S: Is for Silo

What do you do with three abandoned sewage treatment silos? Amsterdam-based Arons en Gelauff,transformed the silos into an incredible set of climbing towers. In addition to the climbing areas, the project includes multi-purpose areas, offices, restaurants and other commercial spaces. Similar to the Denmark Water Tower Renovation,the Silo Project involves taking two of the towers and extending their roofs. Inside tower A is a 40 meter high climbing atrium that looks like an inverted funnel with various wall facets, and overhangs to challenge climbers. Below the climbing atrium is a cafe and boulder room while above is a hotel and training facility. Tower B houses a rooftop restaurant, office space, a salon, music studio, and a movie theater. The two towers are connected via a footbridge at the original rooftop height of the silos. The climbing tower bulges in a couple of spots to make the climbing area even more interesting and challenging. A number of routes are also accessible on the outside of the silo. Climbing silos are actually fairly common here in the US especially in the Midwest, like in downtown Oklahoma City at Rocktown, which is a former grain silo transformed into a 16 room climbing gym with 90 foot walls. Now that's using ingenuity and is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Taxes

Expect to pay .5 percent more in sales taxes. Bloomberg's plan includes $3.4 billion in closing city agencies. So homelessness and mental patients will abound. In the meantime we have a great new stadium. Why not tax the stadium to make back what it cost? What about the bottle bill? That brings in $55,000.000. What is the bottle tax? 5-cent deposit on soda and beer bottles and cans. The new bill hopes to expand to include water, juice, tea and sports drink containers as well. In the governor’s executive budget plan, an estimated $118 million could be raised from the 5-cent bottles that go unclaimed. From 2005 to 2006, New Yorkers redeemed 68 percent of bottles and cans, according to the Container Recycling Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit research organization. The deposit money from the remaining 32 percent of unclaimed deposits totaled $144 million, all of which goes back to the beverage companies to handle and process the empty beverage containers. Not only does this little bit bring our city much needed cash but saves the environment. Toll the bridges. You don't live here and pay the taxes, then why the break? The cost $830,000.00. Same thing for the commuter tax. Another $755 million.

Wouldn't it be nice if New York City for once gave back to the people who live here? This city unlike any other city puts its residences last and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for a comedian who is celebrated

Comedic actor Dom DeLuise, has died. Best known for his scene stealing roles in Mel Brooks and films with his close friend Burt Reynolds, DeLuise, 75, had been battling cancer for more than a year. In the 1974's "Blazing Saddles" in played a flamboyant musical director who led dancers in a number called "The French Mistake" and 1976 film "Silent Movie," he played the assistant to Brooks' director Mel Funn. In 1980 he took on the dark comedy "Fatso," in which he played an overweight man trying to wean himself from comfort food. The film was directed by Brooks' wife, Anne Bancroft. DeLuise, who struggled with his own weight, was also an author of cookbooks. He felt powerless over food. "You know, anybody who's an alcoholic or cocaine or something, that's what food was to me." Besides authoring cookbooks, DeLuise penned seven children's books. His voice was featured in the children's films as "An American Tail" and its sequels, "All Dogs Go to Heaven" with Burt Reynolds and its sequel, and "Oliver & Company." He started on Broadway in the musical The Student Gypsy and Here's Love and took on Neil Simon in Last of the Red Hot Lovers. On film he was in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." USA Top Model 2008 Mallory Snyder states "He was someone who made the world laugh, He will be missed." Frequent collaborator Burt Reynolds stated "I was thinking the other day about this. As you get older you think about this more and more, I was dreading this moment. Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much." Like Mallory and Burt the world world says good-by to a great comedian and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for awards...the Tony nominations are out

The American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards were announced today by Tony Award Winners Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. The Tony is the most coveted award in the theatre world. The Tony Awards will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, 2009 (8-11pm, live EST, PT time delay) on CBS. And the nominations are:

Best Play
Dividing the Estate Author: Horton Foote
God of Carnage Author: Yasmina Reza
Reasons to Be Pretty Author: Neil LaBute
33 Variations Author: Moisés Kaufman

Best Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical

Best Book of a Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical Lee Hall
Next to Normal Brian Yorkey
Shrek The Musical David Lindsay-Abaire
[Title of Show] Hunter Bell

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Lee Hall

Next to Normal
Music: Tom Kitt
Lyrics: Brian Yorkey

9 to 5: The Musical
Music & Lyrics: Dolly Parton


Shrek The Musical
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Mary Stuart - New Version: Peter Oswald
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot

Best Revival of a Musical
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story

Best Special Theatrical Event
Liza’s at The Palace
Slava’s Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski, Reasons to Be Pretty

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish – Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gavin Creel, Hair
Brian d’Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, Reasons to Be Pretty
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson, Hair

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Rob Howell, The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane, 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask, Pal Joey
Mark Wendland, Next to Normal

Best Costume Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald, Hair

Best Lighting Design of a Play
David Hersey, Equus
David Lander, 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, Hair
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Best Sound Design of a Play
Paul Arditti, Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke, Equus
Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Acme Sound Partners, Hair
Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan, Next to Normal

Best Direction of a Play
Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair

Best Choreography
Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Best Orchestrations
Larry Blank, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Jerry Herman

the things in bold are what I think will win not what I think should win and that is a F.A.C.T

