S: Is for Signatures that shape

"Sit down John, sit down" is a line from the musical 1776 and I couldn't help but sing it. At one point in time history to me was what was on a stage. If there was a play or a musical and history was involved I want to know it and went to the library and read to my hearts content. Yesterday I was at one of my favorite haunts in New York, Swann Galleries. Located at 104 East 25th (5th and 6th floor). I made it prior to the auction on Autographs which was held at 1:30. Tangible history made it's presence known by the signatures of those who shaped our country, fueled our dreams and propelled us forward. Here George Washington wrote four letters and even played the lottery. Yes it existed even back then. Thomas Jefferson, Ethan Allen, John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Ulysses S Grant, Alexander Hamilton, General Sherman and of course John Hancock all became alive in their writings. Victor Hugo the poet of unrequited Love's manuscript was there to impart wisdom on those who could read French. Other writers were also represented like Collette, Jean Cocteau, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Papa Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling, Washington Irving, Harriet Beecher Stowe (Run Eliza run), George Bernard Shaw, Thornton Wilder, Sir Walter Scott and George Sands. I was a child again immersed in the world that these authors created. I was a young adult acting in the plays they had written and now full circle they were all in the room with me. Last year Darwin's life was on Broadway in "Inherit the Wind". How many children wanted to fly because of Amelia Earhart? Ms. Earhart gave girls everywhere the feeling that they too could soar. Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein all gave us visions and movements forward that shaped how we see things. Brahms, Liszt, Wager and Stravinsky had our ears, our passions and our flights into symphonic bliss.
THE APOLLO MOONWALKERS and a color photograph of the Earth, taken from the moon, signed by all twelve of the Apollo astronauts who walked on the moon. Estimated between $6,000-8,000 Signatures with mission numbers: Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 * Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 * Pete Conrad, Apollo XII * Alan Bean, Apollo XII * Alan Shepard, Apollo 14 * Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 * Dave Scott, Apollo 15 * Jim Irwin, Apollo 15 * John Young, Apollo X & Apollo XVI * Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 * Gene Cernan, Apollo XVII * Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17. They definitely inspired Ron Howard and all those who echoed "One small step for mankind".
This collection is exquisite and inspiring and I am thrilled that I had a chance to be in it's presence before these pieces of paper disappeared like Houdini into the hands of collectors. I suggest if you get a chance go to Swann before October 15th. Wednesdays and Thursday's columns will be extolling the reasons why you should of and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: One Million years to Terminate

Our oceans are one of our greatest resources. They can sustain us, offer abounding recreation and their vast beauty is unsurpassed. Once upon a time every beach had the potential to yield up secrets, hidden away in bottles – the sea is a dependable messenger. Nowadays the anticipation of finding a message has given way to the certainty that it is just garbage, thoughtlessly thrown into the sea. From the shore or over the side of a ship, bottles etc. do not just disappear. It is shocking to know that it takes 450 years for a plastic bottle that enters the sea to decompose, but it takes over one million years for a glass bottle. People think it'll sink to the bottom. Out of sight, out of mind. Plastic in our oceans is often mistaken for food by marine animals but so is glass. High concentrations of glass have been found to block and or cut the breathing passages and stomachs of many marine species, including whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. In most cases they bleed to death. People become contaminated from household products or by eating contaminated seafood and pass it on to the containers they thoughtlessly throw overboard.

Besides material pollutants our seas and oceans receive the brunt of human waste, whether it is by deliberate dumping or by natural run-off from the land. Wonder why people die from eating fish and shellfish? Because our human waste is digested by them. The fish get ill and the chain reaction "what goes around comes around" reaches it's full life. Rubbish discarded at sea is often washed ashore onto our beaches polluting the coastline. There is more rubbish on the beach in the winter, because of the prevailing winds and large waves which force the litter ashore. A staggering amount of waste, much of which has only existed for the past 50 years or so, enters the oceans each year.

I guess the reason this article is important to me is I grew up near the ocean. I surf, sail, water ski, and have enjoyed it's glory on many occasions. I have been a part of the problem and now I want to be a part of the solution. We do things unconsciously because the issues have not been brought to our attention, when they are we need to make amends. Here are some F.A.C.T.S we all need to know. Below is a list of how long things take to decompose in the watery brine. In the parenthesis is the years. Also below are organizations with F.A.C.T.S. worth checking out! Together with knowledge we can make a difference.

