Written by:
Demetria Daniels

P: 212-332-9991

718-885-6576 A chatty, informative column of New York events featuring places, people and personalities and celebrities. demetriadaniels@gmail.com

 
NYC2012
It's a remarkable time for New York City. The International Olympics Committee , all 13 judges are here to look at the city and decide whether New York will be host to the 2012 Olympics. It has been non-stop events - looking at the various sites and hearing from MAYOR BLOOMBERG, GOVERNOR PATAKI, and the other major players for 'THE BID'. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH sent a videotape to support New York and send well wishes
'THE BID"'is the major event here. Daniel Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Jay Kriegel, Executive Director of the NYC2012 bid are doing their best to convince the committee members that New York should be the place for the games. Mike Moran, Senior Communications counsellor said: "let the dreams begin".

Mayor Bloomberg told us about his daughter who is an equestrian expert in the family and he wants her to "bring home the gold". He told us that at a luncheon given by CHRISTIES, where CEO , Mr. Stephen Lash hosted us.
At a reception at the New York Athletic Club, President, Peter V. Ueberroth, and James E.Scherr, Secretary General of the US Olympic Committee spoke to a room fillled with people. Among them was the great gold medalist NADIA COMANECI, who won in gymnastics and set a trend for women everywhere . Her husband BRAD CONNER started a school for gymnasts in Oklahoma. Also OKSANA BAUIL ,gold medalist in ice skating, is now engaged to GENE SUNIK. CONGRATULATIONS to the both of you.
At the United Nations, AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOK, hosted a luncheon for us and said New York has the ability to become the sports center of the world. "It will forward the goals of Coubertin, and become inspirational for all sports venues ', he said.

COMMISSIONER GIVENS welcomed us to hear the Ambassador, who is also the President of the ASIA SOCIETY here in New YORK.

The evening ended with a show at the Lincoln Center Jazz Hall and then dinner at the Mayor's house where WHOOPI GOLDBRG, PAUL SIMON, BARBARA WALTERS , MERYL STREEP, ROLAND BETTS, DAVID STERN spoke with Evaluation Commission Chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel and feasted on a traditional turkey dinner.It's a wonderful moment - we are all filled with hope and enthusiasm The committee will decide July 6.- LET THE DREAMS BEGIN'.
posted by Demetria at 3:52 PM

 
THE GATES of CENTRAL PARK have arrived. Artists CHRISTO and JEANNE CLAUDE have donated their monies for the art project that has opened in Central Park.
It has turned into an art "happening". Thousands attended the unfurling of the saffron-colored gates which are 16' feet hight , with a 7 foot-pleated curtain and which are 7,500 strong throughout the pathways of the park. Brilliant in the sunshine they wave in the wind turning from orange to tangerine . Mayor Bloomberg pulled the string for the first gate. He said at the press conference that "now is the right time for this project". Since 1979, the artists have tried to create the gates, being disappointed several times with rejections from the Parks Commissioners. Gordon Davis, a past commissioner said at the time he was commissioner, the time was not right. This is a project of "joy and beauty" as described in the book of The Gates.The color saffron is also the color worn by the Dalai Lama, who spoke in the park one year ago. This gives them a spiritual quality.

The reaction of New Yorkers was one of celebration and excitement. Everyone had at least one camera each. Photos - ops were from every path, every hill.
All proceeds of the sale of the books and souveniers which include post cards, magnets, T-shirts, seartshirts, mugs, will benefit the Central Park Conservancy. Doug Blonsky, President of the Conservancy said "we are thrilled to have The Gates here".

Other projects include The Umbrellas, blue ones in Japan and yellow in California, openned at the same time and the wrapping of the Reichstag and a couple of islands.

I had wondered about these conceptual artists and when I saw a documentary on the Umbrellas, I realized that what happens is a raising of the consciousness, that makes people "wonder".

We need that. Although only up till February 27, we will have them in our memory after that. Also the very famous filmaker, ALBERT MAYSLES who filmed TRUMAN CAPOTE, MARLON BRANDO is doing a documentary on
The Gates, so they will be in our memory for a long time to come.
posted by Demetria at 1:09 PM