MAY DAY MUSINGS

Finally, Spring is here! Let's talk restaurants, books, shows, gifts, medical stories, and events.


Shows
Dear Evan Hansen-There is no better performance on Broadway than Ben Platt's. The show is spectacular. The music and actors are amazing.


Come From Away-I haven't seen it, but have upcoming tickets. Supposedly, a very good show.


Hello Dolly-a tough ticket. How can you go wrong with Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce?
It's got to be great fun.


Books
Since We Fell-by Dennis Lehane. Psychological thriller.
Prince Charles-by Sally Bedell Smith. About his loves, life, and convictions.
Men Without Women-by Haruki Murakami. Seven stories focusing on theme of isolation.
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness-by Arundhati Roy. The plot revolves around several "mad souls".
Mother Land-by Paul Theroux. Cape Cod family and their controlling Matriarch.
Into the Water-by Paula Hawkins. Teenage girl and a single mother  found dead weeks apart. Thriller.




Upcoming Movies
The Circle-In theaters now. Starring Tom Hanks. Book by one of my favorite authors, Dave Eggers.
An anti tech movie. Hasn't gotten great reviews. But I like Hanks, so I'll go.


The Lovers-Debra Winger and Tracy Letts star. About a loveless marriage and the affairs they have.


Norman-Starring Richard Gere and Steve Buscemi. In theaters now. About a New York Fixer. It's gotten great reviews. And Gere is so easy on the eyes!


The Dinner-also starring Richard Gere with Laura Linney. Thriller film about two couples. Sounds very interesting.




New York Restaurants I want to try
Augustine-5 Beekman St. Keith McNally's new high end Brasserie in the Beekman Hotel.
Cherche Midi-282 Bowery. Another Keith McNally spot. Bistro food-steaks, salads, fish.
Lalito-104 Bayard Street. Californian Mexican in Chinatown.
Empellon-230 W. 4th Street. Mexican brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Cosme-35 E. 21st St. Upscale Mexican in Flatiron.
Atla-372 Lafayette St. Another all day Mexican eatery by Chef Enrique Olvera.
ABCV-38 East 19th St. a Vegan Jean George restaurant in ABC building. Tough reservation!
Charles Prime Rib-4 Charles St. New steakhouse by Brendan Sodikoff from Chicago.
Greenwich Steakhouse-62 Greenwich Ave. From Smith and Wolensky , Victor Chavez opens here.
Chumley's-86 Bedford St. American menu. Limited choices. Upscale speakeasy.
Union Square-now located at 10th and Park Ave. Danny Meyer makes several menu changes.
La Sirena-88 9th Ave. Mario Batali's newest spot. Good food, beautiful outside seating.




Happening Now/Upcoming Events
Montclair, NJ Film Festival-May1-May6. Call 973-783-6435 for tickets and times.
Madison Square Eats-Sat. May 13. 5th Ave between 25th and 26th. Food Venders for all palettes.
Women of the World Festival-May 4-7. wowapollo.com. Power of women from around the world.




Gifts for the Upcoming Grads, Mother's Day, Birthdays, etc.
The Instant Digital Camera-$100 by Poloroid. Picture taken and printed in your hands in seconds.
Sudio Vasa Bla Earbuds-$73.99. Bluetooth connection. White, black, pink, rosegold.
Skullcandy Hesh 2-$59.99. Over the ear cushioned headphones. Nice sound for the value.
Nimuno's Lego Tape-for the grandkids. Not available in stores yet, but online. Adhesive tape that sticks on surfaces and you can build out from the tape. Put it on windows, furniture, refrigerators, etc.
Removes easily and can use again and again. Many color options.
Madewell-$45-$200. Madewell makes totes, belts, luggage tags, laptop covers, and clutches. They will monogram all of these items for a small fee. Perfect idea for grads or moms!
Jointile.com- $25-$130. Attach a tile to your phone, keys, backpack, luggage, etc. Never lose them
again. Perfect gift for almost anyone!


Medical News (one is great; two are VERY scary!)


DBS-stands for deep brain stimulation. This surgery often removes all symptoms of Parkinson's. It is also used for epilepsy, chronic pain, cluster headaches, and Obsessive Compulsive behavior. Leslye Stahl's husband has returned to a normal life of walking, writing, and moving normally after this procedure was recently performed on him for his Parkinson's symptoms. 


Rat Lungworm Disease-Nightly news recently reported this deadly parasite has been infecting people on the Big Island and Maui in Hawaii. The parasite is found in rodents (urine and feces) which pass it to snails, slugs, crabs, and other critters. Slugs live on lettuce, and fruits- you do the math... The disease can cause death or permanent disability to brain and spinal cord. Don't walk barefoot on the beaches! Bad ju ju!!


Deadly Superbug of Candida Auris-New Jersey has had 17 cases and New York 39. This is a drug
resistant fungus.  Causes swallowing difficulty and yeast like symptoms such as itching and burning.
CDC is not sure how to stop or contain this superbug as of now.


FINAL MUSING
On this day, May 1st, I have a fond memory of doing a Maypole dance during my grammar school years. For those of you who don't remember, or if you have no idea what I am talking about, the maypole is a tall wooden pole where multicolored ribbons are attached at the highest point. Each child takes the end of the ribbon nearest the ground and moves around the pole while weaving in and out. At the end of the dance, you have created a beautiful woven design. This was always a favorite day at school for me!