Reviews

What Happened After My Little Riff on Winter Up North.

12/29/2013

Good sign: That is the snowplow up the street

Guess I picked the wrong month to brag about not being a snowbird, to revel in staying home in New York, with the glory of the seasons, which would include winter.

I was so proud of having all that culture and entertainment a few miles to the west. We have tickets to Symphony Space to see the film of the Bennett play from the National Theatre.

It’s around 10 degrees outside.

I don’t think we’re getting out of our driveway.

# # #

(My little riff on snowbirding the other day)

We read in the Times the other day that Florida is supplanting New York as the third most populous state.

I can exclusively reveal here that I am not joining the exodus. We tried snowbirding in Florida 20 years ago, and it didn’t take. My wife made a splendid discovery of a low-slung condo in Boca Raton with a gorgeous view of the blue-green ocean, on the theory that it was halfway between the Yankee spring camp in Fort Lauderdale and the Mets’ camp in that wasteland of Port St. Lucie.

I would get up in the morning, take a delightful jog and then have breakfast and read the paper and take a shower and notice it was 10 o’clock in the morning, and what the hell was I going to do with the rest of the day? I never did figure it out.

Maybe we were too young. Fifty. We found concerts in Miami and an Indian restaurant in Coral Gables and strong coffee on Calle Ocho and a Thai restaurant in Boca.

One night in a restaurant my son-in-law pointed out a well-known gangster, warily sitting with a view of the front door. I thought he was in hiding. Most people we met had a murky story – new name, new face, new fingerprints, new spouse. Everybody seemed to come from somewhere else.

Many of the people in our complex were from Ohio, Michigan and Ontario. I found myself hanging out at the guardhouse with a Cuban guard from Miami and an Italian guard from Brooklyn. We told stories and laughed. Sal the handyman had coached Craig Biggio in Little League back on Long Island. We talked baseball.

My wife and I kept the blinds open at night because of the direct view of the ocean. But I would be awakened by the reflection in the mirror of the blinking red lights of ambulances visiting the complex. Ask not for whom the light blinks.

Commuting from work in New York, I began to have vivid dreams of slush and sleet and snow and fog and drizzle. The plane home would emerge from the clouds and screech to a landing at dank gelid LaGuardia and I would go, Yessssss!

So we sold. I still love Florida to visit – the Vietnamese restaurant in Orlando, rice and beans in Ybor City, funky downtown St. Pete, looking for Casey Stengel. But I’m paying the horrendous taxes in New York. It’s home. Everybody needs to know where home is.

I know Florida for its election scandal of 2000 and its unsavory Gov. Scott and the Trayvon Martin tragedy. But I’m not worried if Florida gains a seat in the House and New York loses one.

I turn on the tube and I hear Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who sounds like all the girls in my junior high school in Rego Park, Queens -- and no wonder, she’s originally from Forest Hills -- and Rep. Alan Grayson, who reminds me of classmates at Jamaica High -- and no wonder, Grayson is from Bronx Science. Billy Donovan coaches at Florida. Donna Shalala runs the University of Miami. We are exporting clear-thinking strong personalities just to help our friends in Florida. Some of us are staying behind.

Charlie Accetta link

12/29/2013 05:53:23 pm

GV - The rest of the country can't fathom what it's like here (until they move here full time and then you can never get rid of them). It is a combination roller coaster, fun house, pickpocket convention and emergency ward, along with a conveniently attached junior one-bedroom. Everywhere else, they need guns to feel safe. Here, we just need a good barber and a reliable butcher and we're set.

You were smart to come back. Not that we couldn't live without you, because we did for that short period of time. But it's good for the rest of us to know that there are other places outside of our little Pleasantville and that they suck as badly as we presumed.

George Vecsey

12/30/2013 01:11:45 am

Charlie, thanks. Florida did have its moments...I think it would have helped if I had any interest in golf. St. Pete felt more like home....Boca felt like a witness-protection area. Let's talk again when the weather gets worse in NY late this week -- or for the great Super Bowl blizzard in a month. GV

Peter Kennedy link

12/30/2013 04:39:17 am

Hey, I'm with you George, and here in the Connecticut River Valley the November-March weather is even more inhospitable than it is in NY metro area. That said, a Florida sojourn in February is restoring. Let me add a couple of favorites to your highlights list, both in Coral Gables: Books & Books (bookstore, what else?) and Hotel St. Michel, a 1920s European style hotel. Used to feature live jazz during the cocktail hour and the best croissants and dark, rich coffee this side of Paris. Haven't been in years. Wonder if it's still charming. Happy New Year, George.

