Candi — Page 10 — The Candi Dish

Egg-Stra Egg-Stra!

April 15, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

“New Yolk Skyline” Marsha Meredith’s Egg #egg126

The egg symbolizes different things to different people. A particular favorite interpretation is that the egg represents an idea, that when hatched, will be full of promise!

“RETNA Egg” RETNA’s Egg #egg52

“The Golden Lincoln Cent Egg “ Jane Morgan’s Egg #egg6

New York City is a magnet for idea hatchers so The Candi Dish has had a cracking good time during “The Big Egg Hunt” (and egg-sperimenting with egg puns has been egg-cellent)!

“Eggcessories” Ryan Russo for Judith Charles Gallery’s Egg #egg149

“Farber Egg” Robert Farber’s Egg #egg214

I stumbled upon The Big Egg Hunt the other weekend when I was running errands in midtown Manhattan and it did not take long for me to join in the egg-citement!

“New Yolk Skyline” at The Penninsula Hotel

“Cost” Adam Cost’s Egg #egg212

“The Brooklyn Egg” Brooklyn Design & Fabrication, Inc’s Egg #egg104

The Hunt ends on the 17^th of April, so if you are in NY, you may wish to beat the scramble, break out of your shell and check out egg-actly what the hype is all about! www.thebigegghunt.org

“Marblegg” Antoine Wagner’s Egg #egg268

View #1 of “Dupont Egg” Richard Dupont’s Egg #egg148

View #2 of “Dupont Egg” Richard Dupont’s Egg #egg148

That’s all yolks!

Filed Under: Manhattan, Mixed Dish Tagged With: Elephant Family, Faberge, New York, New York City, Rockefeller Center, Studio in a School, The Big Egg Hunt

Barefoot in the Park

March 31, 2014 by Candi 1 Comment

One of the many Central Park passages

One delightfully sun-drenched and chilly day around this time last year, I wandered into Central Park and found myself at Sheep Meadow. The breeze. The sun. The smell of fresh grass. Fortunately, I was wearing my terrifically versatile snuggly coat that I used as a blanket to stretch out and gaze up at the sun. When was the last time that I was here? I could not recall, which meant that it had been too long. But I was there now. Listening to my iPod, zoning out but tuned in enough to be aware of my shortest hairs tickling my forehead as the wind blew across my face. I took off one sneaker and planted my foot in the cool blades of grass that felt deceivingly wet. I was in the moment. Very present. I took a few snaps of the sunny sky and blinked away the spots. Oh, how rare is the feeling of being unblocked? Unblocked under the wide-open sky in the middle of Manhattan.

Sheep Meadow

Sun snap

To locals, Central Park is our backyard, our own treasure trove. To visitors, it is a lush reminder that Manhattan is much more than a concrete jungle. I encourage sightseers to spend time in Central Park. If your goal is to see celebrated Manhattan’s sights, then I suggest hitting the highlights of the Park if you can narrow it down from the many possibilities. Belvedere Castle with its fantastic panoramic views; Bethesda Terrace home to the famous Angel of the Waters statue; The Obelisk; Alice in Wonderland Statue; Vanderbilt Gate; Hans Christian Andersen Statue; the Zoo, The Mall & Literary Walk; The Ramble, Turtle Pond, Strawberry Fields & the Imagine mosaic, both serving as a living memorial to John Lennon; the many Arches and Bridges and of course, the Lake with its row boaters and the not-to-be-missed Boathouse.

Pergola in the Park

Sheep Meadow is a 15-acre preserve located in the South End of Central Park and has a colorful history. From sheep (hence the name) grazing until 1934 to President Harry S. Truman speaking on Navy Day in 1945 to a rare Barbra Streisand concert in 1967 to shared gasps of convened people watching the televised broadcast of the first moon landing in 1969 to park regulars rejoicing in 1981 when the Meadow was reopened after a massive renovation. Sheep Meadow is currently a haven for masses of sunbathers, picnickers, kite-fliers and serenity-seeking, breeze-loving locals like MOI!

Light at the end of the tunnel

Spring. love.

Central Park is open year round but if you wish to visit Sheep Meadow, it is open from mid-April to mid-October from dawn to dusk in fair weather.

http://www.centralparknyc.org

Filed Under: Manhattan, Mixed Dish Tagged With: Barefoot in the Park, Central Park, Sheep Meadow

“Free To Be…You And Me” 40 years later

March 13, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

Celebrating a classic in Manhattan

Television, radio, film and listening to vinyl were a huge part of my early childhood in the 1970s. Simply being entertained was the focus over sticking with particular genres. I loved STYX and watched Hee Haw; enjoyed The Six Million Dollar Man as much as Broadway soundtracks (well, not really AS much but I did like seeing bionics in action).

I think that it is really something that as a kid, I was very attracted to broadcasting that had strong social messages: “All in the Family”; “That Girl”, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, to name a few. Watching these shows as an adult, I realize that the themes, with which I now agree, were totally over my head more than 30 years ago. Given that I most certainly did not fully grasp what I was ingesting, something in them captured my attentiveness.

My introduction to “Free To Be…You And Me” was around 1980 when my 3^rd grade class performed songs from the album for our family and friends in the auditorium of our elementary school.

Invitation to the 3rd Grade Production (made by me)!

I loved the music, which was catchy and fun. After getting to know the lyrics, the realization of the meaning behind the words began to sink in. It was very cool that Rosey Grier, with his “defensive end” NFL stature and deep voice, told children that it is totally ALL RIGHT to cry. Marlo Thomas & Harry Belafonte instructing kids that parents are people who can be in any profession regardless of gender? Yes! Mel Brooks as a baby in the nursery of a hospital trying to figure out if he is a boy or a girl? Fantastic!

The strong message of moving past stereotypes, treating people fairly, embracing friendships, embracing differences and most importantly, embracing ourselves was one heckuva lesson to learn decades ago. Some feel that it was a feminist message. I disagree. I believe “Free To Be” communicates a human message: the importance of feeling comfortable in one’s own skin and respecting others. All people. Not just one gender, one age range, one color, one religion, one “type”. People.

Living in Manhattan, I have access to spectacular events, many of which celebrate things that I loved as a child and still love as an adult. I should add that while protesting and liberation movements were not a part of my childhood, the fair treatment of other was a vital theme (also, I think that I was born with this kind of internal moral compass that sounds an alarm in my head when exposed to the unjust but that is a different story for another time!)

So, when I had the opportunity to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of “Free To Be…You And Me” hosted by Marlo Thomas and friends, I seized it in a New York minute.

Alan Alda, Rosey Grier, Carole Hart, Gloria Steinem & Marlo Thomas

The event at the Paley Center was co-moderated by Gloria Steinem (!!) and Marlo (!!) with a panel: Alan Alda and Rosey Grier, who were featured on the album and TV special; Carole Hart, the magical producer and Lettie Cottin Pogrebin, the visionary who co-guided the creation of “Free To Be”. The panel discussions were intellectual, interesting and stimulating. Clips of the TV special were shown and it was quite moving watching them on the big screen along with the “Free to Be” stars. Fortunately the talented writers, composers, lyricists, producers, comedians, poets and musicians behind the scenes like Dan Greenburg, Carol Hall, Sheldon Harnick, Stephen Lawrence and Tony Walton also joined the celebration. The list of brilliant contributors to the “Free To Be” album, book, TV special and Foundation is endless. I think that the prerequisite to be a part of the project (in addition to talent) was to believe in the premise: “different does not mean wrong”! Good stuff, right?

It was strongly acknowledged that while we have come a long way, our society has not fully achieved what “Free To Be” set out to do in 1974. We still have a lot of work to do on enriching the “sense of self” and empowering others to do the same. What a great challenge for us!

Being a part of the celebration of something close to my heart was a tremendous experience. I shall forever be “glad to have a friend like” Free To Be You…and Me.

Filed Under: Manhattan, Mixed Dish Tagged With: Alan Alda, Carole Hart, equality, fair treatment, Free To Be…You And Me, Gloria Steinem, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks, Paley Center, Rosey Grier

How to climb Masada at sunrise (on your own)!

February 20, 2014 by Candi 1 Comment

I spy the Dead Sea!

