Wild Bird Fund Opens Its Doors on the Upper West Side

If you’re a bird who has fallen on hard times, you’re in luck. A new 1300 square foot upper West Side wildlife rehabilitation and education center has just opened.  Over a decade ago, co-founder of the Wild Bird Fund Rita McMahon started the nonprofit group along with Karen Heidgerd.

Approximately 355 bird species live in New York City or stop their on their way during their migration, and many of these birds get hurt during the flight.  Many birds actually get hurt because of Tanglefoot, a sticky glue that is used in offices to keep birds off of ledges.  As McMahon explained, “It coats their feathers and they get stuck.”

Last year alone, the Wild Bird Fund cared for over 1500 birds and many mammals. It used to be that McMahon and Heidgerd would care for these birds (and turtles, possums and skunks!) in their own apartments. Now, with the rehab center filling, they have a legitimate place to care for the animals.

The Wild Bird Fund is enjoying an open house today from 10-6 at 565 Columbus Avneue at 87^th Street.  Learn more about this amazing organization at www.wildbirdfund.com and help them to raise the funds they need to help our wildlife prosper.

Welcome to New York, Rare Endangered Mexican Pups

While it may not be in New York City, the news of eight rare Mexican wolf pups being born at a preserve in the suburbs is making news.  The Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem just announced the births to the Mexican wolves that are known as F749 and M740.

They include five males and three females.  As Peter Siminski, the coordinator of the Mexican wolf program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, "It's always a good day when we learn of the birth of an endangered species. Eight new pups in a world population of around 366 is a 2 percent increase."

As part of the announcement of the pups, the Wolf Conservation Center said, "These pups are not only adorable, they're also great contributions to the recovery of their species."  A federal program helps to reintroduce these endangered wolves into the wild.  The wild population is carefully restocked from pups that are born to wolves in captivity.  If these pups are chosen, they will probably first be sent to a prerelease facility and paired with opposite-sex wolves to raise pups themselves.

While you can’t go visit the pups, you can enjoy seeing a peak at them on a number of webcams that have been set up.  As the birth announcement said, "We'll remain glued to our eight webcams to watch the new parents care for their young and the arrival of more potential pups in the coming weeks."

 

The New York City Barbecue Cookoff

Whether you’re a grilling fiend or you just hope to get some of the leftovers, you might want to catch the New York City Barbecue Cookoff being held at Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town on April 22.  It’s actually the first time that a New York contest is being sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, which is America’s largest bbq and grill organizations.

One day before the Barbecue Cookoff, if that’s not enough, Historic Richmond Town will also be hosting the third annual New York City Chili Cookoff! Executive director of the two events, Ed Wiseman, said,

“I think the urban snobbery is gone. When it comes to food and great eats, the walls are breaking down.”

During the Barbecue Cookoff, teams will be competing in four categories that include chicken, pork ribs, pork butt and brisket.  Of the twenty teams that are signed up, there will be a $2500 grand prize and the chance to get into two of the country’s hottest grilling contests: the American Royal Invitational in Kansas City, Mo., and the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tenn.

Certainly, the cookoff will be a sight to behold – and one to taste if you’re lucky!

World Down Syndrome Day Honored in New York

March 21^st was World DownSyndrome Day, and as part of that special day, the art exhibit DOWNrightART took place.  The international show was part of the three day celebration of art from March 21-23 that featured movies with Down Syndrome actors and music by Down Syndrome musicians.  On the last day of the festivities, Chris Burke, who played Corky on the TV show, “Life Goes On” played with his band.

One artist, Erik Behnke from Alaska, was featured as part of the exhibit of 23 Down Syndrome artists.  His mother, Linda Thompson, said, "This is so exciting. I am so jazzed" about his paintings being displayed.  She helps him market them through the company Brown Bear Productions.

The celebration was held at the United Nations and started with a speech by U.N Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon. It included discussions about new research into cognitive abilities of those with Down Syndrome and the role of siblings of those with Down Syndrome.

Artistic Sculptures at Lehman College Art Gallery

While this exhibit may be a bit out of the way for many, it’s worth the extra journey.  On display now at the Lehman College Art Gallery is a set of visually dramatic and colorful wooden busts and a dozen or more ink drawings.  The exhibit, entitled “Michael Ferris Jr.: The Bronx Series and Other Works” is drawing a lot of attention, and with good reason.

Ferris Jr. is a native of Chicago who lives in Morris Park and first started making these sculptures in 1994.  He was inspired by mosaic tables that his Lebanese father owned and started incorporating these designs into his work.  Ferris Jr.’s sculptures are all made of wood and their stunning colors and patterns come from the grout that holds the wood together.

Gallery Director Susan Hoeltzel explained, “The work is very visually compelling. Students would be going by and you’ll hear them gasp.”

Ferris Jr., a high school art teacher explained, “I want to make pieces that people respond to. I want people to feel like they’re looking at something amazing. If they are moved by it, that’s really the point of the work ultimately.”

The exhibit will have a special reception on March 19th and the exhibit will run until May 12 at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West.

 

Full-Length Renoirs at the Frick

Beginning on February 7, 2012 the Frick Collection will be exhibiting nine of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s most notable paintings. This will be the first comprehensive study of the great impressionists encounter with the full-length format.

The grand-scale of the artist’s canvases are some of his most ambitious and daring ventures into contemporary subjects, considered by many to be among the masterpieces of impressionist painting.

This special exhibition, which will be at the Frick until May 13, includes works on loan from many of the world’s greatest houses of art. Among the nine works on display will be La Parisienne, The Umbrellas, (in the US for viewing for the first time since 1866) and Dance in the City and Dance in the Country.

The Frick Collection, 1 East 70th Street Between Madison and Fifth Avenues, Phone: 212-288-0700

 

Honor Black History Month at the Apollo Theater

Celebrate Black History Month by going to the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem where some of the greatest musical artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross first got there starts before going on to stardom.

Amateur Night is celebrating its 78^th season at the Apollo beginning on February 1^st. The theater, which first opened in 1914 as Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater, is offering discounts all during February. The Apollo is offering a $3 discount for Amateur Night; $5 off of Apollo Music Café shows; and on Wednesdays take a tour at 11am of the theater and get a $3 discount with the Culture Spot Coupon.

Every Wednesday night at 7:30pm is Amateur Night at the Apollo. Since this year is a leap year, February has one extra Wednesday so more great talent can show their stuff. All the recent winners of Amateur night are invited back to perform on February 29^th to compete for the chance to go on to the “Top Dog” semifinals which are scheduled for May 16^th. Then after that the Top Dog winners head on to the Amateur Night Finale to take place on October 31^st. The winner of this last show will get the title of Super Top Dog plus a prize of $10,000.

The Apollo Theater is located at 253 West 125^th Street. Call 212-531-5300 for more information.