George Vecsey

12/30/2013 05:12:17 am

Pete, thanks, had I known....we did find a movie theatre in Coral Gables that had the occasional art or foreign film....Fact is, we had a pretty good circle in south Florida....but not like being "home."
GV

Brian Savin

12/30/2013 11:41:37 am

Cool -- and funny! I kinda agree. We were "west coast" Florida visitors (Sarasota). Selby Garden, cool (never hot) sand, Long Boat Key, Europa on Armand Key, Ringling Museum, the Van Wezel. When the house was left to us, we sold out. No point. Nice area, but not enough without the loved ones. Happy with the memories, but don't need the hassle. Too crowded. Still, I wish the snowbirds well.
ps. Played tennis with Canadians, until late in the season when they had to go back to preserve their healthcare coverage. It's still better than what we have here...though some of our politicians are trying, some.

George Vecsey

12/30/2013 01:21:36 pm

That horrible socialistic health-care? Had they no pride?

Great memories of the west coast from the 60's, with the Mets. Friends rented a house on Passe-a-Grille beach below St. Pete Beach. Now it's all built up and expensive. But why dwell on that, when there is a snowstorm heading to NY on Thursday -- right after I did my little shtick about dreaming about snow.

Thor A. Larsen

12/30/2013 02:46:05 pm

In the 1980's we spent two weeks a year visiting family in the Fort Lauderdale area generally around the Christmas Holdiay Season and particularly enjoyed the Deerfield Beach area, including the 'mechanical water skiing system they had on a lake near the coast. Weather was almost always warm, although humid except for one year. One year we went in February and enjoyed Yankees training (before they moved to the West Coast). This year will be the first year we will escape Fishkill, NY for some warmth and we will head to Scottsdale, AR for six weeks. Having been in Scottsdale before, the area has much more to offer for us than Florida. The many scenic parks, perfect for plein air painting, hiking, Scottsdale's art galleries, museums and general culture in Phoenix, several baseball team's training sites as well as charming small towns of Sedona, Flagstaff make the area irresistable for us.The dry, warm climate seems ideal in Feb/March when we will be there. In addition, the population density is considerably lower than Florida.I hate traffic and driving there is much easier than Florida in the 1980's. The one concern we have is this will be longest time we will be away from the New York area for more than 3 weeks in 30 years, so we may suffer some NY withdrawal pains. Aside from this escape and shorter international trips during the year, we MUST BE within 2 hours of the Big Apple and we LOVE every time we go. To us, the greater expenses to reside in New York is well worth it.

George Vecsey

12/31/2013 01:57:59 am

Thor, good trip. I've taken some good walks (wouldn't call them hikes) in those parks. Once almost ran into -- or vice versa -- a small herd of javelinas snorting their way through the underbrush near Sedona. Those rock formations are supernatural. We've all got our comfort zones. I consider Port Washington to be East Queens -- as far from Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan as I can stand. Happy New Year. GV

Alan Rubin link

12/31/2013 06:11:56 am

My only experience with Florida was the few times we visited my mother-in-law in Miami Beach when our children were young. It was great doing all the kid things including the beach and the Monkey Jungle. My favorite was the several trips up the inland coastal water way by small boat.

Now, as a full time Berkshire MA resident, I hear about Florida all the time. Many of our friends and neighbors are either snow birds or two month winter visitors, mostly on the west coast. They rave about how it is like the Berkshires with all the many cultural opportunities.

Summer in the Berkshires is a cultural candy store, but it can become too much at times. We do not care to travel south for two months to be with the same people who we see all summer long.

We made the decision not to have kept a place in NYC when we retired so that we could travel. For considerably less expense, we take two (3-4 week trips) a year to interesting places.