Masada is an ancient fortress built by King Herod of Judea between 37 and 31 BCE atop a rock plateau situated in the South District of Israel on the eastern border of the Judean Desert near the shore of the Dead Sea. Herod is not credited with discovering the site, which had historically been chosen for its remote location that naturally provided protection to its dwellers but it was he who built a mini-city there as a refuge against his enemy, the Romans. Around 73 or 74 CE, the Romans sieged Masada to find that the inhabitants, most likely Jewish freedom fighters, had chosen to take their own lives rather than surrender. To many, Masada symbolizes the brave human struggle for freedom from oppression.

The highest point is approximately 1,300 feet on the east edge of Masada and the top of the flat plateau is about 1,800 feet x 900 feet.

In 2001, Masada was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a top attraction in Israel due to its historical significance and magnificent views of the Judean Desert and Dead Sea.

First sign at the bottom to ascend the appropriately named path.

WHY HIKE AT SUNRISE?

So glad that you asked! The answer is simple: witnessing the sun beginning to rise over the Jordanian Mountains and emerge over the Dead Sea is a breathtaking experience. There is a sense of accomplishment after reaching the top and you will be rewarded with extraordinary panoramic vistas and the ability to tour the impressive remains of Herod’s fortress.

First Photo Break!

WHICH PATH TO CHOOSE?

Great question! There are two paths to hike to the top: The Snake Path (East side) and The Roman Ramp (West side). You must choose your path beforehand in order to plot your driving route to one of the two entrances, accordingly. Driving between the two is quite a distance so it is important to note that you will have to descend/exit on the same side that you ascended. The visitors’ center, cable car, restaurant and gift shop are only accessible on the East side (but none of these are open at sunrise). If you are weary of the hike, then skip sunrise and take the cable car to the top later in the day. Definitely look into the evening light show (West side) and offerings at the visitors’ center (East side).

Beautiful at the top.

More beauty at the top.

WHAT WAS THE CANDI DISH EXPERIENCE?

It was dynamic and invigorating! Many choose to take a private or group tour from Jerusalem to hike Masada at sunrise given that the arrival will be in the dark and in unfamiliar territory coupled with the desire to be guided and educated on the sites the entire time by a pro.

We chose to do it on our own. This is how we did it:

1) ROAD TRIP with a rental car from Tel Aviv airport after arriving in Israel specifically for this 24-hour journey to the Dead Sea. The drive was less than 2 hours and gave us a glimpse into the diversity of the State.

En route from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea

Car rentals in Israel are reasonably priced but note that there will be an airport pick-up charge and most likely a maximum limit of 250 km per day. So, if you plan to only use the car for a day it may be worth reserving it for two to give you the 500 km limit (assuming that you will not be penalized for returning the car early). Rules and regulations are clearly explained by the rental car companies so be sure to read them. Lastly, you may wish to become familiar with the various English spellings of cities (i.e. Masada = Metzada, Massada.) for inputting into the GPS.

2) Consider STAYING at a resort in Ein Bokek, which is an approximate 15-minute drive from Masada. Most hotels have relaxing spa facilities (farewell jet lag!) and are within walking distance to the Dead Sea. Other options in the vicinity are the guest houses/hostels at Ein Gedi or at the base of Masada. The Candi Dish visited this seaside area “off season” which is a totally different ball game from “peak season” with respect to costs and crowds.

Ruins of Masada

3) BREAKFAST is a MUST to fuel up pre-hike! Given that it will be too early to eat at your hotel before you head out, I highly suggest buying non-perishable food ahead of time. There are establishments in the shopping centers along the Dead Sea in Ein Bokek but you should check for their opening times beforehand so that you are not stuck without grub.

4) Planning a TIMETABLE is key. Sunrise was at 6:33 am that morning so the goal was to be atop Masada by then. We departed the hotel at 5:10 am to allow 20 minutes for the drive (there was construction on Route 90) for the 5:30 am opening of Masada National Park.

Herod’s Palaces

5) The ROUTE from Ein Bokek to Masada’s Snake Path (the route to the Roman Ramp is different on Route 90; via Arad) is a straight shot and you will see a sign that prompts you to take a left into the park (this is helpful in the dark). Follow the road to the guard gate and take a left (before the barrier) to the parking lot. Purchase tickets, pick up a map and enter at the guard gate.

