By Janel Bladow
We survived the Fourth and fireworks. But the action is still all Downtown. Check it out!
BIG BIRTHDAY BASH… Sunday night many Seaport locals came out to celebrate the Big 3-0 with Kathleen “Katie” Joyce at Meade’s. Friends from as far away as Andes, N.Y., mom Marilyn from New Jersey and roommates from Brooklyn all packed the house and hoisted one for their favorite weekend manager and bartender superior. Cheers filled the pub as she gave a teary thanks to all, but Katie was most excited when she learned that the HUGE birthday cake was her favorite — carrot. Mom told Seaport Report how she always made her daughters carrot cakes for their birthdays because she thought they were healthier. Way to celebrate in style sweetie!
FREE WHEELS… Customer service rep Tyrell Washington at the kiosk on South St. at the east end of Fulton St. says the new free bike rental program is a big hit. “Everyone likes it. I’m getting a lot of people from Texas. Sunday we ran out of bikes.”
Thirty free bikes are available, thanks to the Downtown Alliance, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Bike And Roll NYC. Reserve bike, helmet and lock for one of these sessions: Three 2-hour sessions on weekdays or weekend morning sessions of four hours and afternoon trips that can last up to five hours. Just go to www.downtownny.com and click on the “Bike Around Downtown” button on the left. S.R. hopped on a bike and tooled around Downtown. Great fun. Pick up a 2008 NYC Cycling Map which lists great rides, including a loop across the Brooklyn Bridge.
SHAKESPEARE IN SEAPORT… It’s the last weekend to catch “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 210 Front St. Dog Run Repertory Theater Company performs their summer production Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. The production stars Stephen Largay (“Last Night at Ballyhoo”) as Bottom, Robyn Payne (“The Lion King”) as Titania and Hillel Meltzer (“Jumpers” and “Stomp”) as Puck. Tickets are $18 and available at www.smarttixx.com. The two-year-old rep company is based in the hood so go and support them.
SILLY LOVE SONGS… Catch some music at Shooting Star Theatre, 40 Peck Slip, for two Sundays, July 27 and Aug. 3 at 5 p.m. This musical cabaret all about romance features Woody Regan on piano accompanying singers Anita Brown, Kathy Kelleher and Ed Vincent.
ONE ON THE WAY… Congrats to Amanda Byron of The Salty Paw and her hubby on their upcoming new family member. First baby is due in the fall. Great Dane Tyrus is already claiming his turf!
OVERHEARD… A woman in thick Brooklynese shouts into her cell phone: “Ma. Ma. You’re not gonna believe where I am. I’m in the South Street Seaport, having a beer at Jeremy’s Ale House. Yah. Yah, Ma. We took the boat over from Ikea. It was free Ma! Yah. Free!”
YOYOYO… Calling everyone with flexible fingers and nimble wrists, you’re needed for The Second Annual International Open & New York State Yo-Yo Contest. The eye-popping action takes place Fri., Aug. 9 on Pier 17, all day. Judges are two of the “finest Yo-Yo minds in the world” (their words, not S.R.’s!), Henry Dineen and Andre Boulay. Also on hand will be DJs, breakdancers, jugglers and more. Contests and giveaways kick the fun up another notch. Now go practice “walking the dog.” To register, visit: www.yoyoopen.com.
LUCKY DOG… The little Yorkie looking for a home S.R. profiled last month was quickly adopted. Remy has a happy new home in Southbridge Towers with a couple whose well-loved dog died more than a year ago. Remy now gets much love and attention. S.R. has heard that he keeps the couple laughing with the silly doggie things he does — like pulling the blanket he doesn’t like off the bed.
SAD PASSING… Another Seaport canine passed away suddenly two weeks ago. Our condolences to Marco, Rebecca and Luca of Passenella & Sons Vitners on the loss of little Gwendolyn. Well-known and loved as the tiny dachshund with a giant personality, long and wiry-haired Gwenie could often be seen walking alongside Marco from the wine store on South St. to the FishBridge Dog Run. For a little girl, she walked with a mighty big attitude!
Seaportreport@downtownexpress.com