Before we moved up full time, we would stop at various places along or near the Taconic Parkway. Many of them were not far from Fishkill. Sunset dinners overlooking the Hudson in Cold Spring or lunch at Cascade Mountain Winery in horse country off Route 22 near Millerton are only a few.

Our experience in Arizona was both adventurous and disappointing. We missed a connecting flight due a February winter storm and had to stay overnight in Dallas. Our early morning flight would have allowed us enough time to arrive at the Grand Canyon during daylight.

However, the plane made an emergency landing in Waco to remove a sick passenger. When our bags were left behind, we were further delayed and without warm clothing. When we woke early the next morning for sunrise over the Grand Canyon, we were greeted with snow and fog. Never got to see it.

Next stop was Sedona, where our bags caught up with us. The next morning was a foot of snow. We used plastic bags and rubber bands to cover our shoes, but every negative has a positive. We still went on the ranger jeep ride and saw a winter wonderland. All the trees for miles around were snow covered and back-lit by the sun.

As there was still snow, we moved onto Carefree, AZ a few days early. I met someone who had gone up in a glider. Why not, so now I have 22 minutes towards my pilot licence. The pilot said that the best time to go is when there are thermals whose updrafts enable the plane to stay aloft indefinately. I'll do that if the opportunity arises as it took me about fifteen minutes to overcome my fear and I was disappointed it ended so quickly.

My comfort zone is wherever we happen to be. I enjoy experiencing new things and meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. The best things are usually the unexpected.

This being said, there is no place like home.

Thor Larsen

12/31/2013 12:24:43 pm

First, thank you George for your kind wishes and a Very Happy New Year to you and Marianne! Alan, since you pass us on the way to Massachusetts, it would be a pleasure to have you stop by and spend some time with us in Fishkill. (When the weather improves!). We also enjoy Cold Spring and could meet you there if you preferred. There is of course, River View in Cold Spring which offers fine Italian food and overlooks the Hudson and perhaps this is the restaurant you were referring to.

Alan Rubin link

1/4/2014 06:34:17 am

Thor

Sounds good once the spring thaw comes.

Hinsdale is ten miles east of Pittsfield, but at a higher elevation which is always at least five degrees colder.

Last night was -9F, but was -16F with the wind chill. My wife is sounding like George is rethinking FL. This feeling usually passes with a few degrees increase in temperature.

Ed Martin

12/31/2013 07:25:49 am

Et tu, Giorgio? We had no interest in Florida, but wanted to: 1. stop falling down after ice storms, 2. Stop 90 minute rides from NYC to Albertson, 3. Live somewhere near sea, (Gulf counts) and 4. Have arts, music, plays available handily.

We looked all along East Coast, love North Coast, but not in January. Virginia Beach, Outer Banks, Wilmington, NC, Hilton Head failed one test or another. By that time we were in the very hot in the summer- not so warm in the winter area. So we checked out Florida, having friends in Boca, W. Palm, etc. When we saw the six and eight lane local roads, visions of the LIE flashed before my eyes.

We had Sarasota/Longboat Key recommended by friends. Longboat is a barrier island across about two miles of Sarasota Bay. Sarasota as a fine regional symphony, a Ballet recently complimented generously in the NYT, an Opera (that's right in a lovely Opera House), three or four Equity theaters plus community theaters, fine art film houses (2). The Ringling Museums (3), The wonderful Selby Gardens with world class rare orchid collection, the largest Stae Park in Florida- Myakka River and Lakes-Roseate Spoonbills anybody?

We wanted to be on the mainland, not separated by a barrier island and the nearest place was Venice, about 15-20 miles south depending on locations. Venice is wonderful! Many of the same arts features of Sarasota, but perhaps triple A. (HS baseball team has won two consecutive State Baseball titles!). Twenty thousand people, a mix of east and Midwest, growing number of internationals.
Walk to the beach, walk to lovely, historic downtown, walk to grocery store, walk to library, art center, community center, new $7.5 million performing arts center at new HS, (former Mayor takes some credit/blame).

One hour fifteen or thirty to MLB or NFL, Hockey.

AND NO TRAFFIC JAMS.

So Gorgio, We will be happy to show you another side of Florida and a bunch of Skarks' Teeth (Sharks' teeth Capital of the World). Don't be worried, they are about a million years old.

