The fresh, handcrafted, locally made artisanal food movement in the States is going strong and growing every day.  But it occurred to me that Italians have been eating this way for centuries.  This culinary tradition is alive and well at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the Bronx.

This past weekend, I took Misti Dawn Garritano and Frank Ayala, host and producer of the pilot television show, “In Your Business,” to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market to film a segment for their show on Markets of New York City.  On the show, they interview entrepreneurs who are following their dreams, and I am extremely fortunate to fit that bill. Check out their current episodes online, including an interview with Marlo Scott, owner of Sweet Revenge and Kee Ling Tong, chocolatier and owner of Kee’s Chocolates.

I wanted to visit this market in particular with Misti and Frank because it is a bastion of Italian American history, it is full of character, and it is also a great place to eat some incredible food.  We started our morning with the perfect cappuccino and tomato, prosciutto, mozzarella panini for breakfast and ended the day with a beautiful platter of antipasti and a hunk of soft and gooey fresh torrone, all at Mike’s Deli and Arthur Avenue Café at the far end of the market.  The current owner is David Greco, son of the original owner, Mike Greco.  David is a talented chef and a sweetheart of the Food Network.  In fact, Bobby Flay challenged him to an eggplant parmigiana throwdown.  I don’t want to give anything away, but if you’ve had the delicate and rich eggplant parm from Mike’s Deli, you’ll realize that Bobby never had a chance.

David showed us how to make fresh mozzarella by hand, and we tasted it in several forms – grilled, smoked, and plain.  It is an amazing process to watch the white mass acquire its stretchy quality and wind up in the perfect rounds we all know and adore.

Up at the front entrance to the market are two shops that are unique to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market.  La Casa Grande Tobacco Company sells hand-rolled cigars.  We watched their expert cigar rollers from the Dominican Republic whip up the perfect little torpedoes.  It’s not easy to do.  They invited me to roll one, and mine looked more like an old tootsie roll than a sleek torpedo.  Their clients include Chazz Palminteri, Rudy Giuliani, and basically everyone on “The Sopranos.”

Right across the aisle is Liberatore’s Gardens.  They sell lush plants and imported Italian seeds, but their real treasure is the original owner, Joe Liberatore, also known as the Mayor of Little Italy.  Joe is upwards of 90 years old now, and he was one of the original street vendors who moved into the Arthur Avenue Retail Market when Mayor La Guardia had this and several other indoor markets built in the early 1940’s.  I’m hoping to do an interview with him for the blog in the near future!

One of the two sisters who are the proprietors of Mt. Carmel Gourmet Foods showed us some of their wonderful Italian delicacies, from canned sardines, olive oils, and balsamic vinegar from Modena, to handmade fresh pasta, cured olives, and Italian cookies and candies.  The three brothers who own Boiano Foods sell your essential fresh fruits and veggies, and you can pick up fresh Italian chestnuts and hazelnuts, as well as artichokes, Italian grapes, and more.  And if you need recipe ideas, just ask – they are full of great ideas.

Our last stop was Peter’s Meats, selling amazing Italian cuts and perfect meatballs.  They cut and pack your order right in front of you, so you know your meat or poultry is as fresh as possible.  A new bakery and a coffee shop with roasters on site will be opening soon.  The market is also preparing for a facelift of the front entrance, which will be a nice upgrade.

Frank and Misti tell me that the footage is great. The episode will be ready in a few weeks – I’ll keep you posted!!  I can’t close without mentioning that my nephew Adrian has been accepted to the Italian Program at the French Culinary Institute, starting this summer.  I can’t wait to take him shopping at Arthur Avenue to see what kind of dinner he can whip up for us!

Arthur Avenue Retail Market:  Monday – Saturday 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM,  2329 Arthur Avenue.  2329 Arthur Avenue, the Bronx.  Visit www.arthuravenue.com for driving and public transportation directions

In Search of Vintage Valentines

There’s something so lovely and nostalgic about the vintage Valentine’s Day Cards.  They evoke a sense of nostalgia for when we were little kids giving Valentines to everyone in our class, or memories of the simple sentiment on a Valentine from a secret crush.

