WE SALUTE OUR GREAT WOMEN AND MEN! FLEET WEEK IS BACK!

OR………

NYC Fleet Week 2018: What You Need To Know

MAY 23 TO 29 — MORE THAN A DOZEN SHIPS AND OVER 2,300 SAILORS, MARINES AND COAST GUARD MEMBERS HERE IN NEW YORK CITY!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

ALL KINDS OF EVENTS GOING ON — SEE WEBSITE IN KAY’S NOTES FOR MORE INFORMATION.

KAY’S NOTES:

iMPORTANT TO KNOW: CHECK OUT FLEET WEEK WEBSITE FOR ALL EVENTS FOR THIS GREAT CELEBRATION OF OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN! http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/index.html

GOOD TO KNOW: The Met Museum offers free admission to all service members and vets during Fleet Week and I believe (not sure) that they continue this till Labor Day. (maybe others as welll)

Photos: Courtesy of Fleet Week site.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

PROCRASTIBAKER …WHAAAAAAT?

Or….Really ?

I never heard of a procrastibaker till last week. Have you?

Photo courtesy of NY Times Jens Christian Balle

One of my favorite parts of my favorite paper is Wednesday’s FOOD section. Recently it ran an article named “But First I’ll Bake” and there it was “procrastibaking”. According to the Times”it is the practice of baking something completely unnecessary with the intention of avoiding real work.”

Now, not only have I never heard “procrastibaker”, but was totally surprised at the number of people that not only knew about this technique, but were main-line practitioners. Plus it’s even on Instagram…check out #procrastibaking. I’m a really good procrastinator at avoiding something that I really do want to do, but not now or really have to do, but not now. And I can sharpen pencils with the best of them, however, my all time favorite procrastinating method is taking a nap. Baking never entered my mind.

So you understand, I’m not a very good cook. In fact, I don’t cook except occasionally when I make soup from a rotisserie chicken. I used to be a pretty good baker, but the only thing I bake nowadays are my sugar cookies with my grandchildren.

So the moral of this short post….learn something new everyday and if you’re going to put something off? Skip the nap, bake a cookie!

Milk with your cookies – or bourbon on the rocks?

KAY’S NOTES

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Here’s the link to procrastinating: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/dining/procrastination-baking.html

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

Kids hoping for a snow day?

Or…my ten year old granddaughter knows how to make it happen.

“When you go to bed and the schools haven’t been closed yet, follow these three steps.”

Step 1. Put your pajamas on inside out
Step 2. Put two ice cubes in the toilet and flush
Step 3. Put a spoon under your pillow.

It worked!! She’s home!!
You just never know!

Love this City…gorgeous when it’s snowing and it is snowing. Stay safe!

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

Have ID? Going to Met Museum? Might want to bring it.

Or…a new way to pay as of March 1

The Met has announced a major change in how to pay to enter this spectacular museum.

From New York State? Can still pay-as-you-wish, if not, check this out.

From their website:

With this update, our pay-as-you-wish policy will continue for New York State residents and students from across the tristate region, while visitors from outside New York will be required to pay mandatory admissions; admission for children under 12 will remain free. The Museum will also now honor full-priced admissions tickets for three consecutive days, giving all visitors more time to experience each of The Met’s three locations. We anticipate that the mandatory admissions component will affect approximately 31 percent of our annual visitors. General admission is $25 for adults; $17 for seniors; $12 for students; and free for Members, Patrons, and children under 12.

Now that that’s settled, and you’re going, here’s a helpful bit of info I think I’ve mentioned before. It’s for those of us who prefer not to walk

up those steep stairs at the main entrance, there is a better way to go. To the left of the main entrance (south side) there is an entry to use without stairs. Great for us seniors, wheelchairs, strollers. In addition, there is a coat check, restrooms, and usually a much shorter line to pay admission plus a small discounted Met shop.

Weather is warming up and in keeping with spring, the Met has a beautiful new exhibition opening March 12th, Public Parks, Private Gardens from Paris to Provence. So come on in!

