November 2008 E-Letter

The New York Bryn Mawr Community Gives Jane Dammen McAuliffe an Enthusiastic Welcome:
A Report on the October 23 Reception for the College's New President.

Bryn Mawr Club of New York City Connections

• Rebecca Kelly Ballet: Highlights from The Nutcracker (November 21-23)
• Bryn Mawr Book Club Discusses Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins (November 24)

Bryn Mawr Club of New York City Connections On The Horizon

• A Staged Reading of Miss Connections, a play by Sabrina Seidner, '85, at New Actors Workshop (December 4-7)

Announcements & Classifieds

• Join the Bryn Mawr Club of New York City on Facebook and LinkedIn
• Introducing "Garden Bytes from the Big Apple," a blog co-founded by Ellen Spector Platt, '56, MA '59
• Paris Apartment for Rent, from Brooke Berger, '69

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The New York Bryn Mawr Community Gives Jane Dammen McAuliffe an Enthusiastic Welcome

The New York Bryn Mawr community enthusiastically welcomed the College's new President, Jane Dammen McAuliffe, at a reception held on October 23rd at the New York Times Building. Around 150 area alumnae were in attendance as President McAuliffe spoke of her excitement to be at Bryn Mawr and her overwhelmingly favorable impressions of the campus and the students, faculty, and alumnae that she has had the pleasure of meeting. President McAuliffe was introduced by Dorothy Samuels, '72, a member of the Times' editorial board, and accompanied by Ellen Stroud, Assistant Professor of Growth and Structure of Cities and Environmental Studies, who spoke about her forthcoming book on the reforestation of Eastern industrial areas in the early 20th century. Professor Stroud also introduced two current Bryn Mawr students, both of whom spent summer internships pursuing environmental activism, one at a law firm working on private sector incentives for improving the environment and the other by founding a national youth organization to publicize and propose solutions for environmental problems in her native Ecuador.

To cap an engaging and enjoyable evening, Bryn Mawr Club of New York City President Kristen Steiner, '85, presented President McAuliffe with a check for $20,000, an unrestricted donation to the College in honor of the beloved Bryn Mawr Book Store on the Upper East Side which closed its doors in 2000. Unfortunately, as Kristen announced at the Annual Meeting in May, the Club has been forced to abandon its efforts to revive the Book Store. The donation, given from funds raised in hopes of reopening the store, was intended both as a tribute to the volunteer alumnae who staffed the store and campaigned to bring it back and as a token of the Club's best wishes for President McAuliffe and its commitment to working with her to build a bright future for Bryn Mawr.

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Bryn Mawr Club of New York City Connections

Rebecca Kelly Ballet: Highlights from The Nutcracker, November 21-23

The Rebecca Kelly Ballet Company will be performing highlights from The Nutcracker at Rebecca Kelly's ('73) professional dance studio loft in Soho during three special matinees held November 21, 22, and 23. Attendance at each performance is limited to 30 attendees who will have a chance to enjoy dance "behind the scenes," in its most intimate and authentic setting. Each sparkling 45-minute presentation features the Grand Pas, with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Snow Queen, Marzipan, Russian, and more and includes a reception with the artists and the famous "Tray of Sweets." These performances promise to be a treat for the whole family, for all ages from 4 to 90.

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The Bryn Mawr Book Club Discusses Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins, November 24

From the Publisher Comments for Jitterbug Perfume on the website for Powell's Books, www.powellsbooks.com:

Jitterbug Perfume is an epic. Which is to say, it begins in the forests of ancient Bohemia and doesn't conclude until nine o'clock tonight [Paris time]. It is a saga, as well. A saga must have a hero, and the hero of this one is a janitor with a missing bottle. The bottle is blue, very, very old, and embossed with the image of a goat-horned god. If the liquid in the bottle is actually the secret essence of the universe, as some folks seem to think, it had better be discovered soon because it is leaking and there is only a drop or two left.

From the Washington Post's review for Jitterbug Perfume:

Jitterbug Perfume has a large and exotic cast of characters, all of whom are interested in immortality and/or perfume. Go see for yourself; you'll have a good time.

Even if you can't attend the Bryn Mawr Book Club meeting, reading suggestions are always welcome - just send an email to Elizabeth Holloway, robinsonholloway@gmail.com. You can also visit the Club's website at: http://www.alumnae.brynmawr.edu/newycclub/events/bookclub.html, and see the Book Club's upcoming selections.

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Bryn Mawr Club of New York City Connections On The Horizon

A Staged Reading of Miss Connections, a play by Sabrina Seidner, '85 at New Actors Workshop, December 4-7

Sabrina Seidner, '85, is staging a reading of her new play, Miss Connections, at New Actors Workshop. Miss Connections, written and directed by Sabrina, is a love story sparked on the A train that involves six pairs of breasts, one deranged man, a new father, and a ghost. Performances will take place on Thursday, December 4 and Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. RSVP directly to Sabrina at sjseidner@gmail.com or 917-805-9475.

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Announcements & Classifieds

Join the Bryn Mawr Club of New York City on Facebook and LinkedIn

Did you know that the Bryn Mawr Club of New York City has a Facebook page? If you already have a Facebook account, join the group "Bryn Mawr College Alumnae in NYC" the next time you sign in. The Club also has a group on the networking site LinkedIn. If you belong to LinkedIn, please join the group "Bryn Mawr Club of New York City." If you haven't yet joined either Facebook or LinkedIn, consider signing up. It's a great way to network and keep in touch with friends old and new.

From Ellen Spector Platt, '56, MA '59: Introducing "Garden Bytes from the Big Apple"

Ellen Spector Platt, '56, MA '59, has co-founded a new gardening blog with fellow New York City garden writer Ellen Zachos. "Garden Bytes from the Big Apple" will post information about community gardens and New York City parks and hidden garden treasures in the city as well as gardening tips tailored for New York City gardens. Check out the blog at www.gardenbytes.com. If you like what you see, you can subscribe for free to be notified of new posts. If you have questions or have any garden-related news to report, contact Ellen at esp@ellenspectorplatt.com.

From Brooke Berger, '69: Paris Apartment for Rent

Enjoy your vacation in Paris while staying in a sunny, charming apartment in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. The apartment includes one bedroom, one full bath, a living/dining room, and a kitchen. Rent is $1200 per week, with a one-week minimum stay. For more information, email Brooke Berger, '69 at andybandbrookb@yahoo.com.

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THE BMC OF NYC E-LETTER
The Bryn Mawr Club of New York City E-letter is submitted to the Alumnae Association for distribution on the first business day of each month. Items for the e-letter should be submitted to the e-mail address below by the 27th of the prior month. If you have news to share with the New York City BMC alumnae community, if you would like to have information about an upcoming event included, or if you just have a question for the Club, please contact us at brynmawrclubnyc@gmail.com. For address changes, go to http://www.brynmawr.edu/alumnae/updates.htm.