COME ON JULY 23RD TO BROOKLYN WELLNESS IN THE PARK!

Mark you calendars for Wellness Day! A terrific fundraiser for The Global Autism Project.

Who
Any and all members of the Brooklyn community, regardless of age and body type, as well as numerous local health and fitness businesses and vendors.

What
Brooklyn Wellness in the Park is a new health and wellness event this summer brought to you by the Global Autism Project. The goal of this event is to bring members of our communities together to exercise and learn how to get fit and stay healthy in their everyday lives. Participants who come to the wellness event will enjoy group workouts led by local coaches, as well as have opportunities to get more information about community fitness studios and wellness centers, sample both local and national health food products, and participate in exciting raffles and giveaways.

Why
All proceeds from this event go to the Global Autism Project, a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization that is committed to empowering communities worldwide to address the needs of individuals affected by autism. The Global Autism Project implements new and sustains existing programs in the United States as well as in under-resourced countries abroad. The Global Autism Project believes in the importance of healthy minds and bodies, both within the scope of their organization and beyond it, so they are joining together with our community to promote the universal importance of health and wellness. For more information about the Global Autism Project, visit their website at http://www.globalautismproject.org/.

How
All you have to do is show up at Brooklyn Wellness in the Park for a day full of fun fitness classes and activities, great food, wellness education, and community bonding. The event is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10 to support the Global Autism Project’s national and international programs and future events like this one.
If your local business is interested in sponsoring this event, leading a workout, setting up a table or activity, donating products, or wants to get involved in other ways, please feel free to contact us!

What Should I Bring?
Comfortable clothes and shoes to exercise in
A water bottle
A yoga mat and/or towel if you're planning to take yoga classes

For more info, contact:

Samantha Melvin
samantha@globalautismproject.org
619-964-3080

RUN, DON'T WALK, TO SEE MAIRA KALMAN EXHIBIT AT THE JEWISH MUSEUM (ENDS JULY 31)

I've been a Maira fan for more than 20 years, ever since I read Max Makes a Million.

A few years ago, I had the honor of interviewing her for my blog. (HERE is the post about the interview.)

So imagine my delight when I found out that the Jewish Museum was featuring a WHOLE FLOOR of Maira's work! Yippee!

Last weekend, Mike and I went up to the museum and had a great time looking at her paintings, objects she has collected, and videos of/about her, including her TED talk.

There was such a light, happy feeling on that floor. And I was so pleased that a whole floor was dedicated to a Jewish woman artist.

The museum display board beckoned us down to the cafe for some lox, but lo and behold, they were out of lox. So we bused over to the top of Fairway to have lox sammies.

Then made our way down to Crate and Barrell to use a gift certificate to buy simple shiny white new dishes.

What a great day!

Here's text from the Jewish Museum website about the Maira exhibit:

Welcome to the first museum survey of Maira Kalman’s narrative art. Working as an illustrator, author, and designer, Kalman illuminates contemporary life with a profound sense of joy and a unique sense of humor. This exhibition features a selection of original works on paper that span thirty years of illustration for publication. Also on view are less widely seen works in photography, embroidery, textiles, and performance. As a context for this survey, Kalman has created a special installation by furnishing the gallery with chairs, ladders, and “many tables of many things”—drawn from her collections.

Kalman speaks of her work as a form of journalism. She uses writing and drawing to render an ongoing account of the world as she sees it. Hers is a daily discipline of creativity based on photography, travel, research, walking, talking, and open observation. A serious love of distraction pervades. Abundant depictions of fashion, food, art, and architecture represent life’s great pleasures. At the same time rubber bands, pieces of moss, bobby pins, and snacks stake a claim for smaller forms of satisfaction. All of this might seem pretty trivial were it not for the counterweight of history, memory, and loss that is also ever-present. Chaos is another constant, be it crazy and madcap or simply devastating. Indeed, it is her work’s gift to illuminate those things that affirm our own capacity for joy, sadness, humor, charm. In short, Kalman’s art inspires our humanity in light of life’s overwhelming events and details.

