so as...

the inequlaity in the city seems never to go away, cityboy has a "triumph". Well, not exactly, but an interesting day yesterday. Decided, after library, that I should see the Gurney play at Signature, went around 1, had not trouble getting in. Millions of seniors there, almost (it seemed) like three quarters of the audience. Made me feel very out of it, yet saw the play. Not bad, a little forced dramaturgically, a really good performance by Carolyn McCormick, yet still a hollowed out kind of feeling. Nice thing about Signature is that is a place where you can BE. Tired, but prepared for my trip to Bushwick to see the Starr's play Heartbreak. Not a great play by any means, an original quirky sense of being and some interesting dialogue shifts, but watching this play, I felt that I was really watching theater. The acting seemed so organic and crisp---totally unique as compared to the aftrnoon's performers who seemed to be (or perhaps were directed to be) delivering the script. Afterwards, as usual, went out to "hang" with the creators and actors, always fun, since this was last performance the producer from New Georges was there as well. Really interesting and vital conversations with whole cast and others seeing the play, Great time, and my comparing the afternoon's performance to the evening's was vital to my conversation and the applause that I could
'give" the actors. Stayed at Heavy Woods, where we all gathered after the short time at the Beer Bar, until midnight, very late for me. Woke up this mornng with a really great feeling.
Today, a trip to Brooklyn (where I am using this computer), then not sure, do not want to see anything today, hopefully some good conversation later at South Fourth (where I hope to end up) or some other place.

very hot....

in library this morning, yesterday, one period at Friends, would have liked more, but was pretty fresh for the evening, the project at Performance Garage, which my friend Eleanor was in. Interesting but very self indulgent, a lot of dull stretches when writer did not seem to really know what she wanted to do. The audience was very enthusiastic, though, Why...? All her friends...? Possibly. Anyway, tonight going to Bushwick Starr to see final performance of their project---afternoon could be opened to anything. Can think of about five plays I could try to get into, all necessary to see since they perform in such a tight time frame, but I wonder if that is really what I want to do. What are other options.../
A movie, perhaps, or simply reading, don't want to take a strenuous walk, because that may tire me out for the evening.  Well, these things will work themselves out.
A week from today at this time, will be on the bus to Baltimore. A little apprehensive, still nothing I read or hear from friends there gives me any causes for concern. They had 45.000 at the Oriole game last night, certainly a sign that people are not staying in. Well, should be interesting. Back Sunday evening in time for the graduation on Monday.
Tomorrow, tentative plan is to do "nothing" that is just move around, visit a few places in Brooklyn, take it easy. Want to "hang out" at South Fourth tomorrow evening, just see who is there and talk. Need to get back to that, maybe today, too. Not much else to report....

almost a week....

