How Does the Woodpecker Peck Wood?

Spring–Summer 2008 • Volume 7, Number 2 How can woodpeckers repeatedly and rapidly hammer into 524 Fort Washington Avenue • New York, NY 10033 such hard surfaces without incurring brain damage? The adap- [email protected] • www.hhoc.org/fftp tations these birds have for this and other functions are simply astounding! Insects—including grubs or wood-boring beetles—are a How Does the Woodpecker mainstay of the woodpecker’s diet. To collect such insects from trees the bird uses its hard, chisel-like bill to peck at wood with a Peck Wood? somewhat rotated head, causing the chips to fly off to the side. Research at the University of Montana indicates that the force Aliza Holtz, Ph.D. of the impact of its brain against the inner walls of the skull is The rrrrat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat heard in the wooded areas distributed over a surface of Fort Tryon Park is the familiar and unmistakable sound of a area that is relatively large, woodpecker boring a hole in a tree. Two of the several types of given the small volume of woodpeckers in the park are the red-bellied woodpecker and the brain. The latter, in and the downy woodpecker. of itself, limits rotational The red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is more forces. These two factors easily identified by the markings on its head and back than those together contribute to de- on its belly, for which it is named. The small pinkish wash on the creasing the vulnerability of belly can be seen only under optimal conditions. In addition to the woodpecker’s brain to the fine black-and-white barred pattern on the wings and back, injury by perhaps 50 to 100 the male red-bellied woodpecker has a large red patch, resem- times compared to that of bling a hood, covering the top and back of its head, whereas the the human brain. female has a smaller patch on only the back of its head. In winter, Another adaptation the northernmost birds might fly to a more southern part of the is that the brain fits very

range. (You can listen to the calls and drums of the red-bellied snugly inside the skull, Photo © 2008 Holtz Communications, Inc. woodpecker at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/audio because the woodpecker The female red-bellied woodpecker, /Red-bellied_Woodpecker.html and see a short video of a male red- has very little cerebrospinal shown here, has a red patch on the back of its head, in contrast to the bellied woodpecker with calls at http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/vota- fluid (the fluid that cushions male, which has a larger patch cover- cio.phtml?idVideo=9943&Melanerpes_carolinus.) the brain and spinal cord ing both the top and back of its head. The downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) has an from the surrounding bone extremely wide range that includes most of North America structure), so there is relatively less movement of the brain in from Alaska to Florida. This smallest of woodpeckers has adapt- relation to the skull and therefore little risk of injury. ed to habitats from wilderness forests to urban backyards, where The woodpecker’s brain is protected, too, by transmission of it takes advantage of bird feeders. Its upper parts are mostly much of the force of the impact to the areas of the skull that black, but the center of the back is white; it has white stripes are thickest and most dense; these, in turn, transmit the force on its face separated by a black band that circles the head from of the impact to the neck, with its thick musculature, and not to eye to eye, a black line down the back of the neck, white spots the brain. In some woodpeckers, modified joints between certain on its wings, and a white or grayish underside. The patch on the bones in the skull and upper jaw, together with the attached back of the head is red in males and black in females. Because it muscles, also absorb the force of the impact. is so small, the downy woodpecker can obtain foods that larger ones cannot; for example, they can cling to goldenrod galls and continued on page 8 eat the gall fly larvae. (You can listen to the sounds of the downy woodpecker at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/audio/ Downy_Woodpecker.html.) Inside This Issue How Does the Woodpecker Peck Wood? 1 Renew Your Letter from Nancy 2 Letter from Edie and Joseph 2 Membership Now! Parks Department Report 2 To save costs, we send out only one reminder per year; this is Let’s Hear It for the Volunteers! 3 it. Please take this opportunity (and enjoy the convenience of Annual Report 4 the enclosed membership form and pre-addressed envelope) Membership Form follows p. 4 to renew your membership, unless you just joined us this year. Northern Manhattan Parks & Related Activities 5 Check your address label to find out your expiration date. Suns, Moons, & More 6 Anyone who has a date earlier than 2008, please renew now. Beautification Report 7 Contacts, Gazette Staff 8

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�� Letter from Nancy: Letter from Edie and Joseph �� Spring�� greetings�� from� ��the Board�� of�� the�� Fort�� Tryon�� Park�� Trust!�� Living�� Life�� Alfresco�� We�� hope you’ve�� wintered�� over as�� well�� as�� the Heather�� Garden�� As I write this, I’ve just come back home from a breakfast stroll has�� and are�� as busy�� planning�� for the warm�� months�� as� are�� the �� in Fort Tryon Park with my friend and neighbor Mary Northridge. park’s�� gardeners.�� One very�� good�� piece�� of news since�� the winter �� We decided it was to be a BYOB get-together—“B” standing for Gazette�� is �that�� the�� Cleveland�� Dodge Foundation�� has�� donated�� $50,000 to reinstate water service along the eastern edge of the “breakfast.” She brought fruit and yogurt; I brought homemade �� oatmeal�� in�� my �coffee�� thermos.�� The�� point�� is, ��eating�� in� ��the park Park. Many thanks to Jennifer Hoppa and the Parks Department �� doesn’t�� have�� to �be�� a big�� special-occasion�� picnic;�� it can be�� mod- for helping secure this essential grant, which will not only sup- �� est�� and�� ordinary.�� The�� other point�� is,� ��we�� can do�� so�� many�� things port the installation of the Alpine Garden and other plantings on the�� Broadway�� side�� of �the�� park,�� but�� will� ��also provide�� for� ��needed outside�� in beautiful�� natural�� surroundings.�� Mary and I both are in the public health field, and we work drinking�� fountains.�� very hard and long hours on ways to help people be healthier. Behind�� the�� scenes,�� the�� Trust�� is� ��working�� with�� a�� specialist�� to �� Caught up in such an important mission, we sometimes forget overhaul�� its database�� and�� improve�� our� ��capacity�� for outreach.�� that we’re people too. If we struggle with finding time to take We’ve�� also� ��been�� pursuing�� partnerships�� to�� expand�� programming�� care of ourselves, how much more difficult is it for other folks? and�� public�� events�� in the park. We hope you’ll enjoy the fruits of But in�� having�� our�� get-together�� as �a�� walk� ��and a� ��meal�� in�� the park,�� our labor this spring and summer. we�� made it happen.