—Ingrid Schaffner, Senior Curator, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania

About Maira Kalman

Maira Kalman (b. 1949 Tel Aviv, lives New York) is the author of twelve children’s books including Ooh-la-la (Max in Love). Among her adult classics are The Elements of Style, an illustrated edition of Strunk and White’s timeless grammar, and The Principles of Uncertainty, a picture book of essays based on a yearlong online column for The New York Times. She has just completed a second online epic for The Times titled And the Pursuit of Happiness. Kalman’s best known work, created with fellow illustrator Rick Meyerowitz, is New Yorkistan: a cartoon map of the city designated by tribes, such as Pashmina, Irant, and Irate. When it ran on the cover of The New Yorker in December 2001, it sanctioned a first burst of laughter in the aftermath of 9/11. A relatively more secret aspect of her identity is as the “M” in M&Co, the revolutionary design firm founded by her late husband, Tibor Kalman, with whom she was a constant collaborator. The firm’s famous 10-One-4 watch is based on one of her doodles. She has collaborated on projects with the fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, the choreographer Mark Morris, and the composer Nico Muhly.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BONNIE ERICKSON, THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JIM HENSON LEGACY

I am thrilled for my friend Bonnie Erickson, who is now the Executive Director of The Jim Henson Legacy. I interviewed Bonnie for Creative Times (click HERE to read the interview) after meeting her at BAM's Sesame Street Film Festival.

All I can say is this: Jim would be thrilled!

Congratulations, Bonnie!

JIM HENSON'S FANTASTIC WORLD NOW AT MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE IN NEW YORK

Photo by John E. Barrett. Mahna Mahna and back-up singers © The Muppets Studio, LLC.

I was thrilled to receive an invitation from my friend Bonnie Erickson, the new Executive Director of the Jim Henson Legacy, to come and see Jim Henson's Fantastic World. This traveling exhibit is at New York's Museum of the Moving Image until January 16.

Info below is taken directly from the website of the Museum of the Moving Image.

EXHIBITION

Jim Henson's Fantastic World

July 16–January 16, 2012

Jim Henson, the internationally known creative genius whose work encompassed film, television, and puppetry, will be the subject of a major exhibition—Jim Henson’s Fantastic World—to be presented by Museum of the Moving Image this summer. For its New York run, the Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be enhanced by an array of programs, talks, and performances, including special screenings, personal appearances by members of Henson’s family and his close collaborators, and education programs for the entire family.

The exhibition will feature over 120 artifacts, including drawings, animations, storyboards, props, and video material that illustrate Henson’s boundless creativity and innumerable accomplishments. Among the highlights are fourteen iconic original puppets of such characters as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Bert, and Ernie; photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work; and excerpts from Henson’s early projects and experimental films. The exhibition spans Henson’s entire career, beginning with drawings, cartoons, and posters produced during his college years in the late 1950s and concluding with objects related to the inspired imaginary worlds of his popular fantasy films, The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986). Visitors will encounter materials from Henson’s best-known projects, The Muppet Show, The Muppet Movie and its sequels, and Fraggle Rock, as well as objects related to his Sesame Street characters. Visitors will also learn about Sam and Friends, an early show Henson created in the 1950s, Henson’s television commercial work in the 1960s, and the segments Henson made for The Ed Sullivan Show.

In collaboration with the New York-based Jim Henson Legacy and The Jim Henson Company, the Museum will present screenings, educational programs, and special events to commemorate Henson’s 75th birthday on September 24 as well as other milestones during the period the exhibition is on view. These will include an anniversary screening of a newly restored 35mm print of Labyrinth with special guests, presentations by his widow and long-time creative partner Jane Henson and his son Brian Henson, and matinee screenings of Henson film and television work every weekend. Educational programs will include guided tours of the exhibition and family workshops on puppetry.

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World was organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in cooperation with the Henson family, The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, LLC, and Sesame Workshop. This exhibition is made possible by the BIO channel. Additional support has been provided by The Jane Henson Foundation and Cheryl Henson. The New York run at Museum of the Moving Image is supported by Five Napkin Burger, The Astor Room, and Schmutter, Strull, Fleish Inc.