since the last post---plenty has happened, worked a full day at Friends yesterday, three first grade classes for the dance teacher. Wow! Managed to get through it okay. Felt pretty tired this morning---...happy that I was not called today, have the two sessions to deal with, then maybe the play at Performing Garage---will be there tomorrow for (again) one period, and maybe more. Some possibility that there will be some work for me next week, but am satisfied for now---next week are at least three functions at the school that I will attend. So we will see how things develop there.
Long weekend seems a long way away now...don't know how much recounting is necessary, saw Eliza's play on Friday, very amusing, and great help from her pianist-co-conspirator Ms.Farris---said hello to a few people there, Eliza invited me to hang out with she and her friends at the chicken place on Clinton and Atlantic, but i declined---did not know the rest of her friend that well, instead, went off and watched baseball at (old reliable) Mullanes, large and crowded with (of course) Ranger fans.
Saturday saw Forever, a really brutal monologue in the afternoon, hoped to get to Bushwick for the play at the Starr in the evening, but trains were pretty messed up by 6, feeling tired, decided to see Clouds of the Sils Maria at IFC instead, good choice, very beautifully made movie, each shot beautifully diagrammed, interesting story---did keep me involved the whole time.
Sunday, not too much until evening performance of The Qualms at Playwrights Horizon, had a great walk from my house on 76 street and West End to theater at 42nd street and ninth. Could not believe, as I walked down 11th avenue in the forties all the new buildings that exist there now. Two blocks: 43rd and 45th between 10th and 11th are now filled with luxury apartment, are there really enough people to live in them.
Also an enormous food court and restaurant on 11th, around 45th, or 46th. Play was beautifully acted, skillfully written but for me, totally useless and hollow. Just an example of how emotionally bankrupt these theaters are. Had some pizza on the way home, nice walk again, finally the bus to home.
Monday, cookout at South Fourth, nice to be back there, touch base with the immortal Jimmy, and others.
Stuffed myself with a hamburger, hot dog and a little piece of chicken, told myself not to do it, but I did. Each of the three south fourth cookouts, I enter aware that I will stuff myself, yet I make only a little attempt to control it.. Found myself around 4, with not much to do, did not want to see a movie, wanted to control income spending, ended up on a bus to Bed Stuy, after a walk from South Fourth, via Kent into Greenpoint.
All the walking made me tired, and I returned home by subway at Nevins, ready to geer myself up for two firsts grade classes I would have on Tuesday.
Today, after sessions, might go to Performing Garage, to see piece that Eleanor Hutchins is in---want to see that before the final performance tomorrow, and tomorrow, if not tired maybe head to Bushwick. And so it goes....

tomorrow back at....

Friends (one period only, maybe more) and Tuesday as well. That's an upper. Was there last night as well, watching the Spring Music Festival. Really impressed---chamber players played really well, and the singing group was really incredible. Sheri, their teacher leader picked some wonderfully appropriate songs---really amazing how, after Tim left, in my head he was irreplaceable, but his replacement brought his own individuality to the job and so has Sheri. Seems like there is so much talent---so much awareness of the uniqueness of music.  Very impressive.
Afterwards chose to watch baseball at a bar that I had never visited previously, called Professor Tom's one of  two sports bars on Second between 13th and 14th. Known as a Red Sox bar, I chose it because I figured that was one place where the Ranger game would not dominate (it did, but it did not matter). Sat in front of Red Sox TV at the bar, bartender very nice and welcoming, a guy named Tim, sitting next to me, struck up a conversation about baseball---then invited me to be his partner at Trivia (did not expect to play, but did anyway). We came in fifth---not bad since we were only two.Overall a good experience there, I will probably return, but still there was a sense of sterility in the bar as well---maybe because the essence was so masculine, men outnumbered women by a lot. Think I am a little tired of watching baseball as the evening's primary entertainment. Get seduced into thinking that I will be fascinated by it, instead....well plenty of other options as the long weekend arrives and progresses.
Earlier today (it is around 1 P.M.) I decided to track down a play that I wanted to read (the Country House, by Donald Margolies) at the only library that had it, the one on 96th street off Lexington. Took the sixty sixth street crosstown, got of at Madison, walked to 96th. Fascinating walk, I am so rarely in that part of town. Memories of Madison Ave in my formative years, the fifties, sixties and seventies, when people with an artistic bent could get apartments there for fairly inexpensive rents. Remember reading that screen writer William Goldman bought a 10 room apartment on Park Avenue around 72, for $225,000. Amazing.
On the west side of the street between 81st and 82nd street is a book store---walked in there and browsed for a moment---wow! It is like stepping into a time machine---back to that era I mentioned before when literary people inhabited Madison Ave and its environs,. (a few left? Possibly). and went to book stores to chat, and maybe pick someone up. Quite an experience, will return to that book store. Finished my walk down Madison, finally hitting the library and meeting my cousin Bill, the retired lawyer as he was going out. He was friendly, I told him about my coming trip to Baltimore, he wanted to meet with me after the trip and get a report. Very heartening.
That's it, will "struggle" with vision of what to do this evening---here we go....

annoying news....

about meeting re the needs of the people living near the Atlantic Yards site. Seems the powers that be are extremely unfeeling about the needs of the people living near the site. Sounds very sad. How do we invent two kinds of people, one aware and responsive to the needs of others, and another kind, just following marching orders no matter who it hurts. Sad.