Ciao and Happy New Year.

Moving to Venice for readers of George's blog is by appointment only and you must sign a confidentiality oath.

Alan Rubin link

1/4/2014 07:53:04 am

George

I hope that you made it to Symphony Space, which is a NYC gem. How readily can you get to the city by public transportation?

Symphony Space was created about 35 years ago when several concerned neighborhood activists wanted to prevent a developer, who had a poor reputation, from replacing a building which housed two movie theaters- Symphony Space and the Thalia (a small romantic one on the 95th street side) with an ugly apartment complex. The second floor housed the Westside Chess Club, which in itself was an icon. I used to take dates to both theaters and play chess upstairs with all the Russians. Never won a game, but it was just great.

“Wall to Wall Bach” was the first of many Saturday events held to draw attention to saving Symphony Space. It was from noon to midnight and free. The American Symphony orchestra donated their time and any musician, and the Westside is loaded with them, could participate. It was standing room only.

Since my store on Broadway was two blocks away, and we lived seven blocks away, I popped in and out during the day and my wife met me there after work for the evening.

Many more free “Wall to Wall” events followed including a John Cage concert. None of the performers were paid. I would help out by lending them electronic equipment when needed.

To make a very long story short, Symphony Space purchased the property and sold the air rights to a cooperative developer with two major conditions. The apartment complex had to be built over the original building and some of the apartments were to be below fair market values to accommodate some low income families.

It was amazing to see the greatly reinforced structural platform go over the top of the original structure. Even more amazing was the legal work, etc. for all aspects of the project that was done pro bono by neighborhood residents.

Sadly, Symphony Space’s artistic director Isaiah Sheffer died a little over a year ago. He was the fabulous host of Selected Shorts, a ten week program of local actors and actresses reading short stories.

Giving up our twenty year subscription was one of the saddest things about moving to the Berkshires. However, Isaiah asked if we could find a venue for them during in the Berkshires. So, once or twice a summer, we would hear Selected Shorts at the Mount in Lenox.

He was a customer in my store and we developed a nice relationship. When they were struggling in the early days, I would include their events in my NYT stereo ads. It gave us some additional credibility and Symphony Space received exposure that they could have afforded.

Symphony Space has the most diverse and unusual programing all year long. Also, the neighborhood is overflowing with good restaurants.

George Vecsey

1/4/2014 08:58:16 am

Alan, we did not go last night. The possibility of the LIRR doing something hideous near midnight in zero weather convinced us. Our son had to walk home from Douglaston when the LIRR quit during a snowstorm last winter. We love Bennett -- once saw him do a monologue when Maggie Smith turned up sick in London. Love Symphony Space. Saw the McGarrigles there. And once saw Colleen Dewhurst do Molly Bloom's soliloquy on Bloomsday. Best, GV

Andrew Tansey

1/6/2014 07:22:41 am

I'll stay away from politics and religion - this time - but not the weather. I have some responsibility at my Manhattan office for deciding whether or not we are open for business, i.e., whether or not folks are expected to report to work, whether from East 34th Street, Horse Country, NJ or Off-Shore, CT. I decided (via E-mail) we'd be open on Friday and thus felt obliged to report. LIRR was on a weakened schedule, and my branch does not run on the weekend. So I trudged about a mile south in the morning to an operative branch, got on a mostly empty train which was running on time and arrived to a mostly empty office. I was appreciative that I had to trudge south because I could feel the blizzard at my back.

I was not looking forward to the reverse trudge in the evening, when the temperature was barely double digits. Fortunately, the wind had calmed and it was a beautful walk through the still holiday-lit snowscape of southwestern Nassau County suburbia.

This Monday morning, although the Weather Channel said the high temperature would be 50, it also indicated a present temperature of 53, and so I wore shorts for my three-mile trudge (used to be a "jog" and, before that, a "run"). It's supposed to go down to 10 tonight.

The snow is all melted except where the plows, snowblowers and shovels piled it up, suggesting we shouldn't've bothered plowing, blowing (I've never used one) or shoveling. Florida? I get enough from my refigerator every morning - never from concentrate.

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What Happened After My Little Riff on Winter Up North.

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