Jim Henson's Fantastic World Podcast
Created as a companion to Jim Henson's Fantastic World, the podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at Jim Henson and the fantastic creations of his imagination. The 30-minute tour features Karen Falk, Director of the Henson Archives; Craig Shemin, former writer for the Jim Henson Company; and Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson’s daughter and the president of the Henson Foundation. Download the podcast here.

CREATE GOOD KARMA: HELP THIS ARTS 'N CULTURE BLOGGER FIND A SUMMER JOB!

FROM THE DESK OF ELEANOR TRAUBMAN

Dear Friends -

I hope this note finds you well. It has been a wonderful year for Mike and me, full of friends, family, and art shows!

Since my post at the Brooklyn public school where I work is seasonal (September – June), I’m starting to look around for summer positions. If, after taking a look at the info below, you have an idea of someone who you think I should meet, please feel free to send me an email. I value your creative input!

One item not mentioned below: I hold an MS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education.

Eleanor's Ideal Components of a Summer Job

1. Up to 30 hrs/wk
2. Being part of a team of two or more
3. Interaction with public – could be students, customers, clients, patrons
4. Proximity to any of the following: the arts, books, children, families
5. Doesn’t have to be a fancy title or position, just something satisfying
6. Friendly and air-conditioned workplace!

Key Skills/Roles

Educator * Trainer/Facilitator * Writer/Researcher
Promoter * Team and Community Builder

Education

MS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education

Samples of Work Projects

* Facilitated conflict resolution with K- 5th grades at Brooklyn public school; supported literacy development with class of 24 Kindergarteners

* Managed PlayNet, a grant-funded project at The Brooklyn Museum designed to increase educators’, parents’, and caretakers’ understanding of play and capacity to facilitate play with children.

* Interviewed Sesame Street cast and crew members for my blog, Creative Times

* Co-Produced The Brooklyn Blogfest, an annual gathering for 300 bloggers, artists, local community activists & politicians who write, speak, organize, and make art about their neighborhoods and the world beyond

* Co-Founded Creative Connections, a support group for women artists and entrepreneurs who want to stay on the edge of personal and professional growth.

* Organized first Take Our Daughters to Work Day for a middle school in Washington Heights, and worked with 7th grade girls to create book & organizer’s manual about the day

How to Contact Me

Thanks so much for your support! Please feel free to email with questions or ideas.

Eleanor Traubman
917-499-7395
creativetimes.blogspot.com
etraubman@aol.com

GET ORGANIZED THIS SUMMER WITH ELEANOR TRAUBMAN

It’s Summer! Time to:

• Clear your desk

• Organize your closets

• Set up great filing systems

• Get organized for a profitable tag $ale

• Create rooms you love to live and work in

• Make space for you!!!

Call now to discuss your goals with Eleanor Traubman,

Professional Organizer for Busy New York Women

Featured in

Time Out New York • Fitness • Family Circle
Sun Times Chronicle • The Brooklyn Paper

917-499-7395

etraubman@aol.com
creativetimes.blogspot.com

BYE-BYE "SHOULD", HELLO "WANT TO"

Recently, it's been "Bye-bye to-do list, hello What do I WANT TO DO list." This campaign has been a way to break from being such a task-master and open up some diversity and creativity in my daily life.

I noticed that if I stick only to checking off the daily to-dos, I get bored, resentful, and stale.

Sunday was a good example. I knew I should clean the house, go to the gym, and a million other things. But it was such a pretty day and the image of The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens kept popping into my head. I bought a Sunday Times and plunked myself down at a table there with a lemonade, letting a throng of thousands of people swirl and ebb around me. There were so many pretty flowers out!

Yesterday, I was supposed to go to a pilates class I know I should attend every Wednesday. But I went with what I wanted to do - rolled into The Housing Works Book Cafe, an old favorite of mine in SoHo; picked up a few tacos at the warehouse-loft/garage-ish Tacombi in the same 'hood, and went into the Chinatown Y to do some stretches.

