Monthly Archives: August 2023

Karen Tashkovski

Binge-Worthy

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The tail end of summer vacation is upon us. Here are my picks for binge-worthy TV shows/series, that is, if you are looking for recommendations on something to do and you are in a staycation frame of mind, and you just want to watch television.

Jury Duty on Amazon Prime (Freevee)

I was hesitant at first with this one because I thought it was going to be humiliating for the guy who is being duped. But he rises to the occasion of the “hero’s journey” and everyone will fall in love with Ronald Gladden. He is the American every-man. The show is filmed as a fake documentary. This is unscripted comedy at its finest – it has garnered four Emmy nominations! If it wins, Ron should renegotiate whatever fictitious contract he signed and get at least ten times more than he was eventually paid.

The Gilded Age on HBO Max

They used actual places/historical homes for this series, albeit they were streets in Troy, New York and homes in other upstate locations to depict late 19th century 5th avenue in New York City. Miranda from Sex & the City (Cynthia Nixon) portrays a completely different New Yorker and it is an amazing transformation! The Gilded Age has one Emmy nomination.

Daisy Jones & the Six on Amazon Prime

Riley Keough and Suki Waterhouse shine as 1970s era rock stars (think a fictional Fleetwood Mac). This mini-series is based on a book by the same name. In The Gilded Age, the set decoration is one of the stars. In this show, fashion is. And singing. A lot of drinking and smoking makes these beautiful people’s lives go awry but there is a sliver of a positive outcome and love wins. The saga bounces between narrative and a twenty-years later documentary, which reminded me of the movie Eddie & the Cruisers. Daisy Jones & the Six has received nine Emmy nominations!

The Resort on Peacock

This is a timey-wimey thingy. More humor than drama plus adventure and mystery. I loved it! People are comparing it to the White Lotus show on HBO Max, but I had to fast-forward a lot of that one because the acting was so bad (or maybe it was the script?). They did such a great job with the set decoration on this one. After digesting it, it took me down a rabbit hole of real derelict beach hotels in various locations, which I didn’t know existed in prime real estate of the resort hotel industry.

The Lake on Amazon Prime

The writing on this series is so intelligently funny, the delivery is deadpan and of course, no laugh track, which allows the viewer an intimate experience with these flawed yet relatable characters. This is another series where people are on a vacation, but there is no other-worldy element. There are two seasons of this one. I watched the first season last summer and I thought, what else can they do with this? Well, they delivered! So good!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount Plus

This one is a Star Trek original series prequel. Captain Christopher Pike was reintroduced in the Star Trek: Discovery series on the same network and this show was created because fans loved him. Anson Mount is perfecto as the captain. Spock, Uhura and Kirk are there too. It is brilliant. And there are two seasons to watch (spoiler alert: season 2 ends in a cliff hanger so there will be more – you’re welcome). One Emmy award nomination.

And, P.S., there are a number of other Star Trek incarnations on the channel.

Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount Plus

Lower Decks is so funny, so witty and fast-paced, and it is a cartoon! You’ll have to watch the episodes more than once to hear everything over your own laughter. The writers are Star Trek savants. They pull material from every other series and the result is obscure reference hilarity. You’ll want to be in on the joke. So, yes, I am saying that I saved the best for last and I reiterate: it is a CARTOON.

Enjoy! <3

Karen Tashkovski

Greatness Awaits!

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The New York State Fair is a memory machine. As we walked around, Janine and I recalled events set in this location from various decades of our lives.

The Art & Home Center reminded me of all the times Gramma won blue ribbons for her crochet. This building is always my first stop once past the gates because there never seems to be a line at the bathroom there.

This year we saw this wonderful display of miniatures. The hobby brings together collections from across the state and they really spark the imagination.

The Horticulture building brought reflections of waiting in line for a free baked potato. There is still a line, but it is not free, lol. This year we viewed floral arrangements there and tasted maple-infused products.

Janine shared stories of going on rides as a child and bringing her kids when they were little. I love the way the mid-way looks at night!

The Dairy building with its annual butter sculpture – that is such an iconic part of the experience. The sculpture is inside a refrigerated case and it rotates like the stage in the Toronto production of Les Miserables I saw many years ago. I would say it matches the drama as well.

Last time I attended the Fair (two years ago), Joey and I saw Train at the Suburban Park location. This year Janine and I enjoyed the tail end of the REO Speedwagon concert.

