Exploring: 5 Pointz - Long Island City

80/365 5 Pointz
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

This weekend hubby had a meeting in Flushing, NY and we took the opportunity to explore the old neighborhoods. Coincidentally we did this almost exactly one year ago, we visited Long Island City then too, but stayed closer to the river.


We both grew up in Queens, he grew up in Astoria and I in Sunnyside. We really enjoy checking out the neighborhoods to see how they've changed over the years, we moved to New Jersey in 1988, there have been many changes! Yesterday after showing our daughter the schools we went to and the apartment houses we lived in we ventured over to Astoria to have gyros for lunch (I think that's the main reason she came with us). We went back to Mr. Gyro's where we had lunch last year, but the place was now Broadway Eats. Looked like they still made gyros so we were game to check it out. Glad we did, the gyros were just as good as they were last time! Yummy!

 

Gyro at Broadway Eats

After lunch we headed down by the water, then decided to change course and checkout the 5 Pointz graffiti area I had seen photos of several months back. While browsing the web on my phone I noted there were recent news stories that 5 Pointz would soon be closing due to future development plans for the site. I felt it might be now or never, so off we went to Long Island City in search of the world renowned "Graffiti Mecca" off of Jackson Avenue.

As we approached the site, an old warehouse, the first mural that caught my eye

The main entrance was quite intriguing...

Photographers come from miles around to capture the artists and their work

Read more about this amazing place at their website 5Ptz.com

Update: 1000 Cranes for Japan

77/365 Kimmidoll and Crane
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

The movement and effort continue! In little over a week the Flickr Group 1000 Cranes for Japan has grown to 668 members posting 879 photographs, it's amazing to see such caring and unity in this community of photographers. In addition, the group founder has uncovered another group willing to make monetary contributions for Origami Cranes and/or photos of the cranes.

Students Rebuild is collecting 100,000 actual paper cranes, which will be woven into a piece of artwork.

The Bezos Family Foundation has pledged $2/crane up to $200,000! The funds will be donated to Architecture for Humanity efforts to help rebuilding efforts in Japan, you can read more here: studentsrebuild.org/japan/ they also have a Facebook Page Paper Cranes for Japan

So much can be gained.... Just Do Something!

1000 Cranes for Japan

74/365 Yotsuba's Crane   Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

"The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years. In Japan, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family." Wikipedia

The earthquake and ensuing tsunami of March 11th has brought many people around the world together in efforts to support all who have been impacted by this tragic event. I stumbled upon one such group on Flickr that is gaining a following of photographers from around the globe that are making origami cranes for Japan, to offer support and hope in difficult times.

I've never created any origami until seeing this group, but with the help of this excellent tutorial on YouTube I was making cranes in no time.

Maybe you'd be interested in participating and raising awareness of the efforts that are being made to provide support. You can view the group photos at 1000 Cranes for Japan Group on Flickr. Through this group I also learned that Miya Company is offering to donate $5 to Save the Children for each of the first 1000 photos of cranes submitted to their email. You can read more about their effort at this web-page www.miyacompany.com/static.asp?htmltemplate=1000cranes.html

Thank you Hilary, I am honored to be a "Mention" on the Post of the Week!

iPad 2

I was hearing all the buzz last week about the soon to be released iPad2... so I just couldn't pass up sharing this video I came across today: