Cracks In Sidewalks

With the Triple Crown races now behind us the current “Good Job” goes to an organization called “Rerun” whose purpose is to rehabilitate and find homes for thoroughbred race horses either injured or past their racing prime. This organization helps to train and find second lives, careers, and adoptable situations for these horses, in order to prevent them from being put down or sold for food in other countries.

A recent article in the N.Y. Times (May 17, 2008) brought my attention to a local farm called “Lumberjack” and this larger organization they are a part of, “Rerun”. To find out more information and how you might help, please go to www.rerun.org

“In My Circle” you will find monthly magazine type interviews of different kinds of people, mostly friends, who are all somehow connected to me and within my circle and sphere.

I’ve always had a lot of friends and they have covered a wide spectrum of life choices. Actually more than anything else including music, people have been my passion in life. Having explored many areas, lived different lifestyles, and having been open to all kinds of friendships with people of all ages from around the globe, some might say I’ve collected friends and good acquaintances; but truly it is what has interested me most of all.

I’ve also very much enjoyed discovering biographies, life stories of friends and others. What sets people a part, and if given space, a little cultivation, and inspiration to grow, what sometimes unexpectedly appears within our person that is uniquely different. How someone gets from point A to B to Z, sometimes only to return to point C. The journey fascinates me, the why in something and someone, and the what. What motivates us into making the choices we make and why?

“In My Circle” I’ll be interviewing people who for various and individual reasons I believe are special. I will explore their skills, talents, “cracks,” and accomplishments; the roads they have traveled both professionally and personally; posing them questions in an informal setting like only a friend can.

So grab a beverage of your choice, sit back and relax, and let me introduce you to some of the people “In My Circle.”

Last Friday night I went to a local restaurant for a late night drink with a friend.

We had already been out to dinner but weren’t ready to call it a night, so we stopped by a restaurant called Bette in the West Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan and ordered one of their special vodka drinks called a “Blue Blood”.

A “Blue Blood” is made with vodka, blackberry puree, and lemon lime soda, with a twist of lime on the side.

Being a major fan of blackberries and blackberry jam, I had never had a drink like this before. It was so refreshing and great for summer!

So if you happen to be in West Chelsea I highly recommend you stopping by Bette for dinner, appetizers, or drinks. And if you want something truly unique and especially good, try their “Blue Blood”.

If you happen to be someplace else, which most of you are, go and buy some blackberry puree and lemon lime soda, then try mixing it with your favorite vodka. Twist a slice of lime, put it on the side of your glass, mix your ingredients and drink it down. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Bette

461 W. 23rd St.

(between 9^th and 10^th, closer to 10^th)

New York, NY 10011

(212-366-0404

Grishnak is a visiting professor from the Mantis Report.