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Photo of the Day – May 18, 2010: Gerardo Le Chevalier

Gerardo Le Chevalier, a Tireless Supporter of Democracy, who lost his life in the Haitian Earthquake

You may know that I spent some time working in Haiti, and I was heartbroken by the earthquake in January of this year. One of my colleagues, Gerardo Le Chevalier, was the head of the UN Electoral Assistance Unit. He lost his life when the UN building collapsed in Port-au-Prince.

So although this week is full of joy for me, with the book release, my family coming to town, a fabulous New York book launch party, and “Celebrate Handmade Brooklyn” on Saturday, I do want to take this opportunity to remember those who may be less fortunate than I. Gerardo’s family graciously agreed to allow us to honor him at “Celebrate Handmade Brooklyn” by raising funds for Doctors Without Borders in his name.

Gerardo was a Salvadoran citizen who served in the Senate before moving into the international arena. He used his own skills and experiences to support the development of political parties in Haiti and Paraguay. Most recently, he had returned to Haiti with the United Nations. He is sadly missed by his family and friends, and fondly remembered by his colleagues as a courageous, diplomatic man with a fabulous sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye. Some of the stories are told in this article about him on the National Endowment for Democracy’s website.

So I hope you will come to Posman Books on Thursday and to the Brooklyn Indie Market on Saturday to “Celebrate Handmade Brooklyn.” And please make a contribution to the outstanding and courageous work of Doctors Without Borders in honor of Gerardo Le Chevalier, a true democrat.

Book Launch Events – Posman Books and Brooklyn Indie Market

Tuesday, May 11 – Official Publication Day!

Markets of New York City goes on sale online and in bookstores today!

Thursday, May 20 – Publication Party! You’re Invited!

Book signing and reception from 6 pm – 8 pm (Bonus – Meet my mom, Haydee, to whom the book is dedicated.)
Posman Books at Chelsea Market
9th Avenue at 15th Street, Manhattan (A, C, E, 2, & 3 Trains to 14th Street)

Refreshments will be provided by Chelsea Market shops, including Manhattan Fruit Exchange, Chelsea Wine Vault, Buon Italia, and Amy’s Bread.
Five artisans representing several of the markets featured in the guidebook will be selling their handmade items as well:

Shaya NYC: Fine Handcrafted Jewelry
Miss Wit Industrial Light and Tragic: Tee Shirt Designs
Off the Mat: Soaps, Scents, and Accessories Inspired by Yoga
Rocks and Salt: Handmade Hats an Accessories
Take Me Homeware: Unique Handmade Ceramics

Saturday, May 22 – Markets of New York City Celebrates Handmade Brooklyn!

Meet many of the vendors featured in the guidebook at this full-day event especially for Brooklyn! Book signing from 11 am – 5 pm
Brooklyn Indie Market, Details on Yelp.com
Smith Street & Union Street, Brooklyn (F & G Trains to Carrol Street)

I wanted to do something to honor a colleague who died in the earthquake in Haiti, Gerardo Le Chevalier. So, with permission of his family, we will be collecting donations for Doctors Without Borders at “Celebrate Handmade Brooklyn” in Gerardo’s memory for their ongoing work in helping Haiti recover from the disastrous effects of the earthquake earlier this year.

Announcing The Book Launch Events!!!

Markets of New York City (Little Bookroom, 2010)

I am so excited for the launch of Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food and Flea Markets (Little Bookroom, 2010), I can barely stand it! It has been such an incredibly rewarding experience to explore, shop, eat, and get to know the wonderful, dedicated, and talented entrepreneurs at the amazing markets throughout the boroughs. Please come out, have some fun, and show your support for these fantastic institutions that give so much character to our fair city!

