January 18, 2012

Battery Charges Up

Gehry Playground and Seaglass Carousel Among Amenities Coming Soon to Historic Park

The Battery Conservancy, the non-profit group that maintains the City park (adjoining Battery Park City) on Manhattan's southern tip, is entering the final stretch of its design and construction phase this year. By 2014, the Conservancy hopes to implement its 25-acre Master Plan. "We have a sense of completing the culmination of the landscape in 2012-2013," said Warrie Price, the Conservancy's president since helping found the organization in 1994.

"We're 97 percent complete or in construction now," added Ms. Price. "The one-acre Frank Gehry play space is the next-to-last piece to be designed," she added, in a reference to one of the park's most anticipated features. Mr. Gehry is a renowned architect whose local work includes Eight Spruce Street, and whose fame is such that the developer of that building (one of the tallest residential structures in the Western Hemisphere) changed its name from "Beekman Tower" to "New York by Gehry" to capitalize on the designer's cachet. In 2007, Mr. Gehry agreed to design his first playground, free of charge, for the Battery Conservancy. At the time, the project was projected to cost $10 million. More recently, the Conservancy circulated a request for qualifications for another firm to implement Mr. Gehry's design. The deadline for submissions was January 4, and the Conservancy now plans to announce the winning selection on February 27. Ms. Price said, "we had a wonderful response from 17 firms, and we're thrilled with the teams that were brought together. People are excited about building Frank Gehry's conceptual and schematic design." She added that "we're not going to go public with it until the selected team reviews the design and we have a buildable plan."

SeaGlass turntables at Show Canada's workshop in Laval, Quebec

(photo courtesy of The Battery Conservancy)

Another much-anticipated amenity being developed by the Conservancy is the carousel, SeaGlass at The Battery, which is scheduled to be completed this fall. SeaGlass recalls the history of the park's New York Aquarium at Castle Clinton, which closed in 1941, but updates the idea to the 21st century with a plan by WXY Architecture & Urban Design. As riders spin around the carousel, they will sit in iridescent fish, surrounded by blue reflective SmartGlass panels and underwater sounds.

"A lot of work is happening, although a lot of it is off-site," said Ms. Price. Construction crews are completing the drainage and foundation, while Show Canada in Canada is working on the turn-tables and American Architectural is constructing the nautilus shell pavilion in Pennsylvania. Ms. Price said 17 of the 30 fish designed by George Tyspin Opera Factory are sponsored at present, while the remaining 13 -- along with the SmartGlass panels -- have not yet garnered financial support. (To become a sponsor, contact Kevin Currey at kcurrey@thebattery.org.)

Also in 2012, the Conservancy Americas Design Competition will call on the public to create an iconic, movable chair that will be replicated and placed around Battery Green in 2014. "This quarter mile space will be our public assembly space. It can seat 8,000 people and bring exceptional design into the daily lives of the visiting public," said Ms. Price. The competition will select six prototypes and involve public voting to choose the winning design.

The Battery gardens in full bloom in the summer

The last piece in the puzzle will be the revitalization of Castle Clinton. Ms Price said the Conservancy's vision for the Castle includes the design of a cultural and educational center within the fort's walls. "We're thinking of it as a magnet for the community. It will be a seasonal, open-air performance and meeting place," she explained.

In other recent developments, the Conservancy in 2011 added the Urban Farm on its Great Lawn, the New Amsterdam Plein and Pavilion, Peter Minuit Plaza, and a newly designed website (which can be viewed by clicking HERE). This spring, the Urban Farm will enter its second planting season, although its position will shift slightly to make room for construction of the Battery Garden Bikeway -- the link between the Hudson River Park Bikeway and the East River Esplanade. The bikeway will include new park entrances, perennial gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, and the relocation of ten existing monuments along the park's perimeter.

The urban farm on a winter morning

Dianne Renzulli

Battery Park photos by Robert Simko

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A Ratical Approach to Public Health

Presentation by Rodent Expert to Focus on Pest Control

At the Battery Park City Authority Town Hall Meeting on November 17, 2011, rats ranked high on the community's list of local "pet peeves." In an effort to address the concern, the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy and the BPCA are jointly sponsoring a presentation about practical ways to reduce the rat population by controlling their food supply.

Matthew Monahan, spokesperson for the BPCA and BPCPC, said, "we're not going to talk about a pest-control program. The Conservancy doesn't use pesticides as a rule. And, we're not going to host a long, drawn out scientific lecture on the nature of rats. What we are going to do is have a noted expert on public health, Dr. Stephen Frantz, speak about what the community can do to block rats' access to food."

The program will address trash management strategies, such as changing pedestrian behavior (like picking up food that falls to the ground and not leaving food out for rats and squirrels) and advice on trash collection and containers.

