Poem in Your Pocket Day is part of a larger commemoration, National Poetry Appreciation Month. As an art form, poetry attempts to express the ephemeral. It sculpts with words as others might with marble, and sings a song as sweet as any symphony. It is said that theres nothing better under a bough than a book of verse and thou, so once youre through honoring our arbor, take a friend and a moment to read from a poem. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin and Education Chancellor Joel Klein will be doing so at Bryant Park tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., and youre welcome to join them for an open-mike session. Feel free to clip your favorite poem and keep it in your pocket.

To get you in the spirit, here is a favorite poem of mine:

A Poison Tree

by William Blake

I was angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe;

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I water'd it in fears,

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with my smiles

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright;

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole

When the night had veil'd the pole:

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree.

Holidays are hard, huh? If youre tired after all that celebrating, join us in Union Square Park on Saturday to take part in the worlds most relaxing hobby: gardening! "NYC Grows" is the signature event of National Garden Month, a joint program of Parks and the National Gardening Association. From 9-3 on the south plaza, information and activities about all things gardening will be provided free of charge to experienced horticulture enthusiasts or budding green-thumbs. Urban Park Rangers, community gardeners, gardening supply merchants, and even fresh veggie recipe demonstrations are all part of the show.

A great time of year to find inconspicuous evergreens is after the snow but before leaf out. Such a search in Staten Islands Bloodroot Valley yielded a new find for the City wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) a broadleaf evergreen shrublet, collected historically, but not seen in recent times. Working with the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, another new find for the City was made twinflower (Linnaea borealis). In summer, this plant puts forth pink, bell-like blooms for which it is named.

Written by Bill Tai

"There are two kinds of light:

the glow that illuminates and the glare that obscures."

James Thurber

(1894 1961)

Manolo Vald at Bryant Park is an exhibition of monumental bronze sculptures by the renowned Spanish painter and sculptor, Manolo Vald. The exhibition features six works arranged among Bryant Parks beautifully scaled open space and neo-classical architecture. The work is on view from March 1 through April 15, courtesy of the Parks Department, the Bryant Park Corporation, Instituto Cervantes, and the Marlborough Gallery.

The exhibition consists of four sculptures depicting female heads, their calm facial composure and structured equilibrium offset rhythmically by dynamic ornamental headpieces. Two of the four works, all of which measure over 13 feet high, are debuting in Bryant Park. Accompanying these forms are two groups of elegantly imposing figures based on Diego Velquez Infanta Margarita and Reina Mariana from the painting Las Meninas. In these works, Vald draws inspiration from an art-historical motif, as he does in much of his work, using his own visual language to skillfully play tribute to one of the great masters.

Vald has received honors and commissions from Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela. In 2005, a large exhibition of his sculptures of both Infanta Margarita and Reina Mariana opened to critical acclaim in Paris at the Palais Royal, then traveling to Switzerland and Spain. In 2006, several of these sculptures were featured at the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona, the first West Coast venue for Vald work. In 2002, as part of Parks & Recreations public art program, Vald exhibited a monumental bronze sculpture entitled La Dama on Park Avenue. Currently a traveling exhibition entitled Manolo Vald: Monumental Sculpture, is on view in Cdoba, Spain. Through 2008, it will tour through Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Bilbao and Saragossa.

Vald completed two of his most important commissions to date in 2003: three monumental bronze sculptures, Las Damas de Barajas, which was created for Madrids highly acclaimed new international airport, and La Dama del Manzanares, which presides majestically over Madrids Parque del Mazanares and is his largest sculpture at 45-feet high. In 1999, Vald was the official representative of Spain at the Venice Biennale. Recent retrospectives of Vald paintings, sculpture and graphic work have been held at the Guggenehim Bilbao in 2002 and Madrids Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in 2006. An important solo exhibition at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul was also held in 2006.

Parks & Recreations public art program has consistently fostered the creation and installation of temporary public art in parks throughout the five boroughs. Since 1967, collaborations with arts organizations and artists have produced hundreds of public art projects in New York City parks.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

I am the grass; I cover all.

