Conservation Conference

Participating in a Conservation and Ecology  based learning experience has  been most rewarding. In 1969, Malcolm Forbes bought 185,000 acres of mostly mountain land in south central Colorado, nearly extending to the New Mexico state boarder.  When the State of Colorado would not allow him to use this land for a wildlife refuge, he subdivided 57,000 acres into individual 5-acre plots.  He built a rustic lodge on the property for small conferences and meetings.  He died in 1990.  His children opted to sale the ranch, which they did for $175 million to a conservationist in New York City.  The Forbes children built a small cathedral chapel wherein the ashes of Mr. Forbes are mixed with mortar and remain in the walls thereof.  They took their father's extensive art collection, much of it Seafaring themed.  The new owner renovated the lodge, changing it to a Zane Grey like Western theme.  I'm staying in the renovation area.  This is more like a vacation than a series of classes. I'm extremely fond of this Trinchera Ranch.  Nightly, I have exclusive use to a very nice wood paneled room with fine leather furniture and soft lamp lighting.  Doors are not locked, day nor night, and screened doors allow cool summer night winds to refresh and relax.  The food here is wonderful and plentiful.  I appreciate not only all I am learning, but the way I'm treated here.  It's very, very nice. My roommate, a guy about my age also nearing retirement often used the word "awesome" to refer to his amazing personal and extended families. I hope to long remember how unique his extended family is, pretty amazing. But what I also hope to remember from him is another line: "My job is to play. My job is to be happy. And don't you forget it."
Be Well.  Do Good.

A Gift from Lincoln Center: New York Style Cheesecake

I love New York City.  I love Lincoln Center. I love the culture and ambiance, the concerts, theater, ballet there. (See the movie: "Moonstruck")  I love the Manhattan Temple across the street. I love running in Central Park a few blocks to the east.  I love running along the Hudson River a few blocks to the west. I love Columbus Circle just a few blocks to the south where Broadway begins it's diagonal jaunt into Times Square and Theater District. I love Barnes and Noble across from Lincoln Center.  If I could afford it, I would love to live in the Lincoln Center area, a fine old Brownstone (see a favorite movie: "You've Got Mail") would suit me fine.

Two years ago I learned that the Chamber Society of Lincoln Center would begin something new: monthly live-streaming concerts from one of the Center's smaller auditoriums, "Rose Hall".  LATE NIGHT ROSE was to be the title, it would last 1 hour and begin with a concise pre-concert lecture, include an on-line program with biographies on both composers and performers.  My kind of thing.  I'm not a wine-drinker, but I knew one way to make this a personal, intimate concert evening: headphones with a slice of cheesecake, something I seldom eat, but enjoy greatly.  And so, I've had a great experience these past two years, Thursday nights, once a month.
Live, from Lincoln Center. 7 p.m. in my home, 9 p.m. in New York.
At the conclusion of this years season I wrote a hand-written letter expressing my sincere appreciation for their providing this service.  The letter was passed around among staff and performers and in turn, they sent their own tribute of appreciation to me:  New York Style Cheesecake, shipped over-night.  Since then, we've begun a series of correspondence, via email, and I've made new New Yorker friends: warm and wonderful.

Be Well.  Do Good.