�� Although it’s a year away, the Trust’s Benefit Committee has �� When�� I visit friends�� and�� relatives�� in Europe,�� we�� spend�� lots of begun discuss next year’s major fundraising event, which will be time�� outdoors,�� walking, �eating,�� talking,�� looking;�� the kids are out- held in the spring of 2009. We’re starting to consider honorees, venue, chairmen, and the like. We’ll keep you posted as we side�� playing physical�� games� �at�� least�� as much�� as �they’re�� indoors�� playing video games. Most of us don’t have our own backyards, make progress on these fronts. In the meantime, we welcome �� but we instead have the luxury of a communal backyard in the your�� ideas.�� form of a large, beautiful public park. How many things can you Enjoy�� the�� park�� and� �the�� beautiful�� spring weather, which we do in�� the� ��park?�� How about�� reading,�� knitting, stretching,�� sketch- hope we’ll see a lot of. See you at the Wine Tasting on May 29th, ing,�� painting,�� writing?�� How�� about�� dreaming,�� thinking?�� How if not before. about�� simply�� looking,�� listening,�� and�� smelling?�� The�� more�� time we spend�� there,�� the�� healthier�� we’ll�� be—and�� the park�� will be safer and full�� of�� life. �� See you�� in the �park,�� Edie Kean and Joseph Pierson �� Co-Chairs, Fort Tryon Park Trust �� Nancy�� Bruning�� Parks Department Report �� Chair,�� Friends�� Committee�� Fort�� Tryon�� Park�� Trust�� Jennifer M. Hoppa �� Administrator, Northern Manhattan Parks �� It’s been a glorious spring thus far. As I walk through the park Save the Dates! �� and watch the season’s beauty unfold, my spirits are lifted and I COMMITTEE EVENTS �� think, am I in heaven? We are so fortunate to have the jewel �� The Friends�� Committee�� of the�� Fort�� Tryon�� Park Trust�� will �� of Fort Tryon Park and also the years of community support that �� be �holding�� two�� fundraising�� events�� this�� spring.�� Please�� save have helped preserve and renew it. �� the�� dates�� and�� plan�� to come.�� Last�� year’s�� events�� were�� well�� Spring has sprung and we have already sheared the heathers �� attended�� and�� plenty�� of fun!�� with the North American Heather Society, hosted Hands On New York Day�� along �the�� Broadway�� Promenade�� (the�� new�� name of the • May�� 29,�� 6:30–9:00�� PM:�� A �Toast�� to�� Fort Tryon (wine�� tasting)�� interior�� path �along�� the�� Broadway�� side�� of the park),�� and begun ��• June�� 8, 11:00�� AM–4:00�� PM:�� Pancakes�� in� ��the�� Park�� and�� construction�� on �three�� segments�� of� ��pathway�� around�� the dog run. ��Neighborhood�� Yard�� Sale�� What’s�� more,�� we’ve secured�� a $50,000�� grant�� from�� the�� Cleveland�� See “Northern Manhattan Parks & Related Activities,” p. 5, Dodge� ��Foundation,�� which�� will�� enable�� us �to�� reinstate�� water ser- �� for details. vice along�� the�� Broadway�� side of �the�� park,�� allowing�� us� �to under- take horticultural restoration and reinstate historic stone drinking BEAUTIFICATION DATES �� fountains;�� in addition,�� the Friends�� Committee�� and corporate • May 17, It’s My Park Day, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM and civic groups have partnered with the Parks Department to �� • June�� 29, Broadway Cleanup Day, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM begin reclaiming the Broadway side. Stroll along the promenade �� See�� “Beautification�� Report,” p. 7, for details. throughout the spring and see the ever-expanding lawns, im- �� proved sightlines, and new plantings. Friends Committee Gazette Page 3

Hello from Marechal Brown, to adult community residents to students in prekindergarten ourthr volunteersough graduate to Fort school. Tryon What better place for kids to get Let’s Hear It for the Volunteers! Park, I ask them if they’ve the new Director of Horticulture part of their education than in their neighborhood parks? been to the park before. It I intend to bring the same attention and enthusiasm to forMarechal North Brown Manhattan Parks is astonishing how few are Director of Horticulture, Northern Manhattan Parks familiarFort Tr withyon Parkthis treasure and all ofin the North Manhattan Parks as I take Northernon the position Manhattan. of dir Havingector of horticulture. I am still a gardener While our friends, neighbors, and visitors are enjoying spring at heart, and I will still be getting my hands in the soil as much Dear Friends, visited for the first time and meandering through Fort Tryon Park’s myriad of pathways, investedas I can, time as I andwork energy with our local communities and enthusiastic those of us dressed in green are busier than ever. The first hint As the new director of horticulture for North Manhattan Parks, intovolunteers making lastingto tend improve to our magnificent- parkland in North of daffodils emerging out of the ground is a herald of things to I’d like to introduce myself. mentsManhattan to our. parkland, they come. It’s not just our gardens emerging from their winter hiatus; are destined to return. volunteers too are sproutingA childup all of over the our suburbs park! of Philadelphia, I was fortunate enough In addition to the stead- Many people associate Fort Tryon Park with the Heather fast work of the Parks to learn much about the woods, ponds, Garden. We have trained individual volunteers that regularly join Department and the Friends and streams outside my back door. our staff in the garden’s ongoing maintenance. Throughout the Committee,Marechal Br hundredsown of rest of the park’s 67 acres,My interindividuals,est in the corporate theater groups,landed mecivic in Director of Horticulture for NorthPreschool Manhattan children Parksfrom the YM-YWHA people contribute their time of Washington Heights plant pansies organizations, and studentNew groups York City have in contributed1982, but I soon to major and energy to the park each at the Anne Loftus Playground. improvements to the Broadwaybegan volunteering Promenade, in the the historic public Billings year. You might not spot them (Photo by Marechal Brown) Entrance, the north woodsgarden and of slopes, the Chur thech Anne of St Loftus Luke’ s-in-Play- on your strolls through the ground, and the subway terrace. the-Fields in Greenwich Village. I gardens and woodlands or your visits to the playgrounds, but Since March, student groups from our neighborhood, our city, Suns and Moons quickly became hooked, and I enrolled you can see the impact of their efforts. Our greening initiatives and from out of state SUNS in the Botany, Horticulture and this spring could not have been realized without the efforts of have gotten their hundreds of volunteers, including the following: Landscape Design programs at the New Yorkhands Botanical dirty weeding, Sunrises and Sunsets (EDT) Garden in the Bronx. clearing, cleaning, • Columbia University students and alumni Sunrise Sunset At the Botanical Garden, I befriended severalraking, women seeding, • The Muskota New School • New York Cares who, like me, had been in one profession forand a few planting. decades Last August 1 5:52 AM 8:11 PM week we hosted two • 92 Street Y’s Teensgiving Program and were now looking to go into horticultural work. Through • NortheastSeptember Heather 1 6:22 Society AM 7:28 PM their inspiration, I realized that it might be timepreschool for a change groups October 1 6:52 AM 6:38 PM from the YM & • Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School for me, too. After testing the waters by taking on small YWHA of Washing- • University of Miami, Ohio, students projects, I saw that I was most interested in public gardening, • YM & YWHA of Washington Heights ton Heights, who MOONS as I had encountered it at St. Luke’s. delighted in planting In fact, the volunteer spirit is alive and well in all the Northern When the Parks Department offered mepansies a gardening in the Anne ManhattanNew Moons parks. (EDT)And I dare say it benefits not only our parks, position at Morningside Park in West Harlem,Loftus thirty Playground. acres but our communities as well. The volunteers also gain a great August 12, 7:03 PM seemed like a lot to take on at the time, butGreenApple one walk thr Corps,ough deal from the experience. I should know: I was a volunteer once, September 11, 8:44 AM its woodlands and I felt as if I were back homea Parks again. Department and that experience led me to a career change to Parks after October 11, 1:01 AM Morningside Park was my challenge and myrestoration inspiration. team With led my humble beginnings digging in the soil, planting, and raking leaves in my neighborhood park in Brooklyn. If you’re inter- its variety of landscapes, its historical significanceby Jose as Baez, an a life- Full Moons (EDT) time resident of the ested in enlisting your company, civic group, or co-op board Olmsted park, as a tinderbox for the student protests of the neighborhood, has for anAugust improvement 28, 6:38 project AM—Full in the Stur park,geon contact Moon me at marechal. late ‘60s, and its rich setting in a culturally varied neighbor- introduced local el- [email protected] 26,v. 3:45If you PM—Full want to testHarvest out volunteering,Moon for a hood, I had so much to work with. ementary school chil- few hoursOctober or just 26, one,12:52 come AM—Full out and Hunter’s join us Moo at onen of the Friends StudentsMy jobfrom was the andMuskota is as New much School, about being people dren as aboutto the plants.hands-on Committee’s regular beautification days. See the Beautification trained in invasive plant removal and woodland ■ Irestoration worked closely on the eastwith side the ofFriends the park of by Morningside process Park, of bringingthe Report, p. 7, for upcoming dates! MorningsideManhattan team Ar membersea Alliance, of the and GreenApple other neighborhood back the vitalitygroups of to OTHER EVENTS getCorps, the pull wor Norwayd out maplethat Morningside seedlings out Parkof the was our ready woodlands. to grow woodlands. (Photo by Marechal Brown) Autumn begins September 23, 6:51 AM (EDT)—the and to become the heart of the neighborhood,When as it Ideserved welcome autumnal equinox to be. I worked with staff from the Parks Department’s $2,000 Reward welfare-to-work program, training many individuals who went Sources: U.S. Naval Observatory and Farmers’ Almanac 2007 on to permanent jobs in horticulture. ARBORCIDE ParksOver Department the eight-plus Report years that I was at Morningside, I The Parks Department is offering a reward of $2,000 for followed my passion to introduce others to one of New York information leading to the arrest and conviction In response to comments from the Friends Committee and of the person or persons responsible for cutting down areaCity’ scivic best-kept groups, secr twoets—that park enforcement we have lots officers of amazing in training natura havel Adopt35 eastern a redPark cedar treesBench in Inwood Hill Park, beenplaces assigned to explor toe Fortwithin Tryon our Parkcity limits this spring and that to helpthese preserve natural publicresour cessafety. deserve Introduce not only yourselves our attention, when you but see our them stewar anddship let Pleasein the note southwest that people quadrant can adopt near park the Dyckmanbenches in Fields, Fort T ryon themas well. know Each of year any thatspecific I worked concerns at Morningside you may have. Park, I Park for $2500 andon settees or about for March$5000. 7th.The Committee broughtSpring incrisn’teasing complete numbers without of volunteers“A Toast to into Fort the Tryon.” park to encourages people to take up collections to honor those they weed,Come outmulch, to this and park plant. fundraiser Last year on, morMaye 29ththan on1,700 the volunteersLinden Ter- wish to haveCall named the 34th on the Precinct, bench 212-927-0822,plaque. workedrace to sample with our an horticultural array of wonderful staff—fr winesom corporate from around volunteers the world. if you have any information. And we hope you’ll join us for a pancake brunch on June 8th.■ Page 4 Friends Committee Gazette

FriendsWine and Committee Pancakes— of VOLUNTEERSBeautification Report theA Gr Forteat CombinationTryon Park Trust FriendsMike Klein clocked over 1,200 hours of volunteer time this year! Thanks to all the volunteers who did their bit and contributed Elizabeth Ritter and Nancy Bruning toCelebrate the upkeep Earth and Day continued was held improvement on the actual of Earthour beloved Day thi parks 2007 Annual Report year, April 22nd. It was a perfect day for working in the park, If you like your Sauvignon Blanc and garden. Gardeners and membership table hosts donated 250and hours we hadof their thirty time; volunteers Fitness andProgram a few volunteers,150 young children. hours; We Once again we had a busy year!crisp Thanks and alsocitrusy to ,the with Parks a hint of volunteerscontinued for a Administrativeproject that Friends work hadand startedEvents, a150 few hours; years and ago Department’s Marechal Brown grass,and Jennifer you could Hoppa go allfor the their way communicationsto restore the southwesternvolunteers, 700 ro ckyhours. slope of Abby’s Lawn, time and dedicated efforts to workto New with Zealand volunteer for groupsa glass. from Or expanding our efforts to the areas sloping down from the all over the city (described on p.you 3). could’ve Here’s how just the gone Friends to the programs helped beautify the park: INCOMEnorth walls AND of the EXPENSES: Linden Terrace. A We BALANCED planted an assortment BUDGET Linden Terrace on May 24th for of perennials: coral bells, tassel and deer ferns, sedum, Planting and gardening the Toast to Fort Tryon wine Ourpachysandra, annual income and ofspeedwell. $20,000 is In divided addition, equally we removed among revenuethe • Planted 1,000 bulbs in Margarettasting. Corbin Circle and the from memberships and other donations, and grants from foun- overpowering English ivy from the eastern and northern walls, The Brazilupper Bossa subway Trio, consisting terrace (paidof