Yesterday, decided not to see play at Here, watched a little baseball at Irish bar nearbye---then off to South Fourth to "hang" with Merlin; Bill and Allyson were also there, good to see them. Watched most of basketball game with one or two other denizens of the bar---god discussion about the game, left after L train closed down, took the 62 bus to third stop on 7 (i have done this before)---a fun trip as it goes through Greenpoint and into LIC. Old diner sits across from the subway station, would like to go in there at some time.

Today, will return to Friends after lesson in Brooklyn to see Spring Concert, then...? who knows. Too late to see a play..still have to figure out the plans for the next couple of days.

Not much else, still have to find a place to stay for my one night in Baltimore in two and a half weeks---don't get lazy about this, should be settled by the end of the week. That should be all for now, more to report soon....

tough day.....

yesterday, eighth period with eighth graders was difficult---a lot of acting out---but should give myself credit for reading some of Annie John and leading a short discussion of it for seventh period,
seventh grade. Have not posted since Thursday, Friday, got a surprise call to sub for sixth grade science, also worked yesterday (you know that)---but what happened on the weekend?
Saturday: All day at Friends---reunion, saw many students whom I knew from classes of 2010, 2009, and 2005 (my first class, actually) Nice to remembered by Sabrina from that class for the time when I "gave'
her sixth grade class answers to a vocabulary test, created by Heather Cross. Did not really "give' them the answer, but game them sentences that helped explain the word---ah well, a good time was had by all, I think. Nice to see some of the 2009 kids there, had some good conversations with students who did not come to their reunion last year.. Left feeling good--had other things to do, a play created by Jeremy at a Church on 86th street that Jake, a senior at Friends was participating in. Nice to see how committed he was, the play---or performance piece---can't really say what it was, was a little scattered. Finished about 8:30, tired but had to run down to La Flaca to wish my friend Bob happy birthday--a long trip and did not stay long, but really appreciate what friendship means, and know that even my just stopping in meant a lot to Bob, whom I have known now for just about 15 years, and who, in his own way, is responsible for bringing me back into theater (more about that some other time).
Sunday, day was my own, knew that I was going to Brooklyn that evening for discussion and short play about lynching at Jack, spent the afternoon in the Bronx, first at Bronx Museum of the Arts, and then walked from there (165th street and Concourse) to Mount Eden and Jerome (about 175th street). On those blocks, even on the Concourse, one could see and feel the poverty of the people walking the street.This neighborhood (which de Blasio seeks to upzone in his plan for affordable housing) was totally black and hispanic, did not see one white face on the whole journey. Take from that what you may. Photographer who was shown in Bronx Museum said parents lived in that neighborhood through 1982---would have been fascinating to hear his story of how they survived the brutal changes the neighborhood went through in the late sixties and seventies. But he died a few years ago, and photographs are not too revealing.
Tired after trip, very hot, but went to Jack (the performance space on Waverly and Fulton) anyway, took A to Nostrand, long walk to Waverly, had a good cup of coffee which perked me up---then the short anti-lynching play (read by some very good actors) and then a long and passionate discussion with the woman who has written about these plays, a professor from Ohio. Really felt focused re all the issues brought up, cruelty to people because of their color, my own place in the "battle"; what the whole civil rights history has brought us to now. Left feeling very invigorated, five hours earlier was exhausted, now, in the really beautiful Spring evening, could walk down Fulton from Washington to where the street bonds with Lafayette Avenue.
Pizza at normal Pizza place then returned home via subway.
Tonight, after session am planning to see the play at Here written by Sarah Farrnington---whose work I have seen and liked previously. Still a tremendous amount to see this week---also it will be over early, so time to check out some baseball, maybe visit Merlin at South Fourth. Later

long morning....

