also described more fully below</span>.]<br /><br />The address 2 Columbus Circle is where Actors' Equity was founded in 1914, in the old Pabst Grand Circle Hotel, a building torn down in 1960 in order to construct a distinctive new tower to house the Huntington Hartford Gallery of Modern Art. Vacant since the city's Department of Cultural Affairs departed in 1998, it was listed as one of the World Monuments Fund's "100 most endangered sites." The building's radical transformation into the new home for the Museum of Arts & Design continues to raise hackles for the failure of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to hold hearings on its worthiness for designation. [<span style="font-style: italic;">Sorry, but I didn't capture a picture of this "radical" looking building.</span>]<br /><br />240 Central Park South, the 1941 balconied modern apartment building across Broadway from the museum, is a city-designated landmark with a new addition atop its retail base -- a green roof. [<span style="font-style: italic;">And, I was positive I had a pic of this building with the green roof, but guess I don't have that either.</span>]<br /><br />One more bit of info about Columbus Circle -- it also appeared in the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Ghostbusters</span> as the site where the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man begins his trip towards 55 Central Park West. I have always loved that scene.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOwbqGKyeCCi2pHF5p-k5iZyBBvSZfDsXrB_6yB5JvTWUsFnmOjTU-vC4v9_XMJToomOVkf_Ax8hzL95fOgIsVVOollnJqlu37gVFJJ9IozEZI2mYv6dmXXZ7oAAnD2qh0gFioYsSQARt/s1600/uss+maine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOwbqGKyeCCi2pHF5p-k5iZyBBvSZfDsXrB_6yB5JvTWUsFnmOjTU-vC4v9_XMJToomOVkf_Ax8hzL95fOgIsVVOollnJqlu37gVFJJ9IozEZI2mYv6dmXXZ7oAAnD2qh0gFioYsSQARt/s200/uss+maine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709030971231191186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">USS Maine National Monument at the Merchant's Gate entrance to Central Park</span>: The USS Maine was the United States Navy's second commissioned pre-dreadnought battleship, although she was originally classified as an armored cruiser. She is best known for her catastrophic loss in Havana harbor. Maine had been sent to Havana, Cuba to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban revolt against Spain. On the evening of February 15, 1898, she suddenly exploded, and swiftly sank, killing nearly three quarters of her crew. Though then, as now, the cause and responsibility for her sinking were unclear, popular opinion in the U.S. blamed Spain, and the sinking (popularized in the phrase "Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!") was one of the precipitating events of the Spanish–American War. Her sinking remains the subject of speculation, with various opinions proposing that she sank due to the results of an undetected fire in one of her coal bunkers, that she was the victim of a naval mine, and that she was deliberately sunk for the purposes of driving the U.S. into a war with Spain. This gorgeous piece of work [<span style="font-style: italic;">see picture at left above</span>] is glorious to see.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time Warner Center:</span> Time Warner Center is a mixed-use skyscraper at Columbus Circle on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It has attracted much attention as the first major building to be completed since the 9-11 terrorist attacks and has become known to many New Yorkers as the "new twin towers." Additional publicity was generated in 2003 when David Martinez paid $45 million dollars for a penthouse condominium, a record for New York residential sales. It's design consists of two 750 ft towers bridged by a multi-story atrium containing upscale retail shops. Construction began in November 2000, following the demolition of the New York Coliseum, and a topping-out ceremony was held on February 27, 2003. The property had the highest-listed market value in New York City, $1.1 billion, in 2006.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyXhnx0-SC-QJDJTF_2JzAyii3140Wk1shM-QgX_JwrNygWMdOJFVFwmPUWqauxCg0qd6HBgIHLA2UkSAR4rI-iW6YbonoZ8BqcGjDfvgtc7FKzrK_5fTFUIpRBINOtthFyz45OW7e0oR/s1600/time+warner+bldg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyXhnx0-SC-QJDJTF_2JzAyii3140Wk1shM-QgX_JwrNygWMdOJFVFwmPUWqauxCg0qd6HBgIHLA2UkSAR4rI-iW6YbonoZ8BqcGjDfvgtc7FKzrK_5fTFUIpRBINOtthFyz45OW7e0oR/s200/time+warner+bldg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709039171431200402" border="0" /></a><br />Originally constructed as the AOL Time Warner Center, the building encircles the western side of Columbus Circle and straddles the border between Midtown and the Upper West Side. The total floor area of 2.8 million square feet is divided between offices (notably the offices of Time Warner Inc.), residential condominiums, and the Mandarin Oriental, New York hotel. The Shops at Columbus Circle is an upscale shopping mall located in a curving arcade at the base of the building, with a large Whole Foods Market grocery store in the basement. As well as CNN studios, the complex is also home to a 1,200 seat theater for Jazz at Lincoln Center; as of August 2011, Jazz at Lincoln Center's The Allen Room is the recording studio for Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show, <span style="font-style: italic;">Anderson</span>. CNN's Jeanne Moos, known for her offbeat "man on the street" reporting, frequently accosts her interview subjects just outside the building. In 2005, Jazz at Lincoln Center announced a partnership with XM Satellite Radio which gave XM studio space at Frederick P. Rose Hall to broadcast both daily jazz programming and special events such as an Artist Confidential show featuring Carlos Santana.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeLxQl074cP7jNaamRcQQiI43hJLDq3fR9Adr4Dl2wzt7h7-KwxCr-_a1nZergk2PEEe6hKCYY_7dHctFWCK9f-s4Ww1gfKxjo4-AmKczbv1CGoRi6vXqR-GzCFfgaCzpC-kM2hK0hWzJ/s1600/globe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeLxQl074cP7jNaamRcQQiI43hJLDq3fR9Adr4Dl2wzt7h7-KwxCr-_a1nZergk2PEEe6hKCYY_7dHctFWCK9f-s4Ww1gfKxjo4-AmKczbv1CGoRi6vXqR-GzCFfgaCzpC-kM2hK0hWzJ/s200/globe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709031283345205362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Steel Globe</span>: On the north side of Columbus Circle is the Trump International Hotel and Tower, with its noted steel world globe honoring Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World. [<span style="font-style: italic;">See photo at left .]<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trump International Hotel and Tower</span>: The Trump International Hotel and Tower is a high-rise building, located at 1 Central Park West on Columbus Circle between Broadway and Central Park West, in Manhattan, New York City. The building has 44 floors. [<span style="font-style: italic;">See picture below, left</span>.]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tofChsbV3Gx5JTZhcrks__XfgyY9nRJHKeIbYyAZTH06FPmwW3H_KFTUhi_5soVeiRVhqS_RoJg5D5wO7Qqof3Vkdv49JjfxGGze5SvU6_VUgJdIP6f-Kxjh6bVbKsWXAMs3uYA_pJP4/s1600/trump+intl+hotel+and+tower.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tofChsbV3Gx5JTZhcrks__XfgyY9nRJHKeIbYyAZTH06FPmwW3H_KFTUhi_5soVeiRVhqS_RoJg5D5wO7Qqof3Vkdv49JjfxGGze5SvU6_VUgJdIP6f-Kxjh6bVbKsWXAMs3uYA_pJP4/s200/trump+intl+hotel+and+tower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709026243116424018" border="0" /></a>It is owned by The Trump Organization and features hotel rooms and residential condominiums. The building was originally the Gulf and Western and was built in 1969. Between 1995-1997, the building was stripped to its skeleton and given a new facade. The building is used as the setting of the 2011 comedy crime film <span style="font-style: italic;">Tower Heist</span>, which I have not seen yet (at this writing), but hope to soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hell’s Kitchen</span>:<br />Hell's Kitchen, also known as Clinton and Midtown West, is a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City between 34th Street and 59th Street, from 8th Avenue to the Hudson River.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnUTB8o0V_uKNKXtwBgTz8qcGI9V88ySNYG9jfAoCn6BNFsgUuuNeX2ODIRXxfslnjcR0apzg3Z8kTEKk0UzqgxlG0iVWwExfC3yug6fhJM_1qS9FH7pJjheQzrLxSVY08Ko43oPPLmQq/s1600/loews+theater+hells+kitchen.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnUTB8o0V_uKNKXtwBgTz8qcGI9V88ySNYG9jfAoCn6BNFsgUuuNeX2ODIRXxfslnjcR0apzg3Z8kTEKk0UzqgxlG0iVWwExfC3yug6fhJM_1qS9FH7pJjheQzrLxSVY08Ko43oPPLmQq/s200/loews+theater+hells+kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709036805461580914" border="0" /></a>The neighborhood provides transportation, hospital and warehouse infrastructure support to the Midtown Manhattan business district. Its gritty reputation depressed real estate prices in the area relative to much of the rest of Manhattan until the early 1990's. Since then, rent prices have increased enormously, with current rent prices above the Manhattan average.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Why the Name? </span>Several explanations exist for the original name. An early use of the phrase appears in a comment Davy Crockett made about another notorious Irish slum in Manhattan, Five Points. According to the Irish Cultural Society of the Garden City Area when, in 1835, Davy Crockett said, "I<span style="font-style: italic;">n my part of the country, when you meet an Irishman, you find a first-rate gentleman; but these are worse than savages; they are too mean to swab hell's kitchen</span>." He was referring to the Five Points.<br /><br />According to an article by Kirkley Greenwell, published online by the Hell's Kitchen Neighborhood Association, no one can pin down the exact origin of the label, but some refer to a tenement on 54th Street as the first "Hell's Kitchen." Another explanation points to an infamous building at 39th as the true original. A gang and a local dive took the name as well. A similar slum also existed in London and was known as Hell's Kitchen.<br /><br />Local historian Mary Clark explained the name, first appearing in print on September 22, 1881, when a New York Times reporter went to the West 30's with a police guide to get details of a multiple murder there. He referred to a particularly infamous tenement at 39th Street and 10th Avenue as "Hell's Kitchen," and said that the entire section was "<span style="font-style: italic;">probably the lowest and filthiest in the city</span>." According to this version, 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues became known as Hell's Kitchen and the name was later expanded to the surrounding streets. Another version ascribes the name's origins to a German restaurant in the area known as Heil's Kitchen, after its proprietors. But the most common version traces it to the story of Dutch Fred The Cop, a veteran policeman, who with his rookie partner, was watching a small riot on West 39th Street near 10th Avenue. The rookie is supposed to have said, "<span style="font-style: italic;">This place is hell itself</span>," to which Fred replied, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Hell's a mild climate. This is Hell's Kitchen.</span>” And, there you have it -- the rest of the story(ies)!<br /><br />The rough and tumble days on the West Side figure prominently in Damon Runyon's stories and the childhood home of Marvel Comics' Daredevil. Various Manhattan ethnic conflicts formed the basis of the musical and film West Side Story.<br /><br />Once a bastion of poor and working-class Irish Americans, over the last three decades of the 20th century and into the new millennium, Hell's Kitchen has undergone change as a result of its proximity to Midtown. The 1969 edition of the Plan for New York City book authored by the City Planning Commission stated that people of modest means were being driven from the area by development pressures due to the Midtown location. Today, many actors reside in the neighborhood because it is near the Broadway theaters and Actors Studio training school.<br /><br /><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">9-11 (2001): </span>While almost all fire stations in Manhattan lost firefighters in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the hardest hit station was Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9 at 48th Street and Eighth Avenue, which lost 15 firefighters. Given its proximity to Midtown, the station had specialized in skyscraper fires and rescues and in 2007 was the second busiest firehouse in New York City, with 9,685 runs between the two companies. Also Ladder 21, the "Pride of Hell's Kitchen", located on 38th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, and stationed with Engine 34, lost 7 firefighters on September 11. In addition, on September 11, Engine 26 was temporarily stationed with Engine 34/Ladder 21 and lost many firefighters themselves.</p><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Where Is It At Exactly: </span> "Hell's Kitchen" generally refers to the area from 34th to 59th streets. Starting west of 8th Avenue, city zoning regulations limit buildings to 6 stories high (although exceptions are often made). As a result, most of the buildings are older, often walk-ups. For the most part the neighborhood encompasses the ZIP codes 10019 and 10036. The post office for 10019 is called Radio City Station, the original name for Rockefeller Center on Sixth Avenue.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Southern boundary</span>: Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea overlap and are often lumped together as the West Side since they support the Midtown Manhattan business district. The traditional dividing line is 34th Street. The transition area just north of Madison Square Garden and Pennsylvania Station includes the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Eastern boundary:</span> The neighborhood overlaps the Times Square theater district to the east at Eighth Avenue. On its southeast border, it overlaps the Garment District also on Eighth Avenue. Here, two landmarks reside - the New Yorker Hotel and the dynamic Manhattan Center building (at the northwest corner of 34th Street and Eighth Avenue). Included in the transition area on Eighth Avenue are the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street, the Pride of Manhattan Fire Station (from which 15 firefighters died at the World Trade Center), several theaters including Studio 54, the original soup stand of Seinfeld's Soup Nazi, and the Hearst Tower.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Northern boundary:</span> </span>The neighborhood edges toward the southern boundary of the Upper West Side, and 57th Street is considered by some the traditional northern boundary. However the neighborhood often is considered to extend to 59th Street (the southern edge of Central Park starting at Eighth Avenue) where the avenue names change. Included in the 57th to 59th Street transition area are the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where John Lennon died in 1980 after being shot, and John Jay College.<br /><br style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Western boundary</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">:</span> The western boundary is the Hudson River.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Alternate Names</span>: Hell's Kitchen has stuck as the general and informal name of the neighborhood even though real estate developers have offered alternatives of Clinton and Midtown West or even "the Mid-West". The Clinton name, used by the municipality of New York City, originated in 1959 in an attempt to link the area to DeWitt Clinton Park at 52nd and 11th Avenue, named after the 19th century New York governor.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">West Side Story:</span> During the 1950s, immigrants, notably Puerto Ricans, moved into the neighborhood. The conflict between the Irish, Italians, and the Puerto Ricans is highlighted in <span style="font-style: italic;">West Side Story.</span> The movie was filmed from 65th Street and 69th Street between Amsterdam and West End Avenue, north of Hell's Kitchen. Part of the sites seen are old P. S. 94 on the corner of 68th Street and Amsterdam Avenue and St. Michael's Church. The movie was filmed during the demolition of this area that was to become Lincoln Center.<br /><br />In 1959, an aborted rumble between rival Irish and Puerto Rican gangs led to the notorious "Capeman" murders in which two innocent teenagers were killed. By 1965, Hell's Kitchen was the home base of the Westies, a deeply violent Irish American crew aligned with the Gambino crime family. It was not until the early 1980's that widespread gentrification (or the wealthy buying up lower income properties) began to alter the demographics of the longtime working-class Irish American neighborhood. The 1980's also saw an end to the Westies' reign of terror, when the gang lost all of its power after the RICO convictions of most of its principals in 1986.<br /><br />Today Hell's Kitchen is an increasingly upscale neighborhood of actors and affluent young professionals, as well as residents from the "old days". It has also acquired a large diverse community as residents have moved north from Chelsea. Hell's Kitchen's gritty reputation had made its housing prices lower than elsewhere in Manhattan. Given the lower costs in the past and its proximity to Broadway theaters, the neighborhood is a haven for aspiring actors. Some notables who have resided there, include Burt Reynolds, Rip Torn, Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, James Dean, Madonna, Jerry Seinfeld, Alicia Keys, and Sylvester Stallone. This is due in large part to the Actors Studio on West 44th, which rose to prominence.<br /><br />With the opening of the original Improv in 1963, the club became a hangout for singers to perform but quickly attracted comedians, as well, turning it into the reigning comedy club of its time. Located on West 44th near the SE corner of 9th Ave, it has since closed, replaced by a restaurant.<br /><br />The neighborhood is also home to a number of broadcast and music-recording studios, including the CBS Broadcast Center (at 524 West 57th Street), Sony Music Studios (at 460 West 54th Street), Manhattan Center Studios (at 311 West 34th Street), and Right Track Recording's Studio A509 orchestral recording facility (at West 38th Street and 10th Avenue). The syndicated <span style="font-style: italic;">Montel Williams Show</span> is also taped locally at the Unitel Studios, 433 W. 53rd Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues.<br /><br />Comedy Central's satirical program <span style="font-style: italic;">The Daily Show</span> is also taped in Hell's Kitchen. In the summer of 2005, it moved from its quarters at 54th Street and 10th Avenue to a new studio in the neighborhood, at 733 11th Avenue, between 51st and 52nd Streets. The old location at 54th and 10th is now home to <span style="font-style: italic;">The Colbert Report</span>. Next door to Colbert at 511 W. 54th St. is Ars Nova Theater, home to emerging artists such as breakout star Jesse Eisenberg, among others. [<span style="font-style: italic;">You will remember Eisenberg as portraying Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 hit movie "The Social Network."</span>] Loew's Theater[<span style="font-style: italic;">see picture above, left]</span> is also one of the famed attractions in Hell's Kitchen. <br style="font-style: italic;"><br />The Clinton Community Garden is a result of the actors living in the area. Since they mostly work at night in the local theaters, they took time to create a garden in a rubble-strewn lot. Eventually it became a selling point for gentrification, providing real estate agents with another selling point.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzbfDzcHQ0odJ9iH6QWc416revhlQqVTkr-5Waxte3Oo74G29TVW3bACJFezX4QOzm7p3AdEMkf-ALGtJEyo73vBDT3jN8zE_R91Rkumv5Y3E9ZgXYc4ahTpFuLQ64PSnp5rNEc3p9xYu/s1600/subway+control+house.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzbfDzcHQ0odJ9iH6QWc416revhlQqVTkr-5Waxte3Oo74G29TVW3bACJFezX4QOzm7p3AdEMkf-ALGtJEyo73vBDT3jN8zE_R91Rkumv5Y3E9ZgXYc4ahTpFuLQ64PSnp5rNEc3p9xYu/s200/subway+control+house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709037427381740562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Original Control House on the NY Subway System:</span> [<span style="font-style: italic;">See picture at left</span>]. This picture depicts the New York City's subway original control house (front) and right behind that, with the green stripes on the roof, is the newer Control house, located on opposite sides of 72nd Street.<br /><br />72nd Street is an express station on the IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Broadway, 72nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue (including Verdi Square and Sherman Square) on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It is served by the 1, 2 and 3 trains at all times.<br /><br />2nd Street station opened on October 27, 1904, as part of the original subway, with trains running from the Brooklyn Bridge to 137th Street. The original configuration of the station was inadequate by IRT standards. It had just one entrance (the Control house on the traffic island between 71st and 72nd Streets, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and the platforms and stairways were unusually narrow. There were no crossovers or crossunders as the control house had separate turnstile banks and token booths for each side.<br /><br />During the 1950s, the New York City Transit Authority (now MTA) considered converting the station to a local station by walling off the express tracks from the platforms. This would have coincided with 59th Street – Columbus Circle, which is a major transfer point to the IND Eighth Avenue Line, becoming an express stop.<br /><br />All this may sound confusing, and it should be, as although I found riding on the subway entertaining watching all the different people, finding out where you need to go and getting on which train WAS very confusing to me. My guides, Casey and Nika, made it easy, though, so I didn't have to worry about it. But put me on there by myself and I might be riding all day long before someone tells me I have to get off. Then . . . I would probably be lost! :)<br /><br />*****<br /><br />Well, I think I am going to end this portion of the tour here, as it has probably been a lot for you to absorb, as well as for me to write about. But going back over it as I write, it helps me remember all the fascinating things about the many sights I digested during my stay in New York City.<br /><br />So, goodbye for now. But, remember, Day 2's tour is not over with yet. I have plenty more to share and write about. Day Deux, Part 1, is over . . . now on to Day Deux, Part 2.Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-30934480814710699722012-01-31T17:26:00.025-06:002012-02-22T10:05:26.430-06:00The Biggest Apple I've Ever Seen -- Day Un (1)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinI8liZm4xQtoQ95l72Ofsg-MknwOrVkTUoxIPeY-pGghiv9y0FUAHr3JwCeFoiVVzZIFPoyAILlTjUCLLxTes84TKPFrXfXH8wt6_NGpqsljXTl7WDofQsjBSJTu4gwOnIFn5mVWVjRn0/s1600/Nika+on+airplane+lv+Chic.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703942601143285250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinI8liZm4xQtoQ95l72Ofsg-MknwOrVkTUoxIPeY-pGghiv9y0FUAHr3JwCeFoiVVzZIFPoyAILlTjUCLLxTes84TKPFrXfXH8wt6_NGpqsljXTl7WDofQsjBSJTu4gwOnIFn5mVWVjRn0/s200/Nika+on+airplane+lv+Chic.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a>Holy Cow! Did I not tell you about my trip to New York. How can that be? It was the center of my universe for weeks – before and after. Naughty, naughty, naughty. Well, let’s not make that trip and its sensational sights be all for naught. Let me share some of those wonderful events with you now. I have to grab my notes (and go back into some of the blogs I started back in October about this trip but never finished). So time to get them done and out so you can see and hear about it. Here we go -- It's Day One of My Big Adventure, 10-11-11.<br />
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Up, Up and Away</span>. First off, remember me telling you this was my first airplane trip. Well, Tuesday morning brought anxiety before we even hit the tarmac. Nika and I hopped a cab to O’Hare, picking us up at the corner by their apartment. A nice gentleman who, one pressed for conversation, joined in. The one thing he did say that stuck in my mind was “this is the worst I have ever seen traffic” – oh, no!! Oh, yes! He quipped he thought it was all because this was the first business day after a holiday. Monday was Columbus Day and apparently they celebrate that more in Chicago than they do in Madison. Traffic was knee-deep and slowing down every second. The minute we thought we were out of it, back in the thick of it again. Thinking that we were leaving in plenty of time (by Nika’s “watch” as she has driven Casey to the airport many mornings to catch his flights to New York), we hailed the cab at 6:15 a.m., hoping to be at the airport by 7:00. Our flight was leaving at 8:30. Finally breaking through the traffic jams, our trusty driver pulled in and let us off at 8:00. Scramble, we did. And me with all my suitcases! (<span style="font-style: italic;">Evil look from Nika</span>!). I still needed to stop at the bathroom (too much coffee was drank on the ride there), get some water for my cup (to ward off getting dehydrated which pushes me into a low), get some orange juice (to stop a low in case I go into one) and get through — security. Yes, as I mentioned before, my real anxiety was getting through security with my insulin, needles, etc., etc. I had everything packed so it was easily accessible to be pulled out and explained. Needless to say, that went fine. My two suitcases went bye-bye and off on a run we went. I found a bathroom and Nika grabbed our two carry-ons and was off to find me some water and orange juice. I quickly came out of the bathroom but couldn’t find Nika. I ran around looking more for my red bag carry-on instead of her. Ultimately, she found me. She had already deposited our bags with the airport ticket-taker (smart move, Nika! She, of course, travels more than I do!). In through the tunnel we went to board the plane. The last to arrive! Whew! Got our seats and settled in. [<span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, that is Nika in the picture up above making faces at me when I am trying to take her picture!]</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK5nv5_lkA4KZKHMnc7OPcPyAJpRdc4l90-rgRWsvGqapYUNnGe5tHrLJ7X6TMl5r5iH58Ub4EhLq4lqgvqvkY5rXZvwKn8i4qdPnv-dOh28qwm8ghkX_6mYYqjtcYGidTrHciPCi3tBO/s1600/leaving+chicago.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703941868142526562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK5nv5_lkA4KZKHMnc7OPcPyAJpRdc4l90-rgRWsvGqapYUNnGe5tHrLJ7X6TMl5r5iH58Ub4EhLq4lqgvqvkY5rXZvwKn8i4qdPnv-dOh28qwm8ghkX_6mYYqjtcYGidTrHciPCi3tBO/s320/leaving+chicago.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>Next worry was airsickness. Nope, skip that – next worry was passing out. Once we got into our seats, the overwhelming heat in the plane was almost forcing me into a low. I quickly grabbed my water to make sure I was hydrated and our traveling companion in the third aisle seat assured me it would soon be cold. Once the plane started up and the A/C kicked in, she was right. I hastily unpacked my camera so I could take pictures of us taking off and the sights below and the clouds. Nika made a point of showing me where my air bag was in case I felt the urge to dispel some of my breakfast around the airplane.<br />
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I was filled with the sense of adventure and having been awake since about 4:00 a.m., it was hard to subdue that feeling. My motor mouth started and I know all Nika wanted at that point was peace and quiet so she could sleep. (She will admittedly tell you she is not a morning person). She impulsively pulled out the headphones. I have since found out that in the “Air Travel Etiquette Book” this is a sign to the person next to you to “shut up.” Haha! No one hands you this book, some things you just have to learn. I mean I already knew about the Golden Rule #1 – never say the word b-o-m-b; never, never, never. Not talking about a Hail Mary pass, a cocktail, or a project that fell apart. Never, never, never. So that wasn’t hard – it was already ingrained in my brain, because I didn’t want TSA throwing me in an airport cell for being a suspected terrorist or something. Nevertheless, I was to still able to keep myself busy by taking pictures of tiny little hills and trees below, the layout of the land, the clouds, and even snuck a few in of Nika (to her dismay -- <span style="font-style: italic;">again see her picture, above</span>). [<span style="font-style: italic;">The second picture above is when we were leaving Chicago O'Hare and I snapped a few of Chi-Town from up above.]</span> I read a little and then she wanted to play with my IPAD. Now this is when she began to get giddy from lack of sleep. She took my IPad and started to take pictures of herself with the photobooth. This app can distort your face, expressions, etc., and can be quite comical to play with. It occupied Nika’s time. I spent some time messing around with my laptop in between taking pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Ar-KvDaGvOumZ8uSTzj889C-c8FQQYyrdHKq8INNl-0XbD7YO79KzgE5R0mlwBMqD7hJuBiwiILZWRkYYrFOBlxgVAguDAozvGgPF3jdL3Wl0n4_4SCLybqdwSoaYpmSJJmg4Olpe1i/s1600/stat+of+liberty+flying+into+NY.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703942992776332770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Ar-KvDaGvOumZ8uSTzj889C-c8FQQYyrdHKq8INNl-0XbD7YO79KzgE5R0mlwBMqD7hJuBiwiILZWRkYYrFOBlxgVAguDAozvGgPF3jdL3Wl0n4_4SCLybqdwSoaYpmSJJmg4Olpe1i/s200/stat+of+liberty+flying+into+NY.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066;">Landing in the Big Apple.</span> Then out of the blue, things seemed to be getting a bit closer and the pilot said we would soon be beginning our descent. I could feel my stomach making leaps – not from the descent but for the thrill of what was in store for me the next few days. A little kid in a candy store wouldn’t even come close to what I was feeling! [<span style="font-style: italic;">The picture to the left is of the Statue of Liberty as we were flying into New York. She looks like a grand old gal from even high in the sky.]</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCDyEQmhKqw_4OQkTExJflZROLxx7secYa9nmCvnxO7Fhyphenhyphenhrog83gjjcpkeyVq67H5ULavskl25neA0TOkPbEmwGoQCdF1kc-mhYmTfcQtsFsYbdJ7xzT9Y8OkekovYXTDZUtvJCmw1rc/s1600/me+w+red+luggage.JPG"></a>Once we hit the airport, we grabbed our bags and set out to get a cab. [<span style="font-style: italic;">Nika got me back and snagged a picture of me standing in line for the cab as proof that I took may bags along -- yes, those are all my red bags. At least I was able to readily identify my bags. Color coordinated--even on a trip! Nika's one bag is the pink carry on.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And see the next picture below -- it is called tit-for-tat. I snatched a picture of Nika standing in line behind me. She was boxed in, so she couldn't run from the camera!</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Hello, pretty girl!</span>]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIsQ2sjq_biTbXx8NXbYa5kJcR7eyVGNXKOhmjiq4yIL12N5dfOY9uHiPnITJgSVSrHA4EG0s0Jd-wLLdRjaWmVpqycpis80vlwKMA9UGwbYw-2bIXSAenKVpkdydv1LcrWuX8Uet7OrW/s1600/nika+at+ny+airport.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704212087685708354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIsQ2sjq_biTbXx8NXbYa5kJcR7eyVGNXKOhmjiq4yIL12N5dfOY9uHiPnITJgSVSrHA4EG0s0Jd-wLLdRjaWmVpqycpis80vlwKMA9UGwbYw-2bIXSAenKVpkdydv1LcrWuX8Uet7OrW/s200/nika+at+ny+airport.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066;">My Big Adventure Starts to Kick Into High Gear.</span> In the cab and heading to our hotel, we unfortunately hit a snag – caught in a traffic jam in one of the tunnels (I think it was the New Jersey tunnel). Darn! No good views here. After a few frantic phone calls from Casey (as we were supposed to be meeting up with some of his coworkers to go out to lunch), we finally made it to the hotel. Casey popped in just in time to get us up to the room, dump off our stuff and out into the streets of New York we went.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoP6w3P8O8o5DnvRSBcKhihzfpQVNuEwID8CFIzOLhc4xFZvlAgGGlQJRdoo-v1en4xbVX3vaGMqTktv7fnuswXNAT9tjx3JE39hVZRFEhIIeOs8akgp_Y-5aGH9TnQkVJZe5dvipz2Gj/s1600/franky+%2526+johnnies.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703943741935028770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoP6w3P8O8o5DnvRSBcKhihzfpQVNuEwID8CFIzOLhc4xFZvlAgGGlQJRdoo-v1en4xbVX3vaGMqTktv7fnuswXNAT9tjx3JE39hVZRFEhIIeOs8akgp_Y-5aGH9TnQkVJZe5dvipz2Gj/s200/franky+%2526+johnnies.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066;">Lunch at Frankie & Johnnie's.</span> We were meeting his co-workers at a place Ron (co-worker) picked out called Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse. My kind of place, too. I absolutely loved the architecture of the inside of the building. [<span style="font-style: italic;">See picture to the left of us at F&J's. You can even see in the mirror the waiter taking our picture.</span>]<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>As many may know, Frankie & Johnnie has been the longest running show on Broadway, and this restaurant is also one of the city’s oldest continued dining establishment, having first opened as a speakeasy in 1926. Ron noted that this was also at one time the home of late actor Douglas Fairbanks. I did a little extra reading on this establishment and found that legend has it that to gain access to the original speakeasy, patrons knocked on the unmarked door and used the password “Frankie” when a small peephole was opened. If it was business as usual, a confirmation reply of “Johnnie” was heard and admittance was gained. Hence, the Frankie & Johnnie moniker. And now you know the rest of the story. Following the repeal of prohibition, the restaurant became a steakhouse and an institution famous for its steaks and chops. Gotta love a place with lots and lots of history. It almost wanted to quietly utter the word “Frankie” to see if I would receive a ghostly reply. If you ever make it out to New York City, you have to schedule a visit there. Big kudos to Ron for being such a fine host!<br />
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After devouring a delicious lunch of burgers and fries, we all sauntered up the street a few blocks to their office building. While the others went back to their respective offices, Casey took Nika and I on a tour. Nika had been there before, but this was my first time, so he had to introduce everyone to Momma. Here I was introduced to Casey’s creative world at the office. His office buddies were super fantastic people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXmWiHTAb42IKKib72T30BA2UbMwKNuSPFbRADx394rrljk2kryBmzFK2XV2kC5T5A6HBz-Hwx8CVg1Q_aYtmGQNMj5fw8IKb_dYxp4pLHBK1YEWGdcZH3cjIhuFQyBR7MmmN625x_oKg/s1600/KC+me+time+square.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703944274758540658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXmWiHTAb42IKKib72T30BA2UbMwKNuSPFbRADx394rrljk2kryBmzFK2XV2kC5T5A6HBz-Hwx8CVg1Q_aYtmGQNMj5fw8IKb_dYxp4pLHBK1YEWGdcZH3cjIhuFQyBR7MmmN625x_oKg/s200/KC+me+time+square.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 150px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066;">Planning Strategy Session.</span> After that, Nika and I strolled back to our room where we unpacked, rested for a moment and then tried to do some planning for the coming days. When we our master laid out, I hooked us up with tickets for the Grey Line tour and we mapped out our days.<br />
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<span style="color: #000066;">Times Square Here We Come.</span> With that completed, Casey returned after work and we headed out to Times Square do some sightseeing and shopping. [<span style="font-style: italic;">Picture to the left is Casey and I in Times Square</span>.] Nika was looking for a dress to wear to the play the next night, so we headed to Forever 21. I had always avoided the store before, because, well frankly, pushing 21 was a little hard for me to pass! Haha! But I quickly found out that is not necessarily true. I bought a shirt and sweater and a couple pairs of shoes. 21, huh! Maybe I can be 21 Forever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXcdKO6Ov2iFSi_eX_JIry_yqNkbrq5kciIbhnzmZUVBQqcYoB8PF1TQJUYy7YVWOtj-YhV_uO9HODR4dvh68bCVKX5t96VRfNaeKWfFS-sRVHZSFazHOy5YcFgZ6n4jdw9gwOgvc9YQf/s1600/kc+nika+toys+r+us.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704199522505008034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXcdKO6Ov2iFSi_eX_JIry_yqNkbrq5kciIbhnzmZUVBQqcYoB8PF1TQJUYy7YVWOtj-YhV_uO9HODR4dvh68bCVKX5t96VRfNaeKWfFS-sRVHZSFazHOy5YcFgZ6n4jdw9gwOgvc9YQf/s200/kc+nika+toys+r+us.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 150px;" /></a>We also took a little stroll through the famous Times Square Toys R Us. I wanted to ride the three-story high Ferris wheel, but couldn’t get anyone else to join me. Since I didn’t want to look the senile, old Momma, I opted to stay off it, too. Instead, we headed to the other side of the ferris wheel to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory store. Mmmmm, mmmmm! Lots of chocolates there. Nika, having a sweet tooth, made Casey buy her some chocolates and I decided to do the same for Bob. (I was just hoping that they would survive the rest of the week and the trip home before some little mouse --me-- would start nibbling on them!)<br />
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<span style="color: #000066;">Where's Waldo & the Dancing "Wanna-Be Cowboy." </span>Next, we roamed around some more taking in the sights and sounds and faces of Times Square. Outside Forever 21 we crossed the street to other side so we could see ourselves up there on the big screen plectron in front of God and everyone. That was neat, so I took pictures of us on the screen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D8X7Nhyphenhyphen3TqTEDusM12xBQF-hCCqJfh2YHXJLJa34MOM9mqjc3jSKFYVPDZUKe4WbVwz62qOHVdwg0dn_yRvItG1TRYaUyQQjxjVm9foG-Ndy8cKwarM2c3v8-iaNV56IpG2VudoKP7y9/s1600/close+up+plectron.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704201598645453154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D8X7Nhyphenhyphen3TqTEDusM12xBQF-hCCqJfh2YHXJLJa34MOM9mqjc3jSKFYVPDZUKe4WbVwz62qOHVdwg0dn_yRvItG1TRYaUyQQjxjVm9foG-Ndy8cKwarM2c3v8-iaNV56IpG2VudoKP7y9/s200/close+up+plectron.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066;"></span>[<span style="font-style: italic;">Picture to the left is the close-up shot of us sitting across the street from the plectron where the camera picked us up. The next picture is the "far away" version, what we liked to call sort of a "Where's Waldo" type of pic. Can you find us?</span>]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02SCo7QVhrjzDrkiNY1L2woNNKdO5NFwnMkTHyR1NEaE32D_ngdcUE27oRu4szOJnAlXeAhYaRZb6wGzHnOdprHEIeA_dj3BgOD1YdCVWEIaU-yrVAgObbI_Z76BQQsxh8F4PU1lVi8Z7/s1600/wheres+waldo.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704207123083904450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02SCo7QVhrjzDrkiNY1L2woNNKdO5NFwnMkTHyR1NEaE32D_ngdcUE27oRu4szOJnAlXeAhYaRZb6wGzHnOdprHEIeA_dj3BgOD1YdCVWEIaU-yrVAgObbI_Z76BQQsxh8F4PU1lVi8Z7/s200/wheres+waldo.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a> Right behind where we were sitting was an insanely funny guy who thought he could dance along with the girl in the advertisement on the plectron (that was for real on the plectron in an advertisement) so he jiggled and swayed to the loud music. Quite hilarious!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sZCCTodo1hPyc5RAOm63REErTyopPhzKR5f6WKFxx8KDZCaBl5SOQ2AWbmlX3ykkq-v4KgzB0NtDt3HLr6kqHmSJzE7nU37oN9VlvNwmmjFS_a_cd1LhYd1-4rZKbYH5yL1fTBclUdUJ/s1600/dancing+guy.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704213176760177042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sZCCTodo1hPyc5RAOm63REErTyopPhzKR5f6WKFxx8KDZCaBl5SOQ2AWbmlX3ykkq-v4KgzB0NtDt3HLr6kqHmSJzE7nU37oN9VlvNwmmjFS_a_cd1LhYd1-4rZKbYH5yL1fTBclUdUJ/s200/dancing+guy.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a> [<span style="font-style: italic;">See the picture to the right. Remember, this is October and he is half-naked. Kind of funny how he was shaking his arms so to the music that in this pic, it looks like he has none.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And no, this was not the naked cowboy -- just a poor imitation of it.]</span><br />
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<span style="color: #000066;">It's 10:30 -- Time to Eat. </span> Following that we headed over to (attempt) to eat supper at the Hard Rock Café but it was a 40-minute wait and it was now getting to a point after walking (and shopping) for four hours and so many blocks, that I soon needed to eat. We shopped a bit at the Hard Rock and then sauntered over to Planet Hollywood. The wait there was much shorter, and since it was already getting to be around 10:30 p.m., it was definitely time to eat. (Not in terms of NY time, though. People out there eat late and go out late). This supper time was beginning to crouch in on my usual bed time. [<span style="font-style: italic;">See the picture below of Casey and Nika eating at Planet Hollywood.</span>]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH-DusrTQQakq-iry11OsNo_xq3qEWH4wXckT7PZxnEDSFA-x94OFq9Ar-l9264uVupumxkeZwJRXUANSlPiqPwjx2Jne9gDozTAQJJerCYKg6lb9X2-mn6f9ypQCBRNx1F_DwMCg9h8w/s1600/eating+in+planet+hollywood.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704207539527272018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH-DusrTQQakq-iry11OsNo_xq3qEWH4wXckT7PZxnEDSFA-x94OFq9Ar-l9264uVupumxkeZwJRXUANSlPiqPwjx2Jne9gDozTAQJJerCYKg6lb9X2-mn6f9ypQCBRNx1F_DwMCg9h8w/s200/eating+in+planet+hollywood.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #000066;">Day 1 Winding Down.</span> Again, we enjoyed great food and what more could you ask for. A safe trip, time with my family, I was having the time of my life. We arrived back at our hotel room around 12:30 a.m., Casey headed right to bed since he had to work again the next day. Nika was tiring out also, and so was I. At least I thought, I was. Instead of heading underneath the covers though, I pulled out my laptop and started downloading my pictures. Once downloaded, I quickly started transferring them over to my Facebook page. I had told family at home that I would try to keep them up-to-date daily and I wanted to make good on my word. When the last of that was done, it was after 1:30, so it was definitely time for me to hit the hay. (And, remember, we were now an hour ahead of time from what I was used to, so come morning, that was going to be a shocker, too.)<br />
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So much for Day 1 of My Big Adventure. Stay tuned for Shari Hits the Big Apple – Day Deux.Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751328653242316265.post-16263041066201860542012-01-31T12:33:00.012-06:002012-01-31T13:02:54.788-06:00Heavenly, Luscious -- And Taking It Up Two More Notches<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVHPQTW5DMGv_qgmDjYPTtdWwIRGEG11V09-kBNQOSWLZ88it8SMJcbpDbD-NnMLHiGPaSvz1W4CGPTproVW3Qts9GP2oJZL0WdB0_70-2MqI9s7y40pKXY8YiglFEm9imVCmDox0Nphs/s1600/cheesecake.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVHPQTW5DMGv_qgmDjYPTtdWwIRGEG11V09-kBNQOSWLZ88it8SMJcbpDbD-NnMLHiGPaSvz1W4CGPTproVW3Qts9GP2oJZL0WdB0_70-2MqI9s7y40pKXY8YiglFEm9imVCmDox0Nphs/s320/cheesecake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703868310033316610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aplogies First:</span> Wow, do I dare say that it has been four months since I posted last! Wow! Time goes by so fast and it seemed like last Fall and the beginning of Winter just sped away somewhere. Not that I don’t know where it went; it is just that I don’t know how it went by so fast.<br /><br />Needless to say, though, it isn’t like I haven’t started blogs, because I have. It is just finishing them is what I have to apologize about. But, I couldn’t let this last “thing” go by without blogging about it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Onto The Main Event: </span>Today we are talking cheesecakes, people! One of my favorite subjects. They are a little more tedious to make but in the end, so satisfying.<br /><br />We had a “little” family gathering this past weekend on Sunday which I decided to prepare a couple cheesecakes for. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a "little" gathering, just a bunch of women (the O’Connor women, aunts, cousins, in-laws) getting together for their 1st Annual SnS (Soup ‘n Salad) Luncheon. What a party! What a great idea his cousin Mary Jean had! Outstanding soups, transcendent salads, out-of-this world breads, excellent refreshments, and, just a little dessert to finish it off.<br /><br />Since I have so many cookbooks, saved recipes plus my own personal cookbooks (and lots of recipes to add to each of them yet -- and yes, before you say it, I do have my favorites indexed), digging up something new is always fun but can sometimes be time-consuming, aggravating (because my stomach growls while I look through my recipes), but so satisfying when I find just the right one. Actually, when I find the right one, sometimes I'm so excited, I usually find it hard to wait to get making it.<br /><br />And this time I did. We are talking Heavenly Chocolate Cheesecake. However, I decided that the cheesecake alone was not quite appeasing enough. I decided to add a Raspberry Coulis and top it off with some Chantilly Cream.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Coulis?</span> Coulis? What the heck is a coulis? I’m glad you asked. A coulis (pronounced koo-lee) is made by pureeing something – often a fruit or vegetable – until it is liquid enough to serve as a sauce. Good-quality frozen berries make delicious coulis (in this case that is what I went with). Pastry chefs or schooled and sophisticated restaurant chefs often store fruit coulis in a squeeze bottle so they can easily squirt the sauce in a pattern on a dessert or the plate, pool it onto plates, or add a few droplets to garnish another sauce. Now you know – if you are in a restaurant and you see some of that pureed sauce dribbled on your plate or dessert, you can say with confidence and impress others when you speak that foreign language – culinary – by uttering the word “coulis.