Art on a Blustery Day

If you have a day like Winnie-the-Pooh's, take a walk in Chelsea's art gallery district where you'll see hundreds of exhibits and you can duck in from the wind and rain. Walk along townhouse-lined West 22 Street until you get to 10th Avenue,

and then explore the streets west of 10th. You'll find the Gagosian lifting Richard Serra's heroic work into position,

(Source: Edmondson)
the Ameringer Gallery

showing works by my friend's teacher, Gene Davis,

and interesting things by conceptual artist Sol LeWitt at the Paula Cooper Gallery. He designs the works and other artists execute them to perfection through his extremely detailed instructions.Not sure how I feel about this--it's gorgeous but shouldn't there be more of a struggle?

(Source: hyperallergic.com)
My favorite has to be Sheep Station "featuring the work of late artist François-Xavier Lalanne as the inaugural exhibition of Getty Station, a new public art program located at the former Getty filling station in West Chelsea."(Paul Kasmin Gallery). Everybody was there. Where were you?

(Source: Paul Kasmin Gallery)

#retiredinnewyork
#chelseaartgalleries
#sollewitt
#genedavis

An Encore for You

What if you would like to enrich your retirement with a new kind of job--maybe something you had always thought about but never did?

There is a place to go to research this idea--a site I learned about from the invaluable AARP Magazine (this month's cover has four great seniors on it)

(Source: fitzness.com)

The site is www.encore.org--a place where you can explore a second (or third or fourth) career idea and figure out ways to finance and go for it. Supported by foundations that want to simultaneously help seniors and also supply experienced veterans to new fields, encore.org is great for those who have discovered they want to keep or return to working, perhaps in a new direction, and even if the stipend is less than they used to earn. Part time jobs also help enable seniors to remain independent and the range is tremendous. They can join and serve in the Peace Corps in a program called Peace Corps Reserve,

(Source: ridgefieldpress.com)
train for a health care job helped by an Encore fellowship,

(Source: examiner.com)
become a baker

(Source: nydailynews.com)and of course, teach--human and animal students.

 

(Source: blog.timesunion.com)

This issue has become critical as retirees live two decades longer than they used to and employer pensions have disappeared. Jobs can provide "purpose, money, community and freedom" ("An Encore for Nonprofit Leaders").

The big five job fields are health care (no kidding), green jobs, government (when it's working), non profit and education. Encore.org has a great survey of jobs listing sites where seniors can find promising leads.

#retiredinnewyork
#jobsforseniors
#peacecorpsreserve

It only took 50 years

but we finally got to the New York Film Festival in its 51st year. Somehow, we never realized it was on until we were in the middle of it and then it was too late to get tickets. But this time we ordered well in advance and there we were on Tuesday night in the middle of a premier no less

complete with movie stars.

Everybody was there (including us) and it reminded us, as director Richard Curtis (of "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill," and "Harry Potter and "Love Actually") said, that in addition to everything else, New York is also the film capital of the world.

We saw Curtis' great new film, "About Time" with Bill Nighy and Domhnall Gleeson (next year's new star I promise you), and had a great time although we managed to secure the worst seats in the house (maybe we weren't so early after all). But it was worth it. Our remaining tickets are for "Sandra," a rarely seen Visconti masterpiece.

(Source: osullivan60.blogspot.com)

There's still time to catch a flick or two. Don't wait 50 years.

#newyorkfilmfestival
#abouttime
#viscontissandra
#retiredinnewyork
#filminnewyork

Take the Ferry to Dumbo

Once again, we found ourselves on our way to Dumbo for that excellent artist colony's annual Arts Festival and Open Studios, mainly to see two talented friends' work but also to soak up the local atmosphere of which there was plenty.

We decided to experience yet another of the city's ferries, this time the one from scenic Pier 11 (a destination in itself) on Wall Street to the Brooklyn Waterfront, via New York Waterway. 

 

In addition to the East River Ferry, NY Waterway operates all the ferries along the Hudson River and the Belford Ferry from Manhattan to New Jersey. Take the subway to Wall Street using your trusty senior Metrocard, then walk east a couple of blocks to the East River and Pier 11.  The fare to Brooklyn is a steal at $4 and on the way you can see Brooklyn's three bridges to Manhattan.

Do not confuse this humble low-priced ferry with the New York Water Taxi, which charges $28 for an all-day pass but also includes many stops around Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, the Intrepid, and the 9/11 Memorial. The whole trip takes 90 minutes but you can hop on and off to see the sites. There is no senior fare but those interested in taking this cruise should check Goldstar.com as it has half-price coupons periodically. The Water Taxi has the same colors as our beloved yellow cabs.

(Source: nycgo.com)
The Dumbo Arts Festival was attended by le tout New York--be on the lookout for these events (check nycgo.com/freeweekly and the New York Times) and get there early to scoop the crowds.

The most fashionable food trucks were there and people stood on long lines to sample their fare. Check out Jessica Festa's article at viator.com of "The Best Fall Festivals in NYC" for other events coming up.

