BPC People – Ruth Ohman
© Terese Loeb Kreuzer 2015
BPC Resident, Head of Battery Park Seniors
Favorite Battery Park City Spot: Esplanade
A native of Southern California, Ruth Ohman first came to New York City to attend Barnard College where she majored in English. Her decision to study in New York was influenced by her father who had attended Columbia University. Throughout her years studying in the City, Ruth developed a strong sense of appreciation for New York and decided to extend her stay following graduation. She began working as an editor of a medical magazine and moved to Battery Park City in 1983, after living in Greenwich Village for a period of time. While the move to Battery Park City was intended to be temporary, she quickly fell in love with the neighborhood and became an active member of the newly established community. Today, Ruth leads the Battery Park City Seniors group which has over 100 members.
The BPC Seniors program includes exercise classes, walking groups, museum visits, and art history lectures. One of Ruth’s main responsibilities is to make seniors aware of the wide variety of programs available within the community. These include Battery Park City Parks programs, computer e-book assistance, senior swim at the Downtown Community Center and more. Audrey Harkins, a resident of Gateway Plaza, has been working closely with Ruth in this effort. One of the most exciting times for the seniors is the annual flea market they hold at the BPC Block Party. According to Ruth, it is a chance for the seniors to “make a little money and have a lot of fun.” Items such as jewelry, books and videos are sold, all at reasonable prices.
Ruth Ohman has always had a passion for helping others and the community. She was appointed to Community Board 1 in 2007, becoming a public member in 2014. She respects the members of the Community Board and loves working alongside of them. During her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the Mercy Center in the Bronx where she teaches English as a second language to native Spanish speakers. In addition to volunteering, she enjoys traveling the world. Although she’s been to Thailand, Japan and Sweden, to name a few, she says Battery Park City will always be her favorite destination.
If you would like more information on the BPC Seniors program, please visit:
https://sites.google.com/site/batteryparkcityseniors/free-neighorhood-programs
Upcoming Events
Winter Afterschool Sports & Games
BPC Ball Fields
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
December 2 – February 29
Stay active outdoors and play soccer, flag-football, hockey, and more, organized by BPC staff or play on your own. Equipment provided. For ages 7 and older. For more information, click here.
Holiday Lights Annual Tree Lighting
South Cove
December 3, 5:45 – 7 pm
Be merry and bright and join Battery Park City Parks for an evening of seasonal cheer at the annual HOLIDAY LIGHTS tree lighting! Battery Park City Parks is an environmentally friendly organization that strives to promote and maintain the health of our trees for future generations. With this in mind, we will be lighting one of the majestic Cedars of Lebanon growing along South Cove.
- Seasonal songs will be performed by the a cappella group THE ACCIDENTALS. The audience is encouraged to sing along.
- Complimentary holiday cookies will be served, as well as hot cider and hot chocolate. A special visitor from the North Pole will also join the festivities.
- Share the joy! Please join others in bringing a new unwrapped gift or article of clothing for the many children and teens living in NYC shelters. Gifts will be wrapped and distributed by Stockings With Care.
An outdoor Menorah will be lit at sundown on Sunday, December 6th.
Billion Oyster Project
North Cove Marina, South Dock
December 3, 10 – 11 am
New York City and oysters, two words that once went together like Maine and lobster. Though that is not the case today, that might change in the near future. New York Harbor Foundation is organizing a plan to reintroduce oysters into NYC’s rivers. The Foundation along with students from Richard R. Green High School of Teaching will be visiting the south dock of the North Cove Marina to monitor and collect data on oysters placed in the Marina. For info, click here.
Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker
Winter Garden
December 4, 7 pm
December 5, 1 pm & 7 pm
230 Vesey St
This beloved holiday ballet is coming to Battery Park City! New York Theatre Ballet choreographer, Keith Michael brings his innovative style, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s classic score to produce a remarkable one hour show. Free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
Santa Claus Comes to Town!
Shops at Brookfield Place
December 4 – 23, 10 am – 6 pm
Dec. 24, 10 am – 4 pm
230 Vesey, 2nd Floor
Create photo memories with the man in red himself! Santa’s Winter Wonderland is the place for families, friends, couples, co-workers, and dog owners (on select days) to capture the magic of the holidays while shopping, dining and ice skating at Brookfield Place! Packages start at $22. For more info, click here.
NEW YORK CITY OF THE FUTURE
Skyscraper Museum
December 5, 10:30 – 11:45 am
36 Battery Place
What do you think New York City will look like in 50 years? In a century? After exploring the futuristic predictions of 1920s architects Harvey Wiley Corbett and Hugh Ferriss, kids will design their own cities of the future. Make room for sky roads for flying cars! Ages 6+. RSVP required. For more info, click here.
A Curator’s Tour
Skyscraper Museum
December 9, 3 pm
36 Battery Place
Director and curator Carol Willis will lead a curator’s tour of the museum’s new exhibition TEN TOPS. Curator’s tours are free with admission. No RSVP required.
Holiday Story Time
Battery Park City Library
December 10, 4:00 pm
175 North End Ave
Santa himself will make a special guest appearance at the end of this special story time. We will read seasonal stories and sing holiday songs, then you can take your child’s photo with the man in the red suit! For children of all ages. For more info, click here.
Café Royale
Museum of Jewish Heritage
December 12 & 19, 9:30 pm – 11 pm
The Café Royale was the place to see and be seen during the Golden Age of the 2nd Avenue Theater. Following select Saturday night performances of Di Goldene Kale, mix and mingle while enjoying the music of Jewish folk singer and guitarist Maida Feingold. Tickets are sold at the door, $10 for the general public and $5 for MJH and NYTF members and Di Goldene Kale ticketholders. For more info, click here.
Quiet Clubbing
Winter Garden
December 12, 7 – 11 pm
December 13, 1 – 5 pm
230 Vesey St
People dancing, neon lights flashing, and not a sound can be heard –at least not without the right headphones! The Quiet Events DJ guides individuals through a high energy dance party for all ages.
Tickets are Free! RSVP through this link!
BPC Open Community Meeting
December 16, 6 – 7 pm
6 River Terrace (across from the Irish Hunger Memorial)
The Battery Park City Authority will host an Open Community Meeting to provide updates on Battery Park City initiatives and welcome feedback from the public. All are encouraged to attend. Future meetings are currently scheduled for April 13, July 20, and November 16, 2016. For more information, click here.
International Bengali Poetry Festival
Poets House – Kray Hall
December 19, 12 pm – 5 pm
10 River Terrace
Celebrating the new CCC bilingual (Bengali-English) poetry book by Hassanal Abdullah Under the Thin Layers of Light. With over 20 reading participants and 14 languages included. The event is free and open to the public. for more info, click here.
MAKE YOUR OWN SKYSCRAPER CALENDAR!
Skyscraper Museum
December 19, 10:30 – 11:45 am
36 Battery Place
Looking forward to the New Year? Come to The Skyscraper Museum and find the inspiration and models to make your own unique 2016 calendar. Draw SUPERTALL buildings from around the world or pick some of your local favorites. Save your colorful creation to give as a holiday present! Ages 4+. RSVP required. For more info, click here.
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