Save 35 Cooper Square!

Photos by Louise Millmann
Just as the great Jane Jacobs fought tirelessly to save Greeenwich Village from destruction in the 1960s, neighborhoods all over NYC continue to battle demoliltion in the name of so-called progress. Despite the cold, the Bowery Alliance of Neighbos, Historic Districts Council,
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, nine other community groups, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Senator Tom Duane,a rep from Sen. Squadron, poet Hettie Jones, historian Joyce Mendelsohn &
area residents came together on Friday afternoon to urge landmark designation for the endangered 35 Cooper Square, the oldest building on the Square. This event was called because despite a joint appeal from BAN, HDC,GVSHP, LESPI and Councilmember Rosie Mendez, the Landmarks Preservation Commission refused to grant even a public hearing on issue.
Has NYC learned nothing from the lessons of the past? The demolition of the original Pennsylvania Station, and the preservation of Grand Central should be a clear reminder why we need to save historical structures in NYC. The city's landscape is a fabric of complex textures that most American cities lack. Without that historical context, the city will become a bland, homogenized version of its former self. To help save this building, please consider signing the online petition.

SCBWI: 40 Years

Olivia with author Lin Oliver

At the podium

Olivia's doodle

Our hotel room's view

For the past six years, I've looked forward to the annual winter conference of the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Every year offers a new perspective on the creative process, the publishing industry, and the love of literature. This year's speakers, a veritable who's who of children's literature, shared inspiring stories of their youth, hilarious letters from their fans, and their key secrets on being funny. Lois Lowry spoke of the pain in losing a sister, while RL Stine recommended being open to writing to a different genre. Jane Yolen described the poetry of a line with Mark Teague at her side, and Mo Willems made us laugh with Lenore Look and Marvin Terban. As always, the insights were inspirational, the conversations collegial, and Lin Oliver's witty banter made me laugh. Despite the seeming similarities, this year, however, was truly different. Now a writer and illustrator herself, my daughter Olivia also became an SCBWI member, perhaps their youngest. With Olivia's Birds coming out in April, bringing her along seemed like the perfect way to share the news with fellow SCBWI members. She enjoyed listening to the speakers, but especially loved the big welcome she received from many of the 1,100 attendees. Together we met artists, authors, bird lovers, and even an ornithologist who studied at Auburn University in Alabama. It was a joy to share this world of creative and bright people who are so dedicated to both their craft and to bringing joy into children's lives.

New Project: West Islip

Here are some of the computer-generated renderings of a new Bouler Architecture project on the water in West Islip, providing a good preview of things to come.

State of the Union

Image from the NY Times
Last night James and I sat down to hear President Obama's 2011 State of the Union address. Picking up where he left off in Tucson, the President continued his push for bipartisan civility in an age where we need to move this country forward, instead of gridlocking progress in an 'us vs. them' mentality. Like any seasoned teacher with classroom management skills, I thought the seating arrangement truly influenced the tone, becoming less of a football stadium and more of a civilized chamber of governance. I even liked the reach across the abyss to John Boehner.

And boy didn't those of us who teach at Jericho High School buzz about the President's 'shout-out' to us as nation-builders, because those of us at my job, do see it that way. Not all agreed with his 'race-the-top' strategy, but we came to consensus against No Child Left Behind.

There were great poetics in Obama's writing style. It was balanced. I reflected on the analogous relationship of Sputnik to our "winning the future." Upon reflection, I consider it apropos. We currently sit on the precipice of the future and cannot be bogged down wasting energy fighting each other without at least an attempt to reach consensus.

Throughout the speech, the President made statements so thoughtfully worded that James and I often wondered aloud, "How could you object to that?!" Now it's no secret that I am a hearty supporter of President Obama, but I was pleased today when a social studies teacher who plans on teaching the speech tomorrow, told me, "I'm a Republican, but I like the guy." And as he prepared his 'Project Citizen' unit, he also appreciated the support for teachers.

