A METAL MURALIST IS SALUTED AT MAPLE GROVE by Merle Exit

At Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, honoring those who have been laid to rest there is an multi-faceted, ever changing task. “We are constantly looking for something that will lead to a great discovery,” said Carl Ballenas, president of Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery. “When we walk through the grounds we are always looking at the markers and tombstones for something that we should take notice of.”
While Helen Day, one of the cemetery’s board members, was taking just such a walk, she noticed the name Nikos Bel-Jon and was especially intrigued by the description below the name on his headstone—“Metal Muralist.” According to Ballenas, “that was all it took to get the wheels in motion.” Thanks to Day’s sharp eye, and the hard work of those at Maple Grove, an event dedicated to Bel-Jon and his work is planned for next weekend.
Not only was Nikos Bel-Jon a metal muralist, he was one of the most important artists working in that medium. His work was commissioned by everyone from companies such as Pfizer to the Greek Consulate and Lincoln Center. Known for murals that would take on a three-dimensional appearance when lit from certain angles, Bel-Jon created such well-known pieces as “The Ellington Pieta,” an intricate metal mosaic that was displayed in Rockefeller Center.
Major installations of his work in New York also include one in the lobby of the Pfizer Building located on East 42nd Street. The Greek Consulate as well as Air India displays his artwork. During the 1964-65 World’s Fair, one could view the pieces on Air India along with his special “Tower of Light.”
This year, marking the 50th anniversary of his death (Aug. 11, 1966), Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery is honoring him with a celebration of his life and art Saturday, Aug. 13 at 2 pm.
The event will feature a talk from preservationist Brittany Reilly of Design Nation, and will be attended by members of Bel-Jon’s family, including his daughter, Rhea Bel-Jon Calkin. “He developed a technique that others have tried but no one else has been able to accomplish with the same results,” Rhea said of her father’s work. “He started as a painter from Greece who fell in love with painting on metals in such as way by embracing arcs, angles and illusions. When colored lights would hit it, they would become like three dimensional paintings.”
Born in Greece in 1911, Bel-Jon studied in both Athens and Paris before coming to this country after World War II. “Coming to the United States he was looking for a different avenue of painting, already having studied in Paris about all mediums of art,” his daughter said. His work was done with sheet metal, but rather than just using scrap metal he developed a relationship with Kaiser Aluminum and Kaiser Steel until the 1950s, when metal became more available.
With his connections to the Greek government, he was able to explore in the United States, spending much of his time in Astoria with family and friends. Rhea said that although they lived in Manhattan, when her father thought of a final resting place, his thoughts turned to Queens.
“As for why Maple Grove was chosen,” she said, “he wanted to be buried by a tree.”
The talk and a reception will be held in The Center, a building located at the cemetery’s entrance. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling (347) 878-6614 by Aug. 10.

Posted 6:27 pm, August 4, 2016

©2016 Community News Group

ROCKAWAY THEATRE COMPANY IS A DRAG

La Cage aux Folles at Rockaway Theatre Company

THE RIDE REIGNS WITH BUS TOURS

For those who have never heard of or taken “The Ride”, let me give you a bit of a description of this unique bus tour.  It is not your average bus that you sit facing the front.  Floor to ceiling windows are on the side facing that street as you are seated stadium style peering out onto the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan.   Tour guides will point out specific buildings and the likes as any guide would.  There are screens with sound all over and a commanded voice will relate a description to which the guide might add an anecdote.  “Big deal”, you say? 

 
Let’s hear some feedback from an out-of-towner, Steve Stoloff from Florida visiting with his family.  “What a great experience I had on my recent visit to New York City. There were many different tours to choose from but for whatever reason, we wound up choosing The Ride-NYC and how lucky we were.”

After speaking to a number of people who chose different bus tours without any question of a doubt ours was, by far, the very best. During the entire ride we were rocking and rolling. The two tour guides just had us standing and cheering. It was almost like being at a football game, especially, when out of the clear blue sky on the street (and this happened on a number of occasions)there were people who appeared to be connected with the ride but we weren't sure. At different points, they were singing to us dancing to us and rapping to us!!”

It had a feel similar to being at a Broadway musical when the stars came out for a bow at the end of the show. I would recommend this to all, not just any particular age group. When in New York City looking for a bus tour do not fail to use The Ride-NYC It is, by far the very best one to hook up with.

Wow!!!” 

Most of these performers had microphones and our speakers could open up for people on the street to hear us cheer.  People on the street or sidewalks could see us wave and even wave back.  What makes this trip hilarious is watching the reactions of the “audience”.   You can tell who are the tourists.  They will take photos and gladly wave back.   New Yorkers will totally ignore and walk past the performers as if nothing were happening.   Sometimes one of the tour guides will make fun of someone passing by, but not in a way that is hurtful. 

Having experienced The Ride a few times, I found one particular thing that was new.  Having an experience of what it feels like to be seated in a subway car. 

 
The Ride is 75 minutes long, operating different times of the day.   The company also has one called The Tour, which I will be checking out after the heat waves.   From what I’m getting, The Tour covers a much larger area of Manhattan and without the performers.   www.theridenyc.com  

There are no facilities on the bus, nor can you bring food or drink.  You line up in front of Sr Frogs and can get a ticket if you need to use their bathroom.   As for where to eat, I checked various places in the area both quality and price.  Dallas BBQ for sure!  It’s on 42^nd street just down the block from the bus.  It may appear small when you enter.  Take the escalator and you’ll find out how huge it is.  They don’t take reservations unless there is a group of about 15.  I ordered a combo of baby back ribs and beef ribs.  Off the bone tenderness and the bbq sauce was not at all overbearing.  I don’t normally order fries because many places give you the frozen kind.  These are hand made.   Compared to most of the prices in the area, it is quite inexpensive.  Even during the rush, it is not a long wait for a table.  Not fine dining nor cafeteria style.  Clean, good food, and excellent service.  