not much happening, yesterday left library around 8:20---thought I might walk a bit but was tired, nearest subway stop was Eastern Parkway (right by the museum) jumped on 3 train and was home in about a half hour.
Today, since no work at Friends, should be wide awake this evening---can participate in party after Sibyl's play, looking forward to it---should be fun to mix with those people, meanwhile after tutoring session, may go to see the dress rehearsal of the play Jeremy is creating with students Jake and Rachel. If not then, then on Saturday.Time is rushed, hard to focus to completely on anything. Oh well, at least a lot of action. Should be seeing a lot of people from class of 10 at Saturday's alumni festivities. Then on Sunday will go to the
"anti-lynching" play project at Jack in the evening. In between...not sure. That seems to be all for now...

"langushing" in Brooklyn...

Here I am at the Library (Grand Army Plaza) after having a good session with a third grader (she is tough to handle), trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the evening. Just had a very rich donut (the Donut Factory) so stomach is kind of filled, which leaves out (for a while) a beer at some bar.
Not too interested in bars anyway, as most will be showing the Ranger game ahead of the baseball games that are happening. So where...? Not sure yet.
Walked down Flatbush Avenue from Bergen to Grand Army the aria from Forza that the tenor sings in Act II was in my head. Sad, lonely aria, the quintessence of loneliness. Why did I choose that one?
Someone from my past evokes that...? Or maybe just the past in general. Not sure. I remember the slope when rents were cheap, far less bars, kind of more down home. Could I, in the late seventies, have predicted what was to come? The history of my generation could be defined in terms of real estate---if you bought in your thirties, if you saw life that way, you could be doing very well now.
And I...? Well, lets just say....
Yesterday, chose to hang out at La Flaca, had a good time, cast of Sibyl's play came in, had some brief conversations with a few of them, then found out that tomorrow there will be a cook out, after the performance at Abrons. More attempts to raise money, but if I am hungry could well be worth it.
Will probably go, and mix with everyone.
MIght attend dress rehearsal for Jeremy's project before the party; that is the project that Jake and Rachel have been working on for most of the year. If not will see it Saturday.
Plenty of shows to choose from in the next three weeks, probably too many,  not an athlete, just a theater goer...have to figure it out day by day...

disappointed that....

I could not support Friends baseball team yesterday---really would have liked to, actually thought of joining the game in progress, after dental appointment, but the appointment ended too late.
Wish I could go tomorrow, but unless I have a tutoring cancellation, seems impossible---this is a new tutoring assignment for me, so I must be consistent---really sad about this, would love to show my support.
Not much news from Baltimore in today's papers, Orioles got back to Camden yards yesterday, apparently there were no problems in terms of management---game was decently well attended---still a little cautious concerning my coming trip, should make the bus reservation as soon as I finish this blog (will I?) Wonder how previews are going for Marley, the project that my actor friend Michael is in at Center Stage.
Interesting day Sunday, after leaving the library, solved the incredibly difficult problem of getting to Bushwick from Park Slope-Prospect Heights border---how did I do it? Well, 3 to Nostrand and Eastern Parkway---then walked to Kingston (originally planned to walk to Utica) , waited for bus that goes North on Kingston, traveled on it through Crown Heights and then Bed-stuy, got off at Throop and Lafayette and waited for the bus that goes directly to DeKalb and Wycoff.  Was not rushed, actually a very fascinating trip---looking at all the amazing brownstones on Lafayette as we approach Broadway. Hope to do much more traveling around Brooklyn this summer. After de-barking at Wycoff, took the short walk to Jefferson and Cobra, nice to see bartender Andrew there, read a bit, relaxed, then took off for South Fourth, via L and then a nice long walk from Grand and Bushwick to South fourth and Berry. Grand between Manhattan and Keap Street an amazing amount of bars and restaurants on that stretch. How do they fill them up?  Bartender Olivia very welcoming and helpful at South Fourth. That is really my place.
Somewhat easy day today, just got some work at Friends, things look pretty solid....

not much...

news from Baltimore today, as trip looms four weeks from today. Will see what the reception and how the Orioles return to Camden Yards is played out tomorrow.
Yestserday: very tired most of the day. Got to midtown library, a great library with dirty bathrooms. Found Omeros for Monday also Lee Grant's autobiography, which I practically devoured, finished with almost half of her life at this point. Getting very self involved. 7:00 passed without any plans, finally got myself out, had an egg salad sandwich at Pret a Manger (very good actually) and then figured baseball bar was my best bet, on the way reallized that my friend Erin was working at Burp Castle, decided to go in and hang with her for a while, glad I did, good conversation, went home tired but feeling focused.
Today, ah freedom! Well sometimes there is a bit too much of it, but managed to escape to Brooklyn by late morning, had a great cup of coffee at (you guessed it) Coffee, on Bergen Street---love their cafe americano. Then went to Sports Bar on Vanderbuilt where for a long while I was the only patron, bartender was very nice however, we had a nice talk and I watched the Orioles Yankee game without interruption. Now in the library.
Earlier, before the bar, stood on corner of saint marks and Flatbush--tried to take in the changes in the last 40 years---passed buildings, realized that at any point I could have gotten a very reasonable apartment on any of those streets---could be living there now---also could have bought, and you know what that would have meant. Is the story of my generation, the story of buyers of real estate? We were really the first to have the co-op offers come to us in our late twenties or early thirties. I, of course, did nothing. Well anyway, each to suffer his or her own fate.
Tomorrow at Friends for Maria, must look closely at Walcott's poem, then after that, an appointment at the dentist.....

just read....

in Baltimore Sun that city police feel that "holding back" on aggressive policing will cause more crime. Still planning to go down there on the 6th of June, will watch the situation carefully, hope this does not become difficult---follow it day by day.
Yesterday, nice day at Friends, seventh grade a little hormone operative but fun nevertheless, came home tired--stair climbing many times probably caused that, also did not sleep too well the night before...anyway, slept till about  6, then decided not to eat (or drink) in bars around upper west side, instead went to Greek Place on Broadway and 95th, opposite Symphony Space. Nice blt, read, wanted some privacy--bar scene a little too intense, considering how tired I felt. But walked there and back without problems.
Today, easy day, no tutoring, leaving it open, could go to Merrily We Roll Along in Queens this afternoon, but really not up for it---read about an interesting play in LIC that I could also see for almost nothing, but reluctant to commit. Think I just want to let things happen, maybe go to South Fourth this evening and "hang". Plenty of plays to see over the Memorial Day Weekend (maybe too many) and those I will go to.
Interesting photo exhibit at Bronx Museum that I really should go to today. Looks like interesting pictures of the Bronx in my era---will see; with day open, this seems like best time to go.
Not much else, will see how the day evolves....

good day at...

Friends, yesterday, felt very focused being there---really enjoyed serving and supervising  first and second grade children lunch. Then a nice tutoring session with a very charming third grader in Brooklyn. Visited my cousin Carol who lives between fourth and fifth in Park Slope; she has referred me to certain students, very helpful of her. Remember going to visit her and her son in the early nineties, some trepidation since between fourth and fifth in those days was considered very "iffy"---unlike today. Still, cities exist in myths---the great thing about traveling through NY is that I can look back over several decades and realize the story of the neighborhood I am visiting---have a yen to return to Flatbush---Lefferts Garden, have not been there since stopped tutoring Chana; maybe this weekend which will be perfect, I understand for long walks.
Nice article in Baltimore Sun about a group of men who are working on the streets of the poor neighborhoods to talk to the young kids and try to discourage violence. Still seems to be a lot of energy going into repairing the city---will definitely be there on weekend of  June 6th---will see if I make contact with anyone actively involved in doing volunteer work in the city. Thinking about returning during the summer to help out, but these ideas are just in the thinking stage---not sure what will happen.
Have four unplanned evenings beginning tonight---not sure what I want to do. Philharmonic has the Unfinished Symphony of Schubert---would love to hear an orchestra play it--not sure if I will go.
A few other choices as well, including Karaoke at South Fourth---will see how it all plays out. Returning to Friends, tomorrow, should be fun....