I was so happy when I saw my horoscope today on Daily Om. It confirmed that what I am doing is a good thing!

May 12, 2011

Novel Patterns

Scorpio Daily Horoscope

An avant-garde mood can descend upon you suddenly today, prompting you to look for ways of imbuing your existence with a greater degree of creativity. Your search for ideas can take you on a wild and intensely moving journey through books, museums, and meetings. If you truly want to open your life to imagination and novelty, you will likely need to look at your own choices first. You may discover that today you have been locked into patterns of thinking and behavior that have kept you from fulfilling your creative potential. This can be a wonderful time to distance yourself from these patterns by pursuing a new range of activities and events.

We break new ground and broaden the borders of our existence when we move away from our routine patterns in order to explore fresh methods of being and doing. Though we can never escape certain elements of our experience entirely, we can nonetheless identify unexplored areas of interest and use those as a starting point from which to immerse ourselves in new patterns. Doing this allows us to determine definitively whether the routines, habits, and preferences we have long embraced are truly meeting our individual needs. Should we discover that there is a deficiency in one area or another, we are already primed to investigate alternative ways of patterning our lives because we are approaching the matter with an open mind. Your openness to fresh concepts and methodologies can give you an advantage when you decide to build a better life today.

Image Credit: Bella Foster

SIXTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BLOGFEST IS MAY 12

BROOKLYN BLOGFEST 2011

Come one, come all to the 6th Annual Brooklyn Blogfest on MAY 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM at The Bell House(149 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues) in the Gowanus/Park Slope neighborhood.

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE HERE.

“Where better to take the pulse of this rapidly growing community of writers, thinkers and observers than the Brooklyn Blogfest?” ~ Sewell Chan, The New York Times

Since it was founded in 2006, the Brooklyn Blogfest has established itself as the nexus of creativity, talent, and insight among the blogosphere’s brightest lights. This year will be no different as Blogfest presents keynote speaker, Jeff Jarvis, author of What Would Google Do? Jarvis blogs about media and news at Buzzmachine and is director of the interactive journalism program and the new business models for news project at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Jarvis’ must-see presentation, Will Blog for Food (or You Can Make Money Doing This!), will focus on new business models for bloggers!

Just announced: An Opening Video by acclaimed photographer Gabriela Herman will open Blogfest 2011. Herman is a Brooklyn-based photographer, who is gaining a reputation for her portraits of bloggers in the glow of their computer screens while they write. "Something about the alchemy of isolation and connection stares right back at us from her arresting images."

Blogfest is for bloggers, social networkers, journalists and entrepreneurs. Whether you live by a blog, live to blog, blog to live (or are thinking of starting a blog) you’ll want to join us on May 12th.

Also on tap: An opening video by acclaimed photographer Gabriella Herman; a video tribute to Brooklyn’s most visionary photo bloggers (by Adrian Kinloch of Brit in Brooklyn), Blogs Aloud (directed by Elizabeth Palmer of Midnight Cowgirls); special networking sessions for like-minded bloggers (i.e. Blogs of a Feather), the ever-popular Shout-out, when bloggers are invited to share their blogs with the world, and a roof-raising after-party with a cash bar, food and music!

See you on May 12th at 7:30 PM (doors open at 7PM). Order your $15 tickets NOW HERE.

BAX CELEBRATES 20TH BIRTHDAY - WILL I SEE YOU THERE?

Join us on May 5, 2011, 7:30 pm
as we celebrate 20 years of
arts and artists in progress
at the Prospect Park Picnic House

hosted by
George Emilio Sánchez & Christalyn Wright

performances by
LAVA
Famous Accordion Orchestra
Mike Albo
Faye Driscoll
BAXco Youth Dance Company
(performing choreography by Nami Yamamoto)
Drew Petersen
and more...

BAX Arts and Artists in Progress Awards

Awardees have revealed and transformed our creative world. By instigating and enduring change they have deepened the definition of their field and paved the way for others.