It’s like a memory wrapped inside a memory encased in gold.

In the early seventies, Dad would take Kathy and me to the Fair on a Tuesday because that was always his day off. We always got steamed clams for lunch. This year, I had a lobster roll at the Colosseum followed later by a maple-flavored milkshake from the Horticulture building.

New experiences worked their way into future nostalgia. The Expo Center, where I had to go to get those Covid shots, is currently home to another animatronic dinosaur exhibit, albeit on a grander scale than the one at the MOST.

The Center of Progress building has always been home to merchants and in recent years, houses a giant sand sculpture. This year we had fun at a political news conference photo op booth poking fun at the NY State assembly.

People watching is at its prime. I saw two former students (thanks, Savannah and Hope!) and ran into my grandmother’s nephew and wife (love you, Mickey and Connie!).

There is something for everyone at the great New York State Fair. The theme this year, as expressed on the cover of the map flyer, is Greatness Awaits! There’s still a week to go before it ends on Labor Day. You can get tickets on-line or buy them at the gate with a credit or debit card. Check out their web-site for the deets.

Karen Tashkovski

Zooing

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Yesterday was the perfect day to visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park (1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, New York 13204). They are open every day from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, so I imagine every day is a perfect day to view the magnificent animals who live there.

Check out their web-site for more information including exciting upcoming events and party planning opportunities, as well as membership info.

There is a wonderful gift shop at the entrance filled with high quality stuffed animals (my favorite was the flamingo). There were all sorts of things for all ages – toys for the children and beverage glasses (think shots) for the adults.

We had so much fun. Bobbi and I are both art teachers. I predict animal art is in our students’ collective future.

This may be my new happy place. You should go – become a member and admission is free or use the Onondaga County library pass (good for four people), or wait until you are sixty-two and it is only $5.00. Or just go. It is $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (babies up to two years old – free).

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The MOST

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I went to the MOST yesterday. I was not there for long – it is a “science” museum for kids. I couldn’t take all the running around and screaming, and that was just me (ba-dum-bump).

There were activity stations, a colossal and fully padded tri-level jungle gym, and different vignettes set with dramatic lighting throughout the maze-like venue to satisfy the children (mainly pre-school and elementary-aged), while their parents either engaged alongside or sat together sipping cold drinks.

I did like the dinosaur exhibit. I mean – so fake, but they were substantial rubber or mache creatures with animatronic gestures and, maybe, it sort of, looked like they were looking my way as I took the photographs.

And, of course, I liked the gift shop. That was fun.

If you’ve never been there, it’s worth a look. And here’s the secret: get out your Onondaga County library card and head to one of the local libraries that have the free pass. It pays for up to six people! How cool is that? Especially if you are a teacher and are on your last summer dollar before the next pay day.

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology is located in the Armory of Armory Square in Syracuse, New York.

500 S. Franklin St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
315.425.9068

They are open Wednesday – Sundays 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Check out their web-site for more information including parties and school trips.

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Sharon Frost

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I am in love with these “decorative” paintings by Sharon Frost. They are currently on view at the Manlius Library (1 Arkie Albanese Drive, Manlius, NY 13104).

The titles of the work indicate the beauty of this artist’s soul and I truly feel that owning one of these gems will infuse your home with positivity. For more information on Frost, check out her website – www.frostdecorativepainting.com.

The exhibition concludes at the end of August.

Library hours –

Monday10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday10:00 am – 5:00 pm
SundayClosed (Summer Hours)
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ISO Fish Fry – Lincklaen House

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Janine and I went to Lincklaen House for lunch.

Presentation – We ordered a meal we planned to split and when the young waitress delivered it, the chef had already divided it onto two separate plates for us. I think the plates looked pretty full considering this was a haddock sandwich on a kaiser roll and not the big haddock dinner-sized portion. All good.

Before that, we were offered two delicious pop-overs fresh from the oven. I will eventually forego bread but this day was not that day, lol. So buttery!

Taste – I enjoyed the haddock. I wasn’t that hungry so half a meal was plenty. The fish was a bit dry but nothing a bit of tartar sauce couldn’t cure. I like when the chips in fish and chips are actual potato chips even though I don’t think this is the case if you order in London, England. Not sure when they coined chips for french fries. And why are they French? IDK. These chips were of the homemade variety. Not at all salty. We didn’t have coleslaw. My friend ordered a side salad and she loved the balsamic dressing they used.

