SAKS AND THE CITY

Although the holidays are over, creative and eye-catching window art displays remain part of the street scenes in Manhattan’s 5^th Avenue shopping district. One of them is a simple yet colorful window art captured in the above photo which I took at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE a couple of days ago. Saks Fifth Avenue is a prestigious department store located along 5^th Avenue, between 49^th and 50^th Streets, just across the street from Rockefeller Center. Founded by Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel, the flagship store opened in 1924. Since then, the store has been providing New Yorkers and tourists with the finest quality clothing and program of services. The store is also known for its elegant, themed and animated window displays during the holiday season.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...TIMES SQUARE

From February 12 through 24, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sponsors a free exhibition called “MEET THE OSCARS” at Times Square Studios on Broadway between 43^rd and 44^th Streets in Manhattan. Last night I viewed the exhibition which showcases 50 newly minted golden statuettes (to be presented to winners at a future Academy Awards night), 2 statuettes that belonged to CLARK GABLE (for the movie “It Happened One Night”, 1934) and BETTE DAVIS (for “Jezebel”, 1938), and one statuette for the visiting public to hold and be photographed with. Each OSCAR weighs 8½ pounds and stands 13½ inches tall. Handmade yearly by R.S. Owens & Company in Chicago, the statuettes are made of britannium plated in copper, nickel, silver and finally, 24-karat gold. Britannium, a pewter-type alloy with a silvery appearance and smooth surface, is composed of tin (93%), antimony (5%) and copper (2%). Designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley, the Oscar statuette depicts a knight holding a sword and standing on a reel of film which has five spokes representing the five original branches of the Academy (actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers). The nickname Oscar probably originated from a remark by an Academy librarian and eventual executive director who said the statuette resembled her Uncle Oscar. Sans the red carpet, visitors and tourists who came to this exhibit had fun posing for photographs with a real Oscar statuette in their hands. And they didn’t have to deliver a thank you speech and get interrupted by the orchestra. As for me, it's a delight just to see and make pictures of the real Oscars.

BRIGHT NIGHTS

I made this photograph of 67th Street by night from the northeast corner at Columbus Avenue on Manhattan's Upper Westside. Lined with illuminated trees, this street is between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. On the right side of the street is the ABC television network and on the left are affluent residential buildings and one of New York's most famous restaurant, Café Des Artistes.

LANGON CHAPEL in THE CLOISTERS

This is the Romanesque LANGON CHAPEL as seen through my Nikon lens when I visited the CLOISTERS a while back. The interior stonework of the chapel originated from a 12^th century church in southwestern France. Behind the chapel is the west terrace overlooking the Hudson River. A replica of a medieval monastery, the Cloisters are located on top of cliffs of Fort Tyron Park in the Washington Heights section of northern Manhattan. This New York City landmark houses the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast collection of artwork and architecture from medieval Europe (dating from about A.D. 800; 12th through 15th century). The collection includes priceless tapestries of the Unicorn Hunt, magnificent stained-glass windows, Gothic and Romanesque art, and architectural installations. During warmer months, the gardens are also worth visiting.

Many Christians around the world observe ASH WEDNESDAY today, the beginning of the Lenten season, to express penitence.

FLEAMARKET

Every Sunday, the I.S. 44 schoolyard at Columbus Avenue at 77^th Street on the Upper Westside of Manhattan is transformed into a green fleamarket. The outdoor and indoor market offers a wide range of merchandise including antiques and collectibles, jewelry, apparel, ethnic handicrafts and clothing, new and antique home furnishings, blankets, socks, movie, television and theatre memorabilia, CDs, books, children's clothing and more at great prices. There is also a farmers market where fresh, organic produce, apple cider, plants, freshly cut flowers, pretzels and baked goods are available. A reflection of New York City itself, the flea market is quite eclectic and vendors come from all over the city with various goods. The indoor market offers used and out-of-print books, designer jewelry and accessories, eyeglasses, greeting cards, Japanese traditional costumes, silverware, rare coins, watches, and much more. Admission is free and it opens at 10:00 AM. I often spend a lazy Sunday afternoon at this market browsing at the merchandise or taking photos of such items as the framed mirrors and artwork pictured above.

PRESIDENT'S DAY

Today is President’s Day, a national holiday honoring all the presidents of the USA. Originally, the federal holiday commemorated only George Washington’s birthday on February 22. Abraham Lincoln, another revered president, was born on February 12, which also became a legal holiday, but only in some states. To consolidate the yearly calendar of holidays, the third Monday in February each year was declared President’s Day to honor all the men who have served as president. This day has been officially observed as a federal holiday since 1971.

Earlier this afternoon, I bundled up and headed to midtown Manhattan to make photographs of the stars and stripes of the US flag at Rockefeller Plaza. I took advantage of the clear, blue sky and the windy condition, and captured the flags flying and swirling under natural lighting. At the street level, just above the skating rink, the plaza has about 200 flagpoles that fly the American flags during US federal holidays like President's Day.