John Lennon Tributes in NYC

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon. His death was a shock and a sad occasion for those who were fans of The Beatles and those still following Lennon's career after the group broke up.

I was not even a teenager when The Beatles popularity grew in the USA with their hit single "She Loves You," in 1963. I remember looking at the cover to the record and trying to decide which Beatle would be my favorite. Ringo won that honor, but John was a close second. The Beatles phenomena then became so much a part of my developmental years. When Lennon chose to live in New York City in the seventies I felt excited, as if he was indirectly part of my world.

When Lennon and Yoko Ono first moved to New York City from the UK in 1971, they lived briefly at the St. Regis Hotel and then moved to 105 Bank Street in Greenwich Village, (the white building in the photo above), which they rented from Joe Butler, from the Lovin’ Spoonful band.

They lived here for one year between 1971 - 1972, and Lennon enjoyed meeting the social and political activists of the time that shared this Greenwich Village neighborhood. His personal life was chaotic and controversial at times but the eventual birth of his son Sean in 1975 seemed to give him a peace and meaning that he lacked before.

The couple moved to the Dakota building located at 1 West 72nd Street on Central Park West in 1973.

Lennon was killed in front of the Dakota building by the very troubled Texas native, Mark David Chapman on the evening of December 8th, 1980.

Strawberry Fields in Central Park is located almost directly across the street from the Dakota building, between 71 Street and 74th Street.  It was a favorite area for John and his family to visit. Named after a song written by John Lennon, it is a 2.5 acre area in the park that pays tribute to John as a singer, songwriter, and musician.

The iconic black and white "Imagine" mosaic in Strawberry Fields was a gift from Italy and designed by a team of artists from Naples.  Named after another famous song by John Lennon, "Imagine" is another lasting tribute to Lennon and his vision for the world.

Visitors and fans from all over the world still come to this spot to remember John Lennon on his birthday on October 9th and today, the anniversary of his death, to remember and imagine what might have been if his life was not ended in such a tragic way.

You can watch a PBS American Masters full two hour documentary exploring Lennon’s life in New York City during the 1970s as a father, husband, activist and artist on this link.






Don't forget you still have time to enter my Jacques Torres Chocolate give away --leave a comment on this link, and also the Chronicle Books $500 book give away on this link!

The NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

The New York Botanical Garden, located at 200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, hosts the annual Holiday Train Show from November 20th to January 9th, 2010.  It has become a cherished seasonal tradition displayed every year in the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.  G-scale model trains puff along a half-mile of track in and around 140 miniature landmark New York City buildings constructed entirely of natural materials such as nuts, tree bark, fruits, pine cones, and leaves,

This was the first time my husband and I visited the exhibit and we were enthralled by the wonderful detail of

all the historic buildings made out of plant material that were on display. 

New York City icons such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Grand Central Station, and the original Yankee Stadium and Pennsylvania Station were all represented. Even this replica NY Botanical beautiful Victorian Haupt Conservatory was on display!

A series of model trains run past these majestically recreated landmarks, and  travel through tunnels made out of hollowed tree trunks, and journey overhead along replicas of New York’s famous bridges!

This is the replica of the old New York Yankee Stadium in all its glory.

You click click on the arrow to see a short video we took of one of the trains passing by the stadium.

From New York brownstones to Hudson River mansions, care has been taken in carving buildings such as Teddy Roosevelt’s Birthplace, John D. Rockefeller’s Kykuit, and the homes of the American writers Edgar Allan Poe and Washington Irving.

 Children visitors loved seeing Thomas the Train among the many different trains that were weaving their way around the exhibit! Click on the arrow to see Thomas' cheerful face!

Even the skyline of Manhattan was reproduced, with all the famous skyscraper windows twinkling in the night.

Click the arrow to see the scale of the buildings next to visitors walking through the display.  As you can see the train show is very popular!

Jut look how the beautiful 1873 Bethesda fountain in Central Park, also known as The Angel of the Waters, has been reproduced in great detail!  This was one of my favorite sights to seem although I think each time I visit I will notice something new that will also amaze and delight me.

When we left the Train Show it was early evening and the conservatory and botanical garden were lit by moonlight and Christmas lights to make it a magical scene.

I'm linking to Mary at The Little Red House for Mosaic Monday! Please visit Mary today to see her beautiful photo mosaic and links to all the blogs participating today.