Carl Sandburg
(1878-1967)

The exhibition consists of four sculptures depicting female heads, their calm facial composure and structured equilibrium offset rhythmically by dynamic ornamental head-pieces. Two of the four works, all of which measure over thirteen feet high, are debuting in Bryant Park. Accompanying these forms are two groups of elegantly imposing figures based on Diego Velquez Infanta Margarita and Reina Mariana from the painting Las Meninas. In these works, Vald draws inspiration from an art-historical motif, as he does in much of his work, using his own visual language to skillfully play tribute to one of the great masters.

Vald approach to art is to use the past and present "como pretexto." He focuses not on the subject, but on the way the art is created. For Vald, the subject is simply the first step. As explored in his regal sculptures in Bryant Park, his work is about the process and journey in creating the art.

Vald has received honors and commissions from Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela. In 2005, a large exhibition of his sculptures of both Infanta Margarita and Reina Mariana opened to critical acclaim in Paris at the Palais Royal, then traveling to Switzerland and Spain. In 2006, several of these sculptures were featured at the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona, the first West Coast venue for Vald work. In 2002, as part of Parks & Recreations public art program, Vald exhibited a monumental bronze sculpture entitled La Dama on Park Avenue. Currently a traveling exhibition entitled Manolo Vald: Monumental Sculpture, is on view in Cdoba, Spain. Through 2008, it will tour through Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Bilbao and Saragossa.

Vald completed two of his most important commissions to date in 2003: three monumental bronze sculptures, Las Damas de Barajas, which was created for Madrids highly acclaimed new international airport, and La Dama del Manzanares, which presides majestically over Madrids Parque del Mazanares and is his largest sculpture at 45-feet high. In 1999, Vald was the official representative of Spain at the Venice Biennale. Recent retrospectives of Vald paintings, sculpture and graphic work have been held at the Guggenehim Bilbao in 2002 and Madrids Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in 2006. An important solo exhibition at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul was also held in 2006.

Vald work may be found in more than 40 public collections, including the following: Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; Menil Foundation, Houston, Texas; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Modern Museet Art, Stockholm, Sweden; Mus National dArt Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; Museo Nacional Centre de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas; and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts.

Parks & Recreations public art program has consistently fostered the creation and installation of temporary public art in parks throughout the five boroughs. Since 1967, collaborations with arts organizations and artists have produced hundreds of public art projects in New York City parks. Committed to art exhibition by emerging and established artists, Parks has supported projects ranging from international exhibitions in flagship parks to local, community works in neighborhood parks and Greenstreets.

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance, and operate Bryant Park. In addition to providing security and sanitation services, and tending the parks lush lawn and gardens, BPC provides public amenities and activities, including movable chairs and tables, cafumbrellas, restrooms, restaurants and food kiosks, and many exciting events throughout the year.

Instituto Cervantes, which is the official cultural representative of the Spanish Government, considers this exhibition an important cultural exchange between the people of Spain and the people of New York City.

Founded in 1946, Marlborough Gallery represents over sixty artists internationally through galleries in New York, London, Madrid and Monaco. Marlborough has collaborated with Parks & Recreation on groundbreaking exhibitions such as Botero on Park Avenue and Tom Otterness on Broadway, and is proud to support this exciting exhibition, Manolo Vald at Bryant Park. This is an important sculpture show for residents, as well as visitors, to enjoy.

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"The Citys ice rinks provide a safe, seasonal place to enjoy the ice, and we are delighted to have had such a successful skating season," said Commissioner Benepe. "Although hanging up those skates for the season is bitter-sweet, it gives New Yorkers all the more reason to look forward to those cold winter months that come around without fail each year."

With this seasons grand opening of The Pond in Bryant Park, New York City parks are now home to a total of seven ice skating rinks. Others include Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park, Abe Stark Rink at Coney Island, Worlds Fair Ice Skating Rink in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park, and Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink in Central Park. All ice rinks will officially close on April 2, with the exception of Prospect Parks Wollman Rink, which will close on March 12, and Bryant Parks the Pond, which has been closed since January 16.

Parks & Recreation commends skaters citywide for practicing safety on the ice all season long. Each year, Parks encourages New Yorkers to stay away from the ice on the lakes and ponds unless the agency announces that it is safe to do so in designated areas, as water that may appear frozen is not often safe enough to skate on.

