Turning Madness into Flowers

It is my thought that the ugliness of war, of gratuitous violence in all its hideous forms, will cease very soon to appeal to even the most insulated of human beings. It will be seen by all for what it is: a threat to our well-being, to our survival as a species, and to our happiness. The brutal murder of our common mother, while we look on like frightened children, will become an unbearable visceral suffering that we will refuse to bear. We will abandon the way of the saw, the jackhammer and the drill.

Of bombs, too.

As religious philosophies that espouse or excuse violence reveal their true poverty of hope for humankind, there will be a great awakening, already begun, about what is of value in life.

We will turn our madness into flowers as a way of moving completely beyond all previous and current programming of how we must toe the familiar line of submission and fear, following orders given us by miserable souls who, somehow have managed to almost completely control us. We will discover something wonderful: that the world really does not enjoy following psychopaths, those who treat the earth our mother, as if she is wrong, and must be corrected, in as sadistic and domineering a way as that of a drunken husband who kills his wife.

The world – the animals, including us humans – wants to be engaged in something entirely other, seeing, and delighting in, the stark wonder of where we are: This place. This gift. This paradise.

We want to follow joy.

And we shall.

The madness, of course, for each one of us, will have to be sorted out.

Alice Walker

Once again the garden Critter Committee is planning another Lady Bug release on Saturday, June 27. Join in. Bring the kids!

NYC PARKS PRESENTS:

Join NYC Parks and the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) for three film screenings at the Columbus Park in June.

To reserve a seat, RSVP to manhattan.acf@parks.nyc.gov This event is FREE and open to the public.

About MOCA: The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is a non-profit institution that preserves, presents and explores the diverse history, heritage and culture of people of Chinese descent in the United States through innovative exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public programs. Visit www.mocanyc.org to find out more and check out its calendar of upcoming events!

Columbus Park Pavilion (Bayard, Baxter, & Mulberry Streets)

Friday, June 19 // 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Special Preview of Lucky Chow (2015)

Directed by Bruce Seidel.  This preview is co-presented by the Center for Asian American Media.

The Columbus Park Pavilion will be open one hour before the film starts. Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.

Friday, June 26* // 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon (1985)

Directed by Michael Schultz

* The June 26 screening will be held at the Columbus Park Ball

Field, where chairs are prohibited. Patrons are encouraged to bring

a blanket or towel for seating.

Information can also be found on film screening at the parks website events page listing.

All events are FREE and open to the public. The MOCA CINEMA June 26^th film showing will be on the Columbus Park Turf Field—RSVP is not necessary for this date.

Stop by and wish him well!

We thank Nike for their contribution to our Park.

From the Lo-Down:

“City planning officials will finally go before CB3’s land use committee [TONIGHT!] to detail their plans for sweeping zoning changes across New York. As we reported this past spring, the plan known as “Zoning for Quality & Affordability” has raised alarm bells both in the preservation and affordable housing communities…”

Zoning affects our entire community: preserving our neighborhood and the full diversity within it. It also affects the heights of buildings that shade our park and other greenspaces!

More information on the Lo-Down here.

NYC Parks and Gale Brewer’s Office:

Today at 1pm in Sara D. Roosevelt Park

Performance Area: Central “The Pit” @ Broome Street

Sunday, June 7th at 1:00PM

When Milo finds out that his favorite city park is going to be torn down and replaced with a shopping mall, he seeks out the help of his two best friends, Odessa the Owl and Bucky the Squirrel. This educational performance will teach children the importance of shared community spaces as they sing along to songs that celebrate New York City!
Book, Music and Lyrics by: Brooke Boertzel and Melissa Gordon

The Coalition is proud of our Caroline Bragdon and her Department of  Health colleagues for her tireless efforts, no, jubilant efforts at eradicating rats in NYC!

We thank her in particular for her work in the Park. She was honored along with others in Public Service. It was a great night – inspiring to hear the dedication and

integrity of all the honorees (names and roles below).

Thank you!