By Janel Bladow
We’ve celebrated May Day and Cinco de Mayo… so rest up and get ready to remember our fallen military on Memorial Day and party all weekend as we kick off summer! Yahoo!
Thank you for being a friend… The month started off on a high note and howl with an adopt-a-thon at the Salty Paw on Peck Slip May 1st. Joining paws with Posh Pets Rescue, the bowwow boutique showed off several pooches available for adoption. Stella, an 8-year old Chihuahua found her forever home. “She’s a Katrina survivor who has gone from one shelter to another, one drama to another,” said Posh Pets founder Linda Vetrano. “She now has a loving home.” Vetrano showed up with a handful of pit bulls and other rescue dogs, also available for fostering with an adoption option. “The neighborhood is fantastic. People stopped by to see what was happening. The restaurants were very gracious with dogs all over the sidewalk.”
Moments before talking with SR, Vetrano rescued five dogs from a kill shelter. She averages 62 rescues a month. “I only adopt out dogs I’ve trained,” she added. “All are wonderful dogs that get along together and with children.” Salty Paw hopes to make this a monthly event and expects Vetrano to return on May 22 with more doggies looking for homes. But be sure to check their web site to confirm date and see all the cute critters available at www.thesaltypaw.com.
A rousing wrap… The final concert of the 2009-2010 season of Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra took place at John Street Church on Friday, April 23. Our own local symphony performed eloquently under the direction of maestro Gary Fagin to an appreciative crowd that included many Seaport residents and neighbors. The performance included works by Schumann and Chopin and the world debut of “Suite for Strings,” composed by the orchestra leader himself. Many in attendance were delighted by their rendition of Mozart’s “Ein Musikalischer Spass” (“A Musical Joke”). They’ll be back next winter.
Cumpleaños feliz… The bar, outdoor tables and street were all packed for Cinco de Mayo at Meades on Peck Slip… crowd rocked with locals, regulars plus a few old Radio Mexicans! Even Chef Angel, who was celebrating his birthday, took time to sip a few.
High & dry… Water Taxi beach is back with 18,000 square feet of sand and summer fun. Relax, sun, play, eat or drink on the north side of Pier 17 with its “can you believe we live here?” view of the Brooklyn Bridge, East River and city to the north. Outside you can catch rays or zzzs or build a sand castle. Inside the summer tent, grab a drink or play ping-pong, skeeball or putt 9-holes of mini golf. Hungry? The Fish Shack features Baja Fish Tacos while the Pop!Pop!Pop! Shop explodes with fresh popcorn, international fizzy sodas and pop rocks. It’s snappening! At sunset the beach becomes a playground for 21 and older set with rotating DJs all week and weekend parties.
Catch a tiger… While on Pier 17, you might also want to check out “Tigers: Tracking a Legend.” The exhibit is fun for all ages, complete with an electronic climbing wall. Talk with the tigers in the interactive spectrogram that shows how cubs, tigresses and males make their unique tiger sounds. Discover a day in the life of a tigress and her two cubs, or experience the bone crushing jaw of the striped carnivore with the HD simulator “Canine Bite Force.” Runs until January 1, 2011. Check out www.tigersnyc.com for ticket and time information.
I scream, you scream… Häagen-Dazs turns 50 this month, and the licious-licker is still a favorite with ice cream fans. To celebrate, participating Häagen-Dazs shops are offering a free scoop of their original flavors – chocolate, coffee and vanilla on May 18, 4-8 pm.
Sip into summer… for the discriminating palate, Pasanella and Son has some excellent offerings too delicious to miss. On Thursday, May 27 at 7 pm, join Marco and team for “Sip ‘n Slurp” ($45) with Widow’s Hole Oyster Co. Taste oyster-friendly wines and slurp some local bivalves with Michael Osinski of the Long Island-based company, one of the few remaining New York oyster farms, which supplies many the of the city’s best restaurants.
Then our favorite summertime fun is back – drinking fine wine while sailing around Manhattan. Join Marco’s team for a new season of “Sip ‘n Sail” ($65) wine tasting aboard the schooner Pioneer. Sail through the harbor at sunset, taste coastally grown wines and nibble exotic cheeses. Sails leave Pier 16 Thursdays at 7 pm, beginning June 3. Visit www.pasanellaandson.com for dates and reservations.
Now’s the time to brush off your flip-flops!