One part of the night was more personal. When James and I were in DC with the family this summer, we spoke with our representatives in Washington about the Gulf oil spill. It was great to see our alternative energy allies having the ear of the President. Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), a longtime champion of environmental issues, had such forward-thinking, sensible, and money-saving ideas, that we were excited to see him walking with Obama on the way out, with Energy Chairman Waxman (D-CA) symbolically leading the way. Congressman Engle (D-NY), a bull dog in questioning BP chairman, was shaking hands along the aisle. These are the folks who can implement these goals. We also met with Climate Change Czar and former Audubon Board Chair Carol Browner. When I heard this week that Browner was stepping down, I was disappointed since she had great perspective on the whole situation: the oil industry's unpaid taxes, lax regulation, and campaign contributions, while green technologies were moving forward in China. She knew what was at stake. I hoped her departure wasn't a sign we had given up getting this country off oil.

Our gasps were audible as the President hit the oil issue squarely out of the park. By subsidizing the oil industry, we are enslaving ourselves in the past, destroying our environment, and creating a national security issue. Funnel that very same money into green technology--sensible, right? European governments have been leading the way on this for years. Let's learn from their model. Of course I'd like to see a return to the moritorium on off-shore drilling, but I guess I can't have everything. . . yet.

Ultimately we were moved by the citizens in the gallery. The heroes, the dreamers, the believers. With Egypt's streets ablaze with revolution, last night I went to bed proud we were "for the people and by the people."

Online Painting

Olivia sampled Disney's Friends for Change CREATE program-- here are some results.

Viv Maudlin Takes Las Vegas

Six minutes of Las Vegas fun, Maudlin-style.

Winter Birding

Perhaps nothing beats seasonal depression more than the sight of birds at your feeder. I recently received the following email from Mary Anne in Connecticut about her winter feedings. I simply had to share parts of it.
Recently you posted a link to a great article about feeding birds (songbirds) over the winter. I read it, and found it very helpful, and I learned that it's important to keep the feeders filled, as the songbirds come to rely on the seed that us humans start for them - so, I've been doing just that. Boy, those guys are eating like crazy! Who needs Al Roker? You want to know if it's going to snow ,,, well, just watch how hungry your birds are! You would be happy to know that as I gaze out on my yard, with feeders freshly filled, there are at least three or four dozen birds and the occasional chip munk and squirrel, all having breakfast. They seem to bring such a light, and happy 'energy' with them.
Mary Anne even put her leftover Christmas tree out for them to have a place to perch. So if you are surrounded with the white stuff as we are, and feeling a bit weary, consider keeping a stocked bird feeder right outside your window. Even if it doesn't elevate your mood fully, you'd be helping out our feathered friends. For the link Mary Anne read, it was an article by Seatuck's Enrico Nardone.

Building Blocks

French philospopher Roland Barthes said that the best toys are ones where children have to supply the context. Instead of imitating an adult role or playing a game with already established rules, children need to be creators not passive users. Here are a couple of Jackson's building block creations before they were destroyed by Godzilla. Perhaps Barthes should add that children also need to be destroyers.

Lido Beach Update

Lido Beach is moving forward. Despite the glacial pace of local building departments, Bouler Architecture is hopeful that this spring will bring groundbreaking activity for this waterfront home. The mix of design elements, photovoltaic and geothermal systems will create an energy-efficient residence that capitalizes on its oceanfront site. By using computer generated models, roof lines for the home were developed to cut down on solar gain in the summer while allowing heat gain in the winter. I'm looking forward to chronicling the progress of this project in the near future.
By the way, Bouler Architecture now has a fan page on Facebook.

Home Expo: Orlando

James just returned from a Home Expo in Orlando, Florida. According to him, the word of the day is 'green' as building materials try to offer products that emphasize efficiency. Condensing boilers, thermal barriers, windows with thermal breaks, icynene insulation filled the convention center. This 6' mini-wind turbine at 25mph generates 1,000 watts of power, but can product electricity in as little as 1 mph winds. I've been concerned about wind power and birds, but recently read a blog post on Treehugger refuting the dangers wind turbines pose to the avian population.
James said the convention gave him an opportunity to explore the new options out there for upcoming projects and I even got a treat for the yard: an earth-friendly homasote birdhouse made out of post-consumer recycled newsprint.