I went looking for vintage Valentines at the markets.  I had a lot of good luck on the second floor of the Antiques Garage.  Arby Rolband of Hobbit Rare Books and Prints has a beautifully preserved collection of several years greeting cards between a WWII soldier and his family.  It’s interesting to see how the War was incorporated into daily life at that time, including greeting cards.  My favorite is a rather saucy pop-up card from “Wifey” with an all-American pin-up girl on the front wearing boxing gloves, saying “OK Buddy, Y’wanna fight?”  On the inside, it says, “Or would you like to wrestle?  I’m a’waiting!”  A Hallmark insight into the post-war Baby Boom?

The cards are part of the entire collection that spans several years and many different holidays.  As a whole, this collection is a beautiful piece of history.

Right near Mr. Roland’s tables is Janet West’s “Oddball Americana.”  She has a box of sweet old Valentines from the 40’s and 50’s, I believe.  They are in excellent condition, and there are some very cute ones, like a bunny with floppy ears saying, “’Ears hoping you’ll be my Valentine.”  The price is right at $2 and $3 each.  You’ll want to spend time looking at all the wonderful things she has on her tables.

And just down the aisle at David Cohn’s shope is a very interesting stack of cards with illustrations by Margé, who created the cartoon character Little Lulu.  These Valentines are pleasantly risqué, especially considering the era.  So if you love a golfer, pick up the one with the lady golfer flashing her bloomers and saying, “This may be a little course, but I’d like to be your Valentine.”

Geno Sartori at the Greenflea on the Upper West Side has spectacular handmade Valentines.  For less than what you’d pay for a strip-mined Hallmark card, Mr. Sartori creates three-dimensional cards using vintage printed illustrations from Germany.  Bright tulips, red roses, and pink-cheeked angels pop to life on rich, heavy paper stock cards.  His cards sell out quickly, so get up first thing on Sunday morning and run to the Greenflea.  You can find Mr. Sartori inside the school cafeteria.

There’s another treasure trove of vintage Valentines at the Brooklyn Flea.  I wrote about the vintage buttons from Paula Hill’s shop “FDR to JFK” in a previous post about the Flea.  She also has a great selection of vintage Valentines.  They too are in excellent shape.  I found cute ones for my small nieces and, well, one that I kept for myself.  I love the fact that many of them have the signature of the original sender, which just shows that love is the gift that keeps on giving.

Oh dear – I’m waxing corny.  Better go have another pink frosted heart-shaped cookie.

Antiques Garage: 112 West 25th Street (between 6th & 7th Ave), open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday.

Greenflea: Columbus Avenue between W. 76 & 77 Streets (Upper West Side), open 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Nov.-Mar.) and 10 AM to 6 PM (Apr.-Oct.)

Brooklyn Flea: One Hanson every Sat+Sun, 10:oo AM – 5:00 PM, through March 27+28.


We Have A Winner!!!

The winner of our first Market Swatch Newsletter giveaway is Kimm Alfonso!!!  I know she will love the very special Rose Bonbons from Roni-Sue’s Chocolates at the Lower East Side’s Essex Street Market!

I’m especially thrilled because Kimm is a wonderful graphic designer who sells her bold silkscreened clothing, KimmChi Silkscreened Apparel, at the markets of New York City!  She is also a member of The NewNew, “an eclectic group of independent handmade Etsy artists, designers, makers and crafters in the Metro New York area who are devoted to fostering a creative and supportive environment among its members.”

Visit Kimm’s online shop at www.KimmChi.com.  She has some dainty nighties for Valentine’s Day!

Follow KimmChi on Twitter: and become a Facebook Fan!

You can also meet Kimm in person at The NewNew and Brooklyn Indie Market’s Valentines Fling, Saturday February 13, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM at Starting Artists, 211 Smith Street, Brooklyn.

Thanks to everyone for playing and for subscribing to Market Swatch!

Win these chocolates!!

Win these chocolates!!

We’re poised to launch our newsletter about the markets of New York City: Market Swatch! Fill in the form to your right, and you will be entered to win a box of six hand-made rose chocolates from Roni-Sue’s Chocolates at the Essex Street Market.  (Don’t fret if you have already subscribed to the newsletter!  You are automatically entered into the random drawing.)

Market Swatch will include in-depth information about New York’s markets and the people and products that make them so wonderful.  It will let you know about market specials, featured market businesses and products, holiday ideas, special offers, and much more!

And now, back to the chocolates!  To kick off Valentine’s Week, I wanted to let you know about the wonderful rose bon-bons from Roni-Sue Chocolates at the Essex Street Market.  The winner of this drawing will receive a box of six of “Roni’s Roses” in two different flavors:

-       Red Rose:  Callebaut dark chocolate ganache topped with an edible fresh-dried rose petal

-       White Rose: Molded dark chocolate rose bon-bon with a white chocolate ganache filling.

But there’s a lot more to these chocolates.  From Roni-Sue:  “Before I opened my shop I worked for many years for the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  In honor of V-Day [and the national campaign of the same name to bring awareness of D/V, spear-headed by Eve Ensler] I donate a portion of the sale of my dozen box of “Roni’s Roses” to the agency where I used to work to help them provide phone cards so victims can safely make phone calls to access essential services from the hot-line, etc.”

The random drawing will take place on Wednesday, February 10th at 3:00 PM, and the winner will be notified via email.  This is a quick one, so subscribe to Market Swatch today!!  (This offer is for US and Canada only, but I’ll make it up to you somehow in Brazil and France!)

For many more delectable and beautiful handmade confections, including her bacon candy line, visit Roni-Sue’s Chocolates at the Essex Street Market, 120 Essex Street (at Delancey Street) in the Lower East Side.

For more Valentine’s Day Specials this week, follow Markets of New York City on Facebook and Twitter!

I have been thinking about Valentine’s Day, for obvious reasons.  So I thought I would write about a very happy union in Brooklyn:  the Makers Market and Community Markets at the Old American Can Factory.

The Makers Market is a great destination if you are seeking finely crafted handmade products.  And now you can buy your veggies for the week there too!   During this freezing winter season, the Makers Market and Community Markets have joined forces to create an indoor artisan and farmers’ market for the Gowanus/Park Slope neighborhoods.  Community Markets runs farmers’ markets throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties, as well as New York City.  Normally, many of their markets close for the winter season.  So it is a great service and resource for the local communities to have easy access to fresh, delicious and locally grown produce.

The farmers include Breezy Hill Orchard, Gajeski Produce and Phillips Farm.  You can pick up a delicious loaf of bread from the “oven artisans” at Orwasher’s Bakery.  They also sell their miche, levain and focaccia and more at Citarella, Dean & Deluca, and Zabar’s.  Get a taste of pungent pickle goodness from Dr. Pickle. I got half a dozen great ideas for canapés for our next dinner party, starting with pepperoncini stuffed with goat cheese.  Yum. And don’t pass up Buddhapesto or their tempting tray of samples.  Their artisanal basil pesto is delicious, so go ahead and “enlighten your tastebuds.”

There is wine at the markets too, from Brooklyn Oenology.  I bet you didn’t know there is a winery headquartered in Williamsburg/Greenpoint.  The actual winemaking is done in Long Island, but their wines carry the artisanal spirit of the borough.  For a tasty and healthy dessert, Tierra Farm sells chocolate covered nuts and fruits, as well as dry roasted products.

The artisans share the large welcoming space that originally served as a loading dock for the Old American Can Factory.  The white walls and steel pillars provide a beautiful setting for these extremely talented people to sell their creations.  I wrote about some of these artisans over the holidays.  May Luk Ceramics, or “Take Me Homeware,” brings art and wit to your table.  (See the photo of her “Saucy” bowl, which I gave to my sister Andrea for Christmas.)  Parable Ink creates T-shirts that tell a story (they keep selling out of their gorgeous Blue Elephant design in my size!).  If you’re looking to spruce up your sweaters, Shaya NYC, Christine Vasan and Ed Ledner all sell wonderfully unique handmade jewelry.

And there are the comfortable and fashionable clothing designs by ANgeLRoX Apparel.  The ANgeLRoX reversible “turtles” keep your neck toasty and come in beautiful accent colors.  You will find beautiful poetry books from Ugly Duckling Presse; preserves, chutneys and more from SchoolHouse Kitchen; beautiful and thought-provoking fine artwork by Nicola Ginzel; and so much more.

It may be cold outside, but it’s warm and toasty on Sundays inside the Old Can Factory.

Community Markets Park Slope Indoor Farmers’ Market and Makers Market:  Sundays 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 232 Third Street (at Third Avenue) through March 2010.

NOTE:  10/19/2010:  Markets of New York is on a bit of a vacation, so we’re reposting some of our favorite pieces from the past year!  Here’s one from January 28, 2010:

James and I went to Paris last week. Again.  People keep asking us why we go back over and over, and for a brief moment we contemplated not returning until next year.  The instant melancholy we both felt was enough to convince us that we’ll visit much sooner than that, probably October.  That should give our cholesterol time to level out.

We had a particularly wonderful and magical time this trip, probably because we had no real agenda other than finding a daily fix of foie gras and sharing a nightly bottle of Côtes du Rhone.  One thing that made this trip special was touring and eating at the glorious Parisian markets with brothers Sebastien and Pascal Bensidoun, fourth generation market owners and managers at Groupe Bensidoun in France and Bensidoun USA.  In addition to their markets in Paris, they also run thirteen French-style markets in Illinois, Michigan, and White Plains, New York.  In November 2009, they opened the French Market in Chicago to the delight of foodies there.

We rent apartments when we go to Paris, and we love to buy much of our food at the markets.  One of our favorite markets is on Boulevard Richard Lenoir, which we first found in an inspirational little book, “Markets of Paris.“  We buy fresh vegetables, delicious cheeses that we’ve never heard of before, sometimes shrimp, and always a fragrant roasted chicken, a crunchy baguette and some sort of scrumptious tart.  I was introduced to Sebastien and Pascal through my research for “Markets of New York City.”  So, a week ago Sunday, our first full day in Paris, the Bensidoun brothers picked us up and whisked us off to the Marché Bio, or the Organic Market at Raspail.

The food markets of Paris have a long and wonderful history, and the organic market is especially remarkable.  All the food items are certified “AB,” or “Agriculture Biologique” by the French Ministry of Agriculture.  The products looked fresh, flawless, and delicious.  The string beans, carrots, Clementine oranges and litchis we ate at home definitely tasted great.  There is an immense variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, prepared foods, honey, preserves, meat, seafood, and much more.  An impressive number of people were waiting in line for the organic breads.  James picked up a tiny heart-shaped piece of goat cheese covered in ash.  It was the strongest goat we’ve ever tasted and stuck with us for the rest of the day.  My favorite item was the grouping of black truffles under a glass cloche.  The vendor lifted the cover, and the musky mushroomy fragrance swam up into the air.  We learned that there are truffles and there are truffles.  If the price seems too good to be true, they are probably imported from Asia.  French truffles never lose their value, unless, of course, they get eaten.

We also visited the market at Auguste Blanqui in the 13th Arrondissement that day and Cours de Vincennes later in the week.  Like the Raspail market, Auguste Blanqui sets up on the on the center island of a boulevard, and so it is long and narrow, unlike our sprawling market at Union Square.  This market runs almost a kilometer in length, with vendor tables on either side.  At the Cours de Vincennes, we had an unexpected and delicious meal of salmon, salsify, and red wine with a Valrhona chocolate for dessert.  The French Federation of Amateur Chefs holds food demonstrations at the markets, and Sebastien and Pascal made sure we didn’t miss this one.  The salmon melted in my mouth.  Despite the rainy day, the market was lively and active.

We didn’t run into Gerard Depardieu or Catherine Deneuve, who both, as we understand, frequent the markets.  But we felt like celebrities ourselves as we strolled along with Sebastien and Pascal.  They introduced us to the vendors and showed us all of the wonderful things about their markets.  Merci beaucoup!  We’ll be back soon!

The Eifel Tower may be touristy, but I adore it and never tire of watching it sparkle at night.

The Eifel Tower may be touristy, but I adore it and never tire of watching it sparkle at night.

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).”

As I braved the frigid weather to get to the Brooklyn Flea’s new indoor market, I wondered what kind of indoor space could possibly accommodate the large number of vendors and the crowds of shoppers.  I got out of the subway station and asked a nice lady if she knew where One Hanson Place was. “It’s right in front of you, honey,” she said. “That huuuuuge building right on the corner.”

One Hanson Place used to house the Williamsburgh Savings Bank.  The tallest building in Brooklyn, the former bank’s lobby/event space is absolutely gorgeous, with marble everywhere, vaulted ceilings, soaring columns, and the old bank teller windows and lamps.   Every weekend through March, it is filled with over 100 flea market vendors and artisans.

The vendors’ shops fill the main walkway, and they spill over into every nook and cranny, including side hallways, upstairs offices and overlooks.  Definitely do not miss the old bank vault downstairs.  It still houses treasures, only now they’re in the form of lobster rolls from the Red Hook Lobster Pound, handmade chocolates from Nunu, McClure’s pickles, and much more.

I picked out a beautiful, sturdy tote bag from Loyalty and Blood.  I also ran into australianScent and got to tell them that my scary winter elbows are soft and supple with their Balm of Gilead moisturizer that I had purchased at the Brooklyn Flea’s Gifted Market.   In addition to Rain Lily’s gorgeous handcrafted, fair trade silk scarves, she also had tiny “dhokra,” or lost wax, figurines from India.  (Rachel Ray bought the horse on Sunday, but I’m partial to the piggies.)  The old typewriter photograph from She Hit Pause Studios, housed upstairs, is gorgeous and inspirational.

I met some new people as well.  John Murphy’s dreamy and colorful prints and photographs stopped me in my tracks. He uses all of my favorite colors – orange, pink, robin’s egg blue, and more.  I also fell in love with Paula Hill’s vintage buttons.  She knows the history of every single button, including Bakelite and earlier plastics from the early 1900’s.  I’ll show you her vintage Valentine’s in a week or two!

The Brooklyn Flea’s winter home is just as fun and adventurous as their outdoor venues.  Thank goodness we don’t have to wait until spring to shop at the Flea!

Brooklyn Flea: Saturdays and Sundays through March, One Hanson Place

A lot of people think the farmers markets shut down for the winter.  Most of them do, but seventeen Greenmarkets are open each week, and Community Markets is partnering with the Makers Market at the Old American Can Factory to hold an indoor farmers market in Gowanus starting this weekend.

I love the markets in the winter: I feel like some kind of pioneer, bundling up first thing in the morning when it’s 22ºF outside to go out for provisions.  (When it’s warm outside, it’s “food,” but when it’s freezing, it’s “provisions.”)

James and I went to Abingdon Square for apples from Red Jacket Orchards to make applesauce tomorrow.  Since it wasn’t too windy out, we continued on to the Union Square Market to see what wintery things are on offer there and to take a picture of a perfect pretzel from Martin’s Pretzels for the book (which is in its final stages).