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Even New Yorks newer citizens know about the African burial ground that has been preserved just a little north of City Hall in Downtown Manhattan, and most know that Washington Square Park was once a cemetery; the clever ones even tell tall tales about the "hangmens elm." What few people realize is that New York City, especially Manhattan, was once riddled with cemeteries in what were originally far-off locations, distant from the downtown city core, but which were quickly overrun by development. Many of these burial grounds were potters fields, meaning people who did not have enough money to afford a private burial were interred there.

Originally, the City chose to make these potters fields "out of town," but New York expanded so quickly that the town ended up engulfing all the land in Manhattan aside from these old cemeteries. When these burgeoning neighborhoods sought open spaces for recreation, all they had left were the old burial grounds. Since there were no headstones on these paupers fields, nineteenth-century New Yorkers turned their heads and turned burial grounds into parade grounds. They were (in north-south order) James J. Walker Park, Washington Square, Union Square, Madison Sqaure, and Bryant Park.

In order to avoid the need for any future ghoulish land conversions, in 1847 New York State enacted the Rural Cemetery Act to encourage the building of cemeteries in unpopulated areas adjacent to urban areas (i.e., the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens). It was this act that closed the door to Manhattan burials and spurred a citywide interest in large, green, landscaped land preserves. Ironically, the creation of expansive, landscaped cemeteries in places like Brooklyn and Queens led the people in Manhattan to want green space of their own and thus began the movement to make Central Park.

Just about the same thing that happened in Manhattan in the 1820s through 1840s happened in the outer boroughs at the turn of the twentieth century. Apparently, the city fathers of Queens and Staten Island didnt study their Manhattan history. Once again, when neighborhoods became crowded and the people needed parks, there was no place to turn but the cemeteries, and not just potters fields.

As early as 1730, the site of Newtown Playground in Queens at 92^nd Street and 56^th Avenue was used as a cemetery. Some of Newtowns most prominent residents were buried there, and later it was used as a potters field on and off until about 1880. Although many of the famous and well-to-do were disinterred and buried elsewhere, this public space was transferred to the Queens Department of Parks in 1917. The 1927-28 Queens Parks Annual Report notes that "All the old headstones [one historian estimated as many as 86], which stuck up like eyesores, were laid flat and covered with soil." At that time, a "playground apparatus" and drinking fountain were installed, though it is not clear whether these were placed on or adjacent to the former cemetery site. The property was more fully developed as a playground in 1934-35, the dawn of the Moses era.

All told, there are more than 20 cemeteries within land that is now parks. Some of them, like Friends Cemetery in Prospect Park, remain untouched to this day; others are adjacent to our historic houses for all to see; but, in many cases, the clues of the past lie deep underfoot.

-written by John Mattera

"The man who has no imagination has no wings."

Muhammad Ali
(born 1942)

"Thanks to the hard work of the State of Oaxaca, the Mexican Trade Center, the Mexican Consulate, the Bryant Part Restoration Corporation, and Benito Juezs many admirers in New York City, we found him this spot on Avenue of Americas, in the historic Bryant Park," said Commissioner Benepe. "Juez was very important to the history of Mexico, but his influence also extended well beyond the borders of his nation. He commands the international reverence that is reserved for figures like Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela."

"Who better to honor than our great political teacher, Benito Juez," said Matar. "Juez is recognized not only in Mexico, but all over the world for his fight for human rights. For the Mexican community, it is very special to have a statue of one of our own in the greatest city in the world."

The sculpture is sponsored by the State of Oaxaca on behalf of the Mexican Government with additional support from the Mexican Trade Center. It stands along Avenue of the Americas between 41st and 42nd Streets, on the perimeter of Bryant Park, in a symmetrical position to the existing sculpture of JosBonidacio de Andrada e Silva, the Brazilian leader, between 40th and 41st Streets. The sponsors will provide funds for the ongoing care of the sculpture in cooperation with Parks & Recreation and the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation.

Revered as one of their greatest political leaders, Benito Juez (1806-1872) proclaimed the "Reforma Laws" and established the foundation for the Mexican Republic, thereby preserving the independence of Mico. Juez, born of humble origins in Guelatao, Oaxaca, is known as "Benemito de las Americas". A lawyer, he was governor of Oaxaca from 1847 to 1852. He served as president of Mico from 1861 to 1863 and again from 1867 to 1872. Juez was also the first president of indigenous descent.