for byAt membership the event, a dues fundraiser and dations, and grants from the New York City Council (thank you, as well as some of the Virginia creeper. We also trimmed back Dionisiocontributions) Santos, Miho Nobuzane, for the Fort Tryon Park Trust Councilman Robert Jackson!). and Daniel Carvalho, made a lovely the English ivy over the rocks on the western path adjacent • Continued to restore the southwesternheld from 6:00 rocky to 9:00,slope mor of e Our expenses of $20,000 are divided approximately evenly in eveningAbby’s even lovelier Lawn,. planting perennials, trimming back the to Abby’s Lawn and installed a low-level fence on the than 250 people enjoyed tasty thirds among expenses for beautification, fitness programs, and English ivy, and installing a low-level fence on the south- administrativesouthwestern tasks. edge of Abby’s Lawn. Lastly, we removed trash hors d’oeuvres while sampling 41 wines from 19 wineries, western edge from the slopes of the Subway Terrace. Sandwiches and other ranging from light, refreshing rosés to chewy reds and every- • Removed invasive ivy from the northeastern and north- refreshments were provided to round out the celebration. thing in between. The evening was accompanied by the Brazil western walls of the Linden Terrace Remember every day should be Earth Day. Help keep Bossa Trio’s delightful jazz. Officers • Removed English ivy from the London plane trees in Washington Heights clean! Thanks to Quintessential Wine and the 181st Street BID Margaret Corbin Circle Chair: NancyFifteen Bruning volunteers showed up for “It’s My Park Day,” May for• pr Clearedoviding English all of the ivy winesfrom the (including Margaret extra Corbin bottles memorial for raf fle 19th. Despite the overcast sky and intermittent rain, we prizes);plaque 181st Street BID for providing the food (from MBJ Vice Chair, Parks Liaison & Beautification: Mikemanaged Klein to get loads of work done. We cleaned out the Foods);• Removed Parks hangingDepartment vines staf andf Jane weeds Schachat, from the Jennifer upper mud, dirt, and weeds from the stone drainage culvert on the Hoppa,subway and terraceLinda Huntington for all of their efforts; the Parks Vice Chair, Cultural Outreach Coordinator: slope of the lower subway terrace; now the drainage system Department• Cut back itselfEnglish for ivy behind the hoop railings in the Rosa Naparstek upper subway terrace can function properly and relieve pressure from the stone its new, easy-to-use • Cleared away invasive plants from the subway terrace Treasurer:retaining Jack walls. Murad We also removed weeds and fallen branches on-line ticket • Weeded, pruned shrubs, and removed dead branches in from the slope and filled up over 30 bags of brush and purchasing; Friends Secretary: Winnie Richman Margaret Corbin Circle and along the cast-iron fence on rubbish. In Margret Corbin Circle, we cleared off the ivy on Committee Chair Fort Washington Avenue. Membershipthe stone walls Coordinator: and trees and pruned the bushes so that Nancy Bruning, Gwendolyn Boey-Augenblick • Cleaned out the mud, dirt, and weeds from the stone people can sit comfortably on the benches. The volunteers member Julia Attaway, drainage culvert on the slope of the lower subway terrace Resourcewere given and keyPolicy rings Coordinator: and refreshments . and• ClearedBID Executive off the ivy on the stone walls and trees and pruned FranciscoOn Menendez the Beautification Day on June 24th, we cleared away Directorthe bushes Georg ein Margaret Corbin Circle so that people weeds in the tree pits and along the cast-iron fence on Fort Sanchez can sitfor comfortably his on the benches Washington Avenue. We also pruned shrubs in the planting organizational What could be better than enjoying Cleaning and maintenancepancakes and listening to jazz on a ring in Margret Corbin Circle, picked up litter in the park, and prowess; the Friends • Removed graffiti frombeautiful the benches day in theand park? the flagpole on the removed graffiti from the bulletin board at the entrance to the Committee and many Mission Statement Linden Terrace park. volunteers• Scraped (you and know painted who the you cast-iron are!) who fence staf alongfed the Fort welcome The Friends Committee of the Fort Tryon Park Trust tableWashington and otherwise Avenue helped make this event a terrific success. aims to involve the entire community surrounding Kudos• Removed also to litterthe “weather and trash committee” from Margaret for Corbindelivering Circle a the park in maintaining and improving the park’s perfectand evening:the subway warm terrace with an oh-so-gentle breeze. Communityappearance and condition, Service and promoting its • ScrubbedPancakes graffitiare another off the af upperfair—a subwayfamily af terracefair. Feedback stone constructive use by the public. The Friends’ structure walls and the new bulletin board at the southern entrance Jackson Goodman, a resident of Washington Heights and a from this happy and programs are designed to achieve these goals in of the park student at the Horace Mann School in the Bronx, has started mom says it all: • Removed construction debris that had been dumped in performingpartnership community with other services groups for with Fort similar Tryon Park concerns. as a “...truly lovely. I’d the park rSuchequir ementinvolvement of his high and school cooperation curriculum. should Jackson help has solidify plenty like to thank the • Raked hundreds of pounds of leaves ofand gar enlivendening experiencethis community, helping and out make at his itgrandpar and theents’ park Friends of Fort Tryon home.more attractive,He will work safe, on pruning and desirable. the shrubs and removing Other activities Park and volunteers invasive plants on the subway terrace, as well as scraping and • Continued the free Sunset Yoga Programwho made it painting the caste iron fence along Fort Washington Avenue. • Continued the free Fitness Walking Programhappen. The kids’ On his first day, he’s already cleared away a sizable area. • Sponsored an Earth Day Celebration music, magician, and Come• Participated and get ‘em! in Hungry It’s My people Park Day await If any other students need to satisfy community services scavenger hunt with their• Attended serving of Communitypancakes from Board MBJ Foods.meetings requirements, please have them contact Mike Klein at park rangers made [email protected]. Continued on page 6 ��

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Northern Manhattan ralist�� for�� the Parks Department,�� begin�� again� ��on May�� 4th.�� They�� take�� place�� rain�� or�� shine,�� May�� through�� November,�� every� �Sunday�� Parks & Related Activities 8:00�� –10:00�� AM�� in ��Inwood�� Park��, except �the�� last Sunday�� of the �� month,�� when�� they�� are held� ��in Fort Tryon�� Park��. See�� migrating songbirds and learn how the ecosystems of Northern Manhat- �� Now that spring has arrived, Northern Manhattan Parks offer tan parks influence which plants and animals can thrive here. In even�� more�� free public programs. We are especially pleased Inwood Park, meet at the small bridge on the east side of the salt to introduce�� a new�� series of �Children’s�� Naturalist�� Programs�� , marsh; enter the park at 218th Street and Indian Road and walk designed�� especially�� for children�� ages�� 4� ��to� ��12 and�� conducted�� by west�� toward the �river.�� Fort Tryon Park walks�� meet at the entrance Shelley�� Volk,�� environmental�� educator.�� Children�� will�� have �fun�� with to ��the Heather�� Garden.�� hands-on exploration of the natural world found in their local �� Free�� Sunset�� Yoga also�� begins again.�� It �will�� be� ��held�� Wednes��- park. Topics include birds, trees, seeds, insects, geology, and day evenings from June 11 to August 6, 6:45–8 PM, in Fort �� Native�� Americans.�� An�� adult�� must�� accompany�� children.�� Space�� is Tryon Park on Abby’s Lawn, adjacent to the Linden Terrace. Bring limited and registration is required. Program availability varies by �� a yoga mat or towel. All levels are welcome. For more informa- park. Please call or e-mail Linda Huntington for more information tion,�� contact�� [email protected]��m or�� Linda�� Huntington at 212- �� at 212-795-1388 or [email protected]. Only heavy 795-1388.�� rains�� cancel�� the�� programs.�� The�� Parks� Department�� is launching�� Highbridge�� “Summer�� NOTE:�� The�� listings�� are subject�� to change and�� new events�� may�� be added.� ��Check the �� Northern Manhattan Parks’ Web site, http://nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/ Sprint” Evening Cross-Country Races. The races, which will vt_north_manhattan_parks/vt_north_manhattan_parks.ph��p, �for�� updates actually�� be�� held�� starting�� in May�� on� �� Highbridge�� Mountain�� Bike (click�� on “Events Calendar”�� at�� the�� upper-right�� side�� of� ��the latter page).�� In addition, Trail,�� are�� modeled�� after the “Loonie”�� races in� ��Whistler,�� B.C.,�� are you can click on the appropriate link there to see what’s in bloom at the Heather Garden.�� an early-season “warm-up” to encourage riders to get out on �� the�� trails� ��and�� in shape�� for the summer.�� More�� information�� about Highbridge Bike Trail programs will be available soon. �� The Inwood Shakespeare Festival returns with Summer 2008: �� The�� Season �of�� Love�� & �Justice��. It will�� present�� Shakespeare’s�� clas- MAY�� sic�� play� �of�� tragic love,� ��Romeo and�� Juliet, directed�� by� ��Ted Minos, �� Drums along the Hudson: A Native American Festival & Shad Fest, Wednesday�� through�� Saturday�� evenings�� June�� 4–7, �11–14,�� and �� 311:00 AM-6:00 PM, Inwood Hill Park at 218 Street and Indian Road. 18–21,�� 7:30 PM, �on�� the Peninsula�� in Inwood�� Hill Park. A family-oriented�� festival, Drums�� along�� the�� Hudson� �is�� the only�� open-air�� The�� Scandinavian�� Music�� Festival�� with�� the Scandia Symphony powwow�� in�� Manhattan�� that� ��includes�� exhibitions�� of world�� dance�� and�� likewise returns. The orchestra will perform wonderful Scandina- �� drumming�� traditions,�� as well�� as a variety�� of�� global�� and�� Native�� American�� vian�� music ��in a delightful�� alfresco�� setting�� the last�� three�� Sunday�� crafts and cuisine. It combines a celebration of Native American heritage, culture,�� and�� art�� with �the�� diversity of�� New York� ��City itself.�� afternoons�� in June��. �� And let’s not forget The Cloisters, in Fort Tryon Park. It �� The Shad Fest, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, celebrates the annual return of presents gallery talks and gallery workshops for families. spawning�� shad to the Hudson River. It features shad planking demonstra- The�� gallery�� talks�� and�� the�� gallery workshops�� for families,�� which are tions by�� Christopher�� Letts�� of�� the�� Hudson�� River�� Foundation�� and �fr��ee tast- for�� children�� ages 4 through�� 12 and�� their�� families,�� are�� free with ings.�� The �Urban�� Park �Rangers�� will be�� on�� hand�� to welcome�� visitors�� with museum�� admission.�� No�� reservations�� are�� necessary,�� but gallery�� nature-themed�� games�� and� ��activities�� for�� the�� whole�� family.�� space�� is �limited.�� For�� information�� about�� the�� talks�� and�� the�� work- ��Spring�� Flea�� Market�� and�� Planting,�� 10:00�� AM–4:00�� PM, RING�� Garden�� shops, call 212-650-2280. The museum presents special seasonal �� (at the�� confluence�� of� ��Dyckman�� Street,�� Broadway,� ��Riverside�� Drive, and programs, as well, also free with museum admission; consult the 3 �� Seaman�� Avenue).�� Rain�� date�� May �10.�� Hosted�� by �RING,�� the� ��Parks Depart- museum’s calendar at www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/events/. �� ment,�� and�� Our�� Lady�� Queen�� of�� Martyrs�� School,�� the�� semi-annual�� flea mar- �� ket seeks to encourage reuse and recycling by neighborhood residents. You�� can�� also volunteer�� to help the RING�� Garden�� plant annuals.�� To sign up �� to �be�� a vendor,� ��contact�� Nancy�� Beltrez�� at� �212-567-1971.�� Regular�� Events�� Sidney�� Horenstein’s�� High Bridge�� Bottom�� to� ��Top,� ��11:00�� AM–3:00�� The Fitness� ��Walking�� Program�� meets�� every�� Tuesday�� and�� 4��PM,� ��Highbridge�� Park. �With�� massive�� geologic�� projections�� and�� historic Thursday�� 7:30–8:30�� AM�� and Saturdays�� 8:30��–9:30�� AM (with�� an sites such as the High Bridge and its water tower, Highbridge Park has many fascinating sites to see. Join Sidney Horenstein, geologist and optional additional walk to the Green Market on Isham Avenue). �� educator�� emeritus�� at the American�� Museum�� of�� Natural�� History,�� for�� a The�� meeting�� place is at the entrance to the Heather Garden. south�� to north exploration�� of Highbridge�� Park.�� Wear�� comfortable�� shoes These�� are�� hour-long�� classes�� with� ��a 10-minute�� warm�� up; 30-min- and�� bring�� water�� and�� a snack�� if you�� wish.�� Meet�� on the�� southeast�� corner of ute fitness walk; and 20 minutes of strengthening, stretching, �� 155th�� Street�� and Amsterdam�� Avenue. Please�� note:�� this walk�� will�� end at� �� and cool-down. All levels of fitness are welcome. The program, Dyckman Street. �� cosponsored by the Friends Committee of the Fort Tryon Park �� Trust,�� is�� free,�� but�� advance�� registration is required;�� contact�� Children’s Naturalist Program: Trees, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, [email protected]��m��. �� 1��0 Inwood �Hill�� Park.�� Why�� are �trees�� so�� important�� to�� us?�� There are so ��Heather�� Garden�� Walking�� Tours�� take�� place�� every�� Sunday at many�� kinds and we�� use�� trees for so� ��many�� different�� things.�� We’ll�� discuss some of these uses and also learn why trees are important to birds and 1:00 PM,. Learn about the plants and history of Fort Tryon Park �� animals. Then we’ll take a walk and see how many different kinds of trees and�� the�� Heather�� Garden�� from�� members�� of �Parks’�� expert�� horticul- we�� can �find!�� tural�� staff.�� On� �the�� first�� Sunday�� of the�� month,�� the walk�� will�� include �� the�� Alpine�� Garden.�� Children’s�� Naturalist�� Program: Insects, 2:00–3:30 PM, The Weekly Nature Walks with Mike Feller, the chief natu- 10 Highbridge Park. Learn a lot about all kinds of insects including PaPagege 46 Friends Committee Gazette