1. glass(1 million)
2. rope (500)
3. plastic(450)
4. straws, stirrers (450)
5. cans (80 -200)
6. caps, lids (50)
7. food containers/wrappers (50)
8. cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons (50)
9. plastic bags (10 - 20)
10. cigarettes/cigarette filters(1-5)

www.cleanoceanaction.org
http://www.solarnavigator.net/volvo_ocean_race.htm
http://www.climatecrisis.net

C: Is for Chivas

Last year Tom invited me to a Johnny Walker tasting. I had never been and I thought why not. Though I am more of a red wine, champagne kinda girl I found that Scotch was rather tasty when mixed. The event was also an amazing multi media presentation that was informative. I learned that though I may not buy the product I would recommend it and thus their advertising dollar was well spent. When Tom again invited me to the Chivas tasting I was excited as I wanted to compare the two events and see if my horizons could be expanded. What I learned was how a company can waste an exuberant amount of funds to accomplish the exact opposite of what was intended. Billed as The Chivas Life w. Jeremy Bell, Chivas Regal offered an evening of complimentary Scotch, Dancing, and Hors' Dourves. Touring the country to spread it's message, but what is it? You are greeted by girls dressed scantly in showgirl attire and Mr. Bell in a kilt. Right then and there was a mixed message. It was obvious by the cocktails a Chivas Apple Martini and A Chivas Sidecar that they were trying to accommodate the female market. When you went to the bar the drinks were 1/2 Chivas and then ice and then mixer. Their website states on the front page "Here at Chivas we're committed to responsible drinking so we need to ensure that you are over the legal drinking age and that you are legally permitted to view this site in the country that you are in." I am surprised a lawsuit has not occurred from the lack of responsibility. They also had a chocolate fondue which again made no sense. Whiskey/Scotch does not go with chocolate. It was explained to me that the 18year old has hints of chocolate. Really? At the JW tasting I knew all the scents. Yet here....? When it came time for the tasting it was done in sections with the rest of the group looking in. No multi media, no information just Jeremy Bell making jokes. I learned nothing except Chivas is smoky an I like JW better straight.

What happened next was the most surprising. They were giving away three DVD players to the best dancers. Now I can dance. Especially club style. So I handed my purse to Tom and off I went. The 1st DVD went to a man who couldn't move. Next one of the dancers pulled me on stage and Mr. Bell gave a DVD player to a girl who had two left feet. So disgusted I jumped off the stage and a girl grabbed me to dance and before I could dance Mr Bell gave her the DVD. I later had a chance to ask Mr. Bell why? His response "I promised the DVD's before the dance contest." In other words it was rigged. The stupidity of this statement was I told him I was a writer. This experience has turned me against Chivas. Chivas needs to take lessons from "The Striding Man" and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for free art

When you do film, TV or promotion work you are constantly waiting for checks that are owed. Sometimes they are beyond late and you have your choice of eating or going out. Not in New York. If you love art, entertainment need not be expensive. You can find free-admission days at many museums,

Sunday in the Park with George, any one? Well, on Fridays from 4-8 for free you can. Georges Seurat opens October 28th at The Museum of Modern Art and you can pointillism to your hearts content.


Did you pass or fail science? The New York Hall of Science in Queens
(www.nyhallsci.org) offers free admission on Fridays from 2-5 p.m. and Sundays from 10-11 a.m. Sound Sensations: The Inside Story of Audio allows you to customize a jazz composition and electronically change your voice. You don't have to be a brain to learn.


Modernism more your thing? Journey to The Brooklyn Museum of Art the first Saturday of every month from 5-11pm(www.brooklynmuseum.org) Saturdays are free from 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the Jewish Museum (www.thejewishmuseum.org).

Pay whatever you wish Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Whitney Museum of American Art (www.whitney.org) where Georgia O'Keeffe, Alexander Calder among others show a Modern look that changed the history of art. My friend Richard Prince is showing his spiritual side at the Guggenheim and on Fridays from 5:45 p.m. to closing you can absorb his magic at a magical price. The MET has always offered pay as much as you can policy which New Yorkers can always be grateful for.

Though your pockets be bare it is a F.A.C.T. that artistically your brain will always be enriched with culture if you only know where to look.

F: Is for Eastside Fashionable

OK back to the things that make New York so mystifying. Every week, hell everyday a new club or restaurant is trying to catch our eye. Nick Valencia was the man who let you through the ropes at Cielo. He then worked his way up to managing and boy can that man pour a mean drink but that was as far as you can go with out owning the joint. Thus was born "Label" the newest hot spot hidden behind the guise of an empanadas stand. Now don't get me wrong the taste of warm toasted cheese, beef, chicken, or vegetable corn empanadas does exist at 174 Rivington Street. The fact is they come from these Nick's family uptown. "Label's" prices embrace the neighborhood with wine at $8, well drinks $7 and mixed drinks range from $8-$11. Seasonal cocktails are an important part of Label. This winter cravings will catered to by a creamy hot chocolate, Irish coffee, warm apple cider and some other hot liquor drinks that are in the process of being perfected.

"Label" combines an intimate Music bar that serves up fresh music programming. The music is the key component of "Label" exploring the non-commercial end of the electronic music spectrum. A program called Spreadlove invites music lovers, DJs and producers to submit their playlists to Mr. Valencia. He in turn can help them spread the love of music through his industry standard DJ equipment and 14 strategically placed high quality speakers. The space seats 35 people at its cozy banquettes and bar. Nine hundred square feet of warm ambient lighting, varied textures and soothing aromatic blends will heighten the senses. This fall, enjoy the sounds, flavors and fresh experience and make it a F.A.C.T.