With the addition of Benito Juez, a pantheon of seven sculptures of Latin American leaders now overlooks the Avenue of the Americas. A sculpture of Uruguayan independence leader and national hero General JosArtigas (1764-1850) stands in Soho Square; of Juan Pablo Duarte (1813-1876), considered the Father of the Dominican Republic, at Canal Street; and of Brazilian independence leader JosBonidacio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838) in Bryant Park at 41st Street. Located on the Avenue at Central Park South are statues of the Cuban patriot, journalist, and poet, JosMart(1853-1895), Argentine General Josde San Mart (1778-1850), and South American liberator Sim Bolar (1783-1830).

The sculptor, Moises Cabrera Orozco, was born in Juchit, Oaxaca, in 1936. In 1958 he entered La Esmeralda National School of Painting and Sculpture; he completed his studies at the San Carlos Academy from 1867 through 1970, under the guidance of such masters as Francisco Zga, Juan Osorio and Alberto de la Vega. Cabrera founded and directed the National School of Art in Mexico City and has represented Mexico at several international contests in Denver, Colorado, Sidney, Australia, Piamonte, Italy, and Quebec, Canada. Among Cabreras famous works in Mexico are the Monument to the September Heroes, the Monument to the Mexican Soldier, the Seven Arms Chandelier, and the Catus Sculpture. In recent years, he has done monumental pieces Japan, Italy, Cuba, Guatemala, Costa Rica, France, Argentina and Puerto Rico.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"A word is dead / When it is said, / Some say. /
I say it just / Begins to live / That day."

Emily Dickinson
(1830-1886)

This summer, free film festivals will take place in five locations in New York Citys parks. The HBO Bryant Park Film Festival has screenings every Monday evening through August 23. Riverside Park South Cinema will show films at the 70^th Street Pier Thursdays through September 2. Also on Thursdays, July 15 through August 5, Celebrate Brooklyn! will present a unique movie-going experience at Prospect Park with the Music and Movies series. Audiences will be treated to the score of each film performed live by artists ranging from Pere Ubu to the Alloy Orchestra. Finally, audiences at the Hudson River Park Trusts Riverflicks will be able to catch both thrillersWednesdays at Pier 54and family filmsFridays at Pier 25while munching on complimentary popcorn. All screenings are free and start at dusk (between 8 and 9 p.m.).

With nearly 40 films playing in New York Citys parks this summer, even the most dedicated Parkie would have a tough time making it out to each and every movie! Thats why The Daily Plant decided to make the decision process a bit easier for our readers. Below is just a sampling of Parkie favorites. For a complete list of films, check the Special Events Calendar online at www.nyc.gov/parks.

Kenny Harper, the Arsenal Mail Clerk, loves Beetlejuice, which is showing July 30 in Hudson River Park at Pier 25. "Its really scary!" Harper explained. Theres no question that only the daring kids will go home and repeat the word "Beetlejuice" three times after seeing this movie, but the thing that makes Beetlejuice an 80s classic is the humorous way it treats its supernatural subject matter. After all, Beetlejuice is "the ghost with the most!"

Dyanne Norris, Community Relations Administrative Assistant, goes wild for Breakfast at Tiffanys, playing at Riverside Park South on July 15. "Before I saw it, I couldnt figure out just how you could have breakfast at Tiffanys," Norris remembered with a laugh. When Audrey Hepburn first appeared on screen nibbling on a pastry in front of those famous jewelry store windows, it all made sense to Norris. This light comic film provides a classic look at New York City society, but what really stands out is Hepburns iconic performance as Holly Golightly.

Melanie Karasick, Parks Opportunity Program Intern, suggests Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, showing August 6 at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park. "It brings me back to my childhood," Karasick said. From the singing Oompa Loompas to the Chocolate River, the film creates a world of wonder that can be enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart. After seeing Willie Wonka, one cannot help but wonder why there is no candy wallpaper or truly everlasting Gobstoppers in real life.

Bill Castro, Manhattan Borough Commissioner, recommends Casablanca, showing August 19 at Riverside Park South. Castro describes the film as "one of the most entertaining movies ever made. Its very human and upliftinga real crowd-pleaser." Casablanca is a movie to experience with others, laughing and crying together. Dont be afraid to cry during Casablanca: "It brings tears to my eyes every time," Castro admitted. As Humphrey Bogarts adventures and misadventures in the deserts of Morroco unfold on the screen, you may notice the Hudson River itself take on the exotic qualities of the films world.