Weekend of May 1 & 2 – Pre-Publication Launch at Brooklyn Lyceum’s Spring Food & Craft Market

Get an advance copy of the guidebook! Many of the vendors featured in the book are offering generous deals and discounts with your book purchase! Book signing from 11 am – 4 pm on Saturday & Sunday
Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn (R Train to Union Street)

Many of the wonderful vendors featured in the guidebook and blog are also going to be at the Lyceum, and they are offering awesome special discounts with your book purchase:

•Alison Tauber: $5 off one shirt

•Bacon Marmalade: Discount on Jars or Baked Goods

•Fine and Raw Chocolates: Chunky Bonbon 2 for $10 (regular price $7 each)

•Lovely Day Designs: 20% on total purchase

•McFlashpants : 10% discount on total purchase

•Meow Meow Tweet: $1.00 off total purchase

•Miss Wit Tees for Good Times: 15% on total purchase

•Nordea Soaperie: Free 1.5 oz Body Polish with $45 total purchase

•Off the Mat: 20% discount on total purchase

•Pumpkin and Honey Bunny/P&H Soda and Syrup Inc.: $.50 off purchase of sodas and greeting cards

•Rocks and Salt Design: 10% discount on hats

•Sour Puss Pickles: $1.50 off a jar of Green Tomato Relish

•Take Me Homeware: 20% discount on total purchase

•Virginia Kraljevic Illustrations and Cards: 20% discount on total purchase

•Yona’s Gourmet Delights: $1.00 off your purchase of any two combos

Thursday, May 20 – Publication Party! You’re Invited!

Book signing and reception from 6 pm – 8 pm (Bonus – Meet my mom, Haydee, to whom the book is dedicated.)
Refreshments will be provided by Chelsea Market shops, including Manhattan Fruit Exchange, Chelsea Wine Vault, Buon Italia, Amy’s Bread, and more!
Posmans Books at Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue at 15th Street, Manhattan (A, C, E, 2, & 3 Trains to 14th Street)

Saturday, May 22 – Markets of New York City Celebrates Handmade Brooklyn!

Meet many of the vendors featured in the guidebook at this full-day event especially for Brooklyn! Book signing from 11 am – 5 pm
Brooklyn Indie Market, Details on Yelp.com
Smith Street & Union Street, Brooklyn (F & G Trains to Carrol Street)

[On a sober note, I wanted to do something to honor a colleague who died in the earthquake in Haiti, Gerardo Le Chevalier. So, with permission of his family, we will be collecting donations for Doctors Without Borders at "Celebrate Handmade Brooklyn" in Gerardo's memory for their ongoing work in helping Haiti recover from the disastrous effects of the earthquake earlier this year.]

I’m only going to have one first book launch in my life, so please come out and help me make the most of it!

Handmade in Haiti

Haiti is not paradise. Parts of it, though, are breathtaking. I’ve been trying to think about those parts since the horrendous earthquake this week.

I spent four years working on an aid project in Haiti. I had the opportunity to work with some brilliant and dedicated people and to travel to all corners of the country. We worked long days, but weekends were an adventure waiting to happen. You might hike through a forest and end up at the beautiful Bassin Bleu, a waterfall with a lagoon at the bottom that was the bluest water you’ve ever seen. Dusk at Labadi Beach in the off-season brought a rowboat full of roasted lobsters and juicy mangoes, on the off-chance that maybe we might be hungry. And the food! Not only are the chicken creole and the djondjon rice fine and delicious, but the fresh seafood is prepared simply expertly, and mouthwateringly. And don’t even get me started on Rum Punch.

And then there are the handicrafts. I wanted to write something about Haiti, and so I took a tour of my apartment. Haitians make remarkable things and sell them along the roads and in impromptu markets, especially near the touristy spots or the places where the international community hangs out. You have probably seen the hammered steel wall sculptures of smiling suns, musicians, birds, and more. I have paintings reminiscent of Gaugin, with bright colors, wild animals, and huge colorful flowers. Nobody who visits Haiti can leave without a papier mâché Carnival mask, preferably a scary devil with long rope hair. (I gave mine to my nephew because it was scaring my cat.)

And finally, the mythical mermaids. You can find them everywhere, made with sequins, wood, papier mache, steel. They’re all beautiful, and to me they represent the spirit of Haiti.

My deepest condolences go to the families of the wounded and lost. Most of my friends and colleagues are accounted for, but one is still missing.

Many thanks to the valiant aid workers and emergency responders and in Haiti. You bring the experience, the equipment and the hope.

How can we help? Here is the New York Time’s list of organizations helping Haiti. Many have been there for years, and some are emergency responders. The people of Haiti are going to need help and support for a long time to come. Every nickel helps.

For twitter updates, I am following Richard Morse (RAMHaiti), owner of the Hotel Oloffson and lead vocalist for root music band, RAM. Here’s a link to RAM’s classic, “Ibo Lele (Dreams Come True).”