butterflies. How many legs does an insect have? What makes their eyes neighbors to help in repainting the cast-iron fence along Fort Washington Wineso special? Look and at plastic Pancakes— specimens and then take a walk to find some AvenueBeautification and the Ping-Pong tables, theReport benches, and the base of the real ones to examine. flagpole on the subway terrace. Contact me at [email protected] for A Great Combination moreMike information. Klein Highbridge “Summer Sprint” Evening Cross-Country Race, 7:00 Elizabeth Ritter and Nancy Bruning Celebrate Earth Day was held on the actual Earth Day this 15 PM,. Highbridge Mountain Bike Trail. Meet at the trailhead on Fort It’s My Park Day, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, parks throughout the city. year,Support April 22nd. your local It was park a perfectby pitching day in foron It’sworking My Park in Daythe plantpark-, George Avenue between AmsterdamIf you and like St. Nicholasyour Sauvignon Avenues. Blanc 17 ingsand and we cleanups. had thirty volunteers and a few young children. We crisp and citrusy, with a hint of Children’s Naturalist Program: Insects, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, continued a project that Friends had started a few years ago grass, you could go all the way 2nd Annual Inwood Garlic Mustard Pull, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, Bennett Park. Learn a lot about all kinds of insects including but- to restore the southwestern rocky slope of Abby’s Lawn, 17 Inwood Hill Park. Meet at the Inwood Hill Nature Center and learn terflies! How many legs does an insectto New have? Zealand What makes for a their glass. eyes Or so 17 whyexpanding we need to our eradicate efforts this to alienthe ar specieseas sloping from our down parklands. from theThen set special? Look at plastic specimens youand thencould’ve take ajust walk gone to find to somethe real outnorth on the walls mission of the to take Linden it out T errace.by the roots. We planted an assortment ones to examine. Linden Terrace on May 24th for of perennials: coral bells, tassel and deer ferns, sedum, the Toast to Fort Tryon wine RING Gardening & Annual Members Meeting, 11:00 AM–2:00 Children’s Naturalist Program: Birds, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM, Anne pachysandra, and speedwell. In addition, we removed the PM, gardening; 3:00–5:00 PM, meeting; RING Garden (at the Loftus Playground, Fort Tryontasting. Park. What one thing do birds have 17 17 confluenceoverpowering of Dyckman English Street, ivy Broadway,from the easternRiverside and Drive, northern and Seaman walls, Thethat Brazil no Bossa other Tanimalsrio, consisting have? Find of out theAt answer the event,to that questiona fundraiser and Avenue).as well The as somegardening of the will Viincluderginia planting, creeper. watering, We also and trimmed pruning back Dionisiomany Santos, others asMiho we Nobuzane,explore the world of our feathered friends. After exam- for the Fort Tryon Park Trust annuals; weeding; and a special project, to lay brickwork around the andining Daniel bird Carvalho, artifacts, made the attendees a lovely will do a little bird watching in the park. the English ivy over the rocks on the western path adjacent held from 6:00 to 9:00, more lawn. The members meeting (membership is $10 a year) is to elect evening even lovelier. to Abby’s Lawn and installed a low-level fence on the than 250 people enjoyed tasty officers, solicit membership on the RING planners’ committee, and Friends Committee Beautification Day 10:00 AM-2:00PM, Meet southwestern edge of Abby’s Lawn. Lastly, we removed trash hors d’oeuvres while sampling 41 wines from 19 wineries, orient new members; it will be followed by a potluck dinner. 17 at the entrance to the Heather Garden, and join your friends and from the slopes of the Subway Terrace. Sandwiches and other ranging from light, refreshing rosés to chewy reds and every- refreshments werFamilye pr Festivalovided atto The round Cloisters. out the The celebration. Cloisters thing in between. The evening was accompanied by the Brazil 24Remember–25 presents every aday two-day should event be withEarth programs Day. Help for thekeep entire Bossa Trio’s delightful jazz. family, including tours and gallery workshops in English and Spanish. Free Washington Heights clean! Thanks to Quintessential Wine and the 181st Street BID with museum admission. Go to www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/events/ Fifteen volunteers showed up for “It’s My Park Day,” May for providing all of the wines (including extra bottles for raffle for information about specific programs. 19th. Despite the overcast sky and intermittent rain, we prizes);Suns, 181st StrMoons,eet BID for pr oviding& M theore food (from MBJ managedHighbridge to get “Summer loads of Sprint” work done. Evening We Cross-Country cleaned out Race,the 7:00 Foods); Parks Department staff Jane Schachat, Jennifer SUNS 2mud,9 PM, dirt, Highbridge and weeds Mountain from the Bike stone Trail. Meetdrainage at the culvert trailhead on on the Fort Hoppa, and Linda Huntington for all of their efforts; the Parks George Avenue between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas Avenues. Sunrise Sunset slope of the lower subway terrace; now the drainage system Department itself for can function properly and relieve pressure from the stone itsMay new 1, easy-to-use 5:54 AM 7:53 PM A Toast to Fort Tryon, 6:30–9:00 PM, Linden Terrace, Fort June 1 5:26 AM 8:22 PM retainingTryon walls.Park, rainWe or also shine. removed Enjoy an weeds evening and of winefallen tasting, branches on-line ticket 29 July 1 5:28 AM 8:32 PM horsfrom d’oeuvres, the slope and and live musicfilled atup a overfundraiser 30 bags for the of Friends’brush and Committee. purchasing; Friends Ticketsrubbish. are $25In Mar at www.forttryonparktrust.orgret Corbin Circle, weg clear untiled May of 27th.f the Ifivy space on Committee Chair permits, tickets may be purchased for $35 (cash or check only) at the MOONS the stone walls and trees and pruned the bushes so that Nancy Bruning, door. people can sit comfortably on the benches. The volunteers memberNew Moons Julia Attaway , May 5, 12:19 PM wereChildren’s given key Naturalist rings and Program: refreshments Native .Americans, 10:30 and BID Executive June 3, 3:23 PM 31AM–12:00On the Beautification PM, Inwood Hill Day Park– on TwoJune hundred 24th, weyears cleared ago, Na away- Director George tive Americans lived in Inwood Hill Park. Find out how they lived. What July 2, 10:19 AM weeds in the tree pits and along the cast-iron fence on Fort Sanchez for his kind of houses did they build? How did they find food? What were their clothesWashington like? Did A thevenue. kids play We games?also pruned Learn aboutshrubs all in those the thingsplanting and organizational What could be better than enjoying Full Moons pancakes and listening to jazz on a seering real in Indian Mar grartifacts.et Corbin Hike Cir intocle, the picked woods upand litter see some in the of park,the areas and prowess; the Friends May 19th, 10:11 PM—Flowerbeautiful Moon day in the park? whereremoved Native graf Americansfiti from might the havebulletin lived. board at the entrance to the Committee and many June 18th, 1:30 PM—Strawberry Moon park. volunteersJuly 18th, (you 3:59 know AM—Buck who you Moon* are!) who staffed the welcome Children’s Naturalist Program: Seeds, 2:00–3:30 PM, Highbridge table and otherwise helped make this event a terrific success. 