New Digs and Beautiful Bridge in Rochester, NY

The Frederick Douglass–Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge (called the Freddie-Sue Bridge by some Rochester residents^[1] and known as the Troup–Howell Bridge until July 13, 2007) is a triple steel arch bridge carrying Interstate 490 (I-490) over the Genesee River and New York State Route 383 (NY 383, named Exchange Boulevard) in downtown Rochester, New York. The bridge, officially completed on June 18, 2007, replaced a 50-year old multi-girder bridge situated in the same location.

Several new restaurants have been built along the Genesee River, in the area known as Corn Hill; where views of the bridge and water offer a peaceful ambiance while dining.  Tony D’s allows you to be seated outside on their terrace and watch boats such as the Mary Jemison which offers day and evening public cruises along river and serves lunch and dinner. (Reservations for Mary Jemison 585 662 5748 or www.samandmary.org (Tony D’s 288 Exchange Blvd, 585 340 6200.)

Trip to Angel Falls - Venezuela

I just experienced the most fabulous and exciting adventure; I recently traveled to Venezuela to Canaima National Park. The trip was with  Paul Stanley's Angel-Eco tours  and Karen Angel of the Jimmie Angel Historical Projects as a tribute to James “Jimmie” Crawford Angel (1899-1956), who found the most spectacular water falls while he was on a solo flight November 18, 1933 into Churun Canyon known as Devil’s Canyon on the north side of Auyántepui (Devil House); here to his amazement he found what is now recognized to those who have ventured into the Venezuelan jungle to witness the astonishing Angel Falls. The  worlds longest dropping waterfall (3,212 feet/979 meters) - exquisite rushing water that at times it appears there are twin waterfalls or additional waterfalls, just gliding down over the most magnificent canyon wall.  When the water isn’t overflowing from the previous evening’s rainfall, there is a water-hole for swimming at the second tier.

Every moment from morning through to evening it’s a photo opportunity to see this grand falls. Early morning the mist hovers above painting puffy cloud formations above the top until around three in the afternoon when the clouds eventually drift into a crystal clear blue sky allowing the falls to once again to be seen, but during the mist of morning you want to capture the morsels of intricacy touching what appears to be the essence of the canyon reaching into heaven on earth.  It rains during the evening almost until dusk, and hence clouds form, and when the clouds move and you again see this magnificent tower of powerful strength you just want to keep photographing as every instant the light changes you capture a different wondrous perspective of Angel Falls.  

Arriving there by canoe with Pemón guides and Mr. Paul StanleyAngel-Eco tours and who is is a knowledgeable guide after twelve years of bringing tourists to meet the Pemón;  we venture through their homeland of Uruyen and Kavac and Kamarata, through deep canyons while viewing scenic landscape and riding over the gentle rapids in a canoe seeing the tepui mountains which appear to be like tabletops, is a vision of natural beauty and a place where you just want to stay forever.  stanley@angel-ecotours.com
For more information about Jimmie Anglel contact Karen Angel Archive@jimmieangel or see http://www.jimmieangel.org/.

Governors Island

Governors Island with rolling green hills and waterfront views of the southern tip of Manhattan is a magical escape from the fast pace of New York City.  Now it is a hop, skip or two minute Ferry Boat ride from either downtown Manhattan or from the Brooklyn side where the new waterfront-Brooklyn Bridge Park has recently been built.

Last weekend there was a Ragtime Jazz Festival with Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra that brought the Charleston dance to life with free lessons by Roddy Caravella, as well as, many fashioned in high-couture from the roaring 1920’s – 30’s flapper era. Ice cream vendors, and bicycles built for two with side-by-side peddling that allowed you to venture the little island with it’s graceful charm of old houses and army barracks history.  

While the prohibition was reaching what was the end of an era it seamlessly began another with the Great Gatsby Affair.  The Jazz Age Lawn Party ignited a memorable essence with music and vendors inspiring nostalgia that brought memories from a period that I can only imagine; as I would hear my grandmother tell tales of prohibition with speakeasies, glamour, and gangsters where even the average citizen broke the law.

Secrete hide-away places where those that dared went to drink, dance and found cheers; that is exactly what Governors Island suggests a historical hideway with faded paint and fond memories from the past, tall trees swaying in the breeze signifying an enchanted adventure of earlier days including spectacular views for photo opportunities with boats setting sail, city skyscrapers and the Fortress better known as Castle Williams which began construction in 1807- 1811 and later became a prison.