F: is for a face that glows

PRIORI is paving the way for the next generation of science-based skincare products with their new line, CoffeeBerry Natureceuticals. This is one of the first and only natural skincare lines with cosmeceutical-grade anti-ageing benefits. CoffeeBerry is the new ingredient set to revolutionize skincare, brighting the skin and evening out the tone. Who would have thought, the secret to ageless skin was right under our noses. This isn't the coffee that fuels your early morning. This one helps to improve the health of your skin over time rather than just give it a temporary boost. CoffeeBerry is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants. It is three times more potent than Green Tea. CoffeeBerry decreases fine lines, reduces hyperpigmentation, brightens, moisturizes, and cleanses the skin of dulling impurities. It is the only clinically validated and medically endorsed extract of the Coffee fruit in topical skin care. I love PRIORI's Brightening Face Complex. Featherlight cream that protects from the future damaging effects of free radicals.
Glycerin boosts the skin’s natural moisture content. Grapeseed Extract acts as a skin-softening antioxidant. I also love the Tightening Serum with its silky texture that provides instant tightening and firming effect. 30 here I come.

Little Known Facts About Coffee

Coffee is the most popular drink in the world after water!
Coffee is the number one traded world commodity after oil!
Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the US diet!
CoffeeBerry is the trademark name for the unique fruit extract of the coffee tree fruit, or the coffee cherry.
Coffee health benefits from large scale consumer studies are emerging at a rapid pace worldwide!
CoffeeBerry extracts have three times more antioxidants than green tea and these are illuminating F.A.C.T.S

S: is for the sun finally shining

We are all going through things that bring us down. This column was meant to spread hope. Today I am going to use myself as an example. Two Sunday's ago it seemed as if God waved his magic wand and turned me into Job. You know the guy in the bible who had hell rained upon him, because he believed. Now I have been a Job for a lot of my life, so this was like the straw that broke the camels back. My phone was stolen, my cat almost died, I almost lost my apartment, the checks to my work were lost in the mail, my computer was damaged but under warranty and the newspaper that I am working on was stuck, because everything I needed was in my phone or in my computer. I was seriously down on myself wondering what I had done to deserve this hell.

Realize, I said almost to a couple of things. My cat Kismet just ended up costing me $1,400.00, but what is that really in the years of love and comfort he has given me and money can always be made back. I'm still in my apartment. My checks, came through, finally. I got my phone back as well, though that too ended up costing $200.00. The computer, turned out to be another story. You see I bought it off craigslist and though I did everything right, I still became a victim. On Easter my cat and another cat were in my room and after that the internet portal did not work. I brought it to Apple because it was still under warranty. After 8 days I was told it had irreplaceable water damage and that wasn't covered. It would cost more to fix than the computer. I was furious because no liquid of any kind had been near that computer. I called Apple Corporate, to find out that a week before I bought it, someone took it to the Apple Store. They were told that it had damage and it was slowly going to corrode. To make matters worse the computer itself had been stolen. Now most people would crumble, but by this point, so much had happened, I got ragging mad. I had kept the e-mails sent by Rik who sold it to me, so I wrote him. Surprise, the e-mail no longer worked. However, he sold me the computer where he worked. Anyone who knows me, knows two things: 1: I am a great researcher and 2: I love Mexican Food. So I found the restaurant where he had sold me the computer, a little place called Suenos at 311 West 17th. Low and behold Rik still works there. I also had his phone number thanks to the email. I can't say yet if this story has a happy ending because Rik who has been at Suenos for years and who lied in his emails that the computer was 100% sound, seems not to want to take the easy way out even though he has committed grand larceny. Suenos who unwittingly became a party to the crime isn't taking responsibility but is planning on talking to their employee. Me, I plan on turning this into a win. Craigslist is the #1 story in the news right now. I am starting a major newspaper in the Times Square Theatre District next month. Hmmmm can you see where I'm going? Facts are important. Always keep records. Always fight for your rights and remember you can always turn the negative into a positive and this is called a using your brain F.A.C.T.

T: Is for towers in the sky

Has anyone besides me noticed the building growth in Manhattan? It seems odd considering the recession and the fact that Manhattan rents slid 14.6% in the first quarter. Central business districts are seeing rapid growth, but who is going to afford to be able to live in these high rise towers? Unoccupied space is piling up. New York, is the epicenter of the world's biggest office market, with roughly 350 million square feet of floor space. In 2009 already New York added 2.9 million square feet of vacant property. The average rate is now $57.35 per square foot. At one time it was over $100. Right now 8.5%, of New York's office are vacant. Still well under the U.S. average of 14.7%. But with virtually no demand for new space, that percentage is likely to hit double digits within months, putting New York's recovery well behind. Steven J. Pozycki, founder of SJP Properties in Parsippany, N.J., is building a 40-story tower in Midtown Manhattan with 1.1 million square feet of space. The $1 billion project, a joint venture with Prudential Real Estate Investors, was started in early 2007. It is scheduled to open next spring but has yet to find a single tenant. Larry Silverstein said he may delay construction at the World Trade Center site for decades. But Pozycki site 11 Times Square is past the point of no return. With all this space why not create a new way to buy. Lease to buy. There was a time that you would pay a higher rent and that money would go towards a down payment. What about the return of that? At least then all those empty towers would not be so empty and that is a fulfilling F.A.C.T.