What do I do when I am not working? Sometimes I go exploring. Since I needed to get in walking shape for my psoriasis research fundraising walk at the NY Botanical Garden in two weeks, I went on a walk with the Outdoors Club in Crown Heights . The walk centered around the Public Schools of C B J Snyder and was led by Jean Arrington who became an expert on the subject according to this Jim Dwyer NY Times article. I have done at least one other tour with her that was sponsored by the Municipal Art Society.
I got some exercise but I didn't stay for the whole 10 miles of the walk. I called a tour guide friend named Beverly to see if she returned from vacation. She had and she invited me to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden where she is a member. We went . The cherry blossoms bloomed early. The place was so crowded that the lines at the cafeteria were very long. (Note to self. If I am going to lead a tour to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and/or the Brooklyn Museum, I'll do it on a Thursday when the museum is open late).
Beverly had a car so we headed to Vanderbilt Avenue to look for a place to lunch. So many places. So little time. We ended up at a Middle East and Pizza place. It seemed a bit empty but the food was great. Then, on the way to the restroom, I realized most people entered via the garden entrance and ate outside. We had a quick stop at Joyce Bakeshop nearby for dessert. Many red buses passed by. In this next phase of my tour life, I will help people explore and not just pass through my city.
Beverly dropped me off at the subway. I didn't have time to go home before the "Help Wanted" shorts program I was seeing at the TriBeCa Film Festival so I got off the train at Chambers Street and strolled to Third Ave and 11th Street where the theater was.
Along the way, I stopped in at the Liz Christy Community Garden . I hadn't been there since The Fringe Festival last summer.
I also passed by one of New York's recently lost treasures - The Amato Opera House. The building is up for sale and the Opera group is no more. Sad - this tiny theatre produced great operas that were up close and personal.
Finally made it to the Film Festival and the shorts were all great! Cat lovers, you can find out more about Mr Lee and the Cat Cam here. For the rest of the films, start here.
Tomorrow I am going to see the documentary about Tony Bennett.
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