(Source: thingstodo.viator.com)
This and other jaunts around town are ideal for our now just-about-perfect weather; take advantage of it--it won't last forever.

#retiredinnewyork
#thingstodoinnewyork
#falleventsnewyork

Time to go to church

OK, so you're not a regular churchgoer--or, you are Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, etc. No matter, one of the best (and cheapest) ways to hear good music is at the many churches that produce cantatas, oratorios, masses, and other works. It is no secret that the best and most talented composers often lived by their day jobs (J.S.Bach) and/or commissions and gigs (Handel, Mozart) and although the music is religious in format and inspiration, it is universal in appeal and accessibility.And you can take a peek at some pretty nice architecture along the way.

(Source: St. Thomas Church)

Because the choristers and often the musicians are either unpaid or lightly paid, (and this I know as, in my youth, I was one of the very lightly paid soloists) the audience gets the benefit of huge ensembles well rehearsed that are otherwise only mounted with great expense in one of the city's concert halls.

(Source: nytimes.com)

Churches are wonderful places to hear gospel choirs during services

 

(Source: religion.lohudblogs.com

and certain Harlem churches, like the Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, are renowned for their music,

(Source: bboogie.com)
but do NOT walk out during the preaching of the gospel or you may offend the regulars. Music is considered an important part of these churches' ministry but keep in mind that these are religious services.

The great pipe organs in New York City are another reason to hang out at churches.  A comprehensive list of all NYC pipe organs has been undertaken by the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists nycago.org/Organs/NYC/. Check here to find churches with fine pipe organs by borough and make time to hear one of the organ recitals, often on weekdays. Again, these are usually free.

(Source: organfriend.net)

Some of the best churches to hear Bach, Handel, Mozart, etc. are: St. Thomas Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Grace Church, Riverside Church, Marble Collegiate, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Patrick's on Fifth Avenue, the New Mount Zion Baptist Church, and many others in all city boroughs. Take a look at your local church for its schedule of performances and also check the websites for the churches listed above. You will have to do your own research as there doesn't seem to be an overall calendar for church music around the city. If you find one, let us know. Better yet, compile one and share.
#retiredinnewyork

Ode to Zabars

Now a tourist destination, Zabars has been our home away from home for decades. I can still remember part owner Mr. Klein hawking white peppercorns for $2 a bag; enchanted by his spiel, I bought one.

(Source: nytimes.com

In 1945, it was one small storefront; it has now taken over all the faux-half-timbered buildings on the block.

(Source: images.businessweek.com)
If you haven't been there, why should you go? and what has this got to do with retirement? Well, the reason you should go is the same one that would make you go to Harrod's Food Halls if you were in London. What this has to do with retirement is that you can take a day just for this and visit--it's vaux un voyage as they say in Michelin.

It is the repository of every single kind of cheese known to humankind

(Source: guidepal.com)

and the place where you can find 17 different kinds of smoked salmon and have it cut wafer thin by one of a team of fish slicing professionals.

(Source: quiteallright.blogspot.com)
Blue Mountain coffee, Kalamata olives, cloudberry jam, Mont St. Michel cookies--it's all there.

(Source: mobilemunchies.blogspot.com

  

(Source: prweb.com)

 It's an appetizing store that takes you back to a time when all food was fresh and weighed for you by real people, where you can see stacks of empty caviar tins outside on New Year's Day but where you can also get the best price on your rye bread. 

(Source: preserveamerica.com)

#retiredinnewyork

#zabars

#thingstodoinnewyork

#cunyseniorcitizensprogram

Night at the Opera - Update

OK--as Monday is Opening Night at the Metropolitan Opera, I checked back to see if new instructions on Rush seats had been posted. They are now and a helpful associate gave me the information which I will pass onto you.

 

(Source: new-savanna.blogspot.com)

The big news is that the weekday and weekend programs will continue. Weekdays, Rush seats are available to anyone day of performance BUT if you are a senior you just call (212) 362-6000 that day and you can order them on the phone. They cost $20 and are in the Orchestra and Grand Tier. Exclusions are Opening Night, New Year's Eve, etc.

(Source: muppet.wikia.com)

Weekends, you have to enter the lottery. Go online any Monday morning before 10 am and register for tickets for the following weekend. They are $25 each and can be bought for all performances except galas and opening nights of new productions.

  

(Source: dbcovers.com)

They have the site up now for both the Rush tickets and the senior weekend tickets. Go to: metoperafamily.org/metopera/Rush/ for weekday Rush tickets and metoperafamily.org/metopera/contests/drawing/index.aspx for the weekend ticket drawing.

 (Source: twi-ny.com)   The Rabbit of Seville
You may have to wait a bit on the phone but hey, you might catch a well-known friend in one of his big roles.
#retiredinnewyork
#metseniorrushtickets
#metopera

I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.

It was true when Will Rogers said it and nothing much has changed since then. After finding our names on the primary petition as candidates from our 91st Election District, we decided to accept the honor --more phone banks, petition signatures, and long meetings in very warm basement halls--who could resist?

We asked if our names would be on the ballot and were told they would not. That's because we would be deemed elected as we were running unopposed. And let me tell you  if you're going to run, unopposed is the way to do it.

