Christmas NYC

   Barney's 

 

   Bloomingdale's

   Macy's

                     Bergdorf Goodman's 

   Tiffany's 

                                                                     Source: Google Images

All different, all fabulous!

Berlin Wall, 1985

Thankful and blessed to have been able to witness a bit of history with the rare opportunity to see the Berlin Wall.  Another highlight.

                                                                   Source:  Google Images

50 years ago today .....

Seeing The Beatles was the start of my lifetime love of attending rock concerts --- Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Elton John, Jefferson Starship, Jethro Tull, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, and so on, and so on.  It wasn't just the opportunity to hear the amazing music, and see the famous musicians (sometimes close-up), but I loved imagining how the entire production was put together -- from the artistic sets and costumes, to the theatrics and special effects.  Pink Floyd started one of their concerts off (before the venue lights went down) by crashing a small plane into the stage.  Then out of the chaos and smoke emerged the band!  Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger shared so much energy during their shows that the excess seemed to also energize the audience way beyond the night of the concert.  Jethro Tull created such varying productions (Heavy Horses, Passion Play, Storm Watch, Thick as a Brick, etc.) that the events pulled the crowd in as though they were entering another dimension.  

                                                                     Source:  Google Images


There was nothing like The Beatles, however.  With no special effects that I remember, and with so many individuals screaming so loudly that you could barely hear the music, the audience reaction was completely and insanely enamored with the group, so aptly referred to as the "fab four".  No wonder there have been so many musicians since who have tried to recreate that same type of hypnotic aura and excitement!

-- by Daurie Augostine, 9/15/14

9/15/64

What are the highlights of *your* life?  Here's one of mine from 50 years ago .....

The Beatles in Cleveland, September 15, 1964

                                                          Source:  www.youtube.com

The above has no sound, but the web address below is a 2 minute video that does: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I3vj7PeZCs

Strawberry Fields Forever ...

                                                             Source:  CIV photo archives

                                               

                                                               Source :  Google Images

Interesting versions of Strawberry Fields Forever @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hobkFHJTut4 and @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jCLYdArfY along with the final version on the Magical Mystery Tour album, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nehRB1FTeTo

Promenade Plantee!

... and where did the inspiration for The High Line come from?  Paris' Promenade Plantee located at the west end of the city near the Bastille.  Paris and Manhattan --- sort of like "sister cities" --- both have islands, Statues of Liberty, Metro subway systems, iconic art museums and fashion shows, and are the only two cities in the world to have elevated railroad tracks turned into green belt parks!!!

                                                                    Source:  Google Images

Friends of The High Line ...

From this:  

To this ...

                                                              Source:  Google Images

A little history:
The 30-foot elevated railroad track was originally built in the 1930's to remove dangerous trains from Manhattan's largest industrial district. In today's dollars, the cost was well over $2 billion. Over time, the growth of interstate trucking decreased the need for rail traffic (both in New York and nationwide) and the last train to run on what would eventually become The High Line "greenway" was in 1980.
                                                        Source:  www.thehighline.org

Note the Empire State Bldg. in the background!

The High Line in Chelsea!

                                                             Source:  Google Images

"A successful [person] is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have throw at him [/her]."       --- David Brinkley
                       

The Battery Conservatory ...

                                                         
... is appreciative of anyone in a position to donate time, services, or supplies in support of Battery Urban Farm.

  

                            Source:  Google Images

Battery Urban Farm!

                                                                    Source:  Google Images

A one-acre farm in the financial district. 

Iconic!

           New York, New York                      

                                                                   Source:  Google Images

... or from a different perspective.

NYC!

                                                      Source:  Google Images

Recipe for an authentic New York egg cream ...

In a tall glass, pour:
1/2 inch of u-bet chocolate syrup
3/4 inch of whole milk
add carbonated water, and mix briskly

Re: Director of Operations

                Yes, thank you!  I would LOVE a homemade card.

Fascinating ...

Recent studies conducted by the Institute of HeartMath provide a clue to explain the bidirectional "healing" that happens when we are near horses. According to researchers, the heart has a larger electromagnetic field and higher level of intelligence than the brain: A magnetometer can measure the heart's energy field radiating up to 8 to 10 feet around the human body. While this is certainly significant it is perhaps more impressive that the electromagnetic field projected by the horse's heart is five times larger than the human one (imagine a sphere-shaped field that completely surrounds you). The horse's electromagnetic field is also stronger than ours and can actually directly influence our own heart rhythm! Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a "coherent" heart rhythm (heart rate pattern) which explains why we may "feel better" when we are around them. . . .studies have found that a coherent heart pattern or HRV is a robust measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy--that is, we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions. A coherent heart pattern is indicative of a system that can recover and adjust to stressful situations very efficiently. Often times, we only need to be in a horses presence to feel a sense of wellness and peace. In fact, research shows that people experience many physiological benefits while interacting with horses, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, increased levels of beta-endorphins (neurotransmitters that serve as pain surppressors), decreased stress levels, reduced feelings of anger, hostility, tension and anxiety, improved social functioning; and increased feelings of empowerment, trust, patience and self-efficacy."