The PASSING IT ON AWARD creates a complete cycle where a panel of peers chooses the awardees and the awardees choose someone who demonstrates some of the same qualities that they, themselves, were chosen for.

awards presented by
Marya Warshaw – Founder & Executive Director, BAX

artist award
Gus Solomons jr – choreographer and co-founder, PARADIGM
passing it on to Malcolm Jason Low

arts educator award
Terry Greiss – Co-Founder & Executive Director, Irondale Ensemble Project
passing it on to Leese Walker

arts manager award
Leslie Strongwater – Associate Artistic Director, Dixon Place
passing it on to Andy Horwitz

honorary award
Long standing theater/dance partnership between the Brooklyn New School (BNS)
and BAX, with José Joaquín García as lead teaching artist

Check out BAX’s Spring Online Auction at www.biddingforgood.com/bax
April 20th -May 11th.
Exclusive items available ONLY at the BAX 20th Celebration! So bring your checkbook.

Click here to RSVP

SANDERS STRESSES GENEROSITY IN TODAY, WE ARE RICH

Some years ago, I picked up Tim Sanders' Love is the Killer App an dug his message about the importance of of sharing one's knowledge, network, and compassion.

When I found out that Tim had a new book coming out, I was intrigued by the title and asked him to send me a copy so I could write about it for Creative Times. He said "Yes," and promptly popped it in the mail. (A man of his word is Tim, which is a good thing because one of the messages of his new book is to follow up on your promises.)

When I received the shiny red metallic gift in the mail, I dug right in to Today We Are Rich: Harnessing the Power of Total Confidence.

One of the things that makes Tim and his book interesting is his openness about having been abandoned by his mom at a young age and raised by a loving, religious, and principled grandmother. He had mentioned this piece of his story in Love, but makes it a central focus in Today. Every chapter focuses on a mindset or way of living life instilled in him by his grandmother, Billye.

Billye taught Tim that he was always rich because he was always in a position to give of time and money, no matter how much or little he had (or thought he had) at any given moment. Tim has carried that message forward into his adult life, and stresses to his readers the crucialness of being generous, no matter how tight or despairing things feel. Tim's mandate is to be generous without keeping tabs, hoping for something in return, or trying to one-up or trump a gift received.

I like this quotation about generosity in particular: "The difference between grateful and ungrateful lives in perception: One sees a life of beauty; the other sees a life of lack."

Some other Billye-inspired messages that Tim puts forth:

* Have constructive, positive-toned conversations with yourself and with others - discussions that are based on confidence as opposed to despair or feelings of powerlessness. Use your words to move things forward.

* Keep your promises.

* Go deep when you pursue new knowledge. Don't just roam the internet and skim articles. Read lots of books, mark them up, make them your own, and talk about them with others.

* Find and act on your purpose, your purpose being the intersection of your strengths or what helps others, and what gives you meaning.

In a time when people are frightened about being able to make a living, there's something useful about a book that is full of back-to-basic ideas about what it means to live a principled life.

My own perception about Tim is that because he had Billye, who made a huge difference to him, he is very clear about the impact that an individual person can make - including a person of modest material resources - by giving of herself, sticking to her promises, and acting confidently on her convictions.

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ LEE KRASNER: A BIOGRAPHY

I remember being at The Brooklyn Museum a bunch of years back, seeing some of the paintings of Lee Krasner, and thinking "Damn, this was a brilliant woman. I wish I knew more about her!" So I was thrilled to find out that there's a biography out about her, written by Gail Levin. Mary Houlihan of the Chicago Sun Times starts her review of the book this way:

For decades, the defining footnote to Krasner’s life was her marriage to legendary artist Jackson Pollock, a long-suffering relationship that overshadowed Krasner’s own talent and contributions to American abstract expressionism. But now in the absorbing Lee Krasner: A Biography, art historian Gail Levin looks well beyond the Pollock factor to detail Krasner’s own brilliant career. She manages to do this in succinct detail stretching from Krasner’s Brooklyn childhood and involvement in the early 20th century New York art world to the decades after Pollock’s death and the eventual recognition of her own artwork.

