Happy Friday. Quick lead into your weekend. Recent Ryde on my Spyder through the West Rock Tunnel on Route 15 in Connecticut. We don't get many tunnels in the east, this is easy to find near Yale and fun to ride. Takes about 30 seconds to ride through. Enjoy and have a great weekend. Go … Continue reading Ryding through the West Rock Tunnel on Route 15 in Connecticut
Author: walterthinnes
Review – Slumming It at Dixon Place
Lately I've seen a number of one night only events that I am unable to review in time for you to decide to see or avoid. I'll be trying to catch up a few of those in the coming weeks, for your reference. Jack Shamblin has conceived, written, starred in and performs in Slumming It … Continue reading Review – Slumming It at Dixon Place
National Caviar Day
Today is National Caviar Day - a very tasty and very expensive national day. You can find many kinds and cheaper versions of fish roe all over the place. But I am here to assure you that real stuff, the real expensive stuff is much better. Years ago I was given a gift certificate to … Continue reading National Caviar Day
Review – Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses
We've seen Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses live several times and he never fails to deliver a high energy show loaded with infectious hits from both his father's era and the rock and roll landscape he grew up in. We recently caught his show at the Cutting Room in New York City where he … Continue reading Review – Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses
Review – Smokey Joe’s Cafe
A bit more than 20 years ago I saw the Broadway tour of Smokey Joe's Cafe and fell in love with it instantly. The incredible song catalogue of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller makes it one of the few jukebox musicals I admire. They don't try to twist themselves in knots with a framework and … Continue reading Review – Smokey Joe’s Cafe
One Last Long Reach Long Riders Video
OK, one more Long Reach Long Riders video as we swoop out of the lovely town of Shelburne, MA and ride through some quiet countryside. Hope you enjoy it as it will have to last you until next year when we will have new adventures in Colorado! You can learn more and donate to good … Continue reading One Last Long Reach Long Riders Video
National Pecan Day
Today is the national day for one of our most versatile nuts - the pecan. I love them in pies, in waffles, frosted with coatings both savory and sweet. Soft, with a laid back tang I will take them in any form I can find them. The only controversy is how these tasty treats are … Continue reading National Pecan Day
The return of sunset Manhattanhenge
About 4.6 billion years ago (give or take) our sun was formed as the center of our solar system. Shortly after (about 4.5 billion years ago) the earth was formed. Earth's axis of rotation tilts in respect to its orbital plane. While it defines the seasons change for the Northern and Southern hemispheres no one … Continue reading The return of sunset Manhattanhenge
Review – Girls & Boys
Carey Mulligan is featured in an engrossing one woman play written by Dennis Kelly at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Ms.Mulligan does an incredible job with a very difficult subject. I don't wish to spoil it but the script takes a very dark and difficult turn two thirds of the way through. It will be difficult … Continue reading Review – Girls & Boys
National Sugar Cookie Day
Today is National Sugar Cookie Day. Many people long for chocolate chip or complicated crazy complicated cookies. I long for simple perfection like a Snickerdoodle or delicious Sugar Cookie. It should be pillowy on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside and redolent of butter and plain sugar. If perfectly balanced it is delightful. Too … Continue reading National Sugar Cookie Day
Little Red Lighthouse Tours tomorrow!
Special Surprise: On Sunday, July 8 between 1 PM and 4 PM you can take tours of the inside of the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge. You can often visit the outside but seldom see the inside so do not miss this opportunity. Take the A Train to 181st Street. Take the … Continue reading Little Red Lighthouse Tours tomorrow!
National Fried Chicken Day
I do like fried chicken. If you travel to New York you should try DIRTY BIRD on 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. They have some of the best chicken in these parts. But now I have finally made some at home to rival it. I have never made fried chicken that was perfect … Continue reading National Fried Chicken Day
Sourdough Baguettes
Recently tried the King Arthur Flour recipe for Sourdough Baguettes. You can find a video of the process below and the original recipe here: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-baguettes-recipe I used the half measure to make three French style baguettes. In a large bowl combine 1 cup sourdough starter, just shy 3/4 cup lukewarm water and 1 1/2 cups … Continue reading Sourdough Baguettes
Independence Day
For a very long time the colonies were content to work as subjects of the King. When he tried to extract money to pay for the cost of defending them from the French and various native groups a growing number of colonists fought back to either have full representation in their governing bodies or, failing … Continue reading Independence Day
My First Ryde with the Long Reach Long Riders
I had a great time with the Long Reach Long Riders this weekend. While I was only on a day and a half of their seven day ride they greeted me warmly and let me slip into their formation. We hit some great roads through forests, farmland and villages around New England. I hope to … Continue reading My First Ryde with the Long Reach Long Riders
SodaStream
I have always enjoyed sparkling water, not so much colas and sodas, but yes on just plain bubbly water. It was always a pain to keep myself supplied, lugging heavy cases of mineral water or just plain seltzer up to the apartment. Often I would make shopping trips to exotic New Jersey, if I bought … Continue reading SodaStream
Long Reach Long Riders arrival
Getting underway with this terrific group of riders as they arrived at the meeting place Friday afternoon. As you can see from the video there are a bunch of them, what you cannot see is what great riders they are and even better people, this will be a nice weekend. As always you can find … Continue reading Long Reach Long Riders arrival
National Waffle Iron Day
Today is National Waffle Iron Day. Waffle Irons date back to the 14th Century and the Belgians are happy about that. Still, those early models were held over the open fire so I was happy in 1918 when electric waffle irons were introduced. It was a great relief to my tired arms. Today, I generally … Continue reading National Waffle Iron Day
Fort Tryon Park Art Installation
I am fortunate to have the lovely Fort Tryon Park in the upper reaches of Manhattan as my back yard. Not my personal literal property but it may as well be as it is so close to where I live. Recently an art installation arrived related to the Cloisters - the Metropolitan Museum of Art … Continue reading Fort Tryon Park Art Installation
Review – Booker T. Jones at City Winery
Catching up on some past shows as so much has been going on lately. I had the distinct pleasure to see a performance by Booker T. Jones at City Winery in New York. He has been a favorite of mine my whole life. Indeed my cell phone ring tone is "Green Onions" by Booker T … Continue reading Review – Booker T. Jones at City Winery
Long Reach Long Riders
This weekend I will join the tail end of the Long Reach Long Riders 2018 Gap and Notch Tour: A Ramble through New England. Every year since 2004 they have toured different segments of the country seeking good motorcycle roads and to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes (helping entertainment … Continue reading Long Reach Long Riders
New York Theatre Spotlight
Several Big Apple Theatre notes to catch up on. First two shows ending at the end of the month: "A Blanket of Dust" is a show I reviewed here on June 18. I had several disagreements with the script but found the performances riveting. Always be open to seeing points of view different from your own … Continue reading New York Theatre Spotlight
TAKE WING wins audience choice award!
Each week of the Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival an Audience Choice Award is presented. I am happy to announce that the winner of week 2 is my play Take Wing. We had some amazing friends turn out to support us but had less than most of the other shows. To prevent friend … Continue reading TAKE WING wins audience choice award!
Welcome Summer Solstice
While Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, today is official, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. In New York City we have had a gentle, cool end of spring. But we are now experiencing a hot spell like much of the rest of the country. Still, happy to be here for a nice … Continue reading Welcome Summer Solstice
Ryding with a GoPro
Last month I told you about a great drive just on the other side of the George Washington Bridge. Coming up next week I will be joining a group of motorcyclists who ride to benefit two charities each year. They ride for about a week, I am just joining them for the last day and … Continue reading Ryding with a GoPro
