Two Chicks and A ‘Cellist at The Hudson School

Posted on March 26, 2010 by itees

On Sunday, March 21 I attended a fabulous concert of Beethoven at The Hudson School in Hoboken, NJ. Two Chicks and A ‘Cellist, an ensemble in residence at The Hudson School delighted us with the soft and abrupt sounds by way of a piano, violin and cello. Playing the violin was Una Tone, at the piano was Pamela Ross, and charming us with the cello was Adrian Daurov.

The audience was a mix of young children, teenagers who most likely attend the school and adults, and we were all mesmerized with the sounds and proficiency of the artists.

The pieces performed were, Sonata for Violin and Piano, op.30, No. 3, Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, op. 5, no. 1, and Trio for violin, ‘cello, and piano, op.70, no.1 “The Ghost.”

Pamela Ross, an award winning pianist, actress, writer, and recording artist, has performed one woman shows off broadway, has performed as a soloist with major orchestras, and has various CDs and DVDs available. Many of her programs can be seen on public television and heard on classical radio stations. Her website is: www.pamelaross.com

Una Tone, born in Riga, Latvia, lives in NYC and has international experience as a chamber musician. Una has been on various TV shows such as David Letterman and performed with many distinguished artists such as Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocceli and in the classical arena, Itzak Perlman, and James Levine. In addition she plays with ensembles as diverse as The NY Pops and American Ballet Theater Orchestra.

Adrian Daurov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and after studying at the St. Petersburg conservatory, he made his debut in 1997 with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded 1st prize at the international music competitions in Dobrich, Bulgaria in 1996. Adrian has degrees from the Juilliard School of Music and performs chamber music regularly in the New York area. His string quartet, Voxare, is the quartet-in-residence at Bargemusic. He is currently principal ‘cellist with the Chamber Orchestra of New York.

To read more and see a concert schedule visit their website at:
Two Chicks and A ‘Cellist

In addition Woody Proctor, actor and student at the school read “Heiligenstadt Testament” which was written by Beethoven and gave us a window into what he was thinking, his despair while composing.

woody-proctor-beethoven

Crumbling Waterfront Walkways are NOT Bike-Friendly

Posted on March 21, 2010 by itees

I just love riding my bicycle along the waterfront in Hoboken, Jersey City and the pathway north toward the George Washington Bridge, but due to either the sloppy construction or the rough winter snows, the pathways are in terrible shape. In Hoboken there are quite a few detours due to the piers crumbling and falling into the Hudson, and in Jersey City, the bricks are loose or missing.

My first complaint is why would they have constructed these pathways using bricks? Didn’t they realize that being that close to the water, with the pounding of the waves, will make the earth move and the pathways start breaking up? Plus, it’s not bicycle-friendly and takes it’s toll on my tires and bicycle.

Next, Hoboken is supposed to be the place to live with the new “W” Hotel, fancy shops and condos everywhere you look, yet there are areas of the waterfront that have been blocked off for years, which is becoming quite tiresome.

Lastly, when are these buildings on the waterfront in Jersey City and the rest of the Hudson area going to finish creating their pathways so we don’t have to take detours… and when are they going to connect Weehawken so we don’t have to ride on River Road with the cars?

hoboken-terminal-pier

Sustainability Lecture Organized by AIGA

Posted on March 13, 2010 by itees

On Friday, March 12, I attended a lecture with another designer. Organized by the AIGA, “Design Thinking & Sustainability w/ Chris Hacker from Johnson & Johnson” took place at the Tishman Auditorium in NYC.

Aside from the problems with their powerpoint presentation, which got quite a few chuckles from the “designer” audience, it was a presentation about the possibilities we as designers can achieve if we make the effort. It’s important to lead our clients toward “green” packaging and printing even if they think it’s going to cost more, because it’s the right thing to do. Sometimes, depending on the item and the quantity, it may not cost more, so why not give it try.

Chris Hacker, who has been Johnson & Johnson’s Chief Design Officer for the past five years has overseen the application of sustainable design thinking and practices. In addition to building a 120-person think tank, where environmentally-conscious decisions are part of the process, he, along with the the rest of his team are implementing ideas with all sorts of products.

By simply changing the overall design so the product can be reused, eliminating part of the packaging which isn’t needed, or changing the printing techniques and inks, we can reduce the amount of paper or plastic being used and when you multiply that times the amount of products sold, that’s a lot of trees saved, and less waste.

We have the power as designers to reshape the way consumers see products, and can sometimes make a change that is environmentally sound and yet consumers don’t even notice. Most consumers are into being “green” and if they realize a product has changed to help the environment, like less packaging, or they can recycle it, they’re more likely to buy it and feel good about it.

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From the Johnson & Johnson website about “Protecting the Environment”

“We set high standards for our operating companies in the area of environmental responsibility — striving for performance that does not merely comply with regulations but reduces our environmental impacts. We have a responsibility to take care of our planet and preserve its beauty, resources and strength for future generations.”

You can be sure with every project I work on, I’m committed to producing or printing it the “greenest” way and will work hard to convince my clients to do the same.