The movies have always provided a chance to escape, to see new places, and to feel new emotions. Parks, as a relief from fast-paced city life, are the perfect places to escape into the movies this summer.

Writtenby Rebecca Silverstein

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Some people think they are worth a lot of money just because they have it."

Fannie Hurst
Writer, (1889-1968)

Crispus Attucks Park sits on the corner of Fulton and Classon Avenues in Brooklyn and was once a place that neighborhood residents feared. For many years the park was used by drug dealers, drug users, and criminals. The park was abused so badly that the park building was closed, and rumor has it the piping was actually stolen. But within the last year, a concerted effort by community members in the forming of a "friends of" group has brought new life to the park.

With the help of Parks, City Parks Foundation (CPF) and Brooklyns Partnerships for Parks crew, the Friends of Crispus Attucks Park have made the park cleaner, safer, and once again, frequented by neighborhood adults and children alike. PRM Lena Neglia praised the Friends of Group for bringing children back to the park, and taking on the challenge of restoring a park that had long been ignored. Throughout the summer, CPFs Arts in the Parks program has helped to solidify this parks new place in the community. On July 16, Crispus Attucks Park held a puppet show that delighted over 500 neighborhood children with the telling of the classic tale of Cinderella. This event was followed up by a reading in the park that entertained 300 local youths with the wonderful story of "Sweet Potato Pie and Such".

On Tuesday, July 30, I was fortunate enough to attend the third installation of Arts at Crispus Attucks Park, a magic show by master magician Phillip Jennings. Mr. Jennings performed for hundreds of local kids who in turn had the pleasure of seeing the comedic magical styling of Mr. Jennings. The Friends of Crispus Attucks have spent countless hours building relationships with daycare centers and camps in the neighborhood, creating a sea of colored t-shirts in Mr. Jennings crowd. With kids on hand from the Flatbush YMCA, St. Phillips Christian Youth Center, the Arts & Literacy Summer Institution, the 88^th Precinct Summer Youth Program, and more, the Friends of Crispus Attucks, the neighborhood members and a visitor like myself could see just how far this park has come.

The work at Crispus Attucks has really just begun. Getting the park cleaned up and getting the neighborhood involved in park activities is a great start, but there is more work to do. It is estimated that it will cost about $765,000 to fix the park building. The Friends of Crispus Attucks plan on attacking the task of fundraising over the upcoming months. With $200,000 already set aside for the project by Borough President Marty Markowitz and former Council Member Annette Robinson, they hope to see these funds matched by other local representatives.

As the day was winding down, I turned to Dale Charles, one of the leaders of the Friends of Crispus Attucks group, and asked where she finds the energy to do her work. "The payment I get from this is more then money, I mean, just look" and look I did, at hundreds of smiling, cheering, happy kids enjoying a day that a few years ago would have been an impossibility. The story of Crispus Attucks made me want to see the park and meet the people, and doing that made me want to make a difference. Perhaps this article will inspire a new group of friends in a new park to take on the crime and grime and make a change. If you know of a Friends group that is making, has made, or is working towards making their park better, please email me at jeff.sandgrund@parks.nyc.gov so that they too can be recognized for all their hard work.

(Wednesday, August 23, 1989)

Named after the poet, editor and orator William Cullen Bryant, 105-year-old Bryant Park is the largest public space in Midtown Manhattan. Its 9.5 acres, which host the main branch of The New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue and 42^nd Street, have long had historical significance in the city. In fact, long before Bryant Park was planted with English plane trees and ivy, the site served as a Revolutionary War battlefield, a paupers graveyard, a reservoir, and the location of Americas first World Fair.

"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."

Anthony J. D'Angelo

Harris A. "Philippides" Kaplan is Brooklyn's Employee of the Month for January. Philippides began with Parks on October 4, 1999 after 7 years as a produce buyer and warehouse manager with the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P). Philippides took over for riverrun as Project Manager for the Brooklyn Garages. He helped Parks make a successful transition from Serco to First Vehicle Services (FVS) and has been a thorough and aggressive manager of Brooklyn vehicle issues. Vehicle out of service is 4.8% this month in Brooklyn. Phillippides also played a key role in responding to the recent snow storm. Talented and effective, Phillippides was nominated by Liberty and seconded by Kermit.