VIXEN VENGEANCE NOT SO VICTORIOUS

It was a winning season for the New York Sharks Women’s Professional Football Team as they became the Atlantic Conference Champions heading for the playoffs.  The win would have put them into the IWFL Championship game if not for an “edge of your seat” and overtime coach error 40-34 loss against the Minnesota Vixens, vying for an historic “vengeance” game. 

The last time that these two teams met was back in 1999 when the Vixens were barnstorming in the US to show that women were playing tackle football.  At that time, the Sharks were a well-known flag team on Long Island.   A challenge gave the Sharks two months to prepare, winning the game with a 12-6 score. 

Both teams had an 8-0 season with the Vixens coming in as the Midwest Conference Champions getting the home advantage in the St. Paul area. 

Football fans saw a “tit for tat” game starting with a Sharks kickoff resulting in a touchdown by Vixen Marlissa Brown.   New York was on the scoreboard almost immediately as Quarterback Karen Mulligan tossed the ball to Brilynn Fields for the 18-yd TD.  With the score tied at 6-6, the Vixens made the next TD, followed with another Sharks goal by Erika Cottle.  Brilynn upped the score to 20-13 to go back to another two Vixen touchdowns.  With a score of 27-20, Shannon Morris ran the ball to make it 27-26.  A Vixen touchdown and Brilynn’s third, the score was now tied 34-34 and into the double overtime.  With two yards to go and a few tries left, the Vixens managed to intercept what was a poorly called pass (What was Head Coach Richard Harrigan thinking?) running the entire field for the winning touchdown and putting them into the Championship game where Vixens took a loss of 6-49 against the Utah Falconz.  

The Vixens celebrated and were heard to be muttering how they “crunched” the Sharks during the IWFL games weekend.  Due to regulations, All-Star players from the Minnesota team were given a bye.   Back to the brag.  Say WHAT?  Let’s look at the stats on the Vixens.  During the season, they gave up a total of 15 points.   Giving up 34 points just in the playoff doesn’t say much nor did the wrong call by Harrigan earn them bragging rights, but rather “luck”.  With the 6-49 loss, it gives the Vixens a postseason point give up of a total of 83! Hey Vixens do you still want to brag? 

TAKING CREDIT WHEN YOU’VE ACTUALLY SCREWED IT UP

It was the year 2007 when I was in Wichita, Kansas visiting the Museum of World Treasures, which is said to be one of the top sights, and could certainly understand.  Egyptian mummies, rare coins, Civil War artifacts, items from WWI, WWII, dinosaurs and sports memorabilia. I asked if they would be interested in having a permanent exhibit of a women’s tackle football team called the New York Sharks as they are the only women’s football team to have an item displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Done deal.  The exhibit included owner and former quarterback Andra Douglas’ retired jersey, photo of her accepting an award from the Women’s Sports Foundation, football signed by the team, and a group of several photos depicting the history of this longest (since 1999) and winning team.

Curator Lon Smith was more than happy to accommodate.  Once the exhibit was up he invited two of the Sharks players and myself for the opening.   The media was there, autographs were signed and Lon suggested that the museum’s exhibit should expand to housing the IWFL Hall of Fame.   It was out of his own pocket that he commissioned sculptor Bruno Lucchesi to create a bas relief.   

This whole idea sounded so great that I put out an email to the other teams requesting that they send an exhibit.   Not many responded but did make it.   However, this hall of fame was crushed when given over to IWFL CEO Laurie Frederick and COO Kezia Disney.   

About a year later from when I was there, Lon was set to open the exhibit inviting the press, Frederick and Disney who were driving from Texas.   Just as a football game has a kickoff time, so did this celebration.   Where were they?   Hours went by with no attempt to call him.   Their delay pointed to picking up a stray dog and putting it in the car with no concern for any schedule.   Let’s add that these two business women showed up in totally inappropriate clothing.   There was more to this that Lon later shared with me including the $10,000 that he wound up laying out.   We were both appalled and whatever was scheduled did not occur.  

It wasn’t long before Lon sent the exhibits back to the team’s owners, keeping the bas relief and NY Sharks exhibit a permanent fixture.    Frederick and Disney never even apologized for their unprofessional behavior.  

In fact, if you go to the website of the IWFL, they claim the Hall of Fame.  “The Independent Women's Football League is proud to present and maintain the hall of fame. Honoring the courageous few that began play in 2000 and those that have come since. The hall of   fame honors those that have given of themselves and set the standards of sportsmanship and skill that the IWFL has become known for.

The photos on this page are of the display housed at the Museum of World Treasures in Wichita Kansas the Museum of World Treasures was the inaugural home the IWFL Women's Football   Hall of Fame, housing the exhibit from 2007 through 2009 when it was returned to Texas for future exhibit.”   Absent is anything depicting the New York Sharks or any acknowledgement of my part in this. 

I had communicated with them requesting that they take this information off of their website.  Needless to say, they have never gotten back with me.  With enough problems just getting the word out there about women playing tackle football, it only makes it worse when you have women not only being unsupportive but taking credit where credit is certainly not due.