31 Park. What are seeds and why are they so important to plants and animals? How do seeds spread? Children will look at many different types KudosMETEOR also to theSHOWERS “weather committee” for delivering a of seeds and then hike around the park in search of the seeds found there. perfect evening:Max. warm with Hourly an oh-so-gentle Direction br eeze. Community Service PancakesActivity are another Rateaffair—a family& Time affair . Feedback Speed La Experiencia Medieval: Talleres Educativos para la Familia Jackson Goodman, a resident of Washington Heights and a Eta from this happyvery swift, 31 en Español en Los Claustros—El Rey y la Reina del Castillo, 1:00–2:00student PM, at theLos HoraceClaustros. Mann Por los School niños entrein the los Br 4onx, y 12 hasaños started de edad mom says it all: Aquarids May 4–5 20–40 SE 2–4 AM long paths y susperforming familias. Gratis community con la admissión services alfor museo. Fort TNosryon reuniremos Park as a en la “...truly lovely. I’d Delta slow, long salarequir de recepción.ement of Si his desean high obtenerschool curriculum.más información, Jackson por favor has plentyllamen like to thank the Aquarids July 28–29 15–25 S 1–3 AM paths al of212-396-5314. gardening experience helping out at his grandparents’ Friends of Fort Tryon home. He will work on pruning the shrubs and removing Park and volunteers OTHER EVENTS invasive plants on the subway terrace, as well as scraping and who made it JUNE Summer solstice occurs June 20 at 8:00 PM painting the caste iron fence along Fort Washington Avenue. happen. The kids’ On his Gfirstarden day Days, he’s at alr Theeady Cloisters. cleared This away annual a sizable celebration area. of the * Also known as the Thunder Moon because thunderstormsmusic, are magician, so frequent and Come and get ‘em! Hungry people await 7If– any8 othergardens students of The Cloistersneed to has satisfy been community expanded to services a full weekend in July scavenger hunt with of programs. Events will focus on aromatic and scented plants used in all their serving of pancakes from MBJ Foods. requirements, please have them contact Mike Klein at park rangers made aspects of medieval life, from cooking and housekeeping to perfumery Source: U.S. Naval Observatory and Farmers’ Almanac 2008 [email protected]. Continued on page 6 and religious rites. Garden tours and special talks will be offered and staff will be on hand throughout both days to answer questions about medi- �� Page�� 7�

eval horticulture. “Making Sense of Scents,” a program for children ��Fort�� Tryon Park �Trust�� Friends�� Committee�� Beautification�� Day�� ages�� 4–12 and their�� families—will�� be presented in� ��English and Spanish. 29��10:00 �� AM–2:00�� PM,�� Meet�� at �the�� entrance�� to�� the Ann Loftus�� play��- A perfumer will give a talk and demonstration of medieval perfume ground entrance at Broadway and Riverside Drive. For more information, �� making.�� Programs begin in the Main Hall. No reservations are neces- contact [email protected]. sary, but gallery space is limited. Free with museum admission. Go to �� www.metmuseum.org��/cloi��sters/events��/ for �information�� about�� specific�� The Scandinavian�� Music Festival with the Scandia Symphony, programs.�� 292:00–4:00 PM, Billings Lawn, Fort Tryon Park.■ �� National Trails Day & Hike The Heights, time TBA, Highbridge Park. �� 7 Take a two-mile hike around northern Manhattan, ending at High- bridge�� Park,�� with�� food, �entertainment,�� and�� a �tour�� of�� the�� water tower�� . �� Throughout�� the nation,�� concerned�� citizens� ��join on National�� Trails�� Day to �� help restore trails. Beautification Report �� 3rd Annual Pancakes in the Park & The Neighborhood Yard Sale, Mike�� Klein�� 8 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Fort Tryon Park, rain or shine. Help raise funds for �� the�� Friends’�� Committee�� by�� enjoying�� a pancake�� breakfast� ��on The�� Linden Sunday,�� March� �30th,�� was�� a fantastic�� day�� to start�� off�� our 2008 Terrace�� and free�� activities�� for the whole family. Tickets are $10 for adults beautification�� activities,�� not�� too cool�� and�� not�� too�� hot.�� We�� had�� 12 and $5�� for children�� under�� 12 at www.forttryonparktrust.or��g and�� at the door. very energetic volunteers. In the past, we’ve had volunteers join Space is limited. Tables for the yard sale, cost $25 and must be reserved by �� us from as far as Florida and California, but yesterday was the June 2nd at ww.forttryonparktrust.org. For more information, contact Linda first�� time�� we� ��had�� someone�� from�� Canada. �� Huntington at 212-795-1388 or [email protected]. �� We managed�� to do�� a� ��fairly�� through�� job�� removing�� vines �� and�� other �evasive�� plants�� and� ��dead trees �and�� branches.�� We� ��also ��A Children’s�� Concert�� in Isham�� Park,�� 7:00�� PM, Isham� ��Park,�� in the removed�� rubbish�� from� ��the upper and�� lower�� terrace slopes�� and�� 9��sitting�� area�� at Seaman�� Avenue� ��and Isham Street.�� Bring�� the kids and blanket to a classical concert for the whole family. Enjoy “The Unhappy from�� the�� cul-de-sac�� adjacent�� to the �subway�� head�� house.�� We Aardvark,”�� “The�� Lion & The�� Mouse,”� “The�� Bassonist�� of�� Hamelin,” and cleared�� away�� mud along the cast-iron fence along Fort Washing- other�� selections�� arranged�� by�� Gil Dejean.�� ton Avenue,�� and�� we ��started�� to�� clean�� out the�� stone �culvert�� drain��- �� age�� system�� on the�� slope� ��of the�� lower�� subway�� terrace.�� As usual,�� Highbridge “Summer Sprint” Evening Cross-Country Race, 7:00 refreshments were provided at the end of the day. �� 1��2��PM, Highbridge�� Mountain Bike�� Trail. Meet�� at�� the trailhead on Fort For It’s My Park Day on Saturday, May 17th, we plan to George Avenue between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas Avenues. scrape,�� prime,�� and paint �the�� cast-iron�� fence�� along�� Fort� ��Washing��- �� ton� �Avenue�� and�� repaint�� the�� Ping-Pong�� tables,�� the�� benches,�� and ��Sidney Horenstein’s�� If �Manhattan�� Is�� Schist,�� It Wouldn’t�� Be the�� base�� of�� the�� flag�� pole� ��on the� ��subway�� terrace.�� And�� Sunday,�� 1��2 Gneiss,�� 6:00–8:00�� PM,� ��Fort� �Tryon�� Park.