SEE YOU THIS SUNDAY AT 4 PM AT MMMM...I WANT TO EAT THAT ART!

I am psyched to announce that the pie paintings of Mike Sorgatz, my husband and curator of Art In Brooklyn, will be featured in MMmm...I Want to Eat That Art.

The venue for this Sunday's art reception is part of Rush Arts Gallery, a nonprofit arts organization run by Danny Simmons, Russell Simmons' brother.

Hope to see you there! Here's the info:


MMmm...I Want to Eat that Art

Opening Reception: Sunday March 27th from 4-6 pm.

Corridor Gallery, 334 Grand Street, Brooklyn NY 11238


On view at Corridor Gallery from March 25th to May 21st 2011 is a collection of delicious works of by Robin Antar, Lisa Diller, Edie Nadelhaft, Douglas Newton, Michael Sorgatz, and Tony Toscani. This works were created using a range of media including carved marble, pastel, and oil painting. Each artist draws from a different inspiration within similar subjects.

Robin Antar is commenting on the current packaging and production of food items in relation to Contemporary Pop Art. By making these temporary edible forms into permanent forms carved from stone.

Lisa Diller’s subject is the works of art that are delicately constructed by French pastry chefs, documented in a Thiebaud style of composition. The luscious colors of fresh confections and honey glazes are documented the same way French Masters explored the plein aire traditions.

Edie Nadelhaft is fascinated by the ideas of magnification and the sense of taste that can be derived through observations of the mouth. Her cherry biter series explores the way luscious cherries are sensuously devoured.

Douglas Newton has been exploring the compositions of food items for some time. He finds delight in the reflective wrappings of candy and rises to the challenge of painting the nuances coming together.

Michael Sorgatz started painting pies for a school fundraiser pie social. The explorations reminded him of family ties to his grandmother’s farm life. The comfort and nostalgia is translated though visceral acrylic paint on canvas.

Tony Toscani finds solace and comfort in dining at diners. The relaxed atmosphere brings him heart-felt conversations enjoyed over edible sustenance. Toscani’s paintings document the table and the piles of food as seen in A Hungry Mans Breakfast.

RUN, DON'T WALK, TO SEE BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

I've always loved Bill Cunningham's spread in the Style section of the Sunday NY Times. It's called On the Street and it's where he captures men, women, and even the dogs of NYC who sport stand-out outfits or accessories. I didn't know a lot about Bill going into the movie, except that he stood around 5th and 57th and took a lot of his shots from there.

This movie is quite moving. Bill is a man of great modesty and extreme integrity. His eye for stand-out style is incredible.

ABOUT THE FILM (taken directly from the film's website)

“We all get dressed for Bill,” says Vogue editrix Anna Wintour.

The “Bill” in question is 80+ New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the Times Style section in his columns “On the Street” and “Evening Hours.” Documenting uptown fixtures (Wintour, Tom Wolfe, Brooke Astor, David Rockefeller—who all appear in the film out of their love for Bill), downtown eccentrics and everyone in between, Cunningham’s enormous body of work is more reliable than any catwalk as an expression of time, place and individual flair. In turn, Bill Cunningham New York is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace.

MOMOFUKULAND MAKES FOR A GREAT ARTIST'S DATE

I was gonna scoot right back to Bklyn after a morning appointment in Stuytown on 18th and First. But the sun was so shiny and it drew me west on 13th Avenue. Good thing, too, because I ran into Momofuku Milk Bar. MMB is run by David Chang, a young and big time restaurant pioneer who shares the same alma matter as I. I had read countless articles and interviews with him as the focus. Really interesting guy, and I was curious to taste the Compost Cookie I kept reading about. So after wandering into Momofuku Ssam Bar and asking for the cookie, they directed me around the corner to the Milk Bar. That's where they sell his flavored milks, milkshakes, cookies, cake-based truffles, and cakes all made out of unusual flavor combos.

