MERRY CHRISTMAS: There are sweet surprises all around New York City for Christmas. I would like to share four honest-to-goodness ones, and a noteworthy catch for 2011.
JOEL HARPER’S FITPACK DVD
Watch Joel Harper’s show on how to do a knee bounce on GMA. He said. “You’re really going to feel this in your abs and quads: http://abcn.ws/hC9a9F.”
Some other sweet surprises are as follows:
Tuck an apple, banana, or other thick-skinned fruit in your bag or backpack.
Breakfast today: a banana with a spoon of flax-seed peanut butter, and Greek yogurt with fresh wild blueberries
Today’s Fit Tip: If you drink more than usual during the holidays, balance it out by drinking a glass of water in between each glass of wine.
General Mills is making efforts: http://yhoo.it/eHaBBU
You can do this barefoot and in your underwear: http://bit.ly/hCdhWz
Catch it if you can everyday at: www.fitpackdvd.com
ROSE ROOM | THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Rose Room is located in the New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018. It is a room with a view. Look above and see the sky——feel the silence—study and rise to the top. You will have comparable company in the world of World Literature. Many people bring their laptops; take in the peace and their purpose.
Catch it if you can at: www.nypl.org
WQXR: 105.9 FM (CLASSICAL RADIO STATION)
105.90 is the number one classical station in the United States. It is especially enjoyable for the holidays. There is a diversity of programs for every type of new and worldwide fan of classical music.
Catch if you can at: www.wqxr.org.
CHOCOLATE AT LILY O’ BRIEN’S CAFÉ
I introduced my readers to Lily O’ Brien’s Chocolate Café in August. I am back again for this Christmas. The splendor of their holiday decorations and the small little place weaved into warm hearts of families and friends. It’s about the spirit of cheer for chocolate lovers—coffee perfectos, and regulars who escape for the joy of it.
Catch if you can at: www.lilyscafenyc.com
NOTEWORTHY CATCH FOR 2011
CHRISTMAS VIOLIN CONCERT
On December 11th, I strolled along Central Park and 96th Street where I heard music. I entered in the Second Presbyterian Church while performers were rehearsing for a Christmas Violin Concert with the Music Institute of New York. The program was to commence in thirty minutes.
While Ms. Ellie Kang, the music director, was preparing her students for their performances, her mother, Jung Kang (who is an artist as well), was finishing up the last details for the reception afterwards. Mrs. Kang told me that her daughter Ellie started taking violin and piano classes at age five. “She loves to teach,” Mrs. Kang said. “Her students perform every year, please stay for the program.” I found a seat. I watched Ellie’s compassion for her students, and their smiles. I thought, “She is indeed an inspiration, how lucky they are to study with her.”
As family members, friends, and guests found their way, the program started on time at 4P.M. The players’ ages range from three to over fifty. Some of the solo and group performances were: Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, We Three Kings, Joy to the World Silver Bells, Christmas Medley, and Entrance of Queen of Sheba, written by George Frideric Handel.
What a magnificent discovery, an ever-glorious surprise, except I wish that I had known about it earlier to share with you. That’s where my Noteworthy Catch for 2011 comes in. For you can check out upcoming programs in 2011; have gratifying experiences all next year, and become inspired to start taking lessons too.
Catch it if you can next year at: www.musiciny.com
Thank you for reading my Catch It blog, and I’ll catch you in 2011.
—W.D. M.
Wwmoore's Blog 
My daughter forwarded this to me. You wrote about something near and dear to my heart: my grandson’s first violin concert! Imagine that someone as wonderfully appreciative and articulate as you could happen upon this event and capture the joy of it for me. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your discovery!
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