�� Join Sidney�� Horenstein�� for June�� 29th,�� will�� be �Broadway�� Cleanup�� Day;�� we’ll�� meet� ��at the� �� a leisurely stroll among the intriguing rock formations of Fort Tryon Park �� entrance�� to�� the�� Ann�� Loftus�� playground�� entrance�� at�� Broadway�� and learn why, although the Bronx is gneiss, it’s nice to live on Manhat- �� tan’s schist. Meet at the entrance to the park at Margaret Corbin Circle. and�� Riverside�� Drive. Contact me at [email protected] for more �� information.�� RING’s�� 8th annual Art�� in the�� Garden�� art�� exhibition,�� 12:00–5:00 �� Also,�� I‘m� ��happy�� to report that�� I’ve �been�� receiving�� many phone calls and e-mail from people saying how lovely the sub- 1��4��PM,�� RING �Garden�� (at the�� confluence�� of Dyckman�� Street,�� Broad- �� way, Riverside�� Drive,�� and Seaman�� Avenue).�� The�� event,�� curated�� by Liz way terrace looks and how much they appreciate the volunteers’ Popiel, features musical performances by local artists. For more informa- hard�� work�� and�� dedication.�� They�� also�� say� ��that�� they�� are �enjoying�� tion, contact Liz at [email protected]. the�� scent�� of�� the� �fl��owers�� and� ��that �the�� terrace�� starts�� their workday �� off�� on a positive�� note�� as they� ��go �down�� to the�� subway.��■ ��The Scandinavian�� Music�� Festival�� with the�� Scandia�� Symphony,�� 2:00–4:00 PM, Billings Lawn, Fort Tryon Park. 1��5�� Make Music New York, 4 PM to dusk, RING Garden (at the �� 2��1 confluence of Dyckman�� Street, Broadway,�� Riverside�� Drive,�� and �� Seaman�� Avenue).�� RING�� is again� ��participating�� in�� Make�� Music�� New�� York, �� the�� local version� ��of the� ��international�� celebration�� of the�� summer�� solstice.�� Summer Day Camp Part of the Uptown Art Stroll, the event features musical performances by �� local artists, coordinated by Arthur Sherry. For more information, contact The Urban Park Rangers are now accepting applications for Arthur�� at [email protected]��m�.�� the�� Junior�� Rangers�� Summer�� Day�� Camp�� 2008.�� The program�� offers�� outdoor�� nature�� and� ��recreation�� experiences�� at nature�� The�� Scandinavian�� Music�� Festival�� with�� the�� Scandia�� Symphony, centers�� in Inwood�� Hill�� Park, Marine�� Park�� in Brooklyn,�� Crotona�� 2:00–4:00 PM, Billings Lawn, Fort Tryon Park. 22�� Park�� in the�� Bronx,�� and� ��Blue�� Heron Park�� in� ��Staten Island.�� Highbridge “Summer Sprint” Evening Cross-Country Race. Registration is open to children ages 8 to 11. To 2��6 7:00�� PM,�� Highbridge�� Mountain Bike Trail.� ��Meet�� at�� the�� trailhead register,�� please�� visit� ��the Urban�� Park� �Rangers’�� Web�� site�� at on�� Fort�� George�� Avenue�� between�� Amsterdam�� and �St.�� Nicholas�� Avenues. www.nyc.gov/parks/ranger��s and�� download�� an�� application,�� or �� call�� 212-360-2774�� to request an�� application.�� A�� Good�� Neighborhood�� Reading,�� 4:00�� PM,�� RING�� Garden�� (at the �� confluence of Dyckman Street, Broadway, Riverside Drive, and 28 �� Seaman�� Avenue).�� RING�� will�� host� ��the first� ��reading�� of� ��A Good�� Neighbor- A completed application and a $65 check are required to hood,�� a�� new�� theater�� project�� about�� Inwood.�� The�� reading�� will�� be�� one of reserve�� a� ��space.�� the�� final�� events�� of the� ��Uptown�� Art�� Stroll. For�� more�� information,�� please �� contact Lonnie Cooper at 917-797-9800 �Page�� 8� ��

Woodpeckers continued from page 1 Contacts To peck, the woodpecker often has to stand on a rough vertical • Friends Committee Web site: www.hhoc.org/fftp surface. To help increase its grip, the woodpecker has its toes are arranged such that two are in front and two in back, in contrast • Friends Committee phone: 212-927-7174 to most birds’ three toes facing front • Friends Committee e-mail: [email protected] and one facing back. To help stabilize the bird while pecking, its legs and • To volunteer in the Heather Garden: modiﬁed tail form the equivalent of a 212-795-1388 tripod. Its tailbones and the muscles attached to them are relatively large • Council Member Robert Jackson: 212-928-1322 so that the bird can use its tail as a prop against the vertical surfaces. • Speaker of the City Council Christine Quinn: Even the tail feathers are very stiff, 212-788-6979 or 212-564-7757 and the middle tail feathers curve� �� slightly inward to help with this • Manhattan Parks Commissioner William Castro: support function. �� 212-408-0201, or [email protected] Most amazing of the adaptations�� is the woodpecker’s tongue. If, while • NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian �� Benepe: 212-360-8111

Photo © 2008 Holtz Communications, Inc. boring a hole, the woodpecker happens upon one of the extensive The smallest woodpecker ��• To report�� an�� emergency:�� 911 species and perhaps the galleries formed by wood-boring�� most common, the downy beetle larvae just under the outer • To report dangerous conditions or grafﬁti and other woodpecker has adapted layer of wood, it can extend its �� vandalism:�� 311 to habitats from wilderness tongue and probe to locate grubs— forests to urban backyards. the red-bellied woodpecker’s tongue�� • Forestry�� (tree pruning, dead tree and limb can extend three times the length of the bill. The woodpecker’s removal): 311 tongue is coated with sticky saliva, and the tip is pointy and�� barbed, perfect for spearing and retrieving the soft-bellied ��• For information on Fort Tryon Park: insects. But where, you ask, does the www.nycgovparks.org �� woodpecker store its long tongue? The tongue, which is supported by ��• For information on the Cloisters: 212-923-3700 a cartilage-and-bone skeleton called or www.metmuseum.org the hyoid apparatus, makes a Y fork �� at the throat, then wraps around • The New Leaf Café: 212-568-5323 �� behind and over the skull, rejoins • For permissions and forms: at the front of the head and ends, �� www.nycgovparks.org/sub_permits_and_applications/permits_ depending upon the species, either �� and_applications.html around the eye socket or in the right �� nostril. This entire construction may �� © 2008 Holtz Communications, Inc. provide another mechanism to shield To peck, the woodpecker�� the woodpecker’s brain from injury. often has to stand on a rough (You can see photos of this amaz- vertical surface. To help in- Gazette ing hyoid apparatus at http://www. crease its grip while pecking, talkorigins.org/faqs/woodpecker/ it has two toes in front and Editor: Mike Robinson two in back. woodpecker.htm��l and at http://www.�� Contributors: Marechal Brown, Jennifer M. Hoppa, Aliza Holtz, hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek030308.�� Mike Klein, Ellen LeCompte ht��ml,� �which�� also�� has superb photos of the tongue.)■ Photography: Marechal Brown, Sarah Graham, Aliza Holtz Space limitations preclude explaining the details of these adaptations here; write to [email protected] for a reference list if you want to look up the details. Design: Tom Phon Please write “Woodpecker references” in the subject line. Other communications also are welcome. Layout: Karen Hudson