Flash forward to the meeting of the Manhattan Democratic County Committee to which all Manhattan Democrats who won their primary were invited. We were invited so we figured we won our primary.

We knew we represented the 91st Election District but oddly we couldn't find it at the meeting anywhere. Eventually we were sent to our 67^th Assembly District. Then when we looked for our names alphabetically we learned the list was by Election District. But, as Democrats, we realized this was business as usual.

(Source: theamericanmaverick.com)

Everybody was there--the elected and the unelected, the successful and the unsuccessful candidates—it seems nobody ever disappears in politics.

This was our first such meeting and it was a hoot. Young people, seniors like us, people on walkers and pushing strollers--people in wheelchairs-- a true cross section of our borough--real grass roots democracy with a small “D.” Plenty of motions, seconds and votes strictly by parliamentary rules; it was highly controlled chaos--elections of the Third Vice Chair were greeted by shouts of “yeah” and “what was that?”

The same folks were coming back indefatigably the next night to elect judicial leaders. The roll call of names was the list of ethnic and national migrations to this country--in a micro kind of way it was very moving. We thought if they could do it so could we and, by the way, so can you. We heard from runoff candidates for Public Advocate and many other County Committee people we never knew did things. We signed the sheets and I expect we'll be called to do more volunteer work and that's ok.

Local issues like housing for the elderly, public schools, street lights, neighborhood overdevelopment --they’re not national but they are our own back yard so I say, go to a meeting of your local Democrat or Republican Club and get involved.

(Source: shutterstock.com)

You'll hear the latest about what’s happening in your New York State Assembly District, the New York City Council and the US House of Representatives directly from your elected officials at those meetings.

It's a privilege to see our system at work and work is the operative word here. They can't govern without us. So go--it's fun and you'll like the people--they're a lot like all of us.

#retiredinnewyork
#engageinpolitics

No, this is not a pussy cat

It is a 17-pound snow leopard who needs a name. He is the son of mom Maya and orphaned snow leopard dad Leo who was sent to the Bronx Zoo by Pakistan, after a shepherd rescued him there.

(bronxzoo.com)

The Bronx Zoo has 10 of the 137 snow leopards in captivity, a successful breeding record that no other zoo can emulate. In fact, the Bronx Zoo is a mine of animal fertility and serves as a refuge for rapidly declining species.

(Source: zooborns.com)

Snow leopards, rhinos, tigers, and other endangered animals take part in  their "Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program meant to maintain genetic diversity and demographic stability in zoo populations of threatened and endangered animals."

There are and have been many irresistible babies at the zoo

 

(Source: nbcnewyork.com)

and you are helping the good work with your entry and membership fees.

(Source: newswatch.nationalgeographic.com)

The fall is an ideal time to visit the zoo, with or without children attached, as babies born in the spring and summer often make their public debut in the fall and it is cooler.

(Source: kids.britannica.com)

When the zoo has a new baby, the birth announcements go out to everybody and the place is packed, so take advantage of the weekday lull to catch the newcomers.

(Source: newyork.cbslocal.com)

And while you're there, try to think of a good name for a baby snow leopard.

P.S. Did you know that 75% of the world's population of elephants has been destroyed within the last 10 years? Please lend your voice to the Wildlife Conservation Society's campaign to end legal selling of all ivory.

#retiredinnewyork
#babysnowleopard
#bronxzoo

Theatre Row and George Bernard Shaw

If you are one of the New York refugees who has trekked to Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada to see their very fine Shaw productions, doubtless you have asked yourself why so few of his plays are mounted in New York. After all, this is the man who told us that "There is no love sincerer than the love of food." Happily, the Gingold Theatrical Group, named for the late great Hermione Gingold, has taken to reading his plays at the Players Club as part of their Shaw Project.

Now they have co-produced a full production of You Never Can Tell with the Pearl Theater Company on Theater Row directed by David Staller and it's Broadway quality at Off-Broadway prices. The Pearl is a lovely small house all the way west on 42nd St and if you like the classics you'll like what they do.

Up next are Sartre's No Exit, Sheridan's The Rivals and a new play by Terrence McNally called And Away We Go. Rory and I plan to attend all of them.  Although we paid about $25 per ticket through TDF during the previews their regular prices are not bad--$40 for members. The membership is $50 and despite Groucho's warning you do want to be a member of this particular club. And how nice is it to go to the theater on this quiet part of 42nd St with other small theaters offering new and unusual plays and musicals at old time prices.

Happily for us, Project Shaw is moving to the Upper West Side's Symphony Space for their next script-in-hand readings (you won't notice, I promise) which will be Don Juan in Hell from Man and Superman, Candida and The Devil's Disciple. Of course, always try TDF but their regular tickets are only $30.

(Source: Shaw New York 2013)

The Gingold Group is doing this to "champion human rights with the work of GBS as their platform." But if you're not familiar with his works, don't worry about their serious purpose--you'll enjoy these wonderfully funny and wise plays. As the great man says, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

#retiredinnewyork
#theatrerow
#shawnewyork