Love this City and love love love The Metropolitan Museum of Art!

KAY’S NOTES:
Important to know: Check out their website for everything The Met has to offer. https://www.metmuseum.org/ And it’s not just their magnificent art!

Where to eat: Want to sit, have a cup of coffee, no rush and enjoy the view? Try the cafe at the American Wing.( good for kids) For something more than coffee, there are a few to chose from. Ask for dining options when you pay your admission. Kids in tow? You probably know there is a cafeteria in the lower floor that serves all their favorites.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

GOT SOME EXTRA HELIUM ANYONE?

OR…THIS ART INSTALLATION MAY NEED TO BORROW!

“Jihan Zencirli will install thousands of compostable, biodegradable balloons in a series of installations in January and February – her largest project to date. The balloons will range in size from ten inches to ten feet, and will live inside NYCB’s home at Lincoln Center. As Zencirli explains, “Balloons are only for a moment. They disappear and vanish. So rooted in my work is this reminder that you will only have this experience at this particular time. You’re here, you’re seeing it, you’re alive.”

Jihan Zencirli is a Turkish American visual artist, experiential writer and performance artist, creating under the moniker GERONIMO. Her interest lies in creating emotional and physical spaces that can break up the monotony of a day, connecting us to one another and bringing joy. She is most notable for her internationally regarded ephemeral sculptures located in public spaces, massive in scale and scope, and designed to be democratic in their availability.”*

And you don’t have to buy a ticket to the New York City Ballet, but you could, they are wonderful. The NYCB will host FREE, open hours for the general public to view the exhibition February 17 through February 25 at the following times: Mon-Fri 10 AM – 6 PM: Sat 10 AM – 12 PM : Sun 10 AM – 1 PM.

Wow…never know what’s coming in this great City! Love it!

KAY’S NOTES:

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The website will give you more information on this stunning exhibition . https://www.nycballet.com/artseries/

GOOD TO KNOW: Lincoln Center brings us yet another FREE wonderful event. This one is part of the New York City Ballet’s art series at the Koch Theater.

*Photo and excerpt courtesy of NYCB website

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!

Or…only in New York!

I was walking home on 1st Ave under the Queensboro Bridge when the roar of a hundred or more bikers came rumbling down 59th and stopped at the light. I looked at them and they waved me across and one said, “Take your time.” In the meantime the light was changing, but not one of them moved until this shopping bag lady made it safely across! Then they were off as we all stood watching their thunderous departure. As they quickly moved on, we blase’ spectators proceeded to wherever we were headed with barely a pause.

Love this City!

Kay’s Notes: You just never know what you’ll see on an otherwise normal Saturday afternoon in this great City.

My photo.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people

REMEMBER…. KANOPY?

Or…As the NY Times article says..”.A night at the theater from your couch!”

Remember my post on kanopy a few weeks ago… Alright, Mr. DeMille, ? Well there was an Interesting article in the Arts section of the Times recently not only about kanopy, but also other streaming services including Broadway HD and PBS. Some free, like kanopy, some not.

From the Times Arts section (Nov 21,2017) by Elizabeth Vincentelli

“Another fairly recent arrival on the streaming scene is kanopy, which is free with a public-library card in 200 systems nationwide. A big chunk of bandwidth is occupied by Shakespeare telecasts the BBC produced in the 1970s and ’80s with a dizzying array of star (or not-yet-star) actors. We’re talking Helen Mirren in “As You Like It” and a 1981 “Othello” with Anthony Hopkins as the title character (this wouldn’t fly anymore) facing Bob Hoskins’s Iago. I was happy to rewatch my favorite Lady Macbeth, Jane Lapotaire, whom I had discovered when that BBC production was shown in France way back when. Offerings of more recent vintage include a “Julius Caesar” transposed by the director Gregory Doran to the Arab Spring.

