Communing with Nature in the South Bronx

 

I spent the day volunteering at Brook Park with my second graders. There's something so rejuvenating about stepping outside and into nature. Waist deep in weeds, my nails caked with soil, the smell of fresh mint in the air, it was easy to forget where I was.

Once an abandoned lot, Brook Park is now a flourishing community garden in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. In addition to vegetables and herbs, the park features a community greenhouse, a chicken coop, a beehive, a large compost heap and space to gather peace and repose.

Community events are held regularly. Coming up,  a fascinating Indigenous Culture Festival on May 18th.

Where do you retreat, to catch a moment of repose?

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Head to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre to See What Happens 'After Midnight' !

The energy on stage is trance inducing, the syncopated rhythm of tap shoes, the pleasant cacophony of notes both smooth and sharp from the horn section.

Sinking into the burgundy velvet seat with a smile, I submit and am taken on a journey, a journey back in time, to Harlem, the year is 1932, the location - The Cotton Club, where after midnight, the joint starts swinging.

Easily the best musical I've experienced in years, Broadway's hit 'After Midnight' is a glorious celebration of life. It is impossible to leave the  Brooks Atkinson Theatre with anything but a smile on your face.

'After Midnight' features some of the best dancing and singing on Broadway alongside the musical genius of the esteemed Jazz At Lincoln Center All-Stars playing the music of Duke Ellington. Win! Win! and Win!!!

The numbers move quickly, the music swings wildly and after the hour and a half is up, your tapping feet are left wanting more.

If you leave the theatre unable to face reality, you can always head up to Harlem and visit the Cotton Club for yourself.

Yes, the Cotton Club is still in operation, located at 656 W 125th St, there are events most evenings.

Nominated for seven Tony Awards, 'After Midnight' is set to close this month, but if you hurry, you can still make it.

It is well worth the trek to Broadway whether you're coming from Brooklyn, New Jersey, San Diego, or Iceland.

You've got to see this show. You won't be sorry.

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Waltz of the Taste Buds at the Brooklyn Flea

 

It is not a bad problem to have. Not a bad problem at all.

You're standing in the warm afternoon sun, staring at trays of large exotically flavored donuts (think dulce de leche, creme brulee, toasted coconut, blood orange...).

This is not in and of itself the problem, you see, your dilemma manifests as you become distracted by the hand blended natural sodas to your right boasting flavors such as hibiscus ginger, rosemary apple and lemon sage, while behind you, the buttery smell of fresh pressed custom order grilled cheese sandwiches wafts seductively into your nostrils.

Turning, you notice a booth that specializes in organic hand spun milkshakes. You can see your end. You begin to sweat. You're in heaven, but you're also in a lot of trouble, because you realize you can't possibly eat everything no matter how alluring.

At some point you will have to make a decision. Will you try a spicy tuna taco (hello Japanese/Mexican fusion), or will you opt for one of the extra large ice cream cookie sandwiches? It's a troubling moment. Granted we're talking developed world troubles, but you're torn nonetheless.

Fretfully you confer with your food loving friend Fred. Together you decide the best strategy is to divide and conquer.

He heads off towards the buttery grilled cheese, you stroll in the direction of the Japanese/Mexican taco fusions. You decide to meet later by the donuts, where together you'll move on to the ice cream cookie sandwiches and then the handmade soda waters and then, if you haven't toppled over from a heart attack or stroke or both, why not try some macaroni and cheese with sauerkraut?

Many people are attracted to the Brooklyn Flea because of its reputation as a top destination for those interested in shopping  for antiques, vintage clothes, handmade jewelry, pottery, collectables and boutique clothes.

In fact, it's been featured on HGTV and the Travel Chanel for those very reasons.

Although the shopping is nice, I have a different motivation. I go for the food!

Okay, and for the people watching.

But mostly for the food.

What you didn't get to see was my dark chocolate frosted donut with cocoa nibs from my favorite Brooklyn donut shop Dough. That's because I had to get it to go. I was way too stuffed after the cookie to fit anything else in.

Long story short, the flea attracts some of the best local food vendors and is the perfect place to sample goodies and discover new favorites.

So how can you join the waltz of the taste buds?

You'll have to come to Brooklyn!

The Brooklyn Flea is located in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn at 176 Lafayette Ave, New York (at the lot of Bishop Loughlin High School) and is only open on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

See you there!

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Lion Hunt at the Bronx Zoo!

"No. That way!" My two and a half year old, perched in his enormous stroller, finger pointed to the left, went into full mini-dictator mode. "Push mama, push!"

Up a steep hill, panting, six months pregnant, I forged forth. What could I do? We were on a lion hunt at the Bronx Zoo.

In part three of my Bronx exploration, I hopped in my car and headed north, to the largest urban zoo in America.

The Bronx Zoo is massive. It is massive and it is hilly. Map in hand, I wound my way towards the African Mammal exhibit- home of the lions.

For weeks Ohm had been practicing his roar. He was ready to see some lions and I was ready to deliver. We entered through the African Wild Dog section, a blustery fifty degree day, the dogs were not out.

Not to worry I told myself, surely there will be lions. Who has ever heard of a zoo without lions? We took our hunt onwards. Still as statues, the giraffes called out to each other with their bizarre voices- somewhat of a cross between a scream, a moan and a honk.

"Where did the lions go mama?" Despite the great distractions, panic was in the air- I couldn't find the lions. The lion exhibit was empty. Surely they had to be in an indoor exhibit I told myself. If I were a lion, where would I be?

We took our hunt in the direction of the gorilla exhibit. On our way, we saw...

After two and a half hours of searching and coming up empty, our lion hunt had come to an end.

I have to admit, it was a bit disappointing. The Bronx Zoo, claims the title of being the largest urban zoo in America and at $25.00 for an adult ticket (3 and under are free), it would have been nice to see some more animals. Most of the exhibits were empty. Wednesdays I am told are free days, I think I will have to resume the lion hunt during the summer on a Wednesday.

In the meantime Ohm is practicing his roar.

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An Orchid Grows in the Bronx

Today, in New York, the sun finally came out. People took to the streets grinning, shedding layer after layer as the temperature climbed to a whopping 58 degrees. It was a miraculous gift of a day and I took the opportunity to jump in the car, roll down the windows and continue my exploration of the Bronx by visiting the New York Botanical Gardens.

The much anticipated Orchid Show is currently in town. From now until April 21st, you can stop by the New York Botanical Gardens to get a rare up close look at some of the rarest, intricate and beautiful orchids on earth. This years theme is Key West Contemporary and with temperatures in the greenhouse feeling close to eighty, I truly felt, for a moment, that I was indeed in a sunny garden in tropical Key West.

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