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cream of the Crop:</span> Next, what’s up with the fancy name on the cream? Chantilly cream, or crème chantilly, to use the French word and again impress your friends, is simply sweetened whipped cream flavored with vanilla (or sometimes brandy). Here in the United States, we take the sweetened part for granted when we refer to whipped cream, although, of course, unsweetened whipped cream is used to give volume and flavor to a number of savory recipes. There are those who will tell you Chantilly cream is a lightly whipped cream (that is to say, not stiff and heading towards butter), but there are those who will disagree with this assertion. Chantilly cream is often piped into decorative shapes. In this case, I took a slice of the cheesecake, ladled some raspberry coulis over that and then used my Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator and using the largest tip piped a dollop onto the top. It might be onto the top of the dessert, but this was just enough to take the whole thing slightly “over the top!”<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Cake Like a Cheesecake</span>: The cheesecake by itself is just plain yummy! But as I said, adding the little extras made it magnificent. Now tell me, who can’t resist the urge to take a small piece of Heaven every once in awhile? If you do like me, I just work harder on the treadmill for the sins I just committed or am about to commit when sitting down with this dessert. It makes it all worthwhile.<br /><br />And without further ado, let me share these recipes with you. I promise – you will love them as much as I do, and, hey, if you make it for a holiday, outing, gathering, etc., you are sharing it with someone else (so the devil isn’t tempting you to eat the whole darn thing by yourself)!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HEAVENLY CHEESECAKE</span><br />•18 Oreo cookies, finely crushed (I put mine in the food processer – works faster)(about 1-1/2 cups)<br />•2 Tbsp. butter, melted<br />•3 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese (I used Neufchâtel which has less fat and calories)<br />•3/4 cup sugar<br />•1 tsp. vanilla<br />•1 pkg. (8 squares) Semi-Sweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly<br />•3 eggs<br /><br />Mix the crushed cookies and butter; press firmly onto the bottom of a greased 9-in springfoam pan.<br />BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla on medium speed until well blended.<br />ADD melted chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.<br />BAKE at 325◦F for 55 minutes to 1 hour or until center is almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around side of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing side of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">RASPBERRY COULIS</span><br />•1 lb. fresh or frozen raspberries<br />•3/4 to 1 cup sugar<br />•1-2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice or bottled lemon juice like RealLemon<br />(Makes about 2 cups)<br /><br />COMBINE the raspberries, 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 Tbsp. of the lemon juice in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. (Don’t worry if you use frozen, they will thaw fast in the pan). Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, about 10 minutes. Taste the mixture and, if necessary, add more sugar. Continue to heat until any additional sugar is dissolved.<br />STRAIN the coulis through a fine-mesh sieve (or a fine-mesh strainer) to eliminate any seeds.<br />ADJUST the flavor by adding additional lemon juice if necessary. The coulis can be served warm or cold; it will thicken slightly when stored in the refrigerator, and keeps for up to 10 days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CHANTILLY CREAM</span><br />•1 cup heavy cream, chilled (yes, that would be whipping cream)<br />•1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar (or to some “powdered sugar”)<br />1/2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />(Makes about 2 cups)<br /><br />CHILL a stainless-steel bowl and the beaters. (I used the balloon whisk on my mixer).<br />POUR the cream into the chilled bowl and whip on medium speed until thickened, about 3 minutes. Increase the speed to high and gradually add the confectioner’s sugar while whipping. Add the vanilla extract and continue to whip until the cream has the desired peak according to its intended use. Soft peaks are good for dolloping cream (taking a spoon and plunking it on there), while firmer peaks are better if the cream is to be piped, used for topping, or folded into another mixture.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Getting Whipped Into Shape: </span>Now here is the biggy, the one instruction you need to make sure you follow carefully: WARNING! WARNING!! (haha!) If your cream starts to turn slightly yellow while you are whipping, it is close to being over-whipped and turning into butter. If that happens, don’t say that I didn’t warn you – but if that does happen, simply fold in a small amount of the unwhipped cream, if you have it, to rescue the texture. Okay, students, if you take one thing away from this, it should be – keep it white!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Whipping to the Desired thickness:</span> Always test your cream when you are whipping. Increase the speed to high and keep whipping the cream until it holds, soft , medium or firm peaks. In this case, we want slightly firm peaks – not stiff. Cream whipped to firm peaks is best for piping. Again, cream should not be whipped to stiff peaks, since it can easily turn into butter.<br /><br />For the best results when whipping cream remember these simple instructions: (1) Make sure you chill the bowl, the beaters and the cream. Place the bowl and beaters in the freezer if need be, but they can also be put in the refrigerator for a couple hours prior to whipping. (2) Add your sugar gradually. Confectioner’s and superfine sugars dissolve more quickly than granulated (which is what we commonly use in baking, etc.) so you are always best to use confectioner’s. (3) Don’t overbeat the cream – remember we are making Chantilly Cream not butter. (Not that I couldn’t eat butter on just about anything but it just wouldn’t look too pretty on this dessert).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And, Last But Not Least . . .</span>the last thing to remember, after you have plated up your dessert, gently grab your fork, eye up this resplendent creation you have composed and forewarn your taste buds that they are about to meet up with something they might just start begging for a little more often.<br /><br />Oh, yah, it is that good!Sharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011530692555161823noreply@blogger.com1