Aging in Action UWS . . . . . . . . Upper West Side Focus

Remember the 1960's ?

PLEASE don't get caught up in that old one-liner, "If you remember the 60's, then you really didn't have any fun."   Most of us remember something of the 60's, if only in a smoke-filled haze of music.    Here's an upcoming series of lectures at John Jay College about the history and politics of that period.   Free and open to all.   Enjoy the Spring and relive your youth !!

Wednesday, February 23 7:00 PM   Multipurpose Room, 2nd Floor, 445 West 59th Street

Music as Advocacy: How Songs Can Change History  

Speaker:  Peter Yarrow

 

Monday, February 28      7:00

PM    Room 630

 20th and 21st Century Feminism: From Small Groups to Global Politics

Speaker:  

Robin Morgan  Monday,

 

March 7:00PM  Room 630

Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society”: a free market critique

Speaker:

Richard Ebeling

  

Monday, March 14 7:00 PM Room 630   

 Politics in the 1960s : A Conversation with Alan Chartock

 

Monday, March 21 7:00

PM   Fordham Law School, 140 West 62nd St. 

the 1960

s:  struggle against racism 

Speaker:

Amiri Baraka 

 

 Monday, March 28 7:00 PM  Room 630

“I really can’t stay”: reproductive rights in 1960

s America

Speaker:

Joyce Avrech Berkman

Monday, April 4 7:00 PM  Room 206/207

The GI, Anti-War Coffee Houses

Speaker:

Barbara Garson

Monday, April 11 7:00PM  Room 630

the 1960

s: A Reporter’s Eye View

Speaker:

Carl Bernstein 

Monday, May 2 7:00 PM  Room 630

The Revolution Fantasy: Thinking Yourself into a Corner

Speaker:

Mark Rudd 

Admission is Free. 

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  All lectures will take place at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue,  with the exception of February 23 and March 21, as noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, January 16: Reading of "Inheritance" by the Red Harlem Readers

On Sunday, January 16 at 4 p.m., there will be a free reading of "Inheritance," by Yolanda K. Wilkinson.  The story "follows an ever-changing family that identified as Colored, then Black. and now African American through 60 years of secrets, unforgiveness, anger, divine magic and, ultimately, love... Spanning 30 years, INHERITANCE is a tale of what was gained, loved, lost and what will eventually be passed on.

"Inheritance" is an event from the Red Harlem Readers taking place at the Indian Cafe on Broadway between 107th and 108th. The event is free and will be followed by a discussion with the playwright and actors.

For more information, contact [email protected] or Richard Gaffield (347) 525-3378 of Red Harlem Readers or Chander Malik (917) 584-0121 of Indian Cafe.

About Red Harlem Readers: Red Harlem Readers is a volunteer organization that provides a venue for established and emerging writers, actors, and musicians. The group engages the community in the literary and musical arts through concert readings and performance of plays, poetry, essays, short stories and song. The discussion that follows each event provides stimulating conversation and further collaboration. “RED HARLEM” was a joking way Native American people used to describe their active and thriving community in Morningside Heights some 30 years ago. The Red Harlem Readers takes its name from those people, who lived and worked in this neighborhood.

Learn Something New in 2011

Searching for a New Year's Resolution?   Realize that "Lose Ten Pounds" is an exercise in futility?   How about "LEARN SOMETHING NEW?"  My recent experience at Fordham University's College at Sixty's Lincoln Center campus convinced me that learning is fun (especially with no exams or papers to write.)  Each class is taught by a college professor, many of whom claim that their College at Sixty students are most interesting students they teach.  The classes of 12-25 people have something for everyone.   You can be an enthusiastic class participant.   Or, you are welcome to read the material and then sit in the back and listen.   I went alone and knew not a soul.   By the end of the 3rd class, I remembered at least 4 people's names.   By the end of the 6th class, I was sitting at a table and having lunch with a few of my classmates.   SO, learn new things AND make new friends.   Don't be afraid to go alone.  Most people are traveling "solo."    All the classes meet during daylight hours. 

Please explore other class options on the UWS and report back to Aging In Action.    We welcome other alternatives.... and we would learn more and more.

