A celebration for the new High Line
On Monday, June 1st, I attended a dinner held on the High Line in New York City. This dinner was hosted by media mogul, Barry Diller and his wife, the fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. It was in honor of the many supporters of the High Line. The High Line is an elevated rail viaduct that runs for 1.45 miles, from West 34th Street down nearly 30 blocks, along the edge of the Hudson River. Prior to its construction in the 1930’s, 10th Avenue was referred to as “Death Avenue.†It was a neighborhood of very busy freight warehouses and shipping terminals. And with freight trains running at the same level as cars, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carts, many serious accidents occurred. Things became a whole lot safer when the High Line was built. It was a solution that raised the rails, allowing other traffic to move beneath the trains.
Of course, at that time, no one knew that eventually air travel and trucking would bring a decline in ocean and rail traffic. Or, that this major infrastructure for ships and trains in Manhattan would one day be abandoned. For many years there was disagreement about what should become of the High Line. There were those who wanted it demolished. Fortunately, a non-profit group called Friends of the Highline was formed, and they worked steadfastly to preserve the structure. Their dream to turn it into a grand, public promenade for residents and visitors to enjoy has come to fruition and later this month, the first section will open to the public.
Martha, I think that by you having your daily events posted on your website blog that you are really inviting everyone into your exciting life.
How do you ever find the time to even lay down and breathe?
Posted by: Sandy Ranallo | June 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 am
Love your life.
Posted by: Carey Chu | June 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 am
Martha some famous BLONDS at this event that's for sure. Also some ex dates yes LOL~ Very interesting group. I am glad they preserved some NY history and will open it to the pubic to enjoy.
What is or who is Wilton & Eks?
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | June 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 am
Great to see the Highline rescued. I have followed this for a bit but have never really experienced it. An Uncle of mine had helped remodel the Chelsea Market and it was neat to see a part of the highline attached to tthe old oreo factory.
Also nice to see everyone out to celebrate.
Posted by: M. David Berberich | June 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
Lovely celebration! love your outfit Martha!
God Bless
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | June 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 am
Hi Martha!
This really brought tears to my eyes! Knowing that there are so many groups and activists working hard to preserve such landmarks, I know my Grandfather, a long-time railroad foreman, is smiling down on all of the achievements!
So here's a toast to the High Line from me and Granddaddy!
Posted by: tinay | June 3rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
Hi Martha,
You have proved in so many ways how much you love New York and your support of this mind boggling undertaking is yet another example. I read up a little on the High Line and naturally was very impressed with the Friends of the Highline and their plans to salvage it. I wish I could be there for the grand opening just to walk the promenade but hopefully I will see it as a tourist one day.
You took some great pictures of some of your long time acquaintances and also Candace Bergen who looked nice in her bright jacket. I always thought she’d play a great you in a movie! Sandy Gallin looks as young as he did back when I’d see him posing with one of his music clients, sweet Dolly Parton. They are great old friends.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful adventure with us. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t know half of what is going on in the world or at least the eastern part where you live. I’m a real homebody for sure so I definitely enjoy your blog! Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 3rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
Will u tweet with me. I love everthing u do. i think you r a complete genuis!
LIL ROAR
Posted by: Lil Roar | June 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Martha!
It was so great meeting you at the Highline Dinner the other night! What a fantastic celebration. Thanks for all of your interest our little company, bite. It was very fun chatting with you... Looking forward to the next time I get the opportunity. Be well. xoxo Nick Hosea
Posted by: nick hosea | June 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
What has been done with the Highline area (at least from what I myself can see from Martha's pics) is a monumental accomplishment...it's lovely and so are the guests. I love flowers and thought the lilac and allium set in one short vase was out of balance and didn't do justice to either of the flowers; but the colour is fabulous! Thank you Martha for allowing us into your life. Keep eating your special breakfast as often as you have time to do so. Give us the recipe! I know it varies for a touch of excitement. Who says breakfast cannot be exciting!!!
Posted by: May | June 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
Thank you for taking us along for the view Martha! If every city in the country took the time to reclaim and reinvent lost spaces, our country and our planet would be in a much better place for everyone.
Thanks for doing your part.
Posted by: Sonya | June 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Hi Martha,
I was pleasantly surprised to see the High Line highlighted on your sight. A few years back, it was the subject of a Landscape Design competition. The resulting boards were fantastic! The Landscape Architect I was working for at the time, Michael Blier, did a beautiful rendering of the High Line. It is nice to see it still in the news! Oh and check out Michael Blier, a genius in the world of Landscape Architects.
Carol Weyland
Posted by: Carol Weyland | June 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Looks like a grand gala party.
Hope all went well.
Coffee is on.
Posted by: peppylady | June 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Hi Martha, Did you happen to see the "docu-drama" of 2100? ( I believe it was on CBS) It had a proposed future account of New York/Manhattan Island, and how all of the houses/apts. had a "built-in" green house to each apartment, to make the occupants "self-sustaining" with a garden and their own generating "electricity" wind vanes. I thought of you, and thought "what great contributions you have made to our present future", with the preservation of the "old" and the "new"..I just wanted to tell you "Thank you"!!
Posted by: cindy m | June 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hi Martha,
I enjoy your twitter entries. Makes communication very personal. Speaking of personal I wanted to refer you personally to my website to my very interesting style of contemporary illustration. Would it be in bad taste for an artist to see if you could use it in any of your enterprises?
Thank you!
Debra Sheffield
Posted by: Debra Sheffield | June 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Thanks for sharing, very interesting !!!
I know I've said this before but I don't like repeats of your show, pls return !!!
All the best,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | June 3rd, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Hi Martha, What a tremendous revitalization of an old elevated rail viaduct! It will be another wonderful place to visit if I ever get to your favorite city, New York City. My list just keeps expanding and I will probably have to spend at least a month or two to visit all of these fabulous sites! Your photos are exceptionally good and I just love the one that includes Candice Bergen. Where do we get to go next?! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 3rd, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Do you ever have a day where you have nothing to do? Perhaps where you can just have a cup of tea and read a good book. Or just wander your gardens and let the sun shine on your face. Or would you find that kind of a day boring?
Posted by: Becky from Wisconsin | June 4th, 2009 at 9:37 am
You and Candice Bergen look like sisters.
Posted by: kate | June 4th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
It seems like you're always doing something so interesting. Your Twitter updates always grab my attention. If you get a chance check out my new Twitter (BedInABox) and see what you think. Hope you do.
Posted by: Ben | June 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Just popping in...and I must say the gal above me has a great ?,thanks Becky. I too would love to know if you ever just take a day and do nothing ???
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | June 4th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
This is not unlike the L in Chicago. Although, much other transportation modes have been invented since the L was built over 100 years ago, it is still a preferred mode of transportation because it allows commuters to move "ELevated" above other traffic. I think the idea was ingenius for its time and can still be widely used in a green form of transportation and should be adopted in more cities.
On a side note, I love how the Bite chef plugs his company!!!!
Posted by: Angela Trapp | June 5th, 2009 at 2:47 pm