Steve "Pathfinder" Rizick is Capital Projects' Employee of the Month for January. Pathfinder joined Parks on September 30, 1985 and is the Director of Documents for Management Services. As such, he monitors the storage and retrieval of capital plans and park maps, and manages the blueprint and copying rooms. This past summer, Pathfinder helped with our West Nile Virus Abatement Project by researching the catch basins and sewer systems in over 200 parks and retrieving 1,685 drawings. He has also ensured that our blueprint copying facilities have kept paced with our increasing commitment. In FY00, his unit reports making over 4.5 million copies of specifications, reports, maps, and more. For his steady work and contribution, Pathfinder was nominated by Catalyst.

Matt "Townie" Meagher is Citywide Services' Employee of the Month for January. Townie began with Parks on December 19, 1983. He currently oversees Fleet Administration at 5-Boro. Townie maintains our Access fleet database and manages the extensive administrative needs for our 2,000 vehicles including tracking assignments, relinquishments, licenses, trip tickets, repair performance, and warranties. In the last year, he has played a lead role in implementing the MCMS system, which replaced FAMIS, and in responding to the Firestone tire concerns. Townie also works with DCAS to process our new vehicle purchases and address agency Fleet Count issues. Townie has a wealth of knowledge about our fleet and has been a major contributor to 5-Boro's success. He was nominated by Kermit.

Francisco B. "Corregidor" Carlos is Management's Employee of the Month for January. Francisco began with Parks on March 7, 1988 and is the Director of Concessions Audit. As such, Francisco reviews the finances of Parks concessionaires. Working closely with the City and Parks Comptrollers and Revenue, Francisco regularly inspects the premises and "books" of our over 500 concessonaires. His reports are submitted to Revenue which may exact fines or additional fees if the books have been cooked. Recently, his audit of a concessionaire generated an additional $22,000 to Parks due to under-reported income. For his many years of dedication and high quality, detailed work, he was nominated by StarkEast.

Pamela R. "Mocha" Strickland is Manhattan's Employee of the Month for January. Mocha joined Parks full time on March 1, 1995 and works as an Events Coordinator for Manhattan Special Events & Permits. Mocha's responsibilities include processing event applications and permits, helping Parks managers prepare for special events, and coordinating event issues with other city agencies. Her focus area is Districts 1 through 10, which include City Hall Park, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, and Bryant Park, and she helped in 2000 with events including the World Series Parade and the Bryant Park film series. Hardworking and cheerful, Mocha also assists with ballfield permits and other matters in this very busy and pressured office. She was nominated by Kittyhawk.

Vincent "Thirteen" Musillo is Queens' Employee of the Month for January. Thirteen began with Parks on January 27, 1986 and is an APSW recently promoted to SPMO. Thirteen is the supervisor for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens flagship park. He supervises WEP, graffiti and horticulture crews and helps with borough-wide ballfield preparation. Regularly working hand in hand with his staff, Thirteen is well respected by Parkies and patrons alike. He was nominated by Ricardo.

Carlos A. "Amigo" Merizalde is Staten Island's Employee of the Month for January. Carlos started with Parks as a CPW on June 1, 1999 and works at the Staten Island Garage. Year round, Carlos transports vehicles for repairs and assists with garage operations. This summer, he was stepped up to APSW and operated the beach tractor and surf rake to clean Midland, South and Wolfes' Pond Beaches. Carlos quickly learned beach maintenance and helped Staten Island's beaches have a successful season. Hard working and reliable, Carlos was nominated by Dispatch Garage Supervisor Jeff Asklof.