The presentation is scheduled for tomorrow Thursday, January 19, at 7pm, in Six River Terrace (next to Le Pain Quotidien and across from the Irish Hunger Memorial). Dr. Frantz, a professor of public health at the State University of New York at Albany, will lead the program.

Dianne Renzulli

photo by Robert Simko

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Today's Calendar

Wednesday, January 18

Today at the BPC Library

175 North End Ave. 212-790-3499. www.nypl.org

Toddler Story Time

Toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, and fingerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood. First come, first served. Free. 10:30 am.

Far Out Physics: Shadows

For school-age children. Pre-registration required. 4pm.

Today at the National Museum of the American Indian

Admission and events free. One Bowling Green, 212-514-3716 www.americanindian.si.edu

Art of the Great Plains

View a ledger book from 1800s in the exhibition "Infinity of Nations" and then create a drawing on ledger paper using crayons, colored pencils, and stencils. Resource Center, 2nd Floor. Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm

Learn about the Peoples of the Plains

Presented by Laura Browarny in the Education Center, 1st Floor. Mon-Weds. 10 am-1 pm.

Daily Screenings: Especially for Kids

Daily screenings of films in which children especially will be interested.

10:30-11am; and 11:45-12:15am.

Infinity of Nations Tour

Museum Ambassador provides a 45-minute free guided tour through the permanent exhibition. The Tour "Shaping Materials, shaping Identities" highlights the use of diverse materials by Native Peoples of South, Central and North America. Free; no reservations required. Meet at 2nd Floor East Visitor Services Desk, tour takes place in the Infinity of Nations exhibition, south gallery. 1pm.

US Customs House Tour

Museum ambassadors provide a 45-minute in-depth look at the unique architecture and design of the Alexander Hamilton US Customs House, home of NMAI. 3pm. Meet at East Visitor Services Desk, 2nd Floor, 3pm

The White House at 92YTribeca

Take a look at the most famous home in America over the past 200 years, with photos and commentary on illustrious inhabitants including FDR, JFK, Reagan and Bill Clinton, famous visitors such as Princess Diana and even pets like Caroline Kennedy's pony, Macaroni. Vicki Goldberg is a leading voice in the field of photography criticism. She was photography columnist for The New York Times and is the author of The White House: The President's Home in Photographs and History.

12-1pm. $18. 200 Hudson Street. 212-601-1000. www.92YTribeca.org

Wall Street Dialogues: Tackling the Moral and Ethical Issues Raised by the Occupy Wall Street Movement at Trinity Church

This week's topic: Paying Taxes: Privilege or Confiscation? Each week, pundits from liberal to conservative will challenge the audience with provocative questions. This week Barbara Crafton, priest, author and spiritual director and Carol Stone, business economist (www.geraniumfarm.org ) ask "Would Jesus pay taxes?" Talks will be webcast live with opportunities for online viewer participation. For the complete schedule, click here. Free. 1:05pm. Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street or online at www.trinitywallstreet.org 212-602-0800

BPC Parks Conservancy - Programming Community Meeting

Come and review the 2011 season of events and programs in the parks, and share your ideas for the new year. Two opportunities: Weds, Jan. 18, 3:30-4:30pm at 75 Battery Place and Thurs. Jan. 19, 5-6pm at 6 River Terrace (next to Le Pain Quotidien and across from the Irish Hunger Memorial). Presented by the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, 212-267-9700 ext. 348. www.bpcparks.org

Teen Fitness at the Community Center at Stuyvesant High School

10 Classes. 7-8pm. $100, $120 non-members. Register at the Community Center or call 646-210-4292, 212-267-9700 x370 Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers St. www.ccshs.org

Managed by BPC Parks Conservancy www.bpcparks.org

Free event with DJ Spooky::That Subliminal Kid at Church Street School for Music and Art

Learn to DJ with DJ Spooky (aka Paul Miller), one of the world's best DJ's. He will demo his iPhone/iPad app and talk about DJing and his latest Antarctica project. Participants should download the app from the iTunes app store, keyword DJ Spooky, and bring your (or your parents') devices to the event. Ages 12 to adult. Free. 6pm. 74 Warren Street. 212-571-7290 www.churchstreetschool.org.

Ask the Trainer at Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital

Sarah Bainbridge and Robert Machi are dog behavioral therapists and trainers from Bark Busters home dog training. They will provide an information session for all dog training and behavior questions for any breed, any age, any issue. Free dog behavioral assessments provided. 6-8pm. Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital, 5 Lispenard St. 212-925-6100 www.BarkBusters.com

At the Edge of the Abyss: Concentration Camp Diary - Book Talk at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

Dutch Jew David Koker was a young man in his twenties who had been a college student until the universities purged themselves of Jews. While an inmate at the concentration camp Vught, in the Netherlands, he maintained an almost daily record of his thoughts and impressions along with some poetry. The diary was smuggled out in pieces from the camp to his best friend, a non-Jew. First published in Holland in 1977, it is now finally available in English. Van Pelt, the diary's English editor, will discuss the importance of the book and the life of its author. $10, $5 7pm. The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, 646-437-4200. www.mjhnyc.org

