Aloha to RWA in NYC - Bryant Park

Last Sunday, Kandy Shepherd and I walked from Times Square to Bryant Park to enjoy the Public Library.  From its website (link),

The origins of this remarkable institution date back to the time when New York was emerging as one of the world's most important cities. By the second half of the 19th century, New York had already surpassed Paris in population and was quickly catching up with London, then the world's most populous city. Fortunately, this burgeoning and somewhat brash metropolis counted among its citizens men who foresaw that if New York was indeed to become one of the world's great centers of urban culture, it must also have a great library.

Prominent among them was one-time governor Samuel J. Tilden (1814-1886), who upon his death bequeathed the bulk of his fortune — about $2.4 million — to "establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York."

Unfortunately, the library was closed ... so we strolled around the grounds.

The building is a work of art ...

... of marble and bronze.

The library shares the city block with Bryant Park.  From its website (link),

In 1884, Reservoir Square was renamed Bryant Park, to honor recently deceased Romantic poet, longtime editor of the New York Evening Post, and civic reformer, William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878). Around this time, the city approved designs for the New York Public Library, submitted by architects John Merven Carrére and Thomas Hastings. The Beaux-Arts building was completed in 1911, with a raised terrace at the rear of the library and two comfort stations at the east end of Bryant Park.

The park offered floral beauty absent in Times Square.

The ivy encased cafe adds a special touch to the park.

We discovered the Shakespeare in the Park.  Again from its website (link),

Irreverent and critically acclaimed The Drilling Company presents three plays by William Shakespeare for the park's 2nd annual series of theater under the stars.

Notice the white sign for Capulet Industries ... so it must be a modern setting for Romeo and Juliet.

Here is Romeo during his soliloquy after meeting Juliet at the party.

He brought the action to the audience.  What is your favorite Shakespeare production?  One randomly selected commenter from my RWA blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to RWA in NYC - Snapshots of Heroes

I walked East on Friday, and West on Saturday, to mail books home via media rate.  I discovered treasures along the way. Above is a closed fire station which served as Engine Company 65.

I love its red door ....

... and the patriotic fire hydrant! 

I also walked by an active fire station ....

... whose fireman agreed to a photo!

Thank you for your service!

What historic buildings have you visited in your area?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

This towering apartment building stands out in the NYC skyline ...

Aloha to RWA in NYC - Avon Romance Cocktail Party

standardhotels.com

I attended the Avon Romance cocktail party at the Standard Hotel/High Line.  The hotel straddles the elevated railroad converted into a green park.  From Wikipedia,

The High Line (also known as the High Line Park) is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) New York City linear park built in Manhattan on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line. Inspired by the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) Promenade plantée (tree-lined walkway), a similar project in Paris completed in 1993, the High Line has been redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway and rails-to-trails park. 

We enjoyed cocktails on the patio, offering a panoramic view of NYC's skyline.  Notice the mix of old brick and new steel in the Meatpacking District.

Across the river is New Jersey ...

... and a peek of the Statue of Liberty.

The stars shined bright with Gayle Callen, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Lucia Macro.

  

Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Eloisa James smiled in the wind.

The wind also unfurled Old Glory.   Do you have a favorite green park near you?  One randomly selected commenter from my RWA recaps wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Sunset over Manhattan

Aloha to RWA in NYC - Literacy Autographing

The literacy autographing kicked off the convention on Wednesday night ... love this purse! 

Erin Knightley

Sally MacKenzie

Heidi Hormel

Paige Tyler

Deeanne Gist

Roxanne St. Claire

Holly Jacobs and Elle James

Shana Galen with fascinator

Double Rita Nominee Patience Griffin

Jade Lee 

Geri Krotow and Regina Kyle

(Jeffe Kennedy sat behind them with her signature hat)

Candis Terry 

Amara Royce

Chanel Cleeton 

Christi Barth and Anne Barton 

RWA raised over $47,000 on Wednesday night ... and over $1,000,000 for literacy programs to date.   It's a win for all readers!   

Do you have a favorite hat, fascinator, or purse?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Sara Humphreys and her cover model ...

Aloha to RWA in NYC - Times Square

Last Tuesday, I jumped aboard Amtrak for my trip to New York City for the RWA Annual Conference.

Three hours later, I arrived in Penn Station and walked 10 blocks to the convention hotel, the Marriott Marquis, in Times Square.  Above is the view from my room.

After checking into my room, I enjoyed a late lunch with reviewer Janet Rodman, blogger PJ  Ausdenmore (The Romance Dish), author Sally MacKenzie, author Heidi Hormel, and RomVet Geri Krotow at  St. Andrew's Scottish Restaurant & Bar (link).  We spotted a group of actors reading scripts at the next table, including Dan Laurie, the dad from The Wonder Years.

After lunch, Janet and I soaked up the local atmosphere - we passed by the Harvard Club.

Notice the Art Deco buildings ...

... including the Chrysler Building.

We greeted Fortitude ...

... and Patience outside the New York Public Library.

We spotted this colorful bike promoting peace.

Back in Times Square, Janet pointed out the 2015 ball ...

... and the Father Duffy statue.  From NYC Parks (link),

Father Duffy’s military service began in the Spanish-American War of 1898, serving as First Lieutenant and chaplain of the legendary Fighting 69th Infantry, serving in Europe during World War I as part of the famed Rainbow Division, and earning a number of medals. After the war ended Father Duffy returned to New York, and in 1920, he was appointed pastor of the Holy Cross Church, located at 237 West 42nd Street. Father Duffy died on June 26, 1932 after serving the theater district community for over a decade. In 1940, veteran character actor Pat O’Brien portrayed Duffy in the Hollywood film based on his life, The Fighting 69th, which also starred James Cagney.

Notice the large crowd of tourists visiting NYC!  Have you visited NYC? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City