Restaurant Experience – Lincklaen House‘s catch phrase is “return to an era of elegant hospitality”. It is a lovely sentiment for a place that has truly transcended time. An old telephone room still exists but more as a curiosity. There are plenty of antique fixtures from the lighting to the marble stalls in the women’s bathroom.

It was not an otherworldly experience, although this place reminds me of the Christopher Reeve film “Somewhere in Time”. We were greeted, in the now, by a friendly hostess immediately upon entering the establishment and offered several options – the downstairs tavern, the main floor indoors or the patio. We opted for the latter. The tables in the patio space were decorated with vibrant sunflower-motif tablecloths. It was a comfortable afternoon with a mild breeze, which made it a perfect day for alfresco.

I have been to several take-out fish fry spots in the area. This was a welcome change – to sit down in a restaurant and enjoy the ambiance as well as the lunch.

Location – Lincklaen House is located at 79 Albany Street, Cazenovia, New York 13035. It is a hotel, tavern, restaurant and pizza place.

  • Dining Available
    Sun-Th 12-9:00PM
    Fri/Sat 12-10:00PM

Call (315) 655-3461 for more information or check them out at www.lincklaenhouse.com.

Parking – We parked on the street in front of the Cazenovia Public Library and walked down the block and across the street. It was around 2:00 pm and there was plenty of street parking. They may have a parking lot behind the building but I did not see it.

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Susan Machamer Jewelry

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There are a few ways to sell your artwork at Cazenovia Artisans. The information is on their website:

  1. You can apply to become a member and be juried in. This also requires a monthly fee and you must be available to work as a sales associate in the gallery on occasion.
  2. You can sell via consignment. Again, the other members must vote you in. The gallery takes a portion of your sales as your fee.
  3. There is also a visiting artist program where the artist shows during one month and gets a prominent wall in the gallery. Click here to read more about these opportunities.

Every time I shop here, I notice they’ve found new and unique ways to merchandise the shop. Two dimensional and three-dimensional art, clothing, soaps, jewelry and furniture are arranged to offer customers that magical discovery experience.

Jewelry designer Susan Machamer was in charge of the shop on Monday. It was such a pleasure to meet this dynamic artist/jewelry designer/metalsmith/business woman/college professor.

Machamer attended Syracuse University and later became a professor there, teaching metalsmith techniques. She owned Syracuse Jewelry where she worked with customers on bespoke design collaborations, as well as repairing damaged rings, necklaces and the like. At Cazenovia Jewelry she did more of the same (and still does on occasion) before venturing out as a creative free-spirit designing and selling limited editions of original semi-precious pieces of silver, gold and cultured pearls.

In addition to her work here at Cazenovia Artisans, you’ll be able to purchase her pieces at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse. Machamer is planning an exhibition of jewelry alongside two other artists during November 2023 there.

She shared how she takes stones and transforms them into wearable pieces by first drawing out the ideas in a sketchbook. This new series will have a floral vibe. I loved how excited she was about this new work. It is such a delight to see that sparkle of creativity electrifying someone.

Cazenovia Artisans

39 Albany Street, Cazenovia, New York 13035

(315) 655-2225

info@cazenoviaartisans.com

Hours-

Mon10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Tue10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Wed10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Thu10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Fri10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Sat10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Sun10:00 am – 04:00 pm

Daphne Verley is the featured artist this month. at Cazenovia Artisans.

There is also new work by Linda Bigness and Mary Padgett, Karen Burns, Dee Ann Von Hunke, Ede Walker and more.

You can also shop online!

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Process

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A number of these paintings by Cazenovia artist Hon Go David Robertson are sporting red dot stickers on their tags indicating that they have been sold. Great news that a library show can garner sales.

This exhibition is located inside the Cazenovia Public Library, 100 Albany Street, Cazenovia, New York 13035.

There will be a reception for the artist on August 26th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. I believe the work will be up for the duration of the month of August.

In his statement, Robertson refers to the process of creating these incredibly textured acrylic paintings. He considers the creation a celebration of the present moment.

The show is actually titled “Texture Through Time”.

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Closed Sunday

Call (315) 655-9322 for more information.