Making the best of the New York blizzard

-->

It was a complete fluke, of course. You can’t plan for the weather when you book your flight months in advance. But there I was, in New York City during a near-record blizzard. Snow was falling at a rate of 3 inches per hour. Eventually it would accumulate to 26’’ at the official monitoring site in Central Park, one-tenth of an inch short of breaking the all-time record.

Meanwhile, the best thing to do was to get out and enjoy it. The subways were running. I hopped on the A train uptown from Chelsea to 72^nd St. and joined what proved to be throngs heading into the park to enjoy the season’s first major snowfall.

I ditched most of the crowds by diving into a 36-acre section of the park called “The Ramble,” which designer Frederick Law Olmsted called a “wild garden.” Wild enough in a blizzard, I’d say.

I saw birds galore; mostly grackles, cardinals and chickadees. Some were massed in places that must have had something to eat buried in the snow. If I stood still for more than a moment I would be surprised to find myself surrounded by flocks looking for a handout. Thanks to a local photographer with a far longer lens than mine, who pointed the way, I spotted one large hawk.

Here is my photo essay of the New York blizzard in Central Park.

-->

An invitation to Milwaukee's Urban Wilderness

Peace like a river

The theme of Wauwatosa's 2016 "All-City Read" is the title of a novel, "Peace like a River," by Leif Enger.

As one of the many events being sponsored by the city for this theme, I've been asked to share my experiences in Milwaukee's Urban Wilderness. I will show images from Milwaukee's three rivers and copious parklands and illustrate why I believe we have a world-class, eco-friendly city and region.

I invite you to come spend some time with me as we explore Milwaukee's great outdoors.

You have two opportunities to catch my presentation:

February 4 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

 

Hart Park Senior Center (Muellner Building), 7300 Chestnut St., Wauwatosa

February 13 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

 

The Grand Hall at Hoyt Park Pool, 1800 N. Swan Boulevard, Wauwatosa


For more information about the 2016 All-City Read, click here. 
To learn more about me and my work, check out my website. 

 

Overpass Light Brigade lights up Lake Park Indian mound

Tonight in Lake Park votive lights were laid around the perimeter of an ancient Indian burial mound. A dozen poets were on hand to articulate our message. To the beat of native drumming we danced a ceremonial round dance that encircled the mound.

Thanks go to the Overpass Light Brigade for organizing the event and who say:

We stand on the coldest day of the winter against a Wisconsin Republican piece of legislation that would allow for the destruction of Native American mounds that stand in the path of development and extraction projects. We say people and culture over profit.

Mikwenim is an Ojibwa word for rememberance.