An interesting fact is it was constructed to maintain boarder safety with walls eight feet at the base and 78 embrasures (slanted openings for guns) never was  a weapon actually fired.  

Raining cats and dogs, as well as, flower petals the Brooklyn Botanical Garden didn’t stop their Spring Gala Event of the new visitors center, The Center which is the gateway to the blossoming Gardens is an extraordinary vision built to be environmentally sustainable by New York City architect Weiss Manfredi.

The evening started with dinner held under an incredible white tent that felt like it was built from a vibrating effervesce that ignited the evening while the rain just added mystery mist with fragrances blowing in the cool night breeze.

The After Party was the highlight, with ice cream sandwiches from the Coolhaus ice cream truck, French macaroons filled with chocolate ganache, cupcakes, fruit tartlets, and Egyptian-style haroset and dancing…dancing…dancing until the wee hours of the morning to music that brought everyone to the inlayed floor and move to the groove. Herewith is a photograph enhanced in Photoshop, as hostesses wore botanical dresses created of leaves and highlighted with roses…it was a memorable evening to say the least.

The party featured sculptures of botanical fashions inspired by environmental artist Nicole Dextras.

Imagine enhanced by Maia Nero in Photoshop

A negative and positive is a force of energy which provides a powerful stream of inspiration. This is the exhibit titled, Processed, at 584 W. 22^nd Street; an interaction between art + design presented by the Media Design Club students and several faculty members from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The students work is that of vision from their motivated instructor and mentor Professor C.J. Yeh who brings motion and emotion to those in his path. The concept of life as a Process which emotes the senses; touch, smell, sight, hearing taste transcends a physicality to the projects from romantic, interactive, asking and telling -  while finding the answers that seem to be unveiled throughout the entire gallery experience. A desire to touch and find that the Process is a Process involved in the moment where the students spirit of life is not only felt but encapsulates a contagious breath of oxygen. Here art becomes a sensation of the senses understanding the core of each of the students’ work that surpasses time where the art required me touch, or feel an emotion, dance within the light to find the question and look at the word/text/typography bringing forth new information to follow the link for more of what lies ahead in a generation that has digital technology in harmony with contemporary concepts = Processed.

 (Eva Qin Photography)  Woman with Sunflower and Image with Butterflies)

The heightened spirit of everyone gathered is that of an optimistic approach which is overwhelmingly meet with enthusiasm from those who are touched by methods of teaching. I found myself engaged with wanting more; more of the unknown that was presented while being delivered with a futuristic style.  I felt aspects of energy from those participating students. The presence of white and black gave depth and a meaning to the  lightness of being to the style of type, the entrance lights which produced the title of the exhibit: Processed, while every detail was exposed to allow attendees to pursue answers and be involved with a curious participation that delivered digital graphic information in an educational and enriching environment. 

Morgan Ashley ...cutie...

The little actress, that dances and paints - Morgan Ashley,  my niece, dressed for her tap dance recital to the song Goody Goody Gum Drop. She is studying tap, jazz and ballet at LaDanse Workshop LLC, at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY

Jane's Carousel in DUMBO

Jane's Carousel was created in 1922, the heyday of the American Carousel, by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (P.T.C.). Designated as P.T.C. No. 61, it was originally installed in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio, then a prosperous steel-making city. The Carousel has been fully restored to it's original elegance.
In 1983, as the designated developer of Empire Fulton Ferry State Park, David Walentas had commissioned a Master Plan for the park that called for an historic carousel to be installed. Jane and David Walentas purchased the Carousel at auction on October 21, 1984. Their bid for the entire Carousel prevented it from being sold piecemeal.
When purchased, the Carousel was in poor condition. Jane Walentas began its restoration at her studio in Dumbo in 1984. Her initial tasks included making necessary carpentry repairs and hand-scraping away 62 years of "Park Paint" with an X-acto knife to reveal the original 1922 carvings, color palette, and designs. The discoveries were carefully recorded with photographs, color matches, and detailed drawings that guided the repainting of the Carousel. The three rows of 48 horses were rendered in exact, painstaking detail. The highly decorative carved trappings were newly painted and re-leafed. Missing embellishments such as faceted jewels, small beveled mirrors on the bridles, and delicate pinstriping were also restored.