Rev. John Magisano, pastoral counselor for Chelsea Community Church, at 2012’s Blessing of Animals.
‘PAWS’ FOR PRAYER: BLESSING OF AMINALS
Beasts of all species and denominations, and their bipedal roommates, are welcome at Chelsea Community Church’s Blessing of Animals. The 14th installment of this popular annual event gets a cabaret twist this time around — as tenor Otto Walberg, the longtime lay leader for the service, sings a new song: “I Was Thinking.” Award-winning cabaret artist Carolyn Montgomery-Forant wrote the lyrics and the music. CCC’s Music Director Jeff Cubeta (also a noted cabaret performer) will accompany Walberg on piano. It’s anybody’s guess as to whether that will inspire some doggie dancing in the aisles — but at least when the plate is passed, there won’t be a two-bone minimum (admission is free, voluntary collection taken).
Sun., Oct. 20, at noon. At St. Peter’s (346 W. 20 St., btw. Eighth and Ninth Aves.). People of all faiths, and of uncertain faith, are welcome to commune with their fellow man — while giving their pets a bit of alone time — when the nondenominational, lay-led Chelsea Community Church meets every Sun. at 12 noon, at St. Peter’s. For more info, visit chelseachurch.org.
Take out the trash — and turn it into compost, every Tues. & Thurs. morning (at 23rd St. & Eighth Ave.).
COMMUTER COMPOSTING: CHELSEA PILOT PROGRAM
First bike lane tree pits, then audible crosswalk signals for the blind — and now this. The addition of twice-weekly Commuter Composting adds another feather in the cap of forward-thinking initiatives honed on 23rd St. Funded by the NYC Department of Sanitation, and facilitated by the Lower East Side Ecology Center, this pilot program (the only one currently offered in Manhattan) collects food scraps, which will be taken to the East River Park Compost Yard. Participants are encouraged to reuse plastic containers or bags to store and transport their food scraps (which can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator, to eliminate at-home odors between drop-off dates).
Get all the dirt at bit.ly/nycLORP, including info on what makes the cut for compost (yes for fruits and veggies, no for meat and dairy). Commuter Composting happens every Tuesdays and Thursday, from 8am-11am, on the southwest corner of 23rd St. & Eighth Ave.
Also visit lesecologycenter.org for more eco-friendly tips — including October 13’s Electronic Waste Recycling Day at Asser Levy Recreation Center (10am-4pm, on East 23rd St).
RMA instructor Carmen Mesink shows you how it’s done.
RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART: FALL CLASSES
The Rubin Museum of Art has added yet another layer to the mind-expanding, soul-nourishing experience that comes from immersing one’s self in their outstanding collection of Chinese, Indian, Afghan, Bhutanese, Mongolian, Nepalese, Pakistani and Tibetan art. Housed in the former home of Barney’s, the RMA has always been a place where visitors can actively engage with the traditions and cultures of the Himalayas. Two years ago, they began to offer Adult Education classes whose themes were tied to current exhibits — allowing a deeply personal take-away for the senses (in the most literal of senses). Experienced artist-instructors guide participants in small class settings that take place after hours in museum galleries and designated art studio spaces. “The Buddha of Ultimate Healing” is a Thangka-Making workshop in which you will learn how to draw and paint The Medicine Buddha (drawing, Oct. 11-13; painting, Oct. 18-20). No experience is necessary. On Wed., from Nov. 6-20 and Dec. 4, “Writing along the Himalayas” encourages you to discover how works of art inspire writing — through intimate encounters with artwork in the galleries.
At the Rubin Museum of Art (150 W. 17th St., btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.). For info on class times and rates, visit rmanyc.org.