just looked at...

to sections of Baltimore on googlemaps. First the Fallsway, outside a homeless shelter where a murder happened yesterday. The second, East Pratt and South Exeter, what looks to me like a newly gentrified section of the city near Fells Point. Must admit I loved the calm and ease that I saw in the second picture. Certainly a place in Baltimore that I might want to be in---nothing to remind me of the chaos and intense poverty of  Sandtown Winchester or several other poor neighborhoods in the city.But is not that the problem (or one of them, anyway). Who are we, who are not involved in the day to day life of that city, who are not part of the power structure that created and allowed these terrible neighborhoods to live this way. Who are we? What can we do?
Strange day, very warm, not much humidity, easy to enjoy. Have work on Friday at Friends, but will there be more? Hard to accept after the much varied activity there of the first few weeks after the break. Subs (or at least me) have a tendency to think, especially after being used a lot, that there is no such thing as a day when all teachers are present. So if one is not called, there must be others who are.  Now that is just the vision---not saying it is true. We will see what happens.
Yesterday, two good sessions, especially with the first student Robert. One session today. Since I am not subbing, this means that I might be rested for tonight, and might finally visit Merlin on his late shift at South Fourth. Have not since first Tuesday of the Spring break. Would be nice just to "hang" there for a while.
Last night, very tired, after the two sessions, did not do much but rest, took a nice walk down to Lincoln c
Center and enjoyed the weather.
Made a reservation to visit Baltimore on the weekend of June 6th (right before graduation). Will see Marley, the musical that my friend Michael is in, and visit with Robin, probably not much time for anything else, will consider where to stay as the weeks get closer, wonder if there will be lower rates for hotels and others because of the activity taking place.
Will be worked out soon...

latest news....

from baltimore is that things are better there, but a scathing article from a former corrections officer in Baltimore illustrates how hopeless the cycle of poverty is there, how little support from the governments, city state or federal, these neighborhoods are getting. Let us hope there is some possibility for change. My friend Robin's church seems to be helping out a lot by bringing in food and supplies to the neighborhood and collaborating with the churches there as well. I just made a reservation for a return trip from baltimore on June 7th Sunday---so I will be there that weekend, will go down on Saturday morning, see the play Marley, that my friend is in Saturday evening, (hopefully) and return Sunday afternoon-evening. Friends' graduation is the next day, certainly can't miss that. Yes, this vision of poverty in Baltimore is really disturbing. How can sensitive human beings continue to let this happen.
Saturday evening, decided to go to Lansdowne Road, the sports bar on 44th and 10th. First time there since the fall---watched a lot of baseball, some basketball, touched base with Caitlin, and actress who was managing the place that night---it was good to see her and I was glad that she remembered me---she had been on a boat tour this last couple of months. People there very nice, did not push me to leave after I finished the large salad. But was tired, so went home around 9.
Sunday, going to Bronx Botanical Garden from Upper West Side...but how?  Decided best and most interesting way was to take the 2 to 174th street station. Gardens are at around 193rd and Southern Boulevard, the train lets out on the Boulevard and 174th street. Walked from 174th to 193rd. Area pretty poverty driven---passed many people on the street or standing around the front of the several projects that are on the Boulevard who looked like they had very little money. Side streets closer to Little Italy (about 5 blocks west) seemed a little better, but who knows?  Again fascinated by the older buildings that look similar to the one I was raised in, looking for any signs of life that remind me of the world of my childhood, but definitely played off against the poverty that seemed around me.
Described the Alda reading in yesterday's blog post---enjoyable in a kind of superficial way. Again impressed with how helpful and supportive Alan was to his wife. He seemed definitely invested in her success. Wonder if people realize that for the first few years of his career, when he wasn't working he was parking cars or playing Santa Claus. His generation probably the last of the actors who, when they were not pounding pavements or on stage, were taking menial jobs to get by.
Afterwards left Gardens by Mosholu station, walked up Bedford Park Boulevard, stopped for a very nice slice of Pizza a little west of Webster Avenue, that area has not changed much since I was a kid, always very
nice, however now it is mostly spanish, a lttle black, some young white couples, some students from Lehman also there. At Concourse, bus did not come so walked on Concourse to Kingsbridge and then to the library.
Again, mostly Spanish people on the Councourse,saw very few whites between Bedford and Fordham.
Hit library around 5, it is an amazing place, filled with people using its facilities. Must go there again.
Returned home tired, thought I might visit South Fourth, but not that night. The rest is....

short blog...

today, sitting in library in the Bronx (Bronx Central Library) after spending the whole day in the Bronx. Various walking tours, by myself alone, which will be described in a later blog piece. As for now, did meet Mitch and Susan at Botanical Gardens (really beautiful) attended Arlene Alda's talk, which was a dialogue with her husband Alan Alda was very gracious, really tried to be supportive to his wife, and feed into her telling of the stories.Many older Jews (and others) there, a few stories swapped, but not too many---left while Mitch was waiting to get his book signed, she did read about him and audience was very appreciative of his presence. Not much else to say, except to no one surprise, food at the Botanical Garden is expensive.
Will leave it at that, almost time for me to end my voyage and return to Manhattan, will fill in more details and visions of the past of the Bronx I once knew, next blog report.

busy and...

meaningful day yesterday, mostly centered around Friends---subbed during the day, music mostly third and fourth grade, then returned in the evening for the jazz concert. Very fulfilling- the texture of my day is so different on the days when I am involved with Friends, then on those days when I am not. Like today.
Continue to read about the situation in Baltimore, indictments of six police officers good next step, still I feel like the real issue is fighting poverty in the Sandtown-WInchester neighborhood, where Freddy Gray lived, and other poor neighborhoods in Baltimore. Today is Baltimore Sun an article about visits to the neighborhood by Ray Lewis, John Harbaugh and about 30 other Ravens. Very heartening---hopefully it was not just a one day deal.
Kind of tired today, maybe fallout from all the activity of yesterday, will see Sibyl's play this evening, tomorrow seems to be a heavy day of tutoring, and then, depending on energy level, will decide what is next.
Sunday, will go to Botanical Gardens to visit with old childhood friend Mitch and his wife, then attend Berniece Alda's  book sighing at Ross Hall  which is somewhere in the Gardens. Book is Just Kids From the Bronx,---memories by former (mostly) Bronxites about growing up in the Bronx. Most memories are by Jewish kids from the 30's, 40's and 50's, by the middle sixties they were long gone from there. Have read some of the short memoirs---not very telling, yet liked one by a guy who turned 13 around 65, and watched his neighborhood change from a middle class Jewish one to a poor black and hispanic one, while the elected officials did nothing. Anyway, will be nice to hang with Mitch (who is mentioned by one of the people interviewed in the book) and see about the signing. Would love to tell Alan Alda that I remember his dad's performance as Sky Masterson in the first Guys and Dolls, but have no idea if he will be approachable or whatever. Anyway, should be an interesting day.
Sunday evening not sure, possible discussion group in Brooklyn re the Baltimore situation, but no word yet.
Will keep you posted....