Water cisterns (BCE-style) – amazing!

6) Thankfully we had FLASHLIGHTS because it was really dark at first. The summation is that The Snake Path is challenging (blame it on jet lag, dehydration from traveling and the fact that we did not pace ourselves at first)! Our climb took an hour (including water and photo breaks). There was a group of experienced hikers that made it in approximately 30 minutes and other folks took longer than 60 minutes.

Palatial marble mosaic floor

7) AH HA! Reaching the top was exhilarating! We seized each moment and took in the endless photo opportunities and explored the self-explanatory sites for over an hour. Spending time discovering Herod’s ancient city gave us the chance to take the cable car down in a zippy 3 minutes.

Captivating cliffs

It is amazing how different everything looks in the broad daylight.

Continuous captivating cliffs

Summary List before your Masada Hike:

Plan ahead: check sunrise time and weather conditions
Dress in layers according to temperatures
Don’t forget to bring: a flashlight; abundant water; camera, hat, sunscreen.

Summit swimming

Moab Mountains

Whether you visit independently or on a tour…go for it!

Everything. Is clear in the daylight! Cable Car descent

Filed Under: Jaunts, Mixed Dish Tagged With: Dead Sea, hike, Israel, King Herod, Masada, Moab Mountains, The Snake Path

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

February 14, 2014 by Candi 1 Comment

Hello lovely ” Dish-ees”!

May your Valentine’s Day be a happy one!

Filed Under: Jaunts

Happy 4 Months to The Candi Dish

February 12, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

I am sitting in the port of Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv, basking in the winter sun (with strong Wi-Fi) feeling content and in awe.

Israel is a marvel.

I shall dish stories, snapshots & suggestions soon…..

Filed Under: Jaunts, Mixed Dish Tagged With: Israel, Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv

Philanthropic Friday – EXCITING NEWS at The Maya Macey Foundation!

January 24, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

The Maya Macey Foundation www.mayamaceyfoundation.org

You may recall that The Maya Macey Foundation was highlighted for Philanthropic Friday on The Candi Dish last month! Well, NOW is the perfect time to re-familiarize yourself with this dynamic organization because there is excitement to report!

Everyone knows the importance of empowering children to flourish because young people ARE our future. The Maya Macey Foundation makes it VERY easy for generous donors to help make education a reality for students that need help.

Here is the exciting part! Currently, the Foundation is tirelessly working on organizing the Annual BBQ FUNdraiser, which will be held on March 9, 2014 in Palmetto Bay, FL. The BBQ is not only a fantastic event, but the funds from selling raffle tickets and auction items allow the Foundation to help dynamic young people.

Right now, the Foundation is looking for donations of products and services for its celebrated raffle and live auction! Current donated items are Florida Panthers tickets (including a meet & greet with players); a 5-night stay at a 2-bedroom condo on Playa del Carmen in Mexico and a stay at Waldorf Astoria in Naples! Great stuff!

So, Candi Dish fans: if you know a business that is interested in donating products or services for this amazing cause, please let me know! No donation is too small.

The Maya Macey Foundation provides educational scholarships to deserving young students who have overcome adversity in their personal lives and need assistance pursuing their dreams in spite of the obstacles they have faced. It is a federally recognized 501©(3) non-profit.

www.mayamaceyfoundation.org

Filed Under: Jaunts

Winter Wonderland Wednesday – Winter Storm Janus Photos

January 22, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

American Snowstorm on Fifth Avenue

I may have been born and raised in Florida, but even as a kid, I was a Northerner at heart. Perhaps the fact that 1 of 2 parents and 4 of 4 Grandparents grew up in the North had something to do with it. Don’t get me wrong, many people who I love and like are in the South (plus I love grits) so I am “down there” often, but Manhattan is my home.

The snowy dome of St. Bart’s Church

The Windshield Wipers UP Trick (this is not my car)

It is freezing in Burger Heaven!

Because my childhood winters were very mild (I remember swimming at the end of December), it was quite a thrill to experience cold weather when I was on trips. Fast forward to my first winter in NY. It was glacial! Once I figured out that it was all about layers, keeping my ears covered and my hands and feet warm, I was golden.