Stood in line looking at the offerings on the chalkboard menu. Tasted a sample of the Crack Pie soft serve. Decided Nah, I'll stick with the compost cookie. Too sweet for my taste but I loved the creative energy in this place. Noticed the collage of doggie photos above one of the eating counters and purchased a photo collage book of David's world called SCRAPS.

Please do check out this NY Times article to learn about the origins of the Milk Bar.

Psyched that I finally found this little gem, I kept heading west and ran into the giant Kiehl's Flagship Store on Third Ave. What actually drew me in was a sign outside for their Brooklyn Farmacy counter. Farmacy is a Brooklyn soda shop carved out of an old pharmacy in my neighborhood. So I was surprised to see a mini version of it inside of, all places, Kiehl's. But it did make sense, given the old fashioned theme of both places.

Oh, Kiehl's has a wall full of doggie photos too - hmmmmm, do I detect a theme in this neighborhood?

Then I went next door to Ricky's. Like many Ricky's now, there's a hair salon called Revolver tucked in the back. $55 for a hair blow-out (that's just a blow dry, no cut) - WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? This neighborhood is seriously pricey - that's the cost of a hair CUT in Brooklyn!!!!!

Anyway, I was happy with all the visual inspiration today. I am seriously motivated to go get a digital camera and a printer with a built-in scanner so I can start cranking out some creations of my own.

Photo Source: Momofuku Milkbar Website

I'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH BELLA FOSTER

So enchanted I was with Bella Foster's painting on the March Editor's Letter of the WSJ Magazine, that I wrote to Bella and asked her permission to post one of her pieces.

For more information about Bella, go to HER BLOG.

YOU CAN NOW BID ON MICHAEL SORGATZ'S BROOKLYN BRIDGE PAINTING

Hear ye, hear ye. All you lovers of the Brooklyn Bridge can now bid on Michael Sorgatz's well-loved painting which was once featured on the poster which advertised The 2008 Brooklyn Blogfest.

Proceeds from the sale will go to Public School PS 29.

Go HERE to join in the bidding fun!

CONGRATULATIONS ESPERANZA SPALDING FOR WINNING BEST NEW ARTIST AT 2011 GRAMMYS!

For more about Ms. Spalding CLICK HERE.

For more about her Grammy Win CLICK HERE.

Photo Credit: The Savannah Tribune

GOOD NEWS! THERE'S A NEW DOCUMENTARY ABOUT KEVIN CLASH, THE MAN BEHIND ELMO!

In 2007, I had the honor of conducting a face-to-face interview with Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind Elmo and a Co-Producer of Sesame Street. I welcome you to take a peek at the interview that has become the most visited post on my blog.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that there was a new documentary out about Mr. Clash. Doing some internet research, I learned that it was produced and directed by Connie Marks. Ms. Mark's film,Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, won the 2011 Special Jury Prize in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the Sundance Film Festival.

To learn more about the film CLICK HERE

To follow the film on Facebook CLICK HERE

D'ANGELO AND AMANDA WIN PAULA ABDUL'S LIVE TO DANCE

I had seen previews of Paula Abdul's tv competition LIVE TO DANCE but never watched it until last week. By then, they were announcing the top three acts that would move on to this week's finale. I'm really glad I caught the last two shows. The dancing was fantastic, Paula was right in her element, and I liked all the encouragement given to very young dancers.

The second place act was young dancer Kendall Glover. Loved her athleticism.

Here's the start of a report on the winning couple from TV Eye:

The halfpint ballroom dancing couple from Miami, D'Angelo Castro & Amanda Carbajales, ages 9 and 10, were named "The Best Dance Act in America" Monday in the finale of Paula Abdul's "Live to Dance."

"I'm going to go to Disney World!" Castro declared upon winning the prize, $500,000.

In winning they beat the other youngster in the finale, Kendall Glover, 10, who came in second.

"Live to Dance" wasn't exactly a children's-only competition, but those were the two acts that got the most votes from home viewers.

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Information about Lunar New Year / Year of the Rabbit
Lunar New Year Programs at Museum of Chinese in America
Image Credit: MOCA