Emily J. "Little Rhody" Brennan is the Commissioner's Employee of the Month for January. Little Rhody graduated from Brown University and began with Parks on June 16, 1999. Recently promoted to Deputy Director of Central Recreation, Little Rhody has worked on many of Parks big events including the Easter Eggstravaganza and the Halloween Party in Central Park. This past summer, Little Rhody coordinated Parks Summer Fun program at all 17 sites citywide. She has helped coordinate the Flag Football tournament and the Women, Children, and Girls in Sports program. In addition, she has brought her athletic skills to the job, teaching field hockey clinics as part of our Learn to Play Field Hockey program. Dynamic, hard-working, and professional, Little Rhody was nominated by Iceman. By Keith (Kermit) Kerman

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Friday, February 5, 1988)
"1X1" + "5X5" = MORE PARKS CLEAN-UPS AND REPAIRS

The successful citywide citywide "5x5" in-house clean-up and repair program has been one of Parks' greatest successes over the last two years.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

Disraeli on success: "The ability to grasp the main chance when it comes" ]]> 2009-11-21T16:51:16-05:00 dailyplant7822 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/daily_plants/daily_plant_main.php?id=7822 As cold weather descends, New Yorkers can be grateful for public spaces that look out on nature and delight the eye, even as they keep us warm. The Arsenal Gallery is such a space, where viewers can transfer the appreciation of color and living things to the enjoyment of a work of art.

A Canadian critic said, "Nature is inside art as its content, not outside as its model. Last night, in the spirit of his words, Parks celebrated an opening in the Arsenal Gallery, a space that extends Parks mission to provide abundant access to nature. The featured work is a series of oil paintings by Jonathon Lev, inspired by the renderings he was commissioned to do for the renovation of the carousel in Forest Park. In researching that project, Lev turned to archival photographs of the original carousel and the surrounding neighborhood. The 18 works that project catalyzed will be on display until December 7th.

The carousel where Mr. Levs work is showcased was designed in 1918 by premiere carousel architect, Daniel C. Muller. Until it was moved to Queens in 1972, the carousel lived in Lowell, Massachusetts at an amusement park. Today, it amuses New Yorkers as one of the five carousels on Park land. In his artwork, Mr. Lev emulates the style of the paintings on the original carousel which burned down in 1966. His work recalls the vanished carousel while decorating the new one; it blends historical imagery with present day surroundings.

QUEENS RECREATION CENTER DRESSES UP FOR HALLOWEEN

This weekend, Queens recreation staff at the Passerelle Building at Flushing Meadows Corona Park will unleash their Medieval Madness upon the general public. The Passerelle building, which normally houses REACH, a program for the handicapped, and several educational programs remakes itself in the image of the Middle Ages. Queens staff have decorated the center as a haunted medieval castle, where knights clatter ominously in their shining armor. Outside the castle are rides, games, and arts and crafts stations. The staff take advantage of the breadth of parkland to offer trolley rides and hay rides, a pumpkin patch, a costume contest and more.

During the week, the Medieval Madness hosts first through fifth grade schoolchildren. This Friday, programs will be adapted for teens, including participants in Teens At Parks, and on Saturday and Sunday any members of the public who wish to attend may. Thus far, the event has serviced 2000 children. That number is expected to double by Halloween.

Organizers of the event saw opportunity in the crowds at Shea stadium last weekend. They dressed up in costume and distributed promotional flyers among happy fans.

PARKIE TAKES HOME THE HOMERUN BALL

Before the Subway Series began, before New Yorkers loyalties were split down the seam, the Yankees battled the Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Seated behind right field at Game Two, were Hydrologist, Eric (Yossarian) Rothstein and his father, fellow fan. When Derek Jeter's homerun flew into the stands, the ball rolled along the floor, and landed directly in front of Eric, the proud owner of this small piece of history. Reportedly, Eric brought the baseball to work for show-and-tell.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT

MAYOR KOCH BREAKS GROUND FOR $5 RESTORATION OF MANHATTAN'S BRYANT PARK
(Wednesday, October 28, 1987)

In its 300-year history as a public space, Bryant Park has been the site of a Revolutionary battlefield, a paupers graveyard, a crystal palace, and this countrys first Worlds Fair. But the 9.6-acre park in midtown Manhattan had never seen anything quite like the strange contraption that helped city officials break ground for the parks $5 million capital restoration on Wednesday.

The Rube Golderg-esque structure was set in motion by a crowd of office workers who pulled ribbons attached to a pole, which released a ball that tumbled a domino-row of books, which overturned a can that poured water on a man who pulled a rope that lifted a box. Out from the box (are you still with us?) came shovel-toting youngsters who tossed ceremonial mounds of dirt into the air, along with Mayor Koch, Commissioner Stern, Bryant Park Restoration Corporation (BPRC) chairman Andrew Heiskell, and New York Public Library president Vartan Gregorian.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.

George F. Will (b. 1941)