Live from 92YTribeca - E.J.Stickland Project: Tribute to Stevie Wonder/Olatuja Project

Drummer, composer, and bandleader E.J. Strickland assembles a stellar band to perform his arrangements of Stevie Wonder songs. Also on the bill for the evening is Olatuja Project, a husband-and-wife duo who mix jazz, gospel, soul and traditional African sounds. If you can't attend in person, listen live on WBGO 88.3 FM, or on www.npr.org/music. 7:30 doors, 8pm show, tickets $12 adv, $15 day of show. 200 Hudson Street. 212-601-1000. www.92YTribeca.org

photos by Robert Simko

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Downtown Bulletin Board

The TriBattery Pops Needs Hornplayers:

Downtown's volunteer community band is seeking hornplayers for it's 9th season: another tuba, trombone or sax. They operate through the goodwill of Church Street School for Music and Art at 74 Warren Street, where practices are held at 7pm on the last two Fridays of Jan - May. The TriBattery Pops perform in six well-attended community events annually and record a CD that has always been up for a Grammy Nomination and is distributed to radio stations internationally by College Music Journal. Praised as "rhythmically robust," by The New York Times, the band has played in the River to River festival and were invited by the Trisha Brown Dance Company to perform eight nights at an American Masterwork dance by Trisha Brown and Robert Rauschenberg.

This year, The TriBattery Pops are celebrating the end of the Mayan calendar by wearing black, and focusing on tunes like The End by the Beatles, The End by the Doors, The End of The World by Skeeter Davis, and Dance Till The End of The World by Britney Spears. They will play on the new ballfields' artificial grass for the first time at the Little League Parade this spring, and if the Mayan calendar actually means the end of the world, this could be their final season, among other things, of course. Being in the Pops is a lot of fun, and to participate in the glorious 9th season, contact Conductor Tom Goodkind at TomGoodkin@aol.com

TODAY and TOMORROW: BPC Parks Conservancy - Programming Community Meeting

One way to airmail your Christmas tree to the curb

There is still time to recycle your tree in BPC:

The Battery Park City Parks Conservancy staff will pick up trees (without ornaments) on the curb until January 27. The trees will be chipped and used for mulch in the local parks. For more info call 212-267-9700.

St. George Library Center on Staten Island offers Exhibition Space to Artists

A welcome opportunity for artists is just a short, free ferry ride away in a beautiful library on Staten Island. Housed in a historic building designed in 1907 by Carrere and Hastings, architects of the neighboring Borough Hall and County Court House, the St. George library's main reading room features an impressive beamed ceiling and stained glass windows on the main floor frame a spectacular view of New York harbor. Artists are invited to exhibit their work on in the reference room on the lower level. Opening receptions for guests can be arranged as well as a listing in the library calendar. For further information, please contact Margaret Siggillino, the librarian responsible for arranging exhibits, at 718-442-8560 or margaretsiggillino@nypl.org.

photos by Robert Simko

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RiverWatch

Arrivals & Departures

Queen Elizabeth arriving fashionably late yesterday at noon

Wednesday, January 18

Norwegian Gem

Inbound 9:15 am; outbound 4:30 pm; to St. Maartin

Thursday, January 19

Queen Elizabeth

Outbound continuing World Voyage

Saturday, January 21

Norwegian Jewel

Inbound 7:15 am; outbound 4:30 pm; to Port Canaveral, Florida

photo by Robert Simko

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Eyes to the Sky, January 16 - 21, 2012

Stunning Pair of Jewels in the Evening Sky

Swing every door open! Chase all occupants outside! Fiery pink clouds are spread across the fair blue sky in the southwest where the last rays of the setting sun have touched off a conflagration. At the same time, once outdoors at around 4:55pm all week, you will be amazed to find two diamonds, brighter than any star, in the azure above or peeking through the blaze. Planet Venus, known as the evening star, is the crystalline light rather high above the southwestern horizon. Planet Jupiter is above Venus, appearing close to the top of the sky, also to the south.

Some evenings the sun may set without such a fiery display, giving the planets full command of a clear sky. If you arrive later, look closer to the horizon for Venus and southwest of zenith for Jupiter. Venus sets in the west about 8pm. To be sure to see this stunning pair before Venus disappears behind tall buildings or into the haze on the horizon, look before 7:15pm.

Our closest neighbor in the solar system, Venus is currently at -4.03 magnitude. Jupiter is currently at mag. -2.46. Remember, the smaller the number the greater the magnitude. Venus is the most brilliant light in the night sky, second only to the moon. This planet is truly a personification of the goddess of love and beauty. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is well named for the mythic Roman king of the gods.

Judy Isacoff

photo by Robert Simko

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