What caught my eye?  Wool!  And not scratchy, rustic wool, but soft, rich, lustrous yarns that would set any knitter’s heart aflutter.  In addition to offering beautiful “artisanal sheep’s milk cheese,” 3-Corner Field Farm had buckets of luscious undyed yarn from their sheep.  This weekend they also had sweet, tiny baby hats.  Catskill Merino Sheep Farm offers a wide variety of meat products from their herds, and they also have a full spectrum of colored yarns.  You can’t miss their tent – it’s the one with the bundles of yarn hanging all around it.  They offer undyed and hand-dyed yarns in four weights.  I picked out a skein of the heaviest weight undyed yarn to make, oh, something deliciously soft and cozy.  I can’t wait to start knitting with it.  (I’m no master knitter, but my sister-in-law Judy and I just got some great new needles at Purl in Soho.)

In addition to fine yarns, there are things at the markets that you really want because it’s winter, primarily delicious, steamy, hot apple cider dipped out of huge pots on hotplates.  Root vegetables abound, and grainy breads are irresistible.  I loved the Garlic Raspberry Jelly from Berkshire Berries.  Not only is it a beautiful, translucent pink color, but it satisfies both sweet and savory cravings.

And then there’s the gallon and half-gallon bottles of Deep Mountain Maple Syrup from Vermont.  That should get me through the next week of winter!

What happens when artisans sell their creations at the markets or pack them up and ship them to all corners of the world for the holidays?  They never get to see where their handiwork ends up or who opened the packages on Christmas morning.  After talking to artisans at the holiday markets recently about this subject, I decided to show them where the gifts I bought ended up.

We spend the holidays with my husband James’ family, and I can honestly say that every single gift from a New York City market was received with much happiness.  One particularly special piece was placed at the top of the tree.

I picked out Squidfire’s hot pink giant squid T-shirt for myself, and James wrapped it up for me.  I loved the way it glowered up from underneath the tree.  Dainty earrings made by Martin Lopez at AdornmentsNYC from vintage beads and findings got placed immediately in my sister-in-law Judy’s ears.  They make a faint hypnotic jingle for her ears only.  She also adored the tiny sandalwood candle in a gold pressed glass vase from Lovely Day Designs.

For my nephew, I chose one of my favorite T-shirts to add it to his growing collection of Gnome Enterprises designs.  It’s the one where the tree gets its revenge on the lumberjack.  My lucky husband got the fluffy black sweatshirt from Fleisher’s Grassfed Organic Meats that says, “Bacon: The Gateway Meat.”  It’s a classic.

James made all the holiday cookies this year. (Tip: He added bergamot oil to the icing – amazing!) Anyway, he burned his hand several times taking them out of the oven using our pitiful oven mitts.  So I gave him a gorgeous handmade oven rack pull from Meb’s Kitchenwares.  It’s in the shape of a fish, and it was a bit of a mystery to everyone until I explained what it was.  They all agreed it was brilliant.

Speaking of brilliant, the crayon apron from Pickleboots was the runaway winner with my two-year-old niece, although the pink handbag with a furry mouse in the pocket got a lot of love too.

And finally, there were two piéces de resistance for my brother-in-law Thom.  The four of us recently went on vacation to Paris.  All Thom wanted was unusual French salts, but he didn’t get any.  So when we saw this beautiful collection of salts from Gneiss Spices at the Brooklyn Lyceum, we thought of him.  The cute jars are magnetic, and you can store the salts (3 of which are French, and 2 of which are pink) on your fridge.

We also gave Thom a beautiful sign from Yee Haw Industries that says, “Carve that Possum.”  He placed it at the top of the tree.  We’ll frame it for his workshop after the holidays.

This New Year’s Eve brings us a full moon, a blue moon, a partial lunar eclipse!  A lot of great things are going to happen with the Markets of New York blog in the new year, and I am already excited about the book’s release in June.  Visit often!

Have a safe and happy new year.  And don’t forget to look up!

Place of Honor (Yee Haw Industries)