I love experiencing 4 true seasons (particularly fall and spring) and would not trade it for year-round warmth and certainly would not trade in the NY lifestyle.

“Bigfoot was here”
Park Avenue

On Tuesday, the early part of the storm’s blanket of snow made Manhattan look delightful. I was out and about: first by taxi, then by bus when I could not get a taxi and then by foot the rest of the day, which served me well until the sun went down and it became blistery. I even dared to remove my gloves to capture a bunch of snapshots of sights that caught my attention. I posted several of these on Twitter and Facebook and received a flatteringly huge response. I hope that you enjoy my “Janus photos”.

Snowy fountain on East 55th Street

Filed Under: Jaunts

“The time is always right to do what is right”

January 20, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

Visiting the MLK Memorial in 2012

I visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial shortly after its groundbreaking in August of 2011. It was incredibly moving to see the “Stone of Hope” up close and to read the meaningful inscriptions on the north and west walls. The “Stone of Hope” is made of solid granite, aptly symbolizing “the steadfast resolve of an entire generation to achieve a fair and honest society”.

One of my Stepfather’s childhood friends from Iowa, who later became a Reverend, marched with Dr. King from Selma to Montgomery. Meeting a “marcher” and civil rights activist in person was a privilege and very significant to me.

Tantamount with Dr. King are words such as legacy, freedom, diversity and tolerance. As we celebrate his birthday, I remain grateful for his bravery, which paved the way for a deeper understanding of civil liberties. We have come very far and have a lot of work to do but this understanding continues to lead us the right direction.

“The time is always right to do what is right”

A visit to D.C. would not be complete without spending time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. The memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks and is located at the intersection of Independence Ave and West Basin Drive SW.

Filed Under: Mixed Dish Tagged With: civil liberty, fairness, Jr., Martin Luther King, tolerance

Philanthropic Friday: “Born Just Right”

January 17, 2014 by Candi Leave a Comment

BORN JUST RIGHT
www.bornjustright.com

The day after Hurricane Sandy struck the New York & New Jersey areas in 2012, those of us whose homes were unaffected, scrambled to find ways to help our neighbors who were affected. I was quickly unscrambled when my great friend introduced me to the wonderful Jen Lee Reeves via email. At the time, Jen had just accepted a brand new job working on my friend’s Team, which would require her to travel extensively while running a household and co-parenting with her husband to raise two children (aka the important stuff). In addition to a full and demanding life, Jen decided to dedicate her precious time and stellar social media expertise as a “digital volunteer” for the Red Cross to provide resources to the victims as well as those searching for ways to assist during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Jen, who does not live in New York, connected me to a trove of information, which I was able to pass along to my personal network. Unscrambled, indeed.

I was immediately drawn to Jen and found her to be very interesting. To my pleasant amazement, through Facebook, I found out about another important hat that Jen wears. She has dedicated her life to helping parents advocate for their children born with differences around the world. Jen founded and runs an organization called “Born Just Right” which includes a blog on which she documents how her family has a positive focus as they help her daughter grow up with a limb difference and offers resources and support to those who need it. Jen acts as an advocate for the limb difference community and in the 25^th hour of her day, fundraises for a special limb difference summer camp.

The Candi Dish invites you to explore Jen’s website and share it with those in the special needs world. “Born Just Right” has been nominated as a “Best Kept Secret” by a health activist website called WEGO Health, so if you are so inclined please consider endorsing “BJR” by clicking on the “Endorse Jen Lee Reeves” button on the WEGO site: https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/jen-lee-reeves-2078!

For a solid dose of inspiration, here is the link to Born Just Right: www.bornjustright.com

Filed Under: Mixed Dish Tagged With: Born Just Right, Jen Lee Reeves, limb differences, Mom advocate, WEGO Health

Egg-Stra Egg-Stra!

Barefoot in the Park

“Free To Be…You And Me” 40 years later

How to climb Masada at sunrise (on your own)!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

Happy 4 Months to The Candi Dish

Philanthropic Friday – EXCITING NEWS at The Maya Macey Foundation!

Winter Wonderland Wednesday – Winter Storm Janus Photos

“The time is always right to do what is right”

Philanthropic Friday: “Born Just Right”

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