Subway Countdown Clocks

We all got a gift from the MTA this year.   Countdown clocks (formally known as annunciators) have now been installed in most subway stations on the Broadway line (#1, #2, #3 trains).    Remember when we used to call it the "Seventh Ave. IRT?"   It's so much safer to read the sign showing the upcoming arrival of the next train, rather than lean out over the tracks to peer down the tunnel for a hint of a light.   Progress !!!

Wednesday night caroling on church steps

For Mommies, Daddies, Grandmas, Grandpas, and Kids of All Ages! 

Join your West Side neighbors for the

8th Annual "Singing on the Steps," 

 Christmas carols and Treats at the First Church of Christ, Scientist*.

Wednesday, December 22nd at 8:45PM
Central Park West at 68th Street

Enjoy the celebration and see for yourself First Church's spectacular restoration, the recipient of LW's 2009 Unsung Heroes Award for Building Stewardship!  Designed by Frederick R. Comstock in 1901, the First Church of Christ, Scientist was designated a
New York City Landmark in 1990 as part of the Upper West Side-Central Park West Historic District.

Free Guitar Concerts at Folk Art Museum

EVERY WEDNESDAY 2-3 PM ..Jazz Guitarist Bill Wurtzel plays at the American Folk Art Museum Lincoln Square branch.. Columbus Ave at 66th St.   Enjoy live music and be home before dark on these winter afternoons.

Tech Gifts for the Older Generation

Are you yourself are the "older generation?"  Or are you a baby boomer with elderly friends/relatives trying to determine which tech to master and what to leave to the kids?  Either way,  you will get value from checking out Laurie Orlov's Aging-in-Place Technology Watch Blog.   Used IPODs donated nursing homes?   Video hook-ups allow elderly family members to  "be" at the Thanksgiving table without the indignity (not the mention the expense) of air travel?   Internet Bridge Clubs?   WiiFitness and the new Kinect developing some NO-impact games and exercises for those of us without access to a gym?   Check out the rapidly developing possibilities.

Free or Almost Free Holiday Music on the UWS

Thanks to NY Historical Society for highlighting these dates.

Friday, December 3
Sinners and Saints: Three Masterpieces of American Opera
Conversations on Opera with Joseph Colaneri,
Artistic Director, The Mannes Opera     7:30pm
Cost: Free
Location: Mannes College Concert Hall, 150 West 85th Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues)
The program will feature the young artists of the Mannes Opera performing selections from Floyd’s Susannah, Ward’s The Crucible, and Menotti’s The Saint of Bleeker Street


Saturday, December 18
An Upper West Side Christmas    5:00pm
Cost: Suggested donation is $20
Location: St. Michael’s Church on Amsterdam at 99th Street
The children’s choral ensembles at St. Michael’s will sing seasonal choral anthems interspersed with community carol singing. Come experience the joy of this heartwarming event!


Wednesday, December 22
A Candlelight Christmas Concert     7:30pm
Cost: Suggested donation is $20
Location: St. Michael’s Church on Amsterdam at 99th Street
The St. Michael’s Choir will sing a concert of sacred and secular seasonal choral works from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

Jane Weston Wilson -- A Remembrance

Jane Weston Wilson, witty and knowledgeable food columnist, passed away peacefully just before Thanksgiving.  She was in her early 80's.   Jane, a lifelong enthusiast for good eating, was a former caterer and magazine editor ((Vegetarian Times).  She was the author of several books, including "Cook Once, Eat Twice" and "Eating Well When You Just Can't Eat the Way You Used To Cookbook."   In her retirement years, (when she never actually retired), she created workshops for The Transition Network and continued to write on food preparation.   She will be sorely missed by all her friends and by everyone at AgingInActionUWS.

Lincoln Square BID's Winter's Eve, 11/29

The long range weather forcast looks good.  Plan your Monday evening to visit Winter's Eve.   FREE entertainment all the way from 59th St. to 68th St. along Broadway, top names in jazz and classical music.    Tree lighting at 5:30 on the Lincoln Center Plaza.  If you want to wander the streets buying inexpensive taste treats from all the neighborhood restaurants, arrive early and hungry.   Those lines get very long by 6:30PM for the most popular sidewalk tables.  Just a generally nice feeling in the air.