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....