Just as good are the documentaries, especially a 1990 interview with the performance artist Karen Finley; a chat with Martha Wilson, founder of the experimental performance space Franklin Furnace; and an illuminating exploration of “Hamlet” with David Tennant, Simon Russell Beale and Ben

Whishaw. For me, though, the biggest find was “Theater of War,” about the 2006 production of “Mother Courage and Her Children,” starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, at the Delacorte Theater, with rehearsal footage and a step-by-step breakdown of the production’s evolution.”

The Delacorte Theater in Central Park… Love this City!

KAY’S NOTES:

Important to know: For the full article on streaming services go to the link below… I highly recommend the read. Elizabeth(author) says you can crinkle candy wrappers whenever you want; I say, no one will care if :you dig into that popcorn and pop a bottle of bubbly!

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/theater/theater-streaming-services-cennarium-broadwayhd.html

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people

“Well, one does want a hint of color”*

Or..How a play, a bus trip, and a piece of attire can make for an interesting fall evening!

I was riding home on the bus from Lincoln Center sitting in the “elderly” section, when an elegant couple dressed in traditional NY colors of black and black, came on and joined us. They were laughing and continued to laugh all the way across town. When the couple across from them got up to leave, the woman looked down and said, “I like your red socks.” I hadn’t noticed them before but, along with everyone else in our section, we also looked down and smiled at the bright red socks in his shiny well-polished black shoes. The comment sent the couple into gales of laughter. (Inside joke?) It appeared they had been out to dinner as red-socked man was holding one of those ubiquitous restaurant bags, probably with leftovers. Couldn’t help but wonder was it for them to snack on later or for their dog?

Now speaking of animals… (nice segue, if I say so myself) I was on the bus after seeing Lincoln Center Theater’s production of The Wolves. A good interesting play about a high school girls’ soccer team at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater. (See Kay’s Notes for more on the play and the playwright.)

While I was waiting for the bus after the play, some of the young cast went by and shouted, “Thanks for coming, hope you liked it!” as they saw us in the queue holding our PLAYBILL with its yellow logo.

Seeing the bus approaching, I got ready to step up those steep stairs, Metro card in hand with my red sweater under my black cape. (BTW, I was freezing, it was a cold windy night) And behind me came the laughing well-dressed couple, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Interesting happenings…happen all the time in this City.

Men's Chaps Ribbed Crew Socks, Size: 7-12, Red

For more than a hint of color…Central Park in the fall is gorgeous!

Love this City!

KAY’S NOTES:

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: From LCT’s website…about the playwright and the play: Last season a young playwright, Sarah DeLappe, brought her debut play, THE WOLVES, to New York and it became something of a phenomenon. It was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; the production won an Obie Ensemble Award; it won a special Drama Desk Award for its acting ensemble, and was nominated for Lucille Lortel and Drama League awards for Best Play, as well as for the Outer Critics’ Circle John Gassner Award for Outstanding New American Play. At its most straightforward, THE WOLVES is a fly-on-the-wall look at a girls’ high school soccer team as they go through their warm-ups. Beyond the surface, though, is the thoughtful and eloquent way Ms. DeLappe delineates each of the young women in the space of 90 minutes and six scenes.

GOOD TO KNOW: Lincoln Center Theater membership link and remember tickets for MY FAIR LADY now on sale opening in Spring 2018, a production by Lincoln Center Theater. http://www.lct.org/membership/

*Fun to know: The line I used to intro this post came from Nathan Lane’s character in the movie The Birdcage. In the scene he came out in a suit (not his character’s usual attire) and when he crossed his legs..voilà… pink socks! Hence, one of the favorite quotes from the film. If you’ve seen the movie you know the scene, if not you’re missing a really funny and touching movie.

Image result for The Birdcage The cast with Nathan Lane and Robin Williams is one of my favorites. I’ve seen it many times, know the lines and still laugh out loud …I think I’ll watch it again soon.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people

“Alright, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup!”*

Or…where to find those movies you always wanted to see or have seen but wanted to see again without leaving the comforts of your cozy home?

It’s kanopy baby, a new free service offered by many public libraries.

“kanopy offers a broad selection of more than 30,000 feature films, documentaries, foreign language and more. “ from the NYPL website.

I was reading my favorite newspaper and saw that not only is the New York Public Library offering free streaming from kanopy but so are many libraries across the country. Then the email hit my inbox from the NYPL officially announcing this new free service available to its members. Really true, libraries are definitely not just about books any more. Check out your library to see if they have it…if not, see if they’ll get it. (BTW did you ever return that overdue book?)

Have your popcorn ready and something good to drink, and find a movie you wanted to see that’s not in the theaters, not on Netflix or any other streaming thingy, but maybe, just maybe, there it will be FREE from your local library. And really good news, you don’t have to leave your domicile- just sign up – and let it stream right to your living room, den, bedroom or whatever!

KAY’S NOTES:

Important to know: If you’re not already a member of your library (tsk tsk) do it and then subscribe to kanopy. Check out their website or the NYPL website for more info: https://www.kanopystreaming.com/ https://www.nypl.org/

Good to know: NYPL members – get ten selections a month. Your library system may vary. Now depending on your city/town – library funding is usually thru our taxes. So OK – maybe not totally free – but close enough. Right? No direct cost to join or use.
FYI – some universities and colleges also offer this service to students and alumni.

Image result

Fun to know: * For those who have not seen the movie or the Broadway show…or just too young (probably no one that reads my blog) to know… it’s that famous line from SUNSET BOULEVARD that Norma Desmond (aka Gloria Swanson, 1950 movie and Glenn Close, musical, first run 1994) says so dramatically. “Alright, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup!”

Photo of Sunset Boulevard poster courtesy of Posterazzi.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people

Cost of Senior Pass for US National Parks is going up On August 27, 2017

Act Now for a National Parks Senior Pass

08/24/2017

One of the perks of turning 62 has long been the privilege of buying a Senior Lifetime Pass that covers you and your traveling companions at all 417 National Park Sites only $10—but don’t wait till you’re planning a trip to get yours. The price for a senior pass price is about to go up dramatically, and the rush is on.

The National Parks Department will raise the price of the Senior Lifetime Pass to $80 on August 28; a new $20 annual Senior Pass will become available at the same time.

On its website, the Parks Department promises that all eligible senior pass orders placed online before 11:59pm EDT on August 27, or mail orders postmarked on or before the 27th, will be processed at the $10 price. (There’s also an additional $10 processing charge.)

Why the steep increase? Blame Congress. It’s an indirect result of the America the Beautiful parks pass going up as legislated by Congress in 2016.

How to Get Your Senior Lifetime Pass

Unless you plan to visit a National Parks site before August 27, fire up your computer now.

Click here to access the store’s Senior Pass Page, where you’ll find all the info about the pass.
On the Senior Pass Page, you’ll see a link to “Purchase your pass via Your Pass Now.” This is a digital validation service that’s helping the department handle the rush of applications by automatically verifying your age against public documents. That’s good news for you, because it saves you having to upload an image of your driver’s license or other state issued ID. You will have to enter your personal details, including Social Security number, but Your Pass Now says it deletes all information once your application has been processed.
If you can’t bring yourself to enter your Social Security Number (or the site doesn’t work for you), you can use the standard application here and upload a photo or scan of your ID.
Print or save your confirmation page—due to the last minute crush, it can take up to 12 weeks to receive your pass; meanwhile you can use your confirmation for entry to the National Parks.
You can also apply by mail by printing and completing this application along with a photocopy of your ID.

Once you get your pass, hold on to it; the passes are non-refundable and can’t be replaced if lost or stolen.

Questions? Contact the National Parks Department at 888-ASK-USGS and press 3, or email fedrecpass@usgs.gov. You can also check the Senior Pass FAQ here.

Happy camping!

KAY’S NOTES:

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Senior Planet is a website for seniors offering all kinds of good info on events in NYC. Check them out to see if they are in your area seniorplanet.org

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.