One=Many

With today's commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr, it proves the power of one person's ability to lead many. Leadership requires vision and with it, comes a responsibility to lead by example. MLK's leadership is of an epic stature, as our nation continues to strive to follow his example of civility and righteousness.
Although the individual has great power, it is the actions of the collective which can literally move mountains. In 1977, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Kenyan political activist Dr. Wangari Maathai wanted to combat the effects of deforestation and soil erosion by organizing a tree planting campaign. Her Green Belt program not only made a change in the Kenyan landscape, it also changed how Kenyan women felt about themselves. In organzing tree planting, Maathai encouraged Kenyans not only to invest in their country, but gave them a sense of empowerment, which grew along with the 40 million trees planted across Africa.
Days like today remind us to not only take leadership roles when necessary, but to consider who we follow with great care.

Bird Badge

Olivia and I helped out Jackson's Cub Scout troop 370 earn their birding merit badge tonight. After a round table discussion about helping out the birds in our backyards, the boys looked through field guides and painted bird houses. Consulting Seatuck's latest issue of Field Notes, we then made bird feeders with a used soda bottle, a wooden spoon, and string, taking home their oiled sunflower seeds to fill them. Hopefully the evening gave encouragement to a group of future birders.

The Truth of Fiction

Some have argued that the value of literature is in how it portrays the human dynamic with more truth than a psychology book. But what about the veracity of historical fiction? With The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory becoming a best seller and motion picture, the popularity of this genre has reached new heights. It has become a favorite of mine as well. Recently I finished reading the stunningly written Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant, who also wrote In the Company of the Courtesean. Both novels, set in Renaissance Italy, pull from a rich context of art and literature to craft fictional accounts of women, not unlike The Girl With the Pearl Earring. Two other books in the genre which I've enjoyed are The Coffee Trader and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Although these books pull details from history, some more accurately than others, it is their compelling stories which give them the complexity of a good read.

The Art of Conversation

We tell frustrated toddlers to ‘use your words’ in expressing themselves, to communicate their feelings. We extol the virtue of talking things out, making lists of pros and cons to see both sides of a situation. And yet the need for civil conversation in our society in order to discuss some of the most complex and crucial issues is at a crisis. From expunging offensive words from a great American text to putting those with whom we disagree in the crosshairs of a shotgun, our nation’s tendency to polarize the opposition into an ‘us vs them’ situation is counterproductive to the ideals of a democracy. How can I hear your points of argument if I’m too busy shouting my own? Who wins while trapped in the gridlock of the political battlefield? Instead of remaining entrenched in our own position, productive discourse over our differences, ideological or cultural, may lead us to common ground. But if finding common ground makes one lose the next election to the other team, or money from lobbyists, or popularity ratings, how willing would you be to budge from your fortress? Worse yet, with the news cycle driving policy, not even the viewers are willing to give the other side a chance, as if it would threaten their identity to the core.
In the midst of writing this, my school just honored President Obama’s request for nationwide moment of silence for reflection and prayer, allowing our nation to be unified for that brief moment. Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps we need less conversation and more silence. I’m willing to at least discuss that option.

Musicworks: Fundraising Event

Musicworks founder and jazz trumpet player Jesse Neuman is preparing for a third trip to teach music to underprivileged children in Latin America. To raise money for the event, Olivia and Jackson will be joining him on stage for a jazz concert at The Living Room in NYC on January 22nd, at 4:00 pm. It's a very child-friendly event, with audience participation for everyone.

Efficient Ideas

I am not a fan of buying new in the name of the environment especially if I can repair it or buy it pre-owned, aka used. But lately James and I have been upgrading our eco-profile with a few key purchases. What makes them key is their frequency of use. First came the car. As those who know us know-- James and I have been through an incredible array of vehicles, looking for the perfect configuration for our use. With my daily round-trip commute of seventy miles and two kids, my choice in cars had to meet approximately 75 different needs, now with a 30 mpg minimum. And there she is, my new GTI. Swift, comfortable, with every bell and whistle, and 33 mpg on the highway. T'was worth ditching the Mercedes.
As for the Breville Smart Oven, James is a big proponent of conseriving energy by using convection or toaster ovens instead of heating up our large wall oven. This one replaces ten years of subpar toaster ovens now residing in landfills; one had a temp control handle snap in two, another sparked and caught on fire. The Breville is a beauty-- and though it cost more than the others, it still costs less than the four of them combined. Ask me how it roasts, c'mon, ask me! Pure, energy efficient joy.
The last upgrade was LED bulbs. Pulling less energy than even a CFL, and far less than incandescent bulbs, they even direct light downward, causing less light pollution when used outside. For more on lightbulbs, check out modernemama's take on them.
So despite my quest to reduce my consumption, these ideas were simply too efficient to bypass.

Uovo Ravioli

I confess I have become a foodie. It started with books about food. From the perspective of chefs to reviewers, I began to consider the art of food, and although I myself haven't been able to follow a recipe for the life of me, I do greatly appreciate the work of others.
Last night at Nonnina's in West Islip I tasted a dish that was so complex in flavor that I simply had to write about it. Chef Henry Freidank's uovo ravioli, a ravioli with an egg yolk inside instead of cheese, was inspired. Covered in crumbled bacon, a touch of mushroom, a bit of lobster meat, and cooked to perfection, it was truly sublime. Why isn't there an image of this dish to accompany this entry? Too busy in the ecstasy of tasting it. Do stop by the restaurant if you are in the area.

Architect as Dictator

In this Sunday's NY Times Arts and Leisure section, art critic Roberta Smith reflects on the growing success of MoMA's 2004 renovation.
I had great ambivalence about the renovation of the Museum of Modern Art. In its previous state, the collection, like a textbook, had a linear layout, moving chronologically and ideologically from one space to another, and needless to say, I knew where everything was. The museum was already lagging well behind the Whitney in terms of showcasing cutting edge, contemporary artwork, so why upset the proverbial apple cart. The new layout, in a renovation which cost a staggering $435 million, is more like a pinball machine, as you stand in the center of a space and have to direct your attention this way and that in a frenetic attempt to keep up with the sequencing of images. No use complaining about it of course, except when they relegated Matisse's great painting 'The Dance' to a stairwell. And to then see the cavernous, empty space of the atrium, at first dedicated to dwarfing Monet's once monumental Water Lilies (thus coining the term 'monuminimal'), it was enough to make this museum member want to barf.
And then something happened. MoMA became relevant again.
Architect Yoshio Taniguchi designed the space, saying that if the museum gave him enough money he could make the walls disappear. True to his promise, Taniguchi's design forced the curators to notice they were wasting this grand space at their fingertips and needed to make curatorial decisions to capitalize on it. The architecture lends itself to public interaction, a dynamic courtyard surrounded by sterile, somber chambers devoted to the static nature of painting. The contrast was heightened as projections and performers began to stage happenings, where the audience became part of the spectacle. In this modern-age coliseum, the walls between artist and audience blurred, a perfect response to the architect's directive.

1/1/11

As the sun set on 2010, I considered reflecting on the year, but it was too much, really. It was an amazing year with so many surprises that it is simply impossible to recount them. In summation, I've met some wonderful folks this year, which restores this misanthrope's faith in humanity.
Instead I decided to think about 2011. I am kind of superstitious. I think the way I begin a year will set the tone for the rest. You can imagine my chagrin, then, when a few years back James and I opened the year sidelined by food poisoning. And yes, the rest of the year went as such. Since then, I've made a conscious effort to begin the year with deliberate intent. This year opens with organization, both of my home and my thoughts. I am not alone. Magazines are devoted to either losing weight or organizing one's belongings, or both. In fact, I hear Target has conveniently created four separate locations where shoppers can pick up plastic tubs and shelf organizers. This is serious zeitgeist at work here. Because 2010 had me running like a hamster on a wheel for most of the year, things like steam cleaning the carpets and tossing crusty remainders out of the cupboards were pushed off, until now. Forget spring cleaning. New Year's Cleaning. I'm hoping that by getting the house in order